ReStructure Mix Update (6/30/16) “First True Love Affair” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Jimmy Ross

ReStructure Mix Update (6/30/16) “First True Love Affair” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Jimmy Ross

Jimmy Ross (James Albert Ross) is a singer from Trinidad who became one of the voices behind the Italo-disco scene in the early 80s. “First True Love Affair” became a garage hit thanks to a fantastic remix from resident DJ Larry Levan. The track is from the album produced by Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto – alias Kano. The heavy synthesizer outlines work well as a funk groove in the pieces relayed by Italian projects during this period. It was an obvious influence from bands like Change and Chic. A heavy guitar presence brings the outline a breath of fresh air.

I have taken the 12” version of “First True Love Affair” and have given it a ReStructure Mix environment where the verses and chorus parts end up between new breaks and rhythm loop segments. The song is quite beautiful in its disco-funk flavor and with Jimmy’s unique vocal is a nice experience. The arrangement was directed at a more experimental chance and is offered here as an homage.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/29/16) “Que Rico Vacilon” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band

ReStructure Mix Update (6/29/16) “Que Rico Vacilon” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band

Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band is a disco project from disco producer Michael Zager who gave many contributions to dance floors from the mid-70s throughout the 80s. Their second album “Span Disco” from 1977 was a venture into the underground sound of disco at the time and features many Cuban and Spanish traditional tracks with a disco production. “Que Rico Vacilon” is a Cuban song which translates loosely into “a great way to waste time” – meaning a festival of some kind or celebration. It was recorded by Xavier Cugat in 1955 among many artists and orchestras. The excitement of a disco version is played out well here with Zager’s use of horn sections and disco percussion. The vocal ensemble includes Alvin Fields and Cissy Houston.

I have taken the album version of “Que Rico Vacilon” and recreated the celebration with more of an intro and some new use for that classic drum and percussion break. The arrangement is extended and gives those drums some additional placement. The original is a great example of how the disco break was being implemented early in tracks to suit the dance floors demand for that time to unwind and let loose.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/28/16) “Burn This Disco Out” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Michael Jackson

ReStructure Mix Update (6/28/16) “Burn This Disco Out” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s project “Off The Wall” from 1979 is one of the unforgettable moments in music history. The production by Quincy Jones created a sound for Jackson which placed him in another incredible stage for a career that was endless, even today. The track “Burn This Disco Out” from the album is one of the pieces which define Michael’s control over a groove and the emphasis he plays to the “boogie”. A nice smooth arrangement by Rod Temperton makes this one again a piece of Jackson’s legacy that will always be looked at with tribute.

I have taken the album version which times out at a little over three minutes and worked a ReStructure Mix to lay out another place for the horns and rhythm to play on. A new intro gives more fade in to the energy and excitement. Some new breaks and effects have been pieced in to create a finale mood that should make Jackson fans happier to attempt that “moon walk” number.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/26/16) “These Memories” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Oh Romeo

ReStructure Mix Update (6/26/16) “These Memories” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Oh Romeo

Oh Romeo is a high energy project from producer, Bobby Orlando that paints the sound of the 80s dance floor with a touch of emotion and drama. “These Memories” became a dance floor hit when it was released in 1983. The emotional tug with all of the elements of high energy – the percussion, the heavy synths and driving message. One of my dance floor favorites and another reason why dance music survived throughout the 80s.

I have taken the original Bobcat Records 12” to recreate a new ReStructure Mix for a return to the dance floors most contagious periods. The rolling synthesizers are still intact with more play. The anthem gets a new feeling with a sample of a ‘memory’ from the 70s.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/24/16) “Give Me Action” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Queen Samantha

ReStructure Mix Update (6/24/16) “Give Me Action” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Queen Samantha

Queen Samantha is a disco group produced by Charles Ibgui and Harry Chalkitis – also featuring the vocals of Gloria Brooks. “Take A Chance” is the single from 1979 that is most remembered from this project - the TK Records 12” single remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Arato made it an instant dance floor classic. The angelic and haunting vocals are the mystery behind Queen Samantha during the early projects and later a more predominant lead is brought to the forefront by Gloria Brooks. “Give Me Action” is the single from 1982 and plays out with an R&B flavor accented with horns and a funky bass line. One of the big hits of my dance floor during its release.

I have taken the 12” version of “Give Me Action” and worked a new ReStructure Mix with more of the groovy elements in place with a new arrangement and touch. It is one of the great disco conversions pieces for a disco band shifting to the 80s dance crowd and not failing to keep the original groups feel alive. This one is much more extended and gives the play a bit more space to feel the message.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/22/16) “I Wanna Dance” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Marathon

ReStructure Mix Update (6/22/16) “I Wanna Dance” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Marathon

Marathon is a disco project from producer, Pete Bellotte – who also produced Donna Summer, Joy Fleming, Trax, Roberta Kelly and Marsha Hunt. The studio project was featured in the 1978 film soundtrack, “Thank God It’s Friday” with the many Casablanca artists who made the disco scene colorful with their sounds which matured from the mid to late 70s. Marathon plays out like the disco chorus groups which were more of an ensemble used to create the sound each producer envisioned. Here with the only single from the group is “I Wanna Dance” – which you can imagine was conceived to outline the excitement of the films homage to disco and Friday nights. The emotion and energy is certainly alive here and plays out with the syncopated horns blaring out a Spanish feel with plenty of percussion leading the way.

I have taken the soundtrack version and recreated a new ReStructure Mix which plays more into the hands of a breakdown mix. Using many of the riffs to fill in a new arrangement for this new remix. The chorus and lush strings are a bit more controlled and placed in segments to bring the breaks another breath of fresh air.

ReStructure Mix Update (6/20/16) “Swept Away” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Diana Ross

ReStructure Mix Update (6/20/16) “Swept Away” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Diana Ross

Diana Ross was focused on keeping our eyes, mind and ears moving in many adventurous moves with productions and material. In 1984 the album “Swept Away” features a pop, funk, and soul offering by various producers including the late Bernard Edwards of Chic. The title track utilizes the bass and beat club sound produced by the man who brought it into the light, Mr. Arthur Baker. The track was co-written and co-produced by Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates. The song transforms Ms. Ross in a fantasy of exciting love and eventually the painful demise of it. This one was one of the top played tracks of the time for me thanks to a 12” single mixed by Arthur Baker and edited by The Latin Rascals. Diana sounds soft and subtle with her sexy delivery and eventually takes the song into the dangerous waters of this love.

I have taken the 12” long and instrumental version into the ReStructure Mix arena with a bit more use of the beats, synths and open feel of the adventurous sound. The awesome drum beats are hard to ignore here and along with Diana portraying the femme fatale in her own style. A tribute to Mr. Baker here and also a dedication for the talent and work her has given us in dance music.

“One Night Queen” Medley by Claudja Barry – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“One Night Queen” Medley by Claudja Barry – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Claudja Barry’s 1979 album “Feel The Fire” is one of the colorful disco productions from Jürgen S. Korduletsch and Lollipop Recordings. The full on electronic disco pulse is the aim of each dance number and Claudja’s unique vocal and style. The Medley on side one consists of three movements: “Get Your Mind Made Up”, “One Night Queen” and “It’s So Nice” – each piece exploring the love between a night out with a woman or man whose love is solely based on good times and finances. The sound of each number gives Claudja the opportunity to dig her sexy and vibrant voice deeper and deeper. It was always one of the bubbly disco medleys which bring to mind the heyday of simple and fin dance music with the appropriate disco sound.

I have taken the medley into a Disco Video Mix with the 1953 romantic comedy “How to Marry a Millionaire” starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. The situations are similar in each of the themes and the visuals give us a chance to see the beauty of these starlets in search of love in ‘numbers’.

The film was directed by Jean Negulesco

Featuring scenes from “How To Marry A Millionaire” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (6/17/16) “Too Hot Ta Trot” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Commodores

ReStructure Mix Update (6/17/16) “Too Hot Ta Trot” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Commodores

Commodores released “Too Hot Ta Trot” in 1977 – from their “Live!” album – produced by James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores. The song was an instant hit and became one of the tracks to appear in the film, “Thank God It’s Friday” in 1978 along with their performance live from the discotheque. The Zoo. This funk masterpiece has all of the riffs that their previous hit, “Brick House” contained and more. This one set this band up for a roll in the funk, soul and disco scene and charts.

I have taken the long version of “Too Hot Ta Trot” and worked a new ReStructure Mix to give more of those groovy guitars and the funky brass. I played a great deal with the original to create a more underground and surprise experience for those used to moving their hips to this one!

“Lost Angeles” by Giorgio – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Lost Angeles” by Giorgio – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Giorgio Moroder created a new world for disco music in the mid-70s with his innovative and creative use of electronic drums, percussion and computerized pianos. “From Here To Eternity” from 1977 made a big mark on dance floors using a robotic rhythm and vocoders to supply a futuristic voice and vocal. This was one of the new sounds that disco music claimed immediately thanks to the genius of Moroder. Many of projects would use his new found space-like concerto’s including movements on Donna Summer’s 2 biggest disco successes – and the classic piece which Donna made her own also, “I Feel Love” from 1977. “Lost Angeles” is a part of Moroder’s “From Here To Eternity” masterpiece which plays out with trickles of synthetic rhythm pulsating below a female ensemble crying out for a lost soul in the city which never ceased to deliver the nightlife and forgotten dreams of those caught in it.

I have taken the piece out of the medley and used it with a new focus – this Disco Video Mix pairs it with visuals from a science fiction war played out in the City of Angels. “Battle: Los Angeles” from 2011 is military battle with a hostile extraterrestrial life form which enters our atmosphere from meteors. Segments of the fight and destruction of the big city is the pictorial for Moroder’s now, haunting electronic piece.

The film was directed by Jonathan Liebesman

Featuring scenes from “Battle: Los Angeles” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (6/8/16) “Bit By Bit” (Theme from “Fletch” ) – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Stephanie Mills

ReStructure Mix Update (6/8/16) “Bit By Bit” (Theme from “Fletch” ) – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills took dance floors immediately with her 1979 album “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’”. This was a new sound for this vocalist which would present a whole stage in the disco and dance arena. Her ballads and adult contemporary singles from her projects also placed her in many classic love songs which even today are on rotation. “Bit By Bit” is a single from 1985 produced by Harold Faltermeyer and is from the soundtrack of the Chevy Chase comedy “Fletch”. This piece is one of the electronic disco pieces that we had the opportunity to hear Stephanie complement with her soulful and energetic sound. The production follows the success of Harold Faltermeyer’s former soundtrack of “Beverly Hills Cop” and his single “Axel F” – a whole new sound for the 80s pop dance scene.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental to work on this ReStructure Mix which simply plays out with more of the dub sounds and reworking the simple keyboard riffs and slamming kicks. It is a lengthier piece that gives way to more of the excitement and fun of hearing Stephanie deliver a high energy number again.