ReStructure Mix Update (3/30/15) “What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Andrea True Connection

ReStructure Mix Update (3/30/15) “What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Andrea True Connection

Andrea True is one of the memorable disco artists of the disco era thanks to her big hit “More, More, More” from 1976. It was a big break for a former adult film star to make an impact on a fast growing dance trend taking over. Her follow up album from 1978 titled “White Witch” featured two big disco hits including “N.Y. You Got Me Dancing” (produced by Gregg Diamond) and “What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number” (produced by Michael Zager and Jerry Love) – two big classics that are defining in their own way of the disco era.

I have taken the 12” of “What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number” and created a ReStructure Mix with a “dub” feel with lots of rapid fire edits to bring the questions a brand new identity. The guitar riffs and bass thumps are laid out with some new beats and percussion. It is one of those disco numbers that bring to mind the era of funk and soul uniting with the disco beat – pounding out the rhythm with a new attitude and shine.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Mr. Jerry Love and Mr. Michael Zager for their contribution in creating the magic of a dance era that will always be celebrated.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/27/15) “San Francisco” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Cappuccino

ReStructure Mix Update (3/27/15) “San Francisco” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Cappuccino

Cappuccino is a disco group from 1979 produced by Danilo Vaona and Gian Pietro Felisatti and featured three singles that are a legacy of the sound of disco’s uplifting and melodic sound. The production displays a few sounds including the symphonic edge of a disco anthem to an underground afterhours feel. “San Francisco” is a single from the self-titled which rings out as anthem for the West Coast city and a few hooks leave the track echoing as an anthem should.

I have taken the album version of “San Francisco” to create a ReStructure Mix to bring another good-feeling alive again. The vocals playout as the energy which is full-on disco music in its top form. A few new parts are added and an intro which offers more of a fading intro rather than the original horn arrangement. It is a nice uplifting song and a group which holds many fond memories of a crowded dance floor and when programmed an overall good aura in the room.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/25/15) “Take My Love” Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Melba Moore

ReStructure Mix Update (3/25/15) “Take My Love” Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Melba Moore

Melba Moore has always been one of the artists of the disco era with a great deal of talent and a well-developed stature. Her venture into disco music during the mid-70s brought a voice into club dance floors filling a soulful space. “What A Woman Needs” is Melba’s project from 1981 and features “Take My Love” – produced by Lawrence Jones. The track received airplay on radio and also many electronic funk playlists. With Melba’s powerful vocal this track was always a favorite and made my playlist for months.

I have taken the album version which features a mix from Michael Barbiero and Morri Brown to recreate a new ReStructure Mix experience. A few areas where new breaks and stripping down of the funk elements are the center stage here – as well as Melba’s performance which takes a hold from the start and satisfies the neediest lover and dancer.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/18/15) “You’re The Most Precious Thing In My Life” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Love and Kisses

ReStructure Mix Update (3/18/15) “You’re The Most Precious Thing In My Life” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Love and Kisses

Love and Kisses is a disco group created by Alec R. Costandinos and was a full intro to Euro-disco during the growing popularity of both discotheques and disco music. Their first two albums were both in Costandinos’ disco symphony formula and became a new sound creating excitement and moving feet instantly. In 1978 the disco film “Thank God It’s Friday” was released on Casablanca Records & Filmworks label with a list of new and promising disco talent including Donna Summer, Paul Jabara, Pattie Brooks, D.C. LaRue, Love and Kisses and more. This three record set was marketed with the full disco charge. “You’re The Most Precious Thing In My Life” is a disco track featured on the soundtrack from Love and Kisses and followed closely the group’s recognizable arrangement and production.

I have taken the album version of “You’re The Most Precious Thing In My Life” and reworked it for this ReStructure Mix. I have stripped down the original intro with a layered set of new drums and looped effects. I gave it a bit more of a breakdown mix allowing some of the light breaks and orchestrations an opportunity to create a new rhythmic experience.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/17/15) “Run To Me” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Tracy Spencer

ReStructure Mix Update (3/17/15) “Run To Me” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Tracy Spencer

Tracy Spencer (Louise Tracy Freeman) released several Italo-disco singles in the mid and late 80s. Her album titled “Tracy” from 1987 featured her 1985 single “Run To Me” which was one of the big Italo-dance hits of my club. A nice beat infused with heavy bongo fills and a flip-side which brings the track into a hot instrumental dub. A touch of the Stock Aitken Waterman sound with the sweet influence of Italo-disco.

I have taken the 12” vocal and “Ma-Ma-Run” dub side to create a new ReStructure Mix with a new breakdown of the song and a rearrangement of the verses. It always makes me feel good to hear one of the pumping dance tracks which play out with a melodic and flowing resonance. “Run To Me” is just one of those pieces.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/13/15) “Baila Bolero” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Fun Fun

ReStructure Mix Update (3/13/15) “Baila Bolero” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Fun Fun

Fun Fun is an Italo-disco group from the early 80s which brought back the “happy” and celebratory feel to the new sound called “high energy”. This was quite a time for disco lovers and those who loved to get lost in a good space on dance floors. Many of their early tracks featured vocals by Spagna, Antonella Pepe and Angela Parisi – the chorus of beautiful sweeping innuendos. “Baila Bolero” was from their 1987 project “Double Fun” and carried on their sound of rolling synthesizers and uplifting melodies. One of my all-time favorites of Fun Fun’s and also of the period.

I have taken the 12” “Bolero Dance Mix” and “House Mix” onto the ReStructure Mix formula to pump this piece even more and create some new surprises. More of those Spanish guitars and riffs are featured here.

Dedicated to those wonderfully filled people who continue to keep the “uplifting” sound of disco music alive in a time where it is needed and perfect.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/6/15) “Computer Game” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Yellow Magic Orchestra

ReStructure Mix Update (3/6/15) “Computer Game” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra is Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi – a Japanese electro-pop band who began recording in 1978. Their 12” single “Computer Game” from 1979 is one of the innovative dance tracks with an early electro/techno feel. The track utilized sound effects from the video games, Circus and Space Invaders then blending an Asian melody. It is one of the releases which stood out for the progressive electronics started earlier by artists like Giorgio Moroder and Kraftwerk – soon to become an identity of its own in pop, hip-hop, electronic and techno music.

I have taken the 12” of “Computer Game” and edited a new ReStructure Mix adding a few more beat and synth-effect elements to display more of the bass sequencer patterns and a few more surprises. This one always had the place in my mind as one of the stand-out pieces where a transformation of mood and movement was affected on dance floors. It is presented here in respect and appreciation.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/3/15) “Won’t You Let Me Love You” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Sylvester

ReStructure Mix Update (3/3/15) “Won’t You Let Me Love You” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Sylvester

Sylvester returned to the San Francisco high energy sound in 1982 with his Megatone album “All I Need”. Featuring the big single “Do You Wanna Funk” (along with Patrick Cowley the power of this project brought back the pumping bass synthesizers and rolling energy of the sound of disco as it progressed in the late 70s. Produced by John Hedges and James Wirrick. “Won’t You Let Me Love You Tonight” is the last track on the album and received play in many of the clubs who desired the disco/gospel edge of Sylvester’s style.

I have taken the album version of “Won’t You Let Me Love You” and worked a new ReStructure Mix with a new direction – using much of the pieces which I always found exciting and infectious. A new intro and a focus on the elements which make this song a favorite and also a fine example of the greatness of Sylvester’s work.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/2/15) “Music” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – M.A.3

ReStructure Mix Update (3/2/15) “Music” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – M.A.3
M.A.3 (also known as Menage A 3) is Shuki Levy and Deborah Shelton. This project from producer, songwriter and Haim Saban from 1978 featured a medley of Bee Gees songs titled “Bee Gees Mania” – and appropriate for Shuki and his vocal falsetto. The album was released on the Canadian label, Able Records and had a limited release. “Music” is a track which was recorded by French artist, France Gall in 1977 – recorded in French. This cover version carries a funky and sweet feel with sweeping strings and a abstract and powerful performance by Shuki Levy. It has the feel of a great early morning classic from dance palaces.

I have taken the album version and created a ReStructure Mix to give some of the fanfare a new stage. Adding a few new pieces from familiar disco classics and also pound a bit more energy into this melodic anthem.

ReStructure Mix Update (3/1/15) “Blue Steel” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Rinder & Lewis

ReStructure Mix Update (3/1/15) “Blue Steel” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Rinder & Lewis

Laurin Rinder and W. Michael Lewis created a world for disco music in the mid-70s with an edge of lounge jazz and the underground disco beat and percussion of the period. Their work always displayed an imaginative feel with a place for the infectious groove. “Warriors” is their second album from 1979 with several tracks which remain classics among followers and great material for the true disco underground. “Blue Steel” is a piece of light disco jazz with their synthesizer and keyboard reaching an eerie edge. One of the great mixtures of their talent was in tracks as this.

I have taken the album version of “Blue Steel” and worked this ReStructure Mix to give homage to both it and the artists. It uses some new drum tracks and a reedit to piece with more mystic in a trance/lounge feel.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to W. Michael Lewis for his incredible talent and also for remaining true to a sound which remains one of the most uplifting and definitive of a great era.

ReStructure Mix Update (2/27/15) “Palace Palace” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Who’s Who

ReStructure Mix Update (3/1/15) “Palace Palace” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Who’s Who

Who’s Who is a disco project from Daniel Bangalter (Daniel Vangarde) who also brought us productions from Gibson Brothers and Ottawan. The studio group is the sound of the high-beam of disco music where every effective element in both production and mix are utilized. A cymbal crash for a new electronic energy at the peak of disco history. “Palace Palace” is from their 1979 album and was a huge club hit with dance floors still moving as fluently to disco music as underground music during the early 80s. A great disco hall hit with lots of energy and breakdowns of simple riffs making them hypnotic and booty-shaking.

I have taken the 12” version of “Palace Palace” and created a ReStructure Mix adding a new feel to the arrangement – focusing on the ricochet loops and a few new breaks. It is a salute to those disco instrumentals which kept the floor moving over and over during those hot sweaty nights of disco pleasure.