I Heard Cocomotion-El Coco on WABC!

**peppertree5706** · July 21st, 2003, 02:38 PM

This weekend I listened to a 1978 (I think January) aircheck of George Michael (DJ) on WABC, New York. He was playing one disco song after another, all short versions. These were the big, top of the chart hit disco songs. I could not believe it when he played Cocomotion by El Coco. At first I thought he was playing Thank God It's Friday, but then he announced Cocomotion by El Coco.

This is probably my all time favorite disco record. It has it all, all that a disco song should have. The only station I remember hearing it on was WCAU-FM. They played the long version. I listened to WABC back then (in Philadelphia) and I never remember hearing it.

This song was around #39 on billboard. Does anyone remember hearing it on the radio?

About WABC. For a while they played nearly all disco. They mixed disco with a few oldies, but it was such a joy to listen to them back them. Even though the aircheck is scoped, I heard the begining and ending of so many great disco songs on that aircheck.

Yeh, Cocomotion. I can listen to that all day, it is so good.

**markydefad** · July 21st, 2003, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the warning. :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

WARNING/DANGER: This song may cause SUGAR overload...Diabetics beware. Listen with caution and a needle filled with insulin.

:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

**paul** · July 21st, 2003, 03:56 PM

Hey Peppertree.
I just love this song too. I know Marky and Quinny puke at the thought of hearing it all day, I don't. In fact I've done that a few times. :D
I lived in Connecticut when it was out. The commercial FM stations sucked in the Hartford area so I don't think they played it. The local college stations did play it however.

**QUINNY** · July 21st, 2003, 04:29 PM

Just to give you a good laugh, I've actually played El Coco (short version) on the radio. I used it as a tune to get me up to the news, so listeneers may have got 30 seconds or more or less the full 7" record. I may hate the record, but I knew what was hip at the time.

**NickNack** · July 21st, 2003, 04:42 PM

See, we people from Brooklyn have TASTE! :D I don't know how I'm gonna get Marky's feet to move to this. One day...

I know I've heard the full version of Cocomotion on WKTU, New York. And, if Levan was playing it the Garage, then WBLS was playing it on the radio. Crocker would not be out done. :)

**peppertree5706** · July 21st, 2003, 06:19 PM

Originally Written by QUINNY

Just to give you a good laugh, I've actually played El Coco (short version) on the radio. I used it as a tune to get me up to the news, so listeneers may have got 30 seconds or more or less the full 7" record. I may hate the record, but I knew what was hip at the time.

I had a disco show in 1998 and during breaks (when I would talk) and sometimes over PSA's without music I played "The Chase" by Giorgio.

I thought it was a good song to have in the backround.

**usagi-san** · July 29th, 2003, 09:21 AM

I recently played the full version of "Cocomotion" on my KFJC college radio show, 89.7 FM, Los Altos Hills. (I've played lots of other El Coco and disco songs on my shows, too.) Unfortunately, the song did not get as high as #39 on the pop chart. It would have been great if Casey Kasem's American Top 40 could have acknowledged El Coco. But it peaked at #44, though it was on the pop chart for 15 weeks. It is one of my most favorite disco tracks too, and sadly I think it has never been officially released in its complete form on CD anywhere. If anyone disagrees, please tell me.

**paul** · July 29th, 2003, 12:23 PM

How long is the longest version?

**peppertree5706** · July 29th, 2003, 04:24 PM

That song is as good as disco gets. I do not have the record here with me. Just from memory, and this is approximate, the album has it in two parts. There is no pause, just a continuation of the song. I think it runs about 14 minutes.

To Usagi-san,

I would like an aircheck of your show. Particularly, the one where you play Cocomotion. I have recordings of all of my disco shows on KOOP-91.7 (from 1998). I can send you an aircheck of my show when I played Cocomotion.

**paul** · July 29th, 2003, 05:29 PM

Guess what I'll be playing during my commute back home :lol:
So there is a 14 minute version out there on vinyl. Gee, and I was happy with the just over 8 minute version I had on cd.
Now I've got to add that to my must have.

**peppertree5706** · July 29th, 2003, 06:55 PM

I am dying to make some disco trades. Do you want the album recorded to casette?

**paul** · July 29th, 2003, 07:27 PM

You talkin' to me pepper? :)
If so, I'm not sure what I have you would in trade. Umm, maybe we better discuss this separately. I don't want Bernie or Nicky to get their respective panties in a bunch :D
Oh, there is also the RIAA Gestapos lookin' at key words like "trade" and "music" on the internet. 8)
Of course I'm assuming your talkin' to me.

**EmileJ** · July 30th, 2003, 12:04 AM

I never knew that Cocomotion ran for that long...14 minutes. Wow! You can, however find a version of Cocomotion running just over 10 minutes in length on the CD "Disco 54: The AVI Collection", from around 1997. Quite a nice CD, it contains several El Coco tracks.

Emile

**jazz_pilgrim** · July 30th, 2003, 07:23 AM

Originally Written by usagi-san

I recently played the full version of "Cocomotion" on my KFJC college radio show, 89.7 FM, Los Altos Hills. (I've played lots of other El Coco and disco songs on my shows, too.) Unfortunately, the song did not get as high as #39 on the pop chart. It would have been great if Casey Kasem's American Top 40 could have acknowledged El Coco. But it peaked at #44, though it was on the pop chart for 15 weeks. It is one of my most favorite disco tracks too, and sadly I think it has never been officially released in its complete form on CD anywhere. If anyone disagrees, please tell me.

It peaked at #31 on the UK pop charts, but that was back in the day when only the Top 30 were featured in the main playlists.

So when the "oldies" radio stations feature their commercial disco shows eg London's Heart FM playing Club Classics each and every Friday and Saturday night, you will never hear the likes of Cocomotion. Their loss, IMHO! :P

In terms of versions of Cocomotion, I have the original LP (parts 1 and 2 run together) which clocks in at 11 mins approx, and then there was a 12-inch remix in 1979. (b/w an excellent jazzy (sax) version of Let's Get It Together). I do not know how long that version was. Unfortunately I lent that 12-inch to someone who never gave it back ... but at least I have it on cassette somewhere. But it was very long. (10 mins +)

**BrunoRepublic** · July 30th, 2003, 08:18 AM

Originally Written by EmileJ

I never knew that Cocomotion ran for that long...14 minutes.

The full-length version is about 10 and a half minutes long. Same goes for Rick Gianatos' remix.

Wow! You can, however find a version of Cocomotion running just over 10 minutes in length on the CD "Disco 54: The AVI Collection", from around 1997.

This is 98% of the song. For some reason, they faded it out early; it should go on for another few bars.

Quite a nice CD, it contains several El Coco tracks.

Love the tracklisting. Unfortunately this CD suffers from seriously squashed dynamics.

**BrunoRepublic** · July 30th, 2003, 08:24 AM

Originally Written by jazz_pilgrim

In terms of versions of Cocomotion, I have the original LP (parts 1 and 2 run together) which clocks in at 11 mins approx, and then there was a 12-inch remix in 1979. (b/w an excellent jazzy (sax) version of Let's Get It Together).

That remix of LGIT is a UK-only issue. The US version is backed with a Gianatos remix medley of Afrodesia/Coco Kane.

The Gianatos remix is about the same length, but very stripped-down (as was his style). Mostly instrumental, and much of the arrangements removed as well. Almost deep house.

**usagi-san** · July 30th, 2003, 09:33 AM

OK peppertree5706, please e-mail me at rdrr@batnet.com.
Graham Start provided info I was going to provide this morning. My "Cocomotion" album says the 2 parts together make "10:30". My guess is the reason the end of "Cocomotion" is edited on "Disco 54: The AVI Collection" is the CD was already over 77 minutes long and maybe someone thought even including even about 30 seconds more would squash the dynamics even more or be near impossible.

**BrunoRepublic** · July 30th, 2003, 10:05 AM

The dynamics vs duration tradeoff is nonexistent in digital formats (actually, the only format it applies to is vinyl). There's no reason for it to happen at all now, except that everyone thinks LOUDER is BETTER and that a CD that sounds LOUD with the volume set at 2 is going to be more memorable than one that doesn't sound LOUD until 4 or 5. OF COURSE THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING EVERYTHING LOUD ALL THE TIME IS THAT THE OVERALL IMPACT IS DESTROYED KIND OF LIKE SOMEONE SHOUTING AT YOU ALL THE TIME IF THEY SHOUT ALL THE TIME YOU GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO THEM REAL QUICK AND YOU CAN NEVER TELL WHEN THEY ARE UPSET AND RAISING THEIR VOICE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS AT TOP VOLUME

But anyway, the only reason I can think of this edit is that the pressing plant couldn't do discs longer than 78 minutes. The original Red Book spec states that CDs can't exceed 74 minutes, but that's been gradually pushed back over the years. Note that a lot of older players (and plenty of newer, cheaper ones) will struggle with 75+ minute discs... things like not being able to find the last song, or struggling to change tracks, or general weirdness are the usual symptoms.

**peppertree5706** · July 30th, 2003, 11:04 AM

I am happy that most of you like Cocomotion as much as I do.

I looked up the original LP in my collection last night. Part I and Part II are combined with a posted time of 10:30. I am sorry that I said 14. I was wrong.

As to Casey Kasem not playing Cocomotion. It charted at 44 on Billboard (not 39 as I said-I used to be so good remembering numbers too), it is ok, because WABC! played it on the George Michael show, and I have the scoped aircheck with him announcing it in his usual excited way.

Sorry for the misinformation. If anyone wants at cassette of the full LP, let me know and we can arrange some trade.

**peppertree5706** · July 30th, 2003, 11:10 AM

I like the original 1977/early 1978 version much better that

Cocomotion '79 by El Coco. Much better, the original.

**paul** · July 30th, 2003, 11:50 AM

Originally Written by Graham Start

The dynamics vs duration tradeoff is nonexistent in digital formats (actually, the only format it applies to is vinyl). There's no reason for it to happen at all now, except that everyone thinks LOUDER is BETTER and that a CD that sounds LOUD with the volume set at 2 is going to be more memorable than one that doesn't sound LOUD until 4 or 5. OF COURSE THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING EVERYTHING LOUD ALL THE TIME IS THAT THE OVERALL IMPACT IS DESTROYED KIND OF LIKE SOMEONE SHOUTING AT YOU ALL THE TIME IF THEY SHOUT ALL THE TIME YOU GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO THEM REAL QUICK AND YOU CAN NEVER TELL WHEN THEY ARE UPSET AND RAISING THEIR VOICE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS AT TOP VOLUME

But anyway, the only reason I can think of this edit is that the pressing plant couldn't do discs longer than 78 minutes. The original Red Book spec states that CDs can't exceed 74 minutes, but that's been gradually pushed back over the years. Note that a lot of older players (and plenty of newer, cheaper ones) will struggle with 75+ minute discs... things like not being able to find the last song, or struggling to change tracks, or general weirdness are the usual symptoms.

Right on Graham. There was a good article on this dynamics issue in Stereophile a couple of months back. They addressed exactly what you mentioned especially as it pertains to cds vs sacd. The companies are squashing the dynamics of cd as compared to sacd and there is no technical reason for it. Of course the bottom line is to market sacd to the masses, a format that for them has copy protection benefits.
Good diversion Graham :D
OK, let me get back to the topic. I have a cd released with "Let's Get It Together" and "Cocomotion." They are the only songs on that cd. I'll have to check the times to see how it compares to the times you guys mentioned.

**BrunoRepublic** · July 30th, 2003, 12:48 PM

Originally Written by paul

There was a good article on this dynamics issue in Stereophile a couple of months back. They addressed exactly what you mentioned especially as it pertains to cds vs sacd. The companies are squashing the dynamics of cd as compared to sacd and there is no technical reason for it.

Actually there is. Until recently, hard-limiting and no-noise could not be done in DSD (the SACD digital recording process; very different from PCM used in CD). However, they are overcoming these "limitations", so you can soon expect to see and hear SACDs that are as nasty as their CD counterparts. Ugh.

Getting back on topic, it sounds like you've got the Unidisc CD single... I think this edits Cocomotion to about 8 minutes.

**paul** · July 30th, 2003, 02:08 PM

I'll have to check to see if the disc is Unidisc.
As for the technical issues. Though the cd is limited to a 96db dynamic range, I would still think this is wide enough to encompass all but the most unusual recordings. Perhaps the 1812 Overture, cannon shots and all falls in this narrow catergory. Do most live recording have dynamic swings approaching the 96dB brick wall in the redbook format?