Keep Love Alive

Gene Pitney - Train of thought

2011-08-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Gene getting down with a disco sound and a cover of a song originally recorded by Cher.

Gene Pitney - She's a heartbreaker

2011-08-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Another soulful outing from Gene Pitney, this one popular in northern soul circles.

Gene Pitney - That girl belongs to yesterday

2011-08-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Another 60s pop favourite of mine, a soulful belter written by Jagger/Richards. Low quality video, high quality song.

Neil Diamond - Solitary Man

2011-07-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Possibly a guilty pleasure but I love everything about the original 1966 recording of this song.

Melinda was mine
'Til the time
That I found her
Holding Jim
Loving him

Then Sue came along
Loved me strong
That's what I thought
Me and Sue
That died too

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

I've had it to here
Bein' where
Love's a small world
Part-time thing
Paper ring

I know it's been done
Havin' one
Girl who loves you
Right or wrong
We go strong

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

Wonderful.

Curtis McClaine - Let's Get Busy (Dub Mix)

2011-02-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

This one from 1988 with the Dub Mix I rediscovered after hearing it on the Disco Bloodbath mix for Resident Advisor. Lovely wonky sound FX over the drum intro.

Jungle Wonz - The Jungle

2011-02-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

Marshall Jefferson with the smoother sound of Chicago house in 1986.

Adonis - We're Rockin' Down the House

2011-01-29T12:04:00.001-08:00

Another raw and moody jack track from the early days of Trax Records.

Sweet D - Thank Ya

2011-01-22T00:53:00.000-08:00

Possibly my favourite release from Trax Records back in the day. It utilises a slightly warped-sounding riff sample from Cheryl Lynn 'You Saved My Day'. Uplifting, repetitive, house baby!

Keep Love Alive Mix - Best of 2010

2010-12-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

A compilation of my favorite tunes from 2010, enjoy.

1. Sophie Zelmani - If I Could (Version Lindbæk)
2. Seu Jorge and Almaz - Cirandar
3. Kasper Bjorke - Heaven (Prins Thomas Diskomiks)
4. Lindstrom and Christabelle - Love Sick
5. Rodion - Alagos Cowboys
6. Tiago - Motorcycles (Neville Watson mix)
7. Moodymann - It's 2 Late 4 U and Me
8. David August - Music is the Place To Be
9. Midnight Magic - Beam me up (Jacques Renault mix)
10. Ooft! - Umbilical Chord (Ooft! Dub)
11. Duckbeats - Repeat Prescription
12. Space Dimension Controller - The Love Quadrant

The Velvelettes - These Things Will Keep Me Loving You Dear

2010-12-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Lovely clip of The Velvelettes performing this Johnny Bristol and Harvey Fuqua song also recorded by Diana Ross.

Chubby Checker - At the Discotheque

2010-12-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

Great clip of Chubby Checker doing this mod classic. Always loved the way he pronunces it "At the Disco-tey ... Hey Hey Hey!". Class!

Dave Brubeck - Unsquare Dance

2010-12-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

Love this clip!

Brenda Holloway - When I'm Gone

2010-12-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

Sexy, soulful performance by Brenda Holloway of this classic song written by Smokey Robinson and recorded also by Mary Wells amongst others. "What are you gonna do when I'm gone?" Indeed.

First Love - It's a Mystery to Me

2010-12-11T01:01:00.000-08:00

Great boogie / soul track from 1982, a vintage year for many.

The Flirtations - Nothing But a Heartache

2010-11-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

Fantastic song, orange jump suits and incongruous setting combine to make this a clip of video genius, particularly the shot towards the end when the girls are standing on stone pillars. Thanks for the find Chas!

Tommy Hunt - One Fine Morning

2010-10-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Vintage TV clip (from Germany?) of Tommy Hunt doing this Northern Soul / Disco classic - thanks Fritz51355 I love this!!!

Ronnie Dyson - All Over Your Face

2010-10-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Only one of my favourite 80s disco (or is that boogie?) tracks of all time.

Frankie Valli - Swearin' to god

2010-10-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Wooahh! A live video of Frankie Valli performing a his shuffling disco classic. Below you'll find the original full length disco mix in all it's 10 minute 15 second glory. Enjoy!

Tony Clarke - The Entertainer

2010-09-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

There's lots of things to love about this clip, not least the song. But elevating this performance even more than Tony (I assume it's really him?), his amazing quiff and less than amazing lip synching, is the emcee's intro "... Tony Clarke boomeranged way out into stardom with the tune..." ...

Keep Love Alive Mix - Soul'd Out

2010-09-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Another compilation of some my favourite old 7" singles where despite the occasional pops and crackles, the soul still shines through!

1. Three Degrees - Contact
2. Frankie Valli - The Night
3. Spyder Turner - I can't Take It Anymore
4. Ronnie & Robyn - Sidras Theme
4. Ronnie & Robyn - As Long As You Love Me
5. Towanda Barnes - You Don't Mean It
6. Marvin Holmes - You Better Keep Her
7. The Fantastic Johnny C - Waiting For The Rain
8. The Dells - Its All Up To You
9. Anderson Brothers - I Can See Him Loving You
10. Millie Jackson - House for Sale
11. Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl
12. Boogie Man Orchestra - Lady, Lady, Lady
13. Tony Borders - Love's Been Good To me
14. Tony Middleton - Paris Blues
15. Admirations - Wait Till I Get To Know You
16. Lanie Hill - Time Marches On
17. Susan Maughan - That Other Place
18. Walter Jackson - Its an Uphill Climb To The Bottom
19. Impressions - Gypsy Woman

Keep Love Alive Mix - Summer of Love 2010

2010-09-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

A bit late but its been a busy summer. Inspired amongst other things by the impending wedding of my little bro, here is a mix of lurve songs that takes you from the surprisingly good soft rock of ONJ and Fleetwood Mac into funky balearic beats through disco and ending on a jazzy tip, phew! Everyone a winner IMHO. Congratulations Chas and Emma! Here is the tracklisting:

1. Olivia Newton John - Love Song
2. Fleetwood Mac - Brown Eyes
3. Max Berlin's - Elle et Moi
4. Rob - Make it Fast, Make it Slow (Gerd edit)
5. Patti Austin - Body Language
6. Barbra Streisand - Promises
7. Tony Orlando - Don't Let Go
8. Demis Roussos - I Dig You
9. Main Ingredient - Everything Man
10. Henry Mancini - Love's Theme/TSOP
11. FBI - Talking About Love
12. Benitez - We Are The One

Metropolis - I Love New York

2010-06-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

A musical tribute to the city that never sleeps.

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Laura Greene - Manhattan

2010-06-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Black Diamond - New York City Dream

2010-06-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Harlem World Crew - Rappers Convention

2010-06-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Beastie Boys - New York City (rub n tug remix)

2010-06-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

James Brown - Funk Bomb

2010-02-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

My favourite tune from the Godfather.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Funk and Soul Sevens

2010-02-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Another post for the Dad Dancers. A mix of original funk and soul sevens from the 7" Box of Love accompanied by a video of the Godfather himself with some dance moves to practice in the kitchen. Off you go!

Tracklist:

1. Voices of East Harlem - Can You Feel It
2. George & Gwen McCrae - Mechanical Body
3. Ultrafunk - Indigo Country
4. Rimshots - Dance Girl
5. Vicki Anderson - Answer To Mother Popcorn
6. Idris Muhammad - Super Bad
7. Smokey Brooks - Spin-it Jig
8. African Music Machine - Blackwater Gold
9. The Marvelettes - Here I Am Baby
10. Mickey & The Soul Generation - Iron Leg
11. James Brown - Lowdown Popcorn
12. Vibrettes - Humpty Dump
13. Ann Sexton - You're Losing Me
14. Marva Whitney - I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired
15. Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up
16. Fabulous Counts - Lunar Funk
17. Barbara Randolph - Can I Get A Witness
18. Variations - Sayin' It, Doin' It
19. Peaches & Herb - Down Where It's At
20. Honey Cone - Want Ads
21. Jenny's Daughters - Dirty Feet
22. Melvin Bliss - Substitution

Ganymed - Future World

2010-01-31T12:49:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the Disco Bloodbath mix on Beats in Space which you can grab here, particularly the way this one slides in ... Ganymed with the title track from the album 'Future World'.

Another of Ganymed's more dancefloor friendly outings is posted here.

Mark Capanni - I Believe in Miracles

2010-01-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

Original version of this song, apparently recorded by the song's writer before the Jackson Sisters' amazing but overplayed version from 1973, though only released as a promo later in 1974. Well I never. Causing excitement over on the excellent Brownswood forum.

Joanie Sommers - Don't Pity Me

2010-01-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Another classic "blue eyed soul" performance found on YouTube. Great look Joanie but you can lose the dancers.

Cover Version of Rita and the Tiaras - Gone With The Wind Is My Love

2010-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

Live footage of an unknown (anyone?) band performing a cover of the Northern cult classic on YouTube. Great quality recording, enjoy!

Looking forward to a video by the original singer, Rita Graham, maybe one day ....

Teddy Pendergrass - Come Go With Me

2010-01-19T04:34:00.000-08:00

RIP to the original 70s soul lover man x

Don Ray - Midnight Madness

2009-11-03T06:23:00.001-08:00

A fiendishly good night was had by all at our 'Keep The Dead Alive' bash at East Village. The lyrics of this classic from Don Ray provide a fitting summary of the night's activities and you can check out more pics on our Facebook page here.

Have a Sexy Halloween!

2009-10-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Keep Love Alive believes October 31st doesn't need to be about ghouls and gremlins. Here's the beautiful Spanish actress, Soledad Miranda, star of 'Vampyros Lesbos' amongst many other cult horror films...

Salma Hayek in 'Dusk Till Dawn'...

The late Aaaliyah in 'Queen of The Damned'...

Naughty but nice.

Keep Love Alive Halloween Party - East Village, October 31st

2009-10-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

We'll be raising hell to raise money for a good cause, Positive Futures (www.positive-futures.net). Email keeplovealive@splendidcomms.com for the £5 charity guest list. See you there glittery ghouls!

Ketty Lester - Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

2009-10-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

Anonymous Dad Dancer, we salute you! Check out the talc on the kitchen floor and a great tune too!

Judy Street - What

2009-10-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

A few more northern soul posts, this time with musings on one of my favourite topics, Dad Dancing. The essence of Dad Dancing is to remain convinced that you are busting brilliant dance moves when even a 2-year old would recognise a creaky old duffer prancing around in some kind of jerky, breathless, fantasy state. Northern soul is great for Dad Dancing. Everybody thinks they can do that northern soul backward-stepping dance move but only proper northern soul dancers can. I am not a proper northern soul dancer, I'm a Dad Dancer, and I've always been inspired by the clip above from Wigan Casino as it appeared on Granada TV's This England documentary. Marvel at the high energy precision of those dancers and wonder where are they now or, more importantly, are they dads?

An example of good northern soul dancing of the kind that even a Dad Dancer could aspire to. This guy was apparently captured mucking about at work so someone has edited the video adding Judy Sreet as the backing track. Genius!

Try this at home.

Lorraine Silver - Lost Summer Love

2009-10-01T23:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! Last post was August with a summer soul mix and now all of a sudden it's winter, how did that happen? Here is Lorraine Silver capturing that end of summer feeling perfectly with 'Lost Summer Love' which she recorded at the tender age of 13 in 1965. Thanks to Mod Generation for a fantastic video.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Summer Soul Special

2009-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Phew what a scorcher. A selection of stylish 6Ts and 7Ts soul sides for sun lovers, straight from the 7" Box of Love. x

Tracklist:

1. The Drifter - Ray Pollard
2. On Main Street - The Magnificents
3. Don't Pity Me - Joanie Sommers
4. I'd Think It Over - Sam Fletcher
5. That Other Place - Wade Flemons
6. Magic Touch - Melba Moore
7. As Long As I Have You - Garnet Mimms
8. My World Is Empty Without You - Diana Ross & The Supremes
9. Girls Are Out To Get You - The Fascinations
10. Our Love Will Grow - The Showmen
11. You Just Foolin Me - Terry Callier
12. Think It Over - The Harvey Averne Dozen
13. Better Use Your Head - Little Anthony and The Imperials
14. That Girl Belongs To Yesterday - Gene Pitney
15. Three Cool Cats - The Coasters
16. Lonely Lover - Marvin Gaye
17. Ask The Lonely - The Four Tops
18. Where Is That Girl - Detroit Spinners
19. Just Say Goodbye - Esther Phillips
20. Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
21. I'll Hold You - Frankie And Johnny
22. Overdose of Joy - Eugene Record
23. That's What You Get For Being Polite - The Jacksons
24. Trying To Love Two - Barbara Lynn
25. It Happens When I Look At You - Aretha Franklin
26. Work To Do - The Main Ingredient
27. Casanova - Loleatta Holloway
28. Everything Man - Main Ingredient

Zachary - In Control

2009-07-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, great new house music alert, 'Evolution Pro' on side A feels like a candidate for tune of the year! Buy one here, limited edition and vinyl only, apparently.

The Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl

2009-07-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Fascinating thread over there at the DJ history forum discussing the legendary Blackpool Mecca, centred on the memories of Ian Dewhirst and other DJs. Well worth a read, especially Ian's tales of digging in America in the early 70s. If only ...

The 'Out On The Floor' compilation on Inferno was my introduction to this tune as a wee London mod, in 1979.

T-Coy - Carino

2009-07-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

I THINK this was the highlight of Todd Terje's set at East Village ... memory is a little hazy. It was a great night with Stuart Patterson and Todd playing deep, high quality house and the Lovebox crew dropping disco in the bar. In any case, here is a ground-breaking British release from 1987 sounding ridiculously basic today but revolutionary at the time and still a fantastic groove. Sorry for the crackles.

Shit Robot - Simple Things (Todd Terje Remix)

2009-07-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Todd Terje riding high with a great remix of Shit Robot, out now on DFA so buy it here. Serge Santiago has turned in his own brilliant take on the same tune, available on a separate 12" here. Wonder what Todd will play tonight at East Village?

Keep Love Alive Top Five Todd Terje Moments:

1. Camino del Sol (remix) - Antena
2. Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes (re-edit) - Paul Simon
3. Another Station (TT mix) - Lindstrom
4. Balearic Incarnaton (remix) - Dolle Jolle (TT remix)
5. Plastik (remix)- Simon Baker

Dennis Parker - Like An Eagle

2009-07-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Todd Terje at East Village, London tomorrow night, woohoo! Here's a favourite of the Norwegian disco dude, 'Like An Eagle' by Dennis Parker. Mr. Parker was apparently a porn star in the 70s (well of course, with that 'tache!) who caught AIDS then blew his brains out with a shotgun. Great video!

Visual - The Music Got Me

2009-07-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Electronic dance music perfection from 1983. A monstrous, murky bassline and fizzing hats support a typically "Garage" sounding vocal. Produced by Boyd Jarvis and Timmy Regisford, both still making great music today, and mixed by Tony Humphries with a mighty dub on the flip. Here is the vocal, a Keep Love Alive spin for, oh dear, more than 20 years now.

Sandy Mercer - Give Me Your Love

2009-07-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Funky boogie track with great drum breaks. Seem to remember the instrumental getting played by people like Trevor 'Madhatters' Nelson and Soul II Soul but the vocal is pretty cool.

Queen Samantha - Give Me Action

2009-07-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

Another tip-off from Sean P, cheers mate!

Hydro Featuring Lorna - I'll Make Your Day Tonight

2009-07-18T00:50:00.001-07:00

Bad boogie from 1979.

Mr. Fingers - What About This Love

2009-07-16T06:32:00.001-07:00

Timeless, mellow music from the legend Larry Heard. Simply beautiful, an end of night favourite.

Toby Tobias - Space Shuffle (remixes)

2009-07-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

New vinyl additions to the Keep Love Alive collection are more and more rare these days (mostly downloads now, ssshh) so here is a round up of 2009 so far. Toby Tobias' Space Shuffle was one of the best albums of 2008 and here is a great batch of remixes. While Tensnake are deservedly getting lots of attention right now the winner is Dave Ellesmere's mix of Schoon, a no-nonsense house track for big bassbins. Tough skippy drums with all the right repetitive stab sounds that I'd love to hear played at the little Secret Sundaze wood at Love Box although I'm sadly not going this year, boo. Buy one here and perhaps you too could enjoy a 'head pressed to the speaker stack in the living room' moment soon.

Meanderthals - Andromeda (Idjut Boys mix)

2009-07-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross the UK's finest proponenets of deep and laid back electronic sounds ...

... with one of Norway's finest proponents of deep and laid back electronic sounds?

You guessed it.

Dan and Conrad team up with Rune (see previous post) for an album as the Meanderthals and what you get is all pretty chilled. This remix is hardly uptempo but there's something about the heavy drums and tribal sounding percussion that reminds me of Soul II Soul at the Africa Centre (circa 1986??) So classic sounding dance music that deserves to be rumbling on a big sound system stack somewhere this summer. Buy it here

Rune Lindbaek - Bonat Synthesiser

2009-07-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

Rune is a leading light of the Norwegian nu-balearic-cosmic-call it whatever scene, though apperas to be much less prolific than fellow Scandinavians such as Lindstrom, who is a collaborator here. A collection of brilliantly wonky, wierd, squelchy nu-balearic-cosmic-sounds where even the most 'up' moment on 'Nautilus' is still pretty laid back. Check it here

House of House - Rushing to Paradise

2009-07-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

Expensive but worth the investment, these Whatever We Want releases seem to be pressed in limited quantities. This is the best of the bunch so far for me, a steadily building, deep house track that exlodes with a rousing vocal and piano finish. Seems to be sold out from the places I normally shop ...

The Doves - Kingdom of Rust (Prins Thomas mix)

2009-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

More from the bearded Scando-house mafia. A decent Doves outing gets a folky, funky, electronic makeover from Prins Thomas and backed with a great Still Going remix too. Worth tracking down.

Magenta - She's Model

2009-06-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

Sigh, the sad loss of another icon. Wanted to grab a tune to commemorate the legendary smile and hairstyle that was Farah Fawcett and this one from 1997 seems to work.

The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye

2009-06-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

RIP Michael Jackson. My favourite memories of him will always be Jackson 5 ones.

Earth People - Reach Up to Mars

2009-06-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Thank God its Friday and time for another rave classic, this one from Joey Longo in his Earth People guise, released on US Underworld records in 1990.

Nexus 21 - Techno Symphony

2009-06-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

More 'rave-era' brilliance, this time from 1989 and the North of England, Stafford to be precise. The first Nexus 21 release was '(Still) Life Keeps Moving', a vocal techno smash. It was followed by an album 'Rhythm of Life' that was strongly influenced by Detroit but with a definite British flavour. Here is one of the standout cuts, 'Techno Symphony'.

Sha-Lor - I'm in Love

2009-06-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the DJ Flicks 'Rave' screening on Friday here is an enduring and quite beautiful New York house classic from 1988 that has never left the Keep Love Alive 12" box of love.

DJ Ficks - Rave

2009-06-10T05:26:00.001-07:00

DJ FLICKS is a simple idea: watch great dance music documentaries, then dance the night away as legendary DJs recreate the era you’ve just seen on screen.

The first DJ FLICKS night back in April, DISCO, was a roaring success.
Kicking off with a Q&A with veteran producer Arthur Baker, we showed The Godfather of Disco, introduced by its director, Gene Graham. Then, right after watching classic footage from 1970s New York, we recreated the era with blinding sets from London’s original disco king Gareth Marshal and new guns Disco Bloodbath.

Linda di Franco - My Boss

2009-06-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Linda Franco, here she is performing 'My Boss' live on Italian television supported by the Invisible Man Band, doing that classic "knock knees" dance from the 80s and delivering the brilliant lyrics "My boss has taken all my heart and now he's tearing it apart..."

Discossession - TV Scene

2009-06-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

A rare, new vinyl addition to the Keep Love Alive collection. Here is a version of Linda Di Franco's Balearic fave 'TV Scene' released in Japan by Discossession. Featuring a great Soft Rocks remix (thanks Piers!) and the blissful, floaty 'Celestial Mix'. Copies of the expensive Japanese import seem to have disappeared from the UK stores so buy it online at Jet Set records in Japan.

Manzel - Space Funk / Jump Street

2009-06-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

Two great, break-fuelled funky sides.
'Space Funk'

'Jump Street'

Eugene Record - Overdose of Joy

2009-06-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

So they find this man, he's collapsed in the middle of the room. Robbery is quickly ruled out as the motive because "... on his arm he wears a watch, on his hand he wears a ring and ..." (the clincher) "... around his neck he wears a costly piece of jewellery". A doctor on the scene, sensing the presence of a lady, quickly announces a diagnosis ... yes, "This man is suffering from an overdose of joy". Pure, soulful genius.

Mach - On and On

2009-06-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

A cut 'n' paste classic. Originally released in 1980 on the b-side of a bootleg put together by a Miami DJ it features excerpts from Lipps Inc 'Funky Town', Donna Summers 'Bad Girls', Playback 'Space invaders' and Munich Machine 'Get on the Funk Train'. By the mid-1980's, pioneering house DJs had made this an underground club smash in Chicago.

If you haven't seen this amazing DJ Rahaan youtube clip, watch all the way through to see this track smashing the dancefloor 20 years on. And on (beep beep!).

Keep Love Alive Mix - Far Beyond

2009-05-18T15:44:00.001-07:00

For everyone that came to party Above the Clouds with us on Friday and all lovers of spaced-out electronic grooves here is a mix to ease you gently down to earth. Containing recent classics from Joey Negro, Larry Heard and Woolfy as well more distant classics from The Rah Band, Francois K and Slam Mode. Switch to autopilot.

Asha Puthli - Space Walk

2009-05-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Mellow cosmic funk from this 1970s Indian film star and disco chanteuse. Popularised by Gilles Peterson towards the end of the 1980's acid jazz scene at Dingwalls, more on him later.

Mos Eisley Bar Scene from Star Wars

2009-05-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Chilling out with the Star Wars box set, love this scene ... Obie-Wan Kinobe says "You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy" ... looks like the coolest bar in the galaxy!

David Keaton - Space Control

2009-05-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

Keeping it electronic, cosmic and camp this one from David Keaton was released in France in 1983 and in the US on Roulette Records.

The Cosmic Sound Orchestra - Fly Some Funk Up To The Moon

2009-05-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

The last in a cosmic disco 'Baia Sound' trilogy this week, this originated from Germany in 1978. Slightly bonkers, trippy in parts and apparently another Baldelli play. Hey it's Friday, lets fly some funk right up to the moon!

John Forde - Stardance

2009-05-14T00:08:00.000-07:00

This release on Sidewalk records from 1977 seems to be prized for the tracks 'Woman' and 'Don't You You Know Who Did It?' (which is excellent). Both were apparently played by the 'father of comsic disco' Daniele Baldelli and his fans have payed big bucks for the record since. This is the third track on the EP and a lovely spacey disco groove it is too. Much easier to track down on a 7" and you get the bonus of some quite sexy options on sleeve art depending on which release you go for:

Italian ...

... or French?

Enjoy the music.

Ganymed - It Takes You Higher

2009-05-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

Ganymed was an Austrian space disco outfit who took their name from an asteroid that looks suspiciously like a huge disco ball. Like a lot of European disco, their music has an electronic feel with camp tendencies. This one from the album 'Takes You Higher' is no exception but it works for me as I hope it does for you. The asteroid is pretty cool too, check it out.

Travis Biggs - Fly Like An Eagle

2009-05-12T00:09:00.000-07:00

The Steve Miller Band original of 'Fly Like An Eagle' is a top tune and needs no improvement, although jazz violinist Travis Biggs here takes it in a more funky, cosmic direction and it is a worthy excursion. If you dig this then check the rest of the album, which has been reissued by Soul Jazz, here . It contains a great version of Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish' and a killer groove called 'Tibetan Sirenity'. With thanks to Chas.

War - Flying Machine

2009-05-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Flute-led, jazz dance goodness from War.

Chris Farlowe - Air Travel

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Chris Farlowe with a Brit R&B mod fave extolling the virtues of planes and stuff, presumably because in the sixties they had air stewardesses like the ones pictured above. No "Squeezy Jet" either.

DJ Premier - Above The Clouds (instrumental)

2009-05-09T11:46:00.001-07:00

Only 6 sleeps to go till take-off for the Keep Love Alive 'Above the Clouds' party so each day we'll post a tune that deals with the party's theme - air travel, space exploration and cosmic love. First up, a good groove from king of the Big Apple beat makers, DJ Premier

Keep Love Alive Mix - Lost Horizons

2009-05-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Another old mix, this one from 2008 that starts with the "David Mancuso Loft classic" Instant House 'Lost Horizons' and meanders through some more recent deep house and/ or 'cosmic' bits and bobs. Hope you enjoy.

Kellee Patterson - I'm Gonna Love You (Just a Little More)

2009-05-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Sexy, funky soul version of the Barry White classic by the delectable Kellee Patterson from the album 'Kellee'

And for good measure another picture, a promo shot from the film 'Demolition Man' courtesy of The Bodega. "Oh baby, you're outta sight!"

Keep Love Alive - Party Time

2009-05-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

Its a private affair so email for guest list

Sound Dimension - Granny Scratch Scratch

2009-04-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

Obscure funky reggae tunes were popular on the London boogie and rare groove scene in the mid 1980's and the big find was the monster 'Greedy G' on Studio One instrumentals album 'Better Dub'. Shortly afterwards came the discovery of this from the 'Roots Dub' album, recorded by Studio One house band Sound Dimension. Caned by Westwood, amongst others, on his radio show at the time.

Queen Yahna - Ain't It Time

2009-04-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Excellent, conscious 70's disco-soul courtesy of Peter Brown's P&P label.

Melba Moore - Magic Touch

2009-04-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Brilliant northern soul stomper from a young Melba Moore recorded in 1966 although not at first released. In fact The Bobby Fuller Four released a pop version although this pales in comparison with Melba's version. This is a later release (re-issue?) thanks to Chas!

The JB's - My Brother

2009-04-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

For my brother, respect.

The Gospelaires of Dayton, O. - God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

2009-04-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sean P for this one.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Go That Deep

2009-04-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a mix from 2008 with the Shara Nelson tune named in the title, Henrik Schwarz of course, Aeroplane and some deep house goodies.

Vince Aletti - The Disco Files

2009-04-20T23:14:00.000-07:00

This just arrived and it's a great read. Reports from the disco front line as it was formed on the underground dancefloors of New York and beyond and a must for dance music lovers. Buy it at DJHistory.com here

William Shatner - Rocket Man

2009-04-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Mad version of Elton John's ode to getting high, recorded live on TV by William Shatner

Wendy Rene - Bar-B-Q

2009-04-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats a barbie in the sunshine

Milton Wright - Keep It Up

2009-04-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

Ooh ooh baby now, keep it up, keep it up ...

The Isley Brothers - Work To Do

2009-04-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

A tune also recorded by Main Ingredient and The Average White Band. Brilliant, soulful lyrics for all working men of the world:

I'm taking care of business, woman can't you see
I gotta make it for you, and I gotta make it for me
Sometimes it may seem girl I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time
But I got so many things to do

Oh I'm out here trying to make it, woman can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it, let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burning
And a little food hot in my plate
You might as well get used to me coming home a little late, oh

Ooh, I got work to do, I got work baby
I got a job, yeah I got work to do
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do

Arts & Craft - I've Been Searching

2009-04-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

It took more than a decade of searching to track this one down, what a tune!

Deniece Williams - Cause You Love Me Baby

2009-04-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Two-step boogie favourite

Exodus - Together Forever (Dub)

2009-03-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

Vocals, drums, bass and piano riffs that comprise the roots of house, sampled by many.

Brooklyn Express - You Need A Change Of Mind

2009-03-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Underground disco from New York production legends Began Cekic and Fredd Zarr. A version of the Eddie Kendricks classic that works the breakdown of the original into a sexy, soulful boogie monster.

Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun

2009-03-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Original 7" version of the legendary breakdancers' favourite from Jimmy Castor.

Simonsound - It's Just Begun

2009-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Anyone willing and able to record such a bonkers but brilliant cover of this b-boy classic deserves your support. Buy this record now!

Rome Jefferies - Good Love

2009-03-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

It seems like this one was rare from the moment it came out. A funky, electronic slice of soul that was popular with London boogie boys of the mid-eighties and played by Tim Westwood on his LWR show. The original vinyl still fetches bucks and rightly so, it's a classic and you can grab it here

Mad Props For Tim Westwood

2009-03-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Tim Westwood is a comic figure to many, occasionally a controversial one, but as a DJ on the London pirate station LWR he was the man that introduced me to loads of great music. Known for it's hip hop exclusives, Westwood's radio show was also the source of many great funk and boogie discoveries for me. Here is a surprisingly soulful list of my top 10 Westwood tunes from those days. I remembered where I heard it first Tim ... respect!

Rome Jefferies - Good Love
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Lonely Disco Dancer
Cloud One - Patti Duke
Deniece Wiliams - Cause You Love Me Baby
Brooklyn Express - You Need A Change Of Mind
Barbara Mitchell - Never Had A Love
Sound Dimension - Granny Scratch Scratch
Jermaine Jackson - You Like Me Don't You
Ciara - Goodies
Billie - Ain't Nobody's Business

Jackson Five - I Am Love

2009-03-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Great tune by the funkiest family on wax