Someone- I think it was George Clinton, Starchild himself- said that disco takes the funk rhythm and oversimplifies it. Takes the basic part that gets you dancing, and simply repeats it.
Thing is, in funk, the rhythm is the point.
In good disco music, the rhythm is just what gets you dancing.
The point of it is the melody and arrangement.
In good disco music, the rhythm gets you dancing, but you come for a good melody and a good arrangement.
In late 90's Cher and Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive, you can add good lyrics as well.
Make that Great lyrics.
In Funk, the rhythm is the point.
So the rhythm is complex, sophistocated.
In disco, the rhythm is simplified.
Something else is supposed to be put on top of it.
That's the point of oversimplifying the rhythm.
It makes it easier to pile up a lot of stuff on top of the rhythm.
Just like smoothing over the dixieland jazz rhythm to make swing makes it easier to pile a lot of stuff on top of the rhythm.
In disco, the rhythm only gets you dancing.
It's what you put on top of the rhythm that is the point.
George Clinton's funk frees your ass so your mind can follow.
Good disco has a good melody to sing and a great arrangement.
Good disco is about what is piled up on top of the rhythm.
God loves you! Enjoy it either way!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson