"Central Heating: Expanded Version” by HEATWAVE [featuring Rod Temperton] (2015 Big Break Records CD Reissue - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

AMAZON UK Purchase Link Above - AMAZON US LInk Below

"...Mind Blowing Decisions..."

Rod Temperton's HEATWAVE produced this winning 2nd LP in April 1978 on Epic in the USA and GTO Records in the UK (resplendent in its rather naff-looking radiator cover). The album spawned three huge hits - Mind Blowing Decisions", "The Groove Line" and "The Star Of The Story" (covered by George Benson on his 1980 "Give Me The Night" album).

This superb UK-released June 2015 Big Break Records CD Remaster on CDBBRX 0316 (Barcode 5013929061637) takes that 9-track Soul/Funk/Disco LP and adds on three very clever and desirable Bonus Tracks - "Wack The Axe" - an outtake from the "Central Heating" LP sessions that finally turned up as a non album track B-side to "Jitterbuggin'" on the GTO 12" single of 1981 - the other two are 12" Disco Versions of the funky "The Groove Line" and the wonderful Johnny Wilder gem "Mind Blowing Decisions". 

The CD is beautifully remastered by NICK ROBBINS at London's Sound Mastering (a hugely proficient Remaster Engineer who does a lot of work for Ace Records of the UK) and runs to 60:38 minutes with the bonuses. The 12-page booklet has detailed and informative liner notes by CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE - a NYC-based writer and lover of Soul Music. The usual classy presentation from BBR...

DJs have long lusted after the US 12" single of "Mind Blowing Decisions" on Epic 28-50597 (released August 1978) because it extends the album cut from 4:19 minutes to a tasty 7:32 minutes giving you a wicked sort of Reggae Groove in the runout passage before it returns to the slinky tune and smooth vocals. The funk marathon of "The Groove Line" is equally brilliant in its extended form. 

Fans of Rod Temperton (famously wrote large chunks of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" LP) should note that he penned "Put the Word Out", "Send Out For Sunshine", "Central Heating", "The Groove Line", "The Star of The Story", "Party Poops" and "Leavin' For A Dream" while Johnny Wilder wrote the two singles "Happiness Together" and "Mind Blowing Decisions".

The entire album isn't genius - but the great Audio, tasty presentation and those Soul Funk nuggets make it a must buy for fans...

"Switch" by SWITCH - A Review Of Their 1978 Debut Album on Gordy and Tamla Motown - Now Remastered & Expanded by Big Break Records of England In 2014 onto CD...

“…We Like To Party…”

Soul and Funk band SWITCH managed 5 albums between 1978 and 1981 on Gordy (USA) and Tamla Motown (UK) – and this is their debut. Typically accomplished and polished Soul ala Kool & The Gang or The Commodores with songwriting involvement from Bobby DeBarge and Jermaine Jackson– it's a mixture of mid-paced steppers and classy smooth ballads recorded by seriously talented players. Here are the multi-instrumentalist details…

Released 25 August 2014 in the UK (7 October in the USA) – Big Break Records CDBBRX 0164 (Barcode 5013929046436) breaks downs as follows (40:04 mnutes):

1. I Wanna Be With You

2. There’ll Never Be

3. I Wanna Be Closer

4. We Like The Party…Come On!

5. Fever

6. You Pulled A Switch

7. It’s So Real

8. Somebody’s Watching You

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album “Switch” – released August 1978 in the USA on Gordy G7-980R1 and October 1978 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12096

9. There’ll Never Be (Single Version)

10. I Wanna Be Closer (Single Version)

Using the two bonuses and Tracks 6 and 8 - this release will allow fans to sequence their two US 7” singles as follows:

There’ll Never Be b/w You Pulled A Switch, June 1978 on Gordy G-7159F

I Wanna Be Closer b/w Somebody’s Watching You, December 1978 on Gordy G-7163F

The 16-page booklet has live photos of the band, rare picture sleeves, label facsimiles and liner notes by SHELLEY NICOLE (as well as album credits). But the big news as always is a KEVIN REEVES and NICK ROBBINS remaster from Universal tapes and it sounds just amazing – clear, punchy and full of life.

Highlights include “I Wanna Be Closer” – a great smoocher – and the floor-filling slap-bass funk of “We Like To Party…Come On!” where they sound like an energized Gap Band.

Another superb reissue from BBR and kicking where it matters – sound and presentation…

"Platinum Hook" by PLATINUM HOOK (2014 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Three Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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“…It’s Time To Come Together…”

This is a smart reissue of a long-forgotten Soul/Funk Motown LP and typically Big Break Records of the UK (BBR) have done a bang-up job.

UK released August 2014 - Big Break Records CDBBRX 0196 (Barcode 5013929049635) breaks down as follows (52:37 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are their self-titled debut album "Platinum Hook" - released April 1978 in the USA on Motown M7-899R1 and June 1978 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12086.
Tracks 9, 10 and 11 are Bonuses - 7" single versions of "Hooked For Life", "Standing On The Verge (Of Getting It On)" and "Gotta Find A Woman".

The 12-page booklet has detailed liner notes by Hi-Fi Magazine author J. MATTHEW COBB that features new interviews with band founder and songwriter GREG WRIGHT as well as photos of American and UK Motown singles, pictures of the band and discography info etc. But the big news as ever is the superlative new remaster by WAYNE A. DICKSON (from work originally carried out by another top engineer KEVIN REEVES at Universal). The clarity and quality is huge and reflects the world-class production values given the album. This is a fantastic sounding CD.

"Platinum Hook" was the first of three albums they did at Motown between 1978 and 1983 and apart from the cover of Funkadelic's classic "Standing On The Verge (Of Getting It On)" - the other 7 songs on their debut are largely GREG WRIGHT and ROBERT DOUGLAS originals. The band also used two great lead vocalists to alternate between tunes - TINA RENEE STANFORD and STEPHEN DANIELS.

It opens with a gorgeous 45-second instrumental passage ala Soulful Earth, Wind And Fire before "Bittersweet" launches into the club Funk of 1978. Better is the uptempo message Soul of "Hotline" (lyrics above). Mid tempo Disco/Soul Numbers "Hooked For Life" and "Gotta Find A Woman" sound like Heatwave with a female vocalist fronting the brass and catchy melodies. Having heard the 3:49 minute 7" single edit of "Gotta Find A Woman" in particular for years now - what a blast it is to hear the full album version stretch out at 6:06 minutes - and in such stunning sound. It's the kind of great Stepper Soul tune that shouldn't be forgotten - brilliant stuff. The album ends on the high tempo piano Soul of "City Life" - bound to fill a dancefloor somewhere.

Another winner from BBR - quality presentation and superb sound - fans need to own this...

"Smoked Sugar" by SMOKED SUGAR - A Review oF Their 1975 Soul Album on 20th Century Records - Now Remastered & Expanded 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

“…First Thing I Do…My Eyes Search A Lonely Room For You…” - Smoked Sugar by SMOKED SUGAR (2012 BBR Expanded CD Remaster)

This is a fantastic reissue – an obscure Funk-Soul album from 1975 that few people outside of deep circles will have heard of (including me) – and typically it’s a peach worth rediscovering.

Reissued February 2012 in the UK, Big Break Records CDBBR 099 breaks down as follows (38:02 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Smoked Sugar" - originally released in the USA on 20th Century Records T-473 in early 1975

Track 11 is "My Eyes Search A Lonely Room For You (Promotional Single Version)". Track 2 is the album version at 4:09 minutes – this PROMO-ONLY single version is edited to 3:09 minutes

The jewel case is one of those new rounded corner deals and the 12-page booklet features detailed liner notes by RICO "Superbizzee" WASHINGTON – a New Yorker who has edited and contributed to American music publications like "Free" and "XLRBR" magazines. The remaster is by PETER DOELL at Universal and is superlative – incredibly clean, clear and present reflecting HADLEY MURELL'S superb production values back in the day. I can't emphasize enough how good BBR CDs sound – I've reviewed nearly 10 now (see list below) – and this is no different. A joy to listen too…

It opens with a lethal triple whammy – "I've Found Someone Like You", "My Eyes Search A Lonely Room For You" and "Bump Me". The first whacks into existence with a tremendous Al Green type vocal - while the sublime second track "My Eyes Search A Lonely Room For You" is 'the' tuneful masterpiece on here – no doubt. Imagine The Chi-Lites circa 1972 to 1974 with a grittier Al Green as the lead vocalist rather than Eugene Record (it’s gorgeous stuff - lyrics above). The funk of "Bump Me" is a great tune too. In fact the lead singer JAMES "Jimmy" CONWELL deserves special mention because his pleading voice lends every song a sort of Soul sweetness that’s worth its weight in gold. He featured with 60's bands The Exits and The Trips and had a decade of experience to bring the smooth ranks of Smoked Sugar. 

Less successful is the frantic keyboard funk of "I'm A Blues Singer, Guitar Banger" that sounds like its trying too hard to be a hit without the killer hook and words to get it there. Better is the slightly uptempo Philly feel to "I Can't Get Enough" (remastered drums and bass so clear). Nice too are "It's Funny Till I Start Crying" where they sound like mid-70’s Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate and the mid-tempo "Loving You Coming Out Of A Brand Bag" sounds like a talking Chi-Lites number. It ends on "Keeping Up My Front" co-written by Conwell and keyboardist Oliver Williams – where the slow pace changes mid-tune.

It's not all genius for sure – but the good stuff is great – and huge kudos go to BBR for reissuing the album (long prized by collectors and used by mixers for samples) – and with such top sound quality. Recommended.