Too slow to disco… the tempo of seduction?*
For over a decade now, my good friend Marcus, aka DJ Supermarkt, formerly 50% of Bungalow Records, has been putting out beautifully curated, reissue vinyl compilations of “late 1970s Westcoast yacht-pop you can almost dance to.” The Too Slow to Disco series was an immediate hit, effortlessly combining all those things musos love: floor-filler hooks, lush seventies over production, one hit wonders who overdid the marching powder, various stories of rampant egos, missed shots and other disappearing acts. This is road trip music par excellence, pairs nicely with a California headland and the top most definitely down.
I’ve been involved in a small but fun way throughout the series, writing sleeve notes that make stylistic nods to the lifestyles and predilections of that most excessive age. The goal was to give the compilations a bit of personality, a knowing tone that helps tie them together, as the series expanded over time. In a decade TSTD has ended up showcasing Brazilian AOR, women-focused mid-pace magic (long, long overdue), contemporary French smooth, and a new generation of dance floor practitioners. (Second volume of the Sunset Manifesto drops in summer 2025!). A few samples, in words and music, below.
* (around 118 bpm by my reckoning)
Find out more at Too Slow to Disco HQ.
