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Everything about Philadelphia International Records’ 1979 release of the self-titled album from Frantique was unexpected.  The cradle of Philly soul wasn’t exactly a typical home for an LP of Eurodisco.  Nor was Frantique’s benefactor someone particularly associated with disco, Euro- or otherwise – the legendary maestro of elegant and silky soul, Thom Bell.  But Bell had taken an interest in songwriter-producer Jack Robinson and his collaborator David Christie, enlisting them for projects by The Spinners and Lou Rawls, among others.  Robinson and Christie, a.k.a. James Bolden, composed just four lengthy tracks for Frantique, but one of them – the U.K. Top 10 hit “Strut Your Funky Stuff,” inspired by the songwriters’ visits to Thom Bell’s adopted city of Seattle – became an all-time dancefloor classic.  Frantique arrived on CD in late 2015 from Cherry Red’s Big Break Records imprint.

Frantique was recorded not in Seattle, or Philadelphia, but in the suburbs of Paris, arranged and produced by Jack Robinson, his then-wife Vivienne Savoie Robinson, and James Bolden.  A singer who still today remains anonymous was hired to provide the lead vocals, with the producers chiming in on harmonies to provide a group sound.  Once the tracks were laid down in France, the four songs were mixed in London’s tres hip Trident Studios (home of recording projects for artists including Elton John and David Bowie).  Back in the U.S., Robinson played the completed album for Bell, who sent a copy to his friends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in Philadelphia.  Gamble and Huff purchased the LP and packaged the album with a cover to capitalize on the roller disco frenzy.  Bell and the producers then assembled a real-life Frantique group for live appearances.

Despite the U.K. success of “Strut Your Funky Stuff,” Gamble and Huff weren’t able to work their magic on Frantique in the United States, though they did green-light more music, once more at Bell’s urging.  Jack and James returned to the studio with the live Frantique line-up of Tricia Cheyenne, Florence Raynor and Denise Russelle  to record a further two songs: “Steady with Teddy,” inspired by Philly International’s resident hitmaker Teddy Pendergrass, and “Sensual You All.”  But soon after, Frantique disappeared, though Robinson and Bolden continued to work together, notably on the Bolden/Christie solo single “Saddle Up” (another U.K. Top 10).

Big Break’s CD premiere of Frantique, produced by Wayne A. Dickson, adds a number of bonus tracks: the single of “Steady with Teddy” along with the extended version of “Sensual You All,” the edited disco version of “Getting Serious” and the 12-inch remix of “Strut Your Funky Stuff.”  (The 45 RPM single versions of the album’s tracks are not appended here.)  Nick Robbins has splendidly remastered, and Christian John Wikane has provided a comprehensive history of the album with his liner notes including fresh quotes from Jack Robinson.  The reissue is housed in a Super Jewel Box.

This lost Eurodisco-by-way-of-Philadelphia gem is once more available to strut its funky stuff!  Frantique can be ordered at the links below!

Frantique, Frantique (Philadelphia International JZ 36026, 1979 – reissued Big Break Records CDBBRX 0324, 2015) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

1. Disco Dancer
2. Getting Serious
3. Night People These Days
4. Strut Your Funky Stuff
5. Steady with Teddy (PIR single ZS6-3115, `1980)
6. Sensual You All (Long Version) (Long Version of track from PIR single ZS6-3115, 1980)
7. Getting Serious (Edited Disco Version) (Edited version of track from PIR single 2Z8 3597, 1979)
8. Strut Your Funky Stuff (12-Inch Disco Version) (PIR 12-inch single 2Z8 3697, 1979)