New Spins
GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION: ‘Now Do U Wanta Dance’ LP (Warner Bros. K 56359)
Great “happy to see you again” intro segues into terrific title track happy funker with distinctive electronic voice-box sound. The similar ‘Last Train‘ follows, while another goodie is the gaily swinging ‘Stomped Beat-Up And Whooped‘. Ace album!
SHALAMAR: ‘Uptown Festival, Parts 1 & 2’ (Soul Train FB 0885) (Billboard chart debut 1/29/77)
Already a sensation, this marathon Motown medley is sadly cut in two for commercial release, only DJs getting the full-length 12-incher.
GARNET MIMMS & TRUCKIN’ COMPANY: ‘What It Is’ (Arista 109) (Billboard chart debut 3/26/77)
The old ‘Cry Baby’ guy gets Brass Construction backing for a high-powered groove and instrumental flip that’s huge on import.
JOHN DAVIS & THE MONSTER ORCHESTRA: ‘Up Jumped The Devil’ (Polydor 2058870) (Billboard chart debut 2/26/77)
Big US BT Express-type fast funky leaper.
TRAMMPS: ‘Disco Inferno’ (Atlantic K 10914) (mentioned in Billboard column 12/25/76, Billboard chart debut 1/15/77)
Catchy creamy churner, edited from LP.
SLAVE: ‘You And Me’ (from LP ‘Slave’, Cotillion K 50358)
Brass Construction-type hot band made different by a rock guitar sound – the big cuts are this plus ‘Slide‘, ‘Son Of Slide‘ and ‘Party Hardy‘.
LOU RAWLS: ‘See You When I Git There’ (from LP ‘Unmistakably Lou’, Philadelphia Int’l PIR 81873) (mentioned in Billboard column 4/16/77)
Gorgeous rap-introed sexy swinger, must be a single soon.
GENE FARROW: ‘Hey You Should Be Dancing’ (Magnet MAG 89) (Billboard chart debut 6/18/77)
Lively disco pop, especially interesting as the instrumental flip’s run-out groove continues the rhythm ad infinitum . . . making all sorts of cut-in and overdub possibilities!
SUNFIGHTER: ‘Café A-Go-Go’ (EMI 2612)
Frothy formula disco pop with instrumental flip, aimed chartwards.
AMERICA: ‘Slow Down’ (Warner Bros. K 16931)
Insistent cool rhythm nagger, could be big.
GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: ‘Baby Don’t Change Your Mind’ (Buddah BDS 458)
Two fast ones for a change, funkier flip.
ORIGINALS: ‘Call On Your Six-Million Dollar Man’ (from LP ‘Down To Love Town’, Motown STML 12054) (Billboard chart debut 2/5/77)
Big US jolly soul burbler, plus yet another version of the title track.
ELIZABETH ARCHER & THE EQUATORS: ‘Feel Like Making Love’ (Lightning TBO 9011)
Roberta Flack reggaefied.
OLIVER SAIN: ‘Feel Like Dancin” (Contempo CS 2116)
Simple laid-back light funker, derivative driving ‘Be-oogie’ plug side.
G.C. CAMERON: ‘This Will Make You Dance’ (from LP ‘You’re What’s Missing In My Life’, Motown STML 12056) (mentioned in Billboard column 2/5/77, Billboard chart debut 2/12/77)
Repetitive rhythm rattler.
PAUL MAURIAT: ‘Love Is Still Blue’ (Power Exchange PXD 255) (Billboard chart debut 11/27/76)
Updated with percussion but still a bit slow.
HEP-O-LITES: ‘Voodoo Magic’ (Top Deck TD 001)
Messy rough thumper, big in Bristol.
RAY RUSSELL: ‘The Clapping Song’ (DJM DJS 10771)
Shirley Ellis oldie recreated.
RADIO STARS: ‘Dirty Pictures’ (Chiswick S 9)
Good rude rocker, not too punk.
PAT TRAVERS: ‘Rock ‘N Roll Susie’ (Polydor 2058877)
Full-tilt guitar boogie.
JOE STAMPLEY: ‘There She Goes Again’ (Epic EPC 5138)
Strong MoR country.
Hot Vinyl
Graham Canter (London Gullivers) import tips:
NEW YORK PORT AUTHORITY: ‘I Got It’ (Invictus LP cut) (mentioned in Billboard column 5/7/77)
JEFF PERRY: ‘Call On Me‘ (Epic)
JOHN TROPEA: ‘Funk You See, Funk You Do‘ (Marlin LP cut)
DELLS: ‘They Said It Couldn’t Be Done‘ (Mercury LP cut) (Billboard chart debut 4/30/77)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ‘If You’re Gonna Do It‘ (TSOP) (mentioned in Billboard column 4/2/77)
BRECKER BROTHERS: ‘Don’t Stop The Music‘ (Arista LP cut) (Billboard chart debut 4/9/77)
TATA VEGA: ‘Come In Heaven‘ (Tamla LP cut) (mentioned in Billboard column 3/12/77, Billboard chart debut 3/19/77)
PHYLLIS HYMAN: ‘Lovin’ You & Losin’ You‘ (Buddah LP cut) (Billboard chart debut 4/30/77)
UK Disco Top 20 – May 7, 1977
01 04 Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke – Motown
02 01 Boney M – Sunny – Atlantic
03 03 Van McCoy – The Shuffle – H&L
04 05 Joe Tex – Ain’t Gonna Bump No More – Epic
05 11 Tavares – Whodunnit – Capitol
06 15 Leo Sayer – How Much Love – Chrysalis
07 08 ABBA – Knowing Me, Knowing You – Epic
08 10 Dead End Kids – Have I The Right – CBS
09 NE Deniece Williams – Free – CBS
10 07 David Bowie – Sound And Vision – RCA
11 18 Martyn Ford Orchestra – Let Your Body Go Downtown – Mountain
12 13 Billy Ocean – Red Light Spells Danger – GTO
13 02 Brendon – Gimme Some – Magnet
14 17 Fleetwood Mac – Don’t Stop – Warner Bros.
15 20 KC & The Sunshine Band – I’m Your Boogie Man – TK
16 RE James Brown – Body Heat – Polydor
17 RE Jimmy Bo Horne – Gimme Some – RCA
18 RE Delegation – Where Is The Love – State
19 NE Average White Band – Goin’ Home – Atlantic
20 NE Andrew Gold – Lonely Boy – Asylum
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (mentioned in Billboard column 10/16/76, Billboard chart debut 10/23/76)
#2 (mentioned in Billboard column 10/9/76, Billboard chart debut 11/20/76)
#4 (Billboard chart debut 4/2/77)
#15 (Billboard chart debut 10/30/76)
#16 (Billboard chart debut 1/29/77)
#17 (Billboard chart debut 7/2/75)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hotline”:
SHALAMAR: ‘Uptown Festival’ (Soul Train) (Billboard chart debut 1/29/77)
RONI HILL: ‘You Keep Me Hanging On / Stop! In The Name Of Love’ (Creole) (Billboard chart debut 12/11/76)
WILTON PLACE STREET BAND: ‘Disco Lucy’ (Island) (Billboard chart debut 12/18/76)
RUTH DAVIS & BO KIRKLAND: ‘You’re Gonna Get Next To Me’ (Claridge LP cut – US import)
TRAMMPS: ‘Disco Inferno’ (Atlantic) (mentioned in Billboard column 12/25/76, Billboard chart debut 1/15/77)
MEXICANO: ‘Move Up Starsky’ (Baal)
SEX O’CLOCK USA: ‘Baby Come On’ (Decca) (Billboard chart debut 2/5/77)
MARVIN GAYE: ‘Got To Give It Up’ (Motown) (Billboard chart debut 4/2/77)
TONY ETORIA: ‘I Can Prove It’ (GTO)
GEORGE BENSON: ‘Nature Boy’ (Warner Bros.)
EDDIE & THE HOT RODS: ‘I Might Be Lying’ (Island)
CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR: ‘Dancin” (Contempo) (Billboard chart debut 11/6/76)
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