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Neither a
family nor any of the singers named Ritchie, the Ritchie Family were a
studio group created by disco producers Jacques Morali & Ritchie Rome's
who a few years later imagined the Village People.
The
original members featured
Cheryl Mason Jacks,
Gwendolyn Oliver and Cassandra Ann Woten.
Their first single release, "Brazil", was a major US disco hit in 1975 and is a disco version of the theme from the 1930's movie of the same name. In 1976, they released one of the first 12 inch disco singles, I want to dance with you (dance with me). Each of the Ritchie Family records were concept albums. Their first was Brazil, followed by Arabian Nights. This featured the group’s biggest hit The best disco in Town, which was itself a medley of disco hits of the time. They then released the 1930's inspired Life is Music followed by African Queens. These LP's (apart from Life is Music) all featured a 15 or 20 minute disco medley In 1978 the band switched labels, their style of disco opting or a more eurobeat feel and band members with Jaqui Smith, Dodie Draher and Vera Brown replacing the originals. The first album on the new label was "American Generation" which includes the great title track and also what is considered their best song, I feel disco good. |
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Their final self titled album of the 1970's includes Put your feet to the beat and Where are the Men, the latter signifying a return to their earlier style
of music. The Ritchie Family also recorded several tracks for the Village People movie Can't stop the Music. |
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