"Sweet Soul Music - 24 Scorching Classics From 1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Vol. 15 of 15 in a Yearly Series Covering 1960 to 1975 (February 2014 GERMAN Bear Family CD Compilation - Volume 15 of 15 In a Yearly Series Covering 1960 To 1975 – Wolfgang Manns Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"...Go Sister Go…"

I reviewed the preceding 10 volumes in this incredible series from 1961 to 1970 (probably the best Bear has ever done) and loved them to distraction. 

Jurgen Crasser was the remaster engineer for those. This time around (1971 to 1975) the sound hero on all five volumes bears the unlikely moniker of WOLFGANG MANNS. And I swear I may have to get "Wolfgang Is My Main Mann!" tattooed on my frumpy Irish buttocks - because these expertly crafted CD compilations are sonically sensational in every way. They're going to blow the minds of Seventies Soul fans everywhere. Here's the glitterball details for "1975"...

GERMANY/EUROPE/UK released Friday 14 February 2014 (11 Feb 2014 in the USA) - "Sweet Soul Music - 24 Scorching Classics From 1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Bear Family BCD 16885 AS (Barcode 5397102168857) is a CD-only compilation that breaks down as follows (86:10 minutes, all 45-Single A-sides except Track 17):

1. Lady Marmalade - LABELLE (November 1974 US 45 on Epic 8-50048)
2. Supernatural Thing, Part 1 - BEN E. KING (January 1975 US 45 on Atlantic 45-3241)
3. Walking In Rhythm - THE BLACKBYRDS (January 1975 US 45 on Fantasy F-736)
4. Love Won't Let Me Wait - MAJOR HARRIS (February 1975 US 45 on Atlantic 45-3248)
5. Rockin' Chair - GWEN McCRAE (March 1975 US 45 on Cat Records CAT 1996)
6. Shining Star - EARTH, WIND and FIRE (January 1975 US 45 on Columbia 3-10090)
7. Shackin' Up - BARBARA MASON (March 1975 US 45 on Buddah BDA-459-N)
8. Give The People What They Want - THE O’JAYS (April 1975 US 45 on Philadelphia International ZS8 3565)
9. The Hustle - VAN McCOY AND THE SOUL CITY SYMPHONY (April 1975 US 45 on Avco AV-4653)
10. Keep The Home Fires Burnin' - LATIMORE (March 1975 US 45 on Glades 1726)
11. Slippery When Wet - THE COMMODORES (April 1975 US 45 on Motown M 1338F)
12. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - NATALIE COLE (June 1975 US 45 on Capitol 4109)
13. Fight The Power, Part 1 - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (May 1975 US 45 on T-Neck ZS8 2256)
14. How Long (Betcha' Got A Chick On The Side) - THE POINTER SISTERS (July 1975 US 45 on Blue Thumb BTA-265)
15. Do It Any Way You Wanna - PEOPLE’S CHOICE (June 1975 US 45 on (The Sound Of Philadelphia) TSOP ZS8 4769)
16. It Only Takes A Minute - TAVARES (July 1975 US 45 on Capitol 4111) 
17. Loving Arms - MILLIE JACKSON (September 1975 US 45 on Spring SPR 161, B-side of "Leftovers")
18. Full Of Fire - AL GREEN (October 1975 US 45 on Hi Records 5N 2300)
19. Love Rollercoaster - OHIO PLAYERS (November 1975 US 45 on Mercury 73734, This A-side is a Single Edit At 2:59 minutes, the "Honey" LP Version is 4:52 minutes)
20. Love Machine (Part 1) - THE MIRACLES (September 1975 US 45 on Tamla T 54262F) 
21. Sweet Thing - RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN (December 1975 US 45 on ABC Records ABC-12149)
22. Hold Back The Night - THE TRAMMPS (December 1975 US 45 on Buddah BDA-507 – September 1975 UK 45 on Buddah BDS 437)
23. Turning Point - TYRONE DAVIS (November 1975 US 45 on Dakar DK 4550)
24. Boogie Fever - SYLVERS (November 1975 US 45 on Capitol 4179)

The three-way fold-out card digipak of the preceding 10 volumes has been kept as has the live-on-stage Jackie Wilson photo on the spine that is now extended (when you line all 15 spines they make one photograph). This "1975" set features THE POINTER SISTERS on the front cover while the stock 7" of "The Hustle" by VAN McCOY graces the inside flap with a further photo of the lady threesome LABELLE in wild concert garb on the center lip. The detachable booklet is properly beautiful - a 76 oversized-pages wad of deep liner notes by world-renowned R 'n' B and Soul expert BILL DALH with Discography info by DAVE "Daddy Cool" BOOTH. There are black and white/colour publicity pictures of the artists (hairy chests, large-brim white hats and patch-inlaid elephant flares ahoy), the single labels/album covers and adverts from the US music press. Quality all the way...

As you can see from the catalogue numbers provided above all tracks are US 7" singles and proceedings open in stunning form with Labelle's irrepressible "Lady Marmalade". The crystal clear sound quality continues with a double slinky - "Supernatural Thing" and "Walking In Rhythm" - but slows down into the bedroom huffing of Major Harris being a naughty boy in "Love Won't Let Me Wait". Things pick up considerably with Gwen McCrae's infectiously brilliant "Rockin' Chair" - a tune I've loved for decades - and at last is lifted out of its former muddiness and given a brand new coat of aural paint. 

Genius choices come in three forms - the talking nosey-neighbors "Shackin' Up" by Barbara Mason while Latimore's "Keep The Home Fires Burnin'" is superlative funk. Equally cool in our trio is the wah-wah guitars and chunky bass of "How Long..." by The Pointer Sisters combining with some great string arrangements to deliver a fabulous builder. Even Van McCoy's over-played "The Hustle" sounds transformed as does the happy Natalie Cole movie-favorite "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)". The bopping "Do It Any Way You Wanna" by People's Choice (written by Leon Huff) contrasts nicely with the barroom Tom Waits impassioned moan of Millie Jackson's "Loving Arms" in beautiful sound quality. And how good is to hear Al Green sound full on in your speakers instead of the clamped-down production values we've been used to (his "Full Of Fire" a forgotten nugget). The Miracles' "Love Machine" is bound to bring out the Afro Hairdo in you and a need to chuck some talcum powder on the kitchen floor while I'd forgotten just how sensual and beautiful "Sweet Thing" by Rufus and Chaka Khan is - no wonder it hit R&B Number 1 (both stunning transfers). Check out the YouTube footage of Prince introducing Chaka at a live venue where she and his band tear into "Sweet Thing" - what a wow. 1975 goes out with three popular dancers - the fantastically upbeat "Hold Back The Night" by The Trammps (covered by so many) and the "I used to stay out all night long..." of "Turning Point" by Tyrone Davis on Dakar (sounding lovely) with the future of Disco finishing it all off - "Boogie Fever" by The Sylvers. 

I had honestly thought that this Volume from 1975 would be the weakest - but if anything it's as brilliant as the 1971 set - a superlative mix of the familiar and lesser-heard - all properly handled by people who care about sound quality. And check out that eye-watering total playing time - 86:10 minutes – indeed a Good God Y'all!

These CDs have been a long time coming - but man have they been worth the wait. I know long-term Soul fans will look at the track list and price and perhaps baulk at duplicity and cost - DON'T. You've not heard these classics and undergrounds until now. And if you've any joy for Seventies Soul - then you need to have this volume and the other four compilations in your life - because GLORIOUS is the word that comes to mind. 

"Sweet Soul Music 1971 to 1975" are already my Soul/Funk reissues of the year for 2014 and I’m certain, a shoe-in for Grammy awards. Fabulous stuff... 

PS: see separate reviews for all Volumes from 1960 to 1974 in Bear Family's "Sweet Soul Music..." CD Series...

"Sweet Soul Music - 23 Scorching Classics From 1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Vol. 14 of 15 In a Yearly Series Covering 1960 to 1975 – Featuring Eddie Kendricks, Bobby Womack, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, The Jackson 5, The Stylistics, Latimore, The Tymes, Shirley Brown, Carl Carlton, Yvonne Fair, The Hues Corporation, B.T. Express and more (February 2014 GERMAN Bear Family CD Compilation – Wolfgang Manns Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link 

https://link.amazon/B0a1f1xhL

-----------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 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 £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Diggin' The Scene...With A Gangster Lean..."

I reviewed the preceding 10 volumes in this incredible series from 1961 to 1970 (probably the best Bear Family of Germany has ever done) and loved them to distraction. Jurgen Crasser was the remaster engineer for those. 

This time around (1971 to 1975) the sound hero on all five volumes bears the unlikely moniker of WOLFGANG MANNS. And I swear I may have to get "Wolfgang Is My Main Mann!" tattooed on my frumpy Irish derriere - because these expertly crafted CD compilations are sonically sensational in every way. They're going to blow the minds of Seventies Soul fans everywhere. Here's the butt-bumping details for "1974"...

GERMANY and UK released Friday 14 February 2014 (11 Feb 2014 in the USA) - "Sweet Soul Music - 23 Scorching Classics From 1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Bear Family BCD 16884 AS (Barcode 5397102168840) is a CD-only compilation that breaks down as follows - US 45-Single Catalogue numbers provided (82:32 minutes):

1. Boogie Down - EDDIE KENDRICKS (Tamla T 54243F)

2. Lookin' For A Love - BOBBY WOMACK (United Artists UA-XW375-W)

3. Mighty Mighty - EARTH, WIND and FIRE (Columbia 4-46007)

4. You Make Me Feel Brand New - THE STYLISTICS (Avco AV-4634)

5. Be Thankful For What You’ve Got - WILLIAM DeVAUGHN (Roxbury BRBO-0236)

6. The Payback, Part 1 - JAMES BROWN (Polydor PD 14223)

7. Dancing Machine - THE JACKSON 5 (Motown M 1286F)

8. Sideshow - BLUE MAGIC (Atco 45-6961) 

9. Rock Your Baby - GEORGE McCRAE (T.K. Records 1004)

10. Hollywood Swinging - KOOL and THE GANG (De-Lite DEP 561) 

11. Rock The Boat - THE HUES CORPORATION (RCA Victor APBO 0232)

12. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On - YVONNE FAIR (Motown M 1306F)

13. Hang On In There Baby - JOHNNY BRISTOL (MGM M14715)

14. Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) (7" Single Edit) - B.T. EXPRESS (Scepter SCE 12395) 

15. Let's Straighten It Out - LATIMORE (Glades 1722)

16. When Will I See You Again - THE THREE DEGREES (Philadelphia International ZS7 3550)

17. Everlasting Love - CARL CARLTON (Back Beat BB-630)

18. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (Truth TRA-3206)

19. I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me) - BOBBY BLAND (ABC Dunhill D-15015)

20. You Got The Love - RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN (ABC Records ABC-12032)

21. You Little Trustmaker - THE TYMES (RCA Victor PB-10022)

22. As Long As He Takes Care Of Home - CANDI STATON (Warner Brothers WBS 8038)

23. Fire - OHIO PLAYERS (Mercury 73643)

The three-way fold-out card digipak of the preceding 10 volumes has been kept as has the live-on-stage Jackie Wilson photo on the spine that is now extended (when you line all 15 spines they make one photograph). This "1974" set features EARTH, WIND and FIRE on the front cover while the stock 7" of "You Make Me Feel Brand New" by THE STYLISTICS graces the inside flap with a further photo of a pensive-looking YVONNE FAIR on the center lip. The detachable booklet is properly beautiful - a 76 oversized-pages wad of deep liner notes by world-renowned R 'n' B and Soul expert BILL DALH with Discography info by DAVE "Daddy Cool" BOOTH. There's black and white/colour publicity pictures of the artists (more afro hairdos than you can shake a stick at), reproductions of the single labels and album covers in colour and adverts from the US music press. Quality all the way...

As you can see from the catalogue numbers provided above all tracks are US 7" singles and like "1971" it opens with a cleverly chosen triple-whammy of crystal clear sound quality - the hissy but ballsy "Boogie Down" by Eddie Kendricks followed by a truly huge remaster of Bobby Womack's chipper "Lookin' For A Love" and a blasting Earth, Wind and Fire laying down a template that would serve them well for years to come. The gooey but lovely "You Make Me Feel Brand New" by The Stylistics sounds amazing - full of extraordinary presence (the kind of Soul your sister liked). It's followed by a real gem - William De Vaughn's car-crawling genius of a song "Be Thankful For What You've Got" - the sound quality on this one track alone is worth the price of admission (lyrics from it title this review). We're back to serious funk with Part 1 of "The Payback" by James Brown which sounds ludicrously brilliant and is guaranteed to make stone dead hair follicles grow again.  

A brave and clever choice is the unexpected "Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5 where they try to leave the teenybopper behind and tap into the funk of the time and just about succeed. The pretty "...hurry hurry…step right up…" talking song "Sideshow" by Blue Magic sounds lush and full (Rhino did a lovely reissue of the album in 2007 - see separate review) - while the ogre of Disco is being ushered in by a quad of huge hits - "Rock Your Baby", "When Will I See You Again", "Rock The Boat" and "Hang On In There Baby". I hate them all personally but for those who want them in top sound quality - then look no further.   

Far tastier is the genius choice of Yvonne Fair's utterly brilliant "Funky Music..." - an irresistible chunk of dancing dynamite liable to make Granny boogie that hip-replacement. Falling into the same territory is the "...whatever it is..." bump and grind of "Do It..." by B.T. Express. And another nugget is the slow groove of Benny Latimore’s hypnotic piano on "Let's Straighten It Out" - with its "...tossin' and turnin' in your sleep..." lyrics - gorgeous stuff. The audio gurus will flip for the sheer sonic improvement contained in Bear’s remaster of Carl Carlton's jubilant "Everlasting Love". And a really great double funk act is Bobby Bland and Chaka Khan with Rufus - both sounding fantastic. I even have to admit to a soft spot for the dooby-dooby-dooby Pop/Soul of "You Little Trustmaker" by The Tymes. 

Niggles - like "1972" there's those irritating exclusions (probably due to licensing rights). Where's the crossover hit "Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band, maybe a bit of Lou Bond, Willie Hutch, Chairmen Of The Board,  Ashford & Simpson, The Commodores, Billy Paul? And I'd admit that as I'm paying a wad for this CD, at least 5 of the Disco-orientated tracks make me cringe even now. But I would have to respect the fact that the compilers had to touch all bases (most are US R&B Number 1 hits so I suppose their choices were inevitable). But yet again there's that nice mixture of the common and the obscure (all sounding as pert as a grunting gymnast in the Russian Winter Olympics). I also had no problems with playback despite the jam-packed value-for-money playing time of 83 minutes. 

These sets have been a long time coming - but man have they been worth the wait. I know long-term Soul fans will look at the track list and price and perhaps baulk at duplicity and cost - DON’T. You've not heard these classics until now. And if you've any joy for Seventies Soul - then you need to have this volume and the other four compilations in your life - because GLORIOUS is the word that comes to mind. These are already my reissues of the year for 2014...

PS: see separate reviews for all Fifteen Volumes...

"Rockin' The Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 1954 to 1957 45-singles on Groove Records of the USA Including 15 Previously Unreleased Tracks – Featured Artists Include George Benson, Roy Gaines, Beverly Wright, Clayton Love, Sonny Brooks, The Du Droppers, Frank Brunson, Zilla Mays, Maymie Watts, Paul Williams, Johnny Bird Orchestra, Buddy Lucas, The Avalons, The Four Students who later became The Cues and more – Featuring Session Musicians include Budd Johnson, Sam 'The Man' Taylor, King Curtis, Jimmy Brown, Band Leader Jesse Stone and more (February 2016 GERMANY Bear Family CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 215 Others Is Available in my

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"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

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"...Shout, Holler & Scream..."

If you'll forgive the nasally challenged agricultural pun - obscure doesn't always mean manure. 

An ill-fated and commercially unsuccessful label identity begun in February 1954 as a vehicle for RCA Victor - Groove Records of the USA was devoted exclusively to the Rhythm & Blues market of big-shouters, vocal group crooners and gravel-voiced belters trying to entice cash out of the newly emerging youth and teen markets. Legendary keyboard roller Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) saw his first album appear on Groove in 1956. They also signed a then budding talent in the 11-year Jazz guitarist George Benson (he's featured on this CD with two Previously Unissued sides recorded in April 1954) and even persuaded the legendary 30s and 40s band-leader and all-round front man hero Louis Jordan to come on board at one point. 

But their big moment came with the huge hit "Love Is Strange" from Mickey & Sylvia - an R&B chart-topper in 1957 where the November 1956-issued Groove 4G-0175 also dented the Pop lists by peaking at No. 11 (that famous hit is allocated to another CD compilation Bear have issued around Groove - see also my separate review for "Groovin' The Blues" on Bear Family BCD 17411). RCA would eventually wrap up the Groove Records label by the year's end of 1957 due to lack of other successes. 

Collectors will know that Groove was touched upon in the 80s and 90s by largely vinyl-reissuing companies, but this time we get the mighty Bear Family of West Germany giving it a professional stab - those good old reissue bricklayers laying on a trowl-like 35-slices of Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll onto one jam-packed CD clocking in at an eye-watering total playing time of just over 87-minutes (15 are Previously Unissued). 

Amidst the recording sessions that all took place in New York, the top quality players contain some great names - McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar, Ernest Hayes and Freddie Johnson on Piano, Sam 'The Man' Taylor, Budd Johnson and John 'Plas' Johnson on Tenor Saxophone with The Four Students on Backing Vocals (all four guys Ollie Jones, Abel DeCosta, Edward 'Eddie' Barnes and Winfield Scott would become The Cues, amuch loved Vocal Group on Capitol). Others include Jimmy Brown on Trumpet and the mighty King Curtis on Sax - while the quite giant that was Jesse Stone was Band Leader on several occasions. There's a lot of Big Foot Mammas, Humpty Dumpty types and Alabama Sues to get through, so onto the details...

Released February 2016 in Germany - "Rockin' The Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Bear Family BCD 17412 (Barcode 5397102174124) is a 35-Track CD Compilation of Groove Records tracks between 1954 and 1957 (Fifteen Previously Unissued) that plays out as follows (87:06 minutes):

1. Charmaine - FRANK BRUNSON (November 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0173, A-side - for B-side "I Believe In You", see Track 26 - both feature Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone)

2. Mattie Bee - EMMETT HOBSON (October 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0124, A-side - see also Track 24 for B-side "Where Is Joe?")

3. Right Now - ZILLA MAYS (November 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-127, B-side to "Come Back To Me")

4. Big Foot Mama - PAUL WILLIAMS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, February 1954 recording featuring Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Lead Tenor Saxophone with McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar and Jimmy Brown on Trumpet and Vocals)

5. Hoodoo - ROY GAINES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, February 1956 recording featuring King Curtis on Tenor Sax)

6. Shout, Holler & Scream - GEORGE BENSON (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, April 1954 recording featuring Wally Richardson on Guitar with Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone)

7. Blackboard Rock – BEVERLY WRIGHT (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, March 1956 recording featuring John 'Plas' Johnson on Tenor Saxophone with The Students on Backing Vocals)

8. Bye Bye Baby – CLAYTON LOVE ORCHESTRA (August 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0162, A-side)

9. Champ Ale - SONNY BROOKS (July 1954, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0027, A-side - features Johnny Moore on Guitar/Band Leader)

10. The Last Laugh Will Be On You - JOHNNY BIRD ORCHESTRA with Mr. Blue on Lead Vocals (May 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0155, B-side to "22 Minutes" - for A-side see Track 21)

11. Run A' Long - LIL McKENZIE with The Four Students (August 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0113, A-side)

12. I'm Trapped - BUDDY LUCAS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, October 1953 recording featuring Wally Richardson on Guitar)

13. She's Mine - BIG CONNIE (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, April 1956 recording)

14. Break It Up - CHRIS POWELL & THE BLUE FLAMES (May 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0105, B-side of "Love Ya Like Crazy" - for A-side see Track 27)

15. Quicksand - MAYMIE WATTS (March 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0103, A-side – featuring The Four Students on Backing Vocals)

16. My Head Goes Round - OSCAR BLACK (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, August 1956 recording featuring Little Willie John on Bass)

17. Good-Bye Little Girl - CHRIS POWELL & THE BLUE FLAMES (November 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0128, A-side)

18. The Thrill Is Gone - LITTLE TOMMY BROWN (March 1956, Groove 4G-0143, A-side - featuring McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar, Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone, Ernest Hayes on Piano and The Four Students on Backing Vocals)

19. Grab That Thing And Run - SAM 'Highpockets' HENDERSON and His Jumpers (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, April 1954 Instrumental recording featuring Ernie Freeman on Piano, Bud Shank on Saxophone with Shorty Rogers on Trombone/Band Leader)

20. I Gotta Know - BEATRICE READING (February 1954, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0004, A-side - featuring McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar, Al Williams on Piano, Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Saxophone with Jesse Stone as Band Leader)

21. 22 Minutes - JOHNNY BIRD ORCHESTRA with Lillian Childs on Lead Vocals (May 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0155, A-side - for B-side "The Last Laugh Will Be On You" with Mr. Blue on Lead Vocals see Track 10)

22. That's All I Need - THE DU-DROPPERS (from the 1955 US 4-Track EP "Tops In Rhythm & Blues" on Groove G EP EGA-5, Track 1, Side 1 - featuring Ernest Hayes on Piano with Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone)

23. Doo Ba Dee – MAYMIE WATTS (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, March 1955 recording featuring The Four Students on Backing Vocals)

24. Where Is Joe? – EMMETT HOBSON (October 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0124, B-side of "Mattie Bee" - see also Track 2 for A-side)

25. Shake Till I'm Shook - BEVERLY WRIGHT (May 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0153, A-side - featuring John 'Plas' Johnson on Tenor Saxophone with The Students on Backing Vocals)

26. I Believe In You - FRANK BRUNSON (November 1956, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0173, B-side of "Charmaine" for A-side see Track 1 - both feature Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone)

27. Love Ya Like Crazy - CHRIS POWELL & THE BLUE FLAMES (May 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0105, A-side - for B-side "Break It Up" see Track 14)

28. Alabama Sue - ROY GAINES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, February 1956 recording featuring King Curtis on Tenor Saxophone)

29. Oh! Sweetness - THE AVALONS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, January 1956 recording featuring McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar with King Curtis on Tenor Saxophone and Jesse Stone as Band Leader)

30. Since You Went Away - ZILLA MAYS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, October 1955 recording featuring McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar, Ernest Hayes on Piano, Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone with The Four Students on Backing Vocals)

31. Crime Doesn't Pay - THE CORONETS (September 1955, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0114, B-side of "I Love You More")

32. Women Are The Root Of All Evil - PAUL WILLIAMS (April 1954, US 45-single on Groove 4G-0014, A-side - featuring McHouston 'Mickey' Baker on Guitar, Freddie Johnson on Piano, Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Tenor Saxophone with Jimmy Brown on Trumpet and Backing Vocals)

33. A Little Boy's Dream - GEORGE BENSON (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, same details as Track 6)

34. Humpty Dumpty - PAUL WILLIAMS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, same details as Track 32)

35. Wheel Of Time - MAYMIE WATTS (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, same details as Tracks 15 and 23)

Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 19, 23, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34 and 35 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED (15 in total)

A 62-page feature-packed booklet sits attached to the inner card digipak – the legendary R&B historian and chronicler BILL DAHL pouring on the deep-level info on many names few will know. Dahl breaks it down Artist-by-Artist – biogs on people like Zilla Mays, Frank Brunson and Roy 'Guitar' Gaines alongside bands like The Coronets, The Avalons and probably the label's most famous group - The Du Droppers. It's a typically classy affair from Bear Family and the MARCUS HEUMANN Remasters are clear and kicking. A delight to look at, hold and listen too. 

Much of the unreleased stuff stayed in the can for fairly obvious reasons – both the George Benson cuts contain embarrassingly strained vocals from the young lad badly trying to sound older and failing. But then you get a fabulous dancing instrumental in the shape of "Grab That Thing And Run" from Sam 'Highpockets' Henderson which would set any dancefloor alight then or now. That's followed by the fun and sexy "I Gotta Know" where a blossoming 18 year-old Beatrice Reading wants Mama to explain why all the boys are whistling when she walks by – are their intentions pure like the ice-cream Sundays they keep promising they'll give her if she stops being an angel come next Saturday night. "Love Ya Like Crazy” is a great shuffler from Chris Powell – our poor boy walking in circles – and without her loving – he's gonna blow his stack. 

Lillian Childs gets her lead vocal moment on "22 Minutes" – the Johnny Bird Orchestra bouncing away in the background as she explains that it's only a short journey to her baby's fine hugging and kissing. The Discography doesn't know who the backing vocal group is behind Lillian Childs, but those bop-do-wop vocal punches sure sounds like Ollie Jones of The Four Students who would later become The Cues – a vocal joy in my books. Maymie Watts gives us her best lusty Ruth Brown as she bends her saucy words on "Doo Ba Dee" – happy as she can be because she is in love – Budd Johnson on the Saxophone stamping home the shuffle. Another great bopper is Beverly Wright telling us she's gonna nab herself a he-man that will shed her weary Blues and make her "Shake Till I'm Shook" (good on you girl). 

And on the fun goes – and there's a lot of it too. Beautifully presented, stomping audio, unusual titles that deserve their day in the sun. And while you can hear why Groove Records didn't do it chart-wise (not enough killer hooks like their rivals in Aladdin, Chess, Atlantic and Specialty) - "Rockin' The Groove" does what it says on the digital tin. Give it a whirl and smile at the glorious cover artwork...

"The Ballads Of The Platters" by THE PLATTERS – US Federal and Mercury Record Label 45-Single and LP Hits Between 1955 and 1961 (March 2013 GERMAN Bear Family 33-Track CD Compilation of Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...The Magic Touch..."

The Doo Wop and Vocal Group Tradition had few genuine superstars and even fewer who crossed over into the Pop arena. 

But manager and songwriter Buck Ram's carefully honed and beautifully produced Vocal Group THE PLATTERS (with the sweetest pipes in Tony Williams and Zola Taylor out front) were both, and across its huge near ninety-minute playing time, this gorgeous sounding Bear Family CD shows why they were so big, back in the smooching day. 

After a short stint with Federal Records between 1953 and 1955 (despite being non-charters, two of those sides are featured here - the A&B of their rare debut 45-single "I'll Cry When You're Gone") - The Platters hit the ground running and charted a huge 21 tracks between 1955 and 1967 on the American R&B singles lists - four of which went to Number One (same for any other territories around the world too). 

This 2013 set sticks to the Federal and Mercury Recordings and so begins in 1953 and ends with 1961's "I'll Never Smile Again" (doesn't include the four they charted on Musicor between 1966 and 1967). So, there's a lot of smoke getting in people's eyes, twilight times, my prayers and great pretenders to get through, so let's have at the Four Guys and Their One Dish...

Released in Germany 26 March 2013 - "The Ballads Of The Platters" by THE PLATTERS on Bear Family BCD 17326 AR (Barcode 5391523910095) is a 33-Track CD Compilation of Federal and Mercury Recordings Remasters that plays out as follows (89:44 minutes): 

1. Smokes Gets In Your Eyes - November 1958, US 45-single on Mercury 71383, A-side) - No. 3 R&B

2. Only You (And You Alone) - June 1955, US 45-single on Mercury 70633, A-side) - No. 1 R&B

3. I'll Cry When You're Gone - 1953, US 45-single on Federal 12164, A-side) 

4. I Need You All The Time - 1953, US 45-single on Federal 12164, B-side to "I'll Cry When You're Gone")

5. Tell The World - July 1954, US 45-single on Federal 12188, B-side of "Love All Night" - Reissued December 1955 on Federal 12250

6. Why Should I  - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146

7. The Great Pretender - November 1955 US 45-single on Mercury 70753, A-side - No. 1 R&B

8. I'm Just A Dancing Partner - November 1955 US 45-single on Mercury 70753, B-side of "The Great Pretender" 

9. (You've Got) The Magic Touch - February 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70819, A-side - No. 4 R&B

10. Winner Takes All - February 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70819, B-side of "(You've Got) The Magic Touch"

11. My Prayer - June 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70893, A-side - No. 1 R&B

12. Heaven On Earth - June 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70893, B-side of "My Prayer" - No. 13 R&B 

13. You'll Never, Never Know - August 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70948, A-side - No. 9 R&B

14. It Isn't Right - August 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70948, A-side - No. 10 R&B

15. On My Word Of Honor - November 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 71011, A-side - No. 7 R&B

16. One In A Million - November 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 71011, A-side - No. 7 R&B

17. I'm Sorry - January 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71032, A-side - No. 15 R&B

18. Glory Of Love - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146 in Mono

19. Remember When - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146 in Mono

20. In The Still Of Night - 1956 US Second LP "Volume Two" on Mercury MG 20216 in Mono 

21. My Dream - June 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71320, B-side to "My Old Flame" - No. 7 R&B

22. Only Because - August 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71184, A-side - also 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112 

23. The Mystery Of You - 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112 - 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112

24. Helpless - December 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71246, A-side - also 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112

25. Twilight Time (LP Version) - 1960s US LP "The Flying Platters Around The World" on Mercury SR 60043 in Stereo 

26. You're Making A Mistake - June 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71320, B-side of "My Old Flame" 

27. I Wish - August 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71353, A-side 

28. No Matter What You Are - November 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71383, A-side - No. 3 R&B

29. Enchanted - March 1959 US 45-single on Mercury 71427, A-side - No. 9 R&B

30. My Secret - November 1959 US 45-single on Mercury 71538, A-side 

31. Harbor Lights - 1960 US LP "Reflections" on Mercury SR 60160 in Stereo 

32. To Each His Own - October 1960 US 45-single on Mercury 71697, A-side 

33. I'll Never Smile Again - July 1961 US 45-single on Mercury 71847, A-side

The 36-page booklet is attached to the inside of the fetching gatefold card digipak - the world's premier archivist on R&B and Vocal Groups BILL DAHL providing Page 3 to 27 - a detailed history of this most famous of groups. 'The Mercury Discography' is put together by other famous names associated with the genres - WALTER DeVENNE, (Bear Family's) RICHARD WEIZE and LAURENCE ZWISOHN. In-between Dahl's classy storytelling there are black and white photos of our five-piece heroes holding all manner of awards including the 'Cash Box' award for sales of "The Great Pretender" in 1958. Not surprisingly the most recognisable element of The Platters - Tony Williams and his gorgeous Nat King Cole velvet sets of pipes - gets a publicity shot on Page 5 while the classic line-up smile for us on Page 11 - Herb Reed (Bass Vocals), Tony Williams (Lead Tenor Vocals), Zola Taylor (Lead Female Vocals), David Lynch (Tenor Vocals) and Paul Robi (Baritone Vocals). 

But the big news is that all tracks are the JURGEN CRASSER Remasters that turned on Bear Family's sumptuous 9CD LP-Sized Box Set "Four Platters And One Lovely Dish" in February 1994 (Bear Family BCD 15741 II - Barcode 4000127157416). These are beautifully clear and clean and I can't stress enough how it adds to the enjoyment of the listen. I know some will complain that at their not insubstantial prices, Bear really should have included the single mix everyone knows for "Twilight Time" and not the Stereo LP cut, and you can get all this stuff on a Universal Best Of CD for probably six quid or something (with a gatefold slip of paper as an inlay). But if you want the best, especially in the cause of exceptional audio, then reach for The Platters here first.

Even after all these decades, the sheer romance of this music hits home – Tony whooping up a tearful storm as you bath in the yesteryear innocence of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender" and "You'll Never, Never Know". All that MONO is clear as a whistle too, so re-discoveries like "You're Making A Mistake" and "Glory Of Love" feel like eavesdropping on a different time and different place. The two early sides show why Tony made such a difference – his voice was pretty – comforting like buttered toast and scones – and you can hear the improvement by the time we reach the zenith years of 1955 and 1956 – that signature feel they got. 

"Only You (And You Alone)" has been covered by so many artists you might require a foolscap jotter to name them all, but here is the place to understand why they made so many hungry hearts smile and swoon... 

PS: in this Bear Family "Ballads" Series of CD Reissues - see also CHARLIE RICH 

"Nothing But Good: 1952-1962" by HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS – Thirteen Albums Worth on Federal and King Records, Single-Only and EP Sides, Collaborations with Little Willie John and Seventeen Exclusive Previously Unreleased Tracks (January 2009 GERMAN Bear Family 5CD Remastered 150-Track LP-Sized Box Set with Hardback Book of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Finger Poppin' Time..."

Bear Family Records of Germany owns a reputation most reissue labels would probably nobble baby-seal-loving Aunty Flo of the Peace Corps with a lump mallet to obtain. But every now and then, and even by their lofty standards, they stomp on that sucker so damn good that you're left reeling. 

For sure "Nothing But Good: 1952-1962" by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters isn't cheap (nor should it be) and it's not for the faint-hearted or lowly of wallet. But this LP-Sized Box Set and its sumptuous Hardback Book is the total Rhythm and Blues business (with occasional Doo Wops, Twists and Soul Shuffles thrown into the genre mix). 

Across five jam-packed CDs (check out those eye-watering total playing times) you get 150 tracks offering the listener a huge 13 US albums in full and of course all those Federal and King US 45s, Extended Play EPs and even some straggler tracks on a Little Willie John LP. And I count as many as Seventeen Previously Unissued Tracks making their digital debut here. There is much to discuss, fuss and muss over, so in the words of the great twisting entertainer himself - "Let's go, let's go, let's go..."

Released 20 January 2009 in Germany - "Nothing But Good - 1952-1962" by HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS on Bear Family BCD 16795 EK (Barcode 4000127167958) is a 5CD Remastered 150-Track LP-Sized Box Set (Seventeen Tracks Previously Unissued) with a Hardback Book that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (81:49 minutes, 32 Tracks)

CD2 (72:25 minutes, 27 Tracks)

CD3 (78:28 minutes, 30 Tracks) 

CD4 (81:49 minutes, 30 Tracks)

CD5 (81:06 minutes, 31 Tracks)

Bear Family have used the usual crew of R&B good-people DOUG POMEROY did the Disc Transfers, Bear Family's RICHARD WEIZE Produced the Box Set and did Tape Research alongside Tape Comparisons by DAVE BOOTH and BILL DAHL with Mastering by the mighty JURGEN CRASSER – the man who did the mucho-praised "Blowing The Fuse" 1945 to 1960 year-by-year CD series. The 86-page LP-Sized Hardback Book is likely to make even the most die-hard fan gasp – beautiful full-colour plates of Hank in-between album cover shoots, pages of all those King and Federal US 45s, the colour covers of so many LPs peppering the BILL DAHL and RICHARD WEIZE Discography. It’s stunning both visually and audibly. 

This box Set will also allow fans to sequence all of the albums, Extended Plays and Singles from the period (plus subsequent compilations) as follows:

THE MIDNIGHTERS Albums (all MONO):

1. "Their Greatest Hits" (1954 US 8-Track 10" LP on Federal 295-90)

2. "Their Greatest Hits" (1956 US 12-Track 12" LP on Federal 541 - further reissued twice as Hank Ballard and The Midnighters - see list below)

3. "Volume Two" (1958 US 12-Track 12" LP on King 581) - Lady reclining smoking a cigarette sleeve - see below

HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS Albums (all MONO): 

1. "Their Greatest Juke Box Hits" (1956 US 12-Track LP on King 541, 1st Reissue with HB by Jukebox Sleeve)

2. "Greatest Juke Box Hits" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 541, 2nd Reissue with HB Holding Titles In His Hands)

3. "Singin' And Swingin'" (1959 US 14-Track LP on King 618)

4. "Volume Two" (1960s US 12-Track LP on King 581) - Hank Ballard and The Midnighters 'Vivid Sound' sleeve

5. "The One And Only" (1960 US 12-Track LP on King 674)

6. "Mr. Rhythm & Blues" (1960 US 12-Track LP on King 700 - Reissued in 1975 in the USA as "Finger Poppin' Time" on Power Pak PO-276)

7. "Spotlight On Hank Ballard" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 740) 

8. "Let's Go Again" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 748)

9. "Dance Along" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 759) 

10. "The Twistin' Fools" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 781)

11. "Jumpin" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 793)

12. "Hank Ballard's Biggest Hits" (1963 US 12-Track LP on King 867)

13. "Glad, Sad, Shout, Sweet Fast, Slow, New and Blue Songs" (1965 US 12-Track LP on King 927)

Beginning with 1952's "Get It" when he began his career in the Vocal Group The Royals (charted in January 1953) on Federal Records – both as The Midnighters and then Hank Ballard and The Midnighters – Detroit, Michigan's finest placed a further twenty singles on the American Billboard R&B Charts – three of which went all the way to No. 1 - "Work With Me Annie" on Federal 12169 and "Annie Had A Baby" on Federal 12195 (both in 1954) and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" in 1960. 

He and his band of R&B pirates were (along with Chubby Checker) also heavily involved in one of the dance crazes of the 60s – The Twist (that 45-single went to No. 6 on King 5171 in 1960). His last big chart showing in 1961 would be the title of this box set "Nothing But Good" on King 6196, which made No. 15. Ballard would trouble the R&B charts for the last time with The Dapps in 1968, but that's outside the purview of this Box Set. They are all here though - "The Switch-A-Roo", "The Hoochi Coochi Coo", "Finger Poppin' Time" and loads more to bop too. I also love those vocal group moments in the early years like "Tell Them" from 1954. 

A simple Best Of would suffice for most, and with regard to stretching further, I've reviewed the excellent October 2000 UK CD compilation by Ace Records called "Dancin' And Twistin'" that covers the full gamut from 1955 to 1969 – tapping into 45s on Federal and King that didn't chart as well. 

But this is the Rolls Royce of treatments and his fun-music legacy deserved nothing less. Ballard issued a US 45 in October 1953 on Federal 12150, the A-side being called "Hello Miss Fine". Well, if you can afford "Nothing But Good: 1952-1962", say hello to 'Mister Excellence' and then some...