ReStructure Mix Update (1/26/16) “Starknight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Bob Salton

ReStructure Mix Update (1/26/16) “Starknight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Bob Salton

Bob Salton who is Italian producer and disc jockey Domenico Ricchini gave us one of the Italo-disco classic’s titled “Starknight” in 1982. The feel of this rolling piece helped to introduce the wall-of- sequencers and keyboards taking over in disco music during the early 80s. It was an innovative period and many of these numbers helped to keep dance floors alive and also influence high energy music. “Starknight” has the edge of both Moroder and Cowley in a new dose.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental of “Starknight” and created a new ReStructure Mix with a new breakdown of the exciting elements of this Italo-disco mover. The original arrangement is quite fierce however I braved several breakdowns to not only give the new remix some cool down breaks and deliver it in a new way.

“Man Size Love” by Klymaxx – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Man Size Love” by Klymaxx – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Klymaxx is a 80s funk band who brought the 80s a new street groove along with a woman’s sassy edge. “Man Size Love” is from their 1986 self-titled album and was also featured in the film “Running Scared” – produced by Bruce Swedien, Dick Rudolph and Rod Temperton. It plays out with the ladies working on a love affair that pleases and accentuates just what the innuendo plays out in more than one way. It is one of the horn driven funk pieces that welcomed the gals back into their own style and groove.

I have taken the 2011comedy “Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star” starring Nick Swardson and Christina Ricci and played out a ‘small’ innuendo using our adult film star as the focus of this Disco Video Mix. It is playful and is more of a pictorial of the silly but sensational career of this small town man-child.

The film was directed by Tom Brady

Featuring scenes from “Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/16) “Good Morning Midnight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – First Choice

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/16) “Good Morning Midnight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – First Choice

First Choice set the furious disco era a fire with their 1978 album “Hold Your Horses” which featured a six set program. Each track produced by various producers including Norman Harris, Thor Baldursson and Tom Moulton. The girls, Annette Guest, Debbie Martin and Rochelle Fleming delivered the sound of First Choice in a classic, yet new way. “Good Morning Midnight” is a beautiful disco serenade from the side A medley and is one of the full Salsoul Orchestra sound. It is an exciting number that has a touch of Latin flavor along with a 40s Broadway celebration feel.

I have taken the album version of “Good Morning Midnight” and worked it into a new ReStructure Mix to give myself a longer version and a more underground feel with the fabulous arrangements intact. It is one of those songs that make you feel good and paints a damn good picture of what dance floors were in the 70s!

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/16) “And The Beat Goes On” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Whispers

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/16) “And The Beat Goes On” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Whispers

The Whispers are a soul group from the late 60s and throughout the 70s who left a string of ballads to keep any romance alive and in 1979 their anthem “And The Beat Goes On” did the same for dance floors. A big funk record and one big Dick Griffey transitional song for a group taking part in the disco and dance phenomena of the period. This one makes it seem easy for groove to take over and relay the intended message.

I have taken the 12” version of “And The Beat Goes On” to replay the beats and groove in a new way for this ReStructure Mix. It is a bit more adventurous in looping and breaks and is intended to move it into a whole new realm. One of the big dance floor hits on my club and another reason why disco/soul and dance music has been so lasting.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/13/16) “You’ve Got Something For Me” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Zulema

ReStructure Mix Update (1/13/16) “You’ve Got Something For Me” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Zulema
Zulema is one of the voices of the 70s which brought the sound of soul and the power of disco’s funky edge to a peak. “Z-licious” is her 1978 album produced by Van McCoy and contained some of the material which helped to make underground disco music exciting. “You’ve Got Something For Me” is one of the tracks which contained the energy of a developing disco sound and the touch that Zulema brings to her music that lasts and lasts.

I have taken the 12” version of “You’ve Got Something For Me” and re-worked a ReStructure Mix to bring this gem to the forefront again. The flowing music is accented with Zulema’s powerful voice and then given a dance twist with the Latin touch. It has always been one of the pieces that I found for the dance floor who knew what they wanted.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Nick and Lindsay – and thanks for requesting this fabulous piece. You boys know your disco music and the women who make it turn! Thank you.

“Lady Of The Night” by Ray Martinez and Friends – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Lady Of The Night” by Ray Martinez and Friends – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Ray Martinez and Friends is a project from Mr. Martinez from 1980 with the sound which echoes the excitement of disco and Latin rhythms. A return to the beautiful arrangement and creative edge which helped to make disco a sensation during the early and mid-70s. “Lady Of The Night” is a single which features a lovely 40s nightclub feel and haunting vocal that even to today paints a canvas made for memories and dancing.  One of my favorite pieces of disco music ever and a lifesaver for the early 80s as it delivered the pure disco concept and another wonderful production from Mr. Ray Martinez (Amant, Passion, Foxy, Sassy, and George McCrae).

I have created a Disco Video Mix for “Lady Of The Night” blending scenes from the 1992 film “Mambo Kings” starring Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas. A drama of a pair of Cuban brothers who are aspiring musicians who come to America to revive their careers. Taking the nightclub sequences and light drama into this Disco Video Mix to paint a new part for this disco gem and keep this wonderful song alive.

This Disco Video Mix is dedicated with respect to Mr. Ray Martinez with thanks and lots of love.

The film was directed by Arne Glimcher

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

“(Mamacita) Donde Esta Santa Claus?” by Charo – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“(Mamacita) Donde Esta Santa Claus?” by Charo – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Charo took disco music a step further on the camp meter with her wonderful persona and a little help from The Salsoul Orchestra. Her 1978 disco track “(Mamacita) Donde Esta Santa Claus?” – produced and mixed by Tom Moulton is the festive edge for any holiday and is one of the fun pieces of disco novelty from the late 70s.

I have created a horror/camp Disco Video Mix with Charo’s seasonal piece along with the 1984 slasher film “Silent Night, Deadly Night” to frame a playful farce using Charo in a new light or dark side. It is intended as the holiday “left overs” and an opportunity to take the flip side with a chuckle.

The film was directed by Charles Seller

Featuring scenes from “Silent Night, Deadly Night” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (1/7/16) “Theme from Star Trek” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Van McCoy

ReStructure Mix Update (1/7/16) “Theme from Star Trek” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Van McCoy

Van McCoy is a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer whose work spans further beyond disco music. However the big focus for us dance fans remains with his classics such as “The Hustle”, “Soul Cha Cha” and “Love Is The Answer”. His 1976 album “The Real McCoy” featured a funky version of “Theme from Star Trek” which follows the funki-fied formula of transferring a hit sound or score with rhythm and the disco strings which made the mid-70s explode.

I have taken the album version of McCoy’s “Theme from Star Trek” and dressed up a ReStructure Mix to create not only a lengthier version, but also bring more of the crescendo of the original theme by Alexander Courage (co-written by Gene Roddenberry). This brings the intro back a few times to meet the melody over and over and adds some slight techno effects to once again bring that disco drama to life.