ReStructure Mix Update (11/29/15) “Disco Connection” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Isaac Hayes

ReStructure Mix Update (11/29/15) “Disco Connection” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Isaac Hayes

The Isaac Hayes Movement is a session produced, arranged and engineered by Isaac Hayes. The second album titled “Disco Connection” contained the title track - one of the mid-70s exciting tracks that were more of an underground sensation. “Disco Connection” follows the bass line that disco music endured throughout the late seventies along with dramatic sweeping strings which also became one of hardcore disco’s elements. It is quite a mover and still brings back that period of experimental dance music which shifted from soul to disco.

I have taken the album version of “Disco Connection” and recreated a new ReStructure Mix by request of Pivaral Jorge of Facebook. I have stripped down the track and used some of the elements that click the most. More of the excitement and a few more breakdowns to give the body a break from that “disco connection”.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Pivaral Jorge – thanks for keeping disco music alive and your dedication to making it a daily dose.

“The Gossip Song” by Lipps Inc. – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“The Gossip Song” by Lipps Inc. – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Lipps Inc. is the disco project from producer Steven Greenberg who gave us the icon “Funkytown” in 1979. The group’s second album from 1980 was another success on dance floors with their cover version of Ace’s “How Long” and the second single “The Gossip Song”. The vocals of Cynthia Johnson upfront there is a strong characteristic among Lipps Inc. early releases. This track is a play on the talk that occurs behind the scenes with little fact. A catchy chorus rings out as powerful as Cynthia style has a nice Broadway-like quality.

I have taken the 1985 television movie “Malice In Wonderland” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Alexander as Hollywood gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. The duo and their power to control the careers of celebrities eventually studio executives are given a stage here. More of an emphasis on the theme of the song and the fun gossip fare of the two columnists and their personal stories.

The film was directed by Gus Trikonis

Featuring scenes from the film “Malice In Wonderland” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (11/27/15) “Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Wilton Place Street Band

ReStructure Mix Update (11/27/15) “Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Wilton Place Street Band
Wilton Place Street Band is a disco project from 1976 from producer Trevor Lawrence. The first single from Wilton Place Street Band created a stir on radio and discotheques with a funky-disco arrangement of “I Love Lucy Theme” – appropriately titled, “Disco Lucy”. It was one of the big novelty tracks of that year. “Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love” is the follow up single in 1977 which plays out in the “Disco Lucy” arrangement with a romantic affair taking stage. One of the great productions which defines the evolution of disco music from the early 70’s to the mid and later late 70’s the disco boom.

I have taken the original 12” version of “Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love” and created a ReStructure Mix adding a new disco-techno intro into the lush strings, horns and funky guitars. More of the track is exposed in some minor looping to create some new breaks to pick up on the groove and then more of the disco sugar.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/26/15) “Girl In The 80s” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – France Joli

ReStructure Mix Update (11/26/15) “Girl In The 80s” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – France Joli

France Joli released her fourth album in 1983 “Attitude” – produced by Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder. It was a new transition from the disco of the late 70s and the funk feel of her “Now!” of the previous year. A new pop age of dance music was taking Moroder’s keyboards and sequencers into a pulsating aerobics sound. “Girl In The 80’s” is the first single which follows the formula of many of the 80’s anthem like dance songs. France plays well in the song with her yearning vocals and ability to make her tracks sweet and alluring. The production plays out Moroder’s 80s sound and gives a simple display of the time period.

I have taken the 12” remixed by Brian Reeves and reworked a lengthier version of “Girl In The 80’s” and segued more of the intro effects throughout the ReStructure Mix. A simple reworking of the energy and theme. France completes more of her verses here in a new way.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/24/15) “Helping Myself” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kendra

ReStructure Mix Update (11/24/15) “Helping Myself” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Kendra

Kendra is a studio session from Canadian disco producer, Jerry Cucuzzella whose work also includes projects by Suzy Q. Sandy Steele, Sweet Brandy and Plastic Surprise. The early 80s electronic disco sound was the continuation of those dance floors that could not get their feel of the rolling sequencers and the nightlife themes to move to. “Helping Myself” was released in 1983 as a single and shared a bit of success with the disc jockeys that were programming the Canadian disco genre. It was later included on the 12” cover of Suzi Lane’s “Harmony” by Suzy Q in 1985.

This ReStructure Mix of “Helping Myself” takes pieces from both the original 12” vocal and instrumental. I have delayed the intro with more of the fast and robotic keyboards and reset some of the chorus into a new arrangement and a more flowing version. It was a favorite of mine with a great “whistle” effect riff that always caught my attention, as well as my packed dance floor.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/14/15) “Hold Tight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Vicki Sue Robinson

ReStructure Mix Update (11/14/15) “Hold Tight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Vicki Sue Robinson

Vicki Sue Robinson’s third album “Half and Half” from 1978 contained the dance track, “Hold Tight” - a follow up single from her big 1976 classic, “Turn The Beat Around”. Vicki had already set a stage in clubs for herself as a voice which would deliver the promise of a great dance experience. “Hold Tight” brought the layer of disco music alive with a heavy dose of percussion and swirling disco strings.

I have taken the 12” inch version of “Hold Tight” to work on this ReStructure Mix with a new intro and reassembling the arrangement. It plays out with more of the softness from the lush string breaks. The original production gives the raw feel of the club scene with many breakdowns and this period was the last before electronic era. A great piece of work and one which I still cannot let go once started.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/13/15) “Let You Come Into My Life” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Carol Douglas

ReStructure Mix Update (11/13/15) “Let You Come Into My Life” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Carol Douglas
Carol Douglas began a career in disco music in 1975 with her classic hit, “Doctor’s Orders” from “The Carol Douglas Album”. Following this club favorite in a time when dance floors were audiences and direction of pop music, her sound was never short of the soulful sweetness which gave disco music songs that still bring the uplifting and simple message of love. “Let You Come Into My Life” is a track from Carol’s 1978 project “Burnin’” - produced by Ed O’Loughlin and John Davis and also conducted and arranged by Michael Zager. It was always one of my favorite dance numbers from the album since it speaks out with a melodic tone of a love gone wrong and speaks as an after though of lessons learned in love. A bit scorn but very uplifting.

I have taken the extended album version of “Let You Come Into My Life” and have created a ReStructure Mix pulling the beautiful disco and soul arrangement to a new stage. I have taken instrumental breaks and scattered them with new breaks among Carol’s beautiful confession. The lengthier version gives way to more rearranging of the original created by three of disco music most incredible talents: Carol Douglas, Eddie O’Loughlin, John Davis and Michael Zager.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/6/15) “Let’s Make Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Madleen Kane

ReStructure Mix Update (11/6/15) “Let’s Make Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Madleen Kane

Madleen Kane is one of the most exciting bodies of the disco sound. Her music personifies a sensual and alluring edge and creates an ethereal experience. Her debut album “Rough Diamond” from 1978 exploded on dance floors everywhere and filled dance floors with a driving disco groove and Madleen’s unique sexy approach. One which captured my heart and also turntables during her rein throughout the late 70s and 80s. “Let’s Make Love” is a track from the project which pours our Madleen’s heart to a lover whom she gives her heart freely. This one was always a favorite of mine and plays out with the funky guitars, beat and those sweeping strings which made disco its own in the mid-70s.

I have taken the album version of “Let’s Make Love” and have worked a ReStructure Mix to take this invitation from Madleen deeper and also more playful with the help of the sex symbol of film in a cameo. This remix plays with the breaks and exceptional horns a bit more as well as adds a few new breaks. A great new fun way to lure your feet back into Madleen’s magic.

Dedicated to Ms. Madleen Kane – thank you for being as wonderful as I always imagined you would be.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/5/15) “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Rick Astley

ReStructure Mix Update (11/5/15) “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Rick Astley

Rick Astley is a pop-singer from the mid-80s produced by the hit machine, Stock, Aitken and Waterman. His first single “Never Gonna Give You Up” solidified the singer as the period’s big dance floor favorites as well as a voice that worked the formula of the producers like a glove in hand. It was dance music as exciting as it gets. The hit single was instantly shadowed by several tracks from the first album, “Whenever You Need Somebody” which gave dance floors a non-stop parade of great hits.

I have taken the “Cake Mix” and “Instrumental” from the original promo 12” and recreated a new ReStructure Mix to mark this hit in a new way. A new use of the chorus and those pure sounding synthesized bass of Stock, Aitken and Waterman. It is a salute to this sound and also a continuance of my own love for this artist and the nights of crowded dance floors and happy faces.

ReStructure Mix Update (11/4/15) “Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gibson Brothers

ReStructure Mix Update (11/4/15) “Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Gibson Brothers

Gibson Brothers are Alex, Chris and Patrick Gibson a Latin disco group formed in France. Their big hit “Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)” is a disco classic celebrated as one of the most uplifting and genuine disco sounds of the late 70s. It has truly survived not only the test of time with the energy and rhythms of disco music, but it also has their unique vocals which make the experience lasting and worthwhile.

I have taken the 12” disco version onto the ReStructure Mix sound for another rekindle of this disco magic. I have taken parts of the wonderful original and have given it a new spin. A whole new arrangement moves this one even more than intended. There is plenty of looping to give that lasting essence on some of those fantastic hooks.

Dedicated to all of the fans of disco music who not only groove to it – but more importantly ‘love it’!

ReStructure Mix Update (11/3/15) “Upside Down” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Coo Coo

ReStructure Mix Update (11/3/15) “Upside Down” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Coo Coo

Coo Coo is an Italian high energy disco project from Max Coo and Steve Coo – produced by Mauro Farina, Guiliano Crivellente and Florian Fadinger. An uplifting and happy sound that exceeded the late 80s into a few new genres of dance music all focusing on a lighter edge of disco music. “Upside Down” is their first single from 1988 which is a stomping good time with some light fare and a rolling synthesizer pulsating energy and a happy refrain. One of my favorite periods during the house music boom as it helped to keep a lighter side of dance floors alive.

I have taken the 12” “Full Power D.J. Mix” and pieces of the “M.Y.O.M. Version” into the ReStructure Mix arena and created a new version to bring back the joyful sound of Italian high energy. There are some new breaks and looping effects to make a dance moment last longer and some accentuated percussion to bring the track again some showcase.