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ReStructure Mix Update (7/16/18) “Can You Feel It” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Jacksons
The Jacksons took the 80s in their grip with the album “Triumph”- containing the single “Can You Feel It”. This anthem written by Jackie and Michael Jackson not only gave the world promise and hope – but it also brought the dance floor to its knees with a stomping rhythm and ringing message. The Jacksons not only brought the disco era to completeness in 1978 with “Blame It On The Boogie” and “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)” – they also delivered the 80s a reminder that dance floors were just winding up.
I have taken the album version of “Can You Feel It” along with a few sample pieces of the “video” version to work this new ReStructure Mix in a new “triumph. The opening presents the strings as the video does and into a new arrangement and rhythmic edit to continue this powerful message.
ReStructure Mix Update (7/12/18) “Activate My Heart” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Meccano
Mecanno is an Italo-disco band lead by Walter Bassani and vocals by Nadia Bani. Their 1987 album “Extrameccano” featured two big high-energy tracks which dominated club dance floors – “Down Down Romeo” and “Activate My Heart”. Dance music was becoming a roaring wall of electronic sound in the mid-80s transforming dance into a fast moving sweat factory. Meccano took a light jazz fusion and layered it along with this energy. “Activate My Heart” is a sweet love ballad with sweeping hand claps and jewel box keyboards creating a heartwarming track which echoes on and on. Arranged by Celso Valli, Paolo Gianolio and Meccano.
I have taken the 12” high energy mix and “London Mix” and blended them into a new ReStructure Mix for another opportunity to hear this one again. The mix itself is extended for more play with some of the haunting elements and more of the sweetness if given more chances to lure hearts and feet.
ReStructure Mix Update (7/9/18) “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan is the voice of 70s funk. In the early 70s during her work with Rufus an introduction to a new layer of funk and soul was created with the extensive and outward delivery of her voice. Harmonies became a new piece of songs which were delivered as anthems with Chaka’s power. “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” is from her 1981 album by the same name and also another excellent example of the diverse material which her producer Arif Mardin would create for this wonderful talent. This funky and rhythmic injected tune has the sound of Chaka that made her voice the sweetness and the power of funk that we all know today.
I have taken the album version of “What Cha’ Do For Me” and created a new ReStructure Mix for a dance floor that needs more of the bottom base for moving. It has a new arrangement using the original instrumentation in loops and edits for a new experience and a new rolling drum track to give more push for the hips.
ReStructure Mix Update (7/2/18) “Tears Run Rings” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Marc Almond
Marc Almond is a performer and songwriter who are also known for his work with a project titled Soft Cell – which had a huge hit in 1981 with an electronic cover of “Tainted Love” merging into “Where Did Our Love Go” by The Supremes. His work later became quite iconic as “Tears Run Rings” was a statement for the world to look closely at what is socially relevant as he also explores the loss of his relationship in comparison. A dark but great anthem for clubs and huge dance floor filler. This one had my attention from the start and the mood still sets a spark in the genius of Almond’s talent.
I have taken the 12” version and “house dub” of “Tears Run Rings” and took this one into a ReStructure Mix which plays out like a wild peak moment where slaps and kicks make more excitement. I have kept the flow in a new arrangement and also working that rolling sequencer into frenzy at the close.
ReStructure Mix Update (6/30/18) “If You Should Ever Be Lonely” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Val Young
Val Young is a soul-funk vocalist who released her first solo album in 1985 titled “Seduction”. She worked as back up with The Gap Band and Roy Ayers recordings where her front position was a welcoming sound for tracks like “If You Should Ever Be Lonely”. This single is an emotional piece that yanks at a broken heart when a relationship creates a separation. Val delivers her performance like a 50s heartbreak song can be haunting. Produced by Fred Jenkins and Levi Ruffin, Jr. with a beat and clap echo chamber that works it in a nice rhythmic fashion.
I have taken the 12” of “If You Should Ever Be Lonely” and used the “club” and “street mix” to recreate a ReStructure Mix with a lengthier intro and several spots where a delayed response to lyrics are intended for more of that emotional impact. Always a favorite of mine in the early evening build up sets.
ReStructure Mix Update (6/28/18) “You Don’t Have Dancing On Your Mind” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Inner Life
Inner Life is a disco project from Patrick Adams, Greg Carmichael and Debbie Haynes – along with the vocals of Jocelyn Brown, Janet Wright, Krystal Davis and Dennis Collins. Released on the New York disco label Prelude Records in 1979 and one of the best disco arrangements in the Patrick Adams and Ken Mazur style. This formula is the finale innovation of years of adhering to the disc jockeys and their dancing throughout the mid and late 70s. “You Don’t Have Dancing On Your Mind” is a track from the album “I’m Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)” and plays out with the energy of Adams’ classic Musique album “Keep On Jumpin’” with the female ensemble playing a game with dancing and its sexual connection with disco music. A sweet disco number with all of the bells and whistles that make dancing fun and exhausting in the late 70s.
I have taken the album version of “You Don’t Have Dancing On Your Mind” and reworked the powerhouse song into a new ReStructure Mix. Adding a touch of a 80s house classic drum pattern and of course a play at those teasing lyrics and the fantastic breaks.
ReStructure Mix Update (6/27/18) “Hey Hey Guy” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Ken Laszlo
Ken Laszlo (Gianni Laszlo Coraini) is an iconic Italo-disco act. His work includes many of the elements which made Italian disco soar in the 80s. The electronic work that took over where Giorgio Moroder left off is written all over this period. A bit more experimental perhaps but even with the simple keyboard riffs there is an element of energy to this sound. “Hey Hey Guy” is Laszlo’s 1984 hit which leaves a bit of imagination hanging musically and fantasy wise. A great synthesizer work leads this one into a somewhat dark and eerie passage. However the energy is high with the performances. A great 80s dance piece and proudly from the Italo-disco catalogue.
I have taken the original 12” vocal and dub along with the “Nunk” remixes and mixed elements into this version in ReStructure Mix fashion. Still as rolling and more hidden messages to pull you in with headphones or on the dance floor!
ReStructure Mix Update (6/26/18) “Black Brothers” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Black Soul
Black Soul is a disco/afro-beat sound from the mid-70s. Al Blamo and Francisco Wallace are the predominant members and their recordings from 1975 – 1981 are the underground drum movement which added to the Afro-Cuban sound of disco music’s notoriety. “Black Brother” comes from their 1977 album which also features Mr. Tom Moulton taking the tracks into a deeper dance floor level. The track is a soul anthem which unites “brothers” to celebrate their roots and the current sound. One of the chants that quickly caught my ears at the time thanks to the many riffs and the cleaver remix by Mr. Moulton.
I have taken the 12” of “Black Brother” and reworked a ReStructure Mix to honor this underground piece which if you were lucky enough to have heard it at the time – it was quite a stomper. The new drums and percussion added are to give the disco beat in the afro sound more of a powerful presence.
ReStructure Mix Update (6/20/18) “Do It Again” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Paulette Reaves
Paulette Reaves is a soul-funk singer who began her recording career in 1976. Her single “Do It Again” from 1981 and produced by Willie Clarke (Betty Wright, Jimmy “Bo” Horne, and Funky Nassau) is one of the big funk-disco tracks that maintained the feel of an underground club recording. It has the arrangements that made soul music and funk a piece of the disco era. Paulette performs here in a teasing and convincing enough to make that move. One of the big early 80s tracks I can remember luring the fans of soul and that Miami sound onto the dance floors.
I have taken the 12” version of “Do It Again” and reedited a ReStructure Mix adding only stripped pieces of the production to parts of this tribute. The vocal is the key here so a repeat is added to give Ms. Reaves her stage once again.
ReStructure Mix Update (6/19/18) “Kings Of Castles” - Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Vera featuring Patti Masi
Vera is a vocalist who brought the sweet melodic feel back to dance music in the early 80s with her wonderful falsetto delivery. Her first single “Take Me To The Bridge” from 1980 – produced by Louis Toteda was an instant classic in dance palaces. Her beautiful vocals along with the hardcore electronic dance production which gave the 80s hope and later high energy music a new found hope. “Kings Of Castles” is her follow up single from 1981 which was originally released with a reggae-like dance feel and then remixed and rereleased in 1982 by Louis and Michel Gendreau. The remix was an instant hit and dubbed one of the top “sleaze” or “early morning” hits of the time. A great number where Patti Masi (Vera) sings about the new generation taking over the time and at times over stepping and wanting more.
I have taken the 12” remix of “Kings Of Castles” and worked the magical breakdown elements into a new ReStructure Mix. This is an opportunity to salute both Patti Masi for her lovely vocal talents and Louis Toteda for an array of wonderful dance productions aimed at the discotheques and the dedicated dancers.
