"Watercolors" by THE WATERS - August 1980 Third US Album on Arista Records featuring Julia, Luther, Maxine and Oren Waters (August 2014 UK Big Break Records (BBR) Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00KJHRFP2&asins=B00KJHRFP2&linkId=e55b546acf47c9cd4837363d07668cbd&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BZL1MX5Y&asins=B0BZL1MX5Y&linkId=af56fb38e3fc6d43bd49fe788dfb0500&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON 

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

"...It's Flowing Around Me..."

 

Hailing out of Los Angeles – the family of Oren, Julia, Luther and Maxine Waters (Oren is the lead) are the great unknowns of backing vocals.

 

Statistics would have you believe they've been heard by more souls on the planet than any other set of voices. How? They're the backing singers on Carole King's "Tapestry" in 1971, The Bee Gee's "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977 and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in 1982 - to name but a famous few.

 

Before that there was sessions with Phil Spector on the most played record ever - "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers and onwards into the Seventies with artists as diverse as Pacific, Gas & Electric and Merry Clayton. Since then there's been Bobby Womack, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Patti LaBelle, Adele, Rod Stewart and even Bruce Springsteen. Which brings us to this release…and its pre-history.

 

They started their own American career in 1975 simply as WATERS – their self-titled debut on Blue Note Records BN-LA370-G. Then in 1977 went as THE WATERS for another self-titled start on Warner Brothers BS 3062. Which brings us to album-door number three - "Watercolors" with Producer David Rubinson on Arista AB-4253 in May 1980. The singing family foursome is now literally the subject of an Oscar-nominated movie - "Twenty Feet From Stardom" – hence the timely reissue on Big Break Records of the UK. Here are the details...

 

1. Dance With Me [Side 1]

2. Heart Lead The Way

3. I Can Make You Smile

4. Throw A Little Bit Of Love My Way

5. Party People [Side 2]

6. Come To Me

7. Dance The Night Away

8. Let Him Prove It

 

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Dance With Me (Single Version)

10. Heart Lead The Way (Single Version)

 

As none of their LPs had British releases, oversees fans in Blighty will dig this release. UK issued August 2014 "Watercolors" by THE WATERS on Big Break Records CDBBR 0277 (Barcode 5013929057739) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with two Bonus Tracks (50:10 minutes).

 

Tracks 1 to 8 are the May 1980 album with two bonus cuts added on – the March 1980 single mix of "Dance With Me" (Arista AS-0493) and the promo-only May 1980 single mix of "Heart Lead The Way" (Arista AS-0517). The 12-page booklet has wonderfully detailed liner notes by NYC-based writer and music journalist Christian John Wikane and a fabulous remaster by BBR's resident tape maestro Wayne A, Dickson.

 

It's a typically mixed bag as Soul albums go – it opens with the half-hearted "Dance With Me" – a search for a Disco hit – but things improve out of all proportion with the album's true nugget – "Heart Lead The Way" – a really gorgeous falsetto vocal ballad (lyrics above). The album version stretches to 5:47 minutes and features sublime note-topping by Oren with the 3 siblings backing him to perfection (nice Bass too by Robert Russell and Sax solo by Don Myrick). Hardly surprising it was the second single off the album – although it appears to have been issued only a promo because I have never seen a stock copy. Things get all pop with "Party People" - but again their strength lies in the ballad – "Come To Me" and "Throw A Little Love My Way" being sweet examples.

 

"Watercolors" is so typical of Soul, Funk, Disco and RnB LPs of the Eighties - a good album rather than a great one bolstered up with the obvious single sides to draw in punters. But with little promotion outside of the singles by either the label or the band (The Waters were touring and working with Neil Diamond on "The Jazz Singer" in 1980, a huge record) – it tanked and is something of a unfairly forgotten artifact now.

 

But "Watercolors" has those superb ballads on it and a warm-as-a-blanket remaster. Very nice – and I urge you to see the film as soon as possible…

 

Other Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I've reviewed:

 

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. Let Me Be Your Angel – STACY LATTISAW (1980)

11. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

12.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

13. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

14. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

15. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

16. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

17. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

18. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin' At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Madhouse – SILVER CONVENTION (1976)

29. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

30. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

31. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

32. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

33. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

34. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

35. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

36. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

37. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"All The Faces Of Buddy Miles" by BUDDY MILES - November 1974 US Album featuring Johnny Bristol (April 2012 UK Big Break Records BBR Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Giovanni Scatola Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
HIGHER GROUND

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Wants And Needs That True Love Demands..."

After his 6-album tour with Mercury Records (I own "Expressway To Your Skull" from 1968 and have reviewed "Them Changes" from 1970) - ex Electric Flag, Band Of Gypsys drummer and singer Buddy Miles signed to Columbia Records and produced this forgotten Disco/Soul album with Johnny Bristol.

UK released in April 2012 - "All The Faces Of Buddy Miles" by BUDDY MILES on Big Break Records CDBBR 0123 (Barcode 5013929042339) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with One Bonus Track that plays out as follows (39:20 minutes):

1. Pull Yourself Together [Side 1]

2. We Got Love

3. All The Faces

4. I'm Just A Kiss Away

5. It's Only The Good Times

6. Got To Find Ms. Right [Side 2]

7. Pain

8. Kiss And Run

9. Wants And Needs (The Earth Song)

10. Baby Don't Stop (Sit On The Rock)

Tracks 1 to 10 are his seventh album "All The Faces Of Buddy Miles" - released November 1974 in the USA on Columbia KC 33089 and November 1974 in the UK on Epic EPC 80349.

BONUS TRACK:

11. Pull Yourself Together (Single Version)

All the usual classy elements associated by now with BBR are here - a great 16-page booklet with informative liner notes by JUSTIN COBER-LAKE filling in the details on the ex Electric Flag drummer's new career as a Soul and Disco dude - and a top notch remaster by GIOVANNI SCATOLA.

Putting aside the fact that Miles never had the greatest of voices - his at-times strangulated efforts on "All The Faces Of..." sound like someone desperately trying for commercial success with Soft Soul and Disco leanings. The results are workmanlike and never really inspired. You get cheesy lyrics ("I'm Just A Kiss Away") and strained vocals ruining a good song ("It's Only The Good Times"). The smoocher "Pain" is very pretty - but again his lack of singing chops/passion does nothing for it. But "Pull Yourself Together" is a great dancer and an obvious leadoff single - while the message Soul of "Wants And Needs (The Earth Song)" with its wah-wah guitar and strings features a catchier melody and lovely brass punching through (lyrics above).

"Wants And Needs" has been a huge underground club tune in London for years. The funkier tunes stand up well too - "Got To Find Ms. Right" has a kind of "Hercules" by The Meters vibe - but the absolute bomb for me is "Baby Don't Stop (Sit On The Rock)" - a fantastically funky four and half-minute instrumental (now with stunning sound quality). I love it to bits and have been after it for years in top remastered audio.

It's a personal thing - but for me this album is good rather than great. Trouble is - I had to have that 'Sit On The Rock' funky instrumental and after hearing it - so will you...

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I've reviewed:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. Let Me Be Your Angel – STACY LATTISAW (1980)

11. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

12.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

13. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

14. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

15. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

16. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

17. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

18. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Madhouse – SILVER CONVENTION (1976)

29. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

30. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

31. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

32. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

33. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

34. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

35. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

36. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

37. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"Down To Love Town" by THE ORIGINALS - February 1977 US Album on Soul Records (August 2014 UK Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue – Kevin Reeves and Wayne A. Dickson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 336 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95 (2024 Update)

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00MTCDTWS&asins=B00MTCDTWS&linkId=f95dca2244c8856012cccc3c6c25fff6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...I'm Going Down To Love Town..."

A high–energy Disco dancer - Down To Love Town on Soul Records (USA) was in fact their 8th album (The Originals had formed in 1966) and this amazing-sounding 2014 CD reissue and remaster from BBR of the UK (Big Break Records) adds on a Previously Unreleased "Alternate Take" for good measure. Here are body beautiful details…

UK released August 2014 - "Down To Love Town" by THE ORIGINALS on Big Break Records CDBBRX 0303 (Barcode 5013929060333) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with One Bonus Track and plays out as follows (42:33 minutes):

1. Hurry Up And Wait [Side 1]

2. Down To Love Town

3. You Are A Blessing To Me

4. Call On Your Six Million Dollar Man [Side 2]

5. Mother Nature's Best

6. Sunrise

8. Been Decided

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "Down To Love Town" released February 1977 in the USA on Soul S6-74951.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Down To Love Town (Alternate Take) 

The 12-page booklet has excellent and detailed liner notes by JUSTIN COBER LAKE that include band photos, the US Motown artwork and rare 12" single sleeves as well as very detailed recording/discography info. But the big news as always with BBR releases is the stunning remaster. KEVIN REEVES (whose been involved in huge numbers in the Universal Soul and Jazz "Originals" series) did the initial remaster with more touches by BBR's resident tape wizard WAYNE A. DICKSON after the fact.

The sound is wonderful especially on the Number 1 Disco hit "Down To Love Town" - Jeff Porcaro of Toto whacking those Drums with Ray Parker, Jr. and Jay Graydon on Guitars (Graydon did the stunning solo on Steely Day's "Peg" from "Aja"). Funky breaks galore come at ya in "You Are A Blessing To Me" - major sessionman David T. Walker taking over the guitars for that one. The ballad "Mother Nature's Best" turned up as the B-side to the other album hit - "(Call On Your) Six Million Dollar Man". It ends on the funky "Been Decided" (surely another potential single). The "Alternate Take" of "Down To Love Town" runs to 3:51 minutes and ups the Disco high-hat beat even more…

Great sound and presentation – fans should also make a way to the Lamont Dozier produced "California Sunset" from 1975 - BBR reissued that a few years back…

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. Let Me Be Your Angel – STACY LATTISAW (1980)

11. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

12.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

13. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

14. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

15. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

16. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

17. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

18. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Madhouse – SILVER CONVENTION (1976)

29. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

30. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

31. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

32. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

33. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

34. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

35. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

36. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

37. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"Let Me Be Your Angel" by STACY LATTISAW - June 1980 US Album on Cotillion Records featuring Narada Michael Walden with Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic (October 2015 UK Big Break Records 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue – Nick Robbins and Wayne A. Dickson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
HIGHER GROUND

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Jump To The Beat...."

Containing the huge Soul/Funk/Disco hit "Jump To The Beat" - Stacy Lattisaw's "Let Be Your Angel" album originally came out June 1980 on Cotillion Records SD-5219 in the States and amongst its heavy-hitter contributors were the combined talents of Narada Michael Walden and the Chic boys - Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers.

The British 12" single of "Jump To The Beat" on Warner Brothers K 11496 (T) pictured on Page 10 of the 16-page booklet (resplendent in its distinctive die-cut sleeve) was a massive UK club hit and the same pretty much everywhere else. Produced by Soul/Funk wonder-boy Narada Michael Walden and featuring a hand-picked band of quality sessionmen (the distinctive Funk-Bass runs of T.M. Stevens in particular) - the album hit R&B No. 9 Stateside and even impacted on the rock charts at No. 44. Here are the jumpy details...

UK released 16 October 2015 - "Let Me Be Your Angel" by STACY LATTISAW on Big Break Records WCDBBRX 0317 (Barcode 5013929061736) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD reissue and remaster with Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows: 

1. Jump To The Beat [Side 1]

2. Dynamite

3. You Don't Love Me Any More

4. Dreaming

5. Let Me Be Your Angel [Side 2]

6. Don't You Want To Feel It (For Yourself)

7. You Know I Like It

8. My Love

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Jump To The Beat (Single Version, 3:33 minutes)

10. Dynamite! (Single Version, 4:25 minutes) 

Remastered by Audio experts NICK ROBBINS (of Ace Records fame) and BBR's own WAYNE A. DICKSON - this CD has fabulous sound and reflects the top quality original production values laid down by NMW.  The substantial booklet has in-depth liners by noted Soul, Disco and Funk genre expert CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE and also features new input from Stacy. There's photos and all the usual period memorabilia.

Typical of so many albums of the day - there are gems and ordinary tracks aplenty. The other hit was "Dynamite!" - a Disco No.1 and No. 8 on the national R&B charts written by NMW and Bunny Hall - a lady who's recorded and written for Peabo Bryson and D.C. LaRue. Another dancefloor winner comes in the shape of "You Don't Love Me Anymore" where NMW practically plays every instrument while that meaty Slap-Bass of Stevens dominates the excellent "You Know I Like It"  – very similar in feel to "Jump To The Beat". Edwards and Rodgers contribute to "Dreaming". It's not all CHIC-funky genius for sure - but the good stuff is excellent and that "Jump To The Beat" full album version at 5:22 minutes is joyous dancefloor stuff to this day.

Superb audio – great liner notes and classy presentation - another winner from BBR of the UK. Fans should dig in right away...

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. Let Me Be Your Angel – STACY LATTISAW (1980)

11. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

12.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

13. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

14. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

15. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

16. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

17. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

18. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Madhouse – SILVER CONVENTION (1976)

29. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

30. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

31. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

32. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

33. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

34. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

35. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

36. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

37. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"Hot Property" by HEATWAVE (2010 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…You're Right In It…"

With all songs on "Hot Property" written by Dancefloor Maestro ROD TEMPERTON (who would of course go on to Global fame by penning half of Michael Jackson's "Thriller") – it should be a killer album. But like so many Soul/Funk/Disco albums of the time (1979) – there's highs and lows. Here are both sides...

UK released November 2010 - "Hot Property" by HEATWAVE on Big Break Records BBRCD 0021 (Barcode 5013929032125) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (67:19 minutes):

1. Razzle Dazzle

2. Eyeballin'

3. This Night We Fell

4. Raise A Blaze

5. First Day Of Snow

6. One Night Tan [Side 2]

7. Therm Warfare

8. All Talked Out

9. That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight

10. Disco

Tracks 1 to 10 are the vinyl album "Hot Property" - released May 1979 in the UK on GTO Records GTLP 039.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Birthday (7" Single Version)

12. Eyeballin' (US 12" Disco Version)

13. One Night Tan (US 7" Version)

14. Therm Warfare (UK 7" Single Version)

15. Birthday (US 12" Version)

The 16-page booklet is the usual great job done by BBR – pictures of the UK and US 7" and 12" labels, band photo and liner notes by HAYDEN JONES (a Writer and DJ in London) with discography info as well. And the rounded-corners of the Super Jewel Case makes it pretty to look at (visually different). But the big news as ever is the ALAN WILSON and WAYNE A. DICKSON remaster which is superlative - beautiful lush sound – real presence on every track.

It opens with a plucky "Razzle Dazzle" and continues in the same vein with "Eyeballin'" – both obvious single choices. The problem for me is that they’re not as good as "Gangsters Of The Groove" by any stretch of the imagination. Far better is the boppin' magic of the deliberately misspelt "Therm Warfare" which stretches to a floor-pleasing 6:44 minutes. It's a killer (lyrics from it title this review). "All Talked Out" is another goody that could so easily have been on MJ's "Off The Wall". The lone love song "That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight" is syrupy and features a grating weedy vocal. Things pick up with the final cut though – "Disco" - which sounds just like its title.

Heatwave's "Hot Property" is not nearly as good as the "Candles" album from 1981 (it was leading up to it) - but it most definitely has goodies worth owning. And if you're a fan of Late Seventies Funk and Disco and the genius way-with-a-melody of the sadly departed Rod Temperton – then don the spandex, embrace your inner glitterball and get sweaty with this sexy little reissue...

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

11.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

12. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

13. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

14. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

15. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

16. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

17. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

18. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

29. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

30. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

31. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

32. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

33. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

34 Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

35. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971)

36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

"Love Is The Message" by MFSB. A Review Of The 1973 Philadelphia International Records Album Now Remastered And Expanded on CD In 2012 By Big Break Records Of The UK (BBR).

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

“…Love Is The Message…”

On the front sleeve of this 1973 album is a collage photo of something you don’t see every day on a SOUL album. There’s a deathly skull beneath a First World War helmet, Second World War Nazi Swastikas to the left, Fifties hooded Clansmen to the right and a Sixties atomic mushroom cloud below. The early Seventies saw Black Consciousness explode on the music scene like never before. And this wasn’t just songs about  ‘girl I miss you’ or ‘girl let’s get it on tonight’ - this was a full-on and heartfelt expression of a need and rage for the inequality, bigotry and segregation in American society to stop. Up step Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff with one eye on the commercial and one hand on the heart. “Love” was indeed the message. Here are the Mother Father Sister and Brother details…

UK released September 2012 on Big Break Records BBRCD 0179 (Barcode 5013929047938) – tracks 1 to 8 are the vinyl album “Love Is The Message” released December 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 32707 (54:35 minutes). Tracks 9 and 10 are bonuses - “Love Is The Message” (Single Version) and “TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)” (A Tom Moulton Mix) – both tracks featuring The Three Degrees.

The 16-page booklet is the usual great job done by BBR – rare foreign 7” picture sleeves, US 7” Philly labels, liner notes by Rico “Superbizzee” Washington (writes for USA magazines and hosts a radio show) with discography info as well. But the big news as ever is the NICK ROBBINS and WAYNE A. DICKSON remaster which is incredible – beautiful lush sound – real presence. 

It’s an album of instrumentals some of which work – some don’t while others just feel like schlock  (“My One And Only” and “Touch me In The Morning”) or filler (”Zack’s Fanfare” which appears twice). In between are those great Philly dancers – and how good is it to hear the full album cut of “Love is The Message” at 6:36 minutes. The chipper and almost note=-for-note cover of Johnnie Taylor’s “Cheaper To Keep Her” has always been a favourite of mine (he had a hit with it on Stax earlier in 1973). It ends on a high note with the brilliant Jack Faith and Bruce Hawes instrumental “Bitter Sweet” – as cool and as lovely as Philly gets.

It’s all genius by any stretch of the imagination but what is on here now sounds stunning – and if you’re a fan of Seventies Soul or Philly – a must own.

PS: If you want more MFSB - they are the backing band on teh fabulous Billy Paul album "War Of The Gods" - I’ve also reviewed these other Big Break Records (BBR) CD releases:

1. Hot Property – HEATWAVE (1979) [see REVIEW]

2. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980) [see REVIEW]

3. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976) [see REVIEW] 

4. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977) [see REVIEW]

5.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin 

6. The Blue Notes" in the UK] [see REVIEW]

7. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973) [see REVIEW]

8. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973) [See REVIEW]

9. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974) [see REVIEW]

10. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972) [see REVIEW]

11. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969) [see REVIEW]

12. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]

13. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973) [see REVIEW]

14. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973) [See REVIEW]

15. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972) [See REVIEW]

16. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973) [See REVIEW]

17. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975) [see REVIEW]

18. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971) [debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records] [see REVIEW]