Daily News from New York, New York • 166

ASH AEGflS Back-S I uppers, A rm- Twisters Grunting Over Labor Reforms Inside the record world Washington In the hack rooms of senators have been overtaken by a furious battle of bai-k-slappinjr and arm-twisting. Some of the best baek-slappers in the business, representing corporate America, are lobbying against President Carter's labor reforms. The corporations are terrified that the legislation will give the unions the upper hand in the eternal struggle between management and labor. On the other side are the White arm-twisters. They are trying to WHAT'S HAPPENING: Hot, a three-woman vocal team which burst onto the pop music scene last spring with the single, "Angel In Your Arms," that was quickly certified gold, has just released a new album called, naturally, "Hot." The trio is made up of three ladies of different backgrounds Gwen Owens is black, Cathy Carson white while Juanita Cu-riel is a Mexican.

And from the beginning. Hot came off as a highly professional group with powerful emotion packed into every song Powerhouse picks: Chicago's "Take Me Back to Chicago" and Donna Summer's "Last Dance" from the hit movie, "Thank God It's Friday." I) JACK ANDERSON Hot MINI-REVIEWS Grease (RSO). This Is the soundtrack of the new motion picture, and it contains 24 songs from the original Broadway musical as well as some new numbers written specifically for this album. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are at their singing best here, while Frankie Valli performs the title song accompanied by Peter Frampton on guitar. Sha-Na-Na sings six golden oldies and Frankie Avalon, Cindy Bui lens, Louis St.

Louis and Stockard Channing all have solos. Best numbers are "Grease," "Summer Nights," Sandy" and "You're the One That I Want." SEALS CROFTS Takin' It Easy Includes Om fcfcwr Thm Breaking la A Brand New Law before Hatch finally was able to get a copy of the report. Nearly 500 worried corporations. meanwhile, have formed a National Action Committee to fight the labor reforms. They have hired an aggressive Washington consulting firm called Fraser Associates to galvanize the opposition.

We have obtained a bootleg copy of the firm's confidential strategy. "There should be no letup in the press on the marginal senators whose support is vital to our success in defeating S-2467!" the document declares. It encourages the corporate obstructionists to use a recent public opinion poll "which shows the lowest ranking of labor ever." The public relations firm Is working closely with key Republican senators. It compiled a thick package of anti-labor editorials and got Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) to hand it out to his colleagues.

"Dole cover letter OK State chairmen can use as best weapons," the summary observes. Pointers for Senators The firm also enlisted Sen. Hatch (o hawk a "Senate briefing book" that gives pointers on fighting the White House. "Thirteen copies made, delivered and distributed by Hatch to all key senators leading effort." the document explains. "Recommendation: need to emphasize Senate leadership; let's meet with Hatch and discuss approach." Fraser Associates also supplied Hatch with a slick ad that compared promises of labor law reform with Snow White.

Cinderella and the Tooth Fairy. "We have 50.000 copies of ad printed. 10.000 have been sent out Hatch should use his 3,000," the memo explains. It also notes that antiunion polls have been "sent out to Washington press bureaus for appropriate states." Ads criticizing the recent coal strike, meanwhile, were dispatched "to all state chairmen, press organizations, the Hill, and all others requesting them, asking that they place them in the grass roots. Great response." The opinion makers seized on the government's recent report on labor law violations, saying it "can be used at speeches, press conferences, on radio-TV appearances, and all occasions, as a very telling blow against S-2467.

It need not be overstressed. but the tactic should be to hit it hard." The fascinating memo concludes: "Be on the lookout for editorial clips. radio-TV broadcasts, and any and all media reports favorable to us editorially." FOOTNOTE: A spokesman for Fraser Associates acknowledged that Dole. Hatch and other Republicans "used some of the material we developed in our media campaign." A spokesman for Dole said that "he hasn't really worked with the group, except one time to send out a book of editorials." Hateh worked closely with the group because he considers the bill "a package of intimidation" that would harass employers and force workers to join unions, a spokesman said. Seals Crofts "Takin It Easy" (Warner This popular duo tries something new on this album a solemn tribute in the form of a Persian poem to the son of the founder of the Baha 'i faith.

But the stars of this album are Tanya Tucker and Jim Gilstrap singing "Nobody Gets Over Lovin' You" with three members of the Carpenters' band doing background vocals. This album mixes dynamic rockers with slower ballads, and the best numbers are "Takin' It Easy," "One More Time" and "Midnight Blue." upsnouE -stredisccrveque Lipstique "At the Discotheque" (Salsoul). This album was recorded in Europe but re-mixed here by the top disco producer, Tom Moulton, for a sharper, more disco and more danceable sound. The best song is "At The Discotheque." a medley that is over 17 minutes long on side one. The song consists of a blend of "I'm Still Dancing," "Our Song of Love," "Discotheque" and "At The Discotheque." Side two includes "I Wanna Play With You," "Mah-Nah-Mah-Nah" and "Light My Fire." demonstrate that Carter Is a strong President by applying the muscle to senatorial arms.

They are joined, of course, by the back-slappers and arm-twisters from the unions. The bill appears to be a mild enough measure that would strengthen the existing laws against harassment of union organizers. It would set deadlines for union elections, stiffen penalties for employers who break the law and beef up the National Labor Relations Board. More Red Tape This would prevent big corporations like J. P.

Stevens from resorting to illegal firings and intimidation tactics to keep unions out of their factories. But for many small companies, it would add to the government red tape that is alreadv strangling them. The Small Business Administration, rushing to the rescue of its harassed constituents, produced a "situation report" that lambasted the labor reforms. The legislation is devastating" and "unfair" to small businessmen, charged the report. Earlier, the Small Business Administration had angered Carter by issuing a report critical of the Consumer Protection Agency that he wanted to form.

The report raised the same objection namely, that the new agency would ensnarl small companies in red tape. Administrator Vernon Weaver was rimmoned to the White House and berated for allowing the report to leak out Stum: by the bawling out. Weaver has tried to keep the controversial labor reform study from leaking to the I- But members of Congress learned shout the study and demanded copies from Weaver. He said he would have to talk it over with Labor Secretary F. Rav Marshall.

Stalled for Rebuttal Following a closed-door meeting ui'h Weaver promised to the document to the inquiring lorigreNsmen. But he stalled long enou-h for Labor Department experts to rebut the findings. Two day later, an enraged Sen. Orrin Hatch (RUtalu demanded that Weaver keep his promise and deliver the svudy. There was still more stalling Isaac Hayes "Hot Bed" (Stax-Fantasy).

Look for some hot action from "Hot Bed," Hayes' last recording session for Stax before his problems with the Internal Revenue Service and the banks, which foreclosed on the record company. This album is a must for the fans of the man who personified sex and soul and beautiful music. The best numbers are "Feel Like Makin' Love," a 13-minute discourse on longing, lust and of course, love, and "The Ten Commandments of Love." i Willie Net son Stardust i Willie Nelson "Stardust" (Columbia). Since the "Outlaws" album, Willie Nelson's star just continues to shoot up, up and away. Now with this, a great album of standards such as "Blue Skies," "Unchained Melody," "Georgia On My Mind," and.

naturally, "Stardust." it should continue even higher. This is an interesting and enjoyably flavored album that will surely cotinue building his reputation. gilts mot cspjpiy TIPS TO SONGWRITERS: If a publisher who wants to publish your song asks you for money to have it published, or for lead sheets or demo records, be wary. In very few cases will the writer benefit. Those publishers are called "song sharks." and they run rip-off operations that exist on the dreams of amateurs, talented or not.

There are reputable publishers rooting for you, looking for new and original talent, and who will treat them fairly. Publishers, for the most part, cannot exist without a catalog of good songs, and the good ones don't need to cheat to make up their catalog. THE pftRlETY TOP TEN Movies by ANN GUARINO THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY. Hilar Beane, John FriedricH. Directed Dv Robert Kiane.

At the Criterion. Orpheum and other theaters. Running time: 1 hour. 30 minutes Rated PG. dancing and pulsating blinding lights.

Because there's no real plot, the film seems unduly long as the camera focuses like "American Graffiti'' on different oddball characters. The stabs at humor in dialogue and situations are not too original but may amuse, the uninitiated. Like "Saturday Night Fever," the film has a solo dance by Chick Vennera on car tops in a parking lot) and a dance contest as the big event. But there's no John Travolta. Some of the characters are a little kookier than others like Vennera as the dancer, Mark Lonow as a conservative accountant who goes wild and Marya Small as a dental assistant who dons a new personality on Friday nights.

Donna Summer is also a standout singing "Last Dance." But it's a relief to the ears when the filit. la.over. Take "Saturday Niuht Fever." season it with American and you have a routine hybrid concoction called -Thank God It's Friday." obviously designed to catch the eyes and ears of the teenage market. Adults: be warned that it has neither the musical excitement of the first nor the high humor of the second. Only youngsters will appreciate the ultraloud musical soundtrack or identify with the hopes, tears and dreams of various young people who converge on a disco dance palace one Friday night.

Only they can appreciate the disco atmosphere with its constant SINGLES This Last Week Week 1 2 Too Much Too Little Too Late John ny Mathis and Deniece Williams (Columbia) 2 3 Shadow Dancing Andy Gibb (RSO) 3 1 Night Fever-Bee Gees (RSO) 4 You're the One That I Want John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (RSO) 5 4 With a Little Luck Wings (Capitol) 6 7 The Closer I Get to You Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (Atlantic) 7 6 Stayirt' Alive Bee Gees (RSO) 8 10 Feels So Good Chuck Mangione 9 8 Can't Smile Without You Barry Mani- low (Arista) 10 11 If I Can't Have Ellhrfctt (RSO) ALBUMS This Last Week Week 1 1 Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack) (RSO) 2 2 Chuck Mangion Feels So Good 3 3 Wings London Town (Capitol) 4 7 George Benson Weekend in L.A. (WB) 8 5 Jackson Browne Running on Empty (Asylum) 6 6 Billy Joel The Stranger (Columbia) 7 4 Eric Clapton Slowhand (RSO) 9 10 Steely Dan Aja (ABC) "9 8 Kansus Point of Know Return (Asy-' lum) 11 Warren, Zeyon Excitable Boy (Asylum).