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jimct MusicFan
Joined: 07 April 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 03 May 2008 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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Although not in the database, this song peaked at #38 in Billboard in 6/78. FYI, my commercial 45 has both a listed and actual time of (2:50). I have been able to find this (2:50) version on a UK import "Hits" CD released for him over there (catalog # Westside WESM 550), called Jimmy "Bo" Horne-"Gimme Some!: The Best Of The TK Years 1975-1985".
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80smusicfreak MusicFan
Joined: 14 October 2004 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 May 2008 at 9:50am | IP Logged
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This song happens to rank as one of my top five disco tunes of all-time. :-) I've had the song's original parent album, also titled "Dance Across the Floor", on cassette for about 20 years now...
Sadly, the song is indeed fairly tough to find on CD. I, too, have the U.K. import of "Gimme Some!" that jimct described above (BTW, it's from 1998). "Spank", "Is it In", and the collection's title track were all also EXCELLENT dance tunes that should've been bigger pop hits here in the U.S., so the CD is highly recommended!
But for folks here who may also enjoy "Dance Across the Floor" and, like me, feel that the rather short (2:50) "45 version" is simply not enough, a few years ago I discovered a U.S. CD that actually features an extended version. It's on an out-of-print V/A CD from 1992 titled "Great '70s Dance Grooves", on Sony Music Special Products A 22347. Printed and actual time is (4:46). I can only assume that this is the 12" version - it's definitely NOT the "LP version", which is identical (or nearly identical) to the "45 version". If anyone here can confirm my hunch as to the origin of this (4:46) extended version, I'd appreciate it. I've not found this extended version on any other CD to date - domestic or import - so I doubt it exists anywhere else...
"Great '70s Dance Grooves" is actually a 10-track compilation of disco hits from the TK family of labels, and the fine print on the front booklet, back insert, and disc itself reads "ALL SELECTIONS ARE COURTESY OF RHINO RECORDS, INC." The CD does feature quite a few top 40 hits as well (Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell", Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do for Love", etc.), and a check of those songs in the 10th edition of Pat's book reveals that it isn't included in the listings. Perhaps he's added this CD to the on-line database since???
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bwolfe MusicFan
Joined: 24 May 2007 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 May 2008 at 2:53pm | IP Logged
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Wow!
What a great find.
Forgot all about that one.
Summer of '78.
__________________ the way it was heard on the radio
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cmmmbase MusicFan
Joined: 04 May 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 May 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Dance Across The Floor also appears on the import "Sampled vol 3" and runs 2:48 on that disc.
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crapfromthepast MusicFan
Joined: 14 September 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 May 2008 at 7:35pm | IP Logged
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The Sampled series is outstanding, but insanely expensive, so you'll probably have better luck (and less $) finding it on a 5-CD box set from Australia called Seventies Complete Volume 2 (EMI 94552, released 1999).
Coincidentally, a few months back I dug out my original LP, and the LP version sounds like the 45 version with an incomplete fade, followed immediately by an instrumental version of the same song - it's like it plays twice. I was a little disappointed, and had hoped that the long running time would have some extra cool stuff in it. Nope.
Edited by crapfromthepast on 04 May 2008 at 7:37pm
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crapfromthepast MusicFan
Joined: 14 September 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 03 June 2009 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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Just revisiting this track, and really disappointed from what I hear on CD.
First, the 45: Sunshine Sound 1003, released 1978, printed and actual times of 2:50.
The sounds from the 45 is a little compressed, but in a good analog-compression way, much like the '60s Motown 45s. The first 15 seconds are unquestionably the finest intro that Casey and Finch ever put together. Hot.
If you listen to the very end of the fade-out, it actually ends cold. You'll hear just a tamborine, then just a handclap, then a "do it" from the background singers, then nothing.
I found a copy of the promo 12" single. It's Sunshine Sound Disco [note the slightly altered record company name!] number 200, released in 1978 with "Promotional Copy" printed on the label on both sides, and plays at 45 RPM! I'm sure many a DJ put this on at the wrong speed!
It's "Let Me (Let Me Be Your Lover)" (printed 4:15, actual 4:18) as the A-side, b/w "Dance Across The Floor" (printed 5:35, actual 5:33) as the B-side. Sound is big and fat - this 12" smokes!
The 5:33 "Dance Across The Floor" is the same as the album version. It's basically the vocal version of the song with a truncated fade followed by the instrumental version of the song. You can sorta recreate the 7" version by editing out most of the the instrumental version, and using the instrumental version fade to complete the truncated vocal version fade.
I say "sorta", because it seems like the 7" may be mixed a little differently than the 12". I can't tell if it's really a mix difference or just a drastic EQ difference, but the rhythm guitar in the right channel seems to be much more prominent on the 7".
Finding the song on CD is difficult, as you already know. Find a good-sounding version may be close to impossible.
The sound on the 5-CD set Seventies Complete Volume 2 (EMI Australia) sounds literally like it was taken from a cheap cassette. Realistically, I think this was taken from the vinyl LP, and faded before the "instrumental" portion kicked in. It runs 2:40.
The sound on Great '70s Dance Grooves is just as bad, and is hissier than any other song I've ever heard on any CD. This may have come from a tape source, but a fifth or sixth-generation tape. It's so bad I find it hard to believe that Rhino had anything to do with this track - it's far, far below the terrific quality of the superb 1990 Get Down Tonight CD on Rhino that covered the T.K. material.
It runs 4:46, and it's a hacked up edit of the LP version.
In addition to the incredible amount of hiss and wow/flutter, it runs about 2.2% too fast. Worst of all, it has two incompetent edits in it that ruin the intro and ruin the transition to the instrumental portion. These are so far off the beat that I thought my CD was skipping (in comparison, it makes the 5-minute version of Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" look like a Fatboy Slim creation...) As a cherry on top, the first four beats of the song are significantly faster than everything else that follows.
The other 9 tracks on Great '70s Dance Grooves sound terrific, but I grade "Dance Across The Floor" as an F. Maybe an F-.
The best of the bunch is Sampled Volume 3, which runs 2:48, and has a slightly truncated fade. The sound is mixed and EQ'd like the 45, but with a little extra compression/limiting. It runs at the same speed as both the 45 and the LP version. I would guess that it's a transfer from the vinyl 45, but it's a pretty good one. This 2-CD set also has "(Let Me) Let Me Be Your Lover" [sic], which is pretty cool.
I'd be curious to know what the UK Jimmy "Bo" Horne collection sounds like. My expectations are low, to say the least...
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80smusicfreak MusicFan
Joined: 14 October 2004 Location: United States
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Posted: 03 June 2009 at 11:49pm | IP Logged
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crapfromthepast wrote:
It runs 4:46, and it's a hacked up edit of the LP version. |
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Thanks for the new in-depth analysis, cftp! I just knew that the (4:46) version on my "Great '70s Dance Grooves" CD WASN'T the "LP version", but to now learn that it's actually a "hacked up edit" of it is kinda disappointing. :-( (Yes, I'd definitely noticed the poor edit points on all of the versions of this song that I've heard to date, which is why the ones in the 4:46 version didn't strike me as being too odd, or possibly used to create some "new" version just for that CD, as it seems you've now uncovered.) If anyone ever finds the full (5:33) LP/12" version on CD, by all means, please post here...
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I'd be curious to know what the UK Jimmy "Bo" Horne collection sounds like. My expectations are low, to say the least... |
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Well, I've said it here before, I admit that I don't exactly have a "golden ear" (nor do I own any editing software at this time to help analyze the sound quality of CDs), but honestly, if you're not familiar w/ any of Horne's other hits (other than "Let Me [Let Me Be Your Lover]"), and you enjoy "DATF" as much as I do, then trust me, you really can't go wrong w/ the U.K. CD that jimct and I both have. Fortunately, it's still in print (although in 2005 it was re-issued, complete w/ new cover art; mine is the 1998 original), and not that expensive (about $10-$15, new)...
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eriejwg MusicFan
Joined: 10 June 2007 Location: United States
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Posted: 14 June 2009 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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I had long forgotten about this track until the thread reappeared.
As noted, it is so difficult to find a decent sounding copy on CD. I opted to get a commercial 45. However, It appears I may have a different pressing than Ron. Mine is on the T.K. Records label, deadwax is SSE-1003-A 1A 2 H,D,Z. Listed time is 2:50, actual run time is 2:52.
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crapfromthepast MusicFan
Joined: 14 September 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 14 June 2009 at 11:03am | IP Logged
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Interesting! My deadwax is just SSE-1003-A. The Sunshine Sound label has "Distributed by T.K. Productions, Inc." at the bottom, so it was no secret that it was a T.K. spinoff, but I hadn't seen any actual releases on T.K. itself. I think I have one other Jimmy "Bo" Horne 45, but it's on Alston - also another T.K. spinoff.
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JL328 MusicFan
Joined: 06 May 2011 Location: United States
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Posted: 06 August 2011 at 5:21am | IP Logged
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I absolutely love this message board. No matter how obscure or forgotten
a song I can think of, there is almost always already a thread about it!
This is one of my favorite disco/funk songs and I think the best part about
it (at least the best part of the 12-inch) is the fade in the middle right
before the song re-starts again in an instrumental version. It makes
absolutely no sense, but it's awesome. It's like you've resigned yourself to
the fact that the party has come to an end and then Jimmy Horne just
starts that funk right back up again.... so don't put those platforms away
just yet! Very 70's. Very funk. We're just here to party--- we don't care
about segues.
Anyway, if I'm not mistaken, I believe this was one of those instances
where the LP version and the 45 version were the same (and ran 2:50?) on
the original pressing of the LP. But then they replaced the 45 Version with
the 12-inch version for the second pressing of the LP? Is that the case?
Like you guys above, I've been looking for this song (in either its 45, but
preferably the 12-inch, form for a long time). There is an "album" on
iTunes called "Hot Plates of the 80s" that has this song running close to
the 12-inch/LP time of "5:33" referenced above. According to iTunes, the
track on "Hot Plates" runs 5:28 but, in reality, it has some silence at the
end, so it's really running closer to 5:23. In the "Hot Plates" version, the
fade/re-start occurs at 2:39, which I think is about right.
I was really happy to find this track because, like you guys mentioned
above, all I ever seem to find (if I find anything at all) is the butchered
4:46 frankenstein edit that seems to pop up from time to time.
So, my question is--- is the version of "Dance Across the Floor" on "Hot
Plates" the correct 12-inch/LP version? And, if so, what accounts for the
timing difference? I'm not detecting any difference from what I remember
(although I don't have the original vinyl to compare). Did they do
something to the end (early fade?)?
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JL328 MusicFan
Joined: 06 May 2011 Location: United States
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Posted: 07 August 2011 at 1:09pm | IP Logged
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If anyone is interested in this song, I think I figured out the answer to my
own question. I believe the "Hot Plates" version on iTunes is indeed the
correct LP and 12-inch version of "Dance Across the Floor," except that it
is way too fast and it is faded a touch early.
For instance, as I mentioned above, the "re-start" occurs at 2:39 on "Hot
Plates." I said I thought this was about right, but it's not. The "re-start"
doesn't occur until 2:42 on the 12-inch version. Seems to be
solely the result of a tempo problem.
Also, as mentioned above, the true Album/LP version ends cold with a
fading and ever-so-soft "Come on, let's do it, let's dance" while the
background singers sing a long "Doooo it." On the Hot Plates version, the
song is faded right before that last line.
Edited by JL328 on 07 August 2011 at 1:10pm
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MMathews MusicFan
Joined: 18 August 2005 Location: United States
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Posted: 12 August 2011 at 12:43pm | IP Logged
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just had to add an aside... i thought "Let Me (Let Me Be Your Lover" was only a personal favorite of mine, i didn't know it also made A-side of the 12".
In NY, i can only recall hearing "Dance Across The Floor" and later "Spank" when it was club hit.
"Let Me" became a personal fav only a few years ago when i read it was the sample source for the backing track of a 90's Brit-funk fav, Stereo MC's "Connected".
Cool.
MM
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80smusicfreak MusicFan
Joined: 14 October 2004 Location: United States
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Posted: 27 September 2011 at 6:31pm | IP Logged
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I have some great news for us fans of this "Billboard" top 40 hit, especially if (like me) you prefer to own an actual physical CD vs. a download, or you happen to enjoy more than just this one song from JBH (again, like me) - and it appears we have Mr. Harry Wayne Casey himself to thank! (For those who aren't aware, along w/ Richard Finch, he co-wrote and co-produced most of JBH's work from the mid '70s to early '80s, as they were both signed to Henry Stone's family of Miami-based labels at the time. In fact, it's the Sunshine Band that is actually heard backing up JBH on this hit...)
It seems that for several years now, there has been a commercial U.S. CD of the song's parent album available - again, which was also titled "Dance Across the Floor" - and my copy just arrived. It's a re-issue of the entire original 1978 eight-song album (inc. cover art), w/ all six songs from JBH's follow-up album, 1979's "Goin' Home for Love", tacked on as "bonus tracks" (14 total, so it's essentially a 2-on-1 - now, if they'd just added his final hit, the excellent "Is it In", it would be PERFECT!). The title track actually runs (5:27) on this CD, which marks the first time I've found the full LP/12" version on CD (domestic or import), and is thus :04 longer than the "Hot Plates of the '80s" version available on iTunes, as reported by JL328 above. However, it's still :06 short of the (5:33) timing noted above by cftp on the 12" single, but I'll assume that's due to a slight speed difference, and the song being faded just a tad early (it doesn't end cold). The so-called "fade/re-start" occurs at 2:40 on this CD, w/ the vocals kicking back in at 4:32, and continuing all the way to the end...
Curiously, the CD has no record label or catalog no. on it, although the back insert DOES have a UPC (bar) code printed, w/ "8 20355 00100 8" underneath it. (No date for when it was re-issued, either, but it's been out for a while now.) It also states "Manufactured & Distributed by Sunshine Sound Entertainment, Inc.", along w/ a Miami address & phone no. in the fine print. And it IS a factory-pressed silver CD, w/ "MIAMI TAPE" and a long number/letter code printed around the hub. As for sound quality, it doesn't sound like it was mastered from vinyl to my ears, and it DOES sound better than the (4:46) "hacked up edit" on my "Great '70s Dance Grooves" CD. But as I stated above, I admit I don't have a "golden ear", nor do I own any audio software to compare these versions, so I'll leave that part to someone else here who may want to take a chance on buying this CD...
So where to get it??? It's actually available for $10.99 on KC & the Sunshine Band's official web site here: KC and the Sunshine Band (Just go to the "MUSIC" page, scroll to the JBH CD, and click on it.) Or if you don't wish to order directly from Mr. Casey, you can head over to eBay, where seller "hard.to.find.latin" currently has a new (sealed) copy of this same CD pressing listed for a "Buy It Now" price of $19.99 + $2.50 shipping...
JL328 wrote:
This is one of my favorite disco/funk songs and I think the best part about
it (at least the best part of the 12-inch) is the fade in the middle right
before the song re-starts again in an instrumental version. It makes
absolutely no sense, but it's awesome. It's like you've resigned yourself to
the fact that the party has come to an end and then Jimmy Horne just
starts that funk right back up again.... so don't put those platforms away
just yet! Very 70's. Very funk. We're just here to party--- we don't care
about segues. |
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I agree that this was one of the best disco songs ever recorded, and that the transition at about 2:40 "makes absolutely no sense". But even after now FINALLY finding the full LP/12" version on CD, that's the one part I still don't like. Also, not to nitpick, but as a huge fan/collector of mid '70s to mid '80s funk, this particular tune (and just about everything by KC & the SB, for that matter) leans much more toward disco than funk, IMHO - but that doesn't mean I don't think it stacks up well against true funk classics like, say, "You and I", "Fantastic Voyage", or "Burn Rubber"...
Quote:
Anyway, if I'm not mistaken, I believe this was one of those instances
where the LP version and the 45 version were the same (and ran 2:50?) on
the original pressing of the LP. But then they replaced the 45 Version with
the 12-inch version for the second pressing of the LP? Is that the case? |
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That MUST be what happened (although I was previously unaware of it until this thread started). As I noted above, I've owned the original album on cassette for over 20 years now, and it contains the short (2:50) version. So they must've switched it out on second (later) pressings...
____________________________________________________________
Must-play '80s song of the day (chart hit, but not necessarily top 40 - and if you don't already have it, track it down, lol) (final "Ode to 'Noo Yawk'" edition, following Crazy Joe & the Variable Speed Band, Duke Jupiter, and the last one which no one has chimed in to identify yet in the "Cher - 'Love and Understanding'" thread):
"What's-a matter, you? Hey!/
Got-a no respect/
What do you think you do?/
Why you look-a so sad?/
It's-a not so bad..."
(clues: 1981; male vocals)
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Fetta MusicFan
Joined: 26 April 2005
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Posted: 27 September 2011 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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JOE DOLCE!!!!!!! A shaddap You Face!!!!!
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Santi Paradoa MusicFan
Joined: 17 February 2009 Location: United States
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Posted: 28 September 2011 at 12:57pm | IP Logged
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80smusicfreak wrote:
So where to get it??? It's actually available for $10.99 on KC & the Sunshine Band's official web site here: KC and the Sunshine Band (Just go to the "MUSIC" page, scroll to the JBH CD, and click on it.) |
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Thanks for the heads up on this disc. BTW, today is Jimmy's birthday (turns 62).
__________________ Santi Paradoa
Miami, Florida
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