V/A Disco Not Disco (Leftfield Disco Classics From The New York Underground) 3LP

“Strut Records were there first, well before DFA recorded The Rapture’s Sub Pop debut. ‘Disco Not Disco’ preceded the punk funk revolution by two years.” Resident Advisor

‘Disco Not Disco’ was a perfectly timed compilation back in 2000. Released when interest in the myths, history and playlists of original New York clubs like Paradise Garage and The Loft was at its peak, the album drew on the outer limits of leftfield disco championed by Levan and Mancuso, bringing together unlikely dancefloor anthems by rock acts like Yoko Ono and Ian Dury, obscurities from cottage labels like BC and Splash and selected oddities from the unique mind of avant-garde hero, Arthur Russell. It was essentially a celebration of the sonic melting pot in New York during the early ‘80s, an era when punk had burnt itself out and disco had become commercial and saccharine; in its place, the post-punk movement threw up brilliant oddities which tore up the accepted rulebook.

Since its release, the compilation title has become a by-word for a whole genre of music and remains a landmark collection of its time. With original copies now changing hands for €100+, this new pressing is a welcome return for an essential celebration of disco’s difficult cousins. The album features full original artwork and Kris Needs’ sleeve notes and is remastered and cut by The Carvery.

• Album title became known as a style of music in its own right, when rock bands and experimental NY artists aimed at the dancefloor

• Major influence on the punk funk bands and labels of early 2000s including DFA

• Album remastered by The Carvery and featuring full original artwork and sleeve notes by Kris Needs

• Part of Strut’s 20th Anniversary schedule

FOR FANS OF: Arthur Russell, Dinosaur L, Joey Negro, Ian Dury, Talking Heads, August Darnell, Yoko Ono, ZE Records, Larry Levan / Paradise Garage, The Loft, DFA, Body & Soul, James Chance, Horse Meat Disco, Compass Point Studios