Brenda Russell, Sandra Feva, The McCrarys, Nigel Martinez
Get ready for some essential classics. This past year I’ve been trying to uncover the roots of all my favorite modern genres– especially focused on the realms of disco, funk, soul, and R&B. Tragically, the sort of craftsmanship that went into music in the days before the advent of the personal computer and the drum machine is largely absent from mainstream popular music today, and much of the independent and underground scenes as well. Think of how much incredible music is out there waiting for you to happen upon it and hear it. For me, it’s a constant need– new tracks and new influences lead to new ideas and new insights. Amazingly, as challenging as it is to locate gems of disco like these, when you know an artist name, or a track or album title, or even just part of a lyric, there’s a good chance it’s out there on the blog of some hyper-focused music scholar. We need to strengthen this network somehow. My thesis work on GenreCodex, the main reason things have been so slow around here, attempts to answer the question of how we can help each other fill in the blanks and start discovering things we actually like to listen to again.
Brenda Russell – Way Back When – Ultimate Collection: Brenda Russell
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I first heard an edit of this track on LCD Soundsystem frontman and DFA label head James Murphy’s Beats in Space Mix, and was instantly obsessed with tracking down the source, which of course, was not listed anywhere. Miraculously, the Shazam app did what Google searches could not, revealing singer/songwriter Brenda Russell as the source of this incredible find. The Underdog edit of Russell’s track takes just about every piece of the original mix that can be looped and expands it into a tantalizing study of what makes this track so appealing– the unconventional rhythm, the positive grooves of the bass, and of course, Brenda’s golden voice. Enjoy, and if you can find the Underdog edit than kudos to you.
Sandra Feva – If You Want It You Got It (Long Version) – 12″
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Another more recent unlisted Beats in Space find came from Junstin Vandervolgen (of TBD), who left a challenge in his tracklist to “Try and find me.” Well, the abundant lyrical reference made things a little bit easier (but not by much– sometimes it takes a serious effort of pragmatic Googling), eventually leading me to Boogie Palace, where Sandra Feva was identified as the artist. Now, I’m sure there are edits abound that bring the subtleties of modern dance into this classic disco tune, but for now, I am perfectly satisfied with the original mix. Gotta love a track that beckons the listener to “put your stuff in my direction.”
The McCrarys – Love On A Summer Night – 12″
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This past year couldn’t have seen more edits of this classic track by The McCrarys. Seriously. Not that I have an issue with good disco edits, but , Gazeebo, even (whose take on the track remains my favorite) couldn’t resist showing their love for the original, I’m sure there are enough now to make an entire mix of “Love On A Summer Night” edits. This track sounds excellent pitched down to around 100 BPM, Denys was onto something in his edit: let the echo resonate, and surrender yourself to a lazy groove vivid enough to taste the salty ocean air and detect the smell of sandy palm trees.
Nigel Martinez – Better Things to Come (Joey Negro Edit) – Backstreet Brit Funk
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Nigel Martinez may not have been one of the biggest names to arise out of his era, but one track of his, “Better Things To Come,” which appeared on Joey Negro’s essential Backstreet Brit Funk compilation, should be enough to remove any doubt of his talent and contribution. This edit by the compilation’s curator leaves much of the song untouched, while a re-edit by Ashley Beedles that appeared on Backstreet Brit Funk Remixed does the same thing as the Underdog edit of Brenda Russell– expanding on the initial brilliance to add more repetition and build/release, essential nuances between then and now that make tracks more floor-friendly. Regardless, the golden brass, the backing vocals, even the goddamn cowbell come together to create a brilliant melody that can’t be ignored. Dig it.
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