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Back To the Underground

Following the collapse of the 70's Disco empire, the sound of disco did not die, but much of it returned back into clubs away from the mainstream music industry, or what was known as the underground. Much like in the early 70's, during the early 80's dance clubs became the key locations for hearing and experiencing the latest in Dance music. Dance music had largely disappeared from movies and television and was on life support on radio. Key clubs, however, continued to thrive. Among these were 3 New York clubs, the FunHouse, Paradise Garage, and The Saint, which live on in memories and legends as well as their impact in development of specific genres of Dance music.

The FunHouse opened in the spring of 1979 just as the Disco backlash was beginning. The design of the club was dominated by an enormous clown face. The DJs would spin records from the gaping mouth of the clown. Early on, the FunHouse had a number of DJs keeping crowds happy, but in April of 1981 John 'Jellybean' Benitez took over duties as the resident DJ. By the summer of 1982 Jellybean began playing Electro, the style influenced by Afrika Bambaataa's Planet Rock and producer Arthur Baker 's breakbeat experiments. By the mid 80's the FunHouse was consider a center for Latin Freestyle with Jellybean becoming one of the key Freestyle producers after leaving the FunHouse in 1984.

The Paradise Garage is one of the most fondly remembered of all of the great dance clubs of the 70's and 80's. The Garage, as it was fondly known, opened in 1976 and Larry Levan became its resident DJ in 1977. Already a veteran of the New York Disco scene, Levan soon became known for idiosyncratic sets that would enthrall dancers for hours. His encyclopedic knowledge of Dance music ranged across a multitude of genres, but by the early 80's Levan became identified with a developing style that would eventually be labeled Garage out of respect for Paradise Garage. Garage bore similarities to House, which was developing in Chicago, but was not as sparse and had more of an emphasis on the vocals and soulful connections to earlier Disco. Although this style of music is far from representative of the range of music played by Larry Levan, it is a fitting tribute to the man who passed away in 1992.

Another of the great clubs of the early 80's was The Saint. The Saint opened in September of 1980. Catering almost exclusively to a gay audience, the Saint was enormous in dimensions. Among the club's features were a 4800 square foot dancefloor, nearly 40 foot high dome on which to project light shows, over 1500 lights, and a planetarium style device to create the illusion of stars and planets across the dome. The favored style of music at the Saint evolved from the EuroDisco of the 70's. It featured quick tempos with rich melody. In the early 80's the style would become known as Hi-NRG and was closely identified with The Saint.

With the return of Dance music to the underground the close ties between Dance audiences, DJs and the Dance music being recorded and released was re-established. Gone were gimmicky attempts by major record labels to cash in on a trend. Independent record labels began to garner more attention once more as the opinions of individual DJs again were very important in breaking new Dance hits. Dance music was being created primarily for the dancefloor and its development influenced by the reaction of audiences in the club.

January



Independent record labels have a long and innovative history in Dance music. Solar Records, operated by Dick Griffey, an exec from the Soul Train TV show, became known for a smooth blend of Disco and Soul. Lakeside were one of many successful Solar Records acts. Prelude Records burst onto the Dance music scene in the late 70's. Unlimited Touch were one of many successful Dance artists who recorded on Prelude.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


Clifford, Linda - Shoot Your Best Shot (Capitol)
Fantasy - You're Too Late (Pavillion)
Harlow - Take Off (G.R.A.F.)
Jacksons - Lovely One / Can You Feel It (Epic)
Kano - It's a War (Emergency)
Kool and the Gang - Celebration (De-Lite)
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (Solar)
L.A.X. - All My Love (Prelude)
Lipps, Inc. - How Long (Casablanca)
Lucas, Carrie - Career Girl / It's Not What You Got (It's How You Use It) (Solar)
People's Choice - You Ought To Be Dancin' (Casablanca)
Police - Voices Inside My Head (A&M)
Prince - Dirty Mind (LP) (Warner Bros.)
Quinella - Your Place Or Mine (Beckett)
Rushen, Patrice - Look Up (Elektra)
Stewart, Melody - Action Satisfaction (Roy B.)
Stewart, Rod - Passion (Warner Bros.)
Unlimited Touch - I Hear Music In the Streets (Prelude)
Wills, Viola - If You Could Read My Mind (Ariola)
Wonder, Stevie - Master Blaster (Jammin') (Tamla)

February



Concurrent with Dance music's evolution away from Disco, the late 70's Punk revolution evolved into Pop-oriented New Wave and experiments in Dance music. One of the most successful American bands to arise out of the New York City Punk scene, Blondie, topped the Dance charts with Call Me, their collaboration with producer Giorgio Moroder. As a follow-up, they experimented with Caribbean Soca (a blend of Soul and Calypso) on The Tide Is High and brought Rap to the top of the Pop charts on Rapture.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


Blondie - Rapture / The Tide Is High (Chrysalis)
Convertion - Let's Do It (SAM)
Fantasy - You're Too Late (Pavillion)
Jacksons - Lovely One / Can You Feel It (Epic)
Kool and the Gang - Celebration (De-Lite)
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (Solar)
L.A.X. - All My Love (Prelude)
Police - Voices Inside My Head (A&M)
Prince - Dirty Mind (LP) (Warner Bros.)
Redd, Sharon - You Got My Love / Can You Handle It (Prelude)
Rushen, Patrice - Look Up (Elektra)
Shalamar - Full Of Fire / Make That Move (Solar)
Sharp, Dee Dee - Breaking and Entering (Gamble)
Tantra - Tantra - The Double Album (LP) (Importe)
Three Degrees - Set Me Free (Ariola)
T.S. Monk - Bon Bon Vie / Candidate For Love (Mirage)
Unlimited Touch - I Hear Music In the Streets (Prelude)
Valli, Frankie - Soul / Heaven Above Me / Let It Be Whatever It Is (MCA)
Vee, Vivien - Give Me a Break / Remember (Launch)
Whispers - It's a Love Thing (Solar)

March





Prior to 1981 Abba had never had a significant hit on the Dance chart in the U.S. With the help of the DiscoNet club remix service, Lay All Your Love On Me began a slow climb to ultimately top the Dance chart. The Canadian duo Lime hit big in dance clubs with a contemporary New Wave-Disco blend on Your Love.

Top 20 Dance Recordings

Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me (Atlantic)
Blondie - Rapture / The Tide Is High (Chrysalis)
Convertion - Let's Do It (SAM)
Fantasy - You're Too Late (Pavillion)
Firefly - Love Is Gonna Be On Your Side (Emergency)
Gap Band - Burn Rubber (Mercury)
Kleeer - Get Tough (Atlantic)
Lime - Your Love (Prism)
McGloiry, Michael - Won't You Let Me Be the One (Airwave)
Redd, Sharon - You Got My Love / Can You Handle It (Prelude)
Rushen, Patrice - Look Up (Elektra)
Shalamar - Full Of Fire / Make That Move (Solar)
Sharp, Dee Dee - Breaking and Entering (Gamble)
Sister Sledge - All American Girls (Cotillion)
Tantra - Tantra - The Double Album (LP) (Importe)
Three Degrees - Set Me Free (Ariola)
Unlimited Touch - I Hear Music In the Streets (Prelude)
Valli, Frankie - Soul / Heaven Above Me / Let It Be Whatever It Is (MCA)
Whispers - It's a Love Thing (Solar)
White, Lenny - Fancy Dancer (Elektra)

April





Yoko Ono reached the Dance charts for the first time with Walking On Thin Ice, a song she was working on when her husband John Lennon was gunned down in December of 1980. After a string of successful Dance productions for artists such as Michael Jackson and the Brothers Johnson, Quincy Jones released his own Dance hit Ai No Corrida featuring the familiar sparkling Soul textures of his previous work. Taana Gardner's Heartbeat included one of the most enduring bass lines in Dance music history.

Top 20 Dance Recordings

Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me (Atlantic)
Blondie - Rapture / The Tide Is High (Chrysalis)
Firefly - Love Is Gonna Be On Your Side (Emergency)
Gardner, Taana - Heartbeat (West End)
Jiani, Carol - Hit 'n' Run Lover (Ariola)
Jones, Quincy - Ai No Corrida (A&M)
K.I.D. - Don't Stop / Do It Again (SAM)
Kleeer - Get Tough (Atlantic)
Lime - Your Love (Prism)
Marie, Kelly - Feels Like I'm In Love (Coast To Coast)
McGloiry, Michael - Won't You Let Me Be the One (Airwave)
Ono, Yoko - Walking On Thin Ice (Geffen)
Redd, Sharon - You Got My Love / Can You Handle It (Prelude)
Sharp, Dee Dee - Breaking and Entering (Gamble)
Sister Sledge - All American Girls (Cotillion)
Strikers - Body Music (Prelude)
Tantra - Tantra - The Double Album (LP) (Importe)
Three Degrees - Set Me Free (Ariola)
Valli, Frankie - Soul / Heaven Above Me / Let It Be Whatever It Is (MCA)
Whispers - It's a Love Thing (Solar)

May



Grace Jones was quite successful in the '70's as a striking Disco diva, but as Disco declined in popularity, she remade herself with producers Sly & Robbie. She struck a powerful, nearly androgynous image and recorded intensely sexual, rhythmic pieces like Pull Up To the Bumper. The group Change recorded their first album without Luther Vandross as lead vocalist which resulted in Paradise, another massive Dance hit.

Top 20 Dance Recordings

Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me (Atlantic)
Change - Paradise (RFC)
Empress - Dyin' To Be Dancin' (Prelude)
Fantasy - (Hey Who's Gotta) Funky Song (Pavillion)
Firefly - Love Is Gonna Be On Your Side (Emergency)
Gardner, Taana - Heartbeat (West End)
Houston, Thelma - If You Feel It (RCA)
Jiani, Carol - Hit 'n' Run Lover (Ariola)
Jones, Grace - Pull Up To the Bumper (Island)
Jones, Quincy - Ai No Corrida (A&M)
K.I.D. - Don't Stop / Do It Again (SAM)
Kleeer - Get Tough (Atlantic)
Lime - Your Love (Prism)
Marie, Kelly - Feels Like I'm In Love (Coast To Coast)
McCullough, Ullanda - Bad Company / Rock Me (Atlantic)
Ocean, Billy - Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) (Epic)
Sharp, Dee Dee - Breaking and Entering (Gamble)
Soccio, Gino - Try It Out (RFC)
Strikers - Body Music (Prelude)
202 Machine - Get Up (Rock Your Body) (Fire Sign)

July



Following Sarah Dash and Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx became the 3rd and final former member of LaBelle to score a major Dance hit. After providing background vocals for the Talking Heads' landmark Afro-Funk album Remain In Light, Nona Hendryx hooked up with bassist/producer Bill Laswell and his experimental funk group Material to provide lead vocals for the hit Busting Out. Evelyn King moved her singing to a higher register, dropped the nickname Champagne, and made a major hit out of the Dance tune I'm In Love written by Kashif.

Top 20 Dance Recordings

Boystown Gang - Remember Me / Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Moby Dick)
Change - Paradise (RFC)
Fantasy - (Hey Who's Gotta) Funky Song (Pavillion)
Houston, Thelma - If You Feel It (RCA)
James, Rick - Give It To Me Baby (Gordy)
Jiani, Carol - Hit 'n' Run Lover (Ariola)
Joli, France - Gonna Get Over You (Prelude)
Jones, Grace - Pull Up To the Bumper (Island)
King, Evelyn - I'm In Love (RCA)
Kraftwerk - Pocket Calculator (Warner Bros.)
Lynn, Cheryl - Shake It Up Tonight (Columbia)
Material with Nona Hendryx - Busting Out (ZE)
Morgan, Denroy - I'll Do Anything For You (Beckett)
Ocean, Billy - Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) (Epic)
Roy, Barbara and Ecstasy, Passion and Pain - If You Want Me (Roy B.)
Silver, Karen - Set Me Free (RFC)
Soccio, Gino - Try It Out (RFC)
Two Man Sound - Capital Tropical (TSR)
Voggue - Dancin' the Night Away (Red Rock)
Zee, Vin - Funky Be Bop (Emergency)

August



Beginning in 1977, the DiscoNet DJ subscription service produced remixes of current Dance music to be distributed only to club DJs. Often, the exclusive DiscoNet remix outstripped commercially available versions to become the mix of choice in the club. In the summer of 1981, a double album of favorite remixes titled Prime Cuts made a major dent on the Dance charts. Teena Marie incorporated a bit of rap with her straightforward R&B on the hit Square Biz. The B.B. and Q. Band, the newest project by Change producer Jacques 'Fred' Petrus, released the synth-based On the Beat pushing Electro forward as a key Dance genre.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


B.B. and Q. Band - On the Beat (Capitol)
Boystown Gang - Remember Me / Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Moby Dick)
Evations - Wikka Wrap / All Wrapped Up (Sam)
James, Rick - Give It To Me Baby (Gordy)
Joli, France - Gonna Get Over You (Prelude)
Jones, Grace - Pull Up To the Bumper (Island)
King, Evelyn - I'm In Love (RCA)
Lime - You're My Magician (Prism)
Loverde - Iko Iko (Prism)
Lynn, Cheryl - Shake It Up Tonight (Columbia)
Marie, Teena - Square Biz (Gordy)
Material with Nona Hendryx - Busting Out (ZE)
Morgan, Denroy - I'll Do Anything For You (Beckett)
Q., Suzy - Get On Up and Do It Again (RFC)
Roy, Barbara and Ecstasy, Passion and Pain - If You Want Me (Roy B.)
Soccio, Gino - Try It Out (RFC)
Straker, Nick - A Little Bit Of Jazz (Prelude)
Two Man Sound - Capital Tropical (TSR)
Various Artists - Prime Cuts-The Double Dance Album (LP) (Importe)
Voggue - Dancin' the Night Away (Red Rock)

September



New Wave gave birth to the sub-genre the New Romantics, characterized by pre-occupation with glamorous image, clothing and makeup and catchy danceable pop music. The first New Romantic band to hit dance clubs in the U.S. was Spandau Ballet. Patrick Cowley, producer and synthesizer master behind Sylvester's (You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real, released his first solo instrumental hit, Menergy. Patti Austin, a journeyman soul singer since the late 60's, finally made the big time as a protégé of the production genius of Quincy Jones.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


Austin, Patti - Do You Love Me (Qwest)
B.B. and Q. Band - On the Beat (Capitol)
Cowley, Patrick - Menergy (Fusion)
Jacksons - Walk Right Now (Epic)
James, Rick - Give It To Me Baby (Gordy)
Joli, France - Gonna Get Over You (Prelude)
King, Evelyn - I'm In Love (RCA)
Lime - You're My Magician (Prism)
Lynn, Cheryl - Shake It Up Tonight (Columbia)
Marie, Teena - Square Biz (Gordy)
Material with Nona Hendryx - Busting Out (ZE)
Nelson, Phyllis - Don't Stop the Train (Carrere)
Q., Suzy - Get On Up and Do It Again (RFC)
Quick - Zulu (Pavillion)
Ross, Jimmy - First True Love Affair (RFC)
Spandau Ballet - Chant No. 1 (Chrysalis)
Sparque - Let's Go Dancin' (West End)
Straker, Nick - A Little Bit Of Jazz (Prelude)
Various Artists - Prime Cuts-The Double Dance Album (LP) (Importe)
Voggue - Dancin' the Night Away (Red Rock)

October



Punk / New Wave girl group the Go-Go's had a minor club hit in 1980 with We Got the Beat, but Our Lips Are Sealed, the leadoff single from their first album Beauty and the Beat, was a major Dance chart smash. After a wide range of successful backup vocal work and lead vocal work for studio-only groups like Change, Luther Vandross proved his prowess as a solo vocalist with Never Too Much. Prince's Minneapolis protégés the Time made their first national impact with Cool.

Top 20 Dance Recordings

Austin, Patti - Do You Love Me (Qwest)
Bohannon featuring Dr. Perri Johnson - Let's Start II Dance Again (Phase II)
Boystown Gang - You're the One / Disco Kicks (Moby Dick)
Central Line - Walking Into Sunshine (Mercury)
Cowley, Patrick - Menergy (Fusion)
Donald Byrd and 125th St., NYC - Love Has Come Around (Elektra)
Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed (I.R.S.)
Jacksons - Walk Right Now (Epic)
James, Rick - Give It To Me Baby (Gordy)
K.I.D. - Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (Sam)
Kraftwerk - Numbers (Warner Bros.)
Material with Nona Hendryx - Busting Out (ZE)
Prince - Controversy (Warner Bros.)
Quick - Zulu (Pavillion)
Rolling Stones - Start Me Up (Rolling Stones)
Straker, Nick - A Little Bit Of Jazz (Prelude)
Strikers - Inch By Inch (Prelude)
Time - Cool (Warner Bros.)
Vandross, Luther - Never Too Much (Epic)
Voggue - Dancin' the Night Away (Red Rock)

November



Following closely behind the Go-Go's, Billy Idol was another former Punk star, as lead singer of Generation X, who earned the appreciation of dance club audiences. His remake of Tommy James and the Shondells' Mony Mony reached the Dance chart top 10. A live version would later top the pop chart. Earth, Wind and Fire proved that classic 70's R&B could be updated with an 80's sheen on Let's Groove. The Tom Tom Club, a side project of Talking Heads members, unleashed one of the most enduring Dance and Hip Hop rhythm tracks of all time on Genius Of Love.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


Austin, Patti - Do You Love Me (Qwest)
Bohannon featuring Dr. Perri Johnson - Let's Start II Dance Again (Phase II)
Boystown Gang - You're the One / Disco Kicks (Moby Dick)
Central Line - Walking Into Sunshine (Mercury)
Conquest - Give It To Me (Prelude)
Cowley, Patrick - Menergy (Fusion)
Donald Byrd and 125th St., NYC - Love Has Come Around (Elektra)
Earth, Wind and Fire - Let's Groove (Columbia)
Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed (I.R.S.)
Hancock, Herbie - Magic Number (Columbia)
Idol, Billy - Mony Mony (Chrysalis)
Kane, Madleen - You Can / Fire In My Heart (Chalet)
K.I.D. - Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (Sam)
Modern Romance - Can You Move (Atlantic)
Moore, Melba - Take My Love (EMI)
North End featuring Michelle Wallace - Happy Days / Tee's Happy (Emergency)
Prince - Controversy (Warner Bros.)
Shelley, Pete - Homosapien (Genetic)
Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood / Genius Of Love (Sire)
Vandross, Luther - Never Too Much (Epic)

December



Already at the top of the Pop world in 1981, Daryl Hall and John Oates conquered the Dance music world as well with extended mixes of I Cant Go For That (No Can Do). The New Wave invasion of clubs continued with Soft Cell's mix of Tainted Love and Where Did Our Love Go? as well as A Flock Of Seagulls' Telecommunication. The production and songwriting skills of Randy Muller, member of the band Brass Construction, are on ample display in his work with the band Skyy on Call Me.

Top 20 Dance Recordings


Adams, Gayle - Love Fever (Prelude)
Austin, Patti - Do You Love Me (Qwest)
Central Line - Walking Into Sunshine (Mercury)
Earth, Wind and Fire - Let's Groove (Columbia)
Flock Of Seagulls - Telecommunication (Jive)
Hall, Daryl and John Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (RCA)
Idol, Billy - Mony Mony (Chrysalis)
Isley Brothers - Inside You (T-Neck)
Kane, Madleen - You Can / Fire In My Heart (Chalet)
Kool and the Gang - Get Down On It (De-Lite)
Modern Romance - Can You Move (Atlantic)
Moore, Melba - Take My Love (EMI)
North End featuring Michelle Wallace - Happy Days / Tee's Happy (Emergency)
Prince - Controversy (Warner Bros.)
Rose Royce - R.R. Express (Whitfield)
Silver, Karen - Nobody Else (RFC)
Skyy - Call Me (Salsoul)
Soft Cell - Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go? (Sire)
Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood / Genius Of Love (Sire)
Weeks and Co. - Rock Your World (Chaz Ro)

THE 80´s COLLECTION - 1981



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THE 80´s COLLECTION - 1981 - Alive and kicking



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DISCONET - 1981 Top Tune Medley

TAANA GARDNER - Heartbeat
TOM TOM CLUB - Genius Of Love
GRACE JONES - Pull Up To The Bumper
BILLY OCEAN - Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)
GINO SOCCIO - Try It Out
PROJECT - Love Rescue
RICK JAMES - Give It To Me Baby
FRANKIE SMITH - Double Dutch Bus
KELLY MARIE - Feels Like I'm In Love
VIVIEN VEE - Give Me A Break
CAROL JIANI - Hit 'n Run Lover
MIDNIGHT POWERS - Dance, It's My Life
BOYSTOWN GANG - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
MICHAEL JACKSON - Walk Right Now
THE BANK - Lay All Your Your Love On Me
THREE DEGREES - Set Me Free
TANTRA - Hills Of Katmandu
PHYLLIS NELSON - Don't Stop The Train
LIME - Your Love
ROYAL PHILARMONIC ORCHESTRA - Hooked On Classics