New Dimitri/Joey BBE Release - "The Kings Of Disco"

[billywho]

Picked up this new CD (The Kings Of Disco) at the weekend. It's the next in the respected BBE disco series (Disco Spectrum1/2/3, Disco Forever).

It's on two CDs; one by Dimitri from Paris, and one by Joey Negro. I was glad to see from the listings that I didn't know a lot of the songs (only knew the tracks by Goody Goody, Lime, Spandau Ballet and Yazoo - don't get put off by the last two!). Maybe others on this board would recognise more.

I found the album a bit hit or miss, but with more hits than misses. Joey's CD is better than Dimitri's, for me. My favourite at the moment is Cela's "I'm In Love". Most surprising to hear was Master Boogie Song & Dance's "Roll the Joint" (very similar to "When The **** Hits The Fan"). Funniest lyrics goes to Touche's "Just Like A Doorknob" ("Just like a doorknob, everybody gets turned round and round" - good song though).

Not all the songs are the originals - there are some "Dim's DJ friendly edit"s and "Joey Negro edit"s.

All in all, a good buy, and I'm always happy to support the BBE disco series.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Only one im familiar with other than the ones you said was the Cappuccino track...thats some rare ****! The one track by Macho I never heard of but it's probably on that real hard to find 2nd LP would be my guess.

[BrunoRepublic]

Yes, the Macho track is from the second album. I'm quite surprised to see this here, as this album was WEEEEAK. Perhaps there is some truth to Quinny's protests about people treating crap records as brilliant just because they're old and obscure.

Having said that, some of the titles are interesting, but it bothers me that so many of the tracks are re-edits. That and I saw no reason to include Yazoo, simply because they've been on hundreds of compilations already. "Situation" is one of the most ridiculously remixed and reissued tracks EVER. Not bad for a track which was originally a non-LP b-side, but how many more versions of this song does one need? They've cranked out dozens of versions of this song over the years, and still, the only one people want to hear is the USA LP/12" mix by Francois K.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Ya know in all these years I dont think I've ever heard the original version of "Situation". When I got the LP back in 82 the only track that was known on it was "Dont Go". Where does the original version of "Situation" appear on? I dont belive the track was even on the other country issues of the LP and had another track in its place.

[QUINNY]

Suffice to say, The Kings Of Disco is a complete misnomer, eh?

[BrunoRepublic]

Ya know in all these years I dont think I've ever heard the original version of "Situation". When I got the LP back in 82 the only track that was known on it was "Dont Go". Where does the original version of "Situation" appear on? I dont belive the track was even on the other country issues of the LP and had another track in its place.

Situation first appeared as the b-side to the European single of "Only You", in both short and long forms on 7" and 12" respectively. It was brilliantly remixed by Francois Kevorkian and put out as both a 12", and on the North American version of the "Upstairs At Eric's" (one of two tracks not on the original European version, but I can't remember what they took out). The b-side of the US version had a dub mix of this, and there was also a 7" single with edits of both. Yazoo remixed the track yet again as one of the b-sides to "Nobody's Diary". Then Yazoo split, and that was it -- or so we thought. In 1989, Mute decided to put out then-trendy house-y mixes of Situation, which spawned several more variants, all of which sound horribly dated today. Then around 2000, Mute put out a "greatest hits" package (for a group that only did 2 albums?!) and the floodgates opened. A whole slew of further of-the-moment remixes came out, and I've since lost track.

[BrunoRepublic]

Suffice to say, The Kings Of Disco is a complete misnomer, eh?

Unless the two DJs in question are somehow thinking that they are the kings, yes.

[K-Bee]

Suffice to say, The Kings Of Disco is a complete misnomer, eh?

Unless the two DJs in question are somehow thinking that they are the kings, yes.

I think Dimitri has considered himself the current king of disco for the last 5 years or so. I'm likely to agree, mainly because there aren't many others around today :cry:

[billywho]

Yes, the "Kings Of Disco" title is very naff, and must refer to Dimitri and Joey rather than the content!

Here's an excerpt from Dimitri's introduction...

"Dave and I have been collecting disco records for quite a while, and actually became friends as a way to not outbid each other eternally on internet auctions. We figured it would be a bit less anal to actually share these ridiculously expensive records with people that may not have the chance to know or own them. We wanted those cuts to be unusual, but with playability in mind. In most cases we slightly edited them in order to facilitate their integration with more actual sounds."

I won't understand what "facilitate their integration with more actual sounds" means as long as I live, but the rest of the paragraph might give you some idea of the reasoning behind their choices.

Below are some excerpts from the sleeve notes.

Derrick Harriott

Originally cut by Eddy Grant's Caribbean funk rock band the Equals, "Black Skinned.." gets remade in a true 'Time Warp' style.

Goody Goody

Bizarrely, this is one of the most remixed disco cuts of its time; at least 14 versions came out over the years, some on the very rare "Mixdown EP" with a young Paul Simpson at the controls.

Crystal Disco Band

Lifting the bass line of Francine McGee's "Feeling Good", adding lots of percussion, and a cheesy spoken vocal, this gets exceptional thanks to a Zydeco-Cajun flavoured guitar part. Hillbilly disco at its best.

Lime

Heavily inspired by Katmandu's "The Break", this is a little-known orchestral disco epic, complete with string stabs and bubbling synth bass.

Macho

This scarce Canadian remix, thanks to a killer bass sequence, has found its way to a few bootleg medleys, and most noticably in Instant House's underground anthem "Awade". You get now to hear what is happening before and after that infamous break.

Larry Wood

An 'orchestral version' of an over-the-top, and completely off-key male vocal about getting down in the gym.

Mary Clark

A P(eter)&P(atrick) record, on one of the dozen labels of the former. A few well informed sources claim that these obscure NYC labels were merely money laundering operations, so they didn't care much about promoting or even distributing most of their records.

Cappuccino

Pressed in Mexico but probably from Spain, this is a complete mystery. Produced in the late 70s, it sounds as bold as a contemporary House record.

Clymax

Calypso band that occasionally drifts towards funkier territory. Although the vocal is definitely Caribbean tinged, the music has a tight Afro feel.

Risco Connection.

Been responsible for the best reggae flavoured covers of disco hits. This, along with "It's My House" and "Good Times", is their most difficult-to-find release.

Master Boogie Song and Dance

I was first aware of this song when I bought Tony Humphries' West End 7th Anniversary mastermix in '82. I couldn't resist editing it according to how I imagined the song should sound from the original minute I heard in the medley

Cela

This very obscure Chic-ish production was the only thing Italian singer-songwriter Marty Celay recorded under this moniker. Label freaks will be aware that the Derby label also gave us another very collectable 12" in the form of Metropole's "Miss Manhattan", though that is slightly less rare than Cela.

Spandau Ballet

Here we have included a very special rare FX-laden remix.

Mighty Fire

The combination of soulful vocals and long jazzy solos over a slapped bass-line was exactly the sound that the UK jazz-funk scene lapped up at the time.

Vinzerelli

One of the best and most obscure of the roller-disco genre. I happened upon my copy in the late 80s and have only ever seen it again once.

Sonny Jenkins

One of August Darnell's most obscure productions and features the ultra suave vocals of the rarely heard Sonny Jenkins. Musically, the lovely live orchestration comes care of the strangely named Pot Pourri Strings.

Yazoo

Remixed for full single release in the US by Francois Kevorkian (you hear shades of his Prelude mixes in here) and that is the version we have included here.

John Gibbs and the Jam Band

You'll find chunky cowbell-led percussion, rattling timbales and dubbed horns aplenty here, but those of you seeking out John's steel drums will be disappointed as they appear to have been lost somewhere on the editing floor.

Touche

Features one of the beefiest basslines ever committed to vinyl. Unfortunately for Touche, when "DoorKnob" was delivered the label were preoccupied with promoting Shannon's electro classic, "Let The Music Play".

Arts and Crafts

First appeared on a 45 credited to lead singer Willie Daniels. However, it wasn't until some years later in 1985, when it was extended into a whopping 10 minute disco epic by master mixer of the universe, Walter Gibbons, that an underground classic was born. Became a very sought after record in the UK when it was rediscovered in the late 80s. Never been on any compilation before, despite selling for $200 plus on eBay.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Grahm: thanks for the info on the Yaz/Yazoo track :)

K-Bee: I disagree 100% with you on that oppinion..king of house maybe Dimitri is, but disco? I dont see him playin any instruments, producing a song or singing..hell honestly..I bet if ya put him behind a real set of turntables and gave him records and a mixing board he wouldnt even know how to DJ LOL :lol:

[Videoskooter]

bet if ya put him behind a real set of turntables and gave him records and a mixing board he wouldnt even know how to DJ LOL :lol:

OOOPS Jimmy-I saw monsieur Dimitri live several times and he was mixing vintage disco and he was Très Très excellent.

Just as Chris Le Friant (Bob Sinclar). They both have a real bonding with the old soundz.

[markydefad]

I agree with Jimmy M.-- Dimitri's stuff leaves me a little cold. Is it the "modern sensibility" that makes warm old records sound chilly when he's playing em? :o :o :o :o

I'm always sorta disappointed. I don't quite know why. :oops:

Hey, at least he pays some respect to the past--but he's overrated, IMHO.

[Videoskooter]

Oh-just admit you havve somesing against ze French, n'est-ce pas? :roll: :D

Be careful though, Kerry is French and he might still win!!!

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Thing is, did Dimitri use turntables and records?? Or CD mixers and vinyl recorded onto CD? Thats the question..nothing beats mixing with the 2 turntables and the basic mixing board or even 4 channel mixer. Theres so much more you can do, create and its all natural and live, not "produced". Now I will say when it comes to making mixed compilations its good to do it the "produced" way so theres no **** ups and its all exact perfect levels etc. But when it comes to mixing live...the original way is the only true way to go. I mean these damn modern ways do nothing but do most of the work for you and also..what happened to pitching a record down to match the BPM or to give it a different feel? Now its all this time stretching bullshit which makes it sound like they on fuckin crack...and when tryin to be a "speed queen" it sounds like they tryin to sing the song fast cause they gotta go to the crapper :lol: Sorry, but this is my oppinion..maybe im living in the past however...the past is best..in more ways than 1

[K-Bee]

Ok jimmy maybe I should name Dimitri "Current King Of Disco Dj'ing"
For your information, I've seen him DJ live 3 times and yes, he does use turntables and vinyl records just the way it's supposed to be. All three times around 75% of the stuff he plays was old underground disco.
His record releases may be another matter though. Playboy Mansion was definetely not made without any software to help him out. That's easily hearable on the album. I still like it though.

[redgreg]

I agree with Jimmy M.-- Dimitri's stuff leaves me a little cold. Is it the "modern sensibility" that makes warm old records sound chilly when he's playing em? :o :o :o :o

I'm always sorta disappointed. I don't quite know why. :oops:

Hey, at least he pays some respect to the past--but he's overrated, IMHO.

Heard him play at the Kings Of Disco launch party and i have to agree that he is overated, I think he was playing mainly from CD's as he always seemed to have a CD wallet in his hands, He did'nt work with the crowd at all and there was no variation in tempo, very dull and really boring.

[JussiK]

Being somewhat biased against cds I haven't checked out this Dimitri's latest yet but is that Cappuccino thing the one realesed originally in Italy in 1981, with a sleeve depicting a waitress in a skimpy outfit offering a cup of coffee?

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Well I guess this is all a matter of oppinion. I will say i'll have to go with K-Bee's judgement and report on seein the guy cause I know he knows what he's talkin bout (know him very well..maybe too well sometimes lol). But the thing I do agree with is...Dimitri is wayyyyy to overrated and still dont even come close to the true legends But his mixed CDs hes done with disco and disco/house combos are quite good compilations for true disco on CD. I own all three of em (both playboy ones, salsoul, and disco forever mini boxed set) excpet this one.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Being somewhat biased against cds I haven't checked out this Dimitri's latest yet but is that Cappuccino thing the one realesed originally in Italy in 1981, with a sleeve depicting a waitress in a skimpy outfit offering a cup of coffee?

Yeppers

[Pete B]

I think it is slightly unfair to slate Dimitri and Joey for mixing edits which don't fluctuate in tempo as much. Why is this not "proper disco mixing"? I doubt that every track they play is an edit but if the technology to produce even tempos were around in the 70's I'm sure all the best DJ's would have used it. Anyway, much of the Cerrone style euro disco was fairly rigid and easy to mix. If they are making their own edits so the songs work better within their sets, surely that is a good thing?

Also, mixing standards have changed so much in the last 30 years. If many of these trendy Johnny come latelys (who have never even heard Harvey DJ, let alone any of their American idols from the 70's) were presented with a comtempory DJ mixing like Walter or Larry they would find it unacceptable and say the mixing was all over the place, because from the tapes I've heard it was very hit and miss, which was fine back then.

I don't like every track on this CD but at least there are many new "old" songs, not just he same "Love is the Message" style classics trotted out yet again.

[Mixmachine]

because from the tapes I've heard it was very hit and miss, which was fine back then.

This is not true, this is what Disco history revisionists (internet articles/books written from a very narrow point of view) and parties with invested financial interest (labels/groups selling this old recordings and pushing articles manufacturing DJ 'Legends') want you to believe, in the old days (70's) 'train wreck' mixes were not acceptable any where by anyone, only today's merchandisers have been able to sell to unsuspecting youngsters this false notion and explain away bad mixing with big fancy words and tales of grandeur.

Check out postings in the Club section here under 'Limelight' (Florida) about DJ Bobbie Lombardy, a club DJ pioneer that inspired many local DJ in the mid 70’s with his impeccable mixings technique and flawless long overlapping mixes back when everyone was still mainly using the ‘Chop’ technique, I certainly never heard of him mentioned anywhere, I suspect the main reason is that probably his recordings never survived, and therefore no financial interest in boosting or creating an image to sell books and/or CDs.

Don't believe everything you read about the Disco era, special interests' bias are liberally sprinkled among half truths designed to enhance their financial and/or political agendas.

[Pete B]

I'm not saying that there weren't exceptions but the overall standard was lower, much lower.

I have heard tapes of Levan, Knuckles and there was a Walter Gibbons mixed LP on Salsoul last year.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Think ya missed the point here....point had nothing to do with making special edits (which in the 70s many did via tape and razor). The point on hand was talking about spinning live, not doing remixes & re-edits which were very well being done in the 70s as well (EX - every 12'' version). The whole point of the matter was, how today's so called DJ's basicly use these special gadgets, PC software, etc that does the mixing for you, rather than doing it all on spur of the moment skill with 2 vinyl records, a mixer and 2 turntables and making it work in a very unique and natural way...that was the point.

[Pete B]

Think ya missed the point here....point had nothing to do with making special edits (which in the 70s many did via tape and razor). The point on hand was talking about spinning live, not doing remixes & re-edits which were very well being done in the 70s as well (EX - every 12'' version). The whole point of the matter was, how today's so called DJ's basicly use these special gadgets, PC software, etc that does the mixing for you, rather than doing it all on spur of the moment skill with 2 vinyl records, a mixer and 2 turntables and making it work in a very unique and natural way...that was the point.

I think you are missing my point, which is that both then and now the DJ is using the cutting edge technology of the day to enable him to make his blending and overall performance sound as good as possible. Then it was vary speed turntables, reel to reel tape edits, 12" singles - even decent mixers were quite a new tool. Today it is special effects boxes, vary speed CD decks, computer made edits etc. However, none of these new gadgets tell you where to bring the record in, how long to leave it in, which record to play next, which songs to have in your box or cd wallet. So it DOES NOT "do it for you". IMO that's a very silly thing to say!

Yes, there were remixes being made back then but there were a lot less of them and you had to be commissioned by the label to do one. Now, with accapella versions appearing on many 12"'s it is far easier for the DJ to produce his own version of a song. Also, it is far more straight forward doing your edits in the pc, then burning the result to a CD. Back in the 70's/80's you had to use a half inch tape machine (which itself was an expensive piece of kit, unavailable to most), then had to tranfer your edit onto a pricey acetate in order to play it out.

Your view comes over like "In my day the DJ had to use proper steam driven decks and if you didn't put in the correct amount of coal in at just the right moment the tempo would vary and he'd mess up the mix. Now with electric powered decks it's too easy" Times change my friend!

[Jimmy-Michaels]

I never mentioned anything about doing remixes, edits etc on the PC being wrong or fake (I actualy do that now)...so would help if you'd actualy read what I was saying. What I was refering to when I said, it just dont do it for me... Im talkin bout LIVE SPINNING, NOT REMIXING/EDITS! Now about the live djing.. The CD mixers, etc do the mixing for you. Sets everything through picking up the BPM's and matching them and you do nothing other than just cue up where ya wanna drop it and just let it go and theres no working it in yourself. Ive actualy messed with these outta being curious and damn, yes they are easy as hell and take no work other than just settin up where you wanna drop and technology is great...also maybe someday singers wont have to sing anymore and just talk and technology will make em sing in tune and anyone could be a singer (we sure as hell could use that technology today with the so called new talents thats for sure LOL). But anyhow back to the subject.. for me, live mixing is an art and I prefer to put hard work and effort into my art rather than cheat the systyem....your entitled to your oppinion as I am mine..and I know some agree with you and some agree with me..no point in arguing something thats a losing battle on both our ends honestly..you say tomato, i say tomoto :lol: