Foreign Disco.

It's no secret that I tend to become entranced, mesmerized, and 100% spellbound by any concoction that contains the ingredients "foreign" and "disco". Many people have told me that "disco sucks" and that "disco wasn't so good the first time around", but I beg to differ (particularly in the case of it being foreign disco). Sure, various elements of disco have lingered on and found their way into both popular and independent music ever since the 1970's. I've noticed throughout my childhood, adolescence, and adulthood thus far, that although disco is no longer culturally popular, the influences of it heavily remain within electronic music, rock music, and any combination of the two. Whether the artists are extremely popular or extremely obscure, there is no denying the presence of disco.

I believe I first became entranced by "foreign disco" when my sister gave me the Giorgio Moroder record "From Here to Eternity" on vinyl when I was about 17 or 18 years old. Saying that makes me feel as though I was a teenager in 1977 when this album was released, but really it was given to me in about the year '00 or '01 most likely. Moroder was born in Italy, but relocated to Germany (thus making him foreign disco times two). This record was recorded in Munich, Germany and contains a statement on the back which reads "Only electronic keyboards were used on this recording". The album is also heavily laden with vocoder and the tracks flow continuously from one to the next. And take a look at the cover art. Could this German disco be any more amazing? I also own the Giorgio Moroder record "Munich Machine" on vinyl, as well as a German Super Hits record, er.. Die deutschen SUPER 20 from the early 80's.

I also have a love for O-zone, the Romanian/Moldavian eurodisco trio that had that hit "Dragostea Din Tei". Seeing as they are not from the 1970's but are indeed current, I won't focus on them, but I just wanted to take a moment to express my love for their white pants. You've probably seen video clips on the News of that fat guy singing along to "Dragostea Din Tei" and might recognize the song upon hearing it. I don't know, I fail to see what was even remotely funny about that stupid guy. The real video is an absolute must see however, as it contains jigs danced on the wings of a plane, open shirts, and white pants times three.

The next great piece of foreign disco that I became enamored with is a Finnish instructional disco dancing video from the 70's entitled "Learn Disco". The video is insane and includes some scary looking lady and old guy named Ake Blomqvist sliding his sneakered feet around in ways I've never seen possible, all the while with the posture of a duck. Just wait until the music comes in and he really starts to bust a move.

I was sure that the O-zone video "Dragostea din Tei" and Ake Blomqvist's "Learn Disco" video were some of the funniest and greatest videos I had ever seen. Until today, that is. These videos have been surpassed, by what I now consider to be the most amazing music video of all time. Forget Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze and any other notable music video director. The Finnish disco duo Danny & Armi's "I Wanna Love You Tender" is without a doubt the best music video ever. Forget about any and all of your favorite music videos. Because... first of all, the male singer resembles He-man. Second, they're in some weird room in the middle of outer space. Third, the dancing is incredible. I must say that as an individual who already had an Associate's degree in Dance, and is close to obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Dance, I honestly have never witnessed any work of choreography that is more amazing than what is seen in this video. I can also assure you that you will never ever see dance moves quite like this anywhere else ever again. I now leave you with some screen captures of the Danny & Armi video in effort to persuade you to watch it. You won't regret it.