The Trammps
Disco's most soulful vocal group began in the '60s as the Volcanos, and were also called the Moods. Gene Faith was the original lead vocalist, with Earl Young, Jimmy Ellis, guitarist Dennis Harris, keyboardist Ron Kersey, organist John Hart, bassist Stanley Wade, and drummer Michael Thomas. But by the time they'd gone through various identities and emerged as the Trammps in the mid-'70s, the lineup featured lead vocalist Ellis, Norman Harris, and Stanley Wade, Robert Upchurch and Young. A snappy revival of Judy Garland's '40s tune "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" was their first chart single, reaching number 17 on the R&B list in 1972. Despite their well-deserved reputation and boisterous, jubilant harmonies and sound, the Trammps were never a huge commercial success even during disco's heyday. Indeed, they had only three R&B Top Ten hits from 1972 through 1978, and such wonderful records as "Soul Bones," "Ninety-Nine and a Half," and "I Feel Like I've Been Livin' (On the Dark Side of the Moon)" stiffed on the charts though they were beloved by club audiences and R&B fans alike. Their only huge hit was "Disco Inferno" in 1977, which was a number nine R&B single in 1977 and was also featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Yet it missed the pop Top Ten, peaking at number 11. But the Trammps' prowess can't be measured by chart popularity; Ellis' booming, joyous vocals brilliantly championed the celebratory fervor and atmosphere that made disco both loved and hated among music fans.
© Ron Wynn /TiVo
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Playlist: The Best Of The Trammps
Rock - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Jun 17, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Trammps III
Disco - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Jun 9, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Where The Happy People Go
Rock - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Apr 15, 1976
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Disco Champs
R&B - Released by Philadelphia International - Legacy on Jan 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Disco Inferno (Re-Recorded) - Single
Disco - Released by Goldenlane on Apr 10, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Disco Inferno (Re-recorded - Sped up)
Funk - Released by Goldenlane Records on Mar 29, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Three of a Kind
The Trammps, Chic, Kool & The Gang
Soul - Released by Goldenlane Records on Oct 1, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Greatest Hits
Disco - Released by Goldenlane Records on Dec 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Whole World's Dancing
Disco - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Jan 1, 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Soul Christmas with the Trammps (Rerecorded)
Christmas Music - Released by Suite 102 on Nov 16, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I've Gotta Stand Up (Brand New Man) (Dave Lee Garage City Mix)
House - Released by Z Records on Feb 23, 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Disco Inferno Re-Recorded Version
Disco - Released by DPR-TMC on Aug 11, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rhino Hi-Five: The Trammps
Pop - Released by Rhino on Sep 20, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Disco Kings (Rerecording)
R&B - Released by Music Manager on Jun 15, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo