Pride and Soul Salute: Larry Levan

On July 20, 1954 a man named Lawrence Philpot was born. He only lived 38 years but in that time left a lasting legacy in music. Dance, Disco and house music. "Larry Levan" was an innovative DJ during the 1970's and 1980's. The music he played in clubs, produced or remixed became the cream of the crop, totally smashing any idea that Disco sucked. Larry Levan proved its greatness.

Larry Levan July 20, 1954 – November 8, 1992

In honor of Larry Levan's birthday the Pride and Soul blog presents on one page an hour of music as presented by Larry Levan. Mostly from his legendary tenure at the famed PARADISE GARAGE disco in New York City.

"Seventh Heaven" by Gwen Guthrie


The final night of the PARADISE GARAGE w/DJ Larry Levan
PART ONE


PART TWO


PART THREE


PART FOUR


PART FIVE


PART SIX


PART SEVEN


PART EIGHT


PART 10 (unable to locate part 9)

Disco Saturday: Liberty and the freedom to dance

This week's Disco Saturday celebrates Liberty and the Freedom to dance your ass off.

Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the United States.

Happy Birthday in heaven to the great Phyllis Hyman (7/6/1949-6/30/1995)

"Heavenly"


Also happy birthday in heaven to Gene McFadden (July 2, 1948 – January 27, 2006), half of the team McFadden & Whitehead as legendary songwriters with Victor Carstarphen at Philadelphia International. One of their disco gems here is "Tell The World How I Feel About Cha' Baby" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes


"Sing A Happy Song" by The O'Jays


"Over and Over" Sylvester


"There But For The Grace of God" by Machine


"Any Love" Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan


"Shine On Silver Moon" by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr
Billy Davis celebrated a birthday recently and it was also his wedding anniversary to Marilyn McCoo. Both the same day, June 26th.
This was their entry in the Disco genre.



"Don't You Want My Love" by Debbie Jacobs


"This Time Baby" by Jackie Moore


And in closing, Disco Saturday would be remiss to not offer a congratulations to the Disco fans of New York State who happen to be Gay or Lesbian as the state of New York legalized their right to marry. There have been celebrations for the past week from Gay Pride and many weddings are being planned as New Yorkers enter the Fourth of July holiday weekend and the official start of marriage equality in the coming weeks.

Here are two disco-ish songs in your honor.

The vocal version of "Loves Theme" by Love Unlimited


And

"I Love New York" by Steve Karmen

Disco Saturday (May 14th)

Well the Blogger site was down for nearly 24 hours but everything is back up and running in time for Pride And Soul's weekly "Disco Saturday".

Mind you this blogger can't dance but loves to listen to the old school beats. I wasn't quite old enough to go to any of the discoteques of that time but I surely had my ears glued to the radio and the records and tapes.

Here are this week's ten best of the best.

"Mandolay" (1979) by LaFlavour



"keep On Jumpin" (1978) by Musique


Musique included one of my all time favorite Dance music Divas on vocals, Jocelyn Brown. Legendary vocalist for many disco acts and productions and just a few SOLO releases in comparison but each top notch including the remake of "Aint No Mountain High Enough" by Inner Life



The BROOKLYN, BRONX AND QUEENS -BB and Q Band, "On the Beat" (1980)


Always have to include something from Philadelphia. Here is Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes with Teddy Pendergrass on vocals doing "Tell the World How I Feel About Cha Baby" from the 1975 album "Wake Up Everybody"



Also from Philadelphia, THE TRAMMPS

"Zing went the strings of my heart"


And now we can CHANT!!!!



Keep it HOT! Cheryl Lynn



"I've Got The Next Dance" by Deniece Williams




And for the old school House music fans, lets "Break For Love" by RAZE and the timing for me would be late 1980's, South Beach Miami. Power 96 radio used to jam this!


And there is your ten for this week's "Disco Saturday" Hope you enjoyed it.