Nicky --- A Sleaze Set

**NickNack** · October 24th, 2002, 07:41 PM

NRGBeat requested a playlist of one of my sets from my days at the Anvil. Sadly, I don't have any tapes from the bulk of my years playing in any of the clubs. The following list is a Sunday afternoon 'tea' at a friend's bar in the Village, NYC. The year is 1985, or thereabouts. I had the afternoon, 3 - 6. My friend, Bob, probably played from 3 - 9 and then we would jam together until we felt like quitting. Usually, when Bill and I left to go home Bob was still playing,

and I left because Bill insisted.

Addictions --- you know us dj's.

My apologies for some of the blank spaces. I spent the day trying to find some of these imports. Almost impossible since I decided to use the instrumental on most sides. I hope to come back to this list and fill it in later.

CASSETTE 1

1. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - HODGES, JAMES & SMITH - lp
2. DO YOU WANT THE REAL THING - D.C. LaRUE - 12"
3. SUN GODDESS - RAMSEY LEWIS - lp
4. TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP - LAMONT DOZIER - lp
5. LET ME IN (INSTR) - MIKE FRANCIS - 12"
6. GEORGY PORGY - TOTO - 12"
7. STUTTERING - HELEN TERRY - 12"
8. ALONG THE SHORE - BARRABAS - lp
9. MERCY, MERCY ME/GOD IS LOVE - ? (import)
10. ROTATION - HERB ALPERT - 12"
11. STANDING RIGHT HERE - MELBA MOORE - lp
12. YOU ARE MY FANTASY - SYLVIA BENNETT - 12"
13. IT'S OVER NOW - LUTHER VANDROSS - 12"
14. PROMISES - BARBRA STREISAND - 12"
15. COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE - DAVID GANT & JAKI GRAHAM - 12"
16. HANG TOGETHER - ODYSSEY - 12"
17. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RIGHT - EVELYN 'CHAMPAGNE' KING - 12"

CASSETTE 2

1. I'M SO HAPPY - JULIA & CO. - 12"
2. SUNRISE (ASAYAKE) - CASIOPEA - 12"
3. WALK ON BY - D-TRAIN - 12"
4. MY HEART'S NOT IN IT - BRENDA JONES - 12"
5. EVERYTHING SHE WANTS - GEORGE MICHAEL - 12"
6. BABIES - ASHFORD & SIMPSON - 12"
7. WALK AWAY - DONNA SUMMER - 12"
8. ?? (An instrumental b-side of something I just don't remember.) :oops:
9. CAN YOU HANDLE IT - SHARON REDD - 12"
12. HIJACK - BARRABAS - lp
13. ALONE AGAIN?/IN THESE COLD NIGHTS? - ? (Again I'm drawing blanks. Not sure of the title and the singer has a slight reggae voice style but the music is not.)
14. I WANNA ROCK YOU - GIORGIO - lp
15. LUST - RINDER & LEWIS - 12"
15. BODY TO BODY - GEPY & GEPY - lp
16. IT'S OVER - ALMA FAYE - 12"

_________________
I'm FULL OF FIRE, (Full of Fire, full of fire...)
Nicky

[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-10-24 20:43 ]

[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-10-25 14:23 ]

**nrgbeat** · October 24th, 2002, 08:53 PM

Thanks for posting. It's too bad you didn't make some tapes from the old days.

Some of the songs/artists I was not familiar with. Never heard of Sylvia Bennett, Casiopea or Gepy and Gepy.

**sfbeary** · October 25th, 2002, 01:36 AM

hello nick,

thanks for the great lists! i wish i'd heard you play. i went to the anvil a couple of times in the early '80s, but not as often as i now wish i had!

i thought i'd help you fill in a couple of blanks:

15. COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE - DAVID GANT & ? - 12" - this is by David Grant and Jacki Graham

2. CASIOPEA - 12" - this is a japanese jazz group that had a promo 12" on alfa with a pink and blue cover and yellow vinyl. if you were playing a US pressing 12", it was most likely this beautiful instrumental called "Sunrise (Asayake)." it was produced by harvey mason.

the tracks *i* don't know are:

1. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - HODGES, JAMES & SMITH - lp
do you remember if this was on the Incredible LP, What's On Your Mind LP, or the Power In Your Love LP?

9. MERCY, MERCY ME/GOD IS MY FRIEND - ? (import)
was this is a medley of someone covering the marvin gaye track and something else?

12. YOU ARE MY FANTASY - SYLVIA BENNETT - 12"
what does this sound like? i remember it being a small-label 12" from 1985, but i don't remember ever hearing it.

13. ALONE AGAIN?/IN THESE COLD NIGHTS? - ? (Again I'm drawing blanks. Not sure of the title and the singer has a slight reggae voice style but the music is not.)
hmmmm - that's not ringing any bells for me.

there are so many of my personal favorites on these tapes: TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP, LET ME IN, STANDING RIGHT HERE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RIGHT, I'M SO HAPPY, MY HEART'S NOT IN IT, WALK AWAY, CAN YOU HANDLE IT, HIJACK, LUST, BODY TO BODY, and IT'S OVER. in fact, i just bought mail order a gepy & gepy 12" that apparently has "body to body" on the b-side - that's taken me awhile to find!

anyway, if these tapes are any indication, you have excellent taste!

thanks,
barry

**markydefad** · October 25th, 2002, 04:39 AM

Ah, Barry....

Being a relative newcomer to the current site, you're just learning what most of the rest of us have known for a long time--Nicky is our Maestro of Sleaze!!! That's a compliment-fer sure!!! :lol:

Oh, to have been able to dance at the Anvil--especially in the morning---AND when he wasn't throwing disco "Evita" records into the crowd!!! :razz: I'm kidding!!! That would have made it even MORE exciting!!!

You know I STILL love the tape you sent me, Big Brother!!! :grin:

**NickNack** · October 25th, 2002, 01:21 PM

On 2002-10-24 21:53, nrgbeat wrote:
Thanks for posting. It's too bad you didn't make some tapes from the old days.

Yeah --- not a smart move on my part. Who knew? Well, obviously others did, I didn't.

Some of the songs/artists I was not familiar with. Never heard of Sylvia Bennett, Casiopea or Gepy and Gepy.

Sylvia Bennett - "...Fantasy" was her one shot.
Casiopea - Barry gave excellent background in his post.
Gepy & Gepy - A 1980 UNIWAVE/BABY RECORDS import from Canada. Comes with another of those racey/strange jacket covers:

Front side has a man who I called Luciano Pavarotti's lost brother with two women, one raven-dark, the other peroxide blond, lounging in... a pool? the ocean? All you see is water --- and bare breasts above the water, but not the man's.

Back side now shows three women and this 'Barry White' wannabee in stage/performance gowns and garb. I believe it's the same two women from the front, though the blond looks very different, plus a newcomer.

The cover is racey because, obviously, we don't get ladies exposed breasts plastered on our American album covers too often. Strange, IMO, because if you were trying to boost sales on looks, none of these people I find very attractive. In fact, the newcomer is sporting so much hair on her arms I thought she might have ripped it out of the big guy's chest. :lol:

The music is another matter. Quite tasty!

**NickNack** · October 25th, 2002, 01:59 PM

On 2002-10-25 02:36, sfbeary wrote:
hello nick,

i thought i'd help you fill in a couple of blanks:

15. COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE - DAVID GANT & ? - 12" - this is by David Grant and Jacki Graham

Thanks, I kept running 'J' named females through my head --- Jean Wells, Jamie Dean, couldn't get it right.

2. CASIOPEA - 12" - this is a japanese jazz group that had a promo 12" on alfa with a pink and blue cover and yellow vinyl. if you were playing a US pressing 12", it was most likely this beautiful instrumental called "Sunrise (Asayake)." it was produced by harvey mason.

Your memory is pretty good. I could only see the pink cover in my head with the name Casiopea on top. Amazing that after all these years, the second the intro started on tape I saw that jacket cover vividly.

the tracks *i* don't know are:

1. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - HODGES, JAMES & SMITH - lp
do you remember if this was on the Incredible LP, What's On Your Mind LP, or the Power In Your Love LP?

This is from "What's On Your Mind". It's NOT a disco piece, but one of the most beautiful ballads I've ever heard. Powerful and dramatic arrangement. Orchestrated to the hilt and the ladies sound wonderful. In fact, my starting the tape with this and following with D.C. LaRue was sort of my 'nod' to Howard Merrit. These were two of his favorites.

9. MERCY, MERCY ME/GOD IS MY FRIEND - ? (import)
was this is a medley of someone covering the marvin gaye track and something else?

I realize now the correct title is .../GOD IS LOVE. Same as on the classic "What's Going On" lp by Marvin but for this medley reversed in order. I will get the names for you. I always seem to bump into the 12"'s as I'm looking for something else.

12. YOU ARE MY FANTASY - SYLVIA BENNETT - 12"
what does this sound like? i remember it being a small-label 12" from 1985, but i don't remember ever hearing it.

Geez, how to describe this. Let me give you label info first. Originally released in 1985 on OUT OF SIGHT MUSIC from Key Biscayne, Fl., it was picked up that same year by NEW YORK MUSIC COMPANY (Sheryl Lee Ralph's label). It was written, arranged and produced by Hal Batt and Frank Wilson. Annoyingly, NYMC didn't keep the same tempo when they released it. The original 12" ran 5:10, theirs is 4:56, bringing the BPM up to 112-114.

The song is an odd mix of beat box rhythms but overlayed with such beautiful instrumental voicing that it never becomes annoying. It remains on the 'pretty' side of funk-tinged sleaze with a touch of rock guitar throughout. You can even hear church bells in the beginning and the mid-break. Plus, this lady had a damn good voice. I would have loved to hear more from her.

13. ALONE AGAIN?/IN THESE COLD NIGHTS? - ? (Again I'm drawing blanks. Not sure of the title and the singer has a slight reggae voice style but the music is not.)
hmmmm - that's not ringing any bells for me.

Yeah, I'm going to have to keep digging for this one. Very nice sound to it. I guess this is one of the tapes that taught me to start writing out playlists in the jackets.

there are so many of my personal favorites on these tapes: TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP, LET ME IN, STANDING RIGHT HERE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RIGHT, I'M SO HAPPY, MY HEART'S NOT IN IT, WALK AWAY, CAN YOU HANDLE IT, HIJACK, LUST, BODY TO BODY, and IT'S OVER. in fact, i just bought mail order a gepy & gepy 12" that apparently has "body to body" on the b-side - that's taken me awhile to find!

anyway, if these tapes are any indication, you have excellent taste!

I'm glad the list pleases you and thanks for the compliment. Funny, I got my lp of "Body to Body' from MAIL-O-DISK out in Long Island way back when. Who says the US Mail is obsolete? :grin:

_________________
I'm FULL OF FIRE, (Full of Fire, full of fire...)
Nicky

[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-10-25 15:00 ]

**NickNack** · October 25th, 2002, 02:14 PM

On 2002-10-25 05:39, markydefad wrote:
Oh, to have been able to dance at the Anvil--especially in the morning---AND when he wasn't throwing disco "Evita" records into the crowd!!! :razz: I'm kidding!!! That would have made it even MORE exciting!!!

I can tell I would have loved your energy on the dancefloor. And I would have been on my best behavior, no vinyl sailing overhead. AND I would have played 'THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT' and somehow worked it with 'THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER', just for you.

You know I STILL love the tape you sent me, Big Brother!!! :grin:

That's you and me, Little Bro, 'STILL IN LOVE' --- with this crazy disco music. :grin:

**paul** · October 25th, 2002, 03:21 PM

Hey Nicky.
Had you tossed Evita at me, I would have caught it and asked for another free bee.
You know us :lol:

**sfbeary** · October 25th, 2002, 04:46 PM

hey nick,

i'm quite the sleaze fan, even if i didn't often stay up late enough to hear many of those sleaze classics in their original 3am+ contexts! i once had a friend who saved his early '80s shopping lists comprised of tracks he heard the night (or morning!) before at the saint. it took my MANY years of shopping, but i think i found all the titles he passed along to me. but i'm still finding about others — like sylvia bennett! i think i can get my hands on a copy of the new york music company pressing - how far should i slow it down to hear it at its original tempo? did you know that the same thing was done with technique's sleaze classic "looking for someone to love tonight" ??? the familiar arial pressing is faster than the canadian original.

i'm gonna pull that beauty out right now!

thanks for the memories — and info!

(^_^)

take care,
barry

**DISCODISK** · October 25th, 2002, 06:31 PM

NICKY ,something in the back of my mind is saying for the god is love/mercy mercy me DARYL HALL ?? nice list nicky thanks for mentioning "TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP" thats inspired me to put on the album "out here on my own" a perfect end to the day after working 16 hours :grin:

**NickNack** · October 25th, 2002, 08:06 PM

On 2002-10-25 17:46, sfbeary wrote:
hey nick,

i'm quite the sleaze fan, even if i didn't often stay up late enough to hear many of those sleaze classics in their original 3am+ contexts! i once had a friend who saved his early '80s shopping lists comprised of tracks he heard the night (or morning!) before at the saint. it took my MANY years of shopping, but i think i found all the titles he passed along to me. but i'm still finding about others — like sylvia bennett! i think i can get my hands on a copy of the new york music company pressing - how far should i slow it down to hear it at its original tempo? did you know that the same thing was done with technique's sleaze classic "looking for someone to love tonight" ??? the familiar arial pressing is faster than the canadian original.

i'm gonna pull that beauty out right now!

thanks for the memories — and info!

(^_^)

take care,
barry

Again, you're very welcome. The version on OUT OF SIGHT runs closer to 108 BPM's. (I just stood here and recounted both of them to be sure.) I remember the first time I went to extend it by running the instrumental against the vocal and back. Talk about shock! :oops: I was lucky in that I only had Technique's on the Arial label so I missed that bit of confusion.

I loved the bit about your friend and his lists from the Saint. The record stores were hysterical to be in on Sunday mornings. People coming from 12 West, The Saint, Flamingo, The Garage, and hopefully even The Anvil, singing songs they didn't get the names of to the guys behind the counters. The stores in the Village, like Decadance, that catered to the dj's were prepared, but it was still fun. I'd be in there, sipping coffee they bought me because they knew I was going to be there for a few hours, spending a fortune for my Sunday night set. Someone would say the first word or hum the first few bars and Dennis or Ricky would reach non-chalantly behind them with that all knowing look. Later, Dennis would start playing stuff he "just got in" --- stuff that he was saving under the counter. I was ALWAYS broke, but always happy when I left. :grin:

_________________
I'm FULL OF FIRE, (Full of Fire, full of fire...)
Nicky

[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-10-25 21:22 ]

**keefelc** · October 25th, 2002, 08:18 PM

Hey Nicky! Of the many lists that have been appearing on this site lately, yours is the only one that has sparked my interest!

I wish you the best of luck locating all of those tunes. Maybe you'll be able to recreate some of fabulous sets again???

Like Mark, I too still love that set!

Marcio** · October 26th, 2002, 02:13 AM

Hey Nick Nack,

I also have this vinyl of Gepy & Gepy, it's the same cover (a strong man with two girls in the water), mine is edited by Baby Records, Italy, 1979.

.

**JussiK** · October 27th, 2002, 02:35 AM

Love the titles on your tape 1 especially Nick, and do confess I'm planning to spin many of those records here for the clubbers. Interesting to see Mike Francis listed there, too. - The Decadance had a blonde girl clerk who sold me "The Girl Who Seduced the World" which topped the New York club charts that week, followed by something called "In My Eyes" and the fabulous "Crucified" by The Army Of Lovers. When I was ( what, 27?, when did that record come out?) It Was A Very Good Year, it was a very good year for late hi-nrg hits and early house ones.

**SandraDee** · October 27th, 2002, 08:08 AM

Army of Lovers make THE most hilarious, campy videos I've ever seen.

**JussiK** · October 28th, 2002, 01:12 AM

They sure did, and did you see that pink rose placed on the panties of the vocalist, the stunning La Camilla? The way she spread her legs and flashed that thing was outrageos. La C also had a few solo 12" ers out, like "Every Time You Lie" in which she sounded a lot like Crace Jones.

**SandraDee** · October 28th, 2002, 03:24 PM

Yes, I agree with the Grace Jones comparison J.

**NickNack** · April 4th, 2003, 08:02 PM

Originally Written by sfbeary

9. MERCY, MERCY ME/GOD IS MY FRIEND - ? (import)
was this is a medley of someone covering the marvin gaye track and something else?

I promised to try and fill in some of these blanks when I bumped into them. So here's the first (if anyone is still interested):

#9 in my playlist is actually MERCY, MERCY ME/GOD IS LOVE by Steve Sparling. It's from 1985 on MKO Records (MKOX 201). The 12" is the same on both sides except that one is vocal, the other instrumental.

**Robbie** · April 7th, 2003, 12:01 AM

Is Lamont Dozier's "Take Off Your Makeup" available on CD?? This song has gotten so many raves here I'm dying to hear it!!

With some good, decent disco compilation CD's out there, surely someone has to put out a volume set of morning music/sleaze classics.

Here are some that I love:

"Sao Paulo" by Chic
"Winter Melody" by Donna Summer
"We're Getting Stronger" by Loleatta Holloway
"Was That All It Was" by Jean Carn
"Love's Theme" by Love Unlimited Orchestra
"The More I Get, The More I Want" by Teddy Pendergrass

Dance With Me In The Disco Heat
----------------------------------
Robbie

**JussiK** · April 7th, 2003, 07:39 AM

"Take Off Your Makeup" by LD is included on the only legit sleaze/morning music comp I can think of, "103 BPM Medley" realesed by Disconet. The seque begins extremely well with a re-edit of "It Should have Been Me" by Yvonne Fair and goes thru "Under The Influence of Love", "Dance Little Dreamer" and others - all of them not exactly 103 BPM originally or even there on this medley, but nice and slow nevertheless. The tracks are fortified with a steady extra non-electronic bass thud that does not sound too obtrusive.