Disco News
Joe Gibbs’s reggae labels are now being serviced to suitable jocks (some breakthrough, huh?!), so if you feature much reggae send your work details to Winston Edwards or Ann Leid at Joe Gibbs Record City, 29 Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE 14 (01-691 0070) . . . National Association of Youth Clubs, in conjunction with guess which over-promoted movie are scouring their 5,000 youth clubs for a big competition to find the top disco dancing teams of three to six kids, local round winners working towards regional and then national finals in October and December . . . Norwich Cromwells start a big East of England Group Competition in a month’s time to find quality musicianship worthy of recording by Arista and a £1,000 first prize: groups from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincs, Notts, Leics, Cambs and Beds can apply for forms to Mr. Tartt, Cromwells, Edwards Street, Norwich.
New Spins
RICK JAMES: ‘You And I’ (Motown TMG 1110) (BNDA debut 5/13/78)
Powerhouse smash funky whomper stamper, edited to 3:08 for UK 7in but bound to be huge.
IDRIS MUHAMMAD: ‘Boogie To The Top’ LP (Kudu KU 38) (BNDA debut 5/6/78)
Relentless jazz-funk thumping title-track smash leaps along for 10:25 of musical shifts within an almost afro rhythm. ‘One With A Star’ and ‘S-E-X’ are hot, too.
A TASTE OF HONEY: ‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ (Capitol CL 15988) (BNDA 5/27/78)
Slow starting funky flyer that’s totally irresistible in its simple-seeming combination of winsome chix, cheerful claps, and dynamite bass-driven beat.
SIDE EFFECT: ‘Keep That Same Old Feeling’ (Fantasy FTC 157)
Gorgeous floater from late ‘76, full of crazy bird noises and other ethereal summery effects, edited to 3:38 – so get the full version on the ‘Fantasy Dancin’’ LP (FT 541).
O’JAYS: ‘Use Ta Be My Girl’ (Phil Int’l PIR 8332)
Infectiously lurching mellow rhythm tripper with catchy shoop-shoops.
BIONIC BOOGIE: ‘Risky Changes’ (from LP ‘Bionic Boogie’, Polydor 2391322) (BNDA debut 12/17/77)
Well, it’s finally out! The much-imported 6:17 fast funky jumper (on 45 next week) and 5:14 thudding funk-jazz ‘Boogie Boo’ are the hot ‘uns on a generally good but zingy LP.
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS: ‘Satisfy My Soul’ / ‘Smile Jamaica’ (Island WIP 6440)
Already big on LP, the laid back but driving off-beat jogger’s flipped by his import hit political anthem, not out before.
JAMES BROWN: ‘Jam/1980’s’ LP (Polydor 2391342)
Due on 45, ‘Eyesight’ is a buoyant sparse funky bounder, ‘Jam’ a marathon exciting funk-jazz flier, ‘The Spank’ a slower funky chugger, and ‘Nature’ a slow-starting great chicken-scratch guitar rhythm groove with ‘Do The Dog’ brass which makes me want to sing “do the funky chicken now, hey hey hey”!
LAURIN RINDER & W. MICHAEL LEWIS: ‘Envy (Animal Fire)’ / ‘Lust’ (Pye 7N 25779) (BNDA debut 4/8/78)
Their two hottest tracks in funk-jazz clubs, the vocal plug side is a less subtle pounder than the even smoother atmospheric cool flip.
LINDA CLIFFORD: ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ / ‘Runaway Love’ (Curtom K 11163) (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
Exciting fast thumper big in gay venues, while the good value but low volume 7:04 flip is a slow-starting slinkily swaying builder big in funky venues.
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: ‘Born To Dance’ LP (Vanguard VSD 79398)
Actually out a while, the previously much-imported all-star funk-jazz supersession’s ultra-fast ‘We Were Born To Dance’ and 5:38 ‘Disco Inferno’ cover are the hotsies.
TOWER OF POWER: ‘Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru’ (CBS 6318)
Sorry the fast funky leaper does seem to be out in long 6:03 form – I only had a short US 45 last week.
STEVE KHAN: ‘Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby’ (from LP ‘Tightrope’, CBS/Tappan Zee CBS 82230)
O’Jays oldie done as a beautiful Bob James-arranged rhythm-filled swaying 6:28 jazz-funk guitar instrumental.
COMMODORES: ‘Natural High’ LP (Motown STML 12087)
Title track’s a happy bass-driven funky bumper, but the rest – including sub-‘Brick House’-style ‘Fire Girl’ and ‘I Like What You Do’ – is surprisingly dull.
ROKOTTO: ‘Funk Theory’ (State STAT 80)
Heatwave-type squeakily-sung juddering chugger, quite lively.
ISLEY BROTHERS: ‘Showdown’ LP (Epic EPC 86039)
Typical-sounding set with a subtle funkily burbling title track, the full 5:10 ‘Take Me To The Next Phase’ and ‘Livin’ The Life, Part 2’ in the form of ’Rockin’ With Fire’.
JIMMY OWENS: ‘Headin’ Home’ LP (A&M AMLJ 729)
Strong LP of good but somehow specialist tricky fast trumpet jazz instrumentals, many being hot.
HERB ALPERT & HUGH MASEKELA: ‘Lobo’ (from LP ‘Alpert/Masekela’, A&M AMLJ 728)
Complex 7:20 semi-slow jittery jazz instrumental.
ROLLING STONES: ‘Miss You’ (EMI 2802) (BNDA debut 6/17/78)
Great sinuous subdued raunchy chugger.
JIMMY CROSS: ‘I Want My Baby Back’ (Wanted CULT 45-101)
First introduced to Capital Radio by yours truly in February ’74, this classic sickie from ’65 ended up as Kenny Everett’s ‘World’s Worst Record’. Bad? . . . it’s terrific, but not exactly a dancer (though the instrumental flip was big in Belgium).
JULIAN COVAY: ‘A Little Bit Hurt’ (Island WIP 6442)
Phil Kinorra’s late sixties UK classic – a rough ‘n ready Spencer Davis-type pounder with Wynder K. Frogg organ – is of course one of the big in-demand northern rarities!
FRANKIE MILLER: ‘Stubborn Kind Of Fellow’ (Chrysalis CHS 2221)
Marvin Gaye’s first ever hit becomes a good fast disco rocker with some bouncy swing.
BRYN HAWORTH: ‘We’re All One’ (A&M AMS 7361)
Madly bouncy soft-rock skipper, lovely stuff!
MAXINE NIGHTINGALE: ‘(Bringing Out) The Girl In Me’ (UA UP 36395)
Jaunty little jiggler by Raydio’s Ray Parker Jr pushes along quite catchily.
ELKIE BROOKS: ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ (A&M AMS 7353)
Neil Young converts prettily to the Bee Gees-type sound.
Hot Vinyl
Robin Nash (Camberley Frenchies) import tips:
NORMAN CONNORS: ‘Stella’ / ‘Captain Connors’ (US Arista LP)
3 OUNCES OF LOVE: ‘Give Me Some Feeling’ (US Motown LP)
FATBACK: ‘Get Out On The Dance Floor’ (US Event LP)
WHISPERS: ‘Headlights’ (US Solar LP)
NEW YORK COMMUNITY CHOIR: ‘Rejoice Rejoice’ (US RCA LP)
DEMIS ROUSSOS: ‘L.O.V.E. Got A Hold Of Me’ (US Mercury 12” promo) (BNDA debut 7/1/78)
While his Frenchies partner Chris Brown tips:
JACK ASHFORD: ‘Hotel Sheet’ (US Magic Disc LP)
CHOICE FOUR: ‘Come Down To Earth’ (US RCA 12”) (BNDA debut 10/8/77)
SPYRO GYRA: ‘Shaker Song’ (US Amherst LP)
RAUL DE SOUZA: ‘Daisy Mae’ (US Capitol LP)
And they both break WIND: ‘Phew-wee’ (US Bangalore Brownie LP)
UK Disco Top 90 – May 27, 1978
01 01 Bee Gees – Night Fever – RSO 7″/LP/US 12″
02 02 Hi-Tension – Hi-Tension – Island 7″/12″
03 04 Boney M. – Rivers Of Babylon – Atlantic 7″
04 03 Michael Zager Band – Let’s All Chant / Love Express – Private Stock 7″/12″
05 06 Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame – RCA 7″/12″
06 11 Olympic Runners – Whatever It Takes – RCA 12″/LP
07 05 Chic – Everybody Dance – Atlantic 7″/LP/US 12″
08 07 Voyage – Voyage (all cuts) – GTO LP
09 08 Ripple – The Beat Goes On And On – Salsoul 7″/12″
10 10 Metropolis – I Love New York – Salsoul 7″/US 12″
11 20 Tavares – More Than A Woman – Capitol 7″/RSO LP
12 14 Rose Royce – It Makes You Feel Like Dancin’ – Whitfield 7″/12″
13 16 Dee D. Jackson – Automatic Lover – Mercury 7″
14 19 Cameo – It’s Serious – Casablanca 7″/12″/LP
15 21 Boiling Point – Let’s Get Funktified – Bang 7″/12″
16 35 Yvonne Elliman – If I Can’t Have You – RSO 7″/LP
17 09 Francine McGee – Delirium / Feelin’ Good – RCA 7″/12″
18 15 Maytals – Disco Reggae / Dub A Little Reggae – State 7″/12″/LP
19 17 Charo – Dance A Little Bit Closer – Salsoul 7″/LP/US 12″
20 24 Isley Brothers – Take To Me The Next Phase / Livin’ The Life – Epic 7″/12″
21 18 Bee Gees – More Than A Woman – RSO LP
22 28 Linda Clifford – Runaway Love / Gypsy Lady / If My Friends Could See Me Now – US Curtom LP
23 13 Ashford & Simpson – Don’t Cost You Nothin’ – Warner Bros. 7″/12″
24 29 Samuel Jonathan – You / Just Us – US Columbia LP
25 22 Saturday Night Band – Come On Dance Dance – US Prelude LP
26 25 KC & The Sunshine Band – Boogie Shoes – TK 7″/RSO LP
27 32 Sun – Sun Is Here / Dance – Capitol/Tower LP
28 12 Sheila & B. Devotion – Singin’ In The Rain – Carrere 7″/12″/LP
29 31 Joe Sample – There Are Many Stops Along The Way – ABC LP
30 23 Idris Muhammad – Boogie To The Top – US Kudu LP
31 38 Parliament – Flash Light – Casablanca 7″/US 12″
32 27 Tower Of Power – Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru / We Came To Play – US Columbia 7″/LP
33 44 Darts – The Boy From New York City – Magnet 7″
34 30 Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive – RSO 7″/LP/US 12″
35 52 Rick James – You And I / Sexy Lady – Motown 7″/US Gordy LP
36 45 Heatwave – Put The Word Out / Party Poops – GTO LP
37 34 Deodato – Whistle Bump – Warner Bros. LP/US 12″
38 26 Raydio – Jack And Jill / Get Down – Arista 7″/LP
39 47 Raffaella Carra – Do It, Do It Again – Epic 7″
40 54 John Paul Young – Love Is In The Air – Ariola 7″
41 40 Village People – Macho Man – DJM 7″/LP
42 37 Peter Brown – Dance With Me – TK 7″
43 59 Rare Gems Odyssey – What Is Funk – Casablanca 7″/US LP
44 51 James Brown – Eyesight / The Spank / Jam / Nature – US Polydor LP
45 46 Alec R. Costandinos – Romeo & Juliet – Lightning 7″/LP
46 42 Cleveland Eaton – Bama Boogie Woogie – US Ovation 12″
47 48 Eddie Kendricks – Ain’t No Smoke Without Fire / How’s Your Love Life Baby – Arista 7″/12″
48 63 Dexter Wansel – All Night Long / Disco Lights – Philadelphia Int’l 7″/12″
49 74 Raydio – Is This A Love Thing / Honey I’m Rich – Arista LP
50 66 Trammps – Disco Inferno – Atlantic 7″/12″/RSO LP
51 56 Earth, Wind & Fire – Jupiter – CBS 7″/LP
52 78 Various Artists – Thank God It’s Friday (all cuts) – Casablanca LP
53 58 Players Association – Disco Inferno / I Like It – Vanguard 7″/12″
54 62 Platinum Hook – Standing On The Verge – US Motown LP
55 53 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Satisfy My Soul / Kaya – Island LP
56 64 Stanley Clarke – More Hot Fun – Epic 7″
57 72 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late / Emotions – CBS 7″
58 49 Donna Summer – Back In Love Again / Try Me I Know We Can Make It – GTO 7″/12″
59 39 Gary Criss – Rio De Janeiro – US Salsoul 12″
60 43 O’Jays – I Love Music / Love Train – Philadelphia Int’l 12″
61 55 Gene Farrow – Move Your Body – Magnet 7″/12″
62 NE Plastic Bertrand – Ca Plane Pour Moi – Sire 7″
63 81 Jimmy Bo Horne – Dance Across The Floor – TK 7″
64 RE Kay-Gees – Kilowatt / Kilowatt Invasion – US De-Lite LP
65 83 O’Jays – Use Ta Be My Girl – Philadelphia Int’l 7″
66 NE Rinder & Lewis – Lust / Envy / Pride – Pye LP
67 79 J. R. T. – Play It Again Sam – Electric 7″/12″
68 67 Blondie – (I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear – Chrysalis 7″
69 73 Heatwave – Mind Blowing Decisions – GTO 7″
70 50 Sine – Just Let Me Do My Thing – CBS 7″/US Prelude LP
71 RE Andrew Gold – Never Let Her Slip Away – Asylum 7″
72 77 T-Connection – Let Yourself Go – TK 7″
73 65 Johnnie Taylor – Keep On Dancing – CBS 7″
74 80 Double Exposure – Ten Percent – US Salsoul 12″
75 82 Universal Robot Band – Freak With Me – US Red Greg 12″
76 60 Michele – Disco Dance – US West End 12″
77 89 Roberta Kelly – Oh Happy Day / To My Father’s House / My Sweet Lord – Oasis LP
78 61 Regal Dewy – Love Music – RCA 7″
79 76 Graham Parker – Hey Lord Don’t Ask Me Questions – Vertigo 7″
80 RE Mastermind – Hustle Bus Stop – CBS 7″
81 68 Prince – Just As Long As We’re Together – US Warner Bros. LP
82 NE Don Ray – Got To Have Loving / Standing In The Rain – US Malligator LP
83 NE Kenny Delt & Prana – Conquer All – US Mercury 12″
84 75 Reggie & The Orchies – Take Five / Hand Glider – Electric 7″
85 84 Lipstique – Venus – Ensign 7″
86 NE Brass Construction – Celebrate – UA 7″
87 NE Patti Smith – Because The Night – Arista 7″
88 NE Love & Kisses – Thank God It’s Friday – Casablanca 7″/12″/LP
89 RE Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way – US Motown 12″
90 NE Elvis Costello – Pump It Up – Radar 7″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #4 (BNDA debut 1/14/78) / #5 (BNDA debut 10/1/77)
#7 (BNDA debut 12/3/77) / #8 (BNDA debut 2/11/78) / #9 (BNDA debut 1/28/78)
#10 (BNDA debut 4/1/78) / #12 (BNDA debut 9/24/77) / #14 (BNDA debut 2/18/78)
#19 (BNDA debut 11/19/77) / #21 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #22 (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
#23 (BNDA debut 1/28/78) / #25 (BNDA debut 4/15/78) / #28 (BNDA debut 2/11/78)
#30 (BNDA debut 5/6/78) / #34 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #35 (BNDA debut 5/13/78)
#37 (BNDA debut 5/27/78) / #41 (BNDA debut 3/18/78) / #42 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
#45 (BNDA debut 2/4/78) / #47 (BNDA debut 2/25/78) / #50 (BNDA debut 1/15/77)
#52 (BNDA debut 4/29/78) / #59 (BNDA debut 3/25/78) / #66 (BNDA debut 4/8/78)
#72 (BNDA debut 4/22/78) / #76 (BNDA debut 11/5/77) / #77 (BNDA debut 4/8/78)
#82 (BNDA debut 4/22/78) / #86 (BNDA debut 12/3/77) / #88 (BNDA debut 4/29/78)
#89 (BNDA debut 1/28/78)
Bubbling Under the Top 90:
DOOLEYS: ‘Don’t Take It Lyin’ Down’ (State 7”)
PUSSYFOOT: ‘Dancer Dance’ (EMI 7”)
TYRONE DAVIS: ‘Get On Up’ (US Columbia 7”)
JOHN TRAVOLTA & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: ‘You’re The One That I Want’ (RSO 7”)
GLADIATORS: ‘Stick A Bush’ (Front Line 7”)
A TASTE OF HONEY: ‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ (Capitol 7”) (BNDA 5/27/78)
IN CROWD: ‘Back A Yard’ (Cactus 7”)
WAYNE HENDERSON: ‘Hot Stuff’ (US Polydor LP)
FOXY: ‘Get Off’ (US Dash LP) (BNDA debut 5/6/78)
JOHN GIBBS STEEL ORCHESTRA: ‘Trinidad’ (US Jumbo Caribbean 12”)
GUY MARKS: ‘Loving You Has Made Me Bananas’ (ABC 7”)
PHAROAH SANDERS: ‘Got To Give It Up’ (Arista LP)
KONGAS: ‘Gimme Some Lovin’’ (Polydor 7”) (BNDA debut 1/14/78)
BOMBERS: ‘Bombers’ LP (US West End LP)
WRITERS: ‘Hey Babe’ (US Columbia LP)
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