"Central Heating: Expanded Version" by HEATWAVE - March 1978 US Second Studio Album/LP on Epic Records featuring Rod Temperton - April 1978 UK on GTO Records (June 2015 UK Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

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"...Mind Blowing Decisions..."

Rod Temperton's HEATWAVE produced this winning 2nd LP in March 1978 (last day of) on Epic in the USA and April 1978 on GTO Records in the UK (resplendent in its rather naff-looking radiator cover). 

The "Central Heating" album spawned three huge hits - "Mind Blowing Decisions", "The Groove Line" and "The Star Of The Story" (covered by George Benson on his equally R&B-huge 1980 "Give Me The Night" album). Heatwave's "Central Heating" hit the huge marker of a No. 2 slot on the US Billboard R&B Album charts - back when that meant serious numbers of LPs and Cassettes shifted. And that's where this British 'Expanded Version' CD Reissue and Remaster comes a boppin' in...

UK-released 10 June 2015 - "Central Heating" by HEATWAVE on 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 as an 'Extended Version' Remaster. "Wack The Axe" is 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". 

1. Put Out The Word [Side 1]

2. Send Out For Sunshine

3. Central Heating

4. Happiness Together

5. The Groove Line [Side 2]

6. Mind Blowing Decisions

7. The Star Of The Story

8. Party Poops

9. Leavin' For A Dream 

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second studio album (LP) "Central Heating" - released March 1978 in the USA on Epic Records JE 35260 and April 1978 in the UK on GTO Records GTLP 027. Produced by BARRY BLUE - it peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard R&B charts.

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Wack The Axe (Outtake from 'Central Heating' Sessions)

11. The Groove Line (12" Disco Version)

12. Mind Blowing Decisions (12" Disco Version)

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' Disco form. The hand of Brit Funkster ROD TEMPERTON (famously wrote large chunks of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" LP) is all over the album (and writing) having penned all tracks but two - "Happiness Together" and "Mind Blowing Decisions" which are JOHNNY WILDER, JR. songs (and sung by him). The band also featured ERIC JOHNS and ROY CARTER on Lead and Rhythm Guitars.

Truth be told - the entire "Central Heating" album by HEATWAVE isn't genius - but the great Audio, tasty presentation and those Soul Funk nuggets make it a must buy for fans...