Hunchback of Notre Dame - Alec R. Costandinos 1978

Alec R. Costandinos, (b. Alexandre Kouyoumdjian in 1944 in Cairo, Egypt). His father was Armenian and his mother was Greek. He has long been considered one of the original catalysts of the French disco scene of the 70's. He
was also intimately involved as a writer, publisher and musician in the development of Aphrodite's Child with Vangelis and Greek-born pop singer, Demis Roussos. Aside his name, he has also written under the pseudonym R. Rupen, which is rumoured to be his middle name. On the disco front, he contributed to the debut album of Crystal Grass, which featured the club hit "Crystal World", released on the Philips label in France. Alec was also the publisher of hits for various artists including French chanteuse Dalida.
He is known for his outstanding collaborations that assisted in the development of French disco drummer Cerrone. During Cerrone's tenure with John Kongos and later fusion act Kongas, their collaboration "Anikana-O", led to the solo release of Cerrone's "Love In C Minor". The 17 minute disco opus was an instant disco hit and sent shockwaves through the club circuit, echoing Donna Summer's ode to love from a male perspective. Four cuts were featured on the complete album, including the spectacular "Midnite Lady".

After parting company with Cerrone, Constandinos launched his own project, the aptly titled Love & Kisses. Released initially on the Barclay distributed Rei Vera label in France, his two song album, featuring "Accidental Lover" and the instant classic "I've Found Love (Now That I've Found You)" rocketed up the Billboard Disco Charts. Sung by the late Joanne Stone (also known as Joanne Williamstone), with a chorus rumoured to be a collective of Sunny Leslie & Sue Glover, it was the genesis of Alec's foray into the U.S. disco market. It also featured a provocative cover, with four hands ripping the t-shirt of a scantily clad model. Casablanca Records immediately snapped up the American rights to the album, the first of a long term collaboration of projects. "Accidental Lover" was also covered in America, and released on the Salsoul imprint owned by Tom Moulton.

Costandinos collaborated for a 2nd time with French arranger Raymond Donnez, aka Don Ray on an additional project, in the form of a re-telling of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet". Using the same ensemble cast as with Love & Kisses, it also rocketed to # 1. This project was composed completely by Alec himself, delivered in five pieces of in "suite" form, with parts 1 & 2 being the "hit single" elements and the "B" side being more of a downtempoed "morning music" flavour. The project was released under the name Alec. R Costandinos & The Synchophonic Orchestra.

Several other concept albums were produced by Alec. The story of Judas Iscariot was presented in the form of "Simon Peter" on the album Sphinx. Paris Connection, was essentially an album of previously recorded songs such as "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" framed around newly created elements. The gem of this project was a blissful re-interpretation of Barry Ryan's 1965 hit "Eloise" as the key selection. He has also scored international movies such as "Trocadero Bleu Citron". Perhaps the best of his more "underground" or "cult" recordings was "Golden Tears" by Sumeria. The story of a man who falls to earth to become part of the human race, it features hits such as "Dance (And Leave It All Behind You). Loosely, it also appears to foreshadow a few ABC television series developed around the same time: Mork & Mindy.

1944年エジプト生まれ。18歳でオーストラリアの大学に入学し、自分のバンドを持つなどして音楽活動を本格化しました。22歳になったころ、今度はパリに移り住んでプ­ロ音楽家の道を歩み始め、フランスの人気ポップ歌手ダリダ（Dalida）に曲を提供するなど、早くも才能を発揮するようになりました。
まあ、セローンとの関係はともかく、アレックは自分自身で独自の作風を打ち立てたことは間違いありません。聴いてみるとすぐ分かるのですけど、とにかく「クラシック音楽風­」なのですね。ある意味壮大な「ミュージカル風」ともいえます。徹頭徹尾オーケストラ中心主義であり、それに電子オルガンもシンセサイザーもコーラスもがんがん重ねて派手­にしていく、といった印象です。

彼のそんなバブリーな曲群は、当時のディスコ状況に完全にマッチしました。78年には「ロミオ＆ジュリエット」という「いかにも」な演劇調の大袈裟ディスコ曲が全米ディス­コチャート１位に輝いています（しかし私は好きです）。
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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Disco
• Golden
• Hits
• 70's
• 80's
• Hot
• Pop
• Music
• Dance
• England
• 1980
• High
• school
• Back
• Memories
• Hunchback
• of
• Notre
• Dame
• Alec
• R.
• Costandinos
• رقص
• خاطرات
• شاد
• دبیرستان
• دیسکو
• موسیقی
• قدیمی
• ディスコ
• 懐かしい
• ダンス
• ポップ
• 思い出
• 高校
• アレック・R・コスタンディノス

[bullgtor1]

I am happy to see Costandinos was a favorte of people besides myself. I thought I was the only one.

[bullgtor1]

When fondly remembering the disco days I first think of his music and can't believe how few people ever acknowledge it. my ex got everything but the only thing I miss is the Romeo &Juliet album.

[dadodgerful]

the shitz!!!!!!!!!!!

[MyGString4u]

Como quisiera yo vivr esos dias de mi tiempo en la Disco. Tan inocente y felix que me encontraba. So blessed to have live through the Disco times!!!!! A great appreciation I have for this era. Thanks for the postings,

Madeline

[MrLARodger]

Well Deansusky, I usually do both! Cry and dance knowing how blessed I was to have seen some of the most joyous times in music and dance. Every time I hear these songs I'm transported back to when I was living in NYC. All we wanted to do was dance and get along......what happened?

[deansusky]

should we cry or should we dance ,,old things r better ,,yadesh bekhir

[MauriceHouseOfDance]

many many blessings for posting this true classic alec and don had such a way of telling a story through music that  is still unmatched today.

[papermooner]

Or rather, his whole person was a grimace

[sweetpetite54]

I have this album and have fond memories of disco dancing to it. It makes me cry tho; such a tragic story.

[nightgrooveruk]

WOW POW POWERFUL VIBRATIONS :) SUNSHINE SMILES ((( THANK YOU ))) NAMASTE