Several mobile and pop-orientated jocks have been commenting that this page is neglecting their needs by concentrating so much on records which will only appeal to a limited number of urban club-goers. Let me set the score straight.
Back in 1975 when this page took on its present shape, I concentrated more on the mobile and MoR side of the music than on the club type of funk, because that was obviously an accurate reflection of its readership then.
This approach was largely misunderstood, although several notable successes were scored (such as the revival of ‘Let’s Twist Again’ and ‘In The Mood’) which I like to think we influenced. At the time I was still heavily involved in doing MoR-type mobile gigs (despite starting out in the ‘60s as a soul pioneer), but I got tired of passing on my own well-proven MoR tricks to zilch response from other jocks.
Something else also happened – the disco boom exploded, to the extent that so much outright “disco” product was released each week that there physically wasn’t room to cover the normal pop material too. But, as we all know, MoR jocks usually only play pop material once it’s become well established, so why bother to predict the pop hits ahead of time? Oldies (depressingly, always the same old oldies at that) and the pop biggies seem to be the mobile and MoR merchants’ tools of trade.
Happily a new breed of disco DJ has appeared over the last few years, ready to experiment with jazzier music which as yet may still be a minority taste but is consistently making its force felt even in the pop charts.
However, to turn to last week’s UK Disco chart (this being written prior to compiling the current chart), it is possible to see some amazing developments. Although compiled from about 200 DJ returns, last week’s chart shows perfectly the range of those returns.
McFadden & Whitehead, top of most import-orientated DJ charts, reached number 24 while – as usual – the first 23 places were dominated (with just two exceptions) by pop crossover disco hits. Fine, in itself, but those 23 records were virtually the only records that the majority of non-import-orientated DJs appeared to be playing! Even such obvious Wally fodder as Boney M, Eruption, Peaches & Herb, Kandidate and Bee Gees were barely represented in the Breakers below number 90.
No, instead of playing even the new pop hits, the bulk of Britain’s DJs seemed happy to go droning on with the same records they’ve been using for weeks . . . to the extent that Chic, Village People and Gloria Gaynor actually went UP again!
This evidently narrow spread of DJ interest has left the rest of the chart wide open for the more adventurous jocks to have a field day. There are enough of these jocks to make a very relevant contribution (Spyro Gyra at number 90 was in 12 DJ charts, for instance, while Eugene Record at 30 had 31 DJs – not a very wide gap, really), especially as this minority group of jocks are actually playing a larger selection of records than the pop DJs.
To be sure, the top 25 or 30 places in the disco chart show what are the genuinely big hits, but apart from Village People, Gloria Gaynor, Three Degrees, Beach Boys and (possibly) Sylvester, all of these hits made their initial impression in the disco chart due to the import-orientated jocks. It was then a slow drawn-out battle while the Wally jocks upcountry gradually dropped the previous set of dated disco hits and added these – at the same time the import jocks were finding the next generation of hits.
OK, so your audiences are slow to respond to new sounds, and your local shops don’t stock anything that’s not been on Top Of The Pops, BUT . . . don’t dare say that this page neglects your interests. The mainstream type of DJ, playing a general range of music to a musically unsophisticated audience, is still in the vast majority and in many cases is doing a demanding job extremely well.
I am not condemning anyone for being a Wally, ‘cos Wallys are just nice, totally ordinary, unimaginative, regular people like nearly everyone else. We’re a nation of Wallys. Wallys have the power. Some of the music mentioned on this page today will be the Wally music of tomorrow . . . or the day, if not month or two, after! However, please don’t blame us for being ahead, and interested in a more adventurous audience too.
Disco News
John Luongo’s Real Thing remix reviewed last week is NOT actually available in the new A-side vocal version yet, the import US Epic 12in only featuring his instrumental flip – but Pye are doing a double-A UK 12in next week with both vocal and instrumental remixes back-to-back! . . . Pye’s new disco plugger is Sue Winter, while at Motown the new disco girl is Noreen Allen as Les Spaine is now Head of Promotions (off hats!) . . . Fred Dove fans will soon have to trek out to Alperton when WEA’s disco dept moves offices . . . RCA’s recent advertising jumped the gun (and may actually have lessened some DJs’ interest in imports supposedly out here), but now finally available on UK 12in with full colour sleeves are the already reviewed Richard T Bear, Vicki Sue Robinson and – imminently – Carrie Lucas . . . EWF/Emotions ‘Boogie Wonderland’ is confirmed at 129-131 bpm . . . BPM freaks may find the Vanguard-made Hand Tally Counter a useful way of clicking off the beats in time to their stopwatch – it gives a four digit read-out (set it to 9999 so that you then hit 0000 at the same time as starting the watch), available at stationers (though surprisingly not Rymans) for about £5.31 . . . Nick Halliday is starting a mail order service for current imports, sent return of post where possible on receipt of payment, the £4.75 LP and £2.75 12in prices including both VAT and postage – cheques made payable to him at Down Grange Farm, Winchester Road, Basingstoke RG22 4ET . . . DJ Federation officers continue as Theo Loyla (Chairman), Tony Holden (Secretary), Dougall DJ (Treasurer) and newly elected Mike McLean (PRO) . . . Polystar’s continuously mixed ‘Boogie Bus’ album is being promoted by a troupe of spectacular Boogie Bus Dancers, this week at Wigan Tiffanys (Thursday), Manchester Rafters (Friday) and Rochdale Tiffanys (Saturday), the campaign eventually moving South along with the TV ads . . . Liverpool’s Timepiece returns to funk with Eric Hearn at the helm on Fri/Sat/Sundays, and all-nighters every last Saturday in the month . . . Gary Allan (Liverpool McMillans) played Easter bunny (randy rabbit?) recently by dressing like Bigwig and hopping about to ‘At The Hop’, much to the delight of his regulars (now known naturally as Gary’s Gang!), while Honey Bee Benson (Gloucester Tiffanys) donned a bunnygirl suit – to find the Easter Monday male funkers were more into her pom-pom tail than the music . . . Paul Stewart reports that jazz-funk is alive and struggling at Belfast’s Glenmachan Hotel every Friday, but he needs a better crowd . . . Dave King spins the hits amidst choking smoke and exciting lighting (pin-spots and helicopters) every Thurs/Fri/Saturday at Blackpool’s new Top Floor Disco, above Jenks Bar in Talbot Square . . . Terry Hooper, busily auditioning DJs, says Ilford Room At The Top has its liquor licence for another year but there’s an adjourned hearing for its music and dancing licence on May 16th . . . Gary Glitter ‘Superhero’ (GTO) is now on 12in (gasp!).
UK Newies
HUDSON PEOPLE: ‘Trip To Your Mind’ (Hithouse HIT 1)
Out a while, this privately pressed limited edition 9:58 12in has created a stir among rarity-minded jocks and really is worth finding as it’s a good solidly professional fast grooving 133 bpm UK funk racer with booming bass, jazzy guitar and brass and a bit of cool singing to start with before the instrumental excitement builds up power. There’s now talk of Ensign releasing and possibly remixing it.
HEATWAVE: ‘Razzle Dazzle’ / ‘Birthday’ (GTO GT 248)
‘Ain’t No Half Steppin’’-type 95 bpm lurching jiggler on 7in, completely overshadowed by the lovely semi-slow 58 bpm flip which has a jazzily tripping sophisticated lilt and a wailing harmony climax.
DONNA SUMMER: ‘Hot Stuff’ (Casablanca CAN 151) (BNDA debut 4/21/79)
On 12in in the States but I don’t know about here, this is the stolidly thudding 121 bpm chugger reviewed as an import last week. It’s certainly a welcome style switch, though still kinda pop.
BONEY M: ‘Hooray! Hooray! It’s A Holi-Holiday’ (Atlantic K 11279)
If you’re into this type of contrived pop you won’t need to be told what this jolly ditty is like at this late stage, but mixers may note that it’s 106 bpm with the also popular ‘Ribbons Of Blue’ flip at 121 bpm.
DENNIS BROWN: ‘Ain’t That Loving You’ (Laser LV 26)
Packaged in colour photo album-like sleeve, the full-length version of his great soulfully groaned 72 bpm reggae revival of Luther Ingram’s oldie suddenly hiccups on 12in into the more ethnic and separately recorded ‘Hole In My Bucket’.
AIR POWER: ‘Be Yourself’ (AVI AVISL 102)
Sadly dropping out of the chart just as it becomes available here in popcorn-pack style sleeve, this expertly produced 9:10 cool girlie group 12in has a jaunty walking bass and undemonstrative 129 bpm beat that builds into some eye-cued breaks without ever really raising a sweat.
BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA: ‘Go For It’ (Motown 12TMG 1139) (BNDA debut 4/14/79)
Dead slow start takes a while to wind up into a romping disjointed soul duet on eye-cued brown vinyl 8:39 12in with clearly marked rhythm breaks spurting about from 126 to 134 bpm. It’s probably best to mix into the break at the second eye-cue band, or alternatively at the same point on the instrumental flip which doesn’t chop about so much.
JOHN TRAVOLTA: ‘A Girl Like You’ (Midsong POSP 48)
Although a US 12in, the “full length disco mix” is only on weedy-sounding 7in here – surely even Miss Teenage UK would prefer her disco idol in the proper disco format? Backed by a galloping Gary’s Gang (really), he revives the Rascals’ oldie at 131 bpm.
LEIF GARRETT: ‘Feel The Need’ (Scotti Brothers K 11274)
Already hitting as a picture disc 7in, the Detroit Emeralds’ classic soul churner revives at 125 bpm more faithfully than expected.
JAMES BRADLEY: ‘I’m In Too Deep’ (CBS 12-7182)
Joe Simon-type 126 bpm soul thudder with heavy bass figure and quieter “falling deeper” central section doesn’t really convince as disco despite synthetic trappings on 8:20 12in.
PETER JACQUES BAND: ‘Walking On Music’ (Ariola AROD 162) (BNDA debut 2/10/79)
Frantically gay 137 bpm Euro flier on limeade-coloured 12in was only ever second best after ‘Fire Night Dance’ with those few UK jocks who were into the import LP. Too fast to make contact.
ELTON JOHN: ‘Are You Ready For Love’ (Rocket XPRES 18-12)
1977-recorded gently-starting repetitive dated “soul” jogger on 8:31 12in, penned/produced in his Detroit Spinners style by Thom Bell, eventually reaches a basic 120 bpm rhythm break that doesn’t exactly do much. No contest with Rod when it comes to disco.
Imports
KAY-GEES: ‘Latican Funk’ (from LP ‘Burn Me Up’, US De-Lite DSR 9510)
The thudding and tinkling intro fills out into an amazing bass-driven fast 134bpm 6:52 filer which indeed has Latin touches but it’s the pounding funk bass that creates all the excitement and should make it hit. Less compulsive are a loosely formed 121bpm title-track thumper which goes through some slightly GQ-type changes during its 8:15 length, and a messily burbling ‘The Rhythm Is Hot’ 127bpm funker with long clapping and chanting intro.
LAX: ‘Dancin’ At The Disco’ (Biram 9198200) (BNDA debut 6/2/79)
This looks French but as I’ve forgotten where it came from it could even be out here! Anyway, Lax is Swedish for salmon, which doesn’t really help. The main thing is that it’s a dead simple but extremely effective catchily chugging 127bpm thumper on 7:45 12in with sexy chick, gruff bloke and clapping rhythm break, all adding up to powerful pure disco dynamite – while the mellower 5:24 flip sounds much funkier minus the vocals.
SPYRO GYRA: ‘Morning Dance’ LP (US Infinity INF 9004)
Several jazz stars help this consistently good Crusaders-like instrumental set, currently hot for specialist jocks without any one track being a monster. Best bets are the subtly sinuous 102bpm title track swayer with steel drums and tootling alto sax, the lovely lush slow George Benson-type 47/94bpm ‘It Doesn’t Matter’ and rattling 133bpm ‘Starburst’, in which electric piano and guitar lead into exciting percussion and sax. Also warm are the jaggedly jerky 104bpm ‘Heliopolis’ and Mike Mandel-like convolutedly funky 120bpm ‘Jubilee’.
PHILLY CREAM: ‘Motown Review’ (from LP ‘Philly Cream’, US Fantasy WMOT F-9575) (BNDA debut 6/30/79)
Great creamily churning 133bpm harmony romper casts a nostalgic glance back at such long-gone institutions of the ‘60s as the touring Motown Revue, the Beatles, Kennedy and live TV! It joins this WMOT house band’s current 111bpm ‘Jammin’ At The Disco’ hit and older 130bpm ‘Sly-Hi’ Family Stone medley, the featured singers including Sweet Thunder, David Simmons, Damon Harris, FLB, Breeze and co-producing Len Barry.
OHIO PLAYERS: ‘Everybody Up’ LP (US Arista AB 4226)
In a typically sexy gatefold sleeve that reveals a whole lot of pom-pom girl, the jauntily jiggling 123bpm title-track skipper speeds up over 9:32 to 127bpm with a surprisingly catchy (and naggingly reminiscent) chorus, plus some “live” applause at times. The rest are more mundane funk.
HARVEY MASON: ‘Groovin’ You’ LP (US Arista AB 4227) (BNDA debut 6/16/79)
Catchy 123bpm title-track jitterer has a Pete Wingfield/Olympic Runners-type falsetto sound which gives way to a bass voice “bom-bom-bom” bit, tuned tympani and some gruffer chanting.
SKYY: ‘First Time Around’ (US Salsoul S7 2087)
Oddly, this sensuously sung syndrum-spiced slinkily rolling 106bpm laid-back groover didn’t grab me on their LP, but it’s now the hottest cut and out on 3:40 7in.
ROY AYERS: ‘Fever’ LP (US Polydor PD-1-6204)
Incredibly disappointing set seems consciously “disco” yet misses the point. The rather blandly thumping 128bpm title-track revives the Little Willie John classic with squeaky strings, while in order of rapidly decreasing interest, ‘I Wanna Feel It’ is a deceptively fast though instrumentally subdued 141bpm repetitive racer, ‘If You Love Me’ a 70bpm Latin plodder with scat-sung second half, ‘Love Will Bring Us Back Together’ an unexciting 106bpm funk roller and ‘Take Me Out To The Ball Game’ an horrendously hustling 128bpm twee plea for the gay vote.
DAVID BENOIT: ‘Life Is Like A Samba’ (from LP ‘Heavier Than Yesterday’, US AVI 6025)
Adding fuel to the smouldering samba revival, this sprightly but brief 3:55 bossa-nova is a tricky fast 127bpm racer with tinkling piano and soft harmonies . . . and is the only coherent tune on a meanderingly atmospheric jazz synthesizer set.
PATRICK HERNANDEZ: ‘Born To Be Alive’ (French Aquarius JV 5555) (BNDA debut 5/19/79)
Sylvester-type synthesizer-backed 133bpm Europop pounder on 5:55 12in with hissing hi-hat, clapping backbeat and phonetic male singing. Evidently the Gem label here is hoping for DJ reaction to some promos it sent out.
CORNICHE: ‘Theme From “Chips”’ (US Windsong CD-11559)
Instantly recognisable theme from Saturday evening’s California Highway Patrol TV series hustles along on 6:56 12in and could interest fans of the show without ever being very special.
MIKE THEODORE ORCHESTRA: ‘High On Mad Mountain’ (US Westbound DSKO 161)
Powerfully thudding dramatic 128bpm intro degenerates on 8:10 promo 12in (the LP is WT 6109) into some corny pop slanted chanting bits, but still introduces some exciting effects between these.
EL COCO: ‘Love Exciter’ (US AVI 12-270-D) (BNDA debut 6/9/79)
Blandly speeding but subdued 142bpm ticker with typical RinLew-produced sparse strings and cooing behind the softly pounding beat, on marathon monotonous 9:05 12in which nevertheless builds up an hypnotic intensity. The ‘Dance Man’ flip further defines a possible UK appeal by sounding like Northern Soul!
SANDY MERCER: ‘Work That Body (Work That Body)’ (US RCA PD-11561) (BNDA debut 5/19/79)
Girlie group on 7:40 12in follows the Taana Gardner theme with a cymbal-schlurping 127bpm Gary’s Gang-type rhythm but doesn’t really rise above an effectively functional New York level.
THE ORIGINALS: ‘J-E-A-L-O-U-S (Means I Love You)’ (US Fantasy D-130)
Rather unexceptional clapping 123-128bpm funk roller on 6:18 12in, though the Lamont Dozier penned 128bpm ‘Jezebel (You’ve Got Me Under Your Spell)’ flip is a more interesting yet still somewhat ordinary 5:41 soul stamper with syndrums.
Mix Master
My own tips this time: The Jacksons ‘Shake Your Body’ (Epic 12in) ¡s a gift for mixers as its intro combines through almost anything to bring the tempo either up or down to 122bpm, but it’s dynamite mixed out of Raydio ‘Rock On’ (Arista LP). Another great sequence is Light Of The World ‘Swingin’’ (Ensign 12in), Hemlock ‘Disco Break’ (US Warner Bros. 12in), Light Of The World ‘Midnight Grooving’ (Ensign LP promo), all chop mixed together in a variety of ways – while Hemlock also slows down slightly to synch nicely out of the freaky phased break in Joe Thomas ‘Make Your Move’ (US LRC LP/TK 12in). I’m rather fond of doing Jackie McLean ‘Dr Jackyll & Mr Funk’ (US RCA LP), Richard Evans ‘Burning Spear’ (US Horizon LP), Arthur Adams ‘I Like It Funky’ (US A&M LP) as a jazz-funk segue. Gary’s Gang ‘Showtime’ (CBS LP), started at the “1 – 2 – 3” countdown, synched nicely over Fantastic Four ‘BYOF’ (Atlantic 12in) when that was big but also works well with others at 122 bpm and then mixes into GQ ‘Make My Dream A Reality’ (Arista LP), Force ‘Rock Your Baby’ (US Philadelphia Int’l 12in, minus intro), War ‘Good Good Feelin’’ (MCA 12in) – mixed out of Force on the off-beat. See . . . you don’t have to play New York crud to be a mixer!
Hot Vinyl
Big Tom Holland (Ilford Lacy Lady, Seven Kings) import tips:
JONES GIRLS: ‘Life Goes On’ (US Philadelphia Int’l LP)
BOMBERS: ‘Let’s Dance’ (US West End LP)
HOLLYWOOD DISCO JAZZ BAND: ‘Don’s Place’ (US A&M 12”)
FIVE SPECIAL: ‘Why Leave Us Alone’ (US Elektra 12”) (BNDA debut 7/7/79)
DAVID BENOIT: ‘Life Is Like A Samba’ (US AVI LP)
BAMBU: ‘Jorge’s Theme’ (US Zebra 12”)
JOHN KLEMMER: ‘Brazilia’ (US A&M LP)
Plus the UK-released MORRISEY & JIM MULLEN ‘Soul Eyes’ (Harvest LP).
UK Disco Top 90 – May 5, 1979
01 03 The Jacksons – Shake Your Body Down To The Ground – Epic 12″
02 02 Sister Sledge – He’s The Greatest Dancer / We Are Family – Atlantic 12″/LP/US Cotillion 12″
03 01 Players Association – Turn The Music Up – Vanguard 12″
04 14 Gino Soccio – Dancer / Dance To Dance – Warner Bros. 12″
05 24 McFadden & Whitehead – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – US Philadelphia Int’l 12″
06 12 Gonzalez – Haven’t Stopped Dancin’ Yet – Sidewalk 12″
07 09 Gibson Brothers – Cuba – Island 12″
08 16 Light Of The World – Swingin’ – Ensign 7″/12″
09 05 Village People – In The Navy – Mercury 7″/12″
10 06 GQ – Disco Nights (Rock Freak) / Boogie Oogie Oogie – Arista 12″
11 20 George Benson – Love Ballad – Warner Bros. 7″/12″
12 13 Crown Heights Affair – Dance Lady Dance – Mercury 12″
13 04 Chic – I Want Your Love / Chic Cheer – Atlantic 12″
14 21 Three Degrees – The Runner – Ariola 12″
15 07 Gary’s Gang – Keep On Dancin’ / Do It At The Disco – CBS 12″
16 11 Kleeer – Keep Your Body Workin’ – Atlantic 12″
17 19 Bunny Sigler – By The Way You Dance / I’m Funking You Tonite – Salsoul 12″
18 08 Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive – Polydor 7″/12″
19 10 Real Thing – Can You Feel The Force – Pye 12″/US Epic 12″
20 15 Narada Michael Walden – I Don’t Want Nobody Else – Atlantic 12″
21 18 Bell & James – Livin’ It Up (Friday Night) – A&M 12″
22 25 Philly Cream – Jammin’ At The Disco – Fantasy 12″
23 31 Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood – Atlantic 12″
24 35 Herbie Hancock – Tell Everybody / Ready Or Not / Trust Me – CBS 7″/LP/US 12″
25 29 Force – Rock Your Baby – US Philadelphia Int’l 12″
26 41 Melba Moore – Pick Me Up, I’ll Dance – Epic 12″
27 43 T-Connection – Saturday Night – TK 12″
28 62 M – Pop Muzik – MCA 12″
29 52 Nytro – Nytro Express – US Whitfield 12″
30 30 Eugene Record – Magnetism – Warner Bros. 12″
31 67 Linda Clifford – Bridge Over Troubled Water / Don’t Give It Up / Hold Me Close – RSO 12″/US LP
32 17 FLB – Boogie Town – Fantasy 12″
33 56 Raydio – Rock On / Hot Stuff / You Can’t Change That – Arista LP
34 36 Joe Thomas – Make Your Move / Sugar Smack – TK 12″/US LRC LP
35 27 Beach Boys – Here Comes The Night – Caribou 12″
36 28 Wardell Piper – Captain Boogie – Midsong 12″
37 64 Eddy Grant – Living On The Frontline / Frontline Symphony – Ensign 12″/Ice LP
38 34 Tata Vega – Get It Up For Love – Motown 12″
39 38 Side Effect – Disco Junction – Fantasy 12″
40 53 Skyy – First Time Around / Let’s Get Up / This Groove Is Bad – US Salsoul LP
41 58 Players Association – Ride The Groove / Everybody Dance – Vanguard 12″
42 50 Gap Band – Baby Baba Boogie / Shake – US Mercury LP
43 42 GQ – This Happy Feeling / Make My Dream A Reality / I Do Love You – Arista LP
44 75 Richard T. Bear – Sunshine Hotel – RCA 12″
45 26 Arpeggio – Love And Desire – Polydor 12″
46 23 Sylvester – I (Who Have Nothing) – Fantasy 12″
47 45 B. Baker Chocolate Co. – Snow Blower / Higher ‘N Higher / Spirit Level – US LRC LP
48 51 Bombers – (Everybody) Get Dancin’ – Flamingo 12″
49 57 Richard Evans – Burning Spear / Do-Re-Me-For-Soul – US Horizon 12″/LP
50 68 Lamont Dozier – Boogie Business / Love Me To The Max / Bittersweet – Warner Bros. 12″/US LP
51 22 Edwin Starr – Contact – 20th Century 12″
52 61 George Benson – Soulful Strut / Unchained Melody / Before You Go / Hey Girl / Nassau Day – Warner Bros. LP
53 66 Montana – I Love Music / You Know How Good It Is – US Atlantic 12″/LP
54 79 War – Good Good Feelin’ – MCA 12″
55 73 Richard Tee – First Love / Strokin’ – US Tappan Zee LP
56 39 Lemon – A-Freak-A / Chance To Dance – US Prelude 12″/LP
57 48 Hilary – Do It – US Columbia 12″/LP
58 59 Jackie McLean – Dr. Jackyll And Mr. Funk – US RCA LP
59 55 Poussez – Come On And Do It – Vanguard LP
60 74 Mass Production – Can’t You See I’m Fired Up / Strollin’ / Firecracker – US Cotillion 12″/LP
61 90 Spyro Gyra – Morning Dance / Starburst / Heliopolis / It Doesn’t Matter / Jubilee – US Amherst/Infinity LP
62 NE Eruption – One Way Ticket – Atlantic 7″/12″
63 63 Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes – Warner Bros. 7″/12″ remix
64 RE Two Man Sound – Que Tal America (remix) – Miracle 12″
65 77 Alton McClain & Destiny – It Must Be Love / Crazy Love – Polydor 7″/US 12″
66 87 Dance People – Dance People – Satril 12″ promo
67 65 Crown Heights Affair – The Rock Is Hot / Come Fly With Me / Empty Soul Of Mine – Mercury LP
68 NE Racey – Some Girls – Rak 7″
69 82 Mantus – Rock It To The Top / Midnight Energy – US SMI LP
70 81 Voyage – Let’s Fly Away – GTO 12″
71 NE Boney M. – Hooray! Hooray! It’s A Holi-Holiday – Atlantic 7″
72 85 Arthur Adams – I Like It Funky – US A&M LP
73 76 Gary’s Gang – Showtime / Let’s Lovedance Tonight – CBS LP
74 70 Hemlock – Disco Break – US Warner Bros. 12″
75 RE Glass Family – Crazy – Miracle 12″
76 86 Brainstorm – Hot For You / Don’t Let Me Catch You With Your Groove Down – US Tabu 12″
77 NE Wings – Goodnight Tonight – Parlophone 12″
78 NE Stephanie Mills – Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’ / Put Your Body In It – US 20th Century LP
79 NE Anita Ward – Ring My Bell – US TK 12″/Juana LP
80 80 Crackin’ – Double Love – Warner Bros. 12″
81 NE Billy Preston & Syreeta – Go For It – Motown 12″
82 NE Harvey Mason – Groovin’ You / Say It Again – US Arista LP
83 NE Kandidate – I Don’t Wanna Lose You – Rak 7″
84 NE Billy Paul – Bring The Family Back / False Faces – US Philadelphia Int’l LP
85 NE Uncle Louie – Full Tilt Boogie – US Marlin LP
86 NE Mandre – Freakin’s Fine / Swang / Spirit Groove / Final Funk – US Motown LP
87 NE Hudson People – Trip To Your Mind – Hithouse 12″
88 NE Kay-Gees – Latican Funk / Burn Me Up / The Rhythm Is Hot – US De-Lite LP
89 NE Jones Girls – You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else – US Philadelphia Int’l 12″
90 NE Brainstorm – Lovin’ Is Really My Game – Miracle 12″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/6/79) / #2 (BNDA debut 2/10/79) / #3 (BNDA debut 4/7/79)
#4 (BNDA debut 2/24/79) / #5 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #6 (BNDA debut 12/23/78)
#7 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #9 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #10 (BNDA debut 2/24/79)
#13 (BNDA debut 12/16/78) / #14 (BNDA debut 5/26/79) / #15 (BNDA debut 1/6/79)
#16 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #17 (BNDA debut 3/10/79) / #18 (BNDA debut 11/11/78)
#20 (BNDA debut 4/14/79) / #22 (BNDA debut 4/14/79) / #23 (BNDA debut 2/3/79)
#24 (BNDA debut 7/14/79) / #26 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #28 (BNDA debut 9/8/79)
#31 (BNDA debut 3/31/79) / #35 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #36 (BNDA debut 4/14/79)
#38 (BNDA debut 4/14/79) / #42 (BNDA debut 5/12/79) / #44 (BNDA debut 4/7/79)
#45 (BNDA debut 12/16/78) / #46 (BNDA debut 3/24/79) / #48 (BNDA debut 2/10/79)
#50 (BNDA debut 5/5/79) / #51 (BNDA debut 11/18/78) / #54 (BNDA debut 4/14/79)
#55 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #56 (BNDA debut 1/6/79) / #59 (BNDA debut 4/14/79)
#62 (BNDA debut 9/29/79) / #63 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #64 (BNDA debut 9/22/79)
#65 (BNDA debut 3/24/79) / #69 (BNDA debut 3/31/79) / #70 (BNDA debut 12/2/78)
#75 (BNDA debut 2/10/79) / #76 (BNDA debut 4/7/79) / #78 (BNDA debut 6/2/79)
#79 (BNDA debut 4/14/79) / #81 (BNDA debut 4/14/79) / #82 (BNDA debut 6/16/79)
#89 (BNDA debut 5/12/79) / #90 (BNDA debut 5/14/77)
James Hamilton's Disco Page 