Heatwave - Too Hot To Handle (1976)

“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”

“Too Hot To Handle” by Heatwave (Click Here)

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

Link to “Too Hot To Handle” (Click Here) 

HEATWAVE

Brothers Johnson - Right On Time (1977)

“Right On Time" by Brothers Johnson (1977)

Only two years earlier (1975) the Brothers Johnson, a funk duo comprised of brothers George and Louis Johnson, were discovered by the master Quincy Jones. On his 1975 album “Mellow Madness,” Jones included “Is It Love That We’re Missing?” a ballad co-written by George Johnson and performed by the Brothers Johnson. The song garnered enough radio play to catapult the Brothers Johnson into a recording contract with A&M Records. The brothers were a smash right from the start with their 1976 single “I’ll Be Good To You.” Their first album “Looking Out For #1” and reached #9 on the US album chart including #1 on the US R&B chart. 1977 brought more success with the release of their second album, produced by Quincy Jones, “Right On Time.” The album zoomed to US #13 (#2 US R&B), Canada #36 and Australia #43. The album was certified Platinum for sales of more than one million copies. The track “Q” won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance.

"Right On Time" by Brothers Johnson (Click Here)

The album features the smash hit “Strawberry Letter 23,” a song written and composed by Shuggie Otis (son of Johnny Otis), Otis recorded it for his 1971 album Freedom Flight.

George Johnson, of the Brothers Johnson, was dating one of Otis's cousins when he came across the album Freedom Flight. Brothers Johnson recorded the song in a funkier, more dance-oriented vein than the original Otis version. Their rendition hit the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at US #5 (and reached #1 on the US R&B/Soul Singles chart in 1977) Canada #8, Australia #25 and UK #35. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour recreated Otis's original guitar solo for the Brothers Johnson version. The 12" single was pressed on red strawberry-scented vinyl.

"Strawberry Letter 23"

Brothers Johnson 1977

Amazon link to “Right On Time” (Click Here) 

BROTHERS JOHNSON