BEST DISCO RECORD WE'VE NEVER HEARD

**QUINNY** · January 19th, 2003, 08:21 PM

Strange heading I admit.
I have a big problem with the lists that we have all posted. There's normally so many records listed that I end up thinking O.K., so which ones are the best. Now if we could distill that a little further. Is there just ONE 12" record that you think is an absolute scorcher, that is fairly unknown or seldom mentioned (even among most of the folks here) ?
My nomination would be:
XANADU - "THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT" or "When the Lights Went Out" 1979
I hope one of these is the correct title anyway. It's years since I last played this record.
The band were from Australia and this was a great slab of disco music, which from memory clocked in at about 127 BPM. Very slick, with prominent slapped bass, girlie vocals (in the first half only from memory) and a real disco feel.
NOW, the reason this record was soooo good was the absolute scorching second half, from the break on. This record was fairly unique for me, in that I actually played the second half only.
That part of the record had a really useful slapped bass riff as the break, which led into a really soaring, blistering synth solo that was kinda jazzy and incredibly uplifting with a really positive outroing of a strong 8 beat rundown with heavy church organ chords (back to vocals? I can't remember and had probably mixed out by then).
On a loud system it sounded absolutely terrific. If you want a comparison, think of the intro to say BABY O 'In the Forest'. Well, this was just as strong.
Perhaps a tad formulaic sounding and therefore easily passed by, but that second half was a real grower.
If you ever see a copy, at least give it a listen.

**paul** · January 20th, 2003, 01:59 AM

Hey Quinny. I've got 3 that came immediately to mind.
1) Never Can Find The Way (Hot Love) - Vernon Burch
I'll admit that some of my friends at the time didn't understand why I liked this song. In fact I only heard it at dorm parties. What worked for me though was the intro and the lyrics.
2) If You're Looking For Fun - Weeks & Company
This to me was this groups best song. Here again the lyrics worked well for me here in addition to a nice funky groove.
3) Can You Get It (Suzie Ceaser) - Mandrill
Boodi and I really connected on this song. Here is another "disco" song that leaned towards the funk side of the spectrum.

**K-Bee** · January 20th, 2003, 04:21 AM

Wow, this is haaard!!
all right - here goes. I've narrowed it down to two tracks:

Colors - Am I gonna be the one (1983)
this is just an amazing cut. The moment the rhytm guitar sets in you now you're in for something truly special. And that bassline..... :)
outstanding gospel-driven vocals and a great song alltogether. Wonder who was behind this track?

Much in the same style is Alicia Myers - You Get the Best From Me (Say Say Say). I never tire of this. the best thing Al Hudson & Kevin McCord (of One Way) ever wrote.

Every Home Sould Have One (to quote miss Austin's famous album title)

No 70s music among these. I'm sorry but I'm an 80s kinda guy 8)

**black wax** · January 20th, 2003, 09:54 AM

man I have looked for that colors record for years !!!!

but back to the thread concerned
demis rousos l.o.v.e love has got a hold on me
special disco 12" mix classic but not well known

**black wax** · January 20th, 2003, 10:04 AM

or BLT Tighten it up on gold coast records a johnathon fearing mix I love the slap base intro on this
or anything by arthur rusell I'm realy into loose joints/tell you at the moment :D
strange but great

**tdaram** · January 20th, 2003, 11:44 AM

hello
i would say the 3 best tracks are:
demis roussos L.OV.E as said before,
Candi Staton Victim
and K.I.D Hupendi Musiki Wangu?!

**DISCODISK** · January 20th, 2003, 05:02 PM

Originally Written by black wax

man I have looked for that colors record for years !!!!

BLACK WAX give a call to soul brother records in london -020 8875 1018 they had a 12" in stock only last week[20 quid] or search the sites here for u.k c.d just a groove on resolution records [if still available]

Marcio** · January 21st, 2003, 12:21 AM

My special forgotten disco song (sometimes it makes me touch the sky, I don't know why) is "Love Don't Come No Stronger" by Martha Reeves.

.

**black wax** · January 21st, 2003, 06:47 AM

thanks discodisc
I noticed your in Jersey i go there a couple of times a year!
my wife sells holidays there
Never seen a good record store there but have been told there is one in st helier do you no it?

**Com King** · January 21st, 2003, 12:23 PM

If I had to choose only one song it would probably be the azoto track - soft emotion.

You can find it on the only Azoto's LP "disco fizz", which includes the hit "San Salvador"

But I remain the biggest fan of Candi Staton

It's my first post

I think I'm gonna cry

**DISCODISK** · January 21st, 2003, 03:11 PM

Originally Written by black wax

thanks discodisc
I noticed your in Jersey i go there a couple of times a year!
my wife sells holidays there
Never seen a good record store there but have been told there is one in st helier do you no it?

its called the record and video exchange in la motte street.on the main shopping street find boots [that would be on your left side] keep walking for a minute or two you will come to central park restaurant then its a further couple of doors up,if your looking for northern soul or motown forget it it dosnt make the shelves one of the guys there is pretty clued up but it can be great for 70s soul and disco its just one of those right place right time places.my last good find- the brothers 1976 r.c.a album "dont stop now" purchased for 10 pence sold on e.bay for 46 pounds its not always like that but you can be very lucky,be sure to tell me when youre coming so i can visit there the day before you arrive :lol:

**bobbchap** · January 23rd, 2003, 11:16 PM

Here's my pick for a song or songs that are truly hot in my eyes, but I never hear anybody talking about them or I can't find them anywhere. Lucky I have them on tape. I no longer have the picture disc they came on. :(
The album is by a group called "NOEL", {not the guy Noel who sings "Silent morning"} The album contains a 17:46 version of "Dancing is dangerous/Is there more to life than dancing?" side A. And side B has "The night they envented love/Au Revoir" 11:48 and "I want a man" 4:43. This is a SUPER album with some great dance music. :D
Anybody ever hear these songs?

**markydefad** · January 24th, 2003, 01:53 PM

I love the Noel songs, written & produced by The Mael Brothers ( aka Sparks). Bobby Viteritti at Trocadero Transfer in SF played "Dancing Is Dangerous" and "The Night They Invented Love" a lot. I have a 12" on Virgin with those 2 songs on it. The Mael boys had just worked with Giorgio Moroder...and his production genius had rubbed off on them.

There was an urban legend around here that Noel was actually one of the Mael Brothers in drag...but I think we've all agreed that was not true. I did see another LP by Miss Noel from the early 80's...but I think her 15 minutes was over by then. :roll:

**bobbchap** · January 24th, 2003, 02:55 PM

Hey Markydefad,
Yup.. those are the songs. I love those tunes, they bring back lots of memories. I never heard that about the guy in drag, but I do remember the picture disc I had, it had a picture of a woman on it I'm guessing was the main singer and I'll tell ya...see sure looked....weeelllll :roll: ...sorta manly. 8)

**Boodikka** · January 26th, 2003, 01:32 PM

Paul was on target with Mandrill's "Can You Get It (Suzy Caesar). That was a big regional funk/disco hit, I'm not sure how well it did nationwide. There was another funk/disco song by a Rochester, NY-based group called The Voltage Brothers entitled "City People (Something's Happening In The Streets) that was very good from early 1978.

Other lost or forgotten gems:

1) "Mi Amore" by Desiree' 1978
2) "Between Love And A Hard Place" (don't know the artist) 1979
3) "Climb/Rushin' To Meet You" by Midnight Rhythm 1978
4) "Super Extra Sexy Sign" by Kano 1980
5) "Fire Island" by Dante's Inferno (with Ron Dante)
6) "Save And Spend" by Cheryl Barnes 1978
7) "Ready Or Not" by Deborah Washington 1978