Olympic Runners – Keepin' It Up 1978

 

With 1978's astutely titled Keeping It Up, the seemingly unstoppable Olympic Runners proved that they were indeed doing just that -- not only keeping up the frenzied release schedule that had seen an album a year since the early '70s, but also maintaining their smooth blend of funk-fueled disco, as they once again plied clubbers with a smart, upbeat set that boogied more than past efforts, but still emerged tight, smooth, and quietly bearing the imprint of old-school funk.

With those fierce Joe Jammer guitars leading the way, pinning down the melodies for vocalists George Chandler and Pete Wingfield to soar across, the group let rip across "Solar Heat," the stylish "Hash Browns," and "Boogie Line." And, if some thought "Guacamole Getdown" was a letdown, they were easily appeased with the crunch of "Down to the Bone." All in all, a marvelous set -- yet one that, irrationally, somehow lacked spark enough to ignite the mainstream frenzy that the band deserved.

But no matter -- fans knew where to find the grooves and, the following year, more than half a decade since they hit the clubs, the Olympic Runners would finally receive a nod from the venerable U.K. charts. In the meantime, though, Keeping It Up flew their disco-funk flag loud and proud.