more cocktail disco - earl young sings!

[tdf]

hey disco devotees,

thought you'd also like to see the notes on Dimitri from Paris new lp.

I had no idea earl sang lead - anyone know of any others?

The Ritchie family are also included as i know you love them here and there will be an exclusive mix available as digital download from the bbe site:
http://www.bbemusic.com

Cocktail Disco Track details from dimitris page:
http://www.myspace.com/djdimitrifromparis

CD 1

The Blue Velvets**
Summertime
Written by Gershwin – Heyward. Symphony Corporation
(Gershwin - Heyward) ASCAP. Producer: Robert Stewart, arranger: Otto A.
Gomez, Vocals arranged & conducted by Kamal Saleem
[p]1979 Record Symphony Corporation.

Equally sought after as the infamous Board of Directors 12" from same stable. Here comes this lush cover of George Gershin's evergreen classic from the Porgy & Bess Broadway show. To my knowledge this remake only came in the only album of this band named Changes.

The Vast Majority*
Ocean's Apart
Written by C. Elke & C. Wilson. Produced by Dave Miller & Martin Wilson
D&M Sound Records. D&M Sound Corp.
Pub by D&M Music Corp. [p]1975.

Another Disco Orchestra like Salsoul's or Love Unlimited The vast majority although sounding very similar was one of the first one to cater for the DJ's as an early adopter of the 12" format.

Ms Victoria Barnes*
Never Too Late
Written by David Jacobs - Rick Chalek. American International Music.
Published by E.B.Marks BMI. Produced by David Jacobs, Ronnie Mollozzi,
arranged by Hal Serria.

A very obscure singer on a very obscure 12" ! although no info can be found on any of those this song, the B side to Save it for me, is a true Coktail Disco song, latin flavored and Diva led.


Astrud Gilberto*
The Girl From Ipanema
Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Produced by Vince Montana Jr and Astrud
Gilberto. Albert Aron Image Records. Published by Albert Aron Image Records
a div. of Audiofidelity Enterprises Inc. 1977.

A unusual Disco stint from the queen of Bossa Nova. Taking a song she made herself popular on numerous recordings she beautifully remakes it over a Philly sound backing courtesy of master arranger and vibraphonist Vince Montana Jr

Rhoda Scott*
C'est Si Bon
Produced by Barclay, France. Licensed courtesy of Universal Music.
Directed by Aldo Frank.

An old 50's song that despite the french hook (c'est si bon=it's so good) is of american origin. Rhoda Scott also from the US spent most of her time recording in France. A famous keyboardist, her thing was to play crazy basslines on the church organ pedals with her bare feet. That Disco version of C'est si bon was produced in France.

Darcus*
It's Got To Be Love
Written by Phil Hurtt & Ritchie Rome. RCA USA [p]1977. Cookie Box/Valeria
Music, BMI/ Ritchie Rome Music. Arranged & conducted by Ritchie Rome.

A early Disco production from Richie Rome. I suspect the act Darcus was as with Ritchie Family the Philadelphia's Sigma sound studio session players. To my knowledge it was only released as a 7" single and a promo 12" featured here


Marti Lynn*
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
Written by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley. Produced by Wardell Quezergue.
One Way Disco Records (New Orleans LA).
TRO Musical Company Production [p]&[c]1979.

Wtitten by Leslie Bricusse a stage musical big shot, famous for having penned the Goldfinger James Bond theme. Who can I turn to, as it's pretty obvious is lifted from a forgotten musical, and superbly re-done by one hit Disco wonder Marty Linn
A DJ friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download.

Paul Mauriat Plus*
The Joy Of You
Written by P. Mauriat, G. Gambus & T. Jones. [p]1978 Power Exchange Records
UK under License from Phonogram France (Now Universal Music).
Produced by Paul Leka, Arranged by Paul Mauriat & Gerard Gambus.

Paul Mauriat is the french Frank Pourcel ie a king of orchestral elevator music, chances are there are a bunch of his records gathering dust in thrift shops world wide.
The genre was quite popular in the late 70's, and inevitably Mauriat did his Disco thing backed with pretty solid UK musicians as you will hear.

J. Elliott Group*
Disco Village
Written by Les Baxter. Locust Inc. & The Road Company Farmington Hills
Michigan. Published by Love Blast Music. Granson/Atlantic.
Arranger: Jeff Steinberg. Production: Jeff Steinberg & Jeffrey Parsons.

Quiet Village is possibly the biggest easy listening classic, created by Tiki master Les Baxter it's been cover numerous times, including a great version by Ritchie Family that almost made it here (rain check on this one) The J Elliot is definitely the more dubby and rarer of the two.

Charlie's Roots**
Show You The Way to Go
Written by Gamble/Huff. Published by Warner-Tamerlane, c/o Warner-Chappell
Music Inc., 10585 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025-4950. BMI Work
No. 1335339. Executive Producer: Ellis Chow Lin On & Charlie's Roots.
Publishing date: 1978. CLO Records (Trinidad).

Produced by Ellis Chow Linn who sadly passed away very recently (RIP) This mostly instrumental remake of The Jacksons' song is lifted from a pretty straight up Calypso album, hence the predominant steel drums that give it a sweet lazy feel.



The Band That Fell To Earth*
Starflight
Written by P. Mengaziol. Produced by Laurence Jacobson.
Shaggy Dog Sounds Unlimited [p]1977.

One of the longest 12" in history (if not THE longest) that clocks at a whopping 17+ minutes and is as rare as it's long ! An intsrumental Disco jam packed with drumbreaks, it could honestly do with half the length, but is featured uncut to keep it's anecdotic appeal.

CD2

Cindy Rodriguez*
What You Need Is My Love
Written by Ricardo Marrero & San Judas. Disk-O-Mania Records (NY)
BMI. Produced arranged and conducted by Ricardo Marrero.

On same label and with same producer as Charanga 76 and Milton Hamilton which I previously compiled comes Cindy Rodriguez. A 12" release that's a bit more latin and less dubby than others from same origin, nonetheless the Latin Disco flavor is at its strongest here.



Jobell & The Orchestra de Salsa*
Never Gonna Let You Go
Written by Nieves & Craft. Produced by Morty Craft. Mixed by Nat Jeffrey.
JAN Records, division of FEA Inc, 8424 Carlton Way, Los Angeles CA. 90069.
Yukon Music ASCAP 1976 [c].

Another 12" and excellent example of Disco Salsa. Traditional Salsa bands don't have a drummer but use Latin percussionists. The simple addition of a classic drum kit (kick, snare etc..) usually turns Salsa into Latin Disco-Presto !

Ralfi Pagan*
Take Me With You
Written R. Pagan - S. L. Burke. Arranged R.Pagan & David Torres.
Pumkris Records Hollywood CA [p]&[c]1978. Published by Pumkris Publishing.

We stay again into my fave Latin tinged Disco territory with Ralfi Pagan, on a very obscure californian 12" (although the song is in a pretty short format) Mr Pagan was mostly known for his work on Nu-Yorican Salsa label Fania.

The Ritchie Family**
Frenesi
Produced by Jacques Morali for Can't Stop production. General supervision by
Henri Belolo. Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia Pa.
Arrangement and assistant production: Ritchie Rome.
Can't Stop production [p]1975. Licensed courtesy of Scorpio Music, 92 av.
Kleber 75116 Paris.

The name of Ritchie Family came from Philadelphia arranger Ricthie Rome and his session musicians who were the same as Gamble & Huff's, MFSB's, Salsoul's Orchestra's hence the striking similarity in sound. The project was initiated by french producer Jacques Morali who later gave the world Village People, and subsequent Ritchie Family albums that adapted to the trends in dance music.
My exclusive remix of this track will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download.

Ray Martinez & Friends*
Lady Of The Night (Hey Honey Come Gimme Money)
Written by Martinez & Wilkinson. Produced by Ray Martinez for Paris
Productions. Importe/12 Records.
Published by Paris International Publishing Inc.

Out of Florida Ray Martinez was one of TK records producers of dancefloor effective Disco. He made a come back in the 80's under his own guise with much more latin inflenced productions that are very reminiscent of a sound August Darnell of Kid Creole and Coconuts fame made popular.

Serenade*
Canteen
Written and produced by John Terrell.
Published by Out Front (Detroit Michigan) [c]Don't Stop Music BMI.

Out of detroit based indie label comes this gem of a 12". A delightful hand designed cover, great musicianship, and a result that has the rawness of a home recording, filled with spontaneity. Check Joey Negro's Soul Of Disco compilation for the other song on that record.



Nightfall*
Keep It Up
Written by Doug Shawe. Produced by Cory Robbins & Eric Matthew. Arranged by
Eric Matthew. RCA Records [p]&[c]1977.
Published by Duchess Music Corp/Chesyl Music BMI.

12" only acoustic Disco production from Eric Matthew featuring the musicians that would later form Gary's Gang. The vocal and lush mid tempo ochestration are quite charming and despite pretending to be about a dancer, the lyrics are particularly "risqué" for 1977 !
A DJ friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download.

Private Pink*
Little High Things
Written by Peter Sinclair. Produced by Terry Jacks. Goldfish Records. Poppy
Family Prod. Gone Fishin' Music Ltd BMI [p]&[c]1977.
Licensed courtesy of Gone Fishin' Music Ltd.

Sometimes I wonder what makes me pick a record that looks like nothing, and in the bargain section of a shop where usually the worst records end. When I heard it wondered how long it stayed there too. With a killer breakbeat intro Little High Things moves on lead by a horn-y lead synth to a vocal climax.
A DJ friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download.

Moses*
Something About You
Written by Thomas W. Stewart. Produced by Thomas Stewart. Executive Producer
Marlin McNichols. Pure Silk Inc.
[p]&[c]. Pure Silk Records. Published by Pure Silk Music.

Another sought after 12" here, this is actually the the B side to Love to live that was also compiled by my friend Joey Negro. Very soulful early Disco that has a Philly style backing with great vocal harmonies reminiscent of the doo-wop groups

The Night People*
Again
Written by D. Cochran - L. Newman. Produced by Earl Young & Dave Crawford
for Dave Crawford Prod. TSOB (The Sound Of Brooklyn) US 1980. 20th Century
Fox Music/ Robbins Music Corp. Licensed courtesy of Ramshorn.

Earl Young is the most influencial, and recognisable drummer in disco history, from MFSB to Salsoul he played on countless hits, and 99% of House music beats owe something to his style. This song though is a bit of an oddity, Produced and sung by him in a super smooth baritone voice, it sounds much more coming from a broadway musical than from the streets of Philly. The girls love it !


Jonelle Allen*
Baby, I Just Wanna Love You
Written by George Gade & Jack Hoffman. Produced by Norman Ratner
Arranged and conducted by Charles Veal. Alexander Street Records USA
[p]1978. Alexander Street Music ASCAP.

We end here in a downtempo fashion, Holywood style rich orchestration by Maestro Charles Veal (Gorge Duke, Webster Lewis, Gladys Kinght) and super tight backing. Time to unwind.

*Original 12" version / **Original LP version

all tracks on CD 1 & 2 are full lenghth, unmixed and unedited

[Videoskooter]

"Again" is sung by Earl Young????? I'm learning every day here!

Thanx for posting the notes and info on the various tracks. Definitely a CD that I'm going to check out!

AMAZON

[tdf]

well i didn't even know "again" b4 this lp so you're 1 step ahead o'me.

you can hear its earl, from the intro to zing went the strings of my heart.

I was def impressed by the track selection and think the disco version of summertime might be my fave track, its just so right.

you can hear dimitris faves on his myspace page.

[Bernie]

Just received Cocktail Disco and am really enjoying both discs.

I posted a review at
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/9472_0_3_0_C/

Give this one a spin folks.

[ol'skinflint]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Just received Cocktail Disco and am really enjoying both discs.

I posted a review at
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/9472_0_3_0_C/

Give this one a spin folks.

Bernie: I've always been a bit confused by the note under the "Disco Records" headline that says "Find the record you're looking for here" but then the other note that says "no trading CDrs or MP3"s. Do you think some may consider that contradictory? Wouldn't disco fans be the best source to provide each other with hard-to-find records? And does that mean that trading cassettes or vinyl records is okay? thanks. Ken

[Videoskooter]

Ken, there's a slight difference between CDR's, MP3's who are illegal copies/downloads and CD, Vinyl and cassette who are (normally) genuine products.

The exchange of illegal copies can not be tolerated, for the legal stuff we have the subforum:

http://www.discomusic.com/forums/buy...s-electronics/

Hope that clears things up?

[Paulo]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Just received Cocktail Disco and am really enjoying both discs.

I posted a review at
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/9472_0_3_0_C/

Give this one a spin folks.

I bought the CD today and all I can say that it is a great disco compilation.

It draws from the golden era of 1975 to 1979.... so for all fans who like disco-music played by real musicians, full of orchestrations, brass, sax and flute solos... with lots of percussion, then this album is unmissable.

There is plenty of obscure music on this double CD. Well... maybe some of us may have heard some of the songs at the time, but it is impossible to remember now. The only songs I had was Frenesi by The Ritchie Family and The Vincent Montana produced album by Astrud Gilberto from which Dimitri takes Girl From Ipanema.

But the fact that the album is packed with rarities is not the most important feature. The album is good because the songs are excelent, not because they are obscure. The fact that they are rare is just a bonus.

This album reflects the spirit of the mid to late 70's.