"5" by J.J. CALE (June 2013 Universal Japan-Only SHM-CD Reissue with Mini LP Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Since his tragic loss in July 2013 renewed interest in J.J. Cale and his wonderfully laid-back songwriting magic has never been higher - and if you want an example of just how good he was (and can sound) - then a few bob spent on this fabulous Japanese CD reissue is going to be money well spent.

1.    Thirteen Days [Side 1]

2.    Boilin’ Pot

3.    I’ll Make Love To You Anytime

4.    Don’t Cry Sister

5.    Too Much For Me

6.    Sensitive Kind

7.    Friday [Side 2]

8.    Lou-Easy-Ann

9.    Let’s Go To Tahiti

10. Katy Kool Lady / Out Of Style [*See Paragraphs Below]

11. Fate Of A Fool

12. Mona

His 5th studio album "5" was issued on vinyl album in August 1979 on Shelter/Island ISA 5018 in the UK and Shelter 3163 in the USA. Its first CD appearance was May 1990 on Mercury 810 313-2 (along with "Really"), but it was Ok-sounding rather than great. Tracks from it were re-mastered for the 1997 2CD anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" and fans got to hear just how good it could sound. But little will prepare them for the sonic beauties of this 2013 remaster - beautifully transferred and fully realizing the magic that was always there.

Released in Japan 26 June 2013 – “5” by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) and features repro Mini LP artwork and an exclusive Remaster. The SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player and is a better form of the CD format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better.

Just hearing the opening of "Thirteen Days" and I know I'm in the territory of a different beast here. The sound quality is gorgeous (originally Produced by Audie Ashworth) - all instruments suddenly playing around your speakers. As was the nature of most of his albums - depending on the take or studio he recorded in - sound quality varied from track to track - and "5" is no different. "Boilin' Pot", "Don't Cry Sister" and "Fate Of A Fool" are right out front and feature some pronounced hissy moments - but nothing that doesn't take away from the overall sonic smack (there's real improvement here). But the real fireworks go to the two gorgeous ballads "Sensitive Kind" and "Mona" which now sound truly epic - superbly remastered (lyrics from "Mona" title this review). "Friday" too has wonderful clarity and punch - as does the beat-box feel of "Let's Go To Tahiti".

The only real bummer is that once again the track error of putting "Out Of Style" (an out-take) on here instead of "Katy Kool Lady"(*) has been repeated. The song is listed as Track 4 on Side 2 of the artwork of course - but the song never turns up. There are some words on the OBI strip about it - but because it’s in Japanese - I can't make out what they're saying. To my knowledge this cool song still remains CD-AWOL from his catalogue anywhere in the world - which is ludicrous. There was an opportunity missed here to rectify that silly mistake. The booklet has the lyrics and little else (there was no inner sleeve to the LP), but it's the sound I keep returning to.

Another point worth noting is that "Classic Album Collection" with its 5CDs in 2013 claims on both Amazon UK and USA sites to be 2013 remasters - they're not - they're exactly the same CDs as was used in the 1990s. I suspect this 2013 'remastering' claim belongs only on these Japanese issues. I've ordered "Okie" and "Troubadour" on the strength of this. 

I've loved this album for decades and it’s a blast to finally hear it sound so great. I know these SHM-CD repro reissues are pricey - but I've found they're so worth it.

What a loss - what an artist - he was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable.

Albums in the June 2013 J.J. CALE Japanese SHM-CD Reissue Series are:

1. Naturally (1972 - his debut) on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582)

2. Really (1973) on Universal UICY-75628 (Barcode 4988005771599)

3. Okie (1974) on Universal UICY-75629 (Barcode 4988005771605)

4. Troubadour (1976) on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612)

5. "5" (1979) on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629)

6. Shades (1981) on Universal UICY-75632 (Barcode 4988005771636)

7. Grasshopper (1982) on Universal UICY-75633 (Barcode 4988005771643)

8. No. 8 (1983) on Universal UICY-75634 (Barcode 4988005771650)

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"From Langley Park To Memphis” by PREFAB SPROUT. A Review of their 1988 Album Now Released as a Japan-Only 2009 CD Remaster on Sony Music/Epic.

"…Like A Bolt Out From The Blue…I Remember That…”

"From Langley Park To Memphis" was first issued March 1988 on Kitchenware Records in the UK and on Epic Records in the USA. It felt like a more commercial version of its brilliant predecessor “Steve McQueen” from 1985 – and building on that incredible groundwork – it was eagerly awaited and so raced to Number 5 in the UK charts.
It was released on LP/MC and CD at the time in fairly good sound – but a remaster has been long overdue.

Some of its hit singles have been remastered for “Best Of” compilations, but this is the first time the entire album has been sonically upgraded – and it’s an absolute wow - even it is only available as a limited edition import from Japan...

PACKAGING:
This 26 August 2009 Japan-only CD is on Epic EICP 1245 (Sony Music Japan) and is part of 6 albums reissued there - all in remastered form (45:32 minutes). It's one of those mini LP replica sleeves in an Obi and sealable outer plastic, which also reproduces the original inner sleeve. The inner sleeve's nice to look at, but of course because of its 5-inch size, virtually illegible - hence the need for the separate lyric booklet. There’s also another insert advertising further Eighties CD titles, but it’s entirely in Japanese…

SOUND:
CD sites in Japan have claimed that each has 2009 remastering, and although I can't actually find this in writing anywhere on the disc or packaging (that I can understand), I don’t need to see it in writing because I can hear it. The sound quality is simply GLORIOUS.

Highlights include the beautiful melody of “I Remember That” (lyrics above) and an incredible punch out of “Knock On Wood” and an absolutely HUGE feel to “The Golden Calf”. A lot of the time, you’re just in awe of Paddy McAloon’s superb songwriting and how well so much of it has held up – the arrangements, the clever lyrics, the melodies that grow and grow on each hearing - 20 years plus and they still move me...

It is of course a shame that the many unreleased tracks off the singles "The King Of Rock & Roll”, “Cars & Girls" and "Hey Manhattan" are not on here, but this release doesn't pretend to be anything other than a straightforward transfer of the album.

With no sign of British or US remastered versions on the horizon, fans of this superb British band and their brilliant albums will need to own this.

Recommended wholeheartedly.

PS: the other albums reissued in this Japanese Limited Edition series are:
1. "Swoon" (1983) on Epic EICP 1276 (21 October 2009 release)
2. "Steve McQueen" (1985) on Epic EICP 1244 (26 August 2009 release)
3. "Jordan: The Comeback" (1990) on Epic EICP 1278 (21 October 2009 release)
4. "Protest Songs" (1985 Recordings Released in 1989) on Epic EICP 1277 (21 October 2009 release)
5. "Andromeda Heights" (1997) on Epic EICP 1279 (21 October 2009 release)

PPS: see also my review for "Jordan: The Comeback” from the same series - and thanks to TIM SQUIER of Revival Records for a lend of the 2 CDs

“Jordan: The Comeback” by PREFAB SPROUT, A Review of their 1990 Album Now Released as a Japan-Only 2009 CD Remaster on Sony Music/Epic.

"…Long Ago…One Glorious Night…We Let The Stars Go…”

"Jordan: The Comeback" was first issued September 1990 on Kitchenware Records in the UK and on Epic Records in the USA. With its whopping 19 tracks clocking in at nearly five minutes over one hour, Prefab Sprout’s 4th (and some say most accomplished) album was a bit of a monster to take in. But, to many ears, it was also an audiophile let down. Barely listenable on LP or cassette because of the extended playing time, the CD also seemed to have no muscle in it either – although noted producer Thomas Dolby was at the helm.

Fast forward to nearly 20 years later and at last the entire album receives the sonic upgrade it’s always deserved – and Paddy McAloon’s astonishing songwriting finally gets to shine – even it is on a limited edition import...

PACKAGING:
This 21 October 2009 Japan-only CD is on Epic EICP 1278 (Sony Music Japan) and is part of 6 albums reissued there – all in remastered form (64:12 minutes). It’s one of those mini LP replica sleeves in an Obi and sealable outer plastic, which also reproduces the original inner sleeve. The inner sleeve’s nice to look at, but of course because of its 5-inch size, virtually illegible – hence the need for the separate lyric booklet.

SOUND:
CD sites in Japan have claimed that each has 2009 remastering, and although I can’t actually find this in writing anywhere on the disc or packaging (that I can understand), when I A/B the sound with my old disc, it is obvious that things have improved hugely because the difference couldn’t be more marked – and almost all of it - for the better.

To my ears certain tracks are at least twice what they were - and not in a garish way where the treble is simply amplified ever upwards – the remastering is subtler than that. I’m hearing stuff everywhere. The synth and vocal intro to “Machine Gun Ibiza” is so clear now and at about 36 seconds when the drums finally kick in – you can ‘really’ feel it. The swirling vocals and keyboards of “We Let The Stars Go” is gorgeous too (lyrics above) while the acoustic guitar and echoed vocals of “Mercy” is so clean and clear now that it’s made the song even more ethereal and beautiful.

Again Paddy McAloon’s spoken vocal intro on “Jordan: The Comeback” is so clear too and when the band kicks in at 48 seconds, the muscle is there – sweet, clean and full. The sort of Charleston shuffle of the rhythm section on “The Wedding March” is also better as is the astonishing clarity on “Jesse James Symphony”. Disappointingly, I found one of my favourites tracks “One Of The Broken” to be a bit underwhelming – it’s good – but I was hoping for more. And tracks that I didn’t give much time to before now seem suddenly brilliant – “Moon Dog” and “The Ice Maiden” jump to mind – both kicking in – in all the right ways.

Another repeat pleasure is revisiting the brilliance of those great lyrics – here are two gems that I’ve always thought of as genius…

From “One Of The Broken“
“Hi! This is God here
Talking to me used to be a simple affair –
Moses only has to see a burning bush
And he’d pull up a chair…”

OR

From “Moon Dog”
“The world was different then
In bed asleep by ten –
And Daddies shook their fists
At hidden Communists…”

By the time the huge guitars and drums of “Scarlet Nights” arrive and rattle your speaker cones, you’re convinced.

It is of course a shame that the unreleased tracks off the singles “Looking For Atlantis” and “We Let The Stars Go” are not on here, but this release doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a straightforward transfer of the album.

With no sign of British or US remastered versions on the horizon, fans of this superb British band and their brilliant album will need to own this.

Recommended wholeheartedly.

PS: the other albums reissued in this Japanese Limited Edition series are:
1. “Swoon” (1983) on Epic EICP 1276 (21 October 2009 release)
2. “Steve McQueen” (1985) on Epic EICP 1244 (26 August 2009 release)
3. “From Langley Park To Memphis” (1988) on Epic EICP 1245 (26 August 2009 release)
4. “Protest Songs” (1985 Recordings Released in 1989) on Epic EICP 1277 (21 October 2009 release)
5. “Andromeda Heights” (1997) on Epic EICP 1279 (21 October 2009 release)

PPS: see also my review for “From Langley Park To Memphis” from the same series

PPS: thanks to TIM SQUIER of Revival Records for a lend of the 2 CDs