During the golden era of disco, many acts flashed brightly before fading away. One such group was Love and Kisses, a European disco project formed by French producer and singer Alec R. Costandinos. Known for their lush arrangements, sultry vocals, and dancefloor appeal, the group made waves in the late 1970s before disappearing just as quickly as they arrived.
Although their time in the spotlight was short, their contribution to the disco craze—especially hits like “I Found Love” and “Thank God It’s Friday”—remains memorable to fans of the genre.
| Group Name | Love and Kisses |
|---|---|
| Founder | Alec R. Costandinos |
| Origin | London, England |
| Active Years | 1977 – 1979 |
| Genres | Euro Disco, Dance |
| Notable Members | Studio vocalists and musicians (rotating lineup) |
| Labels | Casablanca Records |
| Top Hits | “I Found Love (Now That I Have Found You)” (#1 Dance) “Thank God It’s Friday” (#1 Dance, #22 Hot 100, #23 R&B) |
| Final Release | “Bap Bap” / “Right Here in My World” (1982) |
| Legacy | Key example of Euro disco; featured on many disco compilations |
The Creator: Alec R. Costandinos
Alec R. Costandinos (born Alexandre Kouyoumdjian) was already a name in European disco before launching Love and Kisses. He gained recognition in 1976 as a key collaborator on Cerrone’s breakout album, Love in C Minor. Known for his orchestral style and dramatic arrangements, Costandinos soon decided to lead his own project.
He formed Love and Kisses in 1977, blending male and female vocalists with sweeping strings, pulsating rhythms, and erotic flair. The group was based in London, England, though Costandinos was French-Greek-Armenian and pulled talent from across Europe.
1977: “Love and Kisses” Debut Album
Love and Kisses launched with a self-titled debut on Casablanca Records, a label famous for other disco acts like Donna Summer and Village People. Instead of traditional pop-length tracks, the album consisted of two extended songs:
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“I Found Love (Now That I Have Found You)”
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“Accidental Lover”
This double A-side became a smash in clubs. “I Found Love” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and stayed there for three weeks in 1977. The epic track—over 14 minutes in length in some formats—became a staple in disco clubs worldwide. Costandinos’ songwriting and production captured everything that made Euro-disco distinct: sensual vocals, cinematic instrumentation, and hypnotic repetition.
1978: Second Album and a Disco Classic
In 1978, Love and Kisses returned with their second album, How Much, How Much I Love You. The title track and its B-side, “Beauty and the Beast,” both entered the Top 5 of Billboard’s disco chart. These tracks showcased more of Costandinos’ dramatic style, blending spoken word sections, lush strings, and infectious basslines.
Later that year, Love and Kisses struck gold with their biggest hit:
“Thank God It’s Friday.”
The track appeared on the soundtrack to the Columbia Pictures film of the same name, a disco-themed movie that starred Donna Summer and Jeff Goldblum. Love and Kisses’ contribution served as the film’s theme song, and it gained major traction:
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#1 on the Disco chart
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#22 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#23 on the R&B chart
“Thank God It’s Friday” became a party anthem. With its catchy hook and celebratory tone, it captured the excitement of weekend nightlife in the disco era.
1979: Final Album – You Must Be Love
By 1979, disco had begun to face a backlash in the U.S., especially with the rise of “Disco Demolition Night.” That same year, Love and Kisses released their third and final album:
You Must Be Love.
Despite the usual Costandinos trademarks—lush production, emotional vocals—the album failed to make a chart impact. No singles broke through, and it quietly faded into obscurity. Soon after, the group disbanded.
Post-Disbandment: Final Singles and Fadeout
Although the group officially split in 1979, a final single surfaced in 1982:
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“Bap Bap” / “Right Here in My World” (12-inch and 7-inch formats)
This release, while stylistically similar, did not revive the group’s popularity. By that time, disco was largely replaced by new wave, synth-pop, and R&B.
Alec Costandinos continued to work behind the scenes, producing and composing under various aliases. While he remained active in European music circles, Love and Kisses marked the peak of his commercial success.
Musical Style and Impact
Love and Kisses was firmly rooted in Euro-disco, which featured longer tracks, orchestral elements, and elaborate storytelling. Unlike American disco, which leaned more on funk and soul, Costandinos’ approach embraced classical influences and exotic themes.
Their music often included:
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Spoken word interludes
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Multi-part compositions
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Male-female vocal duets
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Theatrical flourishes
They weren’t a conventional “band,” but rather a studio project built around a rotating cast. That didn’t stop them from becoming club favorites in the late ’70s. DJs embraced their extended cuts, which kept dancefloors moving for 10+ minutes at a time.
Legacy
Love and Kisses may have had a short career, but they left a lasting impression on disco enthusiasts. Their tracks still appear on compilations like Disco Nights Vol. 3: The Best of Euro Disco, and “Thank God It’s Friday” continues to be associated with the height of disco’s popularity.
Though they never toured extensively or became household names, their music captured the glamorous, escapist spirit of the disco era. For fans of deep grooves and cinematic soundscapes, Love and Kisses is still worth discovering.
Love and Kisses Discography
Studio Albums:
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Love and Kisses (1977) – Casablanca Records
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How Much, How Much I Love You (1978) – Casablanca Records
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You Must Be Love (1979) – Casablanca Records
Notable Singles:
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“I Found Love (Now That I Have Found You)” / “Accidental Lover” (1977)
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“How Much I Love You” / “Beauty and the Beast” (1978)
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“Thank God It’s Friday” (1978) – From the Thank God It’s Friday film soundtrack
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“Bap Bap” / “Right Here in My World” (1982)
Final Thoughts
Love and Kisses enjoyed a brief moment of success during one of music’s most flamboyant and energetic eras. While they never broke through in a lasting way, their hits, especially “Thank God It’s Friday,” remain a joyful reminder of the disco boom.
For fans of vintage club sounds, long dance tracks, and lush orchestration, revisiting Love and Kisses is like stepping onto the light-up floors of a 1970s nightclub all over again.