Best of (Audio Cassette) [Import]

Meco's hits made me laugh, dance and cry. (Tell me the end of Close Encounters doesn't' send chills up and down YOUR spine! Between French Horns crying out, and Barry (Yes I remember his name) saying "goodbye" to the "spacemen".

Star Wars - Nuff said.

Love Theme from Superman - I fell in love with Margot when I heard Meco!

Anyway - if you were a kid/teen in the late 70's - buy this now.

However, I never got to hear the single version of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" which went to #1 on the pop charts and #8 on the R&B charts in October 1977. Then again, after hearing the full version, I probably wouldn't have been satisfied with this version, smashing those it is.

Then comes the #18 single "Empire Strikes Back (Medley)" incorporating the Imperial March and Yoda's Theme, the latter made more heroic and upbeat. I wish I'd heard that when it first came out. Some shrieking TIE fighter special effects, lightsabre sounds, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 can be heard. Is Vader boogeying down to this number? However, "Asteroid Field/Finale" from ESB may be lost for people who never saw the movie, as the original score may not be familiar. However, Chewie and some TIE fighters remind people where this is from.

Two classic movies are done next. The "Theme from Close Encounters" is another triumph, taking the five notes communicated to by the alien spaceship" And the "Themes from The Wizard of Oz" segue together "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off To See The Wizard," sung by some female backup singers. Included is some dialogue by Janet Burnham (Wicked Witch) and the Cowardly Lion. Music for the four travelers for skipping down the Yellow Brick Road.

"Star Trek Medley Pt. 1" incorporates the ST theme introduced with The Motion Picture before seguing into the theme of the 1966-1969 TV series. The initial electric guitar and burst of synths would be something repeated by Blondie in their hit "Call Me." I can just imagine Spock saying to Kirk: "Dancing to disco music while awaiting for warp drive is not logical." or McCoy grumbling "I'm a doctor, not an employee of Studio 54."

"Topsy" is Meco's take on the Cozy Cole of the same name, incorporating disco beats and strings on a swing tune.

"Meco's Theme/3 W. 57" is an original tune, with the usual punchy disco. It sounds like the theme from CHIPS with the theme from Gremlins combined at times. The name of the second part is taken from the address of Meco's record company.

"Moondancer" is another original tune, taken from his 1979 album of the same name. However, the R2D2 synths are revisited, as are some other robot-like synths. "Spooky" is another song from Moondancer and is less uptempo, more the pace of the Stones' "Missin' You."

If the Star Wars improv was Meco's "Stayin' Alive" then "Love Theme From Superman (Can You Read My Mind)" with the lush romantic strings, is his "How Deep Is Your Love". It includes some dialogue Lois Lane thinks at Superman when they're flying, done by Janet Burnham.

I haven't seen An American Werewolf In London, so I can't adequately comment on "Werewolf (Loose In London)" featuring lead vocals by Michael Falcon.

Now for the 15:46 version of the Star Wars single, which is the intro of pop music to yours truly. The medley taken from John Williams' original score is as follows: Title theme, Imperial Attack, The Desert and the Robot Auction, The Princess Appears, The Land of the Sand People, Princess Leia's theme, Cantina Band, The Last Battle, and The Throne Room and End Title. R2-D2 has some guest appearances here, with some special effects by Suzanne Ciani emulating laserbolts.

"Other Galactic Funk" is a 12:28 exercise of drum machines, horns, and sundry sounds.

After his work with Gloria Gaynor (he co-produced "Never Can Say Goodbye") and association with Casablanca Records' Neil Bogart (Donna Summer, KISS), Meco seemed to vanish as disco's popularity plummeted during the early 80's. Question now: for a one-shot thing, when is Meco going to do the disco versions for the Harry Potter them, something that even Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy would jam to? And he's a commodities broker in NY? What a waste of talent!

Also included: a few other memorable movie tunes that have been fortified with 70s goodness. Probably the most notable of these is the 'Star Trek' medley, which given half a chance would blend right in on a 'Blondie' album. There's also a more energetic 'Wizard of Oz' combo and a downright bizarre 'Close Encounters' cut. Strangely enough, the 'Love Theme from Superman: The Movie' doesn't sound all that different from the rendition that hit the pop radio airwaves at the time, and the rest is fairly decent stuff. But, let's face it: what really sells this CD are the disco Star Wars cuts. So grab your polyester Jedi outfit, faux-gold Millenium Falcon pendant, & an ice-cold 40 of Colt .45, and get down with your bad self!

'Late