Best of 2009

So here we are at the end of another year, and even another decade. It's safe to say that was another good year for disco/nu disco. Many solid re-edits, albums, twelve-inch originals, and compilations. One of the toughest assignments I've had in a while was going back through the entire year to pick out my top favorites. I know that I definitely missed at least of handful releases that should be on this list, but it's pretty challenging to wrap an entire year of new releases in one blog post. That being said, even though this is a "Best of..." list, it should be really titled a "Favorites" list as these choices are purely based on my opinion. Please feel free to leave your lists and records I might of forgotten in the comments section.

As for me, it was a pretty tough year with moving to San Francisco and having both my Grandmothers passing within three months of each other. However, musically it was a great year, releasing two more Cabana Disco twelves (with more to come in 2010), collecting many great records to my forever growing collection, and the discover of new artists, releases, and sub-genres like Afro-beat, 70's African Funk, Latin Jazz, and many others. This year I tried to not only post rare disco classics but songs and genres that I felt crossed over and expanded the boundaries. This year funky world music compilations were popping up left and right and I found myself enjoying most of them. As I continue to grow musically, I hope my readers choose to do the same. Disco is always where my heart is, however I find sometimes that it can truly be refreshing when you step out of the usual arenas and explore something new. I will continue to try to do this in the next year, posting more funky African/Latin and even jazz tracks alongside the disco gems and re-edits that I come across. I hope this blog has been helpful this year in exposing you to disco and new music in general. Continue to come back in 2010 as this blog, which is now in it's 4th year continues to evolve. Thanks for all the support throughout the year and I hope everyone has a great and safe New Years! Enjoy!

Best/ Favorites of 2009
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Album of the Year: Faze Action - Stratus Energy (mp3)
LP of the Year: Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - II
Twelve-inch of the Year: Blackjoy - Blackjoy Disco Jams 12" (mp3)
Re-Edit Twelve of the Year: The Popular Peoples Front - Love EP (mp3)
Re-Edit Album of the Year: Loud E - Loudefied Album
Compilation of the Year: Various - Tumbele! (Soundway)
Record Label of the Year: Soundway

Best of the Rest...
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TTJ (Todd Terje) Edits - Like An Eagle 12" (mp3)
Baris K - Eurasia EP
Pat Les Stache - Cabana Disco vol.03 12" (mp3)
DJ Spinna - The Boogie Back (Compilation) (mp3)
Prince Language/ Lee Douglas - On The Double 12"
Still Going - Spaghetti Circus 12"
Ooft/The Revenge - Part Three 12"
Al Kent - Secret Sounds Album (mp3)
Daniel Wang - The Best Of Balihu 1993-2008 (Compilation)
Horse Meat Disco - Horse Meat Disco pt. 1 12"
Altair Nouveau - Space Fortress 12"
Orlando Julius - Disco Hi Life 12" (mp3)
Arthur Russell - Is It All Over My Face (Slow to Speak)
Leo Zero - Glory's 03 12" (mp3)
Wild Geese - Macho Disaster Master 12"
Ray Mang - Mangled Again Album
Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - Tirsdagsjam (mp3)
Various - Panama! 2 & 3 (Soundway Compilations) (mp3)
Various - African Scream Contest (Compilation) (mp3)
Rubber Room - Taliban Discotheque 12"
Pax Nicholas & The Nettey Family - Na Teef Know De Road Of Teef: Part One LP
Tony Allen & Jim Tenor - Inspiration Information LP
Mulatu Astatke - New York Addis London LP (mp3)
Various - Africa Boogaloo (Compilation)
Frankie Francis/Simbad - Fiesta Angola 12"
Tom Noble - Africa Bump 12"
Fat Camp - Anorak Edits vol.03 12" (mp3)
New Found Land - Wings 12"
Tropical Treats - Afrikan Riddims 12" (mp3)
Mad Mats - The Blue Eyed Soul EP
Afrobutt (Steve Kotey) - Wunderbutt Album

Like An Eagle

Leading up to my year end "Best of 2009" post, which I'll be making tomorrow, is a recently released re-edit twelve-inch titled TTJ Edits by Todd Terje. This record features three solid edits including a much anticipated vinyl release of Terje's edit of Dennis Parker's disco classic "Like An Eagle". Terje's edit of "Like An Eagle" has been floating around the internet and the blogs for at least a few years now with much praise, therefore it's nice to see that the edit has finally seen a proper release. Todd Terje edits never seem to disappoint, and this release is no different. Therefore this twelve is one of my favorite releases of 2009 and highly recommended!

Dennis Parker - Like An Eagle (Todd Terje Edit)

Shoot The Pump

I hope everybody had a great holiday break, mine was low-key and relaxing, just the way I like it. The only thing I didn't do enough during my four-day mini vacation was enough record hunting. That being said, the little that I did payed off with me scoring an original copy of J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz's twelve-inch classic Shoot The Pump. This 1981 funky latin gem was recently featured on Soul Jazz's excellent compilation New York Latin Hustle!. Overall it was a nice find on an otherwise minimal week of crate digging.

J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz - Shoot The Pump

Merry Christmas

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

Demanding the Goods

Well this is going to be another short week, with Christmas approaching and a lot of shopping still to do. I guess that's the way it goes, around this time of the year. That being said, with all the days off that I've recieved from work, I can really get into this short week thing. Anyways, here is a funky instrumental gem, "Disco Socks" by Omni, from the recently re-released Al Kent compilation series Disco Demands. This track was featured on volume one of the four-part series. This is just one of the many standout cuts featured on the compilation which also includes solid tracks like The Chocolate City Connection's "Take The Music to the Party", Mr. Q's "Party Party", JDV and Friends' "Disco Beat", and Puff's "In The Mood" among many others. Overall Disco Demands is a solid compilation series that features many rare disco cuts that can be extremely hard to hunt down individually.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

Omni- Disco Socks (Al Kent Edit)

Funk In The Right Direction

One of the many great reissues to surface this year is SJOB Movement's "A Move In The Right Direction". This funky Nigerian-based group originally released the rare album in 1970, however thanks to the good people at Academy LPs in New York we can all now enjoy the amazing classic. Overall the whole record is very funky and blends the lines between African funk, disco, and Afrobeat with standout cuts like "Country Love", "Omo Loro (To Nje Eyin Awo)", and my personal favorite "Stone Funk". Up until now this record was nearly impossible to find, therefore I highly recommend picking up a copy of the reissue while supplies remain.

SJOB Movement - Stone Funk

There's a Fire Down Below

Back from a nice break off. Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes. I ended up having a nice relaxing day consisting of record store shopping, Mexican food, and plenty of tasty drinks. Anyways, I always find this time of the year becomes quite hectic with the upcoming holidays and New Year. It's probably about time I start paying tribute to some of my favorite releases of 2009. After looking back on this year I found that I got really into funky world music thanks to labels like Soundway, Strut, and Honest Jon's among others. I found myself trying to constantly crossover rare African, Latin, or Caribbean music with funky disco gems. This whole process has been quite challenging, yet very refreshing and exciting, not to mention still a work in progress. Regardless, one of the new of the many compilations I found myself enjoying this year was Soundway's Panama! 3 release. This compilation focused on Calypso Panameño, Guajira Jazz and Cumbia Típica on the Isthmus from 1960–75. Now many of those music genres sounded very foreign to me, therefore the way I would break it down is describing it as rare tropical Latin jazz-funk (if that helps simplify it at all?). I found myself constantly putting this record on and trying to dissect each and every track. I'm not going to go into each and every song that moved me, as there were many, however I will just say that I recommend everyone giving it a listen and a chance. It might not be disco, however it's definitely funky and if you can somehow successfully work a song or two from a compilation like this in a disco set I think it could be powerful. Anyways, Enjoy!

Lord Panama & The Stickers - Fire Down Below

Ella Fue, She Was The One

This will be my last post for the week as tomorrow is my 29th Birthday and I'm taking the rest of the week off. It's been quite a busy six-plus months for me, therefore as usual, I appreciate everyone who has supported me, my edits, and this blog throughout the years, and especially the last few months. I really appreciate it.

Anyways, here is a great Latin disco crossover track, titled "Ella Fue (She Was The One)", from one of the genre's finest in Fania All-Stars. This track was featured on one of the group's best records Rhythm Machine back in 1979 and features Mongo Santamaria notably on congas. Out of all the Fania tracks that I've heard or collected, "Ella Fue (She Was The One)" might just be their most crossover track. Regardless, when it comes to funky Latin music, you generally can't go wrong with Fania All-Stars and in this instance, you certainly can't go wrong with this classic cut. Enjoy your weekend!

Fania All-Stars - Ella Fue (She Was The One)

Your Middle Name Is Money

Here is one of the many solid disco tracks, titled "Your Middle Name Is Money", released by Alec R. Costandinos' produced group Love & Kisses. This track was released off the group's 1979 album You Must Be Love. Other standout cuts from the record include "You Must Be Love", and "Ooh La La La La". I usually find that Love & Kisses' records only sell for a few dollars and in certain cities, like San Francisco, can be fairly easy to hunt down. In this tough economy, their records are great purchases, as you receive quality disco music from one of the genre's finest producers and in the end, it won't break the bank. Enjoy the love....

Love & Kisses - Your Middle Name Is Money

Dance to the Freestyle Rhythm

First off, thanks for all the kind words towards my re-edits. Keep downloading them and keep playin'em! Like I said on Friday, I have plenty more to come, so keep checking back as I plan to add a bunch more between now and February. That being said, it's been a long day, therefore I think I'm going to try keep this post short. Here is a classic cut that doesn't need a lot of explanation in Mantus's late seventies cut "(Dance It) Freestyle Rhythm". The track was featured as a twelve-inch single and as a part of the group's debut LP Midnight Energy. Overall it's a solid disco gem that includes some of the best instrumental breaks you can find. Enjoy!

Mantus - (Dance It) Freestyle Rhythm

Pat Les Stache Re-Edit Collection

Here is most of my edits that I've released on either the Cabana Disco Series and/or on this blog. Please feel free to download as many as you like and use them for whatever you like (mixes, disco nights, your own enjoyment). Thanks to all that have supported me and picked up any one of the current three Cabana Disco releases. There's plenty more to come, so stay tuned to this page. Enjoy!

Buari - Advice From Father (Pat Les Stache Re-edit)


Chocolat's - African Choco (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Black Soul - Black Soul Music (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Kabbala - Ashewo Ara (Pat Les Stache Re-edit)


Tony Rallo & Midnite Band -Burnin' Alive(Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


John Ozila - Funky Boogie (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


D-R-U-M - Lalabye (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Arthur Russell - Make 1,2(Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


John Davis - Ain't That Enough(Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Celso Valli - Pasta E Fagioli (Pat Les Stache Re-edit)


Michael Zager Band - Soul to Soul(Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Shîtan - Disco Shîtan (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Nightlife Unlimited - Love Is In You (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Black Ivory - What Goes Around (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Bamboo - Hey Hey Hey (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Gepy &Gepy - African Love Song (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Lovin' In The Jungle (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)


Tangerue-Everynight, Everyday(Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)

Let's Go Another Round

Here is another solid Patrick Adams produced cut in Rainbow Brown's "Let's Go Another Round". This is the Tom Moulton extended mix of the 1981 funky gem. As you can see, there is some true heavyweight's on this track with Adams and Moulton, which almost always leads to greatness. The track was originally released on the group's self-titled album which includes vocals by Fonda Rae, Christine Wiltshire, and Ullande McCullough among others. Overall this is one of those early eighties Patrick Adams produced signature tracks that never seem to get old. Through some solid mixing by Moulton and you got yourself a true classic. Enjoy!

Rainbow Brown - Let's Go Another Round (Tom Moulton Mix)

Brothers on the Slide

It's safe to say that Cymande's 1972 funky cut "Bra" is an instant classic. For the longest time, "Bra" was the only song that I had enjoyed from the London-based group. However more recently, I snatched up a used copy of the group's 1974 album Promised Heights and really found myself enjoying what I heard. The funky album includes some solid soulful and funky tracks including "Pon De Dungle", "Equatorial Forest", "Shesnamani", and today's featured song "Brothers On The Slide". With this eye-opening purchase of Promised Heights, I look forward to checkout more from this funky group.

Cymande - Brothers on the Slide

Burnin' The Night

Here is a new edit that I finished of Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band's funky disco cut "Burnin' Alive ". The original was featured as the title track off the group's 1979 Casablanca Records released album. I've been working on-and-off on this edit for a little over a year, therefore I was very pleased to finally finish it up. I would love to hear some feedback on it. Also feel free to share it and play it out as much as you like. Enjoy!

Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band - Burnin' Alive (Pat Les Stache Edit)

Hold On To Your Dreams

I've been spending a lot of my free time lately reading the new Arthur Russell biography Hold On To Your Dreams by Tim Lawrence. As I write this I'm about half way through the book and I'm enjoying every single moment of it. The biography is a very fascinating and revealing look into Arthur's life, his influences, his music, and the people that surrounded him. With each and every page, author Tim Lawrence does an amazing job of highlighting the most intimate details of Arthur's life and music. I hope to do a full review once I finish the book (which will hopefully be soon). In my opinion, Arthur Russell is one of the greatest musicians to ever walk the earth, and unfortunately I will never get the opportunity to meet him. However, Hold On To Your Dreams is giving me probably the closest thing with a true account into Arthur's life. I highly recommend anybody who is interested in Arthur Russell, his music, and/or the downtown avant-garde or disco scenes to pick-up a copy of this fascinating book.

Here is the extended bootleg edit of Arthur Russell's (under the name Indian Ocean) classic cut "Treehouse" which was recently included on The Sleeping Bag Sessions LP. Enjoy!

Indian Ocean - Treehouse (Extended Bootleg Edit)

African Zombie

I haven't had much time to update this blog this week. My work-related visit to Seattle has been a bit more hectic than I expected. I certainly do apoligize as this will robably be my last post until Monday. Anyways, if I have to cut out early, what better way then to end the week with a Fela Kuti classic. Here is his 1977 Afro-beat classic "Zombie". This track, in my opinion, is one of his best tracks that he ever wrote. The song was the title track to the 1977 record that also feature solid cuts "Monkey Banana", and "Everything Scatter". Overall, another gem from Afro-beat's finest.

Fela Kuti & Afrika 70 - Zombie

Daniel Wang in SF Tonight

The good news is that Daniel Wang, the mastermind behind Balihu Records, is deejaying in San Francisco tonight. The bad news is that I'm stuck in Seattle, therefore missing tonight's party at The Triple Crown (1772 Market Street). Playing along side of Wang will be Honeysoundsystem's Ken Vulsion and dj M3 which also is a nice treat. Well since I'm missing out, doesn't mean you should. I recommend each in everyone that resides in the bay to go to this event. It should be a pretty amazing night. I on the other hand will be shopping for a new coat in order to deal with the cold Pacific Northwest. Enjoy!

Daniel Wang - In The Street

Air Power Boogie

I've had a very long day as I get ready for my three day trip up to Seattle. That being said, I still have plenty of things to get finished before I leave tomorrow morning so I'm going to keep this short with Air Power's 1979 disco classic "Be Yourself". I picked up original copy of this single a couple years back and have been enjoying it ever since. Enjoy!

Air Power - Be Yourself