Any time you enter the realm of the F1 Team or Banana Records, you have entered the italo zone.  Most importantly, I'd like you to say "banana" with a Claudio Simonetti Italian accent. bah-NAH-nah.

You may be familiar with Simonetti as the keyboardist/synth player for legendary spooky disco rock outfit "GOBLIN", who brought tentative eeriness to Dario Argento's over saturated horror films. Goblin is one of my favorite bands of all time, if you care.

Horns punctuate and the flute accessories...funkily.  I usually don't like flute in my disco.  This is just straight up funky disco, done a bit over the top as Italians like to do.

Please enjoy this early release by Kasso - "Brazilian Dancer"

Played: 66 | Download | Duration: 00:05:09

This is one of those indisputable rare finds that is eerily appealing yet somehow...unpeggable.  Due to it's rare print and obscurity (rumoured to be a 500 only print release), it surely has made it onto some die-hard collectors' want lists... but it's one of those things where the obscurity makes you listen to it with an open ear - but there's no doubt about - this is some self indulgent dark synthy disco.

It's space disco gone goth - it's got a Patrick Cowley vibe for sure, and the vocal at some point sounds dead on to be an inspiration for I-F's Space Invaders are Smoking Grass.  Really check it.  It also reminds me of the silly dark vibe of Cowley's "They came at night".

Yet who is this guy, producer Pierre Perpall? This is the thing - This track is 1981. Patrick Cowley's mind warp came a year later.  Was this guy a bit ahead of his time?  Was he in some scene, smoking a joint at a party telling Patrick Cowley he needed to take his whole Menergy vibe less gay and be more spooky and melodramatic?  He's rockin the space look pretty hard here.

Who knows? I love finding these mystery artists that produced something awesome - yet didn't release much in comparison to more productive peers in the same vein - and trying to piece together how everyone fit in the sphere of influence.

It was rereleased by environ in their unclassics series in 2003, so I guess that's an indication that others have certainly nerded out on this song.

Let's just take off in our silly space craft, shall we?

Arist: Pluton & Humanoids
Song: World Invaders
Label: VS Records
Year: 1981

Played: 79 | Download | Duration: 00:04:46

...

I'm pleased to present you with something awesome that I can't seem to find out anything about.

Artist: 4 M International
Track Name: Space Operator
Label: Good Vibes
Year: 1982

There's something satisfying in finding these tracks that don't seem to have a breadcrumb trail to other producers or labels.  It's like you spun a disco globe and stopped your finger somewhere and found something that was only relevant at that moment in time, in that place.

Nevertheless, albeit slow, its' driving, it's got:

•  tribal drums
• vocals that are like a slightly restrained telex meets a German Fred Schnieder
• a bassline that is very pre-house
• a playful perfectly lovely lovely lead synth (juno, moog? its very rich)
• and don't forget superfluous spacey synth sounds that sound like ray guns.

That's a recipe for success if I've ever heard it.

Enjoy:

Played: 103 | Download | Duration: 00:04:22

Although I'm always excited to find something on Becket Records (Releases include artists like Newcleus, Indeep), I'm hesitant to call Terri Gonzalez's Disco Funk hit "Treat Yourself to My Love" a "Rare Find".  It's definitely the kind of jam that could get some play on local Bay Area station 98.1, but that doesn't mean it rocks me or a dancefloor any less!

This is literally what I would call a feel good track.  It's a well produced slow funk track, the instrumental on the flip side is summery and smooth, but Terri Gonzalez has that rich womanly sweet soulful voice that makes the instrumental just not necessary.

It does appease me however, that I got it in a dollar bin, and I do keep it out in my grabbable early evening warmup section.  Who wouldn't warm up to this?

Played: 126 | Download | Duration: 00:07:07

Track: Jet Set
Artist: Dr. John
Label: Streetwise

You know when you stumble across some blue vinyl on Streetwise Records you are in for a treat, right?  Imagine my joy at uncovering this gem! I've had this for a while and have indubitably adored it, although sometimes it feels like a guilty pleasure because I end up playing it more either for myself or for those who have lended me a disco favored ear...

It's somewhat mellow, you could even (gasp) call it smooth but the gritty synth gives it some funk, and it pulls back and plays with the mix in a way that's dubby.

I thought this Dr. John was my secret pleasure until I heard my friend Solar play it recently, and that's about the only thing I remember about that night.  Nevertheless, this song is SICK. It's well produced, it creeps on you, and it belongs to an electro disco crossover area from the mid 80's that frequently went bad, but this one got it good.

Played: 122 | Download | Duration: 00:05:10

Ok kids, are you ready for some dancefloor delicious acquisition suggestions?  I turned to good buddy dj poppa for some new tune inspiration....I can always count on him to point me in the direction of some dubbed out feel good disco.  You can find him in various locales DJing beside the likes of discoloving legends Harvey, Spun, Woolfy, Scotty Coats and Garth.  Expect to see and feel his presence more around here as his goodies come in leaps and bounds!!

DJ Poppa's top ten and a half:

1) toby tobias " the feeling" og mix. kathy diamond on vox on rekids
Vocoder anyone? this is my numba one!!! this track is my favorite of any og joints to come out in a while. it actually prompted me to send super ball washing emails to both kathy and toby, (whom are both very sweet and nice in there replies btw) this is something i rarely do but couldnt help my self for this spesh record. love it.  Anyhoot, it's a super wispy , dreamy and fluffy yet streamlined and multi layered with luscious future disco rhythms. with kathy diamond  in the mix you know the joints gonna be hot, add toby t and BOOM! like magic..

2) woolfy rong/dfa " oh missy ".
Well what can i say bout my buddy woolfy ... once way way back a few years ago someone close to woolfy said to me that he's gonna be a "rock star".... well, now that we all know what he's been up to lately and how things are shaping up for him i think it is safe to say "DOI!!!!" check this and all woolfy's joints so ten years from now you're not jaded cuz u slept and now have to buy his tracks for $100 each on ebay.

3) king&hound (dj garth) golden goose # 5 edits
The wicked wonder dj garth doin the dam thing! another strong release on his sorta newish edit avenue golden goose. this one has really been gettin lots of action outta my bag the last few months since the gman flowed this to me... dig it, I prefer, though both sides kill it, the "golden tears"  super thick, up tempo, and musical disco rocking action straight up with some nice changes and interesting twists and turns along the way.  the chorus/vocals drops nicely after the break and rides you into the sunset. a heavy dance floor killa....nice one g-man!

4) green butter boys (poppa&johnny D) "crime baby" (fresh from the smartbeat camp/unrealeased)
a hall and oats twist up of "crime pays" that johnny d and myself smoked up in the green butter boys cloudy studio.. we like it lots and so does your mom. an instant dance floor filler.... it's almost like cheating it's so easy to get the dance floor filled. get it here. (www.greenbutterboys.com)

5) chow daddy "bad lil kitten" (moxie)
simply put this one reminds me of a bad lil kitty i happen too know that seems to get a text from pops every time i play this one out... naughty naughty kitten! anyway,  "bad little kitten, pounce on you..."  what else do you need right? seriously, with naughty lil verbs like that who needs a sick ass drum filled  afro/ brazilian lectro beat, monkey and bird jungle sounds killin it in the trees, polyrhythmic brazilian disco track funkin it up underneath it all with crazy keys/guitars hook that is so so nasty?  and who needs it complete with super sick changes and breakdowns in between the tropical funk parts?  we do! that's who! so did they apparently. stays in my bag for a while fer sheez. (ed. - this rad little "bad little kitty lyric" is also featured on tiger stripes on sleeping bag records)

6) cole medina (american standard)
"baby i cant figure it out your kiss is just like honey" i think that what its says.. ? at least that's what i sing  in the shower so loudly and proudly. This is one is for the lovers, like me and the like the bee gees. This disc is super duper sexy and sweaty hot hot hot. if you like getting undies tossed at you while you spin records like i do then get this one and play it. and keep you mouth closed when you spin. make it rain

7) the popular peoples front "listen to the music" allenby chilton edit
this one makes me feel like im a gay disco diva singer lady belting my heart out on some fancy red draped stage in paris in full drag looking fab and glittery...  so y wouldnt i play it? " ohhhh oh oh  listen to the music.... all the time"

 8) samos alfa "storm on" (thematic recs, outta russia!)

very epic wax here. love it. both sides get play. slow side...reminded me of " FSOL" ...... ambience anthem vibes but very down tempo and spacey builds into a perfect and future fluffy crescendo...really takes you out there if you let it...  it's like an after party make out sound track, and who doesn't want one of those in there bag?  nicely done. You flip it and find the future italo-esk monster disco version that kills it in too many ways to even mention! crazy bass and weird sounds every where, super funky but still techy and spacey.  i love it! told you, both sides. hit it.

9) joie noire "smiling / jammaster" on (D classics)

OMG! love this one too! get it get it get... a must have for any disco re-edit head.. "smiling" is the cut on this one for me, a slammin disco joint. it has it all- beats,snthy strings, cong parts ,vox, bass funk nastiest. play it all the time...and i will for a long time to come. other side gets play too. no joke
 

10)  jacques Renault "tuxedo dance/bad skinned" (Rvng of the nerds #6)

more sexy disco love for ya. man do i love me some obscure disco? yes i do, and these silky smooth collection of disco and funk edits just add fuel to the fire... let it burn, burn mother fucker burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! epic joint right here. trust me. .
 
 10 1/2) green butter boys(poppa &johnny d) dubwise mashup "dub reality" (the smartbeat crew / unreleased)
a hardcore slow jam, a monster reggae dub joint fresh off the hard drive. another track that johnnyd and i did and just finished a few days ago in the green butter studios..versions and excursions.... get it here (www.greenbutterboys.com)

Well my dear gigantic audience. It has been far too long.  I took upon myself to work on an edit where I wanted to learn new things and expand my horizons and I got stuck in the "studio" and had to eat food and scream at my computer with crumbs flying out of my mouth "YOU DON"T KNOW ME!"

Creativity can be a beast and that beast is procrastination that tells me to just eat tacos and take a nap.

I did really do a bunch of new stuff on this edit though, and I can't wait to play it out.  I haven't done a funk edit before, and I'm kind of feeling that energy right now, so expect more.

This is an edit of Wild Cherry's Are you boogieing around on your daddy

It's a really rad song in of itself but dude does get a little out of control with the wailing, and although I really like the original I think I did good at selecting the best parts and letting them stand out on their own.

i hope you enjoy!

Played: 321 | Download | Duration: 00:05:48

SmartBeat just finished another hot edit tonight! And I'm pleased to share it here.  It's a dubbed out minimal edit of Heaven 17's "Let me go":

Played: 451 | Download | Duration: 00:06:17

SmartBeat is Johnny D and Poppa and you know I'm a fan of their edits!


Be sure to check out their Hall & Oats edit of Crime Pays that I posted a few months back.  It's been a hit on the dancefloor: Crime Baby

I'm pleased to say Poppa will be in town next weekend, and you can catch us DJing next Wednesday at my Happy hour: Disco Doggies from 6-10pm at the Triple Crown @ 1760 Market St @ Octavia...and then next Saturday at the Oasis, tag teaming an opening set yet again for the infamous DJ Harvey: Smart Beat Feat. DJ Harvey

You can find out more about Poppa, my tag team DJ cohort, here:
http://poppadela.podomatic.com/

and be sure to check out the smartbeat soundsystems myspace page for their original tracks:
http://www.myspace.com/smartbeatsoundsystem

Solid Bump Records has just released their fourth EP, titled Pleasure & Pressure Volume 1, putting forth a funkier disco vibe than I have heard in the previous work.

They are going for the club bangers and it's working. They are going for more of a filtered disco house feel too, and that's workin' for me a whole bunch.

Featuring the Solid Bump artist roster of White Girl Lust, DreDay, and newcomer

Laberge (Vancouver) who is a breakthrough artist that I'm looking forward to hearing more from.

Here is a track from him for your listening pleasure: Laberge "Gimme Your Love":

Played: 355 | Download | Duration: 00:04:05

And here is their fun discomercial!

I have never met Mr. Eugene Tambourine but was turned onto a mix cd by a good friend of mine, DJ Push, who has an immense collection of refined acquired musical taste across all spectrums and a long tenure at KUSF.  I was handed this cd and could not get enough of it.  At which point I cajoled Ethan into giving me Eugene's contact info so I could tell him I was a big fan.  At this point I should tell you that the cd was a carefully orchestrated compilation of manipulated smooth grooves and things touching on disco.

I was super thrilled that he appreciated my eager flattery and agreed to submit something to noodles, and I am pleased to share it here.  Where there is an asterisk next to the track listing, you can expected an edited version that Eugene edited on a G3 that was found in the street by his buddy Nicky Siano, which is cosmically hilarious.

You will love this, as I do.

Played: 408 | Download | Duration: 00:00:00

PAL JOEY / How Do You Say...Love? (ET Edit)*
The Last Train To London (ET re-edit)*
MU / Destroying Human Nature
IN FLAGRANTI / Melody Maker (ET re-edit)*
HERBIE HANCOCK / Bring Down The Birds
STEREOLAB / Mudra (ET re-edit)*
ELEKTRONS / No Matter What I Do
CAT STEVENS /
Was Dog A Doughnut? (Pilooski Edit)
JILL SCOTT / Golden (Acapella re-edit)*
PLANTAINS / I Feel Love