Never Can Say Goodbye

The last few months have been pretty hectic in my life and I apoligize for making this blog so personal over that time. The last thing I want to do is have a blog where I live my life out through posts on the internet. I promise that soon this site will get back to completely being about the music, which is what I want.

I bring this up because unfortunately I have more bad news. My uncle called and told me that my grandmother, whom raised me, is very ill and I need to come out to the east coast and see her. This is very bad news on multiple fronts. First, I love my grandmother very much and she is one of the last remaining links to a huge part of my childhood. Second, I just got reunited with my wife after being a part for three plus months and now will spend our first full weekend in our new city away from each other. Third, I have to unfortunately cancel my deejay slot at tomorrow night's Studio SF, which I was looking forward to doing, especially since it would of been the first time deejaying in this city. Anyways, as you can see it hasn't been a good twenty-four hours. However I guess that's life and you just continue to take it one thing at a time.

For all of you devoted readers out there, I apoligize for this being my last post of the week which makes two short weeks in a row. Like I said, I promise things will return to normal very soon. I have a lot of good music I'm excited about sharing and I'm also going to return to doing the Booga Beat Radio broadcasts that I had to put on hold while all my records were boxed up.

Anyways, today I'm dedicating this post to my ailing grandmother. I definitely wouldn't be the person I am if it weren't for everything she has done for me. A lot of people say that line, however it couldn't be more true when it comes to the influence my grandmother has had in my life.

So grandma, this ones for you....enjoy.

Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye

Disco...Back in Time

A couple years back a picked up a used copy of Back in Time's 1978 self-titled album. I can't really remember what the whole appeal was to the record since it has taken me some time to really get into it. That being said, a couple songs from the LP have really grown on me including "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" and the track I'm featuring today from the record "Back in Time". The title-track to the album takes some time to develop, as it features a really cheesy intro, however after the drums slowing build up and the song gets in full swing, I find myself really enjoying the overall mid-tempo groove that the song produces. I can see some not really enjoying this, however those that tend to love those disco gems produced by Cerrone, Don Ray, and Alec R. Costandinos this might be right up your alley. Anyways, I would love to know what you think about this interesting late seventies Carrere label release.

Back in Time - Back in Time

Tropical Treats

I don't know much behind this amazing new G.A.M.M. release, however this track titled "Waarewaah" by Tropical Treats is definitely one of my favorite cuts that have been released this year. This funky tropical track is the B-side to the A-side cut, which is also very good, "Afrikan Riddims". This song will only be available on this site for a very short time so I highly recommend jumping on it while you can. Also, I would recommend snatching up a copy of the twelve-inch while there is still a few left.

Tropical Treats - Waarewaah

Studio S.F. This Thursday!

Well, I'm now in San Francisco after a long weekend of moving and driving. It's safe to say that after just a few days I'm loving just about every moment of being in my new home and new city. I'm also excited to announce my first deejay gig here in SF, which will take place this Thursday at the Triple Crown (1760 Market Street). The name of the night is Studio S.F., which is a monthly night here in SF, that features a rotating cast of deejays. On Thursday I'm looking forward to sharing the decks with DJ Peeplay of HONEYSOUNDSYSTEM and Marnacle of PartyEffects.Biz. I will be spinning all the disco, italo, and funky Afro grems that you find on this blog. Since this is my first gig in SF, I hope to see all the bay area faces that have been following my blog and enjoying my edits over the years. It's always great to meet the people (in person) that continue to support me, my edits, and this blog. Anyways, it should be a really great night and I'm definitely looking forward to going out and getting my feet wet in this great new city. Hope to see you then!

Thursday October 1 & every FIRST Thursday:
Studio S.F.
@ The Triple Crown
1760 Market Street
9:30PM-2AM
$5 / Free before 10:30

RSVP HERE

Thank You Seattle!

As this week began I was hoping to do a post everyday dedicated to my time here in Seattle. However, as I sit here and write this and realized that I will be spending the next two days moving and be without a computer, this will unfortunately be my final post of the week (I believe). Therefore it would only be proper for me to end my tribute to Seattle with a song I used to end most of my nights with in Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes's 1975 "Don't Leave Me This Way". Usually I drop the Dimitri From Paris edit, which I've shared on this blog before. To change it up a bit on this post, however, I think I'll share the original. When it comes to this track, I don't know if there's a better "closer" out there and the soulful gem will always remain a favorite of mine.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Don't Leave Me This Way



That being said, I want to take the rest of this post to thank everyone I met here in Seattle. You all made my time living here a really great and joyful experience. Just to name a few: Mikey, Val, Joe, Anna, Amber, Clay, Monika, Ashley, Mario and everyone I used to spend late night's with drinking at Solo, Terry (aka H.M.A.) and all the music you introduced me to, Josh Roberts, Josh the bartender, Lisa, Tatayana, Edis, and everyone at Capitol Club kept me company this tough summer, Will, Eric and my favorite neighborhood bar Sun Liquor, Quentin for letting me take the chance and host a disco night at Havanna, Charlie and Allie for being two of my favorite people- Seattle hasn't been the same without you both, Jana for being Nacho's best friend, Gene and the ECSC, Kieran, Kurt, Riz, Jason from Suntzu Sound and Eric for letting me deejaying your birthday parties, and of course all my firends and co-workers at the Seattle Opera. My day-to-day nine-to-five just won't be the same, and to everyone I missed, Thanks...Iwill miss you all and hopefully our paths will cross sometime down the road.

And on that note, I leave all my Seattle friends with one of the cheesiest and best closing lines I've ever seen in a film, from the 1996 movie Beautiful Girls:

"Stay Cool....Stay Cool Forever"

The Seattle Files: Memory #2

It's safe to say that some of my best nights in Seattle took place last summer when me and H.M.A. where putting on the Studio! disco parties at Havanna. During the warmer months, this was home to one of the best disco weekly nights this town has seen in a while. But then again, I'm fairly biased, especially since it was my night. However, what was even more important than the night, were all the people I met and the music we shared during the duration of the weekly party. From the bartenders, to the guest deejays, to more importantly the people whom had come to party and dance, it was a good vibe all the way around. Music wise, there were many crowd favorites that me and H.M.A. would play throughout the night, so singling out a specific song for this post has definitely been challenging. That being said, one of the many songs I personally will associate with the night is Capricorn's 1980 italo gem "Pow Pow Pow". Now I understand that this is a great song, however there's something about the people that would attend Studio! on a Wednesday night that would just make them go crazy for this track. I've played it out in other cities and venues, but not to the same effect that it had on this specific crowd. A person could be walking out the door near the end of the night, and yet when I dropped this track they would turn right back around and jump back on the dancefloor. I will definitely never forget those summer nights, where for a short span of time, a small group of young people got together and partied it up to disco, even when many of us had to get up and go to work in the morning.

Capricorn - Pow Pow Pow

The Seattle Files: Memory #1

As I've shared before on this blog, I'm moving to San Francisco and I'm currently in my last three days of living in beautiful Seattle, which I will deeply miss. Usually I'm not into doing themes, however this week will be an exception as I share the songs that compliment some of my favorite Seattle memories. For one week, these upcoming posts won't be so much about the music but the memory, therefore it won't be the most "exotic" selection, however one that remains close to me and the great times I had here in the Pacific Northwest. So I hope you enjoy!

Seattle will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the place that me and my wife, Stacy, got married. Not only was it the best decision of my life to marry Stacy, but it was just as amazing decision of how we went about getting hitched. Not to bore you with details, we basically decided that we hate traditional weddings, therefore we thought we would just go to the courthouse and do the proceedings and then spend all the money that one usually spends on a grand wedding and throw the best party we could with all our friends and family. Long story short, it turned out to be a great decision as our "reception-style" party turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. Friends and family, near and far came and we all spent the night dancing and drinking until most of us were passed out. That brings me to Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band's 1976 "Cherchez La Femme/ C'est Si Bon". H.M.A. of the T.M.L. blog deejayed that night, and played this track as our "first dance". I love this song in general, however since that party, it's become even more special to both me and Stacy. The song's overall "happy mood" also captures the overall feeling of the entire night...very joyous!


Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band -
Cherchez La Femme/ C'est Si Bon

Cabana Disco Vol.03 Repress News

Thanks to everyone that has picked up a copy of my new re-edit 12" Cabana Disco Vol.03. The response has been amazing as the record continues to fly off the shelves. Due to growing demand, I have decide to do a re-pressing of the twelve-inch. That being said, it is going to be a small run of 200 copies, therefore you are going to have to jump on it as soon as this second pressing gets released, which should be in about three to four weeks. That being said, if you continue to look around, the record is still available in many stores including Phonica. While your at it, I highly recommend picking up the new twelve by The Popular People's Front entitled Sample Pleasures Part 4, which is one of my personal favorites of the year.

Stay tuned to this blog for more info regarding the repressing of the Cabana Disco Vol.03 twelve-inch as more info about the records exact release date is known.

Let It Happen

I've been a fan of Demis Roussos for quite sometime. The David Mancuso-look alike has released some amazing disco-friendly cuts during the later half of the seventies including "L.O.V.E. Got A Hold Of Me" and "I Dig You". That being said, I find that the Greek singer's music can sometimes be a bit of a "hit-or-miss". I find that I can't really get into many of his slower songs, which unfortunitely dominated the material of most of his releases. However, his uptempo and more danceable music was pretty remarkable which brings me to his 1977 album cut "Let It Happen". One of the two amazing songs (the other being "I Dig You") off his The Demis Roussos Magic LP. This funky track helps capture the brilliance of Demis Roussos when he is at his best. Looking back, I just wish he would of explored the more disco/funky-side of his music a bit more. Enjoy the weekend!

Demis Roussos - Let It Happen

The Exuma Life

Because my new love affair with Exuma never dies, here is his 1973 version of The Rolling Stones' original "You Can't Always Get What You Want". This track was featured on his Life LP, which also features another Stones' cover in "Paint It Black". It's safe to say that Exuma is very unique in his sound, and that unique sound is really captured well on this cover. As I've mentioned before, the perfect soundtrack for a campfire disco party (if one has ever existed). Regardless, an interesting and solid rendition of a popular mainstream classic.

Exuma - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Man Was Born in Africa

One of my favorite finds from my past trip to Canada this summer was a used copy of African Magic Combo's rare 1978 twelve-inch gem "Man Was Born In Africa". This was one of the records that I had never heard when I came across it. It's safe to say that from the date of it's release and the vibe I was getting from the artwork, I knew this was a twelve worth listening. I must admit that I wasn't, and still not, really into the A-side of the single which is"Man Was Born In Africa Part I" , however the B-side, which is part II of the track, really had me movin'. Part II of the single successfully cuts out all the unneccessary "pork" that Part I continues to fall back on throughout the track. Regardless, I was definitely sold on the B-side of this single and the song has become a constant favorite that I play out when I deejay. I've had thoughts about doing a possible re-edit, however we will just have to see. Anyways, enjoy!

African Magic Combo - Man Was Born in Africa pt.2

There's No Tomorrow, So Love Me Today

Here is an early rare italo disco gem from Angella Dean entitled "World X". This 1979 hi-energy track was written by Michael Logan who also wrote tracks during his career for disco/ italo artists Passengers, Jinny And The Flamboyants, and Peter Richard among others. "World X" was released as a twelve-inch single and continues to be a very hard original to find. Enjoy!

Angella Dean - World X

Let's Meet at the Café

One of my favorite restaurants is the Cuba Cafe located in the Chelsea district of Manhattan. On top of having amazing food, I feel like the decor of the place would make for a very interesting disco nightclub. I picture many great songs making up the place's soundtrack, including this track, D.D. Sound's 1978 extended disco gem "Café". Not Cuban, however very tropical in sounding, this funky fifteen minute-plus track excursion remains to be one of my personal favorites from the group. I find myself really enjoying all the percussion breakdowns and build-ups throughout the song. Even though I would have to say that the "Burning Love" track is my all-time favorite from the group, I can't imagine one can ignore the brilliance of this extended disco classic. Now I will go back to re-imagining my perfect Cuban-influenced nightclub.

D.D. Sound - Café

Seattle Goodbye Party - TONIGHT!

This Friday, September 11th(TONIGHT!) at Capitol Club (414 E. Pine St), will be my last deejay gig in Seattle (at least as a resident). I guess you can say it's my "unoffical" Goodbye party. I will be deejaying alongside a good friend and great deejay in DJ Edis, where we will be spinning disco all night long. Therefore, I hope to see all the great people and friends I've been lucky enough to meet, here in Seattle, out to wish me a fond farewell. It's been a great ride and it's safe to say that I will always love Seattle, the place I called home for 3 years. More importantly, I will miss all the amazing people that made my time here that much more enjoyable. So come hangout and share one last drink (or many) with me.

Friday, September 11, 2009
Capitol Club
"TJ Gorton Goodbye Party"
w/ deejays Pat Les Stache & DJ Edis
414 E. Pine 10pm - 2am
No Cover

Official Event Page

Get Down Boy...Don't You Stop

From time to time I like to repost a track, especially if requested by many, that maybe someone missed downloading on the first go-around. That being said, here is The Paper Dolls 1977 disco classic "Get Down Boy". This song was arranged by none other than Patrick Adams and produced by Tyson Records owner/founder Harvey Miller. The song continues to be a personal favorite of mine, and I often play the track out in my mixes. For those that don't know, there is also an excellent extended re-edit of the song by Love On The Run on Prins Thomas's Cosmo Galactic Prism compilation. Enjoy the weekend and hopefully I will see all the Seattle folks tonight for my last Taster's Choice party.

The Paper Dolls - Get Down Boy

Cabana Disco Vol.03 Out Now!

I'm excited to announce that Cabana Disco Vol.03 is now out in stores! This record consists of three edits in which I've previously posted on this site including D-R-U-M's "Lalabye", John Ozila's "Funky Boogie", Kabbala's "Ashewo Ara". The record has an overall Afro-disco vibe, which I've obviously really been into lately. The twelve-inch record, in my opinion, represents some of my best re-editing work. I did a super-limited pressing of only 300 copies, therefore I recommend scoring yourself a copy before they are all gone.

Buy the record at these and many other fine locations:
Juno Records
Piccadilly Records
Phonica Records

Going Back To My Roots

I posted the six minute version of Lamont Dozier's 1977 "Going Back To My Roots" a few years back on this blog, however I've never shared the extended nine-plus minute version that is featured on his Peddlin' Music On The Side album. This extended version of the track remains an all-time favorite of mine. You can almost slice the song in two parts, one being the funky soul beginning and the second half which is like a heavy Afro-beat jam. Both movements of the song are absolutely amazing and surprisingly compliment each other nicely. This is one of those tracks that never quite get tired of hearing in it's entirety. Enjoy!

Lamont Dozier - Going Back To My Roots

Back To Gipsylon

In a year filled with many record re-issues of lost forgotten disco classics, you can add at least one more to the bunch as Number One Ensemble's 1980 early italo disco classic Gipsylon gets repressed and re-issue in the coming weeks. Even though I tend to hold out for original pressings, because there's nothing much like it, I must admit that this re-issue might worth snatching up, especially because the original can be quite expensive (if even found of course). This early italo gem features multiple classic cuts, including "Flor De Coca", "Back to Heaven", and "Gipsy", that really helped further pave the way for the italo-disco sound. In a year flood with disco re-issues, this might just be one of the few worth snatching up.

Number One Ensemble - Flor De Coca

Question Jam Answer

I thought I would post the whole version of Fela Kuti & The Africa 70's "Question Jam Answer" after playing an excerpt of the thirteen-plus minute Afro-beat gem on the last Booga Beat Radio broadcast. This song is featured on Kuti's 1975 Music of Fela: Volume 2 record. I was really excited to find an original used copy of this LP over the weekend. I wasn't really aware of this record prior to finding it, however after just a few listens since owning it, I must say the record is very impressive. All three tracks, that make up the entirety of the album, have that "Fela Kuti signature" Afro-beat that made him such an influential musician. This is definitely the kind of record that can make a long Sunday afternoon of crate-digging well worth it. Enjoy!

Fela Kuti - Question Jam Answer

Booga Beat Radio - Sept. 06, 2009

This week's Booga Beat Radio broadcast tackles many rare and funky cuts including personal favorites Black Blood's "Wela Wela", Afrique's "Soul Makossa", and Black Soul's "People" to name a few. Please continue to let me know what you think and if you have any requests for the show. Hope you enjoy!

Booga Beat Radio - September 06, 2009


Playlist
------------------
1. Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - Question Jam Answer
2. King Sporty & the Root Rockers - Get on Down
3. Louie Ramirez - Do It Any Way You Wanna
4. Yambu - Sunny
5. Afrique - Soul Makossa
6. Black Blood - Wela Wela
7. Matsubara - S.O.S. (Society of Soul)
8. Kongas - Jungle
9. Muscle Shoals Horns - Break Down
10. Blackjoy - Aollo Funk
11. Daniel Jackson Explosion - Hymm For Africa
12. Black Soul - People

African Scream Contest

In a year that has featured many great African/ Nigerian compilations, one that has really stood out to me is Analog Africa 's African Scream Contest. This compilation, which was compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb, borders bewteen rare African funk, psychedelic grooves, and a bit of raw afro-beat. The record captures many of the great rare cuts from Benin and Togo during the seventies. The compilation's opening track "Mi Kple Dogbekpo" by Lokonon André & Les Volcans is a personal favorite and a great preview track to the sounds that you'll hear throughout the entire record. As far as compilations go, this is definitely one of my favorites of the year and I highly reccomend checking it out when you have the chance. Enjoy the long weekend!

Lokonon André & Les Volcans - Mi Kple Dogbekpo

The Street Dance

The Fatback Band released many great tracks during the seventies including the amazing "Spanish Hustle" in 1975, which happens to be a personal favorite of mine. Another single that I really enjoy from this group is the 1972 funky cut "Street Dance". This track was originally included on the group's first record Let's Do It Again, and was the song that pretty much helped launch the group's outstanding career. The song has that signature funky "fatback band-groove" ontop of what sounds like a New York "block-party" type gathering. With only a few warm days left in the year, I guess this would be a perfect track for those end-of-summer parties. Enjoy!

The Fatback Band - Street Dance

Moving to San Francisco

So, the "Cat is out of the bag", as they say at this point. As of September 26th, my new home will be San Francisco, CA. For the last few years I've resided in Seattle, WA., which is an amazing and beautiful city, however it's probably safe to say that my heart has always resided in Northern California. That's where I grew up, went to school, and have spent twenty-five of my twenty-eight years living. A very few who actually know me really well, know that I've been looking forward to this move for quite sometime for numerous personal reasons. I will definitely miss Seattle. During the warmer months, I can't say that I've been in a more beautiful U.S. city. I will get to visit often however, with me maintaining my job here with the opera and working remotely. Nothing regarding the blog or the Cabana Disco releases will change, just where I operate from. I don't have concrete plans as far as what I plan to do or get involved with when I move to the city, I suppose I will approach each idea and opportunity as I've always done, one day and one step at a time. With that being said my last deejay performance in Seattle before I leave will be September 11th at the Capitol Club. I hope to see all my Seattle friends, who I will miss very dearly, come out and wish me a safe journey. The countdown to my remaining days living here in Seattle and my arrival in San Francisco has definitely begun. I guess if your going to move, it's great to move from one amazing city to another. Start the clock.

Don't Stop...Cause It Feels So Good

Ever since hearing Ish Ledesma's 1979 track "Don't Stop", I've always felt like this is what Prince would sound like if he ever would of went full-on disco. Maybe it's just me, however I hear similarities between the two artists in the song's verses. Regardless, it's a great track that was originally included on Ish's self-titled record, which was also released in 1979. I find that the song continues to get better and better with each and every listen. Hopefully you'll feel the same.

Ish - Don't Stop

Introducing Booga Beat Radio

I'm excited to announce and share with everyone this new mock-radio show, tentatively titled Booga Beat Radio. Basically every week I am going to pre-record and post a radio show-like type broadcast showcasing choice selections from my ever growing record collection. This radio show, for now, won't be live, however pre-recorded live out of my bedroom. The focus won't be the mix as I plan to do little as far as mixing. Instead I will be focusing more on the songs themselves, much like I do here on this blog. That's not to say, I won't do any mixing, it's just not the focus of this specific weekly show. Even though I will showcase a lot of the music I have shared on this blog, I'm going to also try to branch out a little bit and showcase my growing love for African, Latin, and funky jazz music. Basically anything that I feel like sharing.

Hopefully this radio show will continue to grow and turn into a live broadcast. Please Let me know what you think. I'm basically learning as I go.

With that being said, here is my first broadcast of Booga Beat Radio. I pretty much "winged" this first one. Look for each and every consecutive one to get more and more polished as I go. I hope you enjoy!

Booga Beat Radio - September 01, 2009


Playlist
------------------
1. Exuma - Exuma, The Obeah Man
2. Gil Scott-Heron - Whitey On The Moon
3. African Magic Combo - Man Was Born in Africa Pt. 2
4. Black Blood - A.I.E Mwana (Strangelove & Flamingo Edit)
5. Kaylan - Sweet Music
6. Barrabas - Wild Safari
7. King Sporty & the Root Rockers - Fire Keep On Burning
8. Tomas Ledin - Unknown? (Rune Lindbæk Edit)
9. John Ozila - Funky Boogie (Pat Les Stache Edit)
10. Hot R.S. - Slow Blow (Phantom Slasher Edit)
11. The Brothers - Under the Skin
12. Crystal Grass - Crystal World
13. Exuma - Obeah, Obeah, O