Weirdest question ever - PLEASE HELP

[actor260]

I'm throwing a small disco appreciation party and I want to make a great statement with the music. I have already picked the possible songs, I just don't know how to order them. Is there any one out there that knows how to keep a party going nonstop with these songs? Have you ever heard any memorable mixes with these songs?

That's The Way I Like it (112bpm)
I'm Your Boogie Man (114)
Boogie Oogie Oogie (123-126)
Ring My Bell (127)
Let's All Chant (123)
Try Me I know We Can Make It (125)
Contact - Edwin Starr (131)
Fly Robin Fly (101)
Never Can Say Goodbye - Gloria Gaynor (129)
Don't Leave Me This Way (120)
You Should Be Dancing (123)
Everybody Dance - Chic (130)
Heaven Must Have Sent You (130)
You Make Me Feel (133)
Vertigo/Relight My Fire (124)
Get Off (130)
Get On The Funk Train (128)
I Feel Love (129)
Lovin' Is Really My Game (140)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (122)
Cocomotion (129)
Dance, Dance, Dance (122)
Runaway (111)
Now I Need You (124)

[NickNack]

When you say 'non-stop', are you intending to get behind some turntables and mix these records? 'Cause if you're not, then the only thing you should worry about is the energy in the room. That would dictate what record you play next.

Have you considered some mixed CD's? Disco compilations are out there. They may not have everything on your playlist but a lot of them would be as they're "Disco Top 40", if there's such a thing.

Good luck with the party.

[QUINNY]

It's never a good idea to have a fixed playlist but assuming that you're committing this to a CD or something so that you too can enjoy the party, read on.

I personally wouldn't play the Bonnie Pointer track as it doesn't have as much pizzazz, or the feel of most of the others. The last two tracks I don't know, so can't comment.

It would be easy just to put them into BPM order, but that wouldn't really make it work.

The most difficult thing to do is to know which record is likely to get the people up on the dancefloor, 'cos that'll give you some indication of what is likely to keep 'em there. Also, you need to be clear in your own mind which record you think is going to be the peak in terms of tempo, energy and being so well known that everyone will HAVE TO dance to it. If you know your crowd (i.e. they're friends) then you should have an idea of this.

There are too many records of a certain BPM range to make it possible to play the slower numbers successfully. It's very difficult to have a high energy set followed by slower numbers, even if they are incredibly well known and liked. Better to do a steady progression from slow to fast with the peak record(s) not necessarily being the fastest.

If it were merely on BPMs you'd be going from Fly Robin Fly straight into say, That's The Way (an 11 BPM change with a fixed speed playback) which is too much of a jolt. You need a few fillers in between to make the progression less of a jolt. Similarly between Boogie Man and say Don't leave Me this Way (not that I'd play the two back to back) you'd need some records to (a) up the tempo and (b) to change the feel from the shuffle funk of KC to the pure hustle sound of Thelma (which by the way speeds up to 124/5, from memory, in the break).

Sort out the hustlers from the straight pounders and that will give you two mini sets with the BPM progression being clear and rhythm track changes being easier to manage. It may allow you to have two distinct peaks with a lot of action and long overall energy level.

Good Luck.

[NickNack]

I personally wouldn't play the Bonnie Pointer track as it doesn't have as much pizzazz, or the feel of most of the others.

Don't know where you're from, actor260, but if it's USA, especially east coast, then hold on to the Bonnie Pointer. It was huge, despite this opinion.

The last two tracks I don't know, so can't comment.

Linda Clifford and Donna Summer should never be disregarded. :lol:

:oops: Did I say Linda Clifford?? :oops: "Runaway" must be Loleatta Holloway and Salsoul Orchestra. My bad.

I got the feeling from your post you were throwing something close to a "house party" or a gathering between friends with a disco spirit. Unless your intent is to do 'Disco Appreciation 101' in a full club setting, then the arranging of BPMs and the like is probably a waste of time. Besides, as Quinny said, that never really works. If you know who's coming and what they're into, it shouldn't be a huge deal to "save the best for last" (the 'peak' hour of the party) and let the music work itself.