Friday, June 15, 2007

The Godfather of Disco



Edit: official site URL corrected (6/15/07)

The buzz has really started to build (see some of my fellow bloggers) on this new doc by Gene Graham on co-founder of legendary disco independent West End Records, philanthropist, Paradise Garage backer and all-around disco pioneer, Mel Cheren.. In more recent years, the publishing of his autobiography "Keep On Dancin': My Life And The Paradise Garage," the relaunching of West End as an active label and his ongoing philanthropic efforts have done a great deal to solidify his legacy and contributions to disco and beyond.. Although I haven't actually posted any West End material yet, I'm a big fan of their output. Being one of the few disco independents still at it today; out of respect for them, so far I've taken their personal appeals for listeners not to file-share to heart, and besides, they offer much of their classic and current catalogue as digital downloads on their site anyway. So needless to say, in light of all that, I've been a little hesitant to post any of their material on here.

As a child, one of my earliest and fondest disco memories was dancing my lil' butt off to Karen Young's "Hot Shot" and trying (badly) to imitate those explosive, kick-ass ad-libs of hers.. I absolutely couldn't get enough of that song! Later on, I'd become familiar with much more of their excellent output, especially through their Larry Levan releases: "Classic West End Records Remixes" (1999, West End) and "Live At The Paradise Garage" (2000, West End/Strut). Those two sets in particular, were and still are very special to me, having played a huge part in my serious introduction to disco.. Perhaps one of these days I'll do a much more in-depth appreciation post about West End. As far as the documentary itself goes, here's an excerpt from one of the press releases out there:
The Godfather of Disco is a feature-length documentary based on Mel Cheren's powerful autobiography, My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin'.

Through a series of interviews with a who's who of the dance music community, The Godfather of Disco (G.O.D.) follows the arc of Mel's life to examine the early 70s musical and cultural currents that gave birth to disco; West End Records' contribution to that scene; and the rise of the Paradise Garage.

From that cultural heyday, the film then charts the onslaught of HIV/AIDS, its impact on New York City, and Mel's heroic efforts in the face of an epidemic through his work for Gay Men's Health Crisis and 24hrs for Life/LIFEbeat.

Mel has been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. And, rest assured, he still does it all today. The Godfather of Disco makes a compelling case for how one's man's musical vision and AIDS activism helped push gay sensibilities into the greater culture--and how our world is better for it.

Pioneer. Activist. Survivor. Mel Cheren is The Godfather of Disco.
I'm not sure if this'll come up here to Canada anytime soon (or anywhere near me, for that matter), but so far it seems to have gotten some high praise from audiences and critics alike since it's premiere at the 2007 Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, where Gene Graham won the Emerging Filmmakers Award and more recently at NewFest, the New York LGBT Film Festival.. Currently making the rounds on the festival circuit, the doc includes interviews from figures like Vince Montana, Jr.; Louie Vega, Louis Benedetti, Barbara Tucker, Kevin Hedge, Ultra Naté, Randy Jones and Junior Vasquez, just to name-drop a few of them..

Anyway, this is definitely one documentary that I've got to see sometime.. Hopefully "Godfather of Disco" will be making it to a festival near you. Either way, even if it doesn't, there should be a DVD release to follow..

In the mean time, check out the trailer below for a little preview:


Godfather of Disco Trailer
Uploaded by pepsounds

If you still want to see more, check out the official website www.thegodfatherofdiscodoc.com (link corrected) for further video previews, press reviews and screening information..

For further info on Mel Cheren, check out his bio at the West End Records website..

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
DEEP CUTS (APRIL 18, 2007)

LINKS:
NEWSWIRE: "GODFATHER OF DISCO" PRESS-RELEASE
SFWEEKLY.COM: LIFE AFTER DARK - MEL CHEREN'S ETERNAL DANCEFLOOR (BY TAMARA PALMER) (WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2007)
GODFATHER OF DISCO @ FRAMELINE31 (SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL)
GODFATHER OF DISCO OFFICIAL SITE
WEST END RECORDS/MEL CHEREN INTERVIEW @ DISCO-DISCO.COM
MEL CHEREN INTERVIEW @ UNDAGROUND ARCHIVES
WEST END RECORDS
NEWFEST 2007 BLOG: FILMMAKER INTERVIEWS - GENE GRAHAM
GENE GRAHAM ONLINE

CATEGORIES: DISCO NEWS, VISUAL DISCO

Monday, June 11, 2007

Cocktails at the disco lounge..



Dimitri from Paris Presents Cocktail Disco (A Review)

First of all, I have to thank a kind reader, Miss Tanya Love and the good people at BBE for being kind enough to send me an advance copy. For the past week or so, I've been practically luxuriating in these deep, divine disco grooves; so I figure it's about time I put up a full review..

I remember some months back, at the beginning of the year, I was checking some message boards where people were asking something along the lines of "what's happened to Dimitri?" Just when people were wondering whether he'd gone on a hiatus or something, he comes out with this wonderful collection, which has probably been one of my most anticipated disco compilations this year. Although I had heard nothing but positive reviews from readers who had already heard it, I've always had a certain caution go along with the excitement of disco rarities compilations. Usually for every rare, uncovered gem, there are usually a couple of "what are they doing here?" duds.. Overall though, I'm happy to report that I haven't been let down this time.. Last summer, Soul Jazz's "A Tom Moulton Mix" compilation was a mainstay in my stereo; by the looks of things, "Cocktail Disco" is bound to be this year's replacement.

It's been about six years since I was introduced to Dimitri's work through his best selling mix/compilation "A Night At The Playboy Mansion" (2000, Astralwerks), which got almost endless spins on my Discman (anyone out there still use one of those?) back then. As someone who had only started seriously collecting disco at the time, hearing tracks La Pregunta's "Shangri-La" and The Originals' "Down To Love Town" alongside more current house and disco-influenced tracks was a sweet treat for this newbie.. After getting some of his other compilations, like "Disco Forever" (2000, BBE) and "Kings of Disco" (compiled with Joey Negro) (2004, BBE), I'd come to admire his dedication to digging deep into the depths of disco for little known album tracks and 12'' singles..

Unlike most others or any of Dimitri's previous comps, "Cocktail Disco" is described as his take on Disco's sleaze subgenre. There were DJ's such as Bobby Viteritti (who mixed the excellent Ray Martinez & Friends track on this compilation) whose sleaze sets have become somewhat legendary among circles of disco enthusiasts.. Although the term 'sleaze' maybe somewhat misleading (and I'm only loosely familiar with it, myself) it was not so much music that was literally sleazy, but a general term to describe the lower-tempo music played in the late/early morning hours. Often characterized as "pretty music" with bright, sweeping string sections, emotional lyrics ranging from the exhilariating joy of love found, to the pain of love lost; it was a subgenre with relatively loose parameters, and from what I've gathered, often allowed an opportunity for DJs to really stretch out creatively within their sets.. Although there aren't any Jean Carn/Phyllis Hyman sleaze mainstays on here; the string n' hi-hat heaviness and, at times, broadway-inspired, uplifting grooves seem to fit the sleaze quotient rather nicely, making this both a unique take on an intriguing subgenre and a trip through some long-forgotten, unexplored corners of the disco universe.

From the soulfully smooth cover of Gershwin's "Summertime" by The Blue Velvets, the refreshing love-struck highs of Darcus' "It's Got To Be Love," the elegant, supple vocal stylings of Ms. Victoria Barnes, to the Savannah Band leanings of Ray Martinez & Friends' "Lady of The Night" (mp3 link), the mind-flying trippiness of Terry Jacks' little known Can-Con disco nugget "Little High Thing" and the no-nonsense Philly groove of The Ritchie Family's "Frenesi" (perhaps the best known track here), there is really no shortage of disco revelations on here..

Aside from all those, one of the big revelations for me would have to be J. Elliot Group's "Disco Village" (mp3 link), produced by Jeffrey Parsons and Jeffrey Steinberg, the dynamic duo behind disco treasures Hott City and Cut Glass. Just when I thought those were the only two guises for this underrated production duo, this track shows up. Aside from this being a cover of Les Baxter's "Quiet Village" (thanks Enrique), there's practically little to no information about his track on the web (like who J. Elliot might be perhaps), yet this lost groove, with it's sublime synth colouring and heavenly female vocals fits in nicely with the lush and sharp yet smooth style of their better known works..

Another notable selection is Brazilian chanteuse and Queen of Bossa Nova, Astrud Gilberto's disco remake of her hit "The Girl From Ipanema" produced by none other than Mr. Salsoul Orchestra himself, Vince Montana, Jr.. Apparently Montana did an entire album with her, "That Girl From Ipanema" (1977, Audio Fidelity), which I haven't been able to find, but apparently much if it has been reissued on various budget compilations in recent years..

Moses' "Something About You" is also another choice cut; produced by Tommy Stewart, a great producer/arranger who, among other things, put out a great self-titled album that remains one of my favourite funky disco classics. Essentially, it's an album on which this track wouldn't have been out of place..

Another high point which deserves mention is the floating dreaminess and elegant hi-hats of Charlie's Roots' "Show You The Way To Go" a light n' breezy cover of The Jacksons' Gamble & Huff classic. And on a related note, "Again" by The Night People is yet another notable Philly connection, featuring a smooth vocal by none other than legendary Philly drummer and Trammps member, Earl Young himself..

Usually whenever a compilation like this - chock-full of rarities comes along, there are bound to be tracks that have the shine of long-lost treasure, and others that perhaps should have stayed buried.. Although there are definitely tracks that I like more than others; I have to say, surprisingly, that this is one of the more consistent sets of disco rarities (Elisabeth, you were right!) that I've heard so far. It's one of the few since perhaps Disco Spectrum 2 where I can honestly say that I can listen to the whole thing and not feel the need to skip a good few (or several, for that matter)..

Furthermore, the release of this set couldn't have been more well-timed.. The laid-back, breezy disco grooves on here make the perfect disco soundtrack for the summer. Whether these would have been club hits back in the day is perhaps besides the point. The quality of the songs in their own right along with the context and the concept in which they are woven into makes this set one of the more unique, satisfying ones out there. Those particular disco freaks who enjoy digging through the forgotten and undiscovered will likely find a lot, or at least something to like on here. Not to mention, while you're enjoying the music, you can enjoy the stunning artwork in that fold-out digipak along with it, too..

Simply put, not just another collection of rarities, but a trip through new frontiers in disco. As far as Dimitri's disco compilations go; in my opinion, this is perhaps the best one yet.

So put this on, pour yourself a drink, open the windows and enjoy..

Cocktail Disco is currently available on double CD, vinyl and digital download. There are also some Dimitri re-edits/remixes of some of the Cocktail Disco tracks, which appear exclusively on the Vinyl and Digital editions..

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
HAVE A COCKTAIL.. UPCOMING DISCO COMPILATIONS (JUNE 2007) (THURSDAY MAY 24, 2007)

LINKS:
DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO @ BBE
DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
DIMITRI FROM PARIS' OFFICIAL MYSPACE
DIMITRI FROM PARIS @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
DIMITRI FROM PARIS @ DISCOGS
THE DETERMINED DILLETTANTE: CIVILIZATION AND IT'S DISCOTHEQUES (MAY 22, 2007)
NEWCITY CHICAGO: COCKTAILS AND DREAMS (JUNE 5, 2007)
BLUES AND SOUL MAGAZINE - REVIEW: DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO (JUNE 6, 2007)
TIME OUT NEW YORK: INTOXICATING RHYTHM (JUNE 7, 2007)

PURCHASE:

DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO (2 CD)
DUSTY GROOVE | AMAZON.COM | AMAZON.CO.UK | CD UNIVERSE

DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)
iTUNES | eMUSIC

DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO (VINYL - PART ONE)
JUNO RECORDS | AMAZON.CO.UK | DUSTY GROOVE

DIMITRI FROM PARIS PRESENTS COCKTAIL DISCO (VINYL - PART TWO)
JUNO RECORDS | AMAZON.CO.UK | DUSTY GROOVE


CATEGORIES: REISSUES & RELEASES, DISCO NEWS

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Disco Delivery #42:
Southern Exposure - Headin' South (1979, RCA)



Southern Exposure - Love Is
Southern Exposure - On Our Way
Southern Exposure - Headin' South
Southern Exposure - Tight Pants

I got this album a little over a year ago now, and if that cheesy, porny (of the cheap vintage variety, judging from that lighting) cover shot with that Amanda LePore-esque model and peeping-tom in the background didn't make me buy it, the producers behind this record - namely Toronto-based production team Three Hats Productions/THP (producers Ian Guenther, Willi Morrison and arranger Pete Pedersen) and DJ/Disco Mixer and "production associate" John Luongo certainly did. From the THP Orchestra epic "Two Hot For Love," to other productions like Grand Tour, Sticky Fingers, the Duncan Sisters (which I had covered around a year ago.. see Disco Delivery #23) and the more rock-oriented Skatt Bros.; Guenther, Morrison and Pedersen were behind some of my favourite Can-Con disco productions and really, some of my favourite disco, period. Although this project doesn't seem to come up quite as often as, say, THP Orchestra, Sticky Fingers or Grand Tour; this record, at least in my opinion, is one of their best.. From lush, orchestral disco manoeuvres to sublime sleaze and cheeky titillation, it manages to cover a good amount of ground despite being only four tracks long..

Although the album is excellent from start to finish, the one track which really stood out at the beginning was the Side Two opener, "Love Is".. Like a sister composition to "Two Hot For Love," it has a lighter touch, yet has those same trademark THP arrangements and that same epic orchestral feeling.. At around eleven minutes, it's also the longest track on the album, but with that layered production and brilliant melody, none of those eleven minutes goes to waste.. With a mix so rich and so dynamic, it's another one of those tracks where there's always something going on to engage the listeners' attention. If those strings don't grab hold of you, that airy floating synth refrain, the hard-hitting horn/percussion solo, or those bold basslines likely will. Put that together with the effect of the soft, yet minimal vocals of Jimmie Jamison and Elvin Bishop backup singer Debbie Cathey, which don't get in the way of the musical backing, yet perfectly colour the track's smooth airy sensuality; it's nothing short of a grand disco-style groove seduction.

One of my favourite things about this track is how those strings coupled with that gentle, airy synth carry the melody. The harmony of the two sounds, the synth and the floating elegance of those beautiful string arrangements; they way they gently weave through the all the changes and layers, emerging and re-emerging throughout the track; like subtle waves of discofied pleasure.. While melodically magnificent, there are also all the great breaks and dramatic changes throughout the track, namely those glorious buildups and climactic releases which keep an engaging, sort of dramatic tension throughout the whole thing. That intense guitar at 3.54 and the wonderful instrumental bridge at the five minute mark with the drums punctuating every blast of the horn section being a couple of my favourite peak points. The moment which tops it all off for me, however, is right at that final breakdown towards the end; right when that spare synth solo suddenly gives way to this grand, full orchestral sweep. It's a fairly subtle section, yet the result is absolutely brilliant.

That said, if anyone has heard this as well as THP Orchestra's "Two Hot For Love," the similarities between the two become almost inescapable. In fact, "Love Is" is practically a retread, not just stylistically, but musically speaking with some of same melodies in the string section and a very similar drum/horn driven instrumental bridge at the five minute mark. Still, however closely it may follow, with it's better vocals and dramatic changes, I actually tend to like this track just as much, if not more so sometimes than the 17 minute version of "Two Hot.." It's almost as if in doing this track, they were attempting a kind of new and improved interpretation of the same theme.. Either way, similarities notwithstanding, I'd still put this right up there as one of the grandest, most sublime THP compositions ever..

Another major standout on the record would be track two, "On Our Way." With that rich, glistening musical track, peppered with a bit of wah-wah, a sexy synth coloured with a full, though not overpowering harmonica (courtesy of arranger Pete Pedersen) and, of course, Debbie Cathey's superb vocal; this has to rank as another one of my favourite THP compositions.. With a brilliant opening verse: "dancing makes strangers friends..but what happens when the night ends.. " the song is further complimented by some truly excellent disco lyrics: "bodies can say so much.. language lies in a touch.. dancing uncovers two lovers by chance.. wanna dance?"

For me, the seductive, almost poignant elegance of this track with those great vocals, arrangements and lyrics make this not only one of their best efforts, but one of the best things they ever did in this slower style.. With it's easier pace; the romantic, slightly emotional lyric and delivery and overall seductive disco groove, it can probably be described as a great example of sleaze/morning music, that ever so intriguing of disco subgenres..

"On Our Way" and "Love Is" would appear on the lone 12" single off this record ("On Our Way" on the A-side and "Love Is" on the flip). As far as I know, neither got special mixes for the promo 12'', with both tracks appearing in their album versions..

As far as the rest of the album goes, one characteristic that ran through the other two album tracks as well as a lot (though by no means all) of Guenther/Morrison's other productions was this big, epic, almost bombastic Spector-esque pop sound to them, which was often paired with a definite orchestral and even big band influence. At least to me, it was those elements, often combined in a single track, which made many THP productions stand out so boldly. It's almost impossible to ignore a track like the Duncan Sisters' "Boys WIll Be Boys," or Sticky Fingers' "Wastin' My Love" calling out with those signature arrangements: horns blasting, propulsive percussion and just overall bigness bouncing out of the grooves. This album's title track, "Headin' South," opening with what I'm guessing is a multi-tracked guitar kicking into that gigantic, multi-layered hi-hat and orchestral intro, seemed to fit that stylistic element perfectly.. Not to mention those lyrics, well sung by Jamison and Cathey and laden with all sorts of coy double entendres, which just added another dimension of playful friskiness to the whole thing.

The other track in that same mould would be the album closer, "Hot Pants," which, as the title might suggest, is much less coy about it's subject matter. With verses like: "you starved to death and held your breath so you could dance in tight pants," it's definitely one of their more delightfully cheeky tracks. Although perhaps slightly cheesy as well, it's hard to resist a track as fun and playful as this one especially when complimented with such a full, irresistable arrangement to it, with that dynamite horn section and those quick syncopated drums giving the whole thing a bit of extra punch..

Despite their prolific output during the disco era and judging from the albums and singles I've heard so far, the quality and quantity of their releases (with a few notable exceptions) seemed to trail off somewhat towards the end and after the disco era.. One such example would be their foray further into the rock arena with a rather mediocre rock project entitled Emigré (1979, Attic). The following year in 1980, they would even produce an album for Toronto punk band The Diodes entitled "Action/Reaction" (1980, Orient/RCA), which I haven't heard yet but which certainly sounds intriguing, to say the least. Aside from that, they evidently still kept their stock in the dance music field, with some notable records like "The Ultimate Warlord" by The Immortals as well as some other notable 12'' singles on the UK Proto label, like one for Hi-NRG queen Hazell Dean and another for a project/group entitled American Fade, to name a couple. Both of those were also, interestingly enough, a couple of early productions for pop impresario Pete Waterman's PWL production company.

As far as their post-disco output is concerned, I'm guessing those singles might just be the tip of the iceberg, as there are probably others that either went unnoticed or have yet to be rediscovered, since new ones seem to resurface quite regluarly in my searches these days.. For one thing, a recent Discogs entry lists an obscure 12'' they produced for an Arlene Duncan entitled "I Wanna Groove" from 1982 released on what appears to be their own Toronto-based label, Wee Records, listed on the record as a division of their production company, Three Hats Productions, Inc.. No word on any other releases on that label or if Arlene bears any relation to The Duncan Sisters-Phyllis and Helen, or if perhaps she and Arlene Duncan the singer/actress (as seen on the CBC sitcom "Little Mosque on the Prairie," as Fatima) are one in the same..

Judging from his Discogs entry, later into the 1980's Morrison would eventually do more production work in the UK minus Ian Guenther, working with the likes of O'chi Brown and Lana Pellay to name a couple.. These days, based in the UK, Morrison is apparently still active in the music business, albeit in the more corporate side of things as Senior Creative Manager at Universal Music Publishing. Meanwhile, Ian Guenther is currently a faculty member at the Linden School, a private girls school in Toronto. Their affectionate reference to him in their faculty profile as "The King of Disco" practically gives it away.. According to another bio on their site, Guenther has apparently been a music instructor for both the private Linden School and the Toronto Public School Board for over ten years now.. The Linden School's Fall 2003 newsletter has a brief profile of Guenther and his more recent activities, in case anyone's interested..

Sadly, in 2002 THP arranger Pete Pedersen passed away in Memphis, Tennessee where he had been living since the 1980's. Pedersen was widely renowned in his own right not only as an arranger but evidently as one of the modern masters of the harmonica.. His partner and lyricist Jaine Rodack, with whom he wrote all the songs on this very record, recently wrote a book about his life entitled "Be of Good Cheer: Memories of Harmonica Legend Pete Pedersen." There are a couple of official tribute sites out there with some info on his bio and his musical history..

Unfortunately none of the tracks off this album, or even much of Guenther/Morrison's excellent disco output for that matter, have made it to CD yet. Regardless of that, out of their many productions and guises, this album certainly remains one of my favourites of theirs; from the covers, right down to the grooves...

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
DISCO DELIVERY #23: DUNCAN SISTERS (1979, RCA) (JUNE 25, 2006)

LINKS:
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE - HEADIN' SOUTH LP @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE - HEADIN' SOUTH LP @ DISCOGS
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE - ON OUR WAY/LOVE IS (PROMO 12") @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE - ON OUR WAY/LOVE IS (PROMO 12") @ DISCOGS
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE @ THE CANADIAN POP ENCYCLOPEDIA
WILLI MORRISON @ DISCOGS
IAN GUENTHER @ DISCOGS
PETE PEDERSEN @ DISCOGS
WILLI MORRISON @ SOUTH WEST SOUND 2007
IAN GUENTHER: PROFILE OF A FOUNDING TEACHER (LINDEN SCHOOL FALL 2003 NEWSLETTER)
PETE PEDERSEN - A MAN AND HIS HARMONICA
PETEPEDERSEN.COM
PETE PEDERSEN @ THE HARP-L MAILING LIST ARCHIVE (JANUARY 1995) (THREAD ONE | THREAD TWO)

CATEGORIES: DISCO DELIVERIES, CAN-CON DISCO, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO..

Search this blog