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"...My Weakness Is You..."
I've been a fan of England's BBR (Big Break Records) as a quality reissue label for years now - but they've outdone themselves on this 29-track (Northern Soul) beauty. A rare 1968 Motown album (on Gordy Records) supplemented by a whopping 17 Bonus Tracks – 16 Mono Single Mixes of Rare US 45s on the Ric-Tic Label released around the album and an "Alternate Mix" of "Agent Double-O-Soul" as an added extra. And the whole shebang runs to a generous 78 minutes. Here are the masterful details...
UK released September 2014 (October 2014 in the USA) – "Soul Master: Expanded Edition" by EDWIN STARR on Big Break Records CDBBRX 0300 (Barcode 5013929060036) pans out as follows (77:44 minutes):
1. Agent Double-O-Soul
2. I Am The Man For You Baby
3. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.)
4. Oh How Happy
5. Way Over There
6. My Weakness Is You
7. Headline News
8. Soul Master
9. I Want My Baby Back
10. Love Is My Destination
11. I Am Your Man
12. Time Is Passin' By
Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of Edwin Starr's debut album "Soul Master" - released June 1968 in the USA on Gordy GS-931 and January 1969 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11094
BONUS TRACKS:
13. Agent Double-O-Soul (Alternate Mix)
14. Back Street (Single Version) – 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-107, A
15. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) (Single Version) - 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-109, A
16. I Have Faith In You (Single Version) - 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-109, B
17. Headline News (Single Version) – 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-114, A
18. Harlem (Single Version) – 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-114, B
19. It's My Turn Now - 1967 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-118, A
20. Girls Are Getting Prettier (Single Version) - 1967 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-118, B
21. You're My Mellow - 1967 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-120, A
22. My Kind OF Woman (Single Version) - 1967 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-120, B
23. I Want My Baby Back (Single Version) – October 1967 US 7" Single, Gordy G 7066, A
24. Gonna Keep On Tryin' 'Til I Win Your Love (Single Version) - October 1967 US 7" Single, Gordy G 7066, B
25. I Am The Man For You Baby (Single Version) – March 1968 USA 7” Single, Gordy G 7071, A
26. My Weakness Is You (Single Version) - March 1968 US 7" Single, Gordy G 7071, B
27. Way Over There (Single Version) – October 1968 US 7" Single, Gordy G 7078, A
28. Back Street (Instrumental Version) - 1966 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-107, B
29. Agent Double-O-Soul (Instrumental Version) – 1965 US 7" Single, Ric-Tic RT-103, B
With it's rounded jewel case, 12-page booklet with quality photos and liner notes by Justin Cober-Lake - the remaster by both KEVIN REEVES (added to by BBR's own Wayne A. Dickson) is fabulous - on both the STEREO and MONO cuts. These tracks motor and thrill - great transfer work.
It's not his "War" period by a long shot - "Soul Master" is more uptempo - Northern Soul for dancers like the irrepressibly lovely "My Weakness Is You" and "Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.)". The album opens with the so Motown “Agent Double-O Soul” where Starr tells us that with his turned up shirt and reputation with the dancefloor – he's known as... Dancers keep coming at you – "I Am The Man For You Baby", "Oh How Happy" and "Headline News" – the irrepressible Motown machine churning out winner after winner.
My fave is the title track "Soul Master" featuring a slinky bass backing and clever lyrics – almost got that "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" groove – it creeps into your blood and makes you want to shake talcum powder on the kitchen lino and do something your hips will regret.
The singles offer a real insight into his 1965 and 1966 career on Ric-Tic Records – building on a solid catalogue of uptempo hits. Not everything is here - the US 45 of "Way Over There" had "If My Heart Could Tell The Story" as its B-side – that track's on the "25 Miles" album from 1969.
1968's album "Soul Master" deserved a gorgeous CD reissue such as this, and if you're a fan - don't hesitate for a second. And should you feel inclined to punish that debit card - check out the Big Break Records CD of his social-consciousness album "Involved" – equally stunning stuff...
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