D08

I was not aware of this, but Thomas Bangalter's father was a disco producer in the 1970s and 1980s, most notoriously working the boards for Ottawan, a dance duo comprised of Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger. (He also did a lot of work with the Gibson Brothers, but I could honestly care less about that, no offense.)

Back then, Daniel Bangalter went by Daniel Vangarde and did production for a smallish but powerful and impressive selection of disco innovators. The stuff by Ottawan is particularly fun ... all the jams are driven by heavy, sultry, especially hip-shaking bass lines, and touched up with very generous servings of world music rhythms, wacky electronic doodles, and Latin melodies. For disco, this stuff is ... unique.

While the lyrics tend to either be slightly bland/goofy or repetitious, they do a great job of sticking in your head, and I suppose that's all you need for a good pop tune.

Check out an assortment of their singles below ... it's super enjoyable, and it definitely sheds some light on where Thomas Bangalter derives his tastes. Where the heck did this stuff come from and why isn't there more of it!?

Ottawan - D.I.S.C.O.

Ottawan - Hello Rio

Ottawan - Shalala Song