Two years ago I published Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor 1980-83 with Duke University Press. The wonderful response to "the book that was never meant to be written" included Above Board's Dan Hill and Brian Morrison proposing we release a series of compilation albums based on the three books, beginning with Life and Death. It took me a millisecond to say yes.
The album is the first release on Reappearing Records! The running order for the first vinyl release goes:
Side 1
1. Dinosaur L - "Go Bang!" (LP version)
2. Tuxedomoon - "Desire"
Side 2
1. Gray - "Drum Mode"
2. Alan Vega - "Saturn Drive"
Side 3
1. David Byrne - "Big Business" (dance mix)
2. Johnny Dynell & New York 88 - "Jam Hot (Rhumba Rock)"
Side 4
1. Rammellzee vs K-Rob - "Beat Bop" (original 12" single)
2. 3 Teens Kill 4 - "Hold Up"
That's Basquiat DJing in the lounge at Area on the front cover--just one of thousands of examples of creative cross-disciplinary explorations that came to define the music, the art and the partying of the era.
Thanks as always to Johnny Dynell for permission to use the. “Anyone who can’t dance to John Coltrane can’t dance,” Basquiat commented after Johnny, the main DJ at Area along with Justin Strauss, questioned the danceability of his selections. I don't know what Johnny was thinking when he made that comment ;-)
It's been an absolute pleasure to work Dan, Brian and the rest of the Above Board team, including Ellie Donohue and Guillaume de Ubeda. I love the way Guillaume's artwork draws on the original colours and artwork while offering a fresh design angle.
The vinyl for Part 1 is available any day now. The vinyl for Part 2 plus the CD will be out in the new year. To get things going I'll be doing an in-store event (playing some music and maybe sharing a few NYC stories) at Love Vinyl, Pearson Street E2 8JD on Thursday 6th December 6:00-8:00pm. Many thanks to Roual Galloway for organising at the last minute. Everyone welcome!