(September 5, 2024) In the decades since disco made its presence known with its thumping, smooth rhythms and soulful voices like Donna Summer, DJ’s and remixers have made themselves right at home with this celebrated dance genre. And the beat flowed through the post-disco era, bringing the boogie and furthering the funk, such as “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey and many of Chic’s biggest hits. As the digital era took shape with EDM (Electronic Dance Music) in the 90’s and beyond, French DJ/musicians Daft Punk continued rocking the post-disco era.
Now into 2024, Tokyo based DJ Yamato Shibasaki, AKA Dadmandog, honors the post-disco era with his full-length, 2 Hours Behind, inspired by the dancers and the retro décor at a club in China – Xinjiang Uyghur.
In putting together his debut recording, Dadmandog’s mission was respecting the fundamentals of the boogie and funk via the digital platform. “While artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Evelyn King were dominating the mainstream,” Dadmandog explains, “acts like High Fashion and Gune Dunlap were electrifying disco clubs (and I love them all).”
The opening track to 2 Hours Behind, our latest First Listen entitled “Independence” nails all the details of what 80’s post disco feels and sounds alike. While the tight female vocals come through the vocoder, it never comes off as robotic. And the funky rhythm section of guitar, bass, and drums fully support the cascading keyboard arrangement. All in all, Dadmandog’s one-man electronic band on “Independence” successfully delivers his digital perspective of the post disco joy while maintaining its fundamental value. Let the dancing begin!
By Peggy Oliver
