soul / funk / disco
Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the early seventies from the United States’ urban nightlife scene.
The first disco hits influenced by soul and funk music date back to 1973-1974: « You’re The First, The Last, My Everything » by Barry White, « Rock Your Baby » by George McCrae, « Never Can Say Goodbye » by Gloria Gaynor.
The basic tempo of disco is around 120 beats per minute, with alternating bass drum and snare drum beats, and cymbals filling in the gaps between beats.
« TSOP » hit No. 1 for two weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
This hit by the MFSB group, featuring backing vocals by the Three Degrees, was followed in 1975 by another hit single « K-Jee ».
1973-1974
1975
German composer and producer Frank Farian is the founder of « Boney M. » : the nickname of a police detective in an Australian TV series released in 1972-73.
Bobby Farrell is the dancer, originally from Aruba Island, accompanied by Caribbean backing vocalist Maizie Williams and the two Jamaican singers: Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett (« Belfast » )
Boney M. has sold over 50 million singles and albums worldwide.
1976
1977
In 1958, the Gibb family, originally from the Isle of Man, moved to Brisbane, Australia.
The Bee Gees formed in 1962, they popularized disco in 1977.
« Stayin’ Alive » is a famous song written and performed by the Bee Gees from the Saturday Night Fever motion picture soundtrack.
1978
1979
1980
1981
Quincy Jones aka « Q » was one of the greatest producers and arrangers of jazz, rhythm & blues, and soul/funk music.
In 1956, as a trumpet player, he conducted Dizzy Gillespie’s big band.
In 1957, he worked for French artists on the Barclay label.
In the sixties, he worked for jazz singers (Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand) and composed numerous film scores.
Jones produced three of the most successful albums by Michael Jackson: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).
Quincy Jones1982
1983 – 1984
From left to right :The Jacksons, The Bee Gees, Boney M. © Atlantic Records
