David Todd (producer)
David Todd was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the music industry at a small retail record store in New York around 1970.
History
Because of his discriminating ear and extensive knowledge of dance music, he was invited to DJ at Fire Island's prestigious Ice Palace in 1971.[1] David continued to parlay his musical expertise and became the first working DJ to take a promotions and A&R role at a label for RCA Records.[2]
While at RCA, Todd introduced the Latin Hustle to Van McCoy, inspiring McCoy to record "The Hustle."[3] Some of David’s remixes for the RCA label include "Shame" by Evelyn "Champagne" King, "Stubborn Kind of Fella" for Buffalo Smoke, and “Keep it Confidential” by former Labelle member, Nona Hendryx.
In the early 80’s Todd returned to Philadelphia and served as the resident DJ for The Catacombs. During that time, David partnered with local DJ turned A&R man Nick Martinelli to form one of Philadelphia's most notable remix and productions teams since Gamble and Huff.[4] David Todd's contributions to the music industry generated millions of dollars in sales revenue and helped redefine the house music subgenre named "Philly Classics".
Production credits
| Artist | Song Title | Label / Catalog Number | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Hope & Charity | Life Goes On | RCA Victor Records – PD-10950 | 1976 |
| Ralph Graham | What Am I To Do | RCA Records – JD-11038 | 1977 |
| State Department | Slow Love | RCA Records – JD-11095 | 1977 |
| Buffalo Smoke | Stubborn Kind of Fella | RCA Records – JD-11368 | 1977 |
| New York Community Choir | Express Yourself / Have A Good Time | RCA Records – PD-11006 | 1977 |
| Evelyn "Champagne" King | Shame | RCA Records PD-11213 | 1977 |
| The Choice Four | Come Down To Earth / Two Different Worlds | RCA Victor – PD-11094 | 1977 |
| The Skyliners | The Love Bug (Done Bit Me Again) | Tortoise International – YD-11345 | 1978 |
| Dee Dee Sharp Gamble | Breaking and Entering | Philadelphia International Records – AS 918 | 1980 |
| William DeVaughn | Be Thankful For What You Got | TEC Records – PR 102 | 1980 |
| Rose Royce | New Love | Montage Records – MS 620 | 1981 |
| Keni Burke | Let Somebody Love You | RCA Records – JD-1229 | 1981 |
| Brandi Wells | Watch Out (Club Version) | WMOT Records – 1340 | 1981 |
| The Funk Fusion Band | Can You Feel It | WMOT Records – 4W9 02416 | 1981 |
| Chris Thomas | Celebrity Funk | DOC International Records – DC-101 | 1982 |
| Tavares | Got To Find My Way Back To You | RCA Victor – PD-13434 | 1982 |
| Stone | Girl I Like The Way You Move | West End Records – WES 22147(A) | 1982 |
| Raw Silk | Do It To The Music | West End Records – WES 22148 | 1982 |
| (B. T.) Brenda Taylor | You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it Too | West End Records – WES 22149 | 1982 |
| Mahogany | Ride On The Rhythm | West End Records – WES 22150 | 1982 |
| Major Harris | I Want Your Love | Buzz International – VIBE 1 T | 1983 |
| Major Harris | All My Life | London Records – 810 276-1 | 1983 |
| Rocket | Here Comes My Love | Quality Records – QUS 033 | 1983 |
| Fredi Grace & Rhinestone | Head Over Heels | RCA Records – PB 3498 | 1983 |
| Evelyn "Champagne" King | Action | RCA Records – PC-3683 | 1983 |
| Nona Hendryx | Keep It Confidential | RCA Victor – PD-13438 | 1983 |
| Sunfire | Video Queen | Warner Brothers – 0-20150 | 1983 |
| Shirley Lites | Heat You Up (Melt You Down) | West End Records – WES 22155A | 1983 |
| Raw Silk | Just In Time | West End Records – WES 22159 | 1983 |
| Sybil Thomas | Rescue Me | West End Records – WES 22160 | 1983 |
| Bonnie Pointer | Premonition | Private I Records – 311118 | 1984 |
| La Toya Jackson | Hot Potato | Private I Records – 4Z9 05074 | 1984 |
| Mikki featuring Starz | Dance Lover | Rams Horn Records – RHR 3412 | 1985 |
| Evelyn "Champagne" King | High Horse | RCA Records – PW 13409 | 1985 |
| Kim Wilde | So You Really Want Me | MCA Records – MCA-23678(B) | 1986 |
| Janice McClain | Passion and Pain | MCA Records, Ltd. – MC 1109 | 1986 |
| Fat Larry’s Band | Sunrise Sunset | Omni Records/Atlantic DMD 956 | 1986 |
| Fat Larry’s Band | Teach Me (There is Something About Love) | Omni Records/Atlantic - DMD 991 | 1986 |
| Regina Belle | You’ve Got The Love | CBS Records (Canada) – REBE T1 | 1987 |
| Regina Belle | How Could You Do It To Me? | Columbia Records – 38-07735 | 1987 |
| Tracie Spencer | Symptoms of True Love | Capitol Records – 12CLX 490(B) | 1988 |
| Rick James | Sexual Luv Affair | Reprise Records – 0-21036 | 1988 |
| George Benson | Let’s Do It Again | Warner Brothers Records - 0-21071 | 1988 |
References
- ↑ Google Books - Lawrence, T. (2003. Love saves the day: a history of American dance music culture, 1970-1979. Raleigh: Duke University Press
- ↑ DiscoMusic.com, David Todd Profile
- ↑ Moulton, T. (2011, September 20). Remembering David Todd Tribute. (C. Burnette, Interviewer)
- ↑ Discogs.com - David Todd Artist Profile
External links
- Discomusic.com - David Todd Artist Profile Page
- Discogs.com - David Todd Artist Profile Page
- AllMusic.com - Nick Martinelli Biography Page