"Erucu" from ""Mahogany"

[markydefad]

The versions of "Erucu" and "She's the Ideal Girl" from the Mahogany soundtrack enter the Billboard charts in my next column.

Now, I pulled the LP. They are both Jermaine Jackson compositions. I know Motown released a version of "Erucu" credited to Jermaine on it's "Natural Resources" LP. Is that the version that's on the Larrry Levan @ the Paradise Garage CD?

Is it a re-recording of the Mahogany cut...or simply extended with those kiddie voices added?

I'm wondering who to credit for the Mahogany LP version. Billboard originally lists the arranger/conductor Lee Holdrige...but should it actually be Jermaine Jackson? :-?

[Giovanni]

The "disco" version of Erucu is from the Motown instrumentals album on Natural Resources.
But since it's only 3 minutes long, several edits were released.
There is a famous bootleg edit (coded Tamla T1-0009D1) and this is probably the most sought after

[NickNack]

The "disco" version of Erucu is from the Motown instrumentals album on Natural Resources.
But since it's only 3 minutes long, several edits were released.
There is a famous bootleg edit (coded Tamla T1-0009D1) and this is probably the most sought after

Hi Giovanni,

I've never heard the Natural Resources lp. Is the version of Erucu the same as on the Mahogany lp which is also 3:30 minutes?

I also have a bootleg (strangely titled "Eruca") on Ballroom Records (BRH 0002). How old is the Tamla version? I think mine is a recent issue.

Sorry for straying a little, Marky. BTW -- I think I mentioned before those 'kiddie voices' on the Larry Levan mix are taken from Grand Funk Railroad's, "I CAN SEE HIM IN THE MORNING".

Just in case you don't have it (as if :lol: ), these are the credits from the Mahogany lp:

ERUCU - WRITTEN BY JERMAINE JACKSON & DON DANIELS; ARRANGED BY GIL ASKEY; PRODUCED BY JERMAINE JACKSON

[Giovanni]

Nicky,

I can't find the Mahoghany LP to check but I think the version is the same than that on the Motown instrumentals (Marky??).

The bootleg you have on Ballroom is from last year and is part of a series of disco edits on this label (great is the edit of 'Sing Sing' by Gaz). I don't have the Ballroom edit but I heard it once and decided not to buy it because it was very similar if not identical to the Tamla bootleg I have. I think the Tamla boot was pressed in Italy in the early 80s, but Danny K and/or Francois K are rumoured to be the original editors (even if they are nowdays credited for every disco edit around....). As a matter of fact this edit is old enough we can be sure it has been made without Cubase

[Jackson9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyUWMtJOTpM


what's the deal with this again, i love this, i know the label shown is from a bootleg..

Jackson 5, The / Jermaine Jackson - I Want You Back / Erucu (12") at Discogs

anyone have a scan of the official pressing? is there an original pressing?

[the disco kid]

There was never a legitimate 12" of "Erucu" BITD. Motown missed the boat on this one!

The original Mahogany LP had a short version of it @ 1:23
the repressed version of the LP had the longer 3:27 version included.

The version on the Natural Resources LP is the same as the version on the repressed Mahogany LP @ 3:27.

The Ballroom edit is different from the Italian bootleg 12" @ 3:27. Timing for the Ballroom bootleg is around 5:39, and it's pressed very loud, but not to the point of distortion like some other booties floating around.

[markydefad]

The "Erucu" bootleg version in that Youtube clip is 6:34!!! And it sounds GREAT!!! Is that still available? I don't think I ever saw it before--or if I did--the mislabled 3:27 timing would have made me put it back in the bin. Very cool!

[Jackson9]

what pressing is the 6:34 from them? i have to have it.

[the disco kid]

The "Erucu" bootleg version in that Youtube clip is 6:34!!! And it sounds GREAT!!! Is that still available? I don't think I ever saw it before--or if I did--the mislabled 3:27 timing would have made me put it back in the bin. Very cool!

Marky

I just listened to the youtube version, it's edited in a weird way to my ears, the Ballroom 12" is smoother, following the flow of the original , without the abrupt edits I'm hearing in the youtube post.

[remicks]

The versions of "Erucu" and "She's the Ideal Girl" from the Mahogany soundtrack enter the Billboard charts in my next column.

Now, I pulled the LP. They are both Jermaine Jackson compositions.

SHE'S THE IDEAL GIRL is less funky break disco with a more full "disco" sound with high flying strings,chugging guitars , horns and harps.

look at her
she's dancing dancing
spinning around
she's the ideal girl


Its' sound brings to mind for me MORE LOVE by Kim Carnes


TOO BAD that young Jermaine was by 1973 ...already married at the pre- club age (in California) of 19 ...thus denying himself the glory of single life during the disco years and the kind of boogie music it'd have surely inspired in him . By 1977 his long chain of children had begun . "DADDY'S HOME" :icon_razz:


Mahogany's LET'S GO BACK TO DAY ONE sounds like it could/should 've gotten some club play too .....sort of funky Gary Toms -ish .
LET'S GO BACK TO DAY ONE was written by Gloria Jones and Patrice Holloway.


_____________________________

I'll add this and beat Disco Funk to it .... ----

--- It also appears on Motown's Magic Disco Machine :

Control Tower
Window Shopping
Jumbo Sam
Let's Go Back To Day One
Control Tower (Reprise)
(I Could Never Make) A Better Man Than You
Scratchin'
Tryin' To Get Over
Love Pains
You Don't Know (How Hard It Is To Make It)

*****

[the disco kid]

Remmy

"Control Tower" "Let's Go Back To Day One" and "Scratchin'" were all played BITD, and there is an extremely rare Canadian 12" of "Scratchin'" that goes for big bucks on EBAY.

[remicks]

Remmy

"Control Tower" "Let's Go Back To Day One" and "Scratchin'" were all played BITD, and there is an extremely rare Canadian 12" of "Scratchin'" that goes for big bucks on EBAY.

Do you have a preferred version of "Let's Go Back To Day One" DK ?

The Magic Music Machine's arrangement is credited to James Carmichael (J5 - FOREVER CAME TODAY etc.)

The Mahogany LP version reads: arranger - Gil Askey (Linda Clifford - IF MY FRIENDS COULD SEE NOW etc.):


*****

[Disco Funk]

Sorry for the diversion of the thread. 'Let's Go Back To Day One' was covered by many-a-Motown artist. I don't know if any of them dented the charts. I think Eddie's was the first. Undisputed Truth also covered it. I don't know if there was a vocal version to the Magic Disco Machine version. That Disc-O-Tech LP seemed to contain mostly instrumental remixes of vocal tracks. Patrice Holloway was the co-writer with Gloria Jones, and was also the sister of Brenda Holloway. Patrice also co-wrote You've Made Me So Very Happy for Brenda, which was a hit for Blood Sweat & Tears and Lou Rawls.





Brenda's version of You've Made Me So Very Happy



Disco Funk

[the disco kid]

Do you have a preferred version of "Let's Go Back To Day One" DK ?

The Magic Music Machine's arrangement is credited to James Carmichael (J5 - FOREVER CAME TODAY etc.)

I'd have to say the Magic Disco machine version does it for me, a bit more oommmph, :icon_smile: in the production.

[boojidad]

The 3:27 version of 'Erucu' was included in the box set "The Funk Box" released by Hip-O a couple of years back. Lotsa tasty stuff in that set.

[tyree_kevin]

I`m curious who`s the drummer on "Erucu"?