Disco Hits That Were Ahead of Their Time

[BrunoRepublic]

I don't doubt it is great. But, as with Atlantic's reputation for signing & releasing any Dance music terribly late-in-the-game (as-well-as doing next to zilch promotion on their Dance releases.) "Soul Makossa" was being played on US Top-40 radio, and sold, while still on the French label FIESTA records. (burgundy-colored lablel, with black typeset and picture-cover sleeve)

I'm told that several soundalike cover versions came out before Atlantic's official release, which also diluted demand (and explains why the LP has the words "the original" on it).

The 1976 12" single of "Big Blow" (8'00"), also released on FIESTA (cat.# 78.002, on a blue label, with black typeset), is a treasure! Because it has the full-length extended version of 1973's "Soul Makossa" (6'25") on the b-side. Cut at 45rpm, with awesome sound quality!

I have this record (maybe not this exact pressing, I can't remember, but it has that tracklisting) and yes, the sound quality is incredible. I've read that this is not an extended version but a re-recording... I don't know though.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

I'm told that several soundalike cover versions came out before Atlantic's official release, which also diluted demand (and explains why the LP has the words "the original" on it).

Could be... I'd never heard any knock-off versions. But the FIESTA single, was Manu Dibango's original release.

I have this record (maybe not this exact pressing, I can't remember, but it has that tracklisting) and yes, the sound quality is incredible. I've read that this is not an extended version but a re-recording... I don't know though.

I attached the scans to my previous post. I use the term "extended" as in full-length, or longer-then-the-45. And it's from the original recording. The bulk of it matches-up perfectly to the original 7". There's a couple edits on the 7" that are done very well. The intro was cut-down for the 7". While the bulk of the longer version falls in the middle of the song, and with considerably more repetition at end.

[BrunoRepublic]

My copy looks like yours, although I *think* the labels are pink, not blue. Also I'm not sure of the label... I just remember that it came in one of the most fabulous company sleeves I've ever seen. I'll have to take a look tonight.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

My copy looks like yours, although I *think* the labels are pink, not blue. Also I'm not sure of the label... I just remember that it came in one of the most fabulous company sleeves I've ever seen. I'll have to take a look tonight.

:icon_sad: Mine came in a plain 'ol white sleeve.
I gave it a nicer one, years later, from my crate of back-up, replacement covers.

[BrunoRepublic]

Yup, mine has the same catalog number and labels, but they're a magenta colour. I'll have to scan in the "Disco Géant" sleeve. It's awesome.

[Jose Jones]

My nomination would be

Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood

Still sounds as fresh today as it did when released, my friend thought it was basement jaxx

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

My nomination would be
Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood
Still sounds as fresh today as it did when released, my friend thought it was basement jaxx

Let me add to that thought, with: "Genius Of Love".
Although it did arrive at the dawn of the Progressive Dance sound...
It broke all the rules and yet, STILL holds-up today, as if it were a new release!

"What 'cha gonna do when you get outta jail?
I'm gonna have some fun.
What do you consider fun?
Fun! Natural fun."

Translation:
When I get outta prison, I'm gonna get laid.

How can you not love lyrics like that? Silly, funny, dirty... All at the same time.

[djscream67]

OMG! Wordy Rappinghood!!!! I totally LOVE that jam! I can't see how it could NOT be as popular as Genius of Love still is today!

Wanna hear something funny? My nephew once heard the Mariah Carey song that sampled 'Genius' FIRST (I forgot the name of it but you all know which one it is, the one with ODB), then months later, he told me that he heard a 'brand new song' that he assumed Tom Tom Club sampled off of HER and made it a hit! After ROTFLMFAO I HAD to tell him it was the other way around and explained to him the TTC was out over 10 years before he was born!

So sad! HAHAHAHA!!!!

[Disco Funk]

I just came across an early philly track with a drum beat that just blew my mind: George Tindley's 'Ain't That Peculiar'. It was recorded in 1969 as far as I can tell, and it features sections with a drum beat reminiscient of The Trammps' 'That's Where The Happy People Go' and 'I Love Music', both of which had Earl Young as the drummer, although I can't tell if it was him on the Tindley track. The hi-hat actually sounds closer to those Norman Whitfield Temptations tracks like Runaway Child and Cloud Nine. It's a mono mix, so the drums are a little thin sounding, but it is a thumping alternating snare and kick drum beat. I saw the tune is available on iTunes. Also check out Grover Mitchell's 'Cry', also from 1969. It features the same dance beat throughout. It certainly gives more evidence that disco truly started in philadelphia! :)

There's also a CD out with a couple of early disco numbers from Fantastic Johnny C - 'Don't Depend on Me' and 'Waitin For The Rain', in stereo. Previously, they were only available in mono on 45. They were recorded in early 73.

Disco Funk

[fibelli]

Tantra - The Hills of Katmandu
Giorgio Moroder - Chase
Space - Air Force

[HairInTheWind]

Early Kraftwerk was ahead of it's time.

Also Isley Brother's Who's that Lady was definately before it's time hence their cover for it.

IMHO =]

[Discoimperium]

"Ahead of their time" or Discomusic as in "i've never heard anything like this before" are 2 different things for me.
As in "I've never heard anything like this before" there are a few moments in which i had this experience:
-1974: The 1st Gloria Gaynor album "Never Can Say Goodbye" which was the first discoalbum i bought (when i was 12) and had a whole non-stop playing A-side, long versions an all.. that was totally awesome + new !.
-1977: Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" .. totally flabbergasted when i heard it the first time.
-1977: (6 months after "I Feel Love") the "Once Upon A Time" album with the mindblowing "Now I Need You/ Working The Midnight Shift" .. blew me away totally as well, this was SO new!.
-1981: Depeche Mode - New Life. (After 7 great disco years this was my next mindblowing experience which left me totally flabbergasted again).

So i guess that these 4 moments were way ahead of their time, for me anyway .. things that had never been done before .. After that their was a lot more great (electronic) music off course (till this very day) .. but never the flabbergasting moments described above...
Cheers.

[BrunoRepublic]

Early Kraftwerk was ahead of it's time.

*Early* Kraftwerk? Like "Ruckzack", "Von Himmel Hoch" and "Strom"? I thought that those fit in fairly well with the time. IMHO, Kraftwerk didn't sound ahead of their time until the mid 70s, which was much later in their career.

[andyy]

I would say that when they released sylvesters Now well known you make me feel mighty real this pumping disco slightly disco electro was definately way ahead of its time back in 1978,
If you listen to the original and slightly speed it up it sure was a mover on the dance floor and all the newer versions from the original still sound the same apart from the backing beat and sylvesters voice is still the same as the original, blending in from the original to the newer versions over the decades.
I think this song certainly ages slowly due to its initial way ahead feel. so it certainly was ahead of its time.

[srg]

I still remember the pandemonium a song from Montreal caused on Toronto's dancefloors... something called "Your Love" by Lime...in 1981...heavy-duty prime time all-electronic dancemusic, nothing else like it around at the time...
followed by Bobby O productions (Divine, Flirts, et al)
followed by Soft Cell
followed by Pet Shop Boys
and so on

[KBallenger53]

I would include Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" in
this group-it was techno,trance,house,electro AND
disco all it once.

Thom

I strongly agree with you thommy2458!!! Georgio Moroder was definately on a higher plane when he came up with this one!!! When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it was Donna Summer, but some other group from overseas.

Do you mix thommy? If you do, mix it with Lil' Louis's: "French Kiss"!!! You'll have the crowd right in the palm of your hand!!!

'NUFF SAID

[thommy2458]

I strongly agree with you thommy2458!!! Georgio Moroder was definately on a higher plane when he came up with this one!!! When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it was Donna Summer, but some other group from overseas.

Do you mix thommy? If you do, mix it with Lil' Louis's: "French Kiss"!!! You'll have the crowd right in the palm of your hand!!!

'NUFF SAID

Hi KBallenger53!-I am what you would call a "closet
mixer" -I mix for myself and my friends,no one that would
give me a thumbs down or boo me! But I do love
"French Kiss",so I will try this in your honor-thanks for the tip.
Thom

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

When you first heard "Rapper's Delight" by SugarHill Gang, would you ever have believed that, 30 years later, it would evolve into a genre of music that has it's own Awards Shows, generates billions of dollars every year as a marketing tool, and is even more popular, worldwide, than 'Disco' was????

I mean, honstly.. Did you?

[djscream67]

When you first heard "Rapper's Delight" by SugarHill Gang, would you ever have believed that, 30 years later, it would evolve into a genre of music that has it's own Awards Shows, generates billions of dollars every year as a marketing tool, and is even more popular, worldwide, than 'Disco' was????

I mean, honstly.. Did you?

Yes, and no.

Yes, I DID believe that the voice of Hip Hop after Sugar Hill Gang would aspire many artists to get in the game just for the love of it before 1987. No, I didn't think it would evolve into the mainstream radio junk we listen to today, and mainly for the love of money (or bling bling) and NOT the music. I like Hip Hop for the former reason, not to say today's music is all crap, but it's not all about the four elements anymore, I mean, no emcees, just rappers? No DJ's, but turntablists? And where are all the REAL breakdancers out there? None of these kids today are really into it because they've no knowledge of what it meant to breakdance, the sport of it and the atheleticism of what was and should've been.

I miss the '80s.

[KBallenger53]

Hi KBallenger53!-I am what you would call a "closet
mixer" -I mix for myself and my friends,no one that would
give me a thumbs down or boo me! But I do love
"French Kiss",so I will try this in your honor-thanks for the tip.
Thom

Hey Thom, any time my man!!! I'm not one of those D.J.'s that are all selfish with what they know. I love sharing with people. And just like you, I learned how to mix at home, in the basement of my parents house. Made a lot of noise at first and drove them both crazy, but pretty soon things just started jelling together.

Then even my parents started saying: "Hey son, that sounded pretty good"! All it takes is confidence and know how, and a little prayer never hurts either. Hit me back soon and tell me how the mix worked for you. Who knows Thom, you may be doing some gigs soon!!!

'NUFF SAID

[KBallenger53]

When you first heard "Rapper's Delight" by SugarHill Gang, would you ever have believed that, 30 years later, it would evolve into a genre of music that has it's own Awards Shows, generates billions of dollars every year as a marketing tool, and is even more popular, worldwide, than 'Disco' was????

I mean, honstly.. Did you?

Steve, when I first heard Rappers delight back in '80, I was in my 2nd year in the Navy and I thought: "Hey that's a cute little gimmick, anything for a buck". But the record took off like wildfire!!! You couldn't be a D.J. and not have it or else you'll get the crap beat out of you!!!

Especially since everybody was mixing it with Chic's "Good Times" or Vaughn Mason & Crew's "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll". I never took it seriously at the beginning, but then other cats just started coming out of the woodwork: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Spoonie G, The Sequence, The Funky 4 + 1 More, etc, etc, etc.

And me being a D.J. had to have this stuff because the tide was shifting towards that way!!! Tell you the truth Steve, I miss the good old days before "Rap" music became "Hip Hop". Everything was simple, plain, & lots of fun. Once it became "Hip Hop", to Me, it brought about the beginning of the end: GANG BANGING, DRIVE BYS, PIMPIN', DRUG USIN' & DRUG DEALIN', SAGGY PANTS, LOW SELF ESTEEM, BABY MAMA'S DRAMA, BABY DADDY'S DRAMA, INCARCERATION, DEATH & TOTAL SELF DESTRUCTION!!!

Not meaning to sound too opinionated or philisophical but: "As a man thinketh, so is he".

Let's consider the children of tomorrow......

'NUFF SAID

[qdearl]

Yes, and no.

Yes, I DID believe that the voice of Hip Hop after Sugar Hill Gang would aspire many artists to get in the game just for the love of it before 1987. No, I didn't think it would evolve into the mainstream radio junk we listen to today, and mainly for the love of money (or bling bling) and NOT the music. I like Hip Hop for the former reason, not to say today's music is all crap, but it's not all about the four elements anymore, I mean, no emcees, just rappers? No DJ's, but turntablists? And where are all the REAL breakdancers out there? None of these kids today are really into it because they've no knowledge of what it meant to breakdance, the sport of it and the atheleticism of what was and should've been.

I miss the '80s.

'Nuff Said.
People tend to forget, being the rap of today sounds so contrived and 1 dimensional, that back in the 80's hip hop songs were no different than any other composed genre of music, people played instruments, songs were arranged, hell, rappers could SING:icon_lol: Think I'm kidding, check out a Sugarhill, Grandmaster Flash or U.T.F.O LP ("Fairytale Lover" anyone....?) They were "artists" in every sense of the word, somewhere in the 90's all that began to change, and now we're stuck with what we have now. I don't think it's going to continue in this direction, at least not if people who care, continue to speak out about it, and those who can, continue to move it in a better direction, with their songs and lyrics. It will take a while, but just like we've elevated and recognized the great Disco music we all love, eventually a lightbulb will turn on and they'll finally "get it"