Tune Tag #54 with PeDupre of "The Twelve Inch": Dishwalla, Bruce Springsteen, Elkin & Nelson, Arthur Baker, Brenda K. Starr, Spiral Starecase, Joe Roberts

The PVC is real at the Tune Tag Battle of the 12-Inch Vinyls! It's albums vs. Disco Singles, Remixes & Extendeds! Which will win? It's Brad vs. Pe in the Attack of the Tonearms! Styli up, gents!

Wag Tag Sweet Tune Tag! You’re IT, Pe!

Tune Tag is proud to welcome

PeDupre

of The Twelve Inch!

My name is Pe Dupre, and I write a weekly newsletter on the history of dance music from 1975 to 1995—the exact period when the “twelve-inch” was a leading format in the music industry. Each episode, I zoom in on one song, discussing its (re)mix and placing it within the broader context of what was happening both on and off the dance floor at the time.

I uncover the story behind the song and the artist, exploring why they created what we hear today, and how it ties into the larger history of dance music. These are fascinating and often unexpected stories!

Join me every Friday at midday, CET, for a new episode!

Last week, we were pleased to have

Hugh Jones

of The Record Store Years join us:

Tune Tag #53 with Hugh Jones of "The Record Store Years": Led Zeppelin, Steeleye Span, Pete Droge, Stillwater, Peter Frampton, Grand Funk, Billy Joel

Next week, be with us for

Chase Roper

of Kiss Me, Son of Blog, who writes about the songs of They Might Be Giants!

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Is……….it……..Tune Tag……….……yet?

Pe’s song #1 sent to Brad: Elkin & Nelson, “Jibaro,” 1974

Pe’s rationale: I’m a proud child of the eighties. I grew up in an era when disco had lost its popularity, but I adored it. Despite being in the minority among my peers (yes, I was a difficult and contrarian child, just ask my mom!), disco became my gateway to exploring the rich diversity of dance music.

My first tune is one on the forefront of disco, when it was still called “danceable R&B”: “Jibaro” by Colombian brothers, Elkin & Nelson (Elkin, real name, Javier Marin Velez, with his brother Nelson, real name, Leon Marin Velez). It’s a 1974 track that exemplifies the critical role of Latin music in shaping the twelve-inch format and disco itself. Without the Latin percussion, we wouldn't have the disco break, the twelve-inch format, or maybe even disco.

Brad: Speaking of the history of disco (at least in the U.S.), FR&B brought the receipts, recently, on the “first disco song,” as well as where and when it all happened:

Audio Archaeology: The Birth of Disco Uncovered--"I'll Be Around" by The Spinners, Written by Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt

Back to Pe: “Jibaro” never surpassed the underground scene. Elkin & Nelson made only two albums, and “Jibaro” comes from their second album, Angeles y Demonios. Their limited success led to “Jibaro” fading into obscurity until it was rediscovered by the Ibiza Balearic Beat Scene in the late eighties. That’s when I found this gem. During 1988-89, when New Beat was popular in Belgium, I relished playing “Jibaro” to break away from the commercial scene.

Pitched to the Latin market in a limited release: The front and back covers of 1974's "Angeles Y Demonios" LP on CBS Records in Spain and Peru, but not in the U.S. CBS re-issued the album in the EU for Record Store Day 2018. In 2019, CBS offered Spain and the EU another re-issue, and in 2023, Spain earned a re-issue in clear vinyl!

Brad’s response: E&N….The Spanish Sparks?

Dos mas hermanos: The Brothers Mael (l-r keyboardist Ron, lead vocalist, Russell): Beginning in the early-’70s as Halfnelson, they soon changed their name to Sparks (about the time Elkin & Nelson first released “Jibaro”), achieving worldwide success well into the ‘80s. Originally from L.A., they were particularly huge in Europe, and especially the UK, where many fans and followers assumed they were British, due to their quirky and cheeky stage presence and unique sound and songs!

La Dolce Vita: Yes, Pe, it came out in a 12-inch disco single in 1979, at least in Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand!

Mael Pattern Boldness: Bonus video, two years before MTV debuted! Overlooking the admittedly primitive production values on this, a perfectly danceable 1979 “La Dolce Vita” video from the bros! Ron and Russell Mael co-wrote this with European disco kingpin, Giorgio Moroder (now 84), who also produced the song, along with its parent album, No. 1 in Heaven (released on Elektra Records/U.S., Virgin/UK):

Brad’s song #1 sent to Pe: Dishwalla, “Angels or Devils,” 2002

Dishwalla, with lead singer, J.R. Richards (center), who has appeared as an actor in the TV series, Charmed (1999), and 2001’s Almost Anything film.

Pe’s response: Discovering this song was a great revelation for me, and it would have definitely made it onto my playlist if I had known about it back then! At the time of its release, I was mostly tuned into rock radio [Brad:😱]. Unfortunately, as far as I know, Dishwalla never made it into the European markets. It’s a shame because this song has all the qualities to have been a hit on the radio playlists of that era.

Brad’s rationale: Pe’s first song, “Jibaro,” originally released in 1974, came from the Elkin & Nelson album, Angeles Y Demonios (en espanol…en ingles: “Angels & Demons,” hence this Dishwalla tune, produced by Gregg Wattenberg).

As for Pe’s wondering if Opaline (shown above….and its “Angels & Devils” song) ever landed in Europe in 2002, no it didn’t, Pe! Released on Immergent Records, it received virtually worldwide release (N. America, Japan, and Australia), everywhere but Europe!

Pe’s song #2: Bruce Springsteen, “Dancing In The Dark” (12” Blaster Mix), 1984