I'm an Indian Too

Not sure if this song is incredibly racist or just some kind of ineffective social commentary... Possibly both, but whatever it is, this silliness, a disco cover of a song from "Annie Get Your Gun," combines a spectacular groove with some catchy and truly bizarre vocals.  But what else can you expect?  Just another winner from Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band.

This disco oddity was released by ZE Records in 1979 as 12" with "Deputy of Love" as a B-side.

Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band — "I'm an Indian Too"

Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band — "I'm an Indian Too (12" Version)"

Leo Zero/Strut Records/London

In a few weeks Strut Records' first compilation of their "Disconnect" series will be released, with tracks selected by UK deejay legend Leo Zero. Strut says that with "Disconnect," they ask "some of the world's leading DJs to explore the darker side of their collections for rarities, secret weapons and unheralded dancefloor winners." It sounds like fun, but there's only one way to know for sure!

But most importantly, to promote the release Leo Zero has been doing a tour around Europe, and he'll be doing a set at London's The Book Club in Shoreditch on Friday, November 26.  I'm guessing it won't be entirely disco-centric, but it should be a good time.

You can also download a track from the compilation for free, in advance! Got a download link here for convenience. It's not too exciting to me, but it's solid.  Still definitely looking forward to the full release.


Leo Zero — (The Countach feat. Rosenda) My Oasis (Dance Club Version)


STRUT RECORDS DISCONNECT


THE BOOK CLUB INFO

Take a Chance

Eerie and strangely emotional, this Mr. Flagio tune from 1983 touches a peculiar part of my heart.  It has that slightly off-kilter Italo feel, simple instrumentation that knows what to do at exactly the right moments, and some vocoder vocals that send chills down my spine every time.  I guess that's my attempt at rationalizing my love for this song, but I don't think it quite captures exactly why I can't stop listening to it.

Mr. Flagio — "Take a Chance"

Love-Disco, Because I Love You So

Winter seems to be creepin' in, and it's getting me down. For the alleviation of these wintertime moods, the doctor recommends some disco.

Here are a few tunes that always manage to shake the blues right outta me via paranormal surges of energy that cause violent and uncontrollable fits of  boogie-ing down.

Hyperbole aside........these love-themed songs should warm your heart on these cold Fall nights. Because what better to do when it's getting cold outside than stay inside with the ones you love and share some dance moves?

 
Jimmy Ross — "First True Love Affair"

Syreeta — "Can't Shake Your Love"

Can't Make It Up...

Friends!

In the endless sea of the internet disco world in which I spend so much time swimming/drowning, etc., I have stumbled upon what I think can only be described as an absurd treasure.

Yes, you have guessed it! Despite the relative arbitrariness of this blog's name (other than stemming from my love of Cosby-esque sweaters), I recently discovered that my blog's eponymous human, Mr. Bill Cosby himself, released a comedy disco album in 1977 entitled Disco Bill.

While it might not be comedy-disco's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, I think it could at least be the (perhaps fortunately) forgotten genre's The Joshua Tree.

.......Anyways, complete with some presumably 'funktastic' album art, the album is kind of amusing and worth a listen if you have a lot of free time.  But to save you some time, here's what I think is the best track.

Bill Cosby — "What Ya Think 'Bout Lickin' My Chicken?"

Get out there and dance to this sucker!!

...Oh, boy.

Viva Italo!

Hey there sailors...

I've been failing in the posting department lately, but alas, no excuses.

As I mentioned in my first post, Hercules and Love Affair came to London for one performance at Debut, at which they appropriately 'debut'ed a bunch of material from their upcoming release "Blue Songs."  In an attempt to avoid re-opening still tender wounds, I will only say that I missed the show by mere minutes.........

But I can't complain too much seeing as I spent the entire week before the show in Italy with the lovely Deprecious, exploring the land which has seen Rome rise and fall, given us the art and ideas of the Renaissance, fine wines and cuisine, and most significantly birthed a brief moment in the 1980s that left a mark on dance music forever that we have come to know as Italo Disco.

Characterized by synth-driven dance rhythms and over the top vocals that reek of Italian cheese, Italo took disco where need it needed to go after it lost popularity in the late 70s.

Kano, an Italo group formed in 1979, is a supreme example of the type of music being cranked out during this period.  Famous for their hit "I'm Ready," they released a fair amount of quirky tunes to which many folks around the world have danced the night away, including the fabulous "Now Baby Now."

Kano — "Now Baby Now (Kotey Edit)"

And in self-pity for missing the Hercules and Love Affair Show, I'll also post this track that Andy Butler created with Jason Kendig as the first release of their new record label "MR.INTL." I think it's pretty cool, a kind of techno/deep house thing going on, with a nifty vocal sample to boot.

Andrew Butler and Jason Kendig — "And I'm (So in Love With You)"

Helluva Week

Oy vey.

I've been tired for literally a week. With the exception of the few glorious hours that I've actually been asleep.

Anyways... music! I've been extremely excited about this tune for the past few days, amidst my sleepy haze.  A classic underground groover from West End Records, with some outrageous synth work and a vocal performance that reminds us all why disco is the genre that puts us in our place.

I think if you don't like this song you need to take a step back and really look at yourself.  Reconsider some life choices and begin making changes that have long been necessary.  How could you have ended up here?

Shirley Lites — Heat You Up (Melt You Down)