ReStructure/Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera: September 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

"Black Is Black" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Cerrone

Jean-Marc Cerrone is man when it comes to disco music. His compositions, arrangements and productions define the Euro-disco sound. His first LP "Love In 'C' Minor" is perhaps one of the perfect among much of his work. Many tracks stand out over each other when you are searching for a message or mood, which is why this man has lead an incredible career- and he continues to fascinate even today.

"Black Is Black" is his cover of the 1967 rock classic by Los Bravos - the song has been covered by many artists in many genres of music. This disco version is the morning glory of disco music. The strings flow wonderfully with the chorus of divas explaining the mind of blue.

I have taken the LP version and given it the ReStructure touch breaking it down several times to give the track a new dance experience and life.

Dedicated once again to the master of the disco symphony - Mr. Jean-Marc Cerrone

Thursday, September 22, 2011

"Rock It" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Deborah Washington

Deborah Washington is a true disco diva. Her first LP "Anyway You Want It" brought a disco version of The Four Tops "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" to many dance floors and completed sound that disco music was all about during the time period. Her follow up project titled "Love Awaits" contained the single "Rock It" which brought Deborah's soft and sexy vocals out again in their place.

I have taken the 12" version of "Rock It" and have given it a ReStructure Mix adding a few samples from early 70s rock and re-pacing the arrangement - using more of the drums and guitars to the advantage of any dancer!

Sample from "Open Your Gate" by Ron Savage

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"Not Love" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Trilogy

Trilogy is Paolo Micioni - a DJ and producer from Rome, Italy. His work in the early 80s can be heard in releases by Easy Going, Gary Low, Traks, Thanya, Gazebo, Blue Night and various remix projects. His style of Italo-disco helped in the early 80s to create a mood which reshaped dance floors and stand up clubs around the world.

"Not Love" is a release under the name Trilogy and is one piece of entrancing dance music - a blend of 80s modern electronics and 60s rock vocals buried below the pulses and sequencers. It is a favorite of mine and I am sure many hardcore dance addicts and jocks.

This ReStructure Mix takes the 12" vocal and re-edits segments to create a whole me phase in the song. It is intended to move the track once again to recognize it's genius.

"San Francisco Hustle" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Silver Convention

Silver Convention is the creation from German producers and songwriters Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay - their first single in 1974 "Save Me" began a part of disco music history which remains one of the most memorable even today.

"San Francisco Hustle" is from the 1976 LP "Get Up and Boogie" - and is one of the swirling string and disco beat experiences of a lifetime. Even when the chant repeated over-and-over the infectious rhythm becomes also hypnotic. It is one of my favorites from the team and is the focus of this ReStructure Mix.

The new appeal centers on the bass rhythm and creates a new intro and fade for a dub-like trip.

"Oh, People" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle needs no introduction - once the voice begins to emanate a stand is taken and a deeper soul is released. Her contribution to soul and disco music are the proof of talent and heart.

One memory that always haunts my mind is 6 AM at The Probe (in Hollywood, CA), 1986 - DJ Lance Wise is spinning his extended remix of Patti's "Oh, People" and a crowded dance flow is swaying to the mesmerizing song and some holding and embracing each other in love. This is the meaning of the dance floor when disco music is playing - not just partying and fun - but love and unity.

I have taken the 12" version of "Oh, People" and have given it a ReStructure Mix for this purpose - there is only so much time we each have - touching those we care and love is what it's all about.

Dedicated to Jurgen L. - thank you for requesting and bringing this one to life! and for your support.

Monday, September 19, 2011

"Standing In The Rain" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Don Ray

Don Ray is a musician during the mid and late 70s who has worked with Alec R. Costandinos, Crystal Grass, Santa Esmeralda and Cerrone. His solo project in 1978 is "The Garden Of Love" was an opportunity for Ray to compose and arrange along with Cerrone.

"Standing In The Rain" is a track from the album which became a favorite among disc jockeys and fans during the late 70s and continues to be a choice among Euro-disco fans. I have ReStructured the LP version giving it a new intro and pacing out the verses and bringing a storm into the arrangement.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

"Begin The Beguine" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis covers the Cole Porter masterpiece "Begin The Beguine" written in 1935 and introduced in a Broadway musical titled "Jubilee". The song is from his 1978 LP titled "The Best Days Of My Life" - produced by Jack Gold. The track was remixed in 1979 by Steve Thompson - with an arrangement from the legendary, Gene Page.

The sweeping strings, haunting melody and divine moments of the 12" single are ReStructured and given a breakdown in several areas to re-introduce or reacquaint a beautiful disco lullaby of musical class and excitement.

Dedicated to the wonderful disco producer, Marvin Howell and a thanks to his work to keep dance music alive!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

"Must Be The Music" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Secret Weapon

Secret Weapon is 'The' Roy Skip Snider, Djuana "DJ" Thomas, Jerome Prister, Kevin Walker, Michele Blackmon, Rickey Paige and Russell Thomas - New York funk/disco group produced during the shifting of disco music in the early 80s. The self titled LP fulfilled the single "Must Be The Music" and brought the lighter-side of rap and funk to a head.

This ReStructure Mix of "Must Be The Music" accentuates the groove and the hit hat to the extreme using a few samples from Pointer Sisters and Kraftwerk to make the mix complete.

Dedicated to the die-hard New York funk fans who make old-school possible!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

"Dead On The Case" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Disconnection

Disconnection is Robert Lee Holmes Jr. - producer of the late jazz.funk artist Freddie Waters. Holmes worked to create a jazz/disco/funk project on Prelude Records in 1977 which became one of the most obscure projects for this top disco label. The track "Dead On The Case" was a short cut (3:27) from the LP which gained some attention but was much too short to use - it was also featured on a Rare Preludes Volume 6 in 1993.

I have ReStructured the fabulous instrumental using e thumping break as an intro and break for this remix - it outlines the wonderful jazz and free style feel of the piece. It has always been one that reminded me of a sort-of "Shaft"-es-que flavor and here is extended to make this magic episode work.

Monday, September 12, 2011

"Doctor Kiss-Kiss" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - 5000 Volts

5000 Volts is Kevin Wells, Linda Kelly (later replaced by Tina Charles), Martin Cohen, Martin Jay and Mike Nelson. Their self-titled LP from 1976 is one of the big disco memories of the disco era which points to one of the highest "disco-fevers" with "Doctor Kiss-Kiss", The single is one of several from the project which make this album a classic.

I have taken the LP version which times out at 3:10 and ReStructured the song to give it not only a longer play time, but also a sleaze factor which it is so worthy of. A great vocal, incredible guitars, keyboards and backing vocals make this track as infectious as Saturday night itself.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

"Disco Connection" - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Isaac Hayes Connection

Isaac Hayes Movement is Charles "Skip" Pitts, Gary Jones, Isaac Hayes, Lester Snell, Michael Toles, Mickey Gregory, Ronald Hudson, Sidney Kirk, Tommy Williams and Willie Hall. The ensemble began recording in the late 60s creating a path for soul music to reshape dance floors in the early 70s.

"Disco Connection" was the second project released in 1975 and featured the titled cut as the single that innovative DJs would create the disco environment with the energy and excitement of growing scene. It was one of the earliest tracks that caught my attention during the early years of club-going.

I have ReStructured the track giving it a new intro and some breakdowns that take advantage of the "cat-like" slaps - incorporating a sample from the film "Car Wash". It is one of the tracks that is reminiscent of Hayes genius track, "Shaft.