"The Mack – Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture" by WILLIE HUTCH – Film Soundtrack Album From April 1973 (USA) on Motown and August 1973 (UK) on Tamla Motown Records – Featuring Wilton Felder of The Crusaders, Dean Parks, David T. Walker, Louie Shaldon, Bobbye Hall, Clarence McDonald and Edward Green with Julia Tillman and Lorna Willard (March 1996 USA Motown Master Series CD Reissue – Jos Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"...Brother's Gonna Work It Out..."

Not quite as magisterial as Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man" from late 1972 for sure but Willie Hutch's stab at the Blaxploitation original soundtrack "The Mack" in the spring of 1973 is nonetheless an unfairly forgotten nugget in Motown's Seventies arsenal. Time to rectify that oversight…

US released 19 March 1996 – "The Mack – Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture" by WILLIE HUTCH on Motown (Master Series) 31453-0389-2 (Barcode 73145303892) breaks down as follows (37:14 minutes):

1. Vampin' [Side 1]

2. Theme Of The Mack

3. I Choose You

4. Mack's Stroll / The Getaway (Chase Scene)

5. Slick [Side 2]

6. Mack Man (Got To Get Over)

7. Mother's Theme (Mama)

8. Now That It's All Over

9. Brother's Gonna Work It Out

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "The Mack – Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture" by WILLE HUTCH - released April 1973 in the USA on Motown M 766L and August 1973 in the UK on Tamla Motown STMA 8009

Two 45s were issued off the album:

1. Brother's Gonna Work It Out b/w I Choose You

14 Feb 1973 US 7" single on Motown M 1222F

10 August 1973 UK 7" single in the UK on Tamla Motown TMG 862

2. Slick b/w Mother's Theme (Mama)

21 Jun 1973 US 7" single in the USA on Motown M 1252F

(No UK release)

JOE GASTWIRT has remastered the album from original tapes at Ocean View Digital – and it's a typically fabulous job. There's a huge presence in these transfers – warm and full of genuine Soulfulness.

The gatefold inlay gives the recording basics (no liner notes) – listing super session musicians like Wilton Felder of The Crusaders on Bass, Dean Parks, David T. Walker and Louie Shaldon on Guitars, Bobbye Hall on Congas, Clarence McDonald on Keyboards, Edward Green on Drums – while Willie Hutch handled the Lead Guitar and Vocals. There was also a fairly large horn section with Julia Tillman and Lorna Willard as backing singers.

The track everyone loves is "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" with its sampled movie dialogue and great smooching groove – always gets the lion's share of attention when it comes to this overlooked soundtrack LP. But there's tremendous Soul/Funk in the double-barrelled "Mack's Stroll /The Getaway (Chase Scene)" – all loverman strings and guitar at first then that rapid high-hat and wah-wah finish – great stuff. 

"Slick" was also a very cool single – easily as good as say Mayfield's "Superfly" - while the hard-edged Guitar Boogie of "Mack Man (Got To Get Over)" could be Betty Davis sung by a man. "Mother's Theme (Mama)" is very Marvin Gaye even if it is a bit sappy lyric-wise and "Now That It's All Over" is just plain pretty. I also love his vocal work in tandem with the girls on "I Choose You" which could have been a Philly hit.

A wee bit of a gem I've always thought – and even though that gatefold inlay hardly inspires excitement in the trouser area – this CD of "The Mack…" by Willie Hutch has the mutts and nuts where it matters – fabulous remastered sound quality. 'Master Series' is right...

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"Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY(January 2015 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Somebody Special..."

Now here's a CD compilation that will warm the cockerels of even the most jaded Soul listener. In fact in reviewing this gorgeous listen - the word 'class' keeps coming to mind. Kent-Soul have produced some absolute corkers when it comes to Sixties/Seventies Classic Soul CD compilations - but this really is a sweetheart of a release (and to my ears boasts the best audio for JIMMY HOLIDAY material that I've ever heard). Here are micro detailed Minits...

UK released January 2015 - "Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 427 (Barcode 029667242721) pans out as follows (73:29 minutes):

1. Baby I Love You (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, A)
2. You Won't Get Away (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, B)
3. The Turning Point (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, A)
4. I'm Gonna Move To The City (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, B)
5. In The Eyes Of My Girl (1966 US 7" single on Minit 32014, A, scheduled but cancelled)
6. Give Me Your Love (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, B)
7. Everybody Needs Help (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, A)
8. Ready, Willing And Able - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, A)
9. We Got A Good Thing Goin' - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, B)
10. I Wanna Help Hurry My Brother Home (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
11. We Forgot About Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
12. The Beauty Of A Girl In Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, A)
13. Everything Is Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, B)
14. Spread Your Love (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, A)
15. We Got A Good Thing Goin' (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, B)
16. I'm Gonna Use What I Got (To Get What I Need) (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, A)
17. I Don't Want To Hear It (scheduled B-side of 32053, but withdrawn, replaced with 18)
18. I Found A New Love (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, B)
19. Baby Boy's In Love (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, A)
20. If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, B)
21. Yesterday Died (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, A)
22. Would You Like To Love Me (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, B)
23. A Man Ain't Nothing With A Woman (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, A)
24. I'm In Love With You (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, B)
25. I've Got Live While I Can (from the 1966 US STEREO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-40005)
26. Nobody's Fault But Your Own (from the 1966 US MONO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-24005)
Tracks 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 8, 11 and 12, 14 to 17, 21, 23 to 25 are STEREO
Tracks 2, 6, 9 and 10, 13, 18 to 20, 22, and 26 are MONO
By including tracks 25 and 26 from the LP as effectively bonus tracks - this CD will also allow fans to sequence his lone album on the Minit label.

The vinyl album "Turning Point" was issued 1966 in the USA in both Mono (Minit LP-24005) and Stereo (Minit LP-40005)
Side 1:
1. The Turning Point [3]
2. Baby I Love You [1]
3. In The Eyes Of My Girls  [5]
4. I Don't Want To Hear It [17]
5. Everybody Needs Help [7]
6. We Forgot About Love [11]
Side 2:
1. I'm Gonna Move To The City [4]
2. I've Got To Live While I Can [25]
3. Give Me Your Love [6] (Mono)
4. Everything Is Love [13] (Mono)
5. Nobody's Fault But Your Own [26] (Mono)
6. We Got A Good Thing Goin' [15]
Above are all Stereo except where noted

The 12-page booklet pictures the labels of American Minit 45's and some of their UK equivalents on Liberty (including some tasty demos - full colour spread on the back page), both the American and British sleeves of his lone Minit Records album "Turning Point" (called "Spread Your Love" in the UK), trade adverts and press articles. But best of all are the typically fab liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY ROUNCE that flesh out the sequence of hits and misses (three songs charted on the American R&B charts - track 1 at 21, track 7 at 36 and track 14 at 35) with his knowledge and quotes from interviews of the period. But the big news for fans has to be the audio - done by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London - the remasters are fantastic. There's a wonderful clarity on these transfers (Stereo or Mono). Some have hiss for sure - but far more evident than that is the warmth to the voices and the instruments that feel better to me than my "Imperial/Minit" CD set of old (90s EMI CD).

It opens with a belter and one of his most famous songs "Baby I Love You" - which made 21 on the American R&B charts in 1966. The Stereo cut is fantastic - full of that great Sixties Soul feel. His next effort is the title track to the album "Turning Point" where he pleads "...my love went wrong and my heart got burnt...now I stand alone...at the turning point..." As Rounce quite rightly enthuses about his passionate delivery - the slow string-laden melodrama pace and his hiccupping crying singing (ala Jackie Wilson) don't so much labour the point as wring its neck (a fabulous Soul track). It's flip "I'm Gonna Move To The City" is a Northern Soul dancer if ever there was one.

I can understand why Minit chose "Everybody Needs Help" as the A with it's "help a blind man...life is rough..." lyrics - but personally one of the best tracks on this compilation for me is its flip - the mid-tempo neck-jerker "Give Me Your Love" that sports a wicked keyboard riff throughout sounding not unlike Clarence Carter on Atlantic circa 1968/1969 (a few years before the event). I bought the bopper "Ready, Willing And Able" on one of those Stateside £3.99 LPs back in 1989 - what a great tune - his voice combining with Clyde King to 'sock it to me' perfection. The other chart hit on here is "Spread Your Love" - a frantic passed dancer once again adopted as a favourite by Northern Soul floor shapers in the mid Seventies. "Baby Boy's In Love" gets all James Brown & The JB's funky while his cover of Lefty Frizzell's "If You Got The Money, I've Got The Time" complete with yodels is probably the weirdest song on here. At the tail end I find "Yesterday Died" is among the best.

He passed away aged only 52 in 1987 having suffered from coronary problems for most of his life (including having open-heart surgery in 1968). With his great voice and heartbreak songs - Jimmy Holiday is remembered with such affection and on the evidence presented so superbly by Ace's Kent-Soul here - it's easy to hear why...

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"Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (October 2012 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...These Arms Of Mine..."

In the cleverly compiled and musically uplifting "Black America Sings..." series of CD compilations – so far Ace Records of the UK have done Bob Dylan ("How Many Roads"), The Beatles ("Come Together" and "Let It Be"), Bacharach and David ("Let The Music Play"), Sam Cooke ("Bring It On Home") and Stevie Wonder – mostly with applause from the sceptics beside the nods of the already-converted. 

So it was always going to be the turn of the mighty Otis "Dock Of The Bay" Redding at some point in time – and 2012's "Hard To Handle" doesn't disappoint. It even manages to pull off a bit of a coup by throwing a superb Previously Unreleased Take by the great man himself. Here are the dreams to remember...

UK released October 2012 – "Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace CDCHD 1352 (Barcode 029667052627) is a 25-track CD compilation of Various Artists and pans out as follows (71:06 minutes):

1. These Arms Of Mine – ALBERT WASHINGTON & THE KINGS (1968 US 7" single on Fraternity 1002, A - and March 1968 UK 7" single on President PT 182, A)

2. Sister Pitiful – JUDY CLAY (1969 US 7" single on Atlantic 2669, A)

3. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – WILLIAM BELL (1967 US LP "The Soul Of A Man" on Stax S 719)

4. Baby Cakes – MAXINE BROWN (1967 Wand recording first appeared on the 1985 UK LP "Like Never Before" (by Maxine Brown) on Kent 047)

5. Think About It – KING FLOYD (1973 US 7" single on Chimneyville 446, A)

6. Shout Bamalama – MICKEY MURRAY (1967 US 7" single on SSS International 715, A)

7. Security – IRMA THOMAS (Unissued 1968 Chess Recording finally released in July 1990 on the CD compilation "Something Good: The Muscle Shoals Sessions" on Chess CHD-93004)

8. I've Got Dreams To Remember – PERCY SLEDGE (on the "Blue Night" CD album from 1995 on Sky Ranch/Virgin France 7243 8398712 2)

9. Give Away None Of Your Love – BUDDY MILES (1971 US 7" single on Mercury 73261, A and in the UK on Mercury 6052 127)

10. I'm Missing You – MITTY COLLIER (1969 Previously Unissued Chess Recording – First Release Here – 2012)

11. I Can't Turn You Loose – JAMES CARR (1968 unfinished Goldwax Recording finally released on the 1977 Japan-Only LP "Freedom Train" on Vivid Sound VG 3006)

12. Chained And Bound – BETTYE SWANN (1969 US LP "Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me?" on Capitol ST 270)

13. Just One More Day – CLARENCE CARTER (1975 US LP "Loneliness & Temptation" on ABC Records ABCD 896)

14. Wholesome Love – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967 US LP "Shake, Rattle & Roll" on Atco SD 33-215)

15. Hawg For You – TINA BRITT (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32082, A – and – on the 1969 LP "Blue All The Way" on Minit LP 24023)

16. Loving By The Pound (Take 2) – OTIS REDDING (Previously Unissued Volt Recording, 2012)

17. Hard To Handle – PATTI DREW (1968 US 7" single on Capitol 2339, A)

18. A Year, A Month And A day – ARTHUR CONLEY (Previously Unreleased 1968 Atco Recording, 2012)

19. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) – LOU RAWLS (1968 US LP "The Way It Was The Wait It Is" on Capitol ST-215)

20. Monkey On My Back – JACKIE HAIRSTON (1967 US 7" single on Atco 6464, A)

21. Keep Pushing Me – JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY (1966 Bell Recording first issued on the 2009 CD compilation "Shake A Tail Feather! The Best Of" on Sundazed SC 11096)

22. Good To Me – DONALD HEIGHT (1967 US 7" single on Shout 223, A)

23. Respect – ARETHA FRANKLIN (1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 2403, A)

24. (Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay – THE STAPLE SINGERS (1969 US 7" single on Stax 0031, A)

25. I Got The Will – ETTA JAMES (on the 1988 LP/CD "Seven Year Itch" issued in the UK on Island ILPS/CID 9923)

NOTES: Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 18, 20, 21 and 22 are MONO
Tracks 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 to 17, 19 and 23 to 25 are STEREO

The beautifully-annotated 20-page booklet peppers the typically brilliant TONY ROUNCE paragraphs with publicity photos of Mickey Murray, Albert Washington, Irma Thomas, Bettye Swann, James Carr, Clarence Carter, Maxine Brown (on the cover of Blues & Soul Magazine in December 1967), Lou Rawls at Fame Studios in 1971, James & Bobby Purify, The Staple Singers, Arthur Conley and Rick Hall at the Fame Studios in the Autumn of 1966 - and so on. There is even a rare 7" picture sleeve of Buddy Miles and his "Give Away None Of Your Love" 45 from 1971 that I’m sure was promo-only (I’ve never seen it before). The audio is particularly strong. Long-standing mastertape engineer NICK ROBBINS has done the Remasters at Sound Mastering in London – and despite the differing sources – each song packs a punch - especially the cuts in Stereo which sound vital and full of that (largely Sixties) energy.

Otis's style of guttural-blast one second and aching-ballad the next - virtually set up a template for Male 60ts Soul and most of these interpretations follow those styles (some slowing down the pace on fast songs or vice versa). While Aretha's "Respect" and The Staples Singers doing "Dock Of The Bay" are probably too overly familiar for most Soul fans - stuff like Tina Britt's fantastic chugger "Hawg For You" screams out to be rediscovered. There's clever choices too using 'later' recordings from the 70’s, 80s and 90s – Clarence Carter's unexpectedly touching version of "Just One More Day" from a 1975 ABC Records LP most people have long forgotten (and clearly shouldn’t have) as well as "I Got The Will" powered through by Etta James in 1988 (on Island Records) and most pleasing of all - a 90's Percy Sledge tackling "I've Got Dreams To Remember" - a rendition that oozes heart and not just well-produced style.

Amongst the 60ts stuff are names that will make most Soul aficionado hearts flutter a little faster - the great James Carr, Maxine Brown and Bettye Swann. Winners include a superb-sounding torch ballad by Mitty Collier on "I'm Missing You" (previously unreleased too) and a 1966 Bell Records recording of "Keep Pushing Me" by James And Bobby Purify (great 60ts guitar Funk). While I’ve already mentioned the driving groove of "Hawg For You" by Tina Britt – the Black Crowes come to mind when I hear Patti Drew's blistering funk of "Hard To Handle" (which the Crowes covered almost verbatim on their 1991 debut to such great effect). 

But one of the prizes on here for Redding collectors will surely be Take 2 of "Loving You By The Pound" which is new and exclusive to this set. As Otis never sang a song the same way twice – his slight vocal variations are fascinating. Although his vocal is storming – it still feels not up to his usual powerhouse performance and was probably why another Take was chosen as the master. Still – it's a real find.
Another winner from Ace and a compilation I keep returning too. I suspect both Otis Redding and Soul Music fans will feel the same...

Titles in the Ace Records Black America Sings CD Compilation Series

(In Release Date Order - September 2010 to March 2026)

1. "How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan"
UK released September 2010 on Ace Records CDCHD 1278 (Barcode 029667042420)

2. "Come Together: Black America Sings Lennon & McCartney" 
UK released May 2011 on Ace Records CDCHD 1300 (Barcode 029667045322)

3. "Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding"
UK released September 2012 on Ace Records CDCHD 1352 (Barcode 029667052627)

4. "Let The Music Play: Black America Sings Bacharach & David"
UK released March 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1398 (Barcode 029667059121)

5. "Bring It On Home: Black America Sings Sam Cooke"
UK released October 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1420 (Barcode 029667062725)

6. "Let It Be: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney & Harrison" 
UK released September 2016 on Ace Records CDCHD 1483 (Barcode 029667077026)

7. "Here, There And Everywhere: Black America Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison"
UK released November 2024 on Ace Records CDTOP 1654 (Barcode 029667111621) 

8. "Black America Sings Stevie Wonder" 

UK released 27 March 2026 on Ace Records CDTOP 1671 (Barcode 029667114622)

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"Chameleon/Conquistador/Hot" by MAYNARD FERGUSON – Albums from 1974, 1977 and 1979 on Columbia Records (October 2015 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Superbone Horn..."

While many of his Fifties contemporaries would probably have burst a capillary artery rather than succumb to commercialism – Maynard Ferguson donned the bouffant hair – put on a huge-lapels frilly shirt open down to his considerable midriff – took out his 'superbone' sax and went after the burgeoning Jazz Funk market opened by people like Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham and Donald Byrd with a vengeance. He even (unwisely) sings on the swinging "I Can't Get Satisfied". 

I wish I could say that it's all great fun and worthy of your dollars – but it's mostly  non-no for me. Horribly dated or not - here are the details for fans...

UK and USA released October 2015 – "Chameleon/Conquistador/Hot" by MAYNARD FERGUSON on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1199 (Barcode 5017261211996) offers fans 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (76:11 minutes):
1. Chameleon
2. Gospel John
3. The Way We Were
4. Jet
5. La Fiesta
6. I Can't Get Started
7. Living For The City
8. Superbone Meets The Bad Man
Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Chameleon" – released 1974 in the USA on Columbia KC 33007 (No UK release)

9. Gonna Fly Now (Theme From "Rocky")
10. Mister Mellow
11. Theme From Star Trek
12. Conquistador [Side 2]
13. Soar Like An Eagle
14. The Fly
Tracks 9 to 14 are the album "Conquistador" – released 1977 in the USA on Columbia PC 34457 and in the UK on CBS Records S 81839

Disc 2 (41:57 minutes):
1. Rock II Disco
2. Gabriel
3. Om Sai Ram
4. Theme From Star Trek
5. Dayride
6. Naima
7. Topa-Topa Woman
Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "Hot" – released 1979 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36124 (no UK issue)

You get a card slipcase, a 24-page booklet with new liner notes from noted Mojo Magazine contributor CHARLES WARING with full album credits and some photos and 2015 ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters that sound great.

The first album "Chameleon" is universally awful – not good Jazz and hopelessly dated Jazz Funk. Tackling covers like Paul McCartney’s "Jet" and the woeful Streisand weepy "The Way We Were" – he opens with a butchered version of Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" (from his "Headhunters" album) but all of it feels dreadfully forced as he screams trumpet notes out through his strangulated horn. The only passable moment is a Guitar/Brass instrumental version of Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City" - but again - even that will give you a headache and a longing for the beauty and genuine social conscience of the "Innervisions" original. Things improve a lot though for album number two...

Ignoring the cheese puff Rocky Theme (sounds so dated now) - the girly smooch of "Mister Mellow" where it feels like slick Herb Alpert on A&M (George Benson guests on Guitar – beautifully played and Produced). "Theme From Star Trek" is just 'so Disco' but not in a good way I'm afraid - while some welcome respite comes with the slow march of "Conquistador" that builds in a Trumpet Funk of seven and half minutes. The album's highlight though is the Soul/Funk dancer "Soar Like An Eagle" written by Bob James with BJ guesting to superb effect on Keyboards (it's superb Jazz Fusion Funk). The "Conquistador" album finishes on a frantic bit of Funk where Ferguson goes toe to toe with Will Lee on Bass and Mike Migliore on Soprano Sax. 

After the farcical first album – at least "Conquistador" has moments of genuine class. Unfortunately album number three "Hot" has its audio dogs too – not least of all is the opener "Rocky II Disco" with Sylvester Stallone guesting on 'punchbag' which is too awful to describe. Even the cod Indian vibes of "Om Sai Ram" is ruined by deadpan vocals. "Dayride" tries its Funky best to Salsa up proceedings with whistles and cha-cha piano while it ends on the slap bass and screaming trumpet of "Topa-Topa Woman".

Fans will love the great Audio and the classy presentation but I'd advise even the most diehard Funk and Jazz Fusion enthusiast to hear first before buying... 

"One In A Million: The Songs Of Sam Dees" by SAM DEES (covered by VARIOUS ARTISTS) - 22-Tracks from 1971 to 1983 including Clarenter Carter, Rozetta Johnson, Corey Blake, Ray Crumley, The Temptations, Johnnie Taylor, Frederick Knight, Loretta Holloway and more (March 2014 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry....

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"...Standing In The Wings..."

Totalling maybe a dozen singles across five or six American labels and one rare album in 1975 on Atlantic Records ("The Show Goes On") – SAM DEES (born in Birmingham, Alabama) doesn't have a massive Solo catalogue per say. But Dees is one of those hep cats (rather like Allen Toussaint) who wrote great songs made famous by other people – especially women. And that's where this superlative CD compilation comes in. 

Comprising of 22 cuts put down between 1971 and 1983 – "One In A Million..." celebrates his prolific songwriting talent in style. And listening to this classy Ace Records CD compilation (on their much-loved Kent-Soul imprint) – it's easy to hear why Dees is held in such respect and affection by both Producers in the industry and fans alike. 

Expertly and affectionately compiled/annotated by lifelong Soul Nutter Number 1 TONY ROUNCE – by the end of this generous listen (nearly 80 minutes playing time) you're left with the same admiration he clearly feels for one of the many unsung heroes of the genre. Here are the Soulful spoils...

UK released March 2014 – "One In A Million: The Songs Of Sam Dees" by SAM DEES [Various Artists] on Ace Records/Kent-Soul CDKEND 411 (Barcode 029667241120) breaks down as follows (79:55 minutes): 

1. My World – SAM DEES (1977 US 7" single on Polydor PD 14455, A)
2. Stop This Merry-Go-Round – JOHN EDWARDS (1973 US 7" single on Aware AW 035, A)
3. Girl Overboard – DOROTHY MOORE (1978 US 7" single on Malaco 1052, B-side of "Special Occasion")
4. Your Love Is Like A Boomerang – COREY BLAKE (1975 US 7" single on Capitol 4057, A)
5. A Woman's Way – ROZETTA JOHNSON (1970 US 7" single on Clintone CT-001, A)
6. Vanishing Love (UK Remix) – THE CHI-LITES (February 1977 UK 7" single on Mercury 6167 485, A)
7. Cry To Me – ESTHER PHILLIPS (1981 US 7" single on Mercury 76103, A)
8. Standing In The Wings Of A Heartache – TED TAYLOR (from the USA album "Ted Taylor 1976" on Alarm LP 1000)
9. Just As Soon As The Feeling's Over – JACKIE WILSON (from the 1975 US album "Nobody But You" on Brunswick BL 754212)
10. Changes – CLARENCE CARTER (from the 1970 album "Patches" on Atlantic SD 8267)
11. I Betcha Didn't Know That – FREDERICK KNIGHT (1975 US 7" single on Truth TRA-3216, A)
12. Run To Me – SIDNEY JOE QUALLS (1975 US 7" single on Dakar DK 4546, A)
13. Mess On Your Hands – MILLIE JACKSON (2014 previously unreleased 3:07 minutes edit of a track from her 1982 US album "Hard Times" on Spring SP-1-6737)
14. Good Guys Don't Always Win – RAY CRUMLEY (1976 US 7" single on Alarm 113, A)
15. So Your Love Finally Ran Out (For Me) – LES McCANN (from his 1979 US LP "Tall, Dark & Handsome" on A&M Records SP-4780)
16. The Show Must Go On – LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (1975 US 7" single on Aware AW 050, A)
17. What A Way To Put It – THE TEMPTATIONS (from the 1983 US LP "Surface Thrills" on Gordy 6032GL)
18. Spoiled By Your Love – ANITA WARD (1978 US 7" single on Juana 3417, A)
19. Where Did We Go Wrong – L.T.D (1980 US 7" single on A&M Records 2250-S, A)
20. Save The Overtime (For Me) – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1983 US 7" single on Columbia 03761, A)
21. Seconds Of Your Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1983 US 7" single on Beverly Glen Music BG 2016, A)
22. One In A Million You – LARRY GRAHAM (1980 US 7" single on Warner Brothers 49221, A)
Notes: All tracks are STEREO except 1, 5, 15 and 19 - which are MONO

The 16-page booklet is the usual fact-filled, photo-strewn event – pictures of American and UK 45s, album sleeves for Jackie Wilson, The Temptations, Les McCann and Loleatta Holloway as well as track-by-track info from the ever-brilliant TONY ROUNCE. The remasters from DUNCAN COWELL are beautifully realised – most quality Productions in the first place. It does dip a bit on the Mono mixes of say L.T.D. – but overall this is a real pleasure to listen to for all the right reasons. 

The emphasis is on love songs and ballads – and nine times out of ten – Dees will move and impress you. The beautiful "My World" was initially released 1977 on the tiny New London International label (1003) in the USA as "In My World". And while Polydor liked the singing they thought the Production wasn't up to snuff so they had Dees recut it with Tommy Couch at Malaco and that's the version presented here ("Say Yeah" is the flipside – recut at the same sessions). The brilliant love groove of "Cry To Me" by Esther Phillips features an uncredited Sam Dees singing 'improvised vocal lines between Esther's lead' and is a first time on Kent-Soul CD (superb transfer too). You're then hit with the tortured beauty of "Your Love Is Like A Boomerang" (a winner) - while the "...you'll cook his supper...but he'll find complaints about something..." lyrics of "A Woman's Way" feature a fantastic sassy and street-smart vocal by Roszetta Johnson (credited as Rozetta on the label). 

After her full-on hardcore songs - Millie Jackson's gut-wrenching vocals on the newly compiled edit of "Mess On Your Hands" comes as a shock – a hurting tune about (would you Adam and Eve it) a cheating man. It's a clever compiler choice because it focuses on the song's strengths and what people forget – her great voice. Another cool inclusion is Les McCann's impassioned Teddy Pendergrass vocals on "So Your Love Finally Ran Out On Me" from his underrated "Tall, Dark & Handsome" album of 1979 which contains an impressive five Sam Dees songs (this track is first time on CD too). "Where Did We Go Wrong" by L.T. D. (Love, Togetherness & Devotion) is a co-write with Jeffrey Osbourne. And on it goes to the full-on smooch of Larry Graham's "One In A Million You" – a single that shifted just that in 1980 (it was a USA R&B Number 1). 

I must admit that despite the obvious quality on offer here, by the time you get halfway through, you may feel that if you hear yet another set of lush strings – you may indeed want to kill someone instead of giving them a cuddle. But don't let my cello phobia put you off – this is a class act through and through (Sam Dees' talents are still in demand to this day). Well done yet again to Kent-Soul for giving the man his dues...

"Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Singles, Album Tracks and Unreleased From Later CD Compilations Tracks from 1964 to 1975 (August 2010 UK Ace Kent-Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Cry To Me…"

Twenty-Four slices of Sixties and Seventies moaning and wailing and pleading for a second chance – sounds like my cup of Soul Tea. Some have said this set isn't as good as previous 'Deep Soul' compilations by Ace’s stunning Kent-Soul imprint label - but I beg to differ. 

Even on the previously unreleased stuff like "You Must Leave Her Because You Love Her" – the quality is shockingly high. This compilation is a slow burner and full of nuggets (Little Ann graces the cover with her title song – a big fave on YouTube these days - 2019). Here are the nitty gritty details first…

UK released August 2010 (September 2010 in the USA) – "Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 342 (Barcode 029667234221) is a 24-track CD compilation of Remasters that breaks down as follows (77:21 minutes):

1. Cry To Me – LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (1975 US 7" single on Aware AW 047, A-side)
2. I've Done It Again – THE CHARMELS (A Volt Label Recording first issued September 1999 on the CD compilation "Let's Crossover Again: Stax/Volt Vibes To Blow Your Mind" on Ace Kent/Soul CDKEND 174)
3. What Have You Got To Gain By Losing Me – JEANETTE JONES (Previously Unissued Golden State Recorders recording)
4. Gotta Find A Way – THE HESITATIONS (A GWP Recording first issued July 2005 on the CD compilation "GWP NYC TCB" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 249)
5. There's Another In My Life – PHILLIP MITCHELL (1975 US 7" single on Event 223, A-side)
6. You Must Leave Her Because You Love Her – THE PARAMOUNT FOUR (Previously Unreleased Bob Holmes Recording)
7. Showdown – THE SHALADONS (A GWP Recording first issued October 2007 on the CD compilation "Larry Banks' Soul Family Album" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 284)
8. Seeing is Believing – L.V. JOHNSON (A Volt Label Recording first issued September 1999 on the CD compilation "Let's Crossover Again: Stax/Volt Vibes To Blow Your Mind" on Ace Kent/Soul CDKEND 174)
9. You Didn't Love Me Anyhow – ACT 1 (edited version of a track on their 1974 US debut LP "Act 1" on Spring Records SPR 6704)
10. Whether It's Right Or Wrong – JACKIE LEE & DELORES HALL (1966 US 7" single on Mirwood 5528, A-side)
11. You Got Me – JAIBI (Previously Unissued GWP recording, Rob Keyloch mix)
12. I Won't Be Such A Fool Anymore – THE MODETTES (An Alex Palao Mix of a GWP recording first issued on the October 2009 CD compilation "GWP NYC TLC Volume 2" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 326)
13. No More Like You – RAY POLLARD (1965 US 7" single on Shrine SR 0103, A-side)
14. It Can Happen To You – THE QUOTATIONS (April 1968 US 7" single on Di Venus Records DV-107, B-side to "I Don't Have To Worry")
15. Can't You See I’m Busy – AUSTIN TAYLOR (1964 US 7" single on Sprout Artist 731, A)
16. No One Can Take The Place Of You – THE RAVINS (A Dave Hamilton Production, 1965 US 7" single on Demo Ristic AR 857, A) 
17. I Love My Baby – TOMMY & EDDIE (1966 US 7" single on Money Records 124, A)
18. Tag Tag – SAM DEES (A GRC Recording from 1965 first issued September 1995 on the Sam Dees CD "Second To None" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 125)
19. Sweet Loving Woman – GARLAND GREEN (1974 US 7" single on Spring 146, A)
20. You Make Me Feel Like Someone – JOHNNY GILLIAM (1968 US 7" single on Modern M 1052, A)
21. You Must Be Losing Your Mind – JIMMIE RAYE (A JRE Production supervised by Matt Parsons, 1967 US 7" single on Garrison 3008, A)
22. I'm A Lonely Man – BOBBY BURN (1968 US 7" single on Chant Records CH-522, A)
23. How Long Can This Last – DEBBIE TAYLOR (1969 US 7" single on GWP Records GWP 510, A)
24. Deep Shadows – LITTLE ANN (First appeared on the April 1998 CD compilation "Dave Hamilton's Detroit Dancers Vol.1" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 154)
[Note: Tracks 3, 6 and 11 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

The 16-page booklet has a 4000-word essay on each track by Britain’s best Soul authority TONY ROUNCE – a name that has graced countless quality CD compilations for Ace and Edsel. In between text are photos of those rare American 45s (the mere sight of the 'Shrine' label will make Northern Soul fans weak at the knees and reach for the wallet), label publicity photos and even a rare Tape box. DUNCAN COWELL has mastered the tracks from original analogue recordings and the audio quality is typically fabulous. 

Musically songs like "Showdown" by The Shaladons and "Seeing Is Believing" by L.V. Johnson are torch tunes of the highest quality – not just schmaltz – but touching. The truly gorgeous and powerful "You Got Me" by Jaibi is a song they've used before – but here we get a better remix by Rob Keyloch that brings the backing vocals to the fore – what a gem. It doesn't say who the lead female vocalist on "I Won't Be Such A Fool Anymore" by The Modettes - but what a great performance and such a lovely ballad. The Production values on the Ray Pollard 'Shrine Label' track is low key but what a song and what bubbling-under passion – it's no wonder Northern Soul fans cream their shorts over stuff like this. 

I know there are those that say the moment you exit the Sixties – the Soul Ballad takes a nosedive into schlock way too often – all production values and no heart. There is of course an awful truth to this – but then there's tracks like Phillip Mitchell's "There's Another In My Life" and Garland Green's "Sweet Loving Woman" which despite their cheesy spoken bits – have loveliness at their core that transcends. The opener "Cry To Me" by Loleatta Holloway is another - a lovely Sam Dees/David Camon song in the vein of those breathy pleaders ("...baby I see you packing…") and despite its slightly dated Seventies feel – when she finally launches into the vocal – it so works. Both 1968's "I'm A Lonely Man" by Bobby Burn and 1969's "How Long Can This Last" by Debbie Taylor are gorgeous stuff too – so pretty with their down-tempo rhythms and string arrangements that go down like a fine wine (or two). 

"Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" is a compilation that creeps up on you – I find I return to it more and more. Wonderful stuff – and as ever – another classy winner from those British Soul nuts at Ace and Kent-Soul…

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