Monday 19 January 2009

My Disco Top 150: (21-30)

21. Teddy Pendergrass The More I Get, The More I Want (1977 Philadelphia Int.)
The finale to ex-Bluenotes lead singer Teddy Pendergrass' debut solo album and for me the very best of the many classics written and produced by the trio of McFadden, Whitehead and Carstaphen. Burns along at a ferocious pace, driven by powerhouse Pendergrass' huge vocal range.

22. Double Exposure Everyman (Has To Carry His Own Weight) (1976 Salsoul)
Salsoul classic from Double Exposure focussing on a 'get yourself together' type message. Recently released in various mixes such is it's lasting popularity today. Originally released as an edited 7 inch and on the album Ten Percent. Written by Philly legends Allan Felder and Bunny Sigler and produced by Norman Harris.

23. Melba Moore Standing Right Here (1977 Buddah)
Mid-tempo uplifting classic by Melba Moore. Written and produced by the Philly team of McFadden, Whitehead and Carstaphen. Mixed by early Disco DJ mixer Richie Rivera.

24. Jackie Moore This Time Baby (1979 Columbia)
Soul singer Jackie Moore received all-star treatment on this Disco classic. Written by Bell & James (of "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" fame), arranged by Jack Faith and produced by Philly guitar legend Bobby Eli. Co-mixed by the great John Luongo with a percussive breakdown.

25. Candi Staton When You Wake Up Tomorrow (1979 Warner Bros.)
Best known for her International hit "Young Hearts, Run Free", Candi Staton teamed up with writer Patrick Adams and others for this classic. Mixed by Jimmy Simpson with a huge percussive breakdown.

26. The Players Association Goin' To The Disco (1977 Vanguard)
Chris Hills fully produced re-make of his track which featured on the rare album Madcliff earlier in the year. Uplifting Disco with soaring female vocals, dreamy sax, proto-House piano and large-scale orchestration.

27. Double Exposure My Love Is Free (1976 Salsoul)
Double Exposure can be considered the male counterpart to those Queens of Disco First Choice. This Salsoul classic was produced by the legendary B.H.Y. team (Baker-Harris-Young) and written by Philly stalwarts Allan Felder and Bunny Sigler. Mixed in epic format by Tom Moulton.

28. Four Below Zero My Baby's Got E.S.P. (1976 Roulette)
Early mid-tempo Disco produced by Patrick Adams. Paved the way for his many slower tempo'd Disco classics. Hi hats so wide you can swim in them!

29. Ava Cherry You Never Loved Me (1980 RSO)
Relentless, sometimes frantic Disco written by soul legend Curtis Mayfield. Two killer breakdowns, full-on production and one of the best bass-lines in the genre.

30. Jesse Gould Out Of Work (1977 P&P)
Hardcore Disco on the P&P label. Keeps up a relentless pace - produced and arranged by Billy Nichols.

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