Ron Hardy Playlists

Ron Hardy

Lately I’ve been researching pre- and early-house, and there’s no better source than the playlists of Ron Hardy. (I’ll be posting Frankie Knuckles’ soon as well.) It seems that history is always viewed through the lens of whatever is currently en vogue, and to that end a great deal of attention has been paid to early rhythm tracks. Parsing through MP3s from the tapes of people who were actually there, however, there’s no escaping that house and techno are direct descendants of disco.

Thanks to its mass commercialization in the late seventies, disco became a dirty word, but looking back at the tunes played in underground clubs, it is clear they descended from soulful sources like Motown and Philadelphia International. The experimentation of New York City producers and DJs paid a large role as well. In fact, I’d argue that Walter Gibbons’ 1978 Disco Madness LP (available on CD on this anthology) was the first album to embody the house aesthetic. While Tom Moulton was already extending breaks, Gibbons actually deconstructed them, surgically isolating and looping riffs over new rhythm tracks. It’s a small step to the many covers of “I Can’t Turn Around” over a drum machine.

All of the mixes referenced below are available from deephousepage.com. Some of these tracklists are based on Jason’s at suenomartino.net. Any corrections or additions are welcome.

48. ron3.rm

Live at the Music Box, Chicago (Part II), 1985

  1. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
  2. Don Armando’s Second Avenue Rhumba Band: Deputy of Love
  3. beats
  4. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
  5. Exodus: Together Forever (Dub)
  6. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
  7. Made In USA: Melodies
  8. beats
  9. Klein & M.B.O.: Dirty Talk
  10. Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling (edit)
  11. beats/Love Sensation accapella/train sound effect
  12. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
  13. Chic: Everybody Dance
  14. Cheryl Lynn: Star Love (Edit)
  15. Sylvester: Dance (Disco Heat)

72. ron4.rm

Chicago, 1980s

Mr. Fingers: Washing Machine label
  1. train intro
  2. Stevie Wonder: As
  3. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
  4. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
  5. Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
  6. Side Effect: Always There
  7. James Brown: Body Heat
  8. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk & Ricky Dillard: It’s U
  9. J.M. Silk: Let the Music Take Control
  10. Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It
  11. Jungle Wonz: The Jungle
  12. Jungle Wonz: Time Marches On
  13. Black Ivory: Mainline

100. ron5.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1987

Jungle Wonz: Time Marches On label
  1. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
  2. Rhythim Is Rhythim: Move It
  3. Thompson & Lenoir: Can’t Stop the House (Instrumental)
  4. Risque III: Don’t You Know
  5. Lidell Townsell: Party People Jack Your Body
  6. Chip E.: It’s House
  7. Jungle Wonz: Time Marches On
  8. Made In USA: Melodies
  9. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way (break)
  10. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova

116. ron50.rm

Live at the Music Box, mid-1980s

  1. Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
  2. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
  3. Evelyn “Champagne” King: I Don’t Know If It’s Right
  4. The Charlie Calello Orchestra: Sing, Sing, Sing
  5. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance

136. ron88.rm

Music Box, 1984

  1. Chip E.: It’s House
  2. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
  3. Persia: Inch by Inch
  4. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  5. The Originals: Down To Love Town
  6. Love Committee: Law and Order
  7. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
  8. beat
  9. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around

155. ron37.rm

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

  1. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
  2. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
  3. Janice McClain: Smack Dab in the Middle
  4. Sylvester: I Need You (edit)
  5. Third World: Now That We’ve Found Love (break)
  6. McFadden & Whitehead: Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
  7. Natalie Cole: Annie Mae

167. ron100.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1983

  1. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
  2. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
  3. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
  4. Powerline: Double Journey
  5. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
  6. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  7. The O’Jays: I Love Music

200. ron114.rm

Live at U.S. studio/Music Box, 1/17/1984

  1. MFSB: Love Is the Message
  2. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair/First Choice: Love and Happiness
  3. First Choice: Double Cross
  4. ?
  5. ?
  6. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation (Shep Pettibone Mix)
  7. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
  8. ?

220. ron300.rm

Live at the Music Box, 6/30/1984

Jamie Principle: Your Love label
  1. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair
  2. ?
  3. Plastic Bertrand: Stop ou Encore
  4. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums
  5. I-Level: In the River
  6. beats
  7. Three Million: I’ve Been Robbed
  8. City Circle Band: Magic
  9. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
  10. Jamie Principle: Your Love

318. ron988.rm, 40. ron2.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1985

  1. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
  2. Black Ivory: Mainline
  3. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
  4. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco (beats)
  5. Martin Circus: Disco Circus (break)
  6. T-Connection: Do What You Wanna Do
  7. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
  8. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version)
  9. Trussel: Love Injection

318. ron989.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1985

  1. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  2. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
  3. Made In USA: Melodies
  4. beats
  5. ?
  6. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
  7. Cerrone: Love in C Minor
  8. Cymande: Bra (edit)
  9. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
  10. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
  11. Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again

333. ron768.mp3

Live at the Powerhouse, ~1987 [everything sped up]

Rhythim Is Rhythim: Nude Photo label
  1. Rhythim Is Rhythim: Move It
  2. James Brown: Body Heat
  3. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
  4. MFSB: Love Is the Message
  5. Bumblebee Unlimited: Love Bug
  6. ?
  7. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
  8. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
  9. Armenta and Majik: I Wanna Be With You
  10. Armando: Land of Confusion
  11. Ralphi Rosario: You Used To Hold Me
  12. Thompson & Lenoir: Can’t Stop the House (Instrumental)
  13. Phuture: Phuture Jacks
  14. Armenta and Majik: I Wanna Be With You [again]

395. ron1987.rm

Live in Chicago, 1987

  1. Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
  2. ?
  3. Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Two Tribes
  4. Phuture: Acid Tracks
  5. Magnifique: Magnifique
  6. Diana Ross: The Boss
  7. Chantal Curtis: Get Another Love
  8. Bonnie Pointer: ?
  9. ESG: Moody (Spaced Out Mix)
  10. Goody Goody: #1 Dee Jay

438. ron1987a.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1987

  1. acid track?
  2. ? [Martin Luther King Jr.]
  3. Dinosaur L: Go Bang! #5
  4. acid track?
  5. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around
  6. ?
  7. The Night Writers: Let The Music (Use You)
  8. acid track?
  9. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
  10. acid track?/Devotion acapella
  11. ? [should know this one]
  12. Robert Owens: I’m Strong (Instrumental)
  13. Fingers Inc.: Music Take Me Up
  14. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
  15. ?

461. hardy1000.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco label
  1. Loleatta Holloway: Catch Me on the Rebound (Disco Madness Remix)
  2. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Bad Luck (edit)
  3. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
  4. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco
  5. Sheila E.: A Love Bizarre
  6. Peter Brown: Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me
  7. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)/sound effects
  8. beats
  9. Liaisons Dangereuses: Avant Après Mars

489. hardy1200.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1984

  1. ?
  2. ?
  3. Frankie Knuckles: Bad Boy
  4. beats
  5. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
  6. Candido: Jingo
  7. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
  8. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
  9. South Shore Commission: Free Man
  10. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me (instrumental)/reversed

455. ronjamie.rm

Chicago, 1986

Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel label
  1. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
  2. Musique: In the Bush
  3. Made In USA: Melodies
  4. B.T. Express: Peace Pipe
  5. 52nd Street: Can’t Afford
  6. The Chi-Lites: My First Mistake (edit)
  7. Kat Mandu: The Break
  8. The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
  9. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums
  10. Weeks & Co.: Rock Your World (edit)
  11. Cymande: Bra

521. ronbootleg.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985 [lots of EQing]

  1. Tavares: It Only Takes a Minute
  2. Cheryl Lynn: Star Love
  3. South Shore Commission: Free Man
  4. Made In USA: Never Gonna Let You Go
  5. Made In USA: Melodies
  6. Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’
  7. Quincy Jones: Stuff Like That
  8. Brothers Johnson: Stomp!
  9. Brass Construction: Movin’
  10. Michael Jackson: Working Day and Night
  11. Gayle Adams: Plain Out of Luck
  12. Gichy Dan: Cowboys and Gangsters
  13. Tasha Thomas: Shoot Me (With Your Love)
  14. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

594. ronhardywilliam1980s.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1980s

  1. Oliver Cheatham: Get Down Saturday Night
  2. Stevie Wonder: Higher Ground
  3. Sylvester: Sell My Soul
  4. Undisputed Truth: You + Me = Love
  5. Machine: There But For The Grace Of God Go I
  6. Mouzon’s Electric Band: Everybody Get Down
  7. ?
  8. Aurra: Make Up Your Mind
  9. Jean Carn: Was That All It Was
  10. Roy Ayers: Don’t Stop The Feeling
  11. Love Committee: Law and Order
  12. Bunny Sigler: By The Way You Dance
  13. Chocolette: It’s That East Street Beat
  14. Ripple: The Beat Goes On and On

641. RonHardy1985.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

  1. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
  2. Mike T: Do It Any Way You Wanna
  3. ?
  4. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
  5. The Dells: No Way Back (edit)
  6. ?
  7. beats/Trapped acapella
  8. ?
  9. beats
  10. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
  11. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)

641. RonHardy1985Side2.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

  1. Chip E.: It’s House
  2. Chip E.: Like This
  3. Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
  4. Cymande: Bra (edit)
  5. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
  6. Lenny Williams: Midnight Girl
  7. ? [Let’s Take a Love Break]
  8. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)

718. RonHardyHiss.mp3, 10. ron1.rm

Music Box, 1980s

Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls label
  1. Made In USA: Melodies
  2. ? [Martin Luther King, Jr.]
  3. beats/Weekend, Touch and Go acapellas
  4. Cameo: I Just Want To Be
  5. Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
  6. The Dells: Get on Down
  7. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
  8. Double Exposure: Ten Percent (Disco Madness Remix)
  9. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
  10. Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way
  11. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness Remix)
  12. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
  13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way

735. muzicbox121583a.mp3 (RonHardyUS_Studio_Muzic Box 12), 187. ron112.rm [partial]

U.S. studio/Music Box, 12/15/1983

  1. Curtis Hairston: I Want You (All Tonight)
  2. Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
  3. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair
  4. Serge Ponsar: Out in the Night
  5. Kasso: One More Round
  6. Paul Simpson Connection: Use Me Lose Me
  7. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder
  8. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums #1
  9. Laid Back: White Horse
  10. Night Moves: Transdance
  11. Tommy B: Electronic Drums
  12. Liquid Liquid: Optimo
  13. The Originals: Down To Love Town
  14. beats
  15. ?
  16. Positive Force: We Got the Funk

735. muzicbox121583b.rm (RonHardyUS_Studio_Muzic Box 12)

U.S. studio/Music Box, 12/15/1983

  1. Imagination: Burnin’ Up
  2. George Kranz: Din Daa Daa (Trommeltanz)
  3. Stopp: I’m Hungry
  4. Black Ivory: Mainline
  5. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
  6. beats
  7. The Broads: Sing - Sing - Sing
  8. Trilogy: Not Love (Instrumental)
  9. Koto: Japanese War Game
  10. The Rolling Stones: Undercover of the Night
  11. Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
  12. ?
  13. ?

796. ronhardy0702c.mp3, 569. ronhardyrc.rm

Music Box, 1980s

  1. Caroline Crawford: Coming on Strong
  2. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  3. Black Ivory: Mainline
  4. First Choice: Double Cross
  5. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
  6. T-Connection: Do What You Wanna Do
  7. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
  8. Sylvester: I Need You
  9. Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’
  10. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free

796. ronhardy0702d.mp3

Music Box, 1980s

  1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
  2. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way
  3. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost (edit)
  4. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
  5. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
  6. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
  7. T.C. Curtis: You Should Have Known Better
  8. Geraldine Hunt: Can’t Fake The Feeling
  9. Jamie Principle: Your Love

861. ronhardycodsa.mp3

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

  1. Lyn Collins: Think (About It)
  2. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band: Cherchez La Femme
  3. M.F.S.B.: Love Is the Message
  4. Janice McClain: Smack Dab in the Middle
  5. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
  6. Rinder & Lewis: Anger
  7. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
  8. ?
  9. Brass Construction: Movin’
  10. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

861. ronhardycodsb.mp3

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

  1. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
  2. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
  3. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
  4. ?
  5. Diana Ross: No One Gets the Prize
  6. Spinners: Mighty Love
  7. Lenny Williams: Midnight Girl (edit)
  8. Imagination: Burnin’ Up
  9. Ian Dury: Spasticus Autisticus

876. ronhardy1986J326b.mp3

Chicago, 1986

  1. Cymande: Bra (edit)
  2. beats/Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
  3. D.J. Hollywood: Shock, Shock The House [?]
  4. Gayle Adams: Plain Out Of Luck
  5. Brass Construction: Movin’
  6. ?
  7. beats
  8. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)

952. ronhardy1983-0403a.mp3

Music Box, 1983

  1. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
  2. The Chi-Lites: My First Mistake (edit)
  3. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Bad Luck (edit)
  4. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost (edit)
  5. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
  6. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
  7. Powerline: Double Journey
  8. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
  9. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  10. The O’Jays: I Love Music

952. ronhardy1983-0403b.mp3, 295. ron888.rm

Music Box, 1983

Virgo: Free Yourself label
  1. The O’Jays: I Love Music
  2. Loose Joints: Pop Your Funk
  3. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
  4. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
  5. Stephanie Mills: You Can Get Over
  6. Salsoul Orchestra: Salsoul 3001 (intro)
  7. Colonel Abrams: Trapped (acapella)
  8. beats
  9. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
  10. Virgo: Go Wild Rythm Trax [?]
  11. Virgo: Under You
  12. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
  13. The Trammps: Body Contact Contract
  14. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’

1039. ronhardy1985tb1.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

  1. Anne Clark: Our Darkness
  2. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
  3. House People: Godfather of House
  4. Martin Circus: Disco Circus (break)
  5. Chip E.: Like This
  6. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
  7. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness Remix)
  8. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
  9. Sleezy D.: I’ve Lost Control
  10. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
  11. The Originals: Down To Love Town
  12. Parlet: Pleasure Principle

1039. ronhardy1985tb2.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1980

  1. Parlet: Pleasure Principle
  2. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way
  3. Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again
  4. MFSB: Love Is the Message (edit)
  5. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
  6. Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride (demo?)
  7. beats
  8. beats
  9. beats
  10. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
  11. beats [track 9 again]
  12. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
  13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way

1181. RonHardy061984a.mp3

Live at the Music Box, 6/19/1984

  1. Lady B: To The Beat Y’all
  2. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums #3
  3. ?
  4. Prince: When Doves Cry
  5. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
  6. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)
  7. Doctor’s Cat: Feel the Drive (Remix)
  8. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco
  9. MFSB: Love Is the Message
  10. Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
  11. Tullio De Piscopo: Stop Bajon
  12. Jocelyn Brown: Somebody Else’s Guy
  13. Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You

1181. RonHardy061984b.mp3

Live at the Music Box, 6/19/1984

  1. Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You
  2. South Shore Commission: Free Man
  3. Dinosaur L: Go Bang!
  4. The Originals: Down To Love Town (edit)
  5. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
  6. beats
  7. Hugh Masekela: Don’t Go Lose It Baby
  8. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
  9. Al Di Meola: Sequencer
  10. Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme
  11. John Rocca: I Want It To Be Real
  12. Fresh Band: Come Back Lover

1297. 1105_ronhardy.mp3 (Ron_Hardy - Muzic Box)

Live at the Music Box, 1986 courtesy of Jamie3:26

Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride label
  1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
  2. Liaisons Dangereuses: Los Niños Del Parque remix?
  3. Virgo: Free Yourself
  4. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
  5. Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride
  6. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels
  7. Hercules: 7 Ways
  8. The Originals: Down To Love Town (break)
  9. Parlet: Pleasure Principle
  10. Sleeque: One for the Money
  11. Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way
  12. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
  13. Loleatta Holloway: Catch Me on the Rebound (edit)
  14. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way
  15. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version/Female Version)/reversed
  16. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
  17. Teddy Pendergrass: The More I Get, The More I Want

1308. ron_hardy84v2.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1984 courtesy of Jamie3:26

  1. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
  2. Colonel Abrams: Music Is The Answer
  3. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
  4. ?
  5. Jamie Principle: Your Love (dub?)
  6. Stopp: I’m Hungry
  7. ?
  8. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
  9. MFSB feat. The Three Degrees: T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
  10. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco (beats)
  11. Jesse Saunders: Funk You Up
  12. Liaisons Dangereuses: Avant Après Mars

Jacob Arnold, May 8, 2008 in Features: Playlists

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Comments

really fascinating! thanks.

dumafuji, May 11, 2008 11:35

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