Heatwave
Heatwave was a multinational funk and disco band formed in London in 1975, renowned for hits like "Boogie Nights," "The Groove Line," and "Always and Forever". The group blended American soul, British songwriting, and international influences into a distinctive sound during the late 1970s disco era.
Johnnie Wilder Jr., an American from Dayton, Ohio, began singing in Germany while in the U.S. Army, staying after discharge to perform in clubs. He relocated to the UK, placed an ad, and teamed with English songwriter Rod Temperton on keyboards, later adding Keith Wilder (vocals), Roy Carter and Eric Johns (guitars), Swiss bassist Mario Mantese, and Czech drummer Ernest "Bilbo" Berger.
Signed to GTO Records in 1976, Heatwave released Too Hot to Handle with producer Barry Blue, featuring "Boogie Nights" which hit the U.S. Top 10. Their 1977 follow-up Central Heating included "The Groove Line" and the ballad "Always and Forever," solidifying their chart success.
Bassist Mantese was stabbed by his girlfriend in 1978, surviving a coma but left paralyzed, blind, and mute; Derek Bramble replaced him. Founder Johnnie Wilder Jr. became paraplegic in a 1979 car accident, shifting to production and backing vocals.
The band released Hot Property (1979) and Candles (1981) before disbanding around 1982. Temperton wrote hits for Michael Jackson and others; Keith Wilder led later reunions until his 2016 death; Johnnie Wilder Jr. passed in 2017.
Candles
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm and backing vocals] – Rod Temperton
4:20
A2 Jitterbuggin'
Written By, Arranged By [Rhythm and backing vocals] – Rod Temperton
4:13
A3 Party Suite
Written By, Arranged By [Rhythm and backing vocals] – Rod Temperton
4:55
A4 Turn Around
Written-By – Johnnie Wilder Jr.
4:56
B1 Posin' 'Til Closin'
Written By, Arranged By [Rhythm and backing vocals] – Rod Temperton
4:59
B2 All I Am
Written-By – Lynsey De Paul, Susan Sheridan
3:40
B3 Dreamin' You
Written By, Arranged By [Rhythm and backing vocals] – Rod Temperton
3:57
B4 Goin' Crazy
Written-By – Johnnie Wilder Jr.
5:53
B5 Where Did I Go Wrong
Written-By – Linda Phillips, Tommy Gilliard
4:20
Label: GTO – GTLP 047
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Funk, Disco
Central Heating
Written-By – R. Temperton 6:36
2 Send Out For Sunshine
Written-By – R. Temperton 4:26
3 Central Heating
Written-By – R. Temperton 4:44
4 Happiness Togetherness
Written-By – J. Wilder, Jr. 4:00
5 The Groove Line
Written-By – R. Temperton 4:19
6 Mind Blowing Decisions
Written-By – J. Wilder, Jr. 4:17
7 The Star Of A Story
Written-By – R. Temperton 5:41
8 Party Poops
Written-By – R. Temperton 3:51
9 Leavin' For A Dream
Written-By – R. Temperton 3:24
11 The Groove Line (12" Disco Version)
Written-By – R. Temperton 7:26
12 Mind Blowing Decisions (12” Disco Version)
Written-By – J. Wilder, Jr. 7:31
Label: GTO – GTLP 027
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Disco, Funk, Soul
Heatwave's Central Heating album is widely acclaimed as a funk-disco masterpiece, praised for its flawless production, timeless grooves, killer singles like "The Groove Line," and stunning ballads such as "Mind Blowing Decisions" and "The Star of a Story," showcasing tight musicianship, great vocals, and Rod Temperton's brilliant songwriting, though noted for its lack of horns and some critics finding it too polished for its era, with AllMusic giving it 5 stars and Robert Christgau a C-.
The album received universal praise for its quality, with AllMusic calling it a near-perfect R&B gem and Virgin Encyclopedia giving it 5 stars, though Robert Christgau found it somewhat shallow disco.
It features major dance hits like the infectious "The Groove Line" and the soulful mid-tempo "Mind Blowing Decisions". with Rod Temperton's signature songwriting and arrangements, blending dancefloor fillers with beautiful, atmospheric ballads.
It highlights tight, funky musicianship, excellent vocals from the Wilder brothers, and a clean, well-produced sound, often without heavy brass.
Reviewers note its enduring appeal, with tracks like "The Star of a Story" feeling both nostalgic and fresh. Considered a complete album with no weak tracks, perfect for late-night listening.
In Summary, Central Heating is seen as Heatwave's definitive work, capturing the peak of their funk-disco sound with sophisticated production and enduring hits, cementing their legacy before lead singer Johnnie Wilder's accident and Rod Temperton's departure for Quincy Jones.
Current
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:20
A2 State To State
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:57
A3 Look After Love
Written-By – Rod Temperton
5:33
A4 Naturally
Written-By – Barry Blue, Robin Smith
4:34
B1 The Big Guns
Written-By – Rod Temperton
5:12
B2 Find It In Your Heart
Written-By – Barry Blue, Robin Smith
4:38
B3 Hold On To The One
Written-By – Rod Temperton
5:58
B4 Mind What You Find
Written-By – Derek Bramble
6:14
Label: Epic – EPC 85812
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Disco, Soul
Hot Property
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:18
A2 Eyeballin'
Written-By – Rod Temperton
3:53
A3 This Night We Fell
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:03
A4 Raise A Blaze
Written-By – Rod Temperton
3:51
A5 First Day Of Snow
Written-By – Rod Temperton
3:36
B1 One Night Tan
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:02
B2 Therm Warfare
Written-By – Rod Temperton
6:41
B3 All Talked Out
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:34
B4 That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:17
B5 Disco
Written-By – Johnnie Wilder Jr.
3:46
Label: GTO – GTLP 039
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Disco, Soul
Too Hot To Handle
A2 Boogie Nights 4:49
A3 Ain't No Half Steppin' 5:11
A4 Always And Forever 6:13
B1 Super Soul Sister 3:59
B2 All You Do Is Dial 4:10
B3 Lay It On Me 3:16
B4 Sho'nuff Must Be Luv 3:57
B5 Beat Your Booty 3:00
Written-By Rod Temperton
Label: GTO – GTLP 013
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Disco, Funk, Soul