Dimitri From Paris - Cocktail Disco download free

Notes from Dimitri From Paris as posted on DiscoStyle.com (Link: http://www.discostyle.com/cd/compilation/dimitri-from-paris-cocktail-disco.asp) CD PREVIEW ::: Dimitri From Paris presents COCKTAIL DISCO Format: 2xCD Forthcoming Formats: Vinyl LP downloads Release Date 2007-06-04 Published by BBE Records UK by Dimitri From Paris Posted: 06.05.07 I realized I was going to a second hand record store, with the same mindset as going to a shop specialized in new releases. I was looking for something new, but in a place that carried essentially old things! By "new" of course, I mean fresh and unheard of, and although there are quite a few things on my want list I'd be happy to tick off, I find it more exciting to discover that good song that is not on there. There is some kind of evolution in music collecting, the more you complete one genre, the more you move to a sub genre, a sub, sub genre, eventually branching out to different musical paths, to avoid being stuck in dead ends. It turns out records I would overlook a few years back, are the ones I feverishly hunt now ! One of many such sub genres I grew up to love over the years, is a type of Disco that I could best describe as Cocktail Disco. I believe this style was called Sleaze back in its days, from roughly 1976 to 1979. There were even DJs specialized in the Sleaze sound which was usually played after hours, in spots with a strong sex oriented drive. Cocktail Disco has that ubiquitous 4/4 beat and flying open high hat, complemented by rich orchestrations, campy over the top vocals, and an often tropical latin vibe. Something that wouldn't feel out of place in a broadway musical. Typical examples can be found in the various works of New York producer August Darnell AKA Kid Creole (and the coconuts). Major acts like Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, Vince Montana's early Salsoul projects, Manhattan Transfer all had a strong hand in championing that sound to the larger media. Major acts inevitably spawned smaller ones trying to follow with a similar sound, and hence an identifiable genre was born. The indie label releases usually meant lower producing budgets, which translated in less polished recordings giving the music a rawer, more appealing sound to me. Mix tricks from other genres were emerging: heavier drums, louder percussion, climaxing breaks... as if compensating for the cheaper orchestral sections. Two years ago I was invited for a guest slot on my friend's RadioRoro internet show and decided to make a Cocktail Disco hour. One continuous set of this music sounded real sweet, and with a surprising amount of positive feedback combined with the lack of exposure of this genre, I decided to put together a compilation project to further expose it. The focus is more on the indie and harder to find songs rather than on the major players which have been thouroughly compiled or re-issued. The Blue Velvets - Summertime ( Original LP version) 1979 Equally sought after as the infamous Board of Directors 12" from same stable. Here comes this lush cover of George Gershin's evergreen classic from the Porgy & Bess Broadway show. To my knowledge, this remake only came on Blue Velvets' one and only album titled "Change". The Vast Majority - Ocean's Apart (Original 12" version) 1975 The Vast Majority is a disco orchestra in the same vein as Salsoul's or Love Unlimited. Although sounding very similar, Ocean's Apart was one of the first record to cater to the djs. Ms Victoria Barnes - Never Too Late (Original 12" version) A very obscure singer on a equally obscure 12" ! Although no further information was found in regards to this song, the B side to" Save it for me", is a true Coktail Disco song, latin flavored and Diva led. Astrud Gilberto - The Girl From Ipanema (Original 12" version) 1977 A unusual disco stint from the queen of Bossa Nova. Taking a song she made herself popular on numerous recordings, she beautifully remakes it over a Philly sound backing courtesy of master arranger and vibraphonist Vince Montana Jr. Rhoda Scott - C'est Si Bon (Original 12" version) 1976 An old 50's song that despite the french hook (c'est si bon=it's so good) is American. Rhoda Scott also from the US, spent most of her time recording in France. A famous keyboardist, her thing was to play crazy basslines on the church organ pedals with her bare feet. That Disco version of C'est si bon was produced in France. Darcus - It's Got To Be Love (Original 12" version) 1977 A early disco production from Richie Rome. I suspect the act Darcus was with Ritchie Family (the Philadelphia's Sigma sound studio session players). To my knowledge, it was only released as a 7" single and a promo 12" featured here. Marti Lynn - Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (Original 12" version) 1979 Written by Leslie Bricusse, famous for having penned the Goldfinger James Bond theme. "Who can I turn to" is lifted from a forgotten musical, and is superbly re-done by one hit Disco wonder Marty Linn. A DJ friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download. Paul Mauriat Plus- The Joy Of You (Original 12" version) 1978 Paul Mauriat is the french Frank Pourcel i.e. a king of orchestral elevator music. Chances are there are a bunch of his records gathering dust in thrift shops worldwide.The genre was quite popular in the late 70's, and inevitably Mauriat did his Disco thing backed with pretty solid UK musicians as you will hear. J. Elliott Group - Disco Village (Original 12" version) Disco Village is possibly the biggest easy listening classic, created by Tiki master Les Baxter. It's been cover numerous times, including a great version by Ritchie Family that almost made it here (rain check on this one) The J Elliot is definitely the more dubby and rarer of the two. Charlie's Roots - Show You The Way to Go ( Original LP version) 1978 Produced by Ellis Chow Linn who sadly passed away very recently (RIP). This mostly instrumental remake of The Jacksons' song is lifted from a pretty straight up Calypso album, hence the predominant steel drums that give it a sweet lazy feel. The Band That Fell To Earth - Starflight (Original 12" version) 1977 One of the longest 12" in history (if not THE longest) that clocks at a whopping 17+ minutes and is as rare as it's long ! An intsrumental disco jam packed with drumbreaks, it could honestly do with half the length, but is featured uncut to keep its anecdotic appeal. Cindy Rodriguez - What You Need Is My Love (Original 12" version) On same label and with same producer as Charanga 76 and Milton Hamilton which I previously compiled comes Cindy Rodriguez. A 12" release that's a bit more latin and less dubby than others from same origin, nonetheless the Latin Disco flavor is at its strongest here. Jobell & The Orchestra de Salsa - Never Gonna Let You Go (Original 12" version) 1976 Another 12" and excellent example of Disco Salsa. Traditional Salsa bands don't have a drummer but use Latin percussionists. The simple addition of a classic drum kit (kick, snare etc..) usually turns Salsa into Latin Disco-Presto ! Ralfi Pagan - Take Me With You (Original 12" version) 1978 We stay again into my fave Latin tinged Disco territory with Ralfi Pagan, on a very obscure californian 12" (although the song is in a pretty short format). Mr Pagan was mostly known for his work on Nu-Yorican Salsa label Fania. The Ritchie Family - Frenesi ( Original LP version) 1975 The name Ritchie Family came from Philadelphia arranger Ricthie Rome and his session musicians who were the same as Gamble & Huff's, MFSB's and Salsoul's Orchestra's hence the striking similarity in sound. The project was initiated by French producer Jacques Morali who later gave the world Village People, and subsequent Ritchie Family albums that adapted to the trends in dance music. My exclusive remix of this track will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download. Ray Martinez & Friends - Lady Of The Night (Hey Honey Come Gimme Money) (Original 12" version) Out of Florida, Ray Martinez was a producer of dancefloor effective disco on TK records . He made a comeback in the 80's under his own guise with productions that are more latin influenced and very reminiscent of a sound August Darnell of Kid Creole and Coconuts fame made popular. Serenade - Canteen (Original 12" version) Out of Detroit from an indie label comes this gem of a 12 inch. A delightful hand designed the cover. It has great musicianship, and as a result, has the rawness of a home recording filled with spontaneity. Check Joey Negro's Soul Of Disco compilation for the other song on that record. Nightfall - Keep It Up (Original 12" version) 1977 Only acoustic disco production from Eric Matthew featuring the musicians that would later form Gary's Gang. The vocal and lush mid-tempo ochestration are quite charming and despite pretending to be about a dancer, the lyrics are particularly "risqué" for 1977 ! A DJ friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as a digital download. Private Pink - Little High Things (Original 12" version) 1977 Sometimes I wonder what makes me pick a record that looks like nothing, and in the bargain section of a shop where usually the worst records end. When I heard it wondered how long it stayed there too. With a killer breakbeat intro, "Little High Things" moves on lead by a horn-y lead synth to a vocal climax. A dj friendly edit of this will be available on the Vinyl edition and as digital download. Moses - Something About You (Original 12" version) Another sought after 12" here, this is actually the the B-side to "Love to live" compiled by my friend Joey Negro. Very soulful early Disco that has a Philly style backing with great vocal harmonies reminiscent of the doo-wop groups The Night People - Again (Original 12" version) 1980 Earl Young is the most influencial, and recognisable drummer in disco history. From MFSB to Salsoul, he played on countless hits, and 99% of House music beats owe something to his style. This song though is a bit of an oddity. Produced and sung by him in a super smooth baritone voice, it sounds much more coming from a broadway musical than from the streets of Philly. The girls love it ! Jonelle Allen - Baby, I Just Wanna Love You (Original 12" version) 1978 We end here in a downtempo fashion, Hollywood style rich orchestration by Maestro Charles Veal (i.e. George Duke, Webster Lewis, Gladys Knight) and super tight backing. Time to unwind. All tracks on CD 1 and 2 are full lenghth, unmixed and unedited BBE will be jointly releasing two limited doublepack vinyl sets which will include all of the CDs songs. Three choice cuts will feature DJ friendly edits and Richie Family's Frenesi will be exclusively remixed from its original masters Tracklist DISC 1: 01 The Blue Velvets - Summertime (4:25) 02 The Vast Majority - Ocean's Apart (5:24) 03 Ms Victoria Barnes - Never Too Late (5:39) 04 Astrud Gilberto - The Girl From Ipanema (5:52) 05 Rhoda Scott - C’est Si Bon (6:19) 06 Darcus - It's Got To Be Love (7:35) 07 Marti Lynn - Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (8:01) 08 Paul Mauriat Plus - The Joy Of You (4:06) 09 J. Elliott Group - Disco Village (7:03) 10 Charlie's Roots - Let Me Show You The Way (4:45) 11 The Band That Fell To Earth - Starflight (17:38) DISC 2: 12 Cindy Rodriguez - What You Need Is My Love (7:48) 13 Jobell & The Orchestra de Salsa - Never Gonna Let You Go (4:58) 14 Ralfi Pagan - Take Me With You (3:48) 15 The Ritchie Family - Frenesi (7:49) 16 Ray Martinez & Friends - Lady Of The Night (Hey Honey Come Gimme Money)(11:32) 17 Serenade - Canteen (5:30) 18 Nightfall - Keep It Up (5:26) 19 Private Pink - Little High Things (3:15) 20 Moses - Something About You (5:00) 21 The Night People - Again (4:56) 22 Jonelle Allen - Baby, I Just Wanna Love You (5:58) Total Time: 2 hours and 22 Minutes Listen to sample(s) now at BBE Mastered by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering Compiled by Dimitri from Paris for La French House of Entertainment Project Coordinator Peter Adarkwah Graphic Design Julien Da Silva Art Direction Kunzel and Degas 2007© Dimitri from Paris Reprinted and edited by DiscoStyle.com by permission