Tag: Disco Friday

Various – Disco Fever ’79 (Music Factory Megamix) (UK 12″) (1993)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Back in the mid-80s, when DJ-only remix services were just beginning to carve out their space, one UK collective quickly became a favorite among club jocks—Music Factory Mastermix. Founded in 1985, the Sheffield-based promotional service specialized in delivering creative edits, themed mixes, and exclusive reworks of chart hits and dance classics. Their productions weren’t intended for commercial release but for the hands of DJs who wanted something unique to spin on the dancefloor.

Among their many themed mixes came a special retrospective celebration: “Disco ’79 Megamix.” Crafted by Darren Ash, one of Music Factory’s standout editors (and partly responsible for the infamous Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers phenomenon), this mix took club audiences on a flashback to the glittering year of 1979—when disco truly dominated the charts and dancefloors worldwide.

The Mix

Ash stitched together a powerhouse lineup of late-’70s disco anthems, giving DJs an instant floor-filler that connected the dots between the biggest disco names. The megamix included:

  • Village People – The kings of camp and dance anthems, unstoppable in ’79 with Y.M.C.A. and In the Navy.

  • Donna Summer – The Queen of Disco herself, bringing that Giorgio Moroder-powered pulse to the mix.

  • Sister Sledge – Riding high with the Chic-produced We Are Family and He’s the Greatest Dancer.

  • Edwin Starr – Known for his soul roots, he slid into the disco world with irresistible grooves.

  • The Real Thing – UK soul-disco pioneers who were enjoying chart success well into the disco boom.

  • Gibson Brothers – Injecting Caribbean flavor into disco with tracks like Cuba and Que Sera Mi Vida.

Why 1979?

By 1979, disco had reached its peak cultural saturation—chart dominance, glittering outfits, and mainstream acceptance that was about to trigger the infamous “disco backlash” in the early ’80s. Still, for those who lived it, this was the golden year when nearly every club, roller rink, and radio station pulsed with four-on-the-floor grooves.

The Disco ’79 Megamix served as both a tribute and a tool—paying homage to an unforgettable year while giving DJs in the mid-’80s an easy way to reignite the sparkle of disco on contemporary dancefloors.

Darren Ash’s Touch

Ash’s editing style was clean, fast-paced, and always built for impact. Much like the Jive Bunny medleys that would soon take over UK charts, this mix leaned on clever segues, instantly recognizable hooks, and a relentless dancefloor drive. Unlike novelty medleys, though, “Disco ’79” had real weight because the source material was the very essence of disco at its height.

Legacy

Though intended for promotional use only, mixes like “Disco ’79” showcase just how influential remix services like Music Factory were. They preserved and reshaped the past while keeping DJs equipped with fresh, inventive tools. For disco lovers, this megamix remains a nostalgic time capsule of one of music’s most glamorous years.

SIDE A:
Various – Disco Fever ’79 (Music Factory Mastermix) 13:03
Village People– Y.M.C.A.
Village People– In The Navy
Edwin Starr– Contact
The Real Thing– Can You Feel The Force
Gibson Brothers– Que Sera Mi Vida
Donna Summer– Hot Stuff
Donna Summer– Bad Girls
Sister Sledge– We Are Family

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Music Factory – MFMM79
Series: Music Factory Mastermix Issue – 79
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 45 RPM, 12″
Country: UK
Released: 1993
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Disco

CREDITS:
Mixed By – Darren Ash
Artwork [Custom] – DjPaulT

NOTES:
Taken from Music Factory Mastermix – Issue 79

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.


My Decision on Disco Friday — Let’s Keep the Groove Alive!

First off, a big glitter ball thank you to everyone who dropped a comment on my last post—you’ve truly lit up my dance floor. I have to say, I was a bit surprised to see so many new names in the mix. It makes me wonder… where have you been hiding during my Disco Friday sets? Don’t be shy—jump in and share your thoughts more often!

After reading through your feedback on whether to keep spinning Disco Friday or pull the plug, the results are in—and the crowd has spoken. Most of you want to keep the disco beats rolling! But, like any good DJ, I’m switching up the setlist just a little. Instead of dropping a disco 12″ every single Friday, I’ll spin them whenever the mood—and the mirror ball—strikes. That way, I’m not locked into the same groove every week and can mix in other tracks that inspire me.

I adore disco, but I also like to keep my playlist fresh and unpredictable. This way, Disco Friday will still happen… just not on every Friday. Think of it as a surprise club appearance—you never know when the fever will hit!

So, when I feel that irresistible pull to the dance floor, you’ll get a Disco Friday post. And even if the track I’m spinning isn’t your jam, I’d still love to see your friendly comments—they keep the vibe alive.

Lastly, I’m taking a short break this week to spend some much-needed quality time with my family.

Much love and appreciation to all of you—keep the groove going!

—Paul

Disco Friday: Keep It or Can It?

Alright, my fabulous BTG family — let’s talk.

Every Friday, I’ve been pulling out those glitter-drenched 12-inch disco delights to send us into the weekend with a little extra sparkle. I love doing it… but here’s the tea:

Disco Friday posts aren’t exactly setting the dancefloor on fire. Fewer comments, fewer downloads — it’s like half the crowd went to the bar before the best part of the song. 🥂

So here’s my question…
Do you still want the full-on Disco Friday experience every week?
Or should I shake it up, post other stuff on Fridays, and just drop disco tracks in now and then when the mood strikes?

No hard feelings either way — I just want to make sure the music here keeps your toes tapping and your speakers happy.

Sound off in the comments, and let’s decide if Disco Friday stays or takes a little vacation.

Stay gold, stay groovy, and keep on dancin’,
—Paul 💿🔥

Bonnie Pointer – Heaven Must Have Sent You (US 12″) (1979)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

This Disco Friday, we turn the glitterball spotlight on a high-energy classic that perfectly fused Motown soul with the pounding heartbeat of disco: Bonnie Pointer’s electrifying version of “Heaven Must Have Sent You.”

Released in 1979 as a single from her 1978 self-titled solo debut for Motown, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” reimagined the 1966 Elgins hit as a joyous, campy, floor-filling anthem. Pointer—who had just left the Pointer Sisters to go solo—brought her dynamic voice, infectious personality, and disco ambition to the project.

In fact, the idea to remake this Motown staple as a disco track was Bonnie’s own inspiration. After hearing the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”, she realized how well “Heaven Must Have Sent You” could work in a similarly energetic arrangement. She took the idea straight to Berry Gordy, telling him she wanted to cut the track along with another Motown oldie, “When I’m Gone”, simply because—as she put it—“I’ve always dug them.”

Produced by Gordy himself along with Jeffrey Bowen, the result is pure disco magic. From the joyful handclaps and punchy horns to Bonnie’s unforgettable spoken-word breakdown (that “I go crazy when you touch me…” moment is iconic), the track captured everything that made the disco era so irresistible.

The 12″ disco remix helped catapult the song into clubs and onto charts, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the U.S. Dance chart. It also became Bonnie’s signature solo hit, and remains a beloved staple of retro DJ sets and roller rinks everywhere.

Over 40 years later, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” still shines bright—a perfect marriage of Motown nostalgia and disco decadence. Put it on, turn it up, and let Bonnie take you on a glittering ride straight to disco heaven.

🪩✨

SIDE A:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (New Version) 7:14

SIDE B:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (LP Version) 5:15
Producer – Berry Gordy

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1978 Heaven Must Have Sent You U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #11
1978 Heaven Must Have Sent You U.S. Billboard Dance / Disco #8
1978 Heaven Must Have Sent You U.S. Billboard Black Singles #52

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – M 00020 D1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Side B: From the album, “Bonnie Pointer”

Buy the DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.