Name: Some Funkettes
Brand: Patrick Cowley

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

DE283CD

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-10-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0794811515319

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

DE283LP

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Black

2020-12-04

0794811515302

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Patrick Cowley

Genre GB

Soundtracks

Label GB

Dark Entries

Dark Entries is a record label based in San Francisco, California, USA. Established in 2009 by an individual with a passion for music, Dark Entries specializes in offering a diverse range of out of print, unreleased, and contemporary underground music. With a focus on bringing unique and obscure sounds to the forefront, this label has become synonymous with quality and innovation.

At Dark Entries, we pride ourselves on our commitment to showcasing artists who push boundaries and challenge traditional norms. Our catalog features an eclectic mix of genres including post-punk, synth-pop, industrial, disco, and more. We strive to provide music enthusiasts with access to rare gems that are not easily found elsewhere.

With an unwavering dedication to preserving musical history while also nurturing emerging talent, Dark Entries continues to be at the forefront of the independent music scene. Our mission is simple: to share *hidden treasures* from the past alongside cutting-edge releases from today's most exciting artists. Join us on this sonic journey as we explore the depths of underground music together.

Patrick Joseph Cowley (October 19, 1950 - November 12, 1982) was a San Francisco-based musician and record producer known as an early pioneer of electronic dance music. He made significant contributions to the HI-NRG and experimental genres.

Born in upstate New York, Cowley began his musical journey playing in local rock bands before studying English at the University of Buffalo. After relocating to the Bay Area, he immersed himself in synthesizer studies at San Francisco City College.

Cowley's recording career took off when he collaborated with *Sylvester*, a fellow San Francisco artist who recognized Cowley's innovative techniques with the synthesizer. Their collaboration resulted in the album "Step II," which propelled Sylvester to international fame and led to Cowley joining him on a world tour as a backup musician.

Remaining connected to the vibrant San Francisco club scene, Cowley partnered with producer *Marty Blecman* to establish Megatone Records in 1981. This partnership enabled Cowley to create successful dance-oriented singles and his acclaimed LP "Megatron Man."

In addition to working on his own music, Cowley wrote and produced hit dance singles for other artists such as *Paul Parker*. His collaborations included producing chart-topping tracks like "Right on Target" and reuniting with *Sylvester* for the popular song "Do You Wanna Funk." Sadly, Patrick

Soundtracks | Vinyl LPs, CDs, Merch | Rough Trade

Dark Entries is humbled to continue digging through the archives of legendary producer Patrick Cowley. While best known for his production on chart-topping cybernetic disco anthems such as Sylvester’s You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) or his own Menergy, Cowley, who passed away from AIDS-related illness in 1982, left us with a substantial body of work. Since 2009, Dark Entries has been working with Cowley’s friends and family to shed light on the lesser known facets of this singular artist’s output. This has resulted in a string of celebrated archival albums, including Catholic (featuring Jorge Socarras), School Daze, Muscle Up, Afternooners, and the recent Mechanical Fantasy Box. Some Funkettes, the latest addition to this series, is a collection of previously unreleased cover songs recorded from 1975-1977. These raw, unembellished tributes both showcase Cowley’s early musical interests and chart the development of his production techniques. Some Funkettes opens with Cowley’s sauntering instrumental rendition of Do It Anyway You Wanna, the disco classic by People’s Choice. Next is a psychedelic reworking of the Temptations’ Papa Was a Rolling Stone, here hazily retitled Papa Wuzza Rollinston. Over its 7 minute runtime, the track’s metronomic, minimal groove builds to a frantic synth solo - this is pure Bay Area motorik. Spiked Punch, a curious riff on Herbie Hancock’s Chameleon follows. Cowley’s lurching, minimalist reimagining of Hancock’s opus prefigures the work he would later do on Sylvester’s masterpiece I Need Somebody to Love Tonight. Side B opens with a truly important historical document: Cowley’s cover of Donna Summer’s I Feel Love. The Moroder-produced disco anthem was a critical influence on Cowley - he would later resculpt the original song into arguably its highest form with his 15-minute-long remix. The instrumental cover version here is sparse and euphoric, brimming with classic Cowley synth signatures alongside the infectious Moroder bassline. A relatively faithful take on Bazuka’s 1975 funk classic Dynomite follows. The record closes with the dub version of Spiked Punch, which highlights developments in Cowley’s recording and synthesis techniques by way of its resonant burbles and spring reverb-laden passages. Some Funkettes was made possible with help from Patrick's brother Jim and his former studiomate Maurice Tani. All songs were mastered for vinyl by George Horn. The sleeve is a collage designed in 1975 by Cowley’s former roommate Francesca Rosa that was found covering a reel to reel box. It features a yin-yang symbol and a photograph of a scruffy 24 year old Patrick, to which we added his original handwriting. Each record comes with an insert featuring a four page essay by Francesca as well as a postcard featuring liner notes and a photograph by Cowley’s roommate and best friend, Theresa McGinley. This peek into Cowley’s formative years arrives just in time for what would have been his 70th birthday.

Some Funkettes

Music GB