The Billboard Disco chart began in late 1974, Gloria Gaynor's "Never Can Say Goodbye," based on a template already established by a Philly Sound, with a big assist from the Temptations/Eddie Kendricks, in 1972. But what was the first disco song or what pre-disco song hinted most at the classic disco sound to come? Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa" has some claim, essentially because it got big at David Mancuso's Loft in 1972, generally recognized as the NYC private party danceclub where disco started; or an important early model, anyway. Archie Bell & The Drells were an early disco staple, from "Tighten Up" in '68 to "Let's Groove" in '75. The Isley's "It's Our Thing" in '69 deserves some attention. Uptempo, insistent, even stomping, funky rock & soul was showing the way. But this Supremes nugget-- 1966!-- should not be overlooked. Pathbreaking proto-disco, if you ask me.
"My World Fell Down," Sagittarius (1967)
Underside of Summer of Love; the dark side of Sunshine Pop? Best Beach Boys copy maybe ever? Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, Glen Campbell, and probably an army of Wrecking Crew regulars. Bad trip, to be sure, but as vocal group psychedelia goes this belongs on a short list of great examples of this precious sub-genre. Reached 70 on charts. And the 4th song, on the 4th side, of Lenny Kaye's Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968. The studio perfectionism, uncharacteristic of the garage punk aesthetic prevailing on the Nuggets collection, puts some off but I like the slick multi-tracked whip cream glee club sheen. And the delicious agony of the sad blue boy lead; "My World Fell Down." Worthy of the Brill Building.
"Long Season," Fishmans (1996)
Apparently, much of the internet psych world has been aware of this 35 minute masterpiece for a long time but still very deserving and glad to spread the love. Japanese band that put out five records in three years in the late '90s before the sudden death of the singer. An explosion of alt-indie Trip Hop creativity. And on this one the universal language of pastoral psychedelia, blenderizing Philip Glass, jangly guitars, funky drums, sweet group harmonies and the kind of swelling cathartic collective jamming characteristic of long from psychedelia. No translation needed. Brilliant.
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