The 10 best disco tracks, according to Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires have a particular talent for joyful, hands-in-the-air kinds of music, and so their upcoming compilation release ‘Late Night Tales 30’, it’s no surprise to learn, is packed with cheesy, glorious fun. Spanning SBTRKT, Olivia Newton John and 80s Dutch proto-house, the mix is one filled with punch-the-air moments of ridiculousness, resting mostly on an obvious love for disco. With that in mind, band members Jack Savidge, Ed Macfarlane and Edd Gibson got together to compile this list for Dummy of their 10 absolute favourite disco tracks. Read on to find out what they throw outrageous shapes to in their spare time.

Dennis Parker – Like An Eagle
Jack Savidge: “This is just an absolute tune. I’d happily sit through a 612 inch version of this then replay it. Best bits are probably the ‘always searching / never perching’ lyric- getting right into character there – or the soaring, wordless chorus over that hardworking single note bassline.”
Tracy Weber – Sure Shot (Larry Levan mix)
Jack: “We wanted this to be on ‘Late Night Tales’ but sadly it fell at the gate of major label licensing indifference. Great pizzaz-y ballroom banger teased into a longer format by Larry Levan.”
Ten City – That’s The Way Love Is
Jack: “One of the all time end-of-the-night tunes. ‘Bittersweet’ defined.”
Casual T – Hands Off
Ed Macfarlane: “A pretty sought after record these days, Casual T’s lyrics display him as an over protective maniac but the superb brass orchestration is enough for you to let him off.”
Renee – Change Your Style
Ed: “Super sultry, desert disco. Renee (the guitarist) delivers some swirling, psychedelic noodling that instantly transforms you to the backseat of a cadillac cruising through Nevada.”
Chemise – She Can’t Love You
Ed: “A mega hit with some gorgeous vocals and very human sounding (out of time) synth twiddling in the background. A subtle and sophisticated gem that doesn’t rely on huge brass sections or frantic slap bass to fill a floor.”
B.W.H. – Stop
Edd Gibson: “I first heard this on Joy Orbison’s BSRkR mix. At first I just thought it was a great Italo disco track, but when the chorus hit I realised it was so much more.”
Cerrone – Hooked On You
Edd: “He has made so many good tracks, but it’s Jocelyn Brown’s vocals that draw me to this one in particular. She really belts it out with passion.”
The Immortals – The Ultimate Warlord
Edd: “This is one of a few great Canadian releases from the late 70s early 80s I’ve recently discovered. There must have been a great scene going on there. Scary sci-fi pitch-down vocals. Not for the very easily unnerved.”
Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened
Edd: “Great synth-pop from Nettwerk records. Could loop on and on and never tire.”

‘Late Night Tales 30’, curated by Friendly Fires, will be released on the 5th November, 2012.