JOE SIMON “Love Vibration” (1978, Spring)
This veteran Southern soul singer knew he would rock the dancefloor when he choose to work with the legendary Philly producer Norman Harris. The bass is so deadly it could push back Lazarus to the grave…
This gem, among many others, is reviewed in “The Disco Files 1973-78: New York's underground, week by week”, the chronicles Vince Aletti wrote for the trade magazine “Record World” back in the days. A wonderful historical report from the disco front – it's like reading the Dead Sea scrolls, but with the added bonus of playlists.
And as I've been quite lazy lately, here's a little treat to make up for it:
(I never get tired of vintage dance moves. And nice earring!)
SHE'S IN IT FOR THE KILL
Sometimes I wake up and remember that I live in the naughties. Then I wonder, what music am I supposed to listen? Thanks to my friends at Popjustice, I manage to stay in the know. And when I discover something like “In for the Kill” by La Roux, I can rejoice: music today is still as vital and essential as I need it to be. That's good news.
MADONNA IS BUSTED!
Yeah, I know, the disco era could be a bit tacky… None more so than in the awesome movie “Je te tiens, tu me tiens par la barbichette”, directed by the french comedian Jean Yanne in 1979. I can't begin to translate the title, let's just say it's a name of a kid's game and the movie is about a discofied TV show. In this clip, Mimi Coutelier (the wife of Mr. Yanne) is pretending to be dancing and the music is by Jacques Morali. Anyway, now we all know where Madonna got her dance moves for the “Hung Up” video! You don't have to thank me…
QUEEN GLORIA DANCING IN THE SKY
Here is Gloria Gaynor, the undisputed Queen of Disco (sorry Donna), miming her early classic “Honey Bee”, circa 1975. Apparently, dancing is not really her thing (the same can be said of her back-up singers), but she makes up for it with some fascinating behind-the-scene footages of her life in the wonderful world of the famous (Gloria in an airport! Gloria during a photo shoot!). Classy.
For more disco eye candy, go and visit Disco Imperium.
BOBBY ORLANDO’S POMPADOUR
Speaking of the great O, let's have a look at this grainy performance of “Whisper to a Scream” (1985) by the God of hi-nrg. Don't ask me where. At some point, Claudja Barry should lip-sync a few lines, but I guess she missed the plane. Anyway, now we know his face. The guy was so neurotic (yes, all his songs sound the same, but that's not the point, they are awesome), he even tried to “cure” Divine from his homosexuality.
LARRY’S SPINNING!
Because at heart I'm an historian, I can't resist to show you those images of Larry Levan mixing at the closing party of the Paradise Garage, in 1987. The edit is synced to my all time favorite disco song, “Over and Over” by Sylvester. More footage in the “Maestro” (2003) movie, obviously. I'm holding back my tears.
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