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The Disco Years, Vol. 4: Lost in Music

Various Artists
1 disc

1. Good Times - Chic
2. High Society - Norma Jean
3. He's the Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge
4. Spacer - Sheila E./B. Devotion
5. I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
6. I Like Love - Norma Jean (bonus track)
7. I Love You More - Ren & Angela
8. Keep It Comin' Love - KC & the Sunshine Band
9. Fresh - Kool & the Gang
10. In the Bush - Musique
11. I'm Caught Up - Inner Life
12. Lover's Holiday, A - Change (bonus track)
13. Don't Make Me Wait - Peech Boys
14. One More Shot - C-Bank/Jenny Burton
15. I. O. U. - Freeez (bonus track)
16. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
17. Paradise - Change
18. Lost in Music - Sister Sledge
Code: QZZQ
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 70275
Credits

Producer Ken Barnes (Compilation)
Engineer
Remastered by Bill Inglot and Ken Perry.
Dozens upon dozens of disco compilations -- some good, some bad -- have been released since Rhino dribbled out their seven-volume Disco Years series in the '90s. While several of the discs that have followed offer consistent track listings and more eye-pleasing packaging, this particular series remains one of the best available. Across seven discs, the disco phenomenon is summarized with a near-perfect balance between the universally known and the not quite as popular. Some might want to stick strictly to the pop-chart toppers, which is understandable for nostalgia's sake; however, one of the most important characteristics of this era is that the singles that failed to cross over into mainstream territory consistently rivaled -- and frequently trumped -- their gold and platinum counterparts. So, it doesn't matter whether you were a Paradise Garage regular or an infrequent viewer of Dance Fever -- there's something for everyone on each of these volumes. The fourth volume of The Disco Years, subtitled "Lost in Music," is a phenomenal installment that evenly mixes the overground with the underground; Change's "Paradise," Inner Life's "I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)," Ren & Angela's "I Love You More," Sister Sledge's "He's the Greatest Dancer," Chic's "Good Times," and Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out" are all here. The most problematic aspect of these discs is that they favor radio edits that often trim several minutes from the original versions. Hardcore disco freaks will argue that a compromise of the extended groove defeats the purpose, but Rhino would have had to stretch this series out to an unwieldy size in order to accommodate each inclusion's most club-friendly mix. ~ Andy Kellman