Silver, Platinum & Gold - Hollywood. 1981 Neptune promo (LP). Purchased with the David Astri (Jun). A more typical disco album with plenty of synthesizer moving it into the boogie category. Too many vocals and a few handclaps sink it for me, but it does have some stellar moments, especially the guitar. Very obscure album.
David Astri - Do it Right. 1983 Award (LP). From an antique mall (Jun). This was an extension of the sale below. The records were more expensive, but so are their worth. I only paid a fraction of going rates. Musically quite a good mix of electronic, disco, and boogie. As good as THP Orchestra, more 80s though. I'd consider keeping it but I think I'll take the profit since it's not really my genre of choice.
*T.H.P. Orchestra - Two Hot for Love. 1977 Butterfly (LP). From a large garage sale purchase also cataloged in the Jazz journal and others (Jun). This is their "debut" though in reality there's one prior to this. All of side 1 and the first half of side 2 is just as great as the Tender album. Hardcore driving disco that keeps your toes tapping. The latter two tracks seem to be almost a different band and the disco is far more trite. All the same, I rate the two albums similar. About as good as it gets for the genre.
Cousin Ice. 1980 Urban Rock (LP). More from the garage sale (Jun). Ira Crossin was a rich kid from the Upper West Side buying his way into the Studio 54 set. He played sax and flute, but rather than join the conservatory circuit, he goes in for disco to get the hookers and blow presumably. This album should be a killer but it lacks the melodies necessary to make it work. All the same it's a pretty rare album that we'll be reselling.
Ozone - Glasses. 1983 Motown promo (LP). Same garage sale (Jun). A very different Ozone has emerged from the boogie inspired group of their 1980 debut. Glasses offers a unique blend of British styled new wave and American soul/funk. Never really heard anything like it before and for that it gets points. This was to be Ozone's final album, as I don't think they ever caught on with the general public.
*Mandrill - We Are One. 1977 Arista promo (LP). Same garage sale (Jun). This is my second time to own this, the other going back 20 years without as much context as I have today. Mandrill were never a group to be pigeonholed and We Are One is no different. They've moved on from their proggy funk days over to the disco movement, but this isn't a garden variety album of that genre either. They're a large ensemble that remains very musical and there are many gems throughout. A worthy addition to the Mandrill catalog, just keep your expectations in check as to the contents.
*T.H.P. Orchestra - #2 Tender is the Night. 1978 Butterfly (LP). White vinyl. Same garage sale (Jun). This is the album that made me think twice about disco. A friend gave it to me in the early 90s. I wouldn't allow myself to like it, but I secretly did anyway lol. I eventually gave it away, but now have a different perspective. Besides this copy is much nicer. And I like it far more than I ever thought I would. This is a great example of composed music - with high quality musicians - performing what is perceived as simple. While the metrics aren't complicated per medium protocol, the bass player could care less and decides to make it complicated anyway. Ha! On Tender is the Night there is a 6 piece rock band, 6 more on horns, and no less than 10 folks on strings. Plus two female vocalists. So take that Mr./Ms. DIY stay-at-home computer musician! All these tracks are catchy as heck too. They just make you feel good. And want to make you dance for those who know how to do such a thing. I would have no idea honestly. The collective is from Toronto and were attempting to emulate the European disco craze. I think they surpassed it. The repetitiveness would prove to be its only weakness. Then again, repetition is the key to learning.
* - Keeping for the collection
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