Revolta Rules OK?
Ian Moore, the appalling Revolta dancer, is preparing for superstardom! I went out to Gravesend Wings in Shears Green to check out his action last Tuesday, and was suitably impressed. Under the guiding hand of his DJ/agent Colin Hudd (Grays Thurrock 30972 for bookings), Ian practices his atrocious moves in front of two mirrors so that he can see himself properly while doing spins. Well, he calls them spins. A 20-year-old warehouseman, he only began dancing on April 18th when he entered a Travolta competition at Wings, where he so electrified the audience that he became a local celebrity overnight. He even has some tricks that Arthur Murray might envy, like his funky shirt-collar flick, while the crowd pleaser when I was there was the audience-participating white waistcoat-shredding step. This lad could become a legend . . . he’s far worse than anyone who’s consciously trying to be bad! Look out for him at Purley on August 28th, at Robbie Vincent’s next Southgate Royalty gig on August 26th, and in the West End soon!
Disco News
This Saturday (22) ITV screens the first proper ‘Revolver’ show, with Hi-Tension and of course Chris Hill as “king of the kids” (check for transmission time) . . . Thames Valley DJ Assn meets on Sunday (23) at noon in Wokingham’s King of Clubs on Wellington Road, with a talk on music publishing from Famous-Chappel’s Ivan Chandler and freebies from Decca, Mountain and Response reps. For TVDJA membership details, contact Mark Anthony at 2 Stratford Drive, Wooburn Green, Bucks (Bourne End 24171). Likewise, for details about the equally flourishing Sussex DJ Assn, contact either Nigel Paterson (Littlehampton 22484) or Johnny Diamond (Brighton 202274) . . . Now on commercial UK 12in are Rick James ‘You And I’ (Motown), Donna Summer ‘Last Dance’ (Casablanca) and Jimmy Bo Horne ‘Dance Across The Floor’ (TK), while due next week is Sylvester ‘You Make Me Feel’ (Fantasy) and – on 7in – the Commodores ‘Three Times A Lady’ (Motown) . . . Phil Upchurch’s hot import LP is due on TK in a fortnight . . . The French magazine Discobox currently features as top foreign hit ‘Saturday Night Fever’ by Bee Gees B.O. – could be right, but actually means Bande Originale (original soundtrack) . . . Working a Julianas unit on board the Hamburg-based Wappen Von Hamberg ship, Ian Jason charts amongst the usual biggies La Bionda ‘One For You, One For Me’ (German Ariola), also hot is Discobox – could be worth checking by pop jox.
New Spins
BONEY M: ‘Night Flight To Venus’ LP (Atlantic K 50496)
Jock-grabbing freaky countdown to the rhythm-rattling title track, which mixes into a different beat after seguing into ‘Rasputin’ for the set’s most exciting sequence. Many more have pop potential, and all have a Giorgio-like electronic clarity.
VILLAGE PEOPLE: ‘Just A Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody / Key West’ (DJM DJS 10869) (BNDA debut 3/18/78)
Extremely catchy rousing medley with fast thudding bouncy beat and building momentum, big in gay clubs and bound to smash pop. Flip’s a fast thumper too.
BILL ANDERSON: ‘I Can’t Wait Any Longer’ (Ember EMBS 361)
Rather good gently bouncing smooth bumper with soft talking bits, hailed in US (where it’s on 12in) as the first “country disco” hit, produced by Buddy Killen of Joe Tex fame. Could smash.
KANDIDATE: ‘Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight’ (Rak 12 RAK 280)
Already hitting radio, the gorgeous lushly grooving soft soul swayer’s on 4:27 12in.
LENNY WILLIAMS: ‘You Got Me Running’ (from LP ‘Spark Of Love’, ABC ABCL 5251) (BNDA debut 7/29/78)
Exciting new ‘Choosing You’ picks up power at several cut-in points, so the deceptively fast 7:45 flier can be started nearer its funk-jazz piano climax.
TONY BEAU: ‘My Angel Baby’ (RCA PB 1250)
Sensational soulful slowie, like a white Regal Dewy doing the Casinos’ ‘Then You Can Tell Her Goodbye’.
NINA SIMONE: ‘Baltimore’ LP (CTI 7084)
Subtle slow title track groin-grinder is a haunting rhythmic smoocher that mixes beautifully out of – say – Sam J. Johnson’s ‘Just Us’.
WHISPERS: ‘Headlights’ / ‘(Let’s Go) All The Way’ (RCA FC 9287)
Sorta ‘Brick House’ idea starts muddled but becomes a dynamite funky jiggling rhythm workout after 3:13 of the 6:52 12in. Flip’s a lovely lurching 4:48 soul slowie, their current US hit and UK radio-aimed A-side.
NIGEL MARTINEZ: ‘Better Things To Come’ LP (State ETAT 17)
Home-grown but already picking up a buzz, the 3:32 instrumental title track’s a solidly bouncing funk-jazz jumper that deserves to be longer.
DON RAY: ‘Got To Have Loving’ (Polydor 2001799) (BNDA debut 4/22/78)
Cerrone-produced typically thumping churner, hitting already, edited to 3:27 from the 8:13 LP track.
RICHARD HEWSON ORCHESTRA: ‘What Shall We Do When The Disco’s Over?’ (Splash CP 12) (BNDA debut 3/4/78)
Hitting now in US, last year’s zingy thumper still has the current Chic-type sound on 7in or longer 12in.
CANDI STATON: ‘Victim’ (from LP ‘House Of Love’, Warner Bros. K 58510) (BNDA debut 8/12/78)
Cool 8:30 thudder actually mentions the similar ‘Young Hearts’ but doesn’t get as compulsive, while the full 5:49 ‘Honest I Do Love You’ and Tempta-Premes’ old ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ could find more fans.
TAVARES: ‘Slow Train To Paradise’ (Capitol CL 15996)
Ultra-zingy fast skipper with Tuxedo Junction-type touches, on 7in and longer 12in.
GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS: ‘Madison Blues’ (Sonet SON 2158)
Canned Heat-type dynamite good rockin’ boogie – get it on!
FLYING SAUCERS: ‘Texas Calls You Home’ (Alaska ALA 2014)
Really good fast rockabilly bopper – their best yet – like Billy Fury doing ‘Baby Let’s Play House’.
DANNY & THE JUNIORS: ‘At The Hop’ / ‘Rock ‘N Roll Is Here To Stay’ (ABC 4123)
Everyone’s favorite rock ‘n roll raver out again, in picture sleeve.
TOM CATZ: ‘It’s The Fonz’ (Weekend DJS 10868)
Beautiful greasy doo-wop tribute to Arthur, worthy of Ruben & the Jets!
WAYNE COUNTY & THE ELECTRIC CHAIRS: ‘F… Off’ (from EP ‘Blatantly Offensive’, Safari WC2)
Great raunchy rock chugger full of four-letter words – really!
ERROL: ‘That Song’ (Stone SON 2154)
Would-be sexy smoocher with sensuous female whispering, ruined – on purpose – by guffaws of laughter! Good gimmick used out of ‘Je T’Aime’, say.
YOUNG LIONS: ‘Take Five’ (Discovery D-DISC 001)
Terrific real reggae treatment of the Dave Brubeck instrumental, miles better than Reggie & The Orchies’ attempt, on 7in or longer 12in.
CAPTAIN MORGAN & HIS MERRY MEN: ‘Tom Hark’ (Unigram D-U6-401)
Elias & His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes’ old penny whistle tune transfers beautifully to a happy reggae 12in.
ROSETTA HOWARD: ‘If You’re A Viper’ (Ultima ULT 1)
Terrific 1937-recorded jazz swinger about smoking reefers, great sophisticated MoR.
CRYSTAL GAYLE: ‘Paintin’ This Old Town Blue’ (UA UP 36422)
Lovely sleazy MoR swayer like a beefier ‘Brown Eyes’, but hidden as a B-side.
MIKE GRAHAM: ‘Who Will The Next Fool Be’ (MAM 177)
Marvelous mellow blues in the Ray Charles style for sophisticated smoochers.
EAST-WEST: ‘Argentina’ (Ultima ULT 2)
Superb subtle percussive jazz instrumental, from Scotland, but not what you’re now expecting.
WILD CHERRY: ‘1-2-3 Kind Of Love’ (Epic EPC 6497)
Attractive jogging blue-eyed swayer reeking of the mid-‘60s, Deon Jackson, and the like.
GENE FARROW: ‘Don’t Stop Now’ (Magnet 12 MAG 125)
Uninspired plod-along cymbal-schlurper with some supposedly happy whoops and a basic rhythm break, on 7:00 12in.
HODGES, JAMES & SMITH: ‘What Have You Done For Love’ (London HLU 10559)
Over-obvious brassy thudding ‘Native New Yorker’-type girlie group swayer.
SERENADE: ‘Love On A Summer Night’ (Atlantic K 11172)
Breathy Euro-style chix with mandolins and zingy fast tempo – ugh!
SHEILA B. DEVOTION: ‘You Light My Fire’ (Carrere EMI 2828)
Zingy but boring fast pop leaper pressed in red vinyl.
Mix Master
Superb segues worth trying are A Taste Of Honey ‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ (12in) into Bohannon ‘Let’s Start The Dance’ into Deodato ‘Whistle Bump’ (US 12in) – that’s Graham Canter’s (Mayfair Gullivers) and Roy Ayers ‘Running Away’ (US 12in) during vibes into Herbie Hancock ‘I Thought It Was You’ into Harvey Mason ‘What’s Going On’ (12in), skipping intro – that’s mine (Mayfair Gullivers too, when Graham lets me!) – and Linda Clifford ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ into Trade Mark ‘Days Of Pearly Spencer’ – that’s Roger Scott’s (Capital Radio). The first two are gradual mixes using variable speed decks, the last a chop mix.
UK Disco Top 90 – July 22, 1978
01 01 A Taste Of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie – Capitol 7″/12″/LP
02 02 Hi-Tension – Hi-Tension – Island 7″/12″
03 03 John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – You’re The One That I Want – RSO 7″
04 04 Bee Gees – Night Fever – RSO 7″/LP/12″ promo
05 05 Rick James – You And I / Sexy Lady – Motown 7″/12″/LP
06 06 Sine – Just Let Me Do My Thing – CBS 7″/12″/LP
07 09 Saturday Night Band – Come On Dance Dance – CBS 7″/12″/LP
08 08 O’Jays – Use Ta Be My Girl – Philadelphia Int’l 7″
09 07 Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame – RCA 7″/12″
10 11 Voyage – Voyage (all cuts) – GTO LP
11 14 Commodores – Flying High – Motown 7″/12″/LP
12 12 Idris Muhammad – Boogie To The Top / One With A Star / S-E-X – Kudu 7″/LP/12″ promo
13 10 Boney M. – Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring – Atlantic 7″/12″
14 15 Trammps – Disco Inferno – Atlantic 7″/12″/RSO LP
15 20 Raydio – Is This A Love Thing – Arista 7″/LP/12″ promo
16 16 Linda Clifford – Runaway Love / Gypsy Lady / If My Friends Could See Me Now – Curtom 7″/12″/LP
17 21 Charles Earland – Let The Music Play / Over And Over – US Mercury LP
18 13 Rolling Stones – Miss You – EMI 7″/12″
19 17 Heatwave – Mind Blowing Decisions – GTO 7″/LP
20 32 Karen Young – Hot Shot – US West End 12″
21 19 Deodato – Whistle Bump – Warner Bros. 7″/12″ promo
22 18 Real Thing – Let’s Go Disco – Pye 7″
23 22 Marshall Hain – Dancing In The City – Harvest 7″
24 23 Hamilton Bohannon – Let’s Start The Dance – US Mercury LP
25 30 Quincy Jones – Stuff Like That – A&M 7″/LP
26 25 J.A.L.N. Band – Get Up (& Let Yourself Go) – Magnet 7″/12″
27 68 Crown Heights Affair – Galaxy Of Love / Say A Prayer For Two / I’m Gonna Love You Forever – De-Lite LP
28 52 Herbie Hancock – I Thought It Was You – CBS LP
29 39 Sylvester – Dance (Disco Heat) / You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – US Fantasy 12″
30 35 Peter Brown – Dance With Me – TK 7″/12″
31 51 Samona Cooke – One Night Affair – Mercury 7″/12″ promo
32 40 Norman Connors – Stella / Captain Connors – Buddah 7″/LP
33 41 Rokotto – Funk Theory – State 7″/12″
34 47 Gap Mangione – Mellow Out / Time Of The Season / Sister Jo – US A&M LP
35 44 Fatback – I’m Fired Up / Get Out On The Dance Floor / Snake / I Like Girls – US Spring 7″/LP
36 24 Boiling Point – Let’s Get Funktified – Bang 7″/12″
37 28 Kenny Delt & Prana – Conquer All – Mercury 7″/US 12″
38 38 Tower Of Power – Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru – CBS 7″/LP
39 26 Tavares – More Than A Woman – Capitol 7″/RSO LP
40 29 Bee Gees – More Than A Woman – RSO LP/12″ promo
41 66 Sun – Sun Is Here – Capitol 7″/12″
42 49 James Brown – Eyesight / The Spank / Jam – Polydor 7″/LP
43 37 Bionic Boogie – Risky Changes / Boogie Boo – Polydor 7″/LP
44 33 Bob Marley & The Wailers – Satisfy My Soul – Island 7″/LP
45 34 Samuel Jonathan – You / Just Us – US Columbia LP
46 31 Double Exposure – Ten Percent – US Salsoul 12″
47 77 Ronnie Jones – Me And Myself – Lollipop 7″/12″ promo
48 36 Commodores – Three Times A Lady – Motown LP/US 7″
49 63 Various Artists – Thank God It’s Friday (all cuts except TGIF & Last Dance) – Casablanca LP
50 56 Diana Ross – Lovin’, Livin’ And Givin’ – Motown 7″/Casablanca LP
51 42 Ubiquity – Midnight After Dark / Starbooty – Elektra 7″/12″
52 27 Eddie Kendricks – Ain’t No Smoke Without Fire – Arista 7″/12″
53 78 Love Committee – Law And Order – Salsoul 7″/LP
54 46 Stanley Clarke – More Hot Fun – Epic 7″
55 55 Yvonne Elliman – If I Can’t Have You – RSO 7″/LP/12″ promo
56 59 Luisa Fernandez – Lay Love On You – Warner Bros. 7″
57 50 T-Connection – Let Yourself Go – TK 7″/12″
58 58 Trade Mark – Days Of Pearly Spencer – RSO 7″/12″
59 43 Metropolis – I Love New York – Salsoul 7″/US 12″
60 69 Mass Production – Just Want To Make A Dream Come True / Watch Me Do It / Sky High / Scarey Love – US Cotillion LP
61 65 Cleveland Eaton – Bama Boogie Woogie – US Ovation 12″
62 RE Carol Douglas – Night Fever – Gull 7″/12″
63 61 Harvey Mason – What’s Going On / Till You Take My Love – Arista 7″/12″/LP
64 73 Rare Earth – Warm Ride – Prodigal 7″/12″ promo
65 48 Donna Summer – Last Dance / With Your Love – Casablanca 7″/LP
66 RE Don Ray – Got To Have Loving / Garden Of Love – Polydor 7″/LP
67 67 Gary Criss – Rio De Janeiro – Carrere 7″/French 12″
68 79 Winners – Get On Up And Do It / Hey You / Get Ready For The Future / Eternal Revenue – US UA/Roadshow LP
69 NE Lenny Williams – You Got Me Running – ABC LP
70 NE Sweet Thunder – Everybody’s Singin’ Love Songs – US Fantasy/WMOT 12″
71 86 L.T.D. – Together Forever / Jam / Holding On / You Must Have Known I Needed Love – A&M LP
72 76 Jack Ashford – Hotel Sheet – US Magic Disc LP
73 80 Prince – Just As Long As We’re Together – US Warner Bros. LP
74 84 Raul De Souza – Daisy Mae / Jump Street – Capitol 7″
75 75 Patrick Juvet – I Love America / Got A Feeling – Casablanca LP
76 54 Constellation Orchestra – Perfect Love Affair / Funk Encounters – US Prelude LP
77 45 Olympic Runners – Whatever It Takes / Solar Heat – RCA 7″/12″
78 71 Clout – Substitute – Carrere 7″
79 62 John Gibbs & US Steel Orchestra – Trinidad – US Jumbo Caribbean 12″
80 NE Cissy Houston – Think It Over – US Private Stock 12″
81 53 Demis Roussos – L.O.V.E. Got A Hold Of Me – Mercury 12″ promo
82 NE Phil Upchurch – Strawberry Letter 23 – US Marlin LP
83 60 Lee Ritenour – Sugarloaf Express – US Electra LP
84 NE Shirley Ellis – The Clapping Song – MCA 7″/12″
85 87 Walter Murphy – A Fifth Of Beethoven – Private Stock 12″/RSO LP
86 NE Teddy Pendergrass – Only You – Philadelphia Int’l LP
87 82 Teddy Pendergrass – Close The Door / Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose – Philadelphia Int’l 7″
88 NE Gladys Knight & The Pips – Come Back And Finish What You Started – Buddah 7″
89 NE Bootsy’s Rubber Band – Bootzilla / Hollywood Squares – Warner Bros. 7″/12″
90 NE KC & The Sunshine Band – It’s The Same Old Song – TK 7″/12″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 5/27/78) / #4 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #5 (BNDA debut 5/13/78)
#7 (BNDA debut 4/15/78) / #9 (BNDA debut 10/1/77) / #10 (BNDA debut 2/11/78)
#12 (BNDA debut 5/6/78) / #14 (BNDA debut 1/15/77) / #16 (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
#18 (BNDA debut 6/17/78) / #20 (BNDA debut 6/17/78) / #21 (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
#24 (BNDA debut 7/22/78) / #29 (BNDA debut 7/8/78) / #30 (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
#40 (BNDA debut 1/7/78) / #43 (BNDA debut 12/17/77) / #49 (BNDA debut 4/29/78)
#50 (BNDA debut 12/23/78) / #52 (BNDA debut 2/25/78) / #53 (BNDA debut 6/24/78)
#57 (BNDA debut 4/22/78) / #59 (BNDA debut 4/1/78) / #62 (BNDA debut 3/11/78)
#65 (BNDA debut 4/29/78) / #66 (BNDA debut 4/22/78) / #67 (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
#69 (BNDA debut 7/29/78) / #75 (BNDA debut 6/3/78) / #76 (BNDA debut 7/1/78)
#80 (BNDA debut 7/22/78) / #81 (BNDA debut 7/1/78)
Bubbling Under the Top 90 (Domestic):
PLATINUM HOOK: ‘Standing On The Verge’ (Motown LP)
EARTH, WIND & FIRE: ‘Magic Mind’ (CBS 7”)
DETROIT EMERALDS: ‘Turn On Lady’ (Atlantic 7”) (BNDA debut 3/25/78)
JOE WALSH: ‘Life’s Been Good’ (Asylum LP)
SHOWADDYWADDY: ‘Soap’ (Arista 7”)
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: ‘That’s The Kind Of Love I’ve Got For You’ (Mercury 7”) (BNDA debut 3/11/78)
ENCHANTMENT: ‘If You’re Ready (Here It Comes)’ (UA 7”)
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: ‘Disco Inferno’ (Vanguard 12”)
GRAHAM BONNET: ‘Warm Ride’ (Ring-O 12”)
MICHAEL ZAGER BAND: ‘Do It With Feeling’ (Bang 7”)
JACKSON BROWNE: ‘Stay’ (Asylum 7”)
CHARO & THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA: ‘You’re Just The Right Size’ (Salsoul 7”)
SUGAR: ‘Manhattan Fever’ (Power Exchange 12”)
LOVE & KISSES: ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ (Casablanca 12”) (BNDA debut 4/29/78)
VAN MCCOY: ‘My Favourite Fantasy’ (MCA 12”)
WINGS: ‘I’ve Had Enough’ (Parlophone 7”)
MADLEEN KANE: ‘Rough Diamond’ (Decca 7”) (BNDA debut 3/18/78)
FLIRTATIONS: ‘Little Darling’ (Casino Classics 7”)
HEATWAVE: ‘Central Heating’ LP (GTO LP)
GIORGIO & CHRIS: ‘Love’s In You (Love’s In Me)’ (Oasis 7”)
CRUSADERS: ‘Images’ LP (ABC LP)
CLAUDJA BARRY: ‘Dancin’ Fever’ (Lollipop 12” promo) (BNDA debut 1/7/78)
GLORIA GAYNOR: ‘This Love Affair’ (Polydor 7”)
CHERYL BARNES: ‘Save And Spend’ (RCA 12”)
JKD BAND: ‘Dragon Power’ (Satril 12”)
RAFFAELLA CARRA: ‘Tanti Auguri’ / ‘California’ (Epic 7”)
TYRONE DAVID: ‘Mind Blowing Decisions’ (D-Roy 12”)
Bubbling Under the Top 90 (Imports):
FOXY: ‘Get Off’ (US Dash LP) (BNDA debut 5/6/78)
FAZE-O: ‘Riding High’ (US She LP)
SOUTHROAD CONNECTION: ‘Sweet Ride’ (US Mahogany LP)
ESTHER PHILLIPS: ‘Native New Yorker’ / ‘Stormy Monday’ (US Mercury LP)
JEAN CARN: ‘There’s A Shortage Of Good Men’ / ‘You Can’t Come Back Now’ (US Philadelphia Int’l LP)
WAYNE HENDERSON: ‘Hot Stuff’ (US Polydor LP)
BADAZZ: ‘Honk Honk Beep Beep’ (US A&M 12”)
AL HUDSON: ‘How Do You Do’ (US ABC LP)
SWEET PROMISE: ‘I’m A Music Man’ (US ALA 7”)
CAFE CREME: ‘Unlimited Citations’ (US RSO 12” promo)
HEATWAVE: ‘The Groove Line’ (remix) / ‘Always And Forever’ (US Epic 12”)
RENZO FRAIESE: ‘12 Engle Street’ (US AVI LP)
GRACE JONES: ‘Do Or Die’ (US Island 12”) (BNDA debut 6/17/78)
WHAM: ‘Superslick’ (US GRT 7”) (BNDA debut 5/13/78)
IAN DURY: ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘N Roll’ (Italian Stiff 12”)
NORMA JEAN: ‘Saturday’ (US Bearsville 12”) (US BNDA debut 6/17/78)
BROTHERS JOHNSON: ‘Streetwave’ (US A&M LP)
LAKE SHORE DRIVE: ‘Disco Scene’ (US Magic Touch 12”)
MFSB: ‘Use Ta Be My Guy’ (Philadelphia Int’l 7”)
GRAND TOUR: ‘Flight From Versailles’ (US Butterfly LP)
DEBORAH WASHINGTON: ‘Ready Or Not’ (US Ariola 7”) (BNDA debut 6/24/78)
MICHAEL WHITE: ‘You Are My Heartbeat’ / ‘Well Do It Then’ (US Elektra 12”)
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