Hymn for Africa

American Athlete Blog/ Pat Les Stache Rule#1 -
Disco Groove + African Theme = Brilliant Song!

If you are a believer in the above theory, as I am, this 1977 disco gem, entitled "Hymn for Africa", by Daniel Jackson Explosion should be much to your liking. This funky track was written and produced by Danny Besquet and was mixed by seasoned disco veteran John Davis from the Monster Orchestra. The record also consists of a clever use of a front and back side of the actual record artwork. Very innocent looking female on the front, until you flip the record over and get the "whole" picture. Great artwork, great track...brilliant record. Enjoy!

Daniel Jackson Explosion - Hymn for Africa



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NOTE: I'm almost out of download bandwidth on my DivShare account, so until May 6th when my download bandwidth renews, I'm going to just host the songs on my personal website (which is what I did back in the early days of this blog). This is only temporary and I won't have to do this ever again starting May 6th.

Can't Live Without Your Love

Last night I found myself dusting off and enjoying, for the first time in awhile, one of my all-time favorite twelve-inches in Tamiko Jones' disco classic "Can't Live Without Your Love". This funky gem from 1979 was supposedly a regular favorite at The Loft and the Paradise Garage, among probably many others during the late 1970 and early 80's. The track was produced by one of disco's many seasoned veterans in Randy Muller, who was an active player in Brass Construction and Skyy as well as many Salsoul releases. Overall, the two, Tamiko Jones with the helping of Muller, successfully produced one of the genres best later day classics.

Tamiko Jones - Can't Live Without Your Love

Birds in Paradise

Here is a funky and clever disco cut from 1978 entitled "I am a Song" by the Paradise Birds. As soon as I heard that there was a disco group called Paradise Birds I became immediately interested. Now that I've had a chance to absorb a bunch of their tracks, especially off of the 1978 I Am A Song LP, I've definitely come to the conclusion that there is plenty here worth enjoying. One of my favorite parts about the titled track "I am a Song" is the songs' narrative intro, where it sounds like a radio disc-jocky introducing the song to a bunch of people partying along an assortment of tropical beaches, which, I might add, definitely sounds nice. This group, which was produced by Charles Rinieri and Leo Carrier, went under a few different names during it's existence including the simply titled Paradise and New Paradise. Regardless, a rare and yet solid disco production from this funky French disco crew.

Paradise Birds - I am a Song

Café A Go-Go

Here's a great instrumental disco cut, that I've been getting into as of late, from Sunfighter called "Café A Go-Go". I don't know much about this group and record outside of the fact that it was released in 1977 and produced by Chris Rainbow. The song has a nice overall funky mid-tempo groove that features some nice percussion chops, as well as a few well-placed vocal parts that blend nicely with the entire track. I can always appreciate a well-crafted instrumental disco track. Enjoy!

Sunfighter - Café A Go-Go (Discomix Instrumental)

Dancin' with the Obeah Man

I'm actually flying to San Francisco for the weekend today, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet with a one of my personal favorite tracks, "Exuma, The Obeah Man" by Exuma , off of the Soul Jazz released compilation tribute to Nicky Siano's The Gallery. I've now owned this compilation for a few years now, and it still remains to be one of my most listen to records. I was enjoy this Exuma track from 1970 the other night, with much enjoyment I might add, so I thought I post it today. Hopefully you enjoy this classic cut, which tends to crossover between many different genres, as much as I do. Enjoy!

Exuma - Exuma, The Obeah Man

Don't Stop Now, Move Your Body

Here is one of the many great tracks off of Gene Farrow's 1978 album Move Your Body LP. This funky disco cut, entitled "Don't Stop Now", has a great overall "feel-good" disco vibe and works nicely into those upcoming "warm-weather" summertime mixes. With that being said, there are many other great tracks on this album that shouldn't be ignored, including "Dance With Me", "Do It Again ", "Hey You Should Be Dancing", and the album title track "Move Your Body". Definitely an overall solid effort from Mr. Farrow. Enjoy!

Gene Farrow - Don't Stop Now

Africa Goes Disco

One thing is definitely certain, the more music that I hear from John Ozila the more I completely fall in love with his music and records. In my opinion his 1979 african-disco gem "Funky Boogie" remains to be one of the best disco singles I've ever heard. That being said, when it comes to Mr. Ozila, one can't stop there. Before he released the Boogie Salsa album, which contained "Funky Boogie", he released the amazing album Africa Goes Disco. The record is pretty solid from start to finish with Afro and Latin flavoured tracks like "Hey Macumba", "La Koumba", "Africa Sound" and "Kon Tiki" among many others. Another one of my personal favorites from this particular release is the funky disco cut "Kandika" which contains all the same amazing elements that made "Funky Boogie" such a classic. Overall as a whole record, Ozila's Africa Goes Disco LP, in my opinion, can definitely stand toe-to-toe with the more sought after Boogie Salsa album. With all of that being said, I just say get both, if you happen to be lucky enough to actually come across both records. Good luck and enjoy!

John Ozila - Kandika

The Music Is A Life Saver

Up until recently I realized that I had totally been in the dark when it came to the classic disco track "Your Love Is A Life Saver" by Gayle Adams. For some reason, this 1980 gem had slipped through the cracks somewhere along the line and I never had heard the amazing song until just a few months ago. The one thing that I love so much about disco music, in general, is that regardless of how much you might think you know about the genre or how many songs you might of heard, there is always more hidden gems out there, some being more rare than others, that on a personal level are still yet to be discovered. I completely embrace those moments of personal discovery when they happen. I don't know if I've come across a genre that was as short-lived and yet contained so many quality releases as 'disco'. Maybe I'm wrong and I'm definitely up for always being corrected. Regardless, Gayle Adams' funky disco gem "Your Love Is A Life Saver" blew me away on first listen and I'm very excited to share the song with those that haven't until now heard the amazing disco classic (And of course I'm always just excited to share with all the disco lovers in general). Enjoy!

Gayle Adams - Your Love Is A Life Saver

Saved by Your Love

Here is a great soulful disco gem from the Paul Cacia Band entitled "Saved by Your Love". This extended version of the track was released, back in 1979, as the lead single to the group's only album Unbelievable. The group, which was headed by accomplished trumpet player Paul Cacia, featured Janine Cameo on lead vocals and was produced by Norman B. Ratner, who is also known for his production work with Bob McGilpin. The song "Saved by Your Love" got some more recent attention due to the track being featured on the excellent Super Disco Friends compilation compiled by Dimitri From Paris and DJ Muro. Overall, it's a great 'feel-good' disco track that features some overall solid, yet funky, instrumentation that can definitely work nicely for both casual listening at home, as well as the dancefloor. Enjoy!

Paul Cacia Band - Saved by Your Love

Gimme Back My Love Affair

One of my personal favorite cuts from the late 1970's, that I often play out, is Sister Power's 1979 disco classic "Gimme Back My Love Affair". This track, which I find always gives off good energy on the dancefloor, was the single to the group's self-titled debut, which, on a side note, consists of one my overall favorite disco sleeves. The record was produced by Paul Sabu who also helped produce some of those amazing late 70's disco cuts released by Debbie Jacobs. Even though "Gimme Back My Love Affair" marked the group's only ground-breaking hit, it might be safe to say that they definitely left behind one of the better disco gems from that era.

Sister Power - Gimme Back My Love Affair

Cabana Disco Vol.02 in Stores Now!

I'm excited to announce that the second installment of Cabana Disco is now out in stores! The twelve-inch record consists of four "tropical disco" edits including John Davis & The Monster Orchestra's funky disco classic "Ain't That Enough For You", Shîtan's hot and sexy "Disco Shîtan part I & II", Nightlife Unlimited's cocktail grooving "Love is in You", and a afro-flavoured reworking of The Michael Zager Band's "Soul to Soul". There's a little something for all disco lovers. Please let me know what you think of the new record. The record should start showing up in all the usual dj-record hot spots in the coming week, if not there already. Enjoy!

BUY RECORD - Juno Records
BUY RECORD - Phonica Records
BUY RECORD - Piccadilly Records

Pat Les Stache - Just Enough For The Stuffing
(Re-edit of John Davis & The Monster Orchestra's "Ain't That Enough for You" which is featured on the Cabana Disco Vol.02 12")



PS - Cabana Disco Vol.03 will be coming out this summer with new re-edits of John Ozila's "Funky Boogie" and Kabbala's "Ashewo Ara". It's definitely shaping out to have a nice Afro and Latin disco feel! Will share some these tracks soon.

French Afro-Funk

Here is a great afro-disco flavoured cut, entitled "Mangous Ye", from the disco-funk group Black Soul. This longer version of the song was included on the groups 1977 self-titled album which was superbly mixed by disco legend Tom Moulton. As I've mentioned a while back on this blog, an interesting component about this 6-piece goup was that even though they became major players within the Afro Funk scene during the 1970's, they actually resided in France. During the mid to late 1970's Black Soul released some amazing music that blended together elements of disco, soul, latin, and afro-funk. Their music remains to be pretty rare and can cost a pretty pennie or two. "Mangous Ye" is just one of the many personal favorites from the group that I've had the luxury to be exposed to. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I do!

Black Soul - Mangous Ye

Tropical Disco Music

A great record, that fell a bit under the radar in my opinion, from last year was Sofrito's release of the Tropical Discotheque EP. This record, which has an overall "tropical disco" groove, consists of four solid re-edits comprised originally from some rare and obscure African and Caribbean disco finds. From the Ghana disco-funk flavored "African Disco Power" to the Cuban boogie cut "Disco La Calle", this record can definitely get any "tropical" dancefloor moving. I unfortunitely couldn't hunt down the original artists that are featured on the EP, so I would appreciate anyone that can help in that regard. However, with that being said, I definitely recommend checking out and picking-up the record if you come across one of the last remaining copies that still remain out there in stores. I also highly recommend checking out the Sofrito website when you get a free chance. They have posted some very funky latin and afro-beat rarities that you probably won't hear anywhere. Enjoy!

Sofrito Specials - African Disco Power (Sofrito Re-edit)

Dream On...that's what they said

I unitl only recently came across Crystal Grass's 1976 disco gem "Dream On" and it's definitely safe to say that with one listen, I immediately fell in love with the sexy slow-tempo classic. I've been eager to hear more from the group every since I was introduced to their amazing 1974 loft-styled classic "Crystal World" a few years back. Many of the group's songs were produced by Lee Hallyday and arranged by French disco legend Don Ray (under the name Raymond Donnez). The track, "Dream On", is included on the group's second full-length album Dance Up A Storm which includes many other great tracks as well, including "I Sure Like The Change", "Fio Maravilha-Taj Mahal", "You Can Be What You Dream" and the interestingly titled "Lemme See Ya Gitchyer Thing Off, Baby - Hustle". Regardless, I've definitely come to the conclusion that Crystal Grass' best releases don't just start and stop with 1974's "Crystal World", offering plenty more with the slowed-down classic "Dream On" and the funky disco follow-up album Dance Up A Storm. Enjoy!

Crystal Grass - Dream On

Balearic Disco Gone Prog

Since the later part of the week has been talking about new "disco" releases (which was generally just coincidental), I can't leave out the return of Lindstrom & Prins Thomas with the amazing cosmic-prog twelve-inch Tirsdagsjam. This record, which consists of two versions of the track, "Tirsdagsjam", is a slight departure from the past few releases from this incredible duo, however in a good and refreshing way. Relying less on programmed electronic synths and more on live drums, driving bass, and a vintage keyboard sound, both tracks have a "live-band" feel to them. It almost sounds like a 1975 prog-rock band that was produced by Daniele Baldelli and Manuel Göttsching putting on a live show in your backyard, which basically sounds like a dream I'm hoping to have at one point in my life. I'm definitely nominating this twelve-inch in the "Best of 2009" category, giving much credit to a duo that continues to re-define themselves and their sound, and hence by doing so, always staying a few feet ahead of the rest. Enjoy!

Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - Tirsdagsjam (lang versjon)

Blackjoy Disco Jams

Every since the release of the amazing Moustache twelve-inch a few years back, I've been a big supporter and fan of the "disco-house" flavoured group Blackjoy. Since that release back in 2005, the group has gone on to release some other solid singles including "Untitled" and "Mercurian". That being said, the group's upcoming twelve-inch release, entitled Blackjoy Disco Jams, might be the group's best, since the release of Moustache. The record, which should be released in May, is definitely a lot less "house" than their past few singles and a lot more "disco", which makes a person like myself very happy. The single features two solid tracks in the african-disco influenced "Djomani" and the roller-disco grooving "Apollo Funk". Both songs on the production-side are very solid, with an overall organic 70's feel, while mainting a fresh new outlook. Overall, it's another exciting new release from a group that always tends to put out great work.

I was specifically told not give out the exact versions that appear on the record, however here is an edit that you can definitely work into a mix or radio show to get people excited.

Blackjoy - Djomani (Radio Edit)

Leo's Message of Love

Remember that hard-to-find early 80's post-disco classic from Herb Albert and Queen's Freddy Mercury. Okay, I admit I stole that analogy (from Leo Zero himself). Maybe if you don't remember that track entitled "Message of Love", it's probably because their wasn't one, however the made-up collaboration does help describe this amazing production from Leo Zero who actually samples Mr. Freddy Mercury on vocals. I actaully recieved a digital copy of this track a while back and I was pretty blown away on first listen. With that being said, I was very excited this week to see the funky track released on vinyl. I highly recommend each and everybody to go pick-up a copy of this new record, out on his Glory's Series, by Leo Zero while supplies still last. Definitely one of this year's best productions!

Leo Zero ft. Freddy Mercury - Message of Love

BUY RECORD

Lovin' the Disco Harmony

At home sick today, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Here is a couple of tracks, "Feeling Love" and "Discorgan", from L.E.B. Harmony's 1978 rare disco album "Disco Boogie". It's safe to say that this record was well ahead of it time, setting some of the foundation for the whole "cosmic-nu-disco" sound that artists like Lindstrom, Peter Visti, and the Full Pupp label have perfected so nicely. I find that this record is extremely hard-to-find and can cost a pretty penny. That being said, if you happen to be lucky enough to come across the record and you have some extra cash on hand, then this might be a high priced record that's well worth buying. Enjoy!

L.E.B. Harmony - Feeling Love
L.E.B. Harmony - Discorgan

Love to See You Dancin'

Another used twelve-inch I was excited to recently pick-up was Grey and Hanks 1978 single "Dancin'". This funky classic is probably my personal favorite from the duo made-up of Zane Grey and Len Ron Hanks. This disco cut is also featured on the group's You Fooled Me album and contains a nice groove that features a bit more funky instrumentation and a lot less lead vocals, which in this case is probably a good thing. The song has nice overall uplifting disco feel to it that can work nicely on any given dancefloor. That being said, I feel like this track goes a bit underneath the radar, so I would love to know how people feel about it.

Grey and Hanks - Dancin'

To Prove My Love

A song I've been enjoying quite a bit lately is Ned Doheny's late 70's disco classic "To Prove My Love". This funky mid-tempo gem has a bit of a Theo Vaness feel, dancefloor worthy however very smooth. This track was one of Doheny's biggest break-through hit's, originally released on his 1979 album, Prone. Some of Doheny's other great work came not as a singer himself, however as a songwriter for Chaka Khan("What Cha' Gonna Do For Me"), Tata Vega("Get It Up For Love"), and the Average White Band("A Love Of Your Own") among others. That being said, it's nice to see that Ned kept at least one of his better written songs for himself.

Ned Doheny - To Prove My Love

Enjoy the Disco Hi-Life

One of the many exciting releases I purchased this past month is Hot Casa's re-issue of Orlando Julius's funky 1976 afro-disco classic "Disco Hi-Life". This, until now, very rare track from the Nigerian Afro-funk legend is a brilliant dispaly of disco afro-beat perfection, blending together funky disco grooves with a more 70's afro-beat sound. The song breaks out all the stops with funky horn arrangements, smooth bass grooves, and plenty of conga action which makes for a nice dancefloor filler. The record consists of two versions of the song with one being the 1976 original and the other being a bit shorter 2009 edited version which I tend to favor, especially because Orlando Julius actually introduces the song himself adding a small message of "Enjoy yourself and be happy!". After one listen to this amazing song, that's exactly how you'll be feeling.

Orlando Julius - Disco Hi-Life (2009 edit)

GO BUY THE RECORD!

Got Got Money

This past year, Five Letters' 1980 disco classic "Tha Kee Tha Tha" was one of the many highlights from Stevie Kotey's excellent compilation Disco Italia: Essential Italo Disco Classics - 1977-1985. This opened many new eyes toward the 70's French disco group, as well as the other material that came from this project, which was written and produced by Claude Vallois and Denis Desrouvres. One of the many classic cuts that disco lovers could of latched onto was the group's 1979 gritty gem "Got Got Money (And I Moo)". This was the leading and self-titled track to the group's 1979 LP which was released off of Cerrone's Malligator label. "Got Got Money..." nicely blends together a dancefloor fierce groove with a driving rock-flavoured edge that helps it fall into that "disco-not-disco" category. Overall, it's one of the many solid productions produced by this successfully short-lived French disco outfit.

Five Letters - Got Got Money (And I Moo)

Coffee is the Color

Another record I was excited about recently picking up was Coffee's 1980 twelve-inch disco classic Casanova. This song was released by De-Lite Records and can also be found on the group's debut album Slippin' And Dippin'. The song "Casanova" probably remains the group's most successful hit during the group's short existence. With that being said, this is definitely one of those disco songs that basically just speaks for itself, well produced with solid vocals and a nice groove ripe for the dancefloor. Overall, a solid disco classic that I was very happy to recently snatch up. Enjoy the Coffee!

Coffee - Casanova