Winter's End Mix

Here is a new mix. Long time no do. Here is the first 2021 mix composed of some good oldies, newbies and in betweens.  Enjoy! 

One Day!

 

Here is a birthday post. A new one called "One Day" inspired by Fingers Inc. "A Path" as the base from the beats here. Very house 1986 when Robert Owens was serving some fierce vocals over house beats. This version is very heavy on the ambient side. Enjoy!

Disco Monk · One Day (Path Version)

and here is the original version mostily with some minor diversions. enjoy!

Disco Monk · A Path (Monk's Remix)- Fingers Inc.

Pieces of Me

Here is remix that encapsulates some parts of yours truly through this canopy of songs. Enjoy!





featuring songs from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bebel Gilberto, New Order, Tangerine Dream, Hercules and Love Affair, Harry Cho Cho Romero feat. Robert Owens, Robert Owens, Impedance, Carmen Miranda, Sueno Latino, Idris Muhammad and Biddu Orchestra.

R.I.P. Godfather of House: Frankie Knuckles

R.I.P. Frankie Knuckles 1955-2014

I'm devastated with the sad news of Frankie Knuckle's passing. The first time I heard this genius live was at the Sound Factory Bar on a Friday in 1995. I couldn't believe the power of every song that would come out of those speakers. The sound was uplifting, generous, humble, spiritual and emotional and it reflected the personality of this music visionary and pioneer. The last time I was fortunate to hear him play live was four years ago at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in the West Village where he played music for the Bear gay community. It was a very intimate, real and beautiful evening where this classy man played as if he was at one of the most grandest of venues ending the evening with his own version of First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder". I was happy to see that nothing has changed since that first Friday at the Sound Factory Bar in 1995 and I was nearly in tears on that dance floor. Here is one that pretty much sums up house music, a seminal sound that still sounds as fresh. The original 1987 "Your Love" with Jamie Principle on vocals. Then there is the brilliant remix of Jago's "I'm Going To Go" from 1985. The beautiful "What Do You Want From Me" featuring Adeva. The weirdly and hideously yet beautiful heart pounding "I Want A Dog" by the Pet Shop Boys. His collaborations with Robert Owen were brilliant and here is "Far Away" to prove it. What he did to Michael Jackson's already brilliant music was pure magic and here is "Rock With You" as he transformed it yet keeping the purity of the original. There are so many more dear to my heart and I hope these capture the joy and drama this legendary DJ and producer served on the dance floors. You will be missed and your contribution to music and the dance floors will live on forever!

Your Love - Frankie Knuckles

I'm Going To Go (Frankie Knuckles Remix) - Jago

What Do You Want From Me - Frankie Knuckles feat. Adeva

I Want A Dog - Pet Shop Boys

Far Away (Frankie Knuckle's Version)  - Robert Owens

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

Other previous and related Disco Monk posts about Frankie Knuckles:

You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
The Whistle Song
A House Classic
Take Some Time Out

Take Some Time Out

Happy Friday! Yesterday, I was going through my record collection and came across this great record and realized I did not mention Arnold Jarvis on a recent post I did about the male and soulful side of early house music which focused on Paris Brithledge's "Learn To Love" and his connection to DJ International.  On that posting, I also mentioned other greats such as Robert Owens and Rocky Jones and completely forgot the most compelling one.  Arnold Jarvis,  who is now considered one of the premier voices in house music today.  Like many singers, Jarvis received his initial exposure to music via gospel, which he performed as a teenager and that probably explains why his voice has the healing touch .  His secular career began in 1987, when he recorded "Take Some Time Out" for the legendary Fourth Floor Label.   This song made him an instant star on the dance music circuit and jump stared his career.  He then joined forces with the legendary Frankie Knuckles and David Morales with house classics such as "And I Loved You" and "Tears".  Arnold is still very much relevant in the dance music scene and  releasing poignant, beautiful and lush dance songs such as "Inspiration" and "Special Kind Of Love". Dance songs that make you move but also transcend and speak volumes on the dance floor!  Enjoy this amazing end of the week song!

Take Some Time Out (Original Version) - Arnold Jarvis - Creme Organization Label

Learn To Love

Here is a song from one of my favorite house music labels of all time, D. J. International. Based in Chicago and founded by Rocky Jones in 1985, this music label was responsible for some of the most amazing vocal house music that came out of the 80's. Unlike the Trax label ( another one of my favorite) which focused on the more instrumental and experimental side of house music, DJ International focused on the more soulful side and enjoyed commercial success during the late '80s. If you would ask me to name my top 10 vocal house songs of all time, "Learn To Love" would be high on my list. This song was performed by enigmatic singer from Chicago, Paris Brightledge who had several massive underground hits with DJ International with Sterling Void. Paris is considered among the best of the house vocalists of that era along with the likes of Robert Owens and Peter Black. Paris is still very active and making some great lyrical house music. Enjoy!

Learn To Love (House Of Love) - Paris Brightledge