Back in early 2004 I published Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture, 1970-79. The book told the story of David Mancuso, his influence on the evolution of party culture during the 1970s, and the mythological rise and fall of disco. David was kind enough to agree for me to use the name of his 14 February 1970 Valentine’s day party for the title of the book, aware it was about to provide the first in-depth account of the Loft, and for the book to be sold at the Loft's anniversary party. Going through some old interviews the other day, I was even reminded that back in June 1998, at a point when I was expecting to dedicate one chapter to the 1970s rather than a 500-page book, David suggested I should title the 1970s chapter “Love Saves the Day”. “If I was a writer that’s what I’d call that chapter,” he told me.
Sixteen years later, because it’s taken that long for an idea long in incubation to take shape, I’m excited to announce the forthcoming release of Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture, 1970-79, the album. The compilation is the product of a collaboration I embarked on with Dan Hill, Brian Morrison and the guys at Above Board when they proposed we release a series of albums that showcase some of the music featured in my books. Love Saves the Day follows last year’s Life and Death On the New York Dance Floor, 1980-83, release. It comprises two vinyl double albums and one CD.
The tracks are drawn from the playlists I compiled for the book and include selections from pioneering DJs Michael Cappello, Steve D’Acquisto, Armando Galvez, Larry Levan, Richie Kazcor, Nicky Siano and, of course, musical host (his preferred term) David Mancuso. They attempt to reflect one of the book’s main arguments: that during 1970s DJs, driven to feed ravenous dance floors, drew on a range of sounds that eventually included yet always exceeded disco. Indeed “disco music” referred initially not to disco-disco but instead to the wide panoply of sounds that one could hear on the dance floors of early 1970s NYC—sounds that, when synthesised, became disco c. the summer of 1974.
The rest is history--a history I’ve helped write and compile.
Pre-orders for Part 1 (vinyl and digital): https://bit.ly/2SahMCy
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Artwork: Carlotta Balestra Lawrence, instagram @cbl.clothing