Nicky Siano's Legendary The Gallery
Various Artists (CD)
Soul Jazz Records (UK) / 2004 / SJR CD 100
CD in slipcase
Compiled by Nicky Siano
Licensed by Angela Scott
Sleeve designed by Adrian Self and Speed Reider
Mastered by Pete Reilly and Duncan Cowell at Sound Mastering
Photographs: Courtesy of Nicky Siano
Repro Man: Pierce Smith
- I Can't Stop Talking 2:54 Genie Brown 1973
- Big John Is My Name 4:36 Undisputed Truth 1974
- Law Of The Land 4:58 The Temptations 1973
- And You Call That Love 3:47 Vernon Burch 1975
- We're Getting Stronger 4:33 Loleata Holloway 1977
- Get Into Something 7:28 The Isley Brothers 1970
- Yes We Can Can 6:01 The Pointer Sisters 1973
- Exuma Obeah Man 6:14 Exuma 1970
- Love Epidemic 4:45 The Trammps 1974
- Giving Up 6:11 Zulema 1973
- I Can Understand It 6:31 Bobby Womack 1972
- I Got It 3:23 Gloria Spencer 1972
- Sang & Dance 2:55 The Bar-Kays 1970
- I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking 3:12 The Supremes 1976
- Harlem 3:22 Bill Withers 1971
- Crazy 'bout My Baby 3:49 Bonnie Bramlet 1973
- A Little Bit Of Love 3:20 Brenda & The Tabulations 2004
Subtitled "The Original New York Disco 1973-77", this is a compilation of records that were played at The Gallery, a New York disco that paved the way for clubs such as Paradise Garage, 12 West, The Saint, Crisco Disco, Buttermilk Bottom, and many others.
Nicky Siano was the in-house deejay at this SoHo disco (originally located on the West side of Manhattan when it opened in 1973, it moved to SoHo towards the end of 1974 after the Fire Department closed down its original location).
The seventeen cuts on the Nicky Siano's The Gallery - The Original New York Disco 1973-77 collection are a hodgepodge of bona-fide disco-era classics ("I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" by the Supremes, "We're Getting Stronger" by Loleatta Holloway, "And You Call That Love" by Vernon Burch), pre-1974 disco ("Love Epidemic" by the Trammps, "Giving Up" by Zulema), danceable funk-oriented cuts ("Yes We Can Can" by the Pointer Sisters), gospel ("I Got It" by Gloria Spencer), early 1970's soul ("Sang and Dance" by the Bar-Kays, "Law Of The Land" by the Temptations, "Get Into Something" by the Isley Brothers, "Big John Is My Name" by Undisputed Truth, "A Little Bit Of Love" by Brenda and the Tabulations) some out-of-left-field oddities ("Exuma, The Obeah Man" by Exuma, "Crazy 'bout my Baby" by Bonnie Bramlett), and some LP cuts ("Harlem" by Bill Withers, "I Can Understand It" by Bobby Womack).
Unlike a typical disco compilation, one might say "What a bizarre mix of songs" when giving it a complete listen. With the exception of about three songs, the remaining tracks on this compilation date prior to 1974, before the formation of disco as a mainstream genre, and from an aural perspective, it's a kaleidoscope of sounds. Some might get you movin' and some might sound absolutely undanceable. One probably should've remained innocent of this compilation ("Exuma, The Obeah Man", for all its psychadelia and head-inducing tendencies, is very out-of-place here).
Still, this is a unique compilation and a reminder of how disco music evolved through many styles and interpretations.
Buy from:
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.co.uk (UK)
Submitted by Salsoul1975 (5)
Comments:
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Nov 02, 05 | 11:23 amNot only do I know the songs but I own them too!!!!I partied in the aforementioned clubs (including the all-male Crisco Disco )and believe me that really was 'back in the day', I knew Nikki Siano and all of the madness The Saint The Loft The Buttermilk Bottom The Gallery AM PM The Paradise Garage I can go on and on even the Cuckoos Nest. I am really proud to say that I remember those days even the spot on Waverly in Brooklyn(the warehouse). Lets not forget Reade Street!!!!!! If you do not own ut you should buy it it is a jewel and when you hear each song it will remind you of that particular moment when it was played (hmmmm what were you doing in the club then......)
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Sep 19, 05 | 6:52 pm
I was so sure Nicky would build an edit on the woefully short "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" by The Supremes, as he's been known to do things like that. But no, not this time. If there's a tune begging for an extended, respectful workover , "Walking" is it. So, a bit of a change wasted, this collection, as most of the tracks are readily available on vinyl. Just nose around specialist stores for an hour and you've got most of them if not all.
GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE STILL REMEMBERS READE STREET! THOSE WERE THE DAYS..... DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE THE ORIGINAL "THIS AND THAT GALLERY" WAS? DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT PLACE THAT WOULD CHANGE SOUND SYSTEMS FOREVER? WHAT BECAME OF NICKY SIANO'S BROTHER JOE?