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

[QUINNY]

Oliver Sain - Bus Stop is one of the early boss jazzy/funk disco gems. The sort of totally uninhibited sax blowing that makes me scream with delight, with an ever so solid, bouncy 4/4 funk rhythm track that's just the right side of loose at about (guessing here) 117 BPM. So very danceable if you can get past the jazzy sax. I adore this record, played it to death BITD and it used to do well for me.

Dooley Silverspoon - Bump Me Baby - nothing special from what I remember, but hey, it might be right up your street. I have a copy somewhere in the shed. sorry I can't be more helpful.

[shootyourshot]

February 1, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

6, 8, Average White Band, s/t
11, 21, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
28, 34, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
29, 31, Three Degrees, s/t
37, 38, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
53, 72, Labelle, Night Birds
58, 50, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
66, 69, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
72, 61, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
76, 81, Blue Magic, The Magic Of The Blue
105, 113, Love Unlimited, In Heat
113, 114, Eddie Kendricks, For You
143, 132, Stylistics, Heavy
154, 169, Carl Carlton, Everlasting Love
160, New, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
186, 191, Lamont Dozier, Black Bach

Hot 100:

5, 10, Average White Band, Pick Up The Pieces
11, 14, Disco Tex & The Sex-o-lettes, Get Dancin’
12, 13, Carol Douglas, Doctor’s Orders
13, 9, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
31, 34, Love Unlimited, I Belong To You
33, 18, Barry White, You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
36, 61, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
40, 41, Temptations, Happy People
42, 85, B.T. Express, Express
43, 38, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting
51, 62, Polly Brown, Up In A Puff Of Smoke
64, 76, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
67, 78, Stylistics, Star On A TV Show
79, 54, Three Degrees, When Will I See You Again
80, 90, George McCrae, I Get Lifted
82, 71, Al Green, Sha-La-La

[sfbeary]

i'm only doing this for YOU, marky (and shoot your shot), for bestowing upon on us all these wonderful charts. otherwise i'd be submitting an invoice. (daddy doesn't ordinarily give it away — everybody has to pay and pay!)

8. BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon
(Cotton 45) (25/BCD) (#20)
this is cute as a bump-themed record can get - the beat is very "rock the boat" (has tom pointed that out already?) the single is pt 1/pt 2, and each side is only a few seconds more than two-and-a-half minutes. not much to it, but good for what it is. jeanne/jenny burton (who'd score some hits it the '80s, particularly c-bank's masterful "one more shot") does some wailing as pt. 2 comes to a fade. - don't think it's ever been on cd.


21) * BUS STOP - Oliver Sain
(A-Bet 45) (5/D)
this sounds a bit like a bargain basement kool & the gang instrumental - no verse, no chorus, no hook, just a simple riff and some sax wailing away without interruption for nearly three minutes. more funk than disco. sain's bus stop album has been reissued on cd in italy, and the track has been included on some "rare groove" compilations.

24) * MY SHIP - Tavares
(Capitol 45) (3/B)
this is on tavares' second lp, Hard Core Poetry, which is also home to my personal favorite Tavares song, "Too Late," which was a much bigger early nyc proto-disco hit than this one. like "Too Late," it's well-produced uptempo R&B, but not nearly as catchy. it's not on the two usa tavares cd comps i have, and i think it's been forgotten by most. i'll give this a few more spins, though, and if i change my mind, i'll let you know.


15) * HEY THERE, SEXY LADY - Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
(Stang 45) (10/B)
i don't remember this one, but hank ballard used to record with james brown, so you can expect something similar. the moments, who were also on stang, had a great extended mid-tempo groove track called "sexy lady," and their label recycled lots of songs and riffs, so this could be related. at any case, i'm pretty sure this is also more funk/soul than disco.


20) I CAN DO IT - Louise Freeman
(Shout 45) (6/B) (#19)
woo-hoo! this is a grrrrrreat one. louise wails about how all she needs to learn a dance is to see it. very sassy, very proto-disco-diva. think lyn collins. mmmmm-hmmmmm! this was reissued on 45 Kings II, which i remember buying at amoeba a year or two ago, but it's apparently already out of print.

12) VOODOO MAGIC - The Rhodes Kids
(#11) (GRC 45) (17/BC)
this is by a bunch of brothers and sisters (Rhodes) who were either pre-or-just-barely-pubescent (Kids). don't know it.

23) WAITIN' FOR THE RAIN - Philly
Sounds (& Fantastic Johnny C)
(#22) (Phil. LA of Soul 45) (10/BC)
another great one! The Fantastic Johnny C had some soul hits of the '60s ("Boogaloo Down Broadway") and this was his proto-disco comeback of sorts. it sounds very much like an early MFSB record and probably features many of the same players. this record was issued twice - once by Johnny C, and once by Philly Sounds, which is essentially the same track with Johnny C's vocal removed. both versions appear on Philadelphia Roots, a UK compilation widely available in america at places like amoeba (and amazon). the Fantastic Johnny C b-side is also strong, "Don't Depend On Me," and i think is also the flip of the aformentioned Philly Sounds 7" in an instrumental version. i'd recommend this to you marky, but if you're not feeling Philly Devotions, you might not feel this!

[markydefad]

Thanks Barry!!!! :D :D :D

Nobody does it better.

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Thanks Barry!!!! :D :D :D

Nobody does it better.

Only I implore you Marky, to at least have a listen to Oliver Sain if you can. Barry's description does no justice to this record. Have I ever lied??? :lol: :lol:

[NickNack]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I gotta admit that "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" by Philly Devotions is NOT impressing me much so far. It sounds so tinny and small compared to the great work of this time period coming from producers such as Thom Bell, Gamble& Huff, etc.

Hi Marky,

I'll ask you the same question I asked DiscoDisk about the Philly Devotions cut, "Hurt So Bad", on the Spirit of Philadelphia CD: What is the length of "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" on the Lost Soul CD? I'd like to know because the 45 single was an a-side vocal, b-side instrumental affair. Like to know what they put on the comp.

Also, I could be mistaken but from what I remember of this single it was anything but thin. Surprised this doesn't reach you. Both this and 'HSB' were just awesome and I can still feel the instrumentals shaking the walls at The Gallery. :D

[markydefad]

Hi Nicky,

I just happen to have "Lost Soul " with me today.

"I Just Can't Say Goodbye" is 3:10 in length.

Maybe it's me...but I'd give it a C+ to B- grade; pleasant but unmemorable. But I guess I be in da minoritee. :oops:

[sfbeary]

i figured out something about tavares "my ship" - turns out it was the b-side to one of their early ballad hits, "remember what i told you to forget."

i guess the store charting it must've thought people were buying it for "my ship," which seems a little odd, particularly since it doesn't appear on the club play list, and because radio was playing the other side. maybe they were playing this side to customers, or maybe some stations were playing this side as well. or maybe someone reporting for the store was simply cheating a bit!

anyway, i also discovered that "my ship" is included on the UK tavares collection The Greatest Hits, which has a higher ratio of uptempo tracks than the compilations that have appeared in the USA - not surprising!

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Only I implore you Marky, to at least have a listen to Oliver Sain if you can. Barry's description does no justice to this record. Have I ever lied??? :lol: :lol:

Hey Q,

I'll try to find Oliver Sain and give it a listen. I see he has some compilations available. Never hoid o'him afore. :oops:

sfbeary,

"My Ship" only charts for one week and then disappears. I was gonna cite the utter unpredictability of Melody Song Shops (it seems like someone new or maybe a different location compiled the chart each week cause they are the most inconsistent)...but now I see it was on the Downstairs chart. Hmmmm... :roll:

Well more charts tomorrow...I've completed the next 2 weeks...will try to type em up tomorrow afternoon.

[markydefad]

February 8, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) FIRE - Ohio Players
2) YOU'RE NO GOOD - Linda Ronstadt
3) BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN - Stevie Wonder
4) PICK UP THE PIECES - Average White Band
5) BEST OF MY LOVE - Eagles

Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) HAPPY PEOPLE - The Temptations

_______________________________________________

Disco Action:

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= SHAME, SHAME, SHAME)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (LP))
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: SHAME, SHAME, SHAME)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= HIJACK)

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
2/8/75

1) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (55 total points/ charts ABCD) (Last week: #2)
2) A= HONEY BEE/NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE (Medley)
B= NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (LP)
C= REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE
D= REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP) (ABC = 40 points; + D = 9...so 40/49) (was #1)
3) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(Roadshow 45) (36/ABCD) (#7)
4) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (33/ABC) (#4)
5) JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER - Gloria Scott (Produced by Barry White)
(Casablanca 45) (31/ABCD (#12)
6) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions
(Columbia 45) (30/ABC) (#3)
7) HEY GIRL, COME AND GET IT - The Stylistics
(Avco 45) (24/ABC) (#6)
8. BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas
(20th Century LP only) (23/ACD) (#11)
9) SUPERNATURAL THING - Ben E. King
(Atlantic 45) (23/BD)
10) HAPPY PEOPLE - The Temptations (with an uncredited Commodores as backup band)
(Gordy 45) (21/ABD) (#16)

11) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 45) (20/AC) (#5)
12) LADY MARMALADE/ WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45/ LP cut) (19/ ACD) (#9)
13) SATIN SOUL - (2 versions) Love Unlimited Orchestra & Gene Page
(20th Century LP/ Atlantic LP) (16/BD) (#17)
14) THE BOTTLE (La Botela) - Joe Bataan
(Salsoul 45) (13/CD) (#10)
15) E- MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic Lp only) (13/AD) (#14)
16) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston LP only) (13/AD) (#21)
17) * LOVE CORPORATION - The Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (12/BC) (NEW)
18. LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME - Sister Sledge
(Atco 45) (10/ACD) (#13)
19) CHANGES (Messin' With My Mind) - Vernon Bunch
(UA 45/LP) (9/B) (#18.)
20) *REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP) (9/D) (N/A) (they separate this title, so I'm listing it BOTH ways--at #2 & #20) (NEW)

21) * GIVE ME YOUR BEST SHOT BABY - Ebb Tide
(Sound Gems 45) (7/B) (NEW)
22) * MOVE ME BABY - Gwen McCrae
(Cat LP version) (5/D) (NEW)
23) * SEARCHIN' - The Imaginations
(20th Century 45) (5/C) (NEW)
24) * THEME FROM AIRPORT 1975 - The Ventures
(UA 45) (5/B) (NEW)
25) * CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(French IMPORT; not available in the U.S.) (3/A) (NEW)
26) * MY LITTLE LADY - Bloodstone
(London 45) (3/C) (NEW)
27) * GEMINI - The Miracles
(Tamla LP only) (1/D) (NEW)
28. I FEEL LOVE COMING ON - Jay & the Techniques
(Event 45) (1/B) (#30)

#9, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 NOT listed in Joel Whiburn's Disco/Dance book.

* = Debut (9)

(R) = Re-entry (0)

Dropped Off:
BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon (#8 last week!!!)
HEY THERE, SEXY LADY - Hank Ballard & the Midnighters (#16)
I CAN DO IT - Louise Freeman (#20)
ALL OUR DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE - Gene Page (#22)
DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas (debuted 11/2/74; former #1 for 4 weeks) (#23)
MY SHIP - Tavares (#24)
STOMP AND BUCK DANCE - The Crusaders (#26)
TELL ME WHAT YOU WNAT - Jimmy Ruffin (on chart since 10/26/74-peaked at #2) (#26)
WALKING IN RHYTHM - Blackbyrds (#27)
YOU'VE GOT TO TRY HARDER - Ronnie Walker (#28)
ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW - Lalo Schifrin (#29)
SHOESHINE BOY - Eddie Kendricks (#31)

Randon Notes & Stats:

28 total items this week/ 31 last week
9 debuts/ 12 dropoffs
4 records on all 4 charts (#1, 2, 3, 5)
7 records on 3 charts
7 records on 2 charts
10 records on only 1 chart

#25 CRYSTAL WORLD (French Import) --(can you say "Yur-oh-dis-co" boys & girls???


DISCO ACTION - Tom Moulton
2/8/75

(New York)-- A discogoer in Chicago has a good variety of clubs to choose from these days, including such spots as Our Den (capacity 1,000 people); The Bistro (500 capacity); Sunday's Bombay Bicycle Club, Faces ,The Rhinoceros, The Buttery, Dugan's Bistro and The Hang-Up. Artie Feldman, disk jockey at Our Den, reports that his Top 10 disco disks are:
"DOCTOR'S ORDERS" - Carol Douglas
"GET DANCIN'" - Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes
"EXPRESS" - B.T. Express
NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE" - Gloria Gaynor
"SOUTH AFRICAN MAN" - The Bohannon Band
"HIJACK" - Herbie Mann
"THAT'S THE KIND OF LOVE I'VE GOT FOR YOU" - Rita Jean Bodine
"SATIN SOUL" - (Love Unlimited Orchestra/ Gene Page)
"BLUE EYED SOUL" - Carl Douglas
and "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME" - Shirley & Company.

Notably, whenever Feldman goes on a new record he always makes a point of introducing the label and artist, so that his dancing audience will be familiar with the disk.

Other DJs in town include Louie, the Bistro; David Lawrence, The Rhinoceros, and Danny DJ at Dugan's Bistro.....As in other markets outside of New York, Chicago spinner complaints are similar when it comes to availability of product: they don't have it.

Roulette Records has two disco records coming out soon: "Helplessly" by Moment Of Truth and "Dance, Dance, Dance" by The Final Touch. Both records are strong uptempo songs. Also coming soon is the new Ecstasy, Passion & Pain single. ("One Beautiful Day")

Philadelphia International is releasing the new Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "To Be True" LP this week. The strongest cut is "Bad Luck" which is 6:29 and it is more in the "TSOP" groove. It is a much stronger disco record than their current single.

:evil: :evil: :evil: Chess/Janus will be releasing an edited version of the former number one disco song "I'll Be Holding On" by Al Downing. and deleting a long disco-mix version. The label feels the public should be able to buy the same version that it hears on the radio even though the new promotion copies are the long version with the flip side the edited version. What will be the answer when a radio station plays the long version and it is not available? WPIX, WWRL and WRLS here are playing the longer version. (Tom mixed the longer version).