Advertise on podcast: CHOONS

More than half a century ago, a cultural and societal movement took root in the streets of New York City. Driven by the post-Stonewall sexual revolution and the masterful work of DJs spinning the latest R&B cuts, people flocked to the clubs in search of their tribe and live out an almost religious experience.  D.C LaRue, by then a seasoned singer and songwriter, was a witness to this phenomenon and encapsulated all of his thoughts on a song that, since its original release, has become a perennial favorite in dance halls all over the world. The enduring legacy of “Cathedrals” is only a part of a long career that saw D.C. bouncing from record label to record label in his early years, ditching music to delve into other creative outlets, tapping into what was happening around him, being discovered by newer generations, and ultimately, enjoying his rightful place as a true Disco legend.   Show Tracklisting: A Teenager in Love (Dion)Jane (D.C. LaRue)Put Your Hand on My Shoulder (Paul Anka)Honey Bear (D.C. LaRue)Cold in Oscoda (D.C. LaRue)Better Get Back (D.C. LaRue)Love to Love You Baby (Donna Summer)Cathedrals (D.C. LaRue)Indiscreet (D.C. LaRue)Do You Want the Real Thing (D.C. LaRue)Star Baby (D.C. LaRue)3AM (Bobby Blanco and Mikki Moto)Let Them Dance - Idjut Boys Beats Remix (D.C. LaRue)O Ba Ba - The Reflex Revision (D.C. LaRue)D.C. LaRue on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larue_david/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dclarue/  Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod

The “Minneapolis Sound” is eclectic at its core. From the funktified innovations of Prince and André Cymone to the polished productions of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and the alt-rock fire of The Replacements, the scene always made space for everything—and everyone—even an offbeat band like Information Society.   In 1982, the same year The Purple One invited us to party like it was 1999, InSoc burst onto the scene with a robotic synth style that recalled Kraftwerk, early Devo, and Gary Numan. Paul Robb, Kurt Larson, and James Cassidy embraced the DIY ethos of punk, quickly building a loyal following. But true recognition didn’t come until the band relocated to New York City, where they forged their signature sound—a fusion of electro and pulsating dance beats that launched them onto the charts.   With the guidance of seasoned producer Fred Marr, the trio absorbed everything around them, from radio staples to late-night TV static. Armed with samples—and a certain ’60s sci-fi phenomenon like Star Trek—Paul Robb crafted InSoc’s pop breakout hit, a track that dominated clubs from L.A. to Rio and beyond. It set the foundation for the group’s unique brand of intellectual, tech-driven pop, a sound that remains as vibrant today as ever.   Show Tracklisting: Swan's Splashdown (Perry and Kingsley)The Little Man from Mars (Perry and Kingsley)Are Friends Electric? (Tubeway Army)Bacchanale (Information Society)Running (Information Society)What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Information Society)Walking Away (Information Society)What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) Live at Rock in Rio (Information Society)  Information Society on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informationsociety_official/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/informationsocietyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/informationsocietyBandcamp: https://informationsociety.bandcamp.com/  Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod

Back in December 1977, a young actor named John Travolta (by then only known for his role as Vinnie Barbarino on the TV comedy "Welcome Back Kotter) strutted across the streets of New York to the funky beat of an English trio that reinvented themselves from Soft Rock gentlemen to the purveyors of the global Disco explosion.  While The Bee Gees' music was the centerpiece of "Saturday Night Fever," the film's soundtrack gave a spotlight to notable pop performers like Yvonne Elliman, masterful musicians and arrangers like David Shire, Ralph McDonald, and R&B veterans like The Trammps and Tavares that were also heavily instrumental in creating the blueprint of Disco in the early 70s. Show Tracklisting: Jive Talkin' (Bee Gees)You Should Be Dancing (Bee Gees)I Don't Know How To Love Him (Yvonne Elliman)Love Me (Yvonne Elliman)How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees)If I Can't Have You (Yvonne Elliman)More Than A Woman (Bee Gees)More Than A Woman (Tavares)It Only Takes A Minute (Tavares)Boogie Shoes (KC & The Sunshine Band)Open Sesame (Kook & The Gang)K-Jee (MFSB)A Fifth Of Beethoven (Walter Murphy)Calypso Breakdown (Ralph McDonald)Night on Disco Mountain (David Shire)Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart (The Trammps)Disco Inferno (The Trammps)Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Before he graced the covers of Right On! and Black Beat, O’Bryan was a church kid with a stunning tenor tone informed by years of listening to Stevie Wonder, Donny Hattaway, Phyllis Hyman, and the Delphonics, among others. His vocal abilities impressed a string of influential people that guided him through his musical journey, from Philly Soul legend Ron Kersey to the mighty "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius, who later became co-writer of his songs and executive producer for most of his output with Capitol Records For his first single release with Capitol, O’Bryan choose a masterful blend of sounds that signaled a shift in musical trends in the early 1980s. It was the first in a series of tunes that elevated him as one of the top Rhythm and Blues heartthrobs of his generation, creating an unbroken relationship with his devoted audience. Show Tracklisting: I Want You Back (Jackson 5)Ben (Michael Jackson)Right From The Start (O’Bryan)Still Waters (Love) (O’Bryan)The Gigolo (O’Bryan)Soul Train’s A Comin’ (O’Bryan)Lovelite (O’Bryan)O’Bryan on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obryanmusic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAMOBRYANHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Multiple tributes flooded social media channels and websites when Joyce Sims made her peaceful transition on October 13th, 2022, all noting the tangible influence she had on music and people's lives.  This Rochester, NY native found her way from perfecting her craft to soaring the international charts with a heavenly mix of Hip-Hop, electronic beats, and R&B vocal stylings, thanks to her collaboration with Sleeping Bag Records producer Mantronix. That mix led to some remarkable singles in the mid-to-late 80s, including "(You Are My) All And All," and "Come Into My Life," the latter becoming her most-known tune. Taking cues from one of her final interviews, we take a look back at Joyce's beginnings in music, her efforts to learn the process behind the engineering desk, her surprise rise to fame, and her last recordings before her passing. Show Tracklisting: Come Into My Life (Joyce Sims)(You Are My) All And All (Joyce Sims)What You Won't Do For Love (Joyce Sims)  Interview with Joyce Sims (Courtesy of Halftime Chat) https://youtu.be/_fIXHpFvGtU https://youtu.be/QUqlpyo0NS0 https://youtu.be/V6H2ZlaZ0_U https://youtu.be/r4Wv1jnSWAw https://youtu.be/Mj2aJi49s4s Donate or support the production of Halftime Chat CASHAPP: £halftimechat PAYPAL: nesoul   Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

As the glamour of New Wave made its way through the UK music scene with acts like Visage, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet, a band made out of three black men was making the most, sashaying into TV studios with an extravagant image and hypnotic tunes to match.  Vocalist Leee John, bassist Ashley Ingram, and drummer Errol Kennedy ruled both the charts and the dancefloors with their own silky and soulful "Imagination" sound, created in collaboration with innovative production team Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, later architects of pop classics recorded by Spandau, Alison Moyet, and Bananarama.  In this special CHOONS episode, Leee takes a trip back to his days working the pub circuit and learning from the greats, his pre-Imagination recordings, the inspiration behind his first hit singles with the band, and the treacherous session that led to one of the most unforgettable floor-fillers of the 1980s. Show Tracklisting: Just An Illusion - Nightdubbing Version (Imagination)Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet (Gonzalez)Walk On The Wild Side (Lou Reed)Body Talk (Imagination)Burnin' Up (Imagination)I'll Always Love You (But Don't Look Back) (Imagination)Flashback (Imagination)True (Spandau Ballet)Just An Illusion - Instrumental (Imagination)Just An Illusion (Imagination)In The Heat of The Night (Imagination)Pre-order Imagination featuring Leee John "40 Years" Limited Edition Box Set Out February 2023: https://leeejohn.lnk.to/imagination40 Leee John on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeejohnofficial/Twitter: https://twitter.com/leeejohnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeeJohnWebsite: https://www.leeejohn.com/Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

On January 3rd, 1990, days after a unified East and West Berlin welcomed the new decade with a memorable New Years celebration a few feet away from Brandenburg Gate, German producers Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzing unleashed "The Power," a song that blended soul, dance, and rap sounds.  Though they weren't the first to come up with this fusion, the result was one of the most recognizable songs of all time and a symbol of the often problematic practices found in relationships between artists and production teams. Penny Ford, a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer with years working alongside greats like Chaka Khan, Joni Mitchell, Zapp, and the Gap Band, was caught in the whirlwind of it all, and saw her life completely turned upside down by the unexpected opportunity of fronting the Snap! project, and securing its afterlife for the next three decades. Show Tracklisting In The Name Of Love (Sharon Redd)Tell Me Something Good (Rufus feat. Chaka Khan)Change Your Wicked Ways (Penny Ford)Our Day Will Come (Chaka Khan and Edwin Starr)Where Are You? (16 Bit)Oops Up (Snap!)Mary Had a Little Boy (Snap!)The Power (Chill Rob G)Love's Gonna Get You (Jocelyn Brown)The Power (Snap!)Rhythm Is A Dancer (Snap!)Snap! on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialpennyford/Twitter: https://twitter.com/pennypal101Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Penny-Ford/100063719559672/Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Back in 1980, Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) had finally gained independence from the British, marking the end of racial segregation after a protracted war of liberation that claimed many lives. A year later, a young Alton Edwards became a prodigal son when his debut single climbed the UK top 20, one of the very first instances of a 12" single achieving success in the pop charts. It was the culmination of a journey that took Alton from being a member of several bands to leading his own solo project in collaboration with innovative record producer Chris Cameron. Though his journey also included obstacles that ultimately curtailed his momentum, Alton continues to express his creativity with impactful projects. He's also immensely grateful for the dancey tune that put him on the map and that makes bodies shake to this very day. Show Tracklisting Sanibonani (Dianne Chandler)Boogie Nights (Heatwave)I Just Wanna (Spend Some Time With You) (Alton Edwards)I Just Wanna (Spend Some Time With You) Michael Gray Remix (Alton Edwards)Alton Edwards on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altonedwards/Twitter: https://twitter.com/altonedwardsHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Different Fur has been a landmark of the music scene in the Bay Area and at the cutting edge of studio technology since it was founded in 1968 by synth wiz Patrick Gleeson, who went on to play on albums by Herbie Hancock, and in soundtrack albums for the films "Apocalypse Now" and "The Plague Dogs."  Nestled between taquerias and cocktail bars, it has hosted an array of legendary musicians, up-and-coming artists, and music lovers who have attended community-based events that are now the stuff of legend in the Mission. After navigating the shakeup of the COVID-19 pandemic, Different Fur looks to the future with its new co-managers, Lien Do and Grace Coleman. Both talk to us about their musical beginnings, their relationship with artists, and their goals for the future of this recording studio.  More on Different Fur Website: https://differentfurstudios.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/differentfur/Twitter: https://twitter.com/differentfurFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/differentfur/Show Tracklisting: Come Back Jonee (Devo)America Is Waiting (David Byrne & Brian Eno)Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Special Thanks to Marcel Caldera III Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Born Norman Washington Giscombe on June 6, 1957, Junior had been making the rounds of the London music scene, just as the Britfunk movement was bridging the gap of a racially-divided England with its friendly and inviting sound, one inspired by American R&B, soul and funk. After dabbling in rock and even Disco, Junior found his groove with producer Bob Carter and tapped into the words of wisdom of his Jamaican mother to create a song that touched a nerve with audiences in the UK and the US. With its universal message of love, knowledge, and self-acceptance, “Mama Used To Say” helped Junior make history as one of the first British soul singers to cross over to America, and served as inspiration and praise for a number of equally iconic performers. Show Tracklisting Get Up and Dance (Norman Giscombe Jr.)Love Dies (Junior)Let Me Know (Junior)Mama Used To Say (Junior)Mama Used To Say - American Instrumental Mix (Junior)I Specialize in Love (Sharon Brown)Mama Used To Say - American Remix (Junior)Too Late (Junior)Oh Louise (Junior)Junior on Social Media: Website: https://www.juniorgiscombe.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/juniorgiscombe_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juniorgiscombeTwitter: https://twitter.com/JuniorGiscombeHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

In the mid-1980s, a new batch of artists emerged on the UK music scene, blending pop sensibilities, refined arrangements, and an understated sense of fashion. Among the likes of Sade, Prefab Sprout, and Simply Red, there was the unique style of Swing Out Sister, originally comprised of jazz-tinged vocalist and songwriter Corinne Drewery, keyboardist Andy Connell, and drummer Martin Jackson. Influenced by an array of performers, from Dionne Warwick to Ennio Morricone, Swing Out Sister broke through in 1985 but failed to make a dent on the charts with their first single. However, a series of isolated (and almost tragic) circumstances propelled the group to throw everything but the kitchen sink on the next effort, an exuberant and positive song that shot to the top 10 in both sides of the Atlantic. As they celebrate 35 years of their debut album with a retrospective box set, Corinne and Andy are not afraid to look back at their legacy, and discuss how a sincere song born from a record label’s ultimatum came to define an entire era, and influence millions of listeners to change their lives around. Show Tracklisting I'd Like To See You Again (A Certain Ratio)Real Time (Retrospective Dub) (Zer-O)Venceremos (Working Week)Blue Mood (Swing Out Sister)Breakout (Swing Out Sister)You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Dusty Springsteen)Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey)Breakout (Maisie Goulsbra)Am I The Same Girl? (Swing Out Sister)Don't Give The Game Away - Instrumental (Swing Out Sister)Swing Out Sister on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosister/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swingoutsisterTwitter: https://twitter.com/swingoutsisterHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

In June of 1987, 24 year-old Carrie McDowell—the second white female artist signed to Motown Records—walked the stage of the legendary music show "Soul Train," and rocked the house with a performance of her first and only single, the controversial "Uh Uh No No Casual Sex." For McDowell, it was no daunting task, as she was already a seasoned entertainer by then. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Carrie was a musical child prodigy destined to sing. At age 3, she could carry a note and embody the feelings of classic melodies from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. By the time she was 10, Carrie went from showcasing her talent at local venues to dazzling the Vegas crowds alongside Liberace, George Burns, and comedy duo Rowan & Martin, and drawing standing ovations at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. After her parents' divorce and poor management curtailed her early career, Carrie got her second wind by experimenting with musical styles, and embracing new opportunities with legendary Motown producer Willie Hutch, who introduced her to a song that, despite its lyrics, was part of a serious conversation society was having in the late 80s. Show Tracklisting Stella by Starlight - From the movie "The Uninvited" (Liberace)Over The Rainbow (Carrie McDowell)Top of The World - Carpenters Cover Live at the Tonight Show (Carrie McDowell)I'll Be There (Jackson 5)Uh Uh, No No Casual Sex (Carrie McDowell)Let's Wait Awhile (Janet Jackson)Can't Love You Tonight (Gwen Guthrie)Carrie McDowell on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriemcdowellmusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieMcDowellMusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/carriemcmusicHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

It was 1976, and Disco was hot. While Donna Summer, Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, and the Salsoul Orchestra churned out the genre's early standards, there were also your usual oddities in the shelves, from the overtly sexy to the downright novelty. Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was neither, and in fact, they weren't even Disco. However, their carefree lyrics and tight danceable musicianship fit beautifully with the times. Co-founded by brothers August Darnell (aka Kid Creole) and Stony Browder Jr., Dr. Buzzard's drew influences from the big-band and swing eras, as well as Soul, Latin, Jazz, and African sounds, and came up with a fresh and lush fusion that was ready for the funky feet. At its very core was the sensual, silky and exuberant voice of Cory Daye, who was more than happy to stay in the background and let the men call the shots. That was, of course, until they buckled under pressure and Cory had no choice but to step out front, give life to August’s lyrics of the “tragic mulatto” and Stony’s dazzling arrangements, and in the process, create one of the most enchanting postcards of the early Disco years. Note: In the episode we mention that Stony Browder Jr. passed on in 1991. He actually passed on in 2001.    Show Tracklisting Hard Times (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band)Sara Smile (Daryl Hall and John Oats)She's Gone (Daryl Hall and John Oats)Sunshower (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band)I'll Play The Fool (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band)One of A Kind Love Affair (The Spinners)Could It Be I'm Falling In Love (The Spinners)Whispering/Cherchez La Femme (Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band)Single Again (Cory Daye)Dr. Buzzard's on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbuzzardsoriginalsavannahband/Cory Daye on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cory_daye1/Host and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Portland, Oregon is a place known for its access to the great outdoors, fine wineries and breweries, and a delightfully weird culture. It also cultivated a thriving music scene, supported by multiple clubs where you could see people playing any conceivable style, from classical and chamber music to R&B, Riot Grrrl and Punk. Latin, Jazz, and Soul music enthusiasts Valerie Day and John Smith were a part of what they call the "golden age" of live music in Portland, and at a certain point, they were even one of the city's top bands, playing up to five days a week. When it seemed that they could be stuck in a rut, along came a funky beat born in their little apartment, one that had several iterations over the course of three years.  A remix by Dutch DJ Peter Slauhuis, however, was the one that propelled the duo to international success and a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist. More than 36 years later, and after stepping away from the touring circuit, Valerie and John remain as creative and prolific as they ever were, while at the same time, enjoying the continued life and legacy of "I Can't Wait." Show Tracklisting Taking Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive)Birds of Fire (Mahavishnu Orchestra)I Can't Wait (American Mix) (Nu Shooz)Jungle Love (Morris Day and The Time)I Can't Wait (Dutch Mix) (Nu Shooz)Nu Shooz on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nushoozmusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nushoozmusic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NuShoozMusicWebsite: https://www.nushoozmusic.comHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod

Princess' appearance at a London fashion show caught the eye of a member of the team working for songwriting and production trio Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman, who were eager to continue their streak of success in the charts following the release of songs like Hazell Dean's "Whatever I Do, Wherever I Go," Divine's "You Think You're A Man," and Dead or Alive's iconic "You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record)". Inspired by The BB&Q Band's "Genie," and the work Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis did for The S.O.S. Band, Stock Aitken Waterman decided to take a stab at credible soul recordings, carefully curating sounds that would complement Princess' powerhouse vocals. Although the collaboration between the parties ended abruptly at the end of 1986, "Say I’m Your Number One” is still very much considered as the jewel in the crown of Stock Aitken Waterman’s cavalcade of hits. Show Tracklisting You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record) (Dead Or Alive)I Wanted Your Love (Luther Vandross)Love Is War (Brilliant)Say I'm Your Number One - Demo Version (Princess)Say I'm Your Number One - 7" Mix (Princess)Respectable (Mel and Kim)Princess on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrsprincess/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/611798185548155/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRSPrincessPhil Harding on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhardingmusic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/phardingmusicHost and Producer: Diego Martinez Executive Producer: Nicholas "NickFresh" Puzo Audio Engineer: Adam Fogel  Follow us on social media: @choonspod Subscribe to our PATREON: patreon.com/choonspod