Disco Not Disco 1974-1986

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Strut Records
• ASIN: B000XUJ7JW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,617 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Pitchfork Media

The original impulse behind Disco Not Disco was monumental, so much so that the formulation "X not X" has become part of music's critical vocabulary.

"With this third compilation, the folks behind Disco Not Disco continue on their international, cross-genre excavation of the music that inspires so many of today's acclaimed artists... This is by far the most thrilling of the Disco Not Disco releases."

"This beautifully sequenced comp illustrates that, no matter how many times revisited or how cheapened by bland imitation, this era of dance music, with its original risk, rage and mystery intact, will always be a joy to behold."

Product Description

Disco Not Disco explores original anthems and rarities from the world of 1970s and 80's post-punk and leftfield disco. It is the first release on the newly re-lanuched Strut label, and is the label's most popular series. Featured artists include Konk, Pigbag, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and James White & The Blacks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, really???, September 12, 2008

By 

JamyeJams "Jamye Rochelle" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disco Not Disco Digital Edition (MP3 Download)

I am seriously surprised to see negative reviews on this album. I downloaded it to my Zune collection a few days ago and have admittedly had it on random shuffle, BUT every single song I've heard off of it has been AMAZING! Don't expect these to sound anything like the original versions (i.e. this isn't your typical Delta 5), but all the same ... if you are a fan of dance-able, post-punk-disco indie tunes (i.e. LCD Soundsystem, Lindstrom, The Rapture's Echoes album, and of course older and better stuff, etc.) then definitely give this a spin.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great discovery, December 30, 2008

By 

tehuti (Fullerton, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disco Not Disco 1974-1986 (Audio CD)

I can only sum up the negative reviews by saying "I guess you just had to be there". Many of these tunes I have been looking for since the early 80s since I first heard them - either on WBLS or else at the Paradise Garage in NYC. Out of context as they are here, if you never heard them in a club, would explain why some folks have negative reviews. If you were fortunate enough to hear them "in the moment" during a frantic sequence of mixes by a master DJ they probably would have a very different affect on you. I picked this up on the strength of "Los Ninos Del Parque", Your Life" and "My Spine...." About half of these tunes are new to me, but equally as interesting.

True, it's not for everyone but I think this is a brilliant collection.

4.0 out of 5 stars At Least Partly Parodic, January 8, 2012

By 

Michael Kopka "aka miko" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Disco Not Disco Digital Edition (MP3 Download)

The reviewer Paul Ess is in some ways right that these tracks lack warmth and are "white-boy" disco, without the swing or swagger of great dance and funk tunes, but what Mr. Ess seems not to know is that they were all (or mostly) written tongue in cheek at the time. This was a time in pop music history where many people were so disgusted with the music industry and the state of affairs of our culture, more generally, that they were writing very ironic, distancing, parodic songs, even in styles they themselves hated (i.e. disco) or were ambivalent about, as a way to express their alienation and anger. Yes, trust me, most of these songs are tongue-in-cheek, they are parodic, while I suppose also trying to win over the post-punk dance crowd (such as it was).