"Gold" by KOOL & THE GANG - Tracks from LPs Ranging From January 1970 to December 1986 - Originally on De-Lite and Mercury Records featuring Ronald Bell and James T. Taylor (April 2005 UK Mercury 31-Track 2CD Compilation of Suha Gur Remasters - Part of the Universal 'Gold' 2CD Series) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"...Spirit Of The Boogie..."

Offering up thirty-one tracks from 1970 to 1986 across 2CDs in Remastered form is top value for money and yet another winner in Universal's 'Gold' series of digital twofers. 

And "Gold" boasts top-quality remasters of very hard to find funk and soul rarities from the Seventies on Disc 1 with their infectious Eighties soft soul and disco material on Disc 2 (audio courtesy of tape transfer engineer supremo SUHA GUR). Here are the celebratory 'Funky Stuff' details...

UK released April 2005 - "Gold" by KOOL & THE GANG on Mercury Records 0602498628607 (Barcode 602498628607) is a 2CD compilation in Universal's 'Gold' Series that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (71:45 minutes):
1. Kool & The Gang
2. Kool's Back Again
[1 and 2 are from the LP "Kool & The Gang", January 1970 on De-Lite 2003]
3. Let The Music Take Your Mind
[3 is from the LP "Best Of", September 1971 on De-Lite 2009]
4. Funky Man
5. Who's Gonna Take The Weight
[4 and 5 are from the LP "Live At The Sex Machine", January 1971 on De-Lite 2008]
6. Love The Life You Live
7. Funky Stuff
8. Jungle Boogie
9. Hollywood Swinging
[6 to 9 are from the LP "Wild And Peaceful", October 1973 on De-Lite 2013]
10. Higher Plane
11. Rhyme Tyme People
12. Summer Madness
[10 to 12 are from the LP "Light Of Worlds", October 1974 on De-Lite 2014]
13. Spirit Of The Boogie
14. Caribbean Festival
[13 and 14 are from the LP "Spirit Of The Boogie", August 1975 on De-Lite 2016]
15. Love And Understanding (Come Together)
[15 is from the LP "Love And Understanding", March 1976 on De-Lite 2018]
16. Open Sesame
[16 is from the LP "Open Sesame", November 1976 on De-Lite 2023]

Disc 2 (68:07 minutes):
1. Ladies Night
2. Too Hot
[1 and 2 are from the LP "Ladies Night", September 1979 on De-Lite 9513]
3. Celebration
4. Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)
5. Get Down On It
[3 to 5 are from the LP "Something Special", October 1981 on De-Lite 8502]
6. Big Fun
7. Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La La)
[6 and 7 are from the LP "As One", October 1982 on De-Lite 8505]
8. Joanna
9. Tonight (AOR Mix)
[8 and 9 are from the LP "In The Heart", December 1983 on De-Lite 8508]
10. Misled
11. Fresh
12. Cherish
13. Emergency
[10 to 13 are from the LP "Emergency", December 1984 on De-Lite 822943]
14. Victory
15. Stone Love
[14 and 15 are from the LP "Forever", December 1986 on Mercury 830398]

The original tapes have been remastered by one of Universal's top engineers SUHA GUR and the sound quality is SUPERB - really clean and full of funky power - every track a revelation. The 20-page booklet has liners notes called "Audio Graffiti" by CLEVELAND BROWN, detailed track-by-track credits and pictures of Robert "Kool" Bell and the different line-ups of his American band throughout the years.

Musically it's very much a tale of two cities - Disc 1 being entirely funky and soulful like THE METERS, while Disc 2 is Disco and 80's Soul commercial like Lionel Richie - and well - Kool & The Gang! Admittedly, the quality of songs on Disc 2 tapers off a bit towards the end, but it will surprise many listeners and soul lovers just how good the whole 2 discs hang together. And now the music has the remaster it has always deserved.

Listening to these floor-filling tunes will remind many of the days back when soul was lighthearted and made you want to party and hit the nightclub. And the sound quality is just ACE.

This is a great addition to Universal's "Gold" series that seems to have gone unfairly unnoticed - and it's cheap as chips too - highly recommended!

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“Winkin’, Blinkin’ and Nod: The Kapp Recordings” by THE SIMON SISTERS [Carly and Lucy] (2006 USA-Only Hip-O Select CD - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This December 2006 Hip-O Select CD on B000708702 (Barcode 602517008861) is a US-only limited edition of 4000 and reissues the first part of LUCY and CARLY SIMON's musical career as THE SIMON SISTERS in the early Sixties.

"Winkin', Blinkin' And Nod: The Kapp Recordings" comes in a triple gatefold digipak sleeve with a 12-page booklet featuring photos of the album artwork, detailed reissue credits and snaps of the gorgeous gals on stage with their acoustic guitars and matching cardigans. There's even affectionate and revealing liner notes penned by Carly Simon herself.

Here's the folky breakdown for "Winkin', Blinkin' And Nod: The Kapp Recordings" by THE SIMON SISTERS (66:36 minutes):

1. So Glad I'm Here

2. Breton Lullaby

3. Delia

4. Will You Go Laddie Go [aka "Wilde Mountain Thyme"]

5. Chicken Road

6. Once I Had A True Love

7. Wind Spiritual

8. Winkin', Blinkin' And Nod

9. La Claire Fontaine

10. Rise Up

11. Lorca Lullaby

12. Waley, Waley (The Water Is Wide)

13. Sano Duso

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The Simon Sisters" released in early 1964 on Kapp Records KL-1359 (Mono) and KS-3359 (Stereo) in the USA - Stereo Mix Used

14. Cuddlebug

15. If You Go Down To The Water

16. Dinks Blues

17. Turn, Turn, Turn

18. Hold Back The Branches

19. Ecoute Dans La Vent (Blowin' In The Wind)

20. Motherless Child

21. No One To Talk My Troubles To

22. My Fisherman, My Laddie O!

23. Feuilles-Oh (Leaves)

24. If I Had A Ribbon Bow

25. Pale Horse And Rider

Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Cuddlebug" released late 1964 on Kapp Records KL-1397 (Mono) and KS-3397 (Stereo) in the USA - Stereo Mix Used

The 1st generation stereo tapes have been remastered by one of Universal's top engineer's ERICK LABSON who has over 1200 mastering, remastering and audio restoration credits to his name. And he really has outdone himself here because the sound quality on this CD is beautiful - a really exceptionally transfer - clean and warm - it will thrill fans to the very core.

Musically the Sisters sound like Joan Baez meets a female Simon & Garfunkel circa "Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m." - freedom songs, lullabies, historical ditties, traditional airs - mixed up with an occasional original "Rise Up" and "Pale Horse & Rider". Their choices of cover versions were clever too - incredibly strong melodies given pretty and even beautiful renditions - "Will You Go Laddie Go" (the Wild Mountain Thyme song made famous by the McPeake family of Scotland) and "Waley, Waley" (The Water Is Wide song) particularly stick out.

It's not all peaches and cream of course. There are also times on these albums when the cute Sixties thing borderlines on twee and unlistenable - "Cuddlebug" for instance and the French language version of Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" are difficult to stomach. This is not the songwriting living life Carly Simon of the 1970s Elektra years, but someone working out their musical place in the world. Still, outside of the twee moments, there's great stuff on this CD to savour - "Hold Back The Branches" features lovely harmonies from Lucy - while "Dink's Blues" has a blistering lead from Carly that's incredibly accomplished - and the production quality on both tracks is fantastic.

Hip-O Select releases are not cheap for sure, but I've over 20 now and if you're into an artist, they're the best. These two albums have been off catalogue for the guts of 40 years now - and Hip-O Select have done their reissue proud.

This is a must-own for fans of the great lady - and besides, even standing beside a lamppost in a natty cardigan as she does on Page 1 of the booklet, Carly Simon still manages to look like sex on legs...effortlessly... Recommended.

"Then And Now: The Definitive..." by HERBIE HANCOCK (November 2008 UK Universal/Verve CD + DVD Remaster With 2 Previously Unreleased - One Of Which Feats JONI MITCHELL) - A Review by Mark Barry

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"…Wiggle Waggle…" 

This November 2008 compilation finally gives an all-eras single-disc "Best Of" to Herbie Hancock - one of America's finest jazz pianists - and long overdue it is too. It features two Previously Unreleased tracks and a rare JONI MITCHELL appearance with other top-name guests like Wayne Shorter, Harvey Mason, Bobby McFerrin, Marcus Miller, Larry Klein and John Scofield. 

Unlike the US CD issue - some of the UK and European copies come as a DELUXE EDITION in a card wrap that has a 3-track DVD (use the catalogue number/barcode provided below to get the right issue). 

Here's a detailed breakdown of "Then And Now: The Definitive..." by HERBIE HANCOCK on Universal/Verve 0602517809710 (Barcode 602517809710) - what track is from what and who played on them (68:45 minutes):

1. Maiden Voyage (from "Maiden Voyage", 1965 LP on Blue Note BST-84195)

2. Cantaloupe Island (from "Empyrean Isles", 1964 LP on Blue Note BST-84175)

[1 and 2 feature Freddie Hubbard on Trumpet, Ron Carter on Bass and Tony Williams on Drums]

3. Wiggle Waggle (from "Fat Albert Rotunda", 1970 LP on Warner Brothers 1834)

4. Chameleon (Edit, 7:35 minutes) (from "Head Hunters" by Head Hunters featuring Herbie Hancock, 1973 LP on Columbia 32731)

[Features Bernie Maupin on Saxophones, Paul Jackson on Bass and Harvey Mason on Drums]

5. St. Louis Blues (from "Gershwin's World", 1998 CD on Verve 557 797-2)

[a W.C. Handy cover version featuring Stevie Wonder on Vocals and Harmonica]

6. Chan's Song (Never Said) (from "'Round Midnight", 1986 LP on Columbia 40464)

[Co-written with Stevie Wonder and featuring Bobby McFerrin on Vocals, Ron Carter on Bass and Tony Williams on drums]

7. River (on "River: The Joni Letters", 2007 CD on Verve 9791)

[Features UK soul singer Corrine Bailey Ray on Vocals with Wayne Shorter on Tenor and Soprano Saxophones. All tracks on the "River..." album are Joni Mitchell cover versions]

8. Don't Explain (from "Possibilities", 2005 on Vector 70013)

[Features Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan on Vocals]

9. All Apologies (from "The New Standard", 1996 CD on Verve 527 715-2)

[Nirvana/Kurt Cobain cover version featuring John Scofield on Electric Sitar]

10. Watermelon Man (as per 4)

[10 features the same musicians as 4, but this track also has John Scofield on Electric Sitar] 

11. Rockit (Live) (from "Future 2 Future", 2002 DVD release, previously unreleased on CD)

BONUS TRACK:

12.  River (Live) (from "Nissan Live Sets On Yahoo! Music" recorded in March 2006, previously unreleased on CD) 

[12 features JONI MITCHELL covering her own song, she sings Lead Vocals. The band is Bob Sheppard on Sax, Lionel Loueke on Guitar, Marcus Miller on bass and Vinnie Colaluta on Drums]

DVD EDITION:

1. Cantaloupe Island [6:32 minutes]

2. River (featuring Joni Mitchell) [8:24 minutes] 

3. Hana (featuring Joni Mitchell and Sonya Kitchell) [5:03 minutes]

Tracks 2 and 3 from "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music" (2008) 

The track choices in some cases are obvious "Maiden Voyage" and "Cantaloupe" - but the clever sequencing and the vocal duets break up the listen from being entirely instrumental. Also despite the songs jumping from decade to decade - the KEVIN REEVES remastered sound on all of them is superb - very clean and muscular. The only slightly superfluous song is a live version of his 1983 hit "Rockit!" rather than the preferred studio version, but that's easily forgotten when you hear what follows it - a lovely and unexpected appearance of Joni's "River" featuring the great lady herself. Although Mitchell's voice has been cracking in these last few years (please stop smoking Joni - you're too valuable to your loved ones to be lost to that crap) - she stills manages a really tender performance. 

Funky and fun one moment ("Wiggle Waggle") then tender and even sad the next ("Don't Explain") - this CD compilation is a blindingly good listen that lasts all the way through to the end. Hopefully "Then & Now" will bring more music lovers to Herbie's four-decade long contribution to both jazz and the mainstream. His brand of Funky Funky can wiggle my waggle any day of the week...(and its dirt-cheap too)…

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"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R & B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Rare Grooves

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“Greatest Hits Vol. Two – The ABC-Dunhill/MCA Recordings” by BOBBY “BLUE” BLAND. A 1998 CD Compilation…

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

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 “…Someone Will Chase The Clouds Away…” - Greatest Hits Vol. Two – The ABC-Dunhill/MCA Recordings by BOBBY “BLUE” BLAND (1998 CD Remaster)

Subtitled “The ABC-Dunhill/MCA Recordings” this 16-track 1998 USA-only CD compilation is a deceptive little bugger that packs a whole lot more punch than it’s naff title and sleeve would suggest. It covers the period 1973 to 1982 and therefore gives us some great-sounding remasters from a criminally under-represented part of Bland’s extraordinary career. 

Here’s the breakdown for MCAD-11809 (69:33 minutes):

1. This Time I’m Gone For Good

2. Goin Down Slow 

3. I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)

4. Ain’t No Love In the Heart Of The City

5. Yolanda

6. I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry 

7. Today I Started Loving You Again

8. I Hate You 

9. The Soul Of A Man 

10. It Ain’t The Real Thing

11. Sittin’ On A Poor Man’s Throne

12. Let The Good Times Roll [Live] with B.B. KING

13.You’d Be A Millionaire

14. Love To See You Smile

15.Recess In Heaven

16. Soon As The Weather Breaks

(US Album catalogue numbers)

Tracks 1 and 2 are from the LP “His California Album”, 1973 on Dunhill 50163

Tracks 3 to 6 are from “Dreamer”, 1974 on Dunhill 50169

Tracks 7 and 8 are from “Get Down With”, 1975 on ABC 895

Tracks 9 to 11 are from “Reflections In Blue”, 1978 on ABC 1018

Track 12 is from Together Again…Live”, 1976 on ABC-Impulse 9317

Track 13 is from “Sweet Vibrations”, 1980 on MCA 5142

Track 14 is from “Come Fly With Me”, 1978 on ABC 1075

Track 15 is from “Here We Go Again”, 1982 on MCA 5297

Track 16 is from “I Feel Good, I Feel Fine”, 1979 on MCA 3157

His 50s and 60’s tracks have been done to death in the USA – and fabulous they are too – but I adore his Seventies Soul/Funk stuff more – and especially the two masterpieces that turned up on Probe Records in the UK in 1973 and 1974 - “His California Album” and “Dreamer”. I’ve had OK-only reissues of these for years just to have the music and have dreamed of the day that either or both receive the DELUXE EDITION 2CD treatment - or even a Hip-O Select Box Set covering the full ABC/Probe years where I know the sound will be the business. 

Well this compilation goes a bit of a way towards that because it’s remastered by one of Universal’s top engineers ERICK LABSON (over 1000 audio restoration and remaster credits to his name) and the sound quality is gorgeous - really clean, muscular and a revelation on every track. The 12-page booklet has liner notes by long-time Blues and R’n’B historian and hero BILL DAHL whose done tons of work for Bear Family on their “Sweet Soul Music” series 1961 to 1975 (see reviews for all 15 Volumes). 

The slinky Steely Dan Funk-Soul of “I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry” (lyrics from it title this review) is a joy – every instrument impressive – and of course that voice. “Today I Started Loving You Again” is another gem and the bluesy cover of Louis Jordan’s “Let The Good Times Roll” with B.B. KING (live) is a welcome reminder of his illustrious R’n’B past. 

Sure it tapers off a bit towards the end and it could easily have had 2 more tracks - but as it stands - this overlooked superb-sounding MCA CD compilation is about ten dollars for US buyers and £5 for UK – and as such represents amazing value for money – a top Soul bargain. 

Discover Bobby “Blue” Bland superb Soul period through “Greatest Hits Vol. Two” – and watch that phone dial light up as the bank manager begs you to stop spending money on his catalogue. 

"Better Days Are Coming: The A&M Years 1969-1971" by JIMMY CLIFF (October 2005 US Hip-O Select Label 4CD Hardback Book Set with GAVIN LURSSEN Rasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Many Rivers To Cross..."

Reggae superstar JIMMY CLIFF was released on A&M Records in the USA and Island and Trojan Records in the UK. This set deal with his breakout three-year period in the late 60s and early 70s.

Beautifully presented in an elongated tactile book - "Better Days Are Coming/The A&M Years 1969-1971" by JIMMY CLIFF on Hip-O Select straddles both of those complex arrangements - trying to untangle music that has also remained obscured for far too long. Details...

US released October 2005 - "Better Days Are Coming: The A&M Years 1969-1971" by JIMMY CLIFF on Hip-O Select B0005362-02 (Barcode 602498322994) is a 4CD Book Set Limited Edition that requires some detailed explanation because of the country-duality. Here's a breakdown...

Disc 1 (36:47 minutes):

1. Time Will Tell 

2. Many Rivers To Cross

3. Viet Nam

4. Use What I Got 

5. Hard Road To Travel

6. Wonderful World, Beautiful People

7. Sufferin' In The Land

8. Hello Sunshine

9. My Ancestors 

10. That's The Way Life Goes

11. Come Into My Life

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Jimmy Cliff" – released 5 December 1969 in the UK on Trojan Records TRLS 16 and with the same tracklist but different artwork and title in January 1970 in the USA as "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" on A&M SP-4251. 

BONUS TRACK:

Track 12 is "Waterfall" - the non-album B-side of the US 7" single "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" released in November 1969 on A&M AM 1146. It was a cover version of a song written by Alex Spyropoulos and Patrick Campbell Lyons of the 60s Island Records act Nirvana. Cliff’s version of "Waterfall" had in fact originated on his 1967 UK Mono Debut LP "Hard Road To Travel" on Island Records ILP 962 and was issued in the UK as a 45 in July 1968 on Island WIP-6039 with "The Reward" as its B-side (a song from the "Hard Road To Travel" LP – not included here unfortunately). 

Disc 2 (36:48 minutes):

1. Wild World 

2. The Song We Used To Sing

3. Aim And Ambition

4. Better Days Are Coming

5. Hey Mr. Yesterday

6. Be Aware

7. You Can Get It If You Really Want 

8. Pride And Passion

9. Honey Hush

10. Give And Take

11. Let Your Yeah Be Yeah

12. I’ve Got A Feeling (And I Can’t Stop)

Tracks 1 to 12 are an unreleased and untitled USA-only album compiled in Island's London studios by Bob Porter - it was slated for release in September 1970 and even allocated a USA A&M Records LP catalogue number - SP-4286

 

Disc 3 (40:30 minutes):

1. Take A Look At Yourself 

2. Please Tell Me Why

3. Rap

4. Opportunity Knocks Only Once

5. My Friend’s Wife

6. Another Cycle

7. Sitting In Limbo 

8. Oh, How I Miss You

9. Inside Out, Upside Down

10. Our Thing Is Over 

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Another Cycle" released in June 1971 on Island ILPS 9159 in the UK.

Disc 4 (47:27 minutes):

1. Those Good Good Old Days

2. Sooner Or Later

3. When You're Young

4. Struggling Man (Original Version)

5. Let's Seize The Time

6. Goodbye Yesterday

7. The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall

8. I Can't Live Without You 

Tracks 1 to 8 are an unreleased and untitled USA-only album compiled in Island's London studios by John Burns - it was slated for release in December 1971 in the USA and was allocated an A&M LP catalogue number - SP-4334

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Going Back West

10. Struggling Man (Horn Version)

11. Can’t Stop Worrying, Can’t Stop Living You

12. Come On People 

Tracks 9 to 12 are 4 songs are from the "Struggling Man" album released in June 1974 on Island/Mango SW-9343 in the USA

His UK albums on Island Records either entirely or partially covered by this set are:

1. ”Hard Road To Travel" (1968 on Island ILP 962, Mono)

Tracks: Reward, Let's Dance, Can't Get Enough Of It, I've Got A Feeling (And I Can't Stop), All I Know About You, Give And Take, Pride And Passion, Searchin' For My Baby, Hard Road To Travel, A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Call On Me, Aim And Ambition 

 (Unfortunately tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5, 8, 10 are not on this set, but you can sequence the remaining 6 using tracks 12, 10 and 8 on Disc 2, 5 on Disc 1 and 3 on Disc 2)

2. ”Another Cycle" (1971 on Island ILPS 9159) (as per Disc 3 on this set)

3. ”The Harder They Come O.S.T." (1972 on Island ILPS 9202) - NOT included in this set. Available separately as a single-disc reissue or a 2CD Universal ‘Deluxe Edition’ 

4. ”Struggling Man" (1973 on Island ILPS 9235 - identical track list to the USA version)

Tracks: Struggling Man, When You Are Young, Better Days Are Coming, Sooner Or later, Those Good Good Old Days, Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving You, Let's Seize The Time, Come On People, I Can't Live Without You, Going Back West

(Sequence is tracks 4 and 3 from disc 4, 4 from disc 3 - and 2, 1, 11, 5, 12, 8 and 9 from disc 4)

The packaging is exceptional - a long hardback book with embossed sleeve in what feels like recycled card and paper, pictured and themed CDs, superb US and UK discographies, detailed liner notes - it's beautiful to hold and look at. But the real goods as ever lie in the sound...

GAVIN LURSSEN has remastered the original master tapes at the Mastering Lab and the sound/audio is gorgeous. One of the complaints about reggae CD reissues is that they always sound muffled and compressed compared to the whack of their original vinyl counterparts - and as a lover of old records - that's actually true. One of the reasons for this is that some small independent reggae labels had to reuse tapes for economy, so the originals don't exist - and their reissues use a copy of a copy. But this is A&M/Island Records - so the tapes are still in tact and as evidenced here - in tip-top shape. Lurssen has restored life into these songs and brought out the lovely musicianship on them, excessive hiss levels are kept to a minimum without loss of feel and track after track is a joy to listen to. The clarity of the bass, piano, drums and backing vocals on "Please Tell Me Why" is just one of many examples - an absolute revelation. 

The downside is of course is the ludicrously short playing times of each disc - and the omissions. Hip-O could easily have been doubled up on each CD and the tally of 46 tracks increased to include all of the "Goodbye Yesterday - The Legendary Lost Album" CD of only 9 tracks which you have to buy separately - and included the 6 missing tracks from the "Hard Road To Travel" UK LP. And then there's the 2CD Hip-O Select DELUXE EDITION of "The Harder They Come" which you also need to get a complete picture of Jimmy Cliff at that time (another CD gem too). A musical upside worth noting however is that there are many tracks on this set that cross over into Sixties and Seventies soul - "I've Got A Feeling (And I Can't Stop)" could easily pass as a 1968 Motown dancer - punchy and brill - while "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving You" could easily have been an Al Green hit in 1972…

To sum up - sure it's expensive and it could have been sequenced to feature more of what we want - but "Better Days Are Coming" is still a peach - a thing of beauty to behold and more importantly to listen too. 

Frankly - cross as many rivers as you can to get this set into your life…