The New Top 700 DJ Disco Songs List Now Up

[Bernie]

We all know the Top 500 Disco Songs List. Well now we have the 700 Top Disco Songs compiled from DJ votes. It's a bit different from the old lists!!!

Just finished it up and it looks pretty good. As time goes by I will add links for each song to its respective record entry in the Disco Records Vault A-Z. Check it out at
http://www.discomusic.com/charts-more/2664_0_8_0_C/
and leave a comment there or post your thoughts here.

[Art Figueroa]

Fantastic job, Bernie! :D

Art

[efunk_adelic]

Oh my my my... I think every song I posted made the list... :D This really is a good list Bernie... :D

[efunk_adelic]

Well, that was a little lie.... I compared my list vs. this one and only 4 of my songs didn't make this list.

My highest entry
HOT JUNGLE DRUMS AND VOODOO RHYTHM - D.C. LaRUE
is not here.... lol

[markydefad]

700 songs and no one mentioned the record I think is the BEST DISCO RECORD EVER:

"THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER" by Eddie Holman (Salsou/1977) Mixed by Tom Moulton.

Why does this perfect record get no mention? Robbie Leslie played it at the Troc Reunion party (with a little help from Keefe, I think).

But in a list of 700 songs.......... sheesh!!!! :evil: :o :evil: :o :evil: :o :evil:

[QUINNY]

Marky: That record was so much like an old soul record that IMO it just didn't fit. For what it's worth, I would never have been able to play it and get away with it over here in the dear ol' UK.

It's almost NOT disco at all.

Bernie: I applaud your immense patience and sheer workload in getting the top 700 DJ list up.
I can't moan 'cos I just couldn't limit my choice to 100 and therefore didn't contribute. :oops: BUT were the DJs who did in denial or something? IMO There's some really odd choices in there and some mighty odd placings.

BTW: Mighty Clouds Of Joy are in there twice with the same record aren't they? Otherwise, why would Mighty High be placed below Ride The Mighty High in the listing?

[markydefad]

[quote="QUINNY"]Marky: That record was so much like an old soul record that IMO it just didn't fit. For what it's worth, I would never have been able to play it and get away with it over here in the dear ol' UK.

It's almost NOT disco at all.
________________________________________________
Thanks for the wordzs of wisdom, Q. :roll:

I guess I wouldn't wanna dance at

your disco. :roll:

AMG says:

AMG REVIEW: There was a 17-year gap between two of Eddie Holman's better known hits. The time frame also shows the stylistic differences that can occur in a singer's career. The Philly-based singer had a reunion of sorts when he recorded his disco classic "This Will Be a Night to Remember." It was Holman's debut release for Norman Harris' Gold Mind label distributed by Salsoul Records. Holman and Harris had worked together during the '60s, when the latter was part of the rhythm section heard on the singer's gold record "Hey There Lonely Girl." Unlike that tender ballad, "This Will Be a Night to Remember" was a chugging, up-tempo number that was a huge disco hit that made it into the R&B Top 25 in May 1977. The Tom Moulton mix heard on the This Will Be a Night to Remember album was wide-sounding giving plenty of space for Holman's high tenor vocals, the strings/woodwinds section, and Harris and the rest of the rhythm section that at one time was the core of MFSB. The groove has traces of another Baker-Harris-Young production, the Trammps' million-sellling "Disco Inferno" from Saturday Night Fever. — Ed Hogan

Interestingly, BRITISH critic Ian Dewhirst writes in the liner notes to Salsoul Master Cuts that "TWBANTR" was the perfect disco record. Go figure.

[QUINNY]

Ian Dewhurst was heavily into Northern Soul. So not such a mystery as to why he'd write that. It was probably perfect for that scene, but straight disco at that time? I personally don't think so. No need to get bitchy.

BTW: Ah, but Marky you probably would have danced at my disco IF you'd lived in Southampton and had a great time too. :lol:

[markydefad]

[quote="QUINNY"] No need to get bitchy.

quote]

"Bitchy" becomes me.

It's my signature scent. :P

[markydefad]

Ian Dewhirst's liner note credits............


Crown Heights Affair Essential Dancefloor Artists, Vol. (1994) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
D Train Essential Dance Floor Artists, Vol... (1994) Liner Notes, Compilation Producer
Sharon Redd Essential Dancefloor Artists, Vol. (1994) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Classic Jazz-Funk, Vol. 1... (1991) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Classic Funk Mastercuts, Vol. 1 (1992) Liner Notes, Compilation, Compilation Producer
Various Artists Classic Jazz-Funk, Vol. 3... (1992) Compilation
Various Artists Classic Salsoul Mastercuts, Vol. 1 (1993) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Classic 80's Groove Mastercuts,... (1993) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Classic Salsoul Mastercuts, Vol. 2 (1993) Annotation
Various Artists Deep Beats (1994) Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Disco Classics, Vol. 1 (1994) Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Essential Funk Classics, Vol. 1 (1994) Liner Notes, Compilation Producer
Various Artists Rare Underground, Vol. 2 (1994) Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Essential Slow Groove Dancefloor... (1994) Compilation Producer
Various Artists Classic Jazz-Funk, Vol. 4... (1994) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Alternative Rock Classics 1978... (1995) Compilation
Various Artists Classic House Mastercuts, Vol. 1 (1995) Liner Notes
Various Artists MVP Classic Jazz Funk, Vol. 1 (1996) Compilation
Various Artists MVP Classic Mellow, Vol. 1 (1996) Compilation Producer
Various Artists MVP Classic Funk, Vol. 1 (1996) Compilation, Compilation Producer
Various Artists Deep Beats (1996) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Essential Disco Classics, Vol. 2 (1996) Compilation Producer
Various Artists Classic Funk Mastercuts, Vol. 2 (1996) Introduction
Various Artists Classic Mellow: Definitive Mellow... (2000) Liner Notes, Compilation, Concept
Various Artists Magnum Opus, Vol. 3 (2003) Liner Notes
________________________________________________
Hmmm, lesse, I see "DISCO", "Jazz-FUNK", FUNK".......
Where's the "Northern Soul" titles, eh? :o

[DISCODISK]

[quote="markydefad"]

Marky: That record was so much like an old soul record that IMO it just didn't fit. For what it's worth, I would never have been able to play it and get away with it over here in the dear ol' UK.

It's almost NOT disco at all.
________________________________________________
Thanks for the wordzs of wisdom, Q. :roll:

I guess I wouldn't wanna dance at

your disco. :roll:

Interestingly, BRITISH critic Ian Dewhirst writes in the liner notes to Salsoul Master Cuts that "TWBANTR" was the perfect disco record. Go figure.

MARKY eddie holman was a MONSTER from the second it landed on import on the 'upfront' disco scene,the northern scene picked up on it too and it wouldnt go away, and still gets lots of plays today,its a classic IAN knows what mayhem this record caused cos he pushed it too.look out for some new releases from ian too, including Salsoul: Crossover Flavours When Northern Soul Met Disco 8)

QUINNY your still telling it like it wasnt :roll: if you hadnt been so mean and paid the few pence extra for imports you may have been able to give the kids what they wanted as the english 7" only of this track released 6 months too late just wasnt good enough.you keep talkin like this and you could end up in the court of crimes against disco...and the charge.....ROBBING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF SOUTHAMPTON OF THEIR YOUTH :lol: 'ninety days court dismissed....

[Bernie]

700 songs and no one mentioned the record I think is the BEST DISCO RECORD EVER:

"THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER" by Eddie Holman (Salsou/1977) Mixed by Tom Moulton.

Why does this perfect record get no mention? Robbie Leslie played it at the Troc Reunion party (with a little help from Keefe, I think).

But in a list of 700 songs.......... sheesh!!!! :evil: :o :evil: :o :evil: :o :evil:

You are right! It's a great song, but somehow we all forget to mention it in any lists :-?

[Bernie]

BTW: Mighty Clouds Of Joy are in there twice with the same record aren't they? Otherwise, why would Mighty High be placed below Ride The Mighty High in the listing?

Oh **** :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

Let me go correct that. Okay so now #700 is Margaret Reynolds "All Day All Night." Good--I like that song!

[markydefad]

Bernie, I realize somethings just get overlooked. No big whoop. That record is like one of my pets. I just fight to get it some recognition. :D

Discodisk....

You know I'd dance my ass off at your disco!!!!

I can certainly see Jussik's influence on this list...."Gigi In Paradisco"...Claudia Cardinale!!!! It's like the Top 20 list from the back of his book. CC was an Italian starlet who worked in a number of U.S. movies in the 1960s then musta went back to Italy. Before I READ Jussi's book...I never knew she was a "Disco Atiste" too!!!

[Bernie]

List is now updated and correct.

[markydefad]

Bernie,

Reading over the list...I found some typos. Sorry to be such a pain...but it's just the "schoolmarm" in me, I guess.

#8. "Cherchez" (one word)
#56 "Boris" (typo)
#120 "Technique" (singlular)
#194 "& The Whatnauts"
#201 "Jeanne"
#270 Alton "McClain"
#286 "Valli"
#330 "Browne"
#336 "& The Pips"
#381 "Gimme Some More"
#404 "Riperton"
#417 "& Philip Oakey"
#447 "I Shoulda Loved Ya"
#494 "Atmosfear"
#608 "Ai No Corrida"
#609 "7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle) - Gary Toms (no apostrophe) Empire
#625 "& The Partners"
#648 "Patti LaBelle"
#657 "Softones"

Sorry if I'm a pain. Just want it to look perfect. :D

[Bernie]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll go through them soon. That's what I get for taking the easy way out and copying and pasting from the lists.

[QUINNY]

QUINNY your still telling it like it wasnt :roll: if you hadnt been so mean and paid the few pence extra for imports you may have been able to give the kids what they wanted as the english 7" only of this track released 6 months too late just wasnt good enough.you keep talkin like this and you could end up in the court of crimes against disco...and the charge.....ROBBING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF SOUTHAMPTON OF THEIR YOUTH :lol: 'ninety days court dismissed....

DD: (1) Was Dewhurst a Northern Soul DJ?
(2) were you involved in any other scene than Northern Soul at that time?
(3) Where were you at the time this record came out?

If you answer (1) No, (2) Yes and (3) Southern England, then I might just believe what you say as being wholly accurate. Otherwise, I think it may be that both our interpretations might be valid and you should stop just taking pops at me.
Logic would tell me that the fact that the record didn't show up in the 700 must mean something.

[efunk_adelic]

I'm surprised at some of the rankings... for instance, most of the songs I put (90% from 1975-1979) are disco oriented... I did not vote for

Lyn Collins - Think (About It)
Ohio Players - Fire
Commodores - Brick House
Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage


not because I don't like them... because I wanted to have a 1975-1979 influence only... for the Hustle dancers...

[Jimmy-Michaels]

Great job Bernie! That took alot of work im sure to figure it out. Unless I breezed over it..one great morning track that I voted for in my list back whenever I did my list was "Manhattan Melody" by Herb Alpert didnt make it. But hey, 700 is alot..cant fit em all if not too many voted em. I am however surprised to see others must have voted for a few I did that I didnt think anyone else would put in their faves. Like "Shangrila" by La Pregunta..one of my alltime faves and was a floor filler anywhere I played it

[paul]

Some kinda list Bernie. Good job. How many nights did you stay up doing this :lol:
So many topics on this list. A few observations off the top of my head. Was Johnny Mathis big at the gay clubs? I certainly don't remember his songs being played at the level represented on this list. I'm glad to see Miss Donna spread out and not congested within the top ten :lol: I'm surprised to see King Errisson's Manhattan Love Song, and not Have A Nice Day :roll: Overall I like the list especially seeing some of my favorites like What Can You Do For Me. I still give a slight edge to the original top 500 as being more representative of what I heard at the discos.

[Jimmy-Michaels]

As for Johnny Mathis..I played em at private partys and at the one club I ever worked (which was a gay club, although im straight :lol: ). But the Mathis stuff is great disco! I was glad to actualy see it on this list for the club stuff. Don't think I saw the Andy Williams "Love Story" disco though..which was more than great! I shoulda voted that one for the hell of it :x

[sfbeary]

hey bernie,

congrats on your new list!

i also spotted some things to be fixed:

the artist behind Beryl's Tune is Augusto (not Alberto) Martelli.

Touch Me, Take Me is by Black Light Orchestra, not THP Orchestra (blame canada!)

Fittipaldi Show is by Azymuth (not Azimuth).

reading this list made me pull out long-owned lps to hear cuts i hardly ever played. and yes, there are some choices that stretch the definition of disco waaaaaay beyond poor eddie holman. but as faith, hope and charity put it in the #49th slot, "to each his own."

[markydefad]

OK-- I printed the list out and a few more typos became apparent.


#48 Moulton (typo)
#197 Vicki
#318 "Again" (part of song title); LP was just "Here Comes That Sound"
#327 "If You Weren't Afraid"

#416 "Wuthering Heights" was the LP; "Love Attack" the hit along with "Shake It Baby Love"--your call :roll:
#451 just "Mighty High" (cut the "Ride")
#648 "Music Is My Way Of Life" - Patti LaBelle
#686 "Got TU Go Disco" (strange, but true)

OK, sorry. I get anal. :oops:

Oddest items:
#596: "Baby Love" by The Supremes (released in 1965); Was this "Northern Soul"???? :lol: :lol: :lol:
#234: "Left To My Own Devices" - Pet Shop Boys (released in 1988!!!) Disco has left the building. Even "West End Girls" was more on the cusp. "To Each His Own" yada yada yada.

Aside from Jussi's Euro-lounge stuff (Percy Faith, Serge Gainsbourg, Claudia Cardinale)...the other thing that sticks out...

#263 "Score" - Carol Lloyd. Sheeeeesh!!! Very obscure record to place so high. :roll: I actually picked it up yesteday at Amoeba. Only one LP track "Shake Me, Wake Me" (a cover of the old Four Tops record) charted on Billboard's Disco chart (#87)--It's an OK record--but I'm curious to know who's got the Jones for Miss Lloyd (looking kinda like a young Brenda Lee) in her cheerleader outfit & pom poms???? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Essential Songs not listed:

"Walk The Night - Skatt Brothers
"Save Your Love For Me" - Space
"Trippin' On The Moon" - Cerrone
"On The Beat" - B.B. & Q Band (I didn't see it)
"Evolution" - Giorgio Moroder
among many others--But a most interesting list. Some new stuff to check out in there.

[sfbeary]

i LOVE carol lloyd's "score" - a perfect example of a trashy bargain bin disco exploitation cut that sounds brilliant today. i didn't like anything else on that lp, but "score" is such a wacky/genius critique of male sexuality - bizarre and yet fitting in a disco record.