Search - Various Artists :: Billboard Top Dance: 1976

NOT EXTENDED VERSIONS!

Joseph Watt | Scottsdale, AZ USA | 06/09/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Buyer beware! These are the shortest versions humanly possible, and still called "a song". YUK! Who's brain storm was that? This is suppose to reflect the "era" which was an era of 9, 10 and 11 minute versions of songs. THAT was what Disco was all about. So why this? I do NOT reccomend this to anyone, exect the curious or someone who has the money to burn. - jw"

Not as bad as other reviewers have said

Ryan A. Rigg | 03/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, let me take a moment to comment on the other reviews posted for this CD by Lawrance Bernabo and Joseph Wyatt. Mr. Bernabo seems surprised that this is a "DISCO" CD and not a DANCE CD. Excuse me, but in the late 70's Dance music WAS Disco. In fact, although it may have faded from the limelight, Disco never really died. The industry just started calling it "Dance" music in the early 80's because Disco was experiencing such a backlash. And we all know that the anti-disco movement of the early 80's was spearheaded by straight white DJ's who did not like Disco music that was heavily black, latino, and (...). These are the same people who kept the MTV playlist almost completely white (except for Tina Turner and Michael Jackson) during the early and mid-80's. So, I am not sure what Mr. Bernado had in mind when he picked up this CD, but he must not be very informed if he did not know he was buying a CD containing disco music.



As for Mr. Wyatt, I have played this CD many times over the years, and I certainly do not feel like I "burned" my money. And for $6.98 on Amazon, I think it is quite a good deal.



Now to my review:



1. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston: A true music gem, a flawless vocal performance, regardless of the genre.



2. Spring Affair - Donna Summer: Donna when she was still in that breathy "Love to Love You Baby" stage of her career. Best when heard on the "Four Seasons of Love" CD.



3. Midnight Love Affair - Carol Douglas: Deserves inclusion on this CD because it went to #1 on the Disco chart. A great song to put beside "Spring Affair" since they both have a very similar sound.



4. Down to Love Town - The Originals: Another #1 on the Disco chart, and a fun song to listen and dance to.



5. You Should be Dancing - Bee Gees: One of their all-time disco-era best.



6. Try Me, I Know We Can Make It - Donna Summer: Once again, Donna in her breathy, sexy mode. The true queen of disco.



7. More, More, More - Andrea True Connection: A great song that was huge on the Pop and Disco charts at the time and was recently sampled by Len on the song "Steal my Sunshine".



8. Love Hangover - Diana Ross: One of Diana's best songs ever.



9. I'm Gonna Let my Heart Do the Walking - Supremes: Proof the Supremes did not die after Diana left. This song was a hit on the Pop, R&B and Disco charts.



10. Mighty High - Mighty Clouds of Joy: Anytime I am down, I put on this song. It's message is so positive and so infectious, I always feel better.



All of these songs were #1 hits on the Disco chart except for the Supremes song which peaked at #3, so all songs deserve inclusion on this compilation of the BEST OF DISCO CIRCA 1976. I would have given it 5 stars, but I just wish it had more tracks than 10, which is a problem with all of the Rhino/Billboard releases. But for the price, it is still worth buying to discover or rediscover some disco gems."