Bobby Bloom's Montego Bay - Early Proto-Disco?

[Disco Funk]

For some reason, I've listened to this song many times but I never really listened to it until a few days ago. I didn't realize that it featured an almost 4 on the floor beat, and a heavy back beat (snare emphasized with a tom drum on every other backbeat like on The Eagle's One Of These Nights or Herb Alpert's Rise), and hand claps augmenting the snares. The only problem is that this track is slow, and it doesn't feature a funky rhythm section during the chorus section. Maybe the groove is comparable to a slower version of Banzaii's Chinese Kung Fu?

This is definitely one track that would have benefited from a Tom Moulton remix or at least an instrumental B side for DJ mixing.

So what do you think? Add this track to early examples of what became known as disco?

Disco Funk

[QUINNY]

Yes and No.

Played by every (mobile) DJ in the country at the time. A standard dance track with anyone of a certain age (like me).

There must be hundreds (if not thousands) that could be equally promoted.

Not Disco, but disco music from 1970.

[Paulo]

Bobby Bloom had another smash (maybe 2 or 3 years later) called WE NEED EACH OTHER which was much more danceable. An excelent song

[Disco Funk]

Check out Bobby Bloom




Surprised? I was. :)


Here's the other track by him that was mentioned. It's definitely a nice uptempo dance number.



Disco Funk

[70spop]

I like "Montego Bay", but I never guessed the guy singing it was a white dude :icon_eek:, and especially not one who looked like a Brady. :icon_lol:

Brian

[paul]

Nice find Disco Funk.:icon_cool:
I miss Quinny.

[Disco Funk]

Nice find Disco Funk.:icon_cool:
I miss Quinny.

You're welcome.

What are you a glutton for punishment?!! Just kidding, when Quinny kept his cool, he was enjoyable to read.

Disco Funk

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

The 1986 re-make of this, by Amazulu, on MANGO/Island Records, is fantastic!
Outside of some unavoidable updating of the arrangement, it stays remarkably close to the original.

[Disco Funk]

The 1986 re-make of this, by Amazulu, on MANGO/Island Records, is fantastic!
Outside of some unavoidable updating of the arrangement, it stays remarkably close to the original.

I remember it got a lot of radio play back in the late 80s. I just listened to it, they kind of give it a reggae twist, kind of like the disco reggae that Bob Marley did with Could It You Be Loved.

Disco Funk