whats the general view on 80s disco?

[boogie nites]

I have been listening to 70s disco for about 6 years now, but recently I have broadened my musical horizons with new house and 80s electro a la Madonnas 1st album, Human League, and electro grooves from Fatback, Evelyn Champagne King and D Train. What is the general view on this early 80s dance? Obviously I will always love the authentic music in 70s disco but I cant help but groove along to these synthy beats. Do you play as much 80s grooves as you do 70s musique?

[goodgroove]

hey boogienites dig youre post :) and its an interesting question. I gotta say that nothing really can touch the grooves of philly intl, chic or salsoul orchestra, etc etc etc. But that doesn't negate the jams of the 1980's and due to time constraints i'll only scrathch the surface, of course i'm talkin D-Train, Taana Gardner, Gwen Guthrie, Raw Silk, Fatback's "On The Floor" album, Bam's Planet Rock. Yes they include synthesized sounds but so do Kraftwerk's "Trans Europe Express", P-Funk's "Flashlight" and Moroder-Bellotte's work with Donna Summer. All of these songs were recorded in the 1970's and feature highly synthesized sounds.

[eddie]

Black music started to becomed geared more for radio. By 1982, labels were looking at the like in the 1960's were promoting the single instead of the album or artist and what might work on a 4 or 5 minute video. Thus music without a lot of breaks got promoted. Rap music without bridges and edited quiet storm/crossover became the norm.

The dance music became more groove oriented like Patrice Rushen "Feels so real." Horns and orchestration took a backseat. The albums consisted or more quiet storm ballads and the uptempo tracks were more inconsistent as the mid 1980's approached.

In general, albums were better in the 1970's. But so much time, promotion, and energy were put into select tracks that the rest of the LP was uneven and almost forgotten.

[QUINNY]

Personally, I loved the music of the '80s. I'd say the cheese factor was less overall and the music was a lot harder. It suited me just fine, as there are just as many records I hold close to my heart from the '80s, as from the '70s.

[SandraDee]

It's funny how when stuff like Miquel Brown's 'So Many men' or Patrice Rushen's 'Forget Me Nots' or Vicky D's 'This Beat Is Mine' for example came out in the early 80s I remember thinking the sound was too sparse, minimalistic & lacking the charm & intricate arrangements of 70s disco but nowadays I find that 80s disco sound so much classier & more interesting than house/contemporary dance music, so does this mean that dance/disco just gets progressively worse? :-? How depressing.

[buckaroo]

Technology had a lot to do with the change. Synths were more affordable (on HP anyway) and studios didn't have to or want to hire big orchestras anymore. The '80s produced some damn fine choonz in my opinion: "Don't You Love It" Maxine Singleton, "Never Give You Up" Sharon Redd, among others.

Bring back the '80s. :lol: :lol: Yeah...

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by buckaroo

"Never Give You Up" Sharon Redd, among others.

Totally agree with you bucky dear. I love the whole LP (In The Name Of Love & Beat The Street were totally brilliant :P ); much better than the rather blander (IMO) 'Can You Handle It'.