Sylvester ~ Dancing In The Disco Heat Makes Me Feel Mighty Suite

Sylvester James Jr was born on September 6, 1947 in Los Angeles, CA. He joined a Pentecostal gospel group and began singing with them until the congregation took notice of his homosexuality and began to shun him. After leaving the group, he encountered a group of transgenders and began to learn his craft with them. Moving to San Francisco, he embraced his love of Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker by dressing up as his heroes and performing in their styles with the Cockettes. Soon, he was putting together his own rock band called Sylvester & His Hot Band and got signed to Blue Thumb Records in 1973, the same label that signed the Pointer Sisters. After two LP's that failed to capture the imagination of the record buying public, he dissolved the band and set his sights on being a solo act. Enter Harvey Fuqua, the nephew of Charlie Fuqua, a vocalist with famed group The Ink Spots. Fuqua also had started the Moonglows and had ties to Motown as part owner of Anna Records with Gwen Gordy as his wife. He signed Sylvester to Fantasy Records and ws given access to background singers, Martha Wash, Izora Rhodes and Jeanie Tracy. The first LP issued in 1977 was "Sylvester" and had a #18 disco hit with "Down, Down, Down" and "Over And Over". The second release entitled "Step II" turned him into a disco icon with the hits "Dance (Disco Heat)" and the influential smash hit "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" which spent 6 weeks at #1 disco in 1978. He continued recording with Patrick Cowley's Megatone Records and released a slew of high energy dance singles until his death in 1988 from complications arising from HIV. An ardent activist, he campaigned against the spread of the disease and in his will he left all his royalties to San Francisco based HIV charities. Sylvester was inducted into the Dance Music Hall Of Fame in 2005. In his book "The Secret History Of Disco", Peter Shapiro wrote "The way Sylvester sang 'I know you love me like you should!' with his voice effortlessly moving up to a register so high that it could only be completed only by a synth whoosh, might be disco's ultimate diva moment." I got to thinking about Sylvester and how his collaborations with Patrick Cowley became the genesis of a new genre of music that came to be known as high energy or HiNRG in the 80's. I wanted to pay tribute to their talent so I kinda cut them together like a Gloria Gaynor record, you know, where one song goes right into the next for an entire side of an LP so you could dance for 15 heart pounding minutes. Sylvester had a bigger pop hit with "Dance (Disco Heat)" which hit #19 there and was #1 on the disco chart for six weeks along b/w the sister hit "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" which ended up peaking at #36 on the pop charts. On this upload, there's an invitation to dance with "Dance (Disco Heat)", then "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) takes you to the next level for a while and then the reprised gospel version of "(Mighty Real)" brings the energy down to a barely existent beat with the full throated vocals of Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes whizzing around that made me feel like I was ready for a cigarette after an energetic romp.

[@robalbca]

Thank You for posting these two dance songs from Sylvester a musical diva that left us much too soon. RIP Sylvester

[@valeriehallums361]

Sylvester was the first celebrity death I ever mourned

[@brayamanuel9302]

9999ķ

[@patricianeira6102]

No

[@krisdisco2851]

Increíble música lo mejor y luego bien mezclada dando los mejores recuerdos de verdad no habrá música como está ...

[@machinecode1388]

I know!!!!.....wanted boot scoop somebody!!!

[@engsfitnessnaturalhaircare7829]

I am listening in 2024 - This music here makes you wanna dance all night. Leaving the dance floor as a pool of sweat

[@harrygio1]

Me too. And I am 80!!!

[@Patrick-il4es]

Born: September 6, 1947, Watts, CA Died: December 16, 1988, San Francisco, CA RIP Sylvester, perhaps the greatest singer of the Disco era.

[@gunslingah2]

I remember sitting on my bed in my dorm room and hearing the news on the radio..... and I had his album jackets on the wall! Talk about being crushed 💔...... damn still missing Sylvester 💕🖤🙌🏾

[@JoshGellis]

Makes me want to be a better Christian- because SYLVESTER, Freddie Mercury and now George Carlin are in Heaven now. :.......(

[@ochenteragrandelosochenta4286]

Sylvester, best of the 80‼️🎶🎶🎶🎶👏👏👏👏👏

[@yvesalexandre8895]

Thanks Mister Sylvester to make me dance in the discos of the seventies. I was 20 and so lucky to live this period with artists lke this .

[@andrewsvaz]

Sylvester is and will always be the definition of Disco as a person and personality. No matter how much time goes by it will always make everyone in the room get up and dance with a big smile. It is something that will never cease to be.

[@anitarodriguez-rudell2211]

Totally agree ❤

[@rubenzamorano5194]

SYLVESTER. NUMBER ONE ONDA DISCO. FANTASTIC SINGER. CLASSIC FOREVER.

[@guapando]

Incredibly inspiring, Sylvester in all his glory. Thanks for keeping us all dancing 🎶✨💥🎶✨💥

[@vwiggins1847]

This version is so spiritual, especially at the end. I love it!

[@js-td8gt]

From the start of the gritty voice telling us to "Get on your feet and dance..." this is the anthem of an era, of the dance. Oh, to have that feeling again of all encompassing love and freedom. I remember it so well. Thank you, Sylvester!

[@plauditecives]

Well said! I feel the same way.

[@l.f.4591]

I was 16 years old when I first heard òf Sylvester and eventually bought the iconic l.p. Step II,,,thank you Sylvester for introducing me to disco. .always grateful. Rip

[@markr8796]

This is the epitome of disco. The absolute zenith.

[@jacktwist711]

I agree. It had disco's most-essential elements done in a uniquely American way. I loved Euro-techno/disco, but it sounded different to me. This sounds warm.

[@judeemcdonald6515]

Marc R - I laughed @yr description/yr comment, just now!! SO, "'PROFOUNDLY!!!'", "'TRUE!!!'", as stated!!! ...Early, mid, seventies, my teenage yrs ... "'UNFORGETTABLE!'" 'ERA!!!', When music, made MUCH MORE "'SENSE!'", than the current, "'So-Called'", music! ..."'NOW!'", IT'S, ... "'UNTALENTED!!!'", "Speak Words 2 Music", "crap!", in comparison, by far! SAD!!! ...Modern-day, music of 2000's, ... music, musicians, singers, of today, "'DEFINATELY!!!'", Missed The "MARK!", The "STANDARD!", Of, "'WHAT!" ""'TALENT!'", ""'IS!!!'" TRUE!, Days past, "'GONE!'", ...on musical "'TALENT!!!'", 4 "CERTAIN!!!"

[@PedroDrPerico]

Sylvester would love your comment. 😊

[@hectoribarra2319]

Doing it with Sylester in the 70's with high energy " You Make Me Feel Mighty Real " Happy Labor Day 2020🇺🇸 with love and ☮️ soul

[@paulsuen6666]

Not sure if it's Sylvester or Chic who gave one great last hurrah to Disco during 1978/79. But I tend to give my node to Sylvester. RIP S. Our Pride forever

[@josephscovitch2701]

Absolute disco heaven by the high priest, Sylvester James. Great disco club anthem. Thanks, Sylvester, Two Tons Fun, and Patrick Cowley on this classic. Just delicious disco touch dancing, etc. Glorious years and glorious mix. Vive les disco freaks...

[@sonymartz1280]

La mejor época maravillosa y la mejor música ! Muy buenos recuerdos !!!!. Gracias por compartir tus vídeos. Saludos.

[@2863wonderland]

I worship at the church of Sylvester every single day.

[@stayconnectedoc]

A perfect mix! Thank you! Haven't heard anything like that in a long time. Took your time and then effect... Nice

[@farmyardflavours]

We haven't forgotten you, Sylvester. We will always remember ... we love you !! 💋💋💕💘

[@thomastarwater6035]

What we're hearing is a seamless combination of two disco classics that results in a dance anthem, and it's seventeen minutes and fifty seconds of music heaven. Just one caveat: in the middle of this amazing song of songs, KZbin ran a fifteen-second ad right in the middle of the song. Shame on KZbin. They know better than that! I wish that Sylvester was still around, though. He'd have enjoyed DiscoCat's amazing prowess with the editing and stuff. Using just the music itself. No additional ingredients. None. DiscoCat is an undiscovered treasure. Just saying.

[@OriginalSmoothOperator]

Mr. or Ms. Cat- Sir Tarwater, despite his post being three years old, has just earned you another subscription. Keep the disco going, and thank you so much for this great jam! :)

[@itsomar855]

Honestly

[@walterkrueger9889]

Simply fabulous! Love your extended mix with '2' Sylvester songs and the dynamic duo, Two Tons O' Fun. 🎵🎼🎶

[@jadebrown4784]

These are great songs and the end makes them more fabulously awesome❤

[@williamtourot5601]

thank you for reminding me how great music can be....

[@VelvetRoma]

Will never ever forget this iconic beautiful soulful man 🖤🎶! First time I heard this I was a college freshman at a Chi-Town dance in ‘81 and I was hooked but really understood his magic with Trading Place’s Do You Wanna Funk. Your music can never be dated RIP Sylvester, you are missed 🕊️

[@cecilio1946]

Pura magia que te lleva a una dimensión. De alegría y libertad

[@javiersolis9954]

Simply the best disco music of all time, even now it is still danced at parties.

[@Janeair41....]

I was a part of this 70's fabulous era, and still this was the song that Sylvester sung that always made me, and others at the clubs that made all who cared to ibid begin to dynamically take off your garments. Those were the days!

[@stevechabalik6985]

Dear Mr. DiscoCat: I not only love what you do with the vast array of music you obviously love, but I gotta give you MAD PROPS for the HISTORY LESSON you give with each artist and track! You are a true lover of music, and you make me as happy as a marathon viewing of Brooklyn Nine Nine or Parks & Recreation, which is saying something! (Now, please do something with some classic P-Funk!)

[@jacquelineiona1996]

TRUE DAT!!! ALL OF DAT!!!! 💗🎶💗🎶💗🎶💗🎶

[@andremakell9271]

P funk rules and they are due in Omaha in September, Damn right I’m going !!!

[@andylafontaine8085]

I remember well remixing these two gems on a couple of Panasonic 1200s back in the day as a club DJ. Great work DJDIscoCat...

[@coraliteirl-innovaciontecn6897]

silvester me hizo bailar hasta mas no poder con su excelente musica...buenos tiempos

[@andremakell9271]

I’m listening still and it’s pride season, so dance with me in the DISCO HEAT!!

[@AndyG13GLA]

R3: Almost 18 minutes of delicious disco. Take me to fkn church & onto heaven! “Gotta match?” This combo mix of two of his biggest hits (which were amongst the first 12” singles I bought & went crazy for) is ON FIRE 🔥 Thanks for such a treasure mix!

[@sanremo9787]

Wunderbar. The ending is fantastic and took me to the Church of Sylvester.

[@blf49]

Amen, my brother!

[@Christianpreaching]

My favorite album right here baby!

[@adrianacarbajal3482]

Recordar aquellos tiempos que aun siguen..esta gran expresión de la música disco me alegra...lindos recuerdos..gracias por compartir..saludos y feliz año a todos!!!que sea un mejor año..DIOS quiera...abrazos

[@davidmena7518]

El señor te bendiga mucho.hija ..y vamos viendo el mejor Haig energí junto al propulsor del Haig energí junto a Patrick Miller......🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.. inmortales............

[@gerbilmaniacosmo7035]

Loveeeee. Thank you for the beautiful music DJ DJ DJ put the firer 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥and dancing 💃💃💃💃💃de regreso a los 80's disco 👍👍👍👍🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏🏃💃

[@dyanabartley1744]

Stumbled upon this brilliant remix, and truth be told, I just don't know what to do with myself, it's so damn good. DiscoCat, I am completely obsessed with you and your unmistakable remixes, if you were to have a party, I would go anywhere in the world just to be a part of it, again, a devoted fan for life!!!!

[@jacquelineiona1996]

Yeah!! The Pool at Harrah's Casino Atlantic City!!!!!

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

he was proud of who he was I met him once in my life r.I.p disco God father

[@ramonalisowski318]

Love it reminds me of younger times

[@julietbeaumont6669]

I so love you mixes :) Pure music artist

[@arthemis8215]

Sylvester was an extraordinary artist! So talented! Left us too soon! Love him so much

[@jacquelineiona1996]

Wonderful mix once again DJ DiscoCat 💯👍🏻

[@kc23]

This is phenomenal!

[@andreasberger8566]

Super Mix.

[@claudiovera2919]

Thank you for all these brilliant mixes, your awesome.

[@cesarantonioquijadallancas4667]

Hola:Que ocurrencia al mezclar esta dos ¡¡TREMENDOS!! clásico de la música DISCO del maestro SYLVESTER y él resultado ¡¡FANTÁSTICO!! quedó,gracias DJDiscoCatV2.

[@pattiwalker4370]

Coming at Sylvaster in 2024. Keeping it moving y'all. Keep the peace & love. Namaste❤

[@joseluisramirez8163]

La música disco en su máxima expresión. Y va directo a mi mp3. Sólo pongo lo mejor de lo mejor. Saludos

[@hectoribarra2319]

Happy Labor Day 🇺🇸 let's keep on partying on down now is a short weekend ☮️

[@James_Salvatore]

Listening and dancing this exclusive Sylvester mix Mr. DJ DiscoCat, makes me feel mighty real and alive ! 🕺🕺🕺🎤🎶🎵🎼🏳‍🌈 "Real, real, I feel real ".

[@2863wonderland]

Wow, this is awesome. It made my morning. Dance party!!!

[@rogeliosanjuan3002]

Conservo ese disco de Sylvester, que fue de mi papá, ( ya fallecido) y gracias a las reuniones con primos y tíos, conozco esta música y hasta hoy el 2021, continua siendo altamente contagiosa. Back ti disco heat....

[@luchopons1897]

The ending is just epic.

[@djtut_clt5236]

Classic Material! My Mom brought me the “Step II” LP back to NC from L.A. shortly after it’s release! She said “Disco Heat” & “Mighty Real” was all she heard while she was there. Loved it back then, still love it now!

[@marcjacobs5988]

Wow! Nice and loooooooong :-) Thanks again.....

[@andremorin3184]

oui , Très spécial du vrai Disco . est ajouté .Merci .Bye ho ' Elle Très Étendue hé é hé ! SUPERBE

[@markr8796]

The purest, ultimate apex of disco.

[@MariceDixion-s9m]

I love this song this song makes you want to get up and dance and boogie Sylvester is the best i love this disco type of music

[@tereguzman5903]

Sylvestre just fabolous!!!

[@markhultmark7928]

Excellent!

[@jesusherreramata4849]

silvester . de lo mejor de a musica disco . desde juarez n.l. mexico que rola tan chida disco de las mejores

[@EarthWindandFirepower0990]

EAT YO HEART OUT BIG FREEDIA,DIS THE ORIGINAL HE/SHE OF MUSIC.RIP BIG MAN

[@marianoresendez887]

i really enjoy myself dancing to disco heat an mighty real. an my pleasure to met Mr. Sylvester at the club. The Saint in San Antonio, Texas

[@charlolis]

Is very is very. Is very. Soooo beautiful. Sylvestre. Is very Good. 💕💖 Congratulations 🍸🍸🇨🇱. Muy buena. Te felicito. Por remix de sylvestre un abrazo. Desde Villarrica Chile 🌋🌄🇨🇱. Yo hacía lo mismo cuando mezclaba y con cassette.

[@Harlemblkboy]

AMAZING and I love the Might Real gospel breakdown!

[@davidviscarra6184]

Lo maximo esa cancion. Para bailatla como tienw qe ser.. Full disco

[@geocap2]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Thank a lot SYLVESTER REST IN DISCO ❤

[@alcidesmezacastillo5501]

Excelente música, para recordar y vivir

[@migueldepraect8072]

Quien no baile éste cañonazo de música,considere que muy posiblemente no a Sido muy feliz en ésta vida 😃🤭🤭🤭

[@carlosnoriega6878]

415 Forerever God Bless you Syl..

[@deensf3201]

What an excellent surprise and a best way to get up out of bed to start this last Friday of Jan 2017! And Gung Hay Fat Choi, this song has all the explosive quality that lifts up in true celebration - thank you DJDCV2 for today's gift.

[@walterkrueger9889]

Excellent mix! 👍 Sylvester with Two Tons O' Fun ( Martha Wash and the late Izoro Rhodes). 🎼🎶🎵

[@xavieroctavia7850]

I remember Sylvester in Marin County...

[@dadewd7061]

I remember he came to my club in NYC about a month or two before he passed. He was awesome! I miss the 80's.

[@PatriceLechevallier]

Excellent !!!!!!

[@claertonarcoverde7053]

This mix it was just amazing, excellent video . 🤝💃💃🕺🕺

[@Ramesses52]

Mixagem espetacular Dj Disco Cat desses hits que marcaram a época de ouro da Disco Music. Congratulations!!!

[@churitos12]

Estoy escuchando estos Fantásticos Temas...en 2 de Abrisl del 2024........Exelente MÚSICA Carajo!!!....muy buena grabación.....Gracias......

[@logmel]

Incredible remix!

[@jeannettemiller9275]

AN FOREVERMORE EXCLUSIVE EXCELLENT OUTSTANDING BRILLIANT SUPER SUPERB CLASSIC! ( ANCHOR ANHCOR 👍👏

[@davidmena7518]

Patrick cowley.. Silvester James...... inmortales....... Genios del Haig energí para siempre 😎😎😎...... estilo único.... Silvester James...... estará siempre en mi vida. Juventud divino tesoro...🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@pattivest8649]

What a work of brilliance! Damm I love this❤❤❤

[@deensf3201]

. . . and the gospel closer helped bring my day to a glorious end. Oh yes, Sylvester wore and bore his Diva Crown of Thorns with Mighty Real Pride.

[@edgarcc982]

El gran Sylvester...un grande de los años 80's

[@megaso56]

Think about this, we were all kicking ass in the 70's, it was no big deal then, still isn't. Americans have always loved a challenge. Lets go. Lets ALL work together. we can Teach the younger generation how to cope with strife.

[@cecilio1946]

También Alós latinos

[@farmyardflavours]

ooh, i feel like going dancing now, but i am sure it will not be Sylvester the dj will be playing. I guess i will just dance to this in my apartment , lol 💋

[@davidlees2543]

He brought out sum good dance music he did

[@nickgrey6500]

My 18th Birthday At Hammersmith Odeon and I saw the beauty of Gay life come to London. I am sorry, I was 18 and did not admit to being gay. I was 60 last week and am trying to make amends. Happy with my Partner and we have such fun, not so much dancing now. Oh, and the highlight of this concert was Sylvester singing: " I who have nothing" - So, sweetly melancholic. Thank you! The Priceless Prince of Disco. And the Boys in white suits, his band, SO handsome! ;)

[@martinvogelv3437]

Excelente musica, ya estaba bailando, saludos

[@martharelenamoralesanduray5313]

Un icono de la musica disco que revolucionó con nuevas formas de baile y musica moderna en los años 80. Nos dejo un legado irremplazable de buen disfrute y goce de nuestros tiempos. En paz descanses SILVESTER.

[@Ladysugarshaft]

Love it! The ending is Beautiful❤

[@MrLeao2011]

Comprei esse disco na época e toda festa eu levava, e quando rolava ninguém ficava parado, a pista enchia era sucesso garantido.

[@marcoanayalopez8536]

Excelente mezcla. Gracias por compartir! ¡!!!!!!!!

[@raulvillalobos3514]

Genial tema, uno de los tops de la época dorada de la música disco!!!

[@tomkitson9040]

love your title for this :) love sylvester

[@CusyBarron]

❤ Eres unico un genio nadie como tu te amamos silvestre🎉

[@ZipLineFine]

@DJDiscoCat: Dude you slayed it with this stunning remix of Sylvester's classic disco hits... It's a trip down memory lane. Thank You !!!!

[@ZipLineFine]

@DJDiscoCat... LOVE this remix pairing. Combined with the backstory / history lesson you really put these 2 Mega Songs into perspective. Having been fortunate to see Sylvester & Company LIVE at the peak of his fame & popularity ( which I loving l call his Caftan period - he rocked those glittering /sparkly outfits !) these songs bring back a LOT of WONDERFUL memories.. These 2 songs are a part of the soundtrack of my life in the late 1970's. Of course, I remember many people who left us way too soon.. I later met Sylvester at another function and he was one of the kindest, sweet ,down to Earth, lovely people I've ever met. With all of the brouhaha going on around when he was in public , I don't how he did it. He was immensely talented and his voice was INSANELY powerful His range just slayed. And when he hit those high range octaves I'd literally get goose bumps /chills.. May he RIP ! A Lifelong Fan in Texas !!!!

[@lynesauve7807]

Super,super ,super !!!

[@albertoalarcony.230]

Que bonitos recuerdos. Saludos desde la ciudad de México.

[@velociraptor8984]

Awesome... thanks !

[@xavieroctavia7850]

RIP Sylvester James...

[@viccox301]

My granddaughter is 2 and she loves this song

[@slyspy9819]

How the hell is there a commercial in the middle of this classic , C'mon dude......NO WAY