Canadian Disco Music

**joe king** · December 1st, 2001, 01:18 PM

Can anybody help me?

I am a student at a broadcasting college and I am attempting to research Canadian disco music. Looking through the info on Disco Music.com there appears very little that was recorded by, written by or produced by Canadians.

Was there life in Canada before Celine Dion?

If anyone knows any history or a source for my research it would be appreciated.

**Funky Dude** · December 1st, 2001, 03:31 PM

I read in the Disco Vault A-Z that Andre Gagnon was a Canadian born pianist, anyhow here's a few disco songs he done:

Surprise

Wow

Holiday Feeling

Smash

I'll have to dig find out what other disco songs he's done.

Another artist which I'm guess was not a disco artist but jumped on the disco bandwagon and that was Andy Kim. He had a big disco hit in 1974 called "Rock Me Gently", it did extremely well in Australia, UK, USA and probably many other countries.

Also I think Patsy Gallant was also a Canadian. She isn't a disco artist but did do a few disco songs and one was "From New York To L.A." back in 1976.

I think I've heard of a few other Canadian disco artists but I forgotten which ones. Anyhow go through Bernie's A-Z disco list and Phil's A-Z disco list at http://www.disco-funk.com and I'm pretty sure you'll find a few Canadian disco artists in there.

**Move2This** · December 1st, 2001, 04:12 PM

I'm pretty sure the early HiNRG group Lime were Canadian and they had a tremendous impact on disco/dance music which was to last through the 80s.

A few other names spring to mind: Gino Soccio, I believe was another Canadian, as was Karen Silver, much of who's music was produced by Soccio. Karen did a great version of "Hold On, I'm Coming" in 1979.

FunkyDude is right about Patsy Gallant being Canadian. Apart from New York to LA she did another disco-ey song called "Sugar Daddy" in 1976.

These are just a few names that spring into my head but I KNOW there are plenty more!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Move2This on 2001-12-01 17:14 ]</font>

**Boodikka** · December 1st, 2001, 04:13 PM

The Raes - A Little Lovin'1978

The Bombers - The Mexican 1978, Everybody Get Dancin' 1979, etc.

Kebekeletrik - Magic Fly, War Dance, etc. 1977/1978

Gino Soccio - Dancer 1979, I Wanna Take You There, 1979/80, Remember 1982

Denise McCann - Falling In Love Again 1979, Tatoo Woman 1979

Carol Jiani - Hit and Run Lover 1981

Lime - Your Love 1981

Just off the top of my head......

**Boodikka** · December 1st, 2001, 04:17 PM

DOOOOHHHHH! <smacks self in head>

France Joli - Come To Me, etc. 1979

Pamela Stanley - This Is Hot 1979

**Giovanni** · December 1st, 2001, 06:36 PM

Freddie James (Everybody get up and boogie, Hollywod, Crazy disco music);Geraldine Hunt (Can't fake the feeling); The Bombers (The mexican, Everybody get dancin'); The Wonder Band (Stairway to heaven/Whole lotta love); Champagne Explosion (Love now hurt later);

France Joli (Come to me, Gonna get over you);

KatMandu (the break); Witch Queen (Witch Queen, Bang a gong); Harlow (Take off!); Gerry Bribosia (Dracula disco); Black Light Orchestra (Touch me take me, Once upon a time); Francine McGee (Delirium);

are just some others I can remember now, but there are lots of obscure canadian productions by the likes of Peter DiMilo and George Cucuzzella.

Early canadian labels like RCA, London, Disques Direction and later Unidisc produced lot of disco stuff

**Move2This** · December 1st, 2001, 06:59 PM

Another one for the list: Melody Stewart: Action Satisfaction (1980)

This is turning into quite a list - seems Canada has made a great contribution to the genre!

**NickNack** · December 1st, 2001, 07:07 PM

Don't forget Erotic Drum Band, makers of "Action '78" and a few others. They were produced by Peter DiMilo. And Denis LePage, producer of Lime and maker of "Hot Wax".

Oops, I did it again. Wasn't Suzy "Get On Up and Do It Again" Q., Canadian?

_________________

Dancin' All Over It!

Nicky

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2001-12-01 20:10 ]</font>

**kelvy** · December 1st, 2001, 10:51 PM

Nick, Suzie "Q" is definetly based with the production team of D'Orazio, Panzera, and Cuccarella on the helm. Speaking of Suzie "Q", have you ever heard her song "With Your Love"? is it as good as "get on up and do it again"?

What about Watson Beasley? Not really disco, but their 1980 "don't let your chance go bye" went well with many dancefloors. And Geraldine Hunt and Cheri, who were based out of Montreal? Later on in the 80s, we get Tapps and "My Forbidden Lover". There's also THP (Two Hot For Love), Bob McGillpin (i think<???>), Levi John<???> (Solar Sound label/Toronto), & Peter Batah (Unidisc Records)..

with kind regards,

kelvy

**joe king** · December 2nd, 2001, 07:14 PM

Many thanks to everybody, your replies have been very helpful. This project has become quite an event, your support is appreciated - keep them coming as you think of them!!

**BrunoRepublic** · December 2nd, 2001, 09:44 PM

The vast majority of Canadian disco came out of Montréal, which at the time was the cultural center of the nation (some would say that it still is, but that's another arguement entirely). As is often the case with disco, a few producers created works for many artists... I'll try to group them together as best I can

Tony Green (sometimes worked with Gino Soccio): France Joli, Caroline Bernier, also breifly with Kebekelektrik

Pat Deserio/George Lagois: Bombers, Bob-A-Rela, Kebekelektrik

Gino Soccio: himself (obviously), Karen Silver, Kebekelektrik

Domenic Sciscente/Michel Daigle: Alma Faye Brooks, Space Project, Patrick Normand, also many Québecois pop artists

Denis Lepage: Lime, Katmandu, lots of early Unidisc stuff

Willi Morrison/Ian Guenther (the only major disco act not based in Québec AFAIK): THP Orchestra, The Immortals, Sticky Fingers, Wayne St. John, Southern Exposure, also a few rock acts.

**Fantomas** · December 3rd, 2001, 03:12 PM

The song Crystal World by Crystal Grass is from Canada.

The great underground Disco group, the Chocolat's (El Caravanero, Brazilia Carnaval, El Bimbo, Black Orpheous, and others) made its best albums in Canada.

Canada is happening !!!

**Giovanni** · December 3rd, 2001, 04:50 PM

To tell the truth Crystall Grass was a French act, that was massive in Europe around 1974/1975 on the Philips label; the record was picked up for distribution in Canada by the London label, and finally by Polydor for distribution in the US (The cover of the american LP features a photo taken at Le Jardin, home of the late Bobby DJ Guttadaro, one of the greatest spinners of the first generation).

Also Chocolat's was an European group, being based in Belgium, even if with members coming from all around the world. They were distributed in Canada by the Aavalanche and the Able labels and subsequently in the US by Aavalnche itself and then by Salsoul (with a great mix workout by the Maestro Tom Moulton, the REAL King of Disco!!!!)

**markydefad** · December 3rd, 2001, 05:01 PM

Hear Hear, Giovanni!!!

Tom Moulton is truly the king of disco--everything that man touched makes me want to dance. All the music I've been looking for from Fantastic Four & Detroit Emeralds & Eddie Holman has that magical Moulton touch.

Question to those more knowledgable than I--

did he ever produce or remix any duds?

**Fantomas** · December 4th, 2001, 06:15 AM

to Giovanni and Masdefi:

I'm talking about the release of the albums, as my posting says. If Canada hadn't released these albums, most probably, these groups would have never been heard of internationally. Canada was very big in the underground scene.

As for the Detroit Emeralds, depending on where you live, the albums/cd's are not hard to come by.

I'm glad someone here knows who the Chocolat's are. Most people wouldn't even recognize the name of this fabulous group.

**DISCOBARRY** · December 25th, 2001, 08:11 PM

Yes there were a number of disco artists from Canada. Gino Soccio, France Joli, Lime just to name a few. There was a record label from Canada called Matra which also released songs under the Black Sun label. Unidisc was the owner (I believe) of the Matra/Black Sun labels. I have quite a few artists on these labels (Kryptonite, Lime, Decoupage, Vivien Vee, Kano, just to mention a few) some of which are artists from other countries. Some of the Canadian disco music was excellent, much of what I've heard is more on the high energy style.

**JussiK** · December 26th, 2001, 03:48 AM

More from Canada: the Guenther/Morrison team also put out a Voyage-styled traveloque album GRAND TOUR which spawned 2 cuts much played in clubs: Grand Tour and Flight To Versailles. Joe LaCreca did an Erotic Drum band-like lp MTL EXPRESS.

But did the French/Belgian/Brazilian troupe Chocolat's actually record anything in Canada as opposed to Paris and Brussels, or were some of the albums perhaps just remastered there, or was there some adding of instruments going on as happened with remixing of the Kings of Clubs album? The Chocolat's performed last year on French channel 5 tv and in the subsequent interview they never mentioned recording in Canada.

**disco1999** · December 27th, 2001, 12:07 AM

Other disco canadian artist that I can think of...

Voggue - Dancing the night away (and "Love buzz")

Geraldine Cordeau - Sounds in the night

**DJ P** · January 1st, 2002, 08:33 AM

What about Canadian Rocker's Byran Adams first release and hit, 1978's 'Let Me Take You Dancing' on A&M Records.

**PhyllisHyman** · January 1st, 2002, 05:37 PM

Wasn't Vera (of Take me to the bridge fame) Canadian? Also I can't remember the name of the woman but she sang "Take it slowly" and "I get a little excited" I think she was Canadian.

**nrgbeat** · January 1st, 2002, 08:30 PM

Nancy Martinez

On 2002-01-01 18:37, PhyllisHyman wrote:

Wasn't Vera (of Take me to the bridge fame) Canadian? Also I can't remember the name of the woman but she sang "Take it slowly" and "I get a little excited" I think she was Canadian.

**PhyllisHyman** · January 2nd, 2002, 07:30 AM

Thank you, that's been bugging me all day!

**DJ Camus** · January 10th, 2002, 03:32 PM

I believe NIGHTLIFE UNLIMITED was a Canadian act. They did 'Disco Choo Choo ' and 'Love is in You'

Cheers,

DJ Camus

**disco1999** · January 13th, 2002, 09:57 AM

Nancy Martinez was also known for "Can't believe" 1981 and more recent tracks: "Move out" and "Maîtresse de tes rèves"

On 2002-01-01 18:37, PhyllisHyman wrote:

Wasn't Vera (of Take me to the bridge fame) Canadian? Also I can't remember the name of the woman but she sang "Take it slowly" and "I get a little excited" I think she was Canadian.

[/quote]

**Mixmachine** · January 13th, 2002, 01:57 PM

I just found out today that new singer Nelly Furtado is from Canada, I thought she was from NYC. She’s on my local paper involved in some dispute with a British magazine.