Why Leave Us Alone
Five Special formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1978 and disbanded circa 1981. Their only hit "Why Leave Us Alone" reached #9 on the Billboard R & B charts in 1979. This very soulful, epic disco number was a favorite of Larry Levan's and is featured on 2006's Journey Into Paradise compilation (NOT the Levan mix) on Rhino Records. The only 12 inch version listed on discogs is a mix by Rick Gianatos. I happen to have an Elektra red label copy with a 10:17 Larry Levan and Billy Kessler mix. I couln't seem to find any information online about this particular pressing or mix. I would have put a photo of the label up here but my digital camera is on its last leg and I couldn't get a proper shot. My guess is that this pressing is a complete rarity. Nonetheless, "Why Leave Us Alone" takes it to the next level.
mp3: Five Special - Why Leave Us Alone (Larry Levan + Billy Kessler Mix)
Posted by Magnum | 10 comments
Labels: Five Special
March 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
i would have to guess that if you do have a record that says that on the label, it is a bootleg of some sort. the mix is identical to the long 12" version, i compared it to the 12" i have (which is the one on discogs) and the long version comped on that "journey into paradise" and they are all the same mix. as far as i know, that was not larry on that mix. 1979 would have been really early for it to be him anyway, it would have been one of his first few mixes.
March 7, 2008 at 8:26 PM
I feel that it is definitely not a bootleg. We have inspected it up and down and I feel pretty strongly about that. Levan was doing mixes as early as 1978. Plus I have plenty of records that are nowhere to be found or listed improperly on discogs.
March 7, 2008 at 8:30 PM
i have a ridiculous number of records not on discogs. that is not the point. the point is that this mix is the exact same as all other releases of what is called the "long mix" of the track. it is no different, and it is never, ever credited to levan. not on any licensed comp, not on any 12" that there are pictures of online, etc. it was never booted and Levan's mixes have been booted to hell and back. it just seems so unlikely that with so many levan fanatics out there that nothing has been heard of this record until now. i know he was doing mixes as early as 78, but he didnt really get into the swing of things until the 80's. it would have been one of his first mixes, which makes it even less likely that it would be overlooked or miscredited like that.
March 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
You make some valid points Pipecock, but I certainly do hope you are wrong. Even as you said, it has never been booted which makes it even more odd. Hopefully someone else can help shed some light on this for us.
March 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM
indeed, if anyone knows any more about this i would like to hear about it. no matter who did the "long mix", it is a banger and one of my favorite disco jams.
April 6, 2008 at 3:38 AM
I have this 12" single and remembered when it was released. Elektra was changing label designs and a portion released were on the all red label, while the rest were pressed on the newer designed green label with the butterfly on the logo (commercial released). There were 2 mixes- one 5:54 mins. that was mixed with clapping thoughout the song entirely. the other mix was 10:17 (on the flipside),which had a long intro and the clapping began after most of the verses were sung (in the middle). I dont see Levan as the remixer. It was Rick Gianatos, who did a lot of mixes during the disco period.
April 6, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Hmm, maybe my red label is some sort of misprint. I just don't know why anyone would bootleg it and change that bit of information. I will get a picture of this for you guys.
September 15, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I did all mixes on "Why Leave Us Alone." Long was for the 12" single, shorter mix was for the LP.
September 15, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I did listen to the mp3 and it is definitely my mix.
September 17, 2009 at 6:55 AM
I've got the same red label pressing with credits for Levan. It was acquired in a collection of period 12"s definetly all originals.I'd have to agree it's a misspress,but not a bootleg.