"Love City" by RONN MATLOCK (October 2007 Rhino 'Classic Soul Album - Expanded and Remastered' CD Reissue Of His Superb 1979 US Soul Album On Cotillion Records) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...We're Not Going To A Place...We're Going To A State Of Mind…"

Originally released 1979 on Cotillion Records in the USA only (Cotillion is an Atlantic subsidiary) - Ronn Matlock's lone Soul album is the very definition of those overused words "forgotten masterpiece". I’ve loved this superb record to distraction for decades and what an utter blast it is to finally have my grubby mitts on the CD (and sounding so damn good too).

Originally produced by the legendary MICHAEL STOKES - all eight songs are Ronn Matlock originals with this 2007 CD reissue offers us two rare single sides as bonuses. BILL INGLOT – one of Rhino's top tape maestros has handled the remaster and the result is wonderful – warm and funky – full of presence and not too amped up for the sake of it (proud to call him a friend on Facebook). 

Released October 2007 on CD in the UK - "Love City" by RONN MATLOCK on Rhino 8122-76431-2 (Barcode 081227643126) is part of Rhino's CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED Series of CD reissues and breaks down as follows:

1. Let Me Dance [Side 1]

2. Love City

3. I Can’t Forget About You

4. Feeling Something

5. Back Street [Side 2]

6. Take Me To The Top (Of Your Mountain)

7. You Got The Best Of Me

8. Working Man

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Love City" released August 1979 in the USA on Cotillion SD 5213

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Let Me Dance (Mono Single Version)

10. You Got The Best Of Me (Mono Single version) – Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of a September 1979 USA 7" single on Cotillion 45002

Stylistically think CHIC meets TEDDY PENDERGRASS meets EARTH, WIND & FIRE meets BROOK BENTON meets orchestral BARRY WHITE - but even better! Then there's Matlock’s lovely tonal silky voice - sweet as a nut. If you want real convincing - check out a 25-second snippet on iTunes of "Love City" (lyrics above) – or "Back Street" for irresistible funky floor fillers and "I Can't Forget About You" and "Take Me To The Top (Of Your Mountain)" for that slinky bedroom shagpad moment. None of it has dated and every track is a real find for lovers of funky soul, disco and rare groove.

"Love City" is an absolute peach of an album - and as it never received an official UK release - it's been a hugely collectable and expensive 'piece' on this side of the pond for nearly 30 years now. Yet another top job done by Rhino and a cleverly chosen title for CD reissue – check this baby out as soon as possible…

PS: This release is part of Rhino's 2007 CD Reissue Series CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults.

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway – “Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T.” (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - “Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

7. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line” (see REVIEW)

8. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good” (see REVIEW)

9. The Voices Of East Harlem -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)