Single of the Day – Luv You Madly Orchestra – Rocket Rock
The Luv You Madly Orchestra was a special Duke Ellington disco tribute band put together by producer Stephen James. Their self-titled debut LP was released in 1978 on the legendary Salsoul, but today’s SOTD is all about Walter Gibbons’ exceptional mixing duties on the 12″ single ‘Moon Maiden’ and this, its b-side. ‘Rocket Rock’ is more [...]
Single of the Day – Blackway – Follow Me
Round up the ‘quite sad really’ week with this rare 1982 Italo classic! Yay!! Today’s SOTD is a dark, brooding number that recalls Flash And The Pan and other strange foreign creatures. Wonderfully subversive, its hazy, futuristic synths and vocals combine to make a perfect Italo-Disco moment. There’s not much information about [...]
Film of the Day – Cobra Verde (Werner Herzog, 1987)
I was watching Doctor Zhivago on telly with my mother one Christmas, the very time of year that innumerable family units across the country settle down to watch that grandoise, historical romance for the umpteenth time. Despite the fact that she had seen it many (many, many) times before, my mum had been previously [...]
Single of the Day – Northend – Tee’s Happy
Nothing to do with Championship play-off favourites Preston NORTHEND, this 1981 electro/dance classic from an Arthur Baker studio project should perfectly compliment your Pimms and other sunshine related stuff. The B-Side to ‘Happy Days’, ‘Tee’s Happy’ is the instrumental version remixed by the legendary DJ Tee Scott. Impressed with the results, Baker [...]
Scene of the Day – Mean Streets (Martin Scorsese, 1973)
Hello again, dear reader. As you may have heard from my dear comrade Aneet, I have been on me holidays recently (two, in fact, sunny Valencia and not-so-sunny Northern Ireland), so I do apologise if you’re feeling as though I have abandoned you like an unwanted infant of late. However, whilst I was on my [...]
Single of the Day – Quando Quango – Genius
Probably best remembered for their 1983 ‘disco-not-disco’ classic ‘Love Tempo’, Quando Quango released unique and influential records throughout the early eighties on Factory Records. The musical brain child of Mike Pickering and Hillegonda Rietveld, the band were formed in 1981 and quickly became one of label’s most revered and trailblazing [...]
Single of the Day – T.W Funkmasters – Love Money (1981 remix)
Coming out of the early-’80s Britfunk movement, London’s Funkmasters may seem an unlikely source for a New York disco classic. Though this record did not do well in good ol’ Blighty when released. ‘Love Money’ was a firm favourite with Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage. Levan even used [...]
Single of the Day – Electric Mind – Can We Go
Wrap the week up with style with this cheeky little 1983 italo number. A favourite with Larry Levan, this deliciously crafted disco number has the grooves, the moves and the added bonus of lovely lady singing. That’s pretty much it. Enjoy your weekend! Electric Mind – Can We Go Electric Mind – Can We [...]
Single of the Day – Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes (Annihilation Mix)
Finding infamy with their controversial debut single ‘Relax’ in 1983, cheeky Scousers Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s follow up single was the astonishing ‘Two Tribes’. An awesome production built round a throbbing, infectiously original riff, it showed off Holly Johnson’s distinctive vocal style to striking effect. The power of the single [...]
Single of the Day – Gina X Performance – Kaddish
Not many bands would take creative inspiration from the Jewish Mourners’ Prayer – The Kaddish, but cult avant-garde electro-disco pioneers Gina X Performance did just that with their 1981 song ‘Kaddish’.