"Disco Dream" was a single released in 1981 by early rap group The Mean Machine through Sugar Hill Records. It is the only single the group recorded on that label, released on a 12" 33 RPM vinyl single (Sugar Hill serial number SH-564, also inscribed "VID-212-A19"). The track is significant for being the first rap song recorded which contained both English and

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

, sometimes referred to as

Spanglish Spanglish (a blend of the words "Spanish" and "English") is any language variety (such as a contact dialect, hybrid language, pidgin, or creole language) that results from conversationally combining Spanish and English. The term is mostly u ...

. The group recorded a single on the Honey Hush label in 1986.

Track listing

*A1. Disco Dream (Vocal) (6:30) *B2. Disco Dream (Instrumental) (6:30)

Recording and credits

Recording was done at Sweet Mountain Studios in

Englewood, New Jersey Englewood is a city in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Englewood was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of Engle ...

. The song was recorded to the tune of

Grace Jones Grace Beverly Jones (born 19 May 1948) is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, model and actress. She began her Model (person), modelling career in New York State, then in Paris, working for fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent (brand), Yves St ...

' song Pull Up to the Bumper with music provided by Sugar Hill's house band, including percussionist Ed "

Duke Bootee Edward Gernel Fletcher, known by his stage name Duke Bootee (June 6, 1951 – January 13, 2021), was an American record producer and rapper. Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, his best known single, " The Message", was written in his base ...

" Fletcher and bassist

Doug Wimbish Douglas Arthur Wimbish (born September 22, 1956) is an American bassist, primarily known for being a member of rock band Living Colour and funk/dub/hip hop collective Tackhead, and as a session musician with artists such as Sugarhill Gang, G ...

. Doug mentioned in an interview that ''"I think

Chris Lord-Alge Chris Lord-Alge is an American mix engineer. He is the brother of both Tom Lord-Alge and Jeff Lord-Alge, both of whom are also audio engineers. Chris and Tom are known for their abundant use of dynamic range compression for molding mixes that ...

was on the boards for that one"'' implying that Lord-Alge mixed the track. Engineering credits go to Steve Jerome. On the single, production credits go to "Sylvia, Inc. and Jigsaw Prod. Inc." The credits on the single include "S. Robinson, J. Chase, S. Santiago, D. Rivera Jr., J. McLean, J. Semprit". The first is producer/ Sugar Hill founder

Sylvia Robinson Sylvia Robinson (née Vanterpool; May 29, 1935 – September 29, 2011), known mononymously as Sylvia, was an American singer and record producer. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylv ...

, the last four are members of the group, and J. Chase was probably a producer (the name is listed as a producer on several other Sugar Hill singles). A keyboardist is also obviously present on the track; while no credit is given to one, the group says "Cool Cliff" in unison before a keyboard flare.

Other releases

The song has appeared in edited form (running time 4:28) on several Sugar Hill Records compilations. Many lyrics have been removed from the song, "including one inviting all listeners, ''straight "or even gay,"'' to party to their music."

References

{{authority control 1981 singles 1981 songs Songs written by Sylvia Robinson