The future's bright, the future's beige. At least it seemed that way in 1977.
Magnolia flares on Moonbase Alpha, cream interiors in The Spy who Loved Me and Concorde contoured, Skylab sounding space-invaders, spinning in the hit parade like unidentified flying popjects alongside AOR, MOR and BORing slo-mo singles.
Ahead of their time capsules like…
RAH Band - The Crunch
Space - Magic Fly
Giorgio Moroder - From Here To Eternity
I've never unlocked the mystery of the mid-seventies, misty-buff space look - but am sure Sylvia Anderson is the key. Oh, and click on the pic for the full Disco Fever track list glory - and yes, David Soul is doing a 'tache
Disco Fever I remember so well - it was everywhere, must have been in the album charts for weeks. My mate Naughty Alan had it, along with a Pong computer game and a caution from the police.
ReplyDeleteFever is such a perfect snapshot of that time, catching radar drop-offs like Telephone Man, Float On. I've just checked and it managed a five month chart run - incredible. Follow up Disco Stars had a t-list like this
ReplyDeleteNaughty Alan! Police caution!! Davy, Davy - this is tale that needs telling.
Read alla abaat it.
ReplyDeleteMagic Fly must have hit the spot with me - it was virtually the only non punk single I bought in '77. Plus I've always had a soft spot for Moroder - being the writer of glam anthem Son Of My Father.
ReplyDeleteOf course I remember it now - and look at that lovely neat handwriting. Compare with my raggy, almost 'ransom-note' style when it appears in next week's March Dear Diary post.
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced Magic Fly are Daft Punk's dads John. And Moroder - the Archbisop of arpeggiators
Magic Fly will always remind me of standing on the terraces of the North Bank at Upton Park. The 'DJ' was an old duffer called Bill Renfry, and he had an absolute fetish for that tune - played it every week. I do actually still quite like it.
ReplyDeleteYou'd also do well to check out the sublime 'Space Bass' by Slick (not Midge Ure's pre-Ultravox outfit.). It's a funk-tastic futuristic floor-filler from the future.
Nice one, Mondo. For those of you who've ever wondered what life would sound like if disco prog aliens took control of the planet, check out this 1978 beauty from the Galactic Force Band. Give yourself a Brucie bonus for spotting the intro...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj6LMPtidvM
Love old music!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
My old mate Whitlow used to go to Upton Park ISB - came back with all sorts of horror stories about the ICF and Under Fives - so this is the last tune I'd have expected hear was played at home of The Hammers..I know Space Bass - I'm sure it's in the collection somewhere - try this for a more modern take on the same thing
ReplyDeleteDon't know it Neil - that into is it:Clockwork Orange soundtrack or Golden Axe on Megadrive.
There's plenty of it to choose from on this ol' blog Beth
I listened to these at lunch and enjoyed them, but since then I've had The Crunch and bloody Son of My Father (as mentioned by John Medd) in my head.
ReplyDeleteAaargh!
Nice selection. I've been on a seventies kick for a while now. Got the 12-inch version of Magic Fly on a compilation recently.
ReplyDeletewe always tend to think of 77 being THE year that space got trendy... but I think it must have been on and off trendy since the 60's.. moon landing, Star Trek, Clangers (!!) I'm sure there was a massive Star Trek buzz around 73/73, probably just repeats of the 60's stuff, but it was hot hot hot!
ReplyDeleteI have that Disco Fever album too... cracker.
Wot no Sarah Brightman - (I Lost My Heart To a) Starship Trooper??? School boy error Sir!
P
Soothe yourself with the Moroder magic Cocktails - and this is the crazy rare single versh too.
ReplyDelete'12-inch version of Magic Fly'?
*goes cross-eyed and faints*
I don't think it's just 77 P, Joe Meek's Sputnik, 2001, Bowie's Starman, and all bits in between - it's just that it seemed more, well, possible in 77.
I Did Hot Goss' some while back I think?
Actually, I think technically it’s the long or full version rather than a 12-inch remix. Anyway, it’s 4min 17secs and you can hear it here.
ReplyDeleteIf Goldfrapp are ever commissioned to do the theme tune for a relaunched Grange Hill it might sound a bit like The Crunch ...
ReplyDeletewe scarfaced again the other week which is enough to put anyone off old moroder. but i'm still off on a search for this lp. especially if it's got david soul on it tache or no tache
ReplyDeletex
Four glorious minutes Mick- magic! Ironically the Giorgio track posted here is the single versh and probably a punchier edit.
ReplyDeleteOr Tomorrow's World perhaps Spud (all for a bit of 'frapp by the way).
Only seen Scarface one Ally, Goodfellas is my gangester film of choice. Or Cat People for more Moroder.
I had Disco Fever for Christmas 1977. I played it to death. I still have it and converted it to MP3 mainly because I really liked Joy Sarney's Punch and Judy/domestic violence workout Naughty Naughty Naughty. The quality's not great. I wish they'd reissue it on CD>
ReplyDelete