The Beat Electricians are all big fans of Jacko's ex-girlfriend Stephanie Mills so this post comes as no surprise. James Mtume produced all of Stephanie Mills' best tracks and put out a few records under his own name. My favorite record is one I heard over at my buddy Macchio's house. Juicy Fruit was released in 1983. Greenlight is a goovy lazer soul jam. It is my favorite track on the album. The single from the record is Juicy fruit, which was custom made for the ladies. Most of the album is incredible actually. Sit back and learn a thing or two from my main man Mtume.

Mtume - Green Light
Mtume - Juicy Fruit

Here it is: One of the best disco tunes ever written, period. You can find this ubiquitous release sandwiched in your dad's record collection between a Barry Manilow and a Barbara Striesand LP. It wasn't even released as an A Side for chrisakes! Had the world circa late 70's gone mad or was there so much quality music coming out that they could afford to toss this one on the flip side? Correction, it was an A Side in its UK pressing only. Ok Black Shag, you win this round mate.

Recorded and Released as the B side to the single "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin", "Put Your Body In It" is a heavy Disco cut with a proto-boogie feel thanks to the cracking synth bass that drives the track all the way through. Drawing the contrast to later Boogie tracks was the big disco strings that soar throughout and create a perfect juxtaposition with the aforementioned synth-bassline. I am so feeling 1979 right now!

"Put Your Body In It" was written and produced by the solid team of Reggie Lucas and James Mtume. The duo was responsible for many choice cuts released between the years 1977 - 1982.

Stephanie Mills - Put Your Body In It

This mix is a collection of songs that might have been played on this Bozak mixer when it was installed by Richard Long Associates (RLA) in the legendary NYC club Inferno. This club was in Midtown and was the stomping grounds of house music legends David Morales and Roman Ricardo. I really hope some of their talent rubs off! Bozak mixers are unique because the circuit is discrete which allows way more headroom than mixers with IC chips. Also, the nature of the design puts the tape outs before the tone control, so the signal that is recorded is flat.

Tracklist:
Clifton Dyson - Body In Motion
Front Page - Love Insurance (Sharon Redd and Eric Matthew)
Voyage - Souvenirs (Translucent Red Vinyl)
Bombers - (Everybody) Get Dancin'
Evelyn "Champagne" King - Shame
El Coco - Medley: Afrodesia / Coco Kane
Erotic Drum Band - Pop Pop Shoo Wah (Long Version)
Stephanie Mills - You Can Get Over

mp3: Souvenirs from 1979