ReStructure Mix Update (4/29/15) “Stars” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Ullanda

ReStructure Mix Update (4/29/15) “Stars” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Ullanda

Ullanda McCullough is released her 1979 disco project “Love Zone”  - produced by Leon Pendarvis. This is a voice that has backed sessions for Ashford and Simpson, Cissy Houston, Rice and Beans Orchestra, Celi Bee and Michael Zager Band.  “Stars” is the opening number from the album and opens with a show stopping disco anthem bringing the dance floor to celebrate as stars in a flashy universe. It has always been one of my favorite diva numbers and along with Ullanda’s soulful performance it always brings to mind a disco floor peaking on its own energy.

This ReStructure Mix takes the long album movement and works a mean bass guitar to a the main stage. I have kept the vocal breakdown where it belongs – at the tale end giving this blast a nice breakdown for landing.

Dedicated to Nick and Lindsay – thanks for requesting this fabulous track and for all of the love and sharing. It means allot to myself and I know many artists can feel the warmth from you love and devotion to the music.

ReStructure Mix Update (4/28/15) “I Will Survive” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gloria Gaynor

ReStructure Mix Update (4/28/15) “I Will Survive” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 album “Love Tracks” brought the anthem of power and self-love to life with “I Will Survive” – produced by Dino Fekaris. The classic is among the top10 and continues to bring new light of hope even today. As the B-side to the 12” “Substitute” this one had the power to not only reverse the labeling element but also mend broken hearts and strengthen the disco movement of the late 70s.

I have taken the 12” of “I Will Survive” and reworked a ReStructure Mix which focuses a bit more on breakdowns of the ‘glorious’ take told here. A more rhythmic appeal and approach to the original and yet leaving none of the classical elements apart. A tough act to amend yet allot of fun!

“Love Oasis” by Patris – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Love Oasis” by Patris – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Patris is an electronic dance project from 1985 produced by Craig Peyton and Nelson Cruz. The single “Love Oasis” is the blend of hard hitting bass beats with a light touch of the mid-80s Miami freestyle touch. The soft and haunting vocal is the attraction for me as it blends well with the theme of a soul awaiting love in an empty desert. It is one of the big tracks for me of the time and is still a favorite.

I have taken “Love Oasis” into a Disco Video Mix using scenes from the 1936 drama “The Garden of Allah” starring Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer. The desert romance is a locale for the disco track and is a photoplay for Marlene’s beauty. Much of the segments identify the love and ultimate sadness of parting of our lovers. It is an opportunity to feel both pieces of media in a whole new way.

The film was directed by Richard Boleslawski

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

“Begin The Beguine” by Johnny Mathis – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Begin The Beguine” by Johnny Mathis – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Johnny Mathis is a voice recognizable in 50s and 60s love songs. One of the male vocalists with a sound that brings many emotions to the heart and soul. Johnny’s 1979 album “The Best Days of My Life” follow the trend for many artists of the time by entering the disco arena bringing his talent using his style. The project was produced by Jack Gold and featured a cover of Cole Porter’s classic piece “Begin The Beguine”.  A 12” single did very well with clubs featuring the glorious disco arrangement in a tradition that brings the feel of energy and the fantasy of the disco era.

I have taken the album version of “Begin The Beguine” and created a Disco Video Mix with scenes from the 2004 musical portrait of songwriter Cole Porter – “De-Lovely”. The wonderful biopic plays out with the hypnotic feel of the classic song. The film stars Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd and much of the start and closing of the romance and life of the unique relationship are the focus.

The film was directed by Irwin Winkler

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

ReStructure Mix Update (4/10/15) “Kind of Life (Kind of Love)” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – North End

ReStructure Mix Update (4/10/15) “Kind of Life (Kind of Love)” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – North End

North End is Arthur Baker, Tony Carbone and Russell Presto – a definite mark in the history of New York’s disco label West End Records. Their 1979 single “Kind of Life (Kind of Love)” is the sound of the New York disco in anthem form. One of the power records for me as it was always an uplifting moment for a tea dance or peak hour of a hot sweaty night. An upward theme of a city moving with the beat of love and life outlined in a great standard feel as the vocal colors the jazz flavor sprinkled thought out each crescendo. One of my favorites and always brings to mind good times.

I have taken the 12” single vocal and instrumental to create a new celebration in this ReStructure Mix bringing the percussion out with a new drum beat. It moves a bit more energy wise with some added percussion and more of a focus on an anthem drawn out to  raise hands in the air and then just a moment to cool off.

Dedicated to Mr. Arthur Baker, a talent which is outlined always in his work and dedication to create for each segment of dance music history. Many thanks, Mr. Baker. Also, Tony Carbone whose work always blended the best musical aura for a dance floor moving to the love and energy of New York disco.

ReStructure Mix Update (4/9/15) “Feel It” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Samantha Gilles

ReStructure Mix Update (4/9/15) “Feel It” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Samantha Gilles

Samantha Gilles released a hi-NRG blast in 1984 with “Feel It’ – produced by Fonny De Wulf, who became one of the producers creating the independent club sound in the mid and late 80s. The track was an immediate hit and landed during a period of electronic dance music with the new high energy edge. Samantha became one of the noteworthy disco artists to watch for since her sensual vocal was an element filling the sound of a new dance era.

I have taken the domestic 12” of “Feel It” both the Remix by Jim Callon (Glass Family) and the original to rework a new ReStructure Mix adding a new departure and destination for this pumping classic. I have used the clever calliope elements throughout this remix adding a new arrangement for several of the catchy riffs.

ReStructure Mix Update (4/7/15) “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kim Fields

ReStructure Mix Update (4/7/15) “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kim Fields

Kim Fields (television actress from The Facts of Life and Living Single) joins the party with a 1984 electronic/high energy track that sounds close to a Bobby Orlando production with the pulsating percussion and light keyboard arrangements. “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” was a simple task to bring Kim to dance floors where I am sure she loved to be. This elementary school love-play song rhythms and percolates throughout a thumping disco number that may be simple and feel a bit silly – but it can be fun.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental – produced by Elliot Willensky and Hal Davis onto the ReStructure Mix mode and created a more spared arrangement for the limited chorus and verses. It is a chance to hear the mid-80s high energy sound during its heyday!

ReStructure Mix Update (4/6/15) “Feel Alright” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Komiko

ReStructure Mix Update (4/6/15) “Feel Alright” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Komiko

Komiko is an electronic funk band brought to us from producers Gary R. Turnier and Darryl Payne – who also gave us Gary’s Gang, Sharon Redd, The Raindolls, Tracy Weber, Mona Rae, Vicky ‘D’. A big time dive into the disco pool and experience with both Mr. Turnier and Mr. Payne with the funk and boogie alongside the refreshing side of this piece from 1982. It is one of the big electro-funk pieces and best known to get the hips moving immediately. “Feel Alright” is the lone single from Komiko and is enough as it still remakes one of the “old school” music’s big movers.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental to recreate a ReStructure Mix to bring back that feeling of the wonderful age of disco-funk in the early 80s. Left intact are the bass kicks and that falsetto vocal brought to life with the right amount of keyboard trickle and thump from the lighter side of funk. It is a favorite of mine and brought to you in a new package to move to all over again!

Dedicated to Mr. Darryl Payne and Mr. Gary R. Turnier – in thanks for all they have given us- as we continue to move to it!