Forgotten Treasure: Luv You Madly Orchestra “Moon Maiden” (1978)

Telling someone that you’ve stumbled upon a track that sounds like an Arthur Russell disco joint is a very serious (if not blasphemous) claim, likely to be met with a heavy dose of skepticism and social rejection. It’s risky business, and understandably so, as no one comes close to the extraordinary percussive-heavy left-field dance floor a-bombs of Russell (Dinosaur L, Loose Joints, Felix). No one, except for maybe Walter Gibbons.

Luv You Madly Orchestra is a discofied tribute album to Duke Ellington put out by Salsoul in 1978. I know…sounds like a potential disaster right? Add to that the somewhat “I Love Lucy” – looking album cover and you have a very strong crate-diggers’ deterrent here. Luckily, my very knowledgable friend Francois (aka Dr. Love) was having a record sale and highlighted this one for me. He knows me well.

Moon Maiden, expertly mixed by Walter Gibbons, is an absolute mind-bender with it’s overwhelmingly sweepy and loopy string-sections, funky guitar riffs, repetitious female vocals (Alfa Anderson of Chic), cowbell/kick-drum combos, bubbly basslines, crunchy symbols, computer-like bleeps n’ bloops and that wonderfully melodramatic synth (best heard during the breakdown at 6:20). Very Russell-esque indeed. It’s no surprise they collaborated with each other.

Doc'trin

Doc'trin is a high-spirited DJ, party animal and all-around music lover who's survival is directly dependent on a daily intake of fresh tunes. Committed to sharing the joy of new discoveries with fellow addicts, he serves up the finest selection of Disco, Funk, Soul, House, Techno, R&B, Hip-Hop, World, Jazz and everything in between. No secrets, no ego, and no regrets. It's a love thang!