the love unlimited sound system

Where the sun sets and the stars rise…Sadly the Godfather of Disco Mel Cheren passed away yesterday.

If you like disco & soul it’s hard to imagine that you won’t have danced & listened to something Mel had a hand-in be it a release on Scepter or West End Records, a b-side instrumental or a Disco 12… and for this contribution we will always be thankful to Mel.

Mel Cheren began his career in the music business via ABC/Paramount Records where he eventually became head of the label’s production department. When the company moved operations to Los Angeles in 1970, Cheren left to become head of production for Scepter Records. Here the musical innovator forged new territory: he was instrumental not only in supporting the creation of the first 12″ single for DJs and in forming the first record pool, but also the first to release an instrumental mix on a 12″ B-side (”We’re On The Right Track” by Ultra High Frequency). Other hits during his tiime at the label included B.T. Express’ “Do It Till You’re Satisfied,” and Patti Jo “Make Me Believe in You”

When Scepter closed in 1976, Mel co-founded West End Records and soon after signed Karen Young, whose single “Hot Shot” sold 800,000 copies making it one of the biggest selling 12″ in history.Disco hits followed from the likes of Jakki, Taana Gardener, Loose Joints, Barbara Mason & Ednah Holt featured here with the club mix of “Serious Sirius Space Party”.

To top it all Cheren, was the financial backer of The Paradise Garage one of the world’s most famous nightclubs.

Truly one of the most important and passionate figures in dance music history…Mel Cheren

RIP

 

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Hailing from Chicago South Shore Commission signed with New York-based Scepter Records, recording for their Wand subsidiary.

Their biggest hit was “Free Man” released in 1975, and they charted twice more in the next year with “We’re On The Right Track” and “Train Called Freedom”. They released one album the self-titled South Shore Commission, this long player was recorded in Philadelphia with Bunny Sigler and also in Hollywood.

Tom Moulton remixed freeman with the original reference disc cut on a 12″ rather than a 7″ - now there has been many a disco dedbate as to whether a 12 inch of this track actually exists. In an interview with Al Kent of www.millliondollardisco.com according to Tom there was never a test pressing, supposedly 10 acetates were given to DJs like David Mancuso, Walter Gibbons and merely a handful of others.

In the same interview Tom reckons Private Stock made the first move to release a 12 inch promo record for DJs with swearin’ to god (see previous post).

This is meant to be the unreleased acetate version, then again who knows, what we do know is it’s a real disco belter…

 

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