Billboard Disco Compilation/Consensus Charts-Part 1:1974-75

[markydefad]

Thanks shootyourshot. Didn't mean to nag ya--but you're usually so prompt. I got a little antsy. Sorry. :D :D :D :D

[markydefad]

April 5, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
2) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John
3) NO NO SONG/ SNOOKEROO - Ringo Starr
4) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
5) YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL - Joe Cocker

Billboard R&B/Soul Chart #1:
1) SHOESHINE BOY - Eddie Kendricks
______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....



THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
4/5/75

1) * EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport (says "Report")
(Wing & a Prayer 45) (57 total points/ Charts ABCD) (DEBUT- first time a record has debuted at #1)
2) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (52/ABCD) (last week: #1)
3) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (48/ABCD) (#4)
4) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45-Disco Mix) (43/ABCD) (#2)
5) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (28/ABCD) (#6)
6) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45--FINALLY AVAILABLE!!!!) (27/ABC) (#14)
7) SAVE ME/SAVE ME, AGAIN - Silver Convention
(Midland Intll. 45) (27/ABC) (#3)
8. {Tie} HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (23/AD) (#7)
8. {Tie} HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (23/AD) (#16)
10) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE/ FRAME OF MIND - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (19/AD) (#20)

11) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (19/AD) (#28.)
12) RUN AND HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (18/BC) (#10)
13) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (12/D) (#18.)
14) FREE AND EASY - Satyr
(RCA 45) (11/BC) (#19)
15) NEFERTITI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (10/C) (#12)
16) PROTECT OUR LOVE/ PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(Atco LP only) (9/AD) (#25)
17) AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia LP only) (8/D) (#9)
18. * BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA - Smokey Robinson
(Tamla 45) (8/B) (NEW)
19) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock LP only) (8/C) (#26)
20) HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT (Medley)-Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (7/A) (#15)

21) (R) HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie
(Polydor 45) (6/C) (RETURN)
22) (R) IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow
(Arista 45) (5/B) (RETURN)
23) (R)WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic LP only) (5/D) (RETURN)
24) * DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Liquid Smoke
(Roulette 45) (4/C) (NEW)
25) * MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Company
(Stang 45) (4/B) (NEW)
26) REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (4/A) (#36)
27) (R) EACH MORNING I WAKE UP - Major Harris Boogie Band
(Atlantic 45) (3/D) (RETURN)
28. I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (3/B) (#8.)
29) * PEACE AND LOVE - Brooklyn People
(Cheri 45) (2/B) (NEW)
30) ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus Feat. Chaka Khan
(ABC 45) (2/D) (#11)

31) * TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece--LP not available yet) (2/A) (NEW)
32) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (2/B) (#5)
33) (R) GET DOWN - The Kay Gees
(Gang 45) (1/D) (RETURN)
34) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (1/C) (#17)
35) * ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - The Main Ingredient
(RCA 45) (1/B) (NEW)
36) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (1/A) (#38.)

#12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33 & 34 NOT in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (7): #1, 18, 24, 25, 29, 31, 35

(R) = Return/Re-enty (5): #21, 22, 23, 27 33

Dropped Off:

L-O-V-E- (LOVE) - Al Green (Last week: #13)
EARTHQUAKE SHAKE - Undisputed Truth (#21)
FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS - Jimmy Jackson (#22) * (will be back)
LOVE CORPORATION - Hues Corporation (#23)
MISTERI - The Jones Girls (#24) *
BOBBY & MARIA - Isis (#27)
HOOK IT UP - Choice Four (#29)
DISCO QUEEN - Hot Chocolate (#30)
I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - Philly Devotions (#31)
I WAS BORN THIS WAY - Valentino (#32)
MY LITTLE LADY - Boodstone (#33)
I CAN (says "Can't") UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo *
LOVE HAS SO MANY MEANINGS - Lily Fields (#35)
LOVE FREEZE - First Choice (#37)


Stats & Random Notes:

36 total items; last week 38 (a record)
7 debuts + 5 returns/ -14 dropoffs
5 records on all 4 charts!!!
2 records on 3 charts
7 records on 2 charts
22 records on only 1 chart

The most obviously interesting thing this week is the debut at #1 of "Ease On Down The Road" by Consumer Rapport (spelled "Report" until the 4/19/75 chart). This is from the current Broadway Show "The Wiz" which introduced Stephanie Mills as "Dorothy." I guess New York was swept away with this record; #1 in the first week of release!!!...it's largely forgotten today and NOT available on any cd compilation that I could find in my research. The lead vocal was by Broadway "pit singer" from "The Wiz" --Frank Floyd. It would peak at #19 on the Billboard Soul chart and at #42 on the Pop chart.

The Melody chart is weird again this week. The "regular reporter guy" musta been on vacation or something cause old stuff returns (Labelle & Major Harris) and Barry White disappears only to return next week with 2 entries!!!

Major Fluctuations this week --"The Goin' Ups & The Comin' Downs":

Back UP after dropping last week:
HIJACK - Herbie Mann
AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE
GLASSHOUSE
E-MAN BOOGIE
PROTECT OUR LOVE

Major Drops:
I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME (from #8 to #28; back to #8 next week)
ONCE YOU GET STARTED (from #11 to #30)
WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU (from #5 down to #32; next week up to #15)

"Crystal World"-- the first bonafide European IMPORT to chart has been released domestically as a 45 after appearing for a number of weeks on the A (Audience Response) chart. Now it's on the retail charts also.
_____________________________________________

Artist Spotlight:

(from the Rolling Stone Record Guide (1979 edition edited by Dave Marsh)...

debuting this week @ #31 with "Trammps Disco Theme" (really just an instrumental version of "Zing! Went The Strings Of my Heart" but sometimes strangely titled "Penguin At the Big Apple"!!! Wut???)........

THE TRAMMPS

"The Trammps have been one of disco's most idiosyncratic groups. The band's early singles on Buddah updated ancient R&B classics and featured Jimmy Ellis' straining, gritty tenor against the basso profundo of Earl Young, a style continued on the group's best LP Trammps (Golden Fleece 33163). But when the dictates of disco began to demand longer songs, the group foundered on bloated workouts. :o The Buddah singles are stretched to six-minute-plus lengths on the Zing album and the Atlantic LPs feature similarly inflated material. Despite some hot tracks ("Where the Happy People Go," "Disco Inferno") and the appeal of Ellis' voice, the excess baggage becomes wearing." (J.MC = Joe McEwen)

(Hey, I don't agree...just giving you THEIR opinion)
_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
4/5/75

New York) The hottest new record in New York City is "Ease On Down The Road" by Consumer Report (actually,
"Rapport"). There hasn't been a record that has created as much excitement so fast since Gloria Gaynor's "Never Can Say Goodbye." Bill Owens, DJ at the "Lost and Found" in Washington, D.C., came up to New York primarily to get the single and said the trip was well worth it. Atlantic has picked up distribution on the single (which will still be on Wing & A Prayer label) and will be releasing the Original Cast LP of "The Wiz" (which the "Ease On Down The Road" song is from) in April. Other parts of the country will be able to get the single soon.

"Survival" the name of the forthcoming O'Jay's LP (Philadelphia International) will have two very strong disco cuts: "Rich Get Richer (the best thing they have done since "Love Train") and "Give The People What They Want"; both are uptempo and will put the O'Jays back where they belong. Also, another cut has been added to the Three Degrees "International" LP (which will be available soon): "Take Good Care Of Yourself". It has the same feel and haunting sound of the big hit, "When Will I See You Again" and will probably be the follow-up single to their current hit "I Didn't Know." With the vocal version of "TSOP" and "Long Lost", this LP is going to be a very popular disco LP.

London Records in Canada has just released a LP by Manu DiBango (of "Soul Ma Rossa"--I think he means "Soul Makossa"!!! fame) :oops: called "Super Kumba" and the title song is the best cut on the LP. Atlantic Records is releasing another version by the same artist which has been re-recorded. The newer version is more pop-sounding where the original is much longer (6:50) and has more of the Afro-Latin sound which is extremely popular in the New York clubs.

Lamont Dozier has written and produced the new "California Sunset" LP by The Originals on Motown. The group has been known primarily as a ballad act until now. There are three uptempo songs "Why'd You Lie,' "Let Me Live in Your Life" and"Financial Affair" (which is the strongest disco cut). This LP is a good change for the group and should establish them in the disco field.

"Are You Ready For This" by The Brothers on RCA is a single pulled from the "Disco Soul By The Brothers" LP. The single is the strongest cut on the LP. The song is instrumental and has the same type of intro as the disco oldie "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass. It then goes into a Barry White-type of sound. The song is starting to get some club reaction already and sounds like it could be a big one. Also coming out on RCA will be "Trickin" by The LTG (formerly LTG Exchange). This song was cut in Philadelphia at Sigma Sound Studios and is a strong piece of Disco product.

[Videoskooter]

Marky, I almost never react in this topic but I just wanna say thx coz' it's damn interesting and you are putting a lot of effort in this.

Merci beaucoup :)

[markydefad]

Thanks Videoskooter. It's fun for me. No need to praise me--don't need my "ring" kissed. :lol: :lol: :lol: I'm glad to hear that people are enjoying reading this info. I'm learning new things and since Bernie provides the space, I just feel compelled to devote part of my Saturday afternoons to typing this stuff. I have the next two charts done...so I may post another tomorrow. :roll:

Now..... to shootyourshot...

since you've got the charts til June...

why not give me this stuff now and I won't have ta bug ya later...

April 26, 1975 chart:
what's the #15 song on Colony chart? (after "Free & Easy")

May 3, 1975 chart:
what's the #15 song on the Melody chart? (after "Take It From Me")
what's the #15 song on the Colony chart? (after "Flattery")

Then I can get back to work. :D

[markydefad]

April 12, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John
2) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
3) NO NO SONG/ SNOOKEROO - Ringo Starr
4) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
5) POETRY MAN - Phoebe Snow

Billboard Soul Chart #1:
1) L-O-V-E- (Love) - Al Green
______________________________________________


Disco Action
4/12/75

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....



THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
April 12, 1975

1) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport ( chart says "Report")
(Wing & a Prayer/Atlantic 45) (59 total points/ charts ABCD) (Last week #1; 2 weeks total)
2) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) ( 52/ABCD) (#2)
3) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45- Disco Mix) 49/ ABCD) (#4)
4) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal World
(Polydor 45; now avail. in the U.S.) (35/ABC) (#6)
5) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (33/ABC) (#3)
6) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (24/ABCD) (#5)
7) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (22/AD) (#9)
8. I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (17/BC) (#28.)
9) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE/ FRAME OF MIND - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (16/AD) (#10)
10) SAVE ME/ SAVE ME, AGAIN - Silver Convention
(Midland Intl. 45) (15/ABC) (#7)

11) HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (15/AD) (#8.)
12) * I'LL DO ANYTYHING - Barry White
(20th Century LP only) (14/D) (NEW)
13) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock LP only) (13/AC) (#19)
14) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (12/AD) (#11)
15) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (12/D) (#32)
16) * I WANNA DANCE WIT CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (11/B) (NEW)
17) (R) BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas
(20th Century LP) (8/D) (RETURN)
18. * WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (8/C) (NEW)
19) DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Liquid Smoke
(Roulette 45) (7/CD) (#24)
20) AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia LP only) (7/D) (#17)

21) * ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? - The Brothers
(RCA 45) ( 7/C )(NEW)
22) (R) FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS - Jimmy Jackson
(Buddah 45) (7/B) (RETURN)
23) * FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer
(Columbia 45) (5/B) (NEW)
24) (R) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia LP only) (5/C) (RETURN)
25) REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (5/A) (#26)
26) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP only) (4/D) (#13)
27) (R) MISTERI - The Jones Girls
(Curtom 45) (4/B) (RETURN)
28. REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP version) (4/A) (#20)
29) RUN AND HIDE - The Philadelphia Flyers
(Casablanca 45) (4/C) (#12)
30) MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Compnay
(Stang 45) (3/B) (#25)

31) * SUN GODDESS - Ramsey Lewis w/ Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia 45) (3/B) (NEW)
32) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ *STOP AND THINK - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP- not available yet) (3/A) (31/NEW)
33) BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA - Smokey Robinson
(TAmla 45) (2/B) (#18.)
34) HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie
(Polydor 45) (2/C) (#21)
35) LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont
(Mercury 45) (1/B) (#34)
36) PROTECT OUR LOVE/ PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge
(Atco LP only) (1/A) (#16)

#8, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, (1/2) 32, 33, 34, 35 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (6): #12, 16, 18, 21, 23, 31
(R) = Return/Re-entry (4): #17, 22, 24, 27

Dropped Off:
FREE AND EASY - Satyr (last week #14) * (will be back)
NEFERTITI - Wisdom (#15) *
HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (portion of the "medley") - Gloria Gaynor (#20)
IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow (#22)
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle *
EACH MORNING I WAKE UP - Major Harris Boogie Band (#28.)
PEACE AND LOVE - Brooklyn People (#29)
ONCE YOU GET STARTED - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan ((#30)
ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - Main Ingredient (#35) *
GET DOWN - Kay Gees (#33)
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company (#36)...Bye, Shirley


Stats & Random Notes:
36 total items; last week: 36 also
+ 6 debuts +4 returns/ -10 dropoffs
4 records on all 4 charts
3 records on 3 charts
7 records on 2 charts
22 records on 1 chart

______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight

(from the 1979 edition of The Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh...

Quick takes on several artists currently on the chart:

DISCO TEX & HIS SEX-O-LETTES

"Singer/hairdresser/hanger-on further debases self; but all in fun. A Johnny Carson favorite--as Monti Rock III in the sixties--this sounds like his revenge on Trude Heller." :o (who?) [NOTE: I did a Google search--Trude Heller's was a Manhattan disco in the late 1960s - early 1970s era] (KT = Ken Tucker; now the TV critic for Entertainment Weekly, I believe)

RANDY PIE

"Various Europeans (Frenchmen, Germans, Belgians) sing in English--the first Common Market jazz-rock band. Kitsch is less striking than the group's deleted, eponymous debut, but both display a witty, polished fusion synthesis". (AN = Alan Niester)

KOKOMO

"Average White Band by vegetative propogation. Kokomo is basically Joe Cocker's Grease Band (bassist Allan Spenner's seal imitations still steal the show), along with extra-muscular saxophones of King Crimson reedman Mel Collins and a trio of very black-sounding British singers. Any band with the wit to coin the chant "It ain't kool to be kool no mo' " has a lot more going for it than just good dance music." (BM = Bruce Malamut)

BARRABAS

"Poor man's Mandrill, busier and less focused." (DM = Dave Marsh)

VERNON BURCH

"On his deleted 1975 debut album ( I'll Be Your Sunshine, (United Artists), Vernon Burch astounded people with his vocal similarity to Stevie Wonder. Burch mastered Wonder's touch, phrasing and general mood on songs like "Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody." He also played lead guitar, which had been his main bread-and-butter gig with the reformed Bar-Kays, and his guitar work was as derivative (in the Stax/Volt psychedelic mode made popular by Isaac Hayes circa Hot Buttered Soul as his singing. The Columbia album When I Get Home moves him closer to a disco style and adds an Al Green touch to the Wonder influence. At some point Burch is liable to develop into a major talent if he can stop leaning so heavily on his influences". (J.S. = John Swenson)

BETTY WRIGHT

"An energetic, spunky performer, Betty Wright hasn't been able to transfer her considerable talents into sustained commercial success. Her early hits ("Clean Up Woman, " "The Babysitter") are gritty novelty records, but they're out of print and the albums are a mixed bag. Danger: High Voltage is the best; it's a cross section of exuberant, varied dance songs and poignant ballads, recorded during the peak of Miami soul. The subsequent albums show a distressing lack of direction and often bog down with hack productions." (J.MC = Joe McEwen)

______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
April 12, 1975

(New York) Phil Hurtt and Tony Bell (Thom's brother) have produced the new LP on AVCO by Anthony & The Imperials. The single from it is a cover version of the Persuaders' LP disco hit of last summer, "Hold On (Just A Little Bit Longer)." This version is not as strong as the original , but has a better chance as a single. There are four disco cuts, "My Baby's Back" (which is the strongest cut), "Young Girl, "Promise Me and "Hold On." The LP was made in Philadelphia at Sigma Sound Studios as well as by the Persuaders on ATCO and produced by the same team.

RCA is reissuing a new LP by The Main Ingredient, "Rolling Down A Mountainside" (which is also the title of their current single). The LP single version is 4:35. The strongest cut on the LP is "The Good Old Days" and it is their strongest record since "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend." The new Choice Four LP, also on RCA, has been held for release until May. The single "Hook It Up" (from the new LP) has been reserviced because of the intro. The new version is much stronger and has more commercial possibilities. RCA feels the LP will be a stronger record on a national basis after the new single has been exposed. This is the group's second LP for the label. They are known primarily in the New York and Baltimore/Washington areas.

Atlantic Records in London sent a number of disco DJs an English single "Scaredy Cat" by the Doyley Brothers on the Safari label. It has the feel and instrumental sound of "Crystal World" and some wild rock 'n' roll lyrics. It is more of a teenybopper record with the vocals and if they release it here, it could be a very strong record as an instrumental with the vocal on the other side.

"Free Man" by South Shore Commission on Wand is already getting some strong local disco action. Douglas Riddick, DJ of Opus One, N.Y., says he got a test pressing of the long version and when the record gets to the break, it takes everybody by surprise because they don't expect it and it takes them even higher.

WPIX-FM has been exposing a lot of new records on their Saturday and Sunday night Disco show. A large number of disco DJs are off on Saturday or Sunday night (alternating with their relief DJ) and listen to the show. They have been playing a tape of "Forget That Girl" by De-Liteful on Vigor (part 1 & 2). A number of DJs have been trying to get the record. Hector LeBaron of the Limelight disco, NY, says "It is one of the most popular records I have, and my audience loves it." The commercial copies will be available this week and will have the instrumental on the flip side.

"I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo (Doo Dat Dance)" by Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes on Chelsea is starting to take off here. Most of the clubs are playing the record and most DJs say the same thing about it. It sounds like "Get Dancin'" part 3.

"We're Not Getting Any Younger" by Kaleidoscope on TSOP is a good uptemp song with the Blue Magic/Philly Sound. It is showing up in store sales as well as at a number of discos. The record has been out a week.

[efunk_adelic]

Feels PEOPLE'S CHOICE coming up soon... :D


I didn't realize that BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA made any kind of chart action.... but it's one of my favorites from this time period...

[markydefad]

April 19, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart #1:
1) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John (2nd week)

Billboard Soul Chart #1:
1) L-O-V-E (LOVE) - Al Green (2nd week)

_______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= DISCO STOMP)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....



THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
4/19/75

1) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing & a Prayer 45/(Atlantic) (58 total points/Charts ABCD) (Last week:#1; 3rd week @#1)
2) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl 45) (40/ACD) (#2)
3) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (31/ABC) (#4)
4) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45- Disco Mix) (29/ACD) (#3)
5) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (27/ACD) (#5)
6) * THE HUSTLE/"DISCO KID" LP - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45/LP) (26/BD) (NEW)
7) ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers
(RCA 45) (22/BC) (#21)
8. (R) FREE AND EASY - Satyr
(RCA 45) (20/BC) (RETURN)
9) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock LP only) (19/AC) (#13)
10) HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (18/AD) (#11)

11) HIJACK Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (16/AD) (#7)
12) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (15/CD) (#15)
13) * DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar LP only) (15/D) (NEW)
14) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (14/AD) (#6)
15) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE/ FRAME OF MIND - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (13/AD) (#9)
16) FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer
(Columbia 45) (13/BD) (#23)
17) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (11/AD) (#14)
18. SUN GODDESS - Ramsey Lewis w/ Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia 45) (11/D) (#31)
19) I WANNA DANCE WIT CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (10/AB) (#16)
20) I'LL DO ANYTHING - Barry White
(20th Century LP only) (10/D) (#12)

21) (R) NEFERTITI - Wisdom
(Adelia 45) (10/C) (RETURN)
22) BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA - Smokey Robinson
(Tamla 45) (9/B) (#33)
23) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ STOP AND THINK - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (6/A) (#32)
24) WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (6/B) (#18.)
25) * ALL RIGHT NOW - Lea Roberts
(UA 45) (5/B) (NEW) (cover of 1970 Free pop hit)
26) * EVERYBODY HUSTLE - Funky People
(Roulette 45) (5/C) (NEW)
27) * TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (5/A) (NEW)
28. * BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (4/C) (NEW) (Big Band song later covered by Bette Midler)
29) I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three
(New Moon 45) (4/B) (#8.)
30) AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia LP only) (3/D) (#20)

31) * GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT - The O'Jays
(Phila. Intl. 45) (3/C) (NEW)
32) * HONEY BABY (BE MINE) - Innovisions
(Private Stock LP) (3/B) (NEW)
33) * FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (2/AC) (NEW)
34) DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Liquid Smoke
(Roulette 45) (2/C) (#19)
35) MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Company
(Stang 45) (2/B) (#30)
36) REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM LP only) (2/A) (#25)
37) * EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (1/B) (NEW)

#8, 12, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (10): #6, 13, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 37

(R) = Return/ re-entry (2): #8, 21

Dropped Off:

SAVE ME/ SAVE ME AGAIN - Silver Convention (last week #10- that was quick!!! )
BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas (#17)
FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS - Jimmy Jackson (#22)
I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo (24) *will be back
E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch (#26)
MISTERI - The Jones Girls (#27)
REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE - Gloria Gaynor (#28.) Bye, Glo.
RUN & HIDE - Philadelphia Flyers (#29)
HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie (#34) *
LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH - Donny Beaumont *#35)
PROTECT OUR LOVE/ PAIN RELIEVER - Sister Sledge (#36)

Stats & Random Notes:

37 total items; last week 36
+10 debuts + 2 returns/ -11 dropoffs
ONLY 1 record on all 4 charts ("Ease On..."); last week 4;
(Chart B dropped "Bad Luck" & "Helplessly"; Chart D hasn't picked up "Crystal World" yet)
3 records on 3 charts
13 records on 2 charts
19 records on 1 chart

Several landmark records debut on the chart this week: #6 "The Hustle" & #33 "Free Man". Both will be around for a longtime. One will certainly be a #1 hit. Also, funky drummer Hamilton Bohannon debuts his brand of funk for the feets; Lonnie Liston Smith debuts the jazz-fusion trend with the influential "Expansions"; Dionne Warwick(e) (remember she added that pesky last "e" cause her numerologist Miss Cleo told her to :lol: ) debuts her "Take It From Me" --a very nice Philly-sounding track produced by Jerry Ragovoy.
______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight

(reviews from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh & John Swenson)...

VAN McCOY

"Veteran soul producer cashed in early on the Seventies dance crazes with "Disco Kid" and "The Hustle," both pop as well as R&B hits. McCoy is probably better known as a producer, and these records show why--they're all boogie-able party tracks, but they're also completely interchangeable." (DM = Dave Marsh)

HAMILTON BOHANNON

"Former Motown drummer Bohannon was one of the first to perceive the tremendous possibilities of disco for percussionists. He did it to death, stomping out a whole series of big-foot beat, highlighted by the 1975 hit "Foot Stompin' Music," and an array of similar black Sandy Nelson titles-- "Disco Stomp," "Bohannon's Beat (Pts. 1 & 2)," etc. " (DM = Dave Marsh)

_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION - by Tom Moulton
April 19, 1975

(New York) Peter Frost has opened a Toronto retail operation, Disco Sound Of Canada, designed to cater primarily to the local disco market. According to Frost, it's the first store of its kind in Toronto and, as such, will stock almost 100 percent discotheque-oriented product.

He'll be looking to sell local spinners and discogoers, Canadian disco product and imports from the U.S. and Europe. The outlet will also carry disco oldie selections.

The new Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes LP (Chelsea) has all the sounds of a live show. The cuts blend into each other well, and the audience applause, hand clapping and auditorium sounds throughout the disk add a solid dimension to the feel of being at a disco. The strongest dance tune on the album (with the exception of "Get Dancin' " and "I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo") is "Boogie Flap." Bob Crewe, producer, gets the same feel as if you were at a Monti Rock (Disco-Tex) concert.

Another Crewe recent effort, "Swearin' To God" by Frankie Valli, has been receiving strong response here and, because of it, a number of disco DJs have been given a special 10-inch double-sided test pressing of the song by Crewe himself. He says that the initial response to the cut, off of Valli's "My Eyes Adored You" prompted his making the special single. The pressing is 10:32 in length.

Joe Palmenteiri, DJ at the Sound Machine here and Steven Santoro, DJ at The Players in New Jersey, are both getting stong reaction to "Peace And Love" by Ron Butler and the Ramblers (Playboy). Both spinners are already speculating that the disk has the potential of becoming a big disco number.

It seems that the current trend is that if you're successful with a record, why not try it again? At least that seems to be the case with the new Shirley and Company "Cry, Cry, Cry" tune. While the lyrics are different, it has the same melody as their "Shame, Shame, Shame" single.

Richie Pampinella, DJ at the Hippopatomus Club here, reports good reaction to Evie Sands "One Thing On My Mind," a cut from her "Estate of My Mind" LP (Haven). The song has sensual lyrics abnd a strong medium tempo rhythm

(Note: BOTH Linda Clifford and Phyllis Hyman covered this song. BOTH were good; None were hits of any note. )

The new Philly Devotions single will be out soon on the Columbia label. It's called "I Just Can't Make It" and will have a part 1 & 2. The record, a heavy followup to their "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" single, has a strong Philadelphia "sound" with an uptempo Spinners feel.

[markydefad]

Feels PEOPLE'S CHOICE coming up soon... :D


I didn't realize that BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA made any kind of chart action.... but it's one of my favorites from this time period...

e-funk,

Smokey's "Baby That's Backatcha" charts for a few weeks on the Downstairs Records chart only. Seems like a natural for the Melody Song shops chain (they like the radio tunes)...but I think that's it. It will be a #1 R&B/Soul hit, however.

oh and I'm gonna take a moment to nag shootyourshot, my partner in crime here, once again, in case ya missed it-- buried in the 3 posts I did this weekend......... :D :D :D

..... to shootyourshot...

since you've got the charts til June...

why not give me this stuff now and I won't have ta bug ya later...

April 26, 1975 chart:
what's the #15 song on Colony chart? (after "Free & Easy")

May 3, 1975 chart:
what's the #15 song on the Melody chart? (after "Take It From Me")
what's the #15 song on the Colony chart? (after "Flattery")

Then I can get back to work.

[DISCODISK]

MARKYDEFAD youve excelled yourself again, pleased to see 'you' havnt lost your 'spark'
you mention penguin at the big apple strangely sometimes called,that was the name it was originally called in 72 as was the instrumental of hold back the night originally released as 'scrub board' years before.
im surprised that the jimmy jackson footsteps in the shadows wasnt greeted with woos and ahhhhs as it entered the chart what a f****n record maybee it isnt so known there, i dug it out today and really enjoyed, as deep throated jimmy wails and screams all the way through as they said in the studio 'its a rap' im sure jim must have collapsed :o thats whats called givin your all! big strings funky guitar girly back ups and uptempo for those who dont know it search e.bay great to see the brothers are you ready for this in there too one of the best instrumentals ever made i remember u.k music mag black music [finally] reviewing this and it said 'throw in the trash can' but what did they know :roll: a couple of years ago this came back round and was the biggest floorfiller in the north west of england and changing hands for well over $100 [for a record that really isnt rare] and now settled at around $40 those strings would kill any grown man :D these two records define this period for me along with so much other stuff from all across the states i hate to say it but these charts appear to me to be pretty lame sometimes for what was around heck if 'i wanna dance wit choo' was ever played where i clubbed ian levine would have died in a hail of amphetamines

[shootyourshot]

April 5, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

7, 7, Labelle, Night Birds
19, 17, Average White Band, s/t
22, 22, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
24, 32, Al Green, Greatest Hits
43, 53, Stylistics, Best Of
51, 26, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
71, 71, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
79, 65, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
85, 73, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
94, 82, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
102, New, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
125, 125, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
142, 143, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
145, 109, Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting & Other Love Songs
156, 167, Major Harris, My Way
178, 179, Love Unlimited, In Heat
177, 180, Carol Douglas, The Carol Douglas Album

Hot 100:

2, 3, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
4, 4, B.T. Express, Express
7, 1, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
11, 13, Rufus, Once You Get Started
14, 27, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
16, 20, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
19, 24, Al Green, L-O-V-E
20, 22, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
22, 26, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
24, 12, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
25, 31, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
28, 34, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
34, 42, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
62, 81, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
64, 75, Gloria Gaynor, Reach Out
70, 80, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
76, Re-Entry, Herbie Mann, Hijack
78, 88, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
90, 85, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
96, New, Betty Wright, Where Is The Love

April 12, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

15, 7, Labelle, Night Birds
19, 24, Al Green, Greatest Hits
31, 19, Average White Band, s/t
35, 22, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
41, 43, Stylistics, Best Of
65, New, Barry White, Just Another Way To Say I Love You
68, 71, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
69, 51, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
71, 85, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
91, 102, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
98, 79, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
111, 125, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
118, 156, Major Harris, My Way
131, 94, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
161, 142, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
180, 177, Carol Douglas, The Carol Douglas Album

Hot 100:

1, 2, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
4, 4, B.T. Express, Express
7, 7, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
9, 14, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
10, 11, Rufus, Once You Get Started
12, 16, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
14, 19, Al Green, L-O-V-E
15, 20, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
22, 22, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
24, 28, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
25, 25, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
32, 34, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
35, 24, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
51, 62, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
60, 64, Gloria Gaynor, Reach Out
65, 76, Herbie Mann, Hijack
67, 78, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
70, 70, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
75, 90, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
76, New, Average White Band, Cut The Cake
88, New, Carol Douglas, A Hurricane Is Coming Tonight
91, New, Tavares, Remember What I Told You To Forget / My Ship
100, New, Bazuka, Dynomite

4/26/75
#15 on Colony (after "Free & Easy")
Miseri - The Jones Girls - Curtom

5/3/75
#15 Melody (after "Take It From Me")
Glass House - The Temptations - Gordy LP cut
#15 Colony "after "Flattery")
Down Where It’s At - Peaches & Herb - B & S

[markydefad]

Thanks shootyourshot.

Anyone know what the title of the Curtom single by The Jones Girls really is? Is is "Miseri" or "Mystery" or "Misteri" or what? Billboard keeps spelling it weirdly...I asssumed they meant "Mystery" but now I wonder. AMG is no help; neither was Google. The early Curtom stuff from the Jones Girls seems rather rare.

Discodisk, any clue?

[DISCODISK]

IT WOULD BE MISTERI MARKY :P

[markydefad]

Thanks. DD. "Misteri", eh? "my mister be a mystery to me" Is that the gist?

[markydefad]

OK, I just typed the entire chart for April 26, 1975...and pressed "submit" and it says "I wasn't logged in" so I lost the whole fucking thing!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Why are you allowed to type a post when you are not logged in? And why don't you get a prompt to that effect before you press "submit" and lose the entire post? Why can't you log in and retrieve your post? Why does it just erase? This hasn't happened for a long time. I'm bummed.

I gotta take a break. :evil: :evil: :evil:

(And, Bernie--I know what you're gonna tell me...BUT I have checked the "Log me in automatically" option repeatedly...but it doesn't seem to matter). :o

[markydefad]

April 26, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) (Hey Won't You Play) ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG - B.J. Thomas
2) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John
3) HE DON'T LOVE YOU (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando & Dawn
4) LOVIN' YOU - Minnie Riperton
5) SUPERNATURAL THING, pt. 1 - Ben E. King

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) SHAKEY GROUND - The Temptations
_______________________________________________
Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = THE HUSTLE)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= DISCO STOMP)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
April 26, 1975

1) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing & a Prayer 45) (55 total points. charts ABCD) (Last week: #1; 4th consecutive week)
2) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ STOP AND THINK - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (49/ABCD) (#23)
3) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass]
(Polydor 45) (38/ABCD) (#3)
4) ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers
(RCA 45) (37/ABCD) (#7)
5) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (34/ABCD) (#6)
6) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (34/ACD) (#2)
7) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (Doo Dat Dance) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) ( 28/ ABD) (#19)
8. HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45 - Disco Mix) (26/ABC) (#4)
9) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock LP only) (22/AC) (#9)
10) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45- Disco Mix) (19/ABC) (#33)

11) DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar 45) (15/D) (#13)
12) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (13/BC) (#28.)
13)WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (12/A) (#5)
14) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (11/AD) (#14)
15) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (9/AD) (#17)
16) TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (9/AD) (#27)
17) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman/Signature 45) (9/B) (#37)
18. EVERYBODY HUSTLE - Funky People
(Roulette 45) (8/BC) (#26)
19) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (8/D) (#15)
20) FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer
(Columbia 45) (8/B) (#16)

21) {tie} HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (8/A) (#10)
21) {tie} HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (8/A) (#11)
23) SUN GODDESS - Ramsey Lewis w/ Earth, Wind & Fire (Produced by Maurice White)
(Columbia 45) (7/D) (#18.)
24) * FORGET THAT GIRL - De-lite-ful
(Vigor 45) (4/B) (NEW)
25) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (4/C) (#12)
26) (R) HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie
(Polydor 45) (3/C) (RETURN)
27) (R) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (3/D) (RETURN)
28. DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Liquid Smoke
(Roulette 45) (2/B) (#34)
29) FREE AND EASY - Satyr
(RCA 45) (2/C) (#8.)
30) * GET DOWN TONIGHT - K.C. & the Sunshine Band
(TK 45) (1/B) (NEW)

31) * MISTER MAGIC - Grover Washington, Jr.
(Kudu 45) (1/D) (NEW)
32) (R) MISTERI - The Jones Girls
(Curtom 45) (1/C) (RETURN)
______________________________________________

Half #2 ("TDT"), 12, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31 & 32 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2993) book.

* = Debut (3): #24, 30, 31

(R) = Return/Re-entry (3): #26, 27, 32

Dropped Off:
"The Disco Kid" LP - Van McCoy (half #6 last week)
FRAME OF MIND - Venon Burch (half #15)
I'LL DO ANYTHING - Barry White (#20)
NEFERTITI - Wisdom (#21)
BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA - Smokey Robinson ( #22)
WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope (#24) * will be back
ALL RIGHT NOW - Lea Roberts (#25)
I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME - Chapter Three (#29)
AFRICANO - Earth, Wind & Fire (#30)
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT - The O'Jays (#31)
HONEY BABY (Be Mine) - Innovisions (#32)
MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Company (#35) *
REAL GOOD PEOPLE - Gloria Gaynor (#36) Bye Glo...See you in September.

Stats & Random Notes:

32 total items; 37 last week
+ 3 debuts + 3 Returns/Re-entries/ -11 dropoffs
5 records on all 4 charts: #1, 2, 3, 4,& 5. Now that's CONSENSUS!!! :D
4 records on 3 charts
6 records on 2 charts
17 records on only 1 chart

So what's interesting?

Well, the debut at #30 of "Get Down Tonight" by songwriter/ producer/ artist K.C. (Harry Casey) and his Sunshine Band is. Primarily for the fact that this "breakthrough" record for K.C. will be a HUGE record across the U.S., but will have little impact on the NYC charts. It will drop off next week and then reappear one more time. :o "Shotgun Shuffle" by the Sunshine Band will debut next week and get more chart action than "GDT"....and in the fall when "That's The Way (I Like It)" is released, the story will be similar. Any time charts from LA, SF, Boston or, obviously, Miami are printed, the K.C. records will be Top 10...BUT NOT IN NEW YORK!!! NYC is NOT diggin' the "Sunshine Sound", I guess. :o K.C. is the Rodney Dangerfield of Disco (he "gets no respect"). In NYC, at least.

The gestation period of a hit?

"Get Down Tonight" makes a tiny blip on the Disco chart this last week in April....in 4 months, (Aug. 23. 1975) it will be #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and one week later #1 on the Billboard Pop chart.
_______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight

(from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh & John Swenson)....

K.C. AND THE SUNSHINE BAND

"The Sunshine Band's early recordings, found on Do It Good, were ambitious and fresh. At one time, the group consisted of just two members, Rick Finch and H.W. Casey, who were given free rein in the TK studios to explore their eccentric funk vision. Do It Good is ragged, but the energy expounded borders on the maniacal. The best of it is "Queen Of Clubs," runaway Miami funk that blends Finch's machine-gun bass line, surging Junkanoo horns and George McCrae's falsetto banshee wail.

Pop success began with "Get Down Tonight," and since then Finch and Casey have whittled the music down to its lowest common denominator: a pile-driving, percussive groove and hook lines as simple as any in pop. The result: bubblegum funk." (J.MC = Joe McEwen)

(And what's so wrong with that, I ask???) :o

In counterpoint....from the liner notes to KC & SB's "25th Anniversary Collection" (to which I'm listening as I type)....

"Casey knew it, too, because he had it when they came up with "Get Down Tonight." As he's often recounted, he experienced a strange feeling of euphoria as they played back the track over and over. He realized, once again, that they'd caught lightning in a bottle. The song shared the pumping yet trancelike quality of "Rock Your Baby," while adding festive horns and female vocals. It was, quite simply, one of the happiest-sounding, most satisfying party records anyone had ever made."

(by Brian Chin, former Billboard Disco columnist and liner notes writer extraordinare). (I say, "Amen, Brother Chin!!!)
_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION - by Tom Moulton
April 26, 1975

New York) Radio station WPIX here has expanded its weekend disco program, "Disco 102," to a seven-day format. The show now airs Monday through Friday in the 9-12 PM slot, Saturdays in 7-12 PM slot and Sunday in the 8-11 PM slot. Neil McIntyre, music director, says that the move was prompted by strong audience response to the weekend broadcast.

Ron Robin, DJ at Boston radio station WBVF, is airing a show this week from Music Designers Studio, along with Larry Palmacci, on the mixing of discotheque records. The two will do a mix (not for release) on Leon Collin's "I Just Want To Say I Love You" in an attempt to show his listeners what goes into a disco disk. As most people aren't familiar with the technical art of recording, not to mention special disco mixes, Robin feels that the show can be as informative as it can be entertaining for his audience. The show is "Disco Notes."

Capitol Records is releasing "Life is What You Make It" by Tapestry next week. Skip Blackburn, who handles disco promotion for the label, is mailing out special test pressings to all club DJs on Capitol's service list. He says that the move is part of new label emphasis on creating disco product and directing it to clubs around the country. Tapestry is the same group that had "Big Stone Wall," a disco hit here in the spring of 1974. Their upcoming release (instrumental and vocal versions) is in the Philadelphia style, with the instrumental version primarily for the clubs.

Blue Magic (ATCO) has just recorded its theme song "The Magic Of The Blue" (not to be confused with their LP of the same name). It's the strongest thing it has done since "Welcome To The Club." The song is mostly instrumental and will be on a yet-to-be scheduled album. Its latest LP has several cuts geared for club play.

War's new single on UA Records, "Why Can't We Be Friends," is pure pop soul reggae. The group has always been strong in discos and just might prove to be the ones to give a healthy boost to the reggae sound in the clubs. It's a new approach for the group, but it works well.

The Philadelphia "sound" is becoming the dominant sound in discos here. Among the current "Philly" favorites here are such acts as Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, the Trammps, City Limits, South Shore Commission, the O'Jays and the Three Degrees. Another new group out of Philadelphia is T.U.M.E. (The Ultimate Musical Experience) on the MGM label. Its new single , "Love Shortage," is already getting airplay at several clubs. It's a good up-tempo number with a First Choice flavor to it.

[markydefad]

May 3, 1975

Observation:

Except for Elton's terrific tribute to the Philly soul of Gamble/Huff, that "disco feelin'" is noticeably gone this week. This week's chart has a more Branson, MO feel. :lol: That's a middle-American polyester leisure-suit and white shoes refuge for over-the-hill country and pop acts-- for you foreigners.

I can see the marquee now.

Headliners: ***Tony Orlando & Dawn***

Opening acts: *B.J. Thomas/Freddy Fender/ Sammy Johns*

I think I'd stay in my hotel room and watch porno. Wholesome Christian family-values porno, of course. :lol:

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) HE DON'T LOVE YOU (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando & Dawn
(originally a #7 pop hit for Jerry Butler in December, 1960; wriiten by Butler, Clarence Carter & Curtis Mayfield!!!)
2) (Hey Won't You Play Me) ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG - B.J. Thomas
3) BEFORE THE NEXT TEARDROP FALLS - Freddy Fender
4) PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM - Elton John
5) CHEVY VAN - Sammy Johns

Billboard Soul /R&B Chart #1:
1) WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White
(previously on Disco charts; peaked at #5, never crossing over to the Audience Response chart)
_______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= BAD LUCK)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = FREE MAN)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: FREE MAN)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
May 3, 1975

1) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing And A Prayer 45) (42 total points/Charts ACD) (Last week: #1; 5th consecutive week @#1)
(Note: this is the first #1 on this chart NOT on all 4 individual charts and the lowest total of points for a #1 so far; methinks it's time to "ease on down, ease on down the charts" .
2) FREE MAN - South Shore Commisssion
(Wand 45 - Disco Mix) (37/ABC) (#10)
3) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (35/ABCD) (#5)
4) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (33/ABCD) (#3)
5) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (33/ACD) (#6)
6) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (33/ABC) (#13)
7) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (25/AC) (#9)
8. TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ STOP AND THINK - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (24/AD) (#2)
9) ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers
(RCA 45) (22/ACD) (#4)
10) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45 - Disco Mix) (22/AB) #8.)

11) * FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar 45) (20/AD) (NEW/#11)
12) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (Doo Dat Dance) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
((Chelsea 45) (17/AD) (#7)
13) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (15/BC) (#12)
14) FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer
(Columbia 45) (12/BC) (#20)
15) * CASTLES - The Futures
(Buddah 45) (11/BC)
16) (R) WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (11/B) (RETURN)
17) TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (10/AD) (#16)
18. {tie} HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (9/A) (#21)
18. {tie} HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (9/A) (#21)
20) (R) ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - The Main Ingredient
(RCA 45) (9/D) (RETURN)

21) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (8/D) (#19)
22) SUN GODDESS - Ramsey Lewis w/ Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia 45) (7/B) (#23)
23) * LOVE SHORTAGE - T.U.M.E. (The Ultimate Musical Experience)
(MGM 45) (6/C) (NEW)
24) * PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & The Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (5/BC) (NEW)
25) * LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (5/C) (NEW)
26) * SHOTGUN SHUFFLE - The Sunshine Band
(T.K. 45) (5/B) (NEW)
27) * SURVIVAL - The O'Jays
(Phila. Intl. LP only) (5/D) (NEW)
28. EVERYBODY HUSTLE - Funky People
(Roulette 45) (4/B) (#18.)
29) MISTER MAGIC - Grover Washington, Jr.
(Kudu 45) (4/D) (#31)
30) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (3/D) (#27)

31) * IS IT TRUE - Barrett Strong
(Capitol 45) (3/B) (NEW)
32) (R) MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Company
(Stang 45) (2/B) (RETURN)
33) * DOWN WHERE IT'S AT - Peaches & Herb
(B & S 45) (1/C) (NEW)
34) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP only) (1/D) (#15)
35) LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits
(TSOP 45) (1/A) (14)

_______________________________________________

(half) #8 (TDT), 13, 14, 16, 20, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 & 33 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (9): (1/2) #11, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 33

(R) = Return/Re-entry (3): #16, 20, 32

Dropped off:
EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith (was #17) * will be back
FORGET THAT GIRL - De-lite-ful (#24)
WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH YOU - Barry White (#25)
HIGHWAY DRIVER - Randy Pie (#26)
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Liquid Smoke (#28.)
FREE AND EASY - Satyr (#29)
GET DOWN TONIGHT - KC & The Sunshine Band (#30) *
MISTERI - The Jones Girls (#32)


Stats & Random Notes:

35 total items; 32 last week
+ 9 debuts + 3 return/re-entries/ -8 dropoffs
2 records on all 4 charts: #3 & 4; NOT #1 or 2!!!!!
(chart B dropped "EODTR" and chart "D" hasn't yet picked up "FM")
5 records on 3 charts
10 records on 2 charts
18 records on only 1 chart

It's a transitional week; "EODTR" is fading in popularity in the charts from the retail stores; "FREE MAN" is picking up steam. Note that in the motherload chart A; "Bad Luck" is still #1; "Ease on" will replace it for the first time next week!!! (It's been #1 here for 5 weeks!!!) So this "Consensus" chart is sorta ahead of the curve, based on the sway of 3 retail outlets which chart the hottest things instantly and drop the hits like hot potatoes while they are still very big records in the discos. The record buyers bought their copy of "Bad Luck" months ago--but it remains the biggest hit in the clubs this week.

Next week a STRONG MUY MACHO #1. :D

In 2 weeks , the first LA chart is added into the mix. It ain't New York City, baby.
______________________________________________


Artist Spotlight

(from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson...

DIONNE WARWICK (#17 this week)

"Dionne Warwick was something of an anomaly in Sixties pop music. She was black, yet not an R&B singer, though she wasn't a straight pop interpreter like Nancy Wilson, either. Warwick walked a thin line between the genres, and the result, thanks to her long collaboration with producer/writers Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was an impressive stream of hit records. The string began in 1962 with "Don't Make Me Over," continuing with "Anyone Who Had A Heart," "Walk On By," "You'll Never Get to Heaven," "Mesage To Michael," "Trains and Boats and Planes," I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" and "Alfie," among many others, before it petered out in 1971 with "Make It Easy on Yourself." This is among the best romantic music ever made, and Warwick's best singles as collected on the various Springboard repackages (the originals were on Scepter) still make fine listening. But when she began recording for Warner Bros. in 1972, she lost her touch, except for "Then Came You," a single recorded with the Spinners in 1974, ( book says 1976!!!) :oops: she's never quite regained it, despite a succession of approaches and producers." (DM = Dave Marsh)

(I'd say that "Take It From Me" was one the exceptions. Very smooth Philly soul; and the followup LP "Track of the Cat" produced and written by the great Thom Bell is another exception...especially the title track and "Once You Hit The Road" which will make a small blip on these charts later in the year.)



FRANKIE VALLI (#7 this week)

(Note: this one's real mean. Up front, if you recall, I said they could sometimes be "hateful") :evil: :evil: :evil:

(In reference to the one Valli LP in print at the time...Frankie Valli Is The Word)....

"In plain English, the word means garbage. Despite his association with the Four Seasons, Valli's career is really notable because he's managed to extend the nasal whining of the Fabian/Frankie Avalon style well into the Seventies. Pure pop for poor fools." (DM = Dave Marsh)

Ouch. :evil: :evil: :evil:
______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION - by Tom Moulton
May 3, 1975

(New York) MFSB's "Universal Love" LP (Philadelphia International) is by far its best album to date. There are three strong disco cuts: "Sexy" (starts off with a very strong r&b rhythm and builds to the complete orchestration), "T.L.C." and "K-Jee" (the same song that the Niteliters had out two years ago, or very similar to it).

There is also another cut on the LP called "Let's Go Disco" which sounds nothing like MFSB and has some male vocals singing "Let's go disco." It's not a dance record (compared with the other cuts on the LP). On the whole, the LP is one fo the best soulful LPs to ever come out.

Scepter has obtained the rights in this country for the European smash "El Bimbo" by Bimbo Jet. Already, a number of clubs all over the country are picking up on this record (as an import), and from the response, it looks like it will do the same here as it did in France. It is being rush-released this week.

Private Stock is releasing Frankie Valli's disco smash "Swearin' To God" as a single this week. There had been reports that this LP cut would not be Valli's next single because of the different direction it marks for the artist and the length of the cut (10:09). But, because of its popularity in the clubs, this was the natural follow-up to his last hit.

RCA is releasing the debut record of New Orleans-based group Chocolate Milk. It has a very funky r&b sound on the slow side, but strong rhythm and lyrics make the record. Also, on the label is Charles Drain's "Is It Really Love" which is being rush-released. This is a record that was cut in St. Louis with a "Detroit Sound." Producer Kent Washington was able to capture the feel as well as the sound of Detroit. There will be a short and long version. There is a lot of talk around town about a record called "7654321 (Blow Your Whistle)." (Actually..."7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle)")... We finally tracked the record down, and it is by Gary Toms (NOT Tom's) Empire on the PIP label. It seems that there were some unlabeled test pressings going around and it created a lot of excitement. The record is definitely a disco record with a strong electric piano and sax along with strong female vocals. It has an exciting party feel to it, with whistles blowing to add to the excitement. The disk, with a disco version (5:00) and a short version (2:45), is being rush-released. There will also be a Gary Toms Empire LP shortly.

[markydefad]

Bernie, thanks for the tip about copying the post before submitting . I've been typing these for a while now and have had no trouble until now. I would have lost this last chart too had I not copied it first. I went to submit and it said I wasnt logged in....so this old problem which I haven't experienced for several years, is now back.

But I'm smarter now, eh?

Won't get fooled again...til the next time. :oops:

[Mixmachine]

24) * PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & The Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (5/BC) (NEW)

13) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (15/BC) (#12)

Ahhh, great cuts!

[shootyourshot]

Three weeks of charts in one sitting . . . too many numbers! :o

April 19, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

19, 19, Al Green, Greatest Hits
26, 15, Labelle, Night Birds
44, 65, Barry White, Just Another Way To Say I Love You
45, 31, Average White Band, s/t
47, 35, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
51, 41, Stylistics, Best Of
61, 71, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
64, 68, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
76, 118, Major Harris, My Way
80, 91, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
82, 69, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
101, 111, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
113, 98, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
134, 131, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
168, New, Herbie Mann, Discotheque
171, 161, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
192, New, Billy Paul, Got My Head On Straight

Hot 100:

1, 1, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
6, 12, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
8, 9, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
11, 7, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
12, 15, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
13, 14, Al Green, L-O-V-E
18, 10, Rufus, Once You Get Started
19, 4, B.T. Express, Express
20, 25, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
21, 24, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
27, 32, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
39, 51, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
41, 22, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
43, 35, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
45, 65, Herbie Mann, Hijack
56, 67, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
58, 76, Average White Band, Cut The Cake
64, 75, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
66, 70, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
78, 60, Gloria Gaynor, Reach Out
80, 91, Tavares, Remember What I Told You To Forget / My Ship
81, 88, Carol Douglas, A Hurricane Is Coming Tonight
84, New, Consumer Rapport, Ease On Down The Road
86, New, Disco Tex, I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
88, 100, Bazuka, Dynomite
95, New, Van McCoy, The Hustle
96, New, Stylistics, Thank You Baby

April 26, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

18, 19, Al Green, Greatest Hits
31, 44, Barry White, Just Another Way To Say I Love You
38, 26, Labelle, Night Birds
46, 45, Average White Band, s/t
49, 64, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
50, 61, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
55, 47, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
65, 51, Stylistics, Best Of
66, 76, Major Harris, My Way
68, 80, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
83, 82, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
89, 101, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
119, 113, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
133, 134, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
139, 168, Herbie Mann, Discotheque
167, New, Mandrill, Solid
181, 192, Billy Paul, Got My Head On Straight
187, 171, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough
190, New, Van McCoy, Disco Baby

Hot 100:

2, 1, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
5, 6, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
9, 8, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
10, 12, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
13, 13, Al Green, L-O-V-E
16, 20, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
17, 21, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
23, 11, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
25, 27, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
31, 39, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
34, 45, Herbie Mann, Hijack
36, 58, Average White Band, Cut The Cake
43, 56, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
45, 18, Rufus, Once You Get Started
48, 19, B.T. Express, Express
52, 64, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
60, 66, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
69, 80, Tavares, Remember What I Told You To Forget / My Ship
73, 84, Consumer Rapport, Ease On Down The Road
75, 43, Shirley & Company, Shame, Shame, Shame
76, 86, Disco Tex, I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
79, 41, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Satin Soul
82, 88, Bazuka, Dynomite
84, 95, Van McCoy, The Hustle
85, 96, Stylistics, Thank You Baby

May 3, 1975

Top LPs & Tape:

17, 18, Al Green, Greatest Hits
25, 31, Barry White, Just Another Way To Say I Love You
37, 49, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, To Be True
40, 50, Blackbyrds, Flying Start
50, 38, Labelle, Night Birds
54, 46, Average White Band, s/t
58, 68, Average White Band, Put It Where You Want It
60, 66, Major Harris, My Way
68, 55, B.T. Express, Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)
78, 139, Herbie Mann, Discotheque
79, 89, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Butt Of Course
81, 65, Stylistics, Best Of
109, 83, Al Green, Explores Your Mind
130, 133, Love Unlimited Orchestra, White Gold
134, New, Manhattan Transfer, s/t
141, 119, Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye
152, New, Ben E. King, Supernatural
156, 167, Mandrill, Solid
178, 190, Van McCoy, Disco Baby
180, New, Disco Tex & The Sex-o-lettes, s/t
193, 187, Barry White, Can’t Get Enough

Hot 100:

4, 2, Elton John, Philadelphia Freedom
8, 10, Blackbyrds, Walking In Rhythm
13, 17, Barry Manilow, It’s A Miracle
16, 16, Jimmy Castor, The Bertha Butt Boogie
18, 13, Al Green, L-O-V-E
21, 5, Ben E. King, Supernatural Thing
22, 9, Barry White, What Am I Gonna Do With You
23, 25, Eddie Kendricks, Shoeshine Boy
26, 34, Herbie Mann, Hijack
27, 31, Major Harris, Love Won’t Let Me Wait
32, 36, Average White Band, Cut The Cake
38, 43, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bad Luck
41, 23, Labelle, Lady Marmalade
48, 52, Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain, One Beautiful Day
56, 45, Rufus, Once You Get Started
57, 60, Bloodstone, My Little Lady
58, 76, Disco Tex, I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
59, 69, Tavares, Remember What I Told You To Forget / My Ship
63, 73, Consumer Rapport, Ease On Down The Road
73, 48, B.T. Express, Express
78, 82, Bazuka, Dynomite
80, 84, Van McCoy, The Hustle
85, 85, Stylistics, Thank You Baby

Marky, do you want me to email you the continuations of the Moulton columns or simply post them here?

[markydefad]

May 10, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart #1:
1) HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I LOVE YOU) - Tony Orlando & Dawn (2nd week @ #1)

Billboard R&B/Soul Chart #1:
1) GET DOWN, GET DOWN (GET ON THE FLOOR) - Joe Simon (Great dance record; NEVER mentioned on the Disco charts!!!) :o
______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = FREE MAN)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: FREE MAN)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= FREE MAN)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS
May 10, 1975

1) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (58 total points/ charts ABCD) (Last week: #2)
2) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing & A Prayer 45) (51/ABCD) (Last week: #1; 5 weeks)
3) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (39/ABCD) (#5)
4) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (38/ABCD) (#3)
5) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (29/ACD) (#7)
6) STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (27/ABD) (#8.)
7) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar LP only) (23/AD) (#11)
8. * EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (22/ACD) (NEW)
9) ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers
(RCA 45) (18/ABC) (#9)
10) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (18/CD) (#4)

11) PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (17/BC) (#24)
12) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45 - Disco Mix) (15/ABC) (#10)
13) TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (14/AD) (#17)
14) WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (13/B) (#16)
15) * A.I.E. (A MWANA) - Black Blood
(Mainstream 45) (12/D) (NEW)
16) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (12/B) (#13)
17) SHOTGUN SHUFFLE - The Sunshine Band
(TK 45) (11/B) (#26)
18. (R) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman/Signature 45) (8/C) (RETURN)
19) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (8/A) (#6)
20) IS IT TRUE - Barrett Strong
(Capitol 45) (6/BC) (#31)

21) * LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
(RCA LP version) (6/AB) (NEW)
22) * DISCO QUEEN - Peabo Bryson
(Shout 45) (6/C) (NEW)
23) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (5/AD) (#12)
24) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (5/A) (#18.)
25) HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (5/A) (#19)
26) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (5/C) (#25)
27) ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - The Main Ingredient
(RCA LP version) (5/D) (#20)
28. FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer
(Columbia 45) (3/B) (#14)
29) * 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (BLOW YOUR WHISTLE) - Gary Toms Empire
(P.I.P. 45) (2/C) (NEW)
30) (R) WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45) (2/D) (RETURN)

31) AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch
(UA LP only) (1/D) (#21)
32) * MAN WAS MADE TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin
(Green Menu 45) (1/B) (NEW)
_______________________________________________

(Half) #6: "T.D.T.", 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29 & 32 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (6): #8, 15, 21, 22, 29, 32

(R) = Return/Re-entry (2): #18, 30

Dropped Off:

CASTLES - The Futures (was #15) * will be back
SUN GODDESS - Ramsey Lewis w/ Earth, Wind & Fire (#22)
LOVE SHORTAGE - T.U. M. E. (#23) *
SURVIVAL - The O'Jays (#27)
EVERYBODY HUSTLE - Funky People (#28.)
MISTER MAGIC - Grover Washington, Jr. (#29)
I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo (#30) *
MORE SHAME - Seldon Powell & Company (#32)
DOWN WHERE IT'S AT - Peaches & Herb (#33)
GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations (#34) *
LOVE IS EVERYWHERE - City Limits (#35)


Stats & Random Notes:

32 total items; 35 last week
+ 6 debuts + 2 returns / - 11 dropoffs
4 records on all 4 charts (#1, 2, 3, 4) CONSENSUS!!!
5 records on 3 charts
6 records on 2 charts
17 records on only 1 chart

Strong new #1: "Free Man"(58 total points out of a possible 60 points); It's #1 on all 3 sales charts and #3 on chart A.

Chart A finally moves "Ease On Down The Road" to #1 as it slips to #2 here after reigning as #1 for 5 weeks. Chart A will chart "Free Man" as #1 on May 31, 1975. We be ahead o' things here.

More Eurodisco hits the chart as "Bimbo Jet" is released domestically on Scepter and debuts at #8; This has #1 potential along with one other record that is currently bouncng up and down in the top 5 but will emerge as a "surprise" (to me, at least) chart topper in a few weeks.
_______________________________________________

The Big Tease:

Next week, for the first time, a Los Angeles Top 15 Chart is introduced (from Bahama Mama's- a disco at the time, I guess). This will appear for 2 weeks; disappear for 2 weeks; then return as a permanent 5th chart addition. The name will be changed to "LA/San Diego Top Audience Response," however.

So, what's interesting?

Of the Top 15--NOT ONE of the LA Top 10 is currently on any NYC chart. A couple made brief appearances in past weeks--the rest never charted. So some new titles will appear--enough to give us a total of 45 items next week.

However, the addition of the LA chart doesn't shake things up too much; the top songs remain pretty much the same. As 1975 progresses, the LA chart will get the top NYC records faster. The record companies will make sure that the major U.S. dance markets have access to most things charting big in NYC. There won't be the 2 or 3 month lagtime we will see at first.
_______________________________________________


Artist Spotlight

(reviews from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson....

LONNIE LISTON SMITH (#18 this week)

"On his first LP, Astral Traveling, Smith made acoustic, chordally limited, rhythmically ostinatoed, texture-laden music. But by Smith's fourth record, he'd given his work a funkier background, through mild electrification and an approach that owed more to R&B than to Coltrane. Cosmic Funk and Expansions evince this transition's growing pains, but Smith's next three albums, culminating in Renaissance, bring it to fruition. Currently, the keyboardist has a unified, original approach to fusion. He writes tunes that rely on the whimsical beauty of certain minor-key chordal situations; beneath them chug vaguely danceable beats. There's something uniquely compelling about this juxtaposition, and it's enhanced by Smith's brother Donald, who sings stylishly yet poignantly in a cool, blissful near falsetto." (M.R. = Michael Rozek)

ROCKIN' HORSE (#21)

"Competent mid-Seventies hard rock." (D.M. = Dave Marsh)

THE MAIN INGREDIENT (#27)

"Black MOR, a little tougher and funkier than the Fifth Dimension, but not by much. The hits--particularly "Everybody Plays The Fool"--were about the best of it, but in general, this is a good example of how characterless black pop has become in the past decade". (DM = Dave Marsh) (Wonder what Dave would say about today's crap???) :roll:

GARY TOMS EMPIRE (#29)

"One of the hundreds of one-shot disco acts, the Empire had its moment with "Blow Your Whistle," a raucous Kool and the Gang derivative." (J.MC. = John McEwen)
_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton
May 10, 1975

(New York) "Free Man" by South Shore Commission on Wand is the top seller at all 3 retailers : Downstairs Records, Colony Records, and Melody Song Shops. Melody's owner, Mike Greenberg, says 1,000 copies were sold in a week's time.

The original version of "El Bimbo" by Bimbo Jet on Scepter is now available to disco deejays and stores. ...There are some dubs being played in the clubs of a longer version of "Ease On Down The Road" by Consumer Rapport which are not available to the public. Atlantic's new Disco Series is initially servicing deejays only. The 6:15 version has the complete 3:02 commercial cut--then it sounds like the record is stuck, with some instrumental music following. (Ah...remixing in it's infancy!!!) :lol:

All Platinum will soon be releasing Retta (says Petta) Young's "Sending Out An S.O.S." and the flip instrumental "More S.O.S.," already a popular record in England and soon to emulate that success here. The disk has a strong melody and lyric, and the flow just keeps building--a different sound for the label.

Joey Palmentieri, the Sound Machine's deejay, is getting very good reaction to Bobbi Martin's "Man Was Made To Love Woman" on the Green Menu label. The disk has the "Gloria Gaynor sound" because it was arranged by the same Harold Wheeler who also did her big hit, "Never Can Say Goodbye." Both Joey, and Tommy Savarese of Manhattan's new 12 West, are getting strong reaction to the LP version of "Love Do Me Right" by Rockin' Horse on RCA.

It looks like The Trammps will go to Atlantic Records, which may be their big break. Without a doubt, they are the biggest underground group in Philadelphia and are at the point in their career where they are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

[markydefad]

Hey shootyourshot,

Next week's Moulton chart is continued on another page. Either e-mail it to me and I'll type it...or I'll just say "to be continued"...and you can type it in your post.

Your call. I have the next few week's charts (thru 6/21/75) compiled, so I can post anytime you send me the info. If you're gonna e-mail why not send every continuation that applies to that time period. Or you can complete them in your posts.

Thanks for your help. :D

[efunk_adelic]

May 10, 1975


Billboard R&B/Soul Chart #1:
1) GET DOWN, GET DOWN (GET ON THE FLOOR) - Joe Simon (Great dance record; NEVER mentioned on the Disco charts!!!) :o
______________________________________________

I can't believe it either :-? I play this song frequently throughout the year.

[markydefad]

"Second verse, same as the first"....

Yes it looks the same as last week--BECAUSE IT IS!!! :P

May 17, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart #1:
1) HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I LOVE YOU) - Tonly Orlando & Dawn (3rd & final week @ #1)

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) GET DOWN, GET DOWN (GET ON THE FLOOR) - Joe Simon (2nd week @ #1)
_______________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = FREE MAN)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: FREE MAN)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= FREE MAN)

& for the first time....a new 5th chart...

E= Bahama Mama's Top 15 Titles (Los Angeles) (#1: DYNOMITE) ( I will type the whole Top 15 later in the Stats section to show ya the vast differences)

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
5/17/75

1) FREE MAN - South Shore Commisssion
(Wand 45) (58 total points /Charts ABCD) (Last week: #1; 2 weeks total)
2) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet/*G___? Dunn (Latin version)
(Scepter 45/ *Salsoul 45) (54/ABCD) (#8.)
*(this Latin version on Salsoul is only mentioned this one time on the "C" list--anyone know the first name of the artist?; I can't read it on my copy)
3) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
( Wing & A Prayer 45) (52/ABCD) (#2)
4) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (39/ABCD) (#5)
5) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (32/ABDE) (#4)
6) PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (25/ABC) (#11)
7) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (24/ABE) (#3)
8. STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (19/ADE) (#6)
9) 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (BLOW YOUR WHISTLE) - Gary Toms Empire
(p.i.p. 45) (17/BD) (#29)
10) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar 45/LP) (16/AD) (#7)

11) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass
(Polydor 45) (15/BCD) (#10)
12) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (15/BC) (#26)
13) * THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (15/BC) (NEW)
14) (R) DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (15/E only) (RETURN; charted for 2 weeks beginning 3/15/75)
15) * SPIRIT OF THE BOOGIE - Kool & the Gang
(De-Lite 45) (14/E only) (NEW)
16) * PERSON TO PERSON/ CUT THE CAKE - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45) (13/E only) (NEW)
17) * (YOU'VE GOT TO) KEEP ON BUMPIN' - The Kay Gee's
(Gang 45) (12/E only) (NEW)
18. EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (11/C) (#18.)
19) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (11/E only) (#23)
20) SHOTGUN SHUFFLE - The Sunshine Band
(T.K. 45) (11/B) (#17)

21) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (10/D) (#16)
22) * SHAKEY GROUND - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (10/ E only) (NEW)
23) LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
(RCA 45) (9/AC) (#21)
24) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45 - Disco Mix) (9/A) (#12)
25) * YOUNG AMERICANS - David Bowie
(RCA 45) (9/E only) (NEW)
26) (R) WORK TO DO - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45; b-side of "Pick Up the Pieces") (8/E only) (RETURN; #25; 11/16/74)
27) * STONE COLD LOVE AFAIR - The Real Thing
(20th Century 45) (7/BE) (NEW)
28. WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (7/AE) (#19)
29) IS IT TRUE - Barrett Strong
(Capitol 45) (7/C) (#20)
30) * JAM BAND - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea LP cut) (7/E only) (NEW)

31) * SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire
(Columbia 45) (6/ E only) (NEW)
32) (R) CASTLES - The Futures
(Buddah 45) (5/D) (RETURN)
33) * SUPERSHIP - George Benson
(CTI 45) (5/C) (NEW)
34) TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (5/A) (#13)
35) A.I.E/ (A'MWANA) - Black Blood
(Mainstream 45) (4/CD) (#15)
36) DISCO QUEEN (Instrumental) - Peabo Bryson
(Shout 45) (4/B) (#22)
37) * HEY BABY - Anthony White
(Phila. Intl. 45) (4/C) (NEW)
38. HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (4/A) (#24)
39) HIJACK -Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (4/A) (#25)
40) * HYPERTENSION - Calendar
(Pi Kappa 45) (4/D) (NEW)

41) WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (3/D) (#14)
42) * YOUR LOVE (GIVES ME FEVER) - Joe Anderson
(Buddah 45) (2/B) (NEW)
43) ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers
(RCA 45) (1/A) (#9!!!)
44) (R) LOVE SHORTAGE - T.U.M.E. (The Ultimate Musical Experience)
(MGM 45) (1/C) (RETURN)
45) ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - The Main Ingredient
(RCA 45) (1/D) (#27)
_______________________________________________

(1/2) #8, (T.D.T.), 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 44 & 45 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Billboard Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.

* = Debut (13): #13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30, 31, 33, 37, 40, 42

(R) = Return/ Re-entry (4): #14, 26, 32, 44

Dropped off:
FLATTERY - Jeree Palmer (was #28.)
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle (#30)* will be back
AND YOU CALL THAT LOVE - Vernon Burch (#31)
MAN WAS MADE TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin (#32)*


Stats & Random Notes:

45 total items; last week 32
+13 debuts + 4 returns/ - 4 dropoffs
0 records on all 5 charts
4 records on all 4 NYC charts + 1 record on 3 NYC charts + LA ("The Hustle"); LA LOOOOOOOVES "The Hustle"; it will be #1 there almost all summer!!!!!)
4 records on 3 charts
8 records on 2 charts
28 records on only 1 chart

Well the big news this week this week is obviously the first time the LA chart appears. It's back next week; then gone for two weeks , then returns permanently.

Whole lotta differences from the right coast to the left coast; LA's Top 10 totally comprised of records not on any NYC chart; In general, I'd say, at this point LA is in more of a FUNK GROOVE (Kool & the Gang, Kay Gee's, AWB, EW&F, Bazuka, coming soon: Ohio Players, Isley Brothers, Gary Toms Empire, KC & SB. Their taste is more towards the funky stuff played on radio; as the year progresses, LA gets more in sync with NYC; However, David Bowie will only chart in LA!!!

For the Record, LA charted:

1) DYNOMITE
2) SPIRIT OF THE BOOGIE
3) PERSON TO PERSON/ CUT THE CAKE
4) (YOU'VE GOT TO) KEEP ON BUMPIN'
5) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE)
6) SHAKEY GROUND
7) YOUNG AMERICANS
8. WORK TO DO
9) JAM BAND
10) SHINING STAR
11) BAD LUCK (just entering here)
12) STONE COLD LOVE AFFAIR
13) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME
14) THE HUSTLE (just entering here)
15) WHERE IS THE LOVE (just entering here)
______________________________________________



The Big Tease:

Next week, another LA chart...

EEK!!! What do I see? Could it be a dorky dude with a captain's hat and a toothy-grinned blonde with a Prince Valiant hairdo???? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
_______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight

(from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh with John Swenson...)

(Tony Camillo's) BAZUKA (#14 this week)

"Produced, composed and arranged by Tony Camillo, this sprightly disco one-shot features (predictably) the assembled cast of New York session all-stars. The 1975 hit was "Dynomite." (JS = John Swenson)
("Dy-no-miiiiite" was the catchphrase spoken by Jimmie "JJ" Walker" in the hit sitcom "Good Times")

KOOL & THE GANG (#15)

"As the first important funk and horn band of the Seventies, predating even James Brown's JB's, Kool and the Gang, derived from the soul revues of the Sixties. Most of the major soul acts of the time carried large bands that verged on being orchestra, in which the most prominent solo instrument was the saxophone. While the crowd piled in, the band would often warm up by playing whatever pop-jazz pieces were then fashionable.

Kool and the Gang, with their obvious affection for jazz, added a party atmosphere to such instrumentals that gave their songs a deranged flavor; the horns sputter a staccato riff, while in the background, band members whoop and holler in seemingly uncontrollable delight. After the first few successful instrumentals, Kool (bassist Robert Bell) and the Gang added loose vocal lines. On "Who's Gonna Take the Weight," there is a short spoken intro about world responsibility that leads into a driving track punctuated periodically by shouts of the title. "Funky Man" was an even more crazed vision--a good humored song whose principal character is a man whose clothes stink. :lol:

The group has made more than a dozen LPs, (it's 1979, remember), and what's left is hardly representative of nearly a decade's work..The zenith of the approach is Wild and Peaceful, in which burping vocals and good-time horn charts are anchored by a metronomic beat. Songs like "Hollywood Swingin' and "Funky Stuff" found an unexpected home with the white disco audience. Subsequent records have seen little variation from that formula; although spiritual concerns have seeped into the lyrics, the albums all revolve around the similar sounding instrumentals--with an incessant rhythmic approach and horn charts that haven't altered in years." (J.MC = John McEwen)

THE KAY GEE'S (#17)

"The Kay Gee's are proteges of Kool and the Gang. Not surprisingly, their records sound markedly like their mentors'. Keep on Bumpin' has the Gang's burping horn riffs, loony atmosphere and staccato horn riffs. Its successor, Find A Friend, is milder and reflects Kool and the Gang's preoccupation with the ethereal." (J.MC)

AVERAGE WHITE BAND (#16 & #26)

"At first, the Average White Band seemed little more than a gimmick with an ironic moniker. They played black music so convincingly that even blacks bought it. But the debut LP, Put It Where You Want It, also suggested considerable songwriting facility, and AWB's energy, especially the rhythmic drive of bassist Alan Gorrie and drummer Robbie McIntosh, was far more propulsive than what slavish imitators could hope to generate.

The Average White Band, you see, had a leg up on white American bands who wanted to play black--as Scots they were British colonials, so they understood cultural oppression. :D For AWB, black music spoke a language to be internalized, not aped.

The second album, AWB, proved to be the one classic the band had in them.. Nine of the ten tunes were memorably melodic and bristled with hooks. The singing of Alan Gorrie and Hamish Stuart, gracefully mixed to the fore by producer Arif Mardin, brimmed over with an authoritative enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, this glorious success was not to be repeated. Cut the Cake and Soul Searching, both given to disco and modal monotony, suggested that with Robbie McIntosh's accidental-overdose death in September, 1974, something in the group died as well". (PH=Peter Herbst)

THE REFLECTIONS (#13)

"The Reflections carry a rugged baritone lead singer whose raspy voice adds some needed rough edges to adequate production. The title song "Love On Delivery" and "Three Steps From True Love," based on the melody of the Detroit Emeralds' Do Me Right," are the highlights." (J.MC)

THE FUTURES (#32)

"This nondescript modern soul quintet would like to give Harold Melvin and the Blunotes a run for thier money, but it just doesn't have the chops." :o (DM= Dave Marsh)

_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

May 17, 1975

New York) Capitol has been coming out with some good disco products lately. The Reflections' "Three Steps From True Love," a strong uptempo pop/soul song that has the bass line of the disco classic, "Do Me Right," will put the label right in the running with other labels gearing product specifically for the discos. The record is arranged by Bert DeCoteaux of Sister Sledge and Ben E. King fame.

David Chrysostomas, DJ at Le Cocu here has been getting good reaction on the forthcoming Hubert Laws single "Chicago Theme" (CTI). The record is 5:37 and is in a pop/Latin vein.

The Brecker Bros. (Arista) have a good disco record out called, "Sneakin' Up Behind You"--very New York/Kool & The Gang sound. The single is 2:56 and their LP has a longer 4:50 version.

The LP leans more to the jazz side than the pop/soul sound. Cotton Records, distributed by Arista, will be releasing shortly "The New York City Bump" by Black Rock. There will be a short and a long version. A number of DJs have heard the record via the producer Sonny Casella. The comments about the disk are all the same. The sound effects (subways, street noise, car horns, etc.) add to the excitement of the song which has a sound like "Do It Til You're Satisfied" with "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" type vocals. The word of mouth among DJs is travelling fast. The long version will be one of the longest records ever put on a single.

20th Century has just released a strong disco record "Stone Cold Love Affair" by The Real Thing. It's a medium tempo, Philly sounding record with a very strong male group singing tight harmony. There are very few group records that feature a group sound so predominant in the mix. This one does and it works.

Buddah has signed the popular disco group The Sound Experience, and will be releasing a LP and a single. The single will probably be "He's Lookin Good and Movin' Fast", a good commercial pop record as well as disco. The group has had an LP out for some time on another label (Soulville) and DJs are just getting into the LP now.

This is another Philadelphia group that was ahead of its time and if you have their first (Continued on another page....)

****Now, thanks to shootyourshot :D :D :D :D ...the last paragraphs can be typed...*****

which is very difficult to get, play a cut called "YOU'VE BROKEN MY HEART," which a large number of clubs are starting to play.

The Kiki Dee Band has a new single, "HOW GLAD I AM," the Nancy Wilson hit of several yers ago, on Rocket. This single is more soulful than their last hit, and it could prove to be a big record in the discos for the group. A number of clubs have already started programming it. (I'd love to hear this!!!)

"CLAP YOUR HANDS" by the Manhattan Transfer on Atlantic will be coming out on the label's special disco series soon. Douglas Riddick, former DJ and now handling disco promotion for the label, says if there is enough demand for the series they will become commercially available to the public. Most of the product on the special disco series are LP cuts and/or longer disco-mix versions.

[rhessel]

Hi Marky and everybody:

Just trying to give a help. By '75 George Benson was using "BAD" in the middle of his name, so...

33) * SUPERSHIP - George "BAD" Benson

Cheers,

rhessel

[markydefad]

May 24, 1975

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire
2) BEFORE THE NEXT TEARDROP FALLS - Freddy Fender
3) JACKIE BLUE - Ozark Mountain Devils
4) ONLY YESTERDAY - The Carpenters
5) THANK GOD, I'M A COUNTRY BOY - John Denver

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA - Smokey Robinson
_____________________________________________

Disco Action

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos) (#1= EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC) (#1 = THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC) (#1: FREE MAN)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) (#1= FREE MAN)
E= Bahama Mama's Top 15 Titles (Los Angeles) (#1: BAD LUCK)

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
5/24/75

1) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
(Avco 45) (48 total points/ Charts ABCDE) (Last week: #5)
2) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
(Wand 45) (47/ACDE) (#1; 2 weeks)
3) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
(Wing and a Prayer 45) (44/ACDE) (#3)
4) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
(Phila. Intl. 45) (40/ABCE) (#7)
5) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
(Capitol 45) (31/ABC) (#13)
6) PEACE AND LOVE - Ron Butler & the Ramblers
(Playboy 45) (30/ABCD) (#6)
7) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
(Private Stock 45) (30/ACD) (#4)
8. EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet
(Scepter 45) (28/ACD) (#2)
9) HIJACK - Herbie Mann
(Atlantic 45) (21/ABE) (#38!!! it's a resurrection!!)
10) LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
(RCA 45) (17/ACE) (#23)

11) A.I.E. (A mwana) - Black Blood
(Mainstream 45) (16/BC) (#35)
12) SHOTGUN SHUFFLE -The Sunshine Band
(T.K. 45) (15/BC) (#20)
13) IS IT TRUE - Barrett Strong
(Capitol 45) (14/CD) (#29)
14) STOP AND THINK/ TRAMMPS DISCO THEME - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece LP only) (14/AE) (#8.)
15) SPIRIT OF THE BOOGIE - Kool & the Gang
(De-lite 45) (14/E) (#15)
16) HELPLESSLY - Moment of Truth
(Roulette 45 - Disco Mix) (13/AB) (#24)
17) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (DOO DAT DANCE) - Disco Tex & his Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (13/E) (#19)
18. * SNEAKIN' UP BEHIND YOU - The Brecker Brothers
(Arista 45) (13/B) (NEW)
19) (R) FIRE - The Ohio Players
(Mercury 45) (12/E) (RETURN)
20) BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA - Spaghetti Head
(Private Stock 45) (11/D) (#21)

21) CASTLES - The Futures
(Buddah 45) (10/B) (#32)
22) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - Tapestry
(Capitol 45) (10/C) (#12)
23) WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER - Kaleidoscope
(TSOP 45) (10/D) (#41)
24) (R) MAN WAS MADE TO LOVE WOMAN - Bobbi Martin
(Green Menu 45) (9/BC) (RETURN)
25) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
(Alston 45) (9/AE) (#28.)
26) 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (BLOW YOUR WHISTLE) - Gary Toms Empire
(p.i.p. 45) (9/D) (#9)
27) TAKE IT FROM ME - Dionne Warwick(e)
(Warner Bros. 45) (8/ACD) (#34)
28. DYNOMITE - Tony Camillo's Bazuka
(A&M 45) (7/E) (#14)
29) EXPANSIONS - Lonnie Liston Smith
(Flying Dutchman 45) (7/C) (#18.)
30) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon
(Dakar 45) (7/A) (#10)

31) HYPERTENSION - Calendar
(Pi Kappa 45) (7/D) (#40)
32) * LOVE LIGHTS - Chuck Jackson
(All Platinum 45) (7/B) (NEW)
33) CUT THE CAKE/ PERSON TO PERSON - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45) (6/E) (#16)
34) SUPERSHIP - George "BAD" Benson
(CTI 45) (6/B) (#33)
35) SHAKEY GROUND - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (5/E) (#22)
36) (R) GLASSHOUSE - The Temptations
(Gordy LP) (4/D) (RETURN)
37) HIJACK - Barrabas
(Atlantic LP only) (3/A) (#39)
38. (R) JUST A LITTLE BIT OF YOU - Michael Jackson
(Motown 45) (3/B) (RETURN)
39) * BABY GET IT ON - Ike & Tina Turner
(United Artists 45) (2/B) (NEW)
40) (R) I CAN UNDERSTAND IT - Kokomo
(Columbia 45) (2/D) (RETURN)

41)* LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - The Captain & Tennille :lol:
(A&M 45) (1/E ONLY) (NEW)
_______________________________________________

#11, 12, 13, (1/2) 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39 & 41 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's book.

* = Debut (4): #18, 32, 39, 41

(R) = Return/Re-entry (5): #19, 24, 36, 38, 40


Dropped Off:
CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass (#11 last week)* will be back
YOU'VE GOT TO KEEEP ON BUMPIN' - The Kay Gees (#17) *
YOUNG AMERICANS - David Bowie (#25)
WORK TO DO - Average White Band (#26)
STONE COLD LOVE AFFAIR - Real Thing (#27)*
JAM BAND - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes (#30)
SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire (#31)
DISCO QUEEN (Instrumental) - Peabo Bryson (#36)
HEY BABY - Anthony White (#37)
YOUR LOVE (GIVES ME FEVER) - Joe Anderson (#40)
ARE YOU READY FOR THIS - The Brothers (#43)
LOVE SHORTAGE - T.U.M.E. (#44)
ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE - The Main Ingredient (#45)

Stats & Random Notes:

41 total items; last week 45
+ 4 debuts + 5 returns / -13 dropoffs
1 record on all 5 charts: #1 "THE HUSTLE"!!!
4 records on 4 charts
6 records on 3 charts
7 records on 2 charts
23 records on only 1 chart

LA has INFLUENCE....

But blame it on "B" (Downstairs Records) for dropping the potent "Free Man" this week; it does return later.

"Free Man" misses a third week at #1 by just one point; "The Hustle", charted on all 5 charts ups it by one point: 48 to 47. And the one point is contributed by a #15 placing of "The Hustle" on the "B" chart; Otherwise, we woulda had a "tie". Lotsa "ties" in upcoming weeks. I don't like "ties". :evil: :roll:

The LA chart looked like this:

1) BAD LUCK (#11 last week)
2) SPIRIT OF THE BOOGIE (#2)
3) I WANNA DANCE WIT' CHOO (#5)
4) FIRE (New)
5) THE HUSTLE (#14)
6) LOVE DO ME RIGHT (New)
7) HIJACK (New)
8. WHERE IS THE LOVE (#15)
9) DYNOMITE (#1)
10) CUT THE CAKE/ PERSON TO PERSON (#3)
11) SHAKEY GROUND (#6) (says "Stampin Ground") :oops:
12) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME (#13)
13) FREE MAN (New)
14) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD (New)
15) LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER (New)

So LA, has just discovered "Bad Luck" & "Free Man" & "Ease On Down the Road" and "Where Is The Love" and "The Hustle," which will outlast all of 'em here.

______________________________________________

Next week, a new number one and NOT THE ONE YOU'D EXPECT!!!!
_______________________________________________

Artist Spotlight

(from the 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, edited by Dave Marsh & John Swenson....)

THE BRECKER BROTHERS (#18.)

"This is the perfect illustration of how sideman become leaders. The Breckers are the most ubiquitous New York session players: Randy is Miles Davis' only peer on electronic trumpet: Michael is recognized as being among the best of countless young tenor saxophonists. They formed their band with other New York sessioneers and proceeded to track a first album calculated to appeal to the disco market, giving themselves a commercial leg up when "Sneakin' Up Behind You" became a minor hit. Their formula took over as the group went on, and by Back to Back, the playing is pure funk process. They remained vital in live performances, as Heavy Metal Be-Bop indicates." (J.S. = John Swenson)

CHUCK JACKSON (#32)

"Chuck Jackson's early-Sixties hits, which included "Any Day Now" and "I Don't Want To Cry," combined an "uptown" production style (strings, heavy choral backups and nodescript band tracks) with his muscular baritone. Jackson is not the most flexible of vocalists; consequently the feel of those songs is too homogenous. But the quality of the lyrics and the intensity of the performance lend them vitality. "Needing You," a 1975 soul hit, was a welcome re-creation of the old style. The subsequent album (Patty) is anachronistic and often crude, but not without charm." (J.MC = John McEwen)

THE CAPTAIN AND TENNILLE (#41)

"One good hit, "Love Will Keep Us Together," written and performed better by Neil Sedaka; smiley, mechanical pop for the rest. The Captain (Daryl Dragon) has been a Beach Boys sideman; Toni Tennille looks like a toothpaste-commercial reject, and acts the part. As sanctimonious as they are banal." (K.T. = Ken Tucker) (OUCH!!! THAT STINGS!!!!) :lol:

_____________________________________________

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

May 24. 1975

New York) -- "Can't Give You Anything But My Love" by The Stylistics is one of the hottest new songs in Canada. It is on their "Thank You Baby" LP. The album is scheduled for release in the U.S. this week. The exciting thing about this record is it is a lot like their disco smash of last year, "Love Is The Answer."

Shirley and Company's "Shame, Shame, Shame" LP will be available in two weeks on Vibration. This should be a big disco LP. It contains the stereo version of "Shame, Shame, Shame", never commercially available, plus a new longer mix on the "Shame" instrumental. There is also an instrumental version of her current hit "Cry, Cry, Cry." There are two new cuts which are the most exciting: "I Gotta Get Next To You," which has a similar feel to "Girls" and a beautiful haunting melody in "Love Is" which is faster and has vocal background singers doing similar things like the Chordettes did on "Mr. Sandman." (I LOVE TOM!!!!) All Platinum will be releasing all it's singles in stereo from now on and we can thank All Platinum's Rowena Harris for that.

Joe Palminteri, DJ at New York's Sound Machine, has been getting good reaction to Fay Henser's ( does he mean Fay Hauser???) new single "You Bring The Sun In The Morning" (Satellite Music International). The record is in the Gloria Gaynor vein, though slightly slower. Joe will be doing some type of disco show on WBLS-FM soon.

"Sexy" is the new single by MFSB. It's from their "Universal Love' LP, which has been temporarily held back for release. "Sexy" is one of the strongest cuts on the LP, but not as strong as "T.L.C." and that could be one of the reasons the LP is being held up.

A number of DJ's are playing the English single by The Three Degrees "Take Good Care Of Yourself,' and it should be available here soon.

A number of disco DJs are starting to band together here to form an organization to solve the problem of getting records. The DJs feel that labels are getting annoyed with so many DJs coming up for records. Some companies require proof of being a DJ, and some DJs have it and some don't. It has now gotten to the point where the legitmate DJs have certain days to go to the companies and are asked to wait if the person they are supposed to see is in a meeting or out to lunch, etc. (continued on page 66...)

(now thanks to the library efforts of shootyourshot...I can complete this column....)

They are also getting remarks such as "I only have a couple of copies and I want to give it to the right DJ or the club where it will do the most good."

The DJs want to solve this problem before it gets to the point where they will not communicate with one another "because you get records that I don't." They had one meeting already, and another is planned at 99 Prince St., June 20, at 3:00 p.m. for DJs only.

What they expect to come out of this is: (1) Companies will be able to send a specific amount of records when everyone else does. (2) Each package of records will have a sel-addressed card with a place for comments about the product, such as: yes, I like it; I am or am not playing it; (a number of companies will not service a DJ unless he reports on a record in writing). (3) DJs will all get the product at the same time and not feel slighted. (4) A cutting down on the amount of records given out to people at the clubs who are not spinners.