“Too Hot To Handle” by Heatwave (1976)
Release Date: 1976 (UK), May 30, 1977 (US)
Produced by Barry Blue
Genre: R&B, Funk, Disco
Label: GTO (UK), Epic (US)
Chart Positions: #11 (US), #5 (US R&B), #14 (Canada), #36 (New Zealand), #46 (UK)
Certifications: Platinum (US), Silver (UK)
Singles:
“Ain’t No Half Steppin’” (No chart data)
“Super Soul Sister” (No chart data)
“Boogie Nights” #1 (UK, New Zealand), #2 (US, Canada), #3 (Brazil), #5 (US R&B), #6 (Norway), #11 (Sweden), #17 (Netherlands), #27 (Belgium), #31 (Germany), #54 (Australia)
“Too Hot To Handle” #15 (UK), #28 (New Zealand), #36 (US Disco)
“Always and Forever” #2 (US R&B), #9 (UK), #10 (Canada), #17 (Ireland), #18 (US), #33 (US Adult Contemporary), #89 (Japan)
Singles Certifications: “Boogie Nights” Silver (UK), Gold (Canada), Platinum (US), “Always and Forever” Silver (UK), Platinum (US)
Other Charting Tracks: N/A
Best Tracks: “Boogie Nights,” “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “ Always and Forever,” “Super Soul Sister,” “All You Do Is Dial”
Trivia: “Too Hot To Handle” is the debut album from Heatwave, an international funk/disco band formed in 1975. Its most popular lineup featured Americans Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and Keith Wilder (vocals) of Dayton, Ohio, Englishman Rod Temperton (keyboards), Swiss Mario Mantese (bass), Czechoslovak Ernest "Bilbo" Berger (drums), Jamaican Eric Johns (guitar) and Briton Roy Carter (guitar).
Initially “Boogie Nights” was released in France in 1975, where it became a hit in the dance clubs but did not catch on in other parts of the world. Soon after, in 1976, they released two singles in the UK; “Ain’t No Half Steppin” and “Super Soul sister” both songs failed to chart. Finally another push was given to “Boogie Nights,” this time on an international level, this time around the song because a huge hit making it into the Top 10 in more than half a dozen countries around the world. In the US the song reached #2 and was certified Platinum for more than 1 million copies sold.
“Always and Forever” did not chart as high as “Boogie Nights,” though it was a worldwide hit and has gone on to become a smooth groove classic. The song has been used in weddings and proms throughout the world and remains a favorite Valentine’s Day song.
The album showed much potential for the group as the album employs nothing but quality tracks.
The legendary Rod Temperton (keyboards and synthesizer) composed all the songs on the album. Temperton went on to international fame as a songwriter and vocal arranger. He wrote several songs for Michael Jackson including “Rock With You,” “Off The Wall,” “Burn This Disco Out,” “Thriller,” “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady In My Life.” Temperton also wrote hits for artists such as Manhattan Transfer, Donna Summer, Brothers Johnson, George Benson and Quincy Jones. Temperton also wrote three songs for Karen Carpenter’s solo album in 1979-80 for which he also composed the vocal arrangements.
"Boogie Nights" by Heatwave
HEATWAVE
