"Freedom/Fire Corner" by CLANCY ECCLES and THE DYNAMITES – January 1970 UK LPs on Trojan/Clandisc Records with 26 Bonus Tracks from 1968, 1969 and 1970 (February 2020 UK Doctor Bird 2CD Reissue – Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...These Sounds...Leads The Way..."

Doctor Bird Records of the UK (part of Cherry Red) continue their stunning reissue series of all things Trojan Records and affiliated – making available again in 2020 the early releases of Trojan's much-loved 'TTL' Reggae, Rock Steady and Ska LP series issued in bulk between 1969 and 1970 (14 schillings and six old pence to you and I, back in the Brixton Cat days). This time we get two early 1970 UK debut albums from Jamaican Producer, Singer and Player CLANCY ECCLES and his band THE DYNAMITES – the Eccles solo set "Freedom" being new to CD.

Eccles was 29 years old in December 1969 and had already been playing music for a decade, his huge hits on Coxsone and (Nu) New Beat Records back home stretching back as far as the beginning of the Sixties. In fact the early 1970 British debut album "Freedom" (TTL 22) with that famous shot of him riding a motorbike through the Island scrubs had only one new recording on it - itself an update of his 1961 45-classic "Freedom" originally issued on Coxsone Records in Jamaica. The other eleven cuts were largely successful 7" singles A and B-sides ranging from 1967, 1968 and 1969 - so the album was a mop-up greatest hits set of sorts (see detailed list below for catalogue numbers and release dates). The 12-Track Dynamites debut offered four previously released sevens nestling alongside eight new exclusive tracks. Both have been in the Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide for years at hefty sums – original vinyl copies in better than VG grade - particularly difficult to find.

Trojan allocated 'Clandisc Records' to all Clancy-related output - the LP sleeves displaying the Trojan Logo and catalogue number but the labels actually being Clandisc (issues for this label ranged between October 1969 and October 1972). And as if these two rare LPs weren't enough, Doctor Bird amps up this 2CD set with a whopping 26 more Period Bonuses including Previously Unreleased and Six Jamaican Tracks/Singles not originally available in the UK – all of it Remastered by a fave Audio Engineer of mine – Andy Pearce (uncredited). There is a bike-shop of parts to wade through, so once more let's get Fattie Fattie with Auntie Lulu (if you know what I'm saying)...

UK released Friday, 14 February 2020 - "Freedom/Fire Corner" by CLANCY ECCLES and THE DYNAMITES on Doctor Bird DBCDD-050 (Barcode 5013929275034) is a 50-Track 2CD Reissue Offering Two Early 1970 UK LPs on Trojan/Clandisc Records with an Added 26 Period Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows:

CD1 by CLANCY ECCLES (70:02 minutes):

1. Freedom (1969 Remake of a 1961 Coxsone song, exclusive to TTL 22) [Side 1]

2. What Will Your Mother Say (1967 UK 45 on Pama PM 701, A-side - for B-side see Track 14)

3. Two Of A Kind (1968 UK 45 on Pama PM 729, B-side of "Push It Up", credited to THE TERMITES)

4. The World Needs Loving (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 201, A-side)

5. Dollar Train (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 201, B-side)

6. Constantinople (March 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 648, A-side - for B-side see Track 20)

7. Fattie Fattie (May 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 658, A-side - for B-side see Track 20 on CD2) [Side 2]

8. Auntie Lulu (May 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 658, B-side)

9. Shu Be Du (1969 UK 45 on Duke DU 9, credited as "Bag-A-Boo" on the B-side of "Auntie Lulu" by Slickers)

10. My Girl (April 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 649, B-side of Val Bennett's "Demonstration")

11. I Need You (1968 UK 45 on Nu Beat NU 006, credited as "I Really Love You" on the B-side of "Festival 68" - for A-side see Track 15)

12. Mount Zion (aka Mounzion) (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA-202, B-side of "Vigorton 2" by King Stitt - for A-side see Track 10 on CD2)

Tracks 1 to 12 are the LP "Freedom" – released January 1970 on Trojan/Clandisc TTL 22 (label actually says Clandisc only)

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Open Up (March 1970 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 209, A-side)

14. Darling Don't Do That (1967 UK 45 on Pama PM 701, A-side - for A-side see Track 2)

15. Festival 68 (1968 UK 45 on Nu Beat NU 006, A-side - for B-side see Track 11)

16. The Revenge - wrong credit - info unknown

17. Bangarang Crash (A Check It) - wrong credit in booklet; probably Trojan TR 647 from March 1969, A-side - for B-side see Track 13 on CD2

18. The Fight (1969 UK 45 on Pama PM 712, A-side - for B-side see Track 21)

19. Don't Brag Don't Boast (aka "Bag-A-Boo") (1969 UK 45 on Duke DU 9, credited as "Bag-A-Boo" on the B-side of "Auntie Lulu" by Slickers)

20. Deacon Don (March 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 648, B-side - for A-side see Track 6)

21. Great (Beat)  (1969 UK 45 on Pama PM 712, B-side – for B-side see Track 18 on CD1)

22. Chinaman (United We Stand) (January 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 638, B-side of "Dulcemania" by Drumbago and Dynamites)

23. Oh My Lover  (August 1968 UK 45 single on Pama PM 740, B-side of "How Come" by Lloyd Terrel - Clancy Eccles is credited as 'Mrs. Miller' on the A-side)

24. Beat Dance (December 1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA-206, B-side of "The Ugly One” by King Stitt)

25. Fattie Fattie (Alternate Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED  

CD2 by THE DYNAMITES (66:24 minutes):

1. Eternally [Side 1]

2. Sam-Fie

3. I Did It

4. This Is The Night

5. One Way Street

6. John Public (June 1969 UK 45 on Duke DU 30, B-side of "Fire Corner" by Clancy Eccles)

7. Skokiaan (Mr Midnight) (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 200, B-side of "Who Yea" by King Stitt - B-side credited as "Mr Midnight" only on some copies) [Side 2]

8. Soul Language (aka "Moonwalk")

9. Say What You Say

10. Vigorton 2 (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA-202, A-side - for B-side by Clancy Eccles see Track 12 on CD1)

11. Next Corner

12. Fire Corner (June 1969 UK 45 on Duke DU 30, A-side - for B-side see Track 6 on CD2) 

Tracks 1 to 12 are the LP "Fire Corner" – released January 1970 in the UK on Trojan/Clandisc TTL 21 (label actually says Clandisc only)

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Rathid by The Dynamites (March 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 647, B-side of "Bangarang Crash" - for A-side see Track 17 on CD1)

14. Who Yea by King Stitt (1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 200, A-side - for B-side by Clancy Eccles see Track 7 on CD2)

15. City Demonstration by Val Bennett (April 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 649, A-side - for B-side "My Girl" by Clancy Eccles see Track 10 on CD1)

16. On The Street by King Stitt (November 1969 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 203, B-side of "Foolish Fool" by Cynthia Richards)

17. Mercilina by The Dynamites (Not originally released in the UK)

18. Silbert Dragon by Winston Wright & The Dynamites (Not originally released in the UK)

19. Lick It Back by King Stitt (Not originally released in the UK)

20. Last Call by Silver Stars [actually "Tribute To Drumbago" by The Dynamites] (May 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 658, B-side - for A-side see Track 7 on CD1)

21. Rough Road by Winston Wright & The Dynamites (Not originally released in the UK)

22. I For I by King Stitt (Not originally released in the UK)

23. Sweet Africa by Clancy Eccles (January 1969 UK 45 on Trojan TR 639, A-side)

24. The Lion by The Dynamites (May 1970 UK 45 on Clandisc CLA 208, B-side of "Madamoiselle" by J. Higgs)

25. Dance Beat (Version III) by Clancy Eccles and King Stitt (Not originally released in the UK)

The 16-page booklet is the usual feast of info and visuals - a wall of those Jamaican New Beat 45s you just don't see at any record fair - the lovely colour artwork for both British albums – black label repros of The Dynamites LP – a German 45 pic sleeve on Fontana for "Fattie Fattie" with "Last Call" by the Silver Stars on the flipside (although it actually plays "Tribute To Drumbago" by The Dynamites) - a page of nine UK 45s on Duke, Clandisc and Trojan - trade adverts and LP reviews for the "Freedom" LP and Discography info on all 50 songs (some of which I've corrected above).

TONY ROUNCE - long-time associate writer for Ace Records - has handled the liner notes and does a typically bang-up job - for instance highlighting that "John Public" is in fact a remake of the African instrumental "Tom Hark" and that "Say What You Say" on Side 2 of The Dynamites album features the organ-keyboard prowess of Winston 'Brubeck' Wright. He points out that ace Saxophonist Val Bennett is here too on many tracks. An unsung hero of the scene, Val contributed to one of the most beloved British instrumental hits of the late 1969 period - the no. 5 placed "Return Of Django" by The Upsetters - a Lee Perry song and a true highlight on the November 1969 "Tighten Up Volume 2" compilation LP (that album also featured Clancy’s "Fattie Fattie"). The Audio as you can imagine fluctuates wildly from shockingly good to more than acceptable (this is late Sixties Reggae and Rock Steady after all) - but as its Andy's careful transfers – each listen always feels like an upgrade to me. To the music...

No more sighing, no more crying, go home to my father and be free – Clancy sings as he rides his motorbike across the fields of his beloved country and opens his debut album account with a 1969 remake of "Freedom". We slip back to 1967 for "What Will Your Mother Say" (Clancy and his gal are in love) while that organ sound on "The World Needs Loving" is fantastically clear and present. Other faves include the cool of "Dollar Train", the long-to-hear those joy-bells ringing of "Shu Be Du", the fruitily witty "Auntie Lulu", the weight-busting shuffle of "Fattie Fattie" (dig those girl singers) and the ‘we want to go back home’ of "Mount Zion" that closes out the album – an LP that doesn’t feel like a clump of 45s bunged together hoping to be coherent.

If I’m honest, as much as I like the parent album, the Bonus Cuts on CD1 and CD2 are fabulous stuff – the reggae until morning comes of "Deacon Don", the don’t you brag and don’t you boast and stop acting like a "Bag-A-Boo", the hold me close duet vocal smooch of "Oh My Lover" (dig those guitar changes) – very cool stuff and sounding toppermost.

Most folks will know the shouting swing-with-me song "Fire Corner" by The Dynamites from the "Tighten Up Volume 2" compilation - that wicked organ fill jumping out of your speakers as the tune makes your feet shuffle like a man in need of a penny. Other goodies include the echoed organ chugging instrumental "I Did It" with its irresistible neck-jerking rhythm and the this-is-mad call to arms that is "Vigorton 2" again with fantastic soloing from Winston Wright. And on it goes with heaps more where that came from.

Doctor Bird Records are in their third year of releases (since 2018) that frankly bring a wee tear to my aging myopia (this is their fiftieth title with many more to come). Long may the freedom train keep firing up like this...

"One Step On" by JODY GRIND – October 1969 UK Debut Studio Album on Transatlantic Records in Stereo - featuring Tim Hinkley, Ivan Zagni, Louis Cennamo and Barry Wilson with Guest Arranger David Palmer (November 2016 UK Esoteric Recordings Expanded Edition CD Reissue – Mark Powell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Night Today..."

Taking their name from Horace Silver's 1967 Jazz album on Blue Note called "The Jody Grind" - England's short-lived but mighty JODY GRIND managed only two Progressive Rock albums on the largely Folk Indie label Transatlantic Records.

Their October 1969 debut "One Step On" received favourable press and elicited a devout fan following (especially in Europe) - while their second and last album "Far Canal" from September 1970 massively improved on its predecessor. But neither did any real business sales-wise. Still - that hasn’t stopped good labels like Akarma in Italy and Strange Days in Japan reissuing Jody Grind’s recorded legacy on CD. Which brings us to these new and superlative 2016 remasters out of the UK...

England’s Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) have built up a huge rep with collectors for quality in both Audio and Presentation – and these two November 2016 CD Expanded Edition Reissues for this long forgotten British Prog Rock Trio will only add to that growing list of Reissue accolades.

The first album "One Step On" is really good - a Hammond-Organ and Guitar-driven band let loose in the studio with Jethro Tull's arranger David Palmer helping out on Horns and Brass. And it's easy to hear why both of their albums have a stonking £200+ price tag allocated to each (and often a lot more). There's a shed load of details to get through - so here are the (wait for it) peaky grinders (ouch)...

UK released 26 November 2016 - "One Step On" by JODY GRIND on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2567 (Barcode 5013929466746) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (49:13 minutes):

1. One Step On [Side 1]

(a) In My Mind (b) Nothing At All (c) Interaction (d) Paint It Black

2. Little Message [Side 2]

3. Night Today

4. U.S.A.

5. Rock 'N' Roll Man

Tracks 1 to 5 are their debut studio album "One Step On" - released October 1969 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 210. Produced by HUGH MURPHY and Arranged by DAVID PALMER - the album was not issued in the USA and didn't chart in the UK. All tracks written by Ivan Zagni and Tim Hinkley except "Paint It Black", which is a Rolling Stones cover version.

BONUS TRACKS:

6. Night Today (Alternate Version)

7. Rock 'n' Roll Man (Single Version)

JODY GRIND was:

TIM HINKLEY – Hammond Organ, Piano, Electric Piano and Lead Vocals

IVAN ZAGNI - Electric Guitars

LOUIS CENNAMO – Bass on "Paint It Black", "Little Message" and "Rock 'N' Roll Man"

BARRY WILSON - Drums and Percussion

The 16-page booklet has informative and well-researched liner notes from Esoteric’s own MARK POWELL – who also compiled, co-ordinated and remastered the original tapes. The elaborately constructed picture of a Wizard in his big pointy hat and cape stood in front of a recording console that adorned the inner gatefold of original British LPs is repro’d throughout the pages (Tim Hinkley doing the honours). Powell gives a potted history of the band (slots in Timebox and Patto), slogging it out on the Prog Rock/Avant Garde live circuit as Jody Grind, signing their eclectic music with Nat Joseph to his Transatlantic Records label and on onwards up to entering Morgan Studios in July 1969 to record the album. Beginning with its eighteen-minute long Side 1 opus in four parts, the Audio is fantastic – beefy without being too trebled for the sake of it – very clear and impressive work.

Formed in November 1968 by Keyboardist Tim Hinkley with Guitarist Ivan Zagni and Drummer Martin Harryman. Harryman left to work with Elkie Brooks in Dada (over on Atlantic Records) to be replaced with Drummer Barry Wilson.

As the Side 1 eighteen-minute title-track four-parter opens with tasty Hammond Organ and Guitar licks chugging-mellow as they build a very definite vibe, you are immediately reminded of several imaginative bands who pushed the envelope of Rock – Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Flock, The Nice, Vanilla Fudge, Iron Butterfly and even dollops of Brian Auger’s Retaliation. The playing is great and the music way better than it had any right to be. Zagni lets rips with impress guitar soloing as the "In My Mind" portion smooches on, only to be followed by Hinkley getting all Spencer Davis Group on his Hammond (you can imagine that this must have been a blast live). About nine-minutes in we get doomy with the "Nothing At All" second section where Brass fills accompany the huge Hammond chords – looking for a place to go – travelling in that direction. The "Interaction" segment is a drum solo that is followed by the final five minutes - a clever fast-paced whig-out – a cover of "Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones that feels perfectly placed.

Transatlantic clearly thought the extended very-Ten Years After guitar boogieing cover version had some legs so someone turned it into a 7" single in both Germany and Portugal - giving it a Mono Single Mix. The German single from 1970 on Metronome M 25 201 had "Little Message" from Side 2 as its B-side and came in a wicked picture sleeve (Tim Hinkley giving some Keith Emerson on his Hammond) – while the Portuguese 45 on Zip Zip Records 30 011 had a Single mix of "Rock n' Roll Man" on its flipside – one of the two Bonus Tracks presented here.

Over on Side 2, a very ELP Hammond keyboard run opens "Little Message" – a rapid Blood, Sweat & Tears puncher with relentless heavy-guitars that tells everyone that the band want to get down (yeah baby). I can’t help thinking it would have made for a better A-side choice than the obvious lunge for the known Stones winner and would have established Jody Grind as perhaps in there with the "25 Or 6 to 4" Chicago mob. Things get decidedly keyboard Jazz Prog with "Night Today" – a slowy that is accompanied by some sexy brass fills but is perhaps let down by Hinkley and his forced vocals. The heavy-heavy 6:41 minutes of "U.S.A." has our heroes going back to America – a long road they just got to take (there could be a devil woman involved). Their debut ends with four and half minutes of uncharacteristic Chuck Berry type boogie about Tennessee and Rock and Roll that has to go Johnny go (you get the drift). Once Zagni plays a blinder channelling his inner Johnny Winter as that axe pans from speaker to speaker.

After the first album - both Zagni and Wilson exited too to be replaced with Bernie Holland and Pete Gavin for album number 2 - "Far Canal" – an even more sophisticated effort than the debut. Following the collapse of Paul Korda's Dada after only one self-titled LP on Atlantic Records – Tim Hinkley (ex Climax Line Blues Band) then joined Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer for the first Vinegar Joe LP over on Island Records – later starring in Mike Patto's offshoot band Boxer too (Patto and he were both in Climax Line Blues Band). Hinkley subsequently played on stage with Chapman & Whitney's Streetwalkers (ex Family), Dr. Feelgood, Bad Company, Snafu, Thin Lizzy and has done session work on solo LPs for The Who's Roger Daltrey and Vinegar Joe's Elkie Brooks.

The four then three-piece JODY GRIND are a footnote in Rock's History now (2020) – Prog Rockers who liked to boogie too (with their Arthur Brown face paint and Wizard hats on), and I can so understand why their two albums garnish such fever in collector’s circle. Well done to all involved for getting their legacy out there and in such good shape too...

"Face The Music: The Complete Singles 1967-1984" by HELEN SHAPIRO - Including Foreign Language Only Issues and Many Other First-Time-On-CD Rarities (28 August 2020 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Threads So Sharp..."

A strong compilation for Shapiro fans with a generous playing time too and best of all – superb Audio on many rarities seeing the 2020 digital light-of-day for the first time anywhere. Hell, there are even a few Northern Soul dancefloor shufflers in here for those inclined. Threads so sharp and with all the latest fashion (lyrics from "She Needs Company") – let's face the music and dance...

UK released Friday, 28 August 2020 - "Face The Music: The Complete Singles 1967-1984" by HELEN SHAPIRO on Ace Records CDCHD 1573 (Barcode 029667098427) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (77:20 minutes):

1. Stop And You Will Become Aware

2. She Needs Company

Tracks 1 and 2 are the B and A-side of a 25 August 1967 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8256

3. Make Me Belong To You

4. The Way Of The World

Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B-sides of a 10 March 1967 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8148

5. You'll Get Me Loving You

6. Silly Boy (I Love You)

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a 13 September 1968 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17600

7. Today Has Been Cancelled

8. Face The Music

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of a 21 March 1969 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17714

9. You've Guessed

10. Take Me For A While

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of an 18 July 1969 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17785

11. Take Down A Note Miss Smith

12. Couldn't You See

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of a 13 February 1970 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17893 (see also Track 25)

13. Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere

14. A Glass Of Wine

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a 24 July 1970 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17975

15. You're A Love Child

16. That's The Reason I Love You

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of a 11 April 1975 UK 45-single on DJM Records DJS 363

17. Can't Break The Habit

18. For All The Wrong Reasons

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of an August 1977 UK 45-single on Arista ARISTA 131

19. Every Little Bit Hurts

20. Touchin' Wood

Tracks 19 and 20 are the A&B-sides of a March 1978 UK 45-single on Arista ARISTA 178

21. Let Yourself Go

22. Funny

Tracks 21 and 22 are the A&B-sides of an April 1983 UK 45-single on Oval HELEN 25

23. Brickyard Blues

24. Just Another Weekend

Tracks 23 and 24 are the A&B-sides of a January 1984 UK 45-single on Oval OVAL 26

25. Das Ist Nicht Die Feine Englische Art

Track 25 is the A-side of a March 1970 GERMAN 45-single on Pye DV 11005. Its B-side "Take Down A Note Miss Smith" was issued as the A-side in the 'UK' (see Tracks 11 and 12). "Das Ist Nicht..." is a German Language song with no English equivalent and was exclusive to the country. It is included on this CD as a Bonus Track. 

Tracks 1 to 14 and 25 are MONO - all others are in STEREO

As with all of these archival releases from Ace Records of the UK - the 20-page colour booklet is a feast for the eyes and brain - TONY ROUNCE laying into the factoids aided and abetted by Helen and her husband of 30-years John Judd. Page 17 has the picture sleeve to the excellent "Brickyard Blues" (an Allen Toussaint song) whilst the other leaves are littered with Columbia and Pye Demo labels, foreign picture sleeves and even a trade advert for 1970's classy "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere" - HS starring out at the water wondering when that English git she'd been promised by Mummy is going to turn up and get down to some much-needed lovin'. You could argue that Tony is overly generous in his assessments of singles that were good but never really great and hence the lack of chart action for a star who'd been on the go since early 1961. Still, it's a great read, his affection for what he clearly sees as a class act palpable – so fans and newcomers alike will chew it up.

NICK ROBBINS once again excels himself in the transfers and Audio department - the opening double-bass notes of the Northern-Soul B-side "Stop And You Will Become Aware" come floating crystal clear into your living room and the CD remains that way until the end - the only slightly compromised Audio being the German Song "Das Ist Nicht..." from 1970 that I suspect is dubbed from a disc. The song quality may not always hold up, but the Remasters are really great. To the music...

A Northern Soul dancer if ever there was one, the CD opens on a B-side instead of an A - the irrepressibly upbeat talcum powder shuffler that is "Stop And You Will Become Aware". The Mono Audio rocks whilst the equally drama-laden brassy A-side "She Needs Company" has our Helen eyeing up the sharp-dressed dudes of 1967 resplendent in all the latest Modtastic gear. Beggar or Queen, the darling "Make Me Belong To You" pleader continues the strong songs on her short stay at Columbia. That bopping A-side is offset by a lounge-lizard piano-tinkling schmoozer flipside called "The Way Of The World" - a very Dusty Springfield moment and again with cracking audio.

1968 saw her opening an account with Pye Records and the making-my-life-worthwhile "You'll Get Me Loving You" was a good start even if the rather throwaway B-side "Silly Boy (I Love You) " is a little too girl-group for its own good. Due to the cloudy condition of her mind, Helen finds "Today Has Been Cancelled" - the cold exchange of words with her beau the previous evening, still stinging like a wet kipper in a Billingsgate cafe. Unfortunately, you can so hear why middle-of-the-road pop material like "Face The Music" and "Take Me For A While" elicited a yawn amongst record buyers. Better is "Take Down A Note Miss Smith" - a very Bobby Gentry "Ode To Billie Joe" groove that even has traces of Dusty's sexy "Son Of A Preacher Man" too.

"Couldn't You See" feels like Pye is trying to make Helen fit into Tom Jones material that was already out-dated by 1970. Way more classy is the cautionary tale of "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere" where her concerned Pater advises an anxious Helen that she may have to bide her time - sit patiently and wait for that lurve boat to slip into Shapiro Bay with a big rocking Daddy handsome at the tiller. "A Glass Of Wine" feels like languid Bacharach and David - piano accompanied by 'oohs' and 'aahs' from her backing singers as they croon about his 'magic' prowess. By the time we reach Track 15, we're into 1975 and a rather good standalone Stereo 45 on DJM Records called "You're A Love Child". An inquisitive but obviously hurting kid is reassured that they are not a burden but an 'answer to my dreams' while its 'Philadelphia Freedom' sounding B-side "That's The Reason I Love You" is clearly trying to find that Kiki Dee market.

From there on in, it goes from one ok tune to the next - best of which by a country mile is the Allen Toussaint cover of "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" which is shortened to "Brickyard Blues". Shapiro wasn't the first great lady to notice the Funky-Rock grooves in Toussaint's New Orleans songs - Maria Muldaur having covered Brickyard on her 1974 Reprise Records LP "Waitress In A Donut Shop" (Frankie Miller, James Montgomery and Three Dog Night also had a go at the tune in 1974). And on it goes to the rather odd Mono 1970 German single at the end...

For sure not everything on here is genius and at times you can so hear why the British charts success of old eluded her during this period. But fans are going to love the presentation, the affection, the audio and the general classiness that Ace affords her legacy. "What you're playing just can't make it...play something sweet...play something mellow...play me something I can get my teeth into...like Jell-O..." she sang on the Toussaint cover of "Brickyard Blues". I suspect fans that have waited decades for these Remasters will do just that...