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

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"…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]

“Ebony Woman” by BILLY PAUL (June 2012 Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remaster of his 1970 Neptune Records Album Reissued By Philadelphia International In 1973 With A Different Sleeve) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Traces Of Love Long Ago..." 

As a long-time contributor to Amazon - I've raved about Britain's BIG BREAK RECORDS before and have reviewed many of their in-depth Reissues and Remasters (see list below).

Each BBR issue has been uniformly superb - especially for those of us looking for great sound quality rather than the half-hearted efforts thrown at us by the majors these days (when they can be bothered). And once again - BBR has delivered on the sound front - even if the material isn't nearly as stellar as you'd hope for. Here are the ebony traces...

UK released 4 June 2012 (5 June 2012 in the USA) - "Ebony Woman by BILLY PAUL on Big Break Records CDBBR 0142 (Barcode 5013929044234) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the rare US Neptune Records LP from 1970 (later reissued by Philadelphia International in 1973) that breaks down as follows (35:41 minutes):

1. Ebony Woman

2. Mrs. Robinson

3. The Windmills Of Your Mind

4. Everyday People

5. Let's Fall In Love All Over

6. Windy

7. Psychedelic Sally

8. Traces

9. Proud Mary

Tracks 1 to 9 are Billy Paul's 2nd album "Ebony Woman" - released July 1970 in the USA on Neptune Records NLPS-201. Neptune was the record label started by the Soul songwriting and producing duo of Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff. The LP received no UK release at this time. However - it was re-issued April 1973 on Philadelphia International Records KZ 32118 in the USA and on Philadelphia International PIR 65931 in the UK - but this time sporting a different front sleeve. This BBR CD Reissue uses the original 1970 artwork on the front - with the back sleeve featuring the 1973 photo of a woman's face (Grace Jones). It is this image that British Soul fans will recognise as the 1973 sleeve (reproduced in full on Page 6 of the booklet). There are no bonus tracks.

This CD reissue comes in one of those rounded-corner jewel cases and has a detailed 12-page booklet with liner notes by ANDY KELLMAN (writer for the "All Music Guide"). The A&B-sides of the lone 7" single initially issued off the album is pictured on Pages 4 and 8 - "Let's Fall In Love Again" b/w "Mrs. Robinson" on Neptune N-30 - while photos of Paul in his trademark hat pepper the text. There are also full album-credits on the last pages. But the real news for fans is the SUPERB SOUND QUALITY...

Remastered from the 1st generation tapes by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London - the clarity is fantastic - warm bass and clean vocals.

Just out of the Sixties - the album is full of contemporary hits of the time - Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson", Sly & The Family Stone's "Everyday People" and Noel Harrison's "Windmills Of Your Mind" (theme from "The Thomas Crown Affair"). The single "Let's Fall In Love Again" was written by Bobby Martin (a friend of Gamble & Huff) and the title track "Ebony Woman" harks way back to 1959 when Billy Paul first sang it jazz-style.

Unfortunately most of these tracks are terribly dated and I'll admit to only having time for three songs on here - a Swingin' 60t's cover of Horace Silver's "Psychedelic Sally" (you can see some hippy chick dancing on a podium in a TV studio on this one), a piano-funky take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's classic "Proud Mary" and a truly lovely turn on The Classic IV's "Traces" (lyrics from it title this review).

To sum up - if you're a fan of the album - then you need to own this BBR reissue of it because of the fabulous sound and tasty presentation. If you're new to it and are expecting Billy Paul's "Let The Dollar Circulate" type of Philly Sound - then I'd suggest a listen 'before' you buy...

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed to 2015:

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) 

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“Just As I Am” by BILL WITHERS (2012 Big Break Records (BBR) '40th Anniversary' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION On CD - Exception Remasters  

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All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
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"...Sooth The Local Unwed Mother..."

This is one of my favourite albums of the early Seventies - and at last - in 2012 - a mere 40 years after the event - "Just As I Am" by Bill Withers is finally getting the sound quality its always deserved and needed.

As a "Hall Of Fame" reviewer and long-time contributor to Amazon - I've raved about Britain's BIG BREAK RECORDS before and have bought and reviewed over 40 of their reissue titles. Each has been uniformly superb - especially for those of us looking for great sound quality rather than the half-hearted efforts thrown at us by the majors (when they can be bothered). But BBR has excelled in every way on this lovely and timely reissue. The remaster on this sucker is TRULY GORGEOUS - and after decades of the occasional track on a compilation in only-ok sound - fans of this great songwriter will be duly taken aback by the clarity on offer here. Here are the details...

UK released 7 May 2012 as a '40th Anniversary' issue (15 May 2012 in the USA) – "Just As I Am" by BILL WITHERS on Big Break Records CDBBR 0143 (Barcode 5013929044333) is a straightforward CD Remaster of his debut album and plays out as follows (35:41 minutes):

1. Harlem

2. Ain’t No Sunshine

3. Grandma’s hands

4. Sweet Wanomi

5. Everybody’s Talkin'

6. Do It Good

7. Hope She’ll Be Happier – [Side 2]

8. Let It Be Me

9. I’m Her Daddy

10. In My Heart

11. Moanin' And Groanin'

12. Better Off Dead

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Just As I Am" - released May 1971 in the USA on Sussex Records SXBS-7006 and June 1971 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 65002.

SINGLES: Although there are no bonus tracks or outtakes - this release will allow fans to sequence the two USA 7" singles that were released around the album - "Ain't No Sunshine" b/w "Harlem" on Sussex 219 (June 1971 - originally issued in April 1971 with the same catalogue number - but with the tracks reversed) - and "Grandma's Hands" b/w "Sweet Wanomi" on Sussex 227 (October 1971). Britain had slightly different configurations - "Everybody's Talkin'" b/w "Harlem" on A&M Records AMS 845 (May 1971), "Ain't No Sunshine" b/w "Harlem" on A&M Records AMS 858 (September 1971) and "Lean On Me" b/w "Better Off Dead" on A&M Records AMS 7004 (August 1972) [the A-side is on the Sony Legacy CD of his 2nd album "Still Bill"].

This reissue comes in one of those rounded-corner jewel cases and has a jam-packed 16-page booklet with liner notes by Washington-born Soul aficionado RICO "SUPERBIZZAE" WASHINGTON (Editor of the US magazine "Free"). There's a history of the West Virginia Soulman's humble beginnings, label repros of the two Sussex singles off the album and collected colour photos from various TV appearances at the time. The front sleeve was actually shot on a lunch-break from his job at the airlines - lunch-pail in hand. And there's even an interview with the great man (recently featured on a superb BBC documentary film). It's really nicely done and features recording details and album discography on the last pages. But the real news is the SOUND...

Remastered from 1st generation tapes by both NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London and BBR's own WAYNE A DICKSON at their own studios - the clarity is beautiful. "Just As I Am" is not so much Funky-Soul but more Folk-Soul - so a lot of the tracks have just acoustic guitars and lots of air around them. I went through so many copies of the (frankly dodgy) US Sussex LP and even the British A&M tan label original - and they were always good rather than great - and in some instances hissy as Hell. Not so here. It hasn't been trebled to the nines for the sake of it - it's just breathing.

Right from the off the acoustic guitars and drums on "Harlem" are amazing - as are the strings, soft bass and vocals on his masterful "Ain't No Sunshine" - all so sweet. The fantastically personal and socially aware "Grandma's Hands" still has the power to move (lyrics above) and it's a blast to finally get unheard gems like "Hope She'll Be Happier", "I'm Her Daddy" and "Moanin' And Groanin'" in top-notch sound quality. In fact of the 12 tracks - Withers impressively wrote 10 - the two covers being Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" (made famous by Nilsson in "Midnight Cowboy") and a very nice uptempo soul take on The Beatles' "Let It Be". Favourites - I particularly love "Do It Good" where the MG's play a blinder in terms of sheer slinky feel. And even though the gunshot at the end of "Better Off Dead" is still too abrupt - it's such a great tune. Yes folks. Love it. Love it. Love it.

If ever an artist deserved praise and rediscovery from this classic Soul period - then it's Bill Withers. For me this is 'Soul Reissue Of The Year' with a bullet.

Buy it and enjoy. And remember - "it's not warm when she's away...only darkness every day..."

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed to 2015:

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 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

PPS: see also my in-depth review for "The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" 9CD Box Set also from 2012...

"Back Stabbers" by O'JAYS (2011 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - 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)

"...Please Don't Miss This Train..."

Reissued by Big Break Records of the UK (also known as BBR) – their Internet blurb claims to have 'lovingly remastered' the O’JAYS famous album “Back Stabbers” for a new audience. And one minute into this amazing remaster and I know they're right. I've loved this fabulous Soul platter to distraction for decades and what a blast it is to finally hear it sound 'so' good. Let's get to the 'people all over the world' details right away...

UK released in June 2011 – "Back Stabbers" by O’JAYS on Big Break Records CDBBR 0051 (Barcode 5013929035126) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of their 1972 album with Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (49:07 minutes):

1. When The World’s At Peace

2. Back Stabbers

3. Who Am I

4. (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky

5. Time To Get Down

6. 992 Arguments [Side 2]

7. Listen To The Clock On The Wall

8. Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People

9. Sunshine

10. Love Train

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Back Stabbers" - originally released September 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 31712 and October 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 65257 (it peaked at Number 3 on the US R&B charts in October 1972). It was reissued March 1973 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 65932.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. 992 Arguments (7" Single Edit) - 2:24 minutes (the full album version is 6:10 minutes)

12. Love Train (Tom Moulton Mix) - a remix from 1977 running to 6:15 minutes (the album version is 3:03 minutes).

Housed in one those 'Deluxe' rounded jewel cases, the superlative 16-page booklet has a knowledgeable and hugely affection essay on the Group, Philly and the album's making by CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE. It includes interviews with surviving members of the group (Eddie Levert), shows Foreign picture sleeves, UK and US trade adverts, 7" single labels and other promo photos - it's very well done and a lovely read. But the really great news is the sound...

Remastered from the first generation master tapes by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Mastering Studios - the sound quality is mindblowingly good. To put this into a context - I've had the 1996 Columbia 'Legacy' CD of this album to have the music, but I've always found their issues to be very hit and miss. Take the criminally forgotten beautiful ballad "Who Am I". The sound upgrade from 1996 to this is vast - the song has HUGE feeling to it now and isn't trebled up the nines for effect either. It's warm, present and a joy to listen to. The same apples to the big singles we've probably all heard one-to-many times - "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" (lyrics above). It comes as a genuine shock to hear them here - how good they sound - it's like meeting old friends you've missed. I can't praise this remaster enough. 

Content - for most people "Back Stabbers" is the beginning of the Philly Sound - both on 7" single and LP. Nearly 40 years after the event - even its front sleeve portraying the 3 Canton, Ohio Soul boys (Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell) has become iconic and instantly recognisable. Musically the LP was an embarrassment of riches too featuring a lethal crew of staff writers penning all the ace dancers and ballads - Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurst and of course the dynamic duo themselves - Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (who also produced). Loaded with hits, 8 of its 10 tracks made it onto 45s and this CD reissue will allow you to sequence all of them as follows:

1. Back Stabbers b/w Sunshine (June 1972 USA, September 1972 UK)

2. 992 Arguments b/w Listen To The Clock On The Wall (October 1972 USA, November 1972 UK)

3. Love Train b/w Who Am I (December 1972 USA, February 1973 UK)

4. Time To Get Down b/w Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People (April 1973 USA, May 1973 UK)

Other highlights are the funky opener "When The World's At Peace" - reflecting the political and social turmoil of the time - and the vibes and strings mellowness of the lovely "Sunshine" - boasting an aching heartfelt vocal.

To sum up - BBR dedicate this reissue to songwriters McFadden & Whitehead and William Powell - one of the original group members who sadly died of cancer in 1977 aged only 35. Well - in my books - they've done the absolute business by him and opened up The O'Jays recorded legacy for a new generation. Is this an upgrade you must own – absolutely…

Along with the launch of "Stax Remasters" (see review for "Be Altitude: Respect Yourself" by The Staple Singers) - this is one my Soul Reissues Of 2011.

PS: I’ve reviewed these Big Break Records (BBR) CDs – all quality remasters:

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)