HEATWAVE Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Heatwave's greatest hits collection from 1984 is a perfect embodiment of their sound. Disco, soul and funk all combine to thrilling and floor filling effect across nine tracks. The band formed in the mid-70s in Europe but had members from all over the world. Johnnie Wilder was the founder and an American serviceman based in West Germany who stayed put after the war and sang in local clubs before hooking up with Rod Temperton in the UK. 'Boogie Nights' is their most iconic and successful hit and it opens this collection in gloriously uplifting fashion.

Review: Heatwave's cult classic debut album Too Hot to Handle is a glorious ode to funk-disco sounds from the American outfit. It was recorded from 1975 to 1976 and arrived that same year in the UK, a year later in the Us, and remains a much-loved album all these decades later. The Dayton., Ohio-formed band features well over 10 different members in its time but this album was written exclusively by songwriter/keyboardist Rod Temperton who hooked up with the band when the founding member, Johnnie Wilder, had relocated to London, England after being in the services and based in West Germany.

Review: Here's something to excite those who dig quality 1970s funk, soul and disco: a tidy 7" containing two stone cold classics from the Rod Temperton-helmed, UK-based "international band" Heatwave. Side A boasts one of the standout moments from the group's much-loved 1977 album "Central Heating", seductive, string-laden love song "The Star Of A Story". It's superbly arranged and brilliantly produced, with warm keys, Spanish guitar solos and rich orchestration combining beautifully with the band's slick and smooth vocals. Side B is taken up by 1976 single "Ain't No Half Steppin'", a bolder and more dancefloor-friendly chunk of warm and woozy dancefloor soul.