On the eve of the New Year I offer you a small insight into the already so far away, but so cool twentieth century. And remember it will help you to Mario Lanza, Marilyn Monroe, Bill Haley & His Comets, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Jerry Lee Lewis, Perry Como, Paul Anka, Roy Orbison, Scorpions, Bob Dylan, The Mama's & Papa's, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Shocking Blue, Guess Who, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, Rod Stewart, The Byrds, The Kinks and many many others … The greatest hits of the past millennium. Need I say more? Download and enjoy the great past.
When Al Kent launched the Million Dollar Disco label back in the '90s "Disco House" was all the rage. A life spent hoarding rare soul and disco records, a keen ear for a sample and a few years of DJing already under his belt stood him in good stead when it came to making music. Inspired by labels like Azuli with their Chocolate Fudge and Disco Elements EPs he made a load of tracks by sticking house drums on top of disco samples and released somewhere in the region of twenty 12" singles, many of which found their way into top DJs' charts. Despite encouraging signs with tracks being signed to high profile labels like Z Records, Defected Hed Kandi and even his beloved Azuli, the Disco House formula soon ran its course and Al looked for a fresh challenge. So he recorded an orchestra instead. "Better Days" by the Million Dollar Orchestra was released as a double album by BBE in 2008, having taken the best part of two years to make. Not many producers would have the flair to go from cutting up samples to recording a 26 piece band, but Al did it with aplomb.
In spite of a fairly stable lineup collapsing after a series of amazing albums, blending classic 80s influenced heavy metal with a slight bluesy tinge, At Vance seems to have begun to rebuild their ranks…