TRAX ON WAX

TRAX were a LONDON based POP SOUL group who released a couple of 45's on FRESH AIR RECORDS during 1974. The label was run by REAL THING manager TONY HALL and put out a number of interesting soul related records during a three year period. London had a well established scene for live SOUL / FUNK bands by the mid 70's, but the record industry continually struggled in it's efforts to market them to the general public. The TRAX records were a case in point. The A and B sides of both records were self penned and display different facets of the bands sound. The A-Sides: '' WASN'T IT NICE '' and '' NUMBER ONE LOVER '' were both upfront and compelling numbers that built upon the work of two of the most successful LONDON POP / SOUL groups of the previous decade. The former appears to bear the influence of the CALYPSO / SOUL sound of THE EQUALS and the later the POP / MOTOWN derived melding of THE FOUNDATIONS. Both contained strong hooks, crisp harmonies and snappy brass arrangements, but despite their obvious merit and the bands unique and eye catching ORANGE HAIR / PVC CLOTHING combo, they failed to get the attention they clearly deserved. The B-Sides: '' BLACK BOY '' and '' HOUNDS '' are something else entirely and wonderful in their own right. Both are stylish CINEMATIC FUNK based numbers with lyrics that include a fair degree of SOCIAL COMMENTARY. Neither would sound out of place on the CURTIS MAYFIELD '' SUPERFLY '' soundtrack. Unfortunately there isn't much info about the band online apart from a brief bio here which names the lineup and tantalizingly mentions an unreleased 3rd single! Surprisingly they also failed to get a mention in the otherwise excellent '' SOUNDS LIKE LONDON - 100 YEARS OF BLACK MUSIC '' book by LLOYD BRADLEY. It's regrettable that such a quality act has barely been acknowledged - If anyone has more info on the band: Please leave a comment below or get in touch at: denimdisco@hotmail.co.uk

THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS

Like many others THE HOLLIES were looking to the DISCO DANCE FLOOR for inspiration in 1976.They released a DISCO NOVELTY 45 called ''WIGGLE THAT WOTSIT'',but the song was evidently too great a departure from the HARMONY POP style that the group were known for and the record failed to click with the public.Ironically tucked away on the B-SIDE was an awesome tune that cleverly combined the great harmony vocals the band were known for with a DEEP/LATIN/ FUNK GROOVE


THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS



The song was included on the LP RUSSIAN ROULETTE which came out the same year and the group also laid down a brilliant upfront version of the song on the TV POP SHOW ''SUPERSONIC''.
Check it out here and listen in wonder at Pete Wingfield energetic runs on the white grand piano!


THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS - LIVE ON SUPERSONIC



So much for the UK record buying public then.''DRAGGIN' MY HEELS'' would surely have been added to the list of great records that never received their due recognition had it not been picked up and spun by taste making NEW YORK DJs:DAVID MANCUSO and LARRY LEVAN.Both were known for diggin' deep and seeking out music from around the globe.Many of the obscure and unusual discs they played crossed over to the playlists of DJs in the more mainstream clubs and as a result of their interest EPIC RECORDS in the US released an EXTENDED 12'' DANCE 'EDIT' of the song in 1977.


THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS - SPECIAL DISCO VERSION



The song never broke in a major way but over the years it's legend grew.In 1989 EPIC reissued the 12'' MIX as part of their ''MIX MASTERS'' series.In 1995 it appeared as a track on ''LOFT CLASSICS VOLUME 14'' and again in 2010 on the LP ''DOWN TO THE SEA AND BACK - THE CONTINUING JOURNEY OF THE BALEARIC BEAT''.The song certainly has a timeless quality about it.DJ LOUIE VEGA AND THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE have recently released a cover of the song with an arrangement and production that is near identical to the original!


Time waits for no one
And I wasted my time
Got to the crossroads
But took the wrong sign

I'd go too far
Didn't know how she'd feel
Stupid of me
To be draggin' my heels

Oh, oh, oh, draggin' my heels
Oh, oh, oh, draggin' my heels, heels

MORE DENIM DISCO MIX

Tracklist:

01 - Gary Glitter - Rock And Roll Part Two
02 - Elektrik Cokernut - Jungle Juice
03 - Polly Brown - Up In A Puff Of Smoke
04 - Fox - S - S - S - Single Bed
05 - Stretch - Why Did You Do It
06 - 5000 Volts - Thunderfire
07 - The Alan Parsons Project - I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You
08 - East Of Eden - Jig - A - Jig
09 - Titanic - Sultana
10 - Cozy Powell - Dance With The Devil
11 - Boney M - Rasputin
12 - Sting -Thief Of Bagdad
13 - Jigsaw - Sky High
14 - Wings - Jet
15 - Rod And The Faces - You Can Make Me Dance Sing Or Anything
16 - Hot Chocolate - Every 1's A Winner
17 - T.Rex - Light Of Love
18 - Hello - New York Groove
19 - Kenny - The Bump
20 - Brendon - Gimmie Some
21 - The Peppers - Pepper Box
22 - Bryan Ferry - Re-Make Re-Model

More Denim Disco Mix by Denim Disco on Mixcloud

http://www.mediafire.com/?orqghw8z5wsbg7a

Suzi Quatro - Your Mama Won't Like Me

A mesmerising slice of DENIM SISCO from the first lady of glam.Penned by Chinn and Chapman and released in the year 1975,this tune demands dancefloor reaction from it's fat back drum and bass intro through to the final chanted refrain.


A brass stabbing,non flagging,near orgasmic,heavy leather resurrection shuffle!


Original Promo Clip



Live In Japan 75'

DENIM DISCO MIX

Tracklist:

01 - Barry Blue - Do You Wanna Dance
02 - The Rah Band - The Crunch
03 - Floating Opera - Let's Streak
04 - Suzie Quatro - Your Mama Won't Like Me
05 - Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies
06 - Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane
07 - 10 C.C. - Art For Art Sake
08 - Steely Dan - Josie
09 - Boz Scaggs - The Lowdown
10 - Daryl Hall And John Oats - Back Together Again
11 - Sweet - Fox On The Run
12 - Paper Lace - So What If I Am
13 - Alvin Stardust - Red Dress
14 - Mud - Moonshine Sally
15 - Sailor - Down By The Docks
16 - Abba - Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!
17 - The Electric Light Orchestra - Last Train To London
18 - The Beach Boys - Here Comes The Night
19 - Theo Vaness - I'm A Bad Bad Boy

Denim Disco Mix by Denim Disco on Mixcloud

Download An MP3 Of The Mix {With Artwork} Here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?uug0rfbmu95993m