1976 Billboard Disco Compilation Consensus Charts!!!

[markydefad]

OK, I corrected my typos and added a few tidbits that I didn't have at my disposal yesterday...the name of the Yvonne Fair single that had "It Should Have Been Me" on the b-side and the title of the Shirley & Company single and a few assorted snarky remarks too

[DISCODISK]

Originally Posted by markydefad

May 15, 1976

MAKING LOVE - Sammy Gordon & the Hip Huggers (Greg promo 12"/7") There were 2 different 12" pressings of this - the first was on a dark blue label (I think this may have been promo-only but it doesn't say on the label). The second was a light blue label. I haven't heard the Universal Robot lp version you mention, but all of these were produced by Patrick Adams. He must have felt that this song should have been a hit, because he used the same backing track on TWO other records... changing the title and/or lyrics. Not sure which was first, but there was a 7" single called "Hungry" by Sandy's Gang on Sunrise Records

MARKY/IN-THE -GROOVE
i have the sammy gordon 12" on a white promo,dont know if that helps but i suppose that could be a promo of the light blue release.
in my memory sandys gang came second.

[in-the-groove]

Hey Mixmachine - thanks for the kind words... hope that I can contribute enough to Marky's thread to keep it interesting, and I am sure that there will be more 'discoveries' that others will be able to contribute - should be fun! BTW, thanks for the scoop on the alternative mix on the Lipstick 7" that Quinny first posted about (and for the great entries that you regularly place in the vault!) http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/6815_0_2_0_C/

Discodisk - regarding Sammy Gordon, my list shows that indeed there was a white-label promo of the 2nd pressing. And I also found after my original email to Marky that there was one more pressing in addition to those already mentioned! Here is the scoop...

First pressing - dark blue label, the logo is simple silver letters that say "Greg", the label incorrectly states that there is a 3:15 mix on both sides. I think that this is promo only because all the copies that I have seen have a handwritten correction of the running time on both sides, indicating that the time is 7:02 (pretty hard to see blue ink corrections on a dark blue label... but they are there!). I can't imagine anyone handwriting corrections on every copy of a commercial pressing, and the handwriting on the ones I have seen is the same... anyone else have a copy of this pressing that can help confirm this too?

Second pressing - light blue background, has "Greg" in black letters over a red Pyramid logo. Running time listed on side A is corrected (7:02), plus side B now has a 5:00 edit. There was also a white label promo of this pressing (I think this is probably the one you mentioned, Discodisk)

Third pressing - light blue background, has "Red Greg" in black letters over a red Pyramid logo. Same running times as second pressing. I have not seen a WLP of this one. Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael changed the label name to Red Greg for all subsequent releases on this label.

I also forgot to mention to Marky in my original email that there were two pressing variations for the Brothers Johnson 12"... the first 12" promo had the 6:01 disco version on side "A" and a 2:27 'special radio edit' on the 'B' side. The second 12" promo had the 6:01 disco version on both sides. Both pressings had the same black and white picture sleeve.

Kevin
in-the-groove

[remicks]

*****

Add me to the welcome list, :D I-T-G !
So delighted to see such effort being applied toward documenting some of this stuff !! 8) The more info , stats, and scandal the better !! I'll look forward to these "new and amended " compilation charts !

I have one slight lil' suggestion ....and don't worry, my feelings will quickly recover if my brilliant idea is declined ..... I think your column should be called " The Dirty Lowdown" ........ :roll:
________

I didn't realize Yvonne Fair's " IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME " made it to the disco chart..... 8)

Back then I was keeping an eye on this song's slow climb up Billboard's Hot 100 . ( I really liked it) . It was stalling well below the critical breaking point of #40 ... so I was thrilled when while in my car in SF I heard it getting play on KFRC (anyone else remember Dr. Don Rose ?? 8) ) .... Becoming an early add-on there like that pretty much guaranteed it was going to go on up. Once a record broke on the biggest station in a big market like SF ..... it became a much easier record to promote and other regions tended to follow .....
But , sadly , it got just a couple of weeks of play... and disappeared . :(


By the way, the 45's "B" side ... a cover of Chaka's TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD ..... is fierce .

*****

[markydefad]

OK, so now it's THE DIRTY LOWDOWN ©remicks!!!!!!! I did think of that....but didn't know if "dirty" was the precise term...however, in honor of the great Boz Scaggs tune which is coming soon to the chart....I'll defer to your suggestion.

Glad you enjoyed the input from in-the-groove. The release patterns and various format availabilities of these records is so convoluted and confusing, I thought his input might shed some needed order and concise/precise info on what indeed was available--cuz face it, I don't have a clue. :oops:


Thanks also to remicks for verifying that Yvonne Fair was played on the radio in SF--I knew this tune really well and I don't recall it from the clubs. I was surprised not to find it in the R&B Billboard chart book; it was certainly odd that it didn't chart on the R&B charts--but you say it was on the Pop chart, eh? So they reissued it with "Tell Me Something Good" on the flip side? Yvonne only charts for 1 lonely week....but it was nice she got a mention. Another classic from Norman Whitfield....

[markydefad]

Oh, and btw, what's the difference between Greg and Red Greg as a label???? Which is correct???? I've seen it both ways. The Billboard chart actually says (Greg)...but I thought the label was Red Greg????? :-? :o :-?

[in-the-groove]

Hi Marky,

They are the same label. Greg was the first name that Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael came up with.... They must have been in a rush to get the Sammy Gordon song out (it was the first release on the new label). Then they came up with the concept of the red pyramid logo (the second pressing), and then they changed the label name to Red Greg shortly after that (the 3rd pressing). I would bet that this all happened in the course of a few months.

Thanks for the welcome, Remicks. I like the Boz reference too!

Kevin
in-the-groove

[neonlights]

Originally Posted by remicks

I didn't realize Yvonne Fair's " IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME " made it to the disco chart..... 8)

*****[/b]

That was a surprise to me too.. What a fierce voice she had (then again, what else would you expect from someone who has caught the attention of both James Brown and Norman Whitfield ;)). I love her cover of "Tell Me Something Good," IMO, it's almost as good, if not just as good as the original.. I hope Motown does a reissue of her album someday, one of those largely overlooked gems they put out in the '70s.. I think Yvonne Fair's album was also Norman Whitfield's last hurrah for Motown as well.

[markydefad]

Well, according to plan, I was supposed to release this chart next week--BUT I've got it done so I might as well print it. I'm trying to get a little ahead so that typing these is not such a bitch. I've been trying to type a little at a time, saving me from the 6 hour Saturday typing marathons I did in the past. Also, since this is the 30th anniversary of 1976 disco...I'd sorta like to do it as "30 years ago this week"...but I've already typed through May of 1976..so I thought that by releasing one every 3 weeks or so I could start the "30 years ago this week" by July and then release on a weekly basis once again (having typed many already and not having to worrry about getting them compiled and typed in a week's time period.) That was/is the plan. Or I could just take a break from printing until the end of May. So I pose this question--would you rather have an occasional chart every 3 weeks until the first week of July or so or just wait until the end of May to start printing them again on a weekly basis? :o :-?

In the meantime..............



May 22, 1976

Billboard Pop Chart Top 10:
1) SILLY LOVE SONGS – Wings (1st week @ #1)
2) LOVE HANGOVER – Diana Ross
3) FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE – Elvin Bishop
4) BOOGIE FEVER – The Sylvers (#1 last week)
5) GET UP AND BOOGIE (That’s Right) – Silver Convention
6) WELCOME BACK – John Sebastian
7) HAPPY DAYS – Pratt & McClain
8. MISTY BLUE – Dorothy Moore
9) SHANNON – Henry Gross
10) TRYIN’ TO GET THE FEELING AGAIN – Barry Manilow

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) KISS AND SAY GOODBYE – The Manhattans (week #1)

(Items in BOLD have charted on the disco charts.)
__________________________________________________


Disco Action
Record World "National Disco File Top 20" #1: THAT’S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO (week #1); (This is the chart being used by Joel Whitburn in his book for this time period--you know, the one chart versus 5 or 6, sometimes 7-- chart thang.)

But I've resolved that issue by combining the current 6 Billboard charts into one.

New Rule: from now on there will be a constant 6 charts published each week through the end of August, 1976--when a national chart takes the place of this format. 3 NYC retailers and 3 audience response charts from NYC, LA/San Diego and a guest city will be printed each week.


Billboard charts:

A= Top 15 Audience Response Records in NYC Discos
(#1= “WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP ( All Cuts)) (3rd week)
B= Top 15 Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC)
(#1= “WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP ( All Cuts)) (3rd week)
C= Top 15 Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC)
(#1= “WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP (All Cuts)) (3rd week)
D= Top 15 Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island)
(#1= “WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP (All Cuts)) (3rd week)
E= Top 15 Audience Response Records in LA/ San Diego Discos:
(#1= LOVE HANGOVER (4th nonconsecutive week; #1 from 3/27/76 – 4/10/76;
then @ #2 behind Donna Summer @ #1 for 5 weeks!!!!!!! Now she’s baaaack!!!!
Go “Tenacious D”—you GO GIRRRRLLL!!!!) :D :D :D
F= Special Guest City Chart: Top 15 Audience Response Records in Washington, D.C Discos:
(#1 = ”WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP (All Cuts)) (1st reported week)


6 charts with 15 items apiece; 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 90 maximum points. Add them up and voila!....
__________________________________________________ ___




THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 50

Chart #83 (volume 2: #21 ): May 22, 1976

1) “WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO” LP (All Cuts) – The Trammps
(Atlantic LP) (84 points/ABCDEF)
5 weeks (LP)/ 13 weeks (single) (10 weeks prior to LP release) on the chart /
4th week @ #1/ Last week: #1 (+/-0)
Side A: 1) Soul Searchin’ Time; 2) That’s Where The Happy People Go; 3) Can We Come Together;
Side B: 1) Disco Party; 2) Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won’t Do); 3) Hooked For Life; 4) Love Is A Funky Thing
2) I’M GONNA LET MY HEART DO THE WALKING – The Supremes
(Motown LP/ 7" single) (56 points/ A_CDEF)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #4 (+2)
3) TEN PERCENT – Double Exposure
(Salsoul 12” – Walter Gibbons Special Disco Version-now commercially available!!!)
(52 points/ A_CDEF)
4 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #12 (+9)
4) “A LOVE TRILOGY” LP (All Cuts) – Donna Summer
(Oasis LP) ( 51 points/A_C_EF)
10 weeks on the chart / 3 weeks @ #1 / Last week: #3 (-1)
(LP Tracks: Side A: 1) Try Me, I Know We Can Make It
Side B: 1) Prelude to Love; 2) Could It Be Magic; 3) Wasted; 4) Come With Me
5) I’LL GO WHERE YOUR MUSIC TAKES ME – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
(Pye 45 / 12” promo released later in ‘76) (43 points/ ABCDE_)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #11 (+6)
6) LOVE HANGOVER – Diana Ross
(Motown LP/12" promo) (42 points/ A_C_EF)
13 weeks on the chart/ 4 weeks @ #1/ Last week: #2 (-4)
7) NICE AND SLOW (AE) / (Instrumental) (BF) – Jesse Green
(Scepter 45/ 12” promo remix 5:45) (33 points/ AB __EF)
4 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #7 (+/-0)
8. RAIN FOREST – Biddu Orchestra
(Epic 7” / promo only 12” just released: 4:40) (30 points/ ABC__F)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #9 (+1)
9) THIS IS IT – Melba Moore
(Buddah 45/LP/ 12” promo 4:45) (28 points/ A_CD_F)
8 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #8 (-1)
10) TURN THE BEAT AROUND - Vicki Sue Robinson
(RCA LP/45) (28 points/A___EF)
15 weeks on the chart/ 1 week @ #1/ Last week: #5 (-5)

11) CATHEDRALS (CA-THE-DRALS) – D.C. LaRue
(Pyramid LP/ 12" single to be released) (25 points/ ABC_E_)
3 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #25 (+14)
12) TOUCH AND GO – Ecstasy, Passion & Pain featuring Barbara Roy
(Roulette 45 disco version/ 12” promo) (24 points/ A_C___)
11 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #6 (-6)
13) LIPSTICK – Michel Polnareff
(Atlantic LP/ 7” / 12 “ promo remix only) (19 points/ BCE)
2 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #40 (+27)
14) MOVIN’ LIKE A SUPERSTAR – Jackie Robinson
(Ariola America 45/ 12" promo remix 4:25) (17 points/ DF)
10 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #10 (-4)
15) GOTTA GET AWAY (From You Baby) – First Choice
(Warner Bros. LP) (16 points/AD)
8 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #26 (+10)
16) SOUL MAN – Calhoon
(Warner/ Spector 7”/ 12” promo REMIX 5:48.) (15 points/ CE)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #17 (+1)
17) GET UP AND BOOGIE (That’s Right) – Silver Convention
(Midland Intl. 7"/ LP / GU&B12" promo remix 7:55) (14 points/EF)
11 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #24 (+7)
18. MAKING LOVE – Sammy Gordon & The Hip Huggers
(Greg/ later Red Greg 7” / 12” promo) (14 points/ BD)
2 weeks on the chart / Last week: #32 (+14)
19) FIRST CHOICE THEME (“Let Us Entertain You”) (AF) / (R) AIN’T HE BAD (F) – First Choice
(Warner Bros. LP/ 12” promo) (13 points/AF)
9 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #26 (+7)
20) YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE – Candi Staton
(Warner Bros. 45) (13 points/ AD)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #20 (+/-0)

21) ”BRAZIL” LP – El Coco
(AVI LP) (13 points/ B)
9 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #23 (+2)
LP Tracks: Side A: 1) Caravan; 2) Masquerade; 3) Disco Carnival; 4) Zanzibar;
Side B: 1) Cancao Do Nossa Amor; 2) Delicado; 3) Bahia; 4) Brazil
22) DANCE YOUR ASS OFF – Hamilton Bohannon
(Dakar 7”) (13 points/ D)
3 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #30 (+8.)
23) GET OFF YOUR AAHH! AND DANCE – Foxy
(Dash 45) (12 points/B)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #15 (-8.)
24) SAN FRANCISCO HUSTLE / NO, NO, JOE – Silver Convention
(Midland Intl.LP) (10 points each/E)
6 weeks / 8 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #24 (+/-0)
25) MA-MO-AH – Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra
(Brunswick 45) (9 points/ C)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #13 (-12)
26) BROTHERS THEME – The Brothers
(RCA LP/ 12” promo with 3 tracks remixed: BT 7:28 )
(7 points/ AF)
8 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #16 (-10)
27) * HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL – Tavares
(Capitol 7” (part 1 & 2)/ 12” promo remix: 6:32) (7 points/ EF)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
28. LOVE HANGOVER – The 5th Dimension
(ABC 45/ promo 7” disco version 5:46) (7 points/CD)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #19 (-9)
29) BRAND NEW – Melba Moore
(Buddah LP) (7 points /D)
6 weeks on the chart / Last week: #27 (-2)
30) * YOU’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE – Lou Rawls
(Philadelphia Intl. Records 7”/LP) (7 points/ B)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT

31) FOXY LADY – Crown Heights Affair
(De-Lite 7”) (6 points/ B)
4 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #38 (+7)
32) * LAST CHANCE TO DANCE – The Brothers
(RCA LP) (6 points/ F)
1 week on the chart (as a separate item)/ 6 weeks as part of “Don’t Stop Now” LP/ DEBUT (as separate item)
33) * ROCK ME WITH YOUR LOVE / CHIC-CHICA-CHIC-CHICA-CHIC – Biddu Orchestra
(Epic LP—Import???) (6 points each/ A
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
34) * TRIPPIN’ ON A SOUL CLOUD – Biddu Orchestra
(Epic LP ( says “English Import”) (5 points/ F)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
35) (R) I LOVE TO LOVE – Tina Charles
(Columbia LP/ 7” single) (4 points/ B)
8 weeks on the chart/ RETURN (Last charted 5/8/76 @ #33)
36) MAKE LOVE TO ME – Fire & Rain
(20th Century 7” / different 7” DJ promo only) (4 points/ D)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #37 (+1)
37) * DEEP, DARK DELICIOUS NIGHT – D.C. LaRue
(Pyramid LP) (3 points/ E)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
38. FREE / PLAY BOY SCOUT – Melba Moore
(Buddah LP) (3 points each/ A)
4 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #33 (-5)
39) I LOVE TO LOVE – Al Downing
(Polydor 7”) (3 points/ C)
6 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #34 (-5)
40) * STROKIN’ – Leon Haywood
(20th Century 7" promo disco version 5:25) (3 points/ D)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT

41) YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES (To Please Your Woman) – Silver Convention
(Midland Intl. LP) (3 points/ B)
7 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #22 (-19)
42) * CANADIAN SUNSET – Cedar Walton
( RCA 12" promo remix 4:37) (2 points/ D)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
43) DANCING FREE – Hot Ice
(Rage 45) (2 points/ F)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #14 (-29)
44) I GET LIFTED – Sweet Music
(Wand 7”/ 12” promo remix 6:10 will be released on b-side of “Nice & Slow”) (2 points/ E)
3 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #28 (-16)
45) SWING – Hokis Pokis
(Shield 7” ) (2 points / B)
3 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #35 (-10)
46) * BE MY BABY – Frankie Gee
(Lipstick 7” single) (1 point/ B)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
47) * HOT STUFF – The Rolling Stones
(Atlantic-Rolling Stones 12" promo / LP / 7") (1 point/ E)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
48. * SUGAR BOOGIE – Bobby Thomas & Hotline
(MCA 12" promo/ 7” single) (1 point/ C)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
49) UNDER THE SKIN (AF) / MAKE LOVE (A) – The Brothers
(RCA LP/ 12” promo with 3 tracks remixed: – UTS 5:49 – ML 6:02) (1 point each/ A)
8 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #16 (-33)
50) * WHO LOVES YOU BETTER – The Isley Brothers
(T-Neck LP/ 7 “ single) (1 point/ D)
1 week on the chart/ DEBUT
__________________________________________________ __

"THE DIRTY LOWDOWN" On This Week's Releases…. by In-the-Groove…

Kevin (in-the-groove), former dj and now disco record archivist, supplied that exhaustive list of 12” promos that I copied for the end of the 1975 charts. He’s supplied me with info from time to time and I’ve asked him to comment on the new week’s releases as time allows…. Read this and you’ll know why.

Now for the scoop on the new entries:
* HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL – Tavares
(Capitol 12" promo remix 6:32/ lp)
The Tavares 12" is Capitol's first disco promo 12" (although they pressed FIVE Ariola America 12"ers before they got around to committing themselves to the 12" format!?!). While it is not technically a remix, this pressing removes the sustained note at the very beginning 4 beats which spilled over from the previous track on the lp. This made segue's on the first beat of the lp kind of messy. This US 12" is the only long version which has the complete first 4 bars without this spillover.

* STROKIN' – Leon Haywood
(20th Century 7" promo disco version 5:25 )
This is the last of the 7" 'for disco dj's only' pressings made by 20th Century. After this, the label was committed to releasing all of their disco promos on 12".

* CANADIAN SUNSET – Cedar Walton
(RCA 12" promo remix 4:37 )
I just checked the label on this 12" and it is written by E. Heywood and N. Gimbel, which according to the AMG website, was the same authors of the Andy Williams version... so looks like another one for your cover list!

* HOT STUFF – Rolling Stones
(Atlantic-Rolling Stones 12" promo / LP / 7")
While not remixed, this 12" was pressed on black and blue swirled vinyl, appropriate since this song was pulled from the 'Black & Blue' lp. Counterfeits of this 12" are abundant.

* SUGAR BOOGIE – Bobby Thomas & The Hotline
(MCA 12" promo )
MCA's first 12' disco single.

__________________________________________________ __

New Feature:

The Chart Of Least Consensus

I’ve decided to type out the chart or charts that most bucks the consensus results of my Top 10 each week to show where the disparities lie.
Chart A= charts all 10 items in my Top 10
Chart B= charts 4 items in my Top 10
Chart C= charts 8 items in my Top 10
Chart D= charts 5 items in my Top 10
Chart E= charts 8 items in my Top 10
Chart F= charts 9 items in my Top 10

I will normally expect chart B (Downstairs Records) to be my chart of least consensus and this week, I am right. :P :lol:

Downstairs Records:
1) WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO (LP, all cuts)
2) NICE AND SLOW (Instrumental)
3) BRAZIL (LP)
4) GET OFF YOUR AAHH! AND DANCE
5) RAIN FOREST
6) LIPSTICK
7) CATHEDRALS
8. MAKING LOVE
9) YOU’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE
10) FOXY LADY
11) I’LL GO WHERE YOUR MUSIC TAKES ME
12) I LOVE TO LOVE (Tina Charles)
13) YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES (To Please Your Woman)
14) SWING
15) BE MY BABY
__________________________________________________ ___

2nd New Feature:

ONE YEAR AGO IN DISCO HISTORY…. May 24, 1975

THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 5
May 24, 1975

1) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (48 total points/ Charts ABCDE) (Last week: #5)
2) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (47/ACDE) (#1; 2 weeks)
3) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing and a Prayer 45) (44/ACDE) (#3)
4) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (40/ABCE) (#7)
5) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (31/ABC) (#13)
__________________________________________________ ___


STATS:
24 items: #16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 & 50 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn’s Hot Dance/Disco (1974 – 2003) book.

DEBUTS: (+12)
27) * HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL – Tavares (EF)
30) * YOU’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE – Lou Rawls (B)
32) * LAST CHANCE TO DANCE – The Brothers (F)
33) * ROCK ME WITH YOUR LOVE / CHIC-CHICA-CHIC-CHICA-CHIC – Biddu Orchestra (A)
34) * TRIPPIN’ ON A SOUL CLOUD – Biddu Orchestra (F)
37) * DEEP, DARK DELICIOUS NIGHT – D.C. LaRue (E)
40) * STROKIN’ – Leon Haywood (D)
42) * CANADIAN SUNSET – Cedar Walton (D)
46) * BE MY BABY – Frankie Gee (B)
47) * HOT STUFF – The Rolling Stones (E)
48. * SUGAR BOOGIE – Bobby Thomas & Hotline (C)
50) * WHO LOVES YOU BETTER – The Isley Brothers (D)


RETURNS: (+2)
19) (R) AIN’T HE BAD – First Choice (F)
35) (R) I LOVE TO LOVE – Tina Charles (B)

DROPPED OFF: (-10)
”DON’T STOP NOW” entire LP – The Brothers (4 tracks still charting) (was #16/ 6 weeks on the chart (entire LP)
BOHANNON’S THEME – Hamilton Bohannon ( was #21/ 2 weeks on the chart)
*COMMON THIEF – Vicki Sue Robinson (was #29/ 9 weeks on the chart/ *will return)
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME – Yvonne Fair (was # 31/ 1 week on the chart)
GET CHA GIRL – Hokis Pokis (was #35/ 2 weeks on the chart)
TUBULAR BELLS – Champs’ Boys Orchestra (was #36/ 4 weeks on the chart)
HOLD ON (TO WHAT YOU GOT) – The Righteous Brothers (was #39/ 2 weeks on the chart)
*GET THE FUNK OUT MA FACE – The Brothers Johnson (was #41/ 1 week on the chart/ * will return)
*NEW YOK CITY – Miroslav Vitous (was # 42/ 1 week on the chart/ * will return)
WET WEEKEND – Rock Gazers (was #43/ 7 weeks on the chart)

MOVIN’ ON UP: Biggest Movers:
+27 LIPSTICK (from #40 up to #13)
+14 CATHEDRALS (from # 25 up to #11)
+14 MAKING LOVE (from #32 up to #18.)

I’M GOIN’ DOWN: Biggest Drops
-33 UNDER THE SKIN/ MAKE LOVE – The Brothers (from #16 down to #49)
-29 DANCING FREE (from #14 down to #43)
-19 YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES (To Please Your Woman) (from #22 down to #41)
-16 I GET LIFTED (from #28 down to #44)

IN THE LONG RUN: Longest Chart Run
THAT’S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO (15 consecutive weeks: 1st as single for 13 weeks/ now as part of the LP)
TURN THE BEAT AROUND (15 consecutive weeks)
LOVE HANGOVER (13 consecutive weeks)

THE FINAL TALLY, HO
50 items this week; 43 last week
+ 12 debuts + 2 returns / - 10 dropoffs
1 record on all 6 charts (Trammps)
3 records on 5 charts ( Supremes, Double Exposure, Jimmy James)
6 records on 4 charts (Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Jesse Green, Biddu, Melba Moore, D.C. LaRue)
2 record on 3 charts
11 records on 2 charts
27 records on only 1 chart
__________________________________________________ ___

What's It All About, Mar-keeey???
(Is it just for old disco we live???..... ..well is it???)

MARY WILSON FINALLY GETS SOME PAYBACK…”I MEAN REVENGE, BITCH” :P :P :P

After more than a dozen years standing in the shadow of former Supreme, Miss Ross, Mary Wilson, now the only original Supreme left and, at long last,--THE LEADER!!!--finally gets her chance to one-up the now solo SUPERSTAR MISS ROSS by replacing her at #2. Miss Ross falls to #6 after 13 weeks on the chart. And all this with a single timed at only 3:33—hardly the norm in 1976, as most everything is being extended for maximum dancing pleasure in the 5-6+ minute range.

Mary Wilson is ECSTATIC!!! :D Mary Wilson is also DESPERATE :x to get HER SUPREMES back on the charts with a hit record, so that the powers-that-be at Motown might promote them like they once did when Miss Ross was with the group.

Miss Ross, not used to being upstaged, shouts up to Mary: “Hey Mary, it’s 1976—not 1970. Don’cha know you’re supposed to release long dance tunes??? Mine was 7:49 and Motown made a new 12" promo single for me too!!! :P You girls are “too country” for words. Get with the times, girl. I think I’m gonna have Bob Mackie design you all some Minnie Pearl country-bumpkin hats with the price tags dangling from a string!! Maybe Berry can get ‘cha a gig on “Hee—Haw!!!!” :lol: :oops: :roll: :lol:

Mary, grits her teeth, takes a deep breath…and replies: “Yeah DIANE, (D’s real name), our record may be short, but we’re number 2 now and you’re NOT!!!” :P :P :P :P :evil:

Now Mary must find a way to get rid of The Trammps and make this new Double Exposure group disappear. What’s a Diva In Decline to do??????? :roll: :x :evil:

OK, that’s my contrived drama for the week. Great Moments In Disco History AKA Marky Makes It All Up!!!! :oops: :oops: :P

The Trammps retain #1 for week #4, down one point (84) from their peak last week of 85 out of a possible 90 points. Once again, they are the only record on all 6 charts.

The Trammps stats:
A= #1; B= #1; C= #1; D= #1; E= #7; F= #1

As previously noted, the Supremes move from #4 up to #2 and newcomers, Double Exposure take a leap from #12 up to #3—even though BOTH are NOT charted by Downstairs Records (chart B).

The Supremes stats:
A= #6; B= n/c; C= #4; D= #2; E= #5; F= #7

Double Exposure stats:
A= #3; B= n/c; C= #11; D= #4; E= #4; F= #6

[update] I totally left out the other newcomer to the Top 10: so I must note Jimmy James & The Vagabonds' impressive move from #11 up to #5, edging out Miss Ross by one point.

Jesse Green holds @ #7 and Biddu Orchestra moves one position from #9 up top #8.

The rest of the Top 10 have been around for several months and are losing the retail charts, but still hanging on to the audience response charts. The “usual suspects” gang of Winter/Spring 1976 is breakin’ up, slowly but surely.
Donna Summer (10 weeks) places @ #4.
Miss Ross (13 weeks) drops to #6.
Melba (8 weeks) drops on place to #9.
Vicki Sue Robinson (15 weeks) drops 5 positions down to #10.

Ecstasy, Passion & Pain and Jackie Robinson fall out of the Top 10.

Waiting in the wings for their shot: @ #11, D.C. LaRue (up +14 from #25 last week) & Michel Polnareff’s “Lipstick” jumps +27 points (from #40 up to #13).

Two classics debut: “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel”, the second Tavares disco hit and a new one from the Philadelphia Intl/ Gamble & Huff factory, the inimitable “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” by the late great Lou Rawls. Tavares charts in LA & DC—not in NYC yet. Next week, Colony (chart C) starts charting it…but it’s a slow starter. Rawls, at this point, is only on chart B… he will move up but will get stalled in the early teens for a long time.

Next week, we have 45 items (down 5 from last week). The Top 10 admits 3 new titles—one a debut!!!

Newcomers include 2 titles from B.T. Express & another Isley Brothers track. Also, we’ll see titles from Boz Scaggs, Liquid Pleasure, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Ralph Carter, Eli’s Second Coming and the first Andrea True Connection LP is released and charts!!!
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DISCO MIX by Tom Moulton

Column #82: 5/22/76

(Thanks to shootyourshot for providing this column.)

[NEW YORK] Buddah is rush-releasing the “More, More, More” LP by the Andrea True Connection. The album has four strong cuts: “Heart To Heart,” Silver Conventionish and 10:03 in length; “Keep it Up Longer,” Party Line,” funkish in feel and with a strong sax solo in the middle, 6:50 in length and probably the next single; and “Call Me,” which starts off with just rhythm and builds to a full sound of horns and strings. While the True sound of “More, More, More” is retained throughout, each of the cuts has a sound of its own.

The Southern California Disco DJ Assn. has a new address—6671 Sunset Blvd., Bldg. 1585, Room 116, Hollywood, Calif. 90028. The group is also known as the L.A. Pool. They can be reached at (213) 469-9284.

Epic has released a 12-incher on Biddu Orchestra’s “Rain Forest.” The time is 4:40, the same as the cut on the LP, which is not available in this country. [some charts (F this week) say “English Import”—but not the 3 tracks Moulton has on the A list???? –just says Epic LP]

Tom Savarese, DJ at 12 West here, managed to get an Atlantic May sampler and reports that “Give A Broken Heart A Break” by Damon Harris & Impact is one of the hottest selections.

Pi Kappa releases a Super Disco Band album, the first product to ship under a new distribution deal with Buddah. The disk has several dance cuts, among them—“A Song For You,” the strongest, “Fire And Passion,” “Bedside Manners,” “Hot Grease,” “Disco Symphony” and “Clear Water.” On a number of the songs, the group comes across like Love Unlimited.
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Coming Soon To a Disco Near You


LOVE CHANT
LOWDOWN
TAKE A LITTLE
TROUBLE-MAKER/ LOVE POWER
ALWAYS THERE
DESPERATELY
GIVE A BROKEN HEART A BREAK/ HAPPY MAN
DON’T TAKE AWAY THE MUSIC
ONE FOR THE MONEY
& CHERCHEZ LA FEMME!!!!!!!

[remicks]

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I pose this question--would you rather have an occasional chart every 3 weeks until the first week of July or so or just wait until the end of May to start printing them again on a weekly basis?

Marky --- Sundays will be far less provocative for awhile ..... :cry: ........but it does make sense to get in sync. I vote for one every three weeks .... that gives data sponges like me something to slowly digest and not have to suffer a total withdrawl ..... and still gets you to your goal ........ :)

... Your Miss Ross /Supremes reenactment !! :lol: funny ! Too bad Motown didn't have a department dedicated to disco .... why the Supremes releases weren't presented on 12" is inexcusable ... :evil: ..... especially now during this period when providing this format to the DJs is fast becoming the rage and Motown had to know this was getting strong club play .....


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If not already intended ...... can I suggest that part of The Dirty Lowdown input include at times noting when acts switch labels .... or when a label appears for the first time .....

For instance :

39) I LOVE TO LOVE – Al Downing
(Polydor 7”) (3 points/ C)

up until now Al has been on Chess .
Part of what makes these things interesting, I think, is noting both the arrival of new labels as it happens .... (especially disco specific ones .... Prelude .... Butterfly have yet to chart for example ) .... but also noting with what songs the bigger boys get into the act with too ....
Plus some artists jump all over the place and some stay loyal to a label all the way through ..... interesting to track this and see who winds up where
Also, sadly, some labels disappear . Back to Al Downing .... isn't he now on Polydor because Chess has at this point folded ??

And then there's :

7) NICE AND SLOW (AE) / (Instrumental) (BF) – Jesse Green
( Scepter 45/ 12” promo remix 5:45)
and
16) SOUL MAN – Calhoon
(Warner/ Spector 7”/ 12” promo REMIX 5:48.) (15 points/ CE)
( bet that used to cause some billing headaches !! )
........ I can't recall anything more from these labels after this ..... :-? :-?

well .............I find such things of interest anyway .................. :roll:


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RE:

5) I’LL GO WHERE YOUR MUSIC TAKES ME – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
(Pye 45 / 12” promo released later in ‘76) (43 points/ ABCDE_)

I've got this excellent Biddu production ( one of the last charters with that early DOCTOR'S ORDERS sound ?? ) on a US Casablanca promo 12" ...... but the artist is listed only as JIMMY JAMES .... ?? .....
guess The Vagabonds were left behind ..... returned to roaming about the English countryside ........








And now .... while Compilation Chart 83 sits in winter dormancy .....
....... here's the weather report as described through this week's DEBUTS :

A low warm front means we'll be TRIPPIN’ ON A SOUL CLOUD – which should produce a terrific CANADIAN SUNSET followed by a DEEP, DARK DELICIOUS NIGHT – but be prepared for more HOT STUFF by early afternoon tomorrow .......

( ** see what happens when you have to stare at the same chart for too long ** ..... :roll: :P :oops: )


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