By popular request:

I get a lot of emails asking about my various radio shows from over the years. I have a few knocking around on DAT and will upload as I come across them. For now - enjoy my Disco Mix show for Nuphonic's London Xpress show in 2002.

Split into four easily digestible 3omin sections... tracklisting to come.

My Disco Top 150: (1-10)

1. Black Ivory Mainline (1979 Buddah)

For me, the ultimate Disco record. Great lyrics, big, lush arrangement with sweeping, majestic strings and punchy horns. Huge production with fat drums - the breakdown sounds enormous due to the power and punch of the drums - immaculately recorded by Tom Coyne. Written by Leroy Burgess and produced by the Black Ivory members - this track is indebted to the Philly classics but has a uniqueness that sets it apart. It never loses energy with each change in structure and the finale with its "nothing is the same... ever since you came my baby" chant against pounding drums is pure Disco heaven.

2. Double Exposure Ten Per Cent (1976 Salsoul)

A fitting track for the first ever non-promotional, commercially available 12 inch single. A Salsoul released Philadelphia-based B-H-Y (Baker-Harris-Young) classic with a ground-breaking, genre-changing mix from genius Walter Gibbons. Tape edits galore and a huge breakdown - Gibbons switches from vocal to instrumental sections, strips down the arrangement then builds it up and never loses the feel over its nine minute duration. Pioneering.

3. Chi-Lites My First Mistake (1977 Mercury)

A Disco classic with an unforgettable gear-shift into one of the most impassioned vocal performances to hit wax. Eugene Record sends shivers down the spine on the final two-thirds of this Phil Hurtt-Richie Rome penned monster. Originally released on the album "The Fantastic Chi-Lites", Mercury re-released it on 12 inch in the nineties due to its never-ending popular demand.

4. Sympho-State You Know What I Like (1979 Ze UK)

A baffling and rare track. Found on the B-side of the UK label Ze and never released at the time in the US, this epic Disco track is taken at break-neck pace and features not one, but two of the most terrific breakdowns in Disco history. Although uncredited, it's clearly the unmistakable voice of Leroy Burgess (credited as co-writer) behind Sympho-State... a true enigma of the Disco genre.

5. Motown Sounds Bad Mouthin' (1979 Motown UK)

Released only as a 12 inch in the UK, this awesome B-side is a relentless, instrumental piece of Disco that doesn't let up for it's six minute duration. Beautiful vibes punctuate the thick arrangement. Taken from the album "Space Dance", the entire project was the brain-child of Michael "Lovesmith".

6. First Choice Double Cross (1979 Gold Mind)

My ultimate First Choice track - written and produced by Norman Harris "Machine" and Ron "Love Committee" Tyson and powered along by the lead vocals of Rochelle Fleming. This classic is mixed by Bobby DJ Guttadaro.

7. The Brothers Under The Skin (1976 RCA)

Released on the B-Side of an early RCA 12 inch, this storming piece of instrumental Disco has a large production and heavy drums and bass. Written and arranged by occasional jazz producer Mitch Farber, Under The Skin has suitably solid horn solo's. Rare and highly sought-after on original vinyl.

8. Ashford & Simpson Bourgie Bourgie (1977 Warner Bros. UK)

Released as a 12 inch only in the UK, this instrumental classic - by one of Disco's most prolific song-writing partnerships - was later covered by Gladys Knight, John Davis & Monster Orchestra and others. Yet, it's this version with it's huge arrangement, large-scale production and dramatic shifts in tempo that hits the heights for me.

9. Jean Carn Was That All It Was (1979 Philadelphia Int.)

From spiritual-jazz to heavenly Disco - Jean Carn is undoubtedly one of the voices of Philly soul. This uplifting mid-tempo classic is co-produced by veteran Jerry Butler.

10. Diana Ross Love Hangover (1976 Motown)

With it's sensual half-time opening and sudden shift into a shuffling Disco groove, Diana Ross effortlessly pulls off one of Motown's seventies classics. "If there's a cure for this... I don't want it..."

My Disco Top 150: (11-20)

11. Loleatta Holloway Dreamin' (1976 Gold Mind)

Disco diva Loleatta Holloway is one of the most recognized vocalists in Disco history and this is her finest moment. Beautiful composition by Felder, Harris and Ron Tyson (of Love Committee), and an early B-H-Y production (Baker-Harris-Young).

12. Donna Summer I Feel Love (1977 Casablanca)

Donna Summer enjoyed huge chart success with various Disco hits, and alongside the infamous "Love To Love You Baby", it's this futuristic classic that has achieved legendary status. Co-produced by electronic Disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder - still goes down a storm in clubs today.

13. Al Hudson & The Soul Partners Spread Love (1978 ABC)

Al Hudson enjoyed success with both The Soul Partners and One Way in the Disco era - and the cream of the crop was this uplifting classic with a stunning arrangement with famed Motown arranger David Van De Pitte.

14. Sylvester Over and Over (1977 Fantasy)

Epic version of an Ashford & Simpson original, made his own by Disco superstar Sylvester.

15. The Salsoul Orchestra ft. Loleatta Holloway Run Away (1977 Salsoul)

Seminal Salsoul classic featuring the powerful vocals of Queen of Disco Loleatta Holloway. A slice of pure Philly arranged by Vincent Montana Jr.

16. Change The Glow Of Love (1980 Warner Bros.)

Mid-tempo, uplifting classic from the Petrus and Malavasi organization (B.B. & Q. Band, Cheri, etc). Featuring the sublime vocals of Luther Vandross and immaculately produced.

 

17. Ashford & Simpson It Seems To Hang On (1978 Warner Bros.)

Mid-tempo and serious Disco from the legendary song-writing partnership of Ashford & Simpson. Perfectly mixed by Jimmy Simpson.

18. Atmosfear Dancing In Outer Space (1979 MCA)

Unique, space-age Disco from the UK. Originally released on independent label Elite and soon licensed to MCA as it rocketed into the mainstream charts. 

19. Philly Devotions I Just Can't Say Goodbye (1975 Columbia)

Early Disco blueprint from Philadelphia. written, arranged and produced by John Davis who had much success with his Monster Orchestra on SAM Records later in the decade. Features an early mix by Tom Moulton.

20. Lenny Williams You Got Me Running (1978 ABC)

Former lead singer of Oakland funksters Tower Of Power, Lenny Williams scored with Disco cuts from his solo albums in the mid-seventies, including this epic, with it's super funky breakdown.

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.

My Disco Top 150: (31-40)

31. Ripple The Beat Goes On And On (1977 Salsoul)

Salsoul Disco classic from funksters Ripple. Mixed with epic breakdowns by Jim Burgess.

32. Chain Reaction Dance Freak (1980 Sound Of New York, USA)

A funky Disco thumper that never fails to get a party jumping. Huge breakdown with massive drums, growling bass and rhythm guitar.

33. Norman Connors Once I've Been There (1977 Buddah)

Fusion drummer Norman Connors' finest Disco production. Beautiful strings and falsetto vocals by "Prince" Phillip Mitchell, who also wrote the song.

34. Thelma Houston I'm Here Again (1977 Motown)

Produced and co-written by soulful song-writing team Mike and Brenda Sutton (of "Don't Let Go Of Me" fame), this stylish piece of Disco picks up from it's half-time opening into an uplifting epic.

35. Bionic Boogie Risky Changes (1977 Polydor)

The ultimate Gregg Diamond production - and a blueprint for House music with it's stomping four to the floor beat and gospel piano intro.

36. Zulema Change (1978 Lejoint)

Killer solo Disco release from Faith, Hope & Charity vocalist Zulema. Co-produced by Van McCoy of "The Hustle" fame.

37. The Choice Four Come Down To Earth (1977 RCA)

Disco epic from hugely successful producer Van McCoy. This track builds up to a lengthy breakdown which works a treat on the dancefloor. Mixed by David Todd who with Nick Martinelli went on to mix many classic boogie hits in the early eighties.

38. Gregg Diamond Danger (1979 TK Disco)

Gregg Diamond produced several Disco hits - of which this is one of the finest. Serious sections with frantic clavinet and menacing vocals alternate with lush, uplifting choruses.

39. Black Ivory Walking Downtown (1976 Buddah)

Epic, fast-paced Disco classic featuring the all-star team of Leroy Burgess, Russell Patterson and Stuart Bascombe. With it's relentless handclap driven break - a track that keeps picking up steam.

40. Silver, Platinum & Gold Just Friends (1976 Farr)

An early Disco track with a big sound. Released on the small independent Farr Records.

My Disco Top 150: (41-50)

41. First Choice Are You Ready For Me (1976 Warner Bros.)

Beautiful Philly Disco produced by Stan "The Man" Watson - available on a rare 3 track promo 12 inch.

42. The Originals Down To Love Town (1976 Motown)

Early Motown Disco classic. Superb vocals - the track really kicks off in the second half.

43. Don Downing Dream World (1974 Scepter)

Earliest of Disco mixes by Tom Moulton - includes one of the first examples of the "Disco break". 

44. Francine McGee Delirium (1978 RCA)

Jazzy, purist Disco with killer rhodes, stripped down arrangement and epic breakdowns.

45. Brown Sugar I'm Going Through Changes Now (1976 Capitol)

Early Philly Disco featuring Clydie King, arranged and produced by Vince Montana.

46. First Choice The Player (1974 Philly Groove)

An early Disco classic from the Allan Felder-Norman Harris partnership. Led by the powerhouse vocals of Rochelle Fleming, First Choice were the archetypal Disco outfit.

47. Linda Clifford Runaway Love (1978 Curtom)

The pick of Linda Clifford's Disco hits from the late seventies. An epic mix by Jim Burgess

48. Donna McGhee It Ain't No Big Thing (1978 Red Greg)

Highlight of a superb Disco album. Mid-tempo, with huge open hi-hats and lazy feel. Written, arranged and produced by Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams.

49. Moment Of Truth So Much For Love (1976 Salsoul)

Full on, large-scale Philly production. Mixed by the master - Tom Moulton.

50. Darcus It's Got To Be Love (1977 RCA)

One-off side project of Philly writing duo Phil Hurtt (of "Giving It Back" fame) and Richie Rome.