...AND THE BEAT GOES ON! The GRAND ILM DISCO POLL results are revealed!

(On the other hand, you can't beat a cowbell breakdown.)

Oh, I checked the credits on Discogs.com, and apparently Wiltshire sings on the original "Weekend" too! Well, I guess she just does a better job on the later version.

Phreek was my big discovery on the 2006 Levan comp.

83. Boney M. - Rasputin (1978)
190 points, 5 votes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lixnixn/R-933613-1255458200_zpsccc638dd.jpeg

http://youtu.be/zL68JAzBZlM (12" version)
http://youtu.be/kvDMlk3kSYg (music video)

The jump from the mock-Cossack "hey-hey-hey" sequence (pissing on the history books and loving every minute of it; it renders most things that could be called plastic folk utterly unnecessary) into the song proper in Boney M's "Rasputin" (radio usually starts after this, therefore removing the only truly classic element of the song).

― Robin Carmody, 10. maaliskuuta 2001 3:00

We are all on crack: the answer = "Rasputin" by Boney M. To hate = to hate life

― mark s, 4. heinäkuuta 2001 3:00

And yes, 'Rasputin' is silly, that's the bleedin' point...jeez, a black guy sporting an afro with a fake beard doing a russian dance isn't exactly Tolstoy, innit? ;)

― Omar, 4. heinäkuuta 2001 3:00

Rasputin not cool? On which planet? The mixing from Nightflight To Venus to the aforementioned greatest single about pre-revolutionary Russia ever made defines dance music. It Began In Moscow.

― Mike Ratford, 26. maaliskuuta 2002 3:00

You really need to hear "Rasputin", at least.

I love the spoken part:

"But when his DRINKING and LUSTING and his HUNGER
FOR POWER became known to MORE and MORE people,
the demands to do something about this OUTRAGEOUS
man became LOUDER and LOUDER."

― Arthur (Arthur), 29. maaliskuuta 2003 7:14

gotta say Tongue N Cheek's house version from 1990 is a blinder

If you're only familiar with the regular version of "Rasputin", I urge you to check out the 12" mix linked to above: IMO, it has one of the finest extended break intros in all of discodom.

Tuomas is correct. This could easily have been my no.1.

Also, I love how they have to double the final chorus in order to depict the real-life death of Rasputin, i.e. that he was first poisoned, and when that didn't work, shot. Though they still leave out the fact that after he was shot they threw him into a river, just to make sure he was really dead... I guess a triple chorus would've been to much.

surely the only disco single in history to contain the phrase "he was such a lovely dear"?

Just discovered the 12" version on Spotify - great intro.

The 12" intro is quite similar to Cozy Powell's "Dance With The Devil".

And, for our younger readers: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-things-about-rasputin-by-boney-m.htm

82. Tantra - Hills of Katmandu (Album Version) (1979)
192 points, 4 votes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lixnixn/R-212461-1360370028-1724_zpse533df84.jpeg

http://youtu.be/7MCfnMpkUTo

I am listening to Tantra's "The Hills Of Katmandu" right now, but I'm only on my 4th beer. The Love may come out as well.

― scott seward (scott seward), 6. helmikuuta 2005 2:12

listening to the tantra album tonight, i felt like downloading a few tracks for u jon. they might be a bit gay for you, but they are epic

― STRAIGHT FERN GULLY (jaxon), 20. huhtikuuta 2006 8:48

Valli's stuff w/ Azoto is great...San Salvador and Exalt Exalt are the ones I know. but Tantra is just mega-classic. Didn't realize those two were produced by the same person. Tantra's Ma-Cum-Be, A Place Called Tarot and Hills of Katmandu are awesome.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), 7. helmikuuta 2006 0:32

that tantra double lp is by far and away the greatest $3 record i found misfiled in the prince section EVER

― team jaxon (jaxon), 7. helmikuuta 2006 0:51

i really enjoy both hills of katmandu and wishbone pitched way way down

That was my #2. I have huge passion for cosmic 10+ minute disco epics, and "Hills of Katmandu" is the best that I've ever heard. Also, I love the surprisingly sweet B part that follows the mystical incantations, and I love the fact that it doesn't even hit until the song has already played for 7 minutes.

I think "Weekend" is the first one I voted for to place. What a stunning bridge into the chorus.

Wish I'd have had room for "Forget Me Nots" on my ballot, but had to give it up to "Haven't You Heard."

Actually much prefer the original Phreek version, too, btw. The Levan mix seems to hectic and the Class Action one too spare. I prefer the full-on Patrick Adams lushness of the album track.

also i think its cool that the posts tuomas is quoting have their timestamps in finnish

This.

Did any songs lose out because people voted for different versions?

xps I gave Rasputin big points, glad it made it. It's always puzzled how in between their drippy stuff they put out such an undeniable total banger. I don't suppose they had any others tucked away?

Wow @ that Tantra sleeve!

It's always puzzled how in between their drippy stuff they put out such an undeniable total banger. I don't suppose they had any others tucked away?

You might dig He Was a Steppenwolf; it's slower than Rasputin, but definitely has a similar vibe.

It's also my favourite Boney M. tune, even if it kinda steals the chorus melody from "Under the Boardwalk".

'Daddy Cool', while no 'Rasputin', isn't exactly drippy.

('Rasputin' is totally ace, obviously.)

If you're only familiar with the regular version of "Rasputin", I urge you to check out the 12" mix linked to above: IMO, it has one of the finest extended break intros in all of discodom.

you ain't kiddin!

OMG at the 12" version of Rasputin! Heard this song a million times, and only now realized how great it is. The bassline! But really, the song where the "but kazachok he danced really wunderbar" line is not the best thing must be great.

I love that Phreek album cover so much. When I finally get around to framing some of my favourite vinyls that's one I'm going to put up.

Didn't vote for Tantra but happy to see it place and yeah that single cover is quite something too.

"ma baker" by boney m actually got my vote instead of rasputin, and i always got the impression that rasputin was a (successful) effort to replicate ma baker's success. same faux-historical basis, corny voiceovers and great strings. can't say i prefer one over the other though, both excellent tracks.

I think i voted for Gotta Go Home as well as Rasputin but it could have been four or five. Boney M's greatest hits is better than that of almost any band i could name.

81. Heatwave - The Groove Line (1977)
193 points, 5 votes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lixnixn/R-3451021-1330878398_zps1711dc97.jpeg

http://youtu.be/Cr6o88OJ8x8

There doesn't seem to be too much discussion on this tune on ILM, but here's a couple of general threads:

Rod Temperton : what should I look for ?

Has any band ever looked as silly as Heatwave in their matching disco outfits?

That's it for tonight, more tomorrow.

Awww poop. And I just got here.

This list is just fantastic so far. I can't wait for the rest.

99.(tie) KC & The Sunshine Band - Keep It Comin' Love (1976)
99.(tie) Bumblebee Unlimited - Lady Bug (Disco Mix) (1978)
98. Giorgio - From Here to Eternity (1977)
96.(tie) Kid Creole & The Coconuts - I'm a Wonderful Thing (Baby) (1982)
96.(tie) Imagination - Just an Illusion (1982)
95. The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (1979)
94. Chic - At Last I Am Free (1978)
93. KC & The Sunshine Band - That's the Way (I Like It) (1975)
92. Village People - Y.M.C.A. (1978)
91. Dan Hartman - Vertigo/Relight My Fire (1979)
90. Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Spank (1978)
89. Dennis Parker - Like an Eagle (1979)
88. Peech Boys - Don't Make Me Wait (Larry Levan Mix) (1982)
86.(tie) Tavares - More Than a Woman (1977)
86.(tie) Loose Joints - Tell You (Today) (1983)
85. Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots (1982)
84. Phreek - Weekend (1978)
83. Boney M. - Rasputin (1978)
82. Tantra - Hills of Katmandu (Album Version) (1979)
81. Heatwave - The Groove Line (1977)

LOVE The Groove Line. Think it was when it was used in Freaks and Geeks when I realised what an incredible song it is.

wow, The Groove Line is exceptional - hadn't heard it before. There's so much going on at every moment, it's a full-spectrum assault you can dance to.

just wanna mention that "Spank" is the greatest song ever

"Groove Line" is fantastic. Anything connected to Rod Temperton is fantastic.

wow, The Groove Line is exceptional - hadn't heard it before. There's so much going on at every moment, it's a full-spectrum assault you can dance to.

― Ismael Klata

Yeah that is exactly it, every second of the song as something exciting going on. I'm sure I had it way too low on my list.

Here's that cool instrumental cover of "Spank" by Brooklyn Express, from 1981:

http://youtu.be/xIltkM_ipNg

What the hell are those head covering things called that the Boney M ladies wore? They seemed to be very popular with funk/disco artists in the 70s...

They seem kind of Sun Ra inspired.

http://www.oocities.org/realsoul_music/Images/ratyson.jpeg

It hasn't come up and won't but I can't get Change's "Angel in My Pocket" outta my head.

Groove Line is more my speed than most of these (but I'm hearing a bunch of them for the first time).

(Have to check my surprise over some people saying they've never heard it before and remind myself I am old.)

hope you have your mind blown by hearing Rasputin and YMCA for the first time

wonder what change songs are going to show up. feel like "angel in my pocket" has a good chance.

Oops, I think I voted for the wrong version of "Weekend." Both versions are great though.

I voted 'groove line' p high, so much more of a jam than 'boogie nights'. The "leave your worries behind" hook is one of the greatest hooks ever.