Odds ‘N Bods
Atmosfear ‘Motivation’ has now also been picked up by MCA (MCAT 580) . . . Arista’s secret jazz-funk plan to promote their GRP Product involves disco DJ’s selling direct to their punters a special 4-track 12in EP featuring an uninspired selection by Jay Hoggard, Tom Browne, Dave Valentin & Angela Bofill – couldn’t it feature something fresher? . . . Casablanca’s next 4-track commercial 12in stars Loose Change & Parliament . . . Polydor have had to postpone their Blondie ‘Call Me’-featuring ‘American Gigolo’ soundtrack LP . . . SEDA 80 is the South Eastern Disco Assn’s annual equipment exhibition this Sunday (23) at the Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne (just off the southern end of the Maidstone bypass, M20), open from noon till 8pm . . . April 12/13 sees another exhibition in Aberdeen put on by Keith Main’s Atmosphere disco store at the Treetops Hotel, details on (0224) 572923 . . . Coral King, Radio Luxembourg “ladies only” DJ competition winner (she broadcasted on Tuesday evening), wants a good London residency – anyone interested contact me . . . Bob Jones, the mafia’s caretaker (he deps whenever the likes of Hill have to miss a gig), wants his own Fri/Saturday residency anywhere around London/Essex, call him on Chelmsford 62924 . . . Record Man of Rayleigh are amazingly selling Herbie Hancock’s ‘Directstep’ LP at £11.25 to the public, only £10 to bona fide jox . . . Malcolm Jones is delighted the policy has changed at Brentwood Elliotts (on the A127) enabling him to funk Fri/Saturdays for reasonably smart over-18s . . . Record Mirror sells out fast in North Wales, where I was holidaying last week – sorry Al Taylor I didn’t get to St Asaph Stables, but Bangor wasn’t worth the day trip! . . . Gavin Breck presumably now knows who the Brothers Johnson are, having been caught out when they visited his Sunday night at Mayfair Playboy! . . . Brum jock Sammy DeHavilland and wife Pamela’s new baby is called James – did they really name him after me? . . . Funkadelic ‘Knee Deep’ is a big numero uno in Ipswich for both the Utopia and Shaggy’s mobiles – why wasn’t it bigger elsewhere? . . . Liquid Gold prove, if proof was ever needed, that there are indeed a lot of wallys out there somewhere! . . . Craig Dawson (Edinburgh) says: “Disco is most definitely NOT dead – on the mobile scene disco records have if anything become more popular than ever, especially among older age groups, with Tony Rallo going down a storm at weddings” . . . Be-di-be-dibbadibbadah – MAKE IT FUNKY!!
UK Newies
SHARON PAIGE: ‘Tonight’s The Night’ (Source 12SRC 103) (BNDA debut 2/16/80)
Harold Melvin & Blue Notes-prod/accompanied creamy clapping 118-119-120-121-122bpm 12in repetitive “rock” doodler with long instrumental intro, now evidently out here at last, is ultimately pretty insubstantial.
DR HOOK: ‘Sexy Eyes’ (Capitol CL 16127)
Excellent slinky 102-103bpm 7in jogger with Bee Gees/old Real Thing tempo and wide appeal.
LITTLE EVA: ‘The Loco Motion’ (London HL 9581)
Classic 131bpm 7in dance smash from 1962 (and 1972!) in her original LP’s picture sleeve.
VIOLA WILLS: ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ (Ariola Hansa AHAD 557) (BNDA debut 6/30/80)
Gordon Lightfoot’s oldie in cantering 124bpm 12m MoR disco revival with stereo hissing hi-hat break.
STEVIE WONDER: ‘Outside My Window’ (Motown TMG 1179)
‘Isn’t She Lovely’-like limp 116/58bpm 7in “la la la” swayer.
LEE KOSMIN: ‘You Can Do’ (Parlophone R 6031)
Pale 121-125bpm 7in pop copy of the Walden-type beat, much plugged on Capital Radio (unlike Walden himself).
PAUL JABARA & DONNA SUMMER: ‘Never Lose Your Sense Of Humour’ (Casablanca NBL 1002)
Mundane frothy old 126bpm 12in gay thumper with a lyrically name-checked contribution from Donna.
TONY ETORIA: ‘So Far So Good’ (Cobra COB 6)
Disappointing 61/122-124bpm 7in pop lurcher belatedly bubbled-under by EMI-serviced jocks.
SISTER SLEDGE: ‘Easy Street’ (Atlantic K 11455)
Boring lethargic 98bpm 7in jogger could end their run – they should have used ‘Reach Your Peak’ instead.
STARGARD: ‘Runnin’ From The Law’ (from LP ‘The Changing Of The Gard’, Warner Bros. K 56746)
Burbling slow 112bpm funk smacker, ‘Footstompin’ Music’ being a staccato fast 132bpm strutter and ‘Take Me Back’ a Ross-ish bpm swinger, while the jolting slow 44-45bpm ‘(Once In A Lifetime) Dream Come True’ remains the best.
NITE WATCH: ‘Get Down (‘Cause I Love Your Body)’ (Channel CH1)
Backbeat knocking fast 131bpm 7in “rock” chanter sounds slower than it is.
ALAIN CHAMFORT: ‘Manureva’ (Epic EPC 7497)
French-sung lightweight 132bpm 7in Europop synthesizer skipper.
TALKING HEADS: ‘I Zimbra’ (Sire SIR 4033) (BNDA debut 1/26/80)
Afro-flavoured jazzy 118(intro)-113bpm 7in jiggler.
LITTLE MAC & THE BOSS SOUNDS: ‘In The Midnight Hour’ (Atlantic K 11448)
1965 club classic, a heavily booming 119-121bpm 7in organ instrumental of Wilson Pickett’s anthem.
THE DANCE BAND: ‘Stacks Of Tracks’ (Cool King CK 001)
Stonebridge/McGuinness-recorded accurate slow 33/66bpm 7in deep soul tribute to the old Stax label stars.
TURLEY RICHARDS: ‘You Might Need Somebody’ (Atlantic K 11445)
Atmospheric vibrant thumping 42/84bpm 7in blue-eyed slowie.
No imports this week.
UK Disco Top 90 – March 22, 1980
01 01 Whispers – And The Beat Goes On – Solar 12″
02 02 Brothers Johnson – Stomp! / Let’s Swing – A&M 12″
03 04 Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band – Holdin’ On / Burnin’ Alive – Calibre 12″
04 03 Michael Jackson – Rock With You – Epic 12″
05 05 Narada Michael Walden – Tonight I’m Alright – Atlantic 12″
06 06 Phyllis Hyman – You Know How To Love Me – Arista 12″
07 17 Gibson Brothers – Cuba / Better Do It Salsa – Island 12″
08 07 Jocko – Rhythm Talk – Philadelphia Int’l 12″
09 09 Leon Haywood – Don’t Push It Don’t Force It – 20th Century 12″
10 08 Brass Construction – Shakit / Music Makes You Feel Like Dancing – UA 12″
11 19 Slave – Just A Touch Of Love – Atlantic 12″
12 21 Fern Kinney – Together We Are Beautiful – WEA 7″
13 13 Patrice Rushen – Haven’t You Heard – Elektra 12″
14 10 GQ – Standing Ovation – Arista 12″
15 15 Shalamar – Right In The Socket – Solar 12″
16 14 Players Association – We Got The Groove – Vanguard 12″
17 22 Trussel – Love Injection – Elektra 12″
18 12 Positive Force – We Got The Funk – Sugarhill 12″
19 11 Roy Ayers – Don’t Stop The Feeling – Polydor 12″
20 16 Bobby Thurston – Check Out The Groove – Epic 12″
21 23 Narada Michael Walden – I Shoulda Loved Ya – Atlantic LP
22 26 Light Of The World – The Boys In Blue / This Is This – Ensign 12″
23 24 Ronnie Laws – Young Child – UA 12″
24 18 Kool & The Gang – Too Hot / Tonight’s The Night – Mercury 12″
25 28 War – The World Is A Ghetto – MCA 12″
26 42 Liquid Gold – Dance Yourself Dizzy – Polo 12″
27 30 Earth, Wind & Fire – In The Stone / Biyo / Africano – CBS 12″
28 27 Ronnie Laws – O.T.B.A. Law (Outta Be A Law) / Every Generation – UA LP
29 29 Donna Summer – On The Radio – Casablanca 12″
30 47 Detroit Spinners – Working My Way Back To You – Atlantic 12″
31 20 Azymuth – Jazz Carnival – Milestone 12″
32 25 Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover – Warner Bros. 12″
33 34 Atmosfear – Motivation / Extract – Elite 12″
34 40 Chuck Cissel – Cisselin’ Hot – Arista 12″
35 33 Billy Ocean – Are You Ready – GTO 12″
36 38 Wilbert Longmire – Hawkeye – US Tappan Zee LP
37 48 Mystic Merlin – Just Can’t Give You Up – US Capitol LP
38 63 Crown Heights Affair – Sure Shot (all cuts) – US De-Lite 12″ promo/LP
39 81 Rodney Franklin – The Groove – US Columbia LP
40 41 La Pregunta – Chameleon – US GNP Crescendo 12″
41 32 Players Association – The Get Down Mellow Sound – Vanguard 12″
42 35 Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing – Epic 7″
43 37 Spyro Gyra – Catching The Sun / Percolator / Lovin’ You – MCA 12″/LP
44 39 Kleeer – Winners (all cuts) – US Atlantic LP
45 45 Sharon Paige – Tonight’s The Night – US Source 12″
46 60 Brothers Johnson – This Had To Be / Light Up The Night / Celebrations / Treasure / Smilin’ On Ya / You Make Me Wanna Wiggle – A&M LP
47 NE Bobby Thurston – You Got What It Takes – US Prelude LP
48 52 Gap Band – I Don’t Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance / Steppin’ Out / The Boys Are Back In Town – Mercury 12″
49 44 Gordon’s War – Got To Fan The Flame / The Rock Is Gonna Get You – US Stan-Jay 12″
50 36 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Prayin’ – Source 12″
51 43 Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill 12″
52 46 Stop – I Can Feel It – Calibre 12″
53 53 Guardian Angel – Self Service Love / Jim Screechie – MR 12″
54 31 Michael Jackson – Off The Wall / Working Day And Night – Epic 7″
55 50 Bonnie Pointer – I Can’t Help Myself – Motown 7″/LP
56 75 Osibisa – Pata Pata – Pye 12″
57 56 Chain Reaction – Dance Freak – US Sound Of New York 12″
58 61 Eugene Record – Fan The Fire / Your Love (Ain’t Nothin’ Like It) – Warner Bros. LP
59 64 Shalamar – The Second Time Around – Solar 12″
60 71 Destination – Move On Up/Up, Up, Up – Butterfly 12″
61 69 Grover Washington Jr. – I Can’t Help It / Open Up Your Mind (Wide) / Snake Eyes / Easy Loving You – US Motown LP
62 54 Sheila & B. Devotion – Spacer – Carrere 12″
63 73 Modern Sound Corporation – Safari – Epic 12″
64 49 Fat Larry’s Band – Here Comes The Sun – Fantasy 12″
65 72 Don Armando’s 2nd Avenue Rhumba Band – Deputy Of Love / I’m An Indian Too – ZE 12″
66 65 Dan Hartman – Vertigo / Relight My Fire – Blue Sky 12″
67 77 Givens Family – The Year Of The Child – US Venture 12″
68 RE Joe Bataan – Rap-O Clap-O – Salsoul 12″
69 58 Jan Akkerman – She’s So Divine / Stingray – Atlantic 7″/LP
70 82 B.T. Express – Give Up The Funk – US Columbia 7″/LP
71 55 Eddie Cheba – Lookin’ Good – US Tree Line 12″
72 70 Bunny Mack – Love You Forever – Rokel 12″
73 89 Mandrill – Dance Of Love / Feeling Good / When You Shake – US Arista LP
74 66 Rick James – Love Gun – Motown 7″/LP
75 RE Brass Construction – Movin’ / Changin’ – UA 12″
76 NE Dayton – Eyes On You / Livin’ For Today – US UA LP
77 68 L.A. Boppers – Watching Life / Is This The Best / Funk It Out / Life Is What You Make It / You Did It Good – US Mercury LP
78 NE Randy Brown – The Next Best Thing To Being There / We Ought To Be Doin’ It – US Chocolate City LP
79 80 Alton & Johnny – Hang On In There Baby – Polydor 7″
80 90 Brenda Russell – In The Thick Of It – A&M LP
81 74 Merry Clayton – Emotion / When The World Turns Blue – US MCA LP
82 83 Al Johnson & Jean Carn – I’m Back For More – US Columbia 7″/LP
83 67 Grey & Hanks – Now I’m Fine / Single Girls – US RCA 12″/LP
84 87 Chicago – Street Player – US Columbia 12″
85 85 Stone City Band – Little Runaway / Strut Your Stuff – US Gordy LP
86 79 Funkadelic – (Not Just) Knee Deep – Warner Bros. 12″
87 84 Leo’s Sunshipp – Give Me The Sunshine / I’m Back For More – US Lyon’s LP
88 NE Ben E. King – Music Trance – Atlantic 7″/US 12″ promo
89 88 Midnight Star – Make It Last – US Solar 12″
90 78 Eargasm – This Is Lovers Rock – Venture 12″
NE = new entry; RE = re-entry
Appeared in Billboard:
#1 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #2 (BNDA debut 2/23/80) / #3 (BNDA debut 1/5/80)
#4 (BNDA debut 8/18/79) / #5 (BNDA debut 12/22/79) / #6 (BNDA debut 11/10/79)
#7 (BNDA debut 4/7/79 & 9/8/79) / #9 (BNDA debut 2/23/80) / #10 (BNDA debut 5/31/80)
#11 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #13 (BNDA debut 12/15/79) / #14 (BNDA debut 3/1/80)
#15 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #16 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #17 (BNDA debut 12/8/79)
#18 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #19 (BNDA debut 12/22/79) / #20 (BNDA debut 3/1/80)
#21 (BNDA debut 12/22/79) / #24 (BNDA debut 9/8/79) / #26 (BNDA debut 11/17/79)
#29 (BNDA debut 11/17/79) / #30 (BNDA debut 10/20/79) / #32 (BNDA debut 11/10/79)
#34 (BNDA debut 1/12/80) / #35 (BNDA debut 12/13/80) / #38 (BNDA debut 3/22/80)
#39 (BNDA debut 5/17/80) / #41 (BNDA debut 3/22/80) / #44 (BNDA debut 4/5/80)
#45 (BNDA debut 2/16/80) / #47 (BNDA debut 3/1/80) / #48 (BNDA debut 3/8/80)
#51 (BNDA debut 10/13/79) / #55 (BNDA debut 1/5/80) / #59 (BNDA debut 3/22/80)
#60 (BNDA debut 8/25/79) / #62 (BNDA debut 5/10/80) / #64 (BNDA debut 2/9/80)
#65 (BNDA debut 9/22/79) / #66 (BNDA debut 11/10/79) / #68 (BNDA debut 12/1/79)
#70 (BNDA debut 4/19/80) / #73 (BNDA debut 4/19/80) / #74 (BNDA debut 11/24/79)
#83 (BNDA debut 3/8/80) / #86 (BNDA debut 10/13/79) / #88 (BNDA debut 3/1/80)
Bubbling under the UK Disco Top 90 are:
ROSE ROYCE: ‘Ooh Boy’ / ‘What You Waitin’ For’ (Whitfield 12”)
TONY ETORIA: ‘So Far So Good’ (Cobra 7”)
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS: ‘Chatty, Chatty’ (Island 12”)
ONE WAY FEAT. AL HUDSON: ‘Now That I Found You’ (MCA 12”)
CHICO HAMILTON: ‘Strut’ / ‘Magic Fingers’ (US Elektra LP)
DONALD BYRD: ‘Dominoes’ (Blue Note 12”)
NITEFLYTE: ‘If You Want It’ (Ariola 12”)
KALYAN: ‘Hot Tea’ (US RCA LP)
TEENA MARIE: ‘Behind The Groove’ (US Gordy LP) (BNDA debut 3/29/80)
BLONDIE: ‘Call Me’ (Polydor LP) (BNDA debut 3/8/80)
SHEENA EASTON: ‘Modern Girl’ (EMI 7”)
CENTRAL LINE: ‘Sticks And Stones’ (Mercury 12”)
SHOTGUN: ‘Go Head’ / ‘Happy Feelin’’ (US MCA LP)
TROIANO: ‘We All Need Love’ (Capitol 12”) (BNDA debut 8/18/79)
BLOWFLY: ‘Rapp Dirty’ / ‘Blowfly’s Rapp’ (US TK 12”)
DAVID SANBORN: ‘Anything You Want’ / ‘Hideaway’ (US Warner Bros. LP)
THE YOUNGER GENERATION: ‘We Rap More Mellow’ (US Brass 12”)
MILLIE: ‘My Boy Lollipop’ (Island 7”)
JAMES BROWN: ‘Don’t Stop The Funk’ / ‘Regrets’ (US Polydor LP)
JON FADDIS: ‘Good And Plenty’ / ‘Razor Blade’ (US Arista LP)
ALAIN CHAMFORT: ‘Manureva’ (Epic 7”)
SISTER SLEDGE: ‘You Fooled Around’ / ‘Reach Your Peak’ / ‘Let’s Go On Vacation’ (Atlantic LP) (BNDA debut 1/26/80)
CEDAR WALTON: ‘Latin America’ / ‘Naturally’ (US Columbia LP)
SUGARHILL GANG: ‘Rapper’s Reprise (Jam-Jam)’ / ‘Bad News’ (Sugarhill 12”)
HERB ALPERT: ‘Street Life’ (A&M 12”)
VARIOUS ARTISTS: ‘Calibre Cuts’ (Calibre 12” promo)
CON FUNK SHUN: ‘Got To Be Enough’ (US Mercury 12” promo) (BNDA debut 4/12/80)
CAPTAIN & TENNILLE: ‘Do That To Me One More Time’ (Casablanca 7”)
LOCOMOTIVE: ‘Rudi’s In Love’ (EMI 7”)
DORC (Dance Orientated Rock Chart):
1 (1) Blondie, 2 (2) Specials, 3 (4) Police, 4 (6) Tourists, 5 (-) Cliff Richard, 6 (3) Styx, 7 (7) The Beat, 8 (5) Pretenders, 9 (8) New Music, 10 (-) Marti Webb, 11 (-) Elvis Costello, 12 (10) Joe Jackson, 13 (12) Jon & Vangelis, 14 (11) Pat Benatar, 15 (9) Zaine Griff, 16 (16) Selecter, 17 (-) Bad Manners, 18 (-) Shakin’ Stevens, 19 (13) Madness, 20 (-) Joan Armatrading.
Blondie would have been at 36, Specials 66, Police 83, if in the Disco 90. Surely pop jocks are quicker off the mark than this chart suggests, though?
James Hamilton's Disco Page 