Published
Tue, Sep 21, 2010, 12:00
- Berlin selectors Kalle Kuts and Daniel W. Best will compile the best of West Germany's Cold War club music on an upcoming comp.
BBE Records have released details of their forthcoming compilation G.I. Disco.
Under the joint guise of G.I. DISCO, Berlin DJs Kalle Kuts and Daniel W. Best started a blog earlier this year that featured mixtapes of '80s soul, funk and R&B, sparked when the two, as the blog reads, "discovered that we both were into 'Soulful 80’s Club Music', which in retrospect, played an interesting role in the West-German experience."
This particular strand of '80s American club music— funk and disco driven with heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines—was brought into Germany by American soldiers stationed in West German army barracks during the Cold War. It was popularised by clubs within the vicinity of American barracks, and by DJs Steve Kastelac and The Magnificent Magoo, whose radio shows were broadcast via the AFN (American Forces Network) radio station throughout West Germany.
The 12-track compilation features '80s classics like "Rumors" by Timex Social Club, the Arthur Baker produced "I.O.U." by Freeez, and Wish's "Touch Me" with disco diva Fonda Rae. The artwork will include Frank Thiel's iconic portraits of American G.I.s, as displayed at popular Berlin tourist spot Checkpoint Charlie.
Tracklist:
01. Timex Social Club - Rumours
02. Cashmere - Let The Music Turn You On
03. Skyy -Show Me The Way
04. Freeez - I.O.U.
05. BB & Q Band - Riccochet
06. The O'Jays - Put Our Heads Together
07. Caprice - 100%
08. Valentine Brothers – Money’s Too Tight To Mention
09. Barbara Mason - Another Man
10. Surface - Falling In Love
11. The Cool Notes - Spend the Night
12. Wish ft. Fonda Rae - Touch Me
BBE will release G.I. Disco: The History of the Cold War’s hottest 80’s Club Music in West Germany on October 4th, 2010.