May 10, 1986: Thomas & Taylor, Chris Paul, Skyy, Ca$hflow, C.M. Dance

ODDS ‘N’ BODS

PATTI LaBELLE is going to disappoint everyone who’s just given her a smash as she’s chickened out of her concerts here on account of the terrorist bomb scare, but in her place we could be getting separate visits from Anita Baker and Patti Austin — who’d you rather see?! . . . Steve Walsh is to star in a movie, filmed in London over the next two months, as the gigantic leader of a tribe of post-nuclear holocaust mutants (obviously someone saw ‘Thunderdome’, though whether this’ll be for cinema or just video release is unclear at the moment): more immediately, his Soul Set returns to The Hippodrome next Wednesday (14) with a mock-up radio studio built on stage and many PAs . . . Disco Mix Club’s Megamixers night at the same venue last week could have been busier but was a good showcase for some non-competitive scratching — Les Adams in particular did serious damage to ‘Just Buggin’ and ‘Alice’ . . . New York master cutter Steinski’s latest non-commercial offering, due on ultra-scarce vinyl and already about on cassette (stay tuned to Capital Radio!), is ‘The Motorcade Sped On‘, doing for President Kennedy’s assassination what ’19’ did for Vietnam, setting actuality news reports to what’s presumably a purpose-built hip hop backing (rather than snippets of well known records this time), making a hook out of the repeated line “Mrs Kennedy jumped up, she called ‘Oh no’” . . . Princess producer Pete Waterman says we should have heard the stuff he had to cut out of Cheese’s mix! (‘I’ll Keep On Loving You’ meanwhile is being remixed by Bruce Forest for the US) . . . Champion Records picked up Word Of Mouth featuring DJ Cheese ‘Coast To Coast‘, and — cross your fingers — could well have Harleqiun Four’s ‘Set It Off’! . . . Tim Westwood interestingly observes that nearly all the calls received by Dial-A-Beat (the expensive ‘M’-rate ‘phone a disc service he hosts) are during office hours, when obviously lots of funky secretaries are getting hip at their bosses’ expense . . . Greg Edwards ousts Gary Crowley from Capital Radio’s week nights, this week starting a new half ‘n half soul ‘n style show 8-10pm Tuesday to Friday, as well as his Saturday ‘Soul Spectrum’ of course . . . JJ Barnes at the last moment turned down the chance of a world-wide deal with EMI, his lucky replacement being Steve Mancha: both are Sixties soul legends now best remembered (unfortunately) for their northern soul sides . . . Linda Creed, who partners Thom Bell writing Philly Sound hits for most notably The Stylistics, has died aged just 37 of cancer — she’s currently charting as co-writer of ‘The Greatest Love Of All’ . . . Pauli Carman used to lead Champaign . . . O’chi Brown ‘Whenever You Need Somebody’ (on Mercury there) and then Pet Shop Boys ‘West End Girls (Remix)’ topped US Club Play, Stephanie Mills ‘I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love‘ (a Rene & Angela-penned ballad) Black 45s, and Janet Jackson Black LPs in Billboard . . . Billboard’s disco columnist Brian Chin is chuffed that instead of flowers he gave the Anita Baker album to Jane Torvill after a New York Torvill & Dean gig! . . . Anita Baker’s first ever UK single will have to be ‘Sweet Love’ as a video’s been made for its US release . . . The SOS Band’s follow-up will be ‘Borrowed Love’ . . . I never know why otherwise quite soulful seeming DJs still support the pop material that Level 42 have been making in the main, albeit stylishly, for the last few years . . . Gilles Peterson is amongst the jocks at Andros’s trendy War nights in London St Martin’s Lane Lacey’s for the next six Thursdays . . . Superfly co-presents Saxon Studio International at Bristol Mecca Mayfair Rooms this Saturday (10), and at Gloucester Jamaican Sport & Social Club on Friday fortnight (23) . . . Sunday (11) Chris Brown & Johnnie Walker start up The Stronghold weekly at Camberley’s Cambridge Nightclub, playing every vintage, type and ethnic origin of black music that fits . . . Danny Smith spins hard funk ‘n soul Fri/Sat with guest jocks at Hunstanton’s Club Alexia . . . Paul Burnett’s next rap attack under the guise of PB Squad, following earlier send-ups of ‘Convoy’ and ‘Rambo’, is ‘Walking The Dog’ — as in ‘Mad Dog’ Gadaffi . . . RELEASE THE TENSION!

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HOT VINYL

THOMAS & TAYLOR: ‘You Can’t Blame Love’ (Cooltempo COOLX 123)
Married soul duo Lamar Thomas and Judy Taylor are hopefully headed for a crossover hit with this lovely lazily swaying 102¼-102½-102¼-102½bpm duet, punctuated by haunting War-like harmonica and tinged with southern soul despite being recorded in New York, already much played by radio in London at least (edit, and 0-62¼-62½bpm ‘We Need Company’ flip). They recently visited for some PAs and are due here again, not being put off by bomb scares, which surely deserves support?

CHRIS PAUL: ‘Expansions ’86 (Expand Your Mind)’ (Fourth & Broadway 12BRW 48)
Here we go! South Harrow’s Jeff Lorber has linked Lonnie Liston Smith’s jazz-funk classic to the 113¾bpm ‘Set It Off’ beat, with guest vocals by David Joseph. To say it sizzles is an understatement! Why can’t it last longer?

SKYY: ‘Givin’ It (To You)’ (US Capitol V-15226)
Producer/writer Randy Muller is right on form, as are the ever distinctive sounding New York Skyy, whose opening “uh-uh yeah” and patented synth swirl will make fans feel immediately at home as this beefily bounding 113½bpm powerhouse pusher sets up an ultra infectious bright breezy lick (in three versions). A biggie!

CASHFLOW: ‘Mine All Mine’ (Club JABX 30)
By now everyone halfway funky must know that this Larry Blackmon-produced lurching 105¼bpm grinder is a dead ringer for Fatback’s ‘I Found Lovin’. On 12-inch it’s been released simultaneously in two separate forms, the original untouched LP Version being coupled with the similarly tempoed jazz-funkier 98½bpm ‘It’s Just A Dream‘, plus the Cameo-like 108bpm ‘Party Freak (Latin Rascals Edit)‘ import hit that’s common to both bits of vinyl. The original actually now sounds rather rough and raw in comparison with Mark Berry’s much mellower remixes, which on Club JABXR 30 comprise the less densely Fatback-like 105¼bpm Club Mix, more straightforward 105bpm Extended Version and Dub Mix. You pays your money and you takes your choice (for Phonogram, that’s the real meaning of Cashflow)!

C.M. DANCE: ‘Off The Hook’ (US Midnight Sun MSR-I004)
Starting with an exciting blaze of cuts and beats, this jittery electro 112½-0bpm Shannon-ish girl cooed ditty is inappropriately titled as it’ll hook ya for sure with its catchy lines and juddery tension (strong dub flip). Rochelle, Joyce Sims, now this.

WILLIE COLLINS: ‘Where You Gonna Be Tonight?’ LP (US Capitol ST-12442)
New York’s singing postman hasn’t given up his day job yet, but on the showing of this debut set he’s sure to as it’s great. Handsome and soulfully light voiced, he’s aimed at the ladies with hints of (Freddie) Jackson, Vandross, Pendergrass, Kashif and that ilk. Most rhythmic are the smoothly skipping 0-113½bpm title track wriggler and gently lurching 103¾bpm ‘Sticky Situation‘, but it’s the slowies that really score, the romantic candle lit 45½-0bpm ‘First Time Making Love‘, Womack & Womack-penned 50½bpm ‘Restless‘, already 12-inched 73bpm ‘Let’s Get Started‘, traditionally soulful 78½bpm ‘Girl In The Corner’, tenderly tortured 0-51½-0bpm ‘Ain’t No Woman’, only the McFadden & Whitehead-produced dated moody 58¾-117½bpm ‘Determination’ letting the set down.

AURRA: ‘You And Me Tonight (Midnight Mix)’ (10 Records TEN 71-13)
Timmy Regisford & Boyd Jarvis have added extra amusing dialogue and a buoyantly tripping jiggle to the beat for an excellent timely 108¾bpm remix, flipped by the long original and a short instrumental.

THE CONTROLLERS: ‘My Secret Fantasy’ (LP ‘Stay’ US MCA Records MCA-5681)
Long awaited, the mellow and very soulful fellas’ album lives up to expectations with such highlights as this gentle ‘All Night Long’ tempoed 94½bpm swayer, an exquisite Dells-ish 47¾bpm treatment of Marvin’s ‘Distant Lover‘ (with a spine-tingling long acappella section before the beat returns), ‘Sexual Healing’-ish 95½bpm ‘Break Out The Love‘, smoochy (0-)73½bpm ‘Deeper In Love‘, their Loose Ends-ish 97¾bpm title track hit, and breezily bumping 115½bpm ‘Bad Bad Jama’, (0-)115½bpm ‘So Glad’, (0-) 113½bpm ‘Got A Thang’.

GUINN: ‘Open Your Door’ (Motown GUINNT 1)
The singing Guinn Family, four guys and three gals (one a friend), add a touch of contemporary soul class to Motown’s roster with this smoothly wailing (0-)90½bpm slinky slow roller, now 12-inched (with the 0-74½bpm ‘Sincerely‘) but unaltered from their LP ‘Guinn’ (Motown ZL 72418), which includes such as the lovely 84½bpm ‘Dreamin‘ and more upbeat 0-113bpm ‘People Will Be People‘ in a consistently good set.

THE REAL THING: ‘Can’t Get By Without You (Special DJ Mix)’ (PRT 12P 352)
Also the original 1976 follow-up to ‘You To Me Are Everything’, this always seemed slightly lacklustre in comparison and now sounds drearily lethargic in its episode 101½-102-0bpm modern remix (not, apparently, by Froggy Productions Inc this time), although in the current climate anything that people can hum from memory is likely to be a hit regardless.

PRETTY RICKY & BOO-SKI: ‘It’s Mine’ (be*bop & Fresh 12DANCE 1, via Pinnacle)
Another new label from Cherry Red Records kicks off with a Spyder D-produced basic 101½bpm rap’n scratch in two versions, plus three versions of the 123bpm ‘Dreams‘, for hardened hip hoppers. The 17 year old duo are labelmates of Whistle on Select in the US, but more serious (not buggin’) by comparison.

BEASTIE BOYS: ‘Hold It, Now Hit It’ (Def Jam TA 7055)
The white punk rappers’ genuinely hip hop 95½bpm gangster rocker cuts up some famous break beats and is now out here.

LEW KIRTON: ‘Don’t Wanna Wait’ (US Tweedside LK 001)
Don’t make the mistake of judging this piece of plastic by its naff A-side, the flip is an excellent rhythmically ambiguous lightly flying 111½bpm soul canterer-cum-wriggler, with a tricky texture of beats at the start for mixing jocks to negotiate. Lew’s impassioned voice counterpoints a breathily semi-falsetto chorus to fine effect.

BOOKER NEWBERRY: ‘Take A Piece Of Me’ (Omni Records 120MN 1, via Pinnacle)
A satisfying rich voiced sneaky swaying (0-)103½bpm soul jogger (in four mixes) meandering along quite exotically, if not maybe all that grabbingly. Nice though.

GEORGE CLINTON: ‘Hey Good Lookin’ (LP ‘R&B Skeletons In The Closet’ US Capitol ST-12481)
Although there’s much to appreciate on an intellectual level here, nothin’s shakin’ like the single for dancers, this chanting and chatting bubbly 114¾bpm basher being closest to a groove.

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DISCO TOP 100 – May 10, 1986

01 01 YOU AND ME TONIGHT, Aurra, 10 Records 12in
02 02 THE FINEST, The SOS Band, Tabu 12in
03 03 (YOU ARE MY) ALL AND ALL, Joyce Sims, London 12in
04 04 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY (REMIX), Janet Jackson, A&M 12in
05 09 LOVE’S GONNA GET YOU, Modern-nique featuring Larry Woo, 10 Records 12in
06 06 SERIOUS, Serious Intention, London/Pow Wow Records Inc 12in
07 05 DO FRIES GO WITH THAT SHAKE, George Clinton, Capitol 12in
08 10 PRISONER OF LOVE (UK RE-EDIT), Millie Scott, 4th + B’way 12in
09 07 MINE ALL MINE/PARTY FREAK (LATIN RASCAL EDIT), Cashflow, Club 12in
10 18 ON MY OWN, Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald, MCA Records 12in
11 08 GOTTA FIND A WAY/INSTRUMENTAL, Russ Brown, 10 Records 12in
12 15 STAY, The Controllers, MCA Records 12in
13 14 TENDER LOVE, Force MD’s, Tommy Boy/Island 12in
14 25 JUMP BACK (SET ME FREE), Dhar Braxton. US Sleeping Bag Records 12in
15 12 I’LL KEEP ON LOVING YOU, Princess, Supreme Records 12in
16 19 I CAN’T WAIT (DUTCH MIX), Nu Shooz, US Atlantic 12in
17 24 SET ME FREE, Jaki Graham, EMI 12in
18 13 A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (M&M REMIX), Shalamar, MCA Records 12in
19 20 BORROWED LOVE/EVEN WHEN YOU SLEEP/NOTHING BUT THE BEST/DO YOU STILL WANT TO?/SANDS OF TIME, The SOS Band, Dutch Tabu LP
20 12 HEADLINE NEWS (EXTENDED REMIX), William Bell, Tout Ensemble 12in
21 23 CAN’T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE, Five Star, Tent 12in
22 — YOU AND ME TONIGHT (MIDNIGHT MIX), Aurra, 10 Records 12in
23 — EXPANSIONS ’86 (EXPAND YOUR MIND), Chris Paul, 4th + B’way 12in white label
24 16 YOU TO ME ARE EVERYTHING (DECADE REMIX), Real Thing, PRT 12in
25 58 WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT (DANCE REMIX), Total Contrast, London 12in
26 17 NOVELA DAS NOVE (SPIDER WOMAN)/CHIEF INSPECTOR (PRECINCT 13), Wally Badarou, 4th + B’way 12in
27 29 LESSONS IN LOVE/WORLD MACHINE, Level 42, Polydor 12in
28 22 THE HEAT OF HEAT (CLUB HEAT MIX), Patti Austin, Qwest 12in
29 26 WHAT’S MISSING (REMIX)/A BROKEN HEART CAN MEND, Alexander O’Neal, Tabu 12in
30 27 SECRET LOVERS, Atlantic Star, A&M 12in
31 21 IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE (BEN LIEBRAND REMIX), Tavares, Capitol 12in
32 30 YOU CAN’T BLAME LOVE, Thomas & Taylor, US Thom/Tay 12in
33 — MINE ALL MINE (MARK BERRY REMIXES), Cashflow, Club 12in white label
34 28 WHEN I THINK OF YOU/HE DOESNT KNOW I’M ALIVE, Janet Jackson, A&M LP
35 55 WHERE YOU GONNA BE TONIGHT/FIRST TIME MAKING LOVE/RESTLESS/STICKY SITUATION, Willie Collins, US Capitol LP
36 32 SHADOWS OF YOUR LOVE, J.M. Silk, US DJ International Records 12in
37 33 CAUGHT UP IN THE RAPTURE/BEEN SO LONG/YOU BRING ME JOY, Anita Baker, Elektra LP
38 71 GIVIN’ IT (TO YOU), Skyy, US Capitol 12in
39 42 S.O.S., Oliver Cheatham, Champion 12in
40 41 SOUL POWER/DON’T TELL IT, James Brown, Boiling Point 12in
41 34 MY LATIN LOVER, Q-Pid Featuring Nikki Q, US Sunnyview 12in
42 60 CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE, James Cobbin & Prime Cut, Lovebeat International 12in
43 50 MY SECRET FANTASY/DISTANT LOVER, The Controllers, US MCA Records LP
44 31 FINE YOUNG TENDER/LOVE’S ON FIRE/MORE THAN A MILLION/ DANCE TO THE GROOVE, Aleem featuring Leroy Burgess, Atlantic LP
45 77 DIAL MY NUMBER, Pauli Carman, US Columbia 12in
46 38 MYSTERY OF LOVE (INSTRUMENTAL/DUB/ORIGINAL BASEMENT MIX), Fingers Inc, US DJ Internauonal Records 12in
47 47 COMPUTER LOVE (REMIXES), Zapp, Warner Bros 12in
48 39 TRUTH OR DARE (REMIX), Shirley Murdock, Elektra 12in
49 64 I’LL KEEP ON LOVING YOU (DUB & SCRATCH REMIXES), Princess, Supreme Records 12in
50 40 STYLE (PETER GUNN THEME), Grandmaster Flash, US Elektra 12in
51 36 THE ART OF DRUMS, Macattack, Baad Records 12in
52 — CAN’T GET BY WITHOUT YOU (REMIX), Real Thing, PRT 12in promo
53 35 BROOKLYN’S IN THE HOUSE, Cut Master D C , US Zakia Records Ilin
54 51 GIVE IT UP FOR LOVE, Steven Dante. Cooltempo 12in
55 43 RAZZLE DAZZLE, Michael Jeffries, US Warner Bros 12in
56 49 HOLD IT, NOW HIT IT, Beastie Boys, Def Jam 12in
57 46 LET’S MAKE LOVE, T.C. Curtis, Hot Melt 12in
58 — BASSLINE (STRETCHED)/LADIES (REVIVED), Mantronix, 10 Records 12in promo
59 44 THE FOOLISH THING TO DO, Heaven 17 featuring Jimmy Ruffin, Virgin 12in
60 67 FIRE STARTER, Tease, Epic 12in
61 45 YOUR SMILE/SECRET RENDEZVOUS ’86, Rene & Angela, Club 12in
62 54 VERY REAL WAY (REMIX), The Winans, Qwest 12in
63 76 AMITYVILLE (THE HOUSE ON THE HILL), Lovebug Starski, US Epic 12in
64 68 JACK YOUR BODY — HOME MADE/CLUB YOUR BODY, Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, US Underground 12in
65 88 MYSTERY, Anita Baker, US Elektra 12in
66 37 GO-GO GADGET, Louie Oxley, Cooltempo 12in
67 57 I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, Marvin Gaye, Motown 12in
68 52 HE’LL NEVER LOVE YOU (LIKE I DO), Freddie Jackson, Capitol 12in
69 65 RELEASE THE TENSION/DUB THE TENSION, J-A Groove, US Studio Records 12in
70 63 DON’T STOP YOUR LOVE, Cargo, WEA 12in
71 75 ALL PLAYED OUT, L.I.F.E., Lovebeat International 12in
72 78 A LOVE BIZARRE, PARTS I AND II, Sheila E, Warner Bros/Paisley Park 12in
73 61 INTO THE MOTION, The Cool Notes, Abstract Dance 12in
74 87 DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK, Cognac, Rise Records 12in
75 53 ARE YOU WID IT, Private Possession, US Mega Bolt 12in
76 59 RECONSIDER, The Main Attraction, US RCA Victor 12in
77 94 TURN ME UP, Candi McKenzie, Adventure 12in
78 48 PEE-WEE’S DANCE, Joeski Love, US Vintertainment 12in
79 85 PRAYIN’ (GOSPEL MIX), Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, Stateside 12in
80 — OFF THE HOOK, C.M. Dance, US Midnight Sun 12in
81 79 FREAK IN ME, Dante, Bluebird/10 12in
82 re BASSLINE/NEEDLE TO THE GROOVE, Mantronix, 10 Records LP
83 97 FREE AND EASY, Choice Reunion, US Les-Wes Records 12in
84 91 OPEN YOUR DOOR, Guinn, Motown 12in
85 re DON’T WANNA BE A SOMETIME LOVER, Sylvia Smith, US Qwest 12in
86 — HEY GOOD LOOKIN’, George Clinton, US Capitol LP
87 — DESTINY, D.S.M., Elite 12in white label
88 — DON’T WANNA WAIT, Lew Kirton, US Tweedside 12in
89 96 NEVER AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME (REMIX), Sade, Epic 12in
90 72 THE JAMMIN’ NATIONAL ANTHEM, Steve Arrington, Atlantic 12in
91 — BROOKLYN’S IN THE HOUSE (REMIX), Cut Master D.C., US Zakia Records LP
92 99 BYE-BYE, Janice, US 4th + B’way 12in
93 91 PEOPLE WILL BE PEOPLE/DREAMIN’, Guinn, Motown LP
94 89 LOVE HONEY, LOVE HEARTACHE, Man Friday, US Vinyl Mania 12in
95 81 SEX MACHINE DUB, Fat Boys, US Sutra 12in
96 70 PRISONER OF LOVE, Mildred Scott, US 4th + B’way 12in
97 — SHARP AS A KNIFE (VOICES CALLING), Brandon Cooke, Mercury 12in
98 98 CRUSH ON YOU, The Jets, MCA Records 12in
99 83 JUST ANOTHER LOVER,Johnny Kemp, US Columbia 12in
100 73 WHAT I LIKE, Anthony And The Camp, US Warner Bros/Jellybean 12in

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EUROBEAT

01 03 REFLEX ACTION, Louise Thomas, R&B 12in
02 02 E.S.P. (EXTRA SENSUAL PERSUASION), Hazell Dean, EMI 12in
03 01 YOU’RE A BEAT, Eastbound Expressway, Passion 12in
04 06 MALE STRIPPER, Man 2 Man & Man Parrish, US Recan 12in
05 12 OH L’AMOUR/GIMME GIMME GIMME, Erasure, Mute 12in
06 04 GIVE ME UP, Michael Fortunati, Belgian Ariola 12in
07 09 KEEP ON ROCKIN’, Hemyl, Italian Missing 12in
08 05 ANOTHER DAY COMES (ANOTHER DAY GOES) (NIGHTMARE MIX), Kiki Dee, Columbia 12in
09 13 NOTHING IN COMMON, Wagner, Italian Best 12in
10 21 LOVE HOSTAGE, Jessica Williams, Mexican Mastered 12in
11 10 IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE (BEN LIEBRAND REMIX), Tavares, Capitol 12in
12 07 THIS GIRL’S BACK IN TOWN, Paul Jabara, US Warner Bros LP
13 08 C’MON! C’MON! (REMIX), Bronski Beat, London 12in
14 16 WE ARE THE BOYS, Until December, US 415/Columba 12in
15 14 BURNING, Sapphire, Passion 12in
16 15 AGAIN, Do Piano, French EMI 12in
17 19 ANIKANA-O, Afrika System, Italian X-Energy 12in
18 24 FASHION, Parking, Italian Power 12in
19 23 I LOVE MY RADIO (MIDNIGHT RADIO) (US REMIX), Taffy, US Emergency 12in
20 17 DANGER FOR LOVE, Deborah, German ZYX 12in
21 20 LOVE WAVES, Patty Heart, Belgian ARS 12in
22 — ONCE MORE, Taffy, Italian Ibiza 12in
23 re SECLUSION, Shawn Benson, US TSR 12in
24 18 YOU’RE MY FIRST, YOU’RE MY LAST, Linda Jo Rizzo, German ZYX 12in
25 11 LOVES GONE MAD (EUROBEAT MIX), Seventh Avenue, Record Shack 12in
26 28 ANOTHER DAY COMES (ANOTHER DAY GOES), Kiki Dee, Columbia 12in
27 27 YOU’RE WRONG, Gotcha, Dutch Hot Sounds 12in
28 re KING OF HEARTS, Martinique, German ZYX 12in
29 22 TWIST MY ARM, Pointer Sisters, US RCA 12in
30 — THE PROMISE YOU MADE, Cock Robin, CBS 12in