Olympic Runners -

The Olympic Runners were an English soul-funk studio ensemble active between 1974 and 1979, scoring hits with “Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is,” “Get It While You Can,” and “Sir Dancealot.” Assembled by producer Mike Vernon, the mystery band included prolific keyboardist Pete Wingfield and members of fellow UK funksters Hanson and Gonzalez.

Members: George Chandler (vocals), Mike Vernon (percussion), Glen LeFleur (drums), Joe Jammer (guitar), DeLisle Harper (bass), Pete Wingfield (vocals)

Background

The group was assembled by veteran producer Mike Vernon, whose credits included albums by the Bluesbreakers, Ten Years After, Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Bacon Fat, David Bowie, Focus, and Web. He needed a band to back American bluesman Jimmy Dawkins for a session scheduled at Olympic Studios in London.

The mystery band, named Olympic Runners in reference to the studio, featured keyboardist Pete Wingfield, singer George Chandler, guitarist Joe Jammer, bassist DeLisle Harper, and drummer Glen LeFleur.

Wingfield hailed from Jelleybread and the Keef Hartley Band. He also played on albums by Nazareth, Bloodstone, and Colin Blunstone.

Hammer, a native of Chicago, was part of Stealers Wheel for their 1973 release Ferguslie Park.

Harper (ex-Gass/Trifle) and LeFleur came from Manticore funksters Hanson. Along with Chandler, they also played in the Latin-funk ensemble Gonzalez.

When Dawkins didn’t show, the band filled the unused studio time with a session that produced “Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is,” which Vernon sold to the NYC label London Records. Released as a single (b/w “Do It Over”), the song reached No. 72 on the US R&B chart, prompting demand for an album.

Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is

Olympic Runners released their debut album, Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is, in June 1974 on London Records.

Chandler and Wingfield shared the principal singing, with bassist Harper and drummer LeFleur anchoring the group. Guitarist Jammer and keyboardist Wingfield handled the remaining instrumental parts, while Vernon added percussion to the ensemble passages.

“Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is” circles a breakbeat-led instrumental pattern.

A1. “Grab It” (2:59)
A2. “Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is” (2:48)
A3. “Sproutin’ Out” (3:48)
A4. “Mac B. Coolie” (4:25)
A5. “Ev’ry One a Winner” (3:14)

B1. “Do It Over” (2:28)
B2. “Let Your Fingers Do the Talkin’” (3:01)
B3. “Just Once Is Enough” (3:28)
B4. “Taco Toes” (3:00)
B5. “Be My Main Squeeze” (4:13)

The musicians cut the title song at Olympic Studios before Vernon moved the remaining sessions to Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire. House engineer Barry Hammond recorded the group for Vernon. Their concurrent work included the 1974 Bloodstone album Riddle of the Sphinx, which Vernon produced with Hammond and John Mackswith as engineers. Vernon also worked on the 1974 Focus release Hamburger Concerto.

Bob Heimall directed the sleeve, Stephanie Zuras designed the layout, and Jim Matusik supplied the cover photograph. The front shows a close view of a smiling woman with a miniature silver runner positioned inside her mouth. Angular yellow lettering appears against the black surround.

London issued the 1974 single “Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is” (b/w “Do It Over”), which reached No. 72 on the US R&B chart.

The label followed with the 1974 single “Grab It” (b/w “Let Your Fingers Do the Talkin’”), which reached No. 73 on the US R&B chart. London also paired “Sproutin’ Out” with “Be My Main Squeeze.”

Out in Front

Olympic Runners released their second album, Out in Front, in May 1975 on London Records..

The original six-member configuration remained intact. Hammond kept a separate two-track machine running between formal takes, and the musicians developed recorded improvisations into material for later sessions. Wingfield completed the album shortly before his 1975 solo single “Eighteen with a Bullet.”

“Drag It Over Here” stomps through emphatic percussion and paired lead exchanges. “Freeze on Funk” locks into a taut dancefloor figure. “Dump the Bump” bounces through a compact, syncopated pattern.

A1. “100 Yard Dash” (0:21)
A2. “Exit City” (3:00)
A3. “Drag It over Here” (3:26)
A4. “Go No Further” (3:56)
A5. “Out to Lunch” (2:55)
A6. “(There’s a) Freeze on Funk” (3:09)

B1. “Dump the Bump” (3:14)
B2. “Panic Button” (3:10)
B3. “Get This Thing Down” (3:35)
B4. “Coucou ’n’ Flying Fish” (3:40)
B5. “‘Til the Sun Comes Up” (3:55)

Vernon produced Out in Front at Chipping Norton Recording Studios with Hammond. The sessions retained the recording method established for the debut, with Hammond preserving informal ensemble passages between completed takes.

Glenn Ross and Richard Kriegler directed and designed the sleeve; photography by Buddy Rosenberg and Bob Levy. The front photograph shows a runner in a white vest breaking a finishing tape, with a dark field behind the figure.

London issued the 1975 single “Drag It over Here” (b/w “Mac B. Coolie”), which reached No. 92 on the US R&B chart.

The label followed with the 1975 single “Dump the Bump.” Out in Front reached No. 49 on the US R&B albums chart.

Don’t Let Up

Olympic Runners released their third album, Don’t Let Up, in 1976 on London Records.

Wingfield sat out the sessions, leaving Chandler as the principal singer. Jammer, Harper, and LeFleur retained the instrumental core under Vernon. They replaced the short pieces heard on the first two albums with eight extended arrangements.

“Party Time Is Here to Stay” races through a brisk, sustained beat. “Don’t Let Up” lopes at a measured rate. “Paca-Paco-Wa-Wa (Theme From Nos Hit)” sprints at album-high speed. “Back on the Track” charges through a rapid beat.

A1. “Party Time Is Here to Stay” (5:23)
A2. “In the Can” (3:26)
A3. “The Runners File” (4:21)
A4. “Out of the Ground” (4:17)

B1. “Don’t Let Up” (4:02)
B2. “Paca-Paco-Wa-Wa (Theme from Nos Hit)” (4:59)
B3. “Back on the Track” (3:51)
B4. “The Kool Gent” (4:38)

Vernon produced and Hammond recorded Don’t Let Up at Chipping Norton Recording Studios. Their 1976 work at the facility also included the Climax Blues Band album Gold Plated, with Vernon as producer and Hammond among the engineering staff. Vernon also produced the 1976 Bloodstone album Do You Wanna Do a Thing.

Glenn Ross and Queens Graphics directed and designed the sleeve, with photography by Levy and Rosenberg. The cover places a headbanded male dancer between two women in athletic clothing against a dark background. Red script identifies the album above the figures. The same visual team worked on the sleeve for Do You Wanna Do a Thing.

London issued “Party Time Is Here to Stay” as an album-cycle single (b/w “‘Til the Sun Comes Up”), which reached No. 97 on the US R&B chart. RCA repackaged seven tracks from Don’t Let Up with the 1978 George Chandler feature “Whatever It Takes” for the 1979 compilation Out of the Ground, omitting “The Runners File.”

Hot to Trot

Olympic Runners released their fourth album, Hot to Trot, in 1977 on Chipping Norton Records (UK) and London Records (North America).

Wingfield returned on keyboards and shared the sung material with Chandler. Colin Frechter arranged and conducted the strings, which marked the first sustained orchestral addition to the group configuration.

“Just Enough (To Blow My Mind)” glides beneath buoyant harmonies and broad string lines. “One Step at a Time” grinds through a dirtier, compact figure. “Straight St. Strut” struts over light percussion and brisk group harmonies. “Personal Thang” trades paired lead phrases. “Love on My Mind” sways beneath soft harmonies and a slow beat.

A1. “Say What You Wanna but It Sure Is Funky” (3:20)
A2. “Just Enough (To Blow My Mind)” (4:12)
A3. “One Step at a Time” (2:29)
A4. “Just Funkin’ Around” (4:28)
A5. “Straight St. Strut” (3:23)

B1. “Personal Thang” (4:38)
B2. “World Record” (3:15)
B3. “(C’mon) Just a Little Lick” (3:44)
B4. “Bahama Mama” (3:29)
B5. “Love on My Mind” (3:05)

Vernon produced the sessions at Chipping Norton Recording Studios with engineers Hammond and Dave Grinsted. His 1977 work also included the Foster Brothers album On the Line and the Focus album Ship of Memories. Hammond engineered the latter album and the Mae McKenna release Walk on Water.

Richard Roth and Suresh Seetharam directed and designed the sleeve, with art coordination by Lucy Kleps and photography by Ralph Denyer. The front uses illustrated portraits of the five musicians against a blue field. White angular lettering and red script occupy the upper half of the cover.

London issued the 1977 single “Say What You Wanna but It Sure Is Funky.” Chipping Norton Records paired “Personal Thang” with “World Record” and later released “Love on My Mind.”

Keepin’ It Up

Olympic Runners released their fifth album, Keepin’ It Up, in 1978 on RCA.

Chandler and Wingfield retained the principal singing roles. Jammer, Harper, and LeFleur completed the established instrumental lineup, while Vernon continued on percussion. Six of the eight pieces exceed four minutes, extending the arrangement scale introduced on Don’t Let Up.

“Solar Heat” surges through fierce guitar lines and an instrumental run. “Down to the Bone” grinds through a crunchy riff. “Hash Browns” struts beneath stylish lead phrases. “Boogie Line” bounds beneath soaring paired leads.

A1. “Solar Heat” (6:42)
A2. “Down to the Bone” (4:04)
A3. “Guacamole Getdown” (3:52)
A4. “Interference Free” (4:04)

B1. “Hash Browns” (3:27)
B2. “Keep It Up” (6:40)
B3. “Swamp Lizard” (5:04)
B4. “Boogie Line” (4:35)

Olympic Runners recorded and mixed Keepin’ It Up at Chipping Norton Recording Studios with Vernon and Hammond. Hammond also recorded the 1977 sessions for the 1978 Gerry Rafferty album City to City, including “Baker Street” and “Right Down the Line.”

Roth and Seetharam directed and designed the gatefold sleeve, with Kleps as art coordinator and Richard Winslade as photographer. The blue-toned front shows the six musicians walking along a stadium track. Vernon stands near the middle beneath an open umbrella, while red script crosses the running lanes.

London first issued the 1976 single “Keep It Up” (b/w “The Kool Gent”), which reached No. 27 on the US dance chart.

RCA released the 1978 single “Whatever It Takes” under the billing Olympic Runners with George Chandler (b/w “Solar Heat”), which reached No. 61 on the UK chart.

Puttin’ It on Ya

Olympic Runners released their sixth album, Puttin’ It on Ya, in 1978 on Polydor.

Drummers Glen Penniston and Simon Phillips replaced LeFleur for the sessions. Chandler, Wingfield, Jammer, and Harper remained, while Vernon and Harper added percussion. Seven of the eight tracks run beyond four minutes.

“Sir Dancealot” struts through a brisk dancefloor beat. “Get It While You Can” glides across a buoyant dancefloor figure.

A1. “Sir Dancealot” (6:30)
A2. “Wooden Head” (4:14)
A3. “When You’re Dancing” (5:26)
A4. “God Bless You” (4:23)

B1. “Energy Beam” (5:15)
B2. “Get It While You Can” (5:17)
B3. “Breakout” (6:31)
B4. “On Ya” (2:35)

Vernon produced Puttin’ It on Ya at Chipping Norton Recording Studios with Hammond as recording engineer. The 1978 Chipping Norton schedule for Hammond also included the Ian Matthews album Stealin’ Home, which features Wingfield on keyboards.

Jo Mirowski directed and designed the gatefold sleeve; photography by Leslie Turtle. The front shows a human figure coated in a white textured substance with both arms raised against a blue field. Mirowski retained the athletic-body imagery established across the earlier London and RCA sleeves.

Polydor issued the 1978 single “God Bless You.” The October 1978 follow-up “Get It While You Can” appeared with “On Ya” and reached No. 35 across a six-week UK chart run. Polydor released the January 1979 single “Sir Dancealot” (b/w “Crossword”), which also reached No. 35 and remained on the UK chart for six weeks.

Polydor reconfigured material from the album for the 1979 North American release Dancealot. The alternate edition added “The Bitch.”

It’s a Bitch

Olympic Runners released their seventh studio album, It’s a Bitch, in 1979 on Polydor.

Penniston remained as drummer, while rhythm guitarist Nico Ramsden and steel-pan player Lennox Langton expanded the instrumental group. Harper arranged the string and horn parts. Wingfield no longer appeared in the principal album lineup. Biddu composed the title song with lyricist Don Black for the Joan Collins film The Bitch.

“The Bitch” stomps through blunt repeated phrases and brass-and-string accents. “Crazy Talk” coasts on a mellow dance beat. “Closer to Paradise” glides through smooth, measured phrases. “Disco Smash” jolts through electronic accents and a brisk beat.

A1. “The Bitch” (6:04)
A2. “130 Beats a Minute” (4:14)
A3. “Crazy Talk” (6:30)
A4. “Make It Happen” (4:24)

B1. “Closer to Paradise” (4:21)
B2. “Betcha Can’t Dance” (3:52)
B3. “Making It Better” (4:25)
B4. “Disco Smash” (6:35)

Olympic Runners recorded the album at Chipping Norton Recording Studios with Vernon as producer. His 1979 production schedule also included the Dr. Feelgood album Let It Roll, while his work with Wingfield continued on the Rocky Sharpe and the Replays album Rama Lama.

The front sleeve uses a painted roadside-service scene. A blonde woman in an orange uniform stands beside a fuel pump and roadside signs beneath a blue sky. The available first-press credits do not identify the illustrator or designer.

Polydor issued the July 1979 single “The Bitch.” The limited UK 12-inch paired the full recording with “Energy Beam.” The single reached No. 37 in the UK and No. 85 on the US dance chart.

Olympic Runners ceased recording after the 1979 album sessions. Vernon and Wingfield subsequently worked with Rocky Sharpe and the Replays. Chandler continued as a session singer and later joined Londonbeat, while the remaining musicians resumed separate studio careers.

Discography: