Best Record of 2011: Kapput

I'm ending the year full circle with hands down the best record of the year and it is indisputably Destroyer's Kapput.  Early this past January, I did a posting titled Going Kapput nominating this fresh new release from revered Canadian musician/song writer Dan Behar, the best of 2011 and so far nothing else has matched the heart felt brilliance and sonic beauty of this album .  Kapput is already a classic in my book and will be for years to come.  I will never get tired of listening to this unique mature, complex, poetic, jazzy, 80's synthesizer and trumpet oddity.  With the aid of gorgeous vocals from Sibel Thrasher, all of the nine songs self evolve and become magical making the listener addicted to the melodies and intricate story telling.  Kapput is an exceptional record so here is the title song to prove it along with the sublime "Suicide Demo for Kara Walker".  To all my dear readers and listeners, I wish you a Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year.  Thank you for tuning in for another year of Disco Monk and see you in 2012! Enjoy

Kapput - Destroyer 

Suicide Demo for Kara Walker - Destroyer

Over and Over

Here is a fabulous disco gem to set you up this weekend by saxophonist and soul jazz organist legend Charles Earland.   This is the second time around featuring Mr. Earland. I In 1978 Earland hit the disco/club scene with a track called "Let The Music Play" from his disco classic LP Perception.  This move clearly made a huge mark on the disco scene with Mr. Earland's master use of the Hammond B-3 organ.  Produced by Randy Muller, the main man behind Brass Construction this  jazz-disco fusion is not to miss for the disco aficionado.  Here my two favorites, "Over and Over" and "Let The Music Play". Enjoy!

Over and Over - Charles Earland

Let The Music Play - Charles Earland

Slave Of Love

Here is a very sexy and rare new discovery by a disco outfit called Destroyers.  Very little is known about them except that they were the product of Salsoul Records and it was released as a B side of the sublime disco erotic "Letric Love".  Produced by Jeffrey Lester and Rupert Holmes in 1977.  I'm loving the deep vocals, piano and strings here.   Hope this get you in the mood for those looming cold winter nights and to prolong this mood I'm including "Lectric Love" for good measure.  Enjoy!

Slave of Love - Destroyers 

Lectric Love - Destroyers

Put some Grace in your face. Happy Thanksgiving from Disco Monk

Happy Thanksgiving and what is turkey day without putting some Grace in your face.   Every year I always give thanks for my health, family, friends, nature and Ms. Grace Jones so when the end of year holidays are here, the amazing Grace and disco icon is always on heavy rotation on my turntables.  Why you might ask? Just listen to these couple of songs and perhaps you'll hear why.  So to start you on a festive note here is "Love On Top Of Love (Killer Kiss)". This song was the first single from her 1989 album Bulletproof Heart and it was produced by C&C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivilles. The song reached number one on the billboard Dance Chart in December of that year.  

Love On Top Of Love (The Cole & Clivilles Garage House Mix) - Grace Jones

Next, it's the sublime cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers classic "Breakdown" from her 1980's classic LP Warm Leatherette.  This song always seems poignant around this time of the year when we all reunite with family and love ones.

Breakdown - Grace Jones

Autumn Changes

This love of ours is gradually fading
something is wrong, or somebody's faking

Autumn changes
shifting phases
autumn changes
turning stages
surely something can help to patch it up

Too many nights sitting here waiting
too many days hoping and praying

Something inside seems to be dying
most of the time I just feel like crying

Autumn changes
shifting phases
autumn changes
turning stages
surely something can help to patch it up

Oh yes we can, sure we can
sure we can, sure we can

Autumn changes
shifting phases
autumn changes
turning stages
surely something can help to patch it up

Oh, yes we can, sure we can
sure we can, sure we can 

I had to post the lyrics on this one since I have been thinking of posting this wonderful song by disco legend Donna Summer for quite a while and couldn't find the appropriate time.  Until now! This is side two of the classic 1977 Giorgio Moroder production of Seasons of Love.  A concept album that explores a love affair through out four seasons.  "Spring Affair" was the one that became most popular but I'm loving the Caribbean feel of "Autumn Changes" here and not to mention the slow dance part of "Winter Melody" and then coming full circle with a reprise of "Spring Affair". Simply a disco classic that couldn't be more timely and timeless.  Here is "Autumn Changes"Enjoy!

Autumn Changes - Donna Summer

I Get Lifted

It's a glorious Fall Sunday in the city and it is time to tune into the spiritual side of House.  Here is the relentless classic "I Get Lifted" by house diva Barbara Tucker.  Ms. Tucker is a Brooklyn native whose impact on the dance music scene has been felt more in Europe than in her home country.  She scored a string of six #1 hits on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the 1990s and well into the 2000s and several hits on the UK Singles Chart as well.  Ms. Tucker has worked with several of the best dance music producers. She arrived on the club scene during the early '90s with the emblematic "Beautiful People" and it's always been a favorite. "I Get Lifted" has a darker thumping beat with deeper message making this a footprint song that defined the new house sound during the mid to late '90s.  Several mixes have been made of this song but The "Go To Church Mix" and the X.T.C. remain  my all time favorites! Enjoy and get lifted!

I Get Lifted (Go To Church Mix) - Barbara Tucker

I Get Lifted (X.T.C) Mix - Barbara Tucker

Saved My Life

Here is a great early '90s classic by legendary Chicago born house music producer and DJ, Lil' Louis. His actual real name is Louis Sims. "Save My Life" was featured on his follow up release Journey With The Lonely and it featured vocals by legendary club diva Joi Cardwell.  This was an album full of introspection that never lived up to the late '80s classic From The Mind Of Lil' Louis which had the huge dance floor smash "French Kiss, "Blackout" and "I Called U".  "French Kiss" revolutionized dance music and became a crossover hit and number one in many countries. Needless to say, Lonely had some great gems such as  "Club Lonely" which was another club smash and "Jazzmen".  Now that I think about it, this was released around the time when house music was way too commercial and a lot of the great producers were trying hard to brake new ground affecting their creativity.  Although "Save My Life" will never live up to "French Kiss",  it actually has aged pretty well and it is safe to say that it is now a classic and it never sounded better "....music saved my lie-e-afe". Enjoy!

Saved My Life - Lil' Louis & the World feat. Joi Cardwell