Disco News
Greg Lynn moves soon from RCA to helm the disco dept at CBS, where Prelude is the latest US disco label to get a UK deal . . . Thames Valley DJ Assn invite all area jocks to meet Arista’s Tony Berry and watch an electrical shock revival demonstration at Radio 210’s studios this Sunday (23) at noon – the studios are in The Filberts, Bath Road (A4), Calcot, between M4 Junction 12 and Reading . . . ANCO of Chelmsford are demonstrating their new Banc amplification equipment from Saturday for a week at 50 Rainsford Road (phone 0245 58605).
New Spins
MAYTALS: ‘Disco Reggae’ (State STAT 78)
Sizzling mixture of old-style ska brass and modern disco rhythm becomes an ever-changing 4:10 trip through different musical noises – hear it all before you decide either way. Hot already with hip London Jocks, it’s on very limited 12 in for extra bass response, and is out here at my instigation so make it a hit, please! Good solidly reggae flip too (they’re minus Toots on these).
ROSE ROYCE: ‘It Makes You Feel Like Dancin’’ (Whitfield K 17148)
Typical funky clapper, big on LP last year but now on 12 in with added DJ-type intro.
21ST CREATION: ‘Break Thru’ LP (Motown STML 12078) (‘Tailgate’ BNDA debut 5/21/77)
Excellent mainly uptempo set bounds along with the full ‘Tailgate’ included (it’s out again on TMG 1075 with the perky ‘Mr Disco Radio’ flip), while the lovely Regal Dewy-style ‘Girls Let’s Keep Dancing Close’ is the best of the smoochers. Check out side one, it really moves!
SUN: ‘Sun Is Here’ (from LP ‘Sunburn’, Capitol/Tower EST 11723)
Hot funky import jogger with “whoop whoop” chants, available here at UK prices via Capitol’s new scheme whereby import LPs get a domestic Tower tag.
ERUPTION: ‘Movin’’ (from LP ‘Eruption’, Atlantic K 50454)
6:33 of ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’, while the currently hot 5:00 Brass Construction oldie becomes more blatant – which won’t please some ears. Too Teutonic by half!
GRUPPO SPORTIVO: ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ (Epic EPC 6302)
Zany fast pop craziness, so catchy it could be as big as Blondie. Great flip too!
DOOLEYS: ‘Don’t Take It Lyin’ Down’ (GTO GT 220)
Ultra-fast melodic but solidly thwacking backbeat flier.
T-CONNECTION: ‘Let Yourself Go’ (TK TKR 6024) (BNDA debut 4/22/78)
Another happy rhythm rattler, 5:08 long, slightly disjointed during the main vocal part.
LONNIE JORDAN: ‘Junkie To My Music’ (MCA 361)
Latin American salsa gaiety, ethnic but full of rhythm.
PHAROAH SANDERS: ‘Got To Give It Up’ (from LP ‘Love Will Find A Way’, Arista SPART 1051)
Exciting 6:29 jazz-funk instrumental of Marvin Gaye’s storming bouncy stomper.
VARIOUS: ‘Talk Of The Grapevine’ (Grapevine GRAL 1000)
Amazing 20-track northern soul album, chock full o’ goodies – some of them truly soulful, too!
EDDIE KENDRICKS: ‘How’s Your Love Life Baby’ / ‘Ain’t No Smoke Without Fire’ (Arista ARIST 12182) (BNDA debut 2/25/78)
12 in jiggly semi-slow swayer, the bouncily clapping fast 5:58 flip being the hot side.
JACKIE PAYNE: ‘It’s Gonna Be Alright’ (Barak BAR 4)
Good rolling soul bubbler with synthetics and handclaps, first out last year.
EXPRESSIONS: ‘Round And Round In Circles, pts. 1 & 2’ (EMI 2769)
‘Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache’-type breezy pop-soul romper, big up north as by Loaded Dice (same recording).
LOVELITES: ‘Get It Off My Conscience’ (Grapevine GRP 107)
Good girlie group northern soul churner, it’s the same old bass line!
JOY MACK: ‘You Had Your Chance’ (Four Sixty 460-001)
Superb deep soul ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’-type reggae smoocher.
JOOLS HOLLAND: ‘Buick 48’ (from EP ‘Boogie Woogie ‘78’, Deptford Fun City DFC 03)
Frantic boogie woogie rocker ends in suggestive panting! Five great though specialist tracks in all.
BISHOPS: ‘I Take What I Want’ (Chiswick N 33)
Sam & Dave’s old gospel raver goes new wave R&B.
DOUGLAS ROY: ‘Disco To The King, pts. 1 & 2’ (Polydor 2058989)
Oh dear, it had to happen – a Eurodisco medley of Elvis oldies, which clash horribly with the zingy backing despite being well sung.
ROSEBUD / DISCO BALLS: ‘A Tribute To Pink Floyd’ LP (Atlantic K 50446) (‘Have A Cigar’ BNDA debut 4/14/79)
Some tribute – Floyd go Eurodisco! ‘Arnold Layne’ is commercial pop but ‘Interstellar Overdrive’ could pass for jazz-funk.
ALEC R. COSTANDINOS: ‘Romeo & Juliet, Excerpts From Acts I/III’ (Lightning LIG 535) (BNDA debut 2/4/78)
Cerrone-type Euro pounders with bland chix, bouncy beat, edited from the full-length LP version.
PERFORMANCE: ‘Dynamite Dragster’ (RK 1007)
Fast instrumental Euro churner from France.
BIDDU ORCHESTRA: ‘The Stud’ (Epic EPC 6317)
Dated but catchy hustler from the movie.
LENNY WILLIAMS: ‘Look Up With Your Mind’ (ABC 4214)
Attractive but impact-lacking swinger.
PEABO BRYSON: ‘Reaching For The Sky’ LP (Capitol/Tower EST 11729)
Lovely US soul smash title track smoocher, plus more similar slowies and a chunky ‘Have A Good Time’, out here on import pressing.
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: ‘Imaginary Lover’ (Polydor 2066910)
Slinky soft rock swayer.
CHANTELLS WITH JAH BERRY: ‘Waiting In The Park’ (Phase 1)
Good reggae 12 in with Impressions-ish vocals and a toasting dub last half, completely dub flip.
BABA & ROODY: ‘Hacka-Tacka Music’ (CBS 5217)
Orgasmically panting Euro reggae novelty, a bit tiresome but fun for some.
MILLINGTON: ‘Ladies On The Stage’ (UA UP 36367)
Ex-Fanny girls get a Bee Gees sound, sort of.
GLADIATORS: ‘Stick A Bush’ (Front Line FLS 102)
Jaunty reggae bubbler.
Mix Master
Graham Gold (Greenford Champers) won’t tell the precise mixing point, but goes great guns with the sequence Chic ‘Everybody Dance’ (Atlantic LP), O’Jays ‘I Love Music’ (Philadelphia Int’l 12”), Sine ‘Chimi’ (US Prelude LP), War ‘Galaxy’ (MCA 12”), Manu Dibango ‘Big Blow’ (Decca), Roy Ayers ‘Freaky Deaky’ (Polydor), Munich Machine ‘Funk Train’ (Oasis LP), Francine McGee ‘Delirium’ (RCA 12”), Kool & The Gang ‘Slick Superchick’ (Mercury LP). Works well, sez he!
Hot Vinyl
Chris Brown (Camberley Frenchies) import tips:
TOWER OF POWER: ‘Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru’ (US Columbia LP)
DEODATO: ‘Whistle Bump’ (US Warner Bros. LP) (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
DANIEL STONE: ‘The Point’ (US Finest 12”)
SATURDAY NIGHT BAND: ‘Come On Dance Dance’ (US Prelude LP) (BNDA debut 4/15/78)
WEBSTER LEWIS: ‘There’s A Happy Feeling’ (US Epic LP)
RINDER & LEWIS: ‘Envy’ (US AVI LP) (BNDA debut 4/8/78)
KENNY DELT & PRANA: ‘Conquer All’ (US Mercury 7”) (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
JOHNNIE TAYLOR: ‘Keep On Dancing’ / ‘Hey Mr Melody Maker’ (US Columbia LP)
DUNN PEARSON JR: ‘Groove On Down’ (US Shyrlden 12”)
O’JAYS: ‘Use Ta Be My Girl’ (US Philadelphia Int’l 7”)
DJ Top 10
Henrik Steven from Thisted, Denmark, works a monthly regular rota of Danish and Norwegian clubs for the Gerry Coard agency. Despite his homeland, there are few Danish disco records available, and his chart relies on all European countries.
1 TINA RAINFORD: ‘Charly Boy’ (German CBS 7”)
2 PENNY MCLEAN: ‘Mambo Mama’ (German Jupiter 7”)
3 VIP COMPANY: ‘Prelude 77’ (German RCA 7”)
4 SHEILA B. DEVOTION: ‘Love Me Baby’ (German Polydor 7”)
5 DICKORY: ‘Don’t Go’ (German Gema/Pinball 7”)
6 MICHAELA MILES: ‘Young Love Is’ (German Hansa 7”)
7 VERONICA UNLIMITED: ‘Ferme La Porte’ (Dutch Philips 7”)
8 C. W. JORGENSEN: ‘Del Rene Helteri’ (Danish Metronome 7”)
9 LEGS ‘O FEELINGS: ‘Papa Soul’ (German Ariola 7”)
10 DISCO CIRCUS: ‘It’s My Discothek’ (German Hansa 7”)
11 BLACK PAUL: ‘The King In Black Disco’ (German Telefunken 7”)
12 BOUZOUKI DISCO BAND: ‘Disco Bouzouki’ (French Decca 7”)
UK Disco Top 90 – April 22, 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 14 Bee Gees – Night Fever – RSO 7″/LP
04 03 Hi-Tension – Hi-Tension – Island 7″/12″
05 05 Blondie – Denis (Denee) – Chrysalis 7″
06 06 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love – Island 7″
07 04 Chic – Everybody Dance – Atlantic 7″/LP/US 12″
08 08 Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive – RSO 7″/LP
09 09 Manu Dibango – Big Blow – Decca 7″/French Fiesta 12″
10 13 Charo – Dance A Little Bit Closer – Salsoul 7″/LP/US 12″
11 11 Ripple – The Beat Goes On And On – Salsoul 7/12″
12 07 Ashford & Simpson – Don’t Cost You Nothin’ – Warner Bros. 7″/12″
13 17 Sheila & B. Devotion – Singin’ In The Rain – Carrere 7″/12″
14 10 Francine McGee – Delirium / Feelin’ Good – RCA 12″
15 15 Raydio – Jack And Jill / Get Down – Arista 7″/LP
16 18 Stargard – Which Way Is Up – MCA 12″
17 12 Cameo – It’s Serious – Casablanca 7″/12″/LP
18 22 Voyage – From East To West (all cuts) – GTO LP
19 19 Gene Page – Close Encounters Of The Third Kind – Arista 7″/12″
20 16 Earth, Wind & Fire – Fantasy – CBS 7″
21 25 O’Jays – I Love Music / Love Train – Philadelphia Int’l 12″
22 31 Peter Brown – Dance With Me – TK 7″
23 21 Cerrone – Supernature / Give Me Love – Atlantic 7″/LP
24 20 Donna Summer – Rumour Has It – Casablanca 7″
25 23 Hot Chocolate – Every 1’s A Winner – Rak 7″
26 24 Real Thing – Whenever You Want My Love – Pye 7″
27 38 War – Galaxy – MCA 12″
28 46 Regal Dewy – Love Music – RCA 7″
29 29 Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame – US RCA 12″
30 30 Cleveland Eaton – Bama Boogie Woogie – US Ovation 12″
31 52 Metropolis – I Love New York – Salsoul 7/US 12″
32 60 Dee D. Jackson – Automatic Lover – Mercury 7″
33 37 Tavares – The Ghost Of Love / Bein’ With You – Capitol 7″/promo 12″
34 27 Steel Pulse – Ku Klux Klan – Island 7″/12″
35 42 Samuel Jonathan – You / Just Us – US Columbia LP
36 26 Showaddywaddy – I Wonder Why – Arista 7″
37 28 Andrea True Connection – What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number – Buddah 7″/US 12″
38 90 Bee Gees – More Than A Woman / You Should Be Dancing – RSO LP
39 41 Sun – Sun Is Here / Dance – US Capitol LP
40 43 Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street – UA 7″
41 35 Gene Farrow – Move Your Body – Magnet 12″
42 86 Donna Summer – Back In Love Again – GTO 7″/12″
43 56 Tina Charles – I’ll Go Where Your Music Takes Me – CBS 7″
44 49 Joe Sample – There Are Many Stops Along The Way – ABC LP
45 36 Nick Lowe – I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass – Radar 7″
46 47 Olympic Runners – Solar Heat – RCA LP
47 44 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late – CBS 7″
48 51 Linda Clifford – Runaway Love / If My Friends Could See Me Now – US Curtom LP
49 40 Sine – Just Let Me Do My Thing / Chimi – US Prelude LP
50 RE Suzi Quatro – If You Can’t Give Me Love – Rak 7″
51 65 Village People – Macho Man – DJM 7″
52 45 Jimmy Lindsay – Easy – Island/Black Swan 12″
53 57 Billy Preston – Wide Stride – A&M 7″/US 12″
54 61 Commodores – Brick House – Motown LP/promo 12″
55 66 Andrew Gold – Never Let Her Slip Away – Asylum 7″
56 32 Kellee Patterson – If It Don’t Fit Don’t Force It – EMI Int’l 7″
57 64 Amadeo – Moving Like A Superstar – Rampage 12″
58 87 Boiling Point – Let’s Get Funktified – US Bullet 7″/12″
59 82 Gary Criss – Rio De Janeiro – US Salsoul 12″
60 54 George Benson – On Broadway – Warner Bros. 7″/12″/LP
61 79 Eastside Connection – You’re So Right For Me – Creole 7″/12″
62 59 Raffaella Carra – Do It, Do It Again – Epic 7″
63 58 Lipstique – Venus – Ensign 7″
64 76 5th Dimension – You Are The Reason – Motown 7″
65 39 Roy Ayers – Freaky Deaky – Polydor 7″/LP
66 53 Diana Ross – Your Love Is So Good For Me – Motown 7″/LP/US promo 12″
67 50 Dexter Wansel – All Night Long – US Philadelphia Int’l LP
68 69 Inner City Express – Shu’ Dig Dancin’ – Ebony 7″/12″
69 RE Mandrill – Can You Get It – Arista 12″
70 RE Uncle Sam – Oh Pretty Woman – Ariola 7″
71 NE Reggie & The Orchies – Take Five – Electric 7″
72 78 Bunny Sigler – Let Me Party With You – Salsoul 12″
73 62 Parliament – Flash Light – Casablanca 7″/LP/US 12″
74 RE Mary Wells – My Guy – Motown 7″
75 NE Pleasers – The Kids Are Alright – Arista 7″
76 77 Players Association – Disco Inferno / I Like It – Vanguard 7″/12″
77 81 Elton John – Ego – Rocket 7″
78 83 KC & The Sunshine Band – Boogie Shoes – TK 7″
79 72 Leif Garrett – Runaround Sue – Atlantic 7″/12″
80 73 Meco – Close Encounters – RCA 7″
81 67 Bionic Boogie – Risky Changes – US Polydor 7″/12″/LP
82 NE Bob Marley – Satisfy My Soul – Island LP
83 NE Harvey Mason – What’s Goin’ On – US Arista LP
84 NE Tavares – More Than A Woman – RSO LP
85 NE Cheryl Barnes – Save And Spend – US Millennium 7″/12″
86 RE Slade – Give Us A Goal – Barn 7″
87 NE Salsoul Orchestra – West Side Story – US Salsoul 12″
88 NE Universal Robot Band – Freak With Me – US Red Greg 12″
89 71 Michele – Disco Dance – US West End 12″
90 74 Whirlwind – Hang Loose – Chiswick 7″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/14/78) / #2 (BNDA debut 2/4/78) / #3 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
#7 (BNDA debut 12/3/77) / #8 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #10 (BNDA debut 11/19/77)
#11 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #12 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #13 (BNDA debut 2/11/78)
#16 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #17 (BNDA debut 2/18/78) / #18 (BNDA debut 2/11/78)
#22 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #23 (BNDA debut 11/26/77) / #24 (BNDA debut 11/12/77)
#27 (BNDA debut 1/14/78) / #29 (BNDA debut 10/1/77) / #31 (BNDA debut 4/1/78)
#37 (BNDA debut 11/12/77) / #38 (BNDA debut 8/28/76) / #48 (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
#51 (BNDA debut 3/18/78) / #54 (BNDA debut 4/16/77) / #59 (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
#61 (BNDA debut 11/12/77) / #66 (BNDA debut 10/15/77) / #72 (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
#80 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #81 (BNDA debut 12/17/77) / #87 (BNDA debut 3/18/78)
#89 (BNDA debut 11/5/77)
Songs mentioned in DJ Hotline:
ANDY GIBB: ‘Shadow Dancing’ (RSO 7”)
GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR: ‘Hey Lord Don’t Ask Me Questions’ (Vertigo 7”)
PLATINUM HOOK: ‘Standing On The Verge’ (US Motown LP)
DEODATO: ‘Whistle Bump’ (US Warner Bros. LP) (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
LINDA LEWIS: ‘Can’t We Just Sit Down’ (Arista 7”)
JIMMY BO HORNE: ‘Dance Across The Floor’ (TK 7”)
WINGS: ‘With A Little Luck’ (Parlophone 7”)
ALAN PRICE: ‘Just For You’ (Jet 7”)
MAGGIE BELL: ‘Hazell’ (Swan Song 7”)
JUGGY MURRAY JONES: ‘Dance Groove’ (US Jupiter LP)
GARNET MIMMS: ‘Tail Snatcher’ (Arista LP)
AMANDA LEAR: ‘Queen Of Chinatown’ (Ariola LP)
DIONNE WARWICK: ‘Do You Believe In Love At First Sight’ (Warner Bros. 7”)
WILD CHERRY: ‘I Love My Music’ (Epic 7”)
CHRIS REA: ‘Fool (If You Think It’s Over)’ (Magnet 7”)
JOHN PAUL YOUNG: ‘Love Is In The Air’ (Ariola 7”)
MOMENT OF TRUTH: ‘You Got Me Hummin’’ (US Salsoul 12”)
JIMMY CLIFF: ‘Wild World’ (Island EP)
GLADIATORS: ‘Stick A Bush’ (Front Line 7”)
MUD: ‘Cut Across Shorty’ (RCA 7”)
LAWRENCE HILTON JACOBS: ‘Wonder Woman’ (US ABC LP)
JOHN GIBBS: ‘Trinidad’ (US Jumbo Carribeo 7”)
JAMES BROWN: ‘Eyesight’ (US Polydor 7”)
TYRONE ASHLEY: ‘Looks Like Love Is Here To Stay’ (UA promo 12”)
JUDY STREET: ‘What’ (Grapevine 7”)
James Hamilton's Disco Page 