DISCO CONNECTION VOLUME 2-AUTHENTIC CLASSIC DISCO 1974-1981.

dereksmusicblog ♦ March 15, 2012 ♦ Leave a comment

DISCO CONNECTION VOLUME 2-AUTHENTIC CLASSIC DISCO 1974-1981.

A few years ago, Warners released a number of soul, funk and disco compilations that gave a tantalizing glimpse of the hidden delights within their back-catalogue. Two of the best compilations were the Disco Collection series, a short lived and much lived compilation series. Although both compilations were crammed full of quality disco, my favorite was Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981, which contains a dozen delicious disco delights. Released by WSM in 2004, Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 features a combination of familiar classics and hidden gems. On the compilation are classic tracks from Ashford and Simpson, The Trammps, Chic, Herbie Mann, Chaka Khan, Phreek and Gino Soccio. Among these tracks are some of the most memorable and popular tracks from the disco era and are tracks that crossed over to the mainstream. For many people, these tracks launched a life long love affair with all things disco, that’s never left them. Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 also demonstrates the quality of disco music hidden away in the Atlantic vaults, which must contain the ultimate treasure trove of disco delights. Trying to choose just a few of the highlights from the dozen delicious slices of disco on Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981, isn’t easy, but after some indecision, I’ve managed to do so.

My first choice from Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 is the track that opens the compilation, Ashford and Simpson’s Bourgie Bourgie. Originally released by Ashford and Simpson in 1977, it was the B-side of Love Don’t Make It Right. Taken from their 1977 Send It album, Bourgie Bourgie has gone onto be covered by many artists, including Gladys Knight. The version on the compilation, is the rare 12” mix, lasting six minutes. There’s a real sense of anticipation as the piano and hissing cymbals open the track, with the arrangement gradually revealing itself. In come the rhythm section, the bass funky, the drums punchy, while rasping horns and cascading strings join the arrangement. By now the tracks has a pulsating, dramatic and grand sound. Using elements of funk and soul, a true disco classic gradually reveals its charms. What makes this a classic of the disco era is the arrangement, and how Ashford and Simpson gradually build it up. Somehow, everything seamlessly falls into place just at the right time, resulting in a classic track from Ashford and Simpson, one of the most talented singer, songwriting and production partnerships.

There’s a sense of poignancy when listening to my next choice, The Trammps’ That’s Where the Happy People Go, given the recent death of lead singer Jimmy Ellis. This was from their their 1976 Where the Happy People Go, and when released as a single reached number twenty-seven in the US Billboard 100 and twelve in the US R&B Charts. The Trammps were disco pioneers, becoming one of the first disco bands. Produced by the legendary Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section, who were part of M.F.S.B. and later, Salsoul Orchestra. Like Bourgie Bourgie, the arrangement is of the highest quality, taking time to reveal its hidden depths. Listen to the track for the first time, and you’ll be thrown by the introduction. Dramatic piano and lush strings combine beautifully, before melancholy horns enter and then bang, things change. From there, Earl Young’s drums drive the track along, while strings, horns and Jimmy Ellis’ vocal enters. His voice is impassioned and powerful, while the rest of the band contribute backing vocals. With the hottest rhythm section of the seventies, combining with blazing horns and swirling strings, you can’t help but be swept away by the track’s joyous sound and emotion, resulting in one The Trammps greatest tracks. It’s also a tribute to the talent of Jimmy Ellis, a true legend of soul and disco.

A band who almost single handed contributed the soundtrack to the late seventies disco era were Chic. Everybody Dance was from their debut album C’est Chic, which reached number twenty-seven in the US Billboard 200 and number twelve in the US R&B Charts. When released as a single, Everybody Dance reached number thirty-eight in the US Hot 100, twelve in the US R&B Charts. The song  epitomizes everything that’s good about Chic’s music. Tony Thompson’s drumming and Bernard’s bass playing is at the heart of the irresistible sound of the introduction. Some simple, but hugely effective chord changes on piano, give way to the vocal. Alfa and Norma Jean produce some of their best vocals, while the strings sweep lushly. Midway through the track, Bernard decides to give yet another bass masterclass. His playing is fast and funky. From there until the end, a musical masterpiece unfolds, thanks to a combination of one of the best rhythm sections of the past forty years, some lush, sweet strings, subtle percussion, chiming guitars and joyous vocals.

Another band who benefited from Niles Rogers and Bernard Edwards’ guidance were Sister Sledge, transforming the band from also-rans to superstars. He’s the Greatest Dancer a single from their We Are Family album, which reached number three in the US Billboard 200, and number one in the US R&B Charts. When He’s the Greatest Dancer was released as a single it reached number nine in the US Billboard 100 and number one in the R&B Charts. Opening with the rhythm section and guitar combining, before piano and strings enter. For nearly one minute, bassist Bernard Edwards and guitarist Niles Rodgers are at the heart of the arrangement. Together with Tony Thompson on drums, and The Chic Strings, Chic have provided the perfect backdrop for Kathy Sledge’s vocal. When she sings, she certainly doesn’t disappoint. There is a confidence in her voice, which sounds really natural, as she sings the lead vocal, backed by her sisters singing tight harmonies. Meanwhile vocals, The Chic Strings sweep in and out of the track. While the strings play, Niles contributes quick, funky licks, ably assisted by the rhythm section and piano. For just over six minutes, Sister Sledge, with the help of Chic produce one of the tracks of their career and a classic song from the disco era.

Produced and arranged by Patrick Adams, who cowrote the song with Leroy Burgess, these two giants of the disco and boogie scene collaborated Phreek’s Everybody Loves a Good Thing. This is one of the most joyful and uplifting tracks on Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981. Released in 1978, from the album Patrick Adams Presents Phreek. With a tempo of 127 beats per minute, this is disco heaven 127. Opening with pounding drums and percussion, this gives way to strings and a soaring, lilting female vocal, before flourishes of keyboards enter. From there, the track has a joyful sound when the vocal enters. Backing vocalists and then the lead vocal enters. It changes hands with Venus Dodson, Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess all featuring during the track. Towards the end of the track, the rhythm section, keyboards and percussion combine, before the keyboards drive the track to it’s dramatic and powerful crescendo. They build and build the tension, until you feel they can take the track no further. However, they do, playing an important part in providing an uplifting and totally joyous sounding backdrop, for the impassioned and emotive vocalists. This combination results in one of the most joyous sounding tracks on the compilation, and whose irresistible charms you can’t help but succumb to.

The last track from Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 that I’ve chosen to feature is Goody Goody’s It Looks Like Love, true hidden gem written, produced and arranged by vibes supremo Vince Montana Jr. who played in both M.F.S.B. and the Salsoul Orchestra. Goody Goody was a project that featured Vince’s daughter Denise. This track is a single released from the 1978 album Goody Goody. It’s six minutes of funk tinged pulsating disco music, featuring a proliferation of percussion, vibes and an ever-present meandering and funky bass line. While cascading strings sweep in and out, guitars and flute accompany Denise’s sensuous, breathy vocal. Although there’s both a Philadelphia International and Salsoul influence to an arrangement, it’s Denise’s vocal and that mesmerizing, pulsating bass line that make this great track.

The twelve tantalizing tracks that are featured on Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 give us just a taster of the hidden gems and classic tracks that are hidden away in Atlantic Records’s vaults. This was the second volume in the Disco Connection series, with Disco Connection-Authentic Classic Disco 1976-1981 the first in this short lived series. After this, regrettably, there were no further installments of this series. So for just two volumes, we got a brief glimpse of the classic disco delights in Atlantic’s vaults. With twelve classic tracks, these are a combination of familiar friends from Ashford and Simpson, Chic, Sister Sledge, The Trammps and Chaka Khan, and lesser known tracks from Phreek, Goody Goody, Five Special and Mass Production. Each of these tracks are some of the best disco tracks you could hope to hear. Listening to these tracks is like a stroll  down a musical memory lane, back to the golden years of the disco era. Although many of the tracks can be found on other compilations, several of the mixes allow you to discover new and different version of some old favorites. That’s what makes Disco Connection Volume 2-Authentic Classic Disco 1974-1981 such a great compilation, and one that anyone who loves classic disco will adore. Standout Tracks: Ashford and Simpson Bourgie Bourgie, The Trammps That’s Where the Happy People Go, Chic Everybody Dance and Goody Goody It Looks Like Love.

DISCO CONNECTION VOLUME 2-AUTHENTIC CLASSIC DISCO 1974-1981.