David Todd (producer)

Last updated

David Todd was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the music industry at a small retail record store in New York around 1970.

Contents

History

Because of his discriminating ear and extensive knowledge of dance music, he was invited to DJ at Fire Island's prestigious Ice Palace in 1971. [1] David continued to parlay his musical expertise and became the first working DJ to take a promotions and A&R role at a label for RCA Records. [2]

While at RCA, Todd introduced the Latin Hustle to Van McCoy, inspiring McCoy to record "The Hustle." [3] Some of David's remixes for the RCA label include "Shame" by Evelyn "Champagne" King, "Stubborn Kind of Fella" for Buffalo Smoke, and “Keep it Confidential” by former Labelle member, Nona Hendryx.

In the early 80's Todd returned to Philadelphia and served as the resident DJ for The Catacombs. During that time, David partnered with local DJ turned A&R man Nick Martinelli to form one of Philadelphia's most notable remix and productions teams since Gamble and Huff. [4] David Todd's contributions to the music industry generated millions of dollars in sales revenue and helped redefine the house music subgenre named "Philly Classics".

Production credits

ArtistSong TitleLabel / Catalog NumberYear
Faith Hope & Charity Life Goes OnRCA Victor Records – PD-109501976
Ralph GrahamWhat Am I To DoRCA Records – JD-110381977
State DepartmentSlow LoveRCA Records – JD-110951977
Buffalo Smoke Stubborn Kind of FellaRCA Records – JD-113681977
New York Community ChoirExpress Yourself / Have A Good TimeRCA Records – PD-110061977
Evelyn "Champagne" King Shame RCA Records PD-112131977
The Choice Four Come Down To Earth / Two Different WorldsRCA Victor – PD-110941977
The Skyliners The Love Bug (Done Bit Me Again)Tortoise International – YD-113451978
Dee Dee Sharp Gamble Breaking and Entering Philadelphia International Records – AS 9181980
William DeVaughn Be Thankful For What You GotTEC Records – PR 1021980
Rose Royce New LoveMontage Records – MS 6201981
Keni Burke Let Somebody Love YouRCA Records – JD-12291981
Brandi Wells Watch Out (Club Version)WMOT Records – 13401981
The Funk Fusion BandCan You Feel ItWMOT Records – 4W9 024161981
Chris ThomasCelebrity FunkDOC International Records – DC-1011982
Tavares Got To Find My Way Back To YouRCA Victor – PD-134341982
StoneGirl I Like The Way You MoveWest End Records – WES 22147(A)1982
Raw Silk Do It To The MusicWest End Records – WES 221481982
(B. T.) Brenda TaylorYou Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it TooWest End Records – WES 221491982
MahoganyRide On The RhythmWest End Records – WES 221501982
Major Harris I Want Your LoveBuzz International – VIBE 1 T1983
Major HarrisAll My LifeLondon Records – 810 276-11983
RocketHere Comes My LoveQuality Records – QUS 0331983
Fredi Grace & RhinestoneHead Over HeelsRCA Records – PB 34981983
Evelyn "Champagne" King ActionRCA Records – PC-36831983
Nona Hendryx Keep It ConfidentialRCA Victor – PD-134381983
SunfireVideo QueenWarner Brothers – 0-201501983
Shirley LitesHeat You Up (Melt You Down)West End Records – WES 22155A1983
Raw SilkJust In TimeWest End Records – WES 221591983
Sybil ThomasRescue MeWest End Records – WES 221601983
Bonnie Pointer PremonitionPrivate I Records – 3111181984
La Toya Jackson Hot PotatoPrivate I Records – 4Z9 050741984
Mikki featuring StarzDance LoverRams Horn Records – RHR 34121985
Evelyn "Champagne" KingHigh HorseRCA Records – PW 134091985
Kim Wilde Say You Really Want MeMCA Records – MCA-23678(B)1986
Janice McClain Passion and PainMCA Records, Ltd. – MC 11091986
Fat Larry's BandSunrise SunsetOmni Records/Atlantic DMD 9561986
Fat Larry's BandTeach Me (There is Something About Love)Omni Records/Atlantic - DMD 9911986
Regina Belle You've Got The LoveCBS Records (Canada) – REBE T11987
Regina BelleHow Could You Do It To Me?Columbia Records – 38-077351987
Tracie Spencer Symptoms of True LoveCapitol Records – 12CLX 490(B)1988
Rick James Sexual Luv AffairReprise Records – 0-210361988
George Benson Let's Do It AgainWarner Brothers Records - 0-210711988

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juicy J</span> American record producer and rapper (born 1975)

Jordan Michael Houston III, known professionally as Juicy J, is an American record producer and rapper. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he is a founding member of the Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia, established in 1991. He released ten studio albums with the group, which began as an underground act until attaining mainstream success and signing with Loud Records, an imprint of Columbia Records in 2000. In 2005, they reached their furthest commercial success with the single "Stay Fly", which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same year, they recorded the song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" for the film Hustle & Flow, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vicki Sue Robinson</span> American singer (1954–2000)

Vicki Sue Robinson was an American singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around".

Australian hip hop traces its origins to the early 1980s and was initially largely inspired by hip hop and other urban musical genres from the United States. As the form matured, Australian hip hop has become a commercially viable style of music that is no longer restricted to the creative underground, with artists such as The Kid Laroi, Manu Crooks, Onefour, Iggy Azalea, Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso and Youngn Lipz, having achieved notable fame. Australian hip hop is still primarily released through independent record labels, which are often owned and operated by the artists themselves. Despite its genesis as an offshoot of American hip-hop, Australian hip hop has developed a distinct personality that reflects its evolution as an Australian musical style.

The Hustle is a catch-all name for some disco dances which were extremely popular in the 1970s. Late 1970s, Bump, Hustle, Watergate and Spank were popular. It mostly refers to the unique partner dance done in nightclubs to disco music. Hustle has steps in common with Mambo and Salsa and basic steps are somewhat similar to Euro dance style "discofox", which emerged at about the same time and is more familiar in various European countries. Modern partner hustle is sometimes referred to as New York hustle, however, its original name is the Latin hustle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Terry</span> American DJ and house producer

Todd Norton Terry is an American DJ, record producer and remixer in the genre of house music. His productions helped define the New York house scene in the 1990s and used extensive samples that blend the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago house sound, and elements of hip-hop. He has remixed a wide variety of artists.

52nd Street were a British jazz-funk and R&B band formed in Manchester in late 1980. Throughout the 1980s the group enjoyed success not only in the UK but also on the Billboard chart in the United States. Their biggest and best-known hit single was "Tell Me ", released in 1985 by the 10 Records subsidiary of Virgin Records in the UK, and then months later on in 1986 on MCA Records in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FFRR Records</span> Dance Music Record Label

FFRR Records is a dance music label originally founded by London Records in 1986, with A&R run by English DJ Pete Tong, from the start. Originally a part of London Records' label roster, FFRR is currently a sublabel of Parlophone, a division of Warner Music Group. Its activities were mostly halted in the early 2000s, until the label was revived in 2011. Its catalog was sold off in 2017, but the label was revived a second time in 2021, this time with a new identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van McCoy</span> American musician, producer and songwriter (1940–1979)

Van Allen Clinton McCoy was an American record producer, arranger, songwriter and singer. He is known for his 1975 internationally successful hit "The Hustle". He has approximately 700 song copyrights to his credit, and produced songs by such recording artists as Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Stylistics, Aretha Franklin, Brenda & the Tabulations, David Ruffin, Peaches & Herb, Lesley Gore, and Stacy Lattisaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salsoul Records</span> US record label based in New York City

Salsoul Records is an American New York City based record label, founded by three brothers, Joseph Cayre, Kenneth Cayre, and Stanley Cayre. Salsoul issued about 300 singles, including many disco/post-disco 12-inch releases, and a string of albums in the 1970s and early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Choice (group)</span> American girl group and vocal music trio

First Choice is an American girl group and vocal music trio from Philadelphia. Their R&B and disco hits included "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "Smarty Pants", "The Player ", "Guilty", "Love Thang", and "Doctor Love". They were signed to soul label Philly Groove and to disco label Gold Mind, and later to Warner Bros. and Salsoul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hustle (song)</span> 1975 single by Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony

"The Hustle" is a disco song by songwriter/arranger Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony. It went to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts during the summer of 1975. It also peaked at No. 1 on the Canadian RPM charts, No. 9 on the Australian Singles Chart and No. 3 in the UK. It would eventually sell over one million copies. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance early in 1976 for songs recorded in 1975.

Faith Hope and Charity was the name of a vocal group from Tampa, Florida. They are best known for their 1975 hit, "To Each His Own". They were also an in-demand group of session singers in New York studios during the 1970s.

James Stroud is an American musician and record producer who works in pop, rock, R&B, soul, disco, and country music. He played with the Malaco Rhythm Section for Malaco Records. In the 1990s, he was the president of Giant Records and held several credits as a session drummer. He later worked for DreamWorks Records Nashville and in 2008 founded his own label, Stroudavarious Records.

Raw Silk was an American dance band which originated in New York.

Vincent "Vince" DeGiorgio is a Canadian DJ, record producer, music publisher and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catacombs Nightclub Philadelphia</span>

The Catacombs Nightclub was a gay after-hours club in Philadelphia that played underground dance music, a precursor to house music. Additionally, Catacombs was responsible for the creation of the dance music genre "Philly Classics." The club was a haven and cultural center for music industry professionals and artists of diverse backgrounds in the early '80s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kemosabe Records</span> American record label

Kemosabe Records is an American record label founded by American record producer and songwriter Dr. Luke and owned by Sony Music Entertainment. The label is based in Los Angeles, California.

Mitchelle'l Sium is an American singer and songwriter from Houston, Texas. He was discovered on Myspace.com and brought to Grand Hustle Records by general manager, Hannah Kang. In 2008, Sium signed a record deal with Atlanta-based record label Grand Hustle Records, founded by American rapper T.I. Sium has collaborated with some of the most prominent artists in the hip hop industry, such as TI, Jeezy, Ty Dolla $ign, BJ The Chicago Kid, Charlie Wilson, Lil Duval, B.o.B, Yo Gotti, 8Ball & MJG and Nelly, among others.

Leroy Leon Pendarvis is an American session musician. He plays keyboards and is a background vocalist. He is also an occasional guitarist. The artists he has worked with over the years include Bonnie Raitt on her Streetlights album which was released in 1974, Van McCoy on his Disco Baby album which was released in 1975, Barbra Streisand on her Songbird album which was released in 1978, Eric Clapton on his August album which was released in 1986, Don Johnson on his Let It Roll album which was released in 1989, Avril Lavigne on her Keep Holding On album which was released on 2007, and many more. He was at one time a member of the group Passion. He is also the musical director and conductor for NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) Band, with which he has played since 1980. Since 1986 he has been a member of The Blues Brothers band. He was the husband of singer and chorist Janice Pendarvis, who sang for Roberta Flack, Sting, Philip Glass, David Bowie, and the Naked Brothers Band.

"We Got Love" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul and Terry Britten that was first recorded by British soul group, The Real Thing. It was produced by the American R&B and pop record producer, Nick Martinelli, and released on the RCA label, both as a 7-inch single, and a 12-inch extended play version, in October 1984. The lyrics of the song are about love being more important than riches and wealth, and fame being meaningless. It received positive reviews from the mainstream music press, with James Hamilton writing "Latest to benefit from a visit to Nick Martinelli in Philadelphia, the guys sound quite soulfully credible hoarsely harmonising in unison to a nagging 103bpm beat with nice scat break" on his weekly disco page for Record Mirror. It was already play listed on at least 10 of the UK's most prominent radio stations by late October, as well as being played on Italian radio.

References

  1. Google Books - Lawrence, T. (2003. Love saves the day: a history of American dance music culture, 1970-1979. Raleigh: Duke University Press
  2. DiscoMusic.com Archived 2013-01-22 at archive.today , David Todd Profile
  3. Moulton, T. (2011, September 20). Remembering David Todd Tribute. (C. Burnette, Interviewer)
  4. Discogs.com - David Todd Artist Profile