"Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [aka "Atlantic R&B 1947 to 1974] - A Review Of The October 1991 USA 8CD Box Set - Included Track Listing For The May 2012 Japanese 10CD Reissue Box Set - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

Original 186-Track LP Box Set (VINYL ONLY) from 1985

1991 USA-Only 203-Track 8CD Reissue Box Set (12" x 12") with 17 Bonus Tracks 

2005 UK/EUROPE 8CD 203-Track Budget-Priced Reissue In A 5" Outer Card Wrap With No Booklet and Gatefold Slip Inlays Inside Each Jewel Case

2012 Japan-Only 255-Track 10CD Reissue with 2 Exclusive Bonus CDs

Click below for the 1991 USA 8CD 12' x 12" Box Set Version....

"…The Cause Of It All…" 

THE 2023 SITUATION

As someone who worked in a top quality record shop in the heart of London for over 20 years - I was regularly asked at the counter on a busy Saturday (especially when Fifties R'n'B made it into the clubs again and onto Daytime radio) for a one-stop buy - a Grade A introduction into the music.

 

Well look no further. In my opinion this is arguably the greatest box set ever made bar none - and I keep my original 1985 Seven-Volume VINYL version alongside my 1991 8CD Box set reissue and stroke them on occasion with affection. But a little history about this fabulous American CD Box Set is in order before we go any further...because in 2023 it has become something of a tangled maze and I’m determined to get a definitive account of it out there. So here goes...

 

ORIGINAL 1985 VINYL BOX SET and Subsequent 1987 CDs:

The VINYL BOX SET of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was first issued in the USA in December 1985 on Atlantic 7-81620-1 (Barcode 07567816201) and belatedly in the UK in April 1987 on Atlantic 781 620-1 (as 7 x Double Albums). Housed in distinctive black and red packaging (like their Fifties labels) - the individual 2LP sets inside each had unique artwork and extensive liner notes by Peter Grendysa and Robert Pruter. US copies originally retailed at $10.95 per double-album and $76.98 for the box. Across 1986 and 1987 Atlantic began reissuing compilations of their most famous Soul and R&B artists that of course got the Box Set and its contents noticed – albeit in a delayed kind of way in the UK.

 

In the UK and Europe the individual 2LP sets were Atlantic 781 293-1 (Volume 1), 781 294-1 (Volume 2), 781 295-1 (Volume 3), 781 296-1 (Volume 4), 781 297-1 (Volume 5), 781 298-1 (Volume 6) and 781 299-1 (Volume 7). There were also 7 individual CDs issued in the UK in April 1987 each with the above catalogue numbers but the code -2 instead of 1 for CD (781 293-2 etc). There was no 12" x 12" box set for the CDs at that time for the original 1987 issues (no matter what catalogues may say) - and worse – six of the seven 1987 CD variants had their track lists truncated - reducing 186 songs down to 163 on CD (a loss of 17 tracks). 

 

All seven volumes were reissued in February 1995 with the same 781 293-2 catalogue numbers, barcodes and artwork. There's more...

 

In October 1999 – these seven 1987 volumes (using the same artwork and truncated track lists) were reissued again in Europe/UK with new longer Atlantic Records catalogue numbers and entitled as follows:

 

1. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 1: 1947-1952

Atlantic 7567-81293-2 (Barcode 075678129322)

 

2. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 2: 1952-1955

Atlantic 7567-81294-2 (Barcode 075678129422)

 

3. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 3: 1955-1958

Atlantic 7567-81295-2 (Barcode 7567812952)

 

4. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 4: 1958-1962

Atlantic 7567-81296-2 (Barcode 7567812962)

 

5. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 5: 1962-1966

Atlantic 7567-81297-2 (Barcode 7567812972)

 

6. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 6: 1966-1969

Atlantic 7567-81298-2 (Barcode 7567812982)

 

7. Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 Volume 7: 1969-1974

Atlantic 7567-81299-2 (Barcode 7567812992)

 

Quite why these outdated CDs were issued again in Europe is a mystery given that eight Volumes were done in 1991 that were better - but they were reissued with the above numbers. Speaking of that 1991 American upgrade....

 

1991 US-ONLY 8CD BOX SET Upgraded Reissue:

In 1991, Atlantic-USA then decided to rectify the 1987 CDs (and some mistaken masters used) and reissue the entire box set again - only on CD this time and only in American Box Set Expanded form. 

 

So in October 1991 "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was relaunched in the US on Atlantic 7 82305-2 (Barcode 075678230523) - but this time as an 8CD LP-Sized 12" x 12" box set with 203 tracks (17 extra). The individual booklets that came with the original 1987 7xCDs were taken out (replaced with a simple gatefold track list inlay) and all their info expanded into an LP-sized 36-page booklet only inside the box. The reissue also used the distinctive black and red packaging of the 1985 vinyl box and the artwork style for each CD too. But this artwork was changed when the eight were reissued in 2006 in UK and Europe...

 

2006 EURO/UK 8CD CARD WRAP BOX SET Reissue:

In February 2006 in the UK and Europe (reissued April 2007) these 8 x 1991 CDs were reissued but this time with different artwork and in a seriously budget-priced budget-presented 5" x 5" mini box set - essentially all 8 CDs from 1991 housed in a flimsy card wraparound.

 

They were also released individually (with that different artwork, see list below) and without the booklets that accompanied the British 1987 issues or the American 1991 box - just gatefold slips of paper with the track titles and nothing else. Initially a bare-bones budget release in 2006 that card-wrap on Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122 747552 9 (Barcode 081227475529) could be bought for under £40 then – but in 2023 has escalated to a pitch battle between £60 and £120 - which is just ridiculous and not worth (avoid buying it) as the CDs for Volumes 1 to 8 sell for £1.50 to £4.00 individually.

 

The eight slightly renamed individual February 2006 UK and Europe eight CDs are:

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 1: 1947-1952

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77576-2 (Barcode 081227757625)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 2: 1952-1954

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77577-2 (Barcode 081227757724)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 3: 1955-1957

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77578-2 (Barcode 081227757823)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 4: 1957-1960

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77579-2 (Barcode 081227757922)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 5: 1961-1965

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77580-2 (Barcode 081227758028)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 6: 1965-1967

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77581-2 (Barcode 081227758127)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 7: 1967-1969

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77582-2 (Barcode 081227758226)

 

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 – Volume 8: 1970-1974

Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Premium 8122-77583-2 (Barcode 081227758325)

 

 And in the UK, Europe and USA - it's remained so ever since (2023).

 

JAPANESE 2012 10CD Box Set Reissue:

To add further salt to a reissue wound - there was also a 255-Track Japanese-Only issue of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" on Warners/Atlantic WPCR-14441/450 released 25 May 2012 (Barcode 4943674115761). Again it comes with different artwork, a squat brick-block box with two booklets and adds on 52 new tracks on 2 NEW BONUS DISCS. Chosen by noted Japanese expert Keishi Suzuki - the two extra CDs contain very rare Fifties Blues and R'n'B on Disc 9 and lesser-seen Soul Sides on Disc 10 - much of it unavailable elsewhere. But that's another discussion...

 

Back to our Review of the 8CD October 1991 US LP-Sized Box Set at hand - the track lists for all 8 volumes are available easily on line - but here is a basic breakdown - noting the bonuses over the 1987 originals and I have also provided (for completists) the tracks lists of Discs 9 and 10 on the rare 2012 Japanese reissue:

 

CD Volume 1: 1947–1952 (26 Tracks, 75:37 minutes):

1. Lowe Groovin' by JOE MORRIS

2. That Old Black Magic by TINY GRIMES

3. Annie Laurie – TINY GRIMES

4. Midnight Special – TINY GRIMES

5. The Applejack – JOE MORRIS

6. Cole Slaw – FRANK CULLEY [Originally Called “Sorghum Switch”)

7. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee – STICK McGHEE And HIS BUDDIES

8. So Long – RUTH BROWN

9. I'll Get Along Somehow (Parts 1 & 2) – RUTH BROWN

10. Hey Little Girl – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR [as Roland Byrd]

11. Mardi Gras In New Orleans – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR and his NEW ORLEANS BOYS

12. Tee-Nah-Nah – HARRY VAN WALLS and AFTER HOURS SESSION BOYS

13. Danny Boy – AL HIBBLER with Orchestra Directed by Billy Kyle *

14. Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere – JOE MORRIS And His Orchestra

15. Teardrops From My Eyes – RUTH BROWN

16. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show – STICK McGHEE

17. Don't You Know I Love You – THE CLOVERS

18. Shouldn't I Know – THE CARDINALS 

19. The Chill Is On – JOE TURNER

20. Chains Of Love – JOE TURNER

21. Fool Fool Fool – THE CLOVERS

22. One Mint Julep – THE CLOVERS

23. Wheel Of Fortune – THE CARDINALS

24. Sweet Sixteen – JOE TURNER with Van ‘Piano Man’ Walls Orchestra

25. 5-10-15 Hours – RUTH BROWN with Orchestra

26. Gater's Groove – WILLIS JACKSON and His Orchestra

* Track 13 is a 1991 Bonus Track not on the 1987 version

 

CD Volume 2: 1952-1954 (26 Tracks, 73:23 minutes):

1. Ting-A-Ling – THE CLOVERS

2. Daddy Daddy – RUTH BROWN

3. The Midnight Hour – RAY CHARLES

4. A Beggar For Your Kisses – THE DIAMONDS

5. Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean – RUTH BROWN

6. Good Lovin' – THE CLOVERS

7. Wild Wild Young Men – RUTH BROWN

8. Mess Around – RAY CHARLES

9. Honey Hush – JOE TURNER

10. Soul On Fire – LaVERN BAKER

11. Money Honey – CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS

12. Lovey Dovey – THE CLOVERS

13. Such A Night - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS

14. Tipitina – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR

15. White Christmas - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS

16. Honey Love - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS

17. Watcha Gonna Do CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS

18. Shake, Rattle & Roll – JOE TURNER

19. Sh-Boom – THE CHORDS

20. Oh What A Dream – RUTH BROWN *

21. Jam Up – TOMMY RIDGLEY

22. After The Lights Go Down Low – AL HIBBLER *

23. Tomorrow Night – LaVERN BAKER

24. Tweedle Dee – LaVERN BAKER

25. I Got A Woman – RAY CHARLES

26. Greenbacks – RAY CHARLES

* Tracks 20 and 22 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version

 

CD Volume 3: 1955-1957 (28 Tracks, 74:38 minutes):

1. The Door is Stoll Open – THE CARDINALS

2. Flip Flop And Fly – JOE TURNER

3. A Fool For You – RAY CHARLES

4. This Little Girl Of Mine – RAY CHARLES

5. Play It Fair – LaVERN BAKER

6. Adorable – THE DRIFTERS

7. Smokey Joe's Café – THE ROBINS

8. Ruby Ruby – THE DRIFTERS

9. In Paradise – THE COOKIES

10. The Chicken & The Hawk – JOE TURNER

11. Devil Or Angel – THE CLOVERS

12. Drown In My Own Tears – RAY CHARLES

13. Hallelujah, I Love Her So – RAY CHARLES

14. Jim Dandy – LaVERN BAKER

15. Down In Mexico –THE COASTERS

16. Corrine Corrina – JOE TURNER

17. Treasure Of Love – CLYDE McPHATTER

18. Love, Love, Love – THE CLOVERS

19. It's Too Late – CHUCK WILLIS

20. Lonely Avenue – RAY CHARLES

21. Since I Met You Baby – IVORY JOE HUNTER

22. Lucky Lips – RUTH BROWN

23. Without Love (There Is Nothing) – CLYDE McPHATTER

24. Fools Fall In Love – THE DRIFTERS

25. Midnight Special Train – JOE TURNER

26. Empty Arms – IVORY JOE HUNTER

27. C. C. Rider – CHUCK WILLIS

28. Searchin' – THE COASTERS

 

CD Volume 4: 1957-1960 (27 Tracks, 73:11 minutes):

1. Young Blood – THE COASTERS

2. Mr. Lee – THE BOBBETTES

3. Long Lonely Nights – CLYDE McPHATTER *

4. Betty & Dupree – CHUCK WILLIS

5. What Am I Livin' For – CHUCK WILLIS

6. Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes – CHUCK WILLIS

7. Yakety Yak – THE COASTERS

8. A Lover's Question - CLYDE McPHATTER

9. I Cried A Tear – LaVERN BAKER

10. The Right Time – RAY CHARLES

11. Charlie Brown – THE COASTERS

12. What'd I Say (Parts 1 & 2) – RAY CHARLES

13. There Goes My Baby – THE DRIFTERS

14. Along Came Jones – THE COASTERS

15. Let The Good Times Roll – RAY CHARLES

16. Poison Ivy – THE COASTERS

17. Dance With Me – THE DRIFTERS

18. Just For The Thrill – RAY CHARLES

19. This Magic Moment – THE DRIFTERS

20. Save The Last Dance For Me – THE DRIFTERS

21. Shopping For Clothes – THE COASTERS

22. Spanish Harlem – BEN E. KING

23. Young Boy Blues – BEN E. KING

24. Stand By Me – BEN E. KING

25. Gee Whiz – CARLA THOMAS

26. Saved – LaVERN BAKER

27. Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms) – SOLOMON BURKE

* Track 3 is a 1991 Bonus Track not on the 1987 version

 

CD Volume 5: 1961-1965 (27 Tracks, 74:09 minutes):

1. Little Egypt – THE COASTERS

2. Amor – BEN E. KING

3. Last Night – THE MAR-KEYS

4. I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song) – THE IKETTES

5. You Don’t Miss Your Water – WILLIAM BELL

6. I Found A Love – THE FALCONS

7. Cry To Me – SOLOMON BURKE

8. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) – BEN E. KING

9. Green Onions – BOOKER T. & THE MG’S

10. Up On The Roof – THE DRIFTERS

11. See See Rider – LaVERN BAKER

12. I (Who Have Nothing) – BEN E. KING

13. If You Need Me – SOLOMON BURKE

14. These Arms Of Mine – OTIS REDDING

15. Hello Stranger – BARBARA LEWIS

16. On Broadway – THE DRIFTERS

17. Just One Look – DORIS TROY

18. Do The Mashed Potatoes (Part 1 & 2) – NAT KENDRICKS & THE SWANS

19. Land Of 1000 Dances – CHRIS KENNER

20. Walkin' The Dog – RUFUS THOMAS

21. Release Me – ESTHER PHILLIPS

22. Mercy, Mercy – DON COVAY

23. Under The Boardwalk – THE DRIFTERS

24. And I Love Her – ESTHER PHILLIPS

25. Hold What You've Got – JOE TEX

26. Mr. Pitiful – OTIS REDDING

27. Baby I'm Yours – BARBARA LEWIS

 

CD Volume 6: 1965-1967 (27 Tracks, 74:44 minutes)

1. Teasin' You – WILLIE TEE

2. Get To Get You Off My Mind – SOLOMON BURKE *

3. I Want To Do Everything For You – JOE TEX *

4. I've Been Loving You Too Long – OTIS REDDING

5. A Sweet Woman Like You – JOE TEX *

6. In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT

7. See-Saw – DON COVAY

8. Respect – OTIS REDDING

9. You Don't Know Like I Know – SAM & DAVE

10. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE

11. 634-5789 – WILSON PICKETT *

12. Hold On, I'm Comin' - SAM & DAVE

13. Cool Jerk – THE CAPITOLS

14. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES

15. Land Of 1000 Dances – WILSON PICKETT

16. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD

17. Try A Little Tenderness – OTIS REDDING

18. Mustang Sally – WILSON PICKETT

19. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - SAM & DAVE

20. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY

21. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

22. Do Right Woman – Do Right Man – ARETHA FRANKLIN

23. Show Me – JOE TEX

24. Tramp – OTIS & CARLA

25. Funky Broadway – WILSON PICKETT

26. Hip Hug-Her – BOOKER T. & THE MG’S

27. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE

* Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 11 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version

 

CD Volume 7: 1967-1969 (22 Tracks, 73:19 minutes):

1. Respect – ARETHA FRANKLIN

2. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – ARETHA FRANKLIN

3. Soul Finger – THE BAR-KAYS

4. Baby I Love You – ARETHA FRANKLIN

5. Skinny Legs And All – JOE TEX

6. Chain Of Fools – ARETHA FRANKLIN

7. I'm In Love – WILSON PICKETT

8. Memphis Soul Stew – KING CURTIS

9. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone – ARETHA FRANKLIN *

10. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – OTIS REDDING

11. Tighten Up – ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS

12. Slip Away – CLARENCE CARTER

13. Think – ARETHA FRANKLIN

14. Too Weak To Fight – CLARENCE CARTER *

15. Can I Change My Mind – TYRONE DAVIS *

16. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face – ROBERTA FLACK

17. Take A Letter Maria – R. B. GREAVES

18. Rainy Night In Georgia – BROOK BENTON

19. The Ghetto – DONNY HATHAWAY

20. Turn Back The Hands Of Time – TYRONE DAVIS

21. Compared To What – LES McCANN & EDDIE HARRIS

22. Call Me – ARETHA FRANKLIN *

* Tracks 9, 14, 15 and 22 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version

 

CD Volume 8: 1970-1974 (20 Tracks, 73:26 minutes)

1. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

2. Precious Precious – JACKIE MOORE *

3. Groove Me – KING FLOYD

4. Patches – CLARENCE CARTER

5. Don't Knock My Love (Part 1) – WILSON PICKETT *

6. Funky Nassau (Parts 1 & 2) – BEGINNING OF THE END

7. Thin Line Between Love And Hate – THE PERSUADERS

8. Rock Steady – ARETHA FRANKLIN

9. Day Dreamin' – ARETHA FRANKLIN *

10. You've Got A Friend – ROBERTA FLACK and DONNY HATHAWAY

11. Clean Up Woman – BETTY WRIGHT

12. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love – THE SPINNERS

13. Killing Me Softly With His Song – ROBERTA FLACK

14. Where Is The Love? - ROBERTA FLACK and DONNY HATHAWAY

15. I'll Be Around – THE SPINNERS

16. Feel Like Makin’ Love – ROBERTA FLACK

17. One Of A Kind (Love Affair) – THE SPINNERS *

18. Sideshow – BLUE MAGIC *

19. Mighty Love – THE SPINNERS

20. Love Won't Let Me Wait – MAJOR HARRIS

* Tracks 2, 5, 9, 17 and 18 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version

 

JAPAN-Only

DISC 9 – Japan Only – All Are MONO except 25 in STEREO:

1. Goodnight Irene – LEADBELLY

2. Love Fever Blues – JOE MORRIS BLUES CAVALCADE

3. Let's Get Together And Make Some Love – JIMMY LEWIS

4. Freddie – CARMEN TAYLOR and THE BOLEROS

5. Wait Baby – LITTLE JOHNNY JONES

6. Hey Bartender – FLOYD DIXON

7. You Tickle Me Baby – THE ROYAL JOKERS

8. The Price Of Love – BILLY NIGHTINGALE

9. Somebody Take Me – JIMMY GRIFFIN

10. Happy And Gay – THE CASTELLES

11. Wake Up (Miss Rip Van Winkle) – THE TIBBS BROTHERS

12. Paper Dollar - PRETTY BOY

13. Bip Bop Bip – PRETTY BOY

14. While Walking – THE FABULAIRES

15. Rack 'Em Back – WALTER SPRIGGS

16. Rumble Tumble – MAD MAN TAYLOR

17. Every Day, Every Way (I'll Always Be In Love With You) – THE HOLLYWOOD FLAMES

18. Twist And Shout – THE TOP NOTES

19. She's My Heart's Desire - THE OHIO UNTOUCHABLES

20. My Man – He's A Lovin' Man – BETTY LaVETTE

21. Pistol Packin' Mama – THE HIGH KEYS

22. The Montague Theme Part 2 – THE MAGNIFICENT MONTAGUE

23. I Want To Know – MERLE SPEARS & THE TREATS

24. The Beating Of My Heart – THE DRELLS

25. That's How Heartaches Are Made – PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES

26. I Found A Love (Oh What A Love) – JO ANN & TROY

27. We Can't Believe You’re Gone – BOBBY HARRIS

 

DISC 10 – Japan-Only – All Are MONO except STEREO on 10, 21, 22, 24 and 25:

1. Wild As A Tiger – THE ISLEY BROTHERS

2. Step By Step – CLARENCE & CALVIN

3. Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes – ROY ARLINGTON

4. (Zap! Pow!) Do The Batman – GATE WESLEY & BAND

5. Help Me (Get The Feeling) – Part II – RAY SHARPE

6. Sock It To 'Em J.B. - Part II - REX GARVIN & THE MIGHTY CRAVERS

7. My Love Is Getting Stronger – CLIFF NOBLES

8. Show Stopper – THE CASHMERES

9. How Does It Feel – BOBBY WOMACK

10. Some Kind Of Wonderful – SOUL BROTHERS SIX

11. Feed The Flame – TED TAYLOR

12. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby – THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS

13. I'll Try Harder – LAWRENCE & THE ARABIANS

14. That's How It Feels – THE SOUL CLAN [Featuring Arthur Conley, Ben E. King, Don Covay, Joe Tex and Solomon Burke]

15. Good Love Gone Bad – THE AMBASSADORS

16. Don't Sign The Paper Baby (I Want You Back) – JIMMY DELPHS

17. Call On Me – THE DYNELLS

18. Please Don't Desert Me Baby – GLORIA WALKER And THE CHEVELLES

19. Sexy Coffee Pot – TONY ALVON & THE BELAIRS

20. You Hurt Me For The Last Time – OTIS CLAY

21. One Night Is All I Need – PEGGY SCOTT

22. Love Is Gone – RICHARD MARKS

23. Hold On – JAMES CARR

24. Spinnin' Top – MOVING VIOLATION

25. You Took My Love – NEW FOUNDATIONS

 

The 1991 US-Only 8CD Box Set:

The lovely oversized booklet is in black and white - has paragraphs on each of the artists using Michael Ochs Archives photos to header them - and on the last few pages there's a Session-ography for every track (but oddly no catalogue numbers of albums mentioned). The knowledgeable essays go into chart histories and smartly concentrate on the songs at hand rather than career overviews. Noted writers and music historians PETER GRENDYSA handle Volumes 1 to 4 while DAVID PRUTER takes on Volumes 5 to 8.

 

Some had complained about the sound quality on the original 1987 CDs - as well as wrong versions of songs being used (personally I found the audio quality of the VINYL doubles to be superlative). So Atlantic made efforts with the 1991 CD reissue. The liner notes tell us that all tracks were "digitally remastered from mono and true stereo originals" and that "in this edition, the proper tracks have been used in all cases". BOBBY WARNER and JIMMY DOUGLAS carried out the Digital Transfers while ZAL SCHREIBER and STEVE INNOCENZI did the mastering. The quality on these CDs is shockingly good - full of life and clarity. It's a joy to listen to. Sure in the decades since there have been reissues (by Bear Family especially) that knock spots off the 1991 sound (try their "Joe Turner Rocks" or their "Sweet Soul Music" volumes 1961 to 1975). But what you do get is fantastic all the way to the finish.

 

Musically every huge talent and influence is here - beginning with LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, The Clovers, Professor Longhair, Ray Charles, Clyde McPhatter And The Drifters, The Cardinals, Chuck Willis, Ivory Joe Hunter, The Coasters and stretching into the Soul era - Ben. E King, Carla Thomas, Solomon Burke, Booker T & The MG's, Joe Tex, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin - right up to Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. It's an embarrassment of riches.

 

Atlantic also seemed to have a knack of signing genius no what the genre they put out. As you play CD 4 for instance - you travel through the musical changes - the gritty swagger of Ray Charles sides with the hilarity of The Coasters benefitting from Lieber and Stoller lyrics which segues into the birth of Soul with Ben E. King and Carla Thomas still moving the body and spirit. But what makes this box set so worth the money is the voyage of discovery it will send you on. Next thing - you'll be digging in deeper - seeking out those Clovers and Joe Turner sets that will quench your need for more.

 

You could argue that you can pick up the 8 individual reissue CDs for peanuts - probably less than thirty quid - so why spend £60 on an American 12" x 12" version? The booklet, the presentation and where it will take you. In fact in 2023 (the 75^th Anniversary for Atlantic Records - 1948 to 2023) - I can't help think that someone in Atlantic or Rhino should re-issue the Japanese 10-disc version on this side of the pond real soon - with upgraded art and liner notes (and on 10 vinyl double-albums too). But here in September 2023 at the tail-end of that year, there is no sign of such a thing and therefore probably remains a pipedream of mine. 

 

To sum up - which to buy in 2023 and beyond? After all these decades, I would still have to say - forget the single discs (reissued or not) - or the impossible to find Japanese edition - and go for that 1991 American LP-Sized Box Set with its eight CDs of musical bliss and discovery. It's still the best presentation of the material, best annotation and as luck would have it - the best value for money price from many online sites - less than fifty quid or so. 

 

If ever a record label deserved DELUXE EDITION treatment - then surely Atlantic Records is it. I only have to look at "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" - and it brings a smile to my face...it will do the same to yours...