Reply With QuoteSANDRADEE youve been away? i thought youd left after you shouted at the q ooh that language :o 8)
from east to west charted here in june 78 and from my memory it was pretty instant after release,souveniers was nov 78 on charts
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Sorry to bring up the zillionth thread about this group (I do love'em but I have played 'em to death in recent years!) but I'm doing my own CD compilations at the moment & trying to do everything chronologically (as I'm tres anal! :roll: :lol: ) & i'm wondering whether to put 'From East to West' in '77 or '78? Many sources say this is a '77 record but I'm sure it was a hit here in the summer of '78. Likewise for 'Souvenirs' - '78 or '79? This self-imposed task has revealed just how some records took literally months to actually reach the charts after they were originally released (of course many brilliant records didn't cross over to the pop charts at all & many more didn't even get UK releases! :evil: )
Gold Record [Level 7]
SANDRADEE youve been away? i thought youd left after you shouted at the q ooh that language :o 8)
from east to west charted here in june 78 and from my memory it was pretty instant after release,souveniers was nov 78 on charts
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Thanx DD. How's it hangin'? No I haven't been away (unfortunately), I've just not been visiting here much lately for various reasons, mainly because I spend too much money on the internet! :lol: :o Looks like I've joined the ranks of Boody, Jazz pilgrim, Marten, Jeff etc. in that I just pay an occasional visit. :cry: As the saying goes 'you can get too much of a good thing'!
Indie Release [Level 4]
I would agree with From East To West as 1978, and I would place Souveniers in 1979 - though it was indeed an immediate hit on release in late 1978. I recall listening to that album much more in 1979...two absolute classics.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Oh right, so Souvenirs is probably more '79. It was probably one of those records like Saint Tropez's 'One More Minute' that came out in '78 but was really big in '79. Thankyou.
Gold Record [Level 7]
the original "Voyage "LP with "east to west" was released in '77, the Marlin/TK release came later in '78, I don't know the exact dates but by the time the Marlin release hit general retail stores in my area this song/LP was already a hit in Miami with Hustle Dancers. The original French version was a hot item in local shops then, I remember Djs begging for the store copy.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/i/mixmach/Voyage_Lp.jpg
I find it interesting that this record made it all the way to Miami and the USA before the UK since it was produced just across the Channel from you :-? I was also under the wrong impression that this music didn't fly in the UK according to some obviously questionable testimonies around here. :roll:
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Originally Written by Mixmachine
It's not at all surprising to me, given UK DJs' total contempt for Eurodisco. The club scene in the UK was always run by a soul/funk/jazz 'mafia' (their description, not mine) & the UK gay scene (which supported Eurodisco far more) hadn't got fully into its stride until the early 80s. The main surprise to me was that 'From East to West' achieved any commercial success at all here as I don't recall radio playing it much until it actually made the pop charts. 'Souvenirs' didn't sell as well only reaching #56; 'Lets Fly Away' did better as it did get the radio play. I don't know for sure how much play Voyage actually received in UK clubs as I was too young to go dancing then but I'd like to guess that the people on this site who said it didn't get played worked on the funk/soul scene at that time. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I first looked at the US dance charts in '78/'79 to see how well Eurodisco did over there considering how strong much of the North American-based talent was. It always irritated me that brilliant records by the likes of Space, Rosebud, Voyage & Beautiful Bend got so shamefully ignored here when I know that given the right exposure to them the British public would've bought them as most UK people like to have a good time to uplifting joyous music like this. OK, some Eurodisco was a bit trite but there's good & bad stuff in all genres isn't there? There are also many awful funk or rock or jazz records in my experience. :-?
Gold Record [Level 7]
I thought I was bad with the chronological thing... I love listing my songs in order of release and or putting the chart info on the cover if I make one... it makes it more special, eh? :lol:
I find it odd that the UK didn't embrace Voyage or Euro... but I have no problem with you guys feelin' the funk either :D
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
I agree with every word you said there. I loved the first two Voyage albums which were on the old GTO label. From East To West was first and was from the album with a picture of the Earth on the front, then the second had a sunset on the front. I only found out that a third one existed a few years ago when I found a CD of tracks (with a long version of From East To West on it) in HMV in Manchester of all places. What is even more amazing is like Cerrone and Alec R Costandinos, the albums were recorded in London and virtually ignored by the English public.
It's not at all surprising to me, given UK DJs' total contempt for Eurodisco. The club scene in the UK was always run by a soul/funk/jazz 'mafia' (their description, not mine) & the UK gay scene (which supported Eurodisco far more) hadn't got fully into its stride until the early 80s. The main surprise to me was that 'From East to West' achieved any commercial success at all here as I don't recall radio playing it much until it actually made the pop charts. 'Souvenirs' didn't sell as well only reaching #56; 'Lets Fly Away' did better as it did get the radio play. I don't know for sure how much play Voyage actually received in UK clubs as I was too young to go dancing then but I'd like to guess that the people on this site who said it didn't get played worked on the funk/soul scene at that time. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I first looked at the US dance charts in '78/'79 to see how well Eurodisco did over there considering how strong much of the North American-based talent was. It always irritated me that brilliant records by the likes of Space, Rosebud, Voyage & Beautiful Bend got so shamefully ignored here when I know that given the right exposure to them the British public would've bought them as most UK people like to have a good time to uplifting joyous music like this. OK, some Eurodisco was a bit trite but there's good & bad stuff in all genres isn't there? There are also many awful funk or rock or jazz records in my experience. :-?
toto
No Longer Charting
Guys, we just didn't like these records a whole bunch. It has nothing to do with the Mafia DJs. I like many hundreds (thousands) of my DJ contemporaries played From East To West, Souvenirs etc, but they soon became rather monotonous and boring. I've always felt that Voyage was (a) cynical (b) rather bland (c) rather unfocused...rock attitude/ instrumentation mixed with girlie choruses and sugary sweet quasi-symphonic music just didn't work and (d) maybe tried too hard at times. I HATED the way they'd start off with a fairly funky hard groove only to surrender to the typical Eurodisco sound after a minute or so. They lost their balls, n'est-ce pas?I agree with every word you said there. I loved the first two Voyage albums which were on the old GTO label. From East To West was first and was from the album with a picture of the Earth on the front, then the second had a sunset on the front. I only found out that a third one existed a few years ago when I found a CD of tracks (with a long version of From East To West on it) in HMV in Manchester of all places. What is even more amazing is like Cerrone and Alec R Costandinos, the albums were recorded in London and virtually ignored by the English public.
It's not at all surprising to me, given UK DJs' total contempt for Eurodisco. The club scene in the UK was always run by a soul/funk/jazz 'mafia' (their description, not mine) & the UK gay scene (which supported Eurodisco far more) hadn't got fully into its stride until the early 80s. The main surprise to me was that 'From East to West' achieved any commercial success at all here as I don't recall radio playing it much until it actually made the pop charts. 'Souvenirs' didn't sell as well only reaching #56; 'Lets Fly Away' did better as it did get the radio play. I don't know for sure how much play Voyage actually received in UK clubs as I was too young to go dancing then but I'd like to guess that the people on this site who said it didn't get played worked on the funk/soul scene at that time. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I first looked at the US dance charts in '78/'79 to see how well Eurodisco did over there considering how strong much of the North American-based talent was. It always irritated me that brilliant records by the likes of Space, Rosebud, Voyage & Beautiful Bend got so shamefully ignored here when I know that given the right exposure to them the British public would've bought them as most UK people like to have a good time to uplifting joyous music like this. OK, some Eurodisco was a bit trite but there's good & bad stuff in all genres isn't there? There are also many awful funk or rock or jazz records in my experience. :-?
toto
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
*****
Just from Quinny's description of the music ... it seems to reflect that what he says was true ... the UK DJs just didn't get it .... and therefore they didn't like it .
Might it have had something to do with a lack of complementary venues .... ones not complete with spectacular lighting and big room sound quality ..... ( :-? ? )
Sounds as though the romp rooms found there then were still more suited to the sounds of ol' funky soul tunes ...... :-?
*****
No Longer Charting
Nothing to do with rooms, sound systems or lights, but everything to do with music and feel. Voyage just didn't feel right. Disco music (in its purest form) was very much an American thing, made to suit the then American tastes. You guys have always had a certain way with music, most which was embraced by the world at different times throughout the 20th century. After the gritty funk and soul offerings of the early/mid '60s through to the mid '70s, Disco music just sounded like a wee backward step, especially the symphonic, Eurotrash which tried to emulate American music and style, but failed miserably.
You guys liked it.....fine by me, but don't expect a zillion guys to suddenly agree with you, or not put the opposing view.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
I personally welcome opposing views ........
So what were the clubs there like ??..... I was going to clubs where a full time person was working the lights interweaving their effects to the particulars of the songs and sound technicians were always at hand ...because if the sound was compromised .... the evening was over ........ and yes !!
all this had a lot to do with the whole schtick .... the groove .... the vibe ....the atmosphere ....the way this music was experienced ....
( if it didn't matter ..... they wouldn't have bothered )
What you are calling a throw back Quinny .... I'd rather call the final culmination ...when all the previous sounds jelled into one big awesome orgasmic dance party groove 8) .... all the previous influences ..... big band ....rock ... jazz .... funk .... soul ......latin .... african .... classical ....all converged to become disco : the pinnacle of music ....
It can't and won't ever be topped .....
because .... once the pinnacle is reached .... there's just nowhere higher to go ...... :) :P
_________
I still fail to understand this "disco (in its purest form) " terminology ??? ... What is this ???
*****
No Longer Charting
Remicks: I agree that good sound systems and lights can add to a vibe, BUT they cannot replace a good basic music vibe. The longer I was a DJ, the more I lamented the basic earthy feel of my early clubs, where people came for the right reasons, rather than the fixtures and fittings. The management, who put the later day Disco palaces together, probably lost a lot of the American vibe in translation, so to speak.
To be honest, until 1979/80 nearly all UK clubs were run on very low key lines, without any of the slickness to be found in the U.S. and even after that date there were very few that would have stood any sort of direct comparison. That's the whole point....we were different and so a different music suited. However, the holiday hotspots around the Mediterranean had classy, hi tech discos long before any American ones were ever thought about, but of course, many of these catered only to the holiday trade for a few months in the summer months. Even so, Black American R&B, Soul and Funk were the major part of their playlists, along with the latest singalong holiday specials.
It's interesting to note that the US had a sudden explosion of discos, whereas Europe and the UK had had a much more gradual acceptance of discotheques over a relatively long period (from the early to mid '60s. We didn't have the same stifling labour relations laws that you had in the U.S. regarding musicians and live music and so it was much easier for discotheques to legally trade and subsequently they were much more the 'done thing' by the time Disco happened. Our dancing patterns (even among hetero white guys) were much more established compared to the U.S. Fridays and Saturdays at the local disco were very much a way of life for countless numbers of people.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
*****
That's a good point ..... 8) So I'm suggesting that
a strong element that made you different was your style of clubbing and the type of atmosphere found within them ....
Funkier low key joints were better suited for funkier music .
It's hard to pulll off the glitz of ballroom dancing or hustling in a casual corner bar .
Disco brought a certain glamour to the dance floor ...orchestration ... thoughtful dancing ..... and more style to the clubs .....
Put it this way ..... Nile and Bernard didn't come up with the name CHIC for lack of reason .... we're talkin' clams on the half shell here ...... oh ya ... and roller skates ! :lol: .... It wasn't all "high class" ( real or imagined ) .... :lol:
8)
*****
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
The few Eurodisco records that did actually make it to the pop charts in the UK became very big hits (which meant selling a considerable amount of units in the late 70s!
*** Forum Leader / Moderator ***
OK - I am presently looking at a 12" that I bought from HMV in 1978 for £1.29 from Enfield in North London, with Souvenirs on one side and Lady America on the other. UK release on the GTO label NO GT 12 241. Hope that helps.
Secondly about the clubs and the music - as a 'punter' (dancer, music consumer etc.) I went 'clubbing' in the West End for the music - the best rooms, were fairly bland, just powerful sound systems lights, a bar and people. I chased the music, rather than the girls. By 1981, in London and elsewhere clubs became more 'stylish' or 'posey', chrome, leather etc...and focussed less on the music.
Underground Hit [Level 5]
From what I heard when I was playing in the 70's (still playing though) the vibe for Disco in the UK was very much as appreciated highly than in the US. Being a New Yorker, Disco music was a way of life back in the days! I would like to hear some more stories on how was Disco received in other countries back in the 70's.
Underground Hit [Level 5]
I Love You Dancer - A Hot Song!!!
How does the folks in the forum feel about, that song?
Gold Record [Level 7]
i liked it when it first came out...
No Longer Charting
........And so DJs wouldn't have played these tracks that much, unless we were unfortunate enough to be working a Top Rank/Mecca type of disco. The above mentioned tracks (with the possible exception of Supernature) were pop records first and foremost, NOT great disco records that broke the charts and that's where we drew the line.The few Eurodisco records that did actually make it to the pop charts in the UK became very big hits (which meant selling a considerable amount of units in the late 70s!
Underground Hit [Level 5]
It's still great to hear occasionally!
i liked it when it first came out...
Underground Hit [Level 5]
From East to West was a masterpiece, Hall of Fame record, it was 1977 that bled over into 1978.
Richard B
Gold Record [Level 7]
Exactly!!! Now take that statement and reverse it for the US clubs. Voyage, Sheila, etc..., were not US pop fare. So, as DJ's, those were our underground, couture, not-with-the-herd playlists. We'd read the UK lists and wonder "why are they ranking that so high?", when it came to US Dance tracks that were popular on our radios, but we wouldn't play in the clubs.
You always strove to push what was not the mass-appeal for your region, alongside of the tracks you had to play.
"MUSIC IS AN EMOTION, SEARCHING FOR IT'S VOICE"
...come with me, "BACK TO MUSIC", on DISCOTERIA
http://www.live365.com/stations/cdnbob2
Underground Hit [Level 5]
Re: Voyage
.. oh I see .. so that's how it worked in America? .. I never understood how a massive Billboard Hot 100 chart & r&b smash like Kool & the Gang "Higher plane" could fare so badly on the US disco charts .. when it was so obviously designed for dancing ..
:icon_question:
.. but from what you say it would appear the dance djs were deliberately refusing to give this song a mention on their feedback playlists as the single was already a big radio hit .. but when those same radio stations were not promoting Kool & the Gang, for example on the release of "Open Sesame", the dance djs got behind the tune .. creating a disco classic ..
:icon_eek:
.. mmmm ..
:icon_question:
.. it was quite the reverse in the UK .. a danceable pop record usually went straight in to the disco charts .. so the UK pop & disco charts looked very similar ..
:icon_arrow:
.. this became such a problem British pop magazine Record Mirror had to create a separate dance chart .. one that was not simply a reflection of the pop charts .. seperate returns were taken from the specialist soul & jazz-funk jocks .. creating a hip soul/dance/jazz-funk chart
:icon_confused:
.. so many big US disco hits, like Voyage & Costandinos, could never get a foothold on the UK pop dance chart, usually due to minimal national airplay .. nor could they make any impression with the soul/jazz-funk crowd either .. so got overlooked in Britain ..
.. :icon_razz:
.. it's a miracle that songs like "Souvenirs" & "Come in to my heart" were released here at all ..
Permissions
Bookmarks