Atlantic Records

1978

Patrick Adams’ studio sorcery, re-tuned by Joey Negro for the modern ear . A lush, unhurried groove that lifts you up into the clouds. So warm and soothing, like those super dope rain shower heads you get in a fancy hotel.

Atlantic Records

1981

Ullanda began her singing career in Detroit at age 13, singing ad jingles including the 1971 Coca-Cola anthem “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”. She relocated to NY in 75 and picked up work as a backup singer for Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Quincy Jones, to name a few. This track was her lead single in 1981, written bu Ashford &Simpson, whom she sang back up for on track like “Solid”.

Motown Records

1980

Lady T in full flight, stepping out from behind Rick James’ shadow to become her own universe. John Morales’ extended mix lets the horns and handclaps stretch out into electric heaven. No wonder she was the first white girl on Soul Train (!).

ICE Records

1981

A short-lived UK jazz-funk outfit linked to Beggar & Co and Light of the World, Front Line Orchestra embodied London’s 1980 groove explosion. Like songs from label founder Eddy Grant, this was a big Paradise Garage record and, when dropped at the right moment, will invariably get dusty old folks like me to put their drink down and get on up.

Tamla Records

1973

The former Temptation at his most liberated. Eddie’s airy falsetto is simply wonderful, soaring over congas and a driving bassline that echoes his first solo hit "Keep On Truckin'" and quickly gets your head nodding. He too was fundamental in bridging the gap between Soul and Disco so smoothly that’s it’s impossible to pinpoint where one ends and the other begins. 

Buddah Records

1979

Patrick Adams again. His fingerprints are everywhere in my record collection. Teenage Harlem trio Black Ivory bridged sweet soul harmonies and club grooves. The hook’s magnetic pull is like nothing else. You think it’s done, and then DAMN it’s revving up again. The kind of track that transforms into something massive on a big sound system. Confession: for years, when I was dumb, I thought the lyrics were “mainline took my love” and I assumed it was a very upbeat song about a heroin overdose. Weird, huh?

RFC / Warner Bros.

1980

I played this song SO MUCH back in the day that I had to put it down for about a decade. But man, it’s just SO great. A euphoric hymn for optimism. The gospel of disco rebirth. Pass the collection plate I’m all in.

Mahogany Records

1980

A sleeper gem from the TK Records orbit. Disco’s heart beating strong and simple.

Fist-O-Funk

1978

I know very little about Bronx funkster Tom C James, but this title alone deserves a standing ovation. Wild, campy, and greasy. 

TK Records

1979

Ish Ledesma was born in Cuba and came up in Miami as a session guitarist, playing on Gwen McCrae’s “Rockin’Chair”, as well as Abba and Miami Sound Machine records. He founded the band Foxy before going solo in 79. This was a recent discovery for me. Never too late to never stop stopping.

RCA Records

1974

Harlem soul stalwarts fronted by Cuba Gooding Sr., they blended gospel harmonies with soul psychedelicide grooves. This track’s optimism is contagious. A call to dance your way through the doubt. And another clear bridge between Soul & Disco. If I had to pick a year to revisit live gigs in my time machine, 74 is probably it.

Polydor Records

1976

JB’s disco songs ain’t got nothing on his Funk, which sit high on a  mountaintop with one of those 10,000 steps staircases. We are not worthy. And yet, if you listen to some of these mid-late 70s JB cuts objectively, they are downright STOMPERS. Case in point.

RCA Records

1979

One of those studio projects born from the Hair soundtrack craze. Was probably sold on TV at the time when I was watching Night Stalker re-runs. DJ Chuggin Edits loops the same bit over and over, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t just work.

Elektra Records

1979

A jazz singer of the highest order, Bridgewater crossed over to disco in the late ’70s without losing her sophistication. “Bad For Me” is a masterclass in confidence — brass, bass, and bravado. And if wonder why there's so much piano in early house music, look no further.