Disco Delivery Mix #14: Sign of the Times

Photo: Spadina Avenue & Queen Street W., Toronto (December 2023)

Recorded this at the end of 2023, basically a mix of records that were sitting out by the turntables - mostly things that I had pulled out for recent gigs and a couple of new buys at the time. This is by-and-large classic disco, with a few disco/boogie and Hi-NRG/House straddlers. Enjoyed listening to this as I was travelling during the holidays and hopefully some of you out there will too.


Tracklist and track notes below.

Disco Delivery #14: Sign of the Times (Download)

Tracklist:

Ted Taylor - Ghetto Disco
The Bobbettes 1981 - This Ain't Really Love
Barbara Roy - If You Want Me
Sparkle Tuhran & Friends - Handsome Man (Bobby 'DJ' Guttadaro 12" Version)
Pure Gold - Hold On To Your Love
Barbara York - Tonight (Radio Version)
Cheetah - Ain't Gonna Waste No Time No More
John Davis & The Monster Orchestra - Up Jumped The Devil (12" Version)
Kikrokos - Life Is A Jungle
Ronnie Jones - Sign Of The Times
Home Wreckers - Jackin (Bass Mix)

All the records used in this mix

Track Notes:

Ted Taylor - Ghetto Disco: A T.K. Disco favourite of mine, produced by noted New Orleans producer/arranger Wardell Quezergue. Not included on any of Ted Taylor's albums, this is just a lovely, unpretentious disco groove where even the simplest lyrics speak to the refuge of the disco in hard times and hard places.

The Bobbettes 1981 - This Ain't Really Love: A later single by the girl group which first came to prominence in 1957 with their US Top-10 hit "Mr. Lee." Still at it in 1981, this was actually the B-side of the single, "Love Rhythm." This particular song, "This Ain't Really Love" was recorded and released by the group earlier in 1980 under the name Sophisticated Ladies. That version was recently reissued by Kalita Records in 2018. The Sophisticated Ladies version is much longer running 5+ minutes, for The Bobbettes 1981 single here, they used a 2.45 edit. A great track at either length though.

Barbara Roy - If You Want Me: One of my favourite of Barbara Roy's singles, this is probably her best release of the 1980s to my ears. Though credited to Roy and her old group, Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, its unclear if this is a reunion with old colleagues or just a branding exercise. Either way, one of those singles that bridges the gap between disco and boogie and a perfectly refreshed, updated showcase for the gutsy voice which graced early disco classics like "Touch & Go" and "Ask Me." A significant name in the credits, despite the semi-anonymous credit (as J.O.B.) is Jorge Omar Barreiro, who was involved on both this and other releases from the time on Brass Records/Roy B.

Sparkle Tuhran & Friends - Handsome Man (Bobby 'DJ' Guttadaro 12" Version): With a classic disco bassline that grabs the your ear from the jump along with a vocal that's both spirited and loose, this has been a favourite ever since I'd heard it on a Salsoul CD compilation of Larry Levan's mixes for the label. Evidently its only release in the US was through the 1983 compilation Larry Levan's Greatest Mixes, Vol. 2 (there was never a Vol. 1) on Salsoul. Before Levan mixed it, it was released in Canada on 12" mixed by another hot DJ of the New York scene, Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro. A French production and band led by the duo of Bernard Torelli and Jean-Pierre Masseira better known for things cosmic rather than funky, along with Americans John Brown III and Mike Felder, this is one which checks all the boxes for me.

Pure Gold - Hold On To Your Love: The sole album from the band Pure Gold is exactly that. One of the many quality boogie/funk releases from the Capitol label in the early 80s, this is one of the highlights of their album. Unfortunately, this band seems to have come and gone so quickly, there isn't even much in the way of prior or subsequent credits for the individual group members on Discogs. That being said, this is certainly one of several early 80s Capitol funk albums that's ripe for the reissue treatment!

Barbara York - Tonight (Radio Version): I had wrote a post about about this single on the blog back in 2007, one of the few times I had posted an outside submission. When I saw that this record was being reissued by Best Record in Italy, I jumped at the chance to get a copy. An early pseudonymous release by Italian singer Ivana Spagna, the lyrics are intriguing, even if they're somewhat lost in translation. That said, it doesn't detract too much from the sleek Italo-funk production from 1983, which I consider to be a very good year in terms of post-disco dance music, generally.

Captain Sky - Moonchild: Probably my favourite Captain Sky release, this song reaches the apex of disco/funk finesse to me. Cream of the Chicago acts released on the AVI label, this was produced and arranged by Daryl Cameron (Captain Sky, himself) and by Donald Burnside, whose name always piques my interest when digging. Well in line with other lush disco diamonds from the time and place, like Air Power (also produced by Donald Burnside, no less).

Cheetah - Ain't Gonna Waste No Time No More: More AVI Disco goodness, this time from Rinder & Lewis, the flagship of their disco operations. One of the anedcotes I recall from my interview with AVI's Ray Harris and W. Michael Lewis was that, when it came to Rinder & Lewis' output, there was very little that they left on the cutting room floor, so to speak. That certainly explains some of the rarer releases which made their way out on AVI sometimes as promo-only releases, like this particular album. Unlike most of those, Cheetah is less a collection of outtakes as much as a collection of retakes (likely a clue as to its title). Comprised of new vocals and lyrics on top of old musical backings, this is perhaps part of the reason this record gets decidedly mixed reviews. This particular song however, a re-take of El Coco's "Coco Kane" with a sassy new vocal and lyric, hits the spot for me though! So much so that I think I may even like this version just a little bit more.

John Davis & The Monster Orchestra - Up Jumped The Devil (12" Version): A favourite of mine from the late producer/arranger John Davis, this track packs so much energy it still goes down well. A favourite at work during the weekly Wax Candy Disco nights at The Piston here in Toronto, the dance floor always heats up whenever resident DJ Cyclist drops this one! Always worth putting in the bag whenever playing disco for the people.

Kikrokos - Life Is A Jungle: My favourite track from Kikrokos' Jungle D.J. & Dirty Kate album, I especially love the synth parts on this particular track. It certainly works in line with the sort of expansive French disco coming from the likes of Cerrone and Costandinos at the time. No wonder, since two of the members of Kikrokos, André Allet and Patrick Sesti were associates of Cerrone.

Ronnie Jones - Sign Of The Times: I had picked this one up on a 12" late last year. The A-side of this song is an electro cover of the Jimmy Ruffin classic, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," which had also been mixed by John Robie. Despite all that, it was this song on the B-side which captured my attention. Like most of Ronnie Jones' output, this was produced by Jürgen S. Korduletsch (along with Don Oriolo and Kristian Schultze) and released on one of their labels, Personal Records. I find that this particular track has something of a Bobby "O" feel to it, from the production on down to the harsh, urbane masculinity depicted in its lyrics. After previewing it in the shop, this had already become an earworm for me. Always a good sign!

Home Wreckers - Jackin (Bass Mix): A house project by Toronto producer/composer Allan Coelho and Hernani Raposo. Coelho's name may be familiar as the the main member behind Tapps, who had several club hits in the early-mid 80s. Bearing some of the familiar sonic signatures of those Tapps hits, but with less vocal and more bass, I find this one straddles the line between Hi-NRG and House quite deftly.


PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
deadly disco: rinder & lewis - gluttony (friday, october 31, 2014)
tonight... (wednesday february 14, 2007)


CATEGORIES: DISCO DELIVERY MIXES

Disco Delivery Mix #13: Sounds of '78 (Guest Mix for Sunshine After Dark )

A little over a year ago, my friend John Huck invited me to do a mix for his disco radio show, Sunshine After Dark, and just recently invited me to do another. We finally got to meet in person over the summer here in Toronto and had a lovely afternoon bonding over disco and record digging, so am more than happy to make a new one!

Over the last while, using Vince Aletti's Disco Files as a guide, John has been doing these Disco Time Capsule episodes, taking listeners on a chronological journey through the records of 1974-1978. It's been quite a lovely trip listening to him curate these shows chronologically, getting to hear how certain sonic signifiers in disco developed over time. I fully encourage other disco-heads out there to take a listen, all Sunshine After Dark shows are archived on his Mixcloud page.

John just finished a series of shows chronicling the disco from the Summer of 1978, and while I didn't organize this mix in a strictly chronological order, in keeping with the theme, the selections in this mix are all releases from 1978.

Sunshine After Dark broadcasts online and on the radio out of CJSR 88.5 FM in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada every Thursday at 7 PM Mountain Time (0100 UTC), re-broadcasting Tuesdays on CKXU in Lethbridge, AB and Wednesdays on CHMA in Sackville, NB.

As mentioned earlier, all episodes are also archived on Mixcloud, and you can listen to my mix on Episode 180, below.

Enjoy!




Disco Delivery #13: Guest Mix for Sunshine After Dark (#180) (Download)

Tracklist:

Le Pamplemousse - Do You Have Any? (Ya Know Where I Can Get Some)
Wilfried (Scheutz) - Johnny's Diskothek (12" Version)
Michele White - Sweet Innocent
Claudja Barry - Boogie Tonight (12" Version)
Three Ounces of Love - Star Love
Roy Ayers Presents Ubiquity - Starbooty
Stanley Turrentine - Disco Dancing
(Siduku) Buari - I'm Ready
Soraya - My Life
Midnight Rhythm - Workin' & Slavin' (I Need Love)
THP - Tender Is The Night

All the records used in this mix

Track Notes:

Le Pamplemousse - Do You Have Any? (Ya Know Where I Can Get Some): My favourite track off my favourite of Rinder & Lewis' Le Pamplemousse albums. A slinky, funky groove and one which hints at certain powdered disco pleasures. Written by a one Gil Carson who is also credited on a number of other Le Pamplemousse songs, including their signature hit, "Le Spank."

Wilfried - Johnny's Diskothek (12" Version): Came across this at a local shop recently, and there was something intriguing and catchy about this euro-disco schlager track that tickled my disco & pop sensibilities. By the late Austrian pop singer, Wilfried Scheutz, this was from a disco-flavoured album he recorded called Nights In The City, that I'm certainly looking out for after hearing this. Produced by Robert Ponger, who had also released a (recently reissued) album of his own with an instrumental version of this song.

Michele White - Sweet Innocent: A recent dollar bin find, released on the TK subsidiary, Sunshine Sound, and one which involves a lot of familiar names from the Miami recording scene of the time - Bobby Caldwell, The Sunshine Band's Rick Finch, KC and their backing singers just to name a few. The title track and standout of Michele White's album, which was alone worth the price of admission.

Claudja Barry - Boogie Tonight (12" Version): A lovely sleeper track from her I Wanna Be Loved By You album, which contained her big hit "(Boogie Woogie) Dancing Shoes." The Canadian-only 12" single of this song, which I used here has some lovely extended bits that enhance the song quite nicely.

Three Ounces of Love - Star Love: A favourite of mine from the Detroit sister group, Three Ounces of Love and their sole Motown album. It seems that after the demise of The Supremes the year prior, Motown was likely betting on two upstart female groups to fill in the gap, High Inergy and Three Ounces of Love. High Inergy were ultimately the ones dubiously crowned "the new Supremes," however the Three Ounces of Love album is, to my ears, closest to the sound that the latter-day Supremes had. Their album employed many of the same writers and producers that were also on those very last Supremes records, like this particular song, co-written and produced by Greg Wright who was also behind The Supremes' disco hit, "He's My Man."

Roy Ayers Presents Ubiquity - Starbooty: Continuing on the 'star' theme, one of Roy Ayers' greatest disco moments, in my opinion. Blown away by how ridiculously prolific he was around this time, this one has an ideal combination of disco and jazz-funk sensibilities, chugging and propulsive while capturing a freewheeling looseness that sets his work apart.

Stanley Turrentine - Disco Dancing: A little disco surprise (at least when I stumbled across it) from jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and his What About You! album on the Fantasy label. I understand why disco-flavoured releases by jazz musicians weren't looked at especially highly, often seen as unfortunate compromises to prevailing trends. That's not to say that many of them didn't have a worthwhile moment or two, which is perhaps easier to say if you're not coming from a jazz perspective. This track stood out to me on the record, an original (among the covers on the album) written by Philly disco mainstays, Phil Hurtt and the late Richie Rome. Rome also arranged the entire album featuring the vocals of the Sweethearts of Sigma who are all over the record. At the same time, this track almost exactly anticipates the sound Rome would employ on the album he would produce for the model/singer Flower the following year.

Buari - I'm Ready: I had heard this lovely disco outing from Ghanian musician Siduku Buari, on an unofficial reissue 12" several years ago. Containing more than little hint of "You're Just The Right Size" by The Salsoul Orchestra, this song was on his recently reissued (thank you BBE!) cult album Disco Soccer.

Soraya - My Life: Taken from a one-off album from mysterious singer Soraya Kaci, which was arranged and co-written by French cosmic disco icons Bernard Torelli and Jean-Pierre Massiera, the same team behind records by Venus Gang and Herman's Rocket. I had first heard this one night at work recently, when Cyclist, the resident DJ of the Wax Candy Disco nights here in Toronto played this track off the album. Immediately after, I had to know what it was. When I logged onto Discogs to buy a copy, it noted that I had added the album to my wantlist some 14 years ago (likely due to the Massiera connection) and, it seems, promptly forgot about! Containing more than a few key hints of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Getaway," this track is perhaps one of the most instant and gratifying on this wonderfully strange and intriguing album.

Midnight Rhythm - Workin' & Slavin' (I Need Love): I had opined at length on this album on this blog back in 2007. Produced by Robby Adcock and Joe Long, I have long wanted to play this in a mix and here, I finally get the chance. The propulsive groove conjuring up the heady gay discos and backrooms of the time has been a favourite of mine for some years now. See Disco Delivery #37 where I relay some of my conversation/correspondence with the album's co-producer Robby Adcock, for some interesting background on this release.

THP - Tender Is The Night: A favourite from the Toronto-based production team of Ian Guenther & Willi Morrison, this track, from their third album of the same name, is perhaps the highlight of that particular record. Featuring The Duncan Sisters on vocals, this felt like an appropriately bright and tender closing number for this mix.


PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
disco delivery mix #9: guest mix for sunshine after dark (thursday august 18, 2022)
disco delivery #37: midnight rhythm (1978, atlantic) (wednesday march 14, 2007)


CATEGORIES: DISCO DELIVERY MIXES, CAN-CON DISCO

Deadly Disco: Rinder & Lewis - Gluttony

Earlier this week, BBR/Hot Shot Records released their reissue of Rinder & Lewis' landmark 1977 "Seven Deadly Sins" album, which I'm proud to have had a hand in, having interviewed W. Michael Lewis and former AVI president Ray Harris for the liner essay. A turning point in Rinder & Lewis' work together, the first to be released under their own names, not bound by any of the disco concepts they'd been doing up until that point; "Seven Deadly Sins," is easily the most ambitious and experimental record they'd done. Written and performed entirely by the both of them; influenced, yet not limited by the parameters of disco, while it may not have delivered numbers like some of their other disco productions at the time, it has gone on to become easily one of their most renowned (if not their most renowned) and enduring records.

I'll probably write at length about the liner notes on another post (like I have with some of the others I've done), however this BBR release is the first time the album has been legitimately released on CD. Despite the production delays (I had come on board with this just over two and a half years ago now), its release comes just in time for Halloween, which is perfect for an album that contains some of the most haunting disco that Rinder & Lewis ever committed to record. While most disco people know the album for the ethereal strains of "Lust," I'd have to single out "Gluttony" as yet another standout. Sounding like the apocalyptic inverse of "I Feel Love," it's perhaps the most intense, infernal track on the record. (Note: I have yet to receive my copy of the reissue, so the file below is a rip from one of my vinyl copies).

Listen: Rinder & Lewis - Gluttony (1977, AVI)
One little tidbit that Michael Lewis told me in our interview was that they were one of the first to employ the syndrum (hear a demo) when recording this album, which would become something of a common gimmick in disco records in the following years (if 'syndrums' don't ring a bell, the hook to this song probably will). Take a listen to the 3.00 and 4.30 marks of "Gluttony" to hear some of that early syndrum action.

Also, just in time for this release, the latest issue of Waxpoetics (#59 with Aaliyah and Kelela on the covers) has a great piece on Rinder & Lewis, entitled "Soul Searching" written by John M. Gómez who interviewed both Laurin Rinder & W. Michael Lewis for the story. (Note: the article is only available in the magazine, for the moment).


PURCHASE:
rinder & lewis - seven deadly sins (cd reissue) (1977, avi / 2014, big break/hot shot records)
dusty groove | juno.co.uk | amazon.co.uk | big break records

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
disco delivery #45: midnight wind (1980, avi) (thursday september 27, 2007)
dancing dancing in paradise (monday december 18, 2006)
disco delivery # 25: rinder & lewis - warriors (1979, avi/quality) (sunday september 17, 2006)

LINKS:
facebook: big break records
facebook: hot shot records uk
big break records: rinder & lewis - seven deadly sins
discomusic.com: rinder & lewis - seven deadly sins lp
discogs: rinder & lewis - seven deadly sins lp
discogs: rinder & lewis - envy (animal fire) 12"
discogs: w. michael lewis
discogs: laurin rinder

CATEGORIES: LINER NOTES, MINI DELIVERIES

Disco Delivery #45: Midnight Wind (1980, AVI)

Midnight Wind - Rocket
Midnight Wind - Shoplifting My Love
Midnight Wind - Can't Hide It (I Came Here To Dance)

I recently obtained this awesome little Rinder & Lewis (well, mostly) production from 1980, and after hearing it for myself, I just knew I had to put it up on here. Before buying I had heard some samples of the music, but still, I was a little unsure about how this album would sound, largely due to the fact that I've read, shall we say, mixed reviews of their hard-to-find early 80's material on AVI. Apparently much of it was either experimental (see the Rinder & Lewis Cataclysm LP) or just sub par stuff they put out to fulfill remaining contractual obligations. One that has been cited as the latter was a curious 1981 LP they did under the guise Cheetah, which I have yet to find, but which is, I suppose, a rather appropriate name, considering all the tracks were apparently recycled El Coco tracks, put to new vocals and lyrics.. In this particular case, I shouldn't have worried. Clocking in close to 20 minutes, it's a very short album, even by disco standards; which likely explains why it's denoted as a Mini LP on the label (same thing as an EP, I suppose). Regardless of that, it's quality stuff all the way through. Although I later found out one of the tracks was recycled - "Can't Hide It (I Came Here To Dance)," which originally appeared under a different mix on a Le Pamplemousse LP, even that doesn't take away from the excellence of all three cuts on here..

To recap, for those who may not be familiar: Laurin Rinder and W. Michael Lewis would have to have been one of the most prolific, and even influential production duos in disco music. Based out of the Producer's Workshop studios in Hollywood, they were originally drafted by AVI to go to a nightclub and see about this 'new disco stuff' in case they would be able to do it. Despite having done so on record label suggestion, they would end up with what would have to one of the the more successful, highly regarded (and thus highly sampled) catalogues in disco. Working mostly with the AVI and Butterfly labels, much of their best known productions were drafted under guises such like El Coco, Le Pamplemousse, Rinder & Lewis (for AVI) along with Saint Tropez and Tuxedo Junction (for Butterfly). Aside from those, there were also some under lesser-known guises, like this record - Midnight Wind, Discognosis, Rinlew All-stars and the In Search Of.. Orchestra, to name just a few of the ones I know about. With their all-night coke-fuelled recording sessions (Laurin Rinder's infamous year-old Discopia interview quote about having to put inserts in his nose in order to keep doing coke still blows my mind) they managed to crank out some of the most exquisite disco music ever released (look no further than El Coco's "Dancing In Paradise"). If you factor in some of the scores they did (see the listing at the end of Laurin Rinder's discomusic.com interview) in addition to all of their disco work, it's enough to make your sinuses hurt.

Curiously though, the opening track of the record, "Shopliftin' My Love" is actually not a Rinder & Lewis production, but written and produced instead by frequent Rinder & Lewis collaborator Merria Ross and Troy Laws.. An elegant disco track that opens slow and sultry, but gently escalates into a piano driven groove, it's fronted by a great vocal (Merria Ross?) that's smooth, urgent and elegant all at the same time.. Despite not being produced by Rinder & Lewis, this track blends well with the others on the record, incorporating some of their elegant styling, albeit with more lyrics than the other two tracks combined and an engaging musical point with those piano chords, giving it a slightly more melodic feel..

The last track on the A-side is the remixed version of "Can't Hide It (I Came Here To Dance)," which originally appeared on the Le Pamplemousse "Sweet Magic" (1978, AVI) LP. Written by a one Ruben Banuelos (whose also a contributor on a few other Le Pamplemousse LPs), the remix on this record takes the track down about a minute from 4.28, to 3.28, keeping the original vocals but scissoring out some verses ("..thought I lost my inspiration..'til I made my destination..," "...don't want no idle conversation, following up by explanations..") from the original. Overall, I actually prefer the remixed version on this record. In a way it takes the song's own advice, cutting down on the explanations, getting to the destination - focusing more on the groove, with the emphasis that bass and excellent brass section making up for the 'lost' lyrics. With the big, horn-driven arrangements and lyrics like: "..make believe I'm Fred Astaire..dancing in a world of splendor, music only takes you there.. ", and "...doin' things like John Travolta, and a little bit more..," evidently Chic weren't the only disco act to connect swing era references to images of the freewheeling champagne-and-cocaine heights of disco decadence..

However, as good as the tracks are on Side A, the ultimate track on this record has got to be the one on Side B, the Merria Ross track "Rocket" (less about rockets and more about rocking, so to speak).. Propelled by a little killer bass riff, a driving beat and a lively chorus of vocals which manage to turn cute elementary wordplay into the stuff of irresistible disco charm; this one's right up there with some of the most infectious Rinder & Lewis stuff that I've heard. With W. Michael Lewis' signature warm, jazzy, and spacey synth stylings (anyone know what type of synthesizers those might be?) layered on top of the robotic beat, along with an exciting sax solo on the break, it's got enough musical variety to keep things interesting and arresting without taking away from the groove.. Goes on for some eight or so minutes; just long enough to keep one moving and listening, without wearing out it's welcome. Top-tier stuff, as far as I'm concerned..

As far as some of the other aspects of this 'Mini-LP' are concerned, when Laurin Rinder once said in an interview that AVI were a pretty "low-end label," he wasn't kidding.. The low quality paper glued over the cardboard makes the album look at least two decades older than it actually is. AVI had to have been one of the few remaining companies doing their LP jackets like that in 1980. Curiously, there aren't even any musician credits on the sleeve, which perhaps might have something to do with the Mini-LP/promo-only status of the record. And while on that note; so far, I have yet to find any evidence of a commercial release of this record or anything under the Midnight Wind name. Given that all records of this on the internet (the few that are available), like the entries on discomusic.com and Discogs happen to be promos as well, I'd venture to guess that this most likely never even went beyond promo-only (unless someone out there knows otherwise?). Not sure why it would have been, perhaps the promo didn't generate enough interest to warrant a commercial release of these and perhaps other Midnight Wind tracks at the time? Who knows?

Into the 1980's, while Rinder & Lewis would continue for a little while with releases under the El Coco, Saint Tropez guises among others, the two eventually settled more into movie scoring. So far the last thing I've seen them both credited together on was a score for a little 1987 movie called "Hot Child In The City" (some sources credit both Rinder & Lewis for the score, some only Lewis - which ones are right?). While Laurin Rinder has moved on from the music business into photography, he's done a couple of interviews about his disco work in recent years, little has been heard from W. Michael Lewis on the same subject. Recently, some later Google search results and a couple of posts on the discomusic.com forums (courtesy of users Paulo and FunkyChris) revealed a couple of things.. One of them being an interesting late '90s interview with W. Michael Lewis. Although he doesn't go in to much detail about his disco work, it's an interesting look at his immense musical background and one of the few interviews with him that have been published on the 'net. Another one was a link to a little record company called SnailWorx. Founded in 2003 by Lewis and AVI Records' co-founder Ray Harris, it seems Lewis is still quite active in the music business..

One of the Rinder & Lewis collaborators that I'd like to know more about would be Merria Ross, who seems to appear or otherwise contribute to a great deal of their disco work.. Outside of her work with Rinder & Lewis, she would also be the writer behind one of Donna Summer's biggest post-disco hits, the Quincy Jones produced "Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)." She's also been described as a "traveling singer/actress," yet somehow IMDB lists no credits for a Merria Ross.. There is, however, a listing for a Merrie Lynn Ross (sometimes listed as Merrie Ross). Although nothing on Merrie Lynn Ross' credits lists songwriting, one website lists some outside projects, hinting at a versatility that could possibly include some musical involvement. That said, I'm not even sure if Merria and Merrie are one in the same, but I can't help but wonder if the similar names are more than coincidental.. Update (12/06/07): I recently got a nice email from Merria Ross herself, wherein she confirmed that she and Merrie Lynn Ross are not one in the same. She also shed some insight into her contributions to Rinder & Lewis' work and on the partnership itself, which was greatly appreciated. Thanks again to Merria for her kind contributions..

Anyway, all things considered; although not nearly as well-known as some of their other work, this record remains an enjoyable little sleeper from one of the most prolific studio teams in disco. Despite it's length, those who enjoy Rinder & Lewis' sophisticated disco style would especially enjoy this one. That said, anyone who comes across this in a record dig would be especially fortunate, since one should be prepared to pay, shall we say, somewhat more usual for this on eBay..

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
DANCING, DANCING IN PARADISE (MONDAY DECEMBER 18, 2006)
DISCO DELIVERY #25: RINDER & LEWIS - WARRIORS (1979, AVI/QUALITY) (SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2006)

LINKS:
MIDNIGHT WIND MINI LP @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
MIDNIGHT WIND MINI LP @ DISCOGS
W. MICHAEL LEWIS INTERVIEW (c. 1998)
LAURIN RINDER INTERVIEW (DISCOPIA #8)
LAURIN RINDER INTERVIEW @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
RINDER & LEWIS @ DISCOMUSEUM
W. MICHAEL LEWIS @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
LAURIN RINDER @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
MERRIA ROSS @ DISCOGS

CATEGORIES: DISCO DELIVERIES, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO..

Dancing dancing in paradise..

El Coco - Dancing In Paradise (1978, AVI/Quality)

I know I said I'd update yesterday. Once again I'm late (as usual), I wanted to get the Disco Delivery done yesterday, but let's just say my Saturday night went on a little longer than I anticipated (not that I'm complaining or anything)..

I'm hoping to work on the upcoming Disco Delivery entry some more tonight, in the mean time here's one of my favourite El Coco records, hell, probably one of my all time favourite disco records.. "Dancing In Paradise" is to me, one of the best things Rinder & Lewis ever did. Starts off with some of the most exquisite strings, then goes into that equally exquisite synth driven melody... It all comes together in what is truly one of the most sublime, escapist disco records I've ever heard..

I remember I first heard this track, not on it's own, but sampled on Ultra Naté's "Dear John," a great song off her excellent "Stranger Than Fiction" (2001, Strictly Rhythm) album. One of the best uses of a disco sample that I've heard so far.

Anyway, Rinder and Lewis are one duo whose productions I've really been taking a shine to in the last while or so. Most recently, I got their excellent "Seven Deadly Sins" LP in the mail, but unfortunately, decent copies of the "Dancing In Paradise" LP always seem to elude me. So until I get that, here's a rip of the 12'' I got a couple of months ago..

Hope this'll tie you all over until then, as for the next Disco Delivery, here's a hint: think "connection" and "movement."

LINKS:
EL COCO - DANCING IN PARADISE LP @ DISCOGS
EL COCO - DANCING IN PARADISE US 12'' @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
EL COCO = DANCING IN PARADISE US 12'' @ DISCOGS
EL COCO @ DISCOMUSEUM.COM
EL COCO @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE

PURCHASE:
EL COCO - GREATEST DISCO HITS CD (INCLUDES "DANCING IN PARADISE") | CDUNIVERSE.COM | AMAZON.COM | AMAZON.CA | AMAZON.CO.UK | AMAZON.DE | AMAZON.FR

PREVIOUS RELATED ENTRIES:
DISCO DELIVERY #25 - RINDER & LEWIS - WARRIORS (1979, AVI/QUALITY)

CATEGORIES: MINI DELIVERIES

Disco Delivery #25: Rinder & Lewis - Warriors (1979, AVI/Quality)

Rinder & Lewis - Love Potion #9
Rinder & Lewis - Blue Steel
Rinder & Lewis - Willie and the Hand Jive
Rinder & Lewis - Arabella/Home
Rinder & Lewis - Harlem Shuffle

File links updated 10/26/08

Finally, it's here..

I've been wanting to showcase something from these guys for a while now. Laurin Rinder & W. Michael Lewis were, in my opinion, one of the best disco production duos of the disco era. Probably not one of the most recognizable as far as the mainstream goes, but certainly one of the most prolific and popular among disco enthusiasts. Rinder and Lewis were pretty much the principals behind El Coco, Le Pamplemousse, Saint Tropez, Tuxedo Junction, Discognosis as well as the soundtrack to the TV show "In Search Of.." (which I used to love as a kid) among others.. According to a 1980 article (see links section), by then they had apparently been involved in some twenty nine albums. Laurin Rinder admitted in a recent interview with Discopia, that they pretty much lived in the studio during the late '70's, in his words: "we really had cots, beds and the whole thing, we were just pumpin’ them out. 7 days a week, 3 different projects at the same time. I played drums on everything but had to play a little differently. I had to ask the engineer 'What’s the name of this group?' " Not surprisingly cocaine figured quite prominently in the madness of those days. Another thing Laurin Rinder admitted in that same interview was: "The amount of coke we did to do all this you can’t even imagine. $300 a day. I had to have plastic inserts in my nose so I could do more." I wonder if ol' Rick James needed plastic inserts..

What makes their output even more remarkable is that they played the majority of the instruments themselves. Despite that, as musicians they didn't credit themselves on some of their earlier works, instead giving false names to false musicians on the back of their records; In part I guess to give the appearance of being a real group. One other reason, as Rinder admitted in his discomusic.com interview, was to remain fairly anonymous, so as not to tarnish their reputation as "legit" rock and jazz musicians. In recent years, Laurin Rinder has been the most forthcoming with tales of the day, having done at least two interviews with disco websites in recent years. Prior to disco he already had a long history as a session and journeyman drummer, having played on countless records since the 1950's, including a stint as a session player at Motown, often without credit.

"Warriors," as mentioned earlier was their second album as Rinder & Lewis, and is probably among some of the best stuff they've released. Even the cover they used, an actual picture of their fathers on a fishing trip, made a clever statement. Overall, I love the sound they went for on this LP, with great musicianship coloured with some amazing, lush, smooth synthesizer effects. The cream of the crop as far as the tracks on this album goes, and as good as everything is, is probably the closing track "Blue Steel." Forget Zoolander (please), this track is, to me, the culmination of that excellent balance of synthsesizers and live musicians that they achieved throughout the album. Those amazing, equal parts calm and crazy synths at one point blending seamlessly with the violin solo is, for me, one of the best things about this track. Dark, haunting and sexy at the same time, it's one of the most atmospheric disco instrumentals I've yet to hear. It almost recalls one of their standout tracks, "Lust" from their "Seven Deadly Sins" (1978, AVI) project. So much so that one internet review even described this track as "Lust, part II." One of those tracks that one just needs to luxuriate in to really appreciate..

The two covers on the album are also well worth listening to. The LP opens with a synth driven cover of Johnny Otis' "Willie & The Hand Jive," which as I recently learned is actually about an innocent 1950's dance/clap game, not that other kind of hand jive, but I digress.. Opens with a great I-Feel-Love-esque robotic beat which by the middle of the track becomes a kind of dark, crazy, paranoid synth workout.. It would be this song paired with "Love Potion #9" that would chart at #20 on the Billboard disco charts in 1980.. Their other cover, a Lieber & Stoller song (they'd been known to cover a few in their time) "Love Potion #9" opens side 2. Equal parts playful and sexy, with a great hypnotic beat to it, the cheeky lyrics make an interesting contrast with the dark soundscapes that colour this album.

According to a 1980 interview with Rinder & Lewis, "Arabella/Home" (or at least the 'Arabella' part) was originally done eight years prior to this album as a rock song, recast as a disco track for this project. Great string section on this one, also love that pounding bass drum on the "Home" section of the track.

The lightest, most playful track on the album is probably "Harlem Shuffle" with guest vocalist Carmen Twillie up front. Not quite as dark in mood, no crazy synth effects and much more vocally driven than any of the others. It probably comes closest to recalling the vibe of many of the El Coco projects.

Anyway, for this one I put the entire album up. It's a pity (as usual) but much of the AVI label's disco output, particularly Rinder & Lewis' productions are pitifully underrepresented on CD.. Aside from a recent Japanese reissue of El Coco's "Let's Get It Together" (1976, AVI) album, there is one budget CD of El Coco hits and a now out of print CD called "Disco 54: The AVI Collection," which most notably contained the nine minute version of "Lust." I'd hope that Universal, who owns the AVI catalogue, will give much of Rinder & Lewis' classic AVI output proper reissue treatment one day. Until then, vinyl hunters will keep on hunting..

Not surprisingly, after disco, Rinder & Lewis burned out. All that coke had to take it's toll sometime, I suppose. Much of their post-1980 AVI output has been considered largely sub-par by many disco fans (though personally, I haven't heard too much of the post-1980 stuff, but I'm curious to).. In addition, they had started to focus more on TV music composition after getting tired of dealing with record labels in trying to get their proper royalties. After doing an album for Eloise Whitaker, Laurin Rinder would leave the music business, while Michael Lewis would continue on.. Despite, at least in the beginning, not really being familiar with disco, doing it based on their record label's suggestion; they managed to build up an excellent and impressive canon of disco material under their many guises...

Also, for those who are interested, be sure to check out the links below to the interviews with Laurin Rinder and Rinder & Lewis together..

Next week: another taste of something sweet and smooth..

LINKS:
RINDER & LEWIS - WARRIORS LP @ DISCOGS
RINDER & LEWIS @ DISCOMUSEUM
LAURIN RINDER & W. MICHAEL LEWIS 1980 INTERVIEW: PART ONE | PART TWO
LAURIN RINDER INTERVIEW @ DISCOPIA
LAURIN RINDER INTERVIEW @ DISCOMUSIC.COM

PURCHASE:
DISCO 54 - THE AVI COLLECTION @ AMAZON.COM

CATEGORIES: DISCO DELIVERIES, INTERVIEWS