A Guy Called Gerald ~ Voodoo Ray, The Adventures Of Stevie V ~ Dirty Cash, and Lil’ Louis ~ French Kiss, played by Steve

We’re ending Steve’s selections this week with three early-ish House hits that still have their reputations intact. First up …

A Guy Called Gerald – Voodoo Ray Rham! Records UK/Warlock US 1988.

A Hacienda favourite, this made number 12 on the UK charts.

Next up, The Adventures Of Stevie V – Dirty Cash (Money Talks) 1989 .

Another piece of British House music, that was a huge hit making number 2 UK top 75, 1 US dance and 25 Billboard Hot 100.

Finally, Lil’ Louis– French Kiss 1989.

Another #1 on the US dance charts, this also made number 50 BiiBoard Hot 100 and number 2 on the UK top 75 singles chart. Interestingly, the lead vocals were added after the track had picked up a distribution deal and are credited to two different singers, Shawn Christopher and Pasquale.

Manhattan Transfer ~ Twilight Zone, Jocelyn Brown ~ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and Musique ~ In The Bush, picked by Paul

Manhattan Transfer ~ Twilight Zone ~ 1979

Twilight Zone made number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a UK number 25 in the Summer of 1980. It was taken from their Extensions album and was written by band member Alan Paul with Jay Graydon as a tribute to the 1960s’ TV Show.
In the UK the group made guest appearances on ‘The Two Ronnies’ Saturday evening TV show, and were very popular.

Extensions also featured a cover of Weather Report’s ~ Birdland, with lyrics by Jon Hendricks – maybe one for another show – which won them their first Grammy awards (Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental), and the award for Best Arrangement For Voices.

Jocelyn Brown ~ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ~ 1998

Jocelyn has released this classic song at least twice, originally recorded it 1984 on Dutch Rams Horn Records, and then the David Morales produced version we included in this weeks show. It was of course written by Ashford & Simpson and originally a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and then Diana Ross.

Here’s the Larry Levan mix …

Musique ~ In The Bush ~ 1978

Musique was a project by Patrick Adams consisting of five singers – Christine Wiltshire, Angela Howell, Gina Taylor Pickens, Mary Seymour Williams and one Jocelyn Brown. Their debut album was recorded originally as a “low budget” project at Bob Blank’s Blank Tape Studios (the tracking session was completed in four hours), the album contained only four tracks. Adams, known for his arranging is said to have written the horn section parts as the studio musicians sat waiting.

Due to, what was considered then to be, controversial lyrics of the song, many radio stations in the States banned it when it was released during 1978. Because of limited airplay it only scored number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 although it did top the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Over here it reached number 16.

You can still hear the whole of Show 58 and a few previous episodes via our Podomatic podcast service. You can stream shows in realtime or download them to listen at your leisure CLICK HERE

BCG ~ Street Talk, Silvetti ~ Spring Rain, and MFSB ~ TSOP, selected by Steve

BCG – Street Talk 1976 20th Century.

BCG stands for Bob Crewe Generation, Bob Crewe having previously found fame as producer of many of the Four Seasons giant hits of the mid sixties. Very much a record of its time, this sounds so lush and effortlessly rhythmic.

Silvetti – Spring Rain Salsoul 1976.

This must have been one of Salsoul’s first big dance records on 12” (albeit a licensed track) and to my mind was such a leftfielder. Bebu Silvetti was Argentinian, but made this whilst living in Spain. It was everywhere on Spanish radio at the time, one of those tracks you just couldn’t get away from. In his lifetime Silvetti composed over 600 tunes, over 200 commercials and numerous TV and film scores as well as working with many top rated artists.

MFSB – TSOP 1974

Philadelphia International. In many ways the record that signalled DISCO was here. Another track you just couldn’t get away from. It made a lowly #22 in the UK, but hit #1 both BB Hot 100 and R&B in the USA.

Here’s a treat for any jukebox lovers out there courtesy of 75capriceconvertible on YouTube