Levan's Garage: Sound, Soul, & House

Larry Levan's Paradise Garage (1977-87) creates a communal sanctuary, where his eclectic, dub-heavy sets, from Loose Joints to NYC Peech Boys, birth the New York house sound.

Tracklist

  1. Is It All Over My Face? (Larry Levan Mix) — Loose Joints
  2. Let No Man Put Asunder — First Choice
  3. Don't Make Me Wait — NYC Peech Boys
  4. Jingo — Candido
  5. Heartbeat (Larry Levan Mix) — Taana Gardner
  6. Love Sensation — Loleatta Holloway
  7. Go Bang! (Larry Levan Mix) — Dinosaur L
  8. Padlock (Larry Levan Mix) — Gwen Guthrie

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Evening's here — let's set the mood.

Is It All Over My Face? (Larry Levan Mix) — Loose Joints

Larry Levan’s innovative DJing at the Paradise Garage wasn't just about playing records; it was about cultivating a unique communal dance experience. His sets, known as "Saturday Mass," created an atmosphere where tracks like Loose Joints' "Is It All Over My Face? (Larry Levan Mix)" resonated with deep, soulful energy.

Let No Man Put Asunder — First Choice

The Paradise Garage, open from 1977 to 1987, was more than a club; it was a sanctuary, especially for its predominantly Black and Latino gay clientele. DJ David DePino recalled how Levan meticulously prepared the club, understanding that the party was an art form, making a track like First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder" a spiritual anthem for the devoted family on the floor.

Don't Make Me Wait — NYC Peech Boys

Central to this experience was the Garage's bespoke, high-fidelity sound system, designed by Richard Long, which Judy Weinstein noted was literally built around the sound. Levan leveraged this precision to experiment with dub aesthetics, transforming records and influencing the nascent house sound, as heard in his production for NYC Peech Boys' pioneering "Don't Make Me Wait."

Jingo — Candido

Levan's DJing was a wildly eclectic journey, seamlessly blending diverse genres. He could weave Motown, Philly soul, new wave, and even classic hard rock into his sets, creating a dynamic energy that kept the crowd captivated. Candido's "Jingo" exemplifies the Afro-Cuban influences that found a natural home on his dance floor.

Heartbeat (Larry Levan Mix) — Taana Gardner

Larry Levan was a pivotal figure in transforming the remix into an art form, influencing the development of house music. His distinctive approach was sparse, dub-heavy, and electronic, inspiring countless producers. Francesca Harding noted how his remix style, like on Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat (Larry Levan Mix)," became a blueprint for the New York house sound.

Love Sensation — Loleatta Holloway

Levan prioritized emotional impact over strict beat-matching, using a "sense of drama" to control the dance floor. He would "bang everything" on some nights, as David DePino described, to shock and elicit screams from the crowd. Loleatta Holloway's "Love Sensation" showcases the powerful vocals and raw emotion Levan expertly harnessed.

Go Bang! (Larry Levan Mix) — Dinosaur L

Levan was fearless in introducing new and experimental tracks, even if they initially cleared the floor. He'd play a record multiple times, sometimes different mixes, until the crowd embraced it, essentially programming their taste. Dinosaur L's "Go Bang! (Larry Levan Mix)" is a prime example of the electronic oddities he championed, ushering in the post-disco era.

Padlock (Larry Levan Mix) — Gwen Guthrie

Larry Levan's innovative DJing, coupled with the bespoke, high-fidelity sound system of the Paradise Garage, cultivated a unique communal dance experience that profoundly shaped the development of house music and modern club culture. His legacy lives on in tracks like Gwen Guthrie's "Padlock (Larry Levan Mix)," a quintessential Garage anthem.

Thank you for listening to OffStereo. Tonight, we explored how a singular space and its energy could transform records into a movement, shaping the very pulse of a genre.