ODDS ‘N’ BODS
EAST MIDLANDS DJ Assn’s disco exhibition is at Derby Tiffany’s this Sunday (26) from noon till 8pm . . . Birmingham equipment stockists Disco Electronics and Roadshows Disco Centre are again combining to put on a successor to last year’s Disco Light & Sound ’80 exhibition, this years titled Discoscene ’81 and at Solihull St John’s Hotel on Sunday 17th May from noon until 7pm with an impressive line up of exhibitors, full details from Terry Lees on 021-707 1925 . . . Thames Valley DJ Assn members meet this Sunday (26) at Staines Jacksons club at 12 Clarence Street starting noon . . . Rah Band ‘Downside Up’ is now indeed on 12”, Ronny’s BPM should have read as 110/55-111-112-113bpm, and it’s Eric Hine doing ‘Fade Away’ . . . King Pleasure, the 58 year-old pioneer of jazz scatting (real name Clarence Beeks) who originated the classic ‘Moody’s Mood For Love’ treatment copied by George Benson, very sadly died last month, in Los Angeles . . . Brighton’s Metro re-opens as Busby’s II next week (note that Busby’s relates to Busby Berkley and not the P.O. Buzby bird!), Paul Clark & Mick Fuller being regular jocks there on Thursdays and Sundays . . . Harvey Mason studied at the Berklee School Of Music, not Berkeley . . . Nicky Peck reports that Gillingham Central is getting so busy that Sundays are about to become membership nights in an effort to control the crowds, local jazz-funkers M.S.Q. appearing there live this week (26) . . . Holly House Publications are now making circular shaped “frisbee” business cards customised according to your choice of colour and design, full details from 2 Holly Rd, St Mary’s Bay, Kent, TX29 0XB . . . Geoff Dorsett (Halifax) and others in search of hard to find records, why don’t you check the small ads? . . . Tony Clarke is finding disco life very different jocking in Rognan, Norway, but came across a good import record shop on his four day journey in Oslo, called Bus Stop . . . TWA’s dirt cheap package holidays to the States have to be booked and paid for by April 30th, don’t forget (four days in New York all-in for £164 for example) . . . Caister was widely regarded by lots of other people to have been the best in quite a while, too . . . Kev Hill (Brentwood) says he’s the phantom Bum Burner, not the Phantom Phonecaller – so that’s what he needs the jelly for! . . . Gary Allan (Liverpool McMillans) is a bit fed up with the Cambridge Dons, who used one of his official Liverpool Gnome noses for their phallic fun at Caister, and never returned it! . . . John Douglas (Braintree) reckons Roy Ayers ‘Love Will Bring Us Together’ from the ‘Fever’ LP would make an ace single right now, and revives Sir John Roberts ‘Ain’t Nothing Like Making Love’ (US Venture LP) . . . DJ feedback about the ‘Hit Numbers’ BPMs is non-existent, but I personally find my efforts invaluable at mobile gigs, and I’m gradually BPMing a lot of other pop material with which I’m not so familiar (only having to use it a few times a year these days) the mixes I’ve been coming up with as a result being dynamite) . . . Davy King (Ballymena Raglan Lounges) now leaves us with a joke that’s too late for Easter – “Where did they get the food for the Last Supper?” – “Judas’s carry-out!” . . . only two days after writing the last issue, there’s not really a lot to talk about this week . . . KEEP IT GOOD!
ALPHONSE MOUZON producer / arranger / writer and drummer on the ‘By All Means’ jazz-funk smash that bears his name, and a lot of hot playing by Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Ritenour and Seawind – was born November 21st, 1948, in Charleston, South Carolina, and played side drum aged 12 in a marching band at school. In 1966 he moved to New York where he started taking an interest in the piano but actually gigged for eighteen months with a society band as roadie cum fill-in drummer, working at the same time as a hospital orderly while studying dramatics.
Whispers In The Air
THERE’S A catchphrase in my mind that the record company don’t seem to have thought of yet, something like ‘Solar So Good’. In other words, almost everything that label has laid its hands on in the last year or so seems to have had the technical supervision of King Midas.
In the States, Lakeside are building a beat which could still cross here, and the other Solar songsters have already made a noise in the UK. Dynasty are currently warm on our dancefloors with ‘Groove Control’, from their ‘Adventures In The Land Of Music’ album. They went all the way across in 1979 with ‘I Don’t Want To Be A Freak (But I Can’t Help Myself’.
Choreographed chic might not be your cuppa but it’s hard to deny the slickness and style the Whispers have brought to bear on our disco scene since the beginning of last year. That was when, after years of reputation without reimbursement, the Whispers first had their wallets filled with green notes, GB-style. It was via ‘And The Beat Goes On’, then as now a dancefloor monster of fearsome strength from the fearsome five.
Those five are Wallace (“Call Me Scotty”) Scott, twin brother Walter (no, you weren’t seeing double), Marcus Hutson, Nicholas Caldwell and the splendidly named Leavell Degree – If only he had two brothers I could knock you out with a crack about the Three Degrees. Bet you’re glad he hasn’t.
This thing’s been building since the guys were at Junior High School. Brothers Walter and Scotty conceived the idea on the influence of a relative. “We had an uncle whom we would always listen to,” recounts Walter, “and he taught us a lot about harmonising. That’s where we learned that kind of singing.” The men from uncle, you might say.
Next came the meeting with Marcus and Nicholas and the Whispers became a going concern. And a growing concern to begin with, because they weren’t too sure where they were heading at first. Marcus Hutson recalls that “At first we were really singing as a hobby. After we got out of school we decided to quit our jobs and really go all the way.”
That upsurge in ’80 was thanks not just to ‘And The Beat Goes On’ but a strong eponymous album, with the ballad ‘Lady’ as a hit in great contrast to the first, and a contemporary treatment of Smokey Robinson’s ‘My Girl’ as an added treat. The album also contained ‘A Song For Donny’, their tribute to the late and much underrated soul man, based on an old Hathaway tune with new lyrics supplied by Solar’s Carrie Lucas. (She had a taste of the top with ‘Dance With You’).
The Whispers took it further, too, by helping to set up the Donny Hathaway Scholarship Fund together with Solar President Dick Griffey, who just happens as well to be their co-producer. All the proceeds of that tribute song are donated to the Fund.
Such an explosion of fortunes as the Whispers enjoyed last year seemed hard to maintain. But that they’ve done, courtesy of another musclebound LP called ‘Imagination’, whence comes the one you might be tapping your toe to even as I write, name of ‘It’s A Love Thing’. Not just that any more, but these days it’s a success thing for the Whispers too.
People really go for those synchronised sweaters.
UK NEWIES
QUINCY JONES: ‘Razzamatazz’ (LP ‘The Dude’ A&M AMLK 63721).
Amazingly Michael Jackson-like though in fact Patti Austin-sung smash 0-120bpm slickly flowing Rod Temperton-penned chugger mixes sensationally with Brothers Johnson ‘Stomp’. The similar 120bpm ‘Turn On The Action‘ being less strong, while Stevie Wonder synthesizes on the slinkily rolling sinister steadily clopping vocoder-sung 96bpm title track jogger and on his own jittery little 111bpm ‘Betcha’ Wouldn’t Hurt Me‘. ‘Somethin’ Special’ being a pleasant pulsating 51/103bpm swayer. You’ll note that ‘Razzamatazz’ is actually hitting higher than the also included 123bpm ‘Ai No Corrida’ 12in!
ISLEY BROTHERS: ‘Tonight Is The Night (If I Had You)’ (LP ‘Grand Slam’ Epic EPC 84914).
Still most essential for the full length version of this beautiful lush 48/96bpm smoocher, and the bittersweet 41bpm ‘I Once Had Your Love (And I Can’t Let Go)’. The set falls into cliches on the fast material like the ludicrously ‘That Lady’-style 126-128bpm ‘Young Girls’, urgent jittery 120-122-124-125bpm ‘Party Night’, similar 122-123-124bpm ‘Don’t Let Up’, jerky cantering 122-123-124bpm ‘Hurry Up And Wait’, and jagged fast 128-129-128-127-126bpm ‘Who Said?’.
STEPHANIE MILLS Featuring TEDDY PENDERGRASS: ‘Two Hearts’ (20th Century-Fox TC 2492).
Perfectly timed tense pent-up gruff than soaring 107-108bpm 7in jolting jogger (surely destined for 12in too?) like a less lively ‘Back Together Again’, prod/penned by Mtume & Lucas, flipped by Stephanie’s solo 33- 35bpm ‘I Just Wanna Say’ smoocher.
PAULETTE WALKER: ‘Chuck E’s In Love’ (Arrow Hi 001).
Superb subtle winsomely sung 65/32bpm 12in reggae version of Rickie Lee Jones’s lurching slowie here given an extremely stark empty heavy bass beat even before getting to the dub last part – and this interpretation really brings out the sad twist of the lyrics.
JERRY KNIGHT: ‘Perfect Fit’ (A&M AMS 8112).
Snarling bass synth introed storming 125bpm 7in smacker with searing acid guitar now also out here in its preferably full-length 124bpm version as title-track of his LP (AMLH 64843).
DAVID BENDETH: ‘Make It Pop’ (Ensign ENYT 210).
Snappily strutting squeakily sung 123bpm 12in EWF-ish skipper with a flurry of Bros Johnson-style bass still sounds a bit shrill and insubstantial. The ‘Just De Mix‘ B-side version of the basically 122-120bpm ‘Feel The Real (Again)’ having Chris Hill-spliced snippets from other Bendeth LP cuts mixed in.
PROJECT: ‘Love Rescue’ (Creole CR 12-4).
Powerful bouncily chugging jazzy 121bpm 12in strutter used to mix nicely with MFSB but is spoilt by “disco” chix and lisping chaps – if only there was an instrumental version it could yet be a killer.
TOUCHDOWN: ‘Ease Your Mind’ (Record Shack SHACK 12-1).
Well enough made but totally emotionless and uninspired tinkling, dribbling and burbling 125-126-127bpm 12in example of UK jazz-funk by numbers, debuting Record Shack’s own logo.
JAPAN: ‘Life In Tokyo’ (Hansa HANSA 4).
Moroder-style synth backed Roxy-ish 120bpm 7in (will it be on 12in again?) futurist hit from ’79, re-released I wouldn’t be surprised because it’s become a permanent fixture in our Electro-Disco chart.
TOKALON: ‘Coming To Get You’ (Athena ATH 1).
Rush Release-recorded (so naturally it’s already in the futurist chart!) fast sparse bass-thumped 143-0bpm 7in galloper with the odd drum rattle and spacey title line on the ‘Dance Version’ flip or a fuller lyric A-side, due soon on 12in too.
WATSON BEASLEY: ‘Breakaway’ (Creole CR 3).
Fairly horrendous fast mindless zingy 143bpm 7in gay galloper never before released here despite long standing US disco success last year, possibly now better for futurists.
LEE KOSMIN: ‘Getting So Exciting’ (Parlophone R 6045).
Dire Straits-style interesting 120-122bpm 7in story song about an actually boringly typical party in North West Four, segues perfectly out of ‘Skateaway’.
MICKEY JUPP: ‘Don’t Talk To Me’ (Good Foot GFR 001).
New Orleans-style great infectious 106bpm 7in bouncy chugger.
BUBBA LOU & THE HIGHBALLS: ‘Love All Over The Place’ (Stiff BUY 114). Dexys-inspired accurate 124bpm 7in recreation of the sort of disco sound big around Christmas 1965!
SAM BUTERA & THE WITNESSES: ‘Bim Bam’ (Capitol CL 16179).
Stupendous big band rock ‘n’ roller (in stereo) from the late ’50s, raved about by Chris Hill and actually played at Caister.
BILLY BRIGGS: ‘Chew Tobacco Rag No.2’ (Liberty UP 637).
Hilarious 1950 rockabilly – or more accurately hillbilly boogie – dedicated to Spit The Dog!
BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS: ‘Haley’s Golden Medley’ (MCA 694).
Abruptly chopped 7in medley of five original hits could have been done better but will work at parties.
ERNIE MARESCA: ‘Shout! Shout!’ (Seville SEV 1019).
‘Runaround Sue’-style re-released dynamite classic early ’60s pop stormer, still waiting for Showaddywaddy to cover it.
AL JOLSON: ‘Carolina In The Morning’ (MCA 677).
1940s-recorded great sassy 112bpm 7in swayer going great guns on my mobiles, half the flip of the “emotion” drenched quickstepping 121bpm ‘My Mammy’, reprocessed with rather boomy bass.
IMPORTS
RICK JAMES: ‘Fire And Desire’ (LP ‘Street Songs’ US Gordy G8-1002M1).
Rick’s put some thought into this lyrically linked largely autobiographical concept set (with an obviously film studio photographed street scene cover given away by the scuffed fibreglass lamp-post he’s leaning against!). The UK 7in issued, though here longer (and 121bpm), ‘Give It To Me Baby‘ is joined by the less urgent steady smacking 117bpm ‘Ghetto Life‘ as best dancers, but the standout is this lovely mellow rap started then out of the blue abruptly slowing and deeply soulful 55-42-45-43-44- 45/22bpm spine-tingling smoocher into which halfway suddenly wails Teena Marie. Similarly smoochy is the Gato Barbieri-style sax-backed sexy 0-96/48-97bpm ‘Make Love To Me’ jogger. ‘Call Me Up’ being a phone call introed disturbingly anguished pent-up little 113-112bpm jolter, ‘Mr Policeman’, a Stevie Wonder harmonica-backed ‘Masterblaster’-ish 136-137bpm thumper with good lyrics and sound effects, ‘Below The Funk (Pass the J)’ a frantic fast-talking 129bpm rattler and ‘Super Freak‘ a fast sparse 132bpm jerker.
HEATH BROS: ‘Dreamin’ (LP ‘Expressions Of Life’ US Columbia FC 37126).
Classy instrumental jazz set from brothers Jimmy and Percy, this lovely lyrical tenderly swaying 79-78bpm soprano sax smoocher sadly ending all too soon while the similarly Mtume-produced ‘Use It (Don’t Abuse It)‘ is a sinister bumping atmospheric 97-99bpm jogger with repetitive jiggling guitar and clapping bass synth beat. Most accessible of the specialist rest being the slightly samba-ish 96/48-95-94bpm ‘Tender Touch‘ doodler.
DAYTON: ‘One Day Or Another’ (LP ‘Cutie Pie’ US Liberty LT-1093).
Nothing like their last one, the slightly disappointing set’s most interesting experiment is this extremely sparse heavy bass popped strange little 109(intro)-113-114-112-115-112-114(break/fade)bpm thudder, while jazziest is the lightweight cool ‘Fool Was He‘ 115bpm harmony jolter, the title track being a disjointed echoing 123-122-124-122bpm smacker with somewhat wasted sax, ‘Body Shaker’ a convolutedly starting chopping and changing 117-113-114-115-114-117-112bpm semi-rapper, ‘Piece Of The Rock’ an insubstantial falsetto 116-118bpm chugger and ‘Wanna Be Your Man’ a soulful lurching 114-116bpm swayer.
FLAKES: ‘Flakes Rap’ (LP ‘Flakes’ US Salsoul SA 8540).
Trite jiggly ticking 118bpm rapper keeps on about “sugar frosted man”, ‘No One (Can Love You Like I Do)‘ being a bright and breezy lickety-spit little 121-122bpm smacker, but nothing here is essential.
COUNT COOLOUT: ‘Rhythm Rap Rock’ (US WMOT 4W8 01058).
Acappella chant introed but otherwise pretty typical 115bpm 12in rapper with bits of it rapped tongue-twistingly fast and a backing-track B-side.
VIN-ZEE: ‘Funky Bebop’ (Belgian Spice 7 81.1.16).
Pleasant enough largely instrumental basic bumping 118bpm 12in ‘Good Times’ groove with chattering voices and vocoder effects.
JIMMY ROSS: ‘First True Love Affair’ (Belgian Spice 7 81.1.15).
Similar but less interesting 118bpm 12in ‘Another One Bites The Dust’-ish rhythm plodder with phonetic vocals and maddeningly familiar bass synth intro.
VARIOUS: ‘Manhattan No.2’ (US Disco Sample SPL 5220).
“Party time is anytime and anytime is party time”-started murkily pressed 12in disco mixer sounds rather flat and competently if unexcitedly runs from 113bpm through various rapper rhythms to end with ‘Underwater’ at a dodgy 125bpm.
UK Disco Top 90 – April 25, 1981
01 01 It’s A Love Thing – Whispers – Solar 12”
02 02 Linx – Intuition – Chrysalis 12”
03 07 Light Of The World – Time (Remix) / I’m So Happy – Mercury 12”
04 03 Sharon Redd – Can You Handle It – Epic 12”
05 04 Freeez – Southern Freeez / Version – Beggars Banquet 12”
06 05 Kleeer – Get Tough / De Kleeer Ting – US Atlantic LP
07 06 Jacksons – Can You Feel It – Epic 12”
08 10 Freeez – Flying High / Remix – Beggars Banquet 12”
09 09 Heatwave – Jitterbuggin’ / Wack That Axe – GTO 12”
10 11 Shalamar – Make That Move – Solar 12”
11 08 Beggar & Co – (Somebody) Help Me Out – Ensign 12”
12 15 Level 42 – Love Games – Polydor 12”
13 12 Alphonze Mouzon – By All Means / Do I Have To? – Excaliber 12”
14 19 Gap Band – Humpin’ – Mercury 12”
15 17 Webster Lewis – Let Me Be The One – US Epic LP
16 21 Quincy Jones – Razzamatazz / The Dude / Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me / Turn On The Action / Somethin’ Special – A&M LP
17 18 Leprechaun – Loc-It-Up – Excaliber 12”
18 24 Carol Jiani – Nit ‘N’ Run Lover – Champagne 12”
19 13 Firefly – Love (Is Gonna Be On Your Side) – Excaliber 12”
20 14 Sister Sledge – All American Girls – Atlantic 12”
21 25 Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going – RCA 12”
22 16 Kool & The Gang – Jones Vs Jones – De-Lite 12”
23 29 Quincy Jones – Ai No Corrida / Stuff Like That – A&M 12”
24 27 Stevie Wonder – Lately – Motown
25 30 Landscape – Einstein A Go-Go – RCA 12”
26 39 Incognito – Shine On / Sunburn / Interference / Chase The Clouds Away / Wake Up In The City / Walking On Wheels / Incognito – Ensign LP
27 26 Strikers – Body Music – US Prelude 12”
28 36 Spandau Ballet – Glow / Muscle Bound – Reformation 12”
29 20 Bernard Wright – Just Chillin’ Out / Bread Sandwiches / Firebolt Hustle / Master Rocker – US Arista GRP LP
30 41 Dave Pike – Swan Lake / Spirit’s Samba – US Muse LP
31 28 Shakatak – Living In The UK – Polydor 12”
32 37 Jerry Knight – Perfect Fit – A&M/US LP
33 35 Scratsch Band – Your Place Or Mine? (Instrumental) – Groove/EMI 12”
34 40 Funk Masters / Powerline / Inversions – Love Money / Double Journey / Mr Mack (Remixes) – Champagne LP
35 48 Jeff Lorber Fusion – Spur Of The Moment / Monster Man / Magic Lady – Arista 12”
36 23 Harry Thumann – Underwater – Decca 12”
37 33 Mystic Touch – Get Yourself Together – Champagne 12”
38 32 Dynasty – Groove Control – Solar 12”
39 31 Ray Carless – Tarantula Walk – Ensign 12”
40 57 Eddy Grant – Can’t Get Enough Of You / Time Warp – Ensign 12”
41 22 K.I.D. – Don’t Stop – Groove/EMI 12”
42 34 Lakeside – Fantastic Voyage – Solar 12”
43 42 Unlimited Touch – Searching To Find The One / Carry On / Happy Ever After – US Prelude LP
44 43 Mel Sheppard – Can I Take You Home / I Love Making Love To You – US TSOB 12”
45 54 Revelation – Feel It – Handshake 12”
46 66 Rick James – Give It To Me Baby / Ghetto Life / Make Love To Me / Call Me Up – Motown/US Gordy LP
47 64 Raydio – Still In The Groove / A Woman Needs Love / It’s Your Night / You Can’t Fight What You Feel / So Into You – Arista LP
48 46 Fuse One – Grand Prix / Double Steal – CTI 12”
49 47 Champaign – How ‘Bout Us – CBS/ US 12” promo
50 38 Free Expression – Chill-Out! – Vanguard 12”
51 45 Marvin Gaye – Praise / Funk Me – Motown 12”
52 44 Isley Brothers – Tonight Is The Night / Who Said? – Epic/LP
53 62 Benny Golson / Johnny Harris – The New Killer Joe (Rap) / Odyssey – CBS LP
54 86 Imagination – Body Talk / Instrumental – R&B 12”
55 53 Whispers – Imagination / I Can Make It Better / Continental Shuffle – Solar LP
56 85 The Quick – Zulu – Epic 12” promo
57 51 Second Image – Dance Dance Dance / The Jazzy Dancer – Polydor 12”
58 59 Sun – Jammin’ In Brazil / Reaction Satisfaction / Guiding Light / On My Radio – US Capitol LP
59 49 Starsound – Stars On 45 – CBS 12”
60 50 Adrian Baker – High Time – Polo 12”
61 82 Various (Enigma) – Ain’t No Stopping – Disco Mix 1981 – Skratch 12”
62 56 Various – Bits & Pieces III – Canadian Special Disco Mixer 12”
63 72 Chi-Lites – Have You Seen Her? – 20th Century-Fox 12”
64 83 Teddy Pendergrass – The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me / Love T.K.O. – Phil Int 12” promo
65 NE Thelma Houston – If You Feel It – US RCA 12”
66 NE Harvey Mason – How Does It Feel / On And On / We Can Start Tonight / Going Through The Motions / Spell / Don’t Doubt My Lovin’ – Arista LP
67 67 Sylvia Striplin – Give Me Your Love – Champagne 12”
68 81 Passage – Power / I See The Light – A&M LP
69 79 Rufus – Tonight We Love / Party ‘Til You’re Broke – MCA 12”
70 NE Aurra – Nasty Disposition / Keep Doin’ It / Party Time – US Salsoul LP
71 63 Jerome – It’s Mine And You Don’t Own It – DJM 12”
72 NE Burundi Black – Burundi Black – Barclay 12”
73 78 Bill Summers – Call It What You Want / Jammin’ – MCA 12”
74 55 Manu Dibango – Goro City / Happy Feeling – Island 12”
75 NE Jay Hoggard – Reverend Libra – US Contemporary LP
76 71 Atlantic Starr – When Love Calls – US A&M/LP
77 76 Sister Sledge – If You Really Want Me – Atlantic LP
78 65 Gene Dunlap – It’s Just The Way I Feel / Love Dancin’ – Capitol 12”
79 70 General Caine II – L.R.J. Pop / Shake / Jungle Music / Get Down Attack – US Groove Time LP
80 73 One Way – I Didn’t Mean To Break Your Heart / Push – US MCA LP
81 75 Jason Black – I’m Walking Alone – Beggars Banquet
82 68 Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday – Motown LP
83 84 Harris Simon Group – Wind Chant – Japanese Overseas LP
84 NE Jack McDuff – Nasty / Say Sumpin’ Nice / Kisses / Primavera – US Sugarhill LP
85 77 Blackbyrds – Don’t Know What To Say / Rock Creek Park – Fantasy 12”
86 74 Frankie Valli – Soul – MCA 12”
87 60 Spectrum – Taking It To The Top – Smokey 12”
88 69 Arni Egilsson – Howduz Disco? – US Inner City LP
89 RE Eastside Connection – You’re So Right For Me – US Rampart LP
90 48 Jeff Lorber Fusion – Galaxian / Bright Sky – US Arista LP
BREAKERS
BUBBLING UNDER the UK Disco 90 with increased support are:
Mantra: ‘Doin’ It To The Bone’ (US Casablanca LP/12in promo)
Diana Ross: ‘One More Chance’ (Motown)
Congress: ‘That’s Jazz’ (Congress Prods 12in)
Nobuo Yagi: ‘Mi Mi Africa’ (Japanese Invitation LP)
Isley Brothers: ‘Young Girls’ / ‘Hurry Up And Wait’ / ‘Party Night’ (Epic LP)
ConFunkShun: ‘Lady’s Wild’ (US Mercury 12in promo)
Parliament: ‘Crush It’ (US Casablanca LP/12in promo)
Victor Feldman: ‘Skippin’ / ‘In My Pocket’ (US Cohearent Sound LP)
Coati Mundi: ‘Que Pasa/Me No Pop I’ (US Antilles 12in)
Starpoint: ‘I Just Want To Be Your Lover’ / ‘Keep On It’ (US Chocolate City LP)
Tata Vega: ‘Love Your Neighbor’ (Motown 12in)
Rah Band: ‘Downside Up’ (DJM 12in)
Esther Williams: ‘I’ll Be Your Pleasure’ (US RCA 12in)
Bert Ligon: ‘Saturday’ / ‘The Unicorn’ / ‘Gypsy’ (US Inner City LP)
Bobby Thurston: ‘Is Something Wrong With You’ / ‘Main Attraction’ / ‘Very Last Drop’ (US Prelude LP)
Claudia Fontaine: ‘Natural High’ (JB 12in)
Aurra: ‘Are You Single’ (US Salsoul 12in)
The Clash: ‘The Magnificent Dance’ (CBS 12in promo)
Hot Cuisine: ‘Who’s Been Kissing You’ (Kaleidoscope 12in)
Champaign: ‘Can You Find The Time’ / ‘Whiplash’ (US Columbia LP)
David Bendeth: ‘Just De Mix (Feel The Real Again)’ (Ensign 12in promo)
Fantasy: ‘(Hey Who’s Gotta Funky Song’ / ‘Too Much Too Soon’ (US Pavilion LP)
Heath Bros: ‘Dreamin’ / ‘Use It (Don’t Abuse It)’ (US Columbia LP)
Dayton: ‘Cutie Pie’ / ‘Body Shaker’ / ‘Piece Of The Rock’ (US Liberty LP)
Bar-Kays: ‘Body Fever’ (US Mercury 12in promo)
Aretha Franklin: ‘I Can’t Turn You Loose’ / ‘United Together’ (Arista 12in)
Candido: ‘Jingo’ (Salsoul LP)
Ronnie Jones: ‘Video Games’ (US Polydor 12in)
Prince Charles: ‘In The Streets’ / ‘Tight Jeans’ (US Solid Platinum LP)
Empress: ‘Dyin’ To Be Dancing’ (US Prelude 12in)
Heaven & Earth: ‘Kick It Out’ / ‘I Really Love You’ (US WMOT LP)
Don Grusin: ‘Nice Going’ / ‘Number Eight’ (Japanese JVC LP)
Dayton: ‘Eyes On You’ (US UA LP)
Eugene Paul: ‘Children Go To School’ (Ensign 12in)
Vera: ‘Take Me To The Bridge’ (Canadian Rio 12in)
Pleasure: ‘Glide’ (US Fantasy 12in promo)
Various: ‘Manhattan No.1’ (US Disco Sample 12in)
Intersect: ‘Pipe Dreams’ (RSR 12in)
Atmosfear: ‘Free Tonight’ / ‘Interplay’ (LP promo)
Lime: ‘Your Love’ (US Prism 12in)
DORC (Disco Featured Pop Hits)
1(1) Shakin’ Stevens, 2(4) Kim Wilde, 3(3) Adam ‘Kings’, 4(8) Bucks Fizz, 5(6) Visage, 6(2) Roxy Music, 7(14) Nolans, 8(11) Liquid Gold, 9(7) Coast To Coast, 10(5) Adam ‘Antmusic’, 11(10) Kiki Dee, 12(15) Duran Duran, 13(6) Ennio Morricone, 14(19) Toyah, 15(18) Teardrop Explodes, 16(9) Talking Heads, 17(23) Dave Stewart, 18(12) Kelly Marie, 19(-) B-Movie, 20(-) Hazel O’Connor, 21(-) Keith Marshall, 22(17) Phil Collins, 23(25) Who, 24(13) Ultravox ‘Vienna’, 25(-) Bad Manners, 26(20) Rainbow, 27(27) Polecats, 28(-) Lene Lovich, 29(22) Philip Lynott, 30(30) Dire Straits.
HIT NUMBERS
Beats per minute for last week’s pop chart entries on 7in are:
Saxon 132-130f, Star Sound 124f, The Beat ‘Drowning’ 70f / ‘All Out To Get You’ 148c, UK Subs 177f, Freeez 0-132-131-134f, Level 42 106f, Roger Taylor 116/58f, The Exploited 211r, B-Movie 167(intro)-164f, Honey Bane 0-73/145-71/142f, Elvis Presley 36r, Small Ads 114-115f, Bauhaus 123f.
DJ TOP TEN
CHRIS BRITTON (Watford Baileys) has a great party-time mix-master cum top ten which with vari-speed decks synchs perfectly or else can be chopped almost as neatly.
1. Bits & Pieces III – Original Artists – Disco Mixer 12in out of ‘Jimmy Mack’ into
2. Supremes Medley – Supremes – Motown 12in from ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ to ‘Baby Love’ into
3. My Boy Lollipop – Millie, Island
4. The Loco-motion – Little Eva, London
5. Sweet Talkin’ Guy – Chiffons, London
6. Da Doo Ron Ron – Crystals, Spector
7. Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker, London
8. This Ole House – Shakin’ Stevens, Epic
9. The Hucklebuck – Coast to Coast, Polydor
10. Sideboard Song – Chas & Dave, EMI
However, I think Bucks Fizz would right now make a better No. 10!
ELECTRO-DISCO
Here’s the latest instalment in an occasional series of charts compiled from futurist disco returns, — sorry it’s not a weekly chart, but it does take a long time to put together on top of all the other work that goes into this page. Besides, as I’ve already said, it’s probably a good thing not to print it every week as otherwise it would be followed lavishly by DJs who ought to be experimenting with a wide range of material. Also, the main people it benefits appear to be Rush Release, and they can darn well wait on tenterhooks from instalment to instalment! As for the range of material, some of the oldies that have been cropping up in futurist charts include Christina ‘Disco Clone’ (Ze 12in), B-52s ‘Rock Lobster / ‘Planet Claire’ (Island), War ‘Living In The Streets’ (MCA 12in), Eric Burdon & War ‘Spill The Wine’ (Polydor), Harry J All Stars ‘The Liquidator’ (Trojan 12in), Dillinger ‘Cocaine In My Brain’ (Black Swan 12in), Ralph McDonald ‘The Path Pts 2-3’ (TK LP), James Brown ‘Sex Machine’ / ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ (Polydor), Vicki Anderson ‘Super Good’ (Mojo), Parliament ‘Tear The Roof Off The Sucker’ (Casablanca), Slave ‘Stellar Funk’ / ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ (Oasis 12in), and of course Donna Summer ‘I Feel Love’ (US Casablanca 12in). Kevin Wilson reports from Kingstanding that next month on, Fashion club will start featuring local futurist and funk bands, saying “All we can do is provide a hall, audience and opportunity, but this is an area that can only speed up the eventual marriage of white and black dance music.” Er, hasn’t there been a marriage already, then? Dave Thomas will be doing a futurist disco this Friday (24) at Shrewsbury Tiffanys Crystal Goblet with prizes for stylish lookers and Brighton’s Inn Place under the Alhambra now has futurist Fridays. Well, ‘Burundi Black’ has broken through in the regular discos but when are DJs going to discover what they’re missing by not trying ‘Memorabilia’ (especially the break) and ‘Planet Earth (Night Version)’? Not even the Scottish jocks are on ’em!
01 06 Glow / Muscle Bound – Spandau Ballet – Reformation 12in
02 03 Planet Earth (Night Version) / Late Bar – Duran Duran – EMI 12in
03 02 Einstein A Go-Go / Japan – Landscape – RCA 12in
04 01 Mind Of A Toy / We Move / Frequency 7 – Visage – Polydor 12in
05 25 Memorabilia – Soft Cell – Some Bizzare 12in
06 04 Angel Face / R.E.R.B. – Shock – RCA 12in
07 15 (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang – Heaven 17 – BEF 12in
08 13 Dreaming Of Me / Ice Machine – Depeche Mode – Mute
09 10 I Travel / Celebrate / Changeling – Simple Minds – Arista 12in
10 27 Kick In The Eye – Bauhaus – Beggars Banquet 12in
11 08 Guilty / The Robots Dance – Classix Nouveaux – Liberty 12in
12 05 Once In A Lifetime – Talking Heads – Sire 12in
13 18 Remembrance Day – B-Movie – Deram 12in
14 NE Burundi Black – Burundi Black – Barclay 12in
15 09 Fuel To The Fire / Debris – Music For Pleasure – Rage
16 12 Reward – Teardrop Explodes – Vertigo
17 40 The Jezebel Spirit / Moonlight In Glory – Brian Eno / David Byrne – EG LP
18 11 Reformation / Mandolin / Age Of Blows / Confused / Toys – Spandau Ballet – Reformation LP
19 NE Tonight / Fever / La Rocca – Modern Romance – WEA 12in
20 24 The Model – Kraftwerk – Capitol 12in
21 14 Tar / Moon Over Moscow / Blocks On Blocks / Visage / Visa-ge / Malpaso Man – Visage – Polydor LP
22 NE Quiet Men / Slow Motion – Ultravox – Island
23 16 Vienna / Passionate Reply – Ultravox – Chrysalis 12in
24 26 Crow And A Baby / Being Boiled / The Black Hit Of Space / Only After Dark / Gordon’s Gin – Human League – Virgin LP
25 NE Chase – Giorgio Moroder – Casablanca 12in
26 NE No G.D.M. – Gina X Performance – EMI 12in
27 NE It’s A Mystery – Toyah – Safari EP
28 37 Shack Up – A Certain Ratio – Factory 12in
29 NE Tender Force / Robbots – Space – PRT 12in
30 17 Beginning Of The Heartbreak / Don’t Don’t – Love Of Life Orchestra – Beggars Banquet 12in
31 NE Up The Hill Backwards – David Bowie – RCA
32 21 Life In Tokyo – Japan – Ariola Hansa 12in
33 NE European Man – Landscape – RCA 12in
34 NE Magic Fly – Space – Pye
35 NE Coming To Get You – Tokalon – Athena
36 NE Que Pasa/Me No Pop I – Coati Mundi – US Antilles 12in
37 38 Underwater – Harry Thumann – Decca 12in
38 NE Is Vic There? – Department S – Demon
39 NE Beat The Clock – Sparks – Virgin 12in
40 NE Make Room – Fad Gadget – Mute
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