The 77 Syndicate & Rowen Shore – “The Studio 77 Tapes”

This album starts with a wild discovery, a $10 box of tapes at a Chicago yard sale. What was on them? Recordings from a group of pro musicians who, in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, met in secret to play together after hours. Because of label contracts, they weren’t even allowed to collaborate publicly. So they found a workaround, a warehouse, some tape, and no rules.

The sessions are loose, groovy, and full of energy. You hear Funk, Disco, and the beginning stages of House music all bleeding into each other. It’s not perfect, and that’s the point, and these aren’t studio takes. These are musicians blowing off steam and playing how they actually wanted to, without anyone watching.

Rowen Shore almost erased the tapes. He was planning to reuse them, but hit play first and realized what he’d found. He ended up restoring them instead. What came out is The Studio 77 Tapes, and it really does feel like opening a time capsule.

If you love the roots of dance music or want something that sounds like it was made by people in a room, this is worth your time. Follow Rowen Shore on socials to keep up with what’s coming next this year.