New Spins
DION: ‘Runaround Sue’ (Philips 6146702)
An obvious choice, his other best-known classic has a skippable slow intro before the hand-clap beat begins and the fun starts.
HANK THOMPSON & HIS BRAZOS VALLEY BOYS: ‘Rockin’ In The Congo’ (Capitol CL 15877)
From 1957, the Texas Swinger does a jungle rocker that bops a lot and follows you know what!
TERESE STEVENS: ‘Nothing To Declare’ (Pinnacle P8424)
Stereo airplane touches down and then a supremely silly song bounces along so happily that it has to hit.
THE MONKEES: ‘Monkees’ Theme’ (Arista 63)
Just the start makes a great link into their ‘I’m A Believer’, which unfortunately isn’t the A-side – that’s ‘Daydream Believer’.
BLUE MAGIC: ‘Freak-N-Stein’ (Atlantic K 19796)
Thunking funk beat and a Four Tops-type singalong catchiness.
JOHN HANDY: ‘Hard Work’ (Impulse IMP 7001)
Infuriatingly jaunty Jazz-Funk sax instrumental with a simple bouncy rhythm, another ‘Listen Here’ in the making.
CAN: ‘I Want More’ (Virgin VS 153)
What ever next – the Krautrockers go disco, in the Munich style of course. Check it out, there’s ‘More’ on the flip!
MIZ DAVIS: ‘Sing A Happy Funky Song’ (Mountain TOP 17) (Billboard chart debut 2/14/76)
Long-awaited funky jogger, spiced considerably by a steel drum intro. The ‘Disco Version’ flip flows more smoothly.
HAMILTON BOHANNON: ‘Dance Your Ass Off’ (Brunswick BR 36) (Billboard chart debut 5/8/76)
Coming right out and saying it, on the label at least, Hamilton hits one of his clockwork rhythm grooves.
BERT SHORTHOUSE: ‘The Blue Bell Polka’ (DJM DJS 10635)
Once a hit for Jimmy Shand, this sedately jolly Scottish accordion romper will be good fun for arms-linked liggers!
RUSS CONWAY: ‘Side Saddle’ / ‘Roulette‘ / ‘Snow Coach‘ (EMI 2487)
Three of the jangling pianist’s biggest, on a happy maxi for MoR gigs.
CHRIS BARBER: ‘Give Me An Old Fashioned Swing’ (Black Lion BSP 45106)
Ultra-jolly old fashioned Trad, complete with boozy vocal about the sort of swing you sit on (not dance to).
MIKE HARPER: ‘I’m Crying’ (RCA 2719) (Billboard chart debut 9/25/76)
Out on Retreat last summer, this gorgeous blue-eyed dancer has great soulful high notes and deserves attention again.
G. C. CAMERON: ‘Me And My Life’ (Tamla Motown TMG 1033)
Soulfully sung new cymbal schlurper, flipped with the funky slow ‘Act Like A Shotgun‘ from ’71.
BILLY PAUL: ‘People Power’ (Philadelphia Int’l PIR 4461) (mentioned in Billboard column 12/20/75, Billboard chart debut 1/3/76)
Bouncily clomping hustler, a New York disco bubbler back in January.
LOVE FORCE: ‘Fighting On The Side Of Love’ (RSO 2090196)
Bugle call to arms and the girlie group gets into predictably frothy fighting gear. Instrumental flip.
ARMADA ORCHESTRA: ‘The Love I Lost’ (Contempo CS 2089)
Two-part backing track treatment of the Harold Melvin oldie, a galloping hustler.
UK Disco Top 20 – July 24, 1976
01 01 Candi Staton – Young Hearts Run Free – Warner Bros.
02 05 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Rocket
03 02 Real Thing – You To Me Are Everything – Pye
04 03 Bryan Ferry – Let’s Stick Together – Island
05 06 Hundred Ton & A Feather – It Only Takes A Minute – UK
06 16 Tavares – Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel – Capitol
07 10 Manhattans – Kiss And Say Goodbye – CBS
08 NE Isley Brothers – Harvest For The World – Epic
09 04 War – Me And Baby Brother – Island
10 14 Dr. Hook – A Little Bit More – Capitol
11 18 Ohio Players – Who’d She Coo – Mercury
12 08 Melba Moore – This Is It – Buddah
13 NE Danny & The Juniors – At The Hop – ABC
14 17 T. Rex – I Love To Boogie – EMI
15 RE Dorothy Moore – Misty Blue – Contempo
16 13 Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back In Town – Vertigo
17 NE David Dundas – Jeans On – Air
18 RE Parliament – Give Up The Funk – Casablanca
19 RE Wings – Silly Love Songs – EMI
20 NE Billy Ocean – Love On Delivery – GTO
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (Billboard chart debut 4/17/76)
#3 (Billboard chart debut 11/6/76)
#6 (mentioned in Billboard column 5/15/76, Billboard chart debut 5/22/76)
#11 (Billboard chart debut 9/18/76)
#12 (mentioned in Billboard column 3/13/76, Billboard chart debut 4/3/76)
#18 (Billboard chart debut 9/18/76)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hotline”:
HEADS TOGETHER: ‘Disco Truckin’ Mama’ (Charisma)
RITCHIE FAMILY: ‘Best Disco In Town’ (Marlin LP cut – US import) (Billboard chart debut 7/10/76)
WINIFRED SHAW: ‘Lullaby Of Broadway’ (UA)
THE RICHMOND STRING ORCHESTRA: ‘Boots And Saddles’ (Ronco)
DAVID DUNDAS: ‘Jeans On’ (AIR)
SOUND 9418: ‘The Lonely Bull Meets La Bamba And Lives’ (UK)
BLOOBLO: ‘Ice Cream Man’ (Opal)
BEE GEES: ‘You Should Be Dancing’ (RSO) (Billboard chart debut 7/10/76)
BLACK NASTY: ‘Cut Your Motor Off’ (Big Hit – US import)
RALPH CARTER: ‘Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart’ (Mercury) (mentioned in Billboard column 4/24/76, Billboard chart debut 5/29/76)
LOU RAWLS: ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’ (Philadelphia Int’l) (Billboard chart debut 5/22/76)
SONNY WORTHING: ‘La Belle France’ (Transatlantic)
James Hamilton's Disco Page 