Disco News
Andrew Bunker now runs Satril Records’ disco dept and is updating their DJ mailing list: send him details at 11 Little Newport Street, London, WC2 . . . Marc Damon of Sutton Scamps is organising an official appeal for £10,000 to provide radio facilities at the country’s largest Children’s Hospital and needs DJ support with charity gigs, collections, etc: contact Radio Lollipop Appeal, Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children, Carshalton, Surrey . . . Les Aron and Trembling Trevor’s new Fifties Again disco (Pagham 4585) spins vintage rock, bob ‘n pop and supplies authentic Teds at all bookings along the South Coast! . . . Roger Squire’s deluxe £2,500 Club 2000 console is now on permanent display in London at the 178 Junction Road showroom in Tufnell Park, N19.
New Spins
HI-TENSION: ‘Hi-Tension’ (Island WIP 6422)
All 5,000 12inchers have long been gone, but now the smash funky monster’s been cut down to 3:02 for unlimited 7in!
METROPOLIS: ‘I Love New York’ (Salsoul SSOL 107) (BNDA debut 4/1/78)
Hot ‘n happy hit import hustler, very pretty in the Odyssey-Charo style, edited for UK 7in only. Oh, it seems Ripple is out here on 12in after all, but they’ll be sold out by now.
JOE SAMPLE: ‘There Are Many Stops Along The Way’ (from LP ‘Rainbow Seeker’, ABC ABCL 5245)
Crusaders keyboardist makes lovely jazz-funk in the Ramsey Lewis style, this bitch of a bouncy groover with some searing guitar being a huge import hit already.
SARR BAND: ‘Double Action’ / ‘Soul Tango’ (Calendar DAY 115)
Clockwork tambourine-shaking strutter, prettier than ‘Magic Mandrake’ but just as powerful. Good flip too.
HEATWAVE: ‘Central Heating’ LP (GTO GTLP 027)
‘Party Poops’ is the ballsiest new dancer, ‘Mind Blowing Decisions’ the best disco slowie of a predictably classy set.
YVONNE ELLIMAN: ‘If I Can’t Have You’ (RSO 2090266)
Guess what movie this US smash Bee Gees lopper comes from (not that it stuck out during the film)?
VILLAGE PEOPLE: ‘Macho Man’ LP (DJM DJF 20538) (BNDA debut 3/18/78)
Full-length butch title-track stomper segues on into the new gay anthem, ‘I Am What I Am’, while the similarly pounding flip features ‘Key West’, a great disco medley of ‘I’m Just A Gigolo’ / ‘I Ain’t Got Nobody’ and lays it on the line with ‘Sodom And Gomorrah’. All are good.
AMADEO: ‘Moving Like A Superstar’ (Rampage DS RAM 1)
Finally on 12in, the full 6:08 Euro flier really does move and should now be big.
DORIS JONES: ‘Suddenly I’m Alive’ (UA UP 36380)
Tension building fast New York style thudder, a bit like ‘I Need A Man’, and really rather good.
CHARO: ‘Dance A Little Bit Closer’ (from LP ‘Charo And The Salsoul Orchestra’, Salsoul SSLP 1501) (BNDA debut 11/19/77)
Sadly the great 6:18 US promo 12in is unavailable now and this version is only 4:25 – at least it’s got the vibes break! MoR jocks will dig the jolly ‘Borriquito’, while ‘You’re Just The Right Size’ has follow-up chances.
BILLY PAUL: ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’ (Philadelphia Int’l PIR 6276)
Lightly rhythmic silky smooth reading of David Soul’s oldie, now transformed.
BONEY M: ‘Rivers Of Babylon’ (Atlantic K 11120)
Slow-starting Euro reggae with steel drums and lotsa pop ‘Montego Bay’ MoR appeal.
JUDY STREET: ‘What’ (Grapevine GRP 106)
Ultra-fast northern soul flier, like a Little Anthony, muzzily dubbed from disc but huge anyway.
FRANKIE FORD: ‘Sea Cruise’ (Chiswick NS 38)
Truly classic ‘59 rocker, guaranteed to get anyone bopping!
O.R.S.: ‘Moonboots, pts. 1 & 2’ (Salsoul SSOL 106) (BNDA debut 11/19/77)
Long overdue steadily thumping instrumental Euro burbler, cut in two for UK 7in.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE: ‘Jupiter’ (CBS 6267)
Instead of ‘Magic Mind’, the album’s other spikily jiggling brassy funker is their newie.
DIANA ROSS: ‘Your Love Is So Good For Me’ (Motown TMG 1104) (BNDA debut 10/15/77)
Chunky funk bounder, already hot as a US promo 12in.
DEE D. JACKSON: ‘Automatic Lover’ (Mercury 6007171)
Kraftwerk-inspired ‘I Feel Love’-like dated stereo freakiness.
PUSSYFOOT: ‘Dancer Dance’ (EMI 2755)
‘I Feel Love’-type female pounder, originally sent to DJ’s as a mystery white label 12in.
DELEGATION: ‘Honey I’m Rich’ (State STAT 75)
Good UK cover of Raydio’s pent-up soul jiggler.
SALSOUL ORCHESTRA: ‘West Side Story (Medley)’ (from LP ‘Up The Yellow Brick Road’, Salsoul SSLP 1504) (BNDA debut 3/18/78)
Blandly pleasant 11:50 NY hit (natch!), with a zingy rhythm interlude that works better here on its own.
MEMPHIS HORNS: ‘Just For Your Love’ (RCA PB 1064)
Lurching lush jazzy soul smoocher.
FLOATERS: ‘Magic’ / ‘I Just Want To Be With You’ (ABC 4216)
Limited 12in smoocher like a limp ‘Float On’, much better soul romper flip.
STEVE GIBBONS BAND: ‘Eddy Vortex’ (Polydor 2059017)
Brand new rocker to get pop crowds bopping.
THE POLICE: ‘Roxanne’ (A&M AMS 7348)
Costello/Lowe-type “white reggae”, should fit in well.
DEVO: ‘Satisfaction’ (Booji Boy BOY 1)
Incredible restructuring of the Stones’ old cliché.
GOLDIE: ‘Making Up Again’ (Bronze BRO 50)
Catchily croaked smooth harmony pop swayer, plugged on radio.
RARE ESSENCE: ‘Love Talking, pts. 1 & 2’ (Private Stock PVT 149)
Perky little lightweight ‘Doctor’s Orders’/’Sunny’-style hustler.
FIRST CHOICE: ‘Doctor Love’ (Salsoul SSOL 104) (BNDA debut 5/21/77)
Chanting girlie group chugger, a US biggie last year.
WILLIE HUTCH: ‘Love Runs Out’ / BOBBY HUTTON: ‘Lend A Hand’ (ABC 4206)
Smooth northern soul churners from way back.
EARL JORDAN: ‘Strange Strange Feeling’ (UA UP 36374)
Northern churner.
KEANYA COLLINS: ‘Barnabus Collins – Love Bandit’ (Grapevine GRP 105)
Odd little delicately feminine churner, with hints of early Mary Wells.
BARBARA PENNINGTON: ‘Midnight Ride’ / ‘I Can’t Keep My Heart Still’ (UA UP 36378)
Specialist fast NY-style northern flier, the edited title track from her LP (UA UAS 30144), and a less muddled northern flip.
Hot Vinyl
Johnnie Walker’s new Saturday funk-only night now rivals his Thursday at Farnborough’s Gallaghers, in the Tumbledown Dick Hotel, where he spins imports like:
SATURDAY NIGHT BAND: ‘Come On Dance Dance’ (US Prelude LP) (BNDA debut 4/15/78)
DON RAY: ‘Garden Of Love’ (French Crocus LP) (BNDA debut 4/22/78)
UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND: ‘Freak With Me’ (US Red Greg 12”)
HUBERT LAWS: ‘The Baron’ (US Columbia LP)
WALTER BISHOP JR: ‘Philadelphia Bright’ (US Muse LP)
FOXY: ‘Get Off’ (US Dash LP) (BNDA debut 5/6/78)
CARL BEAN: ‘I Was Born This Way’ (US Motown 12”) (BNDA debut 1/28/78)
FLORIDA PLAYERS: ‘We’ve Got A Winner’ (US Drive 7”)
It’s a good scene, I checked it out last week.
UK Disco Top 90 – April 15, 1978
01 01 Michael Zager Band – Let’s All Chant / Love Express – Private Stock 7″/12″
02 02 Eruption – I Can’t Stand The Rain – Atlantic 7″
03 11 Hi-Tension – Hi-Tension – Island 12″
04 07 Chic – Everybody Dance – Atlantic 7″/LP/US 12″
05 06 Blondie – Denis (Denee) – Chrysalis 7″
06 03 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love – Island 7″
07 16 Ashford & Simpson – Don’t Cost You Nothin’ – Warner Bros. 7″/12″
08 05 Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive – RSO 7″/LP
09 04 Manu Dibango – Big Blow – Decca 7″/French Fiesta 12″
10 17 Francine McGee – Delirium / Feelin’ Good – RCA 12″
11 14 Ripple – The Beat Goes On And On – Salsoul 7/US 12″
12 12 Cameo – It’s Serious – Casablanca 7″/12″/LP
13 23 Charo – Dance A Little Bit Closer – Salsoul 7″/LP/US 12″
14 40 Bee Gees – Night Fever – RSO 7″/LP
15 25 Raydio – Jack And Jill / Get Down – Arista 7″/LP
16 10 Earth, Wind & Fire – Fantasy – CBS 7″
17 15 Sheila & B. Devotion – Singin’ In The Rain – Carrere 7″/12″
18 09 Stargard – Which Way Is Up – MCA 7″/LP/12″
19 20 Gene Page – Close Encounters Of The Third Kind – Arista 7″/12″
20 08 Donna Summer – Rumour Has It – Casablanca 7″
21 13 Cerrone – Supernature / Give Me Love – Atlantic 7″/LP
22 34 Voyage – From East To West / Point Zero / Orient Express – GTO LP
23 19 Hot Chocolate – Every 1’s A Winner – Rak 7″
24 22 Real Thing – Whenever You Want My Love – Pye 7″
25 27 O’Jays – I Love Music / Love Train – Philadelphia Int’l 12″
26 51 Showaddywaddy – I Wonder Why – Arista 7″
27 47 Steel Pulse – Ku Klux Klan – Island 7″/12″
28 29 Andrea True Connection – What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number – Buddah 7″/US 12″
29 38 Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame – US RCA 12″
30 43 Cleveland Eaton – Bama Boogie Woogie – US Ovation 12″
31 37 Peter Brown – Dance With Me – TK 7″
32 35 Kellee Patterson – If It Don’t Fit Don’t Force It – EMI Int’l 7″
33 32 Darts – Come Back My Love – Magnet 7″
34 24 Rose Royce – Wishing On A Star – Whitfield 7″
35 30 Gene Farrow – Move Your Body – Magnet 12″
36 28 Nick Lowe – I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass – Radar 7″
37 21 Tavares – The Ghost Of Love / Bein’ With You – Capitol 7″/promo 12″
38 55 War – Galaxy – MCA 12″
39 18 Roy Ayers – Freaky Deaky – Polydor 7″
40 82 Sine – Just Let Me Do My Thing / Chimi – US Prelude LP
41 42 Sun – Sun Is Here / Dance – US Capitol LP
42 NE Samuel Jonathan – You / Just Us – US Columbia LP
43 48 Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street – UA 7″
44 39 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late – CBS 7″
45 26 Jimmy Lindsay – Easy – Island/Black Swan 12″
46 60 Regal Dewy – Love Music – RCA 7″
47 36 Olympic Runners – Solar Heat – RCA LP
48 31 Earth, Wind & Fire – Magic Mind / Jupiter – CBS LP
49 44 Joe Sample – There Are Many Stops Along The Way – US ABC LP
50 52 Dexter Wansel – All Night Long – US Philadelphia Int’l LP
51 NE Linda Clifford – Runaway Love – US Curtom LP
52 58 Metropolis – I Love New York – US Salsoul 12″
53 45 Diana Ross – Your Love Is So Good For Me – Motown LP/US promo 12″
54 53 George Benson – On Broadway – Warner Bros. 7″/12″/LP
55 33 Free – All Right Now – Island EP
56 49 Tina Charles – I’ll Go Where Your Music Takes Me – CBS 7″
57 77 Billy Preston – Wide Stride – A&M 7″/US 12″
58 NE Lipstique – Venus – Ensign 7″
59 70 Raffaella Carra – Do It, Do It Again – Epic 7″
60 NE Dee D. Jackson – Automatic Lover – Mercury 7″
61 50 Commodores – Brick House – Motown LP/promo 12″
62 79 Parliament – Flash Light – Casablanca 7″/LP/US 12″
63 69 Samantha Sang – Emotion – Private Stock 7″
64 NE Amadeo – Moving Like A Superstar – Rampage 12″
65 NE Village People – Macho Man – DJM 7″
66 NE Andrew Gold – Never Let Her Slip Away – Asylum 7″
67 68 Bionic Boogie – Risky Changes – US Polydor 7″/12″/LP
68 59 Bar-Kays – Let’s Have Some Fun – Mercury 7″/LP
69 RE Inner City Express – Shu’ Dig Dancin’ – Ebony 7″/12″
70 63 Kay-Gees – Kilowatt Invasion – US De-Lite LP
71 84 Michele – Disco Dance – US West End 12″
72 RE Leif Garrett – Runaround Sue – Atlantic 7″/12″
73 71 Meco – Close Encounters – RCA 7″
74 90 Whirlwind – Hang Loose – Chiswick 7″
75 64 Ubiquity – Midnight After Dark – US Elektra LP
76 78 5th Dimension – You Are The Reason – Motown 7″
77 75 Players Association – Disco Inferno / I Like It – Vanguard 7″/12″
78 RE Bunny Sigler – Let Me Party With You – Salsoul 7″/12″
79 87 Eastside Connection – You’re So Right For Me – Creole 7″/12″
80 62 Al Hudson – If You Feel Like Dancin’ – ABC 7″/12″
81 NE Elton John – Ego – Rocket 7″
82 NE Gary Criss – Rio De Janeiro – US Salsoul 12″
83 NE KC & The Sunshine Band – Boogie Shoes – TK 7″
84 NE Richard Myhill – It Takes Two To Tango – Mercury 7″
85 80 Tee Cees – Disco Love Bite – DJM 7″/LP
86 NE Donna Summer – Back In Love Again – GTO 7″/12″
87 NE Boiling Point – Let’s Get Funktified – US Bullet 7″/12″
88 NE Kongas – Dr. Doo Dah – French Crocus LP
89 56 Roy Ayers – When Is Real Real / Sweet Tears – Polydor LP
90 RE Bee Gees – You Should Be Dancing – RSO 7″/LP
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/14/78) / #2 (BNDA debut 2/4/78) / #4 (BNDA debut 12/3/77)
#7 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #8 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #11 (BNDA debut 1/28/78)
#12 (BNDA debut 2/18/78) / #13 (BNDA debut 11/19/77) / #14 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
#17 (BNDA debut 2/11/78) / #18 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #20 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#21 (BNDA debut 11/26/77) / #22 (BNDA debut 2/11/78) / #28 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#29 (BNDA debut 10/1/77) / #31 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #38 (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
#51 (BNDA debut 3/25/78) / #52 (BNDA debut 4/1/78) / #53 (BNDA debut 10/15/77)
#61 (BNDA debut 4/16/77) / #65 (BNDA debut 3/18/78) / #67 (BNDA debut 12/17/77)
#71 (BNDA debut 11/5/77) / #73 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #78 (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
#79 (BNDA debut 11/12/77) / #82 (BNDA debut 3/25/78) / #88 (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
#90 (BNDA debut 8/28/76)
Songs mentioned in DJ Hotline:
BOB MARLEY: ‘Satisfy My Soul’ (Island LP)
CHRIS REA: ‘Fool (If You Think It’s Over)’ (Magnet 7”)
CLODAGH RODGERS: ‘Love Is Deep Inside Of Me’ (Polydor 7”)
HARVEY MASON: ‘What’s Going On’ (US Arista LP)
CHERYL BARNES: ‘Save And Spend’ (US Millennium 12”)
ROBERTA KELLY: ‘Oh Happy Day’ (US Casablanca LP) (BNDA debut 4/8/78)
UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND: ‘Freak With Me’ (US Red Greg 12”)
ZZ HILL: ‘This Time They Told The Truth’ (US Columbia 7”)
BOOTSY’S RUBBER BAND: ‘Bootzilla’ (US Warner Bros. 7”)
LORNA BENNETT: ‘Breakfast In Bed’ (Island 7”)
ISHAN PEOPLE: ‘Come to The Music’ (Baal 7”)
ANTHONY WHITE: ‘I Can’t Turn You Loose’ (Salsoul 7”) (BNDA debut 9/24/77)
VILLAGE PEOPLE: ‘I Am What I Am’ (DJM LP)
KOOL AND THE GANG: ‘Slick Superchick’ (Mercury LP)
PUSSYFOOT: ‘Dancer Dance’ (EMI 7”)
IMPERIALS: ‘Where You Gonna Find Somebody’ (Power Exchange 7”)
BIDDU ORCHESTRA: ‘Blacker The Berry’ / ‘James Bond Disco Theme’ (Epic 7”)
FLACK & HATHAWAY: ‘The Closer I Get To You’ (Atlantic 7”)
TYRONE ASHLEY: ‘Looks Like Love Is Here To Stay’ (UA promo 12”)
THE JACKSONS: ‘Music’s Takin’ Over’ (Epic 7”) (BNDA debut 12/3/77)
TRAMMPS: ‘Life Ain’t Been Easy’ (Atlantic LP)
ART GARFUNKEL: ‘Wonderful World’ (CBS 7”)
MEL DOUGLAS: ‘Forest Fire’ (Eagle 7”)
BOSTON: ‘Peace Of Mind’ (Epic LP)
DUNN PEARSON JR: ‘Groove On Down’ (US Shyrlden 12”)