ODDS ‘N’ BODS
FRED DOVE’S promotional ploy with Larry Graham seems to be playing off, the pre-sale orders evidently are already higher than Patrice Rushen’s . . . Capitol have re-released the first two albums by Maze, 1977’s ‘Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly’ (CAPS 1839) and 1978’s ‘Golden Time Of Day’ (CAPS 1840) . . . Steve Collins, DJ on the in-store Radio Top Shop, says that as the radio stations in Oxford Circus’s Top Shop and the West One Shopping Centre are “going commercial” they need more full-time professional DJ’s with previous broadcasting experience, capable of running a programme and self-op commercials: apply with tape and CV to Sue Hutcheson, Personnel Manager at Top Shop, 214 Oxford St, London, W1A 2LP . . . Touch are available for PA’s, call Andy Sojke at Elite on 01-963 6385 . . . Fatman Graham Canter returns to Mayfair’s Gullivers weekly from next Friday (11), when he will be promoting his own ‘Fatman’s Fun House’ with his own sound and lighting installation downstairs — this will not affect Graham Gold and myself upstairs in the funk rooms . . . Graham Bond guests on Radio Tee’s ‘Morning Call’ programme this Friday (4) to discuss the DJ Federation . . . Nick Ratcliffe (Winkfield) raving about Level 42 live, says they announced their Guildford Civic Hall gig was being recorded for a live album . . . Sandy ‘Cardboard’ Martin (Swindon Brunel Rooms) raves about a recent appearance by Sticky Stuff, whose own self-penned jazz-funk material went down a storm . . . Pete Tong’s playlist for the Peter Powell soul show last week does look more tuneful and together than the last one I heard and commented on, much more the influential direction they should be heading . . . Dazz Band’s feat Rick James-ian ‘Let It Whip‘ is the US Soul number one and big Disco there too . . . Deodato has a 7in on import, but hang on there’s a 12in (and eventual album) coming here soon . . . Boney M freak Gary Andrews from Bawtry (which is where I go shopping in the market, when with my parents nearby!) recommends two “very danceable” German 12in releases ‘My Friend Jack‘ (Hansa 609 233-213) “faster than the British version with untypical horns and ‘Searching’ type inserts” and ‘Boney M For Dancin’ (Hansa 301 500 565) with terrific very valuable versions of ‘Felicidad‘ / ‘Children Of Paradise‘ . . . Chris Ellis reports from Athens that, fashion-wise, Greek leather goods are very good, as are woollens — although too mega-hot for them right now . . . I’ve been dieting again after accumulated “bloat bloat” excesses, and what with heavy house moving exertions and meat-only intake, I’m able to get into my summer clothes again after only ten days!
UK NEWIES
STEVIE WONDER: ‘Do I Do’ (Motown TMG 1289).
Dynamite old style happily swinging ever changing 114bpm groove with Dizzy Gillespie sitting in on trumpet. His hottest dancer for ages.
ODYSSEY: ‘Inside Out’ (RCA RCAT 226).
Remember Slave’s ‘Wait For Me‘? You will when you hear this pleasant loudly rolling 113-112bpm 12in jogger, their most musically and aesthetically “together” offering in a while, never stretching a muscle to achieve the effect, while the ‘Love’s Alright‘ flip’s another low-key 111bpm swayer that’s nice too if less distinctive.
ERNIE WATTS: ‘Chariots Of Fire’ (Qwest K 17958T).
Quincy-produced good subdued 111bpm 12in ‘Dance Version’ of the Vangelis movie smash by the super-session saxist, easier to synch for some good mixes than a first hearing might suggest, flipped by the 0-38bpm ‘Slow Version’.
XCLUSIV: ‘Fools Are Friendly’ (Le Maitre Music KA100-12).
Chix chirped steady electronically tripping 116-117bpm 12in burbler with instrumental last half and 116½-117bpm flip, most notable as a great mixer with Electrik Funk, prod/penned by Jeremy ‘A Walk In The Park’ Paul for the Croydon pyrotechnics company’s first label venture.
FIRST LIGHT: ‘Don’t Be Mistaken’ (Oval FLIGHT 22-12).
Beefy sparse backing let down by amateurish cliched Britfunk voices on a jolting 115bpm 12in bumper, double “A”-ed with an interesting 126bpm revival of America’s ‘A Horse With No Name‘ moulded now into a different groove.
GEORGE DUKE: ‘Ride On Love’ (Epic EPC A12-2372).
Slightly inconclusive but incisively smacking 0-117bpm 12in burbling jiggler with nice keyboards between squeaky singing, flipped by the great truly HEAVY 94bpm P’funk ‘Son Of Reach For It‘.
STARSOUND: ‘The Greatest Rock ‘N’ Roll Band In The World’ (CBS A13-2296).
Horrendously inappropriate screaching ‘Stars On 45’ intro starts an otherwise murkily recorded and not particularly accurate c.123bpm 12in Rolling Stones medley, mercifully edited from their new ‘Stars Medley’ LP (CBS 85651) marathon side long version (which includes ‘Star Star’ — no way would that get on single!). However the vinyl isn’t wasted as the 2-track flip includes their excellent US hit 123bpm ‘Beatles Medley’ extracted from the first LP, the best thing they ever did and great for mobiles, starting usefully with ‘My Sweet Lord’.
THE KINGS OF SWING ORCHESTRA: ‘Switched On Swing’ (Philips SWING 1).
Lovely big band 172bpm 7in quickstep medley spoilt by over obvious mechanical clapping, but flipped by an untampered with slower 94bpm ‘Hooked On Love‘ medley which is even better MoR.
MECO: ‘Pop Goes The Movies Part 1’ (Arista ARIST 460).
Beautifully dovetailed 0-132bpm 7in evocative movie theme medley lumbered with mechanical clapping that’s too unemphatic to add “disco” appeal and merely detracts from the natural rhythm — however, the lusher 131/66-0bpm ‘Part 2‘ is more subtle.
NOLEN & CROSSLEY: ‘Ready Or Not’ (Motown TMGT 1261).
Lightly sung rollingly jolting routine 125-126bpm 12in smacker, not an old song although it would have been more interesting if it was.
JON ANDERSON: ‘Surrender’ (Polydor POSP 393).
Surprisingly soulful if somewhat inconclusive old Chi-Lites-ish 82bpm 7in slowie sung in such a way he sounds like one of the backing chix.
TINA TURNER: ‘Ball Of Confusion’ (B.E.F. VS 500).
Good rhythmically complex 83bpm 7in Temptations remake, not for the regular disco crowd though uncommitted whiteys may dig.
BERNARD LAVILLIERS: ‘Pigalle La Blanche’ (Barclay 100 148).
This interesting slow jogging 68bpm 7in sounds disconcertingly like Jake Thakray singing one of Grace Jones’s reggae efforts in French!
ATKINS: ‘Feel It Don’t Fight It’ (Warner Bros K 17925).
Rather good old fashioned Philly style 128bpm 7in falsetto stomper with Northern appeal, recommended as such.
TONY COOK & THE PARTY PEOPLE: ‘Remember (You Took My Heart)’ (Osceola OSC4 via 01-749 3838).
Northern soul-ish lightweight 128bpm 7in romper.
IMPORTS
HOT NEWIES there’s no time to review before the Bank Holiday deadline include a double album of ‘98.7 KISS FM Mastermixes‘ (Prelude LP) that consists of remixed ‘D’ Train, Gayle Adams, Sharon Redd and all the other Prelude material that fits, plus good 12in newies by Howard Johnson, BLT, Gene Chandler, Armed Gang and more. Back to normal next week!
LISA HILL: ‘I Am On The Real Side’ (US Cherry Hill CHP 1945).
Vocally distinctive Lisa wails and raps away over a jiggly 111(start)-112bpm 12in loper in a style reminiscent of certain ’60s soulstresses, while the backing bubbles with good restrained stereo ingredients.
ANGELA CLEMMONS: ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’ (US Portrait 4R9-02753).
Synching sensationally with the Chairman Of The Board’s 127bpm original classic 1970 romper, this good opened-out 126bpm update didn’t turn a hair when I mixed between the two at my sixties soul night — where CoB are one of the most requested acts (OK, neither are from the sixties, don’t quibble!). In fact an intelligent CoB three-track 12in right now could even be a hit, while this new version’s breezing up the US charts.
CAVIAR: ‘Never Stop Loving You’ (US Survivor SUD-131).
Rather nice old-style Philly soul style 0-107-108bpm 12in roller with Philly-type masculine vocal group work interwoven with a steadily ticking unhurried rhythm.
KLIQUE: ‘I Can’t Get Enough’ (LP ‘Let’s Wear It Out’ US MCA MCA-5317).
Self consciously hung up on their similarity to Shalamar, the two guys and one gal are at times indistinguishable (another way of saying they’re not very distinctive themselves), this maddeningly familiar creamy rolling 114-117bpm chugger having tight chunky bass guitar and nice sax as it progresses, ‘Pump Your Rump‘ being a vocodered sparse synth backed 111bpm funker, ‘Dance Like Crazy (Let’s Wear It Out)‘ more mundane slow 108-112bpm funk, ‘Baby You Can Be The One‘ another 120bpm routine one, ‘I Can’t Shake This Feeling‘ being the outstandingly Shalamar-like 116-118bpm looping swayer.
RITCHIE FAMILY: ‘One And Only’ (LP ‘I’ll Do My Best’ US RCA AFL1-4323).
Although the title track single’s a killer the rest rather blur, as the girls wail away and the beat rushes by on this 118-119bpm disco dancer, the 122-123-124-125bpm ‘This Love’s On Me‘, 117-118bpm ‘Alright On The Night‘, Narada Michael Walden-ish 123-124bpm ‘Tonight I Need To Have Your Love‘, the slower 92-94bpm ‘Walk With Me‘ being quite nice.
HI VOLTAGE: ‘Let’s Get Horny’ / ‘Somewhere Beyond’ (US One Way OW-604).
Two sides and two different Tee Scott-mixed instrumental treatments of Began Cekic’s 124bpm 12in combination of elements from Kasso / Bohannon, ‘Instant Replay’ and other inspirations, aimed at mixers.
DOLETTE McDONALD: ‘(xtra) Special’ (US BC BC-4015).
Began Cekic-produced chick sung c.111bpm 12in remake of the current Atmosfear track given a lighter treatment.
TINA FABRIK: ‘Non Stop’ (US Prism PDS 430).
Stage struck gal wails away over a tight but changeable 122bpm 12in thumper which starts well before switching into a more mundane groove, probably best for gays, with a less vocal ‘Non Stop-Music‘ flip.
UK Disco Top 90 – June 5, 1982
01 01 Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots – Elektra 12”
02 03 Fat Larry’s Band – Act Like You Know – WMOT 12”
03 02 Patrice Rushen – Number One / Remind Me / Where There Is Love / All We Need – Elektra LP
04 05 Temptations/Rick James – Standing On The Top – Motown 12”
05 04 Sharon Brown – I Specialize In Love – Virgin 12”
06 07 The Band A.K.A. – Grace / Instrumental – Epic/Streetwave 12”
07 06 Junior – Mama Used To Say (US Remix)– Mercury 12”
08 11 Touchdown – Ease Your Mind (US Remix) / Ritmo Suave – Excaliber 12”
09 12 Blue Feathers – Let’s Funk Tonight – Canadian Siamese 12”
10 16 Stevie Wonder – Do I Do – Motown LP
11 08 Gwen Guthrie – It Should’ve Been You – Island 12”
12 09 Kid Creole & The Coconuts – I’m A Wonderful Thing, Baby – Ze 12”
13 10 Linda Taylor – You And Me Just Started / Club Mix – GPL 12”
14 13 Atlantic Starr – Circles – A&M 12”
15 15 ‘D’ Train – Walk On By – Epic 12”
16 19 Gap Band – Early In The Morning – Mercury 12”
17 32 Rick James – Dance Wit’ Me / Money Talks / Happy / Throwdown – US Gordy LP
18 24 Jerome – (I’m Into) Your Love – RCA 12”
19 14 Elecktrik Funk – On A Journey (Instrumental) – Epic 12”
20 39 High Fashion – Feelin’ Lucky Lately – Capitol 12”
21 17 Brass Construction – Do That Thang / Forever Love / Attitude – Liberty LP
22 31 Valentine Brothers – Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) / Instrumental – US Bridge 12”
23 21 Savanna – Never Let You Go – R&B 12”
24 23 Maze – Before I Let Go / Golden Time Of Day (Live) – Capitol 12”
25 25 Ritchie Family – I’ll Do My Best (For You Baby) – US RCA 12”
26 28 Sinnamon – Thanks To You / Instrumental / Fierce Reprise – US Becket 12”
27 29 Mike Anthony – Why Can’t We Live Together – German Ariola 12”
28 18 ‘D’ Train – Keep On / You’re The One For Me (Reprise) / ‘D’Train Theme – Epic LP
29 22 Shalamar – I Can Make You Feel Good – Solar 12”
30 26 Peech Boys – Don’t Make Me Wait – US West End 12”
31 34 A Taste Of Honey – We’ve Got The Groove / Diamond Real / Sayonara / I’ll Try Something New – US Capitol LP
32 61 Odyssey – Inside Out – RCA 12”
33 56 Narada Michael Walden – I’m Ready / You Ought To Love Me / Summer Lady / You’re No.1 – US Atlantic LP
34 20 Stone – Time / Instrumental – Carrere 12”
35 35 Cameo – Just Be Yourself / Flirt – Casablanca 12”
36 37 Candela – Love You Madly – US Arista 12”
37 27 Shakatak – Night Birds – Polydor 12”
38 59 Keni Burke – Risin’ To The Top / Hang Tight / All Night / Changes – US RCA LP
39 36 Patrick Boothe – Dance All Night – Streetwave 12”
40 30 McCrarys – Love On A Summer Night – US Capitol LP
41 51 Fonda Rae – Over Like A Fat Rat – US Vanguard 12”
42 40 Brass Construction – Can You See The Light – Liberty 12”
43 38 Whispers – Emergency – Solar 12”
44 33 I.C.Q. – Final Approach – ICQ 12”
45 46 Ransom, MacKenzie & Friends – Orange Grove – Smokey Joe 12”
46 45 Dennis Brown – Love Has Found Its Way / Any Day Now – US A&M LP
47 54 Level 42 – Are You Hearing (What I Hear?) – Polydor 12”
48 42 War – You Got The Power – RCA 12”
49 65 Fat Larry’s Band – Be My Lady – US WMOT LP/Canadian 12”
50 71 Phil Upchurch – Free & Easy – US Jam LP
51 80 Jesse Green – Nice And Slow (US Remix) – Excaliber 12”
52 NE Al McCall – Hard Times – US West End 12”
53 89 Larry Graham – Sooner Or Later – Warner Bros 12” promo
54 47 Brandi Wells – What Goes Around Comes Around (Remix) – WMOT 12”
55 58 Rah Band – Perfumed Garden / Funk Me Down To Rio ’82 – KR 12”
56 50 Ashford & Simpson – Street Corner – Capitol 12”
57 57 Kandidate/Viscount Oliver – Can’t Say Bye / Instrumental – Polydor 12”
58 52 Was (Not Was) – Tell Me That I’m Dreaming – Ze 12”
59 44 Mass Production – Inner City / Should Have Known Better – Cotillion LP
60 76 Hi-Tension – How D’You Feel – EMI 12”
61 43 Miles Watson – You’re My Everything / Instrumental – US Profile 12”
62 64 Dramatics – Live It Up – US Capitol 12”
64 62 Oliver Sain – Cruisin’ On Sunset / The Closer I Get To You – US HCRC LP
67 72 Shalamar – A Night To Remember / Remix – Solar 12”
68 69 Herbie Hancock – Lite Me Up – CBS 12”
69 70 Ray Parker Jr – Just Havin’ Fun / Let’s Get Off – Arista LP
70 RE Loose End – In The Sky – Virgin 12”
72 73 D’Lllegance – Chanson D’Llegance (Mix-x-tend) – US Airwave 12”
73 49 Direct Drive – Time’s Running Out – Oval 12”
74 86 George Chandler – This Could Be The Night – Polydor 12”
76 83 ABC – The Look Of Love – Neutron 12”
77 NE Kinkina – Jungle Fever – US Profile 12”
81 79 Maxine Singleton – Don’t You Love It (UK Remix) – System 12”
82 NE Light Of The World – Check Us Out – EMI 12”
85 NE Roy Hamilton – Take Your Time / Instrumental – white label 12”
87 87 BT Express – Keep It Up – US Coast To Coast LP
Ed’s Note: Only a Top 60 was printed this week. Missing placings have been obtained from next week’s chart, where possible.
BREAKERS
BUBBLING UNDER the UK Disco 90 with increased support are:
Decoupage: ‘Puerto Rico’ / (Salsa Version) (R&B 12in)
George Duke: ‘Ride On Love’ (Epic 12in)
Pigbag: ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag’ (Y 12in)
Cheri: ‘Murphy’s Law’ (Polydor 12in)
BLT: ‘Tighten It Up’ (US Gold Coast 12in)
Touch: ‘Love Something Special’ (Elite 12in)
Rose Royce: ‘Best Love’ (Epic)
Electra: ‘Feels Good (Instrumental)’ (US Emergency 12in)
Keni Burke: ‘Shakin’ / ‘Night Riders’ (RCA 12in)
Shakatak: ‘Streetwalkin’ / ‘Bitch To The Boys’ (Polydor LP)
Change: ‘The Very Best In You’ (US Atlantic LP)
Jean Carn: ‘Don’t Let Me Slip Away’ / ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ (US Motown LP)
Shalamar: ‘Work It Out’ (Solar/RCA 12in)
Lisa Hill: ‘I Am On The Real Side’ (US Cherry Hill 12in)
Angela Clemmons: ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’ (US Portrait 12in)
Deniece Williams: ‘It’s Gonna Take A Miracle’ (CBS)
Norma Lewis: ‘I’m Into Your Love’ (KR 12in)
Voggue: ‘Love Buzz (Remix)’ / ‘Dancin’ The Night Away’ (Mercury 12in)
Head & The Helmitz Band: ‘The Helmet Song’ (THD 12in white label)
‘D’ Train: ‘You’re The One For Me (KISS Remix)’ (US Prelude LP)
Carrie Lucas: ‘Show Me Where You’re Coming From’ (Solar)
Kat Mandu: ‘I Wanna Dance (Remix)’ (Canadian Formula 12in)
The RB’s: ‘Uruguay (Club Mix)’ (Hansa 12in)
Atlantis: ‘Keep On Movin’ And Groovin’ / Instrumental (US Chaz Ro 12in)
Ray Parker Jr: ‘Jack And Jill (1982 Version)’ / ‘The Other Woman’ (Arista 12in)
Armed Gang: ‘All I Want’ (US Chaz Ro 12in)
William Bootsy Collins: ‘Take A Lickin’ And Keep On Kickin’ / ‘The Funky Functioneer’ (Warner Bros LP)
Dance Reaction: ‘Disco Train’ / ‘Train Sound’ (Carrere 12in)
Howard Johnson: ‘So Fine’ / ‘This Is Heaven’ (US A&M 12in)
Freddie Hubbard: ‘Gibraltar’ (US Pablo LP)
Nightclub Chart:
01 05 Forget Me Nots – Patrice Rushen – Elektra 12”
02 03 I Specialize In Love – Sharon Brown – Virgin 12”
03 01 Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag – Pigbag – Y 12”
04 02 I Can Make You Feel Good – Shalamar – Solar 12”
05 04 Really Saying Something – Bananarama/Fun Boy Three – Deram 12”
06 09 Mama Used To Say (US Remix) – Junior – Mercury 12”
07 07 Just An Illusion – Imagination – R&B 12”
08 10 Instinction / Chant No.1 (Remix) – Spandau Ballet – Reformation 12”
09 06 Promised You A Miracle – Simple Minds – Virgin 12”
10 08 Night Birds – Shakatak – Polydor 12”
11 12 Ebony And Ivory – Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder – Parlophone 12”
12 16 The Look Of Love (Pts. 1-2-3) – ABC – Neutron 12”
13 11 Fantastic Day / Ski Club – Haircut 100 – Arista 12”
14 13 Only You – Yazoo – Mute 12”
15 17 Island Of Lost Souls – Blondie – Chrysalis 12”
16 15 Act Like You Know – Fat Larry’s Band – WMOT 12”
17 18 Walk On By – “D” Train – Epic 12”
18 20 The Meaning Of Love – Depeche Mode – Mute 12”
19 21 Girl Crazy – Hot Chocolate – Rak
20 14 I Won’t Let You Down – PhD – WEA
21 19 You Got The Power / Cinco De Mayo– War – RCA 12”
22 22 You’re The One For Me – “D” Train – Epic 12”
23 24 The Rhythm Of The Jungle – The Quick – Epic 12”
24 26 I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll – Joan Jett – Epic
25 — (I’m Into) Your Love – Jerome – RCA 12”
26 31 The Telephone Always Rings – Fun Boy Three – Chrysalis 12”
27 29 Perfumed Garden – Rah Band – KR 12”
28 23 Time / Instrumental – Stone – Carrere 12”
29 27 Ever So Lonely – Monsoon – Mobile Suit Corporation 12”
30 28 One Step Further – Bardo – Epic
31 45 Fantasy Island – Tight Fit – Jive 12”
32 48 On A Journey (Instrumental) – Electrik Funk – Epic 12”
33 42 You And Me Just Started – Linda Taylor – Groove Production 12”
34 32 Circles – Atlantic Starr – A&M 12”
35 25 Poison Arrow – ABC – Neutron 12”
36 30 White Boy – Culture Club – Virgin 12”
37 39 Don’t You Love It (UK Remix) – Maxine Singleton – System 12”
38 40 Try Jah Love – Third World – CBS 12”
39 59 Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran – EMI 12”
40 33 This Beat Is Mine – Vicky “D” – SAM 12”
41 49 Lite Me Up – Herbie Hancock – CBS 12”
42 38 Show You My Love / Go Back – Goldie Alexander – Project 12”
43 36 Body Language – Queen – EMI
44 43 Paris Is One Day Away – The Mood – RCA 12”
45 — House Of Fun – Madness – Stiff
46 64 Hello Rio! / Shalala Song – Ottawan – Carrere 12”
47 — Grace – The Band AKA – Epic/Streetwave 12”
48 53 Temptation – De Blanc – Avatar 12”
49 37 Your Love – Lime – Carrere 12”
50 56 Do What Ya Wanna Do – The Cage/Nona Hendryx – Metropolis 12”
51 50 Club Country – Associates – Associates 12”
52 35 Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates – RCA 12”
53 47 Klacto Vee Sedstein – Blue Rondo A La Turk – Diable Noir 12”
54 — Are You Hearing (What I Hear)? – Level 42 – Polydor 12”
55 41 Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – David Bowie – MCA 12”
56 44 Baby I Need Your Loving – Gayle Adams – Epic 12”
57 — Torch – Soft Cell – Some Bizzare 12”
58 74 (The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up – Roni Griffith – Vanguard 12”
59 69 What Goes Around Comes Around (Remix) – Brandi Wells – WMOT 12”
60 57 A Little Bit Further Away – Kokomo – CBS
61 — I’m A Wonderful Thing, Baby – Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Ze 12”
62 60 Puerto Rico – Decoupage – R&B 12”
68 — Thank You For The Party – The Dukes – WEA 12”
71 — Can You See The Light – Brass Construction – Liberty 12”
74 72 Emergency – Whispers – Solar 12”
Ed’s Note: Only a Top 60 was printed this week. Missing placings have been obtained from next week’s chart, where possible.
James Hamilton's Disco Page 