“Success” by The Weather Girls – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Success” by The Weather Girls – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

The Weather Girls were Izora Armstead and Martha Wash – a duo who were known as Two Tons ‘O Fun and also the amazing backing vocals for disco singer, Sylvester. The voices which brought a whole new message and power to dance music in the late seventies. Their 1982 single “It’s Raining Men” was released under the title The Weather Girls and soon the hit single leads them into a whole new identity. Their album “Success” from 1983 was a stage for these ladies to work with the talented Bob Esty and Paul Jabara in a vibrant and fun-loving feel of disco-camp tracks aimed at the duo.

I have taken the disco single “Success” from the album and paired it with the 2006 musical drama film, “Dreamgirls” starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose – adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical. The two spin together to display a fabulous look at the golden stage of the ladies with the sparkle and glitter.

The film was directed by Bill Condon

Featuring scenes from “Dreamgirls” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Love Pains” by Yvonne Elliman – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Love Pains” by Yvonne Elliman – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Yvonne Elliman is a voice from the seventies whose songs bring an absolute power of both voice and feeling. Her big disco classic “If I Can’t Have You” from 1977 remains one of the staples of the disco movement and reached #1 in the US. Her 1979 album titled “Yvonne” contained one of the big disco anthems of that year – “Love Pains”. It was produced by Steve Barri and throughout time has maintained an allegiance from the dance community by being remade by artists such as Liza Minelli, Hazell Dean, Viola Wills and Obsession.

I have taken the 1961 romantic drama “Splendor In The Grass” starring Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood to pair images and moving emotions with this disco track. Although the storyline from the film moves differently it relays the pain of love when the timing and emotions are skewed.

The film was directed by Elia Kazan

Featuring scenes from “Splendor In The Grass” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Roller Boogie” by Voggue – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Roller Boogie” by Voggue – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Voggue is a disco group created by Denis Lepage and featured Denyse Lepage on vocals. The duo was known as Lime and taking over discotheques quickly with their new brand of high energy dance music. “Roller Boogie” is the B-side to their big 1981 hit, “Dancin’ The Night Away” which quickly established the band on many club playlists.

I have taken the 1979 disco musical film, “Roller Boogie” starring Linda Blair and Jim Bray and blended it with the high energy disco piece. The segments of the disco skate world minus the drama create a nice flow for the mode and feel of the Canadian disco work!

The film was directed by Mark L. Lester

Featuring scenes from “Roller Boogie” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Crème De La Crème” by Waylon – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Crème De La Crème” by Waylon – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Waylon is a German disco act with a unique and strange twist. The single was produced by Andy Free (Patty Heart, Dance Reaction) who takes this 1979 disco track into an obscure and touch of maddening flare. It is true camp with a deranged-like camp vocal that is sure to take your senses to another level. It is one of those rare pieces that defy explanation…at times.

Taking the 2003 drag-comedy “Girls Will Be Girls” into this Disco Video Mix seems appropriately – and anyone who is familiar with Varla (Jeffrey Roberson) and her famous Cheez Wiz sequence will relate. Segments from Varla’s character bring the “crème de la crème” of a tasty and hungry performance together.

A bit of madness and disco camp!

The film was directed by Richard Day

Featuring scenes from “Girls Will Be Girls” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Russia” by Caprice – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Russia” by Caprice – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Caprice is a disco project from Jacques Fred Petrus (Macho, Revanche, Peter Jacques Band, Change) and Candelario Sanchez. One of the last Euro-disco productions on the Italian disco label, Goody Music. The album is one of the rare and underground finds of the Jacques Fred Petrus collection and one of the sounds of the orchestrations which were assembled by Petrus.

“Russia” is a track from the project which I have created a Disco Video Mix using the 1957 musical/comedy/romance film, “Silk Stockings” starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. The remake of “Ninotchka” gives a few dance sequences with Russian flavor a great pairing with this disco piece.

The film was directed by Rouben Mamoulian

Featuring scenes from “Silk Stockings” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Haunted Disco” by Chromium – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Haunted Disco” by Chromium – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Chromium is a disco project from producers Trevor Horn (ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Malcolm McLaren, Grace Jones) and Geoff Downes (Asia, Thompson Twins) and released their album “Star To Star” in 1979. The big club “Fly On UFO” was a hit and remains the finale destination for disco arrangements of the time.

I have taken the song “Haunted Disco” from the album and paired it with the 2012 comedy/fantasy film “Dark Shadows” and stars Johnny Depp as the resurrected vampire, Barnabas Collins. This odd return to the 70s play with a few elements which are fitting for the ghoulish-disco mood.

The film was directed by Tim Burton

Featuring scenes from “Dark Shadows” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (5/15/13): “Superman” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Celi Bee and The Buzzy Bunch

ReStructure Mix Update (5/15/13): “Superman” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Celi Bee and The Buzzy Bunch

Celi Bee is one of disco music’s most unique artist of the late 70s. Her first album from 1977 featured her disco hit “Superman” which is a funky-love tribute to the man of steel. It was later covered by Patrick Adams and Herbie Mann in 1978.

I have taken the album version of “Superman” and had given it a new ReStructure Mix - creating a new slap beat to give it a new sound and also added some new breaks with the luscious clamoring of that “Superman”!

“I’m A Big Freak (R-U-1-2)” by Patrick Adams presents PHREEK – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“I’m A Big Freak (R-U-1-2)” by Patrick Adams presents PHREEK – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Patrick Adams is one of the major contributors to the growing success of disco music in the mid and late 70s. Many of his productions gave dance floors a more underground and appropriate feel for clubs during the disco rein. His 1978 project Phreek is one of is most celebrated parts of Adams’ career since the single “Weekend” from the album was an anthem for clubs like The Garage.

I have taken the funky-disco piece titled “I’m A Big Freak (R-U-1-2)” and created a Disco Video Mix using scenes from the 2007 comedy “Norbit” starring Eddie Murphy. Our main characters in the film give a complete outline of the chanted line from our disco track. It is a ton of fun!

The film was directed by Brian Robbins

Featuring scenes from “Norbit” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (5/14/13): “Get Off Your Aahh! And Dance” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Foxy

ReStructure Mix Update (5/14/13): “Get Off Your Aahh! And Dance” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Foxy
Foxy is a disco band with members Ish Ledesma, Arnold Pasiero, Richie Puente Jr. , Charlie Murchiano and Joe Galdo. Their first album in 1976 is produced by Ray Martinez (Amant, Passion,  Seven Seas, Sassy, Ray Martinez and Friends) and features the big disco hit, “Get Off Your Aahh! And Dance” which is the disco hustle sound of the period.

I have taken the album version of the track and worked a ReStructure Mix using sample pieces from the follow up hit by Foxy “Get Off” from 1978. The mix centers on the percussion, bongos and some play with the wonderful bass-line.

This Restructure Mix is dedicated to the wonderful man himself, Mr. Ray Martinez - who makes the fantasy of disco music an experience.

ReStructure Mix Update (5/13/13): “Love Waves” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Alton McClain & Destiny

ReStructure Mix Update (5/13/13): “Love Waves” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Alton McClain & Destiny
Alton McClain & Destiny are Alton McClain, D’Marie Warren and Robyrda Stiger and were formed in 1978 with their first disco hit, “It Must be Love”. Produced by Frank Wilson (Diana Ross, The Temptations, FourTops) and John Footman (wrote Cheryl Lynn’s “Star Love” ). The trio brought the feel of soul to the sound of disco for the period and from the second album several dance floor hits including: “99 ½”, “I Don’t Wanna Be With Nobody Else” and “Love Waves”. The sound of these ladies is like a river of soft flowing water onto a green garden.

“Love Waves” has always been one of my favorite tracks from the project and is perfect for both early evening dance floors and after hours segments. I have taken the album version and have given the song a new ReStructure Mix adding more of a fantasy and sensual feel with a new elongated intro and some flowing effects throughout the new arrangement.

Dedicated to the “Disco-Diva” supporters who long for that sweet sound of soul and the rhythm of disco!

“This Side Of Midnight” by Gregg Diamond’s Star Cruiser – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“This Side Of Midnight” by Gregg Diamond’s Star Cruiser – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Gregg Diamond’s Star Cruiser is a 1978 project from the producer extraordinaire of boogie/funk and the sound of disco music which bought the late 70s a new edge. His work with past artists like George McCrae, Gloria Gaynor, Andrea True Connection, Ian Lloyd and his own Bionic Boogie and Hardware disco projects gave us a groovy disco arrangement and a feel.

“This Side Of Midnight” is from the 1978 album “Star Cruiser” and features Diva Gray, Jocelyn Brown and Gordon Grody on vocals. A big disco classic with all of Diamond’s magic intact.

I have taken the album version of “This Side Of Midnight” and transferred the disco emotion to the real drama of the film based on the 1973 novel by Sidney Sheldon – “The Other Side of Midnight” – the film stars Marie-France Pisier, John Beck and Susa Sarandon. I have centered on the love between Marie-France and John Beck and kept only the bright side of their love and moved the drama slightly outward.

The film was directed by Charles Jarott

Featuring scenes from “The Other Side Of Midnight” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (5/6/13): “Don’t (Take My Love Away)” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Saturday Night Band

ReStructure Mix Update (5/6/13): “Don’t (Take My Love Away)” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Saturday Night Band

Saturday Night Band is a disco concept group from Jesse Boyce and Moses Dillard and also one of the landmark New York Disco records on the Prelude Records label. The production brought a live band feel to life with the mechanics of disco emerging and maturing for the late 70s dance explosion. The album “Come On Dance, Dance” is one of the classic sounds of the independent disco movement occurring almost overnight and being controlled by the sounds that feet and hips were demanding.

I have taken the track “Don’t (Take My Love Away)” from the project and created a ReStructure Mix for the soulful disco number. The sweet vocal by Jackie Edmonds is the classic sound of the early 70s with a lush and funky environment to sweep dancers off of their feet. A new intro deals with the synthesizer parts from the original track which always set Saturday Night Band apart from many groups of the time.

Dedicated to Mr. Jesse Boyce!

ReStructure Mix Update (5/2/13): “Free Me From My Freedom” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Bonnie Pointer

ReStructure Mix Update (5/2/13): “Free Me From My Freedom” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix - Bonnie Pointer

Bonnie Pointer (Patricia Eva Pointer) is a R&B/disco singer who made a mark in disco music with her big 1979 hit “Heaven Must Have Sent You” - a dance classic. Her first solo album from 1978 contained the single, “Free Me From My Freedom” which also created a stir with many dancers. The track was produced by Berry Gordy and Jeffrey Bowen.

I have taken the 12” version of “Free Me From My Freedom” and have given it a new facelift with this ReStructure Mix. I have not only extended the original arrangement and added a few new drum tracks, but also added a guest vocal from The Queen of Soul - adding her mark on “freedom”.

Dedicated to all of the lovers of the female voices of disco music.