February 1982 – James Hamilton's Disco Page

February 27, 1982: Smokey Robinson, Frankie Smith, Central Line, Sharon Brown, Kasso

ODDS ‘N’ BODS

IT TAKES a brave man to admit they wear a wig, and with these words — “Working as a DJ you can imagine how I felt when I started to go bald” — Steve Walsh appeared in a testimonial advertisement for Svenson hairweaving in London’s Standard last week (surely a first for this type of endorsement by a disco DJ?), which must have taken a lot of guts . . . Oh, do shut up, Rowdy! . . . Tony Jenkins special at the Embassy would in fact have been a lot better had owner Stephen Hayter allowed it to be run as intended — he didn’t even allow Shalamar to be interviewed, because microphones are a no-no in gay clubs . . . Steve Strange was there checking out the slim ties and slick suits . . . Ian Levine’s “hetero” Tuesdays at Charing Cross’s Heaven are a good opportunity to discover what a New York disco can be like . . . Rusty Egan, touting an acetate of Nona Hendryx doing T-Connection’s ‘Do What You Wanna Do‘, squeezed into Mayfair Gullivers Padded Cell, now bulging every Saturday with new romantics . . . South Harrow’s Bogarts is futurist every Tuesday with DJs Robert Brunwin, Neil & Derek . . . I’m starting my ’60s soul earlier in the evening on Tuesdays at Soho’s Le Beat Route, so there’s more time for nostalgic sounds before the Northern dancers get going . . . Marvin Howell (ex-Casablanca) has evidently picked up Goldie Alexander for his own new label through Phonogram . . . NY Skyy ‘Call Me’ is due next week on 3-track 12in as a new remix, with the original plus ‘Jam The Box’ . . . Tom Tom Club ‘Genius Of Love’ (huge for Phil Howell at Derby’s Bluenote) is in fact a remix in this current version . . . Phyllis Nelson sounds awfully like Viola Wills (and thereby hangs a tale!) . . . John Cecchini & Jon Williams will be giving away six rare framed picture discs and promise lotsa funky fun ‘n’ games on their Mersey river cruise next Tuesday (2), ticket details on 051-645 3818 . . . Steve Dennis (Edgbaston Faces) reports commercials voiced by Steve Walsh are never off the (h-)air on BRMB these days . . . David Lowe will be playing plenty of soul smoochers old and new every Tuesday in March on BBC Radio Medway between 6.45 – 8.00pm (290M / 96.7FM) . . . Richard Afton starts jocking nightly this week at London’s Rockafellas restaurant (just off Regent Street beside Samantha’s), from a new console hidden behind the Harley Davidson . . . Steve E Bane, well known around Bristol for yonks, is now resident at the Burgundy in Congresbury’s Cadbury Country Club . . . Stone ‘Time’ is a killer with “D” Train, and Search ‘Like The Way’ is indeed dynamite (as suspected) out of Kool ‘Ladies Night’ . . . Brixton’s Front Line got a good plug on ‘OTT’, which Alexei Sayle thankfully appears to be leaving — how did he ever get a reputation for being funny? . . . What’s the difference between Steve Walsh and ‘Airline’-s Jack Ruskin? — Ruskin actor Roy Marsden wears a toupee, Walsh had a weave . . . OVER AND OUT.

GREG WILSON must have a head for heights to jock in the frog-shaped DJ booth 15 feet up above the floor at Wigan Pier (shades of Thank God It’s Friday’?). Sunday 21st March he’ll host an alldayer with Colin Curtis, Graham Carn, Pete Girtley, Ralph Randall and — specially imported from the South — the one DJ for whom the Pier’s decor was obviously designed, Froggy!

UK NEWIES

SMOKEY ROBINSON: ‘Tell Me Tomorrow’ (Motown TMGT 1255).
Gorgeous tremulously wailed bittersweet busily jogging 107-106-105bpm swayer with lovely piano towards the end, on 3-track 12in for stupendous value with not only last year’s smash 54/108-109-110-111bpm ‘Being With You’ but also its usefully Spanish-sung 54/107-108-109-110bpm ‘Aqui Con Tigo’ version.

FRANKIE SMITH: ‘Double Dutch Bus’ (WMOT VS 48512, via Virgin).
Finally for the first time since US release in autumn 1980 both original sides are now back-to-back here, this million-selling ultra-catchy jauntily jumping 119-120bpm 12in rapper (great out of ‘Fungi Mama’) and the initially hotter (here) 118-120-119bpm ‘Double Dutch‘ with chaps ‘n’ chix swapping childish playground taunts and dares.

CENTRAL LINE: ‘Don’t Tell Me (USA Remix)’ (Mercury MERX 90).
Larry Levan’s much called out, lengthened and changed 111-114-113-112-113-114-113-112-113-114bpm remix does nothing to add pop appeal or make the song stronger, although mixing DJs will find it’s terrific between Hall & Oates and Vicky “D”, but it is on 3-track 12in with Larry’s old remix of ‘Walking Into Sunshine’, and ‘Shake It Up’. Continue reading “February 27, 1982: Smokey Robinson, Frankie Smith, Central Line, Sharon Brown, Kasso”

February 20, 1982: Vicky “D”, Kool & The Gang, Star Sound, Michael Wycoff, Roy Ayers

ODDS ‘N’ BODS

ORIN COZIER has unexpectedly been made redundant by Arista, who evidently “don’t think black music has a place in the market at the moment, and are consequently closing down the department” — where will the Ladies Man go next? . . . Mick Clare at Virgin has picked up Vicki “D” and the P-Funk All Stars, the latter turning out to include George Clinton, Sly Stone, Bootsy Collins, Bobby Womack, Phillipe Wynne, Bernie Worrell, Junie Morrison . . . MCA in the States have taken over distribution of the ultra-hot but hard to get album by The Band A.K.A. . . . Tight Fit ‘Lion’ and Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields ‘No!’ are now on 12in . . . Shalamar’s new album is available here via WEA (K 52345) . . . Excaliber evidently discovered the day after release that they didn’t in fact have UK rights to Lime ‘Your Love’, hence its reappearance now on Carrere! . . . Tony Jenkins’ tea party at the Ritz with various Groove Weekly writers was a classy affair, as was his Brideshead themed one-off at the Embassy on Monday night (with an exclusive Shalamar PA and a thousand tickets pre-sold without any advertising) . . . Tony’s now ensconced in a Kensington High Street office and kicks off a new Fri/Saturday venue to be called Ambience in March, location to be kept secret but it’ll not be a million miles from the Burlington Arcade, stylish attire a prime requisite for all jazz-soul fans wanting admission . . . Chris ‘Fusion Few’ Ellis will be designing with Japanese Kiki Okada a collection of quality fashions for an autumn launch solely through Ambience events and video . . . Funktion’s Peter Byfield, just before recent events, was quoted as saying “I would rather consider myself the Freddie Laker of jazz-funk” – oops! . . . I looked in at Soho Le Beat Route’s ’60s soul night last Tuesday to find the main DJ hadn’t turned up, so Fatman got me to fill in and it went so well that I’ll be reviving my old ’65/66 ‘Scene’ era there weekly now — but please don’t be confused into thinking that I’ve left Mayfair’s Gullivers, which is where I am every Fri/Saturday with Graham Gold . . . Nicky Peck is dropping the ‘Central’ name in favour of ‘The Sunday Soul Club’ at the King Charles Hotel in Gillingham, starting this weekend with Shakatak on Sunday (21), but preceded somewhat confusingly with a Central Reunion first birthday party on Saturday (20) . . . Canvey Goldmine’s Jayne Barrett (0268-683153) is looking for stylish “modern” bands to play at their Friday ‘Style’ nights — Buzzz are there this week (19), if that’s any indication of what’s wanted . . . Chris Hill of course was last week’s mysteriously uncredited DJ playing Barry White ‘Beware’ . . . Leeds Warehouse owner Mike Wiand is managing Soft Cell’s backing group Vicious Pink Phenomenon, whose ‘My Private Tokyo’ will be on the new Mobile Suite Company label via Phonogram next month (you’ll remember that Soft Cell’s Marc Almond used to be hat-check boy at the Warehouse!) . . . Frenchie & Pete Haigh start broadcasting hot jazz-soul toons fortnightly this Thursday (18) over Lancaster’s University Radio Bailrigg, 9-11pm on 312m MW, with a reputed reception radius of 40 miles . . . Brother To Brother’s soul night moves from Thursday to Friday at Watford Odeon Film Centre’s Gemma’s / New Caprice (which is due for a name change), starting next Friday (26) — and the DJ duo (01-428 7994) have a 1000 watt roadshow and free club premises available on certain nights for interested promoters. Juliana’s have taken over Bacchus International, but the latter will remain an autonomous operation . . . Richard Jon Smith turns out to be an old mate of Alton Edwards from South Africa, so no wonder there are similarities! . . . Nigel ‘Wikka Wrap’ Martinez is currently producing a new Light Of The World LP . . . Mike Morgan, doing the only exclusively reggae night in Essex at Chelmsford YMCA every third Wednesday in the month (drat, you just missed it last night!), would welcome promotional consideration from record companies with reggae product new or old — send to 281 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 5AU . . . Paul Mulligan (Edinburgh 031-443 9232) desperately needs a copy (7 or 12in) of Savoy ‘Sunny Side Of The Street’ . . . Alan Gaskell (St Helens) reports that Liverpool’s Rumbelow’s record shop are closing down and selling off both import and UK stock at cheapo prices . . . Johnny ‘JB’ Batten is selling imports again on Byfleet 49627 (he delivers) — OK, TC? . . . Theo Loyla, still burnin’ rubber around the country, reckons Huddersfield Flix DJ Jack Wood must be the best mixer in the North, while an outrageous club in Hudd called the Amsterdam defies description in a respectable family magazine! . . . Mike Tarbuck spins quality disco / electro at the Juliet’s half of Blackburn’s Romeo & Juliet’s, for smart dressers . . . Steve Goddard (01-500 2749) wants his regulars at Stepney’s Old Rose to know he’s moved now to Barking’s Chains pub, where there’s a solidly funky crowd . . . Brian Gardner, brother of RM’s Mike, funks it up at Soho’s long established Whisky A Go Go every night except Thurs / Friday . . . WEA’s Fred Dove (currently touting a great promo 12in of ADC Band ‘Roll With The Punches‘) these days is almost unrecognisable without his hat — ”You can’t get them cleaned. and they do get dirty, you know!” . . . TVS’s terrific ‘Radio’ soap opera about a commercial radio station weekdays 5.15pm / Sunday omnibus edition 5.25pm) is so closely modelled on Capital (although much scaled down) that it’s hilarious for insiders to identity the real people represented, librarian Clive Smith in particular getting stitched up good and proper — and it’s nice to see the bird from ‘Going Out’ back on screen again . . . BMRB’s national chart is in such chaos now returns don’t reflect the massive influence of Top Of The Pops for almost a fortnight that it is evidently soon going back to its old compilation deadline . . . Comparison between the main “up front” UK Disco 90 and expanded POD 75 tends to show up the relative strengths of different disco pluggers’ mailing lists, so it would be nice to get more charts from people not on these lists in an attempt to counteract the distortion and lessen the impact of some titles that only show up because they’ve been received for free by a privileged few . . . Kev Hill (Basildon Sweeney’s) encloses a calendar motto, “Nothing narrows a man’s outlook so much as getting into a groove” — get DOWN! . . . Lenny Henry asks, what does an African hang his coat on? . . . KAIANGA! KATANGA!

CLAUDJA BARRY is best remembered for some zingy gay gallopers in the classic “disco” era, but now the Germany based thrush is back at a more sedate pace with ‘If I Do It To You‘ on Ensign. — While at the same time she’s climbing the US disco chart in a duet with Ronnie Jones, ‘The Two Of Us‘ (US Handshake 12in) which has yet to surface here.

UK NEWIES

VICKY “D”: ‘This Beat Is Mine’ (SAM VS 48612, via Virgin).
Solar style extremely strong 113bpm 12in shuffling smacker with piercing catchy Evelyn King-copying synth through the long instrumental rhythm intro, the usefully all instrumental flip sadly lacking the A-side’s ultra mixable break.

KOOL & THE GANG: ‘Take My Heart’ (De-Lite DEX 6).
Always their album’s really “class” track and the first to be put on single in the USA, the subtly infectious spoken/sung gently jolting laid back 111-110-111bpm rolling slinky thumper has been remixed for 3-track 12in, flipped by the datedly messy ‘Caribbean Festival’ and lush slow ‘Winter Sadness’.

STAR SOUND: ‘Stars On Stevie’ (CBS A13-2941).
As a soundalike this Stevie Wonder medley is brilliant — there’s no other word for it, but as a smoothly flowing mixer the 126-111-126-138bpm 12in could be better (‘Master Blaster’ in particular comes as a rude intrusion amongst some classic mellow swingers). However, it’s going to be huge, regardless. Continue reading “February 20, 1982: Vicky “D”, Kool & The Gang, Star Sound, Michael Wycoff, Roy Ayers”

February 13, 1982: Tomorrow’s Edition, George Duke, Claudja Barry, Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields, War

ODDS ‘N’ BODS

MORGAN KHAN in fact turned down Vicki ‘D’ as he now realises Streetwave will do better by originating its own UK-produced product (a lesson first learned by Island’s Chris Blackwell in the ’60s) . . . Streetwave meanwhile are — incredibly — having difficulty in finding an office junior with the right attitude, an intelligent non-smoking school leaver (O Level Maths / English) keen on music and competent to cope on his own, to work at their new office next to West Acton tube station. Call 01-593-1512 and get into the music business . . . Motown’s Roger Upright and Robert Bienman are forming their own DJ mailing list at RCA, independent of Rush Release . . . Kleeer’s ‘Taste The Music’ import LP is now distributed here by WEA (Atlantic K50873) . . . Lime ‘Your Love’ / ‘Agent 406’ appears to have switched from Excaliber to Carrere (CART 227), while Excaliber seem to be re-promoting Firefly ‘Love (Is Gonna Be On Your Side)’ from last summer . . . Teddy Pendergrass came across best on the slowies at his beautifully staged shows (great lighting) last week, but hasn’t he a funny way of walking?! . . . Brass Construction and BT Express members have combined to form Brass Tacks (geddit?) with hot toons due soon . . . Shock, the US funk group, will be called Oregon Shock here to prevent confusion with the UK dance group . . . Showstoppers St Tropez trip in May will feature star DJs Chris Hill, Froggy, Jeff Young, Sean French, Robbie Vincent and maybe more, while next month’s Caister weekender is virtually sold out . . . psst — Monday (15) London’s Embassy is the place to be, Brideshead-type smart dress essential . . . Tony ‘visionary entrepreneur’ Jenkins was entertaining the media to tea at the Ritz on Tuesday, full story next week . . . Paul Major has turned Gt Yarmouth’s Wheels into a home for the Country Bumpkins tribe, with a weekly fanzine and jazz-funk-soul every Friday / Saturday (except this Saturday, it’s closed) . . . Stockton on Tees Club Fiesta next Sunday (21) has a jazz-funk alldayer, coaches welcome (£2.50 admission), with Alex Lowes, Paul Cooke, David Baird, Phil Mitchell and Lofty Lofthouse — and Lofty, in very different style, is also running a general pop quiz every Thursday at Chester-Le-Street’s Whispers in the Garden Farm Hotel, application forms from the club or anyone interested in the North-East can call Lofty (afternoons) on Gateshead 775021 . . . Nigel Porter and chums hope to counteract Leicester’s electro-pop / rockabilly mania with jazz-funk-soul fortnightly at the Saracen’s Head in the city centre every other Monday (22nd next one) . . . Derek Pierce, who does Bath Moles ‘Cabaret Moderne’ nights on Thursdays now, is writing a history of Electronic Music for the magazine Electronics & Music Matter, which should interest recent Kraftwerk converts . . . Oneness Of Juju and Jimmy Castor are huge at Soho’s Le Beat Route on the Friday posers night, when far from provincial electronics the crowd prefer mid-70’s jazz-funk . . . Frenchie (Blackpool) says any and all of the various ‘Genius Of Love’ versions are huge in the North-West . . . Canvey Goldmine, rapidly turning the Detroit Spinners ‘I’ll Be Around’ into a new (?) anthem, says the recent Barry White ‘Beware’ (US Unlimited Gold LP) is his hottest smoocher . . . Ian Levine is inviting record company and media people to a special night at Charing Cross’s normally gay Heaven on Tuesday (16) . . . Tricky Dicky, whose gay Dicks Inn nights now include Kensington’s Union Tavern in Camberwell New Road every Tues / Thursday and the Old Kent Road’s Astoria on Thursdays, reports that ‘Bobby’s Girl’ Susan Maughan at a recent PA looked so good still she could join the Nolans! . . . Phil ‘Red’ Andrews unfortunately named Amazing Woofters Roadshow does Derby’s Bridge Inn on Fri / Sun / Tuesdays, the Albion Suite on Thursdays . . . Rob Harknett (Harlow) tells how a friend recently did a gig for a token £10 fee when a mobile DJ arrived and offered his services “for £5 less than that lot”, and on being told he’d then be working for just £5 in total he agreed to try an audition . . . The DJ Federation have circulated a handsomely produced DJs Year Book, in which (inevitably) many of the record company details are already out of date . . . Thames Valley DJ Assn meet on Sunday, 28th Feb, at noon in Ivor’s Tower Arms pub, Thorney Lane South (where unfortunately I will be unable to speak as invited), the Assn currently offering silly string at 95p a can (12 for £10.50 plus postage) to all DJs, details from TVDJA, PO Box 25, Staines, Mx . . . Gary Oldis has returned to Dee Jay’s Country Club, as the Gretna Green has been renamed after refurbishment, where a high quality musical cross section packs ’em in . . . Ray Stevens has resurfaced to jazz-funk Coulsdon’s Pistols wine bar Sat / Sundays, and London’s Jermyne Street’s Moonberrys regularly Thurs / Fridays . . . George Andrew (Salford) likening The Jam’s ‘Malice’ to The Who’s interpretation of Martha & The Vandellas ‘Heatwave’ fully expects up-coming soundtracks to ‘Saturday Night Down The Tube Station’ or ‘Thank God For All Mod Cons’ if this Bee-Geefication continues . . . Mista Le Parks recent jitterbug revival programme on the ‘South Bank Show’ prompted Groove Records Jean to reveal that her late husband Timothy Palmer (father of Chris & Tim) the undefeated UK professional ballroom champion — with a trophy still named after him — introduced the Big Apple and Suzy Q dance steps to Britain after learning them while appearing in New York during the ’50s (grandad ‘Pedlar’ Palmer was a champion Irish flyweight boxer too!) . . . Rockafella’s late-nite eaterie, next to Samantha’s just off Regent Street, played the whole of Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields lovely new album last Friday night! . . . “New Romantic” lady, overheard at Mayfair Gullivers Saturday night Padded Cell, “I used to be a soul boy, really dedicated too, but now the only soul record I like is ‘Get Down On It’.” — Any discotheque under my own trading name in West Sussex is not in fact me . . . KATANGA KATANGA!

UK NEWIES

TOMORROW’S EDITION: ‘U Turn Me On’ (CBS A13-2098).
Actually getting bigger by the week on import, despite a downturn in recent chart placings, this doodling bass introed powerfully pounding 109-110-111-110bpm 12in jiggler has good soulful harmony interplay, dramatic brass, synth and guitar twiddles in amongst the thudding momentum (the flip has a less intense version).

GEORGE DUKE: ‘Shine On’ (Epic EPC A13-2872).
Punchy if somewhat shallow EWF-style squeakily clucked staccato bounding 119bpm 12in smacker with good beefy bass, the jerkily building 121bpm brass, synth and scat instrumental ‘Positive Energy‘ flip getting jazz-funk attention, while the imminent album’s ‘Ride On Love‘ is actually the killer (especially with Brandi’s ‘Watch Out’!).

CLAUDJA BARRY: ‘If I Do It To You’ (Ensign ENYT 223).
So deceptively simple it takes a few plays to register, this repetitively looping 113bpm 12in pulsator is basically a slower ‘Ring My Bell’ but without the “ptoo ptoo” syndrums! Toughening up considerably halfway with a gruffly rapping guy and good break, it mixes well out of Vicki “D”. Continue reading “February 13, 1982: Tomorrow’s Edition, George Duke, Claudja Barry, Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields, War”

February 6, 1982: Touch, Morrissey Mullen, Brandi Wells, George Duke, Jimmy Castor

ODDS ‘N’ BODS

SOUTHGATE ROYALTY is soon to be redeveloped into a very different type of venue, but in the meantime the recently started Friday soul-disco ‘Slix’ nights continue (with Jeff Young and Martin Collins on alternate weeks), as do rock ‘n’ roll Thursdays, while the Saturday ‘Rox’ specials will occur as and when bands are available . . . Central Line’s ‘Don’t Tell Me’ 12in has been replaced by a much longer remix, plus a ‘Walking Into Sunshine’ remix on 2-track flip (review when received) . . . Kool’s follow-up is already on white label, ‘Take My Heart’ remix flipped by the old ‘Caribbean Festival’ and ‘Winter Sadness’ . . . Slave and Whispers 12in copies should initially be at 7in price, so question the dealer if you’re asked to pay more . . . Angela Bofill’s 3-track 12in is available via specialist disco shops but not on general release . . . Wallace W Williams ‘Waterbed’ reggae steel band fusion is available through Pinnacle (01-662 5741) or Jet Star (01-961 4422) — Wallace does a nifty PA, complete with whip wielding lady, by the way! — while Jerome’s self-financed ‘In The Right Direction’ is through Soto Sound (01 837 7141/7147) . . . Mick Clark, who says a Brandi ‘What Goes Around’ remix will be about soon, is starting two mailing lists at Virgin, one modelled on Fred Dove’s for up-front jazz-funk-soul jocks and another for pop-dance-fusion general DJs: send full work details to Mick Clark, Virgin Records, 2 Vernon Yard, 119 Portobello Road, London W11 . . . Ex-Motown press gal Karen Spreadbury’s Eyes & Ears promotion/PR firm is off and running, Karen handling press and Gullivers girl DJ Nicky Mackenzie servicing club jocks: apply to Eyes & Ears, PO Box 103, London, SW19 6PD (01-809 1073/789 9673) . . . Theo Loyla has already left MAP to start his own Super Jocks Mailing Service and is pushing a video of a band called Volcano (sort of like Ottawan meets Village People — so you’ve been warned!) — apply to him at 15a Crescent Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 7RD . . . PRT have picked up Oneness of Juju, CBS release Tomorrow’s Edition next week, while Streetwave’s Morgan Khan is back from MIDEM with Vicki “D” and the strong likelihood of two currently ultra-hot US labels catalogues . . . WEA’s Erskine Thompson got myself and Tape 1’s Dave ‘Razorblade’ Moore to put together a mixer medley of four Prince tracks — ‘Head/Wanna Be Your Lover/Sexy Dancer/Controversy’ — in a completely re-edited 64bst (Bits of Splicing Tape!) melange of all the best bits, but its future release is still uncertain . . . Kool could have been number one nationally if it had sold more strongly in Scotland (it was number one in London), but a lack of 12in copies has at least put the album in the Top 10 (there’s also a rare remix, as there is too of NY Skyy) . . . Gilberto Gil (who could be due for a 3-track 12in) is the biggest victim of our currently very volatile disco chart — he lost just two “chart points” (our inverse ratio scoring) yet dropped 10 whole places — the competition at the top being really intense now the snow has melted and mailing list-orientated provincial DJs are once again outnumbering the London dominated record-buying jocks whose charts held sway during the big freeze . . . Holborn’s City Sounds record shop is now open on Saturdays 10am-4pm, while Greek Street’s Groove is still of course open until 10pm nightly six days a week and on Sunday until 6pm . . . Junior (Giscombe) is the latest big Brit hit in US soul and disco charts . . . Rahmlee’s ‘Heartbreaker’ / ‘Think’ is now a 12in on US Headfirst, so could the label eventually get around to Lesette Wilson’s ‘Caveman Boogie’? . . . Quincy Jones has been nominated for eight Grammy awards in different categories, plus he’s associated with six more nominated artists, while other important black nominees include Grover/Bill, Diana/Lionel, and Al Jarreau . . . Fergus McKinna (East Kilbride) contacted Geffen Records to hear that Quincy should have finished producing Donna Summer’s new album next month (it’ll evidently combine traditional Summer-style material with a jazz-funk slant too), Quincy also — thank goodness! — being set to produce the Brothers Johnson again . . . Stevie Wonder has formed his own Wondirection label (he’ll stay on Motown, who’ll distribute), the likely first signings being Little Willie John’s sons Keith & Kevin . . . Rush Release had a healthy response to their announced video service, but then once DJs realised it was going to cost money there was a lot of hasty backpedalling — really professional, don’tcha think? . . . Mark Clark (Bracknell), like us at Gullivers, has been having great success showing a much-sought promotion video of Maze — who incidentally appear here next month, when ‘Joy and Pain’ will be re-promoted . . . Groove Weekly’s John Wischhusen kindly singled out Mayfair Gullivers as one of the best black music clubs, but in saying that my mixing maintains “a technical excellence rarely matched elsewhere” he unfortunately made no mention of full-time resident DJ Graham Gold at all, and Graham (with all week to practice) pulls off more stunts than I have the time for . . . John Dalglish of Glasgow’s Dalglish Dance School (041-334 8550) has been contracted by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board to put a three girl dance troupe (with a 30-minute act incorporating all dance styles) out on the road from 1st May to appear absolutely free of charge in Scottish discos: contact John, or the SMMB’s Dennis Gray (041-887 1234) for date details . . . Blackburn’s Martin Platts does an open air disco at Clitheroe Castle on 21st February, where all the DJs will be topless — and most of ’em are girls! . . . Disco & Lighting Exhibition Nottingham ’82 is planned for Sunday 25th April, at Nottingham’s Sherwood Rooms, full stand details from Goldwax Discos on 0602-231457 . . . John Mayoh, John Barry, Gillie Beanz & Dave Eager “Beaver” at Bolton Cinderella Rockerfella’s are experimenting on Wednesdays with £6.50 admission a head to include a free meal plus as much as you can drink all night! . . . Mayfair Gullivers has 25p drinks on Mondays now, electro-funk downstairs and live big band jazz (jammers welcome) upstairs on Tuesdays, ’60s soul oldies on Thursdays and the new romantic Padded Cell downstairs on Saturdays — which shows the advantage of running two floors . . . T-Connection ‘Do What You Wanna Do’ is a big oldie for both Steve Glover (Bournemouth Faradays) and Chris Hill (Canvey Goldmine), while Chris is also reviving real soul oldies by such as the Detroit Spinners, Intruders, James Brown . . . Roger Dynamite, who’s replaced his brother Paul Major at Gt Yarmouth Tiffany’s (Paul’s at Wheels — in Lowestoft?), reckons on the futurist front that RCA should reissue Iggy Pop ‘The Passenger’, while equally big on the floor for Nick Davies (Watford New Penny — Sundays) is Andy Forray ‘Drac’s Back‘ (Acrobat) . . . Steven Fay (Darwen, Lancs) has had Melody Stewart ‘Get Down‘ (US Roy B 12in) in his chart for month after month! . . . The Quick’s up-coming new material produced by John Luongo in the States sounds remarkably like Linx . . . Capital Radio producer Mike Childs currently swears by 12in versions, and uses them wherever possible on Nicky Horne’s rock show (“they sound so great”, sez he) . . . Robbie Vincent is presumably reviving ‘Do The Dog’ on Radio London! . . . Dolly Dots are Dutch . . . Johnny Proctor at Oslo’s Ridderhalen has Alton Edwards at number one — maybe because his next door neighbour is Morgan Khan-chauffeuring Alan Jewell?! . . . Colin Day, back from the Continent, is specialising sensibly on MoR gigs with his new roadshow (Worcester 0905-353361) . . . Kev Hill (Brentwood 0277-221309) is selling a variety of 18 months old hi-fi components at reasonable prices . . . Andrew Worthington Jones (Bodelwyddan Poppeys Country Club) is among many who prefer the Whispers ‘Emergency’ . . . Alex Sweeney (Dundee Sands Club) has a disco/jazz-funk show Thursday nights on Radio Tay . . . Neil Fincham & Colin Cordrey are really stepping up the soul-jazz-funk now festivities have abated at Edinburgh’s Uptown . . . John Douglas (Essex Venues) says Matumbi’s old ‘Point of View’ is much in demand again . . . Gary Oldis has been renamed after refurbishment, where a high quality cross section of music is packing ’em in . . . Ian Turner is now resident at Llandudno’s Speakeasy Club playing some of everything . . . I’m sorry that ‘Odds ‘n’ Bods’ have been missed for a couple of weeks, but unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day . . . Did you know that ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ was written by Mozart, at the age of five? . . . KATANGA! KATANGA!

UK NEWIES

TOUCH: ‘Keep On’ (reviewed off white label but now on Elite).
Although originally only intended as a group-financed limited white label edition of 500, then another 1,000, which soon sold out with no further pressings planned, this has now been picked up by Elite to meet the demand quite rightly generated — and for once it’s not just scarcity value alone that’s generated the buzz, as it’s a really infectious carefree happily flying 126-127bpm 12in jazz-funk instrumental sizzler pushed along with wings on its heels by jauntily tootling synth and fast simple chinking rhythm, with laughter, applause and panting in a brief break, to be so darned catchy it could chart nationally (like ‘Southern Freeez’ did).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI0sG1_PYAo

MORRISSEY MULLEN: ‘Come And Get Me’ (Beggars Banquet BEG 73T).
Chris Palmer produced (and played?) terrific beefy bass thwacked relentlessly pounding 123bpm 12in full tilt strutter soulfully wailed by Carol Kenyon (who’s been cropping up on telly with Alton Edwards), totally out of previous character and likely to be massive (if the BPM accelerates I’ll let you know — It’s cut so loud my stylus won’t track it!), the excellent instrumental 124-125bpm B-side ‘Life On The Wire (Version)‘ being jazz-funkier and very Surface Noise with more superb bass (beware the abrupt end).

BRANDI WELLS: ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ (LP ‘Watch Out’ WMOT V2224, via Virgin).
I seem to have been reviewing this dynamite 113bpm disco dancer rather a lot recently, so suffice to say it’s finally out here together with the 117bpm title track… but more importantly, now I’ve finally had a 12in copy of the latter, ‘Watch Out‘ turns out in that form to be the original 117bpm but restructured and lengthened from the 5:44 LP and PRT promo version to 7:20 with an extended break before the rap (now over a minute later). Packaged in the LP sleeve with the slushy dead slow 0-35-0bpm ‘You Are My Life’ as flip. Continue reading “February 6, 1982: Touch, Morrissey Mullen, Brandi Wells, George Duke, Jimmy Castor”