HIGH GEAR/APRIL 1977

BOWIE POPS IGGY

By Byron Ditmar

The Idiot (Iggy Pop, RCA Victor)

America's most nihilistic deviate has returned. After a long absence from the musical scene and break-up of his former group, The Stooges, Iggy Pop has finally emerged from the infantile heavy metal rock of his early days into a adolescent "art" rock on The Idiot.

Unfortuantely, this new style for Pop is not likely selffounded. As is enormously evident, Iggy's long time friend and presumed lover David Bowie has written and produced all of the music on the album with Pop contributing only the lyrics. Bowie has long wanted to reform Pop and turn the world on to the tremendous talent he saw in him. He has succeeded brilliantly in channeling Pop's rock and roll chaos into constructive, comprehensivle musical energy.

The eight tunes offered in this venture are very reminiscent of Bowie's Low: experimental, avant-garde rock, the likes of which are shaping '70s rock 'n roll much like the Rolling Stones defined 60's rock.

Lyrically, Pop presents his ideas and degrees unpretentiously. On "Funtime" he favors getting stoned and telling a love object how much he likes their lips and pants. His "Nightclubbing" is a catchy tune about bar hopping "Oh isn't it Wild?" "Sister Midnight" the most intriguing song on the LP seems to be directed at Bowie personally; the unseen force holding Pop together. "China Girl" and "Mass Production" nicely round out the album by adding a rich ballad flavor

Pop's backup band is extremely tight-knit and organized. They play rock and roll as if they were a seamless entity; flawless in all respects, although individually unidentified.

If you enjoy the progressive style of Lou Reed, lan Hunter and David Bowie, you'll find The Idiot most satisfying. It's easily one of the new year's best.

caress as well as soulfully assert. The two sides of the Ip are arranged to showcase these separate qualities. Side one is disco all the way, kicking off with one of Houston's own compositions, "Any Way You Like It," which is a challenge for sexual freedom. Houston paces proudly through the song, and follows up with her current smash single, "Don't Leave Me This Way", extended to a furious

Electrified Funk (Wild Cherry, five minutes on the album. This Epic-Sweet City)

Wild Cherry has concretely proved with their second outing, Electrified Funk, that funky music really is in their blood.

This new album from Nor-

theastern Ohio's most commercially successful dance band further establishes them among the top disco groups to emerge from the mid-70's. Their music continues to be purely entertaining. The nice thing this time around is that a few of the tunes expand on the basic disco format and become listening adventures. "Hole in the Wall" and "Closest Thing to My Mind" broaden the band's musical scope by adding a touch of rhythm and blues.

The remaining songs are pure funk. "Hot to Trot" follows closely on the format of "Play That Funky Music" which

catapulted the group into an overnight success story which earned them platinum plaques and a Grammy nomination.

On the slightly negative side,, several of the songs become somewhat repetitious when the album is considered as a whole.

But then there are only a choice

few disco LP's that can offer a non-monotonous

throughout.

format

The special beat that makes you want to get up and boogie abounds freely on Electrified Funk. Get out your dancing shoes and funk with Wild Cherry Cleveland's own. An entertaining time is guaranteed for all.

"Any Way You Like It" (Thelma Houston, Tamia/Motown Records).

by Van Ault

It's a poorly concealed secret that any female artist on Motown Records receives almost no promotion or support by that company, unless they happen to be Diana Ross. Theima Houston has been with Motown for several years now, languishing in the background with countless other artists, waiting for her bid of musical talent to be recognized. But Thelma Houston's "Any Way You Like It" album has changed that. The package serves as a productive introduction to listeners who've not yet encountered her unique brand of sophisticated sensitivity and aggressive funk and it also moves her from virtual anonymity to a beginning prominence.

Houston's singing abilities are diverse. Her voice is tough and powerful: but it can soothingly

is obviously the strongest piece here. Houston masters this song with variations of mood; she alternately pleads, demands, and cajoles, as she charges over the pulsating bass and relentless tambourine. With Hal Davis' immaculate production, she fuses all these emotional intensities into one compelling tune.

The more scintillating subtleties of Houston's vocals are assimilated on the other side. She slides effortlessly through these softer sounds, instilling her delicate sensitivity into each one. "Come To Me" is mixed

with tenderness and sincerity, and these qualities develop further in "Sharing Something Perfect." The set concludes with a though provoking exposition on individuality, titled "Differently," written by Ralph Grahm, produced by Clayton Ivey & Terry Woodford, and delivered by Houston in an authoritative style no other singer could provide. Houston forces you to listen, whether you like it or not.

However, with all her impressive assets, chances are you'll like Thelma Houston very much, just as the album's title implies.

NGTF AWARDED PLAYBOY GRANT

con-

The National Gay Task Force has received a $7,500 matching grant from the Playboy Foundation for the purpose of research, preparation of materials and other expenses in connection with the series of meetings with Federal agencies that will occur over the next several months. These meetings, which developed as a sequence of the March 26 White House meeting between NGTF and Presidential Assistant Margaret Costanza, will require extensive preparation and in I several instances, the services of attorneys and other outside experts in such fields as tax and immigration law. Even in instances where such expertswould be willing to waive con-. sultation fees, it will be necessary to pay travel and other costs.

As a matching grant, the Playboy Foundation funds are contingent on raising another $7,500 from other sources. To that end, NGTF has embarked on an extensive series of mailings to gay groups and business, and of advertisements in the gay and nongay press.

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