"The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN – December 1979, October 1980 and June 1982 US Albums on Atlantic Records - Guests included Corrado Rustici on Guitar, T.M. Stevens on Bass and Frank Martin on Keyboards with Wayne Shorter on Saxophone (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Take It To The Bossman..."

When Jazz-Fusion Drummer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN left John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra behind – Michigan's finest signed to Atlantic Records and promptly released a string of albums that are held in real affection to this day. This is the second instalment by Beat Goes On of England covering his Jazz-Funk-Soul years with the label - their first 2CD set expertly handled his first three albums for the label - "Garden Of Love Light" and "I Cry, I Smile" - both from 1977 and  "Awakening" from 1979 (see separate review and photo provided below).

This second 3LPs onto 2CDs Reissue/Remasters instalment gets into the period most fans loved and picked up on in the first place – back in those hazy Funky days. His breakthrough album "The Dance Of Life" from 1979 with the monster hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" and the two LPs that cemented his rep as a Soulful Funkster – "Victory" from 1980 and "Confidence" from 1982. Here are the dancing details...

UK released Friday, 20 November 2015 (December 2015 in the USA) - "The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN is a Compilation on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1215 (Barcode 5017261212153) that features 3LPs onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (62:53 minutes):
1. You're Soo Good [Side 1]
2. I Shoulda Loved Ya
3. Lovin' You Madly
4. Crazy For Ya
5. Tonight I'm Alright [Side 2]
6. Why Did You Turn On Me
7. Carry On
8. The Dance Of Life
Tracks 1 to 8 are his 4th solo album "The Dance Of Life" – released December 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19259 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50678

9. The Real Thang
10. I Want You
11. Take It To The Bossman
12. Alone Without You
Tracks 9 to 12 are Side 1 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19279 and in the UK Atlantic K 50743

Disc 2 (61:57 minutes):
1. Get Up!
2. Lucky Fella
3. You Will Find Your Way
4. Victory Suite:
(a) The Theme (b) The Battle (Hero-Soldiers Battle The Hostile Forces) (c) Victory For The Hero-Soldiers
Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50743

5. You're No. 1
6. Summer Lady
7. I'm Ready
8. Safe In My Arms
9. Confidence [Side 2]
10. Holiday
11. You Ought To Love Me
12. Listen To Me
Tracks 5 to 12 are his sixth studio album "Confidence" – released June 1982 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK and Europe on Atlantic ATL 50 883

There's a classy card wrap, a chunky 28-page booklet with new liner notes from Mojo’s resident Jazz writer CHARLES WARING along with album credits, lyrics and photos. But the best news is 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON – fans are going to love the Audio here – beautifully transferred...

While the preceding album "Awakening" finally saw NMW see some LP chart action - rising to a very respectable No.15 slot on the US R&B album charts in March 1979 – it was "The Dance Of Life" LP from later that year that made him a star. It broke the top ten and nestled at No. 9 in December of 1979 – bolstered up with the huge hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" which reached No. 4 on the singles chart and "Tonight I'm Alright" which managed a more modest No. 35. Narada handled Lead Vocals, Drums, All Percussion and some Piano while Corrado Rustici played Guitar, T.M. Stevens did the Bass and Frank Martin played Keyboards and Synths.

Relistening to this superb Remaster in 2015 - I'd forgotten just how wickedly catchy the guitar-funk of "You're Soo Good" and the album's title track "The Dance Of Life" are – a six and a half minute fusion instrumental dedicated to both former band mates David Sancious and Mahavishnu – Rustici's guitar work sounding like Carlos Santana on a roll. I can also still feel the Funk big time on the 6:34-minutes of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" - the kind of Atlantic 12" single I DJ'd to death back in the day (a guaranteed crowd pleaser and hip-swiveller).

Even though it managed only No.21 high on the US Billboard R&B LP charts – the "Dance Of Life" follow-up LP "Victory" was actually a better album for me (especially Side 1). The rapid-paced brass-funky opener "The Real Thang" is a belter and clearly trying to ape the sheer Hitsville of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" – just about pulling it off too (so Earth, Wind & Fire). It hit the US R&B singles charts in early November 1980 (just after the album's release) but only managed a modest No. 22 placing when in hindsight – it should have climbed much higher. I'd forgotten just how good "I Want You" is – a great slice of Chic-inspired Soul-Funk – sounding absolutely spiffing here – far better than my worn-out Atlantic Records 12" Single (K 11634T). 

Continuing with the "Victory" album, again, "Take It To The Bossman" could have been another winning single – funky in all the right ways and with huge guitar breaks that amaze even now – but it was never capitalised upon. The pseudo crowd chanting in "Get Up!" was probably a mistake and "Lucky Fella" (dedicated to his Dad) feels a tad forced too - but things get better with the smooch of "You Will Find Your Way". The "Victory" LP ends with the slightly indulgent 8:33 minutes of the 3-part "Victory Suite" – an instrumental that at times feels like a Fusion Band on a marching spree. It waffles on until it reaches a nice phase around 2:40 minutes and continues that way with tasty guitar work right up to its mellow finish (an edit and it would have been special). 

"...Everybody ready! We're gonna jam y'all!" - Narada shouts at the beginning of "You're No. 1" – a cool Funky opener for the third platter on offer here - "Confidence". The slinky and catchy "I'm Ready" was issued as a 45 (and 12" in the UK) – a very appealing groove - similar to Rod Temperton's sound with Heatwave. Funky and aimed at the feet – "Summer Lady" is the album's best groove – a tune that still stands up (too hot for me). I've always liked his Soul-Mellow tribute to Joni Mitchell "Blue Side To Midnight" which finishes the album in smoochy 'poor me' mode (Wayne Shorter puts in a lovely Sax solo)...

Three good Soul-Funk-Fusion albums Remastered really well onto 2CDs with quality presentation and affection – Narada Michael Walden fans will lap this up...

"Garden Of Love Light/I Cry, I Smile/Awakening" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN [Drummer ex Mahavishnu Orchestra] – December 1976 US Debut Album, November 1977 Second Album and February 1979 Third Studio Album on Atlantic Records - Guests include Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Richard Gomez, Hiram Bullock on Guitars, Herbie Mann on Flute with David Sancious, Patrick Adams and Cliff 'Cliffalee' Carter on Keyboards plus Arrangements by Michael Gibbs (September 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs, Andrew Thompson BGO Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...The Sun Is Dancing..."

When Jazz-Fusion Drummer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN left John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra behind – Michigan's finest signed to Atlantic Records who promptly pumped out the first two LPs on this 2CD set in 1976 and 1977. While they had their moments (especially the Santana, Richard Gomez and Jeff Beck guest spots and the David Sancious Keyboards contributions) – it wasn't until 1979's Disco and Funk orientated "Awakening" album that the public sat up and noticed and things started moving for him. And that's where this superb-sounding British Double-CD Reissue & Remaster comp comes in. Here are oneness love lights...

UK released Friday, 25 September 2015 (October 2015 in the USA) - "Garden Of Love Light/I Cry, I Smile/Awakening" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1210 (Barcode 5017261212108) features 3LPs on 2CDs and plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 (63:30 minutes):
1. White Night [Side 1]
2. Garden Of Love Light 
3. Delightful
4. First Love 
5. Mediation [Side 2]
6. The Sun Is Dancing 
7. You Got The Soul 
8. Saint And The Rascal  
9. You Are Love
Tracks 1 to 9 are his Debut Solo album "Garden Of Love Light" – released December 1976 in the USA on Atlantic SD 18199 and February 1977 in the UK on Atlantic K 50329

10. I Need Your Love
11. Better Man
12. Soul Bird 
13. I Remember 
14. Oneness-Cry
Tracks 10 to 14 are Side 1 of his second studio album "I Cry, I Smile" – released November 1977 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19141 and May 1978 in the UK on Atlantic K 50417

Disc 2 (60:51 minutes):

1. Mango Bop
2. Rainbow-Sky
3. I Cry, I Smile 
4. Heaven's Just A Step Ahead 
5. So Long 
Tracks 1 to 5 Tracks are Side 2 of his second studio album "I Cry, I Smile" – released 1977 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19141 and May 1978 in the UK on Atlantic K 50417

6. Love Me Only 
7. I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You) 
8. Give Your Love A Chance 
9. They Want The Feeling
10. Awakening Suite Part 1 (Childhood – The Opening Of The Heart) [Side 2]
11. The Awakening 
12. Listen To Me 
13. Full & Satisfied 
14. Will You Ever Know
Tracks 6 to 14 are his third studio solo album "Awakening" – released February 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19222 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50570

There's a classy card wrap, a chunky 24-page booklet with new liner notes from Mojo’s resident Jazz writer CHARLES WARING along with album credits, lyrics and photos. But the best news is 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON which trump the 2001 Collectables CDs I've had these last few years. Fans are going to love the Audio here – beautifully transferred...

The first album "Garden Of Love Light" opens with the heavy and noisy Mahavishnu influenced "White Night" – a rather pointless exercise in Guitar Fusion that is followed by an awful vocal from Walden on the title track (supported by Cissy Houston) where he sounds like an uncertain and very young Prince. But things improve immeasurably with the following two tracks – two forgotten winners that practically secure the album’s desirability. The first is the commercially wicked groove of "Delightful" which features a trio of major league musical contributions – Raymond Gomez giving it some Santana/Neil Schon type guitar - while David Sancious adds the funky keyboards while Patti Scialfa provides breathy girl backing vocals. It’s a winner and hardly surprising that Atlantic Records USA tried an edited version of it as a 45 on Atlantic 3385 with "You Are Love" on the flipside – but it failed to take (Gomez plays a blinder on guitar). 

But then you're hit with something genuinely lovely and even dare we say inspiring (unlike all that hippy psychobabble claptrap espoused by the Bentley-driving Guru Sri Chinmoy on his liner notes). An instrumental called "First Love" which is essential a Soulful string piece that acts as a vehicle for Carlos Santana as guest guitarist. What makes this unusual and beautiful is that Santana forsakes showy screeching fret work for a more Soulful George Benson approach – it's unusual quiet for him – and along with the lush strings arranged by England's Michael Gibbs and his gorgeous playing and Sancious soaring on the Organ – it’s a stand-out moment on an otherwise patchy record. More dire Guru knob follows with the spoken "The Sun Is Dancing" which segues into 9:33 minutes of Fusion Rock that would have been immeasurably better with a trim of the beginning and the more noodly centre passages. They try for Soul-Funk with "You Got The Soul" but it fails on a terrible set of vocals and lyrics. Ace guitarist Jeff Beck brings some of his "Blow By Blow" and "Wired" axe magic to "Saint And The Rascal" and remains the highlight of Side 2. 

Album number two "I Cry, I Smile" features another stellar cast of session musicians – Hiram Bullock on Guitar, Herbie Mann on Flute, Cliff "Cliffalee" Carter on Keyboards, and Norma Jean Bell on Saxophone with orchestral arrangements by Michael Gibbs. The keyboard and guitar funk of "Soul Bird" made for an obvious US single (Atlantic 3450) but again the public remained uninterested. Best is the Side 1 finisher - the pretty Ray Gomez guitar instrumental "Oneness-Cry" (the flip of "Soul Bird" on Atlantic 3450. Saving us from the syrupy "I Cry, I Smile" - Side 2 features a standout – "Heaven's Just A Step Ahead" – a catchy little Soul-Funk ditty that at last feels like the album is living and breathing. Hiram Bullock plays fabulous Guitar while Cliff "Cliffalee" Carter lays down a Funky clavinet like Stevie Wonder at his best.

After two bitty LPs the public all but ignored – things had to change – and they did. Going after the Disco and Funk markets Walden brought in the magic fingers of Patrick Adams while the experienced Bob Clearmountain recorded and mixed the record at The Power Station – spiritual home to Chic. Result was the "Awakening" album (appropriate title too). The moment the Funk 'n' Strings of "Love Me Only" hit you – any punter is going to know that they're in the presence of an album they need to buy. And they did - "Awakening" became his first chart album and peaked at a respectable 15 on the US R&B hit parade. But even bigger and certainly a winner with the public is the monster old-skool hit "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)" – an infectious Funkathon that is guaranteed to fill a floor with strut-your-stuff shapes. The vocals are so much stronger and the Funkiness of it suddenly makes Narada like a real contender for Prince No. 2. The smoochy "Give Your Love A Chance" is another soft Soul winner - but the bruiser "They Want The Feeling" is undone by its overly manic pace. Fusion returns in style with "The Awakening Suite" where he seems to find his musical place ably assisted by Pat Thrall and Jay Graydon on Guitars and soaring orchestral arrangements by Jorge Del Barrio. "Full & Satisfied" is the kind of commercial Funk the radio loves and it's surprising that Atlantic didn't milk it for just that...

The first two records are patchy for sure but contain stunning moments while record number three saw the template come together that would lead to global domination with his "The Dance Of Life" album in late 1979 (see my separate review for BGO's twofer that contains "The Dance Of Life" LP and two other album charters from 1980 and 1982 - "Victory" and "Confidence" - pictured below). 

This auspicious start for the ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra Drummer and Multi Instrumentalist Narada Michael Walden is well worth checking out especially given the gorgeous audio. Onwards to "I Should Have Loved Ya"...

"Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 22 Seventies-Tracks That Includes Four US 45-Singles from 1971, 1972 and 1973 and Eighteen Previously Unreleased (May 2010 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Got A New Love..."

One that seems to have slipped through the reissue net – 22 Seventies cuts from the Sounds Of Memphis Studios (18 Previously Unreleased) – most in the tradition of Southern Soul. It's a mixed bag for sure - but there's more winners on here than losers. Here's the nitty gritty on the tape-box discoveries...

UK released May 2010 – "Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 339 (Barcode 029667233927) breaks down as follows (73:59 minutes):

1. If You Never See Me – WILLIE WALKER
2. I Won't Have To Cry No More – WILLIAM BOLINGER
3. Saturday In The Park – THE JACKSONIANS
4. Hook, Line & Sinker – THE MINITS
5. How Can I Get Next To You (Alternate Vocal) – GEORGE JACKSON
6. I'm Your Slave – OTIS WHEAT
7. You're Slipping Away – DAN GREER
8. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know – THE JACKSONIANS
9. People Are Talking – WILLIAM BOLLINGER
10. Run Around – WILLIE WALKER
11. Love Letters – THE MINITS (1971 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 703, A)
12. Sparkle Eyes – THE JACKSONIANS (1973 USA 7" single on MGM 14640, A)
13. Always Treat Your Woman – ART JERRY MILLER
14. Chirpin' – LOU ROBERTS
15. Take A Look At Yourself – DAN GREER
16. Love Trying To Come – GEORGE JACKSON
17. Love Is Blind – ERMA SHAW
18. Steppin' Stone – LOUIS WILLIAMS
19. Lover Boy – THE MINITS (1972 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 706, A)
20. Guessing Game – JIMI HILL (1973 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 719, A)
21. Because Of You – TEKELIA KELLY
22. The Plumber – THE OVATIONS
NOTES: All tracks are STEREO except 2, 6, 9, 14 and 22 – which are MONO

For a Kent-Soul release – the 12-page booklet feels strangely slight – even with great detail from number one Soul Man DEAN RUDLAND with reminiscences from Linda Lucchesi who ran the Studios in the Eighties. There's a photo of the 3 ladies in The Minits, the 7-strong man-crew of The Jacksonians, an in-studio snap of Producers Bill Lucchesi, Tom James and Nick Paladina and a staged shot of little Jimi Hill smiling as he signs a recording contract (Dan Greer overseeing proceedings). The sound is uniformly brilliant – remastered by long-standing engineer DUNCAN COWELL – especially on the Stereo cuts with Audio Restoartion from ROB SHREAD.

As you can see from the track list above – only 4 of the 22 cuts were officially released as US 45-singles – the others are previously unreleased songs/versions from the vaults and tape boxes of the Sounds Of Memphis studios. And truthfully the quality count is shockingly high – it really is (track after track impresses).

It opens with two goodies "If You Never See Me Again" (Willie Walker giving it some Terence Trent D'Arby guttural vocals) and the softer "I Won't Have To Cry No More" which is a Northern Soul shuffle. It's unfortunately easy to hear why "Saturday In The Park" stayed in the can – the instrumentation is excellent but the vocal is all over the place – flat and almost out of tune. Far better is the wicked Ike Turner guitar-groove of "Hook, Line & Sinker" where The Minits blast out a funky winner. 

Things take a proper Southern Soulful turn with the alternate take of George Jackson's "How Can I Get Next To You?" – as lovely a tune as he ever put his stunningly emotional pipes to (superb Saxophone solo). It's the first of two new cuts from him – the other is the awkwardly titled "Love Trying To Come" - a slow groove with a good if not unconvincing vocal (both titles will be big draws for fans). Otis Wheat is new to me but he had a sweet almost talking-voice and the love song "I'm Your Slave" is very good indeed.

A genuine blast is a cover version of Al Kooper's Blood, Sweat & Tears masterpiece "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" done to pleading Soul heartbreak perfection by The Jacksonians (named after Jackson in Mississippi) where lead vocalist Whitney Jebb, Jr. tears up a storm. As Rudland points out, the vocal bears more than a passing resemblance to Donny Hathaway's version of the song - and
William Bolling hitting those upbeat high notes on "People Are Talking" is akin to Jackie Wilson in his Sixties prime – a wicked inclusion and shocking "People Are Talking" wasn't issued as a single. 

"Chirpin'" by Lou Roberts isn't great – better is the beautifully produced "Take A Look At Yourself" from Dan Greer where he urges his lady to "...clean up her mess..." (what a guy!). We get a bit slap-bass funky on "Love Is Blind" where Erma Shaw seems vocally unsuitable to the tune – better is the sweetly string-laden "Lover Boy" by The Minits. Jimi Hill comes across as a young Michael Jackson circa The Jackson 5 (hardly great) but far better is the smooch of "Because Of You" by Tekelia Kelly (who's pictured in the booklet in the studio with Bill Lucchesi). It ends on the lead singer of The Ovations telling us he's ready to fix any lady's plumbing – which you have to admit – is very generous of him...

So there you have it – May 2010's "Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" was always going to be a mixed bag of the great and the not-so-great with such a huge number of unreleased. Thankfully the good stuff outweighs the filler. Well done to England's Kent-Soul for getting this rich mine of Soul material out there and tickling us pink...

"Spinners" by SPINNERS [Known as 'The Detroit Spinners' in the UK] - March 1973 US Debut Album on Atlantic Records – Featuring Producer, Arranger and Songwriter Thom Bell (November 2015 UK Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue – Wayne Dickson and Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

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----------------------------------------------------

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"...Falling In Love (Again)..."

I already own this fabulously evocative Atlantic Records Soul LP from 1973 inside the SPINNERS "Original Album Series" 5CD set on Rhino – something I reviewed extensively way back in the mists of 2010. So why buy it again?

Because this new 2015 CD reissue is on Big Break Records of the UK (BBR is part of Cherry Red) and I always get a bit excited by their sensationally good Remasters. The Audio on this peach is best ever and along with quality presentation, a Previously Unreleased in the Bonus Tracks that actually enhances, a total playing time of nearly 78 minutes and a miserly mid-price – and I'm a very happy satin-suited bunny. Life ain't easy indeed...here are the Ghetto Children...

UK released 6 November 2015 – "Spinners" by SPINNERS on Big Break Records WCDBBRX 0321 (Barcode 5013929062139) is an 'Expanded Edition' BBR CD Remaster with 8 Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (77:43 minutes):

1. Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind [Side 1]
2. Just You And Me Baby
3. Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
4. I Could Never (Repay Your Love)
5. I'll Be Around
6. One Of A Kind (Love Affair) [Side 2]
7. We Belong Together
8. Ghetto Child
9. How Could I Let You Get Away
10. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Spinners" by SPINNERS - released March 1973 on Atlantic SD 7256 in the USA and Atlantic K 40477 in the UK. In Britain the band was known as and credited as - THE DETROIT SPINNERS. THOM BELL Produced the album (JIMMY ROACH Produced tracks 11 to 14) and it peaked at No. 1 on the US R&B charts - No. 14 on Pop.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. (Oh Lord) I Wish I Could Sleep
Previously unreleased track - first appeared in 1991 on the 2CD Spinners set "A One Of A Kind Love Affair: The Anthology" on Atlantic/Rhino Remasters 7 82332-2 – also on the 1995 CD Remaster Reissue of "Mighty Love" as one of four bonuses

12. I Just Gotta Make It Happen
13. Mr. Big Man
14. You Sure Are Nasty
Tracks 11 to 14 first appeared as 4 Bonus Tracks on the 1995 CD Reissue of "Mighty Love" on Atlantic/Rhino Remasters R2 71586

15. I'll Be Around (Mike Maurro Mix) – 2015 Previously Unreleased
16. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love (A Tom Moulton Mix)
17. One Of A Kind Love Affair (A Tom Moulton Mix)
Tracks 16 and 17 first appeared on Tom Moulton's "Philly ReGrooved 3: Tom Moulton Remixes" 2CD set from June 2013 on Harmless HURTCD122

18. I'll Be Around (Single Version) - see Single No. 2 below

SINGLES:

This CD will allow fans to sequence the following UK and US 7" Singles 

[09] = Track Number:
1. How Could I Let You Get Away [9] b/w I'll Be Around [5]
July 1972 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2094

2. I'll Be Around [18] b/w How Could I Let You Get Away [9]
August 1972 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2904
September 1972 UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10243 with sides reversed

3. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love [10] b/w Just You And Me Baby [2]
December 1972 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2927
April 1973 UK 7" single Atlantic K 10283

4. One Of A Kind (Love Affair) [6] b/w Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You [3]
April 1973 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2962
May 1973 UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10311

5. Ghetto Child [8] b/w We Belong Together [7]
July 1973 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2973
September 1973 UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10359

SPINNERS [aka Detroit Spinners] were:
BILLY HENDERSON – Tenor
BOBBIE SMITH – Tenor
PHILLIP WYNNE – Tenor
HENRY FAMBROUGH – Baritone
PERVIS JACKSON - Bass

I've had the Rhino CD of the album from 1995 – but this remaster by WAYNE A DICKSON (of BBR) and NICK ROBBINS (of Ace) is superlative – full of warmth and presence. The 16-page booklet is the usual BBR fan fest of American 45 repros, trade adverts and band photos intertwined with in-depth and affectionate liner notes from noted Soul buff CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE. This CD Remaster also comes in one of those round-corner super jewel cases – tasty...

In some respects – it's hard in the distance of 2015 to imagine what a Soul Monster this album really was in 1972 and 1973. Three of the US 45s listed above hit the coveted No.1 spot on their R&B charts – three of them - - all million sellers - "I'll Be Around", "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" and "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)" - while the sublime and socially informative "Ghetto Child" peaked at an impressive No. 4 (and should have been a foursome with its illustrious predecessors). But even these belie just how good the 'whole' album is - with the exception for me of the vaudeville jazz brass of "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" which I always thought was wildly out-of-place.

But the album's masterpiece is the hidden one never edited for a 45 – Lead Tenor PHILLIP WYNNE giving it some serious Soul pleading throughout the gorgeous 6:56 minutes of "I Could Never (Repay Your Love)" that ends Side 1. Surely this is what great Seventies Soul is all about – written by BRUCE HAWES – it features melody, passionate vocals and a complimentary arrangement that elevates rather than swamps. Another less-famous gem is "We Belong Together" where vibes and treated guitars ease in the smooth vocals and heartache of "...where's the love we said would never die..." Atlantic chose "How Could I Let You Go" as one of the representations of Quality Soul on their Rhino Handmade "Atlantic Soul" 4CD Box Set of 2009. And what can you say about the gorgeous "Ghetto Child" – a song that resonated lyrically and musically with British and Irish fans - giving it a No. 7 placing in September 1973 on the UK singles charts.

I must admit that the four bonus outtakes that appeared on the 1995 remaster of "Mighty Love" (presented as tracks 11 to 14 on this CD) are massively disappointing. Those looking for the sophistication of the album should look away. Far better is the very cool and complimentary Remix by Mike Maurro of "I'll Be Around" which bigs-up the intro and emphasizes those wonderful string arrangements – although at 7:06 minutes it kind of out-stays its welcome a tad. The Tom Moulton Remixes of "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" and "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)" run to 6:40 and 5:51 minutes respectively and do the same trick as the Mike Maurro stab at "I'll Be Around" – with "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)" definitely coming off best (what a tune).

I've loved returning to this SPINNERS album - I really have - and I'm quite certain Soul fans out there will smile just looking at its cover. Well done to BBR for doing the business by this affectionately remembered LP and those halcyon days. Buy it and do the Soul Step with your sister on the kitchen floor like you used to. Or just think of that special gal. "...Could It Be I'm Falling In Love..." once again, yes I am... 

"Madhouse" by SILVER CONVENTION – October 1976 UK LP on Magnet Records - Midland International Records in the USA (October 2014 UK Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Two Bonuses – Nick Robbins and Wayne A. Dickson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0edwb0uW

---------------------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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"...Land Of Make Believe..."

This superb-sounding SILVER CONVENTION CD from Big Break Records of the UK features an Expanded CD version of the Euro-Disco group's third and most adventurous album - "Madhouse".  It may have been a commercially disastrous move at the time - but BBR thinks it's worth looking at again. And as there have been some crappy CD bootlegs on the market of late - an official remaster will be more than welcome by fans. Here are the party people's details...

UK released 3 October 2014 - "Madhouse" by SILVER CONVENTION is on Big Break Records CDBBR 0279 (Barcode 5013939057937) and breaks down as follows (49:24 minutes):

1. Madhouse
2. Plastic People
3. I'm Not A Slot Machine
4. Fancy Party
5. Dancing In The Aisle
6. Everybody's Talking 'Bout Love
7. Magic Mountain
8. Midnight Lady
9. Land Of Make Believe
10. Madhouse (Finale)
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd album "Madhouse" released October 1976 in the UK on Magnet Records MAG 5013 and in the USA on Midland International Records BKL1-1824

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Fancy Party (Single Version) - German Single released October 1976 on Jupiter Records 16-617-AT
12. Dancing In The Aisles (Take Me Higher) (Single Version) - USA Single released November 1976 on Midland International Records MB-10849

The 16-page booklet is packed with photos of the three girls - Rhonda Heath, Penny McLean and Romana Wulf - who were the front of Silver Convention and its Disco Vocal sound. There's a short essay on the album by Stephen Schnee (Orange County, USA) and detailed recording info. But the big news for fans is a stunning NICK ROBBINS and WAYNE A. DICKSON remaster - crystal clear slap bass, funky synths and those trademark swirling strings.

Schnee's liner notes loosely (very loosely) suggest that "Madhouse" is some kind of Disco concept album - aimed at the head and the feet - and in some respects he's probably right. And therein lay its downfall. But for me the real problem with the whole Silver Convention sound is the battle of two camps - the amazing backing musicians and songwriters (Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay) - fronted by insipid and not very inspiring vocalists. The girls have the looks but not the voices. You get amazing almost Steely Dan arrangements on tracks like "I'm Not A Slot Machine" - then those uninspiring vocals kick in - and let's face it - they could be anyone. The musicianship and ideas on "Dancing In The Aisle" is great - but then it's drowned in cheesy lyrics and nondescript vocals.

An amazing sounding CD then - and a must-buy if you're a fan...
PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I've reviewed:
1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)
2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)
3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)
4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)
6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)
7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)
8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)
9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)
10. Let Me Be Your Angel – STACY LATTISAW (1980)
11. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)
12.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]
13. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)
14. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)
15. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)
16. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)
17. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)
18. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)
19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)
20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)
21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)
22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)
23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)
24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)
25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)
26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)
27. Live: Stompin' At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)
28. Madhouse – SILVER CONVENTION (1976)
29. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)
30. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)
31. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)
32. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)
33. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)
34. Switch - SWITCH (1978)
35. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)
36. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)
37. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"Small Talk At 125th And Lenox" by GIL SCOTT-HERON – 1971 US Debut LP on Flying Dutchman Records (April 2015 UK Ace/Beat Goes Public (BGP)/Flying Dutchman CD Remaster/Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0bot2BpP

-----------------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

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"...A New Black Poet..."

Picture the scene – New York City, USA, 1970. You're a young black man, fresh out of college and ideological. But you're also broke and living in a city that is being consumed by drugs and violence - and whether or not you've big hopes and even larger dreams – it doesn't matter because in truth 'the man' couldn't give a rat's ass about your future. So in your gut you're angry and you feel betrayed - the stench of political hypocrisy is everywhere. You look forlornly at a system that has consistently defiled your colour for centuries and in the last five years has gingerly sent you and your brothers draft papers followed by a plane ride to an actual war – murderous Hell in Vietnam – where you and your friends are being slaughtered for some unspoken Communist agenda ruthlessly applied by an all-white Government regardless of the physical cost. But one afternoon (on word of mouth from those in the know) - you pop along to a poetry gig in Lenox Avenue and out onto the stage (accompanied by two Conga Players) steps this wiry-looking 21-year Negro who airs everything you've been feeling and thinking with the ferocity of a punch in the solar plexus from Cassius Clay. In 1970 and 1971 "Small Talk At 125th And Lenox" must have been mind-blowing - and in 2015 - it still is.

Talk about records you must hear before you die. Even now it's hard to envisage let alone phantom the cultural impact this concert and its subsequent low-key album release must have had. Re-listening to it now I'm still hammered by its fearlessness, mental clarity and yes rage. I'm also struck by the bad stuff - his arrogance and his awful 'fa**ots' piece - painful at best to listen to and at worst – outright offensive. Scott-Heron probably meant to attach hypocrisy towards gays but ended up sounding like he was smirking with the attackers rather than deriding them. But I'm also saddened by the sickening truth – that after 45 years - Gil Scott-Heron's debut LP still has a point. In fact his embittered hurt about poverty in city ghettos, police brutality and ingrained racism is ludicrously contemporary today because this kind of crap shouldn't be happening in Barack Obama's America - and yet we all know it is. Anyway - let's get to the paint it black details before someone else gets hurt.

Gil Scott-Heron approached BOB THIELE of Flying Dutchman Records hoping for a poetry piece. Thiele had been with ABC's "Impulse" Jazz label for over 10 years and had formed Flying Dutchman in 1969 with the idea of putting out Radical Jazz and Avant Garde recordings. Scott-Heron had already published a novel "The Vulture" and a book of poetry called "Small Talk At 125th And Lenox". So Thiele allowed him to invite a small audience in (mid 1970) and do the 14-track album on the cheap – giving the record the same name as his book of poems but precede the title with an announcement - "A New Black Poet". 

No one seems to know exactly when the album "Small Talk At 125th And Lenox" by GIL SCOTT-HERON on Flying Dutchman FDS-131 was first released – it's copyrighted to 1970 but the first review for it is not until October 1971 in the USA press where the LP is viewed as 'taking off'. It's more likely it was available to the public in January or February 1971 although those dates are open to debate (CD 44:04 minutes):

1. Introduction – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
2. Omen
3. Brother
4. Comment No. 1
5. Small Talk At 125th And Lennox
6. The Subject Was Fa**ots
7. Evolution (And Flashback)
8. Plastic Patter People [Side 2]
9. Whitey On the Moon
10. The Vulture
11. Enough
12. Paint It Black
13. Who'll Pay Reparations On My Soul?
14. Everyday
[Note: the version of "Who'll Pay Reparations On My Soul?" on the album ran to 4:20 minutes – the CD presents an Extended Version at 5:17 minutes]

This Monday 27 April 2015 CD (May 2015 in the USA) on BGP/Flying Dutchman CDBGPM 290 (Barcode 029667529020) is a reissue by Ace Records of the UK as part of their Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics Series (BGP is Beat Goes Public). 

Although the mastering is credited to Nick Robbins in 2015 – the CD itself says 2001 – so this is the RCA Victor Gold Series CD remaster from that period. The audio is fabulous - incredibly clean as the congas pound across the speakers and Gil raps away about being "...chained by leg irons..." in "Enough" and "...no hot water, no toilets, no lights...a rat bit my sister..." in the loaded "Whitey On The Moon". The album also contains the first version of his most famous piece "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" available here in its original poetry-only form (the music version turned up on his next album – 1971's classic "Piece Of A Man" – see separate review).

The 12-page booklet repro's the original Flying Dutchman labels for Side 1 and 2, pictures the book of poems that gave the album its name and has superb liner notes from DEAN RUDLAND explaining about the making of the record and its radical history. It also wisely reproduces the liner notes from NAT HENTOFF of the Jazz & Pop Magazine that graced the back cover so you can read them properly - themselves full of information and not hyperbole.

With Scott-Heron introducing and speaking the Poems in a spoken scat vocal style – he is backed by a percussion duo consisting of Charlie Saunders and David Barnes on Congas. It's not all poetry. Scott-Heron plays Piano on three tracks - "The Vulture", "Who'll Pay Reparations For My Soul" and "Everyday" – while David Barnes does some secondary vocals on "Who'll Pay Reparations On My Soul?" and "Everyday". And the lyrics are genius - "...Call my brother a junkie...say he ain't got no job...so my old man leave me when times get hard...so my mother...she’s got to carry me all herself..." he sings on the brilliant "Who’ll Pay Reparations On My Soul?"

The crowd response ranges from polite claps ("Brother"), awkwardness "The Subject Was Fa**ots") to giggles and affection ("Whitey On The Moon"). But when he starts on that piano at the beginning of "The Vulture" – the magic kicks in big time when it stops being poetry and starst to become music. And when they clap at the end with real feeling and appreciation – you can 'so' hear that someone 'big' has arrived. You begin to wish the whole album had avoided just poetry raps and done every song as music. He would realise that potential in his next album – the classic "Pieces Of A Man".

"Small Talk At 125th And Lenox" is only a reissue I know (a milestone in the history of rap too) - but given the situation in Baltimore with 5000 troops on the streets in May 2015 - what a timely one. On "Everyday" Gil Scott-Heron sings - "...everyday I seem to be running from the truth..." Don't sweep his wisdom under a rug – this is one truth you should run towards precisely because it's uncomfortable... 

"Rit/Rit 2" by LEE RITENOUR – May 1981 and November 1982 US Albums on Elektra Records featuring Harvey Mason on Keyboards and Percussion, David Foster, Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee and Greg Mathieson on Keyboards, Abraham Laboriel on Bass, Chuck Finley on Trumpet, Jeff Porcaro on Drums and Eric Tagg on Lead Vocals with Johnny Mandel doing String Arrangements and more (October 2015 UK Robinsongs Compilation – 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD – Alan Wilson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B02IStR2S

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"...Captain Fingers..."

Californian Ace Guitarist LEE RITENOUR ("Captain Fingers" to his fans) has probably graced more Audiophile albums than any other session player in living memory. But virtuosity and a wonderful deftness of touch on the old plankaroony are not necessarily what these albums are about. These two very commercial LPs from 1981 and 1982 (his 4th and 5th vinyl platters) went for the jugular of the AWB, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson albums audience with an 80ts vengeance. Here are the zippy licks and slapped basses...

UK released October 2015 – "Rit/Rit/2" by LEE RITENOUR on Robinsongs WROBIN3CD (Barcode 5013929950320) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (77:38 minutes): 

1. Mr. Briefcase [Side 1]
2. (Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies
3. No Sympathy 
4. Is It You?
5. Dreamwalk 
6. Countdown (Captain Fingers) [Side 2]
7. Good Question
8. (You Caught Me) Smilin'
9. On The Slow Guide
10. No Sympathy (Reprise Version)
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Rit" – released May 1981 in the USA on Elektra Records 6E-331 and June 1981 in the UK on Elektra Records K 52273. Peaked at No. 26 in the US album charts and No. 4 on the Jazz charts (didn’t chart in the UK). 

11. Cross My Heart 
12. Promises, Promises 
13. Dreamwalkin'
14. Keep It Alive 
15. A Fantasy 
16. Tied Up [Side 2]
17. Voices
18. On The Boardwalk 
19. Road Runner 
20. Malibu 
Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Rit/2" – released November 1982 in the USA on Elektra Records 60186 and in the UK/Europe on Elektra Records 96.0186-1. Peaked at No. 99 on the US album charts and No. 5 on the Jazz charts (didn’t chart in the UK).  

Robinsongs is a subsidiary of England's Cherry Red Records and has been building up a solid and enviable rep with regard to Soul, Funk and Jazz Fusion CD Reissues (two quality albums Remastered onto 1CD and pitched at mid-price). The 12-page booklet is a pleasingly indepth affair with new liner notes from noted Jazz writer CHARLES WARING (Contributes to the Mojo Magazine) and photos of those Elektra Records labels as well as full musician credits. ALAN WILSON at Western Star has handled the Mastering and the Audio reflects the original Production Values – clear, polished and sophisticated (if not a little 'too' Eighties in places).
Each album features a huge plethora of quality musicians – "Rit" has Harvey Mason on Keyboards and Percussion, David Foster, Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee and Greg Mathieson (all) on Keyboards, Abraham Laboriel on Bass, Chuck Finley on Trumpet, Jeff Porcaro on Drums and Eric Tagg on Lead Vocals with Johnny Mandel doing String Arrangements (to name but a few). 

"Rit/2" features Eric Tagg doing Lead Vocals on six of its ten compositions and co-wrote "Cross My Heart", "Promises, Promises", "Dreamwalkin'", "Keep It Alive" and "Voices". Vocalist Bill Champlin features on "Promises, Promises" and co-wrote the song with Ritenour and Tagg. Lee Ritenour plays Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocoder and Guitar Synthesizer throughout. Guests include Tom Scott on Saxophone and Larry Williams on Flute as well as many of the virtuoso types that played on "Rit". 

Proceedings open with the upbeat but throwaway "Mr. Briefcase" (a 12" on both sides of the pond) – better is the Earth, Wind & Fire slap-bass Funk of "(Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies". Things mellow out with "No Sympathy" which features his delicate fretwork before Eric Tagg gets all Chicago on the Vocals. Back to the George Benson "Give Me The Night" marketplace with the infectious "Is It You?" (an obvious single) - but my fave Funky groove has always been Side 2's Instrumental "On The Slow Glide" – finger-picked Bass with treated guitars...

"Rit/2" seems more RCA-period Average White Band than Columbia's Earth, Wind & Fire opening with the schlocky "Cross My Heart". Bill Champlin of Sons Of Champlin co-wrote the commercial synth Funk of "Promises, Promises" and can be heard in the backing vocals. 'Lurve' enters the scene with "Dreamwalkin' (Along With Me)" sounding like some movie soundtrack finisher as the happy couple walk off into the Malibu sunset with Pina Coladas in hand.  Far better is his superb fluid playing on the Funky yet slick Instrumental "Road Runner" – about as sweet as the album gets. 

Admittedly in 2015 - many might find the saccharine elements of the vocals on both records a tad too much to take nowadays – but those Funky Grooves, Wicked Instrumental flourishes and that gorgeous Audio make it a worthwhile purchase for the curious - and a must-have for fans... 

"First Course" by LEE RITENOUR – March 1976 US Debut Album on Epic Records featuring Harvey Mason on Drums, Louis Johnson (of The Brothers Johnson) on Bass, Dave Grusin. Patrice Rushen, Michael Omartian and Ian Underwood on Keyboards with Tom Scott and Chuck Findley on Horns (October 2014 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) CD Reissue and Remaster – Andrew Thompson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0f5dXCdJ

-----------------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2026 Update)

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Sweet Syncopation…"

Playing his first studio session for The Mama's & Papa's at the tender age of 15 in 1969 - you could say that Los Angelino LEE RITENOUR can handle the odd lick or two on a guitar. Amazingly - his funky-as-a-gnat's underpants debut album "First Course" has been off the digital circuit for decades. Well luckily for us along comes Beat Goes On of the UK with a fabulous new remaster of this forgotten Crusaders-like Seventies classic to rectify all that. Here are the fatback details...

UK released October 2014 - "First Course" by LEE RITENOUR on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1163 (Barcode 5017261211637) is a straightforward CD Remaster of his 1976 Nine-Track Debut Album on Epic Records and breaks down as follows (41:37 minutes):

1. A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit Of That [6:19 minutes] – Side 1
2. Sweet Syncopation [4:49 minutes]
3. Theme From 'Three Days Of The Condor' [4:10 minutes]
4. Fatback [4:21 minutes]
5. Memories Past [1:54 minutes]
6. Caterpillar [4:23 minutes] – Side 2
7. Canticle For The Universe [6:13 minutes]
8. Wild Rice [5:35 minutes]
9. Ohla Maria (Amparo) [3:51 minutes]
Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut LP "First Course" released in March 1976 in the USA on Epic Records PE 33947 (no UK release).

The outer card slipcase and the 12-page booklet with excellent CHARLES WARING liner notes give this reissue the usual BGO classy feel - but the big news for fans is a fantastic new remaster by England's ANDREW THOMPSON done at Sound Mastering in London. This album sounds almost audiophile - and it should.

Recorded between September and December 1975 in Epic's Sound Labs studios in Hollywood and employing top session players of the time allied with the Production skills of SKIP DRINKWATER - this is a beautifully produced album - slick, expertly played and Steely Dan polished. The instrumentation sound on this is glorious.
Excepting "Theme From 'Three Days Of The Condor'" and Caterpillar" by DAVE GRUSIN and the cover version of Brazil's finest Antonio Jobim's "Ohla Maria (Amparo)" - all the others are Ritenour originals. The players are a who's who of quality - Harvey Mason on Drums, Louis Johnson (of The Brothers Johnson) on Bass, Dave Grusin on Keyboards, Michael Omartion on Clavinet with Tom Scott and Chuck Findley on Horns. You even get the genius Patrice Rushen on "Wild Rice" playing Clavinet and Synthesizer whizz-kid Ian Underwood underlying most tracks with Stevie Wonder type funkiness.

Epic USA tried to edit the cool and catchy six-minute opener "A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit of That" onto a three and a half minute 7" single in early 1976 (Epic 8-50250) - but neither it nor the LP bothered the charts. And yet listening back to "First Course" and its effortless cool now - it's hard to understand why the album didn't make bigger waves outside of musician circles that applauded the arrival of a virtuoso guitarist and still only in his mid-twenties. A particular favourite of mine is the slick and gritty "Fatback" and the pretty acoustic "Memories Past" that seems over too soon. The slow groove of "Caterpillar" mimics its name and it ends on the lovely Spanish acoustic guitar and mellowness of that Cobim cover - now sounding crystal clear.

Genius reissue and well done (once again) to England's BGO (Beat Goes on Records) for giving "First Course the belated credit this album was always due...