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Released to coincide with the publishing of a similarly titled book, Voguing and the House Ballroom Scene of New York City compiles 18 diverse club records that span two decades. As detailed in the booklet, the still-kicking form was developed by the gay and transgender black dancers in Harlem ballrooms of the '70s -- their dramatic moves inspired by the poses struck by models in fashion magazines -- and reached the mainstream in '89/'90 via Malcolm McLaren and Madonna. Records of numerous styles provided the soundtrack, as long as they had the stabs and "points" that enabled the dramatic movements and poses. A three-track stretch on disc two exemplifies the stylistic range of the scene's backdrop. The Tom Moulton mix of MFSB's "Love Is the Message," a universal disco anthem, is sprawling and supremely elegant. Rageous' "Cunty," featuring voguer Kevin Aviance, is a raw and vicious house track. First Choice's "Love Thing," with its swaying and tugging strings, extended break, and alternately stupefied and assertive attitude ("I'm stuck on ya baby, it's just about to drive me crazy"; "You treat me right, I'm yours tonight"), is just as exemplary. Collectors of disco and house compilations won't find much here that hasn't been licensed for several other releases across the 2000s and 2010s, but the context here is crucial, and the packaging is tremendous, including dozens of images and several postcards, interviews with DJs David DePino and Junior Vasquez, quotes from the great Daniel Wang, and notes from well-regarded author Tim Lawrence. Disc three is a one-track mix of the selections, executed by Junior Vasquez, who tailored his sets -- as well as some of his productions -- for voguers. ~ Andy Kellman
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