Nightlife Unlimited is an unusual group...in fact two groups! The Canadian outfit burst on the scene in 1979 with "Disco Choo Choo." The first line-up consisted of Tony Bentivegna and Johnny D'Orazio (the two constant members) and Louis Toteda and Peter Sciascia (vocals). Their first album was produced by Peter DiMilo and George Cucuzzella. After the Unidisc 12" single began receiving U.S. club play Casablanca Records stepped in and licensed the album for release. They recruited Mike Pabone and Steve Thompson to remix "Love Is In You" and "Dance, Freak And Boogie" for a 12" single. The shortened version of "Love Is In You" became an immediate hit and thanks to the background vocals of the Sweethearts Of Sigma Sound has attained classic status. The four track album sold well but it's release was at the tail end of the disco explosion and by the next year it seemed they were nothing but a one-hit wonder.
Tony and Johnny remained active in the next few years producing and writing for some of Montreal's brightest disco stars. They had even scored a major U.S. hit with Suzy Q's "Get On Up And Do It Again" which was actually Carol Jiani on vocals. By 1983 they had combined their names and formed ToJo Records. Of the many projects that would emerge on the label the first was a re-forming of Nightlife Unlimited. The new album was "I Love The Night In New York City." The title track and "Danger Zone" were released as 12" singles. I remember programming them both as a D.J. and that they were crowd favorites. A third 12" single was released the following year. "Some Make You Dance" was not on the album. The new line-up of Nightlife Unlimited had a very different sound than the one from four years earlier. Obviously times and sounds had changed. The first album was lushly orchestrated with haunting vocals and melodys and the second, though good, was mechanical and hollow sounding. Still Tony and Johnny's talent is apparent.
The duo went on to release records by Sweet Heat, Ladies Choice, Gillian Lane, Valerie Krystal, Susan Stevens, Stephanie Wells and others...in fact they had 12 complete albums of material on ToJo Records. For a brief time in the early 1980's they defined a sound with their distinctive recordings. Both continue to be productive in the business and will forever be remembered for their major contributions to the Canadian disco scene. |
