1976 Billboard Disco Compilation Consensus Charts!!!

[remicks]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Looking in my old emails from Toby T. for the next Moulton column, I found this Billboard article about small record labels doing well with disco that he had sent me in July 2006 (!) that never got posted with the 1976 stuff...so why let it mildew in my emails, eh?
Might as well print it.

from Billboard dated September 4, 1976


UNKNOWN ACTS BENEFIT

Small Labels Boom Thanks To Discos

By RADCLIFFE JOE

NEW YORK—Small independent record companies like Midland International continue enjoying life thanks to the disco boom in this country.

In addition, more and more independents are discovering that with the disco industry’s receptiveness to new and untried acts, much of the pressure to release popular artists with established track records has been lifted.

Included among these are Salsoul, with the chart-riding Salsoul Orchestra and Double Exposure, Spring Records with the Fatback Band, TK with K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Soul Train with its hit group the Whispers, Pyramid with Jakki and D.C. LaRue, along with such other hitherto unheard of labels like Juana, Teal, Jaguar, Flo-Feel, and Oasis.

Midland International, for example, in two short years of operations, has ridden the crest of the disco boom from being a nonentity in the recording business to a firm with anticipated retail sales of $10 million this year.

The most unique aspect of Midland’s Cinderella-like story is that the firm has achieved its success with a group of total unknowns.

As Ed O’Loughlin, Midland’s vice president, points out, Midland has had three major acts on the charts—Silver Convention, Carol Douglas and more recently, John Travolta. With the exception of Travolta, who has had exposure on the television series “Welcome Back Kotter,” none of these had ever been heard of prior to signing with, and being released by, Midland.


Further emphasizing the amazing influence of the disco industry on the recording business is the fact that until she was “discovered” by Midland, no one had ever heard of Carol Douglas. Also, this artist’s million-selling hit “Doctor’s Orders” had been kicked around England without success until the property was acquired by Midland’s president, Bob Reno.

wouldn't you like to know which big label big shots in their industrial strength musical wisdom passed on it
and therefore ate disco crow over this !

The success story of Silver Convention is similar. Acquisition rights to the group were passed up by the majors at the MIDEM convention in France two years ago, and the property languished until Reno came along. The group’s “Fly, Robin Fly” and “Get Up And Boogie” have been among the biggest disco hits in the history of the disco movement in this country.

wouldn't you like to know which big label big shots in their industrial strength musical wisdom passed on it
and therefore ate disco crow over this !

The disco story ... a true David and Goliath .... I love everything about it.




thanks for taking the time to add that Marky!

*****