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DVDfever.co.uk – Disco Discharge: Euro Disco CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Harmless RecordsEuro Disco: 
- Released: October 2009
- Format: 2-CD sets
- Rating: 8/10
- Tracks: 22, includes Love Is A Sleeper (Silver Connection) Margherita (Massara) The Number One Song In Heaven (Sparks) Give Me Break (Vivien Vee).
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
The history of Euro Disco can be traced as far back as the 50s and 60s.
Its recognised as being an off-shoot of American music trends going as far back as jazz, rock, soul, funk and disco. There were also influences coming from Europe it self, namely France and Italy. Another root was the Eurovision song contest particularly from the early 70s. ABBA could be considered the principal influence, with Waterloo being a classic example of the style known as Euro Pop containing a strong dance element. Using the dance mentality, a plethora of writers and producers saw their chance and went for it creating a new music industry on the continent. The term Eurodisco was created by Germans taking Euro from Eurovision and Disco from discotheque around the same time the word disco appeared in America. It was targeted at non-UK acts. The first obvious band came from Germany called Boney M created by Frank Farian, with cheesy hits like Brown Girl In The Ring and Rasputin.
This opened the floodgates for many heavily produced acts to promote their bouncy dance beats, easy on the ear catchy melodies often sung in pidgin English highlighted by songs such as Y Viva Espana, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, Bimbo Jet and thumping synth – based tunes from producers like Giorgio Moroder.
This collection has a range of songs by established acts like American duo Sparks The Number One song In Heaven – as they embraced the dance scene in 1979 and Moroders pounding UK debut single From Here To Eternity (UK#16) where synth became king. Another disco fave was Laura Brannigans Gloria (1982), but Self Control (1984) peppered with dirty guitar solos and infectious beat with immaculate production gave her a second UK top 10 hit.
Euro Disco wasnt without some sophistication check the dynamic range and production values of Propagandas monster P Machinery ( UK#50 / 1985), the follow up to their astonishing Duel. Another classic here is the spiky and wobbly Happy Station by Fun Fun.
American-Italian band Change from Bologna Italy stormed the charts with A Lovers Holiday. Their third single Change Of Heart veered more towards soul and a greater emphasis on funk. The basslines say it all. Raymond Donnez aka Don Ray was a disco producer, arranger and performer. He cleverly brought cool sophistication to the genre with the lush production of Garden Of Love.
The best track here is the belting synth-driven classic Magic Fly by French band Space. It peaked in the UK at number 2 in August 1977.
The verdict Love your BPMs? This is for you.
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Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.