Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye (1975)

The great disco album of 1975 - this was a game changing album which was a pre-cursor for the genre to come - long instrumental passages with the song in their somewhere.  It's said that Gloria wasn't best pleased when she heard the results (due to her lack of presence for most of the time) but she was wrong this is a great album particularly side A which features just sublime disco versions of Reach Out, Honey Bee and Never Can Say Goodbye.  Here's a radio interview with her and producer Tom Moulton about the making of this.

Extract from Norman Jay's BBC "Story Of Disco" part two  

There is a CD release on this with a number of added songs - worth every penny (probably cent as you'll end up getting from the US)

Here's a review of the LP when released in 1975 from Blues and Soul.

 UK: MGM 2315 321

(cover shown is US version but same art was used - see my second hand purchase price!)

Gordon Parks - Shaft's Big Score! Soundtrack (1973)

From The Lost Record Covers Club

The follow-up movie to the massive cross-over hit Shaft this was directed by Gordon Parks (as was the original) and he chose to compose and produce the music himself.  This is very modern jazz with Parks drafting in O.C. Smith to sing the main theme "Blowin' Your Mind" and trumpet ace Freddie Hubbard featuring thoughout.  The second side is given over to "Symphony For Shafted Souls (The Big Chase)".  I've never seen this movie and would guess it doesn't meet the original's standard.  Anyone expecting a repeat of the Isaac Hayes soundtrack should think again but, although different, this is hip in it's own way.  The cover art is the poster which is fantastic.  This is fairly hard to find but if located would be a good buy at around £15