New Spins
BABE RUTH: ‘Elusive’ (Capitol CL 15869) (Billboard chart debut 11/29/75)
A funky disco hit since last year, this joyfully leaping album cut is finally out on 45, though edited in half.
MANDRILL: ‘Panama’ / ‘Disco-lypso’ (UA UP 36103) (Billboard chart debut 1/24/76)
Happy calypso-ish A-side should be good MoR while the funkier flip (a US hit) is much stronger disco fare.
THE CORRIES: ‘Wha Wadna ‘Fecht For Charlie’ (EMI 2447)
‘Jungle Rock’ cum ‘Burundi Black’ drumming sound makes this jig-type folk song a left-fielder that could reward adventurous jocks.
JONATHAN KING: ‘He’s So Fine’ (UK 132)
For rush release, Jo King’s set the Chiffons’ lyrics (without changing any genders!) to George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ backing . . . an idea so fine that it’s a gas.
TEAGARDEN REVIVAL: ‘She’s A Great Great Girl’ (Pye 7N 455594)
Out last summer as by Harry Hastings & The Palm Beach Orchestra, this crazily jaunty little ditty is the same record as was then on Bell. Why the name change? A Thirties tune synthesized, it’s great MoR fun.
MAUREEN MCGOVERN: ‘The Continental’ (20th Century BTC 2222)
The old Fred Astaire number gets a lovely sophisticated reading, full of period charm for quicksteppers.
NICK MARTYN: ‘Eddie Waring’ (Pye 7N 455587)
What?!? With rooty-tooty backing from Terry Lightfoot’s Band, here’s a jolly knees-up that’s a knockout!
CALHOON: ‘Soul Man’ (Spector 2010015) (Billboard chart debut 4/17/76)
Sam & Dave’s classic goes Philly as a two part cymbal-schlurping hustler.
MELBA MOORE: ‘This Is It’ (Buddah BDS 443) (mentioned in Billboard column 3/13/76, Billboard chart debut 4/3/76)
Much publicized, Van McCoy’s newie is a typically bubbly beater with hit prospects.
JACKIE CARTER: ‘Treat Me Like A Woman’ (Atlantic K 10720) (mentioned in Billboard column 4/24/76)
Excellent Euro-Disco funky thumper that evidently segues NY style with ‘Love Hangover’, though the sound is thinner.
RHYTHM MAKERS: ‘Zone’ / ‘Prime Cut’ (Polydor 2001651) (Billboard chart debut 1/31/76)
Much imported instrumental, a 5:00-long stylus-skipping microgroover with hissing hi-hats and constantly ticking rhythm. Beefier cymbal-sizzling flip.
BILL PURSELL & THE NASHVILLE SWEAT BAND: ‘Now (Hoy)’ (Spark SRL 1142) (Billboard chart debut 6/19/76)
Lush lead-in to a nicely schmaltzy rhapsodical piano tinkler with cooing chix and busy disco rhythms.
DEBBIE TAYLOR: ‘Just Don’t Pay’ (Arista 50)
Terrifically effective jazzily laid-back Al Green-ish bouncer, sung with soul.
GOLD CONNECTION: ‘Darling I Like It’ (NEMS NES 010)
Jamaican copy of Silver Convention.
DAVE: ‘Moonlight Serenade’ (CBS 4197)
Phonetically enunciated vocal has disco trappings but more MoR appeal than anything.
THE NEW VENTURES: ‘Moonlight Serenade’ (UA UP 81101) (Billboard chart debut 4/3/76)
Totally disco, with 5:26 flipside mix and not a twang in sight! ‘Baby Face’ style.
THE FUNKEES: ‘Abraka’ (Black Magic BM 114)
Santana-ish instrumental of the ‘Soul Sacrifice’ type.
SANTANA: ‘Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)’ (CBS 4143)
Lovely guitar slowie amazingly like Focus’s ‘Tommy’.
ABSOLUTE ELSEWHERE: ‘Earthbound’ (Warner Bros. K 16697)
Divinely spacey synthetics for late night smooching. By the way, God was an amphibian from Sirius.
AL BANO & ROMINA POWER: ‘We’ll Live It All Again’ (Epic EPC 4218)
American chick and Italian bloke sing a Demis-type slowie in their own respective languages — soppy stuff that could go MoR.
SHAWNE JACKSON: ‘Get Out Of The Kitchen’ (RCA 2667)
Steady thumping churner with Northern appeal, Shawne’s a she.
UK Disco Top 20 – April 17, 1976
01 03 Barry White – You See The Trouble With Me – 20th Century
02 02 Billy Ocean – Love Really Hurts Without You – GTO
03 16 Brotherhood Of Man – Save Your Kisses For Me – Pye
04 11 Brass Construction – Movin’ / Changin’ – UA
05 01 Tina Charles – I Love To Love – CBS
06 NE Hot Chocolate – Don’t Stop It Now – Rak
07 NE Silver Convention – Get Up And Boogie – Magnet
08 NE Hank Mizell – Jungle Rock – Charly
09 04 Fatback Band – Spanish Hustle – Polydor
10 NE Roger Collins – You Sexy Sugar Plum – Fantasy
11 NE John Miles – Music – Decca
12 08 Beatles – Yesterday – EMI
13 18 Trammps – Where The Happy People Go – Atlantic
14 10 Sailor – Girls, Girls, Girls – Epic
15 NE Beatles – Get Back – Apple
16 RE Pioneers – Feel The Rhythm – Mercury
17 NE Isaac Hayes – Disco Connection – ABC
18 NE Elton John – Pinball Wizard – DJM
19 NE Andrea True Connection – More, More, More – Buddah
20 NE Marmalade – Falling Apart At The Seams – Target
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (Billboard chart debut 3/13/76)
#2 (Billboard chart debut 4/3/76)
#4 (mentioned in Billboard column 1/17/76, Billboard chart debut 1/24/76)
#5 (Billboard chart debut 3/13/76)
#7 (mentioned in Billboard column 2/14/76, Billboard chart debut 3/13/76)
#9 (mentioned in Billboard column 12/20/75, Billboard chart debut 12/27/75)
#13 (mentioned in Billboard column 11/8/75, Billboard chart debut 2/14/76)
#17 (Billboard chart debut 1/24/76)
#19 (mentioned in Billboard column 1/3/76, Billboard chart debut 1/17/76)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hot Line”:
VINCE TAYLOR: ‘Brand New Cadillac’ (Chiswick)
ARMADA ORCHESTRA: ‘Band Of Gold’ (Contempo) (Billboard chart debut 11/29/75)
THE CHARLES RANDOLPH GREAN SOUNDE: ‘Star Trek’ (UK) (Billboard chart debut 11/29/75)
LEE GARRETT: ‘You’re My Everything’ (Chrysalis)
DIANA ROSS: ‘Love Hangover’ (Motown LP cut) (Billboard chart debut 2/28/76)
GLADYS KNIGHT: ‘Make Yours A Happy Home’ (Buddah – US import)
DONNA SUMMER: ‘Try Me, I Know We Can Make It’ (GTO LP cut) (mentioned in Billboard column 3/6/76, Billboard chart debut 3/20/76)
BIDDU ORCHESTRA: ‘Rain Forest’ (Epic) (mentioned in Billboard column 4/17/76, Billboard chart debut 4/24/76)
CATE BROS.: ‘Union Man’ (Asylum) (Billboard chart debut 1/3/76)
SHOCKING BLUE: ‘Inkpot’ (Polydor)
DONNA HIGHTOWER: ‘The World Today Is A Mess’ (Columbia)
MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY: ‘Mighty High’ (ABC) (mentioned in Billboard column 11/22/75, Billboard chart debut 12/6/75)
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