Review
A Complete Introduction To Disco 1970-1980 (Universal Music)
10
6.2
Rate this Album
UK release date 16.08.2010
"This is a journey into sound" said Bomb The Bass, well this is a journey into disco say B&S! A comprehensive collection that stretches over four CD's; prepare for meltdown it's an absolute belter of a compilation and it's all here - disco in excelsis!
Cleverly devised in chronological order, CD1 sees what the compilers think, are the roots of disco including; The Staple singers, Bobby Byrd, Sly & The Family Stone etc. A nice addition but strange choices to link this with disco! The Philly sound, surely a huge influence, scarcely gets namechecked.
Nevermind, this quality box of beauties may baffle but the golden age soon kicks in with CD2. Here the cream rises right to the top with Van McCoy, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Jacksons, Crown Heights Affair, the queen of disco Donna Summer, Candi Staton, Kool &The Gang this exhaustive list and the beat goes on and on!
Disco revolutionised the music industry back in the seventies, with a feel good factor so infectious that it conquered the world in just a few short years. Rock music took a sideline as the disco phenomenon rose. Signature disco tracks were highly arranged pieces of musical magic, often recognised by orchestral string arrangements mixed with disco bass and four to the floor drums awash with horns, vocals, electric pianos and groovy guitar rhythms. Over the top lushness that thrilled the world.
Beautifully packaged and researched this time bomb is a serious attempt to put these glory days right back on the map. Probably the most creative period in the history of dance music. This is an absolute gem, hence.
Words Emrys Baird
