Odds ‘N Bods
‘Motivation’ / ‘Extract’ is the double-A newie by Atmosfear due on Elite this week . . . Earth, Wind & Fire ‘In The Stone’ is due on 12in next week, followed by an extended UK-only 12in of Prince ‘Sexy Dancer’, while Slave and Trussel are both overdue now . . . MCA should have shortened War ‘The World Is A Ghetto’ by editing the intro as now without the ending it never reaches the best bits . . . Azymuth ‘Jazz Carnival’ is called just ‘Carnival’ in the US as radio is frightened of the full title – whereas without the ‘Jazz’ it probably wouldn’t have hit here! . . . Del Richardson’s naggingly familiar ‘Lady With The Red Dress On’ (Concept), recently reviewed reggae 7in, is awfully like ‘Perfidia’ . . . Bristol’s Just 4U move base to the Turntable Club this Friday (15), Martin Starr & Dennis Richards funking till 3am and then returning on Saturday at noon for their Just 4U 100 Club afternoon jazz-funk session, Dennis dancing with the recently mentioned Switch dance team (bookable on 0272-694156/771209) . . . Bristol’s many mentions on this page are not a joke, by the way, as some skeptics seem to think! . . . 10 year old Claire Bowman, clad in leopard leotard, danced to victory at Maidenhead Skindles’ recent Sunday afternoon kids’ disco talent contest . . . Bournemouth Soul Centre record shop will be promoting a couple of jazz-funk nights throughout the summer season, should that influence your holiday choice . . . I’m writing before the Funk Mafia trip to Los Angeles so I don’t know if Sean French does snore, but I bet that he NODS off to sleep (that was an “in” joke, understood by thousands in the South!) . . . David Bendeth of ‘Feel The Real’ fame, currently popping into various London clubs for PA’s, played on Musique’s ‘In The Bush’ amongst many others . . . La Pregunta means “the question” in Spanish, all you ‘Chameleon’ fans . . . DJF-affiliated and all other DJ Associations are invited to the DJ Federation’s governing council meeting on Tuesday 4th March at 10am in Buck’s Head Hotel, Stranraer, Scotland (now then – don’t all rush!), details on 01-341 2785 – and incidentally, the DJF seem to think that the worrying PRS mobile DJ licence (which you may recall I purposefully ignored) is indeed unnecessary in all but the rarest of freak occasions (question answered, Chris Bolus?) . . . Tim Taylor (Bishop Auckland) says ‘Nellie The Elephant’ supports his Purple Haze roadshow as it and snatches of “day-o” from ‘The Banana Boat Song’ or laughter from ‘The Laughing Policeman’ break up the monotony of unending Wally requests . . . Tom Wilson (Edinburgh Parrot Cage) wonders if nervous butterflies get people in their tummies! . . . Chris Dinnis (Exeter) raves about ATV’s ‘Tiswas’ and I have to agree – it’s fatal to watch if, like me, you’re in need of sleep on Saturday morning! . . . CBS’s Loraine Trent thinks it’s funny to joke so convincingly about someone’s drinking problem that half a dozen horror-struck DJ’s brought it to my attention . . . Minimixes this week include Patrice Rushen’s opening half synched into Players Assn 12in, or Bunny Mack mixed into Osibisa, synched into Miriam Makeba’s original ‘Pata Pata’ or Phyllis Hyman chopped at the rhythm break into the rhythm break halfway in McFadden & Whitehead ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’, both Phyllis or McF & W then chopping perfectly into Candi Staton ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ . . . Disco tied with Beautiful Music as the top format on New York radio for the last part of 1979, but paranoia about “disco” still reigns ¡n the States. Disco is dead, long live Soul, Funk & Jazz!
UK Newies
THE BROTHERS JOHNSON: ‘Stomp!’ (from LP ‘Light Up The Night’, A&M AMLK 63716) (BNDA debut 2/23/80)
Double dynamite produced by Quincy Jones and largely penned by Rod Temperton, both fresh from their Michael Jackson triumph – and this set is similarly strong! Also on 7in, the full 6:24 of ‘Stomp!’ “rocks” from a subtly laid-back intro to build powerfully into a whamping stamping 119½bpm piledriver that’s gonna stomp through our minds for the months to come.
NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN: ‘Tonight I’m Alright’ (Atlantic K 11437T) (BNDA debut 12/22/79)
Now indeed on 12in, this terrifically exciting “rock” smacker is still a deceptive 124(intro)-121-126(clapping)-123(instrumental)-122bpm.
ALTON & JOHNNY: ‘Hang On In There Baby’ (Polydor POSP 118)
Johnny Bristol’s original smash remixed for 97-98bpm 7in with Alton McClain added so that she duets with the old vocal, the instrumental version on the flip featuring lovely jazzy sax from George Young.
TOMITA: ‘Bolero’ (RCA Red Seal RC 9498)
Ravel’s mind-nagging going nowhere slowly classic, featured in the film ‘10’, gets a great electronic 36½/73bpm treatment that RCA’s classical department have actually put on 12in without realising that it now just might be a smash jazz-funk disco smoocher!
BLONDIE: ‘Atomic’ (Chrysalis CHS 12-2410)
Not another ‘Heart Of Glass’ but on 12in and at 137bpm, the electronic pop thrasher is at least within range for normal disco use and will certainly be a big hit.
Imports
B.T. EXPRESS: ‘Give Up The Funk (Let’s Dance)’ (US Columbia 1-11200) (BNDA debut 4/19/80)
Short clapping 57bpm intro with typical chanting becomes a funky 116bpm 7in chugger but does nothing different, the ‘Heart Of Fire’ A-side being a boring brassy 129bpm churner.
JIMMY MESSINA: ‘Do You Want To Dance’ (from LP ‘Oasis’, US Columbia JC 36140)
Losing Loggins, Jimmy joins some long-haired white jazzers for a gentle 109bpm vocal jogger with a nice lazy feel and languid brass-backed guitar.
POSITIVE CHOICE: ‘Super Sonic Stereophonic Funk’ (US Buddah DSC 142)
No, not Force, Choice! It’s a chaps-chanted plodding beefy 109-110bpm 12in funk chugger that could easily be re-titled ‘Get Up, You Better Get Up’.
TERESA: ‘Like An Old Time Melody’ (US Dream DG 702)
Dr. Buzzard-like pleasant 118bpm 12in swayer with a glint of moonlight from Manakoora and almost certainly only slight gay appeal.
UK Disco Top 90 – February 16, 1980
01 03 Whispers – And The Beat Goes On – Solar 12″
02 01 Positive Force – We Got The Funk – Sugarhill 12″
03 04 Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover – Warner Bros. 12″
04 02 Michael Jackson – Off The Wall – Epic 7″
05 05 Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill 12″
06 06 Azymuth – Jazz Carnival – Milestone 12″
07 07 Kool & The Gang – Too Hot / Tonight’s The Night – Mercury 12″
08 11 Michael Jackson – Rock With You – Epic 12″
09 09 Phyllis Hyman – You Know How To Love Me – Arista 12″
10 08 Rose Royce – Is It Love You’re After – Whitfield 12″
11 14 Roy Ayers – Don’t Stop The Feeling – Polydor 12″
12 10 Narada Michael Walden – Tonight I’m Alright – Atlantic 12″
13 13 Brass Construction – Shakit / Music Makes You Feel Like Dancing – UA 12″
14 19 Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band – Holdin’ On / Burnin’ Alive – Calibre 12″
15 12 Gibson Brothers – Que Sera Mi Vida – Island 12″
16 29 Sister Sledge – Got To Love Somebody – Atlantic 12″
17 20 Sheila & B. Devotion – Spacer – Carrere 12″
18 16 Players Association – We Got The Groove – Vanguard 12″
19 30 Billy Ocean – Are You Ready – GTO 12″
20 32 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Prayin’ – Source 12″
21 24 Jocko – Rhythm Talk – Philadelphia Int’l 12″
22 15 George Duke – I Want You For Myself – Epic 7″/LP/US 12″ promo
23 NE Narada Michael Walden – I Shoulda Loved Ya / You’re Soo Good / Lovin’ You Madly – Atlantic LP
24 26 Slave – Just A Touch Of Love / Are You Ready For Love – US Cotillion 7″/LP
25 21 Chic – My Feet Keep Dancing – Atlantic 12″
26 31 Shalamar – The Second Time Around – Solar 12″
27 25 Billy Preston & Syreeta – With You I’m Born Again – Motown 7″
28 37 Patrice Rushen – Haven’t You Heard – Elektra 12″
29 28 Chain Reaction – Dance Freak – US Sound Of New York 12″
30 23 Trussel – Love Injection – US Elektra 12″
31 17 Kool & The Gang – Ladies’ Night – Mercury 12″
32 22 Isley Brothers – It’s A Disco Night – Epic 12″
33 18 One Way feat. Al Hudson – Music – MCA 12″
34 34 War – The World Is A Ghetto – MCA 12″
35 36 KC & The Sunshine Band – Please Don’t Go – TK 7″
36 39 Chuck Cissel – Cisselin’ Hot – US Arista 12″
37 47 Players Association – The Get Down Mellow Mellow Sound – Vanguard LP
38 35 Stargard – Wear It Out – Warner Bros. 7″/US 12″
39 41 Dan Hartman – Vertigo / Relight My Fire – Blue Sky 12″
40 42 Earth, Wind & Fire – Can’t Let Go – CBS 12″
41 53 Shalamar – Right In The Socket – Solar 12″
42 48 Eddie Cheba – Lookin’ Good – US Tree Line 12″
43 60 Booker T & The MGs – Green Onions – Atlantic 7″
44 50 Stop – I Can Feel It – Elite 12″
45 43 Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin’ – Mercury 12″
46 33 Diana Ross – It’s My House – Motown 12″
47 61 Ronnie Laws – O.T.B.A. Law (Outta Be A Law) / Young Child / Every Generation / Tomorrow / Love’s Victory – US UA LP
48 40 Herb Alpert – Rotation – A&M 12″
49 62 Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing – Epic 7″
50 38 Lowrell – Mellow, Mellow Right On – AVI 12″
51 57 Joe Bataan – Rap-O Clap-O – US Salsoul 12″
52 52 Funkadelic – (Not Just) Knee Deep – Warner Bros. 7″/LP
53 27 Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer – No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) – CBS 12″
54 65 v/a – Four Hot Imports – Casablanca 12″
55 56 Commodores – Wonderland – Motown 7″
56 49 Rick James – Love Gun – Motown 7″/LP
57 67 Mr. Q – Love And Time / Rapping Time – Canadian DK Sounds 12″
58 55 Freddie James – Get Up And Boogie – Warner Bros. 12″
59 63 Bonnie Pointer – I Can’t Help Myself – Motown 7″/LP
60 77 Fat Larry’s Band – Here Comes The Sun – Fantasy 12″
61 44 Rufus & Chaka – Do You Love What You Feel – MCA 12″
62 45 Prince – Sexy Dancer / Still Waiting – Warner Bros. LP
63 58 Atmosfear – Dancing In Outer Space – MCA 12″
64 88 La Pregunta – Chameleon – US GNP Crescendo 12″
65 69 Deborah Washington – Rock It – Ariola 12″
66 71 Sylvester – Can’t Stop Dancing / In My Fantasy – Fantasy 12″
67 73 Invisible Man’s Band – All Night Thing – US Mango 12″
68 72 Grey & Hanks – Now I’m Fine / Single Girls / Prime Time / Tired Of Taking Chances / We Need More / For The People – US RCA LP
69 75 GQ – Standing Ovation – Arista 12″
70 89 Wilson Pickett – Groove City – EMI America 12″
71 80 Pretenders – Brass In Pocket – Real 7″
72 81 Donna Summer – On The Radio – Casablanca 7″/LP
73 NE Brothers Johnson – Stomp! – A&M 7″/LP
74 82 Maximum Penetration – Maximum Penetration – Sidewalk 12″
75 79 Whispers – Lady / My Girl / Can You Do The Boogie / Out The Box / A Song For Donny – US Solar LP
76 59 The Beat – Tears Of A Clown – 2-Tone 7″
77 74 France Joli – Come To Me – Ariola 12″
78 NE Styx – Babe – A&M 7″
79 76 Kat Mandu – The Break – US TK 12″
80 66 M – Moonlight And Muzak – MCA 12″
81 NE Jan Akkerman – She’s So Divine / Stingray – Atlantic 7″/LP
82 64 Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall – Harvest 7″
83 78 Gap Band – I Don’t Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance / Party Lights / Who Do You Call / Steppin’ Out – US Mercury LP
84 NE Gordon’s War – Got To Fan The Flame / The Rock Is Gonna Get You – US Stan-Jay 12″
85 84 Fat Larry’s Band – Center City / Last Chance To Dance – Fantasy 12″ promo/LP
86 NE Zkiffz – (I Wanna) Boogie With You – UA 12″
87 90 Alton & Johnny – Hang On In There Baby – US Polydor 7″
88 83 Edgar Winter – Above And Beyond – US Blue Sky 12″
89 87 Stevie Wonder – Black Orchid – Motown 7″
90 NE Merry Clayton – Emotion / When The World Turns Blue – US MCA LP
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #2 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #3 (BNDA debut 11/10/79)
#5 (BNDA debut 10/13/79) / #7 (BNDA debut 9/8/79) / #8 (BNDA debut 8/18/79)
#9 (BNDA debut 11/10/79) / #11 (BNDA debut 12/22/79) / #12 (BNDA debut 12/22/79)
#13 (BNDA debut 5/31/80) / #14 (BNDA debut 1/5/80) / #15 (BNDA debut 7/12/80)
#16 (BNDA debut 1/26/80) / #17 (BNDA debut 5/10/80) / #18 (BNDA debut 3/22/80)
#19 (BNDA debut 12/13/80) / #22 (BNDA debut 12/15/79) / #23 (BNDA debut 12/22/79)
#24 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #25 (BNDA debut 6/23/79) / #26 (BNDA debut 3/22/80)
#28 (BNDA debut 12/15/79) / #30 (BNDA debut 12/8/79) / #31 (BNDA debut 9/8/79)
#32 (BNDA debut 8/25/79) / #33 (BNDA debut 11/3/79) / #36 (BNDA debut 1/12/80)
#37 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #38 (BNDA debut 10/6/79) / #39 (BNDA debut 11/10/79)
#41 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #48 (BNDA debut 12/22/79) / #51 (BNDA debut 12/1/79)
#52 (BNDA debut 10/13/79) / #53 (BNDA debut 10/27/79) / #54 (BNDA debut 9/8/79)
#56 (BNDA debut 11/24/79) / #58 (BNDA debut 7/7/79) / #59 (BNDA debut 1/5/80)
#60 (BNDA debut 2/9/80) / #61 (BNDA debut 11/17/79) / #62 (BNDA debut 11/10/79)
#66 (BNDA debut 11/17/79) / #67 (BNDA debut 1/26/80) / #68 (BNDA debut 3/8/80)
#69 (BNDA debut 3/1/80) / #71 (BNDA debut 4/5/80) / #72 (BNDA debut 11/17/79)
#73 (BNDA debut 2/23/80) / #75 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #77 (BNDA debut 8/4/79)
#79 (BNDA debut 8/11/79) / #80 (BNDA debut 2/2/80) / #82 (BNDA debut 5/31/80)
#83 (BNDA debut 3/8/80) / #88 (BNDA debut 2/16/80)
Bubbling under the UK Disco Top 90 are:
SHARON PAIGE: ‘Tonight’s The Night’ (US Source 12”) (BNDA debut 2/16/80)
BIG FOOT: ‘I Apologize’ / ‘Watch Your Step’ (US Sue International 12”)
BOBBY THURSTON: ‘Check Out The Groove’ / ‘You Got What It Takes’ (US Prelude LP) (BNDA debut 3/1/80)
LEON HAYWOOD: ‘Don’t Push It Don’t Force It’ (US 20th Century 12”) (BNDA debut 2/23/80)
SPYRO GYRA: ‘Catching The Sun’ / ‘Percolator’ / ‘Cockatoo’ (MCA 12”)
DON ARMANDO’S 2ND AVENUE RHUMBA BAND: ‘Deputy of Love’ / ‘I’m An Indian Too’ (ZE 7”) (BNDA debut 9/22/79)
CANDIDO: ‘Candi’s Funk’ / ‘Samba Funk’ / ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ / ‘Super City’ (US Salsoul LP)
LOVE UNLIMITED: ‘High Steppin’ Hip Dressin’ Fella’ (US Unlimited Gold 12”)
KLEEER: ‘Close To You’ / ‘Winners’ (US Atlantic LP) (BNDA debut 4/5/80)
JOHN LEE & GERRY BROWN: ‘Chaser’ / ‘Will It Last’ (US Columbia LP)
RINDER & LEWIS: ‘Blue Steel’ / ‘Willie And The Hand Jive’ (US AVI LP) (BNDA debut 11/24/79)
OSIBISA: ‘Pata Pata’ (Pye 12”)
CHUCK BROWN: ‘Bustin’ Loose’ / OPUS 7: ‘Bussle’ (Source 12” EP)
KOCKY: ‘Remone’ (US Windsong 12”) (BNDA debut 2/16/80)
SALLY TOWNSEND: ‘Love At First Night’ (OBM 7”)
CHUCK CISSEL: ‘Emergency’ / ‘Don’t Tell Me You’re Sorry’ / ‘Do You Believe’ (US Arista LP)
JON FADDIS: ‘Good And Plenty’ / ‘Razor Blade’ (US Buddah LP)
BUNNY MACK: ‘Love You Forever’ (Rokel 12”)
LOOSE CHANGE: ‘I Wanna Hold On To You’ / ‘Straight From The Heart’ / ‘Babe’ (US Casablanca LP)
EARGASM: ‘This Is Lovers Rock’ (Venture 12”)
COSMO WAVE AND THE SPACE CADETS: ‘Star Treking’ (US Epic 12”)
L.A. BOPPERS: ‘Watching Life’ / ‘Funk It Out’ / ‘Are We Wrong’ (US Mercury LP)
DYNASTY: ‘Satisfied’ / ‘It’s Still A Thrill’ (US Solar 12”) (BNDA debut 1/19/80)
SHOTGUN: ‘I Want You’ / ‘Come On With It’ / ‘Happy Feelin’’ (US MCA LP)
T-CONNECTION: ‘Ecstasy’ / ‘Danger Zone’ (TK 7”)
CHUCK MANGIONE: ‘Give It All You Got’ (US A&M LP)
AHMAD JAMAL: ‘Genetic Walk’ / ‘Chaser’ / ‘Don’t Ask My Neighbors’ / ‘Pablo Sierra’ (US 20th Century LP)
GIVENS FAMILY: ‘The Year Of The Child’ (US Venture 12”)
Pop 15 (hit titles outside the Disco 90):
1. Specials, 2. Tourists (old), 3. Madness, 4. Amii Stewart, 5. Joe Jackson, 6. Bee Gees, 7. Errol Dunkley, 8. Police, 9. Jon & Vangelis, 10. New Musik, 11. Dr. Hook, 12. Keith Michell, 13. ABBA, 14. Selecter, 15. Matchbox.
James Hamilton's Disco Page 