Disco Friendly Ballads???

**Mario** · January 29th, 2004, 06:16 PM

Hello Everyone...Sometime back, I was reading some earlier posts regarding "non" disco songs being added to "disco" CDs. I have to agree that some of the songs added to "Disco CD's" are truly not disco songs. However, I remember that there were some extrememly popular "ballads" that were not only played at the discos but they were almost a "necessity" to give the dancers a chance to catch their breath!! After several song sets, I remember that most D.J.s would sandwich in songs like: "Reunited " by Peaches and Herb or "Always And Forever" by Heatwave...I believe that the D.J.s back then referred to these slow songs as "Disco Friendly Ballads". I used to dance at a really cool disco that was on the second floor of a steakhouse called The Branding Iron. Being in high school at the time, and not of drinking age, my curfew was midnight. I remember I could always tell it was midnight at the Branding Iron when the D.J. would spin the ballad "Reasons" by Earth, Wind, and Fire. To this day when I hear that song, I remember literally running out of that disco before I got my ass kicked by Dad at home... :lol: I actually wish that some of these disco CD collections would include the ballads that were actually heard at the discos back then...Call me a romantic "sap"... :cry: So be it!

Take Care All...Mario

**NickNack** · January 29th, 2004, 08:59 PM

That's all right, Mario. I'll be a 'sap' with you and list three of my favorite "club ballads".

Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce
Keep Your Head To The Sky - Earth, Wind & Fire
Stay A While With Me - Sharon Ridley 8)

Anybody else? What did your fave dj do to get you off the floor and to the bar for a drink and a breather? :P

And if you're not the 'punter' but the 'puntee', then share that little bit of your playlist. :D

**K-Bee** · January 30th, 2004, 01:54 AM

OMG there are so many of those. Most artists normally considered disco did ballads too although they only could be found on their LP's. One of my favorite artists in the disco ballad area is definetely Cheryl Lynn.

worth noticing is also the ballad collection series that was part of Universal's "Funk Essentials" compilations. They did compile "best of ballads" sets by Cameo, Con Funk Shun, Gap Band and the Bar-Kays and also put out a various artists set entitled "Love's Train: The Best Of Funk Essentials Ballads"
I know all these are labeled "Funk" by Universal but they are definetely worth checking out anyway.

**QUINNY** · January 30th, 2004, 02:45 AM

Gawd! I must have at least 400-500 slow tracks on 7", but they're all stashed away, under lots of other stuff.
If anything, this was a chance to play some real soul with lyrics that meant something. It was also an opportunity to play some rather obscure releases as well as that week's pop chart ballads. I can't really remember any right now.
:evil:

**Forrrce** · January 30th, 2004, 03:08 AM

Diana Ross's Mizell-esque 'You Were The One' always tears the place up, even though it's at a mid-tempo and not really a ballad.

The Whispers' 'Disco Melody' is a good one, also.

**originalbigm** · January 30th, 2004, 05:10 AM

The Show Must Go On-Sam Dees
When You're Your Young And In Love-Fantastic Four
Salty Tears-Thelma Jones
Shoe Shoe Shine-Dynamic Superiors
La,La,La,La,La,Means I Love You-The Delfonics
Love Ballad-L.T.D.
Break Up To Make Up-The Stylistics
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love-The Spinners
This Masquerade-George Benson
Gotta Get You Home Tonight-Eugene Wilde

Where does it end.Slow grooves are an intricate part of music and dance.

**efunk_adelic** · January 30th, 2004, 11:34 AM

Originally Written by originalbigm

The Show Must Go On-Sam Dees
When You're Your Young And In Love-Fantastic Four
Salty Tears-Thelma Jones
Shoe Shoe Shine-Dynamic Superiors
La,La,La,La,La,Means I Love You-The Delfonics
Love Ballad-L.T.D.
Break Up To Make Up-The Stylistics
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love-The Spinners
This Masquerade-George Benson
Gotta Get You Home Tonight-Eugene Wilde

Where does it end.Slow grooves are an intricate part of music and dance.

Gees!!! bigm, it would have been fun hangin' out at your club. :D As far as this thread goes.... I agree with this statement. I played a minimum of 6 or more during 5 hour show.

Love's Train - Con Funk Shun
Ooh La La La - Teena Marie
Happy/Fire & Desire - Rick James/Teena Marie
Have It Your Way - SOS Band
Heartbeat - Dazz Band
I Miss You - Klymaxx
Baby, I'm Hooked - Con Funk Shun
Hello - Lionel Richie (just kidding yuk!)

just to name a few...

**Mixmachine** · January 30th, 2004, 05:20 PM

By far the longest lasting slow jam hit for me was "Europa" by Gato Barbieri, I played this song 'till the late 80's.
Other hits off the top of my head

"If I were you" LULU
"Secret Lovers" Atlantic Starr
"True" Spandau Ballet
"Perfect combination" Stacy Lattisaw & Johnny Gill
"Words get in the way" Miami Sound Machine
"I just call to say I love you" Stevie Wonder

And an old time favorite (among many others) that I need to pull and spin again..

"I wanna slow dance at the Disco" Street People.

**Jimmy-Michaels** · January 30th, 2004, 05:55 PM

I'll list off some of the several ones I used to hear at 8th Floor in philly and ones I played myself when I would spin a night of disco..BTW "Europa" by Gato Barbieri is one of my top faves! So concider that #1 on the list :D :

When Your Beautiful - Amii Stewart
Reunited - Peaches And Herb
I Think I'll Tell Her - Cecil Parker (8th Floor Closing Song)
All The Way - Debbie Jacobs
Deja Vu - Dionne Warwick
Love Won't Let Me Wait - Major Harris
You Send Me - Roy Ayers
Turn Off The Lights - Teddy Pendergrass
Discover You - Peaches And Herb
I'll Never Love This Way Again - Dionne Warwick
When You Love Somebody - Odyssey
Look What You've Done To Me - Boz Scaggs
Easy - The Commodores
Betcha By Golly Wow (or however its spelled) - Stylistics
Higher - Rudy
Into The Night - Benny Mardones
Falling In Love With You - Chic
Always And Forever - Heatwave (very overplayed but still..)
Time For Love - Cerrone
You're My Everything - Santa Esmeralda
Love Ballad - LTD
Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce

..and I could go on and on..

DJ Jimmy M

**markydefad** · January 31st, 2004, 05:25 PM

"How Deep Is Your Love" - The Bee Gees
"Winter Melody" - Donna Summer

I think they qualify as "ballads"--since the beats are not really strong enough for "morning music" -- or are they? Hmmmmmm............... :roll:

**NickNack** · January 31st, 2004, 05:31 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

"How Deep Is Your Love" - The Bee Gees
"Winter Melody" - Donna Summer

I think they qualify as "ballads"--since the beats are not really strong enough for "morning music" -- or are they? Hmmmmmm............... :roll:

Ballads, definitely! :) "Winter Melody" was fun because it faded down/then up into "Spring Affair". Mix back to the long version on the flip and you had it made. :D

**NickNack** · January 31st, 2004, 05:38 PM

Originally Written by Mixmachine

By far the longest lasting slow jam hit for me was "Europa" by Gato Barbieri, I play this song till the late 80's.

We get a Philly 'Smooth Jazz' station in this part of New Jersey --- WJJZ 106.1. This song is their 'theme' for the show they call "After Hours" (?) that starts every evening at 7 PM. Awesome track and requested so much they have to play it during the day, too. It was when I went to buy my copy I learned 'everyone' in jazz had covered this Santana tune. :)

**Keith RS** · January 31st, 2004, 05:41 PM

My favorite "Slow Drags":

"Hey Love"-Delfonics
"Can't Hide Love", "True Devotion", "Loves Holiday", "After The Love Is Gone"-Earth,Wind&Fire
"Distant Love"-Marvin Gaye
"Really Hope You Do"-Friends of Distinction
"I Want To Get Next To You"-Rose Royce
"Tip of My Tongue"-Brenda & Tabulations
"Be My Girl"-Michael Henderson
"You Are My Starship"-Norman Connors
"I Want To Be Free", "Heaven Must Be Like THis"-Ohio Players
"Heaven Must of Sent You", "If This World Were MIne"-Marvin Gaye & Tammy Tyrell
"I'll Be There"-Jackson Five
"Never Can Say Goodbye", "Walk on By"-Isaac Hayes
"Hello Its Me"-Isley Bros.
"In THe Rain"-Dramatics
"I Wish It Would Rain"-Temptations
"Can You Stand The Rain"-New Edition
"End Of the Road"-Boyz to Men
"Something in My Heart"-Michele
"Baby I'm For Real"-Originals

AND FROM WAYYYYYYYY BACK:

"I Only Have Eyes For You"-Flamingos
"Bad Girl"-Smokey Robinson & Miracles
"Forever"-Marvelettes
"Lonely Nights"-The Hearts(not to be mistaken for "Long Lonely Nights" by Lee Andrews&Hearts)
"Yes I'm Ready"-Barbara Mason
"Oh What a Night"-Dells

As you can tell, the end of the party is my favorite time of night! 8)

**NickNack** · January 31st, 2004, 05:44 PM

Originally Written by Keith RS

My favorite "Slow Drags":

AND FROM WAYYYYYYYY BACK:

"I Only Have Eyes For You"-Flamingos

Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!! Still number one on my list! Great list, Keith.

**Keith RS** · January 31st, 2004, 05:45 PM

Originally Written by NickNack

Originally Written by Mixmachine

By far the longest lasting slow jam hit for me was "Europa" by Gato Barbieri, I play this song till the late 80's.

We get a Philly 'Smooth Jazz' station in this part of New Jersey --- WJJZ 106.1. This song is their 'theme' for the show they call "After Hours" (?) that starts every evening at 7 PM. Awesome track and requested so much they have to play it during the day, too. It was when I went to buy my copy I learned 'everyone' in jazz had covered this Santana tune. :)

Great Station! Also check out 104.9 FM, same soft jazz format that comes from the Jersey Shore, it comes in pretty clear in Philly. "Europa" was originally done by Carlos Santana on his 1976 lp "Amigos", great tune by both artists!!

**Keith RS** · January 31st, 2004, 05:47 PM

Thanks NickNack!!

**Mixmachine** · January 31st, 2004, 09:06 PM

Originally Written by NickNack

[

We get a Philly 'Smooth Jazz' station in this part of New Jersey --- WJJZ 106.1. This song is their 'theme' for the show they call "After Hours" (?) that starts every evening at 7 PM. Awesome track and requested so much they have to play it during the day, too. It was when I went to buy my copy I learned 'everyone' in jazz had covered this Santana tune. :)

It is amassing how this song has managed to maintain it’s popularity to this day, it is still played in local smooth stations down here too, I often wonder how many copies of the “Caliente” album have been sold since 1976;

Posting here reminded me of Europa’s follow up, “She is Michelle” this cut is off the “Tropico” Lp and was very popular in local clubs too, I was trying to locate the CD online but apparently is oop, I’ll check locally tomorrow, cause my LP is a goner.!

**Jimmy-Michaels** · January 31st, 2004, 09:20 PM

LOL LOL...the Donna Summer could actualy get into a morning music set (beat simmaler to "Stop" by Bob A Rela on a midrange perspective). But the Bee Gees one, your right on that :P

**Jimmy-Michaels** · January 31st, 2004, 09:24 PM

Gato's "Tropico" LP is still in print according to amazon.com. If it is out of print they got a copy. My LP is still in ex condition :) "Poinciana" was the big one off that in the clubs in Philly. But far from a ballad. Good to hear 106.1 is still around back home and more so that they play "Europa". I remember when 106.1 was eagle 106 back from the mid 80's to very early 90s. Ahh, the good ol days.

**NickNack** · January 31st, 2004, 09:33 PM

Originally Written by DJ Jimmy M

Gato's "Tropico" LP is still in print according to amazon.com. If it is out of print they got a copy. My LP is still in ex condition :) "Poinciana" was the big one off that in the clubs in Philly. But far from a ballad. Good to hear 106.1 is still around back home and more so that they play "Europa". I remember when 106.1 was eagle 106 back from the mid 80's to very early 90s. Ahh, the good ol days.

106 always sounded like the sister station to NYC's smooth jazz channel, WQCD, CD 101.9. Then, last year or the year before Clear Channel took over. They are forcing 106 to play a lot of soft rock: Phil Collins, Carly Simon, Paul Young and the like. Really f@%$ing annoying when they force these songs next to and around a Grover Washington classic like "Mr. Magic". :evil: :evil:

:oops: And speaking of disco-friendly ballads :oops: :

"Mr. Magic" and "Killing Me Softly" by Roberta Flack
"I've Got So Much To Give", "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "You're My Baby" 8) by Barry White

**Mixmachine** · January 31st, 2004, 09:47 PM

Originally Written by DJ Jimmy M

Gato's "Tropico" LP is still in print according to amazon.com. If it is out of print they got a copy. My LP is still in ex condition :) "Poinciana" was the big one off that in the clubs in Philly. But far from a ballad. .

DJ Jimmy M, I saw Amason's copy but it is used, I'm sure I can get a local new copy for the same price, I just listen to the Poinciana snipet and it sounds good! never play this though, maybe should have....

**Nano** · February 2nd, 2004, 10:37 AM

Well.. I'm glad to see everybody reveres a sax player who was born and grew up in Argentina 8) Some 40 years ago, a bunch of young musicians struggled to play jazz in my country. Some of them, like Gato Barbieri and Lalo Schiffrin, went to other countries to get work and play with the greatest... Others choose to stay and still did some wonderful gigs, like piano player Enrique "Mono" Villegas (who also resided in California some time) or our contemporaries Luis Salinas and Adrián Iaies.

Anyway, back to the topic! Here's my favorites from back then:

-CHIC - A warm summer night
-BOHANNON - April my love
-EARTH, WIND & FIRE - After the love has gone
-EARTH, WIND & FIRE - Can't hide love
-KOOL & THE GANG - the slow songs in the Something Special LP, I don't remember the titles but they were all played
and of course: that mystery mid-tempo track from ONE WAY which I'm still looking for. :-?

**Guy** · February 2nd, 2004, 02:53 PM

These are not the obvious but capture disco and some surprise the audience.
Barbra Streisand- the main event ballad version from the soundtrack album very nice!
Santa Esmeralda-you're my everything
Madleen Kane-you and I
Denise Williams-free
don't ask my neighbors
American gigolo soundtrack-seduction theme
on the radio ballad inst-Giorgio Moroder Donna does not sing on this one on this version-foxes soundtrack double album
Manhattans-kiss and say goodbye
The Floaters-float on
last dance-Paul Jabara ballad version him singing not Donna on album cover has a clock something about time in the title.
Gladys knight and the pips-the way we were
Chic-a warm summer night
DJ Guy

**Guy** · February 2nd, 2004, 02:54 PM

These are not the obvious but capture disco and some surprise the audience.
Barbra Streisand- the main event ballad version from the soundtrack album very nice!
Santa Esmeralda-you're my everything
Madleen Kane-you and I
Denise Williams-free
don't ask my neighbors
American gigolo soundtrack-seduction theme
on the radio ballad inst-Giorgio Moroder Donna does not sing on this one on this version-foxes soundtrack double album
Manhattans-kiss and say goodbye
The Floaters-float on
last dance-Paul Jabara ballad version him singing not Donna on album cover has a clock something about time in the title.
Gladys knight and the pips-the way we were
Chic-a warm summer night
DJ Guy

**Jimmy-Michaels** · February 2nd, 2004, 04:22 PM

To Mixmachine: Yes, ''Poinciana'' is a great disco classic. One that wasn't a hit but I always would slip in the mix was "Odara" (feat. Lani Hall). This was one that could basicly get you in and out of anything with a BPM of 115 - 125. Hope you can get a copy of the album on CD, it's solid! Also on it look out for the latinjazz/rock instrumental "Latin Lady" feat Santana.

To Guy: Almost forgot that great Madleen Kane ballad which was played alot. The LP of Paul Jabara's your thinking of is "Keeping Time" which included the LP mixed version of "Pleasure Island" (same length as the 12'' but different mix)

DJ Jimmy M