Search - Various Artists :: Disco Mania 3

Rare 70's Hits

Ryan A. Rigg | 03/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like this CD because it offers some rare 70's nuggets. Most disco collections are filled with the usual suspects (Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Village People, Chic, etc.). This CD contains some tracks that I had not heard since the 70's and are not available on other compilations. Here is a track by track review:



1. "More Than a Woman" by Tavares. A #32 Billboard Hot 100 hit. This song should have been #1 on Billboard. My favorite song from the "Satruday Night Fever" soundtrack, and much better than The Bee Gees version.



2. "Looking for a Love" by Bobby Womack. A #10 Hot 100 hit in 1974. I don't really consider this a "disco" song, but I like it anyway. And that is one thing I like about this compilation. It contains songs that I was maybe to young to remember that were big hits and it provides a history lesson of hits of the 70's.



3. "Slow Dancin' Don't Turn me On" by the Addrisi Brothers. A #20 Hot 100 hit in 1977. Another song that I would not really consider disco. I did not remember this song until I heard it. Brought back memories of listening to the radio in my backyard in the summer of '77. A fun, forgotten gem.



4. "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman" by Joe Tex. A #12 Hot 100 hit in 1977. Yes, I do remember this song, who can forget it. Not exactly politically correct, but a fun slice of disco cheese.



5. "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls. A #2 Hot 100 hit in 1976 that gave Lou the breakthrough success that he truly deserved. One of my all-time favorite songs of the 70's.



6. "Every 1's a Winner" by Hot Chocolate. A #6 Hot 100 hit in 1979. A cool, disco-funk tune. As much fun to listen to today as it was 26 years ago.



7. "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle. A #1 Hot 100 hit in 1975. This may be sacreligious, but I prefer the "Moulin Rouge" remake.



8. "Emotion" by Samantha Sang. A #3 Hot 100 hit in 1978, this song heavily featured Barry Gibb on vocals and since the Bee Gees were so popular at the time, it helped make this song a hit. I love it, and I also love her follow up, "You Keep Me Dancing". I have not heard that song for over 25 years, and I am dying for someone to put it out on a compilation.



9. "Once You Get Started" by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. A #10 Hot 100 hit in 1975. A funky tune, although I like other Rufus/Chaka songs much better than this one.



10. "Right Back Where we Started From" by Maxine Nightingale. A #2 Hot 100 hit in 1976. A great, fun song.



All recordings are original recordings by original artists. Minus points in that there are absolutely no liner notes. As I said earlier, many of the songs here are not what I consider to be technically disco. But if you are adventuresome and want to experience some rare 70's hits, this is a great CD.

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