British HINRG in the States

[Energyguy]

I have always wondered how popular the British produced HINRG was in the States during the 1980`s ? - Did many clubs play British HINRG tracks (i.e. by the record shack/Nightmare/Passion labels)..... ?

[Eurodancemix]

Oh goodness, YES! If it wasn't direct import, then it had been licensed. In fact, when I think of Hi-NRG in the 80's, I mostly think of UK, Germany and Italy. There were some good US productions, too.

[Energyguy]

Oh goodness, YES! If it wasn't direct import, then it had been licensed. In fact, when I think of Hi-NRG in the 80's, I mostly think of UK, Germany and Italy. There were some good US productions, too.

I believe Ian levine was quite influential on the US HINRG scene - I recently bought som US HINRG recordings - KILLING ME SOFTLY by Linda Imperial on Megatone records and DONT LEAVE ME THIS WAY by Jeanie Tracy - excellent dance tracks 8)

[SandraDee]

Ian Levine also produced records in the disco era ('79) that were really big in the US like 'Miami Heatwave' by 7th Avenue, '24 Hours a Day' by Barbara Pennington & 'Never Let Go' by Eastbound Expressway. As you probably know he used these same acts again when he was making hi-energy in the mid 80s. I think he started to make gay disco in '79 as a result of the US largely turning its back on this type of music at that time (except for gay clubs of course!).

[Energyguy]

Ian Levine also produced records in the disco era ('79) that were really big in the US like 'Miami Heatwave' by 7th Avenue, '24 Hours a Day' by Barbara Pennington & 'Never Let Go' by Eastbound Expressway. As you probably know he used these same acts again when he was making hi-energy in the mid 80s. I think he started to make gay disco in '79 as a result of the US largely turning its back on this type of music at that time (except for gay clubs of course!).

Ian produced some lavish disco productions in the 1970`s.. I have been lucky enough to find the original 12" singles by 7th Avenue/Barbara Pennington & Eastbound Expressway - Still looking for the Evelyn Thomas recordings from that era...
Ian released quite a few in the 80s on the NIGHTMARE GOLD label but they are very difficult to track down....

[Anonymous]

Ian was visiting Miami reguarly throughout the 70's and also New York, this continued right through the 80's although now he does not fly at all, preferring to stay in London.These visits influenced musical policy at Blackpool Mecca , where by 1976 traditional Northern Soul was phased out in favour of New York Disco and a ceertain amount of Jazz Funk. By 79 Ian was at Heaven in London the rest is history, I speak to Ian almost daily , if anybody has any questions about that era, I will certainly forward them to him and post his responses here.

[Energyguy]

Ian was visiting Miami reguarly throughout the 70's and also New York, this continued right through the 80's although now he does not fly at all, preferring to stay in London.These visits influenced musical policy at Blackpool Mecca , where by 1976 traditional Northern Soul was phased out in favour of New York Disco and a ceertain amount of Jazz Funk. By 79 Ian was at Heaven in London the rest is history, I speak to Ian almost daily , if anybody has any questions about that era, I will certainly forward them to him and post his responses here.

Thankyou very much for this information. I am a big big fan of Ian`s and would love to know more about his influence on the disco/HINRG scene in the 1970`s/80`s - Did his recordings on the RECORD SHACK/NIGHTMARE labels top the US dance /HINRG charts ?? - I have been lucky enough to find most of these releases on 12" single but still missing a few - very difficult to track down nowadays... :cry:

[Anonymous]

Ian's direction as a producer/ DJ was totally influenced to his visits to gay clubs in miami and New York, his embracing of records like Double Exposures ten percent, and their ilk led to his musical direction changing from traditional 60's and 70's northern to out and out Disco, a change many in the NW of England ewere unhappy with at the time. I've spent literally hundreds of hours with Ian, talking music, and have been fortunate enough to go through his record colection on many occasions. He has many duplicates of all the Hi Nrg stuff, plus hours and hours of unreleased mixes unreleased stuff etc all on mastertape. A couple of years ago Ian finished a film called the HI NRG story , which I must say is excellent in parts. It was purchased for distribution by charley records,who subsequently declined to release it, I don't know if they ever will now. Ian's carer has been throgh some incredible highs and some incredible lows, who knows what we will see from him next. If you have specific questions about Nightmare releases post em up, I'll ask Ian what he remembers.

[Anonymous]

A lot of Ians productions topped the dance charts both in the US and UK, apart from the obvious stuff, I can't remember a whole lot now.Funny how time dulls the brain.

[Energyguy]

Ian's direction as a producer/ DJ was totally influenced to his visits to gay clubs in miami and New York, his embracing of records like Double Exposures ten percent, and their ilk led to his musical direction changing from traditional 60's and 70's northern to out and out Disco, a change many in the NW of England ewere unhappy with at the time. I've spent literally hundreds of hours with Ian, talking music, and have been fortunate enough to go through his record colection on many occasions. He has many duplicates of all the Hi Nrg stuff, plus hours and hours of unreleased mixes unreleased stuff etc all on mastertape. A couple of years ago Ian finished a film called the HI NRG story , which I must say is excellent in parts. It was purchased for distribution by charley records,who subsequently declined to release it, I don't know if they ever will now. Ian's carer has been throgh some incredible highs and some incredible lows, who knows what we will see from him next. If you have specific questions about Nightmare releases post em up, I'll ask Ian what he remembers.

Thankyou very much - we hear very little from Ian these days (sadly) his influence is greatly missed :-( -
I wish they would release the HINRG story - it would be very interesting to see - This is a genre that was very influential bit seems to be ignored nowadays...I am trying to get hold of his CROISETTE recording "WASTED NIGHTS" by CROISETTE - it is one of his productions I cannot find on 12" single and this is very annoying.please say hello to Ian for me when you next speak to him :-)

[Anonymous]

I've just e mailed Ian, asking about the Croisette record , I know he's been very busy recently working on the Steve Brookstein Album amongst other things, We're hoping the Hi Nrg sound comes around again so we can see him do more stuff in that vein.

[Energyguy]

I've just e mailed Ian, asking about the Croisette record , I know he's been very busy recently working on the Steve Brookstein Album amongst other things, We're hoping the Hi Nrg sound comes around again so we can see him do more stuff in that vein.

WOW !! Thankyou very much - that is very kind of you :-)
This week I have found some of his recordings on e-bay - more to add to my collection :-) I recently bought his Northern soul
Cds - they are fabulous - he is a great talent and the UK should be proud of him.

[SandraDee]

A couple of years ago Ian finished a film called the HI NRG story , which I must say is excellent in parts. It was purchased for distribution by charley records,who subsequently declined to release it, I don't know if they ever will now.

That's so annoying. I was really looking forward to seeing that film as I found his box set of videos on the Northern Soul scene totally engrossing, unmissable viewing even though I wasn't involved in that particular scene, whereas the hi-nrg era was more my era. What a pity! :cry:

[straight acting]

It's beyond me why Charley won't release it. They paid good money for the rights, maybe we should bombard their office with letters and e mails and insist they release it.

[Energyguy]

It's beyond me why Charley won't release it. They paid good money for the rights, maybe we should bombard their office with letters and e mails and insist they release it.

I agree - Lets start a petition !!!! :x

[SandraDee]

Good idea- what's their address?! :x

[Energyguy]

Good idea- what's their address?! :x

Yeah... They must have been keen to get hold of the rights in the first place... and pay good money. Sow hat is the problem ?? :evil:

[straight acting]

I think that Charley are waiting for interest in the genre to re emerge prior to release. If they wait much longer itbwill be virtually forgotten entirley. Lets face it about five people on this forum have shown interest and thats it.

[Energyguy]

I think that Charley are waiting for interest in the genre to re emerge prior to release. If they wait much longer itbwill be virtually forgotten entirley. Lets face it about five people on this forum have shown interest and thats it.

Sadly - I doubt very much that the genre will re-emerge, let alone in a big way... :-(

[DISCODISK]

now i thought charley had closed its doors :cry: done some checking tonight and the label has been reactivated so maybee its on the cards

[straight acting]

now i thought charley had closed its doors :cry: done some checking tonight and the label has been reactivated so maybee its on the cards

You are quite probably right about Charley. I tried to e mail them yesterday and the mail bounced back. I live in Miami these days and am totally out of touch with the UK music scene apart from speaking with Levine and a couple of other people on a social basis.

[Davicillo]

Its really strange about Charly because They picked up a lot of labels that were left in limbo when other labels hit the dust (Making Waves, PRT, etc). Strangely enough, Pickwick, yes, Pickwick have dished out a few good CDs of late including a series of 'PhillyGroove' comps.
I did buy a First Choice CD on Charly Groove but that was on a German Charly Compilation. Maybe try there.

[straight acting]

Its really strange about Charly because They picked up a lot of labels that were left in limbo when other labels hit the dust (Making Waves, PRT, etc). Strangely enough, Pickwick, yes, Pickwick have dished out a few good CDs of late including a series of 'PhillyGroove' comps.
I did buy a First Choice CD on Charly Groove but that was on a German Charly Compilation. Maybe try there.

I've just spoken at length to Ian Levine about the film. It transpires that a company called charley acquisitions licensed the film in 2003, and as such they now own the rights to release it and any release/ re release music tracks included in it. Basically they can do as they wish with it and the music therein. Ian has been paid for the film and as such has no say in wether it will be released or not. I think that Charley acquisitions will make a profit simply selling the rights to particular tracks for compilation Cd's and the like. Ultimatley it now looks like the Hi Nrg Story will never see a release. Sad I know, but that is the way of business. For me the saddest part is that it contains some great interviews with the likes of Norman Scott, Ian Levine, JP Illiescu and other legends of the Hi Nrg scene. I know that this is a minority interest but collectors/enthusiasts really should have the right to see this stuff. When I am next in the Uk I will have one final go at getting hold of the licensees and cutting a deal to get a release.I think it is very unlikely though.

[Energyguy]

Its really strange about Charly because They picked up a lot of labels that were left in limbo when other labels hit the dust (Making Waves, PRT, etc). Strangely enough, Pickwick, yes, Pickwick have dished out a few good CDs of late including a series of 'PhillyGroove' comps.
I did buy a First Choice CD on Charly Groove but that was on a German Charly Compilation. Maybe try there.

I've just spoken at length to Ian Levine about the film. It transpires that a company called charley acquisitions licensed the film in 2003, and as such they now own the rights to release it and any release/ re release music tracks included in it. Basically they can do as they wish with it and the music therein. Ian has been paid for the film and as such has no say in wether it will be released or not. I think that Charley acquisitions will make a profit simply selling the rights to particular tracks for compilation Cd's and the like. Ultimatley it now looks like the Hi Nrg Story will never see a release. Sad I know, but that is the way of business. For me the saddest part is that it contains some great interviews with the likes of Norman Scott, Ian Levine, JP Illiescu and other legends of the Hi Nrg scene. I know that this is a minority interest but collectors/enthusiasts really should have the right to see this stuff. When I am next in the Uk I will have one final go at getting hold of the licensees and cutting a deal to get a release.I think it is very unlikely though.

Thankyou for the update. It is very sad that it will most probably never see the "light of day" - thanks for your efforts though. Youa re quite right - why should us serious collectors miss out on such a gem..... :cry:

[Energyguy]

Its really strange about Charly because They picked up a lot of labels that were left in limbo when other labels hit the dust (Making Waves, PRT, etc). Strangely enough, Pickwick, yes, Pickwick have dished out a few good CDs of late including a series of 'PhillyGroove' comps.
I did buy a First Choice CD on Charly Groove but that was on a German Charly Compilation. Maybe try there.

I've just spoken at length to Ian Levine about the film. It transpires that a company called charley acquisitions licensed the film in 2003, and as such they now own the rights to release it and any release/ re release music tracks included in it. Basically they can do as they wish with it and the music therein. Ian has been paid for the film and as such has no say in wether it will be released or not. I think that Charley acquisitions will make a profit simply selling the rights to particular tracks for compilation Cd's and the like. Ultimatley it now looks like the Hi Nrg Story will never see a release. Sad I know, but that is the way of business. For me the saddest part is that it contains some great interviews with the likes of Norman Scott, Ian Levine, JP Illiescu and other legends of the Hi Nrg scene. I know that this is a minority interest but collectors/enthusiasts really should have the right to see this stuff. When I am next in the Uk I will have one final go at getting hold of the licensees and cutting a deal to get a release.I think it is very unlikely though.

Thankyou for the update. It is very sad that it will most probably never see the "light of day" - thanks for your efforts though. Youa re quite right - why should us serious collectors miss out on such a gem..... :cry: