Radar - China Darling

Canada had some great electronic disco in the early 80s and a lot of it emits that type of coolness that seems to come with a closer proximity to tundra. This track has a lot of cool elements with an ever present arpeggio rhythm driving a calm groove, wurlitzer chord stabs, and a snide rock vocal. The 'Chinese Rhythm' that often accompanies any song about a woman from China is a bit cliche but otherwise this track is pretty smooth.

Starbow - Voyager II

AVI Records launched this Canadian disco in 1978 by Starbow. Voyager II is a funky ride through the cosmos, named after the American unmanned probe that launched in 1977, the first to visit Neptune and Uranus.

Funny thing about this song is that it was produced by Daniel Vangarde (Daniel Bangalter) the father of Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk fame. Daft Punk produced a killer track with a very similar title. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Vangarde was busy in the 70s and 80s doing a lot of work with disco super label Carrere so its easy to see what a tremendous influence he was on his son. All very fun stuff.


Daft Punk - Voyager

Starbow - Voyager II (download)