"Ship Ahoy" by THE O'JAYS - A Review Of Their 1973 Philadelphia International LP - Now Remastered & Expanded In 2013 Onto A 40th Anniversary CD By Big Break Records of the UK...

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:

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A Number 1 USA R'n'B hit in late 1973 and a heavy-hitter pop breakthrough album - along with "Backstabbers" that went before it in 1972 - "Ship Ahoy" holds a special place in the hearts of every O'Jays fan. It's also one of the Soul gems on a record label that's held in mighty affection to this day - Philadelphia International. And once again it has to be said that BBR of the UK (Big Break Records) has done the album proud with this 40th Anniversary CD reissue. Here are the Phillybuster details...

Reissued February 2013 in the UK - Big Break Records CDBBR 0207 breaks down as follows (55:17 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Ship Ahoy" - originally released in the USA and UK on Philadelphia International KZ 32408 and S PIR 65860 in October 1973.

Track 9 is "Put Your Hands Together (Live In London, December 1973)" while 10 and 11 are "Single Versions" of "For The Love Of Money" and "Now That We Found Love".

This CD will allow fans to sequence the following singles issued around the album:

1. Put Your Hands Together b/w You Got Your Hooks In Me - November 1973 US 7" single on Philadelphia International ZS7 3535.

2. For The Love Of Money b/w People Keep Telling Me - March 1974 US 7" single on ZS7 3744

3. Put Your Hands Together b/w The Air That I Breath - November 1973 UK 7" single on S PIR 1905

4. For The Love Of Money b/w People Keep Telling Me - March 1974 UK 7" single on S PIR 2186

5. Now That We Found Love b/w You Got Your Hooks In Me - August 1974 UK 7" single on S PIR 2577

The jewel case is one of those new rounded corner deals and the 16-page booklet features detailed liner notes by CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE - a New Yorker writer who is a contributing Editor to "PopMatters" website. The booklet has various US picture sleeves, Philly memorabilia etc. The remaster is by WAYNE A. DICKSON and is superlative - incredibly clean, clear and present reflecting GAMBLE & HUFF'S superb production values back in the day. I can't emphasize enough how good BBR CDs sound - I've reviewed over 15 (see list below) - and this is no different. A joy to listen too...

Side 1 is pretty much flawless - and how good is it to hear the full album stretch of "Ship Ahoy" at nearly nine minutes with its bells and fog horns and spoken passages. “The Air I Breathe" is an uptempo dancer about suburban pollution that could easily have been another successful hit single while the truly lovely "You Got Your Hooks In Me" (lyrics above) is the kind of BUNNY SIGLER ballad that defines their 'lurve' side - pull them close and feel that heat people!

Side 2 opens with the full album version of the fabulously perky "For The Love Of Money" - funkifying your speakers for over seven minutes (the remaster is so good on the bass and brass). "Don't Call Me Brother" apes Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for its opening seconds but then settles into a stunning smoochy vibe about 'getting yourself together' and 'respecting your woman'. It finishes on the almost disco-precursor "People Keep Telling Me" where someone is doing someone wrong - yet again. The polish of the 'live' version of "Put Your Hands Together" is amazing - the band tight while the boys whip the crowd into a 'let us pray' and 'come on' frenzy - great stuff. And I've been looking for the single edits for years.

This is a superb reissue - and kudos once again to BBR for its top sound quality and classy presentation.

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

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

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“…Love Is The Message…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“360 Degrees Of Billy Paul” by BILLY PAUL (2012 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster With Three Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Got A Thing Going On..."

As a voracious collector of old-skool Soul and Funk (and reviewer of the same) - I've been singing the praises of England's BIG BREAK RECORDS for some time now. I recently reviewed their beautifully remastered reissue of Bill Wither's 1971 debut LP "Just As I Am" with "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" on it - and I thought it couldn't get any better. Well blow me down with a front-cover triple-image of a porkpie hat - but they've done it again...

This August 2012 UK CD reissue (September 2012 in the USA) on Big Break Records CDBBR 0175 (Barcode 5013929047532) remasters Billy Paul's 1972 Philly nugget "360 Degrees Of Billy Paul" and adds on 3 relevant bonus cuts. Here are the Jones (60:49 minutes):

1. Brown Baby

2. I'm Just A Prisoner

3. It's Too Late

4. Me And Mrs. Jones

5. Am I Black Enough For You?

6. Let's Stay Together

7. Your Song

8. I'm Gonna Make It This Time

The vinyl LP of "360 Degrees Of Billy Paul" was originally released in November 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 31793 and Epic Records EPC 65351 in the UK (later re-issued on Philadelphia International S PIR 65930).

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Me And Mrs. Jones (Live)

10. Am I Black Enough For You (Single Version)

11. Me And Mrs. Jones (Single Version)

This CD will allow fans to sequence the following 7" singles that were issued around the LP:

1. Me And Mrs. Jones [11] b/w Your Song [7] - issued October 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International ZS7 3521 and January 1973 in the UK on Epic EPC 1055

2. Am I Black Enough For You [10] b/w I'm Gonna Make It This Time [8] - issued March 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International ZS7 3526 (no UK release)

3. Brown Baby b/w It's Too Late [3] - issued April 1973 in the UK on Epic Records S EPC 1313

[Note: the UK single of "Brown Baby" was a 3:19 minute edit (the album cut is 4:36 minutes) and unfortunately isn't included on here]

Remastered by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London with additional work done by Big Break's own WAYNE A. DICKSON - the sound quality is GORGEOUS - full, warm and just a joy to listen too after years of bad budget compilations. The 12-page booklet features knowledgeable liner notes by ANDY KELLMAN with many contributions from Billy Paul himself - along with photos of those American and UK 45 singles - the album's artwork etc. It's a typically classy job by BBR...

The Music - written by the dynamic duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff "Me And Mrs. Jones" was a monster hit (lyrics above) and put Billy Paul on the number one spot in droves of countries around the world (including the single and album Soul charts in his own USA). But how nice it is to hear the FULL ALBUM VERSION at 4:46 minutes as opposed to the more commonly used 7" single edit of 3:41 minutes. And it sounds amazing too.

The on-the-money commentary of "Brown Baby" is a very strong socially aware opener but it's trumped by the magnificent 8-minutes of "I'm Just A Prisoner". Billy Paul's stepfather had done 5 years in prison but emerged to work his way up in business and then mentor the young hopeful in his musical ambitions. Paul never forgot this - so even though label stalwarts Kenneth Gamble, Bunny Sigler and Phillip Hurtt wrote the song - it contains some of Paul's most personal lyrics. The song feels like Marvin Gaye's "Right On" from his 1971 "What's Going On" masterpiece in its hypnotic groove and features brilliantly arranged strings by organist and orchestration maestro Lenny Pakula. There are touches of Donny Hathaway, Herbie Hancock and The Isley Brothers all in there too - and for me it's one of the highlights of this reissue...

There are three cleverly reworked cover versions - a jazzed-up take on Carole King's "It's Too Late" from her magisterial "Tapestry" album, a completely re-worked fast and funky go at Elton John's "Your Song" (which Elton loved) and a very slowed down love-song angle on Al Green's slinky classic "Let's Stay Together" with lovely Norman Harris arrangements. The album ends of what he admits should have been the follow up to "Jones" - "I'm Gonna Make It This Time" (written by Bunny Sigler and Jean Lang). It's as romantic-Philly as the label gets - all plinking piano, strings and heartache vocals. Even the live version of "Me And Mrs. Jones" which is clearly in front of a British audience is excellent and I can see why it was included.

To sum up - great stuff - and such an enjoyable rediscovery. Recommended like a 6:30 meeting with Mrs. Jones in the Lurve Café - you naughty boy...

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

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

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

14. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

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

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

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

18. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

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

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

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

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

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

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

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

28. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

29. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

30. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

31. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

32. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

33. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

34 Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

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

36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)