Shep Pettibone Prelude Master Mixes

How fantastic was it growing up in the New York Metropolitan area and getting to hear the Shep Pettibone MasterMixes on 98.7 Kiss.  He was able to take already incredible songs and make them even more enjoyable, danceable and funky.

My favorite had to be Jeanette "Lady" Day's Come Let me Love You, "can't nobody love you like I do, can't nobody do the things I do the way I do."  I especially like the sound effects that give it a real majorette feel and the moans that were not quite nasty but provided major effect.  I could just imagine Jeanette leading her way down a funk parade on a float in some inner city neighborhood with crowds in hot pants bumping and twirling on the sidewalks as she passed.  Whatever happened to Jeanette?  Apparently there was a follow-up single called "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy" which went nowhere.  Even though it was mixed by another legend Francois K. who worked on many of the great Prelude releases.
Thank you Shep for being a hero and mixing the music I loved so much back in high school.  To think he was only in his early 20's himself at the time.

Think of this as a little tribute blog.  I'm enclosing a zip with a few of my favorites.  I will however leave the contents as a surprise.  And I would encourage anyone to buy any of these master mixes cd's or vinyl if they ever come across them.  They are not simply a promotional tool for a fantastic radio station and label (Prelude), but a real document of an era.  An era that featured so many fantastic clubs and records and one that will never be replaced.  The post disco era when great disco music was still being made but often called by another name (boogie in the U.K. for example).


Shep can now be visited in Asbury Park, N.J. where he owns the Paradise Nightclub and The Empress hotel.  The hotel was featured in Bruce Springsteen's 1980 single Hungry Heart.

Selected remixing credits

• Aftershock - She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (1990)
• Afrika Bambaataa and The Jazzy 5 - Jazzy Sensation (1982)
• Alisha - All The Night (1985)
• Alisha - Baby Talk (1985)
• Alisha - Boys Will Be Boys (1985)
• Alisha - One Little Lie (1985)
• Alisha - Stargazing (1986)
• Alisha - Too Turned On (1985)
• Alyson Williams - Yes We Can (1986)
• Arnie's Love - Date With The Rain (1985)
• Apollo Smile - Dune Buggy (1991)
• Arcadia - Say The Word (1985)
• Art of Noise - Beat Box (1984)
• Aurra - Baby Love (1982)
• Aurra - Checking You Out (1982)
• Aurra - Such A Feeling (1982)
• The B-52's - Summer of Love (1986)
• The B-52's - The Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland (1986)
• Bananarama - Preacher Man (1991)
• Barbara Fowler - Knockin' On My Door (1985)
• Barone - Shake It Up (´Til Ya Drop) (1985)
• Bee Gees - You Win Again (1988)
• Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1988)
• Belinda Carlisle - I Get Weak (1988)
• The Belle Stars - World Domination (1986)
• Betty Boo - Doin' The Do (1990)
• Betty Boo - Where Are You Baby (1990)
• Bianca - My Emotions (1989)
• Bobby "O" and His Banana Republic - Somebody (1985)
• Boogie Box High - Nervous (1989)
• Boys Don't Cry - Cities On Fire (1986)
• Breakfast Club - Express Away To Your Heart (1988)
• Breakfast Club - Never Be The Same (1987)
• The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens Band - Dreamer (1987)
• Bros - Drop the Boy (1988)
• Bros - I Owe You Nothing (1988)
• Candido - Jingo (1983)
• Carl Bean - I Was Born This Way (1986)
• Carol Jiani - Touch And Go Lover (1984)
• Carol Williams - No One Can Do It (Like You) (1981)
• Casanova - Eye Contact (1983)
• Cathy Dennis - Just Another Dream (1991)
• Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long) (1991)
• Cathy Dennis - Everybody Move (1991)
• Cathy Dennis -You Lied To Me (1992)
• Cat Miller - Ready Or Not (1985)
• CC:Diva - I'll Always Follow Me (1988)
• Cheri - So Pure (1983)
• Cheri - Working Girl (1983)
• Clair And Love Exchange Hicks - Push (In The Bush) (1985)
• Claudja Barry - Down On Couting (1986)
• Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One (1983)
• Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye (1987)
• Conquest -Give It To Me (If You Don't Mind) (1982)
• Cyndi Lauper - Change of Heart (1986)
• Cyndi Lauper - What's Going On (1987)
• Daryl Hall - Foolish Pride (1986)
• David Bowie - Day-In Day-Out (1987)
• David Bowie - Never Let Me Down (1987)
• David Essex - Rock On (1989)
• David McPherson - You Can't Stop (1982)
• Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth (1989)
• Debbie Harry - Heart of Glass (solo version, re-recorded) (1988)
• Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel (1987)
• Diana Ross - Paradise (1989)
• Diana Ross - Shock Waves (1987)
• Donna Garraffa - Let Me Be Your Fantasy (1985)
• D-Train - Keep On (1983)
• D-Train - You're The One For Me (1982)
• Duran Duran - I Don't Want Your Love (1988)
• Duran Duran - All She Wants Is (1988)
• Dusty Springfield - In Private (1989)
• Dusty Springfield - Reputation (1989)
• Eleonor - Adventure (1986)
• Elton John - I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That (1988)
• Elton John - Healing Hands (1989)
• Empress - Dyin' To Be Dancin' (1982)
• Erasure - Chains of Love (1988)
• Erasure - Blue Savannah (1989)
• Falco - Do It Again (1988)
• First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (1983)
• First Choice - Dr. Love (1983)
• Five Star - Are You Man Enough (1987)
• Five Star - Rain or Shine (1986)
• Five Star - The Slightest Touch (1987)
• Five Star - Somewhere Somebody (1987)
• Five Star - Treat Me Like a Lady (1990)
• Five Star - Find the Time (1986)
• Five Star - If I Say Yes(1986)
• The Flirts - You and Me (1985)
• The Flirts - New Toy (1986)
• Four In Legion - Party In My Pants (1984)
• Fox the Fox - Precious Little Diamond (1984)
• France Joli - Does He Dance (1985)
• France Joli - Gonna Get Over You (1982)
• France Joli - I Wanna Take A Chance On Love (1982)
• Gayle Adams - Love Fever (1982)
• George Benson - Twice the love (1988)
• George Michael - Hard Day (1987)
• Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (1990)
• Howard Hewett - Stay (1986)
• Huey Lewis & The News - Hip To Be Square (1986)
• Information Society - Walking Away (1988)
• Indeep - Last Night A DJ Save My Life (1982)
• Inner Life - I Like It Like That (1982)
• Inner Life - Moment Of My Life (1982)
• Instant Funk - (Just Because) You'll Be Mine (1986)
• Jaki Graham - From Now On (1989)
• Jaki Graham - The Better Part Of Me (1989)
• The Jammers - And You Know That (1982)
• The Jammers - Be Mine Tonight (1982)
• The Jammers - Let's B-B Break (1984)
• Jane Child - Don't' Wanna Fall In Love (1989)
• Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle (1987)
• Janet Jackson - Alright (featuring Heavy D of Heavy D and the Boyz)(1990)
• Janet Jackson - State of the World (1991)
• Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do Without You (1989)
• Janet Jackson - Escapade (1990)
• Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (1989)
• Janet Jackson - Miss You Much (1989)
• Jeannette "Lady" Day - Come Let Me Love You (1982)
• Jeffrey Osborne - Room With A View (1986)
• Jennifer Holliday - No Frills Love (1985)
• Jermaine Jackson - I Think It's Love (1982)
• The Jets - Cross My Broken Heart (1987)
• Junk Yard Dog - Grab Them Cakes (1985)
• Karyn White - Romantic (1991)
• Katunga - El Negro No Puede (1984)
• Keyna - Tell It To Me (1989)
• Kim Wilde - You Came (1988)
• Laid Back - It's The Way You Do It (1985)
• Laid Back - I'm Hooked (1985)
• Laid Back - One Life (1985)
• Labelle (Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash) - Turn it Out
• The Latin Rascals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1988)
• Level 42 - Lessons In Love (1987)
• Level 42 - Something About You (1985)
• Level 42 - World Machine (1985)
• Leroy Burgess - Heartbreaker (1983)
• Leroy Burgess - Stranger (1983)♣
• Linda Taylor - You And Me Just Started (1982)
• Lionel Richie - Love Will Conquer All (1989)
• Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - I Wonder If I Take You Home (1985)
• Lisa Stansfield - This Is the Right Time (1989)
• Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation (1983)
• Loleatta Holloway - Crash Goes Love (1986)
• Louie Louie - Sittin' In The Lap Of Luxury (1990)
• Love and Money - Candy Bar Express (1986)
• Luther Vandross - Power of Love/Love Power (1991)
• Madonna - True Blue (1987)
• Madonna - Where's the Party (1986)
• Madonna - Into the Groove (1985)
• Madonna - Causing a Commotion (1987)
• Madonna - Like a Prayer (1989)
• Madonna - Express Yourself (1989)
• Madonna - Keep it Together (1990)
• Madonna - Vogue (1990)
• Madonna - Justify My Love (1990)
• Madonna - Rescue Me (1991)
• Madonna - Erotica (1992)
• Madonna - Deeper and Deeper (1992)
• Madonna - This Used to Be my Playground (1992)
• Madonna - Bad Girl (1993)
• Madonna - Fever (1993)
• Madonna - Rain (1993)
• Mahogany - Ride On The Rhythm (1983)
• Mariah Carey - Someday (1991)
• Mariah Carey - There's Got to Be a Way (1991)
• MC Hammer - Pray (1990)
• Metallica - Enter Sandman (1991)
• Miami Sound Machine - Bad Boy (1986)
• Michael McDonald - All We Got (It's Not Enough, Never Enough) (1990)
• Mico Wave - Star Search (1987)
• Mike and Brenda Sutton - Don't Let Go Of Me (Grip My Hips andMove Me) (1982)
• Mitsou - Bye Bye Mon Cowboy (1988)
• Morris Day - Are You Ready (1988)
• Natalie Cole - I Live For Your Love (1987)
• Natalie Cole - The Urge To Merge (1987)
• Narada - Divine Emotions (1988)
• New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)
• New Order - True Faith (1987)
• Nia Peeples - Street Of Dreams (1991)
• Nia Peeples - Trouble (1988)
• Nick Kamen - Each Time You Break My Heart (1986)
• Nick Scotti - Get Over (1993)
• The Nick Straker Band - A Little Bit Of Jazz (1982)
• Nu Shooz - Point of No Return (1986)
• Nu Shooz - Lost Your Number (1986)
• Nu Shooz - Don't Let Me Be The One (1986)
• NV - It's Alright (1983)
• NV - Let Me Do You (1984)
• Olivia Newton-John - The Rumour (1988)
• Paul McCartney - Ou Est Le Soleil?
• Paula Abdul - Knocked Out (1988)
• Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl (1989)
• Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract (1990)
• Paul Lekakis - Tattoo In On Me (1990)
• Pebbles aka Perri "Pebbles" Reid - Giving You the Benefit
• Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1985)
• Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (1986)
• Pet Shop Boys - Love Comes Quickly (1986)
• Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1987)
• Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind (1988)
• Pet Shop Boys - Heart (1988)
• Pet Shop Boys - Left to My Own Devices (1988)
• Pet Shop Boys - Was That What It Was? (1986)
• Pet Shop Boys - You Know Where You Went Wrong (1987)
• Pet Shop Boys - I Want To Wake Up (1987)
• Phil Collins - Hang in Long Enough (1990)
• Phyllis Nelson - I Like You (1989)
• Pia Zadora - Dance Out Of My Head (1988)
• Pierre - Just Right (1984)
• Pilot - You Are The One (1984)
• Pointer Sisters - Friends' Advice (Don't Take It) (1990)
• Pointer Sisters - Gold Mine (1986)
• Pretty Poison - Nighttime (1988)
• Prince - Hot Thing (1987)
• Prince - Glam Slam (1988)
• Rafael Cameron - Desires (1982)
• Ramsey Lewis - This Ain't No Fantasy (1985)
• Raw Silk - Do It To The Music (1983)
• Red Head Kingpin And The FBI - Get It Together (1991)
• Robey - Bored and Beautiful (1984)
• Robey - Killer Instinct (1985)
• Robey - One Night In Bangkok (1984)
• Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine (1987)
• Run-D.M.C. - It's Tricky (1987)
• Run D.M.C. - Ghostbusters (1989)
• The Salsoul Orchestra - Ooh, I Love It (Love Break) (1983)
• The Salsoul Orchestra - Seconds (1982)
• S-xpress - Hey Music Lover (1988)
• Seal (musician) – The Beginning (1991)
• Secret Weapon - Must Be The Music (1982)
• Shakespear's Sister - Break My Heart (1988)
• Sharon Redd - Can You Handle It (1982)
• Sheena Easton - Eternity (1987)
• Shirley Lewis - You Can't Hide (1989)
• Siedah Garrett - K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (1988)
• Sinnamon - Thin Line (1984)
• Sinnamon - He's Gonna Take You Home (1982)
• Sinnamon - Thanks To You (1982)
• Sister Sledge - Here To Stay (1986)
• Skyy - Call Me (1982)
• Skyy - Let Love Shine (1982)
• Skyy - Let's Celebrate (1982)
• Skyy - Show Me The Way (1987)
• Slade - Slam The Hammer Down (1984)
• Slay Cabell - Feelin' Fine (1982)
• The Springsteen Brothers - She's Fine (1984)
• Steve Shelto - Don't You Give Your Love Away (1983)
• Stewart Copeland - Love Lessons (1987)
• The Strangers - Step Out Of My Dream (1983)
• The Strikers - Body Music (1982)
• Surface - Falling In Love (1982)
• Taylor Dayne - I'll Wait (1993)
• Taylor Dayne - Say A Prayer (1995)
• Technotronic - Techno Medley (1990)
• Terence Trent D'arby - Dance Little Sister (1987)
• Terence Trent D'arby - If You Let Me Stay (1987)
• Terry Lewis - Can You Feel It (1984)
• Tetsuya Komuro - Running to Horizon (1989)
• Third World - One To One (1985)
• Third World - Sense Of Purpose (1985)
• Thompson Twins - In the Name of Love (1988)
• Thompson Twins - Sugar Daddy (1989)
• Timex Social Club - Rumors (1986)
• Timex Social Club - Thinkin´ About Ya (1986)
• Tina Turner - Foreign Affair (1989)
• TKA - I Won't Give Up On You (1989)
• Toney Lee - Reach Up (1986)
• Tracie Spencer - This Time Make It Funky (1990)
• 2 Brave - After Midnight (1989)
• Unlimited Touch - Reach Out (Everlasting Lover) (1984)
• Unlimited Touch - Searching To Find The One (1982)
• Unique - You Make Me Feel So Good (1984)
• Vaughan and Butch Dayo Mason - Party On The Corner (1983)
• Vaughan and Butch Dayo Mason - You Can Do It (1982)
• Visual - The Music Got Me (1985)
• The Wally Jump Jr. and The Criminal Element - Don't Push Your Lock (1986)
• The Wally Jump Jr. and The Criminal Element - Jump Back (1986)
• Wang Chung - Let's Go! (1986)
• Warp 9 - Light Years Away (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Going Out Of My Dream (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Good To The Last Drop (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - If You're Looking For Fun (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Knock, Knock (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Rock Candy (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Rockin´ It In The Pocket (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Rock Your World (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Tunnel Of Love (1983)
• Weeks and Co. - Your Next Door Neighbor (1983)
• Wild Party - No One Knows (1987)
• Will To Power - Fading Away (1988)
• The Wrestlers - Land of a Thousand Dances?!!? (1985)
• Whitney Houston - So Emotional (1987)
• Whitney Houston - I Belong To You (1991)

Clubland Set Me Free

ENJOY SET ME FREE

So as to not get too predictable up in here I thought I'd post something that is not disco.

This 1992 release on Great Jones by Clubland brings back some great memories of N.Y. clubland.  Set me Free featuring the vocals of Zemya Hamilton.
But what can I say about it really?  It's just pleasurable commercial house music with a strong hook and a beat that really makes you want to shake your tail.  Who would have thought back in 1992 that 20 years later so much pop music would be totally dance oriented?  I remember when months would go by before a pure dance song like "Show me Love" would crossover onto the pop charts.  So many perfectly poppy dance songs never broke in the states.  It's a shame really cause most of these dance oriented songs that make it big now don't hold a candle to dance songs like "Set me Free."
One thing to note is the genius co-production of Eric Kupper.  He has of course had many more hits since this but his talent is undisputed.  And his sound is genuine and deep.

Another italo disco holy grail Travel Made in Thailand

Just the first track off of a super rare italo disco ep called Travel made in Thailand.

Thai Dance is by Mauro Marani and was released in 1987 on the Italian label Emmerci.  I'd love to have the whole ep.  THAI DANCE
Recently in June this item fetched on EBAY $609.00.
Which Italo 12 inch have you seen go for more.  I know it does happen but a lot less often then it used to back in the day.  made in Thailand

TRAVEL - THAI DANCE 4tracks italo disco boogie MIX orig

2011-06-27

609 USD

The fantabulous Meli'sa Morgan

Meli'sa Morgan has had success using a variety of aliases.  But the disco hit as Shades of Love, Keep in Touch from 1982 has to be her most memorable.  I know it was one of my major jams back when I was in high school back in suburban Connecticut.

The Ultimix remix service did a fun re-vamp of the song in their #56 issue in 1994.  In fact I still have it in my EBay store.  ULTIMIX 56
ULTIMIX 56 remix of Keep in Touch

"All over my body I wanna feel your body all over my body!"
Venture Records Twelve Inch in my EBay store

FUNK IT UP THE SWEET

The Sweet were one of those bands in the 70's that consistently was able to provide me with joy.

Formed in 1968 out of the British Glam Rock scene they were able to parlay their success onto the American pop charts only by the second half of the 70's other then with Little Willy which had been a big hit earlier.  In the U.K. and in parts of Europe they had a long string of huge hits (in the U.K. alone 13 Top 20 hits in the 70's).

Their 1977 promo only 12" release Funk it Up is quite rare.  It is still a high priced collectible and I'll have to admit that at the time the song passed me by completely.  Not like Fox on the Run which was a 45 I played to death.
FUNK IT UP  NOW CHECK OUT THE CANADIAN DISCO MIX CANADIANPROMOin.wav

Their last hit single Love is Like Oxygen was a classic.  Their harmonizing was outstanding.

AMERICAN GYPSY

American Gypsy were recording since the early 1960's but it was only in 1980 when they broke with a major disco hit.  I'm O.K. You're O.K. was released on the seminal disco label in the U.S. Importe/12.

It's a great song.  I still have a copy in my EBay store.  EBay
But I have a feeling you just came here to take the download.  listen to this if you want to feel better then OK

SLEAZE CLASSIC GUARDIAN ANGEL by Masquerade and what is sleaze vs. morning music anyway?

German artist Drafi Deutscher recorded this song using the alias Masquerade and came up with a huge pop hit all over Europe in 1983.  Being that certain d.j.'s at The Saint in N.Y.C. were well traveled and had a taste for Euro they made this import a sleaze classic.  It brought the punters a swaying from Fire Island to Provincetown and back.

While we are on the subject here's an interesting analysis, here's what Chicago D.J. Mark Vallese has to say about the subject.  Maybe you've had the pleasure of hearing him spin at The Dunes resort in Douglas, Michigan.
What's the difference between "morning music"
and "sleaze"? If you ask 100 people this question, you'll get
100 different answers.  The term "sleaze" has been around since the 70's
and is most commonly used to describe the down tempo music that was
played toward the end of the night (or the end of the party).  It's
usually very melodic and pretty.  Most of the songs were vocal pieces
with a few notable exceptions. The lyrics tended to be very
emotional in one way or another, often describing the joys of love,
or the pain of losing it.  Here's some examples of classic "sleaze"
music, first the joyful, happy songs...

Under The Influence Of Love - Love Unlimited lary sanders edit
La Vie En Rose - Grace Jones Tom Moulton mix
Be Thankful For What You Got - William DeVaughn get it now
Take Off Your Makeup - Lamont Dozier  larry sanders edit
Dance Little Dreamer/Hot Butterfly - Bionic Boogie  chanson
Darling, That's Me - Judy Cheeks/Loose Change  JUDY
Just Us - Two Tons Of Fun enjoy Just Us and for added fun I GOT THE FEELING Disconet Mix
Rock Your Baby - George McCrae  an edit
Somebody's Eyes - Viola Wills  2 versions of a Viola beauty
Wrap Your Arms Around Me - Agnetha Faltskog  an Abba beauty
Take Me Down/Hang On In There Baby - Johnny Bristol
Music, Harmony and Rhythm - Brooklyn Dreams featuring Donna Summer's husband
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning - Thelma Houston Enjoy it
Most Of All - Gloria Gaynor/Saint Tropez

Here's some classic "rip yer heart out" sleaze (termed by some as
razorblade/slit your wrist music)...

Throwing It All Away - Rhetta Hughs
Stop (Your Tearing Out My Heart) - Bob-A-Rella  stop and download this

Loving You, Losing You - Phyllis Hyman gorgeous songbird
Don't Pity Me - Faith, Hope and Charity  THE JIMMY M. EDIT
Changin' - Sharon Ridley  this one was huge at The Paradise Garage  HOT TRACKS MIX
Guardian Angel - Masquerade a zip with 6 versions including newer edits
Pull Yourself Together - Buddy Miles a zip of it
Why Can't We Live Together - Timmy Thomas  download it
Walk Away From Love - David Ruffin  a ROBBIE LESLIE classic
You'll Never Know - Hi Gloss define's the genre  Hi-Gloss
It's A Shame - Spinners  TOM MOULTON MIX

And, here's some of those notable instrumentals. ..

Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra (there's a fairly rare
vocal version of this too)  rare vocal version
Rise/Manhattan Melody - Herb Alpert check out G's hypnotizing groove edit
African Symphony - Henry Mancini  African
Anambra - Ozo (the vocal version of this song is called "Anambra
River") ANAMBRA DOWNLOAD
Tubular Bells - Champs Boy Orchestra  Listen
Livin' In The Jungle - John Tropea A .wav of Jungle

There's even some "sassy" sleaze classics...

I Ain't Been Licked - Diana Ross diana
Don't Give It Up/Runaway Love - Linda Clifford  sassy Linda
check out some Linda Clifford sassy
I Hear Talk - Bucks Fizz listen  DISCONET EDIT
Like An Eagle - Dennis Parker   a zip of versions
You Got The Stuff - Bill Withers download it  sleazy instrumental version

Somebody asked about "Walk The Night" by the Skatt Brothers, wanting
to know if that's sleaze. Well, technically, it's not.  It could, and
is, played in morning sets, but it's an example of "sleazy" music,
not "sleaze".  Sexual overtones in the lyrics don't automatically
classify a song as sleaze.  Sleaze lyrics tended more toward love and
emotion rather than blatant sexuality.  There are some exceptions to
that rule, let's not forget Donna Summer's nearly 14 minute long
orgasm in "Love To Love You Baby"!  There were a few creative DJ 's
who would take a song that wasn't sleaze and turn it into one by
playing a 45rpm pressing at 33 1/3.  Two songs that come to mind,
that worked perfectly when played that way, were "Souvenirs" by
Voyage and "Magic Bird Of Fire" by The Salsoul Orchestra.
Unfortunately, true "sleaze" music is mostly a thing of the past.
The few new, or recent songs that could fit in that category are now
usually classified under the much broader term "morning music".

In the early to mid 80's the term "sleaze" started to fade out, to
be replaced with the much broader term of "morning music".  While
this was still the music played toward the end of a club night or
party, "morning music" did not describe a specific genre of songs
like "sleaze" did.  The term started describing the "type" of
music that was played at a certain time or part of the night, rather than
describing the actual "sound" or "feeling" of an individual piece of
music.  One way to put it is that all "sleaze" music can be
classified as "morning", but not all "morning" music can be
classified as "sleaze".  While the term became much broader, it
started encompassing music with a faster beat and also music with a
darker, more electronic sound to it.  This also coincided with the
demise of "live" instruments being used in making most dance music.
One thing that didn't change a whole lot was the use of vocals in a
majority of the music, but the lyrics often became lighter, with
less of an emotional punch to them.  Here's a few examples of
classic songs that were among the first to be classified with the brand
spanking new term of "morning music" ...

Close To Perfection - Miquel Brown 12 inch mix   single
Some People - Cliff Richard   they called him Britain's Elvis
Survivor - Mike Francis unfortunately he died in 2009 at the age of 48
American Love - Rose Laurens  many versions 
You're My Rainbow - Hazel Dean  enjoy
Lessons In Love - Level 42  download
When Your Heart Is Weak/The Promise You Made - Cock Robin LISTEN
No Promises - Icehouse Dream Time Mix

One interesting thing that started happening when "morning music"
became more and more popular was that older songs which were
originally classified as plain old "disco" when they came out, were
now being relabeled and refiled in people's "morning music"
sections. Songs like Foxy's "Party Boys", Lipps Inc. "How
Long"and "Dancing In Paradise" by El Coco are all examples of this
reclassification.

Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of "morning music" has faded
drastically over the past few years. That's not to say there isn't
any current "morning" out there, but you really have to search to
find it and search even harder to find somewhere to dance to it...
outside of your own living room.  I'll close this with a list of some
of my "morning music" favorites from then and now...

We Can Fall In Love - Aderna it's here
Love In Your Eyes - Dan Hartman  the hot tracks mix
Walkin' - Dhuo  download
This Time - Chante' Moore a classic
Beat Of Love - Chris Thompson
Age Of Reason - John Farnham here's Peech's Balearic Bondi edit
Keep On Rocking - Hemyl  listen to it
Masterpiece - Gazebo Gazebo Beta is on Facebook
High - Lighthouse Family I play the sh out of this one!
Look Me In The Heart - Tina Turner   in .wav  
Love, Thy Will Be Done - Martika   LOVE
Into The Blue - Moby (Junior Vasquez Remix) classic moby
Shine A Light (Soul Inspiration) - Simon Climie
I'm Specialized In You/Endless Road - Time Bandits a recent edit by Francesco Guerra of Endless Road
Typical - Frazier Chorus  download it
Heaven - Eurogliders  this is heaven
Wishful Thinking - China Crisis  enjoy it 
Waves - Blancmange  WAVES zip
What About This Love - Mr. Fingers Mr. Fingers
I'm Not At Home To Heartache - Perfect Alibi  download it
Soldier/Love Of My Own - Thomas Anders give it a listen
Love Is Energy - Joe Roberts  energy
Your Eyes - Groove Corporation download
Living Inside Me - Data  new wave morning music
Love Is The Groove - Betsy Cook/Cher  Jimmy M. Mix of Cher  BETSY COOK VERSION in .WAV
One And One - Robert Miles  did I ever play this one to death!
Let Us Dance Just A Little Bit More - Secret Service
Life Dance - Sonia Belolo listen to this beauty
Sailing Away - Chris DeBurgh  download it here
Sweet, Soft and Lazy - Viktor Lazslo  download
Spiritual High/Rainsong/ Wombtones - Moodswings
Make Your Own Kind Of Music - Mama Cass  now we're going way back
Never Can Say Goodbye - Yazz  motorcity mix
Unbreak My Heart/I Don't Want To (Frankie Knuckles Mixes) - Toni
Braxton listen to Toni FRANKIE'S MIX
Tomorrow Is Too Late - Primitive Fire  a primitive zip
Search For The Hero - M People   hear it
Why - Jackie Moore  hear
You Are Not Alone (Frankie Knuckles Mix) - Michael Jackson  Frankie Knuckles Mix

Lastly, here's a few recent "morning" songs for ya...

Baby Of The Year/I Can't Believe It's Over - Bent   get bent
Sing It To Your Heart - Jimmy Sommerville  STAY  listen to Sing it
Home (David Harness Taboo Vocal) - Simply Red
Still (Kelly G Club Mix) - Tamia
Looks Like Heaven - Peas
Lotta Love 2005 - Nicolette Larson a whole lotta Nicolette
Midnight At The Oasis 2005 - Maria Muldauar   lovely

In going through this blog you will find many from the list.  In the future I might even post some more. Happy Downloading!  Don't forget to click on the ads.  They are a way of showing your appreciation and as you can tell I spent a long time and used up a lot of effort making this the comprehensive post that it's become.

FEEL THE NEED IN ME DETROIT EMERALDS and not only

Originally released in 1971 Feel the Need in Me by The Detroit Emeralds came back as a Tom Moulton mix in 1977.  The guys were from Little Rock, Arkansas and had a few other minor hits but Feel the Need is considered their classic.  Original version and the Tom Moulton 1977 version

The disconet remix was featured in their Classics Program 1 and the download is even available on Amazon.  DISCONET REMIX

I love the label art on the Westbound Records U.S. 45 release in 1972.

But the definitive copy to have is Tom Moulton's Atlantic remix from 1977.  It became a morning music classic at The Saint and on Fire Island where d.j.'s like Susan Morabito had the good taste to spin it and bring it to a new audience.

Not that I'm really feeling it but for posterity I'll throw you the Genya Ravan version.

Why even child star turned strung out junkie Leif Garret threw out a version.  It was the title track from his l.p. which featured the smash hit I was Made for Dancin'.  An example of jumping on the disco bandwagon that worked out well.

Here he is lip synching on Italian television.