17 Essential Walter Gibbons Remixes

DEL combs though his collection to pick the 17 most essential tracks remixed by Walter Gibbons.

To mark the passing of Walter Gibbons 30 years ago today, we’ve brought back this playlist of Gibbons’ 17 most essential mixes and DEL’s original overview of Gibbons’ career and first-hand recollection of what it was like hear him DJ at Philadelphia’s Second Story club originally published in 5 Mag in 2015. Read more about Walter Gibbons in Mixed With Love: A Story About Walter Gibbons.

Ten Percent (Double Exposure)

(’77; #11 Disco-Dance/#56 R&B charts) – (Disco Blending by Walter Gibbons on the original 12″ and A Walter Gibbons Mix on Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) If I have to inform you that this was the first commercially released 12″ and if you don’t know and love this song (in which Mr. Gibbons reworked the OG to the bone)… there may be no hope for you. By the way: Walter only made $185 to do the OG.

Hit and Run (Loleatta Holloway)

(’77; #11 Disco-Dance / #56 R&B charts) – (Mixed by Walter Gibbons) From the accapella opening, this oft-sampled, absolutely smoking vocal & musical opus destroys dance floors. The flip side is the underappreciated “We’re Getting Stronger.”

Set It Off (Strafe)

(’84; #50 Disco-Dance chart) – (Mixed with LOVE by Walter Gibbons) CLASSIC! Loved by the disco crew, B-boys/girls, and house heads alike! Walter also mixed the Harlequin Fours’ cover version with vocals by a young Barbara Tucker.

Let No Man Put Asunder (First Choice)

(’77; uncharted) – (A Walter Gibbons Mix on Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) Gibbons’ remix set the stage for Frankie’s ’83 remix and a place in history for this classic.

It’s Good for the Soul (Salsoul Orchestra)

(’77; uncharted) – (A Walter Gibbons Mix on Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) Those crazy vocal snippets (“Alright, Alright, Alright”) in this wild yet genius roller coaster of SOUL are actually from our hero!

Magic Bird of Fire (Salsoul Orchestra)

(’76; #3 Disco-Dance chart) – (’76 original mix and a Walter Gibbons Mix on Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) Vince Montana meets Walter Gibbons and magic is made.

My Love Is Free (Double Exposure)

(’77; #11 Disco-Dance / #56 R&B charts) – (A Walter Gibbons Mix on Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) While I love the OG mix better, Walter’s virtually instrumental version (save for the last ten seconds!) has a clear place in disco history.

It’s a Better Than Good Time (Gladys Knight & The Pips)

(’78; #16 R&B charts) – (Mixed by Walter Gibbons) Mid-tempo sleeper except for those that were tearing the dance floor up with it.

Catch Me on the Rebound (Loleatta Holloway)

(’77; uncharted) – (A Walter Gibbons Mix on the original and Salsoul’s ’79 “Disco Madness” album) A lesser known Holloway vamp got “pimped out” on the “Disco Madness” album, which you MUST FIND!

Just as Long As I Got You (Love Committee)

(’78; uncharted) – (A Walter Gibbons Mix) Various remixes and inclusion in compilations have made this song more popular over the years but, Gibbons’ original is the masterpiece.

Sun… Sun… Sun… (Jakki)

(’76; #5 Disco-Dance chart) – (no label credits on this Gibbon’s remix) Pedestrian disco fare UNTIL… the break then Walter WORKS and the world dances!

Go Bang (Dinosaur L)

(’77; #7 Disco-Dance / #56 R&B charts) – (Walter Gibbons Unreleased Mix) Not until the Strut label released the “Jungle Music” compilation was this sparser, robotic (in sections), infectious, and controlled chaos version ever available.

Block Party/I Can’t Turn You Loose (Anthony White)

(’77; #7 Disco-Dance / #56 R&B charts) – (Mixed by Walter Gibbons) Some will remember this one because it’s the cover of the Otis Redding song used in the movie, The Blues Brothers. I’ll remember it for the vocals of the recently passed Philadelphian White and B-side and instrumental of the song called “Block Party.”

4 Ever My Beat (Stetsasonic)

(’86; uncharted) – (Beat Box Bongo Mix by Walter Gibbons) Yeah… you’re reading correctly! If you remember, I referenced “hip-hop” in Gibbons’ genre-leanings.

I’ve Been Searching (Arts & Craft)

(’84; uncharted) – (Walter Gibbons 12″ Mix) Without Walter’s cosmic-infused drums and “artfully crafted” remix this would have been another forgotten record.

Doin’ The Best That I Can (Bettye LaVette)

(’78; #13 Disco-Dance chart) – (Remixed by Walter Gibbons) Eleven minutes provided Gibbons with an opportunity for multiple drum breaks, thankfully!

I Got My Mind Made Up (Instant Funk)

(’77; #11 Disco-Dance chart / #1 R&B / #20 Pop charts) – I know the label says “Larry” (Levan) remixed this… but did he?!? Walter Gibbons knows the real story!

Read more about Walter Gibbons in Mixed With Love: A Story About Walter Gibbons.

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