Disco Box

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: February 16, 1999
• Type: Collection (various artists), Compilation (best of), Box set
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Rhino's four-CD Disco Box is the most impressive disco retrospective yet assembled, featuring 80 tracks and exhaustive liner notes which chronicle the music's history, artists, innovations, and subsequent influence. Like many of the best Rhino anthologies of this sort, The Disco Box is a mixture of acknowledged classics and neglected yet surprisingly high-quality lesser-knowns (although the emphasis here is more on the former). The result is an enormously infectious, entertaining package that makes the best case yet for the importance and creative viability of disco in its heyday. There are a couple of minor flaws -- most disco fans will be able to name a few absent favorites (none of the Bee Gees' historically crucial Saturday Night Fever tracks were available for licensing, for example), and others may bemoan the lack of extended 12" club versions, which simply wouldn't fit into a compilation of this scope. At any rate, The Disco Box is still as definitive and well-done an overview as we're ever likely to see, and even at four CDs, it's the perfect introduction. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Love's Theme (Lyrics)	Barry White	Love Unlimited Orchestra	(3:35)
Dancing Machine (Lyrics)	Dean Parks, Don Fletcher, Weldon Dean Parks, Donald Fletcher, Hal Davis, Harold Davis	The Jackson 5	(2:41)
Rock the Boat (Lyrics)	Wally Holmes	Hues Corporation	(3:08)
Honeybee (Lyrics)	Melvin Steals	Gloria Gaynor	(3:44)
Doctor's Orders	Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook, Geoff Stephens	Carol Douglas	(3:30)
Get Dancin'	Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan	Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes, Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes, Sir Monti Rock III	(3:54)
Shame, Shame, Shame	Sylvia Robinson	Shirley & Company	(3:54)
Never Can Say Goodbye (Lyrics)	Clifton Davis	Gloria Gaynor	(3:00)
Get Down Tonight (Lyrics)	Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey, Richard Finch	KC & the Sunshine Band	(3:13)
The Hustle	Van McCoy	Soul City Orchestra, Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony, Van McCoy	(3:46)
It Only Takes a Minute (Lyrics)	Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter	Tavares	(3:15)
Fly, Robin, Fly	Stephan Prager, Silvester Levay	The Silver Convention	(3:49)
I'm on Fire	Tony Eyers	5000 Volts	(2:49)
Love Machine, Pt. II	Billy Griffin, Warren "Pete" Moore	The Miracles	(3:00)
You Sexy Thing	Tony Wilson, Erroll Brown	Hot Chocolate	(4:05)
Boogie Fever (Lyrics)	Freddie Perren, Kenneth St. Lewis	The Sylvers	(3:29)
That's the Way (I Like It)	Richard Finch, Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey	KC & the Sunshine Band	(3:05)
More, More, More, Pt. 1	Greg Diamond	Andrea True	(3:02)
Young Hearts Run Free	David Crawford	Candi Staton	(4:08)
Turn the Beat Around (Lyrics)	Pete Jackson, Gerald Jackson	Vicki Sue Robinson	(3:26)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty	Richard Finch, Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey	KC & the Sunshine Band	(3:07)
Get up and Boogie	Stephan Prager, Silvester Levay	The Silver Convention	(2:47)
A Fifth of Beethoven	Walter Murphy	Big Apple Band, Walter Murphy, Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band	(3:04)
Play That Funky Music (Lyrics)	Rob Parissi	Wild Cherry	(3:16)
Car Wash (Lyrics)	Norman J. Whitfield	Rose Royce	(3:33)
Don't Leave Me This Way (Lyrics)	Cary Gilbert, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff	Thelma Houston	(3:40)
The Best Disco in Town	Henri Belolo, Phil Hurtt, Jacques Morali	The Ritchie Family	(2:43)
Disco Inferno (Lyrics)	Ron Kersey, Leroy Green	The Trammps	(3:35)
Boogie Nights (Lyrics)	Rod Temperton	Heatwave	(3:40)
I Feel Love (Lyrics)	Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte	Donna Summer	(5:55)
Keep It Comin' Love	Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey, Richard Finch	KC & the Sunshine Band	(3:54)
Dance With Me	Robert Rans, Peter Brown	Pete Brown, Peter Brown, Betty Wright	(3:50)
Everybody Dance (Lyrics)	Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards	Chic	(3:33)
Shame	John H. Fitch, Jr., John Fitch, Reuben Cross	Evelyn "Champagne" King	(2:59)
Boogie Oogie Oogie	Janice Johnson, Janice Marie Johnson, Perry Kibble, Perry L. Kibble	A Taste of Honey	(3:39)
Get Off (Lyrics)	Carl Driggs, Ishmael Ledesma	Foxy	(3:37)
I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)	Susan Hutcheson, Alicia Bridges	Alicia Bridges	(3:01)
In the Bush	Patrick Adams, Sandra Cooper	Musique	(4:03)
Hot Shot	Kurt Borusiewicz, Andy Kahn	Karen Young	(3:32)
Got to Be Real (Lyrics)	David Paich, Cheryl Lynn, David Foster	Cheryl Lynn	(3:43)

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Shake Your Groove Thing (Lyrics)	Dino Fekaris, Freddie Perren	Peaches & Herb	(3:27)
Y.M.C.A. (Lyrics)	Victor Willis, Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali	Village People	(4:01)
Le Freak	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	Chic	(4:19)
I Will Survive (Lyrics)	Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris	Gloria Gaynor	(3:18)
Livin' It up (Friday Night)	Leroy Bell, Casey James	Bell & James	(3:22)
Instant Replay (Lyrics)	Dan Hartman	Dan Hartman	(3:26)
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)	James Wirrick, Sylvester	Sylvester	(3:47)
I Want Your Love (Lyrics)	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	Chic	(3:31)
Knock on Wood (Lyrics)	Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper	Amii Stewart	(3:52)
Disco Nights (Rock Freak)	Emmanuel Rahiem LeBlanc, Paul Service, Herb Lane, Keith Crier	GQ	(3:57)
Love and Desire, Pt. 1	Joe Cash, Simon Soussan, Sidney Barnes	Arpeggio	(3:33)
He's the Greatest Dancer (Lyrics)	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	Sister Sledge	(3:35)
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now	Jerry Cohen, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead	McFadden & Whitehead	(3:42)
Ring My Bell	Frederick Knight	Anita Ward	(3:36)
Bad Girls (Lyrics)	Donna Summer, Bruce Sudano, Joe Esposito, Eddie Hokenson	Donna Summer	(4:00)
Born to Be Alive	Patrick Hernandez	Patrick Hernandez	(3:25)
Good Times (Lyrics)	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	Chic	(3:44)
Don't You Want My Love	Steffen Presley, Dan Holmes, Paul Sabu, Aldo Nova, Rick Bozzo	Debbie Jacobs	(3:14)
H.A.P.P.Y. Radio	Edwin Starr	Edwin Starr	(3:28)
I Shoulda Loved Ya (Lyrics)	Narada Michael Walden, Allee Willis, Thomas Stevens	Narada Michael Walden	(3:57)
We Are Family (Lyrics)	Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards, Kalama Koanui	Sister Sledge	(3:38)

CD 4

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Heart of Glass (Lyrics)	Debbie Harry, Chris Stein	Blondie	(3:24)
Lost in Music (Lyrics)	Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards	Sister Sledge	(3:24)
I'm Caught up (In a One Night Love Affair)	Patrick Adams, Terri Gonzalez	Inner Life	(4:24)
Got to Love Somebody (Lyrics)	Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers	Sister Sledge	(3:38)
Funkytown (Lyrics)	Greenberg, Steven Greenberg	Lipps, Inc.	(4:06)
Celebration (Lyrics)	George Brown, Earl Toon, Ronald Bell, James "J.T." Taylor, Kool & the Gang, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Dennis "D.T." Thomas, Claydes E.X. Smith, Deodato, Robert "Kool" Bell	Kool & the Gang	(3:43)
A Lover's Holiday	Tanya Willoughby, David Romani	Change	(4:01)
I Like What You're Doin' to Me	Buddy Hankerson, Michael Young, William Young	Young & Company	(4:15)
The Glow of Love	David Romani, Mauro Malavasi, Wayne Garfield	Change	(3:40)
Cruisin' the Streets	Bill Motley	Boys Town Gang	(3:47)
On the Beat	Mauro Malavasi, Paul Slade	The B.B. & Q. Band	(3:43)
Forget Me Nots	Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington, Terri McFadden, Patrice Rushen	Patrice Rushen	(4:08)
Get Down on It (Lyrics)	George "Funky" Brown, James "J.T." Taylor, Curtis "Fitz" Williams, Robert "Kool" Bell, Dennis "D.T." Thomas, Charles Smith	Kool & the Gang	(3:36)
It's Raining Men (Lyrics)	Paul Shaffer, Paul Jabara	The Weather Girls	(3:33)
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (Lyrics)	Michael Cleveland, Cleveland	Indeep	(4:44)
I.O.U.	Arthur Baker	Freeez	(3:51)
Give It Up	Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey, Allen Toussaint, Joe Sample, Deborah Carter	KC & the Sunshine Band	(4:06)
Change of Heart	Terry Lewis, James Harris	Change	(4:18)
Fresh (Lyrics)	Sandy Linzer, James "J.T." Taylor, Kool & the Gang	Kool & the Gang	(4:06)

Credits

Soul City Orchestra (Performer), Inner Life (Performer), Van McCoy (Conductor), Norman Harris (Conductor), Patrice Rushen (Performer), Marty Paich (Producer), Warren Schatz (Arranger), Jay Ellis (Producer), Simon Soussan (Producer), Paul Sabu (Producer), Jim Bonnefond (Producer), Nile Rodgers (Producer), The Sex-O-Lettes (Performer), Barry White (Conductor), Bill Inglot (Producer), Indeep (Performer), Village People (Performer), Stewart Whitmore (Remastering), Bob Esty (Arranger), Narada Michael Walden (Producer), Reggie Thompson (Producer), Greg Mathieson (Arranger), Jacques Fred Petrus (Producer), Dino Fekaris (Producer), 5000 Volts (Performer), Paul Sabu (Arranger), Simon Soussan (Arranger), Mickie Most (Producer), Thelma Houston (Performer), Michael Freedberg (Liner Notes), The Ritchie Family (Performer), The Trammps (Performer), Jimmy Simpson (Producer), Patrick Hernandez (Performer), Pete Brown (Performer), GQ (Performer), The Sylvers (Performer), Bob Esty (Producer), Tony Bongiovi (Producer), Arpeggio (Performer), Karen Young (Performer), William Young (Producer), Narada Michael Walden (Performer), Steve Buckingham (Producer), Walter Murphy (Performer), Barry White (Producer), McFadden & Whitehead (Performer), Tavares (Performer), Freddie Perren (Producer), Jacques Morali (Producer), Gary Peterson (Annotation), Steve Greenberg (Producer), Barry Blue (Producer), Terry Lewis (Producer), Musique (Performer), Norman J. Whitfield (Producer), Pete Bellotte (Producer), Ritchie Rome (Producer), Peaches & Herb (Performer), Richard Rinch (Producer), Thor Baldursson (Arranger), Heatwave (Performer), Bill Motley (Producer), Hues Corporation (Performer), Tony Eyers (Arranger), Fonce Mizell (Producer), Debbie Jacobs (Performer), John Florez (Producer), Gene McFadden (Producer), Harold Faltermeyer (Arranger), A Taste of Honey (Performer), Dan Hartman (Performer), Vicki Sue Robinson (Performer), Art Wright (Arranger), Alicia Bridges (Performer), Brian Chin (Editorial Supervisor), Paul Leka (Producer), The Miracles (Performer), Amii Stewart (Performer), The Jackson 5 (Performer), Ken Perry (Remastering), Patrice Rushen (Producer), The B.B. & Q. Band (Performer), Blondie (Performer), The Silver Convention (Performer), Hal Davis (Producer), Harvey Fuqua (Producer), Giorgio Moroder (Producer), Boys Town Gang (Performer), Edwin Starr (Producer), Walter Murphy (Conductor), Terry Lewis (Arranger), The Weather Girls (Performer), Jerry Cohen (Producer), Tony Eyers (Producer), Michael Kunze (Producer), Barry Walters (Liner Notes), Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes (Performer), Sevie Bates (Design), Andy Kahn (Arranger), Love Unlimited Orchestra (Performer), Van McCoy (Arranger), Buddy Hankerson (Producer), Shirley & Company (Performer), Cory Wade (Producer), Michael Omartian (Arranger), Andy Kahn (Producer), Bob Crewe (Producer), Jack Faith (Arranger), Mauro Malavasi (Arranger), Chic (Performer), Gloria Gaynor (Performer), Foxy (Performer), Brian Potter (Producer), Michael Omartian (Conductor), Change (Performer), Cheryl Lynn (Performer), Dan Hartman (Producer), Bell & James (Performer), Larry Mizell (Producer), Patrick Adams (Arranger), Deodato (Producer), Rose Royce (Performer), Betty Wright (Performer), Patrick Adams (Producer), Greg Diamond (Producer), Kool & the Gang (Performer), Hot Chocolate (Performer), Sister Sledge (Performer), Bob Clearmountain (Producer), Candi Staton (Performer), Charles Mims, Jr. (Producer), Sir Monti Rock III (Performer), Michael Young (Producer), Barry White (Arranger), Van McCoy (Performer), Evelyn "Champagne" King (Performer), Anita Ward (Performer), Donna Summer (Performer), Bruce Miller (Arranger), Brian Chin (Compilation Producer), Warren Schatz (Producer), Norman Harris (Arranger), David Paich (Producer), Big Apple Band (Performer), Paul Jabara (Producer), Brian Chin (Liner Notes), Andrea True (Performer), Arthur Wright (Arranger), KC & the Sunshine Band (Performer), Jean Vanloo (Producer), Bernard Edwards (Producer), Wild Cherry (Performer), Freeez (Performer), Meco Monardo (Producer), Gene Page (Arranger), Walter Murphy (Arranger), John Whitehead (Producer), Edwin Starr (Performer), Kenny Lehman (Producer), Barry Leng (Producer), David McLees (Compilation Producer), Lipps, Inc. (Performer), Bill Inglot (Remastering), Ronald Bell (Producer), Dennis Lambert (Producer), Wade Marcus (Arranger), Young & Company (Performer), Carol Douglas (Performer), Sylvester (Performer), Greg Diamond (Arranger)