Forgotten Heroes? THE REAL THING

[Videoskooter]

Were they Disco? Or where they too poppy? IMO they made such great classics, certainly their smasher "Can You Feel The Force?", "Boogie Down (Get Funky Now)" and of course:

"You To Me Are Everything"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28FbmfUlupQ

"Can You Feel The Force"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHZJKct7pgU

[eddie]

I liked most of the songs on the Pye Anthology but "You're my number one" is a killer midtempo jam with a striking melody. Probably my favorite British soul track ever.

[nrgbeat]

I was totally unfamiliar with the Real Thing until I heard about them on this site. Did their songs get any play in the US?

[eddie]

I've never heard them on oldies or soul radio. I think they were considered third string in the US but deserved a higher rating and definitely were not without merit.

[remicks]

****
See/hear why I included YOU TO ME ARE EVERYTHING on the sounds like Love Unlimited list .... ?
.....Barry White 's ongoing disco influence once again in evidence .....

These are both great songs ...... imo .....
*****

[White Raven]

“Can You Feel The Force” – is very warm and pretty, to my mind. “Many-vocal back singing” like legacy of British beat of the 60’s with funk-soul structure based on the strong guitar sound!!! Good work!

[InvisibleMan]

I just love "You to me are everything" great song, great vocals

they belong to the UK funky disco scene with bands like Delegation and Imagination.... were there any others?

[Soul-Boy]

The Real Thing hail from Liverpool England.I have been a fan of there disco/pop sound for over 30 years now. Ever since I heard "You To Me Are Everything" I was hooked. From past discussion's over the years with my compatriots in the US, I am told that the aforementioned tune did infact get reasonable play in the clubs BITD. The band have a loyal following in the UK and are still touring to this day. I happened to catch them around 18 months back in a disco revue along side The Three Degrees, George McCrae, Odyessy and Rose Royce...The Real Thing stole the show for me, amazing vocals..
Interesting fact is that they had a small cameo role in the disco related film "The Stud" starring Joan Collins..They perform there minor hit "Let's Go Disco"..maybe a little to bubblegum for the disco purists but hey!..it works for me!....Check out there performance here in the film!

YouTube - Real Thing - Let's Go Disco (The Stud)

[DISCODISK]

the best one for me is their first pye release from 1975 which sadly didnt really sell 'stone cold love affair' which is a great uptempo dancer,quite hard to find on a u.k stock copy and promos are impossible, my copy ive only owned for 6 months after searching since 1975! released also on 20th century u.s, its a favourite too of the real thing and moreso the real thing wags [wives and girlfriends] i was on a night out in liverpool many years ago and they were in company i mentioned it and they were almost dancing on the tables! for sure one of my favoirite u.k releases ever, hope this press release is readable....

[disco-disc]

Hey the Real Thing were Really Good...'Boogie Down get Funky Now' I LOVE..with all it's electronic gizmo's bubbling along...also 'You to me are everything' promo is a BIG 12" on ebay..usually goes for a fair amount of money...
I went to an exhibition in Liverpool Museum about music from the city earlier this year, and whilst there was NOTHING really relating to Disco in the city (even tho' it was a big part of the scene BITD) they did have a little section mentioning the Real Thing !
Thanks for the tip on stone cold DD

[DISCODISK]

Thanks for the tip on stone cold DD

better go quick if you want to search this out, i know its getting plays in the u.k now and ive just had a favourite search e.mail from ebay its going up in price and this is just a u.s copy...

Real Thing - Stone Cold Love Affair - N/Soul/Mod on eBay (end time 16-Dec-09 22:59:58 GMT)