50's Indian film music and Italian Disco

Viola Valentino. Don't know much about her other than that she falls into the vast category of music made in Italy at a time when this kind of hair and makeup (not to mention music) was not shameful. Still, there is something about this tune which I enjoy, and that defines me as a man who's threshold of shame/cheese is very low. I appear to have discovered the motherload of Italian gay disco cheese with this track (lots more to download here). Apparently she was married to some guy who was the lead singer of the beloved Italian band Pooh (presumably not as in "Winnie the") when she did the movie Delitto sull'autostrada. It's all part of the wide world of music we love.

Viola Valentino - Comprami

Fortunately, the Dalston Oxfam tape bins also give up good quality stuff. Here are some selections from a tape of Indian film music from the 50's and early 60's. Ironically, I selected the tracks I wanted to record and only realized afterwards that all the tracks I liked had Lata Mangeshkar (लता मंगेशकर) in them, or her sister Asha Bhosle.

I really don't know much about Indian film music of that time but apparently Lata is a super star, having in 1974 secured the Guiness Book of World Records award for most songs sung and also receiving in 2007 a Knight of the Legion d'honneur award in France. She really does have a beautiful voice and I'm sure the comments will enlighten me much more about her.

Side A
1953. Tu Ganga Ki Mauj - Mohd. Rafi
1954. Jayen To Jayen Kahaan - Talat Mehmood
1955. Man Dole - Lata Mangeshkar
1955. Jaadugar Saiyaan - Lata Mangeshkar
1956. Aaja Sanam - Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey
1957. Uden Jab Jab Zulfen - Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi
1957. Maang Ke Saath - Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi

Side B
1958. Aaja Re Pardesi - Lata Mangeshkar
1959. Sab Kuchh Seekha - Mukesh
1960. Chaudhvin Ka Chand - Mohammad Rafi
1960. Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye - Lata Mangeshkar
1961. Teri Pyari Pyari Surat - Mohammad Rafi
1961. Husn Wale Tera Jawaab Nahin - Mohammad Rafi
1962. Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil - Lata Mangeshkar
1962. Main Chali Main Chali - Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle

Guest Mixtape - 1993 house from Kevin McKay - Breastfed/Prestel records

We do guest mixtapes!! I plan on making this more of a regular feature and will try to get mixtapes made back in the day by musical luminaries. Kevin McKay contacted me to offer this house mix he did in 1993. Kevin is one of the founders of Breastfed records with Mylo, who put out all of the fantastic Mylo records. Kevin was also the man behind the Linus Loves project.

Now Kevin has started Prestel records and is putting out the Cobra Dukes and also involved with Dada Life.

On his own account he started off djing in glasgow at clubs like the sub club. "Glasgow was pretty much a rave/italian house centre filled with super-excited belgian beats and high-powered scottish rave. I was just looking for something more musical, funky & different and found it in the dj (ne jocks) magazine charts. and a dj called yogi based at raw records in glasgow." To be honest, super-excited belgian beats and high-powered scottish rave sounds pretty good to me ;) But I'm also from New York and have had plenty of the type of house on Kevin's tape in my life.

The tracks which are stand out to me are the Injection - Damn that Dj and Devastating - Wanna Be With You.

Kevin McKay - April '93 House Mix

And here is the Cobra Dukes. It is quite a good catchy synth-rock sound. Still needs a good remix I think (I'm not crazy about the ones I've heard).

Cobra Dukes - Leave the Light On (link removed)