On air with Odario Williams: Canada?s Disco renaissance

In the grand scheme of things, 70?s Disco music comes and goes. It is consistently recognized as a short-lived phenomenon that tends to reappear in contemporary music time and time again. Although Disco is often regarded as clich?, in many respects it sustains itself as the eternal universal groove.

Canada was no stranger to the original Disco movement of the 70s. In 1979, Montreal was heralded as North America?s second-most important market for Disco (after New York City) by American trade magazine Billboard. Montreal?s popular club DJ?s maintained a direct link to unique?Euro-Disco records that most American DJ?s couldn?t get their hands on. At the same time, Toronto?s popular radio station CHIC-AM was programming Disco 24 hours a day, which was unprecedented for Canadian radio. Memorable songs to come out of that era are Patsy Gallant?s 1976 international hit ?From New York To LA? and France Joli?s 1979 hit ?Come To Me?.

I?ve discovered a handful of artists adapting elements of Disco?s authentic sound found in today?s Canadian Indie music. Although this movement was unintentional, it surely works together as something more than just a coincidence. Canadian musicians have a deep history of achieving authenticity when influenced. Dance floor veterans Chromeo have always implemented Disco grooves and early 80s Boogie into their sound. Pop groups The Magic and Yacht Club both use Disco as a main ingredient. And new-comer Renny Wilson, of Edmonton, subtly adapts Disco rhthyms in his current releases. These artists strategically infuse Disco into their sound minus the kitsch associated with the genre.

Toronto Soul singer Maylee Todd just recently experimented with Disco and Boogie on her latest record Escapology, ?I always wanted to write a record with that authentic sound. My parents were into Ohio Players and my older sister was heavily into Boogie, Funk and Disco. They were major influences for me growing up?.

What makes this renaissance unique is the Canadian musician?s preference to use live instruments, instead of synthesized electronic beats. As a result, you hear a sound that is far more ?old-school? and retro sounding against today?s contemporary music. ?I?m not against today?s electronic music?, says Todd, ?but in terms of production on this record, it was important to match the instrumentation to the old-school sound. I wanted to touch on the organic and underground side of Funk and Disco.

Maylee Todd?s Escapology will be released April 2, 2013.?

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posted by Odario Williams at 8:55 AM

Source: http://music.cbc.ca/blogs/2013/2/On-air-with-Odario-Williams-Canadas-Disco-renaissance

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