"Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Based on the October 1972 Lenny Kaye Compiled Genre Retrospective 2LP Set issued on Elektra Records in the USA (no UK Release) – Expanded 4CD Version Featuring The Electric Prunes, The Seeds, Count Five, The Shadows Of Knight, The Barbarians, The Standells, The Blues Magoos, The Amboy Dukes, The Outsiders, The Chocolate Watch Band, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Capt. Beefheart, Beau Brummels, The Hombres, New Colony Six, Blue Magoos and many more (September 1998 US Rhino/Elektra 118-Track 4CD Long Box with 100-Page Booklet and Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

September 1998 US-Only Rhino 4CD Box Set 

EXPANDED EDITION of the October 1972 Double-Album on Elektra Records

 

June 2006 UK Rhino Single-CD Reissue and Remaster of the 2LP set only

 

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"...Psychotic Reaction..."

 

Whenever we bought in a decent vinyl collection in Reckless in Berwick Street or Islington (and usually from a guy of a certain age), we would get misty-eyed leering down at a copy of "Nuggets" – a fabulous double-album compilation released early October 1972 on Elektra Records in the USA. Compiled by genre enthusiast Lenny Kaye and comprising of 27 slices of Sixties Psych, Garage and all manner of Acid-Infused Fuzz-Guitar Alternative Rock - even three and half decades ago "Nuggets" regularly went for over £50 (back when that was pricey). It had an almost semi-mythical reputation often only ever lasting minutes on our swinging-dick display wall of latest arrivals. So it's rare a CD Reissue does the same.

 

But this 4CD Expanded 118-Track Box Set of "Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" has entered legend too since its September 1998 US-only release. It placed the double-album Remastered onto CD1 with 27-Tracks and then blew that up by a whopping 91 more rarities on CDs 2, 3 and 4. A 100-Page Long Booklet, sympathetic remasters for notoriously Lo-Fi material  – all in all – a genuine blast from the good people at Rhino. Hell – in June 2006 – they reissued the double-album onto 1CD in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve (pictured above also) and just past (April 2023 to be exact) has seen yet another Remaster/Reissue of the original double expanded this time into a 50th Anniversary 5LP version for Record Store Day. But it's Rhino's 1998 4CD Long Box (a first volume of three) that makes fans and collectors weak at the knees. Let's get psyched...

 

US released 15 September 1998 – "Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino R2 75466 (Barcode 0 8122-75466-2 5) is a 4CD Long Box with Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remasters (Based on the December 1972 Lenny Kaye Compiled Genre Retrospective 2LP Set issued on Elektra Records in the US) that plays out as follows (all tracks are US 45-singles unless otherwise stated):

 

CD1 – The Original Nuggets - (76:29 minutes):

1. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (November 1966, Reprise 0532, A-side)

2. Dirty Water - THE STANDELLS (November 1965, Tower 185, A-side)

3. Night Time - THE STRANGELOVES (January 1966, Bang Records B-514, A-side)

4. Lies - THE KNICKERBOCKERS (November 1965, Challenge 59321, A-side)

5. Respect - THE VAGRANTS (Mono) (March 1967, Atco 45-6473, B-side of "I Love, Love You (Yes I Do)")

6. A Public Execution - MOUSE (Mono) (February 1966, Fraternity F-956, A-side)

7. No Time Like The Right Time - THE BLUES PROJECT (February 1967, Verve Forecast KF 5040, A-side - written by and featuring Al Kooper)

8. Oh Yeah! - THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (May 1966, Dunwich DX 122, A-side)

9. Pushin' Too Hard - THE SEEDS featuring Sky Saxon (July 1966, G.N.P. Crescendo GNP 372, A-side)

10. Moulty - THE BARBARIANS (Mono) (January 1966, Laurie LR 3326, A-side)

11. Don't Look Back - THE REMAINS (Mono) (August 1966, Epic 5-10060, A-side)

12. An Invitation To Cry - THE MAGICIANS (Mono) (November 1965, Columbia 4-43435, A-side, featuring Allan Jacobs of Jake & The Family Jewels and Gary Bonner)

13. Liar, Liar - THE CASTAWAYS (June 1965, Soma 1433, A-side)

14. You're Gonna Miss Me - THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR ELEVATORS (Mono) (May 1966, International Artists IA-107, A-side, featuring Roky Erickson)

15. Psychotic Reaction - COUNT FIVE (July 1966, Double Shot 104, A-side)

16. Hey Joe - THE LEAVES (Mono) (April 1966, Mira 222, A-side)

17. Romeo And Juliet - MICHAEL & THE MESSENGERS (Mono) (June 1967, U.S.A. Records 874, A-side)

18. Sugar And Spice - THE CRYAN SHAMES (Mono) (June 1966, Destination 624, A-side)

19. Baby Please Don't Go - THE AMBOY DUKES (January 1968, Mainstream 676, A-side, featuring Ted Nugent)

20. Tobacco Road - BLUES MAGOOS (June 1966, Mercury 72590, A-side)

21. Let's Talk About Girls - THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (from the 1967 LP "No Way Out" on Tower Records ST-5096 in Stereo)

22. Sit Down, I Think I Love You - THE MOJO MEN (Mono) (December 1966, Reprise 0539, A-side, Arranged by Van Dyke Parks, Buffalo Springfield cover, song written by Stephen Stills)

23. Run, Run, Run - THE THIRD RAIL (Mono) (June 1967, Epic 5-10191, A-side)

24. My World Fell Down - SAGITTARIUS (Mono) (May 1967, Columbia 4-44163, A-side, featuring Lead Vocals by Glen Campbell with Backing Vocals from Bruce Johnston, Gary Usher and Terry Melcher and Larry Knechtel of Bread on Keyboards)

25. Open My Eyes - NAZZ (July 1968, SGC Records 45-001, A-side, featuring Todd Rundgren)

26. Farmer John - THE PREMIERS (May 1964, Warner Brothers 5443, A-side)

27. It's-A-Happening - THE MAGIC MUSHROOMS (Mono) (September 1966, A&M Records 815, A-side)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 27 in MONO

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25 and 26 in STEREO

VINYL SETS:

Tracks 1 to 27 are the original genre retrospective 2LP compilation "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" - released early October 1972 in the USA on Elektra Records 7E-2006 (no UK release).

 

A Remastered 2LP VINYL Reissue came out June 2006 on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-1 (Barcode 5051011241918), a January 2021 2LP VINYL Reissue was on Rhino/Elektra R1 2006 (081227971113) and most recently, an April 2023 Record Store Day 5oth Anniversary 5LP Expanded Box Set came out on Rhino/Elektra R1 695185 (603497838332).

 

CD2 – Volume 2 - (77:13 minutes):

1. Talk Talk – THE MUSIC MACHINE (July 1966, Original Sound OS-61, B-side of "Come On In")

2. Last Time Around – THE DEL-VETTS (June 1966, Dunwich D-125, A-side)

3. Nobody But Me – THE HUMAN BEINZ (August 1967, Capitol 5990, A-side – Isley Brothers cover)

4. Journey To Tyme – KENNY & THE KASUALS (August 1966, Mark MR 1006, A-side – Reissued November 1966, United Artists UA 50085, A-side)

5. No Friend Of Mine – THE SPARKLES (March 1967, Hickory 45-1443, A-side)

6. Outside Chance – THE TURTLES (July 1967, White Whale WW 234, A-side, co-write credit by Lyme which was Warren Zevon)

7. Action Woman – THE LITTER (January 1967, Scotty 803G-6710, A-side with "Legal Matter" on the B-side – re-released September 1967, Warwick 944S-6712 with "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?" on the B-side)

8. Spazz – THE ELASTIK BAND (November 1967, Atco 45-6537, A-side)

9. Sweet Young Thing – THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (January 1967, Uptown 740, A-side – Written and Produced by Ed Cobb)

10. Incense And Peppermints – STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK (May 1967, Uni 55018, A-side)

11. I Ain't No Miracle Worker – THE BROGUES (September 1965, Challenge 59311, B-side of "Don't Shoot Me Down")

12. 7 And 7 Is – LOVE (July 1966, Elektra EK-45605, A-side – Both A&B Sides featuring and written by Arthur Lee)

13. Time Won't Let Me – THE OUTSIDERS (January 1966, Capitol 5573, A-side)

14. Going All The Way – THE SQUIRES (September 1966, Atco 45-6442, A-side)

15. I'm Gonna Make You Mine – THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (November 1966, Dunwich 45-141, A-side)

16. The Trip – KIM FOWLEY (1965, Corby CR-206, A-side)

17. Can't Seem To Make You Mine – THE SEEDS (August 1965, GNP Crescendo GNP 354, A-side, featuring Sky Saxon)

18. Why Do I Cry – THE REMAINS (March 1965, Epic 5-9783, A-side)

19. Laugh Laugh – BEAU BRUMMELS (April 1967, Vault V-O-1, A-side)

20. The Little Black Egg – THE NIGHTCRAWLERS (August 1965, Lee 1012, A-side, featuring Ric Ocasek later with The Cars)

21. I Wonder – THE GANTS (January 1967, Liberty 55940, B-side of "Greener Days")

22. I See The Light – THE FIVE AMERICANS (November 1965, ABNAK A-109, A-side – reissued November 1965, HBR Records HBR 454, A-side, featuring Dale Hawkins as Producer)

23. Who Do You Love – THE WOOLIES (November 1966, Dunhill 45-D-4052, A-side)

24. Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) - SWINGIN' MEDALLIONS (February 1966, 4 Sale 6-6230, B-side of "Here It Comes Again" – reissued March 1966, Smash S-2033 as the A-side (Plug Side) with "Here It Comes Again" on the flip)

25. Live – THE MERRY-GO-ROUND (January 1967, A&M Records 834, A-side, written by and featuring Emitt Rhodes)

26. Steppin' Out – PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS (August 1965, Columbia 4-43375, A-side, Produced by Terry Melcher)

27. Diddy Wah Diddy – CAPTAIN BEEFHEART and HIS MAGIC BAND (April 1966, A&M Records 794, A-side – Bo Diddley cover version, Writer Willie Dixon of Chess Records fame)

28. Strychnine – THE SONICS (from the March 1965 US Debut LP "Here Are The Sonics!!!" on Etiquette Records ET-LPS-024 in Stereo, featuring Rob Lind on Vocals and Saxophone)

29. Little Girl – SYNDICATE OF SOUND (February 1966, Hush G-228, A-side – Reissued April 1966, Bell 640, A-side)

30. (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet – BLUES MAGOOS (October 1966, Mercury 72622, A-side)

31. Shape Of Things To Come – MAX FROST & THE TROOPERS (May 1968, Tower 419, A-side – a Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil song that featured in the 1968 Movie "Wild In The Streets")

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24 to 26, 29, 30 and 31 in STEREO

Tracks 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 to 17, 21, 23, 27 and 28 in MONO

 

CD3 – Volume 3 - (76:40 minutes):

1. Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) – THE HOMBRES (July 1967, Verve Forecast KF 5058, A-side)

2. Fight Fire – THE GOLLIWOGS (March 1966, Scorpio 405, A-side, John and Tom Fogerty pre Creedence Clearwater Revival)

3. At The River's Edge – NEW COLONY SIX (April 1966, Sentaur 1202, A-side)

4. Jack Of Diamonds – THE DAILY FLASH (August 1966, Parrot 45-PAR 308, B-side of "Queen Jane Approximately")

5. Follow Me – LYME & CYBELLE (February 1966, White Whale WW 228, A-side, featuring Warren Zevon)

6. It's Cold Outside – THE CHOIR (April 1967, Roulette R-4738, A-side)

7. Beg, Borrow And Steel – THE RARE BREED (April 1966, Attack AR 1401, A-side – Relaunched using same recording as OHIO EXPRESS on Cameo C-483 in June 1967 and that charted, peaking at No.28)

8. She's About A Mover – SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET (February 1965, Tribe 45-8308, A-side, featuring Doug Sahm)

9. Little Bit O' Soul – THE MUSIC EXPLOSION (March 1967, Laurie LR 3380, A-side, cover version of a March 1965 UK 45 by The Little Darlings on Fontana TF 359)

10. Put The Clock Back On The Wall – THE "E" TYPES (March 1967, Tower 325, A-side, Written by Alan Gordon and Gary Bonner who were both in The Magicians in 1965 and 1966 on Columbia Records – they did not record this song with The Magicians)

11. Falling Sugar – THE PALACE GUARD (February 1966, Orange Empire OE-400, A-side, group featured Emitt Rhodes of The Merry-Go-Round and Solo fame)

12. Run, Run, Run – THE GESTURES (October 1964, Soma 1417, A-side)

13. I Need You – THE RATIONALS (January 1968, A2 Records A2-107, A-side, Goffin & King song, Kinks cover from their "Kinda Kinks" album in 1965)

14. Knock, Knock – THE HUMANE SOCIETY (April 1967, Liberty 55968, B-side to "Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me")

15. Primitive – THE GROUPIES (January 1966, Atco 45-6393, A-side)

16. Psycho – THE SONICS (January 1965, Etiquette ET-11, B—side of "The Witch" – for the A-side see Track 16 on CD4 and a debut album track called "Strychnine", Track 28 on CD2)

17. So What!! – THE LYRICS (November 1965, Era 3153, B-side of "They Can't Hurt Me")

18. You Must Be A Witch – THE LOLLIPOP SHOPPE (March 1968, Uni 55050, A-side)

19. A Question Of Temperature – THE BALLOON FARM (September 1967, Laurie LR 3405, A-side – band-members Mike Appel and Don Henry later with The Huck Finn)

20. Maid Of Sugar–Maid Of Spice – MOUSE AND THE TRAPS (April 1966, Fraternity F-966, A-side)

21. You Ain't Tuff – THE UNIQUES (December 1965, Paula 231, A-side, featuring Joe Stampley)

22. Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White – THE STANDELLS (July 1966, Tower 257, A-side, featuring Ed Cobb)

23. She's My Baby – THE MOJO MEN (December 1965, Autumn 27, A-side with "Fire In My Heart" as the B-side – Reissued and Remixed, June 1966, Reprise 0486, A-side, with "Do The Hanky Panky" on the flipside – Reprise Version used)

24. Story Of My Life – UNRELATED SEGMENTS (January 1967, HBR Records HBR-514, A-side)

25. I'm Five Years Ahead Of My Time – THE THIRD BARDO (May 1967, Roulette R-4742, A-side, Teddy Randazzo Production and Arrangements)

26. Mirror Of Your Mind – WE THE PEOPLE (July 1966, Challenge 59333, A-side)

27. Bad Little Woman – THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (August 1966, Dunwich 45-128, A-side)

28. Double Yellow Line – THE MUSIC MACHINE (April 1967, Original Sound OS-71, A-side, featuring Sean Bonniwell)

29. Optical Sound – THE HUMAN EXPRESSION (May 1967, Accent AC 1226, A-side)

30.Journey To The Center Of The Mind – THE AMBOY DUKES (May 1968, Mainstream 684, A-side, featuring Ted Nugent)

NOTES on CD3:

Tracks 1, 9, 16, 27 and 30 are STEREO – all others in MONO

 

CD4 – Volume 4 (75:23 minutes):

1. Are You Gonna Be There (At The Love-In) – THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (October 1967, Tower 373, A-side)

2. Too Many People – THE LEAVES (July 1965, Mira 202, A-side)

3. (Would I Still Be) Her Big Man – THE BRIGANDS (April 1966, Epic 5-10011, B-side of "I'm A Patient Man")

4. Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl – THE BARBARIANS (July 1965, Laurie LR 3308, A-side)

5. Wooly Bully – SAM THE SHAM And THE PHARAOHS (February 1965, MGM K13322, A-side)

6. I Want Candy – THE STRANGELOVES (May 1965, Bang B-501, A-side)

7. Louie Louie – THE KINGSMEN (June 1963, Jerden 712, A-side – Reissued October 1963, Wand 143, A-side)

8. One Track Mind – THE KNICKERBOCKERS (February 1966, Challenge 59326, A-side)

9. Out Of Our Tree – THE WAILERS (October 1965, Etiquette ET-21, A-side)

10. I Think I'm Down – HARBINGER COMPLEX (August 1966, Brent 7056, A-side)

11. What Am I Going To Do – THE DOVERS (September 1965, Miramar 118, B-side of "She's Gone")

12. Codine – THE CHARLATANS (Unreleased 1966 US 45-Single on Kama Sutra)

13. Johnny Was A Good Boy – THE MYSTERY TREND (March 1967, Verve VK-10499, A-side)

14. Stop – Get A Ticket – CLEFS OF LAVENDER HILL (July 1966, Date 2-1510, A-side)

15. Complication – THE MONKS (April 1966, German 45-Single on Polydor International 52 951, B-side of "Oh, How Do Now")

16. The Witch – THE SONICS (January 1965, Etiquette ET-11, A-side, for the B-side "Psycho", see Track 16 on CD3 and a debut album track called "Strychnine", Track 28 on CD2)

17. Get Me To The World On Time – THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (March 1967, Reprise 0564, A-side)

18. Mr. Pharmacist – THE OTHER HALF (November 1966, GNP Crescendo GNP 378, A-side)

19. Open Up Your Door – RICHARD AND THE YOUNG LIONS (July 1966, Philips 40381, A-side)

20. Just Like Me – PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS (November 1965, Columbia 4-43461, A-side, Produced by Terry Melcher, cover version of a 1965 US 45 by The Wilde Knights originally on Star Bright 3052, A-side)

21. You Burn Me Up And Down – WE THE PEOPLE (September 1966, Challenge 59340, B-side of "He Doesn't Go About It Right")

22. I Live In The Springtime – THE LEMON DROPS (August 1967, Rembrandt 5009, A-side)

23. Mindrocker – FENWYCK (June 1967, Challenge 59369, A-side)

24. Hold Me Now – THE RUMORS (June 1965, Gemcor 5002, A-side)

25. Love's Gone Bad – THE UNDERDOGS (January 1967, V.I.P. Records V.I.P.-25040, A-side, a cover version of a 1965 45-single by Chris Clark also on the Motown label imprint V.I.P. Records)

26. Why Pick On Me – THE STANDELLS (October 1966, Tower 282, A-side, featuring Ed Cobb)

27. Bad Girl – THE ZAKARY THAKS (July 1966, J-Beck J-1006, A-side – Reissued November 1966, Mercury 72633, A-side)

28. Blackout Of Gretely – GONN (January 1967, Emir SS-9217-01, A-side)

29. Voices Green And Purple – THE BEES (November 1966, Liverpool 45LIV-62225, A-side)

30. Blues' Theme – THE ARROWS Featuring DAVIE ALLAN (November 1966, Tower 295, A-side, Instrumental)

NOTES ON CD4:

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 14, 15, 17, 20, 22, 23 are STEREO – all others in MONO

 

October 1972 was only three years after the Swinging Decade had ended and referenced by Kaye as a 60ts Retro Compilation (which was highly unusual at the time) - Elektra Records' 2LP set "Nuggets..." was sort of a Punk Rocker in all but name and snotty artwork. Arguably the first Punk Rock Origins anthology. 

 

Remastered by Rhino stalwarts BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH at Digiprep using Mono and Stereo Masters (where available), this September 1998 reinterpretation sports Audio that in truth flits from great to grunge via the closet and the school bathroom (as you might expect from largely homegrown recordings). The big label tracks are of course professionally done as Engineers undoubtedly struggled to contain kids of a trip man. But Audiophile lovers need to look away now. Having said that, anyone buying the "Nuggets..." Box can still expect an across-the-board decency of transfer. It's all about the musical journey and discovery and the sheer bravura of it all. Also, Rhino have had a long thematic history with the famous 2LP set as they reissued no less than fifteen "Nuggets" VINYL LPs throughout the Eighties before the CD format ousted Vinyl from their schedules completely.

 

The 100-page booklet beneath the lid and atop the two-deep jewel case bays is a thing of absolute wonder and a fact-fest for nerds/chroniclers like me. I cannot imagine the thousands of hours it took to collate this. Any collector will know that these US 45s are so damn rare and valuable that accumulating even half of these would require a bank heist of considerable planning (The Bees track alone tail-ending CD4 is said to be closing in on £3000, but at that auction-only level, all bets are off). So it’s pretty thrilling to see those Independent Labels reproduced in all their hero-like snotty have-a-go glory - with the occasional big boy like Atco or Capitol or United Artists or Epic or Liberty who you suspect stumbled on these progressive chappies with their far-out sounds more by accident than commercial design.

 

The front and rear cover has a colour collage of record sleeves (The Sonic Booms, The Gants etc) while the 4CDs continue with variants of the famous front cover design – cartoon guitar-playing guys and gals - very Crumb and very cool. Each song gets an individual analysis (Title, Personnel, Chart Position if any etc) and as you turn the pages, you see (usually) a promo photo of the artists and any other trade magazine advert or period poster Rhino could find. Have to love pictures sleeves for The Lollipop Shoppe, The Magicians, Richard And The Young Lions, The Strangeloves, The Electric Prunes, Max Frost And The Troopers on Tower whilst the occasional British LP and UK 45 show up too. And Rhino have even reproduced the 'Something Out Of The Ordinary' Elektra Records inner bag that came with late 1972 original 2LP set – nice attention to detail and respect to LENNY KAYE and his rather brill little double-bubble of 60ts trouble. To the happening music...

 

The fabulous "An Invitation to Cry" by The Magicians is a gem - the band containing Allan Jacobs who would become Bunky and later Jake & The Family Jewels. I've raved about their melodic brilliance and reviewed a superb Sundazed CD compilation named after their song here which also contains "I'll Tell the World About You" - covered beautifully by Joe Walsh on his 1972 debt solo album "Barnstorm" - a Magicians ballad. Texan Rocky Ericson headed up The Thirteen Floor Elevators and penned the cool inclusion here of "You're Gonna Miss Me". The legendary first album on International Artists has been bootlegged so many times because originals are so scarce and valuable - Rhino reproducing the yeah-man "...look closely at the cube of sugar I have clutched in my hand..." liner notes to that LP on Page 14 of the packed booklet. But surely everyone's crave has to be the snot-nosed groovy brilliance of "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five who boasted future editor Greg Shaw of "Who Put The Bomp" and whose classic raver even got a release on Pye International in Blighty (7N.25393 being a £75+ 45 rpm rarity).

 

Dino Valenti's "Hey Joe" gets probably the best 60ts version from The Leaves (Bobby Arlin would go on to be in Hook while Jim Pons would join The Turtles and later the Mothers). Michael & The Messengers took a cover of The Reflections song "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" (a 1964 hit for the Detroit group on Golden World Records GW 9), dropping the bracketed beginning, and made a fair fist of it too. The cool-but-gimmick named Chicago group The Cryan Shames took an old English toast and marmalade Searchers pop-hit "Sugar And Spice" and gave it some US razzle - first issued on the independent Destination Records label only to see the mighty Columbia thereafter take the Shames baton. And no doubt that Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes were listening to Van Morrison's THEM for "Baby Please Don't Go" rather than the Joe Williams original - a right raver in 1967.

 

John Loudermilk gave Blues Magoos another Greenwich Village cafe yeah-yeah moment in their cover of his famous rocker "Tobacco Road" - very cool stuff on Mercury Records in June 1966. Artie Resnick co-wrote "Good Lovin'" with Rudy Clark and gifted a monster hit to The Young Rascals - for his own band The Third Rail he came up with "Run, Run, Run" - co-penned with his wife and that bubblegum pop purveyor Joey Levine. And while it feels more Sunshine Pop than Psych, I'd argue its a cool inclusion - rounded off at the end of the compilation by Todd Rundgren's Nazz doing the brill "Open My Eyes" and Gary Usher's Sagittarius - another with-it yeah-baby band that was getting all Zodiac and Horse-Man with a bow-and-arrow on us in the summer of 1967.

 

The Outsiders debut single "Time Won't Let Me" from January 1966 is seminal in that its often cited as the beginning of Horn Rock – not just a Saxophone or a lone Trumpet – but a fuller Brass sound of its own standing. The bigger band concept of course led to purveyors of Horn Rock in 1968 and 1969 – Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago Transit Authority especially (as they were originally known) – all though you could argue that James Brown had been doing Horn Soul with the JBs for years (on stage and off). It may have seemed cool or even revolutionary in late 1966, but the less than enlightened girl-you-will-do-what-ever-I-demand lyrics in The Shadows Of Knight track "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" would not pass a Woke-O-Meter nowadays (and perhaps rightly so) – but you gotta dig that Fuzz Guitar! The audio quality on the dangerous and inciting Kim Fowley track "The Trip" is admittedly the wrong side of gruff, but as a scene changer and zeitgeist moment, you can understand its place here. I remember I once sold a UK Demo Variant of The Seeds second British 45 "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" (it came out on Vocalion in Blighty, GNP Crescendo in the US as their debut) in a very VG state for over six times the Record Collector Price Guide guesstimate and the punter was practically shaking in his boots. Ugly Things USA repro’d the Bees US 45 in late 2012 complete with its rare picture sleeve – as the original in any state is a four-figure record, even the limited edition repro goes for dosh.

 

Speaking of rare...Ace Records of the UK put out the hard-to-find-intact Debut LP "Here Are The Sonics!!!" by The Sonics on their Hip Pocket CD Reissue Series in February 2007 - Ace/Big Beat Records CDHP 022 coming in a dinky little Mini LP Card Sleeve Repro. You can still locate the CD easy and it’s a budget way of getting digital on a Vinyl Album that easily pushed $300 or more for decades – an album even Kurt Cobain cited re its drums sound. It will not come as a surprise to collectors and fans that Rhino were smart enough to include both sides of The Sonics monster 45 on Etiquette – with "The Witch" on the A-side and an equally wild slice of proto Punk on the flipside called "Psycho". And another strong contender for both sides great (goody two shoes, I call them) goes to the Blues Magoos and their October 1966 outing on Mercury Records - "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" with the more Garage R&B "Gotta Get Away" on the flipside. In fact and in general - B-sides figure large in this collection – San Diego band The Lyrics and The Humane Society saving us all from their A-side cover version of a Tiny Tim horror. And on it goes...

 

I suspect that this 1998 Box Set Beast will still be picking up cool-aid accolades decades from now (2023) and way past my passing. Rhino have always been a favourite Reissue Label of mine, but with "Nuggets..." they took an already great original and expanded it twenty fold (and with class).

 

Rhino went on to make a follow-up 4CD extravaganza in "Nuggets II" released 2001 on Rhino R2 76787 that dealt with the Rest of the World Psych and Garage (UK, Europe, Japan, Australia etc) and followed that in turn with door number three called "Children Of Nuggets" in 2005 covering bands from 1976 to 1995 who were influenced by the original (Bow Wow Wow doing I Want Candy by The Strangeloves and The Fall doing Mr. Pharmacist by The Other Half) – another 4CD Box on Rhino R2 74639. Again both of those are beautifully collated and presented whilst true die-hards go after the fifteen vinyl LPs Rhino reissued in the "Nuggets" series during the 1980s. But somehow (although all good of course) – they were and are not - the one.

 

Get your Original Artyfacts here folks and remember people (as The Thirteenth Floor Elevators liner notes wisely inform us) - "...take on the superficial aspects of the quest..." I do man! I do!

"Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Eight-Track Cassette Shaped Box Set featuring 136 Tracks from US 45-Singles by Sly & The Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, The Stylistics, Bill Withers, The Temptations, James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Eddie Holman, The Delfonics, Tyrone Davis, The Friends Of Distinction, The Glass House, Joe Tex, Spinners, The Chi-Lites, Malo, The Staple Singers, The 8th Day, Rose Royce, The Soul Children, Labelle, Ohio Players, War, Average White Band, Rick James and many more (October 2001 US Rhino 6CD 136-Track Box Set in Mock-Up 8-Track Cartridge Packaging with a Perspex Lid, A Fold-Out Door That Reveals 6 Inner CD Slots with Individual Period Style Magazine Covers, a 76-Page Separate Glossy Colour Booklet and Dan Hersch/Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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"...Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)..."

 

Here in late May 2023 - almost 22-years since its release - this stunning Rhino Box Set is a King of the World as far as I'm concerned. Loads to talk about so immediately to the fly...

 

Despite the Box Set subtitle of 70's Soul Experience - The Friends of Distinction opening track "Grazing In The Grass" was actually released in February 1969 - as are eight more 1969 tracks on CD1. But of course most took a good few months or longer to gain audience interest and didn’t start to show real chart traction until 1970 – hence their inclusions here. The last title on CD6 "Golden Touch" by Rose Royce has an official release date of May 1981 – but again is rooted in that Norman Whitefield Temptations-type 70s sound and is on his own Whitfield Records. 

 

But the core of the 136-tracks on "Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" is an array of well-known songs - over 60 of which have been R&B and Pop No.1s on the US Billboard charts. 'Dig It' is also a very clever deep dive into titles you have forgotten or need to rehear like the slick low-rider slide of "Cool Aid" by Paul Humphries, the gorgeous truly soulful smooch of "So Very Hard To Go" by the wonderful brass ensemble Tower Of Power, the pull her close sexiness of "Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson or the homemade but utterly affecting Timmy Thomas classic "Why Can't We Live Together".

 

Produced by DAVID McLEES and DAVID GORMAN for Rhino - all the huge labels of the day are on this 6CD Box Set as well as those plucky independents – Atlantic, Motown, Stax, Polydor, Warner Brothers, Epic, RCA Victor, United Artists, Columbia, ABC and ABC-Dunhill, Mercury, London, Brunswick, Hi Records, Invictus, Avco, Hot Wax, Dakar, Stang, Buddah, Alston, Sussex, Glades, Chimneyville, T Neck, Spring, KoKo, Chelsea, K.T. Records, MGM, Rocky Road, Gamble & Huff with Philadelphia International, Curtis Mayfield with Curtom and loads more. The great news is that Rhino have always had the knack of knowing what to re-release and remaster – and disc after disc thrills with those long lost moments and rediscovered memories. And all of it is wrapped up in Top Notch Remastered sound (Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch at Digiprep) with genuinely informative and often witty liner notes and cool period looks. In fact, between this and their August 1997 seven-inch singles 6CD Box Set Magnum Opus "Beg, Scream & Shout! The Big Ol' Box Of '60s Soul" – they are two awkwardly packaged behemoths I cannot be without – and seeing them on my overcrowded genre shelf still brings me joy. To the tunes and the chemists of cool aid...

 

US released 16 October 2001 - "Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino R2 74346 (Barcode 0081227434625) is a 6CD 136-Track Box Set in Mock-Up 8-Track Cartridge Packaging with Six Period Album Titles Underneath A Perspex Lid. Inside is a foldout door that reveals 6 Inner CD Slots with Individual Period Style Magazine Covers and a 76-Page Separate Colour Booklet. The entire set uses American 45-Single Edits and Playing Times and has been remastered from original tapes by DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT at Digiprep for Rhino. It plays out as follows (I have provided US release dates and catalogue numbers for 45s):

 

CD1 Sly & The Family Stone, October 1972 Artwork (79:10 minutes):

1. Grazing In The Grass – THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION (February 1969, RCA Victor 74-0107, A)

2. Color Him Father – THE WINSTONS (May 1969, Metromedia MM-107, A)

3. Hey There Lonely Girl – EDDIE HOLMAN (November 1969, ABC Records 45-11240, A)

4. Crumbs Off The Table – THE GLASS HOUSE (August 1969, Invictus IS 9071, A)

5. Rainy Night In Georgia – BROOK BENTON (December 1969, Cotillion 45-44047, A)

6. Everybody Is A Star – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (December 1969, Epic 5-10555, B-side of "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin")

7. Give Me Just A Little More Time – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (December 1969, Invictus IS-9074, A)

8. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – THE DELFONICS (December 1969, Philly Groove 161, A)

9. The Bells – THE ORIGINALS (January 1970, Soul S 35069, A, Produced by Marvin Gaye)

10. Turn Back The Hands Of Time – TYRONE DAVIS (March 1970, Dakar 45-616, A)

11. Love On A Two-Way Street – THE MOMENTS (March 1970, Stang ST 5012, A)

12. Band Of Gold – FREDA PAYNE (February 1970, Invictus IS-9075, A)

13. O-H-H Child – THE 5 STAIRSTEPS (May 1970, Buddah BDA 165, A)

14. Westbound #9 – THE FLAMING EMBER (April 1970, Hot Wax HS 7003, A)

15. Maybe – THE THREE DEGREES (March 1970, Roulette R-7079, A)

16. The Sly, Slick, And The Wicked – THE LOST GENERATION (April 1970, Brunswick 55436, A)

17. War – EDWIN STARR (June 1970, Gordy G 7101, A)

18. Somebody's Been Sleeping - 100 PROOF AGED IN SOUL (July 1970, Hot Wax HS 7004, A)

19. Express Yourself – CHARLES WRIGHT & THE WATTS 103^th STREET RHYTHM BAND (August 1970, Warner Brothers 7417, A)

20. Precious, Precious – JACKIE MOORE (October 1970, Atlantic 45-2681, US B-side of "Willpower" – Issued February 1971 in the UK with the sides reversed on Atlantic 2091 054, "Precious, Precious" on the A-side)

21. Funky Nassau, Pt. 1 – THE BEGINNING OF THE END (March 1971, Alston 4595, A)

22. Groove Me – KING FLOYD (September 1970, Chimneyville CH-435, originally B-side of "What Our Love Needs" until DJs flipped the sides and "Groove Me" became the chart hit)

23. I Love You For All Seasons – THE FUZZ (December 1970, Calla C-174, A)

24. Want Ads – HONEY CONE (March 1971, Hot Wax HS 7011, A)

25. Cool Aid – PAUL HUMPHREY & HIS COOL AID CHEMISTS (January 1971, Lizard X21006, A)

 

CD2 Al Green, November 1973 Artwork (77:17 minutes):

1. Don't Knock My Love, Pt. 1 – WILSON PICKETT (April 1971, Atlantic 45-2797, A)

2. Love Or Let Me Be Lonely – THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION (February 1970, RCA Victor 74-0319, A)

3. Deeper And Deeper – FREDA PAYNE (September 1970, Invictus IS-9080, A)

4. Pay To The Piper – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (October 1970, Invictus IS-9081, A)

5. Mr. Big Stuff – JEAN KNIGHT (March 1971, Stax STA-0088, A)

6. Women's Love Rights – LAURA LEE (July 1971, Hot Wax HS 7105, A)

7. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get – THE DRAMATICS (April 1971, Volt VOA-4058, A)

8. Baby Let Me Kiss You – KING FLOYD (March 1971, Chimneyville CH-437, A)

9. Right On The Tip Of My Tongue – BRENDA & THE TABULATIONS (January 1971, Top And Bottom Records 407, A)

10. Thin Line Between Love And Hate – THE PERSUADERS (July 1971, Atco 45-6822, A)

11. Have You Seen Her? – CHI-LITES (October 1971, Brunswick 55462, A)

12. Theme From Shaft – ISAAC HAYES (September 1971, Enterprise ENA-9038, A)

13. Respect Yourself – THE STAPLE SINGERS (September 1971, Stax STA-0104, A)

14. Family Affair – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (October 1971, Epic 5-10805, A)

15. Let's Stay Together – AL GREEN (November 1971, Hi Records 45-2202, A)

16. Clean Up Woman – BETTY WRIGHT (November 1971, Alston 45-4601, A)

17. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, Pt. 1 – HONEY CONE (November 1971, Hot Wax HS 7110, A)

18. Drowning In The Sea Of Love – JOE SIMON (October 1971, Spring SPR 120, A)

19. Ain't Understanding Mellow – JERRY BUTLER & BRENDA LEE EAGER (November 1971, Mercury 73255, A)

20. I've Been Lonely For So Long – FREDERICK KNIGHT (February 1972, Stax STA-0117, A)

21. Suavecito – MALO (February 1972, Warner Brothers WB 7559, A)

22. Hearsay – THE SOUL CHILDREN (June 1972, Stax STA-0119, A)

23. She's Not Just Another Woman – THE 8th DAY (March 1971, Invictus IS-9087, A)

 

CD3 - Curtis Mayfield, February 1974 Artwork (77:49 minutes):

1. I'll Take You There – THE STAPLE SINGERS (March 1972, Stax STA-0125, A)

2. In The Rain – THE DRAMATICS (February 1972, Volt VOA 4075, A)

3. Betcha By Golly, Wow – THE STYLISTICS (February 1972, Avco AV-4591, A)

4. Oh Girl – CHI-LITES (March 1972, Brunswick 55471, A)

5. Lean On Me – BILL WITHERS (March 1972, Sussex SUX-235, A)

6. I Gotcha – JOE TEX (December 1971, Dial D-1010, A)

7. Do Your Thing - Isaac Hayes (February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9042, A)

8. I'll Be Around – THE SPINNERS (July 1972, Atlantic 45-2904, B-side of "How Could I Let You Go" – it was the flipside that hit No. 1 R&B)

9. Too Late To Turn Back Now – CORNELIUS BROTHERS & SISTER ROSE (April 1972, United Artists 50910, A)

10. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right – LUTHER INGRAM (April 1972, KoKo KOA-2111, A)

11. Starting All Over Again – MEL & TIM (May 1972, Stax STA-0127, A)

12. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (May 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3517, A)

13. You're Still A Young Man – TOWER OF POWER (June 1972, Warner Brothers WB 7612, A)

14. Everybody Plays The Fool – THE MAIN INGREDIENT (June 1972, RCA Victor 74-0731, A)

15. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") – CURTIS MAYFIELD (July 1972, Curtom CR 1975, A)

16. I Can See Clearly Now – JOHNNY NASH (July 1972, Epic 5-10902, A)

17. If You Don't Know Me By Now – HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES (September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3520, A)

18. Love Jones – BRIGHTER SIDE OF DARKNESS (August 1972, 20^th Century TC-2002, A)

19. Me And Mrs. Jones – BILLY PAUL (September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3521, A)

20. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (Vocal) – THE TEMPTATIONS (September 1972, Gordy G 7121F, A, 6:58 Minute Vocal Version – B-side was Instrumental)

21. Outa-Space – BILLY PRESTON (January 1972 US Promo-Only 45 on A&M 1320 – May 1972 UK as Officially Released 45-single on A&M AMS 7007, A)

 

CD4 Four Tops, July 1974 Artwork (79:47 minutes):

1. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - SPINNERS (December 1972, Atlantic 45-2927, A)

2. Use Me – BILL WITHERS (August 1972, Sussex SUX 241, A)

3. Love Train - O'JAYS (December 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3524, A)

4. Why Can't We Live Together – TIMMY THOMAS (October 1972, Glades 1703, A)

5. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) – FOUR TOPS (January 1973, Dunhill D-4339, A)

6. I'm Doin' Fine Now – NEW YORK CITY (February 1973, Chelsea 78-0113, A)

7. Pillow Talk – SYLVIA (February 1973, Vibration VI-521, A)

8. So Very Hard To Go – TOWER OF POWER (April 1973, Warner Brothers WB 7687, A)

9. Natural High – BLOODSTONE (February 1973, London 45-1046, A)

10. Let's Get It On – MARVIN GAYE (June 1973, Tamla T 54234F, A)

11. That Lady (Part 1) – ISLEY BROTHERS (July 1973, T Neck ZS7 2251, A)

12. Keep On Truckin' (Part 1) – EDDIE KENDRICKS (July 1973, Tamla T 54238F, A)

13. Hurts So Good – MILLIE JACKSON (August 1973, Spring SPR 139, A)

14. Midnight Train To Georgia – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (August 1973, Buddah BDA 383, A)

15. I Can't Stand The Rain – ANN PEEBLES (July 1973, Hi Records HI 2248, A)

16. The World Is A Ghetto – WAR (October 1972, United Artists 50975, A)

17. Tell Her She's Lovely – EL CHICANO (July 1973, MCA Records MCA-40104, A)

18. The Love I Lost (Part 1) – HAROLD MELVIN And THE BLUE NOTES (August 1973, Philadelphia International ZS7 3533, A)

19. Cheaper To Keep Her – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (September 1973, Stax STA-0176, A)

20. Show And Tell – AL WILSON (August 1973, Rocky Road RR 30073, A)

21. Lookin' For A Love – BOBBY WOMACK (December 1973, United Artists UA-XW375-W, A)

22. Be Thankful For What You Got – WILLIAM DeVAUGHN (March 1974, Roxbury BRBO-0236, A)

23. Just Don't Want To Be Lonely – THE MAIN INGREDIENT (January 1974, RCA Victor APBO-0205, A)

 

CD5 The Pointer Sisters, May 1975 Artwork (79:51 minutes):

1. The Payback (Part 1) – JAMES BROWN (February 1974, Polydor PD-14223, A)

2. Hollywood Swinging – KOOL & THE GANG (April 1974, De-Lite DEP 561, A)

3. Sideshow – BLUE MAGIC (March 1974, Atco 45-6961, A)

4. Rock The Boat – THE HUES CORPORATION (February 1974, RCA Victor APBO-0232, A)

5. Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man) – THE IMPRESSIONS (March 1974, Curtom CR 1997, A)

6. Rock Your Baby – GEORGE McCRAE (April 1974, T.K. Records 1004, A)

7. Tell Me Something Good – RUFUS (June 1974, ABC Records ABC-11427, A)

8. Yes We Can Can – THE POINTER SISTERS (August 1973, Blue Thumb BTA 229, A – Allen Toussaint song)

9. Hang On In There Baby – JOHNNY BRISTOL (June 1974, MGM Records M 14715, A)

10. Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. EXPRESS (July 1974, Scepter SCE 12395, A)

11. You Little Trustmaker – THE TYMES (July 1974, RCA Victor PB-10022, A)

12. Lovin' You – MINNIE RIPERTON (November 1974, Epic 8-50057, A)

13. Woman To Woman – SHIRLEY BROWN (August 1974, Truth TRA-3206, A)

14. Everlasting Love – CARL CARLTON (July 1974, Back Beat BB 27001, A)

15. When Will I See You Again – THE THREE DEGREES (September 1974, Philadelphia International ZS8 3550, A)

16. Pick Up The Pieces – AVERAGE WHITE BAND (October 1974, Atlantic 45-3229, A)

17. Lady Marmalade – LABELLE (November 1974, Epic 8-50048, A)

18. Walking In Rhythm – THE BLACKBYRDS (January 1975, Fantasy F-736, A)

19. Supernatural Thing - Part 1 - BEN E. KING (January 1975, Atlantic 45-3241, A)

20. Reasons – EARTH, WIND & FIRE (July 1975 US Promo-Only, Columbia AS 131, A – May 1976 UK 45-single on CBS Records S CBS 4240, A)

21. Rockin' Chair – GWEN McCRAE (March 1975, Cat Records 1996, A)

22. I Wanna Get Next To You – ROSE ROYCE (February 1977, MCA Records MCA-40662, A)

23. Love Won't Let Me Wait – MAJOR HARRIS (February 1975, Atlantic 45-3248, A)

 

CD6 Earth, Wind & Fire, August 1975 Artwork (77:47 minutes):

1. Shining Star – EARTH, WIND & FIRE (January 1975, Columbia 3-10090, A)

2. Express - B.T. EXPRESS (January 1975, Roadshow RD 7001, A)

3. Cut The Cake – AVERAGE WHITE BAND (March 1975, Atlantic 45-3261, A)

4. Why Can't We Be Friends – WAR (April 1975, United Artists UA-XW629-W, A)

5. So In Love – CURTIS MAYFIELD (August 1975, Curtom CMS 0105, A)

6. Love Rollercoaster – OHIO PLAYERS (November 1975, Mercury 73734, A)

7. It Only Takes A Minute – TAVARES (July 1975, Capitol/Haven 4111, A)

8. Movin' – BRASS CONSTRUCTION (March 1976, United Artists UA-XW775-Y, A)

9. Kiss And Say Goodbye – MANHATTANS (March 1976, Columbia 3-10310, A)

10. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine – LOU RAWLS (April 1976, Philadelphia International ZS8 3592, A)

11. Dazz – BRICK (September 1976, Bang B-727, A – 5:35 minutes)

12. Best Of My Love – EMOTIONS (May 1977, Columbia 3-10544, A)

13. Strawberry Letter 23 – THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (June 1977, A&M Records 1949-S, A – Shuggie Otis cover/song, Quincy Jones Producer)

14. Float On – THE FLOATERS (June 1977, ABC Records AB-12284, A)

15. Always And Forever – HEATWAVE (December 1977, Epic 8-50490, A)

16. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again - L.T.D. (August 1977, A&M Records 1974-S, A)

17. You And I – RICK JAMES (March 1978, Gordy G 7156F, A)

18. What You Won't Do For Love – BOBBY CALDWELL (September 1978, Clouds 11, A)

19. Reunited – PEACHES & HERB (March 1979, Polydor PD 14547, A)

20. Cruisin' – SMOKEY ROBINSON (August 1979, Tamla T 54306F, A)

21. Golden Touch – ROSE ROYCE (February 1981, Whitfield WHI 49681, A)

 

PACKAGING/AUDIO:

This shaped Box Sets stands up as if it's a tower of six eight-track cartridges for a car – a fat and slightly clunky 70ts format that was the precursor for cassette tape (they stopped being made around 1977 when the music-cassette took over, MC). The song titles are (from the top down) "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" by Spinners, "Betcha By Golly Wow" by The Stylistics, "Family Affair" by Sly & The Family Stone, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by The Temptations and "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers. Atop the Box is a title sticker and on the front is a Perspex canopy which is many cases has either discoloured with the decades or gotten brittle and broken at the corners (sealed copies are both prized and pricey).

 

Once the door beneath is opened – it reveals a long 76-page booklet atop six individual gatefold card digipaks slotted in below. The front cover artwork for each is done to look like a period magazine – Disc 1 for instance is dated October 1972 at 75c and features Sly & The Family Stone, Disc 2 has Al Green for October 1973 and so on until August 1975 on Disc 6 with Earth, Wind & Fire. All text for the actual songs and artists and scene is in the gorgeous long book (the CDs are simply gatefold card sleeves with the titles on the rear). Collectors and fans of the genre therefore are hit with a trio of flirtatious goodies - the gorgeous packaging and booklet, the exceptional song choices and most of all - the top quality Remasters of Single Mixes done from real tapes by long-standing Audio Engineers for Rhino – DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT. Time after time you are hit with transfers done with care - and they are the versions you remember from the radio and store purchases.

 

The glossy booklet features a collage photo of popular eight-track albums on the front and a huge display of 70ts album covers on the rear – everything from Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" (oddly not featured in the play list) to The Chi-Lites giving it a bit of "For God's Sake Give More Power To The People". There is a boxed text paragraph on every song including chart positions, period photos, full page colour snaps of genre heroes like Curtis Mayfield and tons more. A genuine hoot is the 'Jive Glossary' for ill-informed Honkies explaining what Blaxploitation Slang is what (Pages 72 and 73)! While the Fuzz are not surprisingly and derogatorily described at Pigs or The Man, a Sucka is a Fool or a Jive-Ass Punk and Booty is an especially Tight, Round, Plump and Voluminous Posterior. Or try Love Jones for when you absolutely gots'ta gots'ta get'cha thang on! As I say – them boys at Rhino are in the know!

 

The cool songs choices are everywhere too – the fabulous Quincy Jones production values given to The Brothers Johnson doing a cover version of the Shuggie Otis song "Strawberry Letter 23" (on his 1970 solo debut LP "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" – see separate review), the sheer makes-you-wanna dance vibe to The Tymes and their "You Little Trustmaker", the so-70ts groove William DeVaughn got on his fabulous "Be Thankful For What You Got" (Ben E. King doing his "Supernatural Thing" is the same). Can there be any instrumental more brilliant or stood-the-test-of-time funky than "Pick Up The Pieces" by Scotland's Average White Band? The Invictus and Hot Wax labels – The 8^th Day, Freda Payne and Chairmen Of The Board all bringing back floods of memories - the blue world on his shoulders label bags, remember those? 

 

There is also vibe-genius in the Latin Rock-Soul feel to Malo, War and El Chicano. The entire CD2 comes close to perfection as a listen – you are whomped with a track run that features The Chi-Lites, Bill Withers, Al Green, The Staple Singers, Jean Knight, Isaac Hayes and so many more. You forget the swoon in "Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman, the hit-that-dancefloor uplift in "Best Of My Love" by The Emotions, the mellow loveliness of Brook Benton covering the Tony Joe White gem "Rainy Night In Georgia" and the radio sass of absolutely anything on Philadelphia – The O'Jays, Harold Melvin, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls – all slamming it in their own Soulful way. And I dig the forgotten stuff like The Winstons, The Fuzz, The Pointer Sisters giving it some can-can (nice to see them pictured on CD5) and right on up to Bobby Caldwell. And do not get me started on the brilliance of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" – the finest moment amongst many for The Temptations (under Norman Whitefield) where even the single mix weighs in at just under seven-minutes – wow!

 

Niggles – for sure CD6 tapers off a tad into slick productions instead of moving songs from the earlier Seventies. And I would love to have seen this set go even a little deeper – B-sides like "You're So Young But You're So True" on the flip of The Lost Generation Sly & Wicked 45 from 1970 – or even "The Edge Of A Dream" by Minnie Riperton from 1974 that was the flipside to the stunning but the over-compilation-used "Lovin' You". But those are for maybe Part 2 one day (apparently over 300 songs were amassed as a preliminary playlist). Licensing difficulties also denied Rhino a few artists – people like Barry White and The Unlimited Orchestra who were a big part of the early 70ts on 20^th Century Records. Faves of mine like The Undisputed Truth is not here – neither is Donny Hathaway, Rotary Connection, Terry Callier, Rare Earth or even commercial successes like The Commodores making it Easy or Gwen McCrae doing it on her Rocking Chair. But you do get cool discoveries like Luther Ingram, The Soul Children and Cornelius Brothers. You could of course be at these exclusions lists for years. But these are minor hiccups if you could even call them that.

 

I know a UK collector pal of mine of old (with deep pockets as well as a deep passion) who has one sealed copy of "Can You Dig It? The 70’s Soul Experience" and one used version to play! And if that isn’t the ultimate accolade – then I don't know what is. 

 

Dig in, dig it out, just dig it in general – but get this Rhino Records triumph into your digital emporium like it was papa who needs to lay his hat-thang on a rolling stone...