Let's Start The Dance....Question

**QUINNY** · January 20th, 2005, 05:51 PM

I supposedly have the 12" of this track on 2 CD compilations, supposedly being the operative word. In both cases the track included is actually Let's Start II Dance Again, the rap version that came out in '81/82 with Dr. Peri Johnson doing the honours. I love this track and to be honest it is the one which most people will know and love, 'cos it was this track which became an absolute anthem (in the UK at least). I'm being pedantic for once in my life. :lol:

So, my question is this.

Why has this track been mistakenly released at least twice (Ladyboy are you reading this?) and does anyone know of a compilation on which the actual track included is the correct 1978 version with the superb wailing of Caroline Crawford?

**Bernie** · January 20th, 2005, 05:58 PM

The original appears on this CD...
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/1054_0_3_0_C/
and
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/1099_0_3_0_C/

Just played them all including the CDs that have it listed incorrectly..

**QUINNY** · January 20th, 2005, 06:34 PM

Thanks Bernie. looks like Super Rare Disco will be the one.

**paul** · January 20th, 2005, 06:43 PM

Hey Bernie. On that Let's Start The Dance cd, is Sugar Pie Guy the original version with parts 1 & 2 combined or is it the later released version with some of the grit and funk lessened?

**Bernie** · January 20th, 2005, 07:02 PM

Originally Written by paul

Hey Bernie. On that Let's Start The Dance cd, is Sugar Pie Guy the original version with parts 1 & 2 combined or is it the later released version with some of the grit and funk lessened?

It's the gritty original! A super track.

**paul** · January 20th, 2005, 07:32 PM

Thanks. :)

**totoman** · January 21st, 2005, 08:10 AM

The original (although I assume it is the 7") is on the Studio 54 soundtrack. Don't ask me which volume because I bought it as a 2CD set.

toto

**darrens** · January 21st, 2005, 09:41 AM

I have this song (the 1978 version) on THREE different UK issued compilations, as follows:

Magnum Opus, Vol 1. - Length 7:32
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/1062_0_3_0_C/

Absolutely The Very Best Of Disco - Length 8:03
http://www.discomusic.com/cds-more/911_0_3_0_M56/

I also have it on a UK compilation called "Let's start the dance", which has a different cover and tracks to Bernie's one (with the exception of "Let's start the dance" and Parliament's "Flashlight"). The length this time is 7:35.

Magnum Opus should still be very easy to find, probably in your local HMV :P

Darren

**Bernie** · January 21st, 2005, 10:06 AM

Darren,
Unfortunately the version on Magnum Opus, which is a great CD, is not the original, but Let's Start the Dance II-a later rework with added rap-like vocals. That's what Quinny was talking about as it is mislabeled on the CD and misleads people into thinking it is the original.

The original 12" only clocked in at under 6 minutes...
http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/3698_0_2_0_C/
and the original LP...
http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/2507_0_2_0_C/

I just played the version on "Absolutely..." and it appears to be a later extension/remix of the original 6 minute version.

**darrens** · January 21st, 2005, 11:22 AM

Originally Written by Bernie

Darren,
Unfortunately the version on Magnum Opus, which is a great CD, is not the original, but Let's Start the Dance II-a later rework with added rap-like vocals. That's what Quinny was talking about as it is mislabeled on the CD and misleads people into thinking it is the original.

:oops: Misled me as well :oops:

I didn't remember any rap vocals in it, I'll have to have another listen. Although I must confess to not liking this track much, I usually skip it!

**QUINNY** · January 21st, 2005, 01:26 PM

It's obvious to me that there's potentially a whole generation out there that don't realise what has happened. Of course, for the seriously pedantic types (like me?) Let's Start the Dance was to all intents and purposes a part reworking of Keep On Dancing from '74

**Pizzazz** · January 22nd, 2005, 07:09 AM

Really ? Well, you do learn something new everday ! You can find 'Keep On Dancing' on the Deep Beats/Sequel UK Bohannon compilation 'Essential Dancefloor Artists Vol 4' released in 1994. I'm going to pull it out for a listen soon as i'm finished on here but before i do that thought you might like to know that the original 1978 version of 'Let's Start The Dance' can be found on

the 2003 cd reissue of parent album 'Summertime Groove', part of Universal's 'Original Funk LP' series which also includes vocalist Caroline Crawford's 1979 album 'Nice And Soulful'.

The original 12" version (at least it says 1978 !) can be found on the 1992 Mercury UK compilation 'Uncut Vol 2:Let's Start The Dance' which also has the extended versions of classic funk jams from Cameo, The Gap Band, Parliament, Charles Earland, Barkays and more. Highly recommended !

Hope this helps.

**QUINNY** · January 22nd, 2005, 12:14 PM

Originally Written by Pizzazz

The original 12" version (at least it says 1978 !) can be found on the 1992 Mercury UK compilation 'Uncut Vol 2:Let's Start The Dance' which also has the extended versions of classic funk jams from Cameo, The Gap Band, Parliament, Charles Earland, Barkays and more. Highly recommended !

Hope this helps.

Duh!!! Actually, this is one of the CDs I was referring to as being incorrect, as the version on my CD is definitely Let's Start II Dance Again.

Does anyone listen to the CDs before posting?

**QUINNY** · January 26th, 2005, 10:10 AM

Just discovered a more or less brand new, unplayed UK copy of the rap version. I have this version also on US Phase 2 and it's that copy which would have had a hell of a hammering BITD. Why I bought this UK release as well, I just don't know, especially as it appears to be virtually unplayed. Maybe I envisaged wearing out my first copy, or I thought it may be louder or have a better sound to it?

Anyhoos, the 8.03 version mentioned above, was on the 'B' side of the UK release of Let's Start II Dance Again, which to mildly confuse matters even more, was titled erroneously as Let's Start To Dance Again (certainly NOT Let's Start The Dance) and runs for 7.29 approx. The 8.03 version of Let's Start The Dance has no indication on the label that it's a remix or has been extended in any way from the original release.

**eddieo** · October 3rd, 2007, 10:09 AM

as much as I love LSTD, I can barely think of it without also remembering Me And The Gang, from the same LP (am I the only one?)
I used to add it into LSTD to great effect (affect?..pedants, please assist). For those unaware, it's the band's "introducing the members" cut, like you might hear at a concert. I for one loved it, especially "my name is Hamilton Bohannon, but you may call me.......Bo-HAN-non" and ".....ooohhhh my, my, my name is Car-o-line..."

I get chills just thinking about it. Instead of ending, it slams right into LSTD reprise.

**Disco Funk** · October 3rd, 2007, 07:38 PM

Originally Written by eddieo

as much as I love LSTD, I can barely think of it without also remembering Me And The Gang, from the same LP (am I the only one?)
I used to add it into LSTD to great effect (affect?..pedants, please assist). For those unaware, it's the band's "introducing the members" cut, like you might hear at a concert. I for one loved it, especially "my name is Hamilton Bohannon, but you may call me.......Bo-HAN-non" and ".....ooohhhh my, my, my name is Car-o-line..."

I get chills just thinking about it. Instead of ending, it slams right into LSTD reprise.

Besides those two tracks, the only post-Stop & Go-LP track I can listen to and think is highly underrated, is the track 'Git On Up' from '79 or '80. I forget which LP it was on. It has such a great feel to it, so un-Bohannon-like. The bass riff is really pumpin. Too bad it isn't even 4 minutes long!

Disco Funk

**Videoskooter** · October 4th, 2007, 03:02 PM

Originally Written by Disco Funk

the track 'Git On Up' from '79 or '80. I forget which LP it was on.

It's from the 1978 Mercury album "On My Way".

**eddieo** · October 5th, 2007, 08:03 AM

I'm only slightly embarassed to say I'm not familiar with either Stop & Go or On My Way, having just Googled to see if there were any singles I'm forgetting. I guess Summertime Groove is all I know of Bohannon, though I've always just accepted his regal pedigree had to have come from somewhere. Back to the gist of Quinny's thread here, ***********.com had this to say:

He started Phase II Records in 1980, he also switched to recording under the simpler banner of Bohannon. He scored another chart topper with a reworking of "Let's Start The Dance" in 1981. "Let's Start 2 Dance Again" featured Atlanta rapper Dr. Perri Johnson, with his 15 minutes of fame, rapping over the instrumental passages. A remix of the remix followed and then a 1983 attempt at reworking the reworked hit with "Let's Start The Dance 3." Needless to say at this point it had run it's course.

...so there are a couple more versions out there, evidently. The whole article is HERE)