October 7, 1978: “Tough new deadlines”

Disco News

Curtis Mayfield ‘No Goodbyes’ will – amazingly – NOT be out here in any form, despite it being his best disco dancer since 1971’s ‘Move On Up’, so you’ve gotta get it on import! . . . Sweet Thunder’s 12in remix will be issued here at last, but – wait for it – on unlimited 33 1/3 rpm 7in, as the 12in (i.e. LP) presses are all tied up with Xmas album product! . . . Brothers Johnson ‘Ride-O-Rocket’ will be on Funk A&Merica soon, with ‘Rocket Countdown’ as a bonus extra on the 12in version only – and Atlantic Starr ‘Stand Up’ will be on extended US remix form on Funk A&Merica too . . . Quint ‘9 To 5’ is also on 12in (RCA PC 5114) . . . Rus Phillips offers a half-price import LP to any DJ spending £25 at his disco department (open Friday evening & all day Saturday) at ‘Ere For Music in Manor Park Broadway – he also needs Passport and Slave on 12in, so any swapsies? . . . Heatwave ‘Always And Forever’ / ‘Ain’t No Half Steppin’’ will be on 20,000 12in and Stanley Turrentine on 10,000 12in, both within a fortnight! . . . London’s LODJ Assn meets this Sunday (8) at 4pm in Three Wheatsheaves, 52 Upper Street, Angel . . . East Anglia DJ Assn, with 80 members from Norfolk/Suffolk/Cambridge, plans to expand, so contact Chris Archer on Norfolk 860241 if interested . . . in answer to persistent doubters, Mick Jackson wrote and originated ‘Blame It On The Boogie’, NOT The Jacksons . . . United Artists’ new policy switch away from disco product means that Ian Levine stops his UA mailouts but is currently compiling a US-style segued LP that mixes imports and oldies . . . Frenchies’ Palm Beach restaurant in Worcester Park turns up the funk-jazz volume control and has star PA’s every Saturday from 11am until early next morning, making it what they call the only all-dayer in a restaurant! The Frenchies beach party is again on Christmas Day at Camberley’s Cambridge Hotel, and in fact all hotel accommodation has already been booked by funksters from Bournemouth and Tottenham . . . Dublin’s gay Le Spank club is in the process of moving premises.

New Spins

Tough new deadlines (or actually the old ones kept to!) have not left me enough time to listen to any records for the last two weeks, for which many apologies.

Anyway, these are the most significant of the new disco releases:

SYLVESTER: ‘Step II’ LP (Fantasy FT 549), with full 6:39 ‘You Make Me Feel’ and 5:54 ‘Dance (Disco Heat)’; JOE THOMAS: ‘Plato’s Retreat’ (TK TKR 6049) (BNDA debut 8/12/78) on 4:46 7in only; TEDDY PENDREGRASS: ‘Only You’ (Philadelphia Int’l PIR 6713) on 7:58 remix 12in; OLYMPIC RUNNERS: ‘Get It While You Can’ (Polydor RUN 012) on longer 12in; ROY AYERS: ‘Get On Up, Get On Down’ (Polydor AYERS 12) finally out; ASHFORD & SIMPSON: ‘It Seems To Hang On’ (Warner Bros. K 17237) on 3:40 7in; GAP MANGIONE: ‘Time Of The Season’ / ‘Mellow Out’ (Funk A&Merica AMSP 7377) on 12in but minus ‘Sister Jo’; CAROL DOUGLAS: ‘Burnin’’ (Midsong BURN 12) (BNDA debut 9/9/78) on longer 12in; BONEY M.: ‘Rasputin’ (Atlantic K 11192) on 4:39 7in and 7:33 remix 12in; DONNA SUMMER: ‘MacArthur Park’ (Casablanca CAN 131) (BNDA debut 9/23/78); SUPREMES: ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ (Motown TMG 925); FOUR TOPS: ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ / ‘It’s The Same Old Song’ (Motown TMG 1120); SWITCH: ‘Switch’ LP (Motown STML 12096) with ‘We Like To Party . . . Come On’ and good slowies; AFRO-CUBAN BAND: ‘Rhythm Of Life’ (Arista ARIST 214) (BNDA debut 9/2/78) on 3:24 7in; LAURIN RINDER & W. MICHAEL LEWIS: ‘Envy (Animal Fire)’ / ‘Lust’ (Pye 7NL 25779) (BNDA debut 4/8/78) on 12in at 9:54 and 7:09; J.A.L.N. BAND: ‘Universal Love’ (Magnet MAG 131); MARSHA HUNT: ‘The Other Side Of Midnight’ (Magnet 12MAG 130) (BNDA debut 1/14/78) on 4:00 7in or 4:47 12in; QUINCY JONES: ‘Love I Never Had It So Good’ / ‘I Heard That’ / ‘Body Heat’ (Funk A&Merica AMSP 7385) on 7in and 12in with 3:20 or 5:14 A-side.

UK Disco Top 90 – October 7, 1978

01 01 Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Fantasy 7″/12″
02 03 Hi-Tension – British Hustle / Peace On Earth – Island 7″/12″
03 02 Crown Heights Affair – Galaxy Of Love – Mercury 12″
04 04 Commodores – Three Times A Lady – Motown 7″/LP
05 13 Third World – Now That We Found Love – Island 7″/12″
06 05 Karen Young – Hot Shot – Atlantic 7″/12″/US West End 12″
07 07 Herbie Hancock – I Thought It Was You – CBS 12″/LP
08 17 Rose Royce – Love Don’t Live Here Anymore / Do It Do It / First Come First Served – Whitfield 7″/LP
09 08 A Taste Of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie – Capitol 7″/12″/LP
10 09 Hamilton Bohannon – Let’s Start The Dance – Mercury 12″/US LP
11 11 Stargard – What You Waitin’ For – MCA 7″/12″
12 06 Cerrone – Supernature – Atlantic 7″/12″/LP
13 12 10cc – Dreadlock Holiday – Mercury 7″
14 10 Brothers Johnson – Ain’t We Funkin’ Now – A&M 12″
15 19 Roy Ayers – Can’t You See Me / Get On Up, Get On Down – Polydor LP
16 39 Dan Hartman – Instant Replay – US Blue Sky 12″
17 20 Eddie Henderson – Prance On / Cyclops / Butterfly – Capitol 12″/Tower LP
18 15 Frankie Valli – Grease – RSO 7″
19 14 Charles Earland – Let The Music Play / Over And Over – Mercury 12″/US LP
20 22 Musique – Keep On Jumpin’ / In The Bush – US Prelude LP
21 16 Quincy Jones – Stuff Like That – A&M 7″/12″/LP
22 23 Wilbert Longmire – Black Is The Color – US Tappan Zee LP
23 31 Phil Hurtt – Giving It Back – Fantasy LP/US 12″
24 29 Curtis Mayfield – No Goodbyes – US Curtom LP
25 25 Al Hudson – How Do You Do / Dance, Get Down – ABC 7″/12″/US LP
26 26 Nigel Martinez – Better Things To Come – State 7″/12″
27 21 Sweet Thunder – Everybody’s Singin’ Love Songs – US Fantasy/WMOT 12″
28 18 Boney M. – Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring – Atlantic 7″/12″
29 24 Patrick Juvet – Got A Feeling – Casablanca 7″/12″
30 41 Cleveland Eaton – Bama Boogie Woogie – Gull 7″/12″
31 72 Sylvester – Dance (Disco Heat) – Fantasy LP/US 12″
32 34 L.T.D. – Holding On / It’s Time To Be Real – A&M 12″/LP
33 53 Mick Jackson – Blame It On The Boogie – Atlantic 7″
34 33 Lenny Williams – You Got Me Running – ABC 12″/LP
35 48 Joe Thomas – Plato’s Retreat – TK 7″/US 12″
36 43 Ashford & Simpson – It Seems To Hang On / Get Up And Do Something – Warner Bros. 7″/US 12″
37 42 Stanley Turrentine – Disco Dancin’ – US Fantasy 7″/12″ promo
38 86 John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – Summer Nights – RSO 7″
39 35 Raydio – Honey I’m Rich – Arista 7″
40 44 Samuel Jonathan Johnson – You – US Columbia 12″ remix
41 30 Atlantic Starr – Stand Up – A&M LP/US 12″ remix
42 36 Atlantic Starr – Gimme Your Lovin’ – A&M 12″
43 32 Sugar Cane – Montego Bay – Ariola Hansa 7″/12″
44 55 Teddy Pendergrass – Only You – US Philadelphia Int’l 12″ remix
45 40 Boney M. – Rasputin / Painter Man – Atlantic 7″/12″/LP
46 71 Howard Kenney – Save Some For The Children – US Warner Bros. LP
47 28 Cissy Houston – Think It Over – Private Stock 7″/12″
48 38 Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame – RCA 7″/12″
49 27 Rick James – You And I – Motown 7″/12″/LP
50 NE The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie – Epic 7″/12″
51 85 La Bionda – One For You, One For Me – Mercury 7″/12″
52 NE Crown Heights Affair – Say A Prayer For Two / I Love You / Dream World – Mercury LP
53 NE Brothers Johnson – Ride-O-Rocket / Streetwave / Mista Cool – A&M LP
54 RE Heatwave – Mind Blowing Decisions – US Epic 12″ remix
55 47 Blair – Night Life – US Solar Sound LP
56 67 Jimmy McGriff – Outside Looking In / Playland / Midnight Boogie / Tapioca – US LRC LP
57 52 Bobby Caldwell – Down For The Third Time – US Clouds LP
58 51 Pockets – Take It On Up – US Columbia 7″/12″ promo
59 66 Gregg Diamond – Starcruisin’ / Fancy Dancer – US Marlin LP
60 59 Solar Flare – Boogie Fund – RCA 12″
61 37 Andy Gibb – An Everlasting Love – RSO 7″
62 65 Grace Jones – Do Or Die – Island 12″
63 46 Foxy – Get Off – TK 7″/US 12″ remix
64 88 Alicia Bridges – I Love The Nightlife – Polydor 7″/US 12″
65 NE Goody Goody – #1 Dee Jay / Superjock – US Atlantic 12″/LP
66 NE Shalamar – Take That To The Bank – US Solar LP
67 57 Voyage – From East To West / Scots Machine – GTO 7″/LP
68 74 ABBA – Summer Night City – Epic 7″
69 61 Teri DeSario – Ain’t Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You – Casablanca 7″
70 80 Finished Touch – Need To Know You Better – US Motown 7″/LP
71 NE Manu Dibango – Sun Explosion – French Fiesta LP
72 60 O’Jays – Brandy – Philadelphia Int’l 7″
73 64 Nina Simone – Baltimore – CTI 7″/LP
74 56 Platinum Hook – Standing On The Verge – Motown 7″/12″/LP
75 70 Kandidate – Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight – Rak 7″/12″
76 NE Candi Staton – Victim – Warner Bros. 7″/LP/US 12″ promo remix
77 63 Gap Mangione – Mellow Out / Time Of The Season – A&M 7″/12″/LP
78 81 Jimmy Ponder – All Things Beautiful (all cuts) – US LRC LP
79 RE Len Boone – Love Won’t Be Denied – Chrysalis 12″
80 45 Deodato – Whistle Bump – Warner Bros. 7″/12″/US 12″ promo
81 78 Tyrone David – Mind Blowing Decisions – D-Roy 7″/12″
82 NE Millie Jackson – Sweet Music Man – Spring 7″
83 90 Major Harris – Love Won’t Let Me Wait – Atlantic 7″
84 82 Trammps – Disco Inferno – Atlantic 7″/12″/RSO LP
85 87 Manhattan Transfer – Where Did Our Love Go – Atlantic 7″
86 68 Exile – Kiss You All Over – Rak 7″
87 75 Ohio Players – Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee / Funk-O-Nots / Shoot Yer Shot – US Mercury LP
88 RE Patrick Juvet – I Love America – Casablanca LP/US 12″ promo
89 NE La Bionda – Sandstorm – US Polydor LP
90 89 Larry Page Orchestra – Erotic Soul / You Do It Good – Rampage 7″/12″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry

Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 7/8/78) / #6 (BNDA debut 6/17/78) / #9 (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
#10 (BNDA debut 7/22/78) / #12 (BNDA debut 11/26/77) / #16 (BNDA debut 8/19/78)
#20 (BNDA debut 7/29/78) / #24 (BNDA debut 9/9/78) / #29 (BNDA debut 6/3/78)
#31 (BNDA debut 7/8/78) / #34 (BNDA debut 7/29/78) / #35 (BNDA debut 8/12/78)
#41 (BNDA debut 10/7/78) / #47 (BNDA debut 7/22/78) / #48 (BNDA debut 10/1/77)
#49 (BNDA debut 5/13/78) / #50 (BNDA debut 1/6/79) / #59 (BNDA debut 9/2/78)
#60 (BNDA debut 9/9/78) / #62 (BNDA debut 6/17/78) / #63 (BNDA debut 5/6/78)
#64 (BNDA debut 9/16/78) / #65 (BNDA debut 9/9/78) / #67 (BNDA debut 2/11/78)
#76 (BNDA debut 8/12/78) / #79 (BNDA debut 8/12/78) / #80 (BNDA debut 5/27/78)
#84 (BNDA debut 1/15/77) / #88 (BNDA debut 6/3/78) / #90 (BNDA debut 7/16/77)

Bubbling Under the Top 90 (Imports):
CLAUDJA BARRY & RONNIE JONES: ‘It Takes Two’ (US Salsoul 12”)
JORGE SANTANA: ‘Seychelles’ / ‘Love The Way’ / ‘Sandy’ (US Tomato LP)
CHANSON: ‘Don’t Hold Back’ (US Ariola LP) (BNDA debut 10/14/78)
LEMON: ‘Freak On’ (US Salsoul 12”)
AL GREEN: ‘I Feel Good’ (US Hi 12”) (BNDA debut 1/21/78)
GROVER WASHINGTON: ‘Do Dat’ / ‘Reed Seed’ / ‘Steppin’ Thru’ (US Motown LP)
JOE FARRELL: ‘Another Star’ / ‘Katherine’ / ‘Night Dancing’ / ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ (US Warner Bros. LP)
SONNY FORTUNE: ‘Turning It Over’ / ‘This Side Of Infinity’ (US Atlantic LP)
QUAZAR: ‘Funk ‘N Roll’ (US Arista 7”)
WRIGHT BROS FLYING MACHINE: ‘Leatherman’s Theme’ (US Casablanca LP)
MOSES: ‘Strivin’ For Tomorrow’ / ‘Love To Live’ / ‘Mexican Sunset’ (US Pure As Silk LP)
EDDIE DANIELS: ‘Preparation F’ (US Marlin LP)
RITCHIE FAMILY: ‘American Generation’ (US Marlin LP) (BNDA debut 7/22/78)
LEON HAYWOOD: ‘Party’ (US MCA 7”)
STEVE KHAN: ‘Some Down Time’ (US Tappan Zee LP)
GLASS FAMILY: ‘Mr. DJ You Know How To Make Me Dance’ (US JDC LP) (BNDA debut 8/19/78)
GREY & HANKS: ‘You Fooled Me’ (US RCA 12”)
PHYLICIA ALLEN: ‘St. Louis’ / ‘Broadway’ / ‘Star Of Paris’ (US Casablanca LP) (BNDA debut 8/5/78)
SALSOUL STRINGS: ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ (US Salsoul LP)
UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND: ‘Footsteps On The Roof’ (US Red Greg LP)
BEAUTIFUL BEND: ‘Make That Feeling Come Again’ LP (US Marlin LP) (BNDA debut 8/19/78)
THEO VANESS: ‘Back To Music’ (US Prelude 7”) (BNDA debut 6/17/78)
PHYREWORK: ‘My Funk’ / ‘Put Your Hands Up’ (US Mercury LP)
RAMSEY LEWIS: ‘All The Way’ / ‘Moogin’ On’ / ‘Don’t Look Back’ (US Columbia LP)