The Kings Of Disco

Performer: Various Artists/Dimitri from Paris
Artist: Goody Goody
Distributor: Caroline Distribution

Notes: DJs: Dimitri from Paris; Joey Negro. On The Kings of Disco, Dimitri from Paris and pal Joey Negro emerge as human-shaped dust bunnies from yet another record-crate collapse. As Dimitri claims in the liner notes, he and Negro joined forces "...as a way to not outbid each other eternally on Internet auctions." Who knows how much the two DJs have spent on rare singles throughout the years? Putting together compilations like this one is one way to justify all the effort, and maybe it puts some money back into their pockets in the process -- so that they can buy more obscure records. This means that those who love disco boundlessly, albeit without the means or desire to do all the digging and spending, can cut to the chase without all that effort. The question is, how much more digging can take place before there's nothing left but landfill? On the first disc, Dimitri pulls up a handful of quality truffles, most of which fall along with his taste for elegant funkiness. Risco Connections' version of Inner Life's "I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)" adds Latin and Jamaican elements to Patrick Adams' original, an outpouring that depicts the lonely side of disco culture; the vocalist on this version isn't nearly as emphatic or powerful as Jocelyn Brown, but her gentle approach is effective in its own way. "Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys," by Derrick Harriott, is a cover as well, translating the Equals' 1970 single (featuring Eddy Grant) into a bottom-heavy half-organic/half-electronic churner. The pleasant surprises are more numerous on Negro's disc, including Spandau Ballet's "Chant No. 1" (Brit disco-funk on par with Atmosfear's "Dancing in Outer Space"), the Walter Gibbons mix of Arts and Crafts' "I've Been Searching" (an underground classic that has slipped through the hands of most other likeminded compilers), and Vinzerelli's "Skate Dancer" (in which space-dancing, Adams-styled synths are left free to roam all over the place). It would've made more sense to title this Orphans of Disco. Die-hard disco freaks will be more than happy to take a few of these songs home and impress their subjects. ~ Andy Kellman

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