Disco File Top 15 – January 31, 1976

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Enjoy the disco chart from 15 to 1 on the last day of January 1976, according to one of the leading American music magazines at the time, Record World! In those days disco was essentially still a short term for upbeat soul and funk.

The influence of discotheques grew strongly at the time. Almost half of the tracks on this disco chart were not released as a single yet, but dj’s already knew which songs from albums would become successful. Only one of them, Dance Your Troubles Away by Archie Bell & The Drells, would never see the light of day as a single, not even as a B-side.

The infamous Salsoul label was founded by ex-MFSB vibe player Vincent Montana, Jr. He also led The Salsoul Orchestra. Their Ooh I Love It has been sampled in hip hop tracks, such as 50 Cent's Candyshop and Eric B & Rakim's Paid In Full, but most notably in Madonna's Vogue. 

After playing in a band with Jimi Hendrix and a brief period as a schoolteacher, Hamilton Bohannon was recruited as drummer in Stevie Wonder's touring band in 1964. Three years later Bohannon started as the leader and arranger of Bohannon & The Motown Sound, who provided backing for many of the label's top acts on tour. When Motown Records moved to Los Angeles in 1972, Bohannon started a career of his own and became a cult disco legend. Especially his breaks on Let's Start To Dance are phenomenal. The track has been sampled and covered a dozen of times. In his hometown Newnan, Georgia, they named a street after him, the Hamilton Bohannon Drive.

Tracklist:

Brass Construction – Movin’
Penny McLean – Lady Bump
Bohannon – Bohannon’s Beat
Fatback Band – (Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop
Archie Bell & The Drells – Dance Your Troubles Away
Mighty Clouds Of Joy – Everything Is Love
Juggy Murray Jones – Inside America
Salsoul Orchestra – You’re Just The Right Size
Earth, Wind & Fire – Sing A Song
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby
Biddu Orchestra – Jump For Joy
O’Jays – I Love Music [A Tom Moulton Mix]
Archie Bell & The Drells – Let’s Groove
Softones – That Old Black Magic
Mighty Clouds Of Joy – Mighty High