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

[QUINNY]

Marky: Good old Boston!! What was the deal with NYC and KC & the Sunshine Band AND El Bimbo (jeez) being the #1 disc there. Talk about lack of good taste!!! :oops: :o

FYI: 'Cos I know you just love to know these things. As you know, I was working in Spain at the time. El Bimbo was a Spanish record, but I refused to play the damned thing. People cursed me at first, but they got so darned fed up with it on their radio, that they soon didn't want to hear it. AND YET IT WAS #1 IN NYC! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[nrgbeat]

Jimmy Stuard was the dj at the 1270 club, not Jimmy Stewart.

[paul]

CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR (#17)

"Uninspired black octet manged to hit a couple of times during the mid-Seventies disco era, first with "Dreaming A Dream" in '75, then with "Foxy Lady" in '76. Both are contianed in Foxy Lady" (DM = Dave Marsh)

Excuse me but ah, Dave Marsh doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. Uninspired? In addition to the above mentioned songs, ya got Dancin', Do It The French Way, Far Out, You Gave Me Love, and so much more. Can I find somebody with some juice in the fucking music and movie industry that knows something about disco? :o

[paul]

Hey Marky, I guess Kokomo's Use Your Imagination wasn't the song that made it on the Billboard charts! :o

[markydefad]

Q:

Yes, New York City did not seem to dig the "Sunshine Sound" of KC & the boys & girls in da band. I don't know why. Maybe a New yorker could shed some light. :o

Nrg:

You're right about the "Stuard" name...I edited the post. It occurred to me when I typed it...but I didn't have the time to do a search on him. Thanks for the tip.

Paul:

Rolling Stone is often very "dismissive" of the disco groups; I find it interesting to read their comments whether pro or con; in the grand scheme of things, however, Crown Heights Affair isn't remembered and revered at the level of a Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes or The O'Jays, eh? They made some good records and then faded away. I guess that was their point.

In regards to Kokomo, all that's charted thus far is their remake of the Bobby Womack "I Can Understand It", which Billboard still lists as "I CAN'T Understand It" after several months of chart appearances. :oops: I've looked for this Kokomo LP--but haven't found it thus far. The Bobby Womack version is on the Nicky Siano's Gallery CD I've written about.

I've completed the charts up to the middle of September (it's like a good paperback...I keep wanting to find out what happens next)...and we're just about to turn the corner to the "disco production is sweeping the nation" phase. It gets more interesting as more and more records you'll remember start charting. I just finished a list from September with 50 items!!! And I would dance to most of them!!!

[Salsoul1975]

Rolling Stone was never objective towards disco. They were rock establishment scribes who epitomized the banality of rock criticism of the 1970's. Considering the direction RS has taken in 25+ years, they now have people by likes of Jessica Simpson on the front cover pushing a vacuum cleaner.

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Rolling Stone is often very "dismissive" of the disco groups; I find it interesting to read their comments whether pro or con; in the grand scheme of things, however, Crown Heights Affair isn't remembered and revered at the level of a Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes or The O'Jays, eh? They made some good records and then faded away. I guess that was their point.

Marky: Maybe not (I'm not so sure), but they were more Disco than either of the acts mentioned above and more cutting edge Disco too.

[paul]

My sentiments exactly Quinny. I don't know, maybe like so many other things musically, you Brits got it right. I have a couple of CHA cds form Britain and they are excellent in their representation of this band.

[shootyourshot]

June 7, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

17, 18, Barry White, Just Another Way To Say I Love You
33, 41, Herbie Mann, Discotheque
38, 26, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
48, 30, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
57, 74, Van McCoy, Disco Baby
63, 63, Major Harris, My Way
67, 72, Ben E. King, Supernatural
68, 89, Manhattan Transfer, s/t
70, 61, Al Green, Greatest Hits
80, 51, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
93, 109, Disco Tex & The Sex-o-lettes, s/t
95, 105, Stylistics, Best Of
97, 97, Mandrill, Solid
100, 110, Main Ingredient, Rolling Down A Mountainside
113, 92, Labelle, Night Birds
117, 96, Average White Band, s/t
123, 103, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
131, 142, Tavares, Hard Core Poetry
135, 139, New Birth, Blind Baby
151, 158, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
157, 99, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course

Hot 100:

9, 11, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
10, 12, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
11, 13, Average White Band, Cut The Cake
18, 21, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
24, 28, Disco Tex, I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
25, 30, Tavares, Remember What I Told You To Forget / My Ship
30, 18, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
32, 35, Van McCoy, The Hustle
37, 42, Bazuka, Dynomite
42, 14, Herbie Mann, Hijack
44, 50, Frankie Valli, Swearin’ To God
48, 51, Labelle, What Can I Do For You
51, 72, Gwen McCrae, Rockin’ Chair
58, 58, Consumer Rapport, Ease On Down The Road
59, 70, Barry White, I’ll Do Anything
75, 83, Bimbo Jet, El Bimbo
76, 86, Hot Chocolate, Disco Queen
77, 87, Bee Gees, Jive Talkin’
87, New, Ben E. King, Do It In The Name Of Love
90, New, Michael Jackson, Just A Little Bit Of You
92, 94, Main Indgrdient, Rolling Down The Mountainside
95, 96, New Birth, Grand Daddy
98, New, Ike & Tina Turner, Baby Get It On

Barry White has three albums in the Italian Top 10 in the same week! “Just Another Way To Say I Love You” (#1), “Can’t Get Enough” (#2), & “White Gold” (#10)

I’m trying to get a feel of the New York disco scene around this time, but only about 20% of the songs on this chart are on P2P networks. Most of these records, especially the ones that became stuck in the lower reaches of the retail charts for a few weeks and disappeared, are nearly impossible to find.

My birthday was on October 21’st, and my present was Volumes 1, 4, 5, & 25 of the “I Love D12”co Diamonds” series put out by Blanco Y Negro, so I’m listening to a lot of that, too. Disco from America circa 1975 and disco from Italy circa 1983 go together well. :o (check out the “your top 10 songs of the week” topic for more info)

[markydefad]

June 14, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) SISTER GOLDEN HAIR - America
2) LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - Captain & Tennille
3) WHEN WILL I BE LOVED - Linda Ronstadt
4) BAD TIME - Grand Funk
5) OLD DAYS - Chicago

Billboard Soul/R&B #1:
1) ROCKIN' CHAIR - Gwen McCrae
__________________________________________________ __

DISCO ACTION

Record World "National Disco File Top 20" #1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD (4th week); (This is the chart being used by Joel Whitburn in his book for this time period--you know, the one chart versus 4 chart thang.)

But I've resolved that issue by combining the 4 Billboard charts into one.

Billboard charts:

A= Top Audience Response Records (NYC Discos) (#1= FREE MAN)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1= (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S.)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EL BIMBO)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= SEXY/ K-JEE)
E= Top Audience Response Records in LA/ San Diego (#1= THE HUSTLE)

5 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 75 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 38
6/14/75

1) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (45 total points/ charts ABDE) (last week:#4; 2nd non-consecutive week @ #1)
2) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (40/ACDE) (#3)
3) FOREVER CAME TODAY - The Jackson Five
(Motown LP only) (34/ABD) (#8.)
4) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wind and a Prayer 45) (32/ACE) (#9)
5) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (32/ACD) (#5)
6) (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S. - Retta Young
(All Platinum 45) (31/ABC) (#7)
7) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (30/ABC) (#1)
8. FREE MAN - Sout Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (29/ACDE) (#2)
9) SEXY - MFSB
(Phila. Intl. 45) (28/BDE) (#6)
10) DREAMING A DREAM - Crown Heights Affair
(De-lite 45) (27/BC) (#17)

11) * K-JEE - MFSB
( Phila. Intl. LP only) (27/CD) (NEW)
12) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar LP) (23/AE) (#16)
13) THE CHICAGO THEME (LOVE LOOP) - Hubert Laws
(CTI 45) (22/BD) (#12)
14) I COULD DANCE ALL NIGHT - Archie Bell & the Drells
(TSOP 45) (21/BC) (#10)
15) PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (20/ACDE) (#13)
16) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (19/AE) (#14)
17) IT'S IN HIS KISS - Linda Lewis
(Arista 45) (19/BC) (#28.)
18. LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (12/AD) (#11)
19) (R) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (12/E) (RETURN)
20) * T.L.C. (TENDER LOVIN' CARE) - MFSB w/ the Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. LP only) (12/C) (NEW)

21) (R) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & his Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (11/E) (Return)
22) * EARLY MORNING LOVE - The Supremes
(Motown LP) (10/D) (NEW)
23) LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' House
(RCA 45) (8/AD) (#18.)
24) STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP) (8/AE) (#22)
25) * WALK ON BY - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM 45) (8/B) (NEW)
26) (R) MAN WAS MADE TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin
(Green Menu 45) (7/BC) (RETURN)
27) * FIGHT THE POWER - The Isley Brothers
(T-Neck 45) (7/E) (NEW)
28. * THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - Billy Davis Jr.
(ABC 45) (7/B) (NEW)
29) CONTROL TOWER - Magic Disco Machine
(Motown 45) (6/D) (#23)
30) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (6/C) (#15)

31) (R) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (6/E) (RETURN)
32) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (5/DE) (#27)
33) (R) STONE COLD LOVE AFFAIR - the Real Thing
(20th Century 45) (5/B) (RETURN)
34) I WAS A LONELY MAN - Philly Devotions
(Columbia 45) (4/B) (#24)
35) (R) HYPERTENSION - Calendar
(Pi Kappa 45) (4/CD) (RETURN)
36) RUN JOHNNY - Jimmy Maelen
(Epic 45) (4/C) (#30)
37) (R) SUPERSHIP - George "Bad" Benson
(CTI 45) (3/B) (RETURN)
38. (R) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (2/DE) (RETURN)

__________________________________________________ __

STATS:

#6, 14, 20, 22, 24, (half) 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38 & 39 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Billboard Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (6): #11, 22, 24, 27, 29, 30

(R) = Return/ Re-entry (8.): #21, 23, 28, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40

Dropped Off:
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE/ HE'S MY MAN - The Supremes (was #19)* will be back
THE RICH GET RICHER - The O'Jays (#20)
SNEAKIN' UP BEHIND YOU - The Brecker Brothers (#21)
LOVE LIGHTS - Chuck Jackson (#25)
HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth (#26)
LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits (#29)
SHOTGUN SHUFFLE - The Sunshine Band (#31)

STATS & RANDOM NOTES:
38 total items; 31 last week
+ 6 debuts + 8 Returns / -7 dropoffs
0 records on all 5 charts
0 records on all 4 NYC charts
4 records on 4 charts (3 NYC + LA)
6 records on 3 charts
14 records on 2 charts
14 records on only 1 chart

It's a transitional week; 38 total items with the additon of the 5th LA chart; the 2 test weeks in May that LA was added brought 45 & 41 items. This time there's more consensus with the NYC charts than before. I got the feeling after the first LA chart was published the LA clubowners went out and bought some new records to get more "current." They were lookin' a little "Hooterville" that first week!!! :oops: :oops: :oops: Only 4 items on the LA chart this week NOT currently on the NYC charts--3 have peaked and left (Temps/Disco Tex/Betty Wright) and one is new: Isley Brothers. The Isleys will be huge in LA but make little noise in NYC.

The "softness" of the NYC charts allows the LA #1 THE HUSTLE to regain the #1 spot with only 45 points. THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE by the Reflections would have claimed #1 had not Chart B decided to start listing the Billy Davis Jr. version this week instead of the Reflections version. :roll:

There are several strong new contenders for #1 however, with FOREVER CAME TODAY and DREAMING A DREAM, foremost among them.




IT DO GET COMPLICATED DEPT.: PLEASE PICK A SONG :roll:

MFSB

The MFSB "Universal Love" LP is charting 2 LP tracks "K-Jee and "T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care)" in addition to the single "Sexy".

The charts list them in 3 different combinations this week:

1) SEXY by itself (B & E)
2) SEXY/K-JEE (D)
3) T.L.C./K-JEE (C)

So, I've separated them.


THE SUPREMES

Melody Song Shops looooooooves "The Supremes" self titled LP; they will chart it for weeks--but constantly change the songs from week to week. No other chart will list ANY of the material from this Supremes LP.

BUT Melody....

started last week with WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE/ HE'S MY MAN
that combo is gone this week; replaced by EARLY MORNING LOVE
Next weeK: HE'S MY MAN by itself
then THIS IS WHY I BELIEVE
then HE'S MY MAN
then HE'S MY MAN
then WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE
then WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE
then HE'S MY MAN/ WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE
then HE'S MY MAN
then HE'S MY MAN/ COLOR MY WORLD BLUE separately.
then COLOR MY WORLD BLUE for 3 weeks
then WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE for 6 weeks!!!! It's October 18 by now!!! :o :o :o
__________________________________________________ ___

NOTE: I'll add the Moulton column & the Artist Spotlight tomorrow; just wanted to get a jump on typing this tonight.


Artist Spotlight

(Reviews from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson)

Debuting this week at #27:

THE ISLEY BROTHERS

"One of the longest-lasting groups in rock history, the Isley Brothers have been making hits since the Fifties, and in a variety of styles. Their first records were raucous, sometimes delirious call-and-response affairs: "Shout," provided the group with both its first hit, and also a signature song for the frenzied gospel style. But despite an impressive number of single releases (including several that featured Jimi Hendrix as a session guitarist), the Isley's early-Sixties output seemed a bit too raw for the marketplace; the exception was the remake of "Shout," now considered a rock classic, and "Twist and Shout", which is as often covered as any song of its era. (Perhaps the most notable version is the Beatles'.)

After shifting to Motown midway through that decade, the group had one other major hit, "This Old Heart Of Mine" featuring Ronnie Isley's wild, barely controlled tenor lead vocal, which gave the group's sound an intensity rare for a Berry Gordy act.

The group was one of the first to form its own label, T-Neck, in the early Seventies, giving it greater artistic control just at the moment when soul was developing an expanded consciousness. The early records for Buddah--T-Neck's first distributor-- are typified by "It's Your Thing," a slice of simple, hard-edged funk that was a hit in 1973. Gradually, with the addition of younger Isleys (Ernie on guitar, Marvin on bass and keyboard played Chris Jasper) the conception broadened, and the influences of Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix and white hard rock were incorporated. When T-Neck switched to CBS as its distributor, its first reward was a smash pop hit, "That Lady" (from 3 Plus 3), which set the pace for most of the uptempo songs that followed: infectious, snaky funk, highlighted by Ernie Isley's sinewy guitar solo. Subsequent albums have shown the redundancy of the young Isley's guitar playing and the group hasn't developed the sound much past the ideas presented on 3 Plus 3. But artistic conservatism has paid off: they may be products of a formula, rather than a creative context, but all of the T-Neck/CBS LPs are also in the platinum and gold commercial range." (J.MC = John McEwen)

__________________________________________________ ___

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
6/14/75

(NEW YORK) Atlantic artists Margie Joseph and Blue Magic have teamed up for the single "You and Me Gotta Good Thing Going," now scheduled for release at the end of this week. The disk, very First Choice sounding, should receive good response from the disco crowd. The label is also releasing the new Spinners LP shortly. The album contains the cut "Love Or Leave" which should prove to be their strongest disco effort since "Mighty Love."

In a recent promotional tour, Epic artist Jimmy Maelen was plugging his "Run Johnny" single to disk jockeys at such clubs as Ashley's, Le Jardin, the Sound Machine, Hippopotamus, Friends Again and Tropicalia. Reactions to the record from several of the DJs were taped by Michlin & Hill productions and will be sent to radio stations across the country.

It's the first solo recording effort for Maelen who, aside from having been a studio man for such artists as Gloria Gaynor, Disco Tex, Frankie Valli, Gladys Knight and Three Dog Night, was lead singer for the Paramount group Ambergris.

A People's Choice LP will be coming out shortly on the TSOP label. The album contains the group's latest disco hit, "Party Is a Groovy Thing", as well as its forthcoming single Do It Anyway You Wanna." The latter song is mostly instrumental, although there are some exciting vocals involved. The most exciting thing about the record, though, is an organ sound which creates the same kind of energy level that Booker T. and the MGs had when they were together.

In Washington, D.C., the Music Unlimited Street Jocks Assn. is putting on four consecutive Monday night disco dance parties for the benefit of local senior citizens. The first party was June 2. Admission to the dances is $2 or three cans of food, with a percentage of the gate going to help pay the rent of those elderly people who are having a hard time making ends meet. :D

The food is also being distributed among the aged. As part of the promotional effort behind the events, free singles and LPs (an undisclosed quantity) are being given away to the discogoers. The product is being supplied by Schwartz Bros. Distributors.


Fred and the New JBs have a new single on the People label. It's titled "It's Not the Express (It's the JB Monorail)" and you do have to listen to it a few times to realize it isn't the B.T. Express.

Ralph Carter's debut single "When You're Young and In Love", is due out shortly on Mercury Records. It's the same song that the Marvelettes has out a few years back (1967, to be exact), but done in the "Everlasting Love" sound with full orchestra and chorus. The flip side will have a special disco mix version and test pressings will be sent to club DJs just prior to the record's release.

If and when Richard Nader takes his disco concert party concept, now scheduled for the Montreal Forum Friday (14), on a national tour of arenas, it's understood that artist Van McCoy will be approached by Nader to one of the permanent attractions.

[markydefad]

June 21, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - The Captain & Tennille
2) WHEN WILL I BE LOVED - Linda Ronstadt
3) WILDFIRE - Michael Murphy :D :D :D
4) I'M NOT LISA - Jessi Colter
5) LOVE WON'T LET ME WAIT - Major Harris

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT - The O'Jays
__________________________________________________ ___

Disco Action


Record World "National Disco File Top 20" #1: FREE MAN (1st week); (This is the chart being used by Joel Whitburn in his book for this time period--you know, the one chart versus 4 chart thang.)

But I've resolved that issue by combining the 4 Billboard charts into one.

Billboard charts:

A= Top Audience Response Records (NYC Discos) (#1= FREE MAN)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1= (DREAMING A DREAM)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EL BIMBO)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= FOREVER CAME TODAY)
E= Top Audience Response Records in LA/ San Diego (#1= THE HUSTLE)

5 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 75 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 43
6/21/75

1) FOREVER CAME TODAY - The Jackson Five
(Motown LP only) (49 total points/ Charts ABCD) (Last week: #3)
2) DREAMING A DREAM - Crown Heights Affair
(De-Lite 45) (46/ABCD) (#10)
3) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (40/ACDE) (#8.)
4) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (40/ABDE) (#1)
5) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (33/ABCD) (#5)
6) (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S. - Retta Young
(All Platinum 45) (33/ABC) (#6)
7) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (28/AC) (#7)
8. IT'S IN HIS KISS - Linda Lewis
(Arista 45) (27/ABCD) (#17)
9) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (27/ACDE) (#2)
10) SEXY - MFSB
( Phila. Intl. 45) (26/BD) (#9)

11) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing & a Prayer 45) (24/AE) (#4)
12) THE CHICAGO THEME (Love Loop) - Hubert Laws
(CTI LP) (18/BC) (#13)
13) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (15/AE) (#16)
14) I COULD DANCE ALL NIGHT - Archie Bell & the Drells
(TSOP 45) (14/C) (#14)
15) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC - Bohannon
(Dakar 45) (13/E) (#12)
16) * CHOCOLATE CHIP (Instrumental) - Isaac Hayes
(ABC LP) (12/D) (NEW)
17) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (12/E) (#19)
18.) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - Billy Davis Jr.
(ABC 45) (11/B) (#28.)
19) (R) DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (10/E) (RETURN)
20) T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care) - MFSB w/ The Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. LP) (10/C) (#20)

21) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (9/AD) (#18.)
22) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (9/E) (#31)
23) (R) 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle) - Gary Toms Empire
(P.I.P. 45) (8/E) (RETURN)
24) * THE LEGENDARY ZING! ALBUM - The Trammps
(Tracks: 1) Penguin At the Big Apple/Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart;2) Pray All You Sinners; 3) Sixty Minute Man; 4) Scrubboard; 5) Tom's Song; 6) Rubber Band; 7) Hold Back The Night; 8.) Penguin at the Big Apple)
(Buddah LP) (8/B) (NEW)
25) STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP) (7/AE) (#24)
26) (R) HE'S MY MAN - The Supremes
(Motown LP) (7/D) (RETURN)
27) K-JEE - MFSB
(Phila. Intl. LP) (7/B) (#11)
28. (R) YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP ON BUMPIN' - The Kay Gees
(Gang 45) (7/E) (RETURN)
29) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (6/BE) (#32)
30) MAN WAS BORN TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin
(Green Menu 45) (6/B) (#26)

31) *TORNADO - The Wiz (Original Broadway Cast LP)
(Atlantic LP) 6/D) (NEW)
32) (R) HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP) (5/D) (RETURN)
33) *BANDOLERO - Juan Carlos Calderon
(Epic 45) (4/BC) (NEW)
34) (R) HEY BABY - Anthony White
(Phila. Intl. 45) (4/C) (RETURN)
35) PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (4/E) (#15)
36) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (3/C) (#30)
37) LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
(RCA 45) (3/A) (#23)
38. (R) WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45) (3/E) (RETURN)
39) FIGHT THE POWER - The Isley Brothers
(T-Neck 45) (2/D) (#27)
40) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (1/D) (#38.)

41) * KARAMBANI - Buari
(RCA 45) (1/B) (NEW)
42) RUN JOHNNY - Jimmy Maelen
(Epic 45) (1/C) (#36)
43) * WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES - Esther Phillips
(Kudu--Not commercially available yet) (1/A) (NEW)
__________________________________________________ ___

STATS:
#6, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, (half) 24, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, 40 & 41 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (19074-2003) book.

* = Debut (6): #16, 24, 30, 32, 40, 42

(R) = Return/Re-entry (7): #19, 23, 26, 28, 31, 33, 37

Dropped off:
DISCO STOMP - Bohannon (was (half of) #12)
I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (Doo Dat Dance) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes (#21)
EARLY MORNING LOVE - The Supremes (#22)
WALK ON BY - Gloria Gaynor (#25) *will be back
CONTROL TOWER - Magic Disco Machine (#29)
STONE COLD LOVE AFFAIR - Real Thing (#33)
I WAS A LONELY MAN - Philly Devotions (#34)
HYPERTENSION - Calendar (#35)
SUPERSHIP - George "Bad" Benson (#37)

Stat Roundup & Random Notes:

43 total items; 38 last week
+ 6 debuts + 7 returns/ -9 dropoffs
0 records on all 5 charts (THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE almost qualifies; but "B" is now charting the Billy Davis Jr. version; the other charts all have The Reflections version)
7 records on 4 charts; 4 on all 4 NYC charts
1 record on 3 charts
9 records on 2 charts
26 records on only 1 chart

What's interesting? Motown has their first bonafide #1 DISCO CHART record with the Jackson Five's cover of the old Diana Ross & the Supremes' minor hit FOREVER CAME TODAY. Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote and produced the original for Miss Ross & the Supremes as a followup to "Reflections." Brian Holland produced this new version speeding up the tempo for the dancefloor.

Two versions of THREE STEPS TO TRUE LOVE; The Reflections vs. Billy Davis Jr. ( former lead singer of 5th Dimension, & husband of Marilyn McCoo); Downstairs Records is now just charting the Davis version; all the other charts list The Relections.

The Trammps "Legendary Zing! Album", comprised of old singles never before on an LP, has been released on Buddah.

With the lagtime on records hitting in LA, we now seem to be in "reruns" sometimes. Records that have peaked and faded in NYC are now "hot" in LA...so they're back!!! :roll:

New "HOT" records like FOREVER CAME TODAY & DREAMING A DREAM have yet to chart in LA.

Esther Phillips' remake of an old standard 'What a Difff'rence a Day Makes" is in the hands of NYC DJs; not yet available to the public; but popular enough for Tom Moulton to give it the #15 slot on chart A.
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Artist Spotlight

(reviews form the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson)

Artists debuting this week.....

ISAAC HAYES (#16)

"Isaac Hayes first appeared, chains draped across his bare chest and calling himself Black Moses, as the last big-time proponent of the declining Memphis Sound. Though no heir to the tradition of Sam and Dave (for whom he wrote some great songs with partner David Porter), Hayes did gradually pick up steam by groaning long intros into truly gruesome ballads, :oops: which were expanded into huge workouts by his band, the Movement. Then in 1970, "Theme from Shaft," aided by Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly," put the disco seal of fate on soul music. But most of the Shaft album was bad movie music, and Hayes' first full disco album (his oldest still in print), Chocolate Chip, is alternately a lush and pushy party record, though Hayes unfortunately dropped his ballad intros just as Barry White picked up on the gimmick. The followup, Disco Connection, is so evenly programmed for dancing that Hayes is almost absent, except for rare growl. He returns, however, to torpedo Juicy Fruit with already horrific self-parody, whether conscious or not no one has ever determined. Subsequent Hayes is nothing but factory simulacrum, easily ignored and rather dadaistic in his overblown obsequiousness :o :o :o to the disco style and scene he at least partly fathered. (BT=??) :evil: :evil: :evil:

THE WIZ (Original Cast) (#31)

"In making the original-cast album of the black Broadway revival of The Wizard of Oz, producer Jerry Wexler circumvented many problems by adding a soul rhythm section. The result is that the intensity of the performances transcends the stagy phrasing. Stephanie Mills, who plays Dorothy, is the chief offender in the latter regard; Tasha Thomas and Dee Dee Bridgewater turn in convincing performances that show both as musicians as much as actresses."

ESTHER PHILLIPS (#43)

"Esther Phillips, a Texas-born blues and jazz singer, first emerged into the national spotlight as Little Esther in 1950, with "Cupid's Boogie" on Savoy. Extremely talented, with a sensual streak derived from Dinah Washington, she has rarely repeated even R&B chart success: "Ring a Ding Doo" for Federal in 1952 and "Release Me," an R&B reworking of a country standard that made R&B Top Ten in 1962 for Lenox, are her only other R&B Top Ten hits. Phillips worked steadily with Johnny Otis' soul revue, however and in 1964 came close to a hit with the Beatles' "And I Love Him" for Atlantic. She did a series of smoldering sides for that label before moving into a more modern pop-jazz groove with her Seventies LP's on Kudu, all of which are pleasant examples of contemporary pop and jazz vocalizing." (DM = Dave Marsh)

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DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

June 21, 1975

(NEW YORK) The fastest rising disco tune this week is the Jackson Five's "Forever Came Today" LP cut. Word has it that Motown will be releasing the song as a single shortly.

CTI Records has given out test pressings of a new Esther Phillips album which will not be commercially available until mid-July. The pressings are already having an affect as the LP cut "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" has made the local Top Audience Response listing. Several of the DJs here who are on the record say that they may have to slow the song down for the audience to dance to it, :o :o :o (this was before speed, I guess) :P but nevertheless, it's being well received. The talk is that Ms. Phillips sounds like Dinah Washington with her handling of the song.

Atlantic's Ace Spectrum has just completed its second LP. The strongest cut on the album is "Keep on Holdin' On." The song, 8:41 in length, has a strong Spinners sound with several peaks throughout. The last half is instrumental. Four other cuts on the album also stand up well for the disco market. They are: "Do You Remember Yesterday," "Beautiful Love," (both having that Spinners sound too) "Without You", with Joe Simonish vocals, and "You Ain't No Match For Me," a medium tempo song, slower than the others, but equally as strong. The LP was produced by Ed Zant (a member of the group) and Tony Silvester.

De-Lite Records is becoming one of the hottest disco labels in New York. With Dreaming a Dream already widely received and several new disco releases just over the horizon, the company's foothold in the market is steadily growing stronger, Among the label's new releases are Street People's "Never Get Enough" (being released this week) and a Kay Gees "Hustlin' At The Party" single. The latter is probably the most commercial disco record the group has produced to date, The record has "Hustle With Every Muscle" as a flip side.

Joe Anderson's new single "You And I"(Buddah) will have a 5:25 disco version. The record has a "Hey Girl, Come And Get It" (that's another one for the list!!!) rhythm with full orchestration and female background vocals.

[markydefad]

June 28, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart #1:
1) LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - The Captain & Tennille (2nd week)

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) LOOK AT ME (I'm In Love) - THE MOMENTS

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Disco Action

Record World "National Disco File Top 20" #1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD (returns to #1); (This is the chart being used by Joel Whitburn in his book for this time period--you know, the one chart versus 4 chart thang.)

But I've resolved that issue by combining the 4 Billboard charts into one.

Billboard charts:

A= Top Audience Response Records (NYC Discos) (#1= FREE MAN)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1= (DREAMING A DREAM)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EL BIMBO)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= THIS IS WHY I BELIEVE)
E= Top Audience Response Records in LA/ San Diego (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)

5 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 75 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 40
6/28/75

1) DREAMING A DREAM - Crown Heights Affair
(De-Lite 45) (52 total points/ Charts ABCD) (Last week: #2)
2) FOREVER CAME TODAY - The Jackson Five
(Motown LP version) (50/ABDE) (#1)
3) FREE MAN -South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (48/ABCDE) (#3)
4) K-JEE - MFSB
(Phila. Intl. LP) (38/BCD) (#27)
5) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (29/ADE) (#4)
6) IT'S IN HIS KISS - Linda Lewis
(Arista 45) (28/ABC) (#8.)
7) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (28/AC) (#7)
8. LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (25/ABCD) (#21)
9) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (24/ADE) (#9)
10) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wind & a Prayer 45) (24/AE) (#11)

11) I COULD DANCE ALL NIGHT - Archie Bell & the Drells
(TSOP 45) (24/BC) (#14)
12) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (17/AE) (#13)
13) * LOVE INFLATION - The Joneses
(Mercury 45) (17/BC) (NEW)
14) WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES - Esther Phillips
(Kudu 45) (16/ABC) (#43)
15) * THIS IS WHY I BELIEVE - The Supremes
(Motown LP) (15/D) (NEW)
16) * YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOURSELF - Barbara Hall
(Innovation 45) (13/BC) (NEW)
17) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (13/E) (#17)
18. (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S. - Retta Young
(All Platinum 45) 12/ACD) (#6)
19) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC - Bohannon
(Dakar 45) (12/E) (#15)
20) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - Billy Davis Jr.
(ABC 45) (12/B) (#18.)

21) CHOCOLATE CHIP (Instrumental) - Isaac Hayes
(ABC LP) (11/D) (#16)
22) THE LEGENDARY ZING! ALBUM - The Trammps
(Tracks: 1) Penguin At the Big Apple/Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart;2) Pray All You Sinners; 3) Sixty Minute Man; 4) Scrubboard; 5) Tom's Song; 6) Rubber Band; 7) Hold Back The Night; 8.) Penguin at the Big Apple)
(Buddah LP) 9/B) (#24)
23) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (8/BE) (#29)
24) SEXY - MFSB
(Phila. Intl 45) (8/AE) (#10)
25) TORNADO - Original Broadway Cast of The Wiz
(Atlantic LP) (8/D) (#31)
26) YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP ON BUMPIN' - The Kay Gees
(Gang 45) (8/E) (#28.)
27) MAN WAS MADE TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin
(Green Menu 45) (6/BC) (#30)
28. BANDOLERO - Juan Carlos Calderone
(Epic 45) (6/B) (#33)
29) 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle) - Gary Toms Empire
(P.I.P. 45) (6/E) (#23)
30) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (5/AD) (#5)

31) * NEVER GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE - Street People
(Vigor 45) (5/C) (NEW)
32) DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (4/E) (#19)
33) FIGHT THE POWER - The Isley Brothers
(T-Neck 45) (4/E) (#39)
34) * MIDNIGHT IS THE TIME I NEED YOU - Demis Roussos
(Big Tree 45) (4/C) (NEW)
35) T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care) - MFSB
(Phila. Intl LP) (4/AE) (#20)
36) (R) CUT THE CAKE - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45) (3/E) (RETURN)
37) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (3/C) (#36)
38. (R) WALK ON BY - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM 45) (2/D) (RETURN)
39) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (1/D) (#40)
40) LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
(RCA 45) (1/A) (#37)
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STATS:

#11,13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34,35, 36, 37 & 38 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (5): #13, 15, 16, 31, 34

(R) = Return/Re-entry (2): #36, 38

Dropped Off:
THE CHICAGO SONG (Love Loop) - Hubert Laws (was #12)* will be back
WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright (#22)
STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps (#25)
HE'S MY MAN - The Supremes (#26)*
HIJACK - Barrabas (#32)
HEY BABY - Anthony White (#34)
PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers (#35)
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle (#38.)
KARAMBANI - Buari (#41)
RUN JOHNNY - Jimmy Maelen (#42)


Stats & Random Notes:

40 total items this week; last week 43
+5 debuts + 2 returns/ -10 dropoffs
1 record on all 5 charts (FREE MAN)
3 records on 4 charts
6 records on 3 charts
11 records on 2 charts
19 records on only 1 chart

New #1!!! Crown Heights Affair pushes the Jackson Five to #2; will the J5 get their revenge next week?

Note the Top 11 all have over 24 points. We've got HITS!!!

Movers & Droppers:

+29 points: WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES (from #43 to #14)
+23 points: K-JEE (from #27 to #4)

-25 points: SWEARIN' TO GOD (from #5 down to #30); back to #10 next week!!!
-15 points: T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care) (from #20 to #35)
-14 points: SEXY (from #10 to #24)
-12 points: (SENDING OUT AN) S.O.S )from #6 to #18.)

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Artist Spotlight

(reviews from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson)

Debuting this week...


DEMIS ROUSSOS (#34)

"Big-Time European pop singer fails to cash in on U.S. market. In some countries, this Greek-born pop singer is outsold only by ABBA. Here, he looks like a hairier Kojak, and though his singing is passable, it's nothing that Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon (even) could get shook up about." (Wut???) (DM = Dave Marsh) :oops:

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DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

June 28, 1975

(NEW YORK) The Cork and Bottle here June 13 was the scene for a Motown promotion party backing new releases by Eddie Kendricks, Willie Hutch, and Rare Earth. Several of the DJs who attended said that they would have preffered it if the label had made up one product package rather than having the LPs stacked on different tables around the room. It seems that most of the spinners ended up missing out on one or two of the titles by the time they got around to each table.

On a positive note, the spinners who received a copy of the Kendricks LP seemed unanimous in their selection of the cut "Get the Cream Off The Top" as being a good disco song.

As for distribution of promotional product to disco DJs, a spokesman for the Record Pool, formed here as a nonprofit distribution center for some 60-85 DJs (Billboard, June 21), says that comments that the "Pool" could prompt group acceptance or rejection of new disco product were "off base." He stresses that the spinners will be picking up their individual packages at different times during the month and will not be collaborating on selecting disks to play. Beside, he continues, each DJ still has to work to please his/her own dance audience and group programming "won't work."

As for label reaction to the "Pool" concept, he says that several labels have already approved bulk shipment of promotional product to the "Pool."

Scepter is rush releasing the single "Chinese Kung Fu" by Banzai this week. This European import has been available on the local club scene for several weeks now. The new disk will have a disco version on the flip side which will be 4:59 in length. The label is also making 12-inch 33 copies for clubs.

Scepter is also starting a new label for release of product from the Contempo Family of England. The first release will be the single "It's the Same Old Song" by the Armada Orchestra. The flip side will be "Do Me Right." The group is an English version of MFSB.

DJ Barry Lederer of the Sandpiper Club (Fire Island) says that Ralph Carter's "When You're Young and in Love" single (Mercury) is the "hottest" new record he's playing. A first time play of a test pressing of the song prompted applause form the dancers, he says.

Other test pressings creating a stir here right now are Polydor's "Well Kept Secret" LP by James Last and RCA's Faith, Hope and Charity album. A Last single, "Love For Sale" backed by "Summertime" is due for release shortly. Two cuts from the album are already getting good response for Tom Savarese at the 12 West Club--they are "Summertime" and "Jubilation".

The Faith, Hope and Charity album was produced, arranged and mostly written by Van McCoy. The effort has a sound as if the Staple Singers had met up with McCoy. Word around is that it's one of the best productions from McCoy to date.

Another record around town which is generating talk is "Somebody's Gotta Go" by Mike and Bill. It's on the Moving Up label.

[Videoskooter]

Those lists bring back memories. Those were charts with songs.

Demis Roussos, he was my grannies' favourite and at this moment his old records are very cult here in Belgium.

Now, I was wondering: if Marky is still posting them here in, let's say 2025. Will the lists then have as many impact as they do now with us.

The times they are a-changing :cry:

[QUINNY]

CHA - Dreaming A Dream surely one of the very best #1 disco records. An awesome track that always filled my dancefloor. This was one of those records that appeared to signal a real shift in how the fledgling disco world was heading. If only it hadn't left its balls behind and stuck to the CHA's funkier edge.
I still dream about what ifs like that.

[Bona boy]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

[If only it hadn't left its balls behind.
I still dream about what ifs like that.

You like balls? Are you trying to tell us something? :-?