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A Night At Studio 54
Various Artists (LP)
Casablanca Records and Filmworks (US) / 1979 / NBLP-2-7161
LP - two-record set 33 1/3 RPM Vinyl record in gatefold cover
Producers: Various
Executive Producers: Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell
Associate Producers: Morris Levy and Ira Pittelman
Sequenced by Roy Thode and Marc Paul Simon
Side A
1. Chic : Le Freak
2. Michael Zager Band : Let's All Chant
3. Village People : Y.M.C.A.
4. G.Q.: Disco Nights
Side B
1. Cher : Take Me Home
2. Alicia Bridges : I Love the Nightlife (Disco Round)
3. Love and Kisses : I Found Love (Now That I Found You)
4. Donna Summer : Last Dance
Side C
1. Cheryl Lynn : Got To Be Real
2. Instant Funk : I Got My Mind Made Up
3. Karen Young : Hot Shot
4. Patrick Juvet : I Love America
Side D
1. Voyage : Souvenirs
2. D.C. LaRue : Hot Jungle Drums and Voodoo Rhythm
3. Musique : In the Bush
4. Dan Hartman : Instant Replay
5. Peaches and Herb : Shake Your Groove Thing
A Night At Studio 54 is a rather lackluster double LP set that features music played at Studio 54. Nothing wrong with the music as all the songs are great. It's the way Casablanca packaged the album as it was merely a way for them to cash in on the hype of the Studio 54 name.
The songs are segued and not mixed. The sound is compressed and a little bass-shy compared to the 12 inch pressing of each song. Just buy the individual records and be done with it. There's just nothing special about A Night At Studio 54. It would have worked better if Casablanca Records had simply given us the full versions of all the songs featured here instead of the edits and pseudo mixes. At the end of the day this really is just a K-Tel collection of the top Disco hits of the day. There's nothing unique or magical about this album. Its main draw was that back in the 1970s the average person did not have two turntables and a mixer to recreate a disco atmosphere for their little house party and this record could be left to play straight through without having to switch songs manually every few minutes. This album was not geared towards the DJ obviously since they could do a far better job in presenting the same music. Can't imagine any self-respecting DJ playing this in an actual club environment as it would have made them look pretty bad. Again, this was a house party album and that's all it was. There's nothing wrong with that, but to act as if this was some pinnacle of Disco is not accurate and it certainly was not a DJ tool.
If you want to hear a nicely done mixed Disco album from back in the day then grab a copy of Polydor's Steppin' Out two-record set instead as it was more representive of a discotheque vibe.
A Night At Studio 54 has never been reissued legally on CD so only used vinyl to look out for. Seriously, all the tracks featured on this album, which again-are great, already appear on countless CDs with far better fidelity so I doubt this album will ever be issued on compact disc anyway.
Listen to A Night At Studio 54 (Side A):
Listen to A Night At Studio 54 (Side B):
Listen to A Night At Studio 54 (Side C):
Submitted by DiscoMusic.com (3698)
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Jul 01, 2010 | 12:07 amThis is an amazing collection of 70’s era disco anthems and I completely disagree with the “lackluster” comment made above. I whole-heartedly recommend this superior double-album compilation to anyone lucky enough to find it in good condition. A Night at Studio 54 features seventeen high-energy tracks performed by the original artists which are uniquely segued together to replicate what a Studio 54 DJ would play to their typically packed New York house.
In addition to the segued tracks, each album is manufactured with professional DJs in mind; the two albums are designed to be simultaneously employed on a dual turntable system (a standard professional DJ set up). Side one is on one album and side two is on the second so that a DJ can effortlessly continue from side to side without compromising the musical flow.
Another reason to seek out this landmark release is the sound quality, it is exceptional. With only sixteen minutes of music per side, the grooves are wider and deeper allowing more information through the stylus and to the speakers, offering the listener a wider range of sound. Most compilations made in the 70’s were pressed on inferior vinyl and too many songs were squeezed onto a single album.
Casablanca Records spared no expense in producing this DJ quality two album set. It not only offers wonderful music, it truly is a collector’s piece. Its thick silver foil-stamped gatefold cover opens to reveal photographs taken by Robin Platzer and Adam Scull during frenzied Studio 54 nights.
A Night at Studio 54 is a piece of vinyl history.
Enjoy!
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Nov 22, 2009 | 3:21 am
I got my copy at my local goodwill store for like $2 bucks...and I've seen at a bunch of thrift stores. Check your local salvation army or goodwill!
Awesome tracks!
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Aug 10, 2009 | 9:40 pm
The music on 54 is great. There are a few mixes that aren't so good. However, where the dj's excell with mixing is using a sigh (as a beat and on beat!)from Hot Shot to I Love America. Also, the mix from Take Me Home to I Love The Nightlife is playing on a love theme. Also the mix from YMCA to Disco Nights works with a single handclap! The mix from In The Bush to Instant Replay builds excitement and has a smooth transitions.
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Mar 10, 2009 | 9:49 pm
Music choice is great, the quality of mixing is poor, I must say. But it was around the year 1978, so they are forgiven.
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Jun 28, 2006 | 6:12 pm
I've got this album also. 2 copies.
one is one cassette and one is on 8track! The 8track sounds better
but they cut the songs in the worst
places for the track change.
Still,...a really nice mix of the 70s
Disco. Excellent example of what Disco really was back then.
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Mar 26, 2006 | 7:35 am
I can't tell you how many fraternity parties this entertained. Even today when I DJ at parties, this album is sure to fill the floor and keep the people moving. Sure wish it'd be released professionally.
actually I did indeed see this on CD once, but it was at the now-closed Medium Rare Records in San Francisco.