The World of Arthur Russell

The denizen of a strange netherworld when an experimental composer and at other times - LOOSE JOINTS, DINOSAUR L, LOLA...- the host of NY's freakiest nights, Arthur Russell was one of the pivotal figure and most impressive talent of NYC's downtown scene.

Born in Iowa, Russell sudied cello and music before moving to San Fransisco in the early seventies where he reportedly worked in conjunction with JOHN CAGE and ALLEN GINSBERG while studying Indian music at the Ali Akbar Khan School. Accordingly those two conections are traceable in works such as WORLD OF ECHO or TOWER OF MEANING that have both a distinctive experimental taint and a taste for the infinite.

After moving to New York in the late seventies, Russell became acquainted with music greats such as DAVID BYRNE, RHYS CHATHAM or JON GIBSON and this lead to the release in 1984 of INSTRUMENTALS a collection of tracks performed between 1975 and 1979.
However, despite his classical music pedigree, Russell first made a mark on the audience when taking part to the underground disco scene under a variety of monikers such as LOOSE JOINTS, LOLA or DINOSAUR L. Though his first disco release is reported to be KISS ME AGAIN on SIRE, it is really Loose Joints' Is it all over my Face? that put him under the limelight blessed as it was on its remix edition by two faultless LARRY LEVAN remixes.

Another stunning disco classic and one with an extremely leftfield production is DINOSAUR L's Go Bang, a track engraved into downtown's pantheon along with LIQUID LIQUID's Cavern. The FRAN?OIS K engineered track was actually released on Russell's own SLEEPING BAG imprint. Co-founded with Wiliam Socology, it was inauguated with the release of the 24-24 Music Ep. Though he remained a producer of leftfield disco throughout the eighties, Russell also focused on his more experimental works releasing WORLD OF ECHO and illustrating the works of Choregraphers. This was ended prematurely when in 1992, Russell died of AIDS.

2004 compilation for the electronica pioneer.
11 tracks including 1 bonus track by Indian Ocean, 'Schoolbell/Treehouse' (Walter Gibbons Mix), along with remixes by FK, Larry Levan, & Walter Gibbons.

Enjoy ;)

1 "Go Bang" (Dinosaur L) – 7:36
2 "Wax the Van" (Lola) – 5:27
3 "Is It All Over My Face" (Loose Joints) – 6:57
4 "Keeping Up" (Arthur Russell) – 6:20
5 "In the Light of the Miracle" (Arthur Russell) – 13:21
6 "A Little Lost" (Arthur Russell) – 3:18
7 "Pop Your Funk" (Loose Joints) – 6:38
8 "Let's Go Swimming" (Arthur Russell) – 5:14
9 "In the Cornbelt" (Dinosaur L) – 5:57
10 "Treehouse" (Arthur Russell) – 2:17
11 "Schoolbell/Treehouse" (Indian Ocean) – 10:05

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Larry Levan Live @ The Paradie Garage (Early 80s)

(Levan's mixing console @ The Paradise Garage)

Heres another Larry Levan mix from an early 80s mixtape.
Only one side of the tape (40 minutes)
but definitely worth it!!!
Enjoy ;)

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The first ever 12" single-"I'll Be Holding On " Al Downing

What’s the story of the 12-inch single?

Well, I take the credit for that. It’s a shame because most good things happen by accident. I think most things are created that way. It’s a mistake; a negative that turns into a positive. It’s like the idea of a break. I created the break, because a song modulated [changed key] and I had to make the song longer. The only way to make it longer was to take everything out of it that was music. So I had to break it down to the rhythm, but only because it modulated. Instead of it modulating once, it modulated twice. That was how the break was created.
The 12-inch? José Rodriguez, my mastering engineer, ran out of 7-inch blanks. I used to do work at Media Sound on Fridays – that’s where we did Gloria Gaynor – and I wanted to have the Trammps record cut. This was the first Trammps record on Atlantic, so I asked Dominic, the mastering engineer if he could do it and it was Friday. He said he couldn’t do it. He was going away that weekend. Ask me Monday, he said. I gotta get some refs cut, he said, well, I can’t help you. And I said what about your assistant? He said, you mean the Puerto Rican sweeper? I went crazy.
But I said to José, aren’t you learning to master? Oh yes. Fine, I said. I’ll be the ears, but you make it work. It’s called ‘That’s Where The Happy People Go’. I want you to cut me ref dubs. I liked it so much I said, I’m gonna do you a big favour. I’m gonna put your name on that record. I did it mainly because I was so mad at Dominic for calling him a Puerto Rican sweeper. It was such a lousy thing to say.
But that wasn’t the first 12-inch. I would say that the very first one – ah, I remember now. ‘That’s Where The Happy People Go’ was the second record to have his name on it. The first one was ‘So Much For Love’ by Moment of Truth on Roulette with José’s name on it.
The first 12-inch was ‘I’ll Be Holding On’ by Al Downing. It was never commercially available. The seven-inch blanks, they were out of them. So he had to give me a twelve-inch. And I said, heugh, that’s ridiculous. So they said, I know what we’ll do: we’ll spread the grooves and make it louder. And of course, when I heard it I almost died. And at that time there only about seven or eight disc jockeys around and I used to see them on Fridays and I would give them acetates.

Who did you take it to?

Oh, let’s see. There was Richie Kaczor, David Rodriguez, Steve D’Acquisto, Bobby DJ, Walter Gibbons. A lot of fun back then. And so many of them are dead now. It’s sad. Especially because these guys; they all loved music, they really did. They would rather be admired by their peers than be super-successful.

Taken from an interview with Tom Moulton.  

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Jim Burgess "The last party at the saint" 1988

Jim Burgess was born on July 21, 1952 in Okeechobee, Florida. He trained as a classical tenor and opera singer, and had "an amazing ear". He started as a DJ in Florida in the early-mid 1970s and then "moved on to Limelight, a gay club in Atlanta" where he was "discovered" by Tony Martino and Alan Harris, the owners of the New York club 12 West.
He moved to New York where he played at "all the hottest clubs like 12 West, Infinity, the Saint, Underground, Studio 54, Paradise Garage, as well as playing the Ice Palace in Fire Island".
Burgess had been one of the initial three resident DJs at the Saint along with Alan Dodd and Roy Thode, from its opening on 20 September 1980.
Burgess's popularity was attributed not only to his style and technique, but a love for theatrical effects and elements, which developed from his love of opera. He would frequently create his own "sound scenes" by using the dialogue from well-known film scenes over the break of a record - as well as attentuating the effect through long mixes and sophisticated blending.
Burgess chose to end his career at age 28 with a farewell party at the Saint on 31 January 1981. During the party, he famously walked out at the peak of the night and left the record run out. Nevertheless, he still did subsequent infrequent gigs in New York, and started playing regularly at the Saint again in 1986. His actual last gig according to his partner was at The Ice Palace in 1989.

I must admit this isn't really my cup of tea. But as an historical artifact of the infamous club which inspired "Welcome to the pleasure dome" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
And another of the great disco Djs at work, its worth a listen.
This is an epic 4 hour mix cut into 4 parts
So dust down your Glitterball and...
enjoy;)

1. Double Discovery - Can He Find Another One
2. France Joli - Come To Me
3. Teri de Sario - Nothin Gonna Keep Me From You
4. Madleen Kane - Forbidden Love
5. Queen Samantha - Close Your Eyes
6. Amant - If There is Love
7. Ultimate - Love Is The Ultimate
8. Mantus - Love Is A Natural Thing
9. Beagle Music Inc - Daydream
10. interlude
11. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park
12. Fever - The Beat of The Night
13. Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me
14. Beautiful Bend - Make The Feeling Come Again
15. Tavares -Take Away The Music
16. Salsoul Orchestra - Magic Bird Of Fire
17. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
18. Buddy Miles -Pull Yourself Together
19. Faith Hope & Charity -Don't Pity Me
20. Stevie Wonder - That Girl
21. Melba Moore - Standing Right Here
22. Alton McClain & Destiny - Crazy Love
23. T-Connection- At Midnight
24. Miquel Brown - Close To Perfection
25. Cliff Richard - Some People
26. Cock Robin - When Your Heart Is Weak
27. Rose Laurens -American Love
28. Ray Vista - Don't Let It Go
29. Lipps Inc- How Long
30. Doobie Brothers- What A Fool Believes
31. Alicia Bridges - I Love The Nightlife
32. Jackie Moore -This Time Baby
33. Tavares -Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel
34. James Wells - True Love Is My Destiny
35. Johnny Mathis - Begin The Beguine
36. Yvonne Fair - It Should Have Been Me
37. William DeVaughan- Be Thankful For What You Got
38. Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back
39. Al Wilson -Show & Tell
40. Loose Change - Darling That's Me
41. Detroit Spinners- Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
42. General Johnson -Don't Walk Away
43. Bill Withers- You Got The Stuff
44. Toto - Georgy Porgy
45. Celi Bee - For The Love Of My Man
46. Phyllis Hyman- Kiss You All Over
47. Claudja Barry - Love For The Sake Of Love
48. Voyage - From East To West
49. Gloria Gaynor- Most Of All
50. Bionic Boogie - Hot Butterfly
51. Gladys Knight -Neither One Of Us

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The People's Choise "Cold Blooded and Down-Right Funky"

The People's Choice went through its share of personnel changes in the '70s and '80s. When the Philadelphia outfit recorded the album" We Got the Rhythm" for TSOP/Philadelphia International in 1976, its lineup included original members Frankie Brunson (lead vocals/keyboards), David Thompson (drums, percussion), and Darnell Jordan (rhythm guitar) as well as more recent additions like Guy Fiske (lead guitar), Roger Andrews (bass), and Donald Ford (keyboards).
This track from the album (which Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff produced at Philly's famous Sigma Sound Studios) wasn't a huge radio hit, although club DJs found "Cold Blooded and Down-Right Funky," to be highly infectious with the crowd and it still hits the spot today.

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Logg "I Know You Will"(LL Salsoul mix)

This particular track was really basically a solo track written,performed,and produced by Leroy Burgess(formally of the soul group Black Ivory);with the help of some of his long time musical associates such as Stan Lucas,Greg Carmichael,Sonny Davenport,and James Calloway.
Add to that an amazing remix by none other than Larry Levan ! and you've got yourself a pretty damn fine piece of musical history.
Enjoy;)

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Aleem Feat:Leroy Burgess

One of my favorite tracks from the "Streetsounds Electro " 

series is "Release yourself" by Aleem Feat:Leroy Burgess

A truly awesome track with an amazing vocal performance

by Burgess which has inspired me to post some more from these

amazing producers who have been a cornerstone of my musical influence

for many years

First up is "Summertime"

produced by the Aleems and Leroy Burgess

This is a Disco classic with a wicked break about half way in

Download

Next is "Get Loose" the follow up to "Release Yourself"

and one of my all time favorite tracks!!!

I just love this vocal  (I think Burgess at his best)

Download

Larry Levan Live at the Paradise Garage

Don't expect perfect mixing this is all about
the vibe and feel of one of the truly great clubs
presented by a legendary pioneer

Enjoy;)

1. Bourgié Bourgié - Ashford & Simpson
2. It's Music - Damon Harris
3. At Midnight - T-Connection
4. Put Your Body in It - Stephanie Mills
5. Dreaming a Dream - Crown Heights Affair
6. By the Way You Dance (I Never Knew It Was You) - Bunny Sigler
7. Right in the Socket - Shalamar
8. Take Me Home - Cher
9. Pick Me up, I'll Dance - Melba Moore
10. Get on the Funk Train - Munich Machine
11. Here We Go Again - People's Choice
1. Here We Go Again [Cont.] - People's Choice
2. Bad Mouthin'
3. Let Yourself Go - The Supremes
4. Angel in My Pocket - Change, Goody Music Orchestra
5. Smack Dab in the Middle - Janice McClain
6. Sun... Sun... Sun...
7. Trinidad - John Gibbs,
8. My First Mistake - The Chi-Lites
9. Erucu - Jermaine Jackson

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