October 1989 Original UK CD Cover Art Above
July 2002 UK CD Reissue Artwork (Valid Still In 2026)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon UK Purchase Link
------------------------------------------------
This Review Along With 230 Others Is Available in my
SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
"SOUL GALORE!"
60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul
Mod, New Breed, Funk, Rare Grooves
Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more...
Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters
Thousands of E-Pages
All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
(No Cut and Paste Crap)
"...It's
All Right..."
Originally
released way back in October 1989 as one of Ace's first forays into CD
compilations - as I recall Kent-Soul CDKEND 923 caused quite a stir at
the time.
Two reasons - the rediscovery of The Impressions and just how
uplifting their Soul Music is - and the truly gorgeous remastered sound from
original tapes (Adam Skeaping did the deed). Hardly surprising then that Ace
Records of the UK have chosen to reissue this much-praised CD compilation in
2002 but with upgraded artwork (Kent Soul logo top left and the three boys in
suits) and better TONY ROUNCE liner notes (photos of those cool ABC-Paramount labels
and track-by-track discussions).
And
even now in 2019 I'm reminded of just how beautiful these remasters are.
Comprehensively covering their hugely productive period at ABC-Paramount
Records between 1961 and 1968 before they veered off into Curtis's Curtom
Records – CD Volume 1 of "Definitive Impressions" wallops you with hit after
hit - practically one every two months in 1964 and 1965. Here are the people
getting ready details...don't need no baggage...just get on board...
Re-issued
July 2002 - "Definitive Impressions" by THE IMPRESSIONS on Ace Records/ Kent-Soul CDKEND 923 (Barcode
029667292320) is a 28-Track CD Compilation (Volume 1 of 2) that breaks down as follows (72:38 minutes):
All
tracks are US 7" singles in Stereo except 21 and 23 in Mono:
1.
Gypsy Woman (November 1961, ABC-Paramount 10241, A)
2.
Grow Closer Together (1962, ABC-Paramount 10289, A)
3.
Little Young Lover (1962, ABC-Paramount 10328, A)
4.
Minstrel And Queen (1962, ABC-Paramount 10357, B-side to "You've Come
Home")
5.
I'm The One Who Loves You (1962, ABC-Paramount 10386, A)
6.
Sad, Sad Girl And Boy (1963, ABC-Paramount 10431, A)
7.
It's All Right (September 1963, ABC-Paramount 10487, A)
8.
Talking About My Baby (January 1964, ABC-Paramount 10511, A)
9.
I'm So Proud (March 1964, ABC-Paramount 10544, A)
10.
Keep On Pushing (June 1964, ABC-Paramount 10554, A)
11.
I've Been Trying (March 1965, ABC-Paramount 10622, B-side of "People Get
Ready")
12.
Girl You Don't Know Me (1964, ABC-Paramount 10537, A)
13.
I Made A Mistake (1964, ABC-Paramount 10544, B-side of "I'm So
Proud")
14.
You Must Believe Me (August 1964, ABC-Paramount 10581, A)
15.
Amen (November 1964, ABC-Paramount 10602, A)
16.
People Get Ready (February 1965, ABC-Paramount 10622, A)
17.
Woman's Got Soul (April 1965, ABC-Paramount 10647, A)
18.
Meeting Over Yonder (June 1965, ABC-Paramount 10670, A)
19.
I Need You (September 1965, ABC-Paramount 10710, A)
20.
Just One Kiss From You (1965, ABC-Paramount 10725, A)
21.
You've Been Cheatin' (November 1965, ABC-Paramount 10750, A)
22.
Since I Lost The One I Love (1966, ABC-Paramount 10761, A)
23.
Can't Satisfy (August 1966, ABC 10831, A)
24.
You Always Hurt Me (March 1967, ABC 10900, A)
25.
I Can't Stay Away From You (October 1967, ABC 10964, A)
26:
We're A Winner (January 1968, ABC 11022, A)
27:
We're Rolling On (Part 1) (April 1968, ABC 11071, A)
28:
I Loved And Lost (August 1968, ABC 11103, A)
Chicago's
Impressions placed all but a handful of these in the American Top 50 R&B
charts with "It's All Right", "Keep On Pushing",
"Amen" and "We're A Winner" all reaching the coveted No. 1
spot. Coming close is "Gypsy Woman" and "I'm So Proud" both
stalling at No. 2 while "You Must Believe Me" and "People Get
Ready" hit No.3. The remasters are wonderfully atmospheric - the brass and
drum shuffle of "It's All Right" with that flicking guitar over in
the right speaker - so clear and full of that Sixties optimism.
You're
then also reminded of the force of nature/powerhouse behind the group - CURTIS
MAYFIELD who wrote almost everything on here. Something like say "We're A
Winner" is perfect Pop Soul - an infectious lyric that is filled with
positivity about that "blessed day has come...we're moving on up...I don't
mind leaving here...to show the world we have no fear...because we're a
winner..."
Gorgeous
music - sound that does it justice too - what a winner indeed...
PS:
As I pointed out above - Ace have reissued this 1989 CD in 2002. But rather
confusingly they've used both the same catalogue (CDKEND 923) and Barcode
(029667292320) again. So when ordering from an online retailer - make sure you
request the 2002 upgrade (with its better booklet) - because both the 1989
and 2002 issues have the same barcode and an online retailer may not know the
difference...
