Montreal’s Disco Pioneers Rundown Their Crucial Tracks

It may surprise you to know that in the glory days of Disco, the city of Montreal was considered to be the second most important scene, after NYC of course.

They had The Loft, Studio 54, Paradise Garage and we had we legendary Lime Light and many other legendary spots that shaped the Montreal disco scene. To celebrate the musicology of the 70’s and early 80’s Red Bull Music Academy have organized quite a soirée on October 21st @ Théatre Paradoxe. 3 of the biggest Disco DJ legends from Montreal will relay each other on the deck alongside guests Alexander Robotnick and France Joli.

We asked the disco dons Robert Ouimet, Michel Simard and Lost Heroes to each pick 3 landmark tracks in the history of the Montreal club scene.

COATI MUNDI – ME NO POP I QUE PASA ( Z RECORDS)

Lost Heroes: I bought the only copy that made it to my local record shop Charlie Musique . Somehow the owner knew i was always looking for different stuff … A weird hybrid of Tropical funk disco . Every night i played it my friends were laughing but somehow it became one of the most requested songs !!

GLITTER BAND – MAKES YOU BLIND (1975)

Michel Simard:  An extremely underground track from back in the days when I used to play at the Penthouse in St-Adeles.

ROBOT – ROBOT’S DEATH (1977, PYE RECORDS)

Robert Ouimet: A track that represents my progressive side very well. Used to play this at Limelight in 1977.

IAN DURY – SPASTICUS AUSTISTICUS (STIFF RECORDS)

Lost Heroes: Another weird one ! Straight out of London / UK one of the most crazy Punk Funk jam infestuous groove & the most insane Disco Dub breakdown but with the unmissable voice of Ian Dury … Sounds like The Clash meets King Tubby … !

C.J & CO – DEVILS GUN (1977)

Michel Simard:  A souvenir from my first “Bal en Blanc” at the Lime Light in 1979.

SILICON SOUL – WHO NEEDS SLEEP TONIGHT (1981)

Robert Ouimet: A very deep and emotional early electro meets new wave track I used to play a lot at the Studio 1 club.

LIQUID LIQUID – OPTIMO ( 99 RECORDS)

Lost Heroes: Another very important record for me , i got this as a promo from 99 records through a DJ friend that knew i would be crazy enough to play it … I did & 35 years later i stiff do . All 3 tracks on this EP are Timeless . One of my favorite records ever …

CAROL JIANI – HIT & RUN LOVER (1981)

Michel Simard: Probably the track i’m the most proud of having worked on. I collaborated on the project at Andre Perry’s legendary studio in Morin Heights

SERIOUS DANGER – DEEPER (1997)

Robert Ouimet: Nobody wanted to play Speed Garage in the city at the time. Loved this track for a long time. Kids went nuts to it when I played it at the Red Light Afterhours.