1977 Billboard Disco Compilation Consensus Charts!!!

[markydefad]

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[markydefad]

May 14, 1977

PART 2: THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
"BUBBLING UNDER" THE DISCO ACTION TOP 40: #41---#70!!!


( 30 chart positions featuring 33 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LPs = 33 total;
charting all the records listed on the 16 individual city charts that failed to make the National Disco Action Top 40 this week)


41) (41) CLOSER, CLOSER - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch
(T.K. LP: 4:15) P/W: Pepe Luis Soto
38 points/ 4 charts = Atlanta/Baltimore+DC/Detroit/NYC
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 4 weeks on chart // Last week:#41 (+/-0)

42) (64) TURN THIS MUTHA OUT - Idris Muhammad
(Kudu LP: 6:50) P: Dave Matthews // W: David Matthews/Tony Sarafino
23 points/ 2 charts = Baltimore+DC/SF
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #64 (+22)

43) (21) TATTOO MAN - Denise McCann
(Polydor 12-inch: 5:27) P: Guy Sobell // W: Denise McCann
15 points / 2 charts = Philly/Seattle
BDA Top 40: 14 weeks on the chart // Last week: #21 (-22)
DCC chart: 18 weeks on chart

44) (43) AIN'T GONNA BUMP NO MORE (With No Big Fat Woman) - Joe Tex
(Epic 12-inch: 6:45) P: Buddy Killen // W: B. Killen/B.L. McGinty
15 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 7 weeks on chart // Last week: #43 (-1)

45) (45) BABY COME ON - Sex O' Clock USA
(London 12-inch: 7:34 (Canada)) P: Claude Pascal // W: Mort Shuman
13 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 14 weeks on chart // Last week: #45 (+/-0)

46) (46) DRACULA DISCO - Gerry Bribosia
(Canada: Polydor 12-inch: 7:15 (7:15 (vocal)/ 7:15 (instrumental) P: Les Disques Pax Inc. //
W: Gerry Bribosia/Richard Terry
12 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 4 weeks on chart // Last week: #46 (+/-0)

47) (--) * FOREVER CAME TODAY/ * INKY DINKY WANG DANG DOO - Shalamar
(Soul Train LP: 5:55/4:04) P: Don Cornelius & Dick Griffey // W: 1) Holland-Dozier-Holland / 2) Toney/Williams
11 points EACH/ 1 chart = NYC
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // * DEBUT

48) (49) SOUL SISTER - Ronnie Jones
(London 12-inch: 6:00) P/W: Jorg Evers / Jurgen Korduletsch
11 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 4 weeks on chart // Last week: #49 (+1)

49) (--) * DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Claudja Barry
(Salsoul LP: 6:43) ["A Tom Moulton Mix"] P: Jurgen Korduletsch // W: Evers/Korduletsch
7 points/ 1 chart = Baltimore+DC
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // * DEBUT

50) (71) DISCO REGGAE (Tony's Groove) - Kalyan
(MCA LP: 6:27) P: Tony "Champagne" Silvester // W: T. Silvester/Dwight Brewster/Ed Zant
7 points / 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: 5 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 10 weeks on chart // Last week: #71 (+21)

__________________________________________________ ________________________



51) (27) LIFE IS MUSIC/ LADY LUCK - The Ritchie Family
(Marlin/T.K. LP: 4:53/3:57 // 12-inch to be released: "LIM" (4:41) b/w "LL" (7:35)
P: Jacques Morali & Ritchie Rome //
W: 1) J. Morali/M. Gazzola/R. Rome/P. Hurtt // 2) J. Morali/R. Rome/H. Belolo/ P. Hurtt
7 points/ 1 chart = Philly
BDA Top 40: 14 weeks EACH on chart // Last week: #27 (-24)
DCC chart: 15 weeks EACH on chart

52) (66) I WANNA BE NEAR YOU - Ruby Andrews
(ABC LP: 4:18) P/W: Ronald Dunbar
6 points/ 1 chart = Detroit
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #66 (+14)

53) (69) PUSSYFOOTER - Jackie Robinson
(Les Disques Directions Records 12-inch: 6:38) P/W: Fritz Muschler/Paul Birmingham
6 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 3 weeks on chart // Last week: #69 (+16)

54) (54) TAILGATE - 21st Creation
(Motown 12-inch: 5:45) P: Mark Davis // Phillips/Davis/Jackson
6 points/ 1 chart = Baltimore+DC
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #54 (+/- 0)

55) (42) BLACK IS BLACK – Cerrone
(Cotillion LP: 5:52) P: Jean-Marc Cerrone // W: M. Grainger/S. Wadey/T. Hayes
5 points/ 2 charts = LA+SD/Miami
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 12 weeks on chart // Last week: #42 (-13)

56) (--) * HURT ME, HURT ME - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch
(T.K. LP: 3:07) P/W: Pepe Luis Soto
5 points/ 1 chart = Baltimore+DC
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // * DEBUT

57) (--) (R) WHY SHOULD I PAY/ (R) MOST OF ALL- Gloria Gaynor
(Polydor LP: 3:38/9:15 ) P/W: Gregg Diamond & Joe Beck W: 1) Gregg Diamond & Joe Beck / 2) Gregg Diamond
5 points EACH/ 1 chart = Pittsburgh
BDA Top 40: 1 week/ 0 weeks
DCC chart: 4 weeks EACH on chart // (R) = RETURN (Last charted: "WSIP": 4/2/77 @ #56 / "MOA:" 4/9/77 @ #72)

58) (48) TEASER - The Dells
(Mercury LP: 3:14) P: Norman Harris & The Harris Machine // W: Allan Felder/Norman Harris/Ron Tyson
4 points/ 2 charts = Baltimore+DC/Boston
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 3 weeks on chart // Last week: #48 (-10)

59) (56) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY - Thelma Houston
(Tamla/Motown LP: 5:40) P: Hal Davis // W: K. Gamble/L. Huff/C. Gilbert
4 points / 1 chart = Seattle
BDA Top 40: 23 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 25 weeks on chart // Last week: #56 (-3) (6 weeks @ #1: 12/25/76 -1/29/77)

60) (--) * EVERYBODY'S FOOL - Brenda & The Tabulations
(Chocolate City LP/12-inch promo: 6:05) P: Gilda Woods & John Davis // W: F. Rabin/Allee Willis/David Lasley
4 points / 1 chart = LA+SD
BDA Top 40: 0 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // *DEBUT

__________________________________________________ _____________


61) (57) KALEI - DISCO - Colorblind
(London 12-inch: 7:05/5:32 ) P/W: Tony Green
4 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 7 weeks on chart // Last week: #57 (-4)

62) (58) YOUR LOVE (Makes My Temperature Rise) - Rare Essence
(Major Records 7-inch: 3:18) P/W: ??
4 points/ 1 chart = Detroit
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #58 (-4)

63) (--) (R) EVERYBODY DANCE - Bumblebee Unlimited
(Le Disques Direction Records 12-inch: 8:56 - created for the Canadian Record Pool)
P: Greg Carmichael // W: Patrick Adams
2 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 3 weeks on chart // (R) = RETURN (Last charted 4/23/77 @ #60)

64) (55) COME TO AMERICA - Gibson Brothers
(SF chart says Disco Misco 12-inch import/ no such label on Discogs, however; Polydor has the 12-inch in Canada: 5:00)
P: Daniel Vangarde // W: A Francfort
2 points/ 1 chart = SF
BDA: not charted
DCC chart: 6 weeks on chart // Last week: #55 (-9)

65) (--) (R) FALLIN' IN LOVE WITH YOU - Jimmy Ruffin
(Epic 12-inch: 5:24 (vocal) / 6:00 (Inst.)) P: Jimmy Ruffin/Richard Rome // W: J. Ruffin/J. Dean/J. Glover
[the first mix by Larry Levan (uncredited, however)]
2 points/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: 7 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 9 weeks on chart // (R) = RETURN (Last charted 4/30/77 @ #40)

66) (70) RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW - S.S.O. [Soul Sensation Orchestra] featuring Douglas Lucas & The Sugar Sisters
(Shadybrook 12-inch: 5:12) P: Roland Kruger // W: D. Lucas/R. Benatar
2 points/ 1 chart = Baltimore+DC
BDA Top 40: 3 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 5 weeks on chart// Last week: #70 (+4)

67) (--) * DANCE - Paul Jabara
(Casablanca 7-inch: 3:58) [Remixed by Larry Emerine] P: Ron Dante // Arranged by Paul Shaffer // W: P. Jabara
1 point/ 1 chart = New Orleans
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // * DEBUT
( *original version previously charted in 1976 on A&M Records 7-inch // Produced by Joel Still)

68) (47) LIFE GOES ON - Faith, Hope & Charity
(RCA 4 track 12-inch promo remix: 6:06) [12-inch remixes by David Todd] P/W: Van McCoy
1 point / 1 chart = Seattle
BDA: 12-inch remixes: 3 weeks on chart
DCC chart: 12-inch remix: 10 weeks on chart// Last week : #47 -21)
Previous LP versions:
"LGO": LP version previously charted 3 weeks BDA Top 40 /4 weeks DCC

69) (74) SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF - Mista Charge
(UK Import EMI/Target 7-inch: 3:37) P: Ian Green // W: Green/Vanderbilt
1 point/ 1 chart = Philly
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 6 weeks on chart // Last week: #74 (+5)

70) (--) * YOU'RE GONNA GET NEXT TO ME - Bo & Ruth [Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis]
(Claridge Records 7-inch: 3:05/LP: 7:20) P: Bob Kirlkand // W: Bo Kirkland/R. Kirkland/R. Davis
1 point/ 1 chart = Montreal
BDA Top 40: not charted
DCC chart: 1 week on chart // * DEBUT


__________________________________________________ __________________

"Bubbling Under" Titles By City

10 titles = Montreal
9 titles = none
8 titles = none
7 titles = Baltimore+DC
6 titles = none
5 titles = none
4 titles = Philly
3 titles = Detroit/NYC/Seattle
2 titles = LA+SD/Pittsburgh/SF
1 title = Atlanta/Boston/Miami/New Orleans
0 titles = Chicago/Dallas+Houston/Phoenix


NEXT: THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS STATS

__________________________________________________ _________________

[markydefad]

May 14, 1977


DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS STATS:

DEBUTS: (+10)
17) * DISCOMANIA (Parts 1 & 2) - The Lovers (Atlanta/Baltimore+DC/Boston/NYC/Phoenix)
34) * LOVIN' IS REALLY MY GAME - Brainstorm (New Orleans/Pittsburgh)
35) * (I'M A) SUPERSTAR - Brenda & The Tabulations (Baltimore+DC/LA+SD)

47) * FOREVER CAME TODAY - Shalamar (NYC)
47) * INKY DINKY WANG DANG DOO - Shalamar (NYC)
49) * DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Claudja Barry (Baltimore+DC)
56) * HURT ME, HURT ME - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch (Baltimore+DC)
60) * EVERYBODY'S FOOL - Brenda & The Tabulations (LA+SD)
67) * DANCE - Paul Jabara (New Orleans)
70) * YOU'RE GONNA GET NEXT TO ME - Bo & Ruth (Montreal)


RETURNS: (+4)
57) (R) WHY SHOULD I PAY - Gloria Gaynor (Pittsburgh)
57) (R) MOST OF ALL - Gloria Gaynor (Pittsburgh)
63) (R) EVERYBODY DANCE - Bumblebee Unlimited (Montreal)
70) (R) FALLIN' IN LOVE WITH YOU - Jimmy Ruffin (Montreal)


DROPOFFS: (-19)
DISCO INFERNO - The Trammps (Atlantic) (was bundled @ #22 last week/ 17 weeks on chart/ Peak: bundled @ #1 (6 weeks) )
STARVIN' - The Trammps (Atlantic) (was bundled @ #22 last week/ 17 weeks ion chart/ Peak: bundled @ #1 (6 weeks) )
BODY CONTACT CONTRACT - The Trammps (Atlantic) (was bundled @ #22 last week/ 17 weeks ion chart/ Peak: bundled @ #1 (6 weeks) )

DISCO BLUES - The Ritchie Family (Marlin) (was bundled @ #27 last week/ 14 weeks on chart/ Peak: bundled @ #8)
STICK TOGETHER - Minnie Riperton (Epic) (was #31 last week/ 7 weeks ion chart/ Peak: #23 )
STONE TO THE BONE - Timmy Thomas (T.K.) (was #34 last week/ 9 weeks on chart/ Peak: #12 (2 weeks) )
SURPRISE - Andre Gagnon (London) (was #40 last week/ 16 weeks on chart/ Peak: #30 (2 weeks) )

I'VE GOT TO DANCE (To Keep From Cryin') - The Destinations (AVI) (was #44 last week/ 20 weeks on chart/ first debuted 9/18/76 as a 7-inch on the Master Five label/ Peak: #30/ AVI extended 12-inch release debuted 2/5/77/ Peak: #21)
GET ON DOWN - The Dells (SF) (was #50 last week/ 1 week on chart)
SWEET BEGINNINGS - Marlena Shaw (Columbia) (was #52 last week/ 4 weeks on chart/ Peak: #52 )
LOVE IN C MINOR - The Heart & Soul Orchestra (Casablanca) (was #53 last week/ 14 weeks on chart/ Peak: #4 (3 weeks) )

BOOGIE NIGHTS - Heatwave (Epic) (was #59 last week/ 3 weeks on chart/ Peak: #36 (2 weeks) )
LOVE IN MOTION - George McCrae (T.K.) (was #60 last week/ 21 weeks on chart/ Peak: #4)
LET'S TRY ONCE AGAIN - Patrick Norman w/Black Light Orchestra (RCA) (was #62 last week/ 11 weeks on chart/ Peak: #46)
GONNA FLY NOW (Theme from "ROCKY") - Maynard Ferguson (Columbia) (was #63 last week/ 6 weeks on chart/ Peak: #37)

HEY ROCK - Black Rock (Black Rock) (was #65 last week/ 1 week on chart)
I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN LIVIN' (On The Dark Side Of The Moon) - The Trammps (Atlantic) (was #67 last week/ 16 weeks on chart/ Peak: #41 (3 weeks) )
FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY - The Armada Orchestra (T.K.) (was #72 last week/ 1 week on chart)
LOVE HANGOVER - The Players Association (Vanguard) (was #73 last week/ 11 weeks on chart/ Peak: #24)



TAKIN' A FLYIN' LEAP: (Titles vaulted out of the "bubbling under" chart into the Top 40 this week)
+31 chart positions MY CHERIE AMOUR (moved from #68 up to #37)
+23 chart positions LOVING YOU, LOSING YOU (moved from #61 up to #38)
+15 chart positions ONCE I'VE BEEN THERE (moved from #51 up to #36)

Biggest upward movement within the "Bubbling Under" chart:
+22 chart positions TURN THIS MUTHA OUT (moved from #64 up to #42)
+21 chart positions DISCO REGGAE (moved from #71 up to #50)

CATCH ME--I'M FALLING: (Titles that fell out of the Top 40 into the "Bubbling Under" safety net)
-24 chart positions LIFE IS MUSIC/LADY LUCK (dropped from #27 down to #51)
-22 chart positions TATTOO MAN (dropped from #21 down to #43)

Biggest drop within the "Bubbling Under" chart:
-21 chart positions LIFE GOES ON (dropped from #47 down to #68)

_________________________________________________ ___________________________________


IN THE LONG RUN: Longest Chart Runs (12 weeks & over)

(Of 18 titles this week ... 6 (*) are now "bubbling under" the Top 40

DANCIN' (27 non-consecutive weeks - debuted 11/06/76)

*DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY (25 consecutive weeks - 11/27/76)

WHY MUST A GIRL LIKE ME (21 nonconsecutive weeks - 12/04/76)

LOVE IN C MINOR - CERRONE (18 consecutive weeks - 1/15/77)
*TATTOO MAN (18 consecutive weeks - 1/15/77)
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY (18 consecutive weeks - 1/15/77)

HIT & RUN (17 non-consecutive weeks - 1/15/77)

UPTOWN FESTIVAL (16 consecutive weeks - 1/29/77)

FLIP (15 consecutive weeks - 2/5/77)
*LIFE IS MUSIC/LADY LUCK (15 consecutive weeks - 2/5/77)

*BABY COME ON - Sex O'Clock USA (14 nonconsecutive weeks - 2/5/77)
MIDNITE LADY - Cerrone (14 consecutive weeks - 2/12/77)

N.Y., YOU GOT ME DANCING (13 consecutive weeks - 2/19/77)

*BLACK IS BLACK (12 consecutive weeks - 2/26/77)
DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO (12 consecutive weeks - 2/26/77)
TOUCH ME, TAKE ME (12 non-consecutive weeks - 2/19/77)
UP JUMPED THE DEVIL (12 consecutive weeks - 2/26/77)


DROPPED THIS WEEK: (-9 titles)
LOVE IN MOTION (21 consecutive weeks - 12/18/76)
I'VE GOT TO DANCE (To Keep From Cryin') (20 nonconsecutive weeks - 9/18/76)
DISCO INFERNO/STARVIN'/BODY CONTACT CONTRACT (17 consecutive weeks - 1/15/77)
I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN LIVIN' (On The Dark Side Of The Moon) (16 consecutive weeks - 1/22/77)
SURPRISE (16 nonconsecutive weeks - 11/13/76)
DISCO BLUES (14 consecutive weeks - 2/5/77)
LOVE IN C MINOR - Heart & Soul Orchestra (14 consecutive weeks - 2/5/77)

[markydefad]

come on down amazonic & ebaby ads

[drlove]

Hiya, Marky .......back from a hiatus (unexpected), but wanted to say thanks for the latest memories from the Spring of '77. Had a question 'bout one of this week's impressive debuts: "Discomania" by The Lovers. Mighty impressive debut (#17) but as most novelty hits go .....this one doesn't last around too long in the nation's discos (though it later hits the top 10). And while many peeps recall with a smile the hit 1976-77 medleys "Uptown Festival" and "Best Disco in Town" .....you don't hear too much of this one. Maybe that's due to the relative anonymity of the session singers (???) that are credited as "The Lovers", as opposed to, let's say, the visuals we collectively have of Shalamar and the Ritchie Family. What's your thoughts ??? I actually don't mind the tune, as it contains some of my fave disco songs of all time all wrapped-in-one. However, I think Andrea True Connection's "More, More, More" is also heard in this medley, stuck between "Shake Your Booty" and "Daddy Cool". Maybe just the longer version adds that tune ....don't know. Have never seen a 45 rpm of it, though the tune reached #100 I believe on the pop charts. Keep up the good work !!!

17) (--) * DISCOMANIA (Parts 1 & 2) - The Lovers
(T.K. 12-inch: Part 1) 5:40: disco hit medley version/ Part 2) 6:27: non-medley version)
{Part 1 medley include snippets of "Don't Leave Me This Way/That's Where the Happy People Go/Life Is Music/Shake, Shake, Shake (Shake Your Booty)/Daddy Cool & Turn The Beat Around"]
P: Jacques Morali // W: R.Rome/J. Morali/ H. Beloli/P. Hurtt
33 points/ 5 charts = Atlanta/Baltimore+DC/Boston/NYC/Phoenix
BDA Top 40: 1 week EACH on chart // *DEBUT
DCC chart: 1 week EACH on chart // *DEBUT

[markydefad]

Hiya, Marky .......back from a hiatus (unexpected), but wanted to say thanks for the latest memories from the Spring of '77. Had a question 'bout one of this week's impressive debuts: "Discomania" by The Lovers. Mighty impressive debut (#17) but as most novelty hits go .....this one doesn't last around too long in the nation's discos (though it later hits the top 10). And while many peeps recall with a smile the hit 1976-77 medleys "Uptown Festival" and "Best Disco in Town" .....you don't hear too much of this one. Maybe that's due to the relative anonymity of the session singers (???) that are credited as "The Lovers", as opposed to, let's say, the visuals we collectively have of Shalamar and the Ritchie Family. What's your thoughts ??? I actually don't mind the tune, as it contains some of my fave disco songs of all time all wrapped-in-one. However, I think Andrea True Connection's "More, More, More" is also heard in this medley, stuck between "Shake Your Booty" and "Daddy Cool". Maybe just the longer version adds that tune ....don't know. Have never seen a 45 rpm of it, though the tune reached #100 I believe on the pop charts. Keep up the good work !!!

17) (--) * DISCOMANIA (Parts 1 & 2) - The Lovers
(T.K. 12-inch: Part 1) 5:40: disco hit medley version/ Part 2) 6:27: non-medley version)
{Part 1 medley include snippets of "Don't Leave Me This Way/That's Where the Happy People Go/Life Is Music/Shake, Shake, Shake (Shake Your Booty)/Daddy Cool & Turn The Beat Around"]
P: Jacques Morali // W: R.Rome/J. Morali/ H. Beloli/P. Hurtt
33 points/ 5 charts = Atlanta/Baltimore+DC/Boston/NYC/Phoenix
BDA Top 40: 1 week EACH on chart // *DEBUT
DCC chart: 1 week EACH on chart // *DEBUT

Hey drlove...I've missed your input. Glad you're back.

Not too fond of "Discomania"--very high processed cheese factor and sounds way too forced/calculated/ fabricated to get another disco medley hit to my ears.

I have no recollection of this tune. I don't have a copy--had to go to YouTube to get the tune titles it lifts--I don't hear "More, More, More" in the clip I heard on the Tube--but maybe it's an edited version. Most of the clips there are side 2 without the medley.

It comes on strong in its debut week on 5 charts including the powerful NYC chart.....does go Top 10 next week and peaks at #6 for 4 weeks then drops out of Top 10. So big bang --then a pretty quick fade. The arc of the "novelty" record-- unlike "The Best Disco In Town" & "Uptown Festival" which deservedly had major staying power. That's my take.

Good to hear from you.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

...Had a question 'bout one of this week's impressive debuts: "Discomania" by The Lovers. Mighty impressive debut (#17) but as most novelty hits go .....this one doesn't last around too long in the nation's discos (though it later hits the top 10). And while many peeps recall with a smile the hit 1976-77 medleys "Uptown Festival" and "Best Disco in Town" .....you don't hear too much of this one. Maybe that's due to the relative anonymity of the session singers (???) that are credited as "The Lovers", as opposed to, let's say, the visuals we collectively have of Shalamar and the Ritchie Family....

Good Lord, no!!! 8oO
It's simply because it's that godawful a record.
It starts off, just as you'd expect. Best Disco In Town'esque kick-off. Then it's downhill after the first verse.
Comically bad, at first. But it gets to sad, fairly quick.

The instrumental side is more Ritchie Rome, and less Jacques Morali. But, it still becomes tedious, by midway. With a hook as weak as dishwater.

The lead vocals are Cassandra Wooten (of Ritchie Family) & Victor Willis (pre-birth of Village People)
The bv's and musicians are the same gang, from Brasil, Arabian Nights, etc.

I can honestly say, from my 1st white label, thru to today...
I can't recall, ever making it all the way through the vocal side. (unless I was stuck in the shower)

And every 5-6 years, I still take it out... really want to like it... try to get through both sides... and remember exactly why I don't listen to it.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

P.S. With Life Is Music having been a bomb (compared to Arabian Nights), this made the 2nd Ritchie Rome production to fail, in a row. African Queens hits like gangbusters, with Ritchie Rome barely mentioned, within the credits. Then he's completely gone, with American Generation.

[drlove]

thanks much, Marky and Stephen, for your opinions on the hardly-ever-played "Discomania" by The Lovers. Never knew Cassandra W. and Victor W. were on vocals (so thanks Stephen for that groovy tidbit).......and of course, my favorite disco LP (of ALL time) is African Queens, so my anticipation is high for the late summer months of 1977 (courtesy of future Marky endeavors). Appreciate ya'll !!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

...and of course, my favorite disco LP (of ALL time) is African Queens, so my anticipation is high for the late summer months of 1977...

...truly, a GRANDE DAME of Disco Classics. :o)

[markydefad]

May 14, 1977

THE FINAL TALLY, HO

This week:
53 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LP = 53 (Top 40)
33 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LP = 33 (B/U)
86 separate titles + 0 medleys +0 LP = 86 total in 70 chart positions


Last week:
58 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LP = 58 (Top 40)
34 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LP = 34 (B/U)
92 separate titles + 0 medleys + 0 LP = 92 total in 74 chart positions

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Debuts: +3 (BDA Top 40) +10 (DCC) = +10 total
Returns: +0 (BDA Top 40) +4 (DCC) = +4 total
Dropoffs: -7 (BDA Top 40) -12 (DCC) = -19 total

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________


BREAKDOWN: TITLES BY CHART:

(titles in BLACK--"bubbling under" only)

0 titles on all 16 charts
2 titles on 15 charts (Superman/Do What You Wanna Do)

1 title on 14 charts (I Need A Man)
3 titles on 13 charts (I Gotta Keep Dancin'/One Love/Got To Give It Up)
2 titles on 12 charts (I Caught Your Act/Uptown Festival)

1 title on 11 charts (You Can't Hide From Yourself)
2 titles on 10 charts (I Don't Love You Anymore/The More I Get, The More I Want)
2 titles on 9 charts (Slow Down/Devil's Gun)

1 title on 8 charts (Touch Me, Take Me)
1 title on 7 charts (Could Heaven Ever Be Like This)

2 titles on 6 charts (They Said It Couldn't Be Done (But We Did It)/Twenty-Four Hours A Day)
4 titles on 5 charts (Discomania/Magic Bird Of Fire/Sweet Dynamite/N.Y., You Got Me Dancing)
5 titles on 4 charts (Our Love/Rich Man, Poor Man (Peace)/Feel The Need/Love In C Minor-Cerrone/Closer, Closer)

4 titles on 3 charts (Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me/Lovin' You Is Killing Me/Up Jumped The Devil/This Will Be A Night To Remember)

17 titles on 2 charts (Tasty Cakes/Chained To Your Love/Why Must A Girl Like Me/Get Happy/Flip/Midnite Lady-Cerrone/Pictures & Memories/Funk Machine/Disco Lights/Hit& Run/Lovin' Is Really My Game/ (I'm A) Superstar/My Cherie Amour/Turn This Mutha Out/Tattoo Man/Black Is Black/Teaser)

36 titles on only 1 chart

4 titles on NO CHARTS = (We Got Our Own Thing/Getaway/I Just Want To Be With You/This Feeling)

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

[markydefad]

Part #3: May 14, 1977

By The Numbers......

THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 40--PURELY BY POINTS:

Using the chart data from all 16 charts, including Montreal. Based solely on point totals of individual titles; in cases of point ties, the title on more charts gets precedence--if # of charts is the same, it's in alphabetical order.

Legend: (B) = bundled with other titles by Billboard; (B/U) = "Bubbling Under the Top 40"
* = Debut/ (R) = Return
Perfect score = 240 maximum points (15 points for a #1 x 16 charts)

[This weeks position/ (#) = last week's position/Title/Artist/Point total/# of charts reporting/Billboard ranking]


01) (01) DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO - T-Connection (173 points/15 charts) Billboard ranked #5
02) (08) GOT TO GIVE IT UP - Marvin Gaye (140 points/13 charts) BB ranked #4
03) (03) I NEED A MAN - Grace Jones (138 points/14 charts) BB ranked #1
04) (07) I GOTTA KEEP DANCIN' - Carrie Lucas (136 points/13 charts) BB ranked #2
05) (02) UPTOWN FESTIVAL - Shalamar (136 points/12 charts) BB ranked #7
06) (04) SUPERMAN - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch (135 points/15 charts) BB ranked: #3 (B)
07) (06) ONE LOVE - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch (127 points/13 charts) BB ranked #3 (B)
08) (05) I CAUGHT YOUR ACT - The Hues Corporation (121 points/12 charts) BB ranked #6
09) (10) YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOURSELF - Teddy Pendergrass (103 points/11 charts) BB ranked #7 (B)
10) (11) THE MORE I GET, THE MORE I WANT - Teddy Pendergrass (93 points/10 charts) BB ranked #7 (B)

11) (12) I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE - Teddy Pendergrass (91 points/10 charts) BB ranked #7 (B)
12) (09) SLOW DOWN - John Miles (70 points/9 charts) BB ranked #9
13) (--) *DEVIL'S GUN - C.J. & Co. (52 points/9 charts) BB ranked #11 (B)
14) (31) COULD HEAVEN EVER BE LIKE THIS - Idris Muhammad (52 points/7 charts) BB ranked: #10 (B)
15) (14) TOUCH ME, TAKE ME - Black Light Orchestra (45 points/8 charts) BB ranked #14
16) (13) TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY - Barbara Pennington (45 points/6 charts) BB ranked:#20
17) (32) MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE - The Salsoul Orchestra (43 points/5 charts) BB ranked: #13 (B)
18) (19) CLOSER, CLOSER - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch (38 points/4 charts) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #41
19) (23) FEEL THE NEED - Detroit Emeralds (38 points/4 charts) BB ranked: #14
20) (18) THEY SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE (But We Did It) - The Dells (34 points/6 charts) BB ranked #12 (B)

21) (--) *DISCOMANIA (Parts 1 & 2) - The Lovers (33 points/5 charts) BB ranked #17
22) (15) N.Y., YOU GOT ME DANCING - Andrea True Connection (28 points/5 charts) BB ranked #25
23) (22) RICH MAN, POOR MAN (Peace) - The Dells (26 points/4 charts) BB ranked #12 (B)
24) (17) UP JUMPED THE DEVIL - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra (23 points/3 charts) BB ranked #22
25) (--) *TASTY CAKES - Idris Muhammad (23 points/2 charts) BB ranked #10 (B)
26) (--) *TURN THIS MUTHA OUT - Idris Muhammad (23 points/2 charts) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #42
27) (21) LOVIN' YOU IS KILLING ME - Moment Of Truth (22 points/3 charts) BB ranked #18 (B)
28) (20) GET HAPPY - Jimmy "Bo" Horne (20 points/2 charts) BB ranked #21
29) (16) LOVE IN C MINOR - Cerrone (19 points/4 charts) BB ranked #26 (B)
30) (25) SWEET DYNAMITE - Claudja Barry (17 points/5 charts) BB ranked #19 (B)

31) (--) *DO YA WANNA GET FUNKY WITH ME - Peter Brown (17 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #16
32) (--) *OUR LOVE - The Dells (16 points/4 charts) BB ranked: #12 (B)
33) (27) FUNK MACHINE - Funk Machine (16 points/2 charts) BB ranked #29
34) (--) *THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - Eddie Holman (15 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #23
35) (28) CHAINED TO YOU LOVE - Moment Of Truth (15 points/2 charts) BB ranked: #18 (B)
36) (40) DISCO LIGHTS - Dexter Wansel (15 points/2 charts) BB ranked #30
37) (24) TATTOO MAN - Denise McCann (15 points/2 charts) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #43
38) (33) AIN'T GONNA BUMP NO MORE (With No Big Fat Woman) - Joe Tex (15 points/1 chart) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #44
39) (34) GET YOUR BOOM BOOM (Around The Room Room) - Le Pamplemousse (15 points/1 chart) BB ranked #39
40) (26) FLIP - Jesse Green (13 points/2 charts) BB ranked: #24

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________


PURELY BY POINTS STATS


DEBUTS: (+7)
13) (--) *DEVIL'S GUN - C.J. & Co. (52 points/9 charts) BB ranked #11 (B)
21) (--) *DISCOMANIA (Parts 1 & 2) - The Lovers (33 points/5 charts) BB ranked #17
25) (--) *TASTY CAKES - Idris Muhammad (23 points/2 charts) BB ranked #10 (B)
26) (--) *TURN THIS MUTHA OUT - Idris Muhammad (23 points/2 charts) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #42
31) (--) *DO YA WANNA GET FUNKY WITH ME - Peter Brown (17 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #16
32) (--) *OUR LOVE - The Dells (16 points/4 charts) BB ranked: #12 (B)
34) (--) *THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - Eddie Holman (15 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #23


RETURNS: (+0)


DROPOFFS: (-8)
[5/07/77 rankings]:
29) (24) BLACK IS BLACK- Cerrone (17 points/3 charts) BB: Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #42
30) (25) MIDNITE LADY- Cerrone (17 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #15 (B)
35) (22/18) LIFE IS MUSIC/LADY LUCK - The Ritchie Family (14 points EACH/3 charts) BB ranked #27 (B)
36) (38) DON'T STOP THE MUSIC - The Brecker Brothers (14 points/1 chart) BB ranked: #30
37) (39) I'VE GOT TO DANCE (To Keep From Cryin') - The Destinations (14 points/1 chart) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #44
38) (--) (R) BABY COME ON - Sex O'Clock USA (13 points/1 chart) BB:Not Charted/"Bubbling Under" @ #45
39) (--) (R) DANCIN' - Crown Heights Affair (13 points/1 chart) BB ranked #32

__________________________________________________ _________________________


Billboard National Disco Action Top 40 Titles
Lacking Points to Make The Disco Compilation Consensus "Purely By Points" Chart This Week:

11) WE GOT OUR OWN THING (0 points/0 charts) (B)
13) GETAWAY (0 points/0 charts) (B)
18) COME ON IN (1 point/1 chart) (B)
19) WHY MUST A GIRL LIKE ME (8 points/2 charts) (B)

26) MIDNITE LADY (5 points/2 charts) (B)
27) PICTURES & MEMORIES (9 points/2 charts)
28) KATRINA (6 points/1 chart) (B)
28) I JUST WANT TO BE WITH YOU (0 points/0 charts) (B)
28) THIS FEELING (0 points/0 charts) (B)

31) DON'T STOP THE MUSIC (10 points/1 chart)
32) HIT AND RUN (10 points/2 charts)
33) DANCIN' (8 points/1 chart)
34) LOVIN' IS REALLY MY GAME (8 points/2 charts)
35) (I'M A) SUPERSTAR (5 points/2 charts)
36) ONCE I'VE BEEN THERE (10 points/1 chart)
37) MY CHERIE AMOUR (5 points/2 charts)
38) LOVING YOU, LOSING YOU (4 points/1 chart)
40) MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN (2 points/1 chart)

_________________________________________________ _______________________________


HEAT UP:
+49 points from last week Devil's Gun(from 3 points last week up to 52 points this week)
+36 points from last week Got To Give It Up (from 104 points last week up to 140 points this week)
+34 points from last week Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (from 16 points last week up to 50 points this week)
+31 points from last week I Gotta Keep Dancin' (from 105 points last week up to 136 points this week)
+28 points from last week Magic Bird Of Fire(from 15 points last week up to 43 points this week)
+13 points from last week This Will Be A Night To Remember(from 2 points last week up to 15 points this week)
+12 points from last week One Love(from 115 points last week up to 127 points this week)
+11 points from last week Tasty Cakes (from 12 points last week up to 23 points this week)
+10 points from last week You Can't Hide From Yourself (from 93 points last week up to 103 points this week)
+10 points from last week I Don't Love You Anymore (from 81 points last week up to 91 points this week)
+10 points from last week Feel The Need (from 28 points last week up to 38 points this week)


Biggest Point Gain in the "Bubbling Under" section:
+19 points from last week Turn This Mutha Out (from 4 points last week up to 23 points this week)


COOL DOWN:

BILLBOARD TOP 40 MAJOR POINT LOSERS: COOL IT DOWN
-29 points from last week Slow Down (from 99 points last week down to 70 points this week)
-29 points from last week Love In C Minor - Cerrone (from 48 points last week down to 19 points this week)
-21 points from last week N.Y., You Got Me Dancing (from 49 points last week down to 28 points this week)
-19 points from last week Up Jumped The Devil (from 42 points last week down to 23 points this week)
-18 points from last week Twenty-Four Hours A Day (from 63 points last week down to 45 this week)
-12 points from last week Do What You Wanna Do (from 185 points last week down to 173 points this week)
-12 points from last week Get Happy (from 32 points last week down to 20 points this week)
-12 points from last week Midnite Lady - Cerrone (from 17 points last week down to 5 points this week)
-10 points from last week Touch Me, Take Me (from 55 points last week down to 45 points this week)


Biggest Point Loss in the "Bubbling Under" section:
-12 points from last week Black Is Black (from 17 points last week down to 5 points this week)


_________________________________________________ _______________________________

[markydefad]

Part 4:

May 14, 1977 Chart........


ONE YEAR AGO IN DISCO HISTORY
May 15, 1976

Billboard Charts:
A= Top Audience Response Records in NYC Discos:
(#1= "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (LP - ALL CUTS) - The Trammps ) (2nd week)

B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC):
(#1= "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (LP - ALL CUTS) - The Trammps ) (2nd week)

C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC):
(#1= "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (LP - ALL CUTS) - The Trammps ) (2nd week)

D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island)
(#1= "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (LP - ALL CUTS) - The Trammps ) (2nd week)

E= Top Audience Response Records in LA/San Diego Discos:
(#1= TRY ME, I KNOW WE CAN MAKE IT/COULD IT BE MAGIC - Donna Summer) (5th week)

+ Special 6th Chart:
F= Top 15 Audience Response Records in Boston Discos:
(#1= "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (LP - ALL CUTS) - The Trammps ) (2nd reported week)

[6 charts with 15 items apiece; 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 90 maximum points. Add them up and voila!....]


THE BILLBOARD DISCO COMPILATION CONSENUS TOP 5
May 15, 1976

Chart #82 (Volume 2-1976: #20)

01) "WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO" (entire LP) + THAT'S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO - The Trammps
(Atlantic LP + 45 disco version/12" promo) (85 points/ all 6 charts = ABCDEF)
4 weeks (LP)/14 weeks (single) on the chart/ Last week: #1 (+/-0) 3rd week @ #1
02) LOVE HANGOVER - Diana Ross
(Motown LP/12-inch promo) (53 points/ 5 charts = A_CDEF)
12 weeks on the chart/ 4 weeks @ #1/ Last week: #3 (+1)
03) "A LOVE TRILOGY"LP featuring TRY ME, I KNOW WE CAN MAKE IT & COULD IT BE MAGIC - Donna Summer
(Oasis LP) ( 53 points total / 4 charts = A_C_EF)
9 weeks on chart/ Last week: #2 (-1) 3 weeks @ #1
04) I'M GONNA LET MY HEART DO THE WALKING - The Supremes
(Motown LP/7-inch single) (52 points/ 5 charts = A_CDEF)
4 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #5 (+1)
05) TURN THE BEAT AROUND - Vicki Sue Robinson
(RCA LP/45) (46 points/ 5 charts = AB_DEF)
14 weeks on the chart/ 1 week @ #1/ Last week: #4 (-1)

__________________________________________________ _________________________________________


TWO YEARS AGO IN DISCO HISTORY
May 17, 1975

Billboard charts:

A= Top Audience Response Records in NYC Discos:
(#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport) (2nd week)

B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC):
(#1= FREE MAN - South Shore Commission) (3rd week)

C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC)
(#1= FREE MAN - South Shore Commission) (3rd week)

D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Long Isand & Queens)
(#1= FREE MAN - South Shore Commission) (3rd week)

+ Special 5th Chart:
F= Top 15 Audience Response Records @ Bahama Mama's in Los Angeles+San Diego Discos:
(#1= DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka ) (1st reported week)


[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 5:
May 17, 1975

Chart #26

01) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45 - Disco Mix) (58 total points/ 4 Charts = ABCD_)
5 weeks on chart/ Last week: #1 (+/-0) 2nd week @ #1
02) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (54 total points/ 4 Charts = ABCD_)
2 weeks on chart/ Last week: #8 (+6)
03) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing & A Prayer 45) (52 total points/ 4 Charts = ABCD_)
7 weeks on chart/ Last week: #2 (-1) (5 weeks @ #1)
04) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45/DJ promo only 12-inch) (39 total points/ 4 charts = ABCD_)
8 weeks on the chart // Last week: #5 (+1)
05) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy
(Avco 45) (32 total points/ all 4 charts = AB_DE)
5 weeks on the chart // Last week: #4 (-1)

_______________________________________________ _____________________________________



OK, now let's check to see where this week's charted items rank in the
DISC-O-LA FORTUNE 500 ......

[first posted in the 3/26/76 column]

The rarefied air of the important CLASSIC records on the chart this week led me to take a look at their positions on the Disco-o-la Fortune 500 Discotheque Songs of the 70s list compiled by Ed Rothschild (with assistance from Johnny Tripp and Chipper McKearnin), that appears in its entirety in the back of Mel Cheren's book, Keep On Dancin': My Life and the Paradise Garage (2000); (Supposedly, this list came to fruition sometime in the Eighties; I don't know the specifics. The list goes back as early as the late Sixties for a few titles and then culls some from the early Seventies and stops at the end of
1979--no records from the Eighties are included--a few charted in 1980--but were actually released in late 1979)


DISC-O-LA FORTUNE 500 Rankings:


(Based on items in this weeks chart): 22 charting positions featuring 23 titles

#011) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY - Thelma Houston (Tamla)
#018) DEVIL'S GUN - C.J. & Co. (Westbound)

#042) DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO - T-Connection (T.K.)
#062) I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE/YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOURSELF - Teddy Pendergrass (PIR)
#078) HIT AND RUN - Loleatta Holloway (Gold Mind)
#082) LOVE IN C MINOR - Cerrone (Malligator/Cotillion)
#084) DO YA WANNA GET FUNKY WITH ME - Peter Brown (T.K.)
#095) MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE - The Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul)

#131) UPTOWN FESTIVAL -Shalamar (Soul Train)
#148) I CAUGHT YOUR ACT- The Hues Corporation (Warner)
#163) FEEL THE NEED - Detroit Emeralds (Westbound)
#188) LOVIN' IS REALLY MY GAME - Brainstorm (Tabu) NEW
#191) I NEED A MAN - Grace Jones (Beam-Junction)
#193) I GOTTA KEEP DANCIN' - Carrie Lucas (Soul Train)

#209) SUPERMAN - Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch (T.K.)
#250) SLOW DOWN - John Miles (London)
#261) UP JUMPED THE DEVIL- John Davis & The Monster Orchestra (Sam)
#281) GOT TO GIVE IT UP - Marvin Gaye (Tamla)

#306) SWEET DYNAMITE - Claudja Barry (London (Canada)/Salsoul (US))
#310) DANCIN' - Crown Heights Affair (De-Lite)
#392) COULD HEAVEN EVER BE LIKE THIS - Idris Muhammad (Kudu)

#491) SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF - Mista Charge (Target)


DROPPED THIS WEEK:
#010) DISCO INFERNO - The Trammps (Atlantic)


_________________________________________________ ___________________________________


COMING SOON To A Disco Near You...

ANDREA
DOCTOR LOVE
LOVE'S UNKIND
BEST OF MY LOVE
ACCIDENTAL LOVER
CERRONE'S PARADISE
CARRY ON, TURN ME ON
GET ON THE FUNK TRAIN
I REMEMBER YESTERDAY
GOIN' BACK TO MY ROOTS
I FOUND LOVE (NOW THAT I FOUND YOU)



& MORODER'S BONA FIDE VISIONARY MASTERPIECE: "I FEEL LOVE"

"oooh it's so good, it's so good, it's so good, it's so good, it's soooo good"

[markydefad]

Looks like Tom only received one record this week. Short but....well, short.

DISCO MIX

By Tom Moulton

May 14, 1977


JOHN DAVIS & THE MONSTER ORCHESTRA

[NEW YORK] Sam Records will release a new LP by John Davis &The Monster Orchestra titled "Up Jumped The Devil." The album is named after their current single and marks a turning point for this group.

"The Magic Is You" on the A side is done like a symphony with various movements. The track is uptempo and strong with a classical string line which is used to advantage in the intro as well as in the vocals.

There are several strong breaks. On one, tom toms are featured with congas and percussion and on the other, rhythm with a Fender Rhodes. John Davis is featured on the vocals with background vocals supplied by the Sweethearts of Sigma (Carla, Barbara, and Evette).

[markydefad]

come on down you pesky text shrinking ads

[SandraDee]

[NEW YORK] — Mercury Records is rush-releasing the new Dells LP titled “They Say It Couldn’t Be Done, But We Did It.” There are several good cuts, including the title song, which is also being released as a single. This is a very mellow, uptempo song with many of the fine qualities of “Starvin’” by the Trammps.

“Get On Down” is faster and funkier and incorporates some party crowd noises to keep the excitement going. There is also a nice instrumental section on which the song fades. “Our Love” is probably the most exciting cut and has the most vocal energy. There is a short rhythm break that is speeded up to into the vamp.

“Teaser” is a midtempo cut that deals with being given the runaround. “Rich Man, Poor Man” features vocals that are at times difficult to understand, but its uptempo melody is so beautiful and so strong that the listener can overlook the vocal discrepancies. The song itself has an unusual gimmicky break with guitars being put through a digital delay and being panned back and forth. It is almost like another record, but it actually works on this cut. The LP was done in Philadelphia at Sigma Sound Studios and was produced by Norman Harris of the Harris Machine.

This Dells LP has been recently released on CD for the first time on David Nathan's Soul Music Records, along with another Dells LP from '77 'Love Connection'. Listening to some of the tracks they sound like Trammps records sung by Teddy Pendergrass! Good stuff.

[mrbmarco]

thanks much, Marky and Stephen, for your opinions on the hardly-ever-played "Discomania" by The Lovers. Never knew Cassandra W. and Victor W. were on vocals (so thanks Stephen for that groovy tidbit).......and of course, my favorite disco LP (of ALL time) is African Queens, so my anticipation is high for the late summer months of 1977 (courtesy of future Marky endeavors). Appreciate ya'll !!!

Found Discomania on one of my old disco tapes dated June 10 1977. I mix from Superman into the vocal of Discomania, I then go into the instrumental, which sounds like another female orgasm. I wonder if I kept them on the floor?

[drlove]

I'm sure you did, mrbmarco (kept 'em on the floor !) Thanks for sharing that memory ....and glad your 6/10/77 tape survives !

....and in looking at the recent posts in this thread ......bittersweet at Marky's great enthusiasm for the forthcoming '77 chart debut of I Feel Love (see his great and excited ALL CAPS in his May 5 post above. No one knew we'd be losing Donna within 2 weeks. Still feels unbelievable !

[markydefad]

I'm working on the next chart for 5/21/77...hope to post something this weekend....

For the record, drlove- your namesake tune -"Doctor Love" makes a splashy debut 5/21/77--
and the following week, 5/28/77- exactly 35 years ago-- next Monday, Memorial Day...
HRH Donna Summer debuts "I Feel Love" bundled with "I Remember Yesterday/Love's Unkind"
A significant week in disco history--and dance music in general.

I recall the thrill I felt when Top 40 pop radio in San Francisco started playing "I Feel Love" in the summer of 1977.
At that point in time, the only other title with this totally futuristic "robot pop" synth sound that SF Top 40 radio played was Kraftwerk's "Autobahn" in early 1975.

AllMusic Guide says:

Kraftwerk's first album to be issued in the U.S., 1974's Autobahn was an international smash; an edited single version of the epic title track was a major hit at home and abroad, and in America the previously unknown group reached the upper rungs of the pop albums chart. Performed in large part on a Moog synthesizer, Autobahn crystallized the distinctive Kraftwerk sound while making the group's first clear overtures towards conventional pop structure and melody, establishing a permanent foothold for electronic music within the mainstream.

Then came "I Feel Love" ..... where Donna's voice humanizes "robot pop."

This was a truly innovative sound at the time--and I was amazed pop radio embraced Donna for the first time since her initial hit "Love To Love You Baby" back in the fall of 1975. Radio had rather ignored the intervening club hits Donna released--but now Donna was back in the mainstream with a tune sounding totally out of the mainstream. I remember the first time I heard it played on a car radio in the summer of 1977-- I was gobsmacked, at the Brits say.

[mrbmarco]

As I go over these charts it reminds me; this was the time that Salsoul stopped servicing the record pools. I had to go out and buy Magic Bird Of Fire and This Will Be A Night To Remember . We were told by AJ Miller president of SCDDJA we should play the songs for our customers but don't chart them. What I also remember is that this didn't last that long. This is documented in an old Billboard I read in Google Books but I don't remember the issue.

[markydefad]

As I go over these charts it reminds me; this was the time that Salsoul stopped servicing the record pools. I had to go out and buy Magic Bird Of Fire and This Will Be A Night To Remember . We were told by AJ Miller president of SCDDJA we should play the songs for our customers but don't chart them. What I also remember is that this didn't last that long. This is documented in an old Billboard I read in Google Books but I don't remember the issue.

Interesting....maybe that accounts for the mediocre chart stats for Eddie Holman's brilliant THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. I don't think it charts much higher than early 20s--which is where it already is 5/14/77 in its 2nd chart week; this surprised me when I first did the chart research. MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE charts Top 5, however...so who knows....but I am pretty sure LA never charts Eddie Holman although San Francisco shows it as a big hit...I'm typing from memory...so I may be off base...but I don't think so.

I'll be on the lookout for LA stats for Salsoul releases in the upcoming weeks. However, both titles mentioned are charted in trendier-than-thou SF.
As of 5/14/77---no mention of either title on the LA+San Diego charts yet:


13) (25) MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE/GETAWAY - The Salsoul Orchestra
(Salsoul 12-inch: 5:25/4:37) P: Vincent Montana, Jr. //
W: 1) V. Montana ( based on the conclusion of Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird" / 2) B. Taylor/P. Cor
"MBOF": 43 points/ 5 charts = Baltimore+DC/Boston/Chicago/Pittsburgh/SF
"GETAWAY": 0 points/ 0 charts
BDA Top 40: 2 weeks EACH on chart // Last week: #25 (+12)
DCC chart: 2 weeks EACH on chart

23) (39) THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - Eddie Holman
(Salsoul 12-inch: 5:50) ["A Tom Moulton Mix"] P: Ron Baker // W: Ron Baker/Ron Tyson
15 points / 3 charts = Detroit/NYC/SF
BDA Top 40: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #39 (+16)
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart