Customer Reviews

Kenny Carpenter Presents Studio 54

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Steve Rubel, the co-owner of Studio 54 was arrested, convicted and subsequently incarcerated for income tax evasion and drug possession. As a result, the legendary club closed in 1979.

Approximately 6 to 9 months latter, the establishment was re-opened by a producer by the name of Mike Stone. The reincarnated Studio 54 was more assessable to the general public and the sonic landscape shifted towards more ecletic, danceable music rather than the orthodox "disco" sound of the past. At this time, the club patrons were primarily African-American, Latino and/or Gay, who embraced the mucis played at clubs like Nicky Siano's Gallery & Buttermilk Bottom, Larry Levan's Paradise Garage and David Marcuso's mythical Loft parties.

Kenny Carpenter was the deejay at 54 during its reincarnated period (between 1980 & 1981) and this CD is reflective of the music played at the club during the aforementioned time frame.

Picture the scene its a hot summer night,youre rubbing shoulders with the likes of Debbie harry,liza minelli,richard gere,and many fabulous glittery regulars,imagine youre in Studio 54.Well with this c.d imagine no more,from the funky opener 3000 synths to the disco shimmer of eveylyn kings "Im in love".This is hedonistic disco genius from the underground,which never sounded better.How can you resist the pulsing soul of D trains "Youre the one for me"In a rare extended form,its the first time I have heard a lot of these tracks in their undiluted glory.Other highlights include the Chic sounding "Id do anything for you"A classic peice of shimmering Disco.Also here is the classic "Love sensation"which of course was sampled on the Black Box cut "Ride on time".The c.d closes with "Cant keep holding on" by Second image which Im sure would be massive if anyone trawling through underground gems was looking to do a remake.I cant praise this selection enough!If you even have a passing interest in disco cultre you have to own this!

Why in the world would a record company take the time to release this onto cd & package it up with a nice slipcase- but not clean up the sound?!? This music was taken directly from really bad vinyl- you get every hiss, pop, crackle and then some with the music. They could afford the packaging, but not the clean up of sound? This gets and deserves one star because the whole point of "cd" is that it's supposed to sound better than vinyl.

If you're looking for disco the way it sounded when the "old timers" actually cruised the dance clubs after the "death" of disco,this is a prime example. The song selection for the most part is spot on for a dance club in 1980-81. Thankfully, this collection of songs sticks with the 12" versions of some long forgotten discotheque standards and eschews the overdone selections that saturate most of the other "disco" compliation CDs. In fact, some of the songs here couldn't be classified as "disco" at all - c'mon, The Clash??

The mixing skills displayed here are less than seamless, but that is to be somewhat expected with the beat-wandering tunes in this collection. Don't expect a seamless trance/house CD. The one flaw that stands out as a major detractor on this CD - it sounds as if it was recorded directly from some really dirty vinyl. You can hear pops, clicks, hiss, and all the other analog garbage that detracts from an otherwise enjoyable twirl down memory lane. The producers should have at least taken the time to clean up the sound.