Biopic ‘Spinning Gold’ about toiling record boss Neil Bogart is uncritical and somewhat of a B-movie, but still creamy and with delightful music | movie review ★★★☆☆

But malpractices at one of the producers made the intended director and protagonist drop out. And so Bogart’s eldest son Timothy threw himself into directing the biopic Spin Gold .

Initially, things do not work out with music producer Bogart (musical star Jeremy Jordan) and his record label Casablanca Records. The launch party of his new band KISS literally falls into the water when all the smoke machines inadvertently activate the sprinklers in the room. And Bogart struggles on, who gradually falls prey to creditors and drug use. Yet he continues to rely on his ear for good music. In 1976 there is finally success as Bogart with Donna Summer the song Love to love you baby releases. The soulful sliding number becomes a monster hit, after which Casablanca Records grows into the largest independent record label, home to acts such as Bill Withers, Gladys Knight and The Village People.

Production technology transcends Spin Gold hardly the level of a B-movie. Yet this uncritical but juicy portrait entertains, thanks in part to pop stars Wiz Khalifa and Jason Derulo who take on the role of their idols George Clinton and Ron Isley (of the Isley Brothers). We also discover the peculiar genesis of hits like Beth (KISS) and Midnight train to Georgia (Glady’s Knight). And then, of course, there’s the music itself which is still delightful to the ear.