Index were a British studio project produced by Kris Staines in 1980. Kris went on to do the UK remix of Touch Down's "Ease Your Mind" on Streetwise in 1982 amongst a few other things. The Index project yielded only one 12" release. According to Black Shag this song actually got radio play over the years in Great Britain and I suspect Escort were listening closely to this track when they wrote their own "Starlight" a few years back. The A side vocal version has a few too many cheesy bits for my taste, but the B side "Starlight - The Break" hits damn hard with an incredible keyboard hook and souped up horn lines. A shout out to DâM-FunK who dropped this at the Sweater Funk party some months back prompting a few of us to lose our shit and go on the hunt for this rare boogie workout.

Index - Starlight (The Break)

The Vocal Mix:

Index - Starlight (Edit)

Help Is On The Way is a perfect, sultry boogie jam by The Whatnauts. It was mixed by Tee Scott and released by Harlem International Records in 1981.

This next track is from 1982 by the Philadelphia group Fat Larry's Band. The track seems to use the the exact same bassline to great effect. Act Like You Know is a great jazz funk tune with uplifting lyrics.

The Whatnauts - Help Is On The Way
Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know

I'm on my travels right now. I spent a couple of days in New York on my way to the UK and picked up a few records I'll post later down the road. I got into London this morning and I feel terrible, the red eye flight was full of loud holiday shopping fashionistas, and am now all the more depressed after catching half an episode of 'Eastenders'. Yet tomorrow is a new day, I haven't been record digging in the UK in a couple of years, and its the season of giving so in that spirit I'm going to put up a deep and sought after European soulful disco 45 that you don't come accross often.

I can't tell you much about S.O.S by Mr. Morse And His New Alphaband, this was recorded from the Italian 7", although I heard there is also a Spanish released 7". The instrumental was even reused by EMI Italy for a local male crooners backing track, but not quite to the same effect. I do know it was an early effort of Franco Italian producer Albert Weyman, who has a pretty great myspace page, a look at his photos is a must. Its nice to hear middle aged pros from the deep funk scene are making credible euro trance: http://www.myspace.com/albertweyman

My copy came from a reclaimed jukebox out of a forgotten Americana themed coffee shop in northern Italy and cost me three shillings:

Mr. Morse And His New Alphaband - S.O.S. I'm In Love

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 great upbeat boogie track by Charlie Singleton & Stargasm was released by Dakar Records in 1981. It was the act's only release. Singleton sang some vocals for Cameo in the same period and played some fusion guitar in other groups. The mix of a repetitive falsetto vocal line, jangly guitar, funky slap bass, and cheesy synth stabs make this a great tune worthy of rocking a Beat Electric dancefloor.

Charlie Singleton & Stargasm - I Wanna Boogie With You
Charlie Singleton & Stargasm - I Wanna Boogie With You Instrumental

By popular demand, here are some more of Shep Pettibone's Mastermixes including the incredible Jeanette "Lady" Day mix. Enjoy!

Jeanette "Lady" Day - Come Let Me Love You (Shep's Mastermix)

Strikers - Body Music (Shep's Mastermix)

Empress - Dyin' To Be Dancin' (Shep's Mastermix)

France Joli - I Wanna Take a Chance on Love (Shep's Mastermix)

Sharon Redd - Can You Handle It (Shep's Mastermix)

Beat Electric was asked to create a special mix for the Manchester UK blog Ugly Talented and here it is.
It is a collection of tunes that have a synthy disco sound and a post disco, boogie feel. Trademarks of this sound are live drums, analogue synthesizers and funky bass lines. The mix follows a continuum of influence and contrasting styles of the music that gets us excited at Beat Electric.

Demis Roussos - I Dig You (7") 1977
Stargard - Wear It Out (Instrumental) 1979
Alphonse Mouzon - I'm Glad That You're Here (Disconet Remix) 1981
One On One - Body Music (Long Version) 1981
Tempest Trio - Do You Like The Way That It Feels (12") 1979
Stephanie Mills - Put Your Body In It (12") 1979
Yvonne Gage - Garden Of Eve (Long Version) 1981
Loose Joints - Is It All Over My Face? (Female Vocal) 1980
Janice Christie - One Love (12") 1985
Funk Deluxe - This Time (Dub Version) 1984
Legacy - Word Up (Instrumental) 1982
Cashmere - Do It Anyway You Wanna (Instrumental)
First Love - It's A Mystery To Me (12") 1982

Dancing in the Clouds Mix

I recently returned to my hometown of Milwaukee, WI on a brief weekender and the only redeeming moment I had in that wasteland of a city was digging for gold at the oasis known as Lotus Land Records. I purchased a couple pieces of local heat from an era in Milwaukee history that I only imagine may have been more livable than the scene out of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome that I saw last month.

From 1984 we bring you saxophonist James Dallas and his self released jazz fusion LP "Here and Now". James Dallas has been performing in Milwaukee for many, many years and still plays out with the Terry Sims band (Terry performs on this LP as well). But the real star of the show is the all but unknown guest, Adam Davis who wrote and performed vocals and synth's on the only boogie oriented cut entitled "Highway Lover".

"Highway Lover" is a stellar Boogie/Funk/Black Rock piece with a crazy fusion solo thrown in at the end to keep the track semi in line with the rest of the record. A crusty keyboard hook, raw as hell drums, dusted production and Prince influenced vocals make this one a total classic.

Totally uninteresting nerd fact: On just about all of the tracks on "Here and Now" they used two of my favorite synthesizers, the Juno 60 and Moog Liberation keytar. Both keyboards were discontinued from production in 1984 the same year the record was released. Is it a coincidence that everything started to go downhill after '84?

If you feel this joint like I do, grab a copy from Lotus Land as they have a very small grip of these left.

James Dallas - Highway Lover

This is a private label lazer soul jam from Florida. Larry Davis produced this record in 1986 along with some Miami booty bass hits in the mid to late 80's. It is in the vein of the acts Expose', The Jets, and Starpoint. It is a cute and crusty jam. This is definitely a tune that requires some skills on the dance floor. It is interesting to note that this is probably the loudest 12" I have ever heard and it is also the thinnest. The run out goove says "Hi Larry, I think you + Jaqui made it!" They sure did!

Jaqui & The Rumor - Just Don't Break-A-My Heart (Inst.)

My main man Black Shag has dropped several of his top ten boogie joints in the last couple of weeks so I feel motivated to throw a few entries into the fire as well. Whilst Mr. Shag has been focusing on his country of origin, the United Kingdom, my next few entries will feature heat from my hometown of Milwaukee, WI as well as my adopted home, the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hailing from across the bay in Oakland, CA Carol Shinnette cut her first 7" in 1984 on the private Zilko label. Backed up by the aptly named Concrete Band, "Cyanide Love" was recorded at Beggars Banquet Recording Studio in Santa Rosa, CA. Co-written with Shinnette and produced by the mysterious W.P. Guidry, "Cyanide Love" is a mammoth cut and an easy contender for my personal boogie top ten list.

I don't know much about Lex. This release is one of two that came out on Flip Records, a UK subsidiary of Vanguard Records. This record, along with the other (Endgames) were both produced by New York DJ legend Ray 'Pinky' Velazquez. Ray Velazquez was born in Puerto Rico, but grew up in New York. He was a major force in the mid 70's as a DJ for WCCR, NYC's City College Radio and at the Court Street Discotheque. He later became the head of A&R at Vanguard Records and produced a lot of the label's best tracks. This track has a great leftfield meets italo sound. The dubby drums and minimal instrumentation meet smashing glass for a thought provoking juxtaposition.

Lex - Fourteen Days (Dub Version)
Fehlfarben - 14 Tage

In my continuing exploration of what are in my opinion the UK's best dancefloor heavey boogie tracks I now present to you one of the rarest and most sought after, Mighty 7's 'Call Me' .

I'm not sure why this record doesn't turn up more often, as it was released on EMI, a major label, but I think the story goes that it came out as a limited promo. It was written and produced by Gee Bello, seen above on the right with Nat Augustin, who is an important figure in the UK jazz funk scene and member of still performing act Light Of The World. Mighty 7 was a studio project that he worked on after Light Of The World were on a hiatus.

I don't think it gets any more tasteful than this.

Mighty 7 - Call Me

I will let Donna McGhee tell her own story:

"I have been a professional singer since 1974, my first singing group I joined after singing gospel all my life, was called "THE FATBACK BAND". Our first album was called Rasing hell, and the hit single off of that LP, was called "BUS STOP". I sang with Fatback for over three years, touring with such groups as "Chaka khan", "Frankie Beverly and Maze". "Crown Heights Affair", and "Tedddy Pendergrass". We traveled all over the world. After completing several albums with them, the last LP we recorded with the late great "Phyllis Hyman". In 1977, I signed with a company called Red Greg Records, and we worked with the great Producer Patrick Adams. We recorded several hit records at that time. UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND was created along with BUMBLEE UNLIMITED, which lead to several hits such as, "DANCE AND SHAKE YOUR TAMBORINE", and "LOVE BUG". Most of the songs recorded were disco hits, and were played at The Paradise Gargage, and Studio 54. While recording with different groups, the company signed me with an Exclusive Recording contract, and my first solo album was created. It was called "MAKE IT LAST FOREVER", traveling from one side of the country to the other, the hit single "It ain't no big thing" was making a huge buzz. While the album was being played all over the country, and other countries such as Japan, England and France. "Love Bug" was up for a Grammy Award, and I was fortunate enough to do the Dick Clark New Years Eve show twice. After my contract was up, I signed under Obago Records, where we recorded "YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME", written by Phillip Thomas from CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIRS ..."

"You Should Have Told Me" is a rare 12" released in 1979 on the very obscure Obago Label out of NYC. With a haunting mix by Ron St. Germain (who later went to work with 80's alternative rock bands the Cure and Sonic Youth amongst others) I would consider this track to be a very early example of boogie as we came to know it. The B Side "Disco Mix" relies heavily on the trippy vocals, funky keyboard lines and syncopated groove. Donna still performs to this day and you can check out her myspace page here.

Donna McGhee - You Should Have Told Me (Disco Mix)

Gonzalez was a British funk group that got together in 1971. The group had as many as 31 members. They became a disco sensation in the late 70's and became immensely successful with the ultra cheesy tune I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet. After the disco record bonfire of 1979, the group's popularity waned and they got dumped from Capitol Records. This track, which came out in 1982, was Tooti Frooti Records' only release. The boogie feel on this Raul Dance Mix is such a departure from their other records; and it jams.

Gonzalez - (I Want To Get) Closer To You (Disconet Mix)

Z-Factor was one of the many aliases of Chicago House producer Vince Lawrence. With a songwriting credit and production by the legendary Jesse Saunders as well as Risque Rhythm Team's N. Mitchbal, "I am The D.J." saw several pressings and remixes all released on Mitchbal's eponymous Chicago based record label. Featured here is the Dub Mix of the The Remix of the Remix if that is not at all too confusing. Ripped from a very worn copy, it is rather difficult to find this 12" in good condition as the majority of these singles were undoubtedly DJ copies and played to death in the clubs and house parties until they found a new status as drink coasters and pizza trays.

Z-Factor - I Am The DJ Remix of The Remix (Dub Mix)

I am not one for dancing in the streets (I am probably more likely to dance in the sheets) but this track evokes the type of energy that would force even the most sedentary mope out the front door. This track from 1979 by Machine was produced by King Creole And The Coconuts member August Darnell. There is a playful exchange of vocal parts and a gospel feel mixed with Disco stomp and soul swagger that lights up the dance floor. I am sure a lot of the crowd can identify with the lyrics as well.

Machine - There But For The Grace Of God Go I

"Feeling Love" by L.E.B. Harmony is a synth masterpiece. Released on Carousel Records in 1978, this LP on pink vinyl is a gem.

L.E.B. Harmony - Feeling Love

Linx was a band from East London, so if you don't like these tracks, just blame Black Shag. The band centered around vocalist and producer David Grant. It was released in 1981. There are a couple of things that I like about this 12". First off, it has one of the best picture sleeves I have ever seen. "Sketch," the bass player is seen here fully loaded with steaze; his de-fretted vintage J bass has such a long neck it stretches into the second frame. Another great feature built into the cover is that if you play Throw Away The Key and look at the cover at exactly 4:15, you instantly feel like you are in on the scene.

These tracks feature ultra slick production and great organic modern soul flavor. The bass sound is tops and mates well with the funky guitar and dramatic drums.

Linx - Throw Away The Key
Linx - The Ice Is Melting

My brain is numb from a 2 year obsession with this particular US presidential race (and the ensuing party that took place last nite) so I am not capable of writing very much today. A good majority of our readers are from overseas, so I must tell all of you we are making amends and I hope we can be friends again.

This synth-boogie track from Twin Image was released in 1984 on Capitol records. It's got a nice sort of black new wave vibe to it. Dig it.

Twin Image - My Baby Loves Me (Do Do)

Get on up, and give yourself a thrill. The economy sucks, but you can dance all night if you want to. Hamilton Bohannon was born in Georgia. After playing drums in Stevie Wonder's touring band, he moved to Detroit where he became a band leader and arranger for Motown Records through the late 60's to early 70's. Bohannon became a major force in disco music when he started producing tracks under his own name in the mid 70's.

This track is like a 6 and a half minute build up. The disco stomp meets a B3 and a nasty bass synth while Carolyn Crawford instructs you to move your feet. What I really like about this track is that there is a lot hidden in the mix that gives a solid, recession proof party vibe.

mp3: Bohannon - Dance, Dance, Dance All Night

The Pointer Sisters released this 12" in 1978 on Planet Records. It has a stunning intro and is simply a solid track start to finish. Production by Richard Perry. "Happiness" isn't a pricey record by any means, but it is one that moves the floor.

Happiness

Trilark was the cloud city steazed vocal trio brainchild of Crown Heights Affair masterminds Ray Reid and William Anderson. Another treasure from 1982, (I know I keep harping on this year, next week promise I will be on some 1979 heat) the quite rare Trilark LP was a collection of mid tempo modern soul jams. The more accessible single "Love Never Looked Better" is a decent track but not up to par with some of the other material on the record in my opinion. My favorite joint is "Check It Out". I just picture an early 80's beach front soul porno shot with some dusted old film stock whenever I hear this one. This shit is just too smooth. Check It Out:

Trilark - Check It Out

Partytime records was a spin off label of the legendary Streetwise record label, Arthur Baker's brain child where he served as chief a&r and talent scout. He had a good ear and always heeded my advice and for this he was rewarded loot and immortality. Partytime was a reasonably self descriptive name for the sublabel, it's output was exclusively dance floor heavey although varying from synthy modern soul to electro hip hop in genre.

These are my two favorite cuts from Partytime. Pushe's Don't Take Your Love Away, and Citispeak's I Don't Need Your Handouts. Both are synth laden uptempo boogie, of the sort which has tended to make up the lion's share of my set recently, one female vocal led and the other male. I heard the Jeanne Harris vocal described as 'sour', but thats part of it's charm:

Citispeak - I Don't Need Your Handouts
Pushe - Don't Take Your Love Away

One of disco music's eternal questions may soon be answered. The Rover's sole mission is to answer this question. While The Mars Rover is an amazing feat of engineering, it is full of aesthetic deficiencies. Although I like the Johnny #5 head, the body looks a lot more like an insect than a vehicle. I also think the rover would probably be more functional with a robot sidekick that has arms and legs. The new moon rover that has the ill conceived name "Chariot" got it right with gold leaf trim. All we can wish for is some 12" triple gold Daytons on that sucker.

Life On Mars was a concept album that was written an produced by Philadelphia native Dexter Wansel in 1976. He was a Philly Sound pioneer and produced for such acts as: Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman, The Jacksons, and Patti Labelle. Dexter produced several albums in the Jazz Funk genre with a sound that is equally split between Herbie Hankock's Thrust album and disco floor burners of the era.

Dexter Wansel - Life On Mars

A man of many talents, Lalo Schifrin covers this 1951 Les Baxter original bringing it to new heights with a touch of exotic funk.

Lalo Schifrin: Quiet Village

First off, let me introduce my column for BE which will be called Raw Boogie. This is micro genre I've been cultivating for the last 5 years or so, consisting of self released and usually self produced boogie joints made by local artists from all around the world. Most of the popular music from the post disco era (1982 - 1989) is notorious for having skin tight session players and uber slick production. Bands such as Slave, The Whispers, Evelyn Champagne King, etc fall into this category.

In stark contrast to the sound of the major label's elite comes the unsigned & under paid suitors seeking their claims to the boogie throne. Writing, recording, and releasing their own funk upon the world, the unisigned artists would often record in home or homie studios, with little to no budget. Most of the Raw Boogie tunes I've found were completely ignored and/or shunned by the music industry, creating a vast underground of obscure and dope funk only to be appreciated by future generations.

Raw Boogie Vol 1:

SUMY "Soul With Milk" - (taken from the LP Trying To Survive, Galaxy records 1983)




Most of the groups we'll bring up in this micro genre will be hailing from the USA, however Sumy was self releasing his music in Amsterdam. Sumy was born in Surinam, a country known largely for being one of four non spanish speaking nations in S. America, and for having a population 1/2 the size of myself and BT Magnum's hometown of Milwaukee, WI.

The young, arrogant Sumy started his own scene quickly after relocating to Amsterdam. There he created his own band, The Freaky Thangs. Mainly white dudes who wore star trek gear and porno hair. Sumy himself liked to wear leg warmers on his arms. With this crew he released two singles which were released by Phillips. After these two releases Sumy began preparing his full length LP, "Trying To Survive. Low funds and lack of equipment led Sumy to record most of the LP in his home, using a barrage of funky synths and his own wit to complete the project. He also enlisted a few friends, including a couple members of the group American Gipsy, aka the band who made the break beat classic "Inside Out".

"Trying To Survive" eventually saw release on Sumy's own imprint, Galaxy Records. An album safely 30 years ahead of it's time, "Trying To Survive" included many nice jams such as "Bitch, We Danced A Lot", "Where Were You Last Night (Sexy Lady)", and the tour de force in "Soul With Milk".

Not sure what the saying "Soul With Milk" is supposed to stand for or suggest, but the lyrics are all about clubbing and chasing girls. The beat floats in and out of open high hat disco and hard hitting funk, and the bass is pure synth. The home made acoustics, low budget mixing and dub effects truly make this standout as a low fi masterpiece when compared to other tunes which were seeing release in 1982. On top of the music, the album cover is also very home made and iconic in it's own way. The art layout is also credited to Fuck You Inc, and to this day it is the only LP I've ever seen in which the producer humbly apologizes for the recording quality in the liner notes.

Sumy is currently living in Amsterdam and plays out on a regular basis.

- Disco Tom Noble

Sumy - Soul With Milk

I found all these old Chicago party flyers on Devastating Dennis's myspace page, I must have downloaded about twenty or so. They are reminiscent of that time around the mid or late eighties when I first started to notice aesthetic, or soak it in at least, and the DIY style of the time reminds me of the cheaper small skateboard company ad's I would cut out and collect. I couldn't afford imported new wavey skateboard gear, and I didn't go to late eighties house raves and the tune I'm posting isn't even from Chicago (I think it originates from Michigan) but the spirit is still the same, so with that fine segue...on to Carmen's Time To Move!

I now share with you one of my most favorite 7"s that I own.  It fills me with happiness and I can pretend I am in a different place and time, maybe with the potentially fictitious female named Lori....and chameleons too (I had one once named Charlie).

Lori & The Chameleons - Touch

In the dawn of the 80's the sound and culture of dance music shifted much as it had in the mid 70's. Just as disco grew out of funk, boogie morphed out of the disco sound. Boogie really was the perfect blend of the two genres. Much like disco it was more oriented towards the dancefloor and like funk it was a touch more raw and soulful. 1982 was the year it all gained cohesion, the pinnacle of dance music. This track is a prime example of Boogie's sublime evolution. 


The brainchild of producer/songwriter Donald "Dee Dee" Burnside, First Love were a 4 piece female vocal group formed in 1979. The group released their first single on Dakar in 1980 and switched over to the tiny CBS sub label Chycago International Music for 1981's excellent "It's a Mystery to Me". "Party Lights" would follow in '82 and prove to be the group's finest lazer soul entry. The reverb drenched vocals sit nicely over the gated snare hits, wicked synth lines and an out of order guitar break. I included an edit by Liquid Pegasus. Obviously he had a lot of strong material to work with, but he manages to make an edit thats pretty enjoyable to listen to on its own accord.

First Love - Party Lights

First Love - Party Lights (Liquid Pegasus Edit)

Fonda Rae, the Deputy of Love sang this track for Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band in 1979. She later sang on hits by Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael's group Wish before putting out releases under her own name. This is a soulful, funky jam that has a tongue and cheek vocal delivery and a classic disco stomp. David sent us a housy remixfor you to enjoy as well.

Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band - Deputy Of Love
BC Crew - The Deputy

"For The Same Man" is simply an excellent release from 1983 on 25 West Records. Written by Libby McLaren, Matt Noble and Rebecca Rifkin, this song is made for dancing.

For The Same Man (Nasty Version)

In a long bygone era, this is precisely what I picture a Saturday night to sound (and look) like. RIP 1982.

Here is a mix of some of my favorite jams. They are plenty good for shaking down the house, but just as good for making the commute a little easier. It seems that I live in my car these days and I can only handle so much NPR.

Tracklist:

David Joseph - You Can't Hide (12" Version)
Thelma Houston - You Used To Hold Me So Tight (12" Version)
Unlimited Touch - Searching To Find The One
Lenny White - My Turn To Love You (Special Mix)
Sharon Redd - Beat The Street (Special 12" Instrumental)
Kano - She's A Star (LP Version)
Chocolate (Chocolette) - It's That East Street Beat (Club Mix)
Touch - Love Fixation (Dub)
Patrick Cowley - Thank God For Music (Disconet Extended Remix)
Connie Case - Get Down

Download Mix Here

My brain is cloudy from watching a debate between two senators who disagree on a few important issues. Therefore, I'm not sure how much depth I can spew from my spinning head for a post today...Rather, I'll focus on two things I saw in the debate through two different Jesse Saunders tracks.

First off: I'm not sure what this silly song from Saunders is about exactly but it is seething with absurdity which I have seen plenty of in this presidential race, especially in the past week. Additionally, feel free to relate this song to the topic of our nation's health care system in some obscure way (I'm open to suggestions).



Secondly, I'll focus on the mind-numbing rehashing of rhetoric which was very present in the debate (however, this track is loads more fun). Produced under another moniker of Jesse's, Fresh, Dum Dum is an amazing house anthem in a non-traditional sense. It's a mash-up medley where Mr. Saunders scratches and samples other tracks including some Sheila E as well as the other track in this post...all over the top of a simple drum machine track and a repetitive vocal medley consisting only of the word "dum". On a sidenote, there is a lack of live scratching which happens in house and techno these days. Find some old WBMX mixes online to hear the character DJs used to inject into their mixing.



I know Jesse aka Jes Say, the godfather of house, has little to do with the 2008 presidential race in the US of A but maybe he could run for president. I could imagine some vintage sounding patriotic house jam to rally support for him. You can be assured that Barack has my vote secured but without a doubt I would vote for Jesse Saunders over McCain if it came down to it. (And in no way am I comparing Obama to Jesse Saunders in case you were wondering...but I'll bet they are both swell guys.)

Dr. Derelict - Undercover (Remix)

Fresh - Dum Dum