Sylvester's Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981)

Compilation producer Joe Marchese triumphs with this thoughtful and definitive collection of the disco and soul icon's acclaimed recordings for Fantasy Records.

Sylvester—Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981)—The Second Disc/Real Gone Music (2023)

“Another Sylvester compilation? How many times can they repackage the same music?” was the question I saw one online commenter ask upon the announcement of the release of Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981).

It’s a fair question, given the lack of thought that went into 1989’s Original Hits and 2013’s Mighty Real (Greatest Dance Hits)—collections that did the bare minimum, with the latter (finally) delivering the 12” versions of “Over & Over,” “Dance (Disco Heat)” and “(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real” alongside the already-available album versions of seven other tracks.

But Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981) is THE Sylvester compilation longtime fans have been waiting for.

Compilation producer Joe Marchese has created the definitive retrospective of this period of the iconic Sylvester’s career, spilling over with never-before digitized 12” and 7” singles beautifully remastered by Mike Milchner, never-before-seen photographs from the collections of Rudy Calvo and Sharon Davis and thoughtful liner notes from the aforementioned Davis and Marchese that contemplate and celebrate the wellspring of artistry and humanity from which Sylvester created.

Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981) tells the broader story of Sylvester across twenty-six tracks. His importance as an icon for the LGBTQI+ community cannot be overstated, but last year’s Spotify ‘Sound Barrier’ podcast series began the work of asserting his vitality as a singer, songwriter and musician.

Yes, he produced vibrant, sanctified disco that kept the children twirling in clubs all around the world. Beyond the hits (including the essential 12” version of “Over & Over”) highlights on this collection are the 12” Disco Version of “Down, Down, Down,” the stunning “short disco version” of “I (Who Have Nothing),” and on CD for the first time, “In My Fantasy (I Want You, I Need You)” from the studio side of 1979’s Living Proof.

But he was also a balladeer of depth, interpreting previously recorded tunes like Merry Clayton’s “Loving Grows Up Slow,” Patti LaBelle’s “You Are My Friend” (the concise radio edit is included this time around), the Leon Russell/Barry Manilow fusion of “A Song For You/Could It Be Magic” (a duet with “Dance (Disco Heat)” composer and gospel prodigy Eric Robinson) and Stephanie Mills’ “I Took My Strength From You” (written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach) as well as his own composition, “Tipsong.” These recordings, in particular, put Sylvester’s bravery and vulnerability on the forefront, relaying a sensitivity and “softness” few male artists have dared to put on vinyl. The ballads make evident the weighty influence of Aretha Franklin on Sylvester’s approach and delivery, making him one of her most obvious spiritual children.

Undeniable are the contributions of Izora Armstead and Martha Wash (then known as The Two Tons O’Fun, later, The Weather Girls) who pushed Sylvester to higher heights and deeper depths with their churchy harmonies and playful banter that made the mighty real even more real. They step-out on “I Been Down,” “Dance (Disco Heat)” and “You Are My Friend” and showcase exactly why they became superstars in their own right with 1982’s “It’s Raining Men.” (The Weather Girls also have their own 5 disc box set coming out via SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red Records on June 23rd, with liner notes written by yours truly. Pre-order here).

Sylvester’s penchant for incorporating gospel voices into his work also manifests on this compilation on “I Need You” which features Gospel All-Stars founder Ella Mitchell (and her daughter Cookie), and Broadway star Carl Hall (formerly of the Raymond Rasberry Singers) on “Cry Me A River,” “Change Up” and “Fever.”

If ever a compilation highlighted exactly why Sylvester matters, it’s this one. A perfect introduction for new listeners and a dream come true for long time fans, Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years (1977-1981) is an essential purchase for one of gospel’s greatest exports who took the spirit with him into the world-at-large. To purchase, click here.

As an added bonus this week, I’m sharing two clips from interviews I conducted in 2007 for a tribute to Sylvester I produced for my radio program, Out the Box with Tim Dillinger.

In this clip, celebrity makeup artist Rudy Calvo shares his memory of playing Patti LaBelle’s “You Are My Friend” for Sylvester for the first time.

In this clip, Sarah Dash of Labelle, shares her memories of talking and working with Sylvester.

In case you missed last year’s entry on Sylvester’s Gospel Impulse, it’s clickable below!