Disco Zip File #32: Disco Kitten, "Ann Margret", Michele and Patrick Cowley and Mark Farina

Ann-Margret
Label: MCA Records
Released: 1980

Credits: Arranged By, Guitar, Producer - Paul Sabu

The 60’s kitten did an excellent job at creating a rousing effect in the disco arena and along with producer, Paul Sabot these cuts remain some of the most sought after in the classic disco catalogue. “Love Rush” is Ann’s dance floor classic with its piercing strings (may have been influenced by Kat Mandu’s “The Break”) and “percussion delight”. Sabu had just worked with Gwen Jonae and Sister Power so musical elements are similar, if not duplicated. They work very well though.

Back to Margret – she shines like a treasure in this group of songs. Although her voice at this point appears frail over the strong instrumentals it works extremely well with its sexuality and alluring feel.

1) Midnight Message (6:53)
2) What I Do To Men (6:07)
3) Love Rush (12” Mix) (6:06)
4) Never Gonna Let You Go (5:03)
5) For You (4:50)

Bonus Tracks:

6) Hold Me, Squeeze Me (5:34)
7) Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes (Part 1) (3:54)

Michele - Disco Dance
Label: West End Records
Released: 1977
Credits: Producer - Pierre Jaubert , Tom Moulton

Tracklisting:

8) Disco Dance (Mega Mix) (13:40) Mega Mix - Patrick Cowley

I have always had a feeling that Michele was also Chantal Curtis who performed “Get Another Love” in 1979. Pierre Jaubert also produced this classic. The LP that features “Disco Dance” is “Magic Love” – a wonderful piece of disco music during a maturing phase. Very European yet a big part of the New York disco scene. This cut was one of Patrick Cowley’s influences to create his psychedelic keyboard tracks over. He created a classic with Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” – this was not as effective yet still interesting to hear Cowley approach his style and work on his genius. The song moves with wonderful rhythm guitar and some raw percussion to tack the hips to the groove.

Mark Farina - To My Heart
Label: Asia Records
Country: Italy
Released: 1989

Credits: Arranged By, Producer, Written-By - Giuliano Crivellente , Mauro Farina
Mixed By - Laurent G. Newfield* , P. Pelloni*
Notes: Recorded and Mixed at Factory Sound Studio by "The Mixmaster Team"

This is one of my favorite Italo Disco tracks of this period – not much was going on that was innovative. Allot of the producers and their projects were sounding very similar and the usual sound of a thumping beat and simple keyboards were repeated. This track has some elements that stand out for me: a wonderful orchestral crescendo, very similar to “Always On My Mind” by Pet Shop Boys and Farina’s wonderful yearning vocals. The angelic vocal samples are wonderful. This one is a twirler!

Tracklisting:

9) To My Heart (Boom Boom Mix) (6:55)