Billboard Disco Compilation/Consensus Charts-Part 1:1974-75

[markydefad]

March 8, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW - Olivia Newton-John
2) BLACK WATER - Doobie Brothers
3) MY EYES ADORED YOU - Frankie Valli
4) LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
5) LONELY PEOPLE - America


Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) EXPRESS - B.T.Express (3rd #1 in a row to crossover from the "Disco" chart)
_______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = SAVE ME)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: HIJACK)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= BAD LUCK)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....

THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS

March 8, 1975

1) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. LP only) (57 Total Points; Charts ABCD) (Last week: #1)
2) HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT (Medley) (Charts A + C) REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE (Charts B + D) - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (36 points/ charts ABCD) (#4)
3) LOVE CORPORATION - Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (36/ABCD) (#3)
4) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (35/ACD) (#2)
5) SAVE ME/ SAVE ME AGAIN - "Silverbird" [Silver Convention]
(Midland Intl. 45) (27/BCD) (#12)
6) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions
(Columbia 45) (24/AC) (#6)
7) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (23/AD) (#7)
8. ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (22/ABC) (#11)
9) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (20/BC) (#10)
10) I WAS BORN THIS WAY - Valentino
(Gaiee 45) (18/BCD) (#13)

11) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston LP only) (18/AC) (#8.)
12) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (16/AD) (#5)
13) PROTECT OUR LOVE/PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(ATco LP only) (14/AD) (#15)
14) * GET DOWN - The Kay Gees
(Gang 45) (14/D) NEW)
15) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (13/AC) (#14)
16) * WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (13/BD) (NEW)
17) NEFERTITTI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (10/BC) (#28.)
18. X-RATED SYMPHONY - Joe Bataan
(Salsoul LP only) (10/D) (#19)
19) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (9/AD) (#9)
20) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(French Import; not available in the U.S.) (9/A) (#22)

21) *RUN AND HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (9/B) (NEW)
22) HOOK IT UP - The Choice Four
(RCA 45) (8/B) (#16)
23) MY LITTLE LADY - Bloodstone
(London 45) (8/C) (#23)
24) (R) YOU'RE MY ONLY WORLD - The 21st Century
(RCA 45) (6/B) (RETURN)
25) * I DIDN'T KNOW - The Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. 45) (5/D) (NEW)
26) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 45) (4/AC) (#20)
27) * HELPLESSLY - Moment Of Truth
(Roulette 45 Disco Mix) (4/A) (NEW)
28. * L-O-V-E (LOVE) - Al Green
(Hi 45) (4/B) (NEW)
29) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (3/B) (#26)
30) * A HURRICANE IS COMING TONIGHT - Carol Douglas
(Midland Intl. LP only) (2/D) (NEW)

31) (R) ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
(ABC 45) (2/B) (RETURN)
32) * I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (1/C) (NEW)

#9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30 & 32 NOT LISTED in Joel Whitburn's HOT DISCO/DANCE book.

* = DEBUT (8.) #14, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 32
(R) = (Return/Re-entry) #24, 31


Dropped Off:
DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas ("D" charts "Hurricane" instead) (last week #17)
JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER - Gloria Scott (18.)
SHOWDOWN - Odia Coates (#21)
I'M NOT LOVIN' - Don Downing (#24)
BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas (#25)
THE BOTTLE (La Botella) - Joe Bataan (#27)
LADY MARMALADE/ WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle (#29)...moving towards #1 on the Pop chart; previous #1 on R&B)
BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon (#30)
EXPRESS - B.T. Express (#31; former #1 Disco)
THEME FROM AIRPORT 1975 - The Ventures (#32)
WHAT EVER YOU WANT - Sir Wales Wallace (#33)
NOBODY CAN TAKE YOUR PLACE - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes (#34)
PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Variations (#35)

Stats & Random Notes:
31 total items; last week 34
+7 Debuts + 2 Returns/ - 13 dropoffs
3 records on all 4 charts
4 records on 3 charts
11 records on 2 charts
14 records on only 1 chart
_______________________________________________
from the 1979 editon of the Rolling Stone Record Guide by Dave Marsh....

GLORIA GAYNOR

"Gaynor is really only an average disco singer, but 1975's Never Can Say Goodbye scored a remarkable breakthrough in disco production by treating the three songs on side one ("Honey Bee," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Reach Out, I'll Be There") as one long suite, delivered wihout interruptions of the dance beat that drove them. This has since become a standard disco format, but Gaynor's record not only did it first, it was one of the greats; all three of those songs were performed with shattering intensity, and the Tony Bongiovi/Meco Monardo/ Jay Ellis production screams to be repeated again and again."
_______________________________________________
DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
March 8, 1975

(New York) Discos are not only a place to dance, they're also a place to see your favorite disco group at a reasonable price. The trend toward live entertainment (with DJs still spinning records) in discotheques is becoming the big thing, not only in New York, but in other cities.

The average price of admission to clubs here is $5 -- a reasonable price to dance to your favorite songs, and, on occasion, to be able to see them performed by the artists themselves.

A recent example here was the showcasing of the Philly Devotions at the Superstar Disotheque, Feb. 21-22, in what was the group's performing debut in the metropolitan area, two one-hour shows were performed each night. The Philadelphia-based quintet played such tunes as "Rock The Boat," "Mighty Love," "The Look Of Love," "The Long And Winding Road" and their current disco hit "I Just Can't Say Goodbye."

Ken Capurson of the Mailbox disco and Max Haven of Yesterday are getting stong response to two records which didn't make it the first time out of the gate. They are "Gut Level" by the Blackbyrds and "A Date With The Rain" by Eddie Kendricks. The Kendricks disk is several years old. Robin says that he is also getting a lot of request to play the Kendricks song, as well as "Stairway To Heaven." The latest bit of news from Boston is that the hottest newcomer, according to audience response and local DJs is "Save Me" by Silverbird (sic).

Frankie Valli's "My Eyes Adored You" LP will be out in two weeks and it has a strong cut in "Swearin' To God." The cut is 10:09 in length and is produced by Bob Crewe.

Tony Silvester and Bert De Coteaux produced another great disco single with "Flattery" by Jeree Palmer. The disk is scheduled for a release in the middle of the month by Columbia... Spring Records has just released Joe Simon's "Get Down, Get Down (Get On The Floor)." It's the most commercial disco record Simon has come up with to date and it should prove successful.

Ike and Tina Turner's forthcoming "Baby, Baby Get It On" (UA) has all the excitement and sound of the Rolling Stones' "Funky Rock 'n' Roll." The duo could have a big disco winner on it's hands with this one...Hotline Records, a Las Vegas-based company, has a record called "Call Me Your Anything Man" by Bobby Moore. It's a record that most club DJs speed up to play. It has a vocal and instrumental side and has the combination of a "Rock The Boat"/ Barry White sound.

[DISCODISK]

the big surprise for me on this chart is NEFERTITTI-WISDOM im really surprised this is in here an almost tribal funky instrumental and an early rare groover also out on creative funk records a label that was really big where i clubbed at this time,the biggest records two by dianne jenkins tow-away zone and the awesome i need you which is very rare today,also at this time i was busy trying to blag all these records from label president deek de berry,deek wasnt having any of it he wouldnt let any out as he said there had been problems with bootleggers here [not so] but later two releases came out here on the crystol label tow-away-zone and nefertitti both i suppose on english labels are quite obscure today.im noticing now a few records on these charts and toms picks are fetching cash remember the other week tom said Elf Records, a local label out of Boston, has re-recorded Leon Collin's "I Just Want To Say I Love You." ..saw that the other day for $120 :o as its getting plays here again.
the philadelphia flyers u.k disc is another surprise it aint THAT hot better was their soon to come humming out a different tune..
l.p tacks also where i clubbed were very different dooley silverspoon bump me baby never gaced blackpool meccas turntables but from the album GAME PLAYERS did and how! i recall checking the u.s disco charts at the time and no sign anywhere, also the entire vernon burch album was a hit with the kids but 'frame of mind' was the one

[markydefad]

March 15, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) BLACK WATER - Doobie Brothers
2) MY EYES ADORED YOU - Frankie Valli
3) LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
4) HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW - Olivia Newton-John
5) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton

Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) SUPERNATURAL THING (Pt. 1) - Ben E. King

_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = SAVE ME)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: BAD LUCK)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= BAD LUCK)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
3/15/75

1) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. LP) (56 total points/ charts ABCD) (Last week: #1)
2) SAVE ME/ SAVE ME AGAIN - Silver Convention ("Silverbird" has flown away....)
(Midland Intl. 45) (37/ABCD) (#5)
3) LOVE CORPORATION - Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) ( 33/ABCD) (#3)
4) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (29/ACD) (#4)
5) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (26/BD) (#16)
6) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45) (24/ABC) (#27)
7) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston LP only) (24/AC) (#11)
8. E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (23/AD) (#7)
9) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions
(Columbia 45) (23/AC) (#6)
10) NEFERTITTI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (22/BCD) (#17)

11) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (17/AC) (#15)
12) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (17/BC) (#9)
13) * EARTHQUAKE SHAKE - Undisputed Truth
(Gordy LP only) (13/D) (NEW)
14) HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE (Medley) - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (12/A) (#2)
15) I WAS BORN THIS WAY - Valentino
(Gaiee 45) (12/BC) (#10)
16) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (11/AD) (#19)
17) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(French Import; not available in the U.S.) (10/A) (#20)
18. ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
(ABC LP) (10/D) (#31)
19) ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (8/AC) (#8.)
20) * DISCO QUEEN - Hot Chocolate
(Big Tree LP) (8/D) (NEW)

21) HOOK IT UP - The Choice Four
(RCA 45) (8/B) (#22)
22) PROTECT OUR LOVE/ PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(Atco LP only) (8/A) (#13)
23) MY LITTLE LADY - Bloodstone
(London 45) (7/C) (#23)
24) (R) WALKING IN RHYTHM - The Blackbyrds
(Fantasy 45) (7/D) (RETURN)
25) (R) I'M NOT LOVIN' - Don Downing
(Roadshow 45) (6/B) (RETURN)
26) * DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (5/B) (NEW)
27) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (5/A) (#12)
28. * LOVE HAS SO MANY MEANINGS - Lily Fields
(Sunburst 45) (4/B) (NEW)
29) * HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie
(Polydor 45) (3/B) (NEW)
30) * LOVE FREEZE - First Choice
(Philly Groove 45) (3/D)

31) I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (2/C) (#32)
32) (R) IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow
(Arista 45) (2/B) (RETURN)
33) * LET'S GET INTO SOMETHING - Richmond Extension
(Polydor 45) (2/D) (NEW)
34) * BOBBY AND MARIA - Isis
(Buddah 45) (1/B) (NEW)
35) GET DOWN - The Kay Gees
(Gang 45) (1/D) (#14)
36) RUN AND HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (1/C) (#21)

#5, 10, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35 & 36 NOT LISTED in Joel Whitburn's HOT DISCO/DANCE book (1974-2003)

* = Debut (8.) #13, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 3, 34
(R) = (Return/Re-entry) (3) #24, 25, 32

Dropped Off:
X-RATED SYMPHONY - Joe Bataan (last week: #18.)
YOU'RE MY ONLY WORLD - 21st Century (#24)
I DIDN'T KNOW - Three Degrees (#25)
I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing (#26) (Former #1 Disco)
L-O-V-E (LOVE) - Al Green (#28.) * will be back
LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits (#29) *
A HURRICANE IS COMING TONIGHT - Carol Douglas (#30)


Stats & Random Thoughts:

36 total items; last week 32
+8 debuts + 3 return/ re-entries/ -7 dropoffs
3 records on all 4 charts (#1, 2, 3)
3 records on 3 charts
9 records on 2 charts
21 records on only 1 chart!!!!! (almost 2/3)

THEE RECORD OF THE MOMENT is "Bad Luck" (56 total points; closest competitor has only 37)

Biggest Movers
+21 "Helplessly" from #27 to #6
+13 "Once You Get Started" from #31 to #18
+11 "What Am I Gonna Do With You" from #16 to #5

Discuss Amongst Yourselves
Is Barry White now TOO POP or TOO OVEREXPOSED for DISCOS???? :o :o :o
Case in point, one of White's best dancers "What Am I Gonna Do With You" is gonna chart high on all 3 retail charts (currently #2 on B and #4 on D)...BUT it never makes the Audience Response (Disco DJs) chart. :roll: Is Barry becoming "yesterday's news" already?

It will peak at #8 on the Pop chart & go all the way to #1 on the R&B chart.


The Rolling Stone Record Guide (1979 edition) edited by Dave Marsh............

BARRY WHITE

"White enjoyed a brief vogue in the mid-seventies with a series of steamy seduction records in which he promised his baby virtually everything, in a way still acceptable to the FCC. He might have reigned forever as a black matinee idol, and held the title of the king of smooch disco, had he not revealed himself to be the possessor of one of music's most corpulent frames. Somehow, the modern Rudolph Valentino shouldn't weigh three hundred pounds and wear a cluster of huge rings. :oops:

You pick from these records. They literally all sound the same: pleasant pop-funk riffs over which White can growl, the aural equivalent of static on your baby's telephone wire."
:roll: :roll: :roll:

_______________________________________________

The Big Tease:
Next week...something new.
For the first time a 5th chart is added from a chain of discos in various American cities (most of which you wouldn't want to visit). :P

What you'll see...

1) It ain't New York City...everything is at least 3 months old.
2) They're ONLY dancing to records that crossed over to the Pop chart.
3) They still like to dance to the "ROCK"!!!! as in David Bowie, Doobie Brothers, Bachman Turner, ELO, Sugar Loaf &...KISS!!!!!!!!!!!
______________________________________________

Disco Action by Tom Moulton
March 15, 1975

(New York) GLORIA GAYNOR was crowned the "Disco Queen" by the National Assn. of Discotheque Disk Jockeys (NADD) at John Addison's Le Jardin club here March 3. The award followed a telephone survey of NADD memebers by its executive director Bob Casey, who also emceed the affair.

Disco DJs from all over the East Coast as well as Canada turned out for the MGM Records-hosted affair, and were feted with food and drinks and a performance by Ms. Gaynor. Abraham Beame, Mayor of New York, had proclaimed the day as "Gloria Gaynor Day" and presented the singer (through a City Hall aide) with a special citation.

Ms. Gaynor's revue was extremely well received by the SRO crowd, especially when she worked her way through several top selections from her latest LP.

At a private penthouse party following the ceremony and set, singer VALENTINO performed a 45-minute set with a five-piece band. Highlights of his set included his current disco number "I Was Born This Way." According to Douglas Riddick, Opus One DJ, "Valentino surprised everyone there; he really put on a fabulous show."

Bobby (DJ) Guttadaro, Le Jardin spinner who worked the dance floor for Ms. Gaynor's evening reports that the RANDY PIE single "Highway Driver" is one of the hottest new records on the street. Le Jardin audiences have been responding strongly to it, he says. He also says that "Gut Level" by the BLACKBYRDS is still a strong request record, even though it was never released as a single.

JIMMY RUFFIN's new single on Chess will be "Boy From Mississippi" from his U.K.-released only LP "Jimmy Ruffin."

Richie Kaznor, Hollywood DJ, is getting strong sudience response from two records--"Just A Little Bit Of You" by MICHAEL JACKSON and "Lansara's Priestess" by DONALD BYRD. The first is from Jackson's latest LP, while the latter is from Byrd's "Street Lady" album. According to Kaznor, both records have taken time to build up a response.

Joe Palimenteri, Sound Machine DJ, reports "fantastic" response on "Move On Down The Road" (sic "Ease On Down The Road") from the original cast of the Broadway musical "The Wiz." He had received a dub of the song to test out audience response.

[DISCODISK]

markydefad wrote

The Big Tease:
Next week...something new.


What you'll see...

1) It ain't New York City...everything is at least 3 months old.
2) They're ONLY dancing to records that crossed over to the Pop chart.
3) They still like to dance to the "ROCK"!!!! as in David Bowie, Doobie Brothers, Bachman Turner, ELO, Sugar Loaf &...KISS!!!!!!!!!!!









........SOUTHAMPTON?????????????

[Anonymous]

Good news, I spent 4 hours at the library on Thursday, and now I have the pop charts and the info you requested, marky, up to the end of June. When the Disco column continues onto another page, there’s only another paragraph or two of text, so I can type it out for you.

March 8, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

2, 2, Average White Band, s/t
7, 5, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
13, 19, Labelle, Night Birds
25, 31, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
26, 34, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
39, 42, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
46, 47, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
67, 70, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
86, 67, Three Degrees, s/t
99, 128, Stylistics, Best Of
112, 95, Blue Magic, The Magic Of The Blue
116, 102, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
139, 133, Love Unlimited, In Heat
144, 176, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
152, 127, Eddie Kendricks, For You
168, 179, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course

Hot 100:

4, 8, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
9, 7, Average White Band, Pick Up The Pieces
13, 16, B.T. Express, Express
17, 20, Polly Brown, Up In A Puff Of Smoke
23, 27, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
28, 45, Rufus, Once You Get Started
37, 37, George McCrae, I Get Lifted
38, 47, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
46, 56, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
48, 58, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
52, 62, Carl Douglas, Dance The Kung Fu
53, New, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
54, 65, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
56, 33, Carol Douglas, Doctor’s Orders
58, 69, Al Green, L-O-V-E
64, 74, Hues Corporation, Love Corporation
66, 76, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
72, 82, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
76, New, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
82, 88, Dooley Silverspoon, Bump Me Baby
85, 60, Love Unlimited, I Belong To You
87, 87, Al Downing, I’ll Be Holding On
91, 91, Carl Carlton, Smokin’ Room

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by DISCODISK

markydefad wrote

The Big Tease:
Next week...something new.


What you'll see...

1) It ain't New York City...everything is at least 3 months old.
2) They're ONLY dancing to records that crossed over to the Pop chart.
3) They still like to dance to the "ROCK"!!!! as in David Bowie, Doobie Brothers, Bachman Turner, ELO, Sugar Loaf &...KISS!!!!!!!!!!!









........SOUTHAMPTON?????????????

DD: That's soooo funny. I split my sides laughing. :roll:
:roll: To quote a well known Miles Davis tune...SO WHAT.

On a more serious note. It's hardly surprising that the far reaches of the USA would be less upfront than NY. Even LA danced to a slightly different tune and as we've seen before, in the early disco days, records could take anything up to 6 months to get USA wide distribution. Now, that's even slower than the same tracks being picked up for UK release. So, what the hell was happenin'?!?!?!

[Anonymous]

[quote="Anonymous"]Good news, I spent 4 hours at the library on Thursday, and now I have the pop charts and the info you requested, marky, up to the end of June. When the Disco column continues onto another page, there’s only another paragraph or two of text, so I can type it out for you.

_______________________________________________-
Hi shootyourshot (why are you "guest"???)...

OK, you can complete the Moulton columns. I'll just say ...to be continued...

What about the missing items from the charts? E-mail me what I'm missing, OK? Can't do the computating without all the items. I'll first need it for the beginning week of April.

m'kay??? :D

[Anonymous]

[quote="Anonymous"]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Good news, I spent 4 hours at the library on Thursday, and now I have the pop charts and the info you requested, marky, up to the end of June. When the Disco column continues onto another page, there’s only another paragraph or two of text, so I can type it out for you.

_______________________________________________-
Hi shootyourshot (why are you "guest"???)...

OK, you can complete the Moulton columns. I'll just say ...to be continued...

What about the missing items from the charts? E-mail me what I'm missing, OK? Can't do the computations without all the items. I'll first need it for the beginning week of April.

m'kay??? :D

[markydefad]

oh I see wut's up. You can now post without logging in. Then you get "guest" status. m'kay.

Anyhoo, the previous posts were from me. :D

[markydefad]

March 22, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) MY EYES ADORED YOU - Frankie Valli
2) LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
3) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
4) BLACK WATER - Doobie Brothers
5) HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW - Olivia Newton-John

Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire (strangely, never mentioned on the Disco charts, but two months from now on May 24, 1975 will be #1 Pop also.

_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = HELPLESSLY)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: BAD LUCK)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= HAPPY FEELIN'/ AFRICANO)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
3/22/75

1) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (54 total points/ charts ABCD) (Last week: #1; 4th week @ #1)
2) HELPLESSLY - Moment Of Truth
(Roulette 45 Disco Mix) (43/ABCD) (#6)
3) SAVE ME/ SAVE ME AGAIN - Silver Convention
(Midland Intl. 45) (35/ABCD) (#2)
4) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (27/AC) (#7)
5) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU -Barry White
(20th Century 45) (26/BD) (#5)
6) NEFERTITI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (23/BCD) (#10)
7) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (19/BC) (#12)
8. HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (17/AD) (#4)
9) RUN AND HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (16/BC) (#36)
10) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (15/AD) (#8.)

11) * HAPPY FEELIN'/ AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia LP That's The Way Of the World only) (15/D) (NEW)
12) (R) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (14/ACD) (RETURN)
13) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (14/AC) (#11)
14) ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus Feat. Chaka Khan
(ABC 45) (13/D) (#18.)
15) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions
(Columbia 45) (11/AC) (#9)
16) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(FRENCH IMPORT; not available in the U.S.) (11/A) (#17)
17) EARTHQUAKE SHAKE - Undisputed Truth
(Gordy LP only) (11/D) (#13)
18. HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT (Medley) - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (10/A) (#14)
19) LOVE CORPORATION - Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (9/AC) (#3)
20) * OH, BABY - H-O-T
(Innovations 2 45) (9/B) (NEW)

21) I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (9/C) (#31)
22) PROTECT OUR LOVE/ PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(Atco LP only) (9/A) (#22)
23) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (8/A) (#16)
24) HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie
(Polydor 45) (8/B) (#29)
25) (R) L-O-V-E (LOVE) - Al Green
(Hi 45) (8/D) (RETURN)
26) I WAS BORN THIS WAY - Valentino
(Gaiee 45) (7/BC) (#15)
27) MY LITTLE LADY - Bloodstone
(London 45) (7/CD) (#23)
28. * FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS - Jimmy Jackson
(Buddah 45) (7/B) (NEW)
29) BOBBY AND MARIA - Isis
(Buddah 45) (6/B) (#34)
30) IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow
(Arista 45) (4/B) (#32)

31) * (CALL ME YOUR) ANYTHING MAN - Bobby Moore
(Scepter/Hot Line 45) (3/B) (NEW)
32) LOVE FREEZE - First Choice
(Philly Groove 45) (3/D) (#30)
33) ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (3/C) (#19)
34) DISCO QUEEN -Hot Chocolate
(Big Tree LP only) (2/D) (#20)
35) DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (2/B) (#26)
36) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (2/A) (#27)

#5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 & 35 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco book

* = Debut (4) (#11, 20, 28, 31)

(R) = Return/Re-entry (2) (#12, 25)

DROPPED OFF:
HOOK IT UP - Choice Four (last week #21) * will be back
WALKING IN RHYTHM - The Blackbyrds (#24)
I'M NOT LOVIN' - Don Downing (#25)
LOVE HAS SO MANY MEANINGS - Lily Fields (#28.) *
LET'S GET INTO SOMETHING - Richmond Extension (#33)
GET DOWN - The Kay Gees (#35)

STATS & RANDOM NOTES:

36 total items; 36 last week (this is the max # so far)
4 debuts + 2 Returns/ -6 dropoffs
3 records on all 4 charts (#1, 2, 3)
2 records on 3 charts
11 records on 2 charts
20 records on only 1 chart
(little consensus; Chart B charts only 3 records on Chart A; lotsa new records being released; not a lotta longevity for most).
_______________________________________________
Artist Spotlight:

Rolling Stone Record Guide (1979 edition) review by Dave Marsh....

HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUENOTES

"The lead singer's name was Theodore Pendergrass and he turned out some of the strongest records produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff since their work with Jerry Butler. The brilliant "Bad Luck," "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "Wake Up Everybody" were among the greatest disco-soul records of the middle seventies, with hot tracks and really ferocious vocal attack. After the group broke up in 1976, Melvin regrouped forces and churned out inferior imitations for ABC, while Pendergrass kept on with the real thing for Gamble and Huff".
_______________________________________________

BONUS CHART:

This week Billboard tried something new: A 5th chart from a U.S. disco chain called Uncle Sam's Disco ranked the top 5 from 7 U.S cities. This is the first and only time this was attempted:

By Audience Response:
Chart #1 = Houston, Texas (#1: LADY MARMALADE)
Chart #2 = Detroit, Michigan (#1: FIRE)
Chart #3 = Lincoln, Nebraska (#1: PICK UP THE PIECES)
Chart #4 = Des Moines, Iowa (#1: ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY)
Chart #5 = Minneapolis, Minnesota (#1: FIRE)
Chart #6 = Syracuse, New York (#1: PICK UP THE PIECES)
Chart #7 = Buffalo, New York (#1: FIRE)

The Compilation Consensus from this batch....

1) FIRE - Ohio Players
(20 points; charts 1,2,4,5,7) (Reached #1 on POP chart)
2) PICK UP THE PIECES - Average White Band
(19 points; charts 1,2,3,5,6) (#1 POP)
3) LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
(13 points; charts 1,5,6,7) (#1 POP)
4) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(8 points; charts 1,4,7) (#4 POP)
5) GET DANCIN' - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(8 points; charts 3,4,6) (#10 POP)
6) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(6 points; charts 1, 6) (#14 POP)
7) ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY - Bachman Turner
(5 points; chart 4) (#14 POP)
8. DON'T CALL US (WE'LL CALL YOU) - Sugarloaf
(4 points; charts 3, 5) (#9 POP)
9) BLACK WATER - Doobie Brothers
(4 points; chart 2) (#1 POP)
10) SUFFRAGETTE CITY - David Bowie
(4 points; chart 7) (didn't chart POP Top 40)

11) DO IT (TIL YOU'RE SATISFIED) - B.T. Express
(3 points; chart 3) (#2 POP)
12) (WHEN) I'M A KID - Demis Roussos
(3 points; chart 4) (did not chart in POP Top 40)
13) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(2 points; charts 5,6) (#12 POP)
14) MACHINE GUN - The Commodores
(2 points; chart 3) (#22 POP--in JULY, 1974!!!!!)
15) STRUTTER - Kiss
(2 points; chart 2) (did not chart Top 40 POP)
16) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
(1 point; chart 7) (#1 POP)
17) ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN - ELO
(1 point; chart 2) (did not chart Top 40 POP)

Observations:

1) mostly records that were BIG POP RADIO HITS;
2) at least 3 months behind what's currently HOT in NYC;
3) ROCK records do influence into the tally here; wheras they do NOT in NYC charts.

______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
3/22/75

(New York) The complete vocal version of "Soul Train" by The Three Degrees (TSOP) will be on their new "International" LP. The selection has never been commercially available. Another strong disco cut on the album is "Lovin' Cup."

"Free Man" by South Shore Commission (Scepter) will be available in two weeks. There is a part one (short version) and a part two extended version with two building breaks. Length of the longer side is over five minutes. The California group cut the record in Philadelphia with Bunny Sigler producing.

Frankie Valli's "Swearin' To God" is getting very good response from some of the local DJs. Both Michael Cappello and Bobby (DJ) Guttadaro of Le Jardin report that their audiences have been reacting favorably to the cut, off of Valli's recently released Private Stock album. The cut is 10:09 in length, and even cut down for a single version, the number seems strong enough for solid disco acceptance. Several local DJs would probably prefer the shorter version, if made available.

Van McCoy's new "Disco Baby" LP will be out in three weeks on the AVCO label. It contains both current disco hits and new material. The LP features McCoy's band, the Soul City Symphony, and tends to be more pop music oriented than disco-soul sounding. Strong cuts on the album include "Spanish Boogie," "The New York Hustle," and his version of Hey Girl, Come And Get It," which he originally arranged for the Stylistics. The LP will get a lot of play here because of McCoy's large following in the discos. In fact, most disk jockeys will buy McCoy product without even listening to it, as long as his name is on it.

"Sweet Norma Jones" by Spice, and Sound Gems Records, a Philadelphia label, has been creating some noise there. The record has been out for four weeks now and it's just beginning to get play in the New York market. It's a medium tempo soul record with a strong lead vocal by Bunny Davis.

"Dedicated To Philadelphia" the name of the LP by Crystal Grass, on the French Phillips label is now available in Canada. London Records (Canada only) has acquired distribution rights. The disk is still on the French label with a special London Records import sticker on it. Polydor has the U.S. rights to the album, and at present, plans to release only the disco hit "Crystal World" as a single. The one cut on the LP that is creating the excitement is "Love To Dance This One With You." It's the French answer to TSOP. Downstairs Records here managed to get a few copies from Canada and sold them right out.

The tune from the score of the Broadway musical "The Wiz", "Ease On Down The Road" has been generating solid disco response locally. It's performed by Consumer Report (sic "Rapport") and is on the fledging Wing & A Prayer label. While test pressings were used to create action at the club level, it is now gearing itself to release commercial copies. Principals of the new company, Harold Wheeler and Steve Schaeffer, are currently talking to potential distributors.

Simon Soussan, owner of the Hollywood-based production company Soul Galore, is looking for a U.S. label deal. Four recently completed numbers have already been picked up by U.K. label Black Magic. Soussan says that the British market has been his main staple but that now he's interested in expanding his activities to include the U.S. disco scene. Artists in his stable include Sherry Fox, Paula Roussel and the Sharonettes.

[Anonymous]

March 15, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

8, 13, Labelle, Night Birds
10, 2, Average White Band, s/t
16, 7, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
21, 26, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
25, 25, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
36, 39, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
53, 46, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
67, 67, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
89, 99, Stylistics, Best Of
108, 86, Three Degrees, s/t
124, 112, Blue Magic, The Magic Of The Blue
126, 116, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
134, 144, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
148, 139, Love Unlimited, In Heat
157, 168, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course

Hot 100:

3, 4, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
8, 13, B.T. Express, Express
15, 23, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
16, 17, Polly Brown, Up In A Puff Of Smoke
21, 9, Average White Band, Pick Up The Pieces
23, 28, Rufus, Once You Get Started
30, 38, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
35, 53, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
38, 46, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
40, 48, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
42, 37, George McCrae, I Get Lifted
44, 54, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
48, 58, Al Green, L-O-V-E
50, 76, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
52, 52, Carl Douglas, Dance The Kung Fu
53, 72, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
62, 64, Hues Corporation, Love Corporation
64, 66, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
73, 56, Carol Douglas, Doctor’s Orders
81, 82, Dooley Silverspoon, Bump Me Baby
85, 87, Al Downing, I’ll Be Holding On

March 22, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

7, 8, Labelle, Night Birds
13, 10, Average White Band, s/t
16, 16, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
18, 21, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
30, 25, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
40, New, Al Green, Greatest Hits
45, 36, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
53, 53, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
65, 89, Stylistics, Best Of
81, 134, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
97, 67, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
136, 157, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
144, 148, Love Unlimited, In Heat
145, 126, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
149, 124, Blue Magic, The Magic Of The Blue
152, 108, Three Degrees, s/t

Hot 100:

2, 3, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
6, 8, B.T. Express, Express
11, 35, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
13, 15, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
19, 23, Rufus, Once You Get Started
24, 30, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
25, 16, Polly Brown, Up In A Puff Of Smoke
28, 38, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
32, 40, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
33, 50, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
34, 48, Al Green, L-O-V-E
36, 44, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
41, 21, Average White Band, Pick Up The Pieces
42, 53, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
43, 52, Carl Douglas, Dance The Kung Fu
52, 64, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
77, 42, George McCrae, I Get Lifted
80, 81, Dooley Silverspoon, Bump Me Baby
86, New, Gloria Gaynor, Reach Out
88, New, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
95, 62, Hues Corporation, Love Corporation

[markydefad]

March 29. 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
2) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
3) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John
4) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
5) YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL - Joe Cocker

Billboard R&B/Soul Chart #1:
1) SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire (2nd week)
("Shining Star" is NEVER mentioned on the New York Disco charts; however, the first week the LA chart is published (May) it's on that Top 15).
_______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = HELPLESSLY)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: HELPLESSLY)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= AFRICANO)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....




THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS

3/29/75

1) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (51 total points/Charts ABCD) (Last Week: #1; 5th week @ #1)
2) HELPLESSLY - Moment Of Truth
(Roulette 45 Disco Mix) (48/ABCD) (#2)
3) SAVE ME/ SAVE ME, AGAIN - Silver Convention
(Midland Intl. 45) (43/ABCD) (#3)
4) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (30/ABC) (#4)
5) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (29/BCD) (#5)
6) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (28/ABD) (#12)
7) * HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (21/AD) (NEW)
8. I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (17/BC) (#21)
9) AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia LP only) (15/D) (#11)
10)RUN AND HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (14/BC) (#9)

11) ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan
(ABC 45) (14/D) (#14)
12) NEFERTITI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (13/BC) (#6)
13) L-O-V-E (LOVE) - Al Green
(Hi 45) (13/D) (#25)
14) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(French Import; not avialable in the U.S. YET) (12/A) (#16)
15) HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT (Medley) - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (11/AC) (#18.)
16) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (11/A) (#8.)
17) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (9/B) (#7)
18. E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (8/AD) (#10)
19) * FREE AND EASY - Satyr
(RCA 45) (8/BC) (NEW)
20) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE/ FRAME OF MIND - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (8/A) (#13)

21) EARTHQUAKE SHAKE - Undisputed Truth
(Gordy LP only) (8/D) (#17)
22) FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS - Jimmy Jackson
(Buddah 45) (8/B) (#28.)
23) LOVE CORPORATION - Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (8/C) (#19)
24) * MISTERI - The Jones Girls
(Curtom 45) (7/B) (NEW)
25) PROTECT OUT LOVE/PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(Atco LP only) (7/A) (#22)
26) * SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock LP only) (7/C) (NEW)
27) BOBBY AND MARIA - Isis
(Buddah 45) (6/B) (#29)
28. GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (5/A) (#23)
29) (R) HOOK IT UP - The Choice Four
(RCA 45) (5/B) (RETURN)
30) DISCO QUEEN - Hot Chocolate
(Big Tree LP only) (4/D) (#34)

31) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions
(4/A) (#15)
32) I WAS BORN THIS WAY - Valentino
(Gaiee 45) (4/C) (#26)
33) MY LITTLE LADY - Bloodstone
(London 45) (3/CD) (#27)
34) * I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia LP only) (3/C) (NEW)
35) (R) LOVE HAS SO MANY MEANINGS - Lily Fields
(Sunburst 45) (3/D) (RETURN)
36) (R) REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (3/A) (RETURN)
37) LOVE FREEZE - First Choice
(Philly Groove 45) (2/D) (#32)
38. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (1/A) (#36)

#5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37 NOT in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/ Disco book.

* = Debut (5) (#7, 19, 24, 26, 34)

(R) = Return/Re-entry) (3) (#29, 35, 36)

Dropped Off:

OH, BABY - H-O-T (last week: #20)
HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie (#24) * will be back
IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow (#30) *
(CALL ME YOUR) ANYTHING MAN - Bobby Moore (#31)
ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain (#33)
DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka (#35) * (LA charts)


Random Stats & Notes:

38 total items (new record #); last week 36
5 debuts +3 returns/ -6 dropoffs
3 records on all 4 charts (#1,2,3)
3 records on 3 charts
8 records on 2 charts
24 records on only 1 chart

I'm listing the two versions of "Hijack" separately. They bundled them together on chart A and listed them separately on D....decisions, decisions, decisions.

_______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight:

(from the 1979 edition of The Rolling Stone Record Guide (edited by Dave Marsh)....

RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN


"In reality Rufus is Chaka Khan, No one else in the group has anywhere near her distinctive talent. But the fact that she has always had a group behind her, to write with, tour with and work out arrangements with seems to have saved her from some of the hysterical, narcissistic excesses of a Natalie Cole or Melba Moore. From album to album, she's grown as a singer. At the time of "Tell Me Something Good" and "You Got The Love," she was a powerful, somewhat freakish AM singer, with an incredible range. By the time of "Sweet Thing" (on Rufus...Featuring Chaka Khan) and Ask Rufus, she's become a rhythmical sophisticated stylist. Her theme is always unrequited love, or at least uncertain love, and in all her best songs-- "You Got the Love," "Stop On By," "Sweet Thing," "Better Days," "Ain't Nothing but a Maybe"-- she's addressed herself to uninterested or indifferent men.

Her lucky break came during the afternoon when Stevie Wonder sat in on their recording session and cooked up "Tell Me Something Good," a ditty that outsold his own current singles. Rags To Rufus was something more than a showcase for its two hit singles -- including "Smoking Room"-- but not that much more. The next album, Rufusized was a fully realized peice of work in what was to become a new genre-- the middle ground between rock and soul. Khan had obviously been doing some thinking about Janis Joplin, but her sensibility was as different from Joplin's as from Aretha Franklin's or Gladys Knight's. There's a spacey, moody air about the woman that doesn't easily fit into any established genre. On Numbers, without Chaka, the band is lost." (RG = Russell Gersten)
_______________________________________________

The Big Tease:

Next week a whole lotta ch-ch-ch-changes goin' on. 7 debuts + 4 returns/ -14 dropoffs....and something happens that, thus far, has never happened before!!!....

_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

March 29, 1975

(New York) The Trammps' three-nighter at Barney Googles here March 13-14 added credence to the local consensus that they are one of the best, if not the best, discotheque group on the market today.

Playing before a capacity house closing night, the group's set revolved around several of their recent disco hits and such numbers as "Soul Train" and "Bad Luck." The latter song, currently at the top of the audience response listing as a Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes work, proved to be one of the highlights of the evening.

Buddah plans on releasing the Trammps "The Legendary Zing Album" in late spring. Their growing popularity, especially with such earlier numbers as "Zing," "Penguin At The Big Apple" and "Sixty-Minute Man," which have not been available on an album before, has prompted the label to release the product. It'll be their second album within a two-month period. The group left for a European tour March 17.

Tony Miller, DJ at the Paradise Ballroom in Los Angeles, reportedly is the first spinner to receive the new Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes single, taken from the forthcoming "Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes" LP. Miller says that initial response has been overwhelming. Could be another disco smash for Monti Rock III.

Buddy Rich is entering the discotheque market. His new single, "The Bull" (Groove Merchant) will be available early next month. It's quite a change in direction for the well-known drummer...Buddah Records to release the "It's Rough Here" LP by the Modulations. Strong cuts on the disk include: "It's Rough Out Here," "Love At Last," "Head on Collision" and "I Can't Fight For Your Love" which was one of the top disco hits of 1974.

Delite Records has released Kool and the Gang's "Spirit Of The Boogie" single. It's the most commercial sounding product they've had since "Hollywood Swingin'."

Satyr's "Free And Easy" (RCA) is finally out. It's been one of the most requested records by local DJs...English rock group Kokomo (Columbia) is getting strong local response on cuts from its recently released "I Can't Understand" album...Several DJs here are boycotting 20th Century Records product. Seems that there's been a disagreement with a local staffer as to product service lists and who should be on them.

[markydefad]

shootyourshot....

I need your help for next week's chart. Just type here what #15 is on the Melody Song Shop list for 4/5/75. It''s cut off on my copy-- the song listed after "Once You Get Started" --and then I can complete the computing. Thanks.

Mark

[markydefad]

Wherefore art thou, shootyourshot? When I need your help, you just disappear???!!!!! :o

[shootyourshot]

March 29, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

7, 7, Labelle, Night Birds
17, 13, Average White Band, s/t
22, 16, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
26, 18, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
32, 40, Al Green, Greatest Hits
53, 65, Stylistics, Best Of
65, 30, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
71, 81, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
73, 45, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
82, 53, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
109, 97, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
125, 136, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
143, 145, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
167, New, Major Harris, My Way
179, 144, Love Unlimited, In Heat
180, New, Carol Douglas, The Carol Douglas Album

Hot 100:

1, 2, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
3, 11, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
4, 6, B.T. Express, Express
12, 13, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
13, 19, Rufus, Once You Get Started
20, 24, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
22, 28, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
24, 34, Al Green, L-O-V-E
26, 32, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
27, 33, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
31, 36, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
34, 42, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
42, 52, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
47, 25, Polly Brown, Up In A Puff Of Smoke
66, 41, Average White Band, Pick Up The Pieces
72, 43, Carl Douglas, Dance The Kung Fu
75, 86, Gloria Gaynor, Reach Out
80, New, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
81, New, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
85, New, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
88, 88, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
94, 95, Hues Corporation, Love Corporation

I didn't disappear, I just had to type two essays, one of them five pages long. Anyway, here's your info:
#15: Get Down - The Kay Gees - Gang