Mutant Disco by Pokpok313

Finally got the 3rd installment in ZE Records series Mutant Disco. The first two of the series are spectacular and feature a lot of the regulars in the ZE catalog. This album is no different but there are quite a few surprises. The “Garage Sale” in the title gives a nod to Larry Levan’s legendary club “Paradise Garage”. Much of the songs have a more clubby feel to them than the previous albums.

Don Armando’s song “I’m An Indian, Too” is a ridiculous dance stomper with questionable meaning that would really fit in a club setting as you need no brain to listen (don’t get me wrong I like this song). There are quite a few contributions from Don Was of Was (not Was) like “Man Vs. The Empire Brain Building” (from Born To Laugh At Tornadoes), “Dance or Die” with Sweet Pea Atkinson, “Read My Lips” (as A Thousand Points Of Night), and a very 80’s dance remix of Cristina’s “What’s A Girl to Do”. The album has a token Kid Creole & The Coconuts song called “There’s Something Wrong in Paradise”. It’s remixed by Larry Levan. I don’t know the timeline on this song but it sounds just like a Talking Heads track. I love it though.

Much of this album flows from late 70’s New York funk to uncomfortable 80’s goober soul. Think Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. I find it endearing though. A couple of tracks are almost too embarrassing to listen to. Junie Morrison of The Ohio Players and Funkadelic provides a really groovy electro nugget called “Techno-Freqs”. There’s a lot more I can say about this album but you should probably just hear it. I had a mental orgasm when I heard this album. A little warning though. If you thought the 80’s was a pile of crap festering on a boil on Satan’s goiter then you probably won’t like this album. If your a big fan of New York music in the late 70’s and early 80’s then I think you should check this album out. It’s crazy fun. Oh and there’s a longer more upbeat version of Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream” that’s pretty sweet. Pick up a copy. I loved it.

Don Armando’s 2nd Avenue Rhumba Band - I’m An Indian, Too
Ron Rogers - Yaya