Casablanca Sampler LP (CASA 1)

This page contains a look at the British Casablanca Records Promo album. Below is a brief discussion on the songs it contained, a look at it's cover, a look at it's label, and the liner notes that the album possessed.

It is difficult to date precisely, but at some point during late 1979 or very early 1980, "Casablanca Records and Filmworks" released their first and (as far as I am aware) only multi-act Promotional Sampler album aimed specifically at the UK market. However, the timing of the promo is strange in that while it heralded the dawning of a new decade it also highlighted a bunch of acts that would soon leave Casablanca as the Polygram Records Inc. take-over took place. Since 1977, PYE Records had handled the UK distribution of Casablanca material but that association was soon to come to an end as Casablanca was now to be released via the European arm of Polygram Records - Phonogram (prior to this of course EMI handled distribution for the UK). As far as KISS is concerned, the 'SAMPLER' album acts as a promo for their 3rd cut from the 'DYNASTY' album - "2,000 Man", and this was to prove their final release by Casablanca/Pye before (temporarily) being switched to Mercury Records. It's safe to presume that "2,000 Man" also acted as promo tool for the then upcoming "KISS UNMASKED" album. KISS themselves were to be temporarily switched to the 'Mercury' label during the 'Unmasked' period on both album and singles. As with the 7" version of "2,000 Man", this sampler version has been edited to 3:40. The single itself was a total stiff and failed to chart in the UK.

As far as the other acts are concerned, the catalogue numbers are a cause of confusion. Since 1977 when the PYE distribution began, the catalogue numbers had the distinctive "CAN" prefix , but by the late 70s and early 80s especially, the smooth transistion of consecutive catalogue numbers appears to go out of the window. The "CAN" code was still being used, but the KISS "2,000 Man" 7" single begins the American system of an 'NB' prefix (they are Neil Bogart's initials for those slow on the uptake!) on the catalogue number. Though this promo states that "2,000 Man" will be released as 'NBL 1001' it was actually released as 'NB 1001'. The 'NBL' version was actually the 12" version and not the edited version as included on this album. It is further confusing by the fact that other acts seemed to have begun an NB 2000 series of catalogue numbers. Please note also that PARLIAMENT's 'Party People' has a catalogue number of NB 2222, while CINDY BULLENS' 'Holding Me Crazy' has a catalogue number of NB 2217 though claiming to be released after the Parliament single. If that is not confusing enough, it is also stated that the first release on CASABLANCA WEST (yet another subsidiary of Neil Bogart's empire) was to be 'This Must Be My Ship' by CAROL CHASE on CWS 4501. However, this code obviously fell from favour by the time it finally saw release, and ultimately saw the light of day as CWS 1001. Confused? You're damn right!
A list of the UK Casablanca Release codes lay elsewhere in these pages in a very disjointed manner!!
If anybody can untangle this mess, then please e.mail me!!

Without a doubt, Neil Bogart's Casablanca label has become one of the fastest growing operations of the nineteen seventies, to such an extent that it now encompasses films, TV shows, books, and records. Artists like Donna Summer and Kiss have made the label a household name around the world, whilst acts like Cher, Parliament, Patrick Juvet and Teri DeSario have also provided worthwhile chart placings.
The object of this sampler is to spotlight a few of the other Casablanca acts.
Casablanca is "READY FOR THE 80s".

SIDE ONE

1.PARLIAMENT (NB 2222)
Party People
Released 4 Jan 1980
From the forthcoming Casablanca LP NBLP 7195
4:43

The world's No.1 Funk Band, as 78's European tour proved. Writer/producer George Clinton has now retired from stage, but continues to hold the group together from behind the scenes. In this country they remain one of the most staunchly followed groups around, so a major breakthrough can't be too far away. "PARTY PEOPLE" continues the saga of Starchild, Dr.Funkenstein, Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk and various other clones...

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2.CAMEO (CC/L 3202)
Sparkle
Released 4 Jan 1980
"Secret Omen" CAL 2058
3:58

There are many who regard this group as 'the nest Earth, Wind & Fire', and after four albums their turn looks just about ready. But, when they make it it will be as 'the first Cameo'. Larry Blackmon provides most of the material, as well as producing, and 'SPARKLE' has already attracted considerable attention as an album cut, especially as a late night smoocher. By the time this single is in the shops the new album should be ready.

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3.CAPTAIN & TENNILLE (CAN 175)
Do That To Me One More Time
Released 19th Jan 1980
From the forthcoming Casablanca LP
"Make Your Move" CAL 2060
3:45

This duo had many million selling smashes on A&M (most notably "LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER" in 1975) before switching to Casablanca Records. As can be heard from their new album, they've lost none of their magic or commerciality in the process. "DO THAT TO ME ONE MORE TIME" is a haunting ballad that features such heavy-weight musicians as Lee Ritenour and Tom Scott. The song is written by Toni Tennille.

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4.DUNCAN SISTERS (EMS/L 5501)
Boys Will Be Boys
Released 19th Jan 1980
From the forthcoming Casablanca LP
"Duncan Sisters" EMLP 40001
3:59

After many years within the Casablanca camp, Marc Paul Simon now moves left a little to head his own record label, 'EarMarc', distributed by Casablanca. Debut signing are The Duncan Sisters, Phyllis and Helen. "BOYS WILL BE BOYS" has already received many club spins, and the involvement of John Luongo (noted for his remix on "CAN YOU FEEL THE FORCE" has only aided the cause.

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5.CAROL CHASE (CWS 4501)
This Must Be My Ship
Soon to be released
2:54

After five years of giving the world the best in pop, rock and disco, Casablanca recently took the bold step of moving into the lucrative country market. 'Casablanca West's, to be headed by Snuff Garrett, launch comes with "THIS MUST BE MY SHIP" by Carol Chase which has already debuted on the American Country charts.

SIDE TWO

1.KISS (NBL 1001)
2000 Man
Released 1 Feb 1980
from the Casablanca LP
"Dynasty" CALH 2051
3:40

Casablanca achieved its first majot breakthrough with Kiss, and the group have continued to be heavy sellers in America and various other countries, but, alas, with Great Britain still to fall. However, "I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN' YOU" made the charts last year, and the 'DYNASTY' album has sold extremely well. The new single "2,000 MAN" was much talked about as an album track, so it's appearance on 7" should see much action.
The band themselves need little or no introduction.

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2.PAUL JABARA and DONNA SUMMER (NBL 2002)
Never Lose Your Sense Of Humour
Released 29 Feb 1980
From the Casablanca LP
"The Third Album" CAL 2056
3:33

At the time of writing Donna is already high in the charts with a duet with Barbara Streisand, "NO MORE TEARS" (ironically, written by Paul Jabara). Donna has enjoyed considerable success here in Britain, with one number one and six top twenty singles to her credit. Paul Jabara, as legend tell us, rushed into Neil Bogart's office insisting on being on the same label as Donna Summer. To his eternal credit, Neil agreed: Paul penned the Grammy Award winning, million selling "LAST DANCE" for Donna, and here Donna helps out vocally on a number from Paul's third album.

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3.CINDY BULLENS (NB 2217)
Holding Me Crazy
Released in February 1980
From the forthcoming Casablanca LP
"Steal The Night" NBLP 7185
3:24

Looking remarkably like Mick Jagger in full flight, lion-hearted Cindy can belt out Rock 'n' Roll with the best of them. She's already received the support of Elton John and Rod Stewart (providing back-up vocals on big selling albums for both of them, "BLUE MOVES" for Elton and "ATLANTIC CROSSING" for Rod), so acclaim under her own steam can't be too far away. The single "HOLDING ME CRAZY" is both written and co-produced by her.

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4.DAVID CASTLE (RRS 501)
Ten To Eight
Released 29 Feb 1980
From The Parachute LP;
"Castle In The Sky" RRL 2001
3:42

"TEN TO EIGHT" is in fact a re-issue from 1978. At the time Music Week charts were still confined to the Top Fifty, and this single spent three weeks hovering around the 55 position. Time has passed, and maybe now the public are ready for this excellent single, reminiscent of Elton Jogn at his best. David flew over from California last year to perform the song on Top Of The Pops, and since then has seen this number covered by the likes of Helen Reddy.
He is definetely going to be one of the major acts to succeed in the 80's.

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5.TERI DeSARIO (NB 2225)
Yes, I'm Ready
Soon to be released
3:05

Residing in Miami, Teri has turned to H.W.Casey (better known to the world as KC, of the Sunshine Band) for production credits on her second album. Her first album spawned one hit in "AIN'T NOTHING GONNA KEEP FROM YOU". From the new album "YES I'M READY" has been much talked about, especially as it is a duet with KC. Taken from the album "MOONLIGHT MADNESS"

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Music compiled by MARVIN HOWELL, notes written by GRAHAM BETTS

For those of you interested in the success of these tracks for their respective acts, well, they all bombed and failed to make the UK Top 75. All that is except CAPTAIN & TENNILLE's "DO THAT TO ME ONE MORE TIME" which entered the charts on 16 Feb 1980 and which reached a lofty number 7 while hanging around the UK singles chart for a total of 10 weeks.

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