BOOGIE Radio Show: Background Snippets 13th Nov 2011

Here are some quick snippets on some of today's highlights on Boogie, the retro radio show on Times 100.5 FM.


Dan Hartman Vertigo/Relight My Fire was a number 1 Disco hit in 1979. According to Arthur Baker, Dan Hartman is one of disco's unsung heroes. This song featuring and amazing vocal from Loleatta Holloway, was one of a new wave of mind-blowing disco. Often covered, never bettered.

Pattie Brooks After Dark went to number 1 on the Disco charts in 1978. Pattie was in the unfortunate position of being on the same label (Casablanca) as the acknowledged queen of disco, Donna Summer, but she more than holds her own on this late-night cowbell-led disco epic. It has featured prominently in the movie 'Thank God It's Friday'. According to Bruce Sudano, being a Casablanca Records artist in the late 70s was like being at the center of the universe. It was worldwide but still family, a small group of people who were doing things that had global reach. Everyone - from the artists, arrangers, art directors, promo people & stylists to the president of the company -- was performing in a big way.

The Three Degrees The Runner. I was a member of The Three Degrees fan club, at the time, I remember, when they were Prince Charles' favorite group. Valerie Holiday (Vocalist, The Three Degrees): Working with Giorgio Moroder was great and different. We became more creative in our harmonies and were given our first chance to co-write as well, resulting in 'The Runner'. Sheila got the chance to work her magic on the lyrics and we did ours on vocals.

Diana Ross The Boss (R&B #1/Pop #1/UK #40 in 1979). 'The Boss' by Diana Ross is for many die-hard fans like me probably her best solo work. Ashford & Simpson brought out a grittiness and soul that was previously untapped. Ashford & Simpson really knew how to get the most out of an artist. This may be a career best for Diana Ross.

Donna Summer Last Dance (R&B #5/Pop #3/ Disco #2 1978).
Paul Moroder: Paul Jabara and Bob Esty had a good idea about the arrangement. I recorded Donna's vocals in Europe. As always, it went very quickly as Donna is a great singer and needs few takes. She didn't want to stay in the studio for long and she rarely came back and redid anything. We felt the feeling was there.
Candi Staton: She had such a wonderful soft feminine tone and she could do no wrong. When that song came on you could not beat me to the dance floor.

JOETT