Disco Video Mix #21: Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me, Girl by The Detroit Spinners

Back in 1979, The Detroit Spinners had their top disco rendition of "Working My Way Back To You", which was originally performed by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The song was arranged by Michael Zager (The Michael Zager Band, Cissy Houston, Afro-Cuban Band) who also added in "Forgive Me, Girl" to the medley.

For this Disco Video experiment, scenes from the Phineas And Ferb episode "Act Your Age" were taken and blended into the disco classic, the episode itself focused on the long-distance relationship between Phineas and Isabella whereas the song tells its story. This video is dedicated to none other than Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh, the creators of the animated cartoon series, and also to Vincent Martella and Alyson Stoner (who provided the characters' voices).

The episode is directed by Robert F. Hughes and Russell Calabrese.

Featuring scenes from "Phineas And Ferb - Act Your Age"

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #20: Imagination by Romanelli

From his 1982 album "Connecting Flight" comes "Imagination" - written by Dave Jeffries and produced by The Metropolis Team. 

Roland Romanelli (of the "Carry On, Turn Me On" fame), known for his synthesized ambient compositions. In fact, he and Didier Marouani formed "Space" which spawned albums such as "Magic Fly", "Deliverance" and "Deeper Zone".

The track "Imagination" is synonymous with creativity, so it was paired with "My Neighbor Totoro", a 1988 animated fantasy flick from Studio Ghibli, with Totoro as the studio mascot; which helped brought Japanese animation into spotlight. The director for this film is Hayao Miyazaki, who wrote and directed several animated films.

Featuring scenes from "My Neighbor Totoro"

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #19: Forces Of The Night by D.C. LaRue

D.C. LaRue's fourth album "Forces Of The Night" brought out the disco magic in everyone who lived through this period. The eerily-sounding but fantastic title track, which also has a reprise, has been one of his classic hits that takes everyone to the dance floor, with Bob Esty working on "Hot Jungle Drums And Voodoo Rhythm" and other tracks.

I have brought to this disco arena D.C. LaRue's title cut and paired it with the 2001 Studio Ghibli fantasy flick "Spirited Away", which gave much semblance to the Wonderland; but with the spirit world that gets into the disco spirit, this gets 'spirited away' by the colorful and magical 'forces of the night'. This special Halloween edit is dedicated to D.C. LaRue.

The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Featuring scenes from Spirited Away

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #18: On The Air by Space

"On The Air" by Space - Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Didier Marouani and Roland Romanelli are Space, a French electronic group. Their hits "Tango In Space" and "Carry Me, Turn Me On" are the usual space disco tracks which sound upbeat and exciting; thus with the use of synthesizers.

Visuals from the 1989 Studio Ghibli film "Kiki's Delivery Service" was placed into this Disco Video Mix with "On The Air", which is from Space's 1980 album "Deeper Zone". The film tells about Kiki as the flying witch using her broom for deliveries. This song has some groovy and dreamy synthesizer touch to the disco track whereas it adds some action to Kiki's adventures.

The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Featuring scenes from "Kiki's Delivery Service"

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #17: Hard Times by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was composed of Stony Browder, August Darnell, Coati Mundi, and Mickey Sevilla; with Darnell and Cory Daye as vocals. The band itself reincarnated the big band jazz-style and incorporated it into their disco tracks.

Their first album in 1976 of the same name consists of "We Got It Made", "Cherchez La Femme", "I'll Play The Fool" and "Hard Times".

The Disney short film "Paperman" became the medium for this Disco Video Mix, paired with "Hard Times". The story behind the film is about George, who made paper planes; and met Meg while they were at the train station. The song gives these scenes a classic disco-jazz feel throughout this video.

The short film was directed by John Kahrs.

Featuring scenes from "Paperman"

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #16: Trouble In Paradise by Sylvester

The combination of Sylvester's track "Trouble In Paradise" with snippets from "Mommie Dearest" appears as a good Disco Video Mix. Additional clips from William Castle's "Strait-jacket" is thrown into this mix to create some action to this tribute to Joan Crawford.

Featuring scenes from "Mommie Dearest"

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express

Disco Video Mix #15: Arena by Soccer

A disco project named after a competitive sport which involves kicking the ball into a goalkeeper's net, Soccer was created by Tony Valor of TVI Records (the musician behind the Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra and Fantasy). It was composed of the Venuto brothers, with Valor as the main conductor and producer. The track "Arena" was from its only album of the same name which included "Come On Get It On" (first recorded on Salsoul Records), "Give Me Your Love" and "Dancin' Game".

The track is embedded with scenes from the 2001 martial arts-comedy flick "Shaolin Soccer", starring Stephen Chow. "Kicks" and "free goals", and a lot of humor has been added to this edit when combined with the passion in this track.

The film was directed by Stephen Chow.

Check out music produced by Tony Valor on the TVI Records website: www.tvirecords.com

Featuring scenes from Shaolin Soccer

Disco Video Mix by Ric Robin Cagnaan

Produced by Disco-matic Express Productions