It’s not so much an album cover we’re examining this week, but a record label. Why? Simply because not every disco release was treated to a thoughtfully designed cover. Many were issued in generic sleeves bearing the record company’s logo. That’s the case here. To add to the mystery, there’s almost no information available about the artist “Master Boogie’s Song and Dance.” Case closed, then? A brief exploration this Wednesday? Not so fast…
If the goal of “Discover the Album Cover” is to “uncover” the smaller, easily forgotten disco gems, we need to dig deeper. Let me explain why this particular release caught my attention. Disco songs are crafted to make you move, and when they truly hit the mark, they inspire immediate, unselfconscious dancing. When the Shit Hits the Fan does exactly that to me 🕺—every single time. And while I might be a DJ, I’m definitely not a dancer😁. So when this song compels me to dance despite myself, it must be a sight to behold. The moment usually comes when the backing vocals sing, “You ain’t really no freak, if you’re still sitting in your seat.” A freak, indeed.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase “When the shit hits the fan” describes a situation that “suddenly causes a lot of trouble for someone.” But the title here isn’t just provocative—it’s probably intentional. The song openly champions the use of recreational substances, specifically joints. The lyrics are unabashedly instructional: “This is the jam that makes you wanna dance. Fire the joint and pass it to your friends.” And for those new to the practice, they helpfully explain: “Roll, roll, roll the joint and twist it at the end. Light’m up and take a puff and pass it to your friends.” The benefits? Improved dance moves: “Light’m up and take a puff. You know it makes you wanna dance.”In case you forget, the background vocals chime in repeatedly with “roll’m up.” Who says disco lyrics lack depth? 😂
Now, back to Master Boogie’s Song and Dance. This track was a one-off, released in 1980 on West End Records, one of New York’s top disco labels. Written and produced by Joseph Clark with help from Louis Monroe, the vocals remain a mystery. But judging by the song’s vibe, it’s safe to assume the performers fully embraced their own advice. The track has been remixed over the years, most notably by SanFranDisco and Joey Negro. The latter even re-released the song under the fitting title Roll the Joint. It might be one of the “anonymous” West End releases, it sure is one of their most lasting as the track is still used frequently in dj sets from classic disco to house.
Heartbeat, Do It To The Music, Another Man, the Arthur Russell track, Ednah Holt, Time was a classic way ahead of it's time, I mean there's so much gold on this label, hard to choose. Definitely one of the more experimental disco labels
now you're talking getting to the good stuff !
Love a bit of West End.
I always loved the 'When the Suns Set, the Stars Rise" Disco Bag for the WE stuff personally
Let the music do the talking
One of their top releases if you ask me 😁
Heartbeat, Do It To The Music, Another Man, the Arthur Russell track, Ednah Holt, Time was a classic way ahead of it's time, I mean there's so much gold on this label, hard to choose. Definitely one of the more experimental disco labels