Hypertension (song)

"Hypertension" was a hit song by New Jersey funk band, Calendar in 1975. It was written by Paul Kyser and Leon Stuckey. Its main success was in the UK where it reached the top ten in the disco chart.

"Hypertension (Part 1)"
Song by Calender
from the album It's a Monstor
A-side"Hypertension (Part 1)"
B-side"Hypertension (Part 2)"
Released1975
LabelBuddah Records BDA 488
Composer(s)P. Kyser / L. Stuckey

Background

Considered a proto-disco song,[1][2] it appears on the group's sole album, Its a Monstor.[3] The song was composed by Paul Kyser and Leon Stuckey.[4]

The single was reviewed in the August 2 issue of Record World. The reviewer made a reference to Huey Smith's blood pressure and said that it was heading for the Top 40s heart.

In the US, it was released on Pi Kappa Records PK-608,[5] and Buddah 488.[6] It was released in the UK on All Platinum 6146 308.[7] It was also released in Australia and The Netherlands on Philips 6146 418. In Canada, it was released on All Platinum AP 2359.[8]

Cash Box's Jess Levitt noted in the R&B news report in the August 23 issue that Buddha singles by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Gene McDaniels, Arthur Alexander, Barbara Mason & the Futures and Calendar were rocketing up the charts.[9] Also that week in the UK, it was listed as a Stop Press Breaker by Music Week.[10]

Along with "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Shirley & Co., "7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle)" by The Rimshots, "Sending Out An S.O.S." by Retta Young and "Dolly My Love" by The Moments, "Hypertension" appears on the All Platinum Gold compilation album.[11]

The album that it appears on, Monstor was reviewed by Billboard in the October 23, 1976 issue.[12]

Chart performance

For the week ending July 5, 1975, "Hypertension" was on the Billboard Disco Action chart at no. 12 on the Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) Retail Sales section.[13]

On August 9, 1975, the single entered the Record Mirror UK Disco Chart. It made it to no. 10, spending a total of four weeks in the chart.[14]

For the week of August 16, "Hypertension" made its debut in the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart at no. 98.[15] The following week, it had moved up to no. 95.[16] It peaked at no. 94 on August 30,[17][18] spending a total of four weeks in the chart.[19][20][21]

It also made the Billboard Soul chart in 1975.[22]

Personnel

Calendar
  • Donna Ahjuder
  • John Barbee
  • Michael Barbee
  • Gerald Fair
  • Hurlie Arnett Fair
  • Stanley Barnett Haygood
  • William Jones[23]

Later years

The song backed with "Ritmo Latino" was released on Matasuna Records in 2019.[24][25]

Further reading

References
  1. Light In The Attic Records - Calender, Its a Monstor
  2. The Analog Vault - Calender, It’s A Monster | Reissue | Limited Edition, About
  3. Light In The Attic Records - Calender, Its a Monstor
  4. Catalogue of Copyright Entries Third Series, 1977 - Page 2523 EU83772
  5. Amazon US - Hypertension-7" 45
  6. Record World, August 2, 1975 - Page 12 RECORD WORLD SINGLE PICKS, CALENDER-Buddah 488
  7. Amazon UK - Calender - Hypertension (Part 1) - All Platinum - 6146 308
  8. 45Cat - Calender - Discography, All Countries
  9. Cash Box, August 23, 1975 - Page 32 cash box R&B news report, r&b ingredients
  10. Music Week, August 23, 1975 - Page 4 NEWS STOP PRESS BREAKERS
  11. Music Week, January 24, 1976 - Page 22 NEW ALBUM Featuring 16 of the finest tracks from the HIT LABEL
  12. Billboard, October 23, 1976 - Page 87 Billboard's Recommended LPs * Continued front page 84
  13. Billboard, July 5, 1975 - Page 28 Disco Action By Tom Moulton, Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island) Retail Sales
  14. James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979, Calendar, Hypertension (All Platinum) — 9 August 1975: 10, 4
  15. Cash Box, August 16, 1975 - Page 37 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 98 HYPERTENSION Calendars (Buddah BDA _
  16. Cash Box, August 23, 1975 - Page 34 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 95 HYPERTENSION Calendars (Buddah BDA 488) 98
  17. Cash Box, August 30, 1975 - Page 19 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 94 HYPERTENSION Calendars (Buddah BDA 4881 95
  18. Cash Box, September 6, 1975 - Page 26 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 96 HYPERTENSION Calendars (Buddah BDA 488) 94
  19. Cash Box, August 16, 1975 - Page 37 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 98 HYPERTENSION, ON Calendars (Buddah BDA 488 _
  20. Cash Box, September 6, 1975 - Page 26 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B, 96 HYPERTENSION Calendars (Buddah BDA 488) 94
  21. Cash Box, September 13, 1975 - Page 28 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B
  22. Billboard, October 23, 1976 - Page 87 Billboard's Recommended LPs * Continued front page 84
  23. Spotify - Song, Hypertension
  24. Soundcloud - Calender - Hypertension (Original)
  25. Bandcamp - Calender - Hypertension (Original)
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