ReStructure Mix Update (11/27/13) “How” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Flower

ReStructure Mix Update (11/27/13) “How” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Flower

Flower is a sexy disco number in the vein of sultry and amorous moods. Her second album titled “Heat” is produced by Richie Rome – who collaborated with Jacques Morali to create The Ritchie Family in 1975. The full orchestration in the Philly-tradition gives his music the fantasy angle which disco music is meant to bring.

“How” is a very sensual number from the “Heat” album and is a favorite among those who savor the full-disco experience. More of the yearning and ecstasy that love and desire are brought to the surface in disco music of the 70s. I have taken the “Long” and “Short” version of the 12” and recreated a drum-fantasy ReStructure Mix to soothe over those “playgirl”-esque vocals of Flower.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/26/13) “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Samantha Fox

ReStructure Mix Update (11/26/13) “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Samantha Fox

Samantha Fox is a pop-dance singer who was transformed from glamour model to dance floor sexpot. The early days of Samantha Fox are in the girlish pop singer genre where streets are the haven for being naughty and nice. Her second album features a track produced by non-other than the kings of 80’s dance music Stock, Aitken and Waterman – who transform her style into gold. A nice raging number that maintains sweetness thanks to Samantha’s whispery delivery.

I have taken the “Extended Mix” and “Instrumental” from the 12” single and recreated a new “stop” – and go mix with more emphasis on those SAW classic synthesizers. Pieces of drum beats and lyrics are tossed around to give the new version a dub-like edge. A special cameo by three ladies adds the finale blow to Samantha’s direction.

“Holly Dolly” by Kano – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Holly Dolly” by Kano – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Kano is an Italo-disco group from 1980 with Luciano Ninzatt, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto. Their first self-titled album contained six innovative disco tracks which helped dance floors move comfortably into a new era of dance music. A track not included on the album and only as a 12” B-side to the hot single “I’m Ready” is another electro-funk gem titled “Holly Dolly”. If you were fortunate enough to have a DJ who would flip the hit side over and spin this adventure it was another dancing pleasure.

I have taken “Holly Dolly” and got a little playful blending it with the 1969 musical comedy, “Hello Dolly” starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau – using segments of the big Harmonia Gardens dance sequence to give some funk and new steps to the cast. It is a play with titles and finishes as Dolly Levi taken to the dance floor of the 80s.

The film was directed by Gene Kelly

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

ReStructure Mix Update (11/20/13) “Lover To Lover” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Joe Yellow|

ReStructure Mix Update (11/20/13) “Lover To Lover” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Joe Yellow|

Joe Yellow (Domenico Ricchini) is an Italian disco singer who released a big Italo-disco hit in 1983 titled “Lover To Lover” – produced by Roberto Turatti and Mikki Chieregato. The track laid out a powerful and pulsating dance beat and sweeping keyboards which created a sound completing the early 80s dance experience. The track played out as a formula for high energy music which was being produced out of the UK during the same time.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental from the US release and recreated a new ReStructure Mix keeping the pleading and loving question upfront and only adding some new playful elements to make the return of this powerful piece fun and infectious again.

Dedicated to all of the hard-core Italo-disco fans and dancers!

ReStructure Mix Update (11/19/13 “The End” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Change

ReStructure Mix Update (11/19/13 “The End” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Change

Change is a disco project from producer Jacques Fred Petrus who also brought us Macho, Peter Jacques Band, Rudy and Revanche. Disco music emerged into a new experience following his innovative electronic arrangements. The project for Change was I am sure intended to create a new sound for the 1980 for dance floors. The tracks were in the pulsating disco vein and also in a New York funk groove which proved successful after the first single from the album, “A Lover’s Holiday” became the anthem of that year.

I have taken the closing track from the project appropriately titled “The End” which is an Italo-disco instrumental which sounds like an instrumental from Space. It is layered beautifully and offers a more ambient and new age sound – along with the pulsating disco sequencers. The production was completed by arrangers David Romani, Paolo Gianolio and Mauro Malavasi.

The new ReStructure Mix adds some new breaks and feel to the flow of the piece.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/19/13) “Vamp” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gregg Diamond’s Hardware

ReStructure Mix Update (11/19/13) “Vamp” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gregg Diamond’s Hardware

Gregg Diamond is a disco producer who was formerly a member of a rock-band, Five Dollar Shoes from 1972. His 1975 production of Andrea True Connection’s “More, More, More” gave him immediate attention in the soul and disco genre. His style was truly a layered production with many riffs and grooves for the quickly emerging disco sound. His project Bionic Boogie from 1977 is one of the examples of Diamond’s touch in combining soulful vocals with his unique arrangements – along with the assistance of Tom Moulton extending the songs for discotheques which was the new edge on soul and funk music.

Hardware is a project from 1979 with a sound that displays how disco music matured and revitalized itself almost to a mechanical beat and outline. His vocal ensemble is close to the Bionic Boogie projects with a feel of rock infused.

“Vamp” is a clip-track from the album that is actually the closing of another song from the project titled “War Paint (Love Line)” (featuring a saxophone solo from David Sanborn). It is merely one of Diamond’s plays with a vocal riff and the infectious rhythm of his guitar and drum kicks. I have taken the same theme and extended with lots of tricks and new breaks to frame the chant, “Did she dance?”

ReStructure Mix Update (11/11/13) “Super Extra Sexy Sign” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kano

ReStructure Mix Update (11/11/13) “Super Extra Sexy Sign” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kano

Kano is an Italian disco project featuring Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto. The sound of Italo-disco hit the roof with their big 1980 hit “I’m Ready”. It was a sound that came from space somewhere or an altar of dance worship. The album was one of the great electronic episodes from the band in the early high energy vein.

“Super Extra Sexy Sign” is one of the singles from the project which was released as a single and made big impact with its keyboard drama and strange vocal incantations. I have taken the 12” version and have given it a new way of feeling – using the intro keyboards to emphasize the groove of the little gem.

“Falling In Love Again” by The Technos – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Falling In Love Again” by The Technos – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

The Technos are Bev Sage and Steve Farnie (also known as Techno Twins), Their contribution to 80s dance music is one of the edges on electronic beats and 80s new-wave vocals. Their 1985 album “Foreign Land” contains three of the periods big surprise singles including the title track, “Nighttime Heaven” and “Falling In Love Again”. The lead vocals by Bev Sage headline the dub-like disco edge of Farnie’s dreamy music.

I have taken their cover of “Falling In Love Again” – the 1930 German song composed by Friedrich Hollander with the film in which it appears: “The Blue Angel” starring Marlene Dietrich to give some fun to both media in a new whole new effect. It pieces some of the iconic images of Marlene and also the tragic fall of our main character.

The film was directed by Josef von Sternberg

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

ReStructure Mix Update (11/7/13) “I Hope It’s The Right Time” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Inner Life

ReStructure Mix Update (11/7/13) “I Hope It’s The Right Time” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Inner Life

Inner Life is a disco project from Greg Carmichael, Patrick Adams and lead vocalist, Jocelyn Brown – in continuance of the full-on New York disco sound of the late seventies. The project follows the percussion driven tracks with a fusion of soul and sophistication. Echoes of the Musique and Bumblebee Unlimited sessions are here in a dance extravaganza.

I have taken the album version of “I Hope It’s The Right Time” which was one of the second picks for disc jockeys following the big success of the first single from the album “I’m Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)” and have given it a ReStructure Mix to add a few more hooks and segues to new breaks. The lead vocal by Jocelyn Brown is that magical sound which made dance floors identify with disco music – and the back-up vocals are the Inner Life experience.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Mr. Patrick Adams, Ken Mazur and Ms. Jocelyn Brown

“Mucho Macho” by M.A.N. – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Mucho Macho” by M.A.N. – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

M.A.N. is a disco project from Bert Keyes, Bob Larimer and George Barrie. Released on Lollipop Records out of Germany in 1979 it is an obvious take on the “macho” phase of the 70s disco scene with Village People and Celi Bee. It is a fun and groovy disco track with more emphasis on the theme and stand-and-pose arrangements. It is disco music at its most cloned.

I have taken the Walt Disney animated musical fantasy “Hercules” and blended the camp and crazy mythology take to create this Disco Video Mix. It works with the excitement of the chorus adoring muscle and manly moves.

The film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker

Featuring scenes from Walt Disney’s “Hercules” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Tiger Tiger (Feel Good For A While)” by Gregg Diamond’s Bionic Boogie – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Tiger Tiger (Feel Good For A While)” by Gregg Diamond’s Bionic Boogie – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Gregg Diamond’s Bionic Boogie is one of the 70s disco projects with sophistication and groove which brought three unique productions. Diamond’s work in 1975 with Andrea True Connection (“More, More, More” ) brought a dance sound which pointed in the shift of disco music’s pop appeal. “Tiger Tiger” is the third album from 1979 and presented a tough edged disco with a slight touch of rock and his soulful ensembles.

“Tiger Tiger (Feel Good For A While)” is the title track and moves like the dense and dark arrangement which Diamond may have created to move into the 80s. I have taken the 1982 fantasy-horror film “Cat People” starring Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell – this remake of the 1942 classic is a bit more in the erotic arena and fills the edge of the disco track well.

The film was directed by Paul Schrader

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