Early 80's funky disco

[SandraDee]

Thought I'd give the late 70's pure disco a rest & listen to stuff like

You Can't Run From My Love - Stephanie Mills
Take Some Time Out - Salsoul Orchestra (featuring Jocelyn B. - one of the many !)
Spirit of the Dancer - Evelyn King
Starstruck/ Hot in the Flames of love
- Patti Austin
The Man in my Life - Klymaxx
Just in Time - Raw Silk
Save the Overtime For Me - Gladys Knight
Best Love - Rose Royce
Its a Girls Affair - Change
Give me Action - Queen Samantha
Just an Illusion - Imagination
Hopscotch - Gwen Guthrie
Take me Back - Coffee
I'll Be Your Pleasure - Esther Williams
We've Got Our Chance - Linda Clifford
If You Want me - Barbara Roy
Set Me Free - Karen Silver
Spotlight - Stacey lattisaw
Dancin to the Beat - Henderson & Whitfield
Take My Love - Melba Moore
Dont You Want My Lovin - Wanda Walden
It Doesnt Only Happen at Night - Geraldine Hunt
Take me to the Top - Advance
Keep on Movin - Deodato
Ready for the Night - Margie Joseph
You Got The Power - War
Finesse - Glenn Jones
I Wanna Know - Rocket
Searching to find the One - Unlimited touch
Street Corner - Ashfor & Simpson

Oh I could listen to this stuff 4 ever! Its funky but still very much DISCO.
There's quite a few of the Ladies in there too, eh Marky?! ( I know u like 'em)

[QUINNY]

Steely Dan: You've surpassed yourself. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever heard or played any of the tracks listed. Should this ignoramus be worried? :lol:

[Blaxman]

Hi Steely Dan,

Loved your list, I'm a really fan of early 80's disco-funk!! Until 85/86, when everything became too electronic!!

I love especially, Stephanie Mills, Salsoul Orchestra, Evelyn King, War (the best), and many others from your list!! Cool!!

Peace

[markydefad]

Steely Dan,

I know about half your list--maybe I have a few more on LP's. And "YES"--I DO LOVE THE LADIES!!!!!

My faves are "Best Love" by Rose Royce (another great song by them from this era was the jazzy "Still in Love"); Imagination--LOVED that entire LP; Gladys, Change, Stephanie, Ashford & Simpson, and Patti Austin. I don't recall Patti's "Starstruck", however. Which LP was that from???

[Jeff H]

Marky--

"Starstruck" is from the same LP that has "Rhythm of the Street" on it, but I can't remember the name. Or was it called just "Patti Austin"?

[markydefad]

I guess "Starstruck" flew under my radar. I remember an Australian movie called "Starstruck" directed by Gillian Armstrong from around 1982. No relation, I guess.

A lot of the songs on S.D's list look like LP tracks that I might have--just don't recall by title.

Hey, when you've got as much stuff as I have accumulated... you only can remember the hits, mostly. Duh.

[jazz_pilgrim]

Some very nice stuff in there!! :grin: Some with memories for me include ....

Just an Illusion - Imagination / You Got The Power - War - those two were massive on the Continent when I was studying in Germany. In fact, I remember buying "Just an Illusion " in Germany as a UK import 12" !!! :grin:

Dancin to the Beat - Henderson & Whitfield
That is on the Disco Spectrum 2 compilation I have got and is a really powerful 80's disco record. I love it!! :grin: Fantastic intro on it!

Hopscotch - Gwen Guthrie - I remember the name of the tune, but I have forgotten how it goes!!




_________________
It's got to be about the music !!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jazz_pilgrim on 2002-09-04 18:40 ]</font>

[SandraDee]

I'm pleased I stirred some memeories 4 u guyz.
Yes Quinny u should be worried; where did u DJ exactly?!
I agree Blaxman, it went very pear-shaped around 1985 but some early garage compensated for this I s'pose.
Marky- 'Still in Love' is fabulous & sounds very like Chaka Khan I think, & yes alot are LP tracks.
U are right Jeff, the LP was just 'Patti Auatin' & was mainly produced by Narada M.Walden.
Jazz, 'Hopscotch' is on Gwen's 'Portrait' LP from '83.It sounded like a cuddlier version of Grace Jones early 80's stuff! I think Maarten has mentioned this LP b4 as one of his faves.

[QUINNY]

Steely Dan: I'm here shaking in my boots and the furrow on my brow is deepening as I write. :lol:
But hey! it's amazing that 250 miles can make such a difference. I've heard of nearly all the artists but never those tracks (except Imagination which I failed to see originally). I was always a singles guy I suppose, when it came to what to play. Even albums from my all time favourite bands have left me somewhat less than gratified.
Give me quick fixes any day. I'm a hopeless case. :oops:

[jazz_pilgrim]

That's the great thing about this Board! :grin:

The number of LPs I have with tracks that I didn't even know existed, until somebody mentions them... As Blax said - it's a very cheap way to get some new music! :lol:

I think I shall pick some of these out for your thread on Tracks That Didn't Make The Dancefloor.... Now lemme think .. Hmmm :roll:

[QUINNY]

JAZZ: IMHO. You see that's where I'm not totally convinced. If the tracks are sooooo good, why are they relatively unknown or unplayed?
Cream nearly always rises to the top!
I've made cassettes and CDs for hundreds of unknown bands over the past 20 years, and the one ever lasting truth is that although they are good, they all don't have that something special that makes them outstanding. I can imagine in 20 years time that some freak will find some of these 'treasures' and be able to convince someone that they are masterpieces.
Apart from a very few exceptions, all albums are stuffed with fillers. The best tracks almost invariably get put onto a single. If you're a record company exec you're not going to put the also rans onto single in order to get people interested in buying the album. I'm a cynic I'm afraid.

[jazz_pilgrim]

I will disagree with you on this one! With respect for your views, of course!

But I often wonder, Quinny, what the hell record company execs get up to sometimes? For example I remember that Maze instrumental track (but not the name) that was massive in the early Eighties in the clubs... What did the record company do? They put it out on the B-side, that track didn't get the commercial radio airplay (as it was a B-side) and they missed a golden opportunity for a Maze hit single!

IMHO, I would argue that if you limit yourself to singles, ie what a record exec thinks worth putting out, then you are relying on someone else's opinion - not your own to decide what you listen to...

Another example for you. Take the current Alicia Keys CD. The track that gets the most play on Jazz FM (and I like it a lot due to it's early 70's Marvin Gaye feel) is the wonderful "This Life" A track with real depth and understanding! :grin:
But I doubt if it will ever get released as a single .... :sad: If you miss out on that track by only listening to the singles, then you miss out on a real musical experience!!

Back to you!!

[sammyperez]

Jazz:

I agree with your statment that if you just listen to the singles you will miss out on some outstanding music. I was told a long time ago, the reason certain songs get played on the radio and become mega hits is because the majority do not know anything about music which is absolutely true. It is the minority, like most of the people on this forum, who actually know quality when they here it.

Steely:

I love your list and this era of music. I used to call it "The Prelude era" of course since that label was so prominant in that period. Here are some other classics from that time frame you may remember:

Sending my love - Pleasure
You and me just started - Linda Taylor
Rock your world - Weeks & Co.
Watch out - Brandi Wells
You used to hold me - Thelma Houston
Rock Shock - B.B.C.S.&A
Let's do it - Convertion
You ain't really down - Status IV
Do it to the music - Raw Silk
I specialize in love - Sharon Brown
This beat is mine - Vicky 'D'
Who's been kissing you - Hot Cuisine

and there are so many more I can list, however, I don't want to take away from others on the forum possibly listing some of their favorites from that era. As you can tell I love this period of music as much as you do. Bernie was kind enough to feature me on the last Dance Groove Radio show on this site and a mix by me entitled 'The College Years '80-'84'.; Alot of memories here. Great choice Steely!

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[QUINNY]

There is truth in what you say. Despite record company execs shaping my listening experience, I still had the ability to choose from the 1000s of singles which ones I felt were the best. It's not as if I bought every one! After 40 years of listening to music intently, I don't really go out looking for even more tunes to mess with my mind. I still go to live jazz gigs on average twice a week and get plenty of aural stimulation from them normally. Improvisation doesn't mess so much, becuase you could never hope to remember what's been played.
Another truth that I've come to realise is that most musicians don't know much about commerciality. They don't always have an ear for the hook or whatever that makes a tune stand out. I think we have to give the record company execs a little more credit than they traditionally have received and hey they're only human, so of course they can get it wrong. Without hits though, the music industry would not exist. Think on that for a while.

As for the Maze instrumental - can't quite remember it, but I'm not too sure that the radio stations would have played an instrumental that much. I have to agree with you that 'Back in Stride Again' was probably their best chance. It sorta made the charts and was a record that used to make me feel good at the time. I really thought their time had come.

[Blaxman]

On 2002-09-05 06:55, QUINNY wrote:

....Cream nearly always rises to the top!
I've made cassettes and CDs for hundreds of unknown bands over the past 20 years, and the one ever lasting truth is that although they are good, they all don't have that something special that makes them outstanding. I can imagine in 20 years time that some freak will find some of these 'treasures' and be able to convince someone that they are masterpieces....

Hmmmmmm.......'nearly always' is not the same as 'always'. Several gems are exactly in this gap!! We know many bands or artists who never did a big hit, for many reasons.....bad contracts, bad record labels, even bad luck!! Otherwise, we have many untalented people getting superstars status with crap songs!!
And I think this is the main reason why ancient obscure tracks are so considered today! Because they are very much better than the average music of today!

Peace

[QUINNY]

SammyPerez: You see that's the difference between your list and Steely's. Most of the tunes on your list were issued as singles and they were pretty big with me and other jocks in my area.
I don't quite see the prelude connection as by '82 they weren't churning out half as many biggies as 1 or 2 years previously. Most of your tracks are from '82 or thereabouts aren't they?
If you don't mind me saying so, saying that most people don't know the really good stuff is a bit elitist and rather pompous (something I'm accused of from time to time)
:lol:

[sammyperez]

Quinny:

Most people don't know; It's not pompous, it's just true. I also said a chosen few who make up the minority do know what is going on. You decided where you belong, I did not make that choice for you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and included you in this minority, but now I wonder.

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[jazz_pilgrim]

On 2002-09-05 08:08, sammyperez wrote:
Jazz:

I agree with your statment that if you just listen to the singles you will miss out on some outstanding music. I was told a long time ago, the reason certain songs get played on the radio and become mega hits is because the majority do not know anything about music which is absolutely true. It is the minority, like most of the people on this forum, who actually know quality when they here it.

Sammy, as I have told you many times, you are the wisest and most sensible guy on this Board, IMHO! I understand your point perfectly! :grin:

I'll give you an example which I thinks illustrates your point perfectly. If you are in the majority who listen to, say, Commercial Top 40 disco music, then you turn on the radio / go to your local average disco and hear the hits only..... Take FAT LARRY'S BAND - one hit single they had in the UK which was played across the country - "Zoom" and easily their worst record. No edge to it whatsoever. Take a little time to delve into the music (like we all have done on the Board) - go to the specialist clubs / shops etc - and discover those real FLB gems - Center City, Looking For Love Tonight, Here Comes The Sun, Act Like You Know etc

It is the minority who take the time to delve properly into the music who find the best gems .....

[QUINNY]

I was going to write a tirade, but I'll pass on it.
To anyone who doesn't get the point:
No matter what I or you say, the best record of any artist is the one that you like the best. This applies if you only know 1 or 101 tunes from an artist. To imply that the person who only knows the one is somehow inferior to the one who knows all 101 is absolutely shocking, elitist and pompous. It is snobbery in the extreme.
I'm quite happy NOT knowing everything! Oh! to be humble. :lol:

[Blaxman]

On 2002-09-05 11:35, QUINNY wrote:

...To imply that the person who only knows the one is somehow inferior to the one who knows all 101 is absolutely shocking, elitist and pompous. It is snobbery in the extreme.
I'm quite happy NOT knowing everything! Oh! to be humble. :lol:

Hey, Quinny! Come on!! This is not an elitist or pompous matter, it's just a matter of ranking. All the people (since the school days) are ranked by the knowledgment about the things, right?

It's obvious that those people who are in the lower ranking positions have less chances to collaborate to a discussion about anything, in our case - about music.

It would be snobbery if anybody was making comparisons to another person here, that's not the case, I think.

Peace

[sammyperez]

Qunniy:

Don't attempt to put words in my mouth, I implied nothing, I stated something. The point I was making, point blank and simple, is that all because a song is a hit single, does not mean it is a good song. Any logical person, or even you, can agree with that. I am not interested in slandering or playing games, but if you are going to call someone elitist and pompous, yet refuse to get the point, then who's the pompous one?

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[QUINNY]

Sammy: Back at ya! :lol:
A hit record must have some redeeming feature,otherwise it wouldn't sell so many copies. Perhaps you're incapable of appreciating it for what it is? To the masses who buy that record it IS good. You can't take that away from them. In the end their stupidity will mean that record WILL be remembered, not the ones we might discuss on these boards. If everyone made tracks that no-one remembered or wanted, how much music would there be in the long term? It's the hits that allow OUR yearnings to be fulfilled (ie lots of other records that you or I can drag out). Don't knock the hits, or the people who boght them. They paid wages, they put food on many a MUSICIAN'S table, not just the ones who made the hit!


_________________
IT'S GOT TO BE REAL

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: QUINNY on 2002-09-05 12:45 ]</font>

[sammyperez]

Quinny:

Once again you're missing the point. I am not knocking hit records, if you looked at my list you'll see I love many hit records. What I said was all because a record is a hit does not automatically mean that it is good. To accept your theory means you've liked every song that was ever a hit. Is that valid? I'm pretty sure there were songs over the years you did not like "that were hit records". I don't know how else to spell it out for you. What don't you understand about what I am saying? Besides, I'd rather get back to Steely's list and the whole topic of early '80's funky disco music.

Easy,

Sam "ALL JAM"

[Blaxman]

Hey!! I knock ,not all but many hits, cause I know a lot of them that should be called 's'hits!!

How many musicians worked on Eminem's crap?? I said MUSICIANS in capital letters! :???:

Peace

[QUINNY]

And of course, the reverse, is ultimately more true.
Getting back to the subject:
I posted to say that your selection was ultimately less esoteric than Steely's and more like a selection of tracks that were actually played in the majority of Discos, in England, at least. So I guess some other more knowing souls might look down their noses at both you AND I now.
See how this elitism can work?
Welcome to the plebs. :lol: