Billboard - Google Books

Billboard - Google Books

Best OF 1976

BEST OF 1976

(The following Albums are available as AAC for exchange)

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 1

(Possibly the best record EVER!)

STEVIE WONDER

Song's In The Key of Life

Songs in the Key of Life is an album by American musician Stevie Wonder, released on Motown on September 28, 1976 (see 1976 in music). It was the last of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period",along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale. A highly ambitious and experimental double LP, Songs in the Key of Life became the best-selling and among the most critically acclaimed albums of his career.

Songs in the Key of Life was also the most successful Stevie Wonder project in terms of singles. The lead-off, the upbeat "I Wish" was released in November 1976, over a month after the album was released. On January 15, 1977 it reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart, where it spent five weeks at the top. Seven days after, it also reached the summit of the Billboard Hot 100, although it spent only one week at number one. The track became an international Top 10 single, and also reached number five in the UK. "I Wish" became one of Stevie Wonder's standards and remained one of his most sampled songs.

The follow-up, the jazzy "Sir Duke" surpassed the commercial success of "I Wish". It was released on March 1977 and also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (spending three weeks at the top starting on May 21) and the R&B Charts (for one week starting on May 28). It also reached number two in the UK. As sales for the album began to decline during the second half of 1977, the two other singles from Songs in the Key of Life failed to achieve the commercial success of "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". "Another Star" was released in August and reached only #32 on the Hot 100 (#18 on the R&B charts, and #29 in the UK) and "As" came out two months later, peaking at #36 on both the Pop and R&B Charts. Though not released as a single (because, even when Motown requested Wonder for releasing it, Stevie refused to), "Isn't She Lovely" received wide airplay and became one of Wonder's more popular songs.

notes taken form http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_in_the_Key_of_Life

Track listing

Side one
"Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) – 7:06
Eddie “Bongo” Brown—Collinga
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Have a Talk with God" (Calvin Hardaway, Wonder) – 2:42
All Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Village Ghetto Land" (Gary Byrd, Wonder) – 3:25
All Instruments Stevie Wonder
"Contusion" (Wonder) – 3:46
Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
Raymond Pounds—Drums
Nathan Watts—Bass
Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Michael Gray, Josie James, Shirley Brewer, Artece May—Vocals

"Sir Duke" (Wonder) – 3:52
Raymond Pounds—Drums
Nathan Watts—Bass
Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
Steve Madaio—Trumpet
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

Side two
"I Wish" (Wonder) – 4:12
Nathan Watts—Bass
Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
Steve Madaio—Trumpet
Raymond Pounds—Drums *Stevie Wonder states on the 1997 'Classic Albums' documentary about the making of SITKOL that he himself played drums on this track*
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) – 3:36
All Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) – 3:27
Raymond Maldonado, Bobbye Hall—Percussion
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Hare Krishna, West Angeles Church Choir—Background Vocals

"Summer Soft" (Wonder) – 4:14
Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
Ronnie Foster—Organ
Larry “Nastyee” Latimer—Percussion
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
"Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) – 6:16
Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Minnie Riperton, Mary Lee Whitney, Deniece Williams, Syreeta Wright—Background Vocals
Shirley Brewer—Reply
Linda Lawrence, Terri Hendricks, Sundray Tucker, Charity McCrary, Madelaine Jones—Reply's Background Vocals

Side three
"Isn't She Lovely" (Wonder) – 6:34
Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) – 6:30
Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
Susaye Green—Background vocals
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) – 8:27
Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Steve Madaio—Trumpet
George Bohanon—Trombone
Glen Ferris—Trombone

Side four
"Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) – 3:48
Charles Brewer, Shirley Brewer, Renee Hardaway, Nelson Hayes, Marietta Waters, Nathan Watts, John Fischbach, Amale Mathews, Josette Valentino—Background percussion
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"If It's Magic" (Wonder) – 3:12
Dorothy Ashby—Harp
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"As" (Wonder) – 7:08
Nathan Watts—Bass, Handclaps
Dean Parks—Guitar
Herbie Hancock—Keyboards, Handclaps
Greg Brown—Drums
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Mary Lee Whitney—Background Vocals
Dave Hanson, Yolanda Simon, Josette Valentino—Handclaps

"Another Star" (Wonder) – 8:08
Bobbi Humphrey—Flute
George Benson—Guitar & Background Vocals
Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
Steve Madaio—Trumpet
Nathan Alford, Jr.—Percussion
Carmello Hungria Garcia—Timbales
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Josie James—Background Vocals

A Something's Extra

Side one
"Saturn" (Michael Sembello, Wonder) – 4:54
Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

"Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) – 4:11
Nathan Watts—Bass
Jim Horn—Saxophone
Peter “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow—Steel Guitar
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

Side two
"All Day Sucker" (Wonder) – 5:06
Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
Mike Sembello—Rhythm Guitar
W. G. "Snuffy" Walden—Lead Guitar
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
Carolyn Denis—Background Vocals

"Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) – 3:55
Nathan Watts—Bass
All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder

The "A Something's Extra" 7" EP was included with the special-edition version of the original LP. These tracks are also on most CD versions of the album, either split between both discs or appended to the end of the second disc.

1976 (let's start all over again)

1976, US TOP 25 Audience Response 

(Please note: Entries highlighted are available on Album for exchange)

1. The Trammps : THAT'S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO

2. The O'Jays : I LOVE MUSIC

3. Diana Ross : LOVE HANGOVER

4. Andrea True Connection : MORE MORE MORE/PARTY LINE/FILL ME UP

5. Mighty Clouds : MIGHTY HIGH/ EVERYTHING IS LOVE

6. Bee Gees : YOU SHOULD BE DANCING

7. Double Exposure : TEN PERCENT

8. Vicky Sue Robinson : TURN THE BEAT AROUND

9. Tavares: HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL

10. Donna Summer : LOVE TRILOGY

11. Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band : CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/ SOUR AND SWEET/ I"LL PLAY THE FOOL

12. The Ritchie Family : BEST DISCO IN TOWN

13. Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drums Corps : BABY FACE

14. Penny Mc Lean : LADY BUMP

15. Ralph Carter : EXTRA EXTRA

16. Salsoul Orchestra : SALSOUL

17. Jesse Green :NICE AND SLOW

18. Donna Summer : LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY

19. Silver Convention : GET UP AND BOOGIE/NO NO JOE/ SAN FRANCISCO HUSTLE

20. Bob Crewe Generation : STREET TALK

21. Biddu Orchestra : JUMP FOR JOY/ I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT

22. DC Larue : CATHEDRALS/ DEEP DARK DELICIOUS  NIGHT

23. Undisputed Truth : YOU + ME = LOVE

24. The Supremes : IM GONNA LET MY HEART DO THE WALKING

25. Atlanta Disco Band : DO WHAT YOU FEEL/BUCKHEAD/ MY SOUL IS SATISFIED &

      Earth Wind and Fire : SING A SONG/GRATITUDE

RECAP BEST OF 1975

1. FEATURING CHAKA KAHN Rufus

2. THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD Earth Wind And Fire

3. WAKE UP EVERYBODY Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

4. YOUNG AMERICANS David Bowie

5. LOVE TO LOVE YO BABY Donna Summer

6. KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND K.C. & The Sunshine Band

7. LET'S DO IT AGAIN (OST) The Staple Singers

8. MOVIN Brass Construction

9. WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES Esther Phillips

10. GRATITUDE Earth Wind And Fire

11. HONEY Ohio Players

12. EXPERIENCE Gloria Gaynor

13. DISCO CONNECTION Isaac Hayes

14. FAMILY REUNION The O'Jays

15. INSIDES OUT Hamilton Bohannon

16. MYSTIC VOYAGE Roy Ayers

17. PLACES AND SPACES Donald Byrd

18. EXPANSIONS Lonnie Liston Smith

19. FOXY LADY Crown Heights Affair

20. MONDO DISCO El Coco

 

21. BRAZIL El Coco

22. BABY FACE Wing & A Prayer Fife And Drum Corps.

23. RAISING HELL Fatback Band

24. CITY LIFE The Blackbyrds

25. PHILADELHIA FREEDOM MFSB

26. DYNOMITE Tony Camillo's Bazuka

27. DON'T IT FEEL GOOD Ramsey Lewis

28. TO BE TRUE Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes

29. SAVE ME Silver Convention

USA TOP 50 DISCO TRACK 1975

(Highlighted are tracks available on albums for exchange listed in this blog)

1. BAD LUCK Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes

2. HIJACK Herbie Mann

3. FLY ROBIN FLY Silver Convention

4. FREE MAN South Shore Commission

5. WHERE IS THE LOVE Betty Wright

6. CASANOVA BROWN/DO IT YOURSELF/HOW HIGH TH MOON Gloria Gaynor

7. EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD Consumer Rapport

8. HONEY BEE/NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/REACH OUT Gloria Gaynor

9. I LOVE MUSIC The O'Jays

10. FOREVER CAME TODAY Jacksons 5

11. BRAZIL Ritchie Family

12. WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG AND IN LOVE Ralph Carter

13. PEACEPIPE BT Express

14. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME Shirley and Co

15. E-MAN BOOGIE Jimmy Castor Bunch

16. EL BIMBO Bimbo Jet

17. HELPLESSLY Moment of Truth

18. DREAMING A DREAM Crown Height Affair

19. BABY FACE Wing & A Prayer Fife

20. WHAT A DIFF'RENECE A DAY MAKES Esther Phillips

21. I'LL BE HOLDING ON Al Downing

22. CRYSTAL WORLD Crystal Grass

23. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE Tavares

24. LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY Donna Summer

25. EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART Crown Height Affair

26. THE HUSTLE Van McCoy

27. CARAVAN/WATUSI STRUT Deodato

28. DO IT ANYWAY YOU WANNA DO IT People's Choice

29. SWEARIN' TO GOD Frankie Valli

30. LADY BUMP Penny McLean

31. I JUST CANT SAY GOODBYE The Philly Devotion

32. THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE The Reflections

33. TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ STOP AND THINK Trammps

34. SALSOUL Salsoul Orchestra (LP)

35. FIRE/ YOU SET MY HEART ON FIRE Tina Charles

36. JUMP FOR JOY/ I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT Biddu Orchestra

37. EXPRESS BT Express

38. HOOKED FOR LIFE Trammps

39. GLASS HOUSE The Temptations

40. I AM SOMEBODY Jimmy James & The Vagabonds

41. BLUE EYED SOUL Carl Douglas

42. LADY MARMALADE Labelle

43. MIGHTY HIGH/EVERYTHING IS LOVE Mighty Clouds Of Joy

44. UNDECIDED LOVE The Chequers

45. SUMMER OF 42 Biddu Orchestra

46. MESSIN' WITH MY MIND Labelle

47. FOOT STOMPIN MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP Hamilton Bohannon

48. SEXY/TLC M.F.S.B.

49. SUNNY Yambu

50. OVETURE/LOVE MACHINE The MIracles

The Best of 1975 : Keep 'em coming

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 28

HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES

To Be True

tracklisting:

Where Are All My Friends

To Be True

Pretty Flower

Hope That We Can Be Together Soon

Nobody Could Take Your Place

Somewhere Down The Line

Bad Luck

It's All Because Of A Woman

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 29

SILVER CONVENTION

Save Me

tracklisting:

Save Me

I Like it

Fly, Robin Fly

Tiger Baby

Son Af A Gun

Always Another Girl

Chains Of Love

Heart Of Stone

Please Don't Change The Chords Of This Song

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 25

M.F.S.B.

Philadelphia Freedom

tracklisting:

Zach's Fanfare #2

Get Down With The Philly Sound

Philadelphia Freedom

South Philly

Ferry Avenue

Interlude 1

When Your Love Is Gone

Morning Tears

Brothers And Sisters

Smile Happy

The Zip

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 26

TONY CAMILLO'S BAZUKA

Bazuka

tracklisting:

TC's Inferno

Side Dish

Come To Me

Bazuka Limited

I'm Gonna Love Lovin' You

Love Explosion

Shark Bite

Walkin' Tall

Dynomite

Earthquake

TC's Inferno (reprise)

DISCO LOVE AFFAIR # 27

RAMSEY LEWIS

Don't it feel Good

tracklisting:

Don't It Feel Good

Juaacklyn

Spider Man

Something About You

That's The Way Of The World

Fish Bite

I Dig You

Can't Function