Can we make a smart "ultimate" list of Disco Compilations on CD?

[Westwood]

Hey guys,
there are so many disco compilations lying around that I want to get, especially when most of you speak highly of them.
However, they are usually not cheap and lots are out of print. Some are series, some one-off projects.
Can I ask you to give some of your time and experience to list the ones worth getting, and if you know it, what not to get if you get others etc?
Like, I remember Disco Spectrum having several volumes but out of print, then the Ben Liebrand Grand 12 Inches....
Can we do this? Come on come on try it, we can make it!!

[Westwood]

The ones I have:

Disco Connection: Authentic Classic Disco Vol.1
Disco Connection: Authentic Classic Disco Vol.2
Very few tracks are doubles I have on other compilations. Most are 12" versions I think and the sounds is really good

Sounds Like 54
I love this one, loads of songs i never heard, and my favorite "When You're Young And In Love" by Ralph Carter. Some of you mentioned they mastered from vinyl several tracks

Suss'd/Salsoul uk
Many of you mention they used mp3s for these though.

The Anthology series for: Loleatta Holloway, First Choice, Candido, Inner Life Ft. Jocelyn Brown, Walter Gibbons
Definitive 12" Masters 1+2
Disco Trance & Cosmic Flavas.
Salsoul 30th: basically a sample for Salsoul tunes, in their radio edits
Salsoul Nation: don't waste your money on this one, nth re-edits mixed together.

Deep Disco Culture Vol.1: really really good and lots of non-mainstream stuff
Deep Disco Culture Vol.2: more than half of this is tribal instrumental music that I can't stand, but the Tantra "Hills Of Katmandu" mix...... :))))


Philadelphia International Records 12" Singles Vol.1

The Original Disco Selection (I think it's a uk budget compilation, there's also Groove Selection with more 80s stuff). I love this one, it has several songs I never heard before. I have no idea how to describe the quality.

[PierreConstantin]

A large list here :
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-index/
DISCO CD's, Books & DVD's @ Disco-Disco.com

[eddie]

Nice question but depends widely on taste.

Here are my favorites but I prefer the soul side of disco.

Label specific cds
1 Prelude's Greatest hits 1-6 which I would choose over Rare Preludes series which focus on obscurities and electro-breakdance.

2 Philadelphia International 12 inch singles which is the only double disc collection devoted to this label's lesser knowns.

3 Salsoul 12" Gold Masters Vol 1-3 featured some rare and longer edits as well as some minor hits by the major artists on this label.

4 Super Disco: P&P Records which round up tracks from NY's under-ground like Cloud 1.

5 Sam Records Extended Play disco classics which is more obscure NY late period disco like Convertion and Vicky D.

6 Don't Stop: Recording tap was another Harlem based record company owned by Jeremiah Yisrael and featured Arnie and the Lovettes and Jackie Stoudemire. There was a very limited pressing of these in the early 80's and Numero reissued this cd of oddities.

Non-label specific compilaitons
1 Philadelphia Roots 1 and 2 which featured early Gamble and Huff productions on artists like Fantastic Johnny C.

2 Journey into Paradise: the Larry Levan Story features many WEA distributed tracks but does deliver a decent cross-section of what he played at the Paradise Garage with rare tracks by Donald Byrd and Janice McClain.

3 Disco Spectrum 1-3 featured many rarities and I do know the first is still in print as I just bought it a few weeks ago. Koxo's "Step by step" was a killer rarity on the 3rd installment.

4 Club Floor Classics which was a single disc issued by WEA in the mid 90's and featured 12 inch versions of disco's cross-section like Gino Soccio, Rose Royce, Hues Corporation, and Deodato.

5 Give your body up Vol 1-3 includes all 12 inch singles versions of soulful disco distributed mostly by WEA. It's in a similar vein to the Levan disco but the focus is a tad earlier.

6 Disco 54: Where we started from features many early songs that shaped the sound around 1975.

7 Super Rare disco has 2 volumes that can still be found at reasonable prices. The tracks are staple but not super rare and are in their original 45 form. There's still some exclusives on that like Front Page and the Reddings and is a decent overview but your left thirsty.

If you wanted to delve into the funkier side of the disco era, I would also recommend the 4 disc funk box which has classics like "Erucu" by Jermaine Jackson. Phat Trax: the best of old School Vol 1-7 and WDAS classic soul hits Vol 5 really capture the vibe of funk with a mild disco influence.

Avoid at all cost:
Rhino's disco years which is a collection of mostly common 45's and was issued in the early 90's. I think there's 6 or 7 volumes but not worth getting.

[Westwood]

Thanks Eddie, I am definitely going to check out the ones you mentioned.
I forgot I already had Club Floor Classics (mostly great great tunes, a couple of doubes and one or two I cant stand, like the Hollywood one) and Journey Into Paradise, and the Salsoul Anthology on him.

I always mean to get Larry Levan Live At The Paradise Garage but it always goes for waaaay too much.

[RobbaDobba]

I'd add the Grand 12-inches collections to this list, more for the care in sound quality than the selections, though there are some tasty surprises on there, especially in the earlier comps.

And was/is there a Philadelphia International Records 12" Singles Vol. 2?

[Westwood]

I'm kinda being put off the Grand 12 inches by the numerous negative comments on here, the inclusion of tracks already available, and also, the tracks that are beyond early 80s, as I cannot stand that. What has Faithless' Salva Mea to do in a compilation like this???
I admit I liked the song, I have both cd singles etc, but I think it's out of place, and well...I really don't know if I should get it.
Granted, bol.nl has unbeatable prices...do they shave off the TVA from those prices before charging?

[PierreConstantin]

Disco compilations worth getting with versions not always easy to find:

BIG 12 INCHES Groovin' You (Buddah/BMG)
1999, 7446599621-2 (11 tracks)
«Express yourself» by NYCC [11:42]
«Groovin' you» by Harvey Mason [6:15]
«Dancin'» bye Grey & Hanks [7:00]
«I don't know if it's right» by Evelyn King [8:17]

CASABLANCA RECORDS STORY (PolyGram Records)
1994, 314 516 917-2 (47 tracks)
«Take me home» by Cher [12”]
«My baby's baby» by Liquid Gold [12”]
«Thank God it's Friday» by Love and Kisses [12”]
«Like an eagle» by Dennis Parker [12”]
«Let's go all the way (down)» by Brenda & the Tabulations «extended breakdown version»
+ classics like «Love to love you baby», «I feel love», «Last dance», «MacArtur park suite», «Hot stuff/Bad girls», «On the radio», «San Francisco/In Hollywood», «Macho man», «Funky town» and «The chase» in their full-length version.

CLUB COLUMBIA -A collection of classic dance mixes (Columbia)
1990, CK 46088 (12 tracks)
«Dance little lady dance » by Tina Charles [6:00]
«Georgy Porgy» by Cheryl Lynn & Toto [5:00]
«Keep on dancin'» by Gary's Gang [7:10]
«This time baby» by Jackie Moore [7:13]
«Love dancin'» by Marlena Shaw [7:50]

CLUB CONNECTION (Warner)
2002, 0927490632 (14 tracks)
«Keep the fire burnin’» by Gwen McCrae [6:50]

CLUB FLOOR CLASSICS The 70s (Warner Bros. Records)
1998, 9 46604-2 (10 tracks)
«Here comes that sound again» by Love De-Luxe [8:50]
«Victim» by Candi Staton [8:30]
«I caught your act» by Hues Corporation [4:30]
«Fobidden love» by Madleen Kane [8:20]
«Night rider» by Venus Dodson [6:40]

DAVID MANCUSO presents The Loft (Nuphonic)
Volume 1 1999, NUX138CD (18 tracks)
«It's all over my face» by Loose Joints (male vocal) [11:54]

Volume 2, 2000, NUX154CD (20 tracks)
«L.O.V.E. got a hold on me» by Demis Roussos [10 :00]

DISCO COLLECTOR (Active/Universal)
Volume Nº 2, 2001, 556 801-2 (12 tracks)
«Go for it» by Billy Preston et Syreeta
«Love waves» by Alton MacClain & Destiny

DISCO CONNECTION (Warner)
Volume Nº 1, 2002, 0927-48418-2 (12 tracks)
«You + me = love» des Undisputed Truth [11:00]
«Lipstick» by Michel Polnareff [12”] [4:50]

Volume Nº 2, 2004, 5050466-8521-2-0 (12 tracks)
«Why leave us alone» by Five Special [10:00]

DISCO FANTASY (Ace records)
1999, CDSEWD 123 (12 tracks)
«Gotta keep moving» by Martha Reeves [7:50]

DISCO GOLD (Universal)
2005, Hip-O B0004137-02 (30 tracks)
«Heaven must have sent you» by Bonnie Pointer [7:15]
«H.A.P.P.Y. radio» by Edwin Starr
«Got to have loving» by Don Ray

DISCO NIGHTS volume 9 MOTOWN DANCE (Rebound records/Motown/PolyGram)
1995, 314 520 298-2 (10 tracks)
«Heaven must have sent you» by Bonnie Pointer [7:15]
+ classics like «Love machine», «Love hangover», «Don't leave me this way» and «Upside down».

DISCO SPECTRUM (BBE)
Volume 1, 2000, BBECD018 (19 tracks)
«I don't want you back» by Ramona Brooks
«In the forest» by Baby'O

Volume 2, 2001, BBECD027 (22 tracks)
«Music is my way of life» by Patti LaBelle
«I'll keep my light in my window» by NYCC

Volume 3, 2002, URBCD07 (20 tracks)
«Goin' up in smoke» by Eddie Kendricks
«Heartache no 9» by Delegation [6:50]

THE DISCO YEARS (Rhino)
Volume 4 : Lost in music, 1992, R2-70275 (18 tracks)
«Hot stuff» by Donna Summer, an edit [4:20] with unreleased ad-libs;
«High society» by Norma Jean, the 7" edit [3:35]

FUNKOLOGY (Motown)
Volume 3, Dance divas, 1996, 31 453-0608-2 (13 tracks)
«I just keep thinking about you baby» by Tata Vega (12")
«Free me from my freedom» by Bonnie Pointer (12")
«Can't shake your love» by Syreeta (12")

GIVE YOUR BODY UP, Club Classics & House Foundations (Rhino)
Volume 1, 1995, R2 72183 (10 tracks)
«Free man» by South Shore Commission (album version) [7:20]
«Why leave us alone» by The Five Special (12" B-side) [5:55]
«Bad for me» by Dee Dee Bridgewater (12") [8:25]
«It's all over my face» by Loose Joints (female vocal) [6:55]

GO DISCO ! Dance trip from NY to LA (Irma)
1997, 488845-2 (13 tracks)
«Sell my soul» by Sylvester [6:30]
«Shine on silver moon» by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. (12")

GRAND 12-INCHES (Sony/BMG)
Volume 5, 2008, 88697277712 (39 tracks)
«Strutt your funky stuff» by Frantique [6:15]
«Love story» by Andy Williams [9:44]
«Keep on dancin’» by Gary’s Gang [7:10]
«The runner» by The Three Degrees [8:10]
«Rhythm of the jungle» by The Quick [7:18]

LET’S START THE DANCE (PolyGram)
Volume 1, 1989, 83881 0-2 (9 tracks)
«You can get over» by Stephanie Mills [9:00]
«Take me home» by Cher [7:30]

Volume 2, 1989, 83881 1-2 (9 tracks)
«Don’t let go» d’Isaac Hayes [12:50]
«Let’s go all the way down» by Brenda & the Tabulations («Breakdown edit») [7:15]
«Hot butterfly» by Bionic Boogie [8:20]
«Walk away» by Donna Summer [ 8:30]

MASTERPIECE (PTG records)
Volume 1, 2004, PTG 34008 (13 tracks)
«You can’t touch me anymore» by Strike One [5:10]
«Take me to the top» by Advance [6:15]

MOTOWN DISCO (Motown Universal)
2005, 982 307-2 (22 tracks)
«I was born this way» by Carl Bean
«Nowhere to run» by Dynamic Superiors
«Need to know you better» by Finished Touch
«Tailgate» by 21st Creation
«In and out» by Willie Hutch
+ classic tracks like «Love hangover», «The boss», «Don’t leave me this way», «Down to love town» and «Got to give it up» [12" versions]

NATURAL HIGH 2 (Warner)
2002, 0927-43798-2 (16 tracks)
«Keep the fire burnin’» by Gwen McCrae (alternate 12 inch mix) [5:37]

THE ORIGINAL DISCO SELECTION (Original Selection records)
2005, OSEL005 (30 tracks)
«Cream always rises to the top» by Gregg Diamond
«Your sweetness is my weakness» by Barry White
«Only you» by Teddy Pendergrass
«Who am I» by Quickest Way Out
«Am I Dreaming» by TJM
«We're on the right track» by Ultra High Frequency
«The player» by First Choice
«All Night Man» by Loose Change [7:22]

PHILADELPHIA CLASSICS (PIR/Epic/Legacy)
2002, EK 85940 (9 tracks)
«Anyway you wanna» by People's Choice [5:35]
«Don't leave me this way» by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [11:00]

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS 12" SINGLES (Demon Music)
2006, EDSEL DIAB 435 (23 tracks)
«Ain’t no stoppin’ us now» by McFadden & Whitehead (12") [10:45]
«You gonna make me love somebody else» by the Jones Girls (12") [8:06]
«I’ll never forget (my favorite disco)» by Dexter Wansel (12") [5:45]

POR FIN ES VIERNES (Max music) [Mexican compilations, 6 volumes but many edits and not from master tapes]
Volume 1, 1997, (25) 981093-2 (14 tracks)
«Love and desire» by Arpeggio [ 8:50]
«Panic» by French Kiss [8:30]
«Queen of fools» by Jessica Williams [8:20]

Volume 2, 1999, (25) 6425361-2 (16 tracks)
«Savage lover» by The Ring [6:40]
«Deputy of love» by Don Armando's 2d Av. Rhumba band [8:30]

PRELUDE'S GREATEST HITS (Unidisc)
volume 4, 1989, SPLK 8018 (11 tracks)
«I'm a man» by Macho (12" edit) [7:40]
«I'm walking on music» by Peter Jacques Band (12" edit) [6:28]

RARE PRELUDES (Unidisc)
volume 2, 1993, SPLK-7162 (11 tracks)
«Happy is the only way» by Sine [7:30]
«Feed the flame» by Lorraine Johnson (12" remix) [8:07]
«Wastin' my love» by Sticky Fingers [7:30]
«Hot lover» by U.N. [5:30]

SMOKIN' DISCO (Fantasy)
1998, FCD-4538-2 (12 tracks)
«Dance (disco heat)» by Sylvester (12" remix) [8:07]
«You make me feel mighty real» by Sylvester (12" remix) [6:15]
«A dance» by Paradise Express [8:15]
«Poinciana» by Paradise Express [7:35]

SOULFUL DIVAS – DANCE QUEENS (Hip-O/Universal)
1998, HIPD-40097 (11 tracks)
«Bridge over troubled water» by Linda Clifford [10:15]
«You’re puttin’ a rush on me» by Stephanie Mills (12" remix) [8:30]
«Don’t you want me» by Jody Watley (12" remix) [6:50]
+ classics like«Bad girls» (Donna Summer), «This time baby» (Jackie Moore) and «Saturday» (Norma Jean).

THE TK DISCO 45 COLLECTION, Vol. 1: Dance to the Drummer's Beat 1976-1978 (Westside)
1999, 207 (25 tracks)
«Superman» by Celi Bee
«One love» by Celi Bee
«Hold your horses babe» by Celi Bee [British 12”] [ 6:30]