Central Heating (Heatwave album)

Central Heating is the second studio album by funk-disco band Heatwave.^[4] It was released in 1977 on the GTO label in the UK and in 1978 on the Epic label in the US. It was produced by Barry Blue. Central Heating sold more than a million copies in its first two years of release.^[5]

Central Heating
Studio album by Heatwave
Released	31 March 1978
Recorded	1976–1977
Studio	Audio International (London) Utopia (London) Morgan (London) Marquee (London) AIR (London)
Genre	R&B funk disco
Length	38:32
Label	GTO (UK) Epic (US)
Producer	Barry Blue
Heatwave chronology
Too Hot to Handle (1976) Central Heating (1978) Hot Property (1979)
Singles from Central Heating
"The Groove Line" Released: 1977 "Mind Blowing Decisions" Released: 1977

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	C−[2]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul	[3]

It was the last Heatwave album to feature bassist Mario Mantese and guitarist Eric Johns, as well as the first to feature new member Roy Carter on guitar. The album was also the final performance of Rod Temperton as an official member of Heatwave, although he would continue to write songs for the band after his departure until 1982.

The song "Star of a Story," written by Temperton, appeared on George Benson's album Give Me the Night, which was produced by Quincy Jones.

The album was remastered and reissued with bonus tracks in 2015 by Big Break Records.

The two singles taken from the album were both hits. "The Groove Line" reached No. 7 in the US and No. 12 in the UK, while "Mind Blowing Decisions" also made No. 12 in the UK.

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Put the Word Out"		6:36
2.	"Send Out for Sunshine"		4:28
3.	"Central Heating"		4:46
4.	"Happiness Togetherness"	Johnnie Wilder, Jr.	4:00

All tracks are written by Rod Temperton, except where noted.

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
5.	"The Groove Line"		4:20
6.	"Mind Blowing Decisions"	Johnnie Wilder, Jr.	4:16
7.	"The Star of a Story"		5:45
8.	"Party Poops"		3:51
9.	"Leavin' for a Dream"		3:23

2015 remastered reissue bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
10.	"Wack That Axe"	3:46
11.	"The Groove Line" (12" disco version)	7:26
12.	"Mind Blowing Decisions" (12" disco version)	7:31

Personnel

Heatwave

• Johnnie Wilder Jr. – lead, backing, and choir vocals, congas
• Keith Wilder – lead vocals
• Rod Temperton – Fender Rhodes piano, clavinet, synthesizers, acoustic piano, organ
• Mario Mantese – bass guitar
• Eric Johns – electric lead and rhythm guitars, Spanish guitar
• Ernest "Bilbo" Berger – drums, timbales
• Roy Carter – rhythm and bass guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, acoustic piano

Other musicians

• Frank Ricotti, Tristan Fry – percussion
• Chris Payne – trombone solo on "Happiness Togetherness"
• Ron Mathieson – acoustic bass on "Leaving for a Dream"
• Pat Halling – string leader

Technical

• James Guthrie, Geoff Calver – engineers

Charts

Chart performance for Central Heating

Chart (1978)	Peak position
UK Albums Chart[6]	26
Billboard Top LPs[7]	10
Billboard Top Soul LPs[7]	2

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions
		UK [6]	US [7]	US R&B [7]
1978	"The Groove Line"	12	7	3
	"Mind Blowing Decisions"	12	—	49