Florida’s TK group of labels is now distributed here by the ever expanding CBS, who will be issuing all future TK products. RCA, who evidently obtained the UK rights to TK for only six months, have a selling-off period for everything they’ve already issued. The news about this switch has come as a big surprise to many DJ’s, who consider it to be rather unfair on RCA. Some jocks are even rumoured to be planning a blacklist ban on all future TK products to teach the American company a lesson. This in turn would be unfair on both CBS and the TK artists but it’s certainly true that too many US companies seem to have a distorted view of this country as a market place. They could well be taught an effective lesson. In fact, RCA did a remarkable marketing job for TK, giving them a far bigger hit with T-Connection than was ever scored in the US. At the same time, CBS were unable to chart the Lovers’ ‘Discomania’ which, although not on TK worldwide, was on TK’s Marlin label in America . . . this, despite the Lovers’ huge disco acceptance here. RCA’s own disco promotion team seem relatively unruffled by the change but then their other labels are currently hot too!
Ariola Records and Hansa Productions, the Germany-based source of so many current disco hits, have opened their own London branch and debuted the new Ariola label last week at a lavish reception. In a lucky number ticket draw I won first prize of either a weekend in Germany or a stereo music centre! Gubbins chose the latter (maybe I can swap it for a colour telly?) which was presented to me by Ariola’s UK head, Robin Blanchflower, and ticket drawing Tina Charles. Anyway, we’re going to have to wait another month before Ariola release what’s likely to be their first hit, the Euro smash and disco import by Amanda Lear, ‘Blood And Honey’, which will be out as a 12in on November 4.
New Spins
VARIOUS: ‘Motown Gold Volume 2’ LP (Motown STML 12070)
Eighteen big hits, both old (Stevie, Marvin, Smokey, Diana, Isleys, Temps) and new (Thelma, Commodores).
WHISPERS: ‘Make It With You’ (Soul Train FC 0996) (BNDA debut 7/23/77)
This great Tavares-type 12-incher is now finally out here.
SANTA ESMERALDA: ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ (Philips 6042325) (BNDA debut 9/3/77)
Flamenco-disco by a sorta Spanish Cerrone, edited from his upcoming LP, already a Euro smash and US biggie.
LOVE AND KISSES: ‘I’ve Found Love’ (Barclay BAR 701) (BNDA debut 6/11/77)
Clumsily edited from the hot US disco smash import album, it’s an effective Euro-pounder which mixes well with Celi Bee.
ROBERTA KELLY: ‘Zodiacs’ (from LP ‘Zodiac Lady’, Oasis OASLP 503) (BNDA debut 8/27/77)
Perkily tripping gay old-style Giorgio production, big for some on import.
JOHN DAVIS & THE MONSTER ORCHESTRA: ‘The Magic Is You Medley’ (from LP ‘Up Jumped The Devil’, Polydor 2383455) (BNDA debut 6/25/77)
Full length side-long US smash disco medley, a bit bland despite rattling rhythms.
CARPENTERS: ‘Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft’ (from LP ‘Passage’, A&M AMLK 64703)
Outa-space chart-bound smoocher, this being the version with the great DJ intro.
CARL PERKINS: ‘The EP Express’ (Mercury ELV 15)
Elvis tribute by his fellow Sun star, cut two years ago in pure rockabilly style with lots of song titles worked into the lyrics. Great!
AC/DC: ‘Let There Be Rock’ (Atlantic K 11018)
Exciting ‘Radar Love’-type potted history of rock ‘n roll.
FANTASTIC FOUR: ‘I Got To Have Your Love’ (Atlantic K 11017) (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
Stolidly chugging soul clumper, big in US.
KEITH ROWE: ‘Groovy Situation’ (Black Swan WIP 6405)
Great slinky slow reggae groover.
O’JAYS: ‘We’re All In This Thing Together’ (Philadelphia Int’l PIR 5582)
Mellow smoochy swayer.
THE SECRET: ‘The Young Ones’ (Arista 142)
Cliff’s oldie goes punk – outrage!
IGGY POP: ‘Lust For Life’ LP (RCA PL 12488)
Several naggingly strong rockers, with Bowie cum Stones sound.
STEPPENWOLF: ‘Born To Be Wild’ (ABC ABE 12008)
Classic rock hit and three more on a 12in maxi.
TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS: ‘Mony Mony’ (Pye BD 117)
Together with ‘Crystal Blue Persuasion’ (my all-time fave!) and two more on a 12in.
ACE: ‘How Long’ (Another ANE 12005)
Cool soft rock oldie on another 12in maxi.
CAROL DOUGLAS: ‘I Want To Stay With You’ (from LP ‘Full Boom’, Midsong FL 12222) (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
Gallagher & Lyle go gay New York disco, seguing into the next two tunes.
AL MATTHEWS: ‘It’s Only Love’ (Mercury 6007152)
Real Thing-type smooth rhythm jogger, nice flip.
PEABO BRYSON: ‘I Can Make It Better’ (Bang 010)
Mellow soul smoocher, gently swinging flip.
DILLINGER: ‘Cokane In My Brain’ (Black Swan BS 7)
Freaky talking reggae hit, 12-inched in limited edition.
THE STUDS: ‘Funky Feet’ (GM GMS 9047)
Repetitive ABBA-penned pop chugger.
REALISTICS: ‘So Sad’ (Epic EPC 5723)
Rip-off slow Chi-Lites sound.
CHAIN REACTION: ‘Why Can’t We Be Lovers’ (Gull GULS 53)
Lacklustre old Holland & Dozier slowie.
BLUES BUSTERS: ‘Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely’ (Dynamic DYN 135)
Main Ingredient go reggae.
HIPPOLYTES: ‘Don’t Make Promises’ (Top Deck TD 003)
Badly-made Jackson Five-type muddle.
UK Disco Top 50 – October 8, 1977
01 01 Emotions – Best Of My Love – CBS
02 05 Belle Epoque – Black Is Black – Harvest (12″)
03 03 Meco – Star Wars Theme – RCA
04 02 Space – Magic Fly – Pye
05 10 Rose Royce – Do Your Dance – Whitfield (12″)
06 06 Giorgio Moroder – From Here To Eternity – Oasis
07 04 Donna Summer – Deep Down Inside – Casablanca
08 12 Baccara – Yes Sir I Can Boogie – RCA
09 11 Donna Summer – I Remember Yesterday – GTO
10 07 Olympic Runners – Keep It Up – RCA (12″)
11 17 Commodores – Brick House – Motown (LP)
12 13 Dooleys – I Think I’m Gonna Fall In Love With You – GTO
13 20 Smokey Robinson – Theme From Big Time – Motown
14 09 Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch – One Love – TK (12″)
15 14 Idris Muhammad – Turn This Mutha Out / Could Heaven Ever Be Like This – Kudu
16 08 Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygene – Polydor
17 15 Patsy Gallant – From New York To L.A. – EMI
18 18 Leo Sayer – Thunder In My Heart – Chrysalis
19 19 Stevie Wonder – Another Star – Motown
20 16 Donna Summer – Love’s Unkind – GTO (LP)
21 27 Ram Jam – Black Betty – Epic
22 22 Elvis Presley – Way Down – RCA
23 39 Lenny Williams – Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh – ABC
24 32 Rose Royce – It Makes You Feel Like Dancin’ – Whitfield (LP)
25 31 Eddie Henderson – Say You Will / Funk Surgeon – Capitol
26 NE Brothers Johnson – Right On Time – A&M (12″)
27 23 Floaters – Float On – ABC (12″)
28 28 Philadelphia All-Stars – Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto – Philadelphia Int’l
29 25 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Waiting In Vain – Island
30 40 Rods – Do Anything You Wanna Do – Island
31 42 David Soul – Silver Lady – Private Stock
32 RE Boomtown Rats – Lookin’ After No. 1 – Ensign (12″)
33 30 Boney M – Belfast – Atlantic (LP)
34 26 Camouflage – Bee Sting – State (12″)
35 49 Hamilton Bohannon – Bohannon Disco Symphony – Mercury
36 21 Candi Staton – Nights On Broadway – Warner Bros.
37 NE Inner City Express – Dance And Shake Your Funky Tambourine – Ebony
38 RE Ramsey Lewis – Spring High – CBS
39 RE Lenny Williams – Choosing You – ABC (LP)
40 NE Archie Bell & The Drells – On The Radio – Philadelphia Int’l (LP)
41 34 Donna Summer – I Feel Love – GTO
42 NE Mass Production – I Believe In Music – Cotillion (LP)
43 35 Marvin Hamlisch – Bond ’77 – UA
44 33 Morning, Noon & Night – Bite Your Granny – UA
45 47 Space – Tango In Space / Carry On, Turn Me On – Pye (LP)
46 46 Barry White – It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me – 20th Century
47 NE Archie Bell & The Drells – Disco Showdown – Philadelphia Int’l
48 RE Lamont Dozier – Going Back To My Roots – Warner Bros.
49 41 Black Gorilla – Gimme Dat Banana – Response
50 48 Village People – San Francisco / Hollywood / Fire Island – Casablanca (LP) [Imp]
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
All titles are 7” singles unless noted otherwise
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 6/11/77) / #2 (BNDA debut 6/18/77) / #3 (BNDA debut 7/23/77)
#4 (BNDA debut 6/4/77) / #5 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #6 (BNDA debut 8/6/77)
#7 (BNDA debut 7/2/77) / #9 (BNDA debut 5/28/77) / #10 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#11 (BNDA debut 4/16/77) / #13 (BNDA debut 8/6/76) / #14 (BNDA debut 4/9/77)
#18 (BNDA debut 12/10/77) / #19 (BNDA debut 10/23/76) / #20 (BNDA debut 5/28/77)
#24 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #28 (BNDA debut 7/23/77) / #39 (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
#41 (BNDA debut 5/28/77) / #42 (BNDA debut 8/6/77) / #44 (BNDA debut 7/9/77)
#45 (BNDA debut 6/4/77) / #46 (BNDA debut 8/27/77) / #48 (BNDA debut 5/28/77)
#50 (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
Breakers:
1 KALYAN: ‘Nice And Slow’ (MCA)
2 PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ‘Jam, Jam, Jam’ (Philadelphia Int’l LP cut)
3 WHISPERS: ‘Make It With You’ (Soul Train) (BNDA debut 7/23/77)
4 SAILOR: ‘Down By The Docks’ (Epic)
5 PAUL JABARA & DONNA SUMMER: ‘Shut Out’ (Casablanca) (BNDA debut 7/2/77)
6 LE PAMPLEMOUSSE: ‘Get Your Boom Boom (Around The Room Room)’ (AVI 12” – US import) (BNDA debut 3/26/77)
7 DR. FEELGOOD: ‘She’s A Wind-Up’ (UA 12”)
8 GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ (Buddah)
9 ROY AYERS UBIQUITY: ‘Running Away’ (Polydor LP cut) (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
10 RONNIE JONES: ‘Soul Sister’ (Mercury) (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hotline”:
STEVE MILLER BAND: ‘Jungle Love’ (Mercury)
EVERLY BROTHERS: ‘Silent Treatment’ (Warner Bros.)
MIKE THEODORE ORCHESTRA: ‘The Bull’ (Westbound LP cut – US import) (BNDA debut 9/3/77)
RITCHIE FAMILY: ‘African Queens’ (Polydor LP cut) (BNDA debut 7/9/77)
JEAN CARN: ‘If You Wanna Go Back’ (Philadelphia Int’l) (BNDA debut 1/29/77)
CAROL DOUGLAS: ‘I Want To Stay With You’ (Midsong LP cut) (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
MANDY MILLER: ‘Nellie The Elephant’ (EMI)
SANFORD-TOWNSEND BAND: ‘Smoke From A Distant Fire’ (Warner Bros.)
FRANKIE MILLER: ‘Love Letters’ (Chrysalis)
YELLOW DOG: ‘Stood Up’ (Virgin)
HEART: ‘Barracuda’ (Portrait)
IN CROWD: ‘We Play Reggae’ (Cactus)
DEXTER WANSEL: ‘Disco Lights’ (Philadelphia Int’l – US import) (BNDA debut 5/7/77)
CAROLE BAYER SAGER: ‘Don’t Wish Too Hard’ (Elektra)
MUSCLES: ‘If It Relaxes Your Mind’ (Big Bear)
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