Metropolis

Metropolis

    Like so many of the classics we love from the disco-era, Metropolis was not an actual "group." Yes it was a collection of talented people, but those people never toured or performed as Metropolis. That collection was comprised of Tom Moulton, Thor Baldursson and The Sweethearts Of Sigma Sound.
     Tom Moulton was already an icon of the disco world by 1978. Though never a DJ, he is credited for giving birth to the 12" remixed single. His early studio mixes were among the first to be widely touted and he has the distinction of being the first remixer to receive label credits. The previous year he produced Grace Jones 1977 debut album "Portfolio" to mass acceptance and critical acclaim. He would eventually be the first mixer to have his own record label as well (TJM Records). Thirty years on and Tom is still heavily involved in mixing and studio work.
     Thor Baldursson migrated (musically) to the U.S.A. thanks to his association with Giorgio Moroder and the Munich Machine. The Icelandic born keyboardist had already played on most of the top European disco hits backing such greats as Donna Summer, Roberta Kelly and Claudja Barry. Equally adept at writing, Thor also penned all but one of the hits for Metropolis.
     The "Sweeties" had already attained the mantle of the greatest background singers in the world. Carla Benson, Evette Benton and Barbara Ingram were fixtures at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios. During their recording careers they racked up more appearances on vinyl than any other group of sessionists. Surpassing even the Sweet Inspirations. In fact their heavenly voices are heard on more disco hits than most people realize.
     To the girls, singing for the eight tracks presented by Moulton and Baldursson was just another gig in a long list of many. By when released those tracks created a disco-fire storm. With Tom's expert mixing skills the first 12" of "I Love N.Y." raced up the charts. The song was written for a campaign to help lure people back to N.Y. after the city's much maligned reputation had killed off tourism. The song, with all it's classic elements, made the ad campaign a hit. And as any New Yorker will tell you it was inescapable in 1978.
     The release of the second 12" single, "The Greatest Show On Earth," helped the same-titled album go global. That song became equally as popular as their first. Perhaps it was the clever lyrics, or just the great performance of the singers? I remember Lou DiVito doing a clever mix with it and "I Caught Your Act" by the Hues Corporation. The interplay with the lyrics was brilliant!
     The Salsoul Records album has never been re-issued on compact disc. The first 12" single was a commercial issue but the title track (second single) was a promotional-only release. Which makes all three items very collectable.
     You can read more about Tom on the Disc Jockey pages, The Sweethearts under the Artists-S biographys and sadly more about Barbara Ingram in the DiscoMausoleum. Our thanks to Tom and the Sweeties for one of disco's most memorable classics.