ODDS ‘N’ BODS
RCA RECORDS may have lost Solar despite all the hits they gave it (even more than in the States), but to compensate they’ve gone and got the UK rights as of October 1st to – are you ready for a shock? – MOTOWN! . . . Beggar & Co are also signed now direct to RCA and, with Spandau Ballet returning support, soon release ‘Mule (Chant No.2)‘ – it sounds strong and mixes superbly out of Rick James . . . Arista start a major autumn jazz-funk-soul campaign next week with a 3 track 12in (ARIST 12430) featuring Spaces ‘Song For Jeremy’ / Dave Valentin ‘Pied Piper’ / Harvey Mason ‘Spell’, while due this week on 12in are One Way ‘Push’, Bill Summers ‘Summer Fun’, Robert Winters ‘Magic Man’ . . . Keith Diamond Band ‘The Dip‘ isn’t dueted by Chaka Khan but by soundalike Toni Smith, who also sang on ‘Funkin’ For Jamaica’ . . . Donald Byrd’s newie was produced by Isaac Hayes . . . Herb Alpert’s typical slow 48/96-0bpm ‘This One’s For Me’ from his new album has been circulated on promo 12in, packaged like his concurrent official release in clear polythene . . . US dollars are doing so well in the exchange rates that imports are now costing record shops almost as much as they’ve previously been selling them for, an untenable situation which means prices are sadly shooting up – however, despite stories elsewhere of £6.25 albums, Soho’s Groove by stopping their discount and making the minimum per sale are still managing to do LPs at £5.50, 12in £3.25 . . . Barry Brown of Barry’s Disco Centre, 56/58 Barton Street, Gloucester (0452-421126), runs another equipment exhibition on Sunday 18th October, Discomart ’81 at Gloucester Leisure Centre’s Cambridge Suite with much more stand space (at reasonable rates) and the promise of punters from the Mid West, Welsh Borders and South Midlands . . . BADEM’s Discotek ’81 on September 13-16 at London’s Bloomsbury Centre Hotel still has some space available on the exhibition “fringe”, details Derek Power on Caterham 48471 . . . Tony Jenkins, now doing London’s Playboy Club on Sun/Mon/Wednesdays and Denham Country Club on Tuesdays (Sats too till end Aug), has formed a new Main Event company (including a record label) which promotes one-off jazz-funk specials at luxury venues, all featuring dance groups and star appearances as well as the best in black music, and in typical style his next event at a secret location on 5th September has already sold out with no advertising other than word of mouth – the aim being to keep out wallys . . . Stuart Hamilton at Liverpool’s Coconut Grove (“Merseyside’s most exclusive disco”) this Monday starts a ‘Fantasy Island Fun Night’ based on the TV series, at which he intends arriving by horse! . . . Whitehaven’s Whitehouse, a cool oasis in the farthest reaches of Cumbria, has installed a big video system (including cameras) and could now do with promo material – pluggers contact Phil Haslehurst on Whitehaven 2215 . . . Terry Hooper’s Reflections club in Stratford (East London) has indeed now finally opened . . . Wallaby’s should soon be moving from Sutton to Staines, according to resident jock Anthony Barnacle’s brother Chris . . . Clive Clarke won Watford Bailey’s Trust House Forte/Honda-sponsored freestyle disco dancing final . . . Botley’s Blades near Oxford is advertised as playing Jazz Junk on Tuesdays – maybe that’s why Tony Hodges quit the gig! . . . Julian Wood (Oxford Belfry Hotel) sent in the newspaper clipping . . . Frenchie (Blackpool JR’s) raves about the Fania All-Stars ‘Going Back To My Roots‘ while Kev Hill (Basildon Sweeneys) says the similarly Latin/Salsa-style Mongo Santamaria ‘The Promised Land‘ is worth finding – the B-side of 1975’s Lady Marmalade’ on US Vaya . . . Salsa unfortunately seems to be becoming the latest fad for jaded sensation seeking posers, the sure kiss of death . . . Funkapolitan, as it’s difficult not to notice, also appear to be the posing set’s latest flavour of the month . . . Mayfair Gullivers Graham Gold looks so athletic in singlet and shorts that he only need grow a moustache to be mistaken for one of the Boys Town Gang! . . . I eavesdropped from over the road in my favourite watering hole, L’Escargot, on the loudspeaker outside Soho’s Le Beat Route to young Alan Coulthard’s slick mixing, and it must be said the kid is good – Rudi G had better look to his laurels! . . . phew, wot a scorcher: last week was certainly well timed for me to grab three sun drenched days in Somerset and Dorset . . . KEEP IT COOL!
JOE COCKER: Sheffield’s own, poses with Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper of the Crusaders, for it is indeed he who sings on the jazz group’s latest 7in slowie, ‘I’m Standing Here Today‘. The Crusaders appear along with BB King and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Royal Festival for five nights early next month. With friends like these, who needs a little help?
A POEM
PAUL MAJOR, resident jock at Great Yarmouth’s Tiffany’s, while musing in an English Churchyard suddenly beheld a sea of gold nightingales and felt inspired to commit his feelings on being a disc-jockey to verse . . . blank verse, at that, appropriately. Look on his works, ye mighty, and despair! Paul’s ode is entitled ‘DJ’.
Something different.
Something similar, but not the same.
Many moods.
Many faces.
Different times, different places.
Fashionable, but anti-fashion.
Free, but not free.
Tied in bondage.
By music and passion.
Love of plastic.
Vinyl worship.
Longs for attention.
Another member of the league.
No distraction, no rejection.
Happy, perhaps mad.
Depressed, perhaps sad.
Always different.
A mood to match a face.
No member of the rat race.
A forever search.
Maybe found.
A dream, a memory, a face in the crowd.
I am what I am.
Remember me this way.
I am your DJ.
Hmm, personally, I’ve got different ways on different days and different sights on different nights.
The real beat, my feet under the seat, and I’m smelling sweet!
Paul narrowly misses winning a subscription to the Poetry Circle’s Yearbook. Further poems are not invited.
UK NEWIES
RICHARD ‘DIMPLES’ FIELDS: ‘I Like Your Loving’ (Epic EPC A1554).
Simply sensational smash-sound lazily jogging 100bpm swayer, sadly only on 7in (so far), sweetly scattered with an ultra-catchy “oooh, shu du du bup ba ba” hookline that’s been packing dancefloors for ages on import. If the summer weather holds there should now be no stopping it.
LINX: ‘So This Is Romance’ (Chrysalis CHS 12-2546).
Now about on white label, this unhurriedly bounding gradually building jaunty 117bpm 12in loper has neat lyrics and nice noises, the latter being brought out more on the instrumental flip (subtitled ‘The Rio Mix’), all of it with the now recognisable stamp of Linx’s usual quality.
CHRIS RAINBOW: ‘Body Music’ (EMI 12EMI 5215).
Forget that Chris has previously been associated with ultrabrite pure pop, this gorgeous lushly atmospheric 103/51-0bpm 12in sleazy slinker has superb muted trumpet and quietly doodling sax (surely digitally recorded to be so delicately clear?), vari-mixing like a dream out of ‘Rise’ before the ever so slightly Bee Gee-ish vocals begin (for which he can be forgiven). Hear it!
I was late again this week, so you can’t have all the UK Newies until next week. Sorry.
IMPORTS
KENI BURKE: ‘You’re The Best’ (US RCA PD-12292).
Slightly strange rhythmically like his recent hit, this dramatic bass synth rumbled sprightly 123-122bpm smacking skipper has had a dynamite 12in remix making it even more powerful, while the jiggly tripping 123bpm chix-sung ‘Night Riders‘ flip has been toughened up too, losing its sound effects intro in the process.
ARETHA FRANKLIN: ‘Hold On I’m Comin’ (LP ‘Love All The Hurt Away’ US Arista AL 9552).
The High Priestess returns with a set that’s really worthy of her, and as before the major dance track is a soul classic revived, a dramatically introed romping and stomping, roaring and soaring zest-filled 121bpm up-date of Sam & Dave’s stormer. Other cuts may surface (for subsequent review when I’ve more time), the title track being a dreamy dead slow 31-32½bpm duet with George Benson, due here next week on 12in.
HERBIE HANCOCK: ‘Magic Number’ (US Columbia 44-02461).
Reviewed last week off promo-only 12in with the same song both sides, Herbie’s heavy funk ‘Everybody Broke‘ is now on commercial 12in and – but of course! – it’s the B-side that’s already actually hotter here. Another heavy funk bumper but sparser and faster at a steady ponderous 107bpm, this switches into some terrific Latin piano and a percussion section which should appease the jazz jocks.
JUSTO ALMARIO: ‘Sho’ You Right’ (LP ‘Interlude’ US Uno Melodic UM-0003).
Roy Ayers-prod/penned strong soprano sax squealed rambling long 122-124-125bpm jazz-funk instrumental with burbling squidgy bass, steady clapping beat, tenor sax taking over after a while, and the occasional vocal stab, excellent of its type and although originally only on limited initial import now about in wider circulation. Other tracks are straight jazz.
THE JONESES: ‘Summer Groove’ (US Good 77733).
Cheerful jiggly 125-128-127-128bpm 12in clapper with bursts of soul vocal group harmony, slick strings and brass over the insistent rhythm jitter (good with Wish) plus the intro sound effects of kids playing in the streets, a stereo elevated railway and some surf halfway, the longer ‘(Moving-On)’ flip being slightly slower at 124-126-127-126-127bpm.
THE GENIES: ‘Twistin’ Pneumonia’ (US Q Records Q2002).
A real out of left field oddball but my own favourite record of the year so far, this unbelievably is a superb genuine 1960 rhythm & blues doo-wop vocal group swinger with a modern 127bpm beat added on 12in to make a steady smack that occasionally continues as short rhythm breaks. Listen to the terrific truly soulful voices and bluesy guitar to understand why I sometimes can’t get as excited about most of today’s noises — mind you, you’ve got to be getting on a bit to have acquired a taste for this sort of sound! Veteran soul fans mustn’t miss it.
THE BOBBETTES — 1981: ‘Love Rhythm’ (US QIT BC652).
Synth wheezled clippety clopping 109bpm 12in swayer with a beefy brass break and instrumental flip, souled presumably by one of the original ’50s girlie group members now with younger support chix, while many of the production credits seem to hark back to the past too (is that Donald Height handling the mix?).
ERIC MERCURY: ‘Gimme A Call Sometime’ LP (US Capitol ST-12166).
Smoothly thudding classy 115-116bpm subduedly purposeful title track bumper hoarsely souled between long stretches of understated basic beat, played by several jazzy names, the 124bpm ‘You Feel Like Mine’ being another Change ‘Searching’ clone and 36bpm ‘It’s Just Like Love’, a nice smoocher.
FUNKADELIC: ‘Electro-Cuties’ (LP ‘The Electric Spanking Of War Babies’ (US Warner Bros BSK 3482).
Somewhat disappointing P’funk jumble (though no more so than usual, really), only this rolling hi-hat driven 111bpm ticker having any bite, with “sockit to me” chanting and acid guitar.
RITA LEE & ROBERTO: ‘Lanca Perfume’ (US Pavilion 4Z9 02453).
Portuguese sung pleasant datedly Sergio Mendes-like lushly Latin 127-129-130bpm 12in clopper with a steady swing and infuriatingly familiar lilt.
ICE CREAM GODS: ‘Mambo Life’ (US Zoz ZOZ-01).
Kid Creole-inspired ponderous 103bpm 12in slinker owes nothing to real mambo rhythm, but has Spanish chattering chix in a sound effects enhanced central section and probably will appeal to posers.
LOU CHRISTIE: ‘Guardian Angel’ (US Plateau STM 101).
Subway sound effects introed, plodding 110bpm 12in rapper with chanting chix about an avenging vigilante figure stalking the city streets.
JIMMY ROSS: ‘First True Love Affair’ (Canadian Quality / RFC QRFC 002).
Originally on Spice 7 from Belgium but now remixed by Larry Levan, this synth boomed plodding ‘Good Times’-like 118bpm 12in jolter will soon be out here in yet another mix.
OTHER IMPORT releases include sets from Tavares, Spyro Gyra, Woods Empire, SOS Band, Temptations, Rockie Robbins, Cousin Ice, Kinesis, Bobby Bland, Tommy Tate, Powder Blues, Sheree Brown, Inner Life, and — reviewed months ago — Ebonee Web.
UK Disco Top 90 – August 22, 1981
01 01 Spandau Ballet – Chant No.1 / Feel The Chant – Reformation 12”
02 02 Evelyn King – I’m In Love – RCA 12”
03 04 Carl Carlton – She’s A Bad Mama Jama – 20th Century-Fox 12”
04 03 Modern Romance – Everybody Salsa/Salsa Rappsody – WEA 12”
05 05 Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots – RCA 12”
06 07 Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday – Motown 12”
07 06 BB&Q Band – On The Beat – Capitol 12”
08 12 Tight Fit – Back To The 60’s – Jive 12”
09 22 Central Line – Walking Into Sunshine – Mercury 12”
10 08 Third World – Dancing On The Floor – CBS 12”
11 10 Jacksons – Walk Right Now – Epic 12”
12 11 Imagination – Body Talk – R&B 12”
13 09 Quincy Jones – Razzamatazz – A&M 12”
14 21 Cheryl Lynn – Shake It Up Tonight – CBS 12”
15 13 Starsound – Stars On 45 Volume 2 – CBS 12”
16 18 Hi-Gloss – You’ll Never Know / I’m Totally Yours – Epic 12”
17 16 Commodores – Lady (You Bring Me Up) – Motown 12”
18 14 Thelma Houston – If You Feel It – RCA 12”
19 17 Rick James – Give It To Me Baby / Ghetto Life / Super Freak – Motown LP/12”
20 23 Teena Marie – Square Biz / Instrumental – Motown 12”
21 15 Gino Soccio – Try It Out – Atlantic 12”
22 19 Tom Tom Club – Wordy Rappinghood – Island 12”
23 35 Level 42 – Turn It On / Beezer One – Polydor 12”
24 20 Abba – Lay All Your Love On Me – Epic 12”
25 26 Black Slate – Live A Life / Reggae Feeling – Ensign 12”
26 24 Morrissey Mullen – Do Like You / Badness – Beggars Banquet 12”
27 28 Voggue – Dancin’ The Night Away – Mercury 12”
28 30 Eddy Grant – I Love You Yes I Love You – Ensign 12”
29 47 Rafael Cameron – Funtown USA / All That’s Good To Me – Salsoul 12”
30 32 Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields – I Like Your Lovin’ / She’s Got Papers On Me – US Boardwalk LP
31 44 Roy Ayers – There’s A Master Plan / Destination Motherland / The River Niger / Land Of Fruit And Honey / Africa Center Of The World – Polydor LP
32 29 Raydio – Still In The Groove / A Woman Needs Love / So Into You – Arista 12”
33 40 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Hooked On Classics – RCA 12”
34 31 Cayenne – Roberto Who…? – Groove Production 12”
35 37 Shakatak – Brazilian Dawn – Polydor 12”
36 34 Strikers – Inch By Inch / Hold Onto The Feeling – US Prelude LP
37 38 Bobby Broom – Clean Sweep / Saturday Night – US Arista GRP LP
38 27 Coati Mundi – Que Pasa/Me No Pop I – Ze 12”
39 25 Grace Jones – Pull Up To The Bumper – Island 12”
40 80 Boys Town Gang – Remember Me/Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Suite / Cruisin’ The Streets – US Moby Dick LP
41 36 Evasions – Wikka Rap – Groove Production 12”
42 46 Lobo – The Caribbean Disco Show – Polydor 12”
43 56 Pig Bag – Papa’s Got A Brand New Pig Bag – Y
44 41 Evelyn King – If You Want My Lovin’ – RCA LP
45 33 Shalamar – Uptown Festival / Take That To The Bank – RCA Golden Grooves 12”
46 61 Love Unlimited Orchestra – Lift Your Voice And Say – Unlimited Gold 12”
47 57 Rene & Angela – Wall To Wall / I Love You More / Wanna Be Close To You – US Capitol LP
48 75 Rah Band – Rock Me Down To Rio / Riding On A Fantasy – DJM 12”
49 86 Funkapolitan – As The Time Goes By – London 12”
50 NE Al Jarreau – Easy / We’re In This Love Together / Closer To Your Love / Roof Garden / My Old Friend – Warner Bros LP
51 55 Candido – Jingo – Excaliber 12”
52 58 Dynasty – Here I Am – Solar 12”
53 85 Enigma – I Love Music – Creole 12”
54 39 Kool & The Gang – Take It To The Top / Celebremos – De-Lite 12”
55 60 Morrissey Mullen – Slipstream / Stay A While – Beggars Banquet LP
56 83 Phyllis Hyman – Tonight You And Me / You Sure Look Good To Me / Don’t Tell Me Tell Her – Arista 12”
57 45 Tantra – Hills Of Katmandu / Wishbone – Automatic 12”
58 51 Brick – Sweat (‘Til You Get Wet) – US Bang 12”
59 52 Hi-Tek – Car Tune – Original 12”
60 62 Brothers Johnson – The Real Thing – A&M 12”
61 76 Human League – Hard Times/Love Action – Virgin Red 12”
62 49 Bob Marley – No Woman No Cry / Jamming (Live) – Island 12”
63 64 Stephanie Mills – Top Of My List – 20th Century-Fox 12”
64 NE Impressions – Fan The Fire – 20th Century-Fox 12”
65 66 Unlimited Touch – Searching To Find The One – Epic 12”
66 53 Material – Bustin’ Out – Ze 12”
67 50 Wish – Nice And Soft – US Perspective 12”
68 70 Avonn – Everybody Get Down – US RBL 12”
69 90 Cameo – Freaky Dancin’ / Don’t Be So Cool / The Sound Table – Casablanca 12” pack
70 65 Frankie Smith – Double Dutch Bus / Instrumental – WMOT 12”
71 67 Yellowjackets – Sittin’ In It / The Hornet / Matinee Idol – US Warner Bros LP
72 79 Imagination – In And Out Of Love – R&B 12” white label
73 42 Sharon Redd – Can You Handle It (Remix) / You Got My Love – US Prelude 12”
74 71 Randy Crawford – Rainy Night In Georgia – Warner Bros
75 69 Spaces – Song For Jeremy / Try Some Of This – US Arista LP
76 54 Stacy Lattisaw – Feel My Love Tonight / Young Girl / Screamin’ Off The Top / Spotlight / Baby I Love You / Love On A Two Way Street – US Cotillion LP
77 82 Lee Oskar – Song For My Son – US Elektra LP
78 63 Sylvester – Give it Up (Don’t Make Me Wait) / Here Is My Love – Fantasy 12”
79 73 Woods Empire – Sweet Delight – US Tabu 12”
80 72 Suzy Q – Get On Up And Do It Again – Canadian JC 12”
81 88 Jean Carn – We Got Some Catchin’ Up To Do / Bet Your Lucky Star / Sweet And Wonderful – US TSOP LP
82 81 Love Unlimited Orchestra / Webster Lewis – Welcome Abroad / Night Life In The City – US Unlimited Gold LP
83 87 Was (Not Was) – Out Come The Freaks – Ze 12”
84 89 Maze – Joy And Pain / Changing Times / Feel That You’re Feelin’ / Running Away – Capitol LP
85 NE Startrax – Startrax Club Disco – Picksy 12”
86 NE Donald Byrd – Love Has Come Around – Elektra 12”
87 NE Vicki Sue Robinson – Hot Summer Night / Hot Version – US Prelude 12”
88 NE Inversions – Loco-Moto – Groove Production 12”
89 NE Dr. York – Shake-n-Skate – Dutch Jungle Jam 12”
90 NE Keith Diamond Band – The Dip – US Millennium 12”
BREAKERS
BUBBLING UNDER the UK Disco 90 with increased support are:
Quincy Jones: ‘Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me’ (A&M 12in)
Herb Alpert: ‘Magic Man’ / ‘Rise’ (A&M 12in)
Justo Almario: ‘Sho’ You Right’ (US Uno Melodic LP)
Supremes: ‘Supremes Medley’ (Motown 12in)
Rahmlee: ‘Think’ / ‘Heartbreaker’ (US Headfirst LP)
Roberta Flack: ‘Qual E Malindrinho’ (US MCA LP)
Bobby King: ‘Having A Party’ / ‘A Fool And His Love’ / ‘Heart To Heart’ / ‘Fool For The Night’ (US Warner Bros LP)
The Time: ‘The Stick’ / ‘Get It Up’ (US Warner Bros LP)
Linx: ‘So This Is Romance’ (Chrysalis 12in promo)
Herbie Hancock: ‘Magic Number’ / ‘Everybody’s Broke’ (US Columbia 12in)
Patti Austin: ‘Do You Love Me’ (Qwest 12in)
BB&Q Band: ‘Starlette’ (US Capitol LP)
Lamont Dozier: ‘Cool Me Out’ (CBS)
Nina Decosta: ‘Don’t Want To Lose You’ (Rokel 12in)
DORC (Disco Featured Pop Hits)
1(1) Depeche Mode A/B, 2(7) Duran Duran, 3(2) Bad Manners, 4(6) Soft Cell, 5(3) Shakin’ Stevens, 6(9) Gidea Park, 7(4) Specials, 8(11) Dept S, 9(16) Ultravox ‘Thin Wall’, 10(10) Debbie Harry, 11(5) Human League ‘Crowd’, 12(8) Visage, 13(13) Ultravox ‘All Stood Still’, 14(12) Kraftwerk B/A, 15(15) B-52’s, 16(14) B-Movie, 17(21) Our Daughter’s Wedding, 18(18) Kiki Dee A/B, 19(24) Eddie Maelov & Sunshine Patteson, 20(25) Icehouse, 21(17) Positive Noise A/B, 22(-) Siouxsie, 23(19) Passions, 24(-) Jah Wobble/Jaki Liebezeit/Holger Czukay ‘How Much Are They‘ (Island 12in), 25(-)Sheena Easton, 26(-) Gary ‘US’ Bonds ‘Jole Blon‘, 27(20) Eno/Byrne, 28(-) Dexy’s, 29(-) Grace Jones ‘Libertango’, 30(-) Aneka.
HIT NUMBERS
Beats Per Minute for last week’s pop chart entries on 7in (endings denoted by “f” for fade, “c” for cold, “r” for resonant) are:
Nolans 124f, Stevie Nicks 54-108/54f, Simple Minds 123f, Dollar 60/120f, Bow-Wow-Wow 132/264r, Modern Romance 124-123-124c, Central Line 112f, Bucks Fizz 0-49-99/49f.
James Hamilton's Disco Page 