Why Is Eurodisco Hated?

[Giovanni]

if it wasn't for eurodisco, Luther Vandross wouldnt be the star he is today? 2 great eurodisco producers gave him his shot at lead vocals, first was Gregg Diamond with Bionic Boogie, then Jaques Fred Petrus with Change. And it was Change that gave Luther his first exposure to non disco audiences with "Searchin".

[Giovanni]

if it wasn't for eurodisco, Luther Vandross wouldnt be the star he is today? 2 great eurodisco producers gave him his shot at lead vocals, first was Gregg Diamond with Bionic Boogie, then Jaques Fred Petrus with Change. And it was Change that gave Luther his first exposure to non disco audiences with "Searchin".

For the record, Luther Vandross was already well known before these releases, since he produced and released a self titled album in 1976. The album is a good piece of soul and includes the classic "It's good for the soul".
Vandross was one of the most requested vocalist during disco sessions at the end of the 70s, like many other singers (The Waters, Jocelyn Brown, Loleatta, etc) and session men (how many records you have featuring Paulinho da Costa on percussions? or Ray Parker jr on guitar? etc etc).
We all know that many disco records were nothing more than studio acts put together by producers. Patrick Adams had to invent a line-up for the Musique after their successfull first album. Rinder & Lewis produced lots of records under different names. Mauro Malavasi was the man behind so many italian funky disco acts, etc etc.

To get back to the topic: I think that most of the people in this board don't know the real Eurodisco, since most of the real Eurodisco tracks never had a US release. I completely agree with my friend Jussi, the real Eurodisco is not known in the US, and, believe me, Jussi knows a lot upon this matter!!

[Outsider]

I don't know much about Eurodisco, so I won't get into that, but I have to agree with those who say that liking it not is simply a matter of taste. I've said this countless times before, but we all like music that appeals to our individual tastes. What one person thinks is good music, another person will think it's crap. That's the bottom line.

[DJ Jimmy M]

Well i know Luther got kinda discovered as an artist to the artists from David Bowie on his 1975 LP "Young Americans", but Luther had his first lead vocal in the spotlight on Bionic Boogie's "Hot Butterfly" LP. Then Change gave him his main notice in the music world as an artist. As for the "real" eurodisco that you said wasnt released in the US, pleeeeeeeeeeeese pretty pleeeeese give me some artists and titles of tracks cause i wanna hear them.

DJ Jimmy M

[Giovanni]

I am european but my style is american funky disco, but probably have heard many more eurodisco tracks than anyone living in the US for the simple reason of living in Europe.
I am not a fan of eurodisco, but I am sure that Jussi can give you lots of titles. I have a playlist that Jussi sent me with so many typical trashy eurodisco tracks (and you know he loves everything that is decadent )

[DJ Jimmy M]

Well i looooove those "trashy" eurodisco tracks as you put it. Put up the play list. I wonder if i know any of them. I love it!! It just has so much energy to it.

DJ Jimmy M

[BrunoRepublic]

I think what a lot of people are referring to as "Eurodisco" (i.e. Midney, Costandinos, Cerrone, etc.) would be better called "Symphonic Disco" or "Conceptual Disco". To me, Eurodisco is more about what Jussi described. It's much more pop-oriented and is very catchy. One one hand, it's usually quite disposeable, but on the other hand, it really captures the spirit-of-the-times... at least if you live in Europe.

My opinion: I love symphonic disco because of its grandness, its splendor, and most of all, because of its beauty. Very few people are talented enough to produce something so extravagant that you will hear something new in it each time -- or something that is 20 minutes long, yet never seems overextended or redundant. When I hear one of the great works by Costandinos, I feel truly humbled because so much went into this music... and I doubt we'll ever see any more productions that are as opulent and rich as these in our lives.

Anyway, Symphonic Disco is completely dead today, whereas Eurodisco lives on -- stronger now than ever before.

[DJ Jimmy M]

Good point. Alec is one of my favorite artists of all geners of music for this reason. Maybe some of his stuff is eurodisco to the term, but not much. He is more an artist in the full meaning of art than dance floor music. For instance, "Beauty And The Beast" has some parts in it that would make me wanna dance but, i'm mor wrapped up in the story being told. Now Sumeria, thats just a whole nother thing. Probably has to be my 2nd favorite LP of all time. My first is Pink Floyd The Wall.

DJ Jimmy M

[jazz_pilgrim]

To me, Eurodisco means the electronic synthesized music coming from the Continent -for example Moroder etc. I don't think Eurodisco is totally based on geographical location, more on musical style. For instance, the British disco/soul/funk music sound has always had more of an American soul/funk "feel" to it.

Examples would include
REAL THING - Feel The Force
HI TENSION - Hi Tension
LYNX - You're Lying
JUNIOR - Mama used To Say

Indeed, in the Seventies soul/funk club scene in England, we always looked to black American soul/funk music for our inspiration. I suppose the biggest US record of them all on our scene had to be MAZE with "Joy and Pain"

What I'm trying to say is this. The reason why I don't like Eurodisco, in general, is purely down to personal preference - I grew up with the American soul/funk sound rather than the Euro electronic sound from the Continent.

But, even for me , there are exceptions. I remember, when voting for the Top 500, putting Munich Machine in my Top 5.

[DJ Jimmy M]

Munich Machine is one of the great classic Moroder productions. The electronic disco sound is basicly what i refer as pure Eurodisco.

DJ Jimmy M

[JussiK]

Graham, that symphonic disco vibe can be detected in goa trance tracks and recent stuff by Sven Väth, for example. He's got the 4 on the floor snare drum, the grandiose conceptual presentations, washes of synths posing as strings and sometimes actual orchestras. Check the Hotel Costes etc chillout compliations for this type of thing too.

[BrunoRepublic]

Hmmm... I loved Väth's Harlequin/Robot/Dancer album, but the last CD of his that I picked up ("Contact"? Can't remember) was absolutely dreadful -- like third-rate Kraftwerk.

I miss Eye-Q :sad:

[JussiK]

Dj Jimmy - you asked for a little list. Here goes - 12 reasons to be cheerful. The list excludes anything by the hideous Heino from Germany as he is just too gross to be enjoyed at any level. Try his "Beim Alten Bill In Oklahoma", or "Montana", eternally big in the vast Hofbrauhaus Beeremporium in Munchen.
1. Georgie Dann: The Big Bamboo
2. Dschinghis Khan: Roma / Dshinghis Khan / Moscow / etc.
3. Babe: Ooh La La I'm Falling
4. El Pasador: Bimba Bedem / Amada Mio Amore Mio / Mucho Mucho
5. Luv: You're The Greatest Lover
6. Sandy: I'm So In Love With John Travolta
7. Joe Dolan: Midnight Lover
8. Heather Parisi: Disco Bambina
9. Nancy Nova: Baby Come Home
10. Bobby Solo: Una Lacrima Sul Viso / Love Is Burning
11. Usha Uthup: One Two Cha Cha Cha
12. Arabesque: Midnight Dancer

Play these at your next party and see who your real mates are.

Graham - you're right about that new Väth cd - I managed to forget it ever existed.

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-06-09 04:48, DJ Jimmy M wrote:
Well, ok, i guess just different tastes. Im the one who started the post. Anyway, i saw you mention a few of my favorite non disco artists. Bowie, Peter Gabriel and the Stones. Im sure this forum isnt the right place to discuss that music, but, I could talk for hours on Peter Gabriel and the art of his work, rarites and more. Just wanted to say, even though you hate the disco i love, it sounds like you have verrrry good taste in the true art of music.

DJ Jimmy M

Hey Jimmy!

Thanx for your kind words about my musical taste, even if I'm saying these horrible things about EURODISCO here on the FORUM. Well, we have something in common, for sure: I'm a HUGE PETER GABRIEL fan! I think we can talk about his music here too. Did you heard his new record, RABBIT PROOF FENCE's soundtrack? Is it good? And the remastered version of his albums do justice to GABRIEL's music or not? Recently I've heard a 8 minute version of SLEDGEHAMMER that is very funky, with a heavy beat and some flanger effects, do you know this one?
As you see, I don't like EURODISCO but I like EUROROCK (LOL)!

It's very nice to talk to you. Peace, my friend.

zeca azevedo

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-06-09 05:44, JussiK wrote:
But when it comes to eurodisco at it's most pure (?) I don't think most of Americans ever got to hear the real thing and I don't mean records aimed at the international markets, titles like the Cerrones etc. Hopefuls such as Boogie Doctor, The Lolita Ladies, Sandy, Dingo, The Great Bouzouki Disco Band, Veronica Unlimited, Luv, Santaren and the Lovin' Girls and hundreds of other acts, often produced, penned and composed by the Dutch duo Jaanschen&Jaanschens (sic), never got spins at clubs in the USA not even in gay clubs looking for something exotic and ott. Even several euro sales chart toppers such as Baccara and Dschinghis Khan remained pretty obscure across the ocean. Records beyond these, the truly bizarre undergrowth of the early dance scene should be seeked out not just for the absurd, cheesy thrills they deliver but also as many of the b-sides contain unsettlingly funky or otherwide effective sounds, too. And the good news is there's no end to this stuff.

Hi JUSSI,
you're right, I never got the chance to hear these artists here in BRASIL except for BACCARA. This group (?) had a huge hit around here, YES SIR I CAN BOOGIE, a song that I particulary hate (more hateful than this record it is the brazilian version of YES SIR..., called "EU SEI TUDO PROFESSOR"! You probably never heard this one!). However, I think some brazilian DISCO fans know this EURODISCO underground stuff you listed on your post.

BTW, we had an awful POP group here in Brasil called GENGHIS KHAN. It is the same group you've mentioned or some spin-off group made by brazilian opportunists?

Peace (paz)

zeca azevedo