Search - Original Soundtrack :: Studio 54, Vol. 1: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture

A fine collection of unpedestrian disco and funk

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 12/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In looking at the selection on Volume I, I notice the songs are taken from 1977 to 1979, accurate enough during Steve Rubell's 15 minutes of fame. After a snippets medley of songs done here and on Volume II, Latin rhythms and keyboards come in with Gary's Gang's "Keep On Dancin'". A slow start, given most of the material here.Diana Ross's "The Boss" was written by man-wife songwriters Ashford and Simpson, and this is typical of the material she did during her disco period, e.g. "Love Hangover" and the Diana album. However, the Michael Jackson style yelps are a bit much."Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)" was one of Chic's first big hits from 1977, and introduced innovative instrumentation during a time that the disco genre was being maligned. With the way string-synths and funky beats are crafted into great hooks, I see yet another Prince influence that kind of made its way into LoveSexy.Talented multiple instrumentalist and light tenor Dan Hartman's "Vertigo/Relight My Fire" is next, replete with vibes, synths, and other whooshy sounds, well worth its eight minute running time. I'm not sure how his version did but Take That took "Relight My Fire" to the #1 in the UK after his death from AIDS. A standout cut here, as long as no one relights the fire to burn more disco records.Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" should be familiar, with that high-pitched falsetto of his."Move On Up" is the Curtis Mayfield song that its author pushed to #12 on the UK charts in 1971, but done by Destination in 1979. Not too much variation, as it maintains that jamming horn section."Eye to eye contact, you and me" sing the gravelly soulful Edwin Starr and his singers in "Contact." It shows how someone can do a fun upbeat song like this and do a politically serious song like "War", which he did the year before "Contact."Spacey synths and disco synths with a slight bluesy riff on the chorus, and a gospel-tinged chorus that sways with the music, that's Mary Griffin's "Knock On Wood" for you."I got my mind made up, come on, you can get it, get it girl, anytime" raps Instant Funk, to which a woman goes "Say what?" incredulously and then "tonight is fine" as the response. Instant Funk, huh? So, how many cups of water do we add? There's already been some disco added, I can tell you.Odyssey's "Native New Yorker" with its lush strings, is one of those romantic, dance by the fireplace numbers like "Love's Theme" from Love's Unlimited Orchestra, though not as gushy.
The Gibson Brothers' unison shout of "if you should go" in "Que Sera Mi Vida" and electric keyboards echoes the Village People. Strong soul vocals in the verses.Rose Royce's lush ballad, the UK Top 3 "Wishing On A Star" is the sweetest song here and Yvonne Fair has the best voice of any of the artists on this collection. Clearly they were riding on the crest following the success of the Car Wash soundtrack.What makes this worthwhile is that for the most part, it doesn't pick the well-tread disco standards found on the Pure Disco compilations but other merit-worthy selections from that era that people may have heard from somewhere but forgot who did them. A superlative collection."

A really great collection

08/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a dee jay and found that the music on both volumes are excellent. Most of these songs you can't find on any other cd or even records. If you have the money you should buy both the cd's. This is great party music and dancing music. I have used both of the cd's on the radio and for commercials too. Definately buy these cd's."

A Must Have Soundtrack

William | Australia | 09/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Australia, this soundtrack was released with the best picks of Volume 1 and Volume 2, resulting in a fantastic compilation (although it doesn't have Sylvester's MIGHTY REAL song which they were stupid to leave off).
Anyway. this soundtrack is high up on the list as one of my all time favourite CD's - because it includes some brilliant dance tracks and hard to find stuff. My favourite track is THE BOSS by Diana Ross followed by FOUND A CURE by Ashford & Simpson. Try and track down the Australian CD version if you can, otherwise purchase Volume 2 - it's definitely the better of the two from what I can work out from the track listings shown on Amazon. Finally, this is a soundtrack that is actually better than the movie ... it's usually the other way round."