Month: June 1976

New Spins

VAN MCCOY: ‘Jet Setting’ (H&L 6105053) (Billboard chart debut 4/24/76)
His strongest since ‘The Hustle’, Van’s UK-only newie is another similar but more sprightly instrumental, and is out here at the insistence of Liverpool jocks.

DEMIS ROUSSOS: ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ (Philips DEMIS 001)
There’s no holding this Greek, the EP makes a cheap way of getting such useful smoochers as ‘Forever And Ever’, ‘So Dreamy’ and ‘My Friend The Wind’.

THE BEATLES: ‘Twist And Shout’ (Parlophone R 6016)
Their cover of the Isleys’ ’62 classic remains a punchy party pleaser, while the ‘Back In The USSR’ A-side is a faster fave of less lasting value.  Continue reading “June 26, 1976: Van McCoy, Demis Roussos, The Beatles, Sound 9418, Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers”

New Spins

BRASS CONSTRUCTION: ‘Changin” (UA UP 36134) (mentioned in Billboard column 1/17/76, Billboard chart debut 1/31/76)
Everyone’s second fave LP track, it’s a bouncily clomping hunk of funk that lacks the catchiness of ‘Movin”.  Edited, but the flip is all of ‘Dance‘.

OHIO PLAYERS: ‘Who’d She Coo?’ (Mercury 6167385) (Billboard chart debut 9/18/76)
The only choice disco cut from their new ‘Contradiction’ album, this bubblingly cheerful “hoochie-coochie-coo” chanter is bouncy funk at its best.

ROY AYERS UBIQUITY: ‘Evolution’ (Polydor 2066671)
Ultra-taut tricksily funky hi-hat tapper, a big New York import, which could be good up North. ‘Mystic Voyage’ flip’s a sophisticated smoocher.  Continue reading “June 19, 1976: Brass Construction, Ohio Players, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Edgar Hayes, Sonny Worthing”

New Spins

WAR: ‘Me And Baby Brother’ (Island WIP 6303)
Re-issued truly by public demand, War’s best-ever dancer has a hockey Conga-type Afro rhythm and bags of vitality.  I even remember my Mum dancing to it on the first time around!

DONNIE ELBERT: ‘A Little Piece Of Leather’ (Klik KL 617)
Amazingly, this is the original version of Donnie’s mid-Sixties classic soul stomper, slightly stereo-fied.  There’s even a remixed backing track instrumental version of his lovely ‘Who’s It Gonna Be’ for flip!

DANNY & THE JUNIORS: ‘At The Hop’ (ABC 4123)
The time is absolutely right for this all-time Rock ‘n Roller to hit again, what with some discos playing imports of it to please their bopping clients!  It’s flipped by ‘Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay’, and is a must.  Continue reading “June 12, 1976: War, Donnie Elbert, Danny & The Juniors, Eddie Cochran, T. Rex”

New Spins

MARBOO: ‘Falling In Love In Summertime’ (EMI 2478)
With lots of evocative seaside sound effects, this gentle mid-tempo jogger has that Jesse Green feel and should do well.  Resort jocks will need it!

LITTLE NELL: ‘Fever’ (A&M AMS 7234)
Little Willie John’s classic is totally changed into a fast romping hustler with twee whispering from Nell over girlie group chanting.  An outsider worth trying.

MICHEL POLNAREFF: ‘Lipstick’ (Atlantic K 10783) (mentioned in Billboard column 5/8/76, Billboard chart debut 5/15/76)
The Frenchman’s New York disco hit is an excitingly building instrumental hustler, fine for funky folk.  Continue reading “June 5, 1976: Marboo, Little Nell, Michel Polnareff, Penny McLean, Impact”