Customer Reviews

Journey Into Paradise: The Larry Levan Story

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Being a devoted member of Paradise Garage when I lived in NY. It brought back fond memories of dancing on the dance floor and chilling on the roof top to the wee hours of the morning. I will never forget Paradise Garage, my best club experience ever was at the Garage. I spent every holiday there and not one time did Larry disappoint me. From seeing Grace Jones perform live to the Peach Boys I will always remember the Friday nights chilling with my friends in the movie theater or the roof top. My hearing today, is not 100% because of the countless times I fell asleep on the speakers and then woke up when I heard "Don't make me wait". It brought back so many memories that when I went to NY and let my sister hear the CD she stole by CD. I will cheris this collection forever and thank you.



Judgelee

With underground house/disco music receiving a considerable amount of recognition these days, it's not suprising that a major reissue company like Rhino is there to cash in on the craze. You would think with the capitalist aganda of Rhino that this anthology would be lame compared to Larry Levan other anthologies. Journey into Paradise is the complete opposite as it turns out to be a consistently strong set that complements Live at Paradise Garage and Salsoul mixes nicely. Besides of all of the major record labels, I respect Rhino for downplaying their capitalist agenda and caring just as much about quality to deliver a stellar anthology.

This one is no exception. Chances are if youre a seasoned disco/ house junkie, you have most of these tracks already on either 12" singles or various other complimations. For those new to music like myself, it's a absolute God send. Compared to his other anthologies,the songs one here are the earthiest. The stripped down rhythm tracks gives the songs a more subdued flow. Make no mistake, this is dance music with plenty of bump and groove. In fact, the more subtle feel make the track selection seem like a playlist for their "Mixed Saturdays".

The songs themselves are marvelous with the bass heavy Chic influenced groove of "Paradise", The ultimate gettin out the house and gettin laid at the end of week anthem, "Weekend"- availiable for the first time in its original 12" form! There's no denying Chaka Kahn's goergous "Clouds", Womack's and Womack's sublime opus" Baby I'm scare of you" will make oyu feel like you're floatin on a cloud (especially at the breakbeat). Trussell's "Love Injection" is also tight the way they change keys at the middle of the song. Other rare diddies include Poistive Force "We got the Funk", "Smack Dab in the Middle"(the Janice McClain classic is also here in it's 12" glory for the first time, and others. Every song on here is tight. If you don't know, act like I told you!

This anthology may not be as heavy the "Salsoul Mixes" or have the andrenalized fury of "Live at Paradise Garage", but it's more relaxed feel is every bit as sweaty and relentless as anything Larry has ever remixed or spun at the club. In the immortal words of Sister Sledge, pick this up and get "Lost in Music". Once you caught in this trap there's no turnin' back.

Always with plently of love and soul,
Patrick

This double cd set is an excellent representation of the music I experienced first hand at The Garage. It's amazing how music can transport a person through space and time. I would recommend this compilation to all "Garage Heads" and to anyone that knows a garage head and has seen the look in their eyes when they've tried to describe the feeling of being in The Paradise Garage. Larry Levan was simply a master. Words fail me but the goose bumps speak for themselves. Let us never forget. LONG LIVE PARADISE!!!

This is it!!!!!! And you had to be there!!! Nobody did like we did back then,You can call this dinosaur music if you want too but this is it!!! If you were there you would know how hot this is!!!! YEAH TITO!!!! (the DJ at the Clubhouse (DC).No partying will ever be done like this again,
phillygurl

This CD set (2) is a gem. It has classic disco tracks unpublished on cd anyplace else. It also marks a period when music was alive and free. NO room for dancefloor drama, just music to open the soul, and help dance away the weekly troubles. HIGHLY SUGGESTED!

As a core member of PG for many years I've always enjoyed the releases of the work Mr. Levan did in those magical years. This compilation although not mixed is a perfect example of why PG ROCKED! A must have.

Thank god that there are new releases/compilations coming out for our great DJ's from the past: Nicky Siano's "THE GALLERY", Tom Moulton "A TOM MOULTON MIX", and now Larry's 2-cd set. If you are a true collector, get over to e*b*a*y and snatch up the 5-cd set by Tom Savarese (it's from his 1978/1979 New Year's Eve Party) and it rocks!! Since there is no offcial release for Tom Savarese, this is the only place to get his collection. Hurry before someone stops it!! Larry Levan rocks!!

It isn't often we get to hear the actual true grass roots of any music movements and when we are in the throes of such a rare and special moment in time we can't fathom how signifigant the experience is and it may be DECADES before we finally realize it.Examples Jimi hendrix:Rock, Miles Davis:Jazz, Dance Music DJing,and Turntableism:LARRY LEVAN. Some of us were too young to experience this pivotal moment in history and for those of you who DID? :Be Grateful. This is a documentary of a 20th Century Master.

Im glad to see that there are still "garage heads" left! This cd is slamming and the memories are awesome! Even though I was to young back then to go clubbing, I remember one of my friends who went to the Garage, and used to tell me everything about it!! I love these songs, they bring memories of when music was just "Dance" music and everyone of all genders and races danced and had a great time together!! They should make a movie out of this!! (Studio 54...eat your heart out..lol!) This was surely the beginning of dance music! I don't think there will ever be a time like this again!!

I use to travel from Richmond, VA to New York about twice a month just to go dancing. The clubs we generally went to were Flamigo, Studio 54, The Saint then on to Paradise Garage and finally The Anvil. At that point it was lunch time and all we had to do was cross the street and have our chili sundays with a tomato on top at the Empire Diner. All the clubs had great music but Paradise, which this album is all about, was one of the best. The music on this CD brought it all back. Wasn't sure what to expect but when I played it I found myself dancing in the kitchen.

Dennis