DiscoMusic.com » Disco Records A-Z » R » Ritchie Family
Ritchie Family
Brazil (LP)
20th Century Records (US) / 1975 / T 498
LP-album 33 ⅓ rpm Vinyl record
Producer: Jacques Morali for Can't Stop Productions
Arranger: Ritchie Rome (Richie Rome)
General Supervision: Henri Belolo
Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA
Engineers: Joe Tarsia and Jay Mark
Assisted by: Mike Hutchinson, D. Devlin, Jeff. D. Stewart
Mastering: Frankford Wayne Recording Labs, Philadelphia, PA
Side A
1. Peanut Vendor (6:40)
2. Frenesi (8:00)
3. Brazil (4:58)
Side B
1. Dance With Me (3:35)
2. Life Is Fascination (3:05)
3. Lady Champagne (2:25)
4. Let's Pool (3:50)
5. Pinball (3:00)
Featured here is the 1975 debut album of the Ritchie Family titled "Brazil." It includes their first big Disco hit of the same name along with Peanut Vendor. This album was essentially a Philly production utilizing many Philly session musicians. Although not credited on the album cover it is said that the female vocalists where the one and only "Sweethearts of Sigma" - Carla Benson, Evette Benton and Barbara Ingram.
The Brazil album was released on 20th Century Records, but the Ritchie Family later moved to Marlin Records and then Casablanca Records. The female lineup also changed throughout their history.
The Ritchie Family were known for their lush orchestration, but I personally don't go crazy for much of their sound with the exception of "Quiet Village" off their "African Queens" album. I find most of it silly.
Hey Y'all
I know it ain't the same because you don't get the nice picture sleeves and all that, but... they just released all the Ritchie Family albums for download. Thought this might be of interest to those who want CD quality versions of the LPs. I'm happy having a merry old time burning away! (Submitted by DiscoMusic.com member Zef)
Individual tracks or the entire album is available for immediate download.
Submitted by DiscoMusic.com (3698)
This Record Needs Your Comment!
Leave a reply »
-
Jan 09, 2004 | 2:17 pmSide one of this LP is a wonderful, old-school disco medley, in a style similar to the Salsoul Orchestra. This alone makes the album worthwhile. I found side two rather lacking though. While the songs on the first side are all covers, the second side are quasi-originals by Jacques Morali. He hadn't yet honed his songwriting skills when he did this, and the songs are simplistic and rather silly. One of them blatantly rips the intro to Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale".
Related material to this LP includes:
- A 7" single featuring an edit of "Brazil" and an instrumental track called "Hot Trip". This latter is quite unlike the rest of the album, with a strong funk element and prominent flute.
- Two remixes (one short, one long) of "Dance With Me" (retitled "I Want To Dance With You"). This was put out as an early promo 12" on 20th Century, and is very rare. Much easier to find is the Canadian 7" on Able. These remixes doesn't do much to improve this rather awkward track.
12" promo 1975 20th Century TCD51-AS "I Want to Dance With You (Dance With Me)" 6:24 Same flip, white label. no logo. Gets better with time. The second 20th Century 12", predating all but a handful of 12"s.