Monday 19 January 2009

My Disco Top 150: (51-70)

51. Pure Energy Party On (1980 Prism)
Somewhat overlooked due to its release towards the end of Disco's popularity. Arranged by veteran Wade Marcus.

52. Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes Bad Luck (1975 Philadelphia Int.)
Giant Philly classic featuring the thundering vocals of Teddy Pendergrass. Written and produced by the McFadden, Whitehead and Carstaphen team. Later re-released with Tom Moulton's mix on 12 inch.

53. Dazzle You Dazzle Me (1979 De-Lite)
The pick of a solid album featuring an all-star line up of writer and producers Stan Lucas and Leroy Burgess, arrangements by Patrick Adams, vocals from Jocelyn Brown and Disco Edits by John "Jellybean" Benitez. Uplifting with a deep breakdown.

54. Eddie Kendricks Goin' Up In Smoke (1976 Motown)
Ex-Temptations vocalist Kendricks enlisted the Philadelphia Disco team of Allan Felder and Norman Harris for this club anthem.

55. Evelyn "Champagne" King Shame (1977 RCA)
Mixed by Disco pioneer David Todd, this fast-paced classic was the first of many hits for vocalist Evelyn King.

56. Tamiko Jones Can't Live Without Your Love (1979 Polydor)
Futuristic Disco written and arranged by Randy Muller (Brass Construction, B.T. Express, Skyy, etc) and fronted by vocalist Tamiko Jones.

57. Fat Larry's Band Lookin' For Love (1979 WMOT)
Fat Larry James saves his best for his own band. Soulful, uplifting with a great syn-drum laden breakdown.

58. G.Q. Disco Nights (Rock-Freak) (1979 Arista)
Huge Jimmy Simpson produced Disco hit. Superb vocals and classic sing-a-long breakdown.

59. Chic I Want Your Love (1978 Atlantic)
The perfect embodiment of Edwards and Rodgers sophisticated Disco style. Cool and detached with beautiful strings and ethereal vocals.

60. Stephanie Mills What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' (1980 20th Century)
Mid-tempo anthemic Disco from Stephanie Mills. Written and produced by hit-makers Mtume and Lucas, ex-Miles Davis sidemen turned soulful song-writing machine.

61. Buari I'm Ready (1979 Makossa)
Disco from Ghana - based upon The Salsoul Orchestra's "You're Just The Right Size" - this menacing dancefloor winner drives along with huge open hi-hats.

62. Brooklyn Dreams Music, Harmony and Rhythm (1977 Millenium)
Blue-eyed soulful Disco - mixed by legendary Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro. Beautiful breakdown.

63. Kellee Patterson Turn On The Lights (1977 Shady Brook)
Mid-tempo Disco from fusion vocalist Kellee Patterson. Really kicks off after a gentle intro.

64. Brenda & The Tabulations Let's Go All The Way (Down) (1977 Casablanca)
Brenda Payton and Philly outfit The Tabulations deliver this driving piece of funky Disco. Killer breakdown.

65. Slick Space Bass (1979 WMOT)
Futuristic piece of Disco from "Fat" Larry James. Well-known for its dramatic breakdown with rising and falling synth effect and horror film string stabs.

66. The Whispers One For The Money (1976 Soul Train)
Light and uplifting Philly Disco arranged by Ron 'Have Mercy' Kersey and produced by guitarist Norman Harris. Beautiful harmonies and proof that a track can spell out D.I.S.C.O. and not be totally crass.

67. Blair Night Life (1978 Solar Sound)
Downtempo, yet uplifting Disco with a sublime string crescendo. Barney 'Blair' Perry was a member of the jazz-funk band The Blackbyrds.

68. Venus Dodson Shining (1979 Warner Bros.)
The pick of an excellent collection of purist Disco cuts on the album "Night Rider". Produced by Leroy Burgess who also adds his inimitable backing vocals to this complex, jazzy, super-charged time signature shifting dancer. Mixed by the legendary Tee Scott who went on to dominate the boogie era in the early eighties.

69. Gladys Knight & The Pips Taste Of Bitter Love (1980 Columbia)
Mid-tempo soulful Disco with immaculate Ashford & Simpson production. Perfect bitter-sweet delivery from Gladys Knight.

70. Bill Brandon We Fell In Love While Dancing (1977 Prelude)
Great slower tempo Disco from producers Dillard & Boyce with the solid vocals of Bill Brandon. Quite rare for a Prelude release. Lengthy mix on the 7 inch with killer breakdown.

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