"Cooltide" by JOHN MARTYN – September 1991 UK LP and CD on Permanent Records with Guests Jessica King, Foster Paterson and Spencer Cozens and more (January 2007 UK One World Records ‘Expanded Edition’ CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks – Dallas Simpson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Jack The Lad..."

"Cooltide" was John Martyn's 2nd album for Permanent Records and was issued to a largely indifferent public on 9 September 1991 on PERM LP 4 and PERM CD 4 (recorded May, June and July of that year in Glasgow).

A crew of quality players, like keyboardists Foster Paterson and Spencer Cozens, Bassists Alan Thompson and Dave Ball with Saxophonist Andy Sheppard helped give the album a seriously updated and polished sound – even if the original hard copy releases weren’t exactly an audiophile wet dream (this 2007 Expanded CD reissue and remaster is a big improvement). John Martyn played guitar throughout, penned all the tunes and of course sang all lead vocals.

Musically its long, funky and often Rock-Soulful tracks were mature and I loved it from the moment I heard "Hole In The Rain" and the hypnotically magical "Jack The Lad". But "Cooltide" was unfortunately also typical of so many Martyn LPs in the 80's and 90's - superb in places and dull-as-dishwater in others. But my God, when he was good, he was untouchable. And of course, he had that voice - sexy and soothing at one and the same time - a wonder in itself. Here are the cool details...

UK released 1 January 2007 - "Cooltide" by JOHN MARTYN on One World Records OW129CD (Barcode 0604388691326) adds on four bonus tracks to the original 9 and plays out as follows (52:34 minutes):

1. Hole In The Rain [Side 1]

2. Annie Says

3. Jack The Lad

4. Number Nine

5. The Cure

6. Same Difference [Side 2]

7. Father Time

8. Call Me

9. Cooltide

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Jack The Lad (Remix)

11. Jack Sez

12. Jack The Lad (Live 1991, Previously Unreleased)

13. Hole in The Rain (Live 1991, Previously Unreleased)

First up amongst the Bonus Tracks are the two exclusive mixes that came on the April 1992 CD single in the UK for "Jack The Lad" - an extremely hard to find item nowadays (they are Track 10 and 11 on this CD). And finally, two previously unreleased live tracks from the tour of 1991. As luck would have it, they're kicking live versions of the best songs on the album, "Hole In The Rain" and "Jack The Lad". While "Jack The Lad" is good - "Hole In The Rain" is fantastic. It uses a slightly different and yet better synth fill as he sings - and there's a superb guitar solo in it too.These tracks alone make this variant of "Cooltide" an absolute must for Martyn fans. His live albums are often peppered with brilliance like this and this version is right up there (check out his superb re-working of 1975's "Sunday's Child" on the live album "Philanthropy" from 1983).

With regard to the album itself, longtime Martyn fan, associate and keeper of the JM flame JOHN HILLARBY provides the liner notes - but the best news is the Audio upgrade. The original CD - even though it was 1991 - was always underwhelming - especially on tracks like the lovely "Call Me" and "The Cure" and of course the gorgeous "Jack The Lad". Well this DALLAS SIMPSON remaster is about twice as good - not overbearing - but now imbibing muscle into the music – an oomph that it always needed.

JESSICA KING provides the backing vocals on the Side 2 opener "Same Difference" and the near twelve and a half minute title track that finishes the album is lifted up too. In fact it's a treat to finally hear this great little release be given the sonic upgrade it's always deserved - a job well done.

"Cooltide" is a John Martyn album you need to rediscover - check out "Jack The Lad" on iTunes - you'll be hooked.

PS: One World Records is the label imprint by VOICEPRINT of the UK dedicated to John Martyn's work. It features remastered reissues of his albums along with newly discovered titles from the archives. Titles so far include:

1.  "The Apprentice" from 1990, his 1st album in the UK on Permanent Records, it's original 11 CD tracks have had 5 Live Bonus Tracks Added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)

2.  "Couldn't Love You More" from 1992, an album of 15 excellent re-recordings of his Island Label stuff, now remastered with two bonus tracks added (2007 release) (see REVIEW)

3.  "No Little Boy" from 1993, an album of 14 re-recordings covering his career from 1970 up to 1991, now remastered with 2 bonus tracks (2008 release)

4.  "One World Records Sampler CD", 14 Tracks, 1 of which is an exclusive live version of  “Amsterdam” recorded in Oxford, October 1982 (available online only)  (2008 release)

5.  "Live", a new set with 20 tracks across 2CDs (2008 release)