Intuitive Music

Disco music is the most popular dance genre from the 70’s.
The disco scene was born in New York clubs during the mid 70’s and became one of the main ingredients for the birth of house music in the 80’s. Disco music was originally developed from the dance records that the DJs used to play in the clubs during the late 60’s, including different styles such as funk, soul, and rhythm and blues. One of the earlier influencing songs was James Brown’s funk classic “Sex Machine”.
The origins of the modern “disco” business are in Paris in the 40’s with the “Whisky A Go-Go”, and in the 50’s with the Peppermint Lounge discoteque. They were the first dancing clubs featuring a DJ playing popular dance music. The first disco in USA was the infamous “Whisky A Go-Go” in Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard.
The main characteristic of disco music is the use of 4/4 bass drum beats, marked high hats and claps combined with mayor key chords -usually strings- that produce a feeling of happiness and euphoria.

Giorgio Moroder in Munich was one of the first producers to define the disco sound. Other disco pioneers were Love Unlimited Orchestra, Kool and the Gang, Barry White, KC & The Sunshine Band, and Barrabas.
One of the most popular DJ’s during the pre-disco era was Kenny Wetzel, who was resident of the Staircase nightclub in Downey (CA).

The record producer Tom Moulton was one of the men who helped to build the sisco scene. Moulton invented the 12″ single in 1975 as promotional stuff for disco clubs. He also created the “Disco-Mix” (a longer mix of a song specially made for the dancefloor). Van McCoy with his song “The Hustle”(1975) was one of the first contributors to make disco music popular. The first discos from New York’s early era where Sanctuary, The Haven, The Loft, and Roundtable. Other characteristic feature of the disco sound is the female soul style vocals. Singers such as Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, and Anita Ward got the nickname of “divas”. Some classical artists from the disco era were Earth Wind and Fire, Rufus, Oliver Cheatham, Chic, Hot Chocolate, The Bee Gees, and Lipps Ic. The disco era vanished slowly during the early 80 ’s while being replaced by the new hip hop and house music.