SpanDisco by Love Child's Afro-Cuban Blues Band
A kaleidoscope of Afro-Cuban grooves and disco swagger, SpanDisco ignites the dance floor with an all-star lineup led by Michael Zager. Powered by Steve Gadd’s rhythmic brilliance and bold brass solos, it’s a sizzling fusion of Latin fire, jazz finesse, and New York disco energy.
"In the here and now of 1977, SpanDisco by the Love Childs Afro-Cuban Blues Band bursts onto the scene as a masterstroke of rhythm, melody, and Afro-Cuban fire. At the helm is Michael Zager, a producer and arranger with a knack for blending the pulse of New York's disco floors with the heat of Latin and jazz traditions. The result? A sound that’s as fresh as it is irresistible—a celebration of music built for dancing, grooving, and living.
Zager, a seasoned hand in the studio, has assembled an all-star collective of musicians for this album. Steve Gadd’s crisp drumming, Bob Babbitt’s deep basslines, and Rubens Bassini’s fiery percussion drive the energy skyward. The horn section—with Arnie Lawrence, Ronnie Cuber, and Luis Ortiz—delivers bold, brassy punches that are impossible to ignore. There are even guest vocal appearances from none other than Cissy Houston and Alvin Fields! Together, this ensemble lays down grooves that seamlessly fuse Afro-Cuban rhythms, sleek jazz textures, and the undeniable thump of disco.
SpanDisco captures the spirit of the moment. It's music alive with movement, electrified by the city that shaped it. From downtown clubs to uptown dance halls, these tracks are already starting to light up the night, pushing boundaries and filling floors. The Love Childs Afro-Cuban Blues Band may be a studio creation, but the joy they’ve bottled here is real—a snapshot of 1977 as it pulses through the speakers and straight into your soul."
Tracklist
| 1. | SpanDisco | 5:44 |
| 2. | Que Rico Vacilon | 5:08 |
| 3. | SpanDisco Band | 6:37 |
| 4. | Oye Como Va | 10:00 |
| 5. | The Speak Up Mambo | 6:46 |
| 6. | Medley: Spanish Harlem / Dancin' to SpanDisco | 5:32 |
Credits
"SPANDISCO
Produced & Arranged by Michael Zager, Love/Zager Prod., Inc. for Midsong International Records
Musicians:
Frank Wess - flute & tenor sax
Lou Marini - flute & alto sax on 'SpanDisco,' 'Spanish Harlem,' 'Vacilon'
Ronnie Cuber - baritone sax
Dave Taylor - bass trombone
John Gatchell - trumpet
Lawrence Feldman - flute & alto sax on
'Speak Up Mambo,' 'SpanDisco Band,' 'Oye Como Va'
Michael Zager - all keyboards
Jeff Mironov - guitar
Lance Quinn - guitar on 'SpanDisco,' 'Spanish Harlem,' 'Vacilon'
Bob Babbitt - Fender bass
Steve Gadd - drums
Rubens Bassini - Percussion
Clifford Morris - Guitar on 'Speak Up Mambo,' 'SpanDisco,' 'Oye Como Va'
Luis Ortiz - Trumpet
'SpanDisco' Solos: Luis Ortiz - trumpet, Jeff Mironov - guitar, Arnie Lawrence - alto sax
'Que Rico Vacilon' Solos: Rubens Bassini - timbales, Arnie Lawrence - alto sax
'SpanDisco Band' Solos: Luis Ortiz - trumpet, Arnie Lawrence - alto sax
'Oye Como Va' Solo: Ronnie Cuber - baritone sax
'The Speak Up Mambo' Solos: Ronnie Cuber - baritone sax, Bob Babbitt - Fender bass
Background Vocalists:
Arnold McCuller, Alvin Fields (on 'SpanDisco Band'), Cissy Houston, David Lasley
Steve Gadd appears through the courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Cissy Houston appears through the courtesy of Private Stock Records, Ltd.
David Lasley appears through the courtesy of RCA Records.
Recorded at Columbia Recording Studios, New York City
Recording Engineer: Tim Geelin
Recording Technicians:
Phil Giambalvo, Ted Drosnan, Ken Robertson, Lou Schlossberg
For studio love & inspiration:
Diane & Marilyn
Harold Childs
Cover Art: Greg Shyrock
Art Direction: Acy Lehman, Dick Smith
Background Vocalists:
Arnold McCuller, Alvin Fields (on 'SpanDisco Band'), Cissy Houston, David Lasley"
