8 Tracks: Of ’80s Boogie With The Men
Brooklyn-based rock polymaths The Men are a restless bunch alright – fitfully prolific, and never content to turn in the same record twice. Out 2nd March, their new album Drift finds them returning to long-time label Sacred Bones. With one killer exception, none of the tracks feature prominent electric guitar, instead exploring a number of different avenues from pillowy psych jams to synth-driven dancefloor fare.
Founding member Mark Perro (vocals/guitar/keys) has put together this excellent list of his favourite '80s boogie tracks for us, so from Melba Moore to Keni Burke, dig in below.
Lead image: Josh Goleman
Drift is out 2nd March via Sacred Bones, pre-order here. The Man play London's Oslo on 1st June.
I don’t know what it is about this track or boogie in general but this song opened that world for me. Maybe it’s obvious, but this defines what boogie means. That bass, that beat. This is it to perfection. Number one favorite boogie song.
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The Whispers - Rock SteadyI don’t know what it is about this track or boogie in general but this song opened that world for me. Maybe it’s obvious, but this defines what boogie means. That bass, that beat. This is it to perfection. Number one favorite boogie song.
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Melba Moore - Mind Up TonightMelba is the queen. Michael, Madonna… they don’t hold a candle to her. This is one of my favorite tracks of hers off the classic album ‘The Other Side of the Rainbow’. That whole album is great. The guitars on this track are fantastic. Great drum machine. Great grooves and vocals. Classic song.
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The Gap Band - You Dropped A Bomb On MeThis track is hard as they come. Nothing else to be said here. This song literally drops a bomb on you. And I know the romantic feeling too.
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René And Angela - Street Called DesireI don’t know what it is about these guys but I’m absolutely fascinated by them. They look so good. They have great synthesizers – the back cover of ‘Wall to Wall’ is one of my favourite photos. This is one of their classic tracks.
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Steve Allen - Letter From My Heart (Disco Mix)This is really a disco version of a new wave track, but I found it in the throes of a deep boogie 12″ phase, and I just became obsessed with it. I don’t know much about this guy, but I do know he was in a pretty successful band before this single came out. I listened to this thing non-stop. I still do sometimes.
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Keni Burke - Hang TightSo much about boogie is the bass. This guy is the nastiest bass player there is.
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Carly Simon - WhyThis is another one on the list that’s pushing it to be considered boogie, but it’s just so damn good. Produced by Nile Rodgers. It’s got that synth and that groove, so I figured it deserved some consideration.
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Evelyn Champagne King - Love Come DownC’mon. Classic.
