Patrick Cowley - From Behind [Dark Entries]

Cybernetic disco master Patrick Cowley returns to Dark Entries with From Behind, a collection of euphoric, groove-filled covers of 60s garage and soul tracks. Known primarily for his chart-topping disco anthems, Cowley left behind an incredible musical legacy before his tragic death in 1982 from an HIV-related illness. Since 2009, Dark Entries has worked with Cowley’s friends and family to unearth less familiar facets of the singular artist, including his film scores on compilations like School Daze, Muscle Up, and Afternooners.

From Behind reveals yet another facet of Cowley’s myriad influences: garage and soul. As a young music-addled kid coming of age in 1960s San Francisco, it’s no surprise these psychedelic sounds, both intense and visceral, would permeate his oeuvre. Recorded during Cowley’s most productive period between 1980 and 1982, these tracks showcase the master flexing his virtuosity while paying loving tribute to the tracks that shaped him.

A demo of Loverde’s “Iko Iko” transforms the upbeat Dixie Cups classic into a sultry, club-worthy monster groove. An unexpected hi-NRG take on The Doors’ “20th Century Fox” features vocals from Paul Parker, ironically twisting the explicit heterosexuality of the original. Through Cowley’s vocoder, The Who’s “Shakin’ All Over” becomes a haunting meditation on the loss of bodily autonomy that HIV inflicts, while Moody Blues’ “Ride My See Saw” appears in a blown-out, synth-forward instrumental version built for maximum dancefloor impact. Also included are instrumental demo versions of The Seeds’ “Pushin’ Too Hard” and The Electric Prunes’ “Too Much To Dream (Last Night),” which later appeared on Paul Parker releases.

Closing out the record is an animated version of the Four Tops’ Motown classic “Baby I Need Your Loving,” which Cowley later reimagined for R&B artist Carl Carlton. The record comes in a sleeve designed by Gwenaël Rattke and includes an insert with photos and notes written by Louis Niebur. Released on October 19 in celebration of what would have been Cowley’s 74th birthday, From Behind offers us another glimpse into the world of Cowley: iconic, erotic, and with a cheeky wink.