For sure everybody, (the disco freaks!), know one of the best disco Blogs on the Web..., Run by Chris, based on South Africa, Another Night On Earth.
Once again and with pleasure, one of my edits is in exclusive on another blog. Check it, and show some love to Chris; he is a gentleman for share with us some of the best tracks on the planet.
Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954, Queens, New York), commonly referred to as "Mr. Jamaica Funk", is a jazz trumpeter who rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune and for his 1980 single "Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y)".
Browne originally played piano, having taken lessons from the age of 11. Turning to the trumpet, inspired by his collection of jazz albums, his first gig was in a Queens club, The Village Door. In 1975, he landed his first professional gig with Weldon Irvine.
From here he played with Sonny Fortune and Lonnie Smith and was later introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen at GRP Records via Earl Klugh. Grusin and Rosen signed him to GRP (via Arista Records) and Browne broke onto the music scene in 1979 with a highly acclaimed instrumental jazz fusion album Browne Sugar, although this was not released in the UK. His first real breakthrough came in 1980 with the release of "Funkin' For Jamaica", taken from his second album Love Approach. The single hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles for 4 weeks, and was also a UK Top 10 hit, and featured the lead vocals of Tonni Smith.
Continuing his association with producers Grusin and Rosen, his next albums were Yours Truly (1981), including "Fungi Mama" and "Bye Gones", and "Magic" (1982), before he signed directly to Arista. Here he progressed into an electro style of jazz with "Rockin' Radio" from a 1983 album of the same name (which also included a final GRP production "Brighter Tomorrow"). In 1984 he recorded a final Arista album Tommy Gun, which featured Siedah Garrett singing lead on the leading moment "Secret Fantasy" produced by Maurice Starr. Also in 1984 he recorded with Fuse One on their Ice album.
He also recorded with Roy Ayers on "Goree Island", taken from his In The Dark album. Browne moved to Malaco Records and performed a large amount of session work. In 2000, Browne re-recorded "Funkin' For Jamaica" on Jazz FM's 101 Eastbound compilation album alongside fellow jazz artist, Bob Baldwin. The track re-utilised the vocal skills of Tonni Smith (featured on the original).
Oxigenio Radio invite me to made a Dj set for a weekly program called "Last Night A Sj Saved My Life". With pleasure i accepted, because for me it's one of the best radios here in Portugal. Like usual, i want to share it with all the people who keep passing by.
Here is the playlist:
01. Chic - I Want Your Love (Todd Terje Edit) 02. J. Jabre, Bibi & Mellow Dee - And You Dont Stop (SDC Disco Mix) 03. Earth Wind & Fire - Beijo + Giving My Love (BSMachine Remix) 04. Deodato - Keep It In The Family (Jellybean 12" Remix) 05. Roy Ayers - Can't U See Me 06. Best Friend Around - It's So Good To Know 07. Voyage - From East To West 08. Silvetti - Spring Rain 09. The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt
Larry Levan is quite possibly the most beloved DJ in the history of Dance music. Larry Levan and his friend Frankie Knuckles experienced the first rumblings of Disco and what became Dance music as we know it in the early 1970's as precocious teenagers. They soon built personal connections into professional DJ opportunities. While Knuckles headed to Chicago as one of the acknowledged founders of House, Larry Levan helped move Dance music from the crash of Disco to a new eclectic stew that entranced mixed audiences of multiple ethnicities and varying sexual orientations. His residency at Paradise Garage is legendary. Unfortunately, Levan's own life came to an abrupt tragic end in 1992 but his innovations and his inspiration live on.
Larry Levan was born Laurence Philpot on July 21, 1954 in Brooklyn. Larry and Frankie Knuckles grew up amongst the New York City black gay bar scene. According to Knuckles they were introduced to each other by a drag queen who went by the name of Gerald and they both became part of the underground Voguing scene in which drag queens would compete against each other by throwing shade, or, in other words, visually demonstrating attitude. Levan and Knuckles quickly became entranced by the early Dance music scene in Manhattan, particularly after attending parties at David Mancuso's Loft. They were amazed by both the mixed nature (ethnicities and sexual orientations) of the crowd invited by Mancuso and the music itself. The two became well known on the club circuit and by 1972 had worked their way into helping out DJ Nicky Siano with setup at The Gallery. Larry Levan also began to hang out at Continental Baths and before long had managed to obtain a regular DJ gig for the Baths' small dancefloor. In 1974 the Continental Baths shut down and Frankie received a resident gig at SoHo Place, a new club modeled after David Mancuso's Loft parties.
After Richard Long, owner of Soho Place, made plans to shut down near the end of 1975, Larry Levan received a call from Michael Brody about a new club Brody was opening. The new club at 143 Reade Street was outfitted with a sound system built around Klipschorn speakers and designed with memories of David Mancuso's Loft in mind. Larry Levan had already developed a following and his reputation grew at Reade Street. The club developed notoriety for free-flowing drugs and a highly sexual atmosphere. With overcrowding and safety concerns mounting, Michael Brody was forced to close Reade Street, but before it closed he secured an agreement with Larry Levan that Levan would spin records at Brody's next club venture.
The new Dance venue opened by Michael Brody was Paradise Garage. With funding from Brody's partner Mel Cheren and a sound system designed by Richard Long, Al Fierstein, and Larry Levan himself, Paradise Garage began operation hosting construction parties in 1977 to raise funds to complete work on the club. The official opening took place on February 17, 1978. Among the New York City Dance music elite, Larry Levan quickly became known as the top DJ working in the top club in the entire city. Billboard magazine's Disco Convention voted Paradise Garage Best Club and Best Sound System in both 1979 and 1980. Larry Levan became known for his ability to completely control the mood of his crowds through changes in the music being played and manipulation of lighting and sound controls. He took his primary inspiration from the work of David Mancuso and Nicky Siano but then created an entirely new atmosphere. Larry Levan was the only resident DJ at Paradise Garage for its nearly 10 years of existence. One of Larry Levan's legacies is the Dance music genre called Garage named in honor of Paradise Garage. However, the Garage style, an updated elegant expansion of classic Disco rhythms and vocals, is merely one small part of the music Larry Levan would play on a given night. The music he played could veer from classic Disco to Rock, Punk, Rap, various sound effects and back again. The mood or message being delivered was all important, and the music was a vehicle for creating or delivering it.
Shortly after he began spinning records at Paradise Garage, Larry Levan moved into the remixing booth as well. With plenty of experience mixing various elements of Dance recordings live in the club, it was only natural that Levan would use his talents on recorded remixes. Among his early successes was a stripped down version of Instant Funk's I've Got My Mind Made Up in 1978 that ranks as one of the all-time great remixes. Among his other notable recorded mixes are Taana Gardner's Heartbeat, Central Line's Walking Into Sunshine, and Loose Joints' Is It All Over My Face?. In the early 80's Larry Levan took on production duties as well, most notably for The New York City Peech Boys' classic Don't Make Me Wait. Later in the decade he created notable remixes for Gwen Guthrie and Patti Austin among others. On record Larry Levan's music is noted for his use of synthesizer washes, Electro beats, and smooth, heavy bass lines that lay foundations for much of Garage and House to come.
By the late 1980's Paradise Garage was falling on difficult times. Owner Michael Brody was gravely ill from the ravages of AIDs and Paradise Garage elected to close with a massive final party September 26-27, 1987. An estimated 14,000 people walked through the doors in 48 hours. The club's closing was a serious blow to Larry Levan. He assisted Ministry Of Sound in England setting up a new club modeled on the spirit of Paradise Garage. Relatively brief residencies took place at The Choice, Mars, and Sound Factory. However, it was clear that many years of a punishing lifestyle including drugs was having a physical impact. Larry Levan embarked on a final tour in 1992 with Francois Kevorkian. Larry Levan passed away on November 8, 1992 three months after the tour concluded. Larry Levan's legendary status has continued to grow with the passage of time. West End Records continues to help sponsor parties every year to celebrate Larry's birthday, and his spirit lives on in the countless DJs, remixers, and artists influenced by his talents.
It's because of this gentleman i have this love and passion for disco. Thank you Larry for the inspiration. Rest in Peace...
