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Disco: Spinning the Story

Documentary on Disco (DVD)

Passport Entertainment (US) / 2005 / DVD 1613
Running time approx. 1 hour 20 minutes / Aspect ratio (standard) 4:3 / NTSC / Not rated / English / Dolby Digital

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Producer Mark McLaughlin

Disco: Spinning the Story is to be released on June 7th, 2005

Over the years there have been many attempts at documenting the history of Disco music. Almost all fall into the trap of glossing over details and focusing on silly or stereotypical things like Saturday Night Fever and big afro wigs. They fail to focus on the real thing that is Disco: its roots, the music, people and the social forces behind it.

On June 7, 2005 Passport Entertainment is due to release a new documentary on Disco called Disco: Spinning the Story on DVD. It is hosted by Gloria Gaynor and aims to fill the void.

At first glance it appears as if this will be another ho-hum VH1-style Disco doc what with the cover focusing on the usual suspects like Chic, KC and the Sunshine Band, Gloria Gaynor... and a picture of a big Disco ball suspended over a Saturday Night Fever-like lit dance floor. However upon pressing play one will be greeted to a DVD rich with rare period TV, concert and promotional footage and a presentation that goes well beyond the norm featuring present day and archived snippets with many legends involved with Disco like Tom Moulton (Godfather of the 12 inch record and mix), Giorgio Moroder Producer of Donna Summer), Nile Rodgers (Chic), Earl Young (Trammps), Eddie Rivera (founder of I.D.R.C.), Marty Angelo (founder of the Disco Step By StepÆ TV show), Brian Chin (respected Disco writer)... It is these people that should be listed on the cover. Passport would do well to at least mention Tom Moulton's name on the cover as it adds a great deal of legitimacy to this documentary.

It was refreshing to see that the topic of Disco music was covered from its roots in Motown, Philly and Funk on through to the early songs considered Disco, the birth of the 12 inch Disco records as described by Tom Moulton himself, the role of record pools, the underground music scene in New York, the clubs, the social implications and more. Disco: Spinning the Story is a nice mix of nostalgia, technical info and an accurate historical portrayal of life during the Disco era where the viewer is constantly treated to photos, film clips, interviews and music from the era.

With so much information to cover its inevitable that some areas were not covered, such as in-depth info on the DJs. In fact while their role is acknowledged not one is really mentioned in-depth or really pictured-not even Larry Levan though the Paradise Garage does get the spotlight in one section. Some of the editing leaves things a little confusing for example Tom Moulton speaking about how he came up with the 12 inch format seems to leave out Jose Rodriguez's role even though Tom clearly mimics Jose's Hispanic accent as he tells part of the story. Another is the segment with Eddie Rivera discussing the role of his IDRC record pool, which if one isn't familiar with the history may leave you scratching your heads.

The gold-mine of music, interviews and insight into the Disco culture from musicians (both Disco and rock), producers, journalists and even a clip with adult star Ron Jeremy talking about the Disco clubs he frequented are well worth the price of admission. Disco: Spinning the Story is sure to captivate you and be a source of information for those planning term papers and essays on the history of Disco music or nostalgia freaks wanting to know more about the 70s era. Suffice to say I was riveted to the screen and enjoyed this program very much.

Click here to buy this DVD from Amazon (US)
Click here to buy this DVD from Amazon (UK)

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