As time rolled on, so did matters in the Grateful Dead. Soon after the release of this album, Grateful Dead contributors Donna Jean Godchaux and Keith Godchaux left this band. Still, these guys were wise enough to roll on without them, given the fact that they were massively influential as a sort of cult band with a loyal following, particularly on the west coast of the USA, and also musically important historically as well in the Rock world. Branching out beyond their Psychedelic Rock roots, the Grateful Dead hired Little Feat’s Lowell George to produce this album. The album itself was highly influenced by the Disco scene of the time. Hence the title of the album. Although it is not the Grateful Dead’s best album, it is worth hearing from this time. Let’s take a listen to this album and hear where it takes us.

Good Lovin’ begins with some random percussion, and piano and launches into a good Pop/Rock piece that sounds very different. This is not your typical Grateful Dead tune. It sounds very Poppy and 1970s, and it is fairly easy to see why the Godchaux members left the band over the musical direction. Still, this is pleasant and listenable enough, despite its overly grandiose nature musically. It is great to hear a band like the Grateful Dead branch out and explore musically on an album like this. A cool solo section is here as well, with some subdued electric guitar and piano galore. Nonetheless, a very quality listen. The song itself is gorgeous and very different to the earlier music of the Grateful Dead. It is a marriage of sounds but sounds a lot like the Grateful Dead interpreting Eric Clapton’s music per se. Although the song is a little lengthy, this is enjoyable for what it is. Very pretty, interesting and melodic, this is great post-Psychedelic Rock. There is some pronounced and excellent piano work towards the end, just before this all fades out. A good start to the album.

France begins with some interesting Fender Stratocaster guitars, rolling metallic drum beats and launches into a groovy, mellow tune. A cool tune that sounds like an unusual fusion of Pop, Rock and Disco music, this retains its freshness and excellence to this very day. A really pretty tune to hear, this sounds amazing for what it is. Acoustic guitar solos are here, amongst timpani drums, bongos and other surreal instrumentation. Nonetheless, this tune is really quite decent to listen to. The weirdest Disco influenced record you will ever hear, but the lyrics about dancing in France are awesome. Cool, clever and diverse music. The acoustic guitar solo sections are magnificent. Definitely worth hearing, and this isn’t even the best Grateful Dead album. That’s how good this is, a tremendous and positive sounding effort that makes one want to dance along with the Grateful Dead. It ends with a pretty fade-out, good work by all.

Shakedown Street is a five minute long piece. It begins with wah-wah guitars and evolves into a funky Disco styled tune. It is very catchy and different. It is a wonderful piece of music that demands to be heard by music fans, whether or not you are a Deadhead or not. It is a brilliant and danceable tune from a Rock band and just goes to show, when focused, a band can adapt to the sounds prevailing at the time of making an album. This is a classic tune, and it must be heard from this album. A brilliant and loveable piece of music, with some really awesome harmonies throughout. The Fender Stratocaster leads by Jerry Garcia are excellent, and he proves his worth here as a legendary guitarist. Fun, groovy and funky, the Grateful Dead could make crossover music with little hassle. A very pleasant and listenable tune, this shows that Disco based music wasn’t merely a passing fad, but something with substance as well. A great tune, with a nice fade out at the end and guitar licks galore. Excellent.

Serengetti is a short piece two minutes long. It begins with some percussion sounds that sound like horseshoes, some subtle drumming and bongos. This is awesome, yet again, and just hits the spot. Really excellent, although this is obviously an instrumental intermission. It flows quite well though, and the Grateful Dead proves their worth here in many ways. A good and short piece of music that sounds refreshing.

Fire On The Mountain begins with some interesting guitar parts and wah-wah guitar galore. This is another decent listen that sounds diverse, quirky and excellent musically speaking. Again, this heavily draws on the then prevailing trend of Disco music, but it also works incredibly well. A great, interesting and lovely listen here, although unlikely the best song on the album. It does have a nice groovy and awesome sound to it. Very singalong, especially in the chorus. There is a very pretty guitar solo that is a million miles away from Shred guitar, it just simply sounds really good. All the same, this is another excellent song to listen to. Oddly enough, this record has aged very well, especially given its sound and style palette here. A groovy and spectacular piece of music, it fades out nicely. Great job.

I Need A Miracle begins with some piano, and excellent electric guitar playing and launches into a song about male lust. This is a great listen throughout, and it sounds gloriously good. This is actually closer to Rhythm and Blues instead of Disco, but the variety and quality of instrumentation on offer are really excellent. There is an amazing harmonica solo present near the middle of this song, and this is a great tune to listen to. The guitar work in particular is amazing. A funny, funky and great tune, this is likely where Kid Rock got some of his ideas from. A really different tune, the outro has some 1950s/1960s style Soul chanting and some lush organ to match. A great piece of music through and through, the harmonica right at the end is classic. Excellent song.

From The Heart Of Me begins with a multitude of guitars and hi-hats, sounding very quirky, but good. This breaks into a really cool tune that does sound groovy. Nonetheless, this piece of music is a killer tune that sounds excellent and driven. The female vocals intertwined with Grateful Dead Pop melodies are a really good idea musically, and this sonic journey is a pleasant one. Another priceless tune about love and life, this is Disco influenced, but original in a musical context. Magical music that is hugely underrated, this is definitely worth your ears and time. An amazing and tranquil tune to listen to, and is three minute long Pop/Rock bliss. There is some great organ and acoustic guitar at the end, during the fade out. Sweet.

Stagger Lee begins with piano, launching into a good storytelling tune about a guy who gets shot by the main character of this song. It is a really unusual listening experience, with clean electric guitars, acoustic guitars, pretty piano and warped electronic keyboards. This music is straight-up awesome, however. A good USA styled country town village tune, this is a nice twist to this already amazing album. A great listen, this is the Grateful Dead’s response to Eric Clapton’s I Shot The Sheriff, but cooler, funnier and less repetitive. Great storytelling tune with a wonderful conclusion (worth not spoiling), this does sound really great. Worth your ears for sure. Joyous and pleasant music here, this sounds really awesome, particularly if you are a fan of cowboy culture. Awesome.

All New Minglewood Blues begins with some excellent piano, electric guitars and some pseudo-Elvis Presley blues singing. This is instantly an excellent tune, complete with awesome slide guitars. It does sound very Little Feat here, and this should come as no surprise, given who is producing this album. A fantastic listen through and through, this is proof that just because this is Rock and Roll, it will never get old to hear. A joyous and interesting tune, this is Classic Rock that is very nicely layered and interesting. A really pleasant and cool piece of music. An interesting song about taking shots of whiskey and stealing other men’s ladies, this is an entertaining and joyous listen if you feel like that is your sort of thing. Excellent music and imagery abound, this is truly superb. It has a great and suspenseful conclusion, as it fades out nicely. Great work.

If I Had The World To Give is the final song, and begins with some lush pseudo wah-wah guitar. More piano and classy sounds are present here, along with a slow tempo to match. This is a deeply romantic and pretty song that is very lovely. This sounds much like John Lennon’s music here, and the tune itself is really gorgeous and grand. Really lovely music to hear, this is about the wonderful experiences one can have in love. A beautiful and pleasant listen to finish off a very good album, this does sound like an underrated Pop/Rock piece. In fact, this whole album is hugely underrated overall. A majestic guitar solo is present in this song as well, and it will take the mind elsewhere. Great music, and something that most Classic Rock fans will appreciate in particular, it still sounds great today. Pretty and interesting music, this wraps up an excellent album that is hugely consistent throughout. Wonderful to hear, it ends with a fuzzy guitar solo that is top. Mint.

This is definitely a great album. It comes across as something extremely worthwhile and interesting. It also stands above many other releases that took inspiration from Disco music. Should you hear this album? Yes, yes and yes. It is a varied, consistent and underrated listening experience, even in today’s autotuned musical world.

A grand piece of artistic work.

9/10