Despite Paul Sabu’s entry in the AOR sweepstakes, he still continued to produce dance pop well into the early ’80s, while fans of Kidd Glove, Only Child and Sabu’s later work wince at the near mention of this period, he stands padded shoulder to padded shoulder with other innovators of the genre.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Sabu
ALBUM: Sabu (The Disco Album)
LABEL: Ocean
SERIAL: 7510
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Paul Sabu – lead vocals, guitar * Dan Holmes – drums, percussion * Rick Bozzo – bass * Stephen Presley – keyboards * Sara Kane, Billie Barnum, Pat Henderson – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Rockin’ Rollin’ Disco King * 02 Were Gonna Rock * 03 You’re Mine Forever * 04 Loose Lucy Is On The Loose * 05 I Wanna Feel It In My Heart
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
No stranger to these hollowed pages but when doing some research for this review it was a big surprise to find Paul Sabu’s cult status in the classic disco community. Yes, there is such a thing and it’s an interesting genre if you are willing to boogie on down to the heady days of Studio 54 and the Munich sound while immersing yourself in the sweet caress of spatial electronics, funky breaks and ‘Love Boat’ strings.
I take the plunge in this alternate universe occasionally and find the more unusual purveyors of dance pop the most fascinating, artists that combined rock and progressive styles a category Sabu like yesterday’s spandex, easily slides into. Often referred to as the Phil Spector of disco by the glitter ball intelligentsia, his unique hard-edged approach to production is the stuff of legend and going solo was inevitable.
The Songs
I suppose you have to be in the mood to appreciate this record but keep in mind this was very much a band effort. In fact, I believe this is the same group that Sabu recorded and toured with previously under the moniker Hot Grooves. Putting out two albums, one of originals and the second of Bee Gees covers, they toured throughout the late ’70s, including stints at the now legendary Starwood in Los Angeles.
This is also the same set of players that reappeared on Sabu’s 1980 self-titled AOR effort and a looksie at the band’s photo back-dropped in pink and white, regaled in sparkly black jumpers and porn star mustaches might throw some off quicker than you can say Denny Terrio and yet this is not your typical disco hustle.
Five sprawling rock based Roller-disco ready tracks that lopsidedly bookend the much berated Angel and Kiss stabs at dance Rock. ‘Rockin’ Rollin’ Disco King’ and ‘We’re Gonna Rock’ dirty up the sweeping strings, funky synths and pounding back beat with guitar and Sabu’s gritty vocals but it’s the power ballad ‘You’re Mine Forever’ where the album shines.
Not losing a beat, it’s a big bold tune that like a multi-mirrored ceiling reflects Paul’s future direction, not leaving out ‘I Wanna Feel It in My Heart’ which features more rock than most disco-goers were ready for I imagine.
In Summary
A year later none of this mattered. The 1979 Comiskey Park bonfire and ensuing riot signified a close to disco’s commercial viability but it didn’t go away without a little kicking and screaming.
Despite Sabu’s entry in the AOR sweepstakes, he still continued to produce dance pop well into the early ’80s. While fans of Kidd Glove, Only Child and Sabu’s later work wince at the near mention of this period, he stands padded shoulder to padded shoulder with other innovators of the genre.
This included Renato Zero, Maurizio Colonna, Alec R. Constandinos and Biddu Orchestra. All of these contenders took disco beyond ‘Saturday Night Fever’, feathered hair, gold chains and flares into something refreshingly original that still holds up today.
Sabu on Video
Rockin’ Rollin’ Disco King
