ODDS ‘N’ BODS
THE LUDICROUS situation has arisen that, because a well known black superstar’s US label doesn’t give official sanction for his material to be issued on 12in (not even as a promo), it now cannot be publicised or mentioned in any way that his long awaited new 114bpm marathon ever changing groove is in that format for the UK only (as well as on 7in) — hence all chart reference will remain as if for the full length LP version . . . Old Grey Whistle Test’s clip from the New Orleans concert has prompted a possible 50 minute TV special on Maze in August, while the Hammersmith ‘Joy And Pain’ will definitely be the flip at least of Maze’s next 12in . . . WEA’s Fred Dove is promoting Larry Graham in a novel way, sending a 12in white label of just the instrumental version of ‘Sooner Or Later’ to clubs four weeks ahead of UK release — it’s a swaying 116bpm synth smacker with vocodered title line repeated to occasionally answering chix . . . London Lyceum DJ Steve Walsh has become promotions head at Red Bus/Excaliber/R&B (handy as he only lives just over the road!), and info’s that the Jesse Green remix will soon come on Excaliber (Paul Major stop fretting!) . . . Theo Loyla’s now promoting Super-Vision’s range of exciting visual but silent videos for use in clubs to go with their own appropriate music, all legal and cleared for public showing, so beat the impending purge on clubs showing TV tapes and movies (strictly illegal) and call Theo on 01-548 2911 for a demonstration . . . Sinnamon, Fonda Rae are coming via PRT . . . A Taste Of Honey and Dramatics LPs are due 10th June, the Dramatics 12in here however being ‘I Can’t Stand It’ . . . Jeremy Thomas’s new Battersea label belatedly picked up Aurra and Instant Funk for 3-track 12in imminently . . . Sharon Brown evidently has a vocal remix flip on later copies — swizz! . . . Temptations featuring Rick James (on a raised podium behind them) have a good video of the edited single . . . Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney duet on Michael’s currently in-production (by Quincy Jones) next LP . . . Linx’s David Grant sits in for Robbie Vincent on Radio London this Saturday lunchtime . . . Peter Powell’s soul show somehow sounds rather dreary — can’t they choose more tuneful music from the abundance of strong stuff now out? — but at least Froggy’s mix was up to scratch last week, Narada ‘You Ought To Love Me’ into a combination of Sinnamon versions . . . Mike Shaft’s Piccadilly Radio soul show on Monday evenings is featuring a ‘Greg Wilson mix’ every fortnight or so . . . ABC were looking very Billy Fury on TOTP, and I see that the ‘Fame’ movie’s spin-off TV series starts on BBC 1 soon . . . Three Degrees choreography was breathtakingly tight on the 1982 British Beauty Championships . . . Neil Bogart, legendary label boss of Buddah, Casablanca and then Boardwalk, died of cancer aged 39 on 8th May — the musical tribute at his funeral featured a choir including organizer Carole Bayer Sager, her husband Burt Bacharach, Donna Summer, Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields, Gladys Knight & The Pips, the Isley Brothers, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Marvin Hamlisch, members of Kiss and more . . . Streetwave’s Morgan Khan says “You were right” — but the backing track’s still great — all Patrick Boothe needs now is a song . . . Alton Edwards ‘I Just Wanna’ now joins his mate Richard Jon Smith in the US Soul chart . . . Cameo are surprisingly high in the US LP chart, while the Thompson Twins ‘In The Name Of Love‘ is now number 1 Disco (but Patrice is 2) . . . ‘That Girl‘ was Stevie Wonder’s biggest ever US soul hit, yet bombed badly here — wouldn’t it have done better if available on 12in? . . . ‘Keep On’ is ‘D’ Train’s single in the States . . . George Chandler is taking delight in confusing people, having shaved off his beard! . . . Gilles Moehrie, who’ll be broadcasting jazz-funk in South London every Tuesday evening come September, reckons Showstoppers should hold a straight jazz alldayer as, he says, “the recent Caister and Brighton jazz rooms were brilliant” . . . Gilles also info’s that North Cheam’s Blue Rondo Records (708 London Road) sell imports real cheap to regulars . . . Keith Barker-Main, ex-Earls Court Grafitti / Kensington Sombrero / Mayfair Napoleon / Paris Scaramouche, is looking (on 01-352 2301) for a gay/mixed venue to jock at, possibly as a relief or guest DJ rather than full time . . . Alan Gaskell’s packing four hundred plus into St Helens West Park Rugby Club every Sunday — not bad for a rugby club, or a Sunday, huh? . . . Graham Gold (Mayfair Gullivers) does an undiscernible mix between Electrik Funk and D’Llegance, Brian Brindle (Chelsea Alibi) and Alan Coulthard (Soho Le Beat Route) both say the rhythm ‘n’ rap bit of Sharon Brown goes like a bitch over Stevie Wonder’s cowbells bit, while Alan adds that ABC’s instrumental bass line synchs unbelievably with ‘D’ Train ‘You’re The One For Me’ . . . I’m really in the middle of the heavy record moving in my house switch, giving me less time this week, but that does not explain why so many reviews are late in getting printed — no space — nor why last week’s Imports were cunningly disguised as UK Newies! . . . DISCO IS BACK!
ASHFORD & SIMPSON first started recording as Valerie & Nick on the Glover label in 1964, when I saw them at Harlem’s Apollo (Valerie in tight bright pink spangled sheath!), before writing ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned’ for Ronnie Milsap in the days when he was a soul singer. Ray Charles then covered the song, and their career as songwriters was off and running. Their new ‘Street Opera’ LP (Capitol EST 12207) however is a lethargic down-tempo set on which their current ‘Street Corner‘ 12in cut is the only hard dancer.
UK NEWIES
FUNKAPOLITAN: ‘Run Run Run’ (LP ‘Funkapolitan’ London SH 8548).
Wherein which the amateurish August Darnell-produced Kid Creole clones run the full gamut from 121bpm to 124bpm, best being this (vocal only) 122bpm US 12in release, 121bpm ‘If Only‘, 122bpm ‘In The Crime Of Life‘, 122bpm ‘As The Time Goes By’, 123-121bpm ‘War’, 124bpm ‘Illusion’, 124bpm ‘There It Is Again’, only the 127bpm ‘Behold The Super Ace’ breaking the pattern. Maybe they’d do well with Rod Temperton, next?
KENI BURKE: ‘Shakin’ (RCA RCAT 223).
Disappointingly old fashioned “disco” chix squawked fast 135-133-135-133-135bpm 12in churner with some Prince influence and probably more gay/white boys than black appeal, from a far, far better album.
MIKEY DREAD: ‘Rocky Road’ (Dread At The Controls DUN IT 21).
Rather appealing nasally croaked 72bpm 12in reggae swayer (with dub second half) keeps lapsing into an adaptation of Brenton Wood’s ‘Gimme Little Sign’.
BROWN ALE: ‘It’s Only A Wind Up (Making Your Mind Up)’ (Radioactive RAD 502).
Accurate 179-0bpm 7in Bucks Fizz piss take (with Eurovision scoring to finish!), delayed from last year for a too close for comfort lyric change.
SHADOW: ‘Walk and Wine “Real Love” ‘ (Sears SEA 2, via Jet Star).
Happily leaping authentic 126bpm 12in jump-along calypso from New York’s Charlie’s label, could be useful at party time.
DECOUPAGE: ‘Puerto Rico (US Remix)’ (R&B RBL 207).
Frenetic new 121bpm 12in remix brings up the chanting chix and percussion at the expense of the Imagination-style piano — which after all was its main appeal here (although it’s still on the better instrumental flip).
THE R.B.’S: ‘Uruguay’ (Hansa HANSA 12-14).
Frantic 140-138bpm 12in Pigbag / Haircut One Hundred copyists. Uruguay . . . that’s down Argentina way, innit?
HAWK & CO.: ‘Livin’ For The Good Times’ (Epic EPC A13-2223).
Bass synth tugged resonantly synthetic ponderous dull 100bpm 7in slow rumbler with various chanting voices, promoed over Easter on white label.
IMPORTS
RICK JAMES: ‘Dance Wit’ Me’ (LP ‘Throwin’ Down’ US Gordy 6005 GL).
Rick’s hit a funky formula that’s turned to gold in the States and keeps strictly to it on his new set (packaged strikingly like a black heavy metal album with great sword ‘n’ sorcery imagery!), the lead off 124-123bpm hard Funkadelic-like smacker setting the pattern all others follow (though it has Roy Ayers’s vibes in the last half with everyone exhorting “Roy don’t stop”). It’s a good groove, very like ‘Standing On The Top’ (of which the 119-120-121bpm 7in edit is included), as is the equally hot 120-121-122bpm ‘Money Talks‘, while other dancers in the same mould are the 121bpm ‘Hard To Get‘, 126bpm ‘69 Times‘ and 129bpm ‘Throwdown‘.
JEAN CARN: ‘Don’t Let Me Slip Away’ (LP ‘Trust Me’ US Motown 6010 ML).
Smoochy set, not her best, but there’s an obvious dancer in this beefily starting joltingly smacking 116-117bpm side-to-side swayer. Martha and The Vandellas beautiful old 111bpm languidly swaying ‘My Baby Loves Me‘ still has some subtle sixties piano in the background, while her lovely lush 0-32bpm revival of ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now‘ has The Temptations filling in for The Blue Notes.
KENI BURKE: ‘Risin’ To The Top’ (LP ‘Changes’ US RCA AFLI-4226).
The best set since creation if you believe some “nozey” jocks (hi, Pete!), the disappointingly patchy and often ultra-fast orientated album’s strongest cuts are this lightly soulful 0-94-95bpm slow drifting jogger and lazily swaying 112-113bpm ‘Hang Tight‘.
KINKINA: ‘Jungle Fever’ (US Profile PRO 7008).
The Chakachas slinkily undulating 1972 instrumental-with-muttering hit given a similarly orgasmic-strong slightly wavering 101bpm 12in update that’s dynamite with Kid Creole and Fat Larry’s Band.
AL McCALL: ‘Hard Times’ (US West End WES 22142).
Bass bumbling disjointedly smacking 118-119-120-118(break start)-119 -120bpm 12in drifter with catchy synth cutting through husky vocals to give it its main appeal — it builds quite friskily from a less incisive start.
ELECTRA: ‘Feels Good’ (US Emergency EMDS-6527).
Although the Tara Butler sung vocal side has Human League appeal, the simple smacking 119bpm 12in electro instrumental flip mixes superbly with Electrik Funk.
UK Disco Top 90 – May 29, 1982
01 01 Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots – Elektra 12”
02 03 Patrice Rushen – Number One / Remind Me – Elektra LP
03 02 Fat Larry’s Band – Act Like You Know – WMOT 12”
04 04 Sharon Brown – I Specialize In Love – Virgin 12”
05 05 Temptations/Rick James – Standing On The Top – Motown 12”
06 09 Junior – Mama Used To Say (US Remix)– Mercury 12”
07 10 The Band A.K.A. – Grace / Instrumental – Epic/Streetwave 12”
08 06 Gwen Guthrie – It Should’ve Been You – Island 12”
09 13 Kid Creole & The Coconuts – I’m A Wonderful Thing, Baby – Ze 12”
10 08 You And Me Just Started / Club Mix – Linda Taylor – GPL 12”
11 07 Touchdown – Ease Your Mind (Remix US) / Ritmo Suave – Excaliber 12”
12 19 Blue Feathers – Let’s Funk Tonight – Canadian Siamese 12”
13 12 Atlantic Starr – Circles – A&M 12”
14 11 Elecktrik Funk – On A Journey (Instrumental) – Epic 12”
15 22 ‘D’ Train – Walk On By – Epic 12”
16 24 Stevie Wonder – Do I Do – Motown LP
17 20 Brass Construction – Do That Thang / Forever Love / Attitude – Liberty LP
18 16 ‘D’ Train – Keep On / You’re The One For Me (Reprise) – Epic LP
19 30 Gap Band – Early In The Morning – Mercury 12”
20 17 Stone – Time – Carrere 12”
21 14 Savanna – Never Let You Go – R&B 12”
22 18 Shalamar – I Can Make You Feel Good – Solar 12”
23 28 Maze – Before I Let Go / Golden Time Of Day (Live) – Capitol 12”
24 72 Jerome – (I’m Into) Your Love – RCA 12”
25 35 Ritchie Family – I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby) – US RCA 12”
26 37 Peech Boys – Don’t Make Me Wait – US West End 12”
27 21 Shakatak – Night Birds – Polydor 12”
28 36 Sinnamon – Thanks To You / Fierce Reprise – US Becket 12”
29 50 Mike Anthony – Why Can’t We Live Together – German Ariola 12”
30 23 McCrarys – Love On A Summer Night – US Capitol LP
31 49 Valentine Brothers – Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) / Instrumental – US Bridge 12”
32 71 Rick James – Dance Wit’ Me – US Gordy 7”
33 38 I.C.Q. – Final Approach – ICQ 12”
34 32 A Taste Of Honey – We’ve Got The Groove / Diamond Real / Sayonara – US Capitol LP
35 42 Cameo – Just Be Yourself / Flirt – Casablanca 12”
36 25 Patrick Boothe – Dance All Night – Streetwave 12”
37 41 Candela – Love You Madly – US Arista 12”
38 47 Whispers – Emergency – Solar 12”
39 54 High Fashion – Feelin’ Lucky Lately – US Capitol 12”
40 15 Brass Construction – Can You See The Light – Liberty 12”
41 29 Maxine Singleton – Don’t You Love It – US Peter Pan Artists 12”
42 31 War – You Got The Power – RCA 12”
43 34 Miles Watson – You’re My Everything / Instrumental – US Profile 12”
44 45 Mass Production – Inner City / Should Have Known Better – US Cotillion LP
45 63 Dennis Brown – Love Has Found Its Way / Any Day Now – US A&M LP
46 69 Ransom, MacKenzie & Friends – Orange Grove / Keep On Working – Smokey Joe 12”
47 68 Brandi Wells – What Goes Around Comes Around (Remix) – WMOT 12”
48 52 Third World – Try Jah Love – CBS 12”
49 59 Direct Drive – Time’s Running Out – Oval 12”
50 27 Ashford & Simpson – Street Corner – Capitol 12”
51 62 Fonda Rae – Over Like A Fat Rat – US Vanguard 12”
52 39 Was (Not Was) – Tell Me That I’m Dreaming – Ze 12”
53 33 Goldie Alexander – Show You My Love / Go Back – Project 12”
54 67 Level 42 – Are You Hearing (What I Hear?) – Polydor 12”
55 48 Jessie G – That’s Hot / Instrumental – US Nugget 12”
56 78 Narada Michael Walden – I’m Ready / Summer Lady / You Ought To Love Me – US Atlantic LP
57 84 Kandidate/Viscount Oliver – Can’t Say Bye / Instrumental – Polydor 12”
58 26 Rah Band – Perfumed Garden / Funk Me Down To Rio ’82 – KR 12”
59 RE Keni Burke – Risin’ To The Top / Hang Tight / Changes – US RCA LP
60 40 Imagination – Just An Illusion – R&B 12”
61 NE Odyssey – Inside Out / Love’s Alright – RCA 12”
62 77 Oliver Sain – Cruisin’ On Sunset / The Closer I Get To You – US HCRC LP
63 58 Atmosfear – Xtra Special – Elite 12”
64 43 Dramatics – Live It Up – US Capitol 12”
65 44 Fat Larry’s Band – Be My Lady – US WMOT LP/Canadian 12”
66 60 O’Bryan – Still Water (Love) – Capitol 12”
67 46 B.B.C.S. & A. – Rock Shock – US SAM 12”
68 RE The Dukes – Thank You For The Party / Nite Music – WEA 12”
69 NE Herbie Hancock – Lite Me Up / Satisfied With Love – CBS 12”
70 70 Ray Parker Jr – Just Havin’ Fun / Let’s Get Off – Arista LP
71 RE Phil Upchurch – Free & Easy – US Jam LP
72 64 Shalamar – A Night To Remember / I Don’t Wanna Be The Last To Know – Solar LP/US 12”
73 NE D’Lllegance – Chanson D’Llegance (Mix-x-tend) – US Airwave 12”
74 76 Foreal People – Love Begins With You / Instrumental – US Tropique 12”
75 65 Universal Robot Band – Barely Breaking Even / Instrumental – US Moonglow 12”
76 NE Hi-Tension – How D’You Feel – EMI 12”
77 NE Candi Staton – Suspicious Minds – Sugarhill 12”
78 NE Time Bandits – Live It Up – US Columbia 12”
79 81 Maxine Singleton – Don’t You Love It (UK Remix) – System 12”
80 83 Jesse Green – Nice And Slow (Remix) – Canadian Unidisc 12”
81 90 Lloyd Charmers – If Leaving Me Is Easy – KR 12”
82 73 Maze – Joy And Pain (Live) – Capitol 12”
83 NE ABC – The Look Of Love – Neutron 12”
84 RE Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me – Charly 10” EP
85 57 The Quick – The Rhythm Of The Jungle – Epic 12”
86 NE George Chandler – This Could Be The Night – Polydor 12”
87 NE BT Express – Keep It Up – US Coast To Coast LP
88 RE Roni Griffith – (The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up – Vanguard 12”
89 NE Larry Graham – Sooner Or Later – Warner Bros 12” promo
90 89 Gene Chandler – Make The Living Worth While – US Chi-Sound 12”
BREAKERS
BUBBLING UNDER the UK Disco 90 with increased support are:
Alton Edwards: ‘Strange Woman’ (CBS 12in)
Kinkina: ‘Jungle Fever’ (US Profile 12in)
Atkins: ‘Feel It Don’t Fight It’ / ‘Keep Trying’ / ‘Love Is Growing Stronger’ / ‘Power Of The Boogie’ (US Warner Bros LP)
Rose Royce: ‘Best Love’ (Epic)
Al McCall: ‘Hard Times’ (US West End 12in)
Jean Carn: ‘Don’t Let Me Slip Away’ / ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ (US Motown LP)
Electra: ‘Feels Good (Instrumental)’ (US Emergency 12in)
Cheri: ‘Murphy’s Law’ (Polydor 12in)
BLT: ‘Tighten It Up’ (US Gold Coast 12in)
Keni Burke: ‘Shakin’ / ‘Night Riders’ (RCA 12in)
Lenny Zakatek: ‘Say I Love You (Waatie Mix)’ (London 12in)
Flirts: ‘Passion’ (Canadian Unidisc 12in)
Ago: ‘You Make Me Do It’ (US Brass 12in)
Atlantis: ‘Keep On Movin’ And Groovin’ / Instrumental (US Chaz Ro 12in)
The RB’s: ‘Uruguay’ / Club Mix (Hansa 12in)
Angela Clemmons: ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’ (US Portrait 12in)
Sass: ‘Much Too Much’ (US 25 West 12in)
Carrie Lucas: ‘Show Me Where You’re Coming From’ (Solar)
Ruddy Thomas: ‘Key To The World’ (Hawkeye 12in)
Lisa Hill: ‘I Am On The Real Side’ (US Cherry Hill 12in)
Pop Orientated Dance Chart:
01 01 Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag – Pigbag – Y 12”
02 02 I Can Make You Feel Good – Shalamar – Solar 12”
03 03 I Specialize In Love – Sharon Brown – Virgin 12”
04 05 Really Saying Something – Bananarama/Fun Boy Three – Deram 12”
05 07 Forget Me Nots – Patrice Rushen – Elektra 12”
06 08 Promised You A Miracle – Simple Minds – Virgin 12”
07 04 Just An Illusion – Imagination – R&B 12”
08 06 Night Birds – Shakatak – Polydor 12”
09 11 Mama Used To Say (US Remix) – Junior – Mercury 12”
10 09 Instinction / Chant No.1 (Remix) – Spandau Ballet – Reformation 12”
11 12 Fantastic Day / Ski Club – Haircut 100 – Arista 12”
12 10 Ebony And Ivory – Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder – Parlophone 12”
13 21 Only You / Situation – Yazoo – Mute 12”
14 17 I Won’t Let You Down – PhD – WEA
15 19 Act Like You Know – Fat Larry’s Band – WMOT 12”
16 13 The Look Of Love – ABC – Neutron 12”
17 18 Island Of Lost Souls – Blondie – Chrysalis 12”
18 16 Walk On By – “D” Train – Epic 12”
19 14 You Got The Power / Cinco De Mayo– War – RCA 12”
20 29 The Meaning Of Love – Depeche Mode – Mute 12”
21 24 Girl Crazy – Hot Chocolate – Rak
22 15 You’re The One For Me – “D” Train – Epic 12”
23 27 Time – Stone – Carrere 12”
24 30 The Rhythm Of The Jungle – The Quick – Epic 12”
25 20 Poison Arrow – ABC – Neutron 12”
26 43 I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll – Joan Jett – Epic
27 26 Ever So Lonely – Monsoon – Mobile Suit Corporation 12”
28 28 One Step Further – Bardo – Epic
29 47 Perfumed Garden – Rah Band – KR 12”
30 50 White Boy – Culture Club – Virgin 12”
31 60 The Telephone Always Rings – Fun Boy Three – Chrysalis
32 38 Circles – Atlantic Starr – A&M
33 22 This Beat Is Mine – Vicky “D” – SAM 12”
34 23 Love Plus One / Marine Boy – Haircut 100 – Arista 12”
35 33 Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates – RCA 12”
36 52 Body Language – Queen – EMI
37 41 Your Love – Lime – Carrere 12”
38 36 Show You My Love / Go Back – Goldie Alexander – Project 12”
39 — Don’t You Love It (UK Remix) – Maxine Singleton – System 12”
40 39 Try Jah Love – Third World – CBS 12”
41 34 Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – David Bowie – MCA 12”
42 51 You And Me Just Started – Linda Taylor – Groove Production 12”
43 63 Paris Is One Day Away – The Mood – RCA 12”
44 46 Baby I Need Your Loving – Gayle Adams – Epic 12”
45 — Fantasy Island – Tight Fit – Jive 12”
46 40 If You Want Me (Remix) – Barbara Roy – Project 12”
47 — Klacto Vee Sedstein – Blue Rondo A La Turk – Diable Noir 12”
48 37 On A Journey (Instrumental) – Electrik Funk – Epic 12”
49 65 Lite Me Up – Herbie Hancock – CBS 12”
50 — Club Country – Associates – Associates 12”
51 25 Give Me Back My Heart – Dollar – WEA
52 57 Thank You For The Party – The Dukes – WEA 12”
53 69 Temptation – De Blanc – Avatar 12”
54 55 Every Way But Loose – Oneness Of Juju – Buddah 12”
55 — View From A Bridge – Kim Wilde – Rak
56 45 Do What Ya Wanna Do – The Cage/Nona Hendryx – Metropolis 12”
57 — A Little Bit Further Away – Kokomo – CBS
58 58 God’s Kitchen – Blancmange – London 12”
59 — Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran – EMI 12”
60 66 Puerto Rico – Decoupage – R&B 12”
61 31 More Than This – Roxy Music – EG/Polydor
62 54 Radio Radio / Dub – Members – Genetic 12”
63 61 Tell Me That I’m Dreaming – Was (Not Was) – Ze 12”
64 — Hello Rio! / Shalala Song – Ottawan – Carrere 12”
65 — Dry Bones – Gigolo – Channel 7
66 53 Baby It’s True – Mari Wilson – Compact 12”
67 44 Black Coffee In Bed – Squeeze – A&M
68 68 Talk Talk – Talk Talk – EMI 12”
69 70 What Goes Around Comes Around (Remix) – Brandi Wells – WMOT 12”
70 — Pale Shelter – Tears For Fears – Mercury 12”
71 42 Love Is On The One / Work That Sucker To Death – Xavier – Liberty 12”
72 73 Emergency – Whispers – Solar 12”
73 71 Eastern Girls – Landscape – RCA 12”
74 — (The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up – Roni Griffith – Vanguard 12”
75 72 Shirley – Shakin’ Stevens – Epic
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