- If you're unfamiliar with John Morales, you might look at The M+ M Mixes Volume 3 and ask yourself the very reasonable question, "Who is this guy who thinks he can remix Barry White and Marvin Gaye?" The short answer is, one of the few people who can do so with any credibility. Alongside the likes of Walter Gibbons, Morales was one of the first generation of New York disco DJs to move from the decks to the recording studio. He would painstakingly edit with tape, elongating tracks using a razor blade to create new medleys and extended versions. These caught the attention of the legendary production duo Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams, who roped Morales into helping out on one of Jocelyn Brown's early songs. The result was Inner Life's "I'm Caught Up," one of the disco era's most poignantly sleazy moments.
In the early '80s, Morales hooked up with musical director Sergio Munziabi, and the pair started working together under the name M+M Mix Productions. This became one of the most productive remix partnerships of all time. The list of artists who requested an M+M retouch is huge—some of the most well-known include The Temptations, The Rolling Stones, Melba Moore and Leroy Burgess. Crucially, Morales often made personal versions of these hits for his DJ sets, and some of the results, alongside some completely new mixes, are to be found on this release.
As you may have guessed, the mixes here are pretty fantastic. The original versions of almost every record on the compilation are stone cold classics, yet very few of these remixes feel unnecessary. It's the respect with which Morales treats his source material that makes this collection such a joy. Morales uses original master recordings as the basis of the remixes. The very fact he has access to the original recording stems from some of the greatest soul and disco records of all time is itself remarkable.
Just take his remix of Third World's "Now That We've Found Love." Here Morales extends the introduction, brings in a whole new instrumental section, then fades up an alternative vocal part that must have ended up on the cutting room floor first time around. He saves the universally known chorus for a break five minutes in, a moment of perfectly delayed gratification. Another highlight is the edit of Loose Joints' "Is It All Over My Face," which feels like a cross between the more widely-played "Female Version" and trippier "Male Version." As a riff on two classic disco versions, it works splendidly. Likewise, Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up" gets a beautifully extended re-rub that puts the rhythm section front and center, exaggerating the sensuality of an already sensual song.
Listen closely to almost any track on The M+M Mixes and you'll find something interesting. Sometimes it's a percussion section that's been boosted into the foreground, or a bassline that's suddenly been pulled into focus as Morales strips everything else back. 20 years on from the days when his mixes ruled the dance floors of New York, he still has the knack for making outstanding disco music.
TracklistCD1
01. Barry White - Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (M&M Mix)
02. Side Effect - Always There (M&M Mix)
03. Jean Carn - Was That All It Was (M&M Mix)
04. Hamilton Affair - You Can't Have My Love (M&M Mix)
05. T-Connection - Do What You Wanna Do (M&M Mix)
06. Sandy Barber - I Think I'll Do Some Stepping On My Own (M&M Mix)
07. Johnny Hammond - Fantasy (M&M Mix)
08. Teddy Pendergrass - If You Know Like I Know (M&M Mix)
CD2
1. The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (M&M Mix)
2. Third World - Now That We Found Love (M&M Mix)
3. Donald Byrd/The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park (M&M Mix)
4. The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (M&M Mix)
5. John Davis/Monster Orchestra - Up Jumped the Devil (M&M Mix)
6. Teddy Pendergrass - Only You (M&M Mix)
7. Curtis Hairston - I Want Your Lovin' (Just a Little Bit) (M&M Mix)
8. Marvin Gaye - I Want You (M&M Mix)
CD3
1. Loleatta Holloway - Hit and Run (M&M Mix)
2. Mahogany - Ride On the Rhythm (M&M Mix)
3. Instant Funk - Crying (M&M Mix)
4. Loose Joints - Is It All Over My Face? (M&M Mix)
5. Debbie Trusty - Searchin' for Some Lovin' (M&M Mix)
6. Skyy - First Time Around (M&M Mix)
7. Salsoul Orchestra - You're Just the Right Size (M&M Mix)
8. Raw Silk - Do It to the Music (M&M Mix)