Howard Huntridge, head of the British Associated DJ Alliance, 5 Thorne Road, Doncaster, seems to have read into my piece about BADJA’s promotion of Amanda Lear’s ‘Blood And Honey’ (RM Dec 31) exactly what I did not write!
Far from accusing him of getting his member DJ’s to hype the record into the Disco Chart, I was inviting BADJA members to contribute truthful dancer reaction charts to help make the Record Mirror disco chart even more representative . . . a point he seems to have missed entirely in his reply.
He had asked his member DJ’s to let RM know about the record, intending this info to be used in the DJ Hotline, but as must be obvious the DJ Hotline is intended for records not already among the places the chart contains.
It is also a small way of rewarding regular chart contributors with name checks.
As Amanda Lear was already way up the chart, his action – and the resultant pile of mail – was redundant if well intentioned.
It was Ariola Records’ press officer who described their arrangement with BADJA as being with a promotion company.
Anyway, all BADJA members and DJ’s everywhere are still needed to contribute regularly to the Disco Chart, so please send your reaction-based Top 10 (and three breakers) to James Hamilton, Record Mirror, 40 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JT. The more we get, the more accurate the chart!
Robbie Vincent’s lunchtime Saturday shows on BBC Radio London are now nicking some of our Hot Vinyl contributors to present their three top disco hits. The rota of funky club jocks, one a week, is Chris Hill (Ilford Lacy Lady), Graham Canter (Mayfair Gullivers), Dave Royal (Southgate Royalty) and – this Saturday – Chris Brown (Camberley Frenchies). Later in the year Robbie hopes to add an influential US jock too.
New Spins
LENNY WILLIAMS: ‘Choosing You’ (ABC 4198) (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
Big for months as an LP track and then import, the fantastic fast flier’s finally out on limited 12in . . . and selling fast!
KELLEE PATTERSON: ‘If It Don’t Fit Don’t Force It’ (EMI INT 544)
Sensational slinky slow chugger from the US soul chart, could even hit here.
STARGARD: ‘Theme From ‘Which Way Is Up’’ (MCA 346) (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
Norman Whitfield-penned clapper in the ‘Car Wash’ bag, already big on import.
ROKOTTO: ‘For The Broken Hearted’ / ‘You And Me’ (State STAT 68)
Naggingly catchy, slow swaying pace – changer, and a lovely sweet slow flip, packaged with picture label.
LINDA CLIFFORD: ‘From Now On’ (Warner Bros. K 17078) (BNDA debut 12/10/77)
Full-length 7:01 12in takes a while to warm up into a subtly swinging Candi Staton-style groove, big on import.
THE JACKSONS: ‘Even Though You’re Gone’ / ‘Different Kind Of Lady’ (Epic EPC 5919)
Lovely lilter, a radio smash, and grittier fast disco flip.
EASTSIDE CONNECTION: ‘You’re So Right For Me’ (Creole 12-CR 149) (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
Out at last on full length 12in at £1.25 (but edited for 45), this zingy import smash has been huge for months.
COMMODORES: ‘Too Hot Ta Trot’ / ‘Zoom’ (Motown TMG 1096)
Jaunty funker in the ‘Brick House’ bag, double-A with their smoochy LP title track.
EARTH, WIND AND FIRE: ‘Magic Mind’ (from LP ‘All ‘N All’, CBS 86051)
Hitting already, the exciting fast funker’s joined by ‘In The Marketplace’, ‘Serpentine Fire’ and ‘Fantasy’ as other goodies.
JOHNNY G: ‘Call Me Bwana’ (Beggars Banquet BEG 8)
Dynamite new wave reggae send-up, should slot in with Messrs Marley, Richman, Costello – even Althea and Donna!
JONATHAN RICHMAN: ‘The Morning Of Our Lives’ (Berserkley BZZ 7)
Terrific haunting slowie, quirky as ever.
DAVID BOWIE: ‘Beauty And The Beast’ (RCA PB 1190)
Freaky slow-starting powerful pounder.
BE BOP DELUXE: ‘Panic In the World’ (Harvest HAR 5147)
Roxy-type mid-tempo churner.
BUGATTI & MUSKER: ‘Starry Night’ (Epic EPC 5930)
Great doo-wop swayer, full of fun.
PARLIAMENT: ‘Bop Gun’ (from LP ‘Funkentelechy Vs The Placebo Syndrome’, Casablanca CALH 2021)
‘Flash Light’ and the full 8:32 of this US P-funk smash are kinda specialist unless the force is with you!
FREDA PAYNE: ‘Love Magnet’ (Capitol CL 15959) (BNDA debut 11/26/77)
Lively stomper already hitting up north, thanx to advance 12in promos.
LA BELLE EPOQUE: ‘Miss Broadway’ (Harvest HAR 5146) (BNDA debut 6/18/77)
Like a slower chugalong Suzi Quatro.
GIL SCOTT-HERON & BRIAN JACKSON: ‘Racetrack In France’ (from LP ‘Bridges’, Arista SPARTY 1031)
Stevie Wonder/Johnny Guitar Watson-type subtlety with a few ultra-funky fans.
HOODOO RHYTHM DEVILS: ‘Gotta Lot Of Love In My Soul’ (Fantasy FTC 147)
Mellow mid-tempo swayer.
CARL CARLTON: ‘Everlasting Love’ (ABC 4196)
Reissued 1974 US hit revival of the Robert Knight/Love Affair oldie.
JIMMY JAMES: ‘You Made Me Love Again’ (Pye 7N 46039)
Bouncy Biddu romper.
Hot Vinyl
Bob Jones (Chelmsford Dee-Jay’s/Mr. Jones) import tips:
B.T. EXPRESS: ‘Shout It Out’ (Columbia)
GEORGE DUKE: ‘Reach For It’ (Epic)
CHIC: ‘Everybody Dance’ (Atlantic LP cut) (BNDA debut 12/3/77)
KING ERRISSON: ‘L.A. Bound’ (Westbound LP cut) (BNDA debut 11/5/77)
MADE IN USA: ‘Shake Your Body’ (De-Lite LP cut)
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: ‘Born To Dance’ / ‘Disco Inferno’ (Vanguard LP cuts)
CERRONE: ‘Give Me Love’ / ‘Love Is Here’ (Malligator LP cuts – French import) (BNDA debut 11/26/77)
SOUTHROAD CONNECTION: ‘You Like It, We Love It’ (Mahogany 12”) (BNDA debut 1/28/78)
JAMES T: ‘Beggin’’ (Reid’s World)
MCKINLEY MITCHELL: ‘End Of The Rainbow’ (Chimneyville)
UK Disco Top 50 – January 14, 1978
01 02 Chic – Dance Dance Dance – Atlantic
02 01 Donna Summer – Love’s Unkind – GTO
03 03 Odyssey – Native New Yorker – RCA (12″)
04 06 War – Galaxy – MCA
05 04 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Jamming – Island
06 16 El Coco – Cocomotion – Pye
07 20 Althea & Donna – Uptown Top Ranking – Lightning
08 12 L.T.D. – Back In Love Again – A&M
09 05 Wings – Mull Of Kintyre – Parlophone
10 11 Carl Douglas – Run Back – Pye
11 45 Lenny Williams – Choosing You – ABC (LP)
12 21 Pockets – Come Go With Me – CBS
13 08 Village People – San Francisco – DJM
14 18 Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Running Away – Polydor
15 34 Heatwave – The Groove Line – GTO
16 10 Jonathan Richman – Egyptian Reggae – Berserkley
17 41 T-Connection – On Fire – TK (12″)
18 28 Con Funk Shun – Ffun – Mercury
19 44 Imperials – Who’s Gonna Love Me – Power Exchange
20 15 Tom Robinson Band – 2-4-6-8 Motorway – EMI
21 31 Emotions – I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love – CBS
22 46 Long Tall Ernie – Do You Remember – Polydor
23 09 Darts – Daddy Cool – Magnet (12″)
24 13 Showaddywaddy – Dancin’ Party – Arista
25 25 Roberta Kelly – Zodiacs – Oasis
26 RE People’s Choice – Jam, Jam, Jam – Philadelphia Int’l (LP)
27 26 Amanda Lear – Blood And Honey – Ariola (12″)
28 33 Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band – Floral Dance – Transatlantic
29 42 Boz Scaggs – Hollywood – CBS
30 27 Ruby Winters – I Will – Creole
31 22 Billy Paul – Only The Strong Survive – Philadelphia Int’l
32 14 Boney M. – Belfast – Atlantic
33 NE Banned – Little Girl – Harvest
34 07 Dooleys – Love Of My Life – GTO
35 39 Bonnie Tyler – It’s A Heartache – RCA
36 24 Munich Machine – Get On The Funk Train – Oasis
37 NE Stargard – Which Way Is Up – MCA
38 NE Commodores – Too Hot Ta Trot – Motown
39 19 Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love – RSO
40 23 Status Quo – Rockin’ All Over The World – Vertigo
41 35 Crystal Gayle – Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – UA
42 NE Baccara – Sorry I’m A Lady – RCA
43 48 Brass Construction – We / Happy People – UA (LP)
44 38 Donna Summer – Rumour Has It – Casablanca (LP)
45 29 Fantastic Four – Got To Have Your Love – Atlantic
46 32 Gonzalez – I Haven’t Stopped Dancin’ Yet – EMI
47 NE Earth, Wind & Fire – Magic Mind – CBS
48 NE Montreal Sound – Music – Creole (12″)
49 NE Fatback – Master Booty – Spring
50 49 Saar Band – Magic Mandrake – Calendar
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
All titles are 7” singles unless noted otherwise
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #2 (BNDA debut 5/28/77) / #3 (BNDA debut 8/27/77)
#4 (BNDA debut 1/14/78) / #6 (BNDA debut 8/20/77) / #8 (BNDA debut 10/22/77)
#11 (BNDA debut 7/30/77) / #12 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #13 (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
#14 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #17 (BNDA debut 11/5/77) / #21 (BNDA debut 8/28/76)
#25 (BNDA debut 8/27/77) / #36 (BNDA debut 6/11/77) / #37 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
#43 (BNDA debut 12/3/77) / #44 (BNDA debut 11/12/77) / #45 (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
#46 (BNDA debut 12/12/78) / #48 (BNDA debut 8/13/77) / #49 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
Breakers:
1 COACHOUSE RHYTHM SECTION: ‘Nobody’s Got Time’ (Ice/Pye)
2 FOUR TOPS: ‘For Your Love’ (ABC 12”)
3 JUDGE DREAD: ‘Up With The Cock’ / ‘Big Punk’ (Cactus 12”)
4 RAUL DE SOUZA: ‘Sweet Lucy’ (Capitol) (BNDA debut 7/30/77)
5 BILL FREDERICKS: ‘Love With You’ (Polydor)
6 RAY CHARLES: ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ (London)
7 TRAMMPS: ‘The Night The Lights Went Out’ (Atlantic LP cut) (BNDA debut 11/26/77)
8 FREDA PAYNE: ‘Love Magnet’ (Capitol LP cut – US import) (BNDA debut 11/26/77)
9 MANU DIBANGO: ‘Big Blow’ / ‘Soul Makossa (remix)’ (Fiesta 12” – French import)
10 DROIDS: ‘(Do You Have) The Force’ (Barclay)
No “DJ Hotline” this week.
James Hamilton's Disco Page 