New Spins
PATTI LABELLE: ‘Dan Swit Me’ (Epic EPC 5805) (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
Exciting fast funky leaper, the best track off her LP.
LONG TALL ERNIE AND THE SHAKERS: ‘Do You Remember’ (Polydor 2121341)
Fantastic rock ‘n roll medley, great for rave-ups and parties!
POINTER SISTERS: ‘Having A Party’ (from LP ‘Having A Party’, ABC ABCL 5163)
Superb happy fast swinger (Sam Cooke’s oldie) segues like a dream out of ‘Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh’ – try it!
THE DROIDS: ‘(Do You Have) The Force’ (Barclay BAR 703)
Unoriginal but very timely ‘Magic Fly’-type space thumper with ‘Star Wars’ effects – what a mixer!
MECO: ‘Star Wars & Other Galactic Funk’ LP (RCA XL 13043)
Side-long segue of the hit title theme and more of the movie’s music, which slows halfway but is great for early evenings.
DONNA SUMMER: ‘Love’s Unkind’ (GTO GT 113) (BNDA debut 5/28/77)
Phil Spector-ish clomper, probably too late and too well-known as a smash LP track to be big on 45.
DONNA SUMMER: ‘I Love You’ (Casablanca CAN 114) (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
Melodic fast comes-and-goes thudder, not another ‘I Feel Love’.
ROBERTA KELLY: ‘Zodiacs’ (Oasis 3) (BNDA debut 8/27/77)
Great infectious zingy hustler, already big as a gay LP track.
MUNICH MACHINE: ‘Get On The Funk Train’ (Oasis 2) (BNDA debut 6/11/77)
Powerful solid thumper edited from the hit LP track.
FATBACK: ‘Master Booty’ (Spring 2066870)
Monotonous funky soul clapper with more synthesizer than chanting from the Band.
RAY CHARLES: ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ (London HLU 10554)
Terrific sinuously rhythmic update of Johnny Nash’s oldie.
MONTREAL SOUND: ‘Music, Pts. 1 & 2’ (Creole CR 145) (BNDA debut 8/13/77)
Much longer and more exciting now, it’s on limited 12 in.
Also 12-inched are JUDGE DREAD ‘Up With The Cock’ (Cactus CT 110) and CATS ‘N JAMMER KIDS ‘Disco Drum’ (Ebony EYEC 3).
SYREETA AND G. C. CAMERON: ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ (Motown TMG 1694) (BNDA debut 10/8/77)
Happily tripping romper, but it’s no ‘Onion Song’.
ODYSSEY: ‘Native New Yorker’ (RCA PB 1129) (BNDA debut 8/27/77)
Prettily hustling gay swayer, big on import.
JUMBO: ‘City Girls’ LP (Pye NSPL 28234)
Euro-disco LP well worth checking – title track’s got a Real Thing tempo, for instance.
DAVID RUFFIN: ‘You’re My Peace Of Mind’ (Motown TMG 1693)
Energetic bouncy thumper doesn’t really go anywhere.
IKE AND TINA TURNER: ‘River Deep – Mountain High’ (A&M AMS 7039)
Out again in stereo.
DOOLEY WILSON: ‘As Time Goes By’ (UA UP 36331)
Nostalgic smoocher snipped together from the actual soundtrack of ‘Casablanca’, complete with Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart telling Sam to “play it”!
BING CROSBY AND FRANK SINATRA: ‘Well Did You Evah’ / BING CROSBY AND GRACE KELLY: ‘True Love’ (Capitol CL 15953)
MoR nostalgia classics – what a swell party it was!
WHISPERS: ‘You Never Miss Your Water’ (from LP ‘Open Up Your Love’, Soul Train FL 12270)
Specialist bluesy swinger mixes beautifully between Benny Golson and Lenny Williams.
MICHAEL HENDERSON: ‘I Can‘t Help It’ (Buddah BDS 462)
Isley Brothers-type funky burbler.
JAMES JAMIESON: ‘Operator (Call This Number)’ (Black Bear BLB 2001)
Rather nice little swayer with telephone effects.
ROSE ROYCE: ‘Wishing On A Star’ / ‘Funk Factory’ (Whitfield K 17060)
Wistful slowie and funky flip, but neither makes you feel like dancing that much.
THE BANNED: ‘Little Girl’ (Harvest HAR 5145)
Sixties-type garage band punk-pop romper.
GENERATION X: ‘Wild Youth’ (Chrysalis CHS 2189)
Powerful punker.
DR FEELGOOD: ‘Baby Jane’ (UA 12 UP 36332)
Chunky rock leaper, 12-inched.
HEARTBREAKERS: ‘One Track Mind’ (Track 2094137)
‘Let’s Dance’ intro to a jolly twister.
THE MOTORS: ‘You Beat The Hell Outta Me’ (Virgin VS 194)
Faster and punkier than before.
SKID: ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ (Galaxy GY 118)
Beatles rocker raucously revived.
STEELY DAN: ‘Haitian Divorce’ / ‘Do It Again’ (ARC ABE 12003)
Goodies on a Plus Four 12in.
RARE EARTH: ‘Is Your Teacher Cool?’ (Prodigal PROD 7)
Dated bouncy slick rocker.
CHRIS ELLIS: ‘The Sheik Of Araby’ (UA UP 36334)
Camp ‘20s fun from the ‘Valentino’ flick.
NEIL DIAMOND: ‘Desiree’ (CBS 5869)
The same old song, so OK MoR.
BING CROSBY & JOHNNY MERCER: ‘The Pleasure Of Your Company’ / ‘Roamin’ In The Gloamin’’ (UA UP 35852)
Light and airy MoR quickstepper.
MYLES EDWARDS ORCHESTRA: ‘Tampico’ (Spiral SPF 7012)
Unlikely 12in with very limited gay appeal.
BAND OF THE ARGYLL & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS: ‘Zulu’ (Black Bear BLB 2002)
Thumping afro chanting fades into rousing bagpipes and brass.
TINO: ‘Starsky and Hutch’ (Gold GD 010)
Stereo sirens and a simple chug rhythm.
SIDE EFFECT: ‘Goin’ Bananas’ (Fantasy FTC 145)
Boringly mundane funky bumper.
MANDI WILSON: ‘I’m A Woman’ (RCA PB 5059)
Attractive low key hustler.
Mix Master
Keith Tee (London Covent Garden’s Rock Garden) segues CJ & Co. ‘Devil’s Gun’ (Atlantic LP), Dennis Coffey ‘Wings Of Fire’ (Atlantic LP) – he uses the SAM 81 promo LP for these – Mike Theodore ‘The Bull’ (Atlantic), Santa Esmeralda ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ (Philips), Fantastic Four ‘Cash Money’ (Atlantic LP), Linda Clifford ‘From Now On’ (US Curtom LP) – this last another potential Candi Staton if issued here. Wotta funky fella!
Hot Vinyl
Fat Man Graham Canter (Mayfair Gullivers) at least gets his hot tips to me, unlike Messrs Spaine and Clark, so here are more of his big imports:
RARE GEMS ODYSSEY: ‘What Is Funk’ (Casablanca LP cut)
EARTH, WIND & FIRE: ‘Magic Mind’ (CBS LP cut)
WAR: ‘Galaxy’ / ‘Sweet Fighting Lady’ (MCA LP cuts) (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
FATBACK: ‘Man With The Band’ (Spring LP cut)
BILLY PAUL: ‘Everybody’s Breakin’ Up’ / ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’ (Philadelphia Int’l LP cuts)
STARGARD: ‘Which Way Is Up’ (MCA) (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
MANU DIBANGO: ‘Big Blow’ / ‘Soul Makossa (remix)’ (Fiesta 12” – French import)
JIMMY CASTOR: ‘E-Man Par-tay’ / ‘Mandy’ (Atlantic LP cuts)
UK Disco Top 50 – November 26, 1977
01 01 Tom Robinson Band – 2-4-6-8 Motorway – EMI
02 03 Baccara – Yes Sir I Can Boogie – RCA
03 04 Boney M – Belfast – Atlantic
04 02 Belle Epoque – Black Is Black – Harvest (12″)
05 06 Rokotto – Boogie On Up – State (12″)
06 07 Santa Esmeralda – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Philips
07 12 DBM – Discobeatlemania – Atlantic (12″)
08 15 Darts – Daddy Cool – Magnet (12″)
09 09 Lenny Williams – Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh – ABC
10 05 Status Quo – Rockin’ All Over The World – Vertigo
11 26 Showaddywaddy – Dancin’ Party – Arista
12 11 Rose Royce – Do Your Dance – Whitfield (12″)
13 16 Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Running Away – Polydor (LP)
14 24 Billy Paul – Only The Strong Survive – Philadelphia Int’l
15 39 Dooleys – Love Of My Life – GTO
16 RE Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love – RSO
17 17 Diana Ross – Gettin’ Ready For Love – Motown
18 22 Rod Stewart – You’re In My Heart – Riva
19 30 Village People – San Francisco / Hollywood / Fire Island – DJM (LP)
20 NE Thelma Houston – I’m Here Again – Motown
21 14 Tina Charles – Love Bug / Sweets For My Sweet – CBS (12″)
22 NE Gonzalez – I Haven’t Stopped Dancin’ Yet – EMI
23 08 Emotions – Best Of My Love – CBS
24 20 Smokie – Needles And Pins – Rak
25 NE Donna Summer – Once Upon A Time (all cuts) – Casablanca (LP)
26 37 Nite School – Do You Speak French – Ensign
27 29 Vicki Sue Robinson – Turn The Beat Around / Hold Tight – RCA (12″)
28 NE Crystal Gayle – Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – UA
29 23 Brick – Dusic – Bang
30 NE Carl Douglas – Run Back – Pye
31 RE Laurent Voulzy – Rockollection – RCA
32 10 Commodores – Brick House / Sweet Love – Motown
33 28 Le Pamplemousse – Get Your Boom Boom – Barclay
34 27 Showdown – Keep Doin’ It – State
35 18 Jacksons – Goin’ Places – Epic
36 RE Mass Production – I Believe In Music – Cotillion
37 NE Kenny Williams – (You’re) Fabulous Babe – Decca
38 19 Whispers – Make It With You – Soul Train (12″)
39 32 Earth, Wind & Fire – Serpentine Fire – CBS
40 NE Chic – Dance Dance Dance – Atlantic
41 25 Rose Royce – It Makes You Feel Like Dancing – Whitfield (LP)
42 35 Giorgio Moroder – From Here To Eternity – Oasis
43 48 L.T.D. – Back In Love Again – A&M
44 36 Electric Light Orchestra – Turn To Stone – Jet
45 RE Kenny Everett – Captain Kremmen – DJM
46 21 Con Funk Shun – Ffun – Mercury
47 40 Fantastic Four – Got To Have Your Love – Atlantic
48 NE J.A.L.N. Band – So Good – Magnet
49 46 Olympic Runners – Keep It Up – RCA (12″)
50 NE Emotions – I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love – CBS
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
All titles are 7” singles unless noted otherwise
Appeared in Billboard:
#4 (BNDA debut 6/18/77) / #6 (BNDA debut 9/3/77) / #12 (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
#13 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #19 (BNDA debut 7/30/77) / #20 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#22 (BNDA debut 12/12/78) / #23 (BNDA debut 6/11/77) / #25 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#27 (BNDA debut 7/9/77) / #32 (BNDA debut 4/16/77) / #33 (BNDA debut 3/26/77)
#35 (BNDA debut 12/3/77) / #36 (BNDA debut 8/6/77) / #38 (BNDA debut 7/23/77)
#40 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #41 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #42 (BNDA debut 8/6/77)
#43 (BNDA debut 10/22/77) / #47 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #49 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#50 (BNDA debut 8/28/76)
Breakers:
1 JONATHAN RICHMAN: ‘Egyptian Reggae’ (Beserkley)
2 DANNY WILLIAMS: ‘I Hate Hate’ (Ensign)
3 BOB MARLEY: ‘Jamming’ (Island)
4 GEORGE MCCRAE: ‘Kiss Me (The Way I Like It)’ (TK) (BNDA debut 11/19/77)
5 MIKE THEODORE ORCHESTRA: ‘The Bull’ (Atlantic) (BNDA debut 9/3/77)
6 SAAR BAND: ‘Magic Mandrake’ (Calendar)
7 STEVIE WONDER: ‘As’ (Motown)
8 AMANDA LEAR: ‘Blood And Honey’ (Ariola)
9 DENIECE WILLIAMS: ‘Baby, Baby My Love’s All For You’ (CBS)
10 CAFE CREME: ‘Unlimited Citations’ (Harvest)
Songs mentioned in “DJ Hotline”:
WAR: ‘Galaxy’ (MCA – US import) (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
STEPHANIE DE SYKES: ‘Your Baby Is A Lady’ (DJM)
JUDGE DREAD: ‘Up With The Cock’ (Cactus)
PATSY GALLANT: ‘Are You Ready For Love’ (EMI)
RAY CRUMLEY: ‘It’s Uncanny’ (Magnet)
BLOSSOMS: ‘APB’ (MAM)
ODYSSEY: ‘Native New Yorker’ (RCA) (BNDA debut 8/27/77)
LINDA CLIFFORD: ‘From Now On’ (Curtom – US import) (BNDA debut 12/10/77)
JACKSONS: ‘Music’s Takin’ Over’ (Epic LP cut) (BNDA debut 12/3/77)
CADO BELLE: ‘Gimme Little Sign’ (Anchor 12” EP)
AC/DC: ‘Let There Be Rock’ (Atlantic)
URIAH HEEP: ‘Free Me’ (Bronze)
ROD STEWART: ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ (Riva LP cut)
ARETHA FRANKLIN: ‘Touch Me Up’ (Atlantic)
IMPERIALS: ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me’ (Power Exchange)
MASS PRODUCTION: ‘Cosmic Lust’ (Cotillion)
SYLVESTER: ‘Down Down Down’ (Fantasy 12” – US import) (BNDA debut 8/6/77)
CHARLIE FEATHERS: ‘Gone Gone Gone’ (Charly)
ELVIS COSTELLO: ‘Mystery Dance’ (Stiff)
GRAHAM PARKER AND THE RUMOUR: ‘New York Shuffle’ (Vertigo)
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