DIMITRI FROM PARIS :: COCKTAIL DISCO :: 2007

Dimitri's Cocktail Disco is not your dad's lounge record. Instead what Cocktail Disco has is an eclectic mix of Disco tracks that you probably haven't heard before.

The Cocktail Disco style was called Sleaze back in its’ heyday, from roughly 1976 to 1979. There were even DJs specializing in the Sleaze sound which was usually played after hours, in spots with a strong sex oriented drive.





Cocktail Disco has that ubiquitous 4/4 beat and flying open high hat, complemented by rich orchestrations, campy over the top vocals, and an often tropical latin vibe. Something that wouldn't feel out of place in a broadway musical. The indie label releases usually meant lower producing budgets, which translated in less polished recordings giving the music a rawer, more appealing sound to me.




"Cocktail Disco" a double CD compilation was released in June from UK's BBE label, and available worldwide through the usual channels. The focus is more on the indie and harder to find songs rather than on the major players which have been thouroughly compiled or re-issued.

AL KENT

Al Kent was born in Scotland. His father was an avid record collector and had a cabinet full of them. And Whisky. Everything from Abba and Elvis to the Glitter Band and Buddy Holly was in there. What a load of shit they were. 
In 1976 Al ran away from home to live in New York. Here, at the age of 8 he started attending the Loft and hanging out with Nicky Siano and a whole bunch of cool New York DJs with Italian names. In 1978 he was arrested for possession of PCP while guesting at Better Days with Tee Scott and deported back to Glasgow, where his dad was now getting into a bit more David Essex. He was shit too. 
So Al opened.his own club in Glasgow, based on his experiences in New York. With his pocket money he flew Richard Long over to kit it out and had Walter Gibbons DJ at the opening party. 
 since then he's bought lots of records, done the deejaying in lots of places, and recorded an orchestra too. 
For the full story of The Million Dollar Orchestra see the biography, in short the album was recorded in the traditional way, mostly one take, in an analogue studio. The Sound is rich , lush, string laden, beautiful disco music, full of joy with phenomenal musicianship. It is Al Kent’s biography told in Music. Al is currently working with Lynn from Ebonycuts on a time machine. This project should be completed soon, at which point the two will travel back in time and buy lots of records.

AL KENT - COME BACK HOME 2009

DONT SLEEP

Disco/Boogie compilation called The Boogie Back is available now on BBE records! Available on itunes, Traxsource.com, Dancetracksdigital.com and www.bbemusic.com.