New Spins
DONNA SUMMER: ‘I Feel Love’ (GTO GT 100) (Billboard chart debut 5/28/77)
The disco sensation that’s sweeping the nation, this fantastic Kraftwerk-like synthetic burbler is now rushed out on single, ahead of schedule.
PETER BROWN: ‘Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me’ (TK XB 2183) (Billboard chart debut 4/9/77)
Spaced-out subtly thudding funky monster US disco smash – really different and good. Freaky long rhythm flip too!
NEW YORK PORT AUTHORITY: ‘I Got It, Pts. 1 & 2’ (Invictus INV 5312) (mentioned in Billboard column 5/7/77)
Excitingly energetic funky rave, huge on imports already.
BO KIRKLAND & RUTH DAVIS: ‘You’re Gonna Got Next To Me’ (from LP ‘Bo and Ruth’, EMI INS 3007)
The eagerly awaited full length version that discerning jocks prefer, in all its 7:10 glory!
DANNY WILLIAMS: ‘Dancin’ Easy’ (Ensign ENY 3)
Better known as ‘That’s Martini’, the popular commercial ditty’s been given a few new words and a lovely disco lope.
MOTORHEAD: ‘Motorhead’ (Chiswick S 13)
Another pogo-a-go-go punk 12-incher (first 13,000 copies), and it’s noisily true to type.
MARLENA SHAW: ‘Yu-Ma’ / ‘Go Away Little Boy’ (from LP ‘Sweet Beginnings’, CBS 81844)
Beautiful sophisticated smoocher with scene-setting rap intro.
21ST CREATION: ‘Mr. Disco Radio’ (Motown TMG 1075) (‘Tailgate’ chart debut 5/7/77)
Great perky Chiffons-type bouncer, much fresher than the disco fodder ‘Tailgate‘ topside (which has been promo-ed on 12-inch).
GARY GLITTER: ‘A Little Boogie Woogie In The Back Of My Mind’ (Arista 112)
Good modern disco feel, should mix well.
SMOKEY ROBINSON: ‘Vitamin U’ (Motown TMG 1076) (Billboard chart debut 2/12/77)
Happily tripping pounder with a big, big beat.
BILL FREDERICKS: ‘Lover’s Question’ (Polydor 2058895)
Jittery little jumping rhythm Bee Gees chanter, kinda catchy.
RICHARD HEWSON ORCHESTRA: ‘What Shall We Do When The Disco’s Over’ (Splash CP 12) (Billboard chart debut 3/4/78)
Slinky chix on another big beat pounder.
MISTA CHARGE: ‘Deep Love’ (Target TGT 134)
Gently grooving understated little lilter with an accumulating power.
LES PENNING: ‘The British Grenadiers’ (Polydor 2058892)
Folksy flute romper, ideal for country dancing!
GLEN CAMPBELL: ‘Sunflower’ (Capitol CL 15926)
Jauntily thumping MoR by Neil Diamond.
JAMES TAYLOR: ‘Handy Man’ (CBS 5363)
Lovely smooch tempo reworking of the Jimmy Jones oldie.
PURIFY BROS.: ‘Slow Dancing’ (Mercury 6167535)
Soulful disco version of the much covered slowie, originally a minor US hit for the Funky Kings.
FLEETWOOD MAC: ‘Dreams’ (Warner Bros. K 16969)
Cool little rhythm ticker from the top of the US charts.
B.T. EXPRESS: ‘Expose Yourself’ (from LP ‘Function At The Junction’, EMI INS 3009)
Out of five fast tracks – all with those trademarked swirling strings over brass and chants – this speedy stomper probably stands out the most.
BRAINSTORM: ‘Lovin’ Is Really My Game’ (from LP ‘Stormin’, RCA PL 12048) (Billboard chart debut 5/14/77)
Ultra-fast storming US disco hit, it joins the full, slow-starting, ‘Wake Up And Be Somebody‘ rattler.
ELIZABETH: ‘God Save The Sex Pistols’ (Creole CR 139)
Short-term novelty from joking Jonathan King – slow classical music behind an HM The Queen soundalike saying “My Husband and I thank”.
Hot Vinyl
Les Spaine has another funky all nighter this Saturday (25) at Liverpool’s all new rebuilt Timepiece, which last week was visited by Delegation, George Chandler, Realistics and Real Thing (whose next ‘Love’s Such A Wonderful Thing‘ is great, sez Les). His hot import tips are:
FLAVOR: ‘Magnifico’ / ‘Push The Past‘ (Jupar/Motown LP cuts)
JUICE: ‘Feel Like Good Music‘ (Greedy)
EMOTIONS: ‘Best Of My Love‘ (Columbia LP cut) (mentioned in Billboard column 5/28/77, Billboard chart debut 6/11/77)
LADY LOVE: ‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me‘ (Chimneyville)
J.B.’S: ‘Music For The People‘ (Polydor)
GENERAL JOHNSON: ‘Don’t Walk Away‘ (Arista) (Billboard chart debut 11/20/76)
FLOATERS: ‘Float On‘ (ABC LP cut)
Mix Master
Chris Duke (BFPO 47) plays to huge crowds of service families in Germany with his NATO Front Line Disco, and suggests a good way of fitting in DONNA SUMMER ‘I Feel Love’ (GTO) is to mix it between ISAAC HAYES ‘Disco Connection‘ (ABC) and CAN ‘I Want More‘ (Virgin).
UK Disco Top 20 – June 25, 1977
01 01 Joe Tex – Ain’t Gonna Bump No More – Epic
02 06 Jacksons – Show You The Way To Go – Epic
03 02 Shalamar – Uptown Festival – Soul Train
04 03 Marvin Gaye – Got To Give It Up – Motown
05 19 Carole Bayer Sager – You’re Moving Out Today – Elektra
06 11 John Miles – Slow Down – Decca
07 14 Ruth Davis & Bo Kirkland – You’re Gonna Get Next To Me – EMI
08 04 Van McCoy – The Shuffle – H&L
09 07 Gladys Knight – Baby Don’t Change Your Mind – Buddah
10 RE Detroit Emeralds – Feel The Need In Me – Atlantic
11 RE T-Connection – Do What You Wanna Do – TK
12 05 Tony Etoria – I Can Prove It – GTO
13 RE Jesse Green – Come With Me – EMI
14 NE Donna Summer – I Feel Love – GTO
15 RE Rah Band – The Crunch – Good Earth
16 09 Trammps – Disco Inferno – Atlantic
17 RE Ramones – Sheena Is A Punk Rocker – Sire
18 13 10cc – Good Morning Judge – Mercury
19 RE Boz Scaggs – Lido Shuffle – CBS
20 16 Bryan Ferry – Tokyo Joe – Polydor
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (Billboard chart debut 4/2/77)
#2 (Billboard chart debut 12/25/76)
#3 (Billboard chart debut 1/29/77)
#4 (Billboard chart debut 4/2/77)
#6 (Billboard chart debut 3/12/77)
#10 (mentioned in Billboard column 8/7/76, Billboard chart debut 4/30/77)
#11 (mentioned in Billboard column 2/19/77, Billboard chart debut 2/26/77)
#14 (Billboard chart debut 5/28/77)
#16 (mentioned in Billboard column 12/25/76, Billboard chart debut 1/15/77)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hotline”:
BOB MARLEY: ‘Exodus’ (Island)
CLOUD ONE: ‘Atmosphere Strutt’ (Contempo) (Billboard chart debut 10/9/76)
BRENDON: ‘Rock Me’ (Magnet)
LASO: ‘Another Star’ (MCA)
PAUL NICHOLAS: ‘Heaven On The Seventh Floor’ (RSO)
BOBBY MARCHAN: ‘I Wanna Bump With The Big Fat Woman’ / ‘Disco Rabbit’ (Mercury – US import)
CJ & COMPANY: ‘Devil’s Gun’ (Atlantic) (mentioned in Billboard column 10/23/76, Billboard chart debut 4/23/77)
SLAVE: ‘You And Me’ (Cotillion)
FAT LARRY’S BAND: ‘Centre City’ (WMOT) (mentioned in Billboard column 12/11/76, Billboard chart debut 1/15/77)
FACTS OF LIFE: ‘Sometimes’ (TK)
CELI BEE & THE BUZZY BUNCH: ‘Superman’ / ‘One Love’ (APA/TK LP cuts – US import) (mentioned in Billboard column 3/5/77, Billboard chart debut 3/26/77)
BELLE EPOQUE: ‘Black Is Black’ (EMI – French import) (Billboard chart debut 4/2/77)
CHOSEN FEW: ‘Thank You’ (Polydor)
James Hamilton's Disco Page 