“Spring Affair” by Donna Summer – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Spring Affair” by Donna Summer – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Donna Summer earned her titled as The First Lady of Love with her sensual disco tracks from the mid-70s. Along with Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte and Munich Machine many of her classic pieces were brought to life. “Spring Affair” is the first cut on her “Four Seasons of Love” project from 1976 and one of my favorites. A wonderful blend of love set in the changing of the annual seasons. I have taken the piece into this mild-romantic Disco Video Mix.

Scenes for this venture are provided from the 1955 comedy-drama “Picnic” starring William Holden and Kim Novak. The Cinemascope film provides some of the yearning of love between William and Kim along with Donna soft panther-like vocal approach.

The film was directed by Joshua Logan

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

ReStructure Mix Update (2/11/15) “Look For Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Cerrone

ReStructure Mix Update (2/11/15) “Look For Love” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Cerrone

Cerrone’s magic began on dance floors in 1976 with “Love In ‘C’ Minor” and took dancers into a new world of orchestral disco fantasy. Following two more successful albums is “The Golden Touch” – a direct link to his Euro-disco creations with all of the elements wrapped into a tight four track set. “Look For Love” is another single from the project which has become a classic with its soaring anthem flavor. One of my favorites and the sound which brings to mind a time period of Cerrone’s rein.

I have taken the album version of “Look For Love” – with its promise of love and happiness to create a new ReStructure Mix. This new piece gives the classic score of love several breakdowns and a nice flowing fade out with those horns and strings luring us higher and higher!

“Gypsy Woman” by Leroy Gomez – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Gypsy Woman” by Leroy Gomez – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Leroy Gomez has taken dance floors in the 70s and created a male counterpart to the “disco diva”. His classic performance on Santa Esmeralda’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is one of the most memorable of the period. “Gypsy Woman” is from his album by the same name from 1978 – a remake of The Impressions single from 1961 – and this disco version produced by Simon Soussan. A great disco take on the track and as dramatic as this Disco Video Mix.

I have taken scenes from the 1918 silent film “Gypsy Blood” which outlines a Carmen-like temptress. It is a British film and has much controversy built around the production and story itself. It is used here only as an outline for the romantic edge.

The film was directed by Leo Maguire

Featuring scenes from “Gypsy Blood” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

ReStructure Mix Update (2/10/15) “Hold Tight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Change

ReStructure Mix Update (2/10/15) “Hold Tight” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Change

Change began its journey into disco and electronic funk in the early 80s with the first project titled “The Glow of Love” – with the entire album being a part of some playlist it was a huge success. Under the production of Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi this disco/funk ensemble created a new sound for dancing. “Hold Tight” is a single from their follow up album in 1981 titled “Miracles” – it features vocals from Diva Gray, Jocelyn Brown, Ullanda McCullough and Gordon Grody.

I have given the album version of “Hold Tight” a ReStructure Mix and played with the original formula adding some breaks and new beat and percussion effects. One of my favorites sounds of the 80s and now the classic old-school feel.

“Back To My Roots” by RuPaul – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Back To My Roots” by RuPaul – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

RuPaul took the early 90s into a new house rage with his bass driven house tracks with the right amount of love and sass and built in camp. “Supermodel (You Better Work)” from 1992 remains one of the iconic songs of the club scene and helped RuPaul to a several levels of stardom and success. “Back To My Roots” is the second single from his “Supermodel Of The World” project and gives nice house homage to the history of black hair – as a groove driven revolution.

I have taken scenes and the mood from the 2005 comedy, “Beauty Shop” starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone and Andie MacDowell to fill in the house track with a fun and new look and sound to the single.

The film was directed by Billie Woodruff

Featuring scenes from “Beauty Shop” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Autumn Changes” by Donna Summer – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Autumn Changes” by Donna Summer – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Donna Summer’s third album for Oasis Records is “Four Seasons Of Love” produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte – and perhaps one of the most brilliant and fascinating of Donna’s early themed projects. The montage of seasons gives the dance floor a stage of not only Donna’s vocal ability and talent – but also a creative trio of talent with Donna, Giorgio and Pete growing into a world phenomenon. “Autumn Changes” is the third season to discover here with a light Calypso flavor driving the disco beat. The song gives the slight hope of a romance which is losing its power.

I have taken scenes from the 1956 film, “Autumn Leaves” starring Joan Crawford and Cliff Robertson – the moody drama of romance and the mental illness of our male counterpart is played up lightly in this Disco Video Mix. It is more prone to express the determination of our femme fatale, Ms. Joan Crawford.

The film was directed by Robert Aldrich

Featuring scenes from “Autumn Leaves” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“Confessions” by D.C. LaRue – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Confessions” by D.C. LaRue – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

D.C. LaRue is my favorite stage disco artist. Not only does his music represent a big edge of the disco progressive movement in the late 70s but it always plays out as if it were the soundtrack to a fantasy Studio 54. He has always created a sound which works as a Broadway musical done to rhythm and “hip bumps”. Along with Bob Esty as conductor, producer and keyboard master their project from 1978 “Confessions” still reigns as disco’s top of my top disco production albums. The title track brings us into the spiritual play world of disco music complete with crescendos and choir.

I have taken this Disco Video Mix to a dramatic play using scenes from the 1983 television mini-series, “The Thorn Birds” starring Richard Chamberlin and Rachel Ward. The story here along with the disco track works as a yearning love story of forbidden desires and finally a lonely heart left to stand alone.

The mini-series was directed by Daryl Duke

Featuring scenes from “The Thorn Birds” – RENT THE DVD
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

This Disco Video Mix is dedicated to the master works of Mr. D.C. LaRue and Mr. Bob Esty – for all of the glitter and magic they have left behind from the disco era!

“Move On Up” by Destination – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Move On Up” by Destination – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Destination is a disco project from Elton Farokh Ahi from the height of the disco explosion with an album titled “From Beginning To End” – which played out the scene as a theme for wanting dance floors. The first release is a disco cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” which soon became the soundtrack for many dance floors. A fantastic production and assemblage featuring Danny Lugo on lead vocals and Kathy Bradley and Lovechyle Theus on backup. I have taken “Move On Up” into a Disco Video Mix and playfully added clips and parts of the theme from “The Jefferson’s” – the CBS television comedy starting Isabel Sanford and Sherman Helmsley.

The themes are sailing in the same direction and with a little play back and forth on both episode themes – mainly the big disco attic theme in season five – it is most fitting.

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

ReStructure Mix Update (1/28/15) “Music In My Heart” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Ultimate

ReStructure Mix Update (1/28/15) “Music In My Heart” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Ultimate

Ultimate is a project from producer Juliano Salerni and co-producer/engineer Bruce Weeden. The project is very similar to Boris Midney’s USA European Connection album “Come Into My Heart/Good Loving” with a layer more of orchestration. The Euro-disco sound was exploding in 1978 thanks to artists/producers like Cerrone and Alec R. Constandinos. It was a Philly sound with more breakdowns and clever themes guiding dancers through a journey. “Music In My Heart” is one of the album cuts which always reminded me of the hardcore shift in top disco tracks of the time. The vocals are credited by Ultimate which are close to the Midney session a year earlier.

I have taken the album version of “Music In My Heart” and created a ReStructure Mix with an electronic minded intro and then extended pieces and parts which ring out the sound of disco which helped to define its sound during the late 70s.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/27/15) “What A Difference A Day Makes” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Esther Phillips

ReStructure Mix Update (1/27/15) “What A Difference A Day Makes” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Esther Phillips

Esther Phillips is a soul/blues singer whose talent included taking songs and making them all her own. A unique style of singing that is recognizable and continues to bring an experience to new and old listeners. Her 1975 album “What A Difference A Day Makes” produced by Creed Taylor contained a soul/disco cover of the 1934 track originally written in Spanish by Maria Grever – it was later made popular by Dinah Washington in 1959 and also won a Grammy that year. Esther’s upbeat version has a nice resonance thanks to her bluesy touch and a rhythmic instrumental.

I have taken the album version and worked a ReStructure Mix adding a longer intro and some kick drums to give the excitement a new edge. Parts of Dinah’s version are added to give another triumph a star.

This ReStructure Mix was requested by Nick and Lindsay and dedicated to these two wonderful men who bring so much excitement to my world of music and a thrill in hearing the women of song in their glory. Thanks, guys.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/26/15) “Boys Say Go” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Depeche Mode

ReStructure Mix Update (1/26/15) “Boys Say Go” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode is Martin L. Gore, Dave Gahan, Andrew Fletcher, Alan Wilder and Vince Clarke – one of the 80s new breed of electronic dance music in the early 80s. Their music lasted to present and gives off a darker and more underground feel of pulses for dance floors to take that deeper plunge. Much of the rhythms are innovative and also cross a barrier of funk-i-fied synth-pop. “Boys Say Go” is from their “Speak and Spell” album from 1981 and is pressed at a short edit version – a longer excursion is demonstrated in this ReStructure Mix.

I have taken the 3:04 album version and worked a new ReStructure Mix with more kick and action which helps to not only extend the original but also stir a bit more life into the track.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Jax Hammer who gives me the support and excitement again for disco music that is appreciated and held in the heart. Thank you, Jax – enjoy!

ReStructure Mix Update (1/21/15) “Love Money” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Funk Masters

ReStructure Mix Update (1/21/15) “Love Money” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Funk Masters

Funk Masters is an electronic funk project from the UK during the early and late 80s. Their sound is one of the innovative movements utilizing deep bass and funk keyboards. Their first single “(Money) No Love” is from 1980 and featured a 12” single with an instrumental flip titled “Love Money”. A true Paradise Garage record which gained the support of greats like Larry Levan during the new direction of dance e music.

I have taken both side of the12” single – “(Money) No Love” and “Love Money” to create this alternative ReStructure Mix which focuses on the instrumental – adding a touch of the rap. A few new elements and a bass line from the disco treasury are placed to funk things up a bit more.

“Call Me Tonight” by Cerrone – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“Call Me Tonight” by Cerrone – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Cerrone’s 1979 project “Angelina” is a continuance of his genius in both composition and execution of dance floor fantasy. The classic track “Call Me Tonight” features Michelle Aller on lead vocals and a sensual yearning that has made followers of both new and old Cerrone fans. One of my all-time favorites of the time and also for years following as I have experienced the track during early morning dance programs and watched dancers reach a new level of excitement with its musical flow and the fantastic trip is creates.

I have taken scenes from the 1984 suspense drama “Mike’s Murder” starring Debra Winger – minus the drug references and crime scenes – I have lit a new flame for the love story between Debra and Mark Keyloun. It plays our as sensual as the disco track and also gives a nice interpretation of what Cerrone’s music spells out.

The film was directed by James Bridges

Featuring scenes from “Mike’s Murder” – RENT THE DVD!
Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera
Produced by Ken Emmons

“If There’s Love” by Amant – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

“If There’s Love” by Amant – Disco Video Mix by Glenn Rivera

Amant is a studio group from producer/artist Ray Martinez from 1978 and a vital project in bringing a new brand of dance music to dance floors and a generation. The two track album featured the disco hit “If There’s Love” which was always a top 10 disco hit for me and reminds me of a beautiful Euro-disco edge brought to the Miami sound with its own flavor.

I have taken the song and blended it in this Disco Video Mix with the 1982 drama “Shoot The Moon” starring Albert Finney and Diane Keaton – a story of a couple’s painful and drawn out marital problems and breakup. It lays out some dramatic images and scenes to play out to Amant’s emotional piece.

This Disco Video Mix is lovingly dedicated to Mr. Ray Martinez for his wonderful talent which he has left for us to feel forever. Thank you, Ray and we all look forward to your new Amant project!

The film was directed by Alan Parker

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

ReStructure Mix Update (1/19/15) “Have A Good Time” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Salsoul Orchestra

ReStructure Mix Update (1/19/15) “Have A Good Time” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Salsoul Orchestra

The Salsoul Orchestra released their project “How High” in 1978 and featured tracks produced by Colin Horton Jennings, Steve O’ Donnell, Ron Baker, Bunny Sigler and Ron Tyson. The dance number “Have A Good Time” is one of the songs which brought another bump to dance floors with its anthem flavor and homage to the disco scene. The track features The Sweethearts of Sigma (Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Evette Benson) on vocals and a funky groove with that Salsoul arrangement.

I have taken the album version of “Have A Good Time” and reworked a ReStructure Mix to give the track a new facelift with some familiar percussion and repeat that “disco chant” with evidence that an era of uplifting energy will always bring to mind not only a great memory but continue to mesmerize us with rhythm.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/16/15) “The Duel” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Giorgio Moroder

ReStructure Mix Update (1/16/15) “The Duel” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Giorgio Moroder

Giorgio Moroder dominated the late 70s and early 80s an innovation creator of dance music with a life of its own. His contribution to the 1984 film “Electric Dreams” is a simple example of his continuing play with keyboards and sequencers in a way which evokes the early 80s dance platform. “The Duel” is from the soundtrack and before you dismiss it as being simple or elementary you must understand the meaning of it in the film which is the early technology boom of computers verses classic instruments – in this case a cello. It is Moroder playing with not only the soundtrack end (which also includes his classic title them sung by Philip Oakley) but also pairing his music with visuals.

I have taken the album version of “The Duel” and created a ReStructure Mix with a new intro and some play on the flowing sound of strings and keyboards over a bouncy bass 80s beat. It offers a longer play and also a bit of fun with the mind of Moroder.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/15) “That’s Where The Happy People Go” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Trammps

ReStructure Mix Update (1/14/15) “That’s Where The Happy People Go” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Trammps
The Trammps are a soul ensemble from the 60’s whose influence of disco music is a great memory for many who experienced the transition in the mid-70s of soul/Philly blend to a club/disco feel. Their 1976 hit “Disco Inferno” is still an iconic piece of dance music. “That’s Where The Happy People Go” from the album by the same name is another anthem which brings a groove which helped to make dance floor intentity with both the music as well as the discotheque scene.

I have taken the 12” version of “That’s Where The Happy People Go” and worked a new ReStructure Mix to bring out that hand-clappin’ groove with a new arrangement and a few added breaks. The chorus is one of the great tie-line with the mid-70s scene and brings back the excitement all over again.

ReStructure Mix Update (1/13/15) “High Energy” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Evelyn Thomas

ReStructure Mix Update (1/13/15) “High Energy” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Evelyn Thomas

Evelyn Thomas began recording in 1976 – her first single “Doomsday” produced by Danny Leake and Ian Levine. The path of soul and funk music to disco leads her success to brighter days. Her 1984 project “High Energy” produced again by Ian Levine along with Fiachra Trench gave way to a new anthem for the 80s dance scene. This track blasted its way into club and created excitement and energy. With Evelyn’s fabulous vocal and performances this one took off like a firecracker in flames.

I have taken the 12” vocal and instrumental to create this ReStructure Mix which focuses on “High Energy” as an event more than a dance track. It pulses in and out of the fantastic instrumental and Evelyn’s classic vocal version. It was always a huge number in my book and continues to remind me of the power of music and uplifting theme!

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to the lovely Ms. Evelyn Thomas – who has never left us short of emotion and energy. Thank you, Evelyn!

ReStructure Mix Update (1/12/15) “The Twilight Tone” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Manhattan Transfer

ReStructure Mix Update (1/12/15) “The Twilight Tone” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – The Manhattan Transfer

The Manhattan Transfer is Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, Laurel Masse and Tim Hauser – the vocal group began recording in 1971 and time the them into 1979 and a disco track from their “Extensions” album. The track is clever use of the classic feel of the vocal foursome and also added a disco edge with a take on the theme from the classic television show “The Twilight Zone” by Bernard Hermann – the recording also features Jeff Porcaro on drums and bongos and Michael Boddicker on synthesizers.

I have taken the album version and worked a refreshing ReStructure Mix with much more of that mystic “twilight tone” and a few new breaks. It was always a successful dance floor track for me and from its following it has left a good mysterious memory in many dancers’ minds.

This ReStructure Mix is dedicated to Jenny Moreno – thanks for your kind words and for requesting this great tune!

ReStructure Mix Update (1/11/15) “Shadow Dancing” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Andy Gibb

ReStructure Mix Update (1/11/15) “Shadow Dancing” – Glenn Rivera ReStructure Mix – Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb is one of the younger siblings of the Bee Gee’s trio. His solo career as a pop singer and teen idol began in 1977 and following the release of his single “Shadow Dancing” in 1978 a whole new audience and following of the funky-pop edge was created. The track was produced by Albhy Galuten and Barry Gibb with the sound that the Bee Gees molded in the mid-70s. It is more of a radio success than club although many jocks with dancers yearning for that Bee Gees edge found it a nice bump and grind piece.

I have taken the 12” extended version of “Shadow Dancing” and created a new ReStructure Mix with more rhythm break-down and some play with segments of the vocal. It plays out more like a dub mix during the last breath – but also stays true to the original mix.