Bazuka ~ Dynomite! 1975 Funky Purrfection Version

Bazuka was a studio group helmed by Tony Camillo, a prolific writer/producer who worked for a variety of labels starting in the mid-sixties. His most famous clients were the Five Stairsteps and The Three Degrees until he produced Gladys Knight & The Pips #1 hit "Midnight Train To Georgia" in 1973. He continued to provide Gladys & The Pips with stellar material in addition to working with Peaches and Herb, before turning his skills towards himself with Bazuka and the song that gave them one hit wonder status, the funky "Dynomite!". A pop song usually gains widespread attention by utilizing the current lingo on the lips of the nation and this time it came courtesy of the character of the gangly "JJ" (played by Jimmie Walker) on his runaway success on Norman Lear's "Good Times". When he received good news on the show, it was his custom to shout out "Dynomite!" (a corruption of dynamite) and inevitably the studio audience laughed heartily. "Good Times" was supposed to showcase the ex housekeeper of Archie & Edith Bunker (All In The Family), Florida Evans (Esther Rolle). JJ proved to be so popular, he stole the scenes he was in and it was only a matter of time before someone put his interjection to music. Enter Tony Camillo, who organized a one off LP by a studio group he called Bazuka, a conglomeration of various musicians including Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and Steve Gadd. Recorded in New Jersey's Venture Sound Studio, "Dynomite!" was a funky instrumental that did much better on the US pop chart by peaking at #10 and surprisingly placed at a much lower #29 on the R&B chart. Camillo went on to work with Dionne Warwick, Eric Carmen, The Stylistics, Dazz Band, Millie Jackson, Chambers Brothers, Peaches & Herb, Sha Na Na, Grand Funk Railroad, Stevie Wonder, The 5th Dimension, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Parliament, and Tommy James. He has scored a few movie soundtracks, but spends most of his time maintaining and operating his own studio in New Jersey which he has done for over 30 years.

[cosmezelaya]

I remember all my friends having fun dancing this song was so awesome memories and still drives me crazy almost 45 years since this was a hit in all night clubs and party’s 😊😊

[Sandro-ijte]

I was 15 and love it every second the disco sound

[antoniogreene]

This is one those good 70s funk songs. J.J. aka Jimmy Walker was perfect for this song. considering the name of the song and GOOD TIMES was on tv at the time it clicked well, I remember when I was living in Chicago as a kid this song used to come on the radio all the time. OLD SCHOOL music (soul, r&b,

[Polacerbic]

takes us all back to GOOD TIMES! encore!

[rfjohns]

Jimmy JJ Walker was absolute inspiration for this hit. He knows his stuff, fame, politics etc

[andylafontaine]

I'd forgotten this one, thanks for bringing it back!

[jacobbuxton]

Had the pleasure of working on the gear in Tony Camillo’s studio, Rest In Peace Tony

[witold]

Świetne nagranie do tańczenia, pamiętam je z dyskotek w 70 latach.

[earlcheck]

Oh boy! What a great crazy funky groove 😎 love it guys

[Mojo]

Great song. It was sampled by Len (who gave us Steal My Sunshine) for their song “Cryptik Souls Crew”.

[tdotjazzberryram]

Great and appreciated back story on Tony, along with this classic power house tune.

[Spirit]

I knew I remembered this song!! That's why I love the YouTube platform. Thank you disco cat for the entry❤

[groovecollector]

Sooo Cool....Tonys Dynomite....Funky Purrfection Version....Thanks DJDiscoCat!!!

[reneaguilar]

I love what you created with this song another jem from my childhood

[waynewright]

1580 The Original KDAY here in L.A. in the Spring of 1975, Played the Hell out of this Song, & Actor Jimmie Walker Character Said it on his Good Times Show, & in Real Life he Hated Saying It.

[enotar]

At the time when I heard this song I was making sparks, 1975, 19 years old.

[canon]

Wow absolutely loved my first introduction to Electro Funk !! I just checked, still got the 7" US Import Vinyl single, thank you for bringing this back to mind !

[DeeJayRoyalT]

This was the first 45rpm I ever bought. I remember being at the store with my mom and I only had enough money to buy one 45 and it was between this one and Walking in Rhythm. I bought this one :)

[robinbrewer]

Dis be da B o m b Groove!!! Something to bring to the cookout!!!!

[grifftrain]

I wonder if anyone in their fourties’ through their sixties had the same experience with this song as I did. Didn’t really know it until you got one of those K-Tel records that had all the top 40 hits on it? I used to play this and “popcorn” by hot butter all the time.