Claim OwnershipReStructure Mix by Glenn Rivera
Subscribed: 0Played: 2
Subscribe
© Copyright 2025 Glenn Rivera
Description
Throughout my early period of discovering disco music it was always a thrill for me to hear a re-edit or remix of a piece of music that I was familiar with.
It was a necessity for the underground feel of a disco hit that it contain the elements which dancers and deejays were accustomed to, and so desired.
With today's dance music it is typical to have 4 to 5 varied mixes to suit different club environments. Most of these customized mixes conform a song with new sound. At times a song may be unrecognizable within 2 mixes.
I have taken several classics and rare selections to reedit and create what I call "ReStructure Mixes" - some are pieces of the original and others are edited remixes. Most of these cuts I have used the original LP or 12" mix - straying from another engineers remix. This is to maintain my own sound with the original recording.
I hope you will enjoy them - please let me know by sending me an email at restructuremix@cox.net or let me know if there are any classics you would like me to perform a "ReStructure Mix" on!
Glenn Rivera
49 Episodes
Reverse
First Choice may have fooled you. They are the longest running female ensembles - since 1973. But with each album they sound fresh and new.
"Hold Your Horses" was their LP released in 1979 - following the title single released a year earlier. The LP featured "Great Expectations" - produced by Mr. Tom Moulton and played by Munich's finest musicians. The strings in the track may sound a bit like Madleen Kane's "Rough Diamond" - many of the same players are involved - thank goodness.
"Great Expectations" is a promise of love and the outlook of a something wonderful to come - a fantastic song. My ReStructure is a tribute to the peculating synthesizer and jolting strings. It is a favorite of mine and I dedicate to Mr. Tom Moulton.
Tony Valor began producing and arranging dance music in 1975 - his productions were closest to the sound of New York disco with the sophistication of Philadelphia dance productions.
Soccer is a group that Valor put together keeping intact much of the sound he created with his Tony Valor Orchestra productions. There is a progression in Tony's style and attitude towards disco music that can be felt in his latter productions in Fantasy ("You're Too Late") and Soccer.
"Come On And Get It On" is a groovy disco number that has always been a favorite of mine - and has one of the most beautiful sweeping strings sections that I could not help accentuate in this ReStructure Mix.
Dedicated to Tony Valor and his never ending talent and dedication to disco music. Check out Tony at his current music site at: http://www.tvirecords.com
Long before Erotic Drum Band and the fusion of jungle rhythms, jazz and disco music - there was Larry Page Orch. In 1977 his LP "Erotic Soul" was a whole new sound - the emphasis of rhythms, congas, strings and orchestral movements to a disco arrangement - along with funky keyboards and guitars.
"Erotic Soul" was a song I would hear back in 1978 at a teenage disco here in San Diego - and when those strings came in and echoed throughout the club I knew I was in love. It was one of the finest moments of hearing similar sounds of the symphonic elements of Alec R. Costandinos and Boris Midney set to percussive beats.
This ReStructure pays homage to the disco instrumental - the drum beats and fantastic breakdowns. It was more that excitement for me when I was introduced to this original concept - it was love.
From the height of disco - when nothing seemed to go wrong - the "Bad Girls" LP by Donna Summer was a complete disco package. With tracks like "Hot Stuff", "Sunset People", "Walk Away", ""Our Love" who could turn their ears away?
"Love Will Always Find You" is a track featured on side one and always had the ability to life a dance floor higher with Donna's rock edged vocal, Giorgio Moroder's magic moog synth and those Munich horns! It is a true classic on it's own.
I have taken "Love Will Always Find You" to another level with a ReStructure Mix that leads to a closing break with some mechanical madness.
This version is dedicated to "Summer" Gus - who reminded me that this track should not sit on the shelf gettin' dusty!
Peaches and Herb had been around long before their disco hit, "Shake Your Groove Thing" in 1978 - they have been recording since 1967. It was their dance floor in discotheques that unleashed more promise for the pair.
The LP "2 Hot!" produced, written and arranged by Freddie Perren that exploded during the disco boom. "Love It Up Tonight" is a track from the LP which took back seat - but had more than enough juice to work an floor. This upbeat and magical number is taken into a new remix with more kick and trickle of percussion as well as more of that wonderful Perren production.
Dedicated by Saleem - who also has an affection for this track - ReStructured for him for a return to the sweet disco formula!
Seventh Avenue is an early project produced by Ian Levine - from the 1979 LP "Midnight In Manhattan" comes "Miami Heatwave". A disco track that has been covered by "Love Twins" in 1982 with a similar production by Levine along with music genius, Rick Gianatos.
Later, in the 80's Seventh Avenue was repackaged for pop-success which they actually made AM radio in the US with "The Love I Lost" - great accomplishment for a disco band in the 80's.
The track is a beautiful disco track and I am taken pieces of both the percussion tracks, verses and choruses to shape the song into a fast moving dance number. Many of the strong points are here - much of the strings, which I love were excluded for this mix.
Joe La Greca and Joe Marandola whose production include projects by Hydro, MTL Express, Kat Mandu, Carol Jiani, Caroline Bernier are at their highest level of energy along with Melody Stewart.
"Action Satisfaction" is the energy of the late 80's and also a groove bringing on the high energy feel of the 80's - a wonderful track that never lets up. "Get Down, Get Down" is another single by Stewart and these kings that is disco history.
I have stripped pieces of the track and looped others to give a opportunity for this track to "let you feet feel the beat!"
Vicki Sue Robinson became an overnight sensation on the club scene during the mid-70's - following the release of "Turn The Beat Around" in 1976 it was no surprise. The song is still a dance floor classic.
Sadly, Vicki Sue left us in 2000. Her music continues to bring us face-to-face with the sound of disco's power and ominous effect.
"Nighttime Fantasy" is form the 1979 soundtrack of "Nocturna" - it is quite a track for Vicki Sue - her vocals are right at home. And along with a fantastic arrangement and production by Norman Bergen (Ralph Carter, Danny Bonaduce)and Reid Whitelaw (Moment Of Truth) this track is a wonderful piece of dance music.
I have ReStructured the track for a new intro and break - it was a please and was done for Edison of Mexico - I know this has a special meaning and I hope that it captures that wonderful moment again.
Vivian Vee is the disco diva from Trieste, Italy.
Disco producers Claudio Simonetti and Giancarlo Meo who have given us productions by Easy Going and Capricorn as well as solo projects have always moved the dance floor with innovative keyboards in the early 80’s - here they give the same treatment to Vee.
“Remember” is most know as the B-side to Vee’s “Give Me A Break” in 1980 – however the track was released in 1979 on a self-titled LP. The song is an operatic and haunting track with some excellent layers on keyboards and synthesizers.
I have re-edit pieces of the song and reshaped the intro and breaks. A bit hard to take this into a new phase since I loved the original so much – this is merely an attempt o keep it alive.
In 1975, Vincent Montana, Jr. produced the LP that began a whole new sound for disco music - the orchestrated sound of Philly. This became a pivotal time for music - it was sophisticated and soulful.
"Tangerine" was written by Victor Schertzinger and lyrics written by Johnny Mercer in 1941 - the song was recorded by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and became a standard. The Salsoul Orchestra's recording brought the song to the Top 20 list during it's release.
I have taken the short 4:35 movement and looped a few pieces and back-beat mixed some of the beautiful parts to create a new and un-heard of remix. This hopefully will bring the song a new aura and new ears.
One of the most powerful dance tracks in 1980. Average White Band better known for their jazz-infused tracks like "Pick Up The Pieces" and "Person To Person" this production was a disco-fied pop thanks to David Foster (Lisa Dal Bello, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Deniece Williams ("I've Got The Next Dance"), and Bill Champlin).
This is a soaring number that utilizes strings, horns and percussion in places where the dance floor needs it most.
My ReStructure is a homage to the end of the disco era of the 70's and in hope that someday we can "go round again..."
Where you when you first heard Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"? Most likely in amazement. This track has and always will be one of the most incredible disco tracks ever.
Produced by Quincy Jones this track has every element of perfection - it multiplies like water into the cracks of the dance floor.
This ReStructure revisits the classic in a few new ways - a beat driven intro and use of some of the points of the song which make it irresistible.
Dedicated in memory of "The King of Pop" - it all went to quickly. Thank goodness your talent will live on in our memory and hearts - thanks to your magic.
Disco composer and conductor, Cerrone has maintained his stance in disco and dance music for over 30 years. His music has always been presented in a classical form of both arrangement and style. It is no doubt that his music is now looked upon as masterful.
"Take Me" is from the 1977 LP "Cerrone's Paradise" - it is another one of Cerrone's tributes to the femme vocal in ecstasy. It is quite delicious. The album version is more of a lounge trip where my ReStructure breaks down the funkier elements for a deeper experience.
Feel it and never forget it!
Donna Summer's released her second project for Oasis/Casablanca in 1976 - produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. "Try Me, I Know We Can Make It" was another side long disco track which became one of Donna's most beautiful vocal performances of her introduction as "First Lady Of Love".
Along with her cover of Barry Manilow's "Could It Be Magic" on the "trilogy" side was "Wasted" - this track was another one of Moroder's fantastic influence of keyboards, bass moog and Donna's silky vocals. The track pulled together the drive of groovy 60's pop and disco music.
I have taken the opportunity to update "Wasted" and add some new percussion elements to pump up the already bouncy rhythm. Also keep alive Donna's original and to me, most satisfying role - "The First Lady Of Love".
Machine was a studio disco group formed by August Darnell, previously of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band and, later in the 1980s, Kid Creole And The Coconuts. "There But For The Grace Of God Go I" is a track from the first LP.
A powerhouse track with innovative synthesizers and an interesting theme - a couple are the proud parents of a newborn and must find a safe place to raise the child. The song is well known and considered a disco classic.
I have taken elements of the track and looped and chopped pieces to create a new experience with this winner. It is quite different.
Dedication to Saleem from KY for requesting a new "working" on "There But For The Grace Of God Go I".
JOIN
DENNIS COFFEY
on Strictly Confidential
- with host, Peter Godbold
LIVE - Thursday, September 4, 2008
9 PM EASTERN
6 PM PACIFIC
A former Funk Brother, Dennis has played guitar on over 100 soul music gold records at Motown in Detroit with artists such as The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and The Four Tops. He has recorded in LA with artists such as Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, and Ringo Starr. Dennis has recorded with George Clinton and also played on many Northern Soul records at Golden World Studios like Real Humdinger by J.J. Barnes and Open the Door to your Heart by Darrel Banks.
To learn more about show, go to: http://glennrivera.multiply.com/journal/item/52/DENNIS_COFFEY_live_on_Strictly_Confidential_-_Thursday_Sept_4_2008
Bill Motley brought the resurgence of disco to life in 1981 when no one believed it was possible. One of his first being "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/"Remember Me" Medley from the Boystown Gang's first LP which featured Cynthia Manley on lead vocals.
On his follow up project he broke down the concept with more of a high energy feel - focusing on a few covers from soul to classic easy listening songs to "Disco Kicks" (which was originally recorded by The Original Mass). This track pumped over and over and kept dance floors jumping all over again. It was pure excitement.
I have taken Motley simple production and broke it into many pieces and then placed it together in this ReStructure Mix - it has a new flavor and arrangement.
This one is dedicated to all of the die-hard high energy disco lovers who just can't get enough "kicks"!
www.restructuremix.com
www.shadesofseventies.com
www.DiscoVideoMix.com
Boris Midney: a disco conductor
He created a style of Euro-disco that moved dance floors into a new phase. It was not always easy for Midney's first release, "Come Into My Heart" on Marlin Records in 1978. Most dance floors had not yet grasped his concept or style - it was the hardcore disco audiophiles who were ready to move forward with his ideas and arrangements.
As his style became a major part of disco music's growth and progression, it now that we consider Midney to be a master in his own compositions and productions.
This second project titled USA-European Connection is a blend of Midney's style once again moving into a whole new area with some familiar aspects from past productions. Many of his recording included Beautiful Bend, Caress, Masquerade, Nannette Garcia, Black Russian, Companion and Festival.
I have extracted "I'd Like To Get Closer" from the side one portion of the medley and pieced some of the beautiful segments of strings and percussion elements to recreate a new track altogether.
Dedicated to the hardcore Boris Midney fans who have believed in disco music from the beginning and were not afraid to move with it's unique style.
www.restructuremix.com
www.shadesofseventies.com
www.DiscoVideoMix.com
Carol Douglas released "Midnight Love Affair" in 1976 - arranged and conducted by John Davis and produced by Eddie O'Loughlin. This being her second release following her big hit, "Doctor's Orders".
This was an example of the progression of disco music following the mid-seventies. Layered strings and soft melodies were the formula dance floors clamored for.
This ReStructure Mix is a breakdown of the track with a few added drums and the extracting the male vocal segments.
Dedicated to Ms. Carol Douglas for her part in disco history.
www.restructuremix.com
www.shadesofseventies.com
www.DiscoVideoMix.com
Greg Diamond produced projects by Andrea True Connection ("More, More, More" "N.Y. You Got Me Dancing"), Gloria Gaynor and George McCrae using his production and arrangement skills to create a whole new sound of disco music.
In 1977 his production of Bionic Boogie was one of the most exciting in disco history. Using top musicians and a vocal ensemble consisting of Jocelyn Brown, Cissy Houston, Luther Vandross and Gordon Grody this production is a powerhouse.
"Risky Changes" is being ReStructured here using some bongo tracks to pull out more energy from the killer bass line and piano piece looped till the cows come home.
This one goes to to Mr. Diamond who left us with some fantastic music to remember him by.
www.restructuremix.com
www.shadesofseventies.com
www.DiscoVideoMix.com
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States