Sunshine Radio: Seventies Summer Sounds
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When rock ‘n’ roll became history in the early sixties, new exciting music was breaking through on AM radio, fore fronted by The Beatles and the sound of Motown. Adventurous dj’s on offshore radio stations knew what was going on musically and so-called "pirate radio" was immensely popular. In the 1970s the musical landscape changed in many ways. Disco music that could be heard in clubs became leading, and for the first time radio was no longer dominant in discovering fresh sounds. The powerful “big bang” AM radio pop sound had died out by then and more sophisticated songs in better sound quality on the FM radio dial became the new standard.
Glam rock and early disco ruled the airwaves in 1974, but harmony pop song Beach Baby broke the trend. It reached the UK and Dutch Top 20 and became an even bigger hit in America, peaking at #4. This ultimate Beach Boys pastiche was released under the moniker The First Class, but it was actually veteran hitmaker and songwriter John Carter with the help from session singers Chas Mills and Tony Burrows. They had a couple of follow-up minor hit singles in America that failed to attract any attention elsewhere. When the 1970s came to a close, Carter decided to drop the name The First Class. All recordings by this studio band are now on the box set Beach Baby: The Complete Recordings, out on Grapefruit Records.
One of the most original acts of the mid-seventies was the band Sailor from Georg Kajanus. His concept of combining songs about sailors in the Jacques Brel tradition with an optimistic sing-along feel, made them unique in the pop genre. It resulted in a string of hits, like Traffic Jam, Girls Girls Girls and A Glass Of Champagne. The band slowly disappeared from view and eventually split by the end of the decade. However, they re-formed several times, most notably in 1991 when they had a hit with La Cumbia. Sailor is from their 1974 self-titled debut album.
The opening track is from the new 79.5 album:
“79.5 describe themselves as “the sound of New York City” – and they don’t exaggerate, especially when it comes to the sound of dark R’n’B and disco clubs in Brooklyn, where longing, ecstasy and breakdown are celebrated every night.” (Thomas Splett)
Tracklist:
79.5 Feat. LaDawn Black – 79.5 (2023)
Scott Walker – Use Me (1973)
Design – Jet Song (1971)
First Class – Beach Baby (1974)
Aretha Franklin – Until You Come Back To Me (1973)
Garth Fletcher – Peace Train (1979)
Betty Everett – God Only Knows (1975)
Gary Wright – Dream Weaver (1975)
Dusty Springfield – Save Me, Save Me (1978)
Linda Ronstadt – You’re No Good (1974)
Mama Cass – It's Getting Better (1973)
R. Dean Taylor – Love’s Your Name (1970)
Three Degrees – Who Is She (And What Is She To You) (1975)
Frankie Valli – Swearin’ To God (1975)
Ebonys – One Thing On My Mind (1976)
Creative Source – You Can't Hide Love (1973)
Elton John – Mama Can’t Buy You Love (1979)
America – Ventura Highway (1972)
Marilyn Scott – Let's Be Friends (1979)
Wendy Grace – More Than Hope (1981)
Randy Crawford – Endlessly (1979)
MFSB – TSOP (1974)
Sailor – Sailor (1974)
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