"She's Killing Me/A New Day" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR - Albums Originally from 1979 and 1980 on Columbia Records (September 2014 UK SoulMusic Records CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Play Something Pretty..."

Stax Soul man JOHNNIE TAYLOR got a commercial second wind when he signed to Columbia Records in the USA – promptly charting three albums in a row - "Eargasm" in 1976 (a Number 1 USA R&B LP), "Rated Extraordinaire" in 1977 (No. 6) and "Ever Ready" in 1978 (No. 35). 

This gorgeous-sounding CD reissue/remaster by SoulMusic Records of the UK (part of Cherry Red) deals with the next two Columbia platters dating from 1979 and 1980 (charted 53 and 75) lumped together onto one CD with a massively expanded booklet. Here are the track-by-track details...

UK released September 2014 – "She's Killing Me/A New Day" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR on SoulMusic Records SMCR 25124 (Barcode 5013929082434) offers 2LPs originally from 1979 and 1980 Remastered onto 1CD and pans out as follows (74:46 minutes):

1. Little Dancin' Queen

2. Play Something Pretty

3. (Ooh-Wee) She's Killing Me

4. The Users

5. Love Account

6. Pulling The Train

7. I Can't Leave You Alone

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "She's Killing Me" – released October 1979 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36061

8. The Heart Break Kid

9. I'd Rather Hurt Myself

10. I've Got This Thing For Your Love

11. Signing Off With Love

12. Baby Lay Down

13. Sneakin' Sneakin'

14. I Wanna Get Into You

15. Sylvia

16. Baby Don't Hesitate

Tracks 8 to 16 are the album "A New Day" – released August 1980 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36548

The 16-page booklet is far more substantial than I'd expected it to be – full album artwork – recording details – repros of the album labels and 45's around both records as well a superbly detailed set of liner notes by American Soul/Funk specialist MATT BRAUER. It looks great and shows a great attention to fan-pleasing details.

But the real fireworks lies in an ALAN WILSON remaster of two albums that were professionally produced. Ballads like "Play Something Pretty" and the conscience-prodding "Love Account" sound incredible – full of great vocals and instrumentation. Funkier Disco tunes like "Little Dancin' Queen" and the guitar flicking/brass pumping dancefloor filler “Pulling The Train” sound great – plenty of vim and vigour. 

 

By the time we get to album two – the same amazing Production values are brought to the talking funk of "The Heart Break Kid" and the smooch of "Signing Off With Love". We go slappy-bass with "Sneakin' Sneakin'" where some lady isn't quite being honest about her night time activities – ending on the John Shaft slinky "Baby Don't Hesitate".

Great remaster, some cool tunes and a substantial booklet – a quality presentation overall by SoulMusic Records of the UK. Fans should dive in – especially given the quality upgrade in the audio...