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 named the track after Tee.

A club classic with its pre-acid basslines and proto house production, the song has stood the test of time and was a firm favourite with Nicky Siano, Frankie Knuckles and (it’s that man again!) Larry Levan.

 The song is not without some mild controversy. It’s alleged that a certain Jellybean Benitez, was soooo enamoured with the track, he kinda pilfered it for his then up and coming star Madonna. Which he kinda did. If you’re wondering what song it was just have a listen and send in your guesses. Oh and don’t Google the answer coz that just ruins it.

 Enjoy the sunshine!

 Northend – Tees Happy

Northend – Tees Happy

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 bands.

With their abstract mix of disco, punk, new wave, world, jazz, reggae, they were dismissed by the UK music press for being too eclectic and weird. As with the yesterday’s SOTD, they first garnered attention from New York by none other than Larry Levan. The band was even invited to play at the Paradise Garage in 1983 (which they duly did but got a lukewarm reception).

In 1985, the band released their only album ‘Pigs & Battleships’ to some critical acclaim. With the tracks perfectly complimenting the forthcoming House explosion, as well as providing anthems for the Hacienda, for whom Pickering would later become synonymous with (we’ll gloss over the whole M People thing). The band’s influence across the board cannot be underestimated.

Anyway, ‘Genius’ is a mind-spinning party song. With Latino-flavoured percussion, upbeat pianos, as well as Fela Kuti-esque guitar flourishes, producer Mark Kamins harnesses the band’s distinctive sound and delivers a near-perfect, dreamy summer song.

Genius indeed.

Quando Quango – Genius

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 it as the basis for his own project Man Friday with the song ‘Love Honey’ (see what he did there?).

With the right blend of funk and laid back downtown NY grooves, this is bang on the money.

TW Funkmasters Love Money

TW Funkmasters Love Money

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 Go

MFSB or ‘Mother, Father, Sister, Brother’ (not the REAL meaning, the real meaning is waaaay ruder and this is a family website) were employed as the house band of legendary producers Gamble & Huff.  After working on some minor hits and recording under pseudonyms, the group forged their succes when they start working with the Philadelpia Interntional stable (this included artists such as the O Jays and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes).

Their first hit was the 1974 ’TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)’, the theme from the funky television show Soul Train. ‘TSOP’ encapsulated the Philly sound and laid some of the foundations of disco but the song that was twice as influential is today’s SOTD. ‘Love is the Message’ was first picked up on by the legends of disco – DJ’s such as Mancuso, Siano and Levan amongst many others. Taken from the 1973 album of the same name, the track embodies the spirit and overall message of disco. With it’s feel good and sumptuous strings and (if I’m being honest) slightly cheesy sax riff, this is a simply happy song. And what’s wrong with that? LOVE IS THE MESSAGE PEOPLE!!!!!

Oh, and became of MFSB you ask? Well, the group disbanded after a fight with Gambel & Huff and the majority of the band re-grouped to become the mighty Salsoul Orchestra and the rest joined The Vince Montana Orchestra, John Davis and The Monster Orchestra and the Ritchie Family. Wow. That’s disco royalty, that is.