Being something of a fan of disco music - "real" disco, that is, the music that was around in the Seventies, most of it rooted in American soul music - I was delighted when I was approached to write the liner notes for a major disco collection.

Compiled by Vinny Vero on behalf of TimeLife, the Disco Fever collection comprises four double-CD volumes of disco tracks, primarily from the Seventies although one or two tracks were issued in the very early Eighties. Buyers of this collection also get a bonus disc of Seventies hits. And as if this wasn't enough, there is an even more fabulous expanded 13-disc version of Disco Fever: the four double CDs + four additional discs of even more disco classics + the Seventies hits bonus disc.

Disco Fever might very well be one of the best disco collections ever put together, with virtually every major hit from this era included, and a few "underground" club gems as well. I'm especially happy that Vinny ensured that the original hit single versions were used for this collection, instead of the interminable extended versions that I personally feel are inappropriate for disco collections aimed at the general public.

I wrote the liner notes for all volumes (except the Seventies hits bonus disc), trying to turn each text into a little essay: exploring the disco phenomenon from a certain angle, while also relaying a little background history about some of the artists and songs involved. I also wrote the liner notes for a companion volume entitled Early 80s Dance Classics, which is not a part of the Disco Fever set.

Initially, the complete Disco Fever collection was only available for purchase in the United States, but local versions are being released in a number of other territories as well (see links under More info). There are also two retail volumes, for which I wrote the liner notes. Click on "Track listings and ordering info" under More info to read the liner notes and order these CDs.