Spandex
A crazy bulbous punchbag of sound
Big love to belboid for running this. And everyone who voted.
Here’s my list:
1. Giorgio Moroder – From Here to Eternity
Surely the greatest album to come out of Germany in '77. While every electronic music producer cites Kraftwerk as an influence, and the title track of Trans Europe Express might be the greatest track released all year, this is a much more enjoyable listen from start to finish. And it’s not much less influential – this sounds like house music, it sounds like synthpop, it sounds like 20% of all music recorded in the 80s. Kraftwerk might still sound like the future, Moroder was the future. He was on fire in ’77.
2. Munich Machine – Munich Machine
More Moroder. My best friend’s dad, Denis, fancied himself as a disco DJ in the 70s and when I was a 14 year old metaller he told me I shouldn’t be listening to that rubbish, I should be listening to this. And he played me Get on the Funk Train, the 15 minute long track that fills up the A-side. Ultimately, he was right. I heard it played in a club once - over a proper soundsystem and with a head full of MDMA that bassline is devastating. The B-side is one long medley of uptempo versions of Moroder/Donna Summer’s greatest hits and as such is amazing.
3. Cerrone – Cerrone 3 – Supernature
This is a fucking fantastic album from French dude Cerrone. The tracks are mixed together: the A-side is the well-known title track mixed into a 3 minute long drums + FX track mixed into a beatless track. The last 2 tracks on the side just wouldn’t work outside the context of the album (or in a mix). The B-side is three fantastic disco tunes mixed into each other. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.
4. Fela Kuti – Sorrow Tears and Blood
Which of the 5 Fela albums released in ‘77 to vote for? They’re all good. I decided to only vote for one and having a quick skim through them, it just had to be this one.
5. Francis The Great – Ravissante Baby
This was reissued a couple of years ago and is an amazing afrobeat/afro-funk two tracker. The A-side is more uptempo and relentlessly good; the B-side much funkier. Love the vocals by 12 year old Francis.
6. Sidiku Buari – Disco Soccer
A Nigerian disco album that is just great track after great track after great track. I’ve played this almost to death.
7. Arpadys – Arpadys
When putting my ballot together it became apparent to me that, when it comes down to it, I love euro synth-disco. And here’s some more.
8. Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express
Seemingly, the third greatest album to come out of Germany in ’77.
9. Voyage – Voyage
Another great disco album Denis introduced me to. It was the first disco album I heard that made me realise – hey, disco is fucking amazing. A French disco concept album that’s supposed to be like travelling the world, with the different tracks supposedly reflecting music from different countries. Again, all the tracks are mixed together - it was years before I realized where one track ended and the next started. It’s all just amazing disco though, except ‘Scotch Machine’ - nobody needs bagpipe disco and that embarrassment of a track saw it drop to 9th on my ballot. In fact, it sees me never play the beginning of the B-side.
10. Akwassa – In The Groove
A Nigerian afro-funk gem that was reissued a couple of years ago. One of the best 70s afro-funk albums I've heard.
Here’s my list:
1. Giorgio Moroder – From Here to Eternity
Surely the greatest album to come out of Germany in '77. While every electronic music producer cites Kraftwerk as an influence, and the title track of Trans Europe Express might be the greatest track released all year, this is a much more enjoyable listen from start to finish. And it’s not much less influential – this sounds like house music, it sounds like synthpop, it sounds like 20% of all music recorded in the 80s. Kraftwerk might still sound like the future, Moroder was the future. He was on fire in ’77.
2. Munich Machine – Munich Machine
More Moroder. My best friend’s dad, Denis, fancied himself as a disco DJ in the 70s and when I was a 14 year old metaller he told me I shouldn’t be listening to that rubbish, I should be listening to this. And he played me Get on the Funk Train, the 15 minute long track that fills up the A-side. Ultimately, he was right. I heard it played in a club once - over a proper soundsystem and with a head full of MDMA that bassline is devastating. The B-side is one long medley of uptempo versions of Moroder/Donna Summer’s greatest hits and as such is amazing.
3. Cerrone – Cerrone 3 – Supernature
This is a fucking fantastic album from French dude Cerrone. The tracks are mixed together: the A-side is the well-known title track mixed into a 3 minute long drums + FX track mixed into a beatless track. The last 2 tracks on the side just wouldn’t work outside the context of the album (or in a mix). The B-side is three fantastic disco tunes mixed into each other. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.
4. Fela Kuti – Sorrow Tears and Blood
Which of the 5 Fela albums released in ‘77 to vote for? They’re all good. I decided to only vote for one and having a quick skim through them, it just had to be this one.
5. Francis The Great – Ravissante Baby
This was reissued a couple of years ago and is an amazing afrobeat/afro-funk two tracker. The A-side is more uptempo and relentlessly good; the B-side much funkier. Love the vocals by 12 year old Francis.
6. Sidiku Buari – Disco Soccer
A Nigerian disco album that is just great track after great track after great track. I’ve played this almost to death.
7. Arpadys – Arpadys
When putting my ballot together it became apparent to me that, when it comes down to it, I love euro synth-disco. And here’s some more.
8. Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express
Seemingly, the third greatest album to come out of Germany in ’77.
9. Voyage – Voyage
Another great disco album Denis introduced me to. It was the first disco album I heard that made me realise – hey, disco is fucking amazing. A French disco concept album that’s supposed to be like travelling the world, with the different tracks supposedly reflecting music from different countries. Again, all the tracks are mixed together - it was years before I realized where one track ended and the next started. It’s all just amazing disco though, except ‘Scotch Machine’ - nobody needs bagpipe disco and that embarrassment of a track saw it drop to 9th on my ballot. In fact, it sees me never play the beginning of the B-side.
10. Akwassa – In The Groove
A Nigerian afro-funk gem that was reissued a couple of years ago. One of the best 70s afro-funk albums I've heard.
