"Pressure Cookin'" by LABELLE – August 1973 US Fourth Studio Album on RCA Victor Records (May 1975 in the UK) - Featuring Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash (August 2014 UK Soul Music Records CD Reissue - Alan Wilson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Open Up Your Minds To Me And Let Me In..."

A friend of mine lent me this album on a 2010 Reel Music CD remaster (Bill Lacey) that I forgot to buy. It subsequently garnished a bit of a price tag. 

Well along comes Soul Music Records of the UK with a spangly new remaster in 2014 issued at mid-price - and a proper corker it is too. Here are the Dancin' Diva details…

UK released August 2014 – "Pressure Cookin'" by LABELLE on Soul Music Records SMCR 5123 (Barcode 5013929082335) is a straightforward Remaster and Transfer of the 9-track 1973 LP and plays out as follows (40:45 minutes):

1. Pressure Cookin' [Side 1]
2. Medley: (a) Something In The Air (b) The Revolution Will Not Be Televised 
3. Sunshine Woke Me Up This Morning
4. Can I Speak To You Before You Go To Hollywood?
5. Mr. Music Man [Side 2]
6. Goin' On Holiday 
7. Let Me See You In The Light
8. Open Up Your Heart
9. Last Dance
Tracks 1 to 9 are the LP "Pressure Cookin'" – released August 1973 in the USA and UK on RCA Records APL1-0205 (reissued UK May 1975 on RCA LSA 3223). 

The 16-page booklet has superlative liner notes by A. SCOTT GALLOWAY peppered with pictures of the three ladies dressed in distinctive stage gear, repros of the American Dynaflex LP labels and detailed recording info. But the big news is a stunning ALAN WILSON Remaster – gorgeous clarity on all the tracks. This CD sounds 'so' good – exemplary stuff. 

Shortening their name from Patti Labelle and The Blue Belles in 1971 to LABELLE (Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash) - and hot from their success and prominent duel-credit placing on Laura Nyro's LP gem "Gonna Take A Miracle" of that same year (see separate review) – Labelle found themselves opening for such acts as The Who and gaining appreciative audiences everywhere they went. When they signed to RCA Records for this lone album with the label hopes were high – but as history tells us Radio didn't get it and the album didn't chart despite efforts by all involved. That's not to say there isn't Soulful Funky magic here…there really is…

It opens with a frantic "Pressure Cookin'" showcasing the amazingly funky backing band MAXAYN (named after singer Maxayn Lewis) and is followed by a highlight – a double-whammy of contemporary cover versions. "Something In the Air" was a Number British single for Thunderclap Newman (on Track Records) and Patti cleverly segues it into Gil Scott-Heron's legendary social-comment song "The Revolution Will Not Be Television". It meshes the upbeat feel of Thunderclap Newman's come together message with the street realism of Heron's razor-sharp observations on poor America.  

The Nona Hendryx stunner "Sunshine (Woke Me Up This Morning)" is fabulous Funk Soul and should have been the leadoff single – but that privilege went to the more catchy "Open Up Your Heart" - US issued May 1973 on RCA 74-0965 backed with "Goin' On A Holiday" (lyrics from "Open Up Your Heart" title this review). Another Hendryx nugget is the lovely and pleading "(Can I Speak To You Before You Go To) Hollywood" where Patti holds back on the screaming funk and delivers a beautifully measured and hurting performance. When you get to the equally pretty "Last Dance" – you get the feeling you're in the presence of a lost classic. 

Chart success would elude them until the "Nightbirds" LP in 1975 (on the back of the irrepressible kitchy-kitchy-ya-ya "Lady Marmalade" single on Epic). But this is where to start your LABELLE rediscovery. A fantastic reissue – and kudos to all involved for getting this great music out there again…

"You're Gonna Get Next To Me: The Complete Claridge Recordings" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS - Including the December 1976 US Debut Album "Bo & Ruth" on Claridge Records and more (December 2014 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Keep On Doing What You're Doing..."

I can recall when this rather dull-looking Soul/Disco album used to sit in secondhand racks around the UK and go nowhere. It was precisely the kind of average-looking Soul LP you used to get in the late Seventies that promised little other than filler fleshing out a single hit. 

But then DJs and Soul Lovers began to look under the hood (away from the obvious winner of the hugely popular club classic "You're Gonna Get Next To Me") - and found a quality Soul album with almost all of the tunes penned bv the smiling Californian singers on the cover - BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS. Here are next to you details...

UK released December 2014 - "You're Gonna Get Next To Me: The Complete Claridge Recordings" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 425 (Barcode 029667242523) contains one LP and six Bonus Single Sides and pans out as follows (64:30 minutes):

1. I Feel The Love In This Room Tonight

2. To Make You Love Me

3. Train of Desire

4. You're Gonna Get Next To Me

5. We Got The Recipe [Side 2]

6. Easy Loving

7. Sure Got A Thing For You - BO KIRKLAND

8. Can You Feel It

9. Grandfather Clock - BO KIRKLAND

10. Stay Out Of My Kitchen

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Bo & Ruth" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS - released December 1976 in the USA on Claridge 1002 and June 1977 in the UK on EMI International INS 3007

11. Loving Arms (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427, B-side of "That's The Way The Wind Blows")

12. That's The Way The Wind Blows (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427, A)

13. That's A Bet (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432, B-side of "Stay By My Side")

14. Stay By My Side (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432, A)

15. Heartbreaker - RUTH DAVIS (1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434, B-side of "Love In A Love Zone")

16. Lost In A Love Zone - RUTH DAVIS (1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434, A)

This CD will allow fans to sequence the following US and UK 45's as follows:

1. Grandfather Clock [9] b/w Sure Got A Thing For You [7] - BO KIRKLAND

(1975 USA 7" single on Claridge 409)

2. Easy Loving [6] b/w We Got The Recipe [5]

(1976 USA 7" single on Claridge 414)

3. I Feel Love In This Room Tonight [1] b/w To Make You Love Me [2]

(1976 USA 7' single on Claridge 421)

4. You're Gonna Next To Me b/w Stay Out Of My Kitchen (If You Can't Stand The Heat) [10]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 424)

[Note: the 3:05 minutes single edit isn't on this CD, hence no track no provided]

5. That's The Way The Wind Blows [12] b//w Loving Arms [11]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427)

6. Stay By My Side [14] b/w That's A Bet [13]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432)

7. Easy Loving [6] b/w Can You Feel It [8]

(August 1977 UK 7" single on EMI International INT 536)

8. Lost In A Love Zone [16] b/w Heartbreaker [15] - RUTH DAVIS

(1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434)

As you can see from the lists above - you get the 10-track album with six non-album single sides added on as bonuses - all of it remastered onto CD for the first time. The 12-page booklet is festooned with those American Claridge label 45s as well as repro-ing the rare Promo-Only Picture Sleeve to the UK release of "Easy Loving" (Page 3) and an EMI International Press Sheet from June 1977 on the release of the UK platter. And while the NICK ROBBINS remaster is truly fabulous (great audio on every track) - it isn't going to take fans long to work out that there's a major omission here - the 7" edit of the album monster hit "You'll Get Next To Me". It seems like a major mistake to leave it off. Don't get me wrong - the extended album cut at 7:19 minutes is a DJ's dream really - but most folks are familiar with the shorter cut. Worth mentioning...

The album openers with the lovely mid-tempo "I Feel Love In The Room Tonight" and is followed by a stepper "To Make You Love Me". We go full-on smoocher with the strings and sway of "Train Of Desire" where their voices sound sweet. But the opening three are thoroughly trumped by the Side A finisher - the full album version of "You're Gonna Get Next To Me". Even now it's such a winner with that impish chant throughout and its good to hear the tune stretch out too.

The Bo Kirkland solo cut "Sure Got A Thing For You" is fabulously slick and slinky Seventies Soul  - very Marvin Gaye "Here, My Dear!" territory. It gets into a groove and shuffle that just won't quit and the remaster brings this out to the full with lyrics "Tried to think of something cute to say...but all that came out of my mouth was Hi..." Of the singles "Stay By My Side" is a more sophisticated Disco tune than the market of the time was used to (it's equally chipper B-side is good too). Her solo 45 "Lost In A Love Zone" is the funkiest of the lot.

It's not all genius by any means and that missing edit of the huge hit is a bit of an oversight - but with the great presentation and especially the upgraded audio quality - fans should dive in and enjoy...

"Tightrope/The Blue Man/Arrows" by STEVE KHAN – Three Albums from 1978 and 1979 on Columbia Records featuring Mike Brecker, Bob James, David Sanborn, Steve Gadd and Ralph McDonald (April 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs with Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Candles..."

Jazz-Fusion virtuoso Guitarist STEVE KHAN sees his first three Solo albums from the late Seventies reissued by Beats Goes On (BGO) of the UK in proper style. If you're a Jazz-Funk fan like me – there's a lot on here to get your knickers in a knot about (despite a shaky start). Here are the elastic expanded details...

UK released 20 April 2015 (delayed from March 2015) – "Tightrope/The Blue Man/Arrows" by STEVE KHAN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1178 (Barcode 5017261211781) is a Compilation that features 3LPs Remastered on 2CDs and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (37:57 minutes):
1. Some Punk Funk [Side 1]
2. Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love) 
3. Tightrope (For Folon)
4. The Big Ones [Side 2]
5. Star Chamber 
6. Soft Summer Breeze 
7. Where Shadows Meet 
Tracks 1 to 7 are his Debut LP "Tightrope" – released January 1978 in the USA on Columbia/Tappan Zee Records JC 34857 and April 1978 in the UK on CBS Records 82230 

Disc 2 (75:52 minutes):
1. Daily Bulls [Side 1]
2. The Blue Man 
3. Some Down Time 
4. The Little Ones [Side 2]
5. Daily Valley
6. An Eye Over Autumn – For Folon 
Tracks 1 to 6 are his 2nd album "The Blue Man" – released 1978 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 35539 and in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 83146 

7. City Suite – Part 1: City Monsters/Part II: Dream City [Side 1] 
8. Candles 
9. Daily Village [Side 2]
10. Some Arrows 
11. Calling 
Tracks 7 to 11 are his 3rd album "Arrows" – released 1979 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36129 (No UK release)

The packed 24-page booklet repro's all artwork and track-by-track musician credits along with in-depth liner notes from noted Musicologist CHARLES WARING (a regular contributor to Mojo). The outer card wrap that now accompanies all BGO CD releases gives the whole shebang a classy feel and there's 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON that let all that musical expertise shine through. Both CDs sound lovely. 

Brought to Columbia Records by the Blood, Sweat & Tears Drummer Bobby Colomby and Keyboard Wizard Bob James (James Produces and provides the liner notes for his debut album) – "Tightrope" features four Steve Khan originals augmented by three covers – the Gamble & Huff O'Jays hit "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)", Randy Brecker's "The Big Ones" and an old Eddie Heywood favourite called "Soft Summer Breeze". The debut album features a stellar cast – Mike Brecker on Tenor Saxophone, Bob James on Keyboards, Steve Gadd and Ralph McDonald on Drums and Percussion respectively - while session all-stars like David Sanborn plays the Alto Sax solo on "The Big Ones". Khan provides Lead Guitar of course with back up from class players like Jeff Mironov and David Spinozza. All songs are Jazz Fusion instrumentals firmly in the groove of Funky – stuff like "Soft Summer Breeze" feels like George Benson's "Love Ballad" from his superb 2LP set "Livin' Inside Your Love" minus the vocals with a few more Rock Fusion breaks thrown in for good measure. The worst you can say about this album is that despite all that world-class musicianship and technical flash - too many of the tunes fail to ignite into anything genuinely special. They’re busy and beautifully produced and all – but only on stuff 

For his 2nd effort "The Blue Man" - Khan took over Production and provided five of the six tracks with "The Little Ones" being a Randy Brecker contribution. And what a difference! "The Blue Man" LP feels far more grown-up than its predecessor with the title track in particular impressing - a wonderful swirling fusion instrumental with Don Grolnick providing Fender Rhodes and ARP Pro solos to gorgeous effect while Khan finishes off the six-minute piece with some of his most fluid playing. Things take a slappy-bass Funk turn with "Some Down Time" where the band clearly goes after that 12” dancefloor market. With it’s Brecker and Sanborn Trumpet and Saxophone breaks and slinky guitar flicks and driving groove – it feels like Steely Dan circa "Aja" going for the Funk for 5:28 minutes (its superb). David Sanborn provides the Alto Saxophone solo in "The Little Ones" which is again wickedly funky in ways the first album never got near (Khan playing a blinding Solo half way through both Becker and Fagen would have said yes to). And on it goes to the near nine-minute finisher "An Eye Over Autumn" which actually goes “Aja” in a big way allowing both Michael Brecker and Steve Gadd solo spots on the Tenor Sax and Drums (respectively) – a great way to end a great album. 

Album Number 3 "Arrows" features liner notes from none other than Donald Fagen of some Seventies Group I worship (can't remember their steam-powered dildo name - STEELY DAN!). It opens with the two-part twelve-minute "City Suite" which comes on like Todd Rundgren's Utopia just finding their Funky Nirvana on the bedside table beside their copy of the Kama Sutra. It Funks and chunks and twists around guitars and Saxophones until about five and half minutes in – the tune goes into a Piano/Drums battle that is followed by a groovy guitar passage. We get laid back with the pretty "Candles" which sports cleverly echoed Lead Guitar and Saxophones. Despite being surprisingly hissy in the transfer – his playing is superb on it and probably Khan's best work across the three albums. Michael Brecker provides Soprano Saxophone on the slinky "Daily Village" where Don Grolnick's work on the ARP and Fender Rhodes gives the tune a West Coast funky polish. But my fave on the album is the beautifully crafted finisher "Calling" – a mid-tempo shuffler where Errol 'Crusher' Bennett gives it some fabulous Percussion throughout (also features Sax Solo by David Sanborn). 

This 3-onto-2 compilation is not all genius for sure - and I can't help feel that even with those nuggets on "Arrows" and the debut "Tightrope" - "The Blue Man" album is the cream of the crop here. Fans will love the presentation and audio - and should dive right in...

"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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