By Paulette Weiss
Disco jockey Richie Rivera (right) and producer Joe Long during the final mix of "Gershwin '79" at Sigma Sound Studios in New York.
DISCO GOES LEGIT
THIS may well be remembered as the year boogie fever swept Broadway and hit mainland China, the year Rod Stewart and George Gershwin went disco, the year light-in-the-dark disco shoes sold for $100 a pair in the better department stores. In short, in 1979 disco is going legit.
Nobody can pinpoint the exact moment when disco music was born, but it had already been around for a couple of years when STEREO REVIEW published its first article on the subject in September 1976. Clifford Terry, who wrote the article, prophesied then that disco would be with us for some time. To give you an idea of how far things have gone since, Terry is now the manager of a just-opened New York disco called Fifth Avenue.
At Disco Forum V, a recent four-day convention sponsored by the music-trade magazine Billboard, the message I got repeatedly was that not only is disco officially joining the musical mainstream in 1979, but this year it may outstrip rock as the dominant form of American popular music. At the convention, 1,300 music-industry representatives from fifty states and sixteen foreign countries gathered in New York to discuss the pursuit of the disco dollar. The Forum's discussion panels and exhibits spotlighted several trends that indicate just how heavy the commercial action will become.
It is estimated, for example, that the disco "industry" will gross more than six billion dollars this year. The big record companies that took a wait-and-see attitude when the disco fad began are now moving fast to cash in on it. RCA has for some time had distribution deals with a number of successful little disco labels, and Capitol, Elektra/Asylum, Mercury, and the others are in various stages of raising their disco consciousness. Only Columbia seems still to be sleeping-its only strong move into disco so far is a production arrangement with Sam Records, a hot little new comer that features Gary's Gang.
Beside the golden arches of shopping-mall McDonalds and elsewhere along America's highways there may soon be enormous gilt disco shoes proclaiming the presence of a lo cal branch of some international chain of discotheques. The 2001 chain has already franchised two dozen outlets in this country, all computerized and designed to process dancers through an evening's entertainment like living Big Macs. Another chain, Club 747, has a patented decor that looks like the inside of a jumbo jet.
Disco, like rock before it, has crashed through many cultural, political, and linguistic barriers and is still spreading. In Moscow last December, scalpers ran out of tickets at 150 rubles ($225) each for concerts by the disco group Boney M, and this year China's new Pepsi generation can dance off extra calories in that country's first discotheque. If all goes well when the club opens in Shanghai, more will follow. (How do you say "shake your booty" in Chinese?) A sure sign that disco has become respectable is its appearance this year in Broad way's legitimate theater. Four disco musicals have been announced so far. Gottu Go Disco is scheduled for early May, and Discotheque, Holy Moses and the Top Ten, and Phantom of the Discowill follow soon after.
Television, the great (if clumsily tardy) disseminator of pop culture, will increase its coverage of disco with the coming fall season.
According to the National Association of TV Program Executives, a show called Disco Magic looks to be the second hottest property for fall (the Muppet Show is first). Other disco programs are expected to be popular, but if Muppeteer Jim Henson could just persuade Kermit the Frog to put on a three-piece white suit and do the Freak, he'd probably make Nielsen-rating history.
Last year radio station WKTU-FM in New York switched from a mellow rock format to all-disco and surprised many broadcast-industry experts by getting ratings that knocked the nation's undisputed Number One, WABC AM, down to second place. Since then, stations across the United States have been feverishly reprogramming for disco.
The Down with Disco shirts have disappeared into rock fans' closets as one famous rock star after another has "gone disco." Rod Stewart's Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? topped the disco charts earlier this year, and, one by one, Blondie, the Doobie Brothers (!), the Beach Boys (!!), and even the Kinks (!!!) have succumbed. For anyone who requires further evidence of disco's legitimacy, I submit the fact that a pure disco album has just been re corded for A&M by the first lady of the American musical theater, Ethel Merman. Made up of new interpretations of her greatest Berlin, Porter, and Gershwin hits, including There's No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, and I Got Rhythm, the album is called "Anything Still Goes." Sound and lighting-equipment systems are now available that can turn a living room into a disco. New clubs of all kinds-kiddie discos and roller discos as well as the standard discotheques-will be opening all this year, and a new breed of pop artist has stepped forward to create and play the music they run on. One of the best of them is Richie Rivera (see cover) who is not only the disc jockey at the Flamingo disco in New York but is also responsible for recording some of the very records he plays. He did the mixing for the hot "Midnight Rhythm" album reviewed here last month, and at Sigma Studios I recently observed him in action assisting producer Joe Long with tracks for a forthcoming record. A lot of disco may sound simple and monotonous, but mixing it is a complicated, even ticklish process. In addition to a knowledge of electronics, a good disco producer must have a keen sense of timing in order to get maximum psychological (physiological?) impact out of all the sound he juggles.
ONE of the best measures of any dance mania worthy of the name is its ubiquity, and if it has anything, disco has that. For example, the U.S. Navy is said to have considered the Village People's hit In the Navy for a 1979 recruitment campaign. And I am planning to get married shortly in the first wedding-on-wheels ever in a Brooklyn roller disco. Even for rock fans not amused by the seemingly ruthless disco takeover, there is hope in another new trend I've noticed: New York now has at least three discos that play nothing but rock. This may be the year when some body in your town opens a place you can go to in your light-in-the-dark shoes and boogie to the music of Southside Johnny.
Vintage magazine ADs:
MCS.
75 watts RMS per channel, 2 channels driven at 8 Ohms.
MCS from 20 to 20,000Hz, with not more than 0.25% total harmonic distortion.
IT MAKES EVERYT ING CLEAR.
Sold and service at JC Penney
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Infinity makes a small contribution to the state of the art.
InfiniTesimal!
Here's everything you'd expect from Infinity. (Except the size, 11 x 6 1/2 inches.) Here's the unparalleled clarity, warmth and smoothness of our larger speakers; inner details you never heard before from favorite recordings; and imaging so accurate you could actually place where people are coughing in the audience.
The dual-voice-coil advantage in an advanced 5-inch woofer.
Our exclusive Infinity/Watkins Woofer' uses dual-voice-coils to smooth out and extend bass response. And it lets your amplifier develop more power at low frequencies than any other mini speaker. All this-and our highly-acclaimed EMIT1TM Electromagnetic Induction Tweeter, too! The end of paper cones and their distortion Because paper and exotic plastic cones create vibrations of their own, adding unacceptable colorations to the music, InfiniTesimal introduces a superior new cone material: polypropylene.
It adds essentially no sound of its own, being almost perfectly acoustically inert. Its low mass and ideal damping characteristics result in dramatically improved musicality.
InfiniTesimal. In total-a small, magnificent 2-way system with unusual musical warmth, focus and transient attack. At about $175 each, a mini-speaker of uncompromising quality and accuracy for your home or vehicle.
True Infinity sound. From a definitely finite space.
Manufactured by Infinity under license from Watkins Engineering, Inc.
Suggested retail price, optional with dealers. Slightly higher east of the Mississippi.
Infinity-- We get you back to what it's all about. Music.
A toll-free call to (800) 423-5244-or from California, (800) 382-3372-will get you the nearest Infinity dealer's name and address.
1979 by Infinity Systems, Inc., 7930 Deering Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304, (213) 883-4800.
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STEREO CASSETTE. A FUNCTION OF CONSTANT ATTENTION TO INFINITE DETAIL
For those who consider adequacy enough, there are many manufacturers able to meet that audio standard.
Superiority, however, is another story.
Superiority demands imagination translated into production. It requires thorough dedication to quality without compromise. And most of all, it takes constant attention to infinite detail.
These are tie factors that have made Lux audio systems recognizably superior to the select group appreciating such detail and willing to pay the price.
The Lux K-12 Stereo Cassette Deck reflects Lux's focus on perfection with a number of new and exclusive features devoted to producing Pie ultimate in audio fidelity and user convenience.
The first of these is "real-time processing' a standard set by computer manufacturers to eliminate the mast minimal time lag in dealing with electronic signals during record or playback.
Because any meter is too slow to match real-time processing, Lux provides their Plasma Peak Indicator with peak hold function for instantaneous response to signals by means of a florescent tube display scaled in dB for each change'. You can see real-time processing in action.
Dual DC Amplification
As a pioneer in the development of DC amplifiers, Lux refuses to compromise and introduces the K-12, the first cassette deck with two DC amplifiers, one for recording and the other for playback.
Manufacturers-even of expensive equipment-are satisfied with mixed amplification systems, one AC amplifier and one DC amplifier. Most decks available are AC amplifiers only.
Minutes and Seconds Still another exclusive when used with Lux's unique cassette tape, featuring SKEW adjustment for optimum tape to head and wide pad aid holding-mechanism for stable frequency response, is the ultimate precision found in the Electronic Digital Tape Counter. LUX engineers designed and built an electronic counter working off a specially designed tape mot ion sensor. As you record or playback, this elapsed time is shown or a 4-digit LED display in terms of minutes and seconds.
Dedicated to Superiority Lux's K-12 pure Sendust alloy heads handling any tape, including the new meta particle tapes.
Dual drive motors are part of the tape transport system, with one motor driving the capstan and another the reel.
Thus, torque vibration is virtually eliminated and back tension is always maintained at the optimum.
In addition, with IC logic circuitry, the slightest touch on human engineered controls fulfills your commands... instantaneously.
Additional features include Dolby NA system, recording mute device, mike mixing circuit, separate 3-way bias and equalization and just about everything you would want or expect-on audio equipment bearing the Lux name.
Specifications are among the best available ...
Frequency Response: 30-20,000Hz ±3dB (metal tape), S/N ratio better than 69dB (Dolby on, metal tape) and Wow & Flutter no more than 0.04% (WRMS). But, in tie final analysis, your own hearing has to be the judge.
See the K-12 and test :he ' unique cassette tape at your Lux dealer. Try it... hear it... and focus on perfection as only Lux can provide.
LUX AUDIO OF AMERICA, LTD. 160 Dupont Street Plainview, NY 11803. In Canada: LUX AUDIO OF CANADA, LTD., Ontario.
Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
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If you're buying the middle go straight to the top. If you know about SAE, you know about those awesome, 6 -foot, $6000 racks of high-performance, high -end audio.
Great for the audiophile. They call it "state-of-the-art" The problem is we don't all live in the same state.
Introducing SAE TWO.
If you're a real devotee, you'll want the integrated amp, the tuner, and maybe the cassette deck as well. If you draw the line at mild enthusiasm, you'll want the receiver.
Here's why: The R3C receiver has a fully -complementary amp, special low -noise pre amp, and tuning section with separate tuning and signal strength meters. $335.
The C3A integrated amp, also a pre -amp, can handle two tape recorders for dual dubbing. $325.
The T3U tuner combines a wide tuning scale with linear phase filters for unparalleled accuracy and selectivity
$275.
The C3D cassette deck has a mind of its own; a microprocessor chip and a memory that protects your tapes while providing solenoid logic control. $400.
If all this sounds more like SAE than SAE TWO, it should.
You're getting the same leadership in technology The same logic in design.
The same passion for sound.
True, SAE TWO costs the same as any other mid -priced line.
But that's where all similarity ends.
For complete product and dealer information, fast, write: SAE TWO, PO. Box 60271, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, California 90060. In Canada, the Pringle Group, 30 Scarsdale Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 2R7. Prices mentioned are nationally suggested values, actual prices deter mined by individual SAE dealers.
A mid-priced line from a high-end company.
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THE SPARKOMATIC SOUND.
CAR STEREO FOR THE TRAVELIN' MAN WITH EARS OF EXPERIENCE.
Until now, comparing car stereo to home stereo was like night to day. Auto sound equipment was completely in the dark. Powerless to produce serious audio reproduction. Hopelessly lacking in high fidelity specs. For a travelin' man with ears of experience, this was the pure "pits".
But that's a1 over now. Now that Sparkomatic has introduced its radically new High Power Car Stereo series. With exacting high performance high fidelity credentials. Tuners with exceptional FM sensitivity; credible multipath signal rejection; superb separation; integrated cassette or 8-track with virtually inaudible distortion and unnoticeable wow and flutter.
The power: a bone shaking 45 watts.
Sparkomatic's SR 3300 High Power AM/FM Stereo with Auto Reverse Cassette has some other impressive high fidelity touches as well.
Like feather touch electronic controls and sophisticated tape handling capabilities. All told, a component-looking package that delivers faithful high fidelity pleasure in its purist form.
And Sparkomatic High Fidelity Speakers complete a car sound system that produces the highest form of earctic experience.
Visit a Sparkomatic dealer and get a Sparkomatic high power car stereo demonstration soon.
For our free catalogs on Car High Fidelity write: "For The Travelin' Man", Dept. SR , Sparkomatic Corporation, Milford, PA 18337
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The sound is familiar.
The PRICE is the SURPRISE!
Minimus-7 This amazing little hi-fi speaker costs only about a third as much as some mini speakers, but we think they compare very favorably. How could they? Well, we gave ours a heavy-magnet large-excursion 4" woofer, a soft-dome wide-dispersion 1" tweeter, a precise L-C cross over network, and a diecast aluminum enclosure. The result is astonishing bass and crisp highs from a 7-1/6" tall system that fits on any book shelf. Audio response is 50 20,000 Hz and power capacity is 40 watts RMS. All for only 49.95 each.
Now listen to this! Just 14.95 buys you a pair of the fully adjustable mounting brackets pictured here, so you can install two Minimus)-7s in your car. Or van or pickup or RV. Discover Minimus-7, the mini-size, maxi-value speaker for home or mobile use. Sold only at Radio Shack.
Retail prices may vary at individual stores and dealers.
These two cards honored at most Radio Shack stores Radio Shack -- A Division of Tandy Corporation. Fort Worth, Texas, 76102.
Over 7000 Locations in Nine Countries.
Use 'em on a shelf--Use 'em in your vehicle
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NIKKO RECEIVERS ARE BUILT AS THOUGH THEY'RE ONE-OF-A-KIND.
At Nikko, we make sure that every single receiver we make will live up to our specifications, as well as your expectations.
Which is why we have what we call the "200% Quality Control" program. Now, almost all companies have a "random" testing program. But that's not good enough for us. We check every unit be fore it leaves our factory. Then we test each and every Nikko receiver again, be fore it's shipped to one of our carefully-selected dealers. This relentlessly-thorough program is your assurance that you'll get all of the exceptional performance and reliability we build into our products.
How can Nikko afford to spend so much time on individual quality control in these days of mass production? We can't afford not to, because we back each receiver with a transferable Three-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
But the "200% Quality Control" program is only one side of Nikko. The other side is what you can see and hear: meaningful features, superb sound and outstanding value.
Consider our new NR-819. This advanced receiver employs a fully complementary, capacitor-free output circuit and delivers 45 watts per channel, minimum RMS, at 8 ohms, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with no more than 0.05% total harmonic distortion.
Its phono preamp utilizes high speed circuitry for phenomenal transient response characteristics and low TIM.
A subsonic filter cleans up the bass response and helps the amplifier operate more efficiently.
FM tuning is easy and precise thanks :o an FET front end, a Phase Locked Loop for maximum stereo separation and Nikko's T-Locked circuitry, which automatically tunes in a station for minimum distortion.
The NR-819 also features the insurance of a sophisticated speaker protection circuit that utilizes Nikko's famed circuit breakers.
There are no shortcuts to top quality and performance. So before you buy any receiver, think about the persistent quality control and advanced engineering that go into every receiver Nikko builds. It should convince you that we take our stereo as seriously as you do.
ATTENTION! IT SET
SPEAKERS PROTECTOR
Call toll-free 800-423-2994 for your nearest Nikko dealer.
Nikko Electric Corp. of America/16270 Raymer St., Van Nuys. Calif. 91406 (213) 938-0105/320 Oser Ave., Hauppauge, N.Y. 11787 (516 231-8181)/ Canada: Superior Electronics, Inc Nikko Audio 1979 Nikko Audio
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Introducing Alpine: the car audio that Lamborghini selected to be standard equipment on their $85,000 sports machine. Alpine audio systems are pure-bred, high technology designs for the car listening environment.
The new Alpine systems offer more features, and more combinations of features, than ever before available on in-dash car audio. Features like memory logic electron ics, music sensor, Dolby, key-off eject, cassette glide, loudness contour and a CrO2-FeCr switch. These systems also offer high power-20 watts-per-channel RMS-along with low distortion and unbelievably low wow and flutter (.09% on many models).
Until now, you had to buy a Lamborghini to hear an Alpine car audio.
ALPINE At the heart of Alpine's line there are two types of "master" units: the Integral Component and the Micro Integral Each type houses an FM/AM Stereo Tuner and Cassette Deck The Micro Integral models also feature an amplifier and are completely self contained. Alpine accessory equipment includes Digital Time Delay (for concert hall-like ambience) and Graphic Equalizers. And Alpine offers Loudspeakers which handle the enormous clean power of Alpine car audio systems. Consult your Alpine dealer for professional planning to suit your particular needs.
Alpine. We're new, and everything we do is new. Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. Dolby is a registered trademark.
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Also see:
TECHNICAL TALK: Fuse Distortion? by JULIAN D. HIRSCH
AUDIO NEWS: Digital Devices, Room Acoustics, Power-amplifier Costs
Source: Stereo Review (USA magazine)