"Eternal Journey: The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney" by CHARLES STEPNEY and Various Artists – 20 Tracks (17 in Stereo, 3 in Mono) Featuring Ramsey Lewis, Minnie Riperton, The Dells, Billy Stewart, The Meditation Singers, The Rotary Connection (with vocalists Minnie Riperton, Sidney Barnes, Kitty Haywood, Shirley Wahl and Dave Scott plus Guitarist Phil Upchurch, Drummer Maurice White with Saxophonist Donald Myrick, both later with Earth, Wind & Fire), Terry Callier, Marlena Shaw, Little Milton, Phil Upchurch (with Donny Hathaway on Piano), Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy (February 2026 UK Ace/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CD and 2LP VINYL 20-Track compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Overall: ****

Presentation/Booklet: ****

Audio: *****

"….The Love We Have, Stays On My Mind…"

I'd been looking forward to this release for months. When I worked the Rarities Counter at Reckless Records in Islington and Soho for almost two decades - us Rock laddies who also loved Soul Music had two pet hero worships - Norman Whitfield over at Motown, Tamla and Rare Earth (Temptations, Four Tops, Rare Earth, The Undisputed Truth) alongside the mighty Charles Stepney helming the funkier subsidiaries of Chess Records - Cadet, Cadet Concept and Checker. Soul meets Psych Soul meets Folk Soul - oh yes - yum yum. 

As a veteran of over 4,000 reviews - most to do with CD reissues - I'd petitioned people like Ace and Edsel and BGO to do a Charles Stepney Box Set as a pride of place in their catalogues. Now after ten to fifteen years - we finally get something approximating it - but (and I say this with a heavy heart) - this Single CD (and 2LP Vinyl Set) is not without its track choice problems. It's still four solid stars overall - but I wanted five and more - maybe Volume 2... 

There is much to discuss, so let's get to Love That Stays - here are the technical details...

 

UK released Friday, 27 February 2026 - "Eternal Journey: The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney" by CHARLES STEPNEY and VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Beat Goes Public CDTOP 320 (Barcode 029667115223) is a 20-Track 1CD and 20-Track 2LP VINYL compilation featuring his Productions at Chess, Cadet, Checker and Cadet Concept Records in the USA between 1967 and 1973. The 2LP VINYL Set of "Eternal Journey: The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney" is released the same day (also 20-Tracks) on Ace/Beat Goes Public BGPX2 320 (Barcode 029667028714) and is a Limited Edition (priced at £30 from Ace). 

The artists covered on this BGP compilation are Ramsey Lewis, Minnie Riperton, The Dells, Billy Stewart, The Meditation Singers, The Rotary Connection (a seven-piece group specifically created by Charles Stepney with Marshall Chess to feature both Minnie Riperton and the labels version of Psych-Soul – the band featuring vocalists Minnie Riperton, Sidney Barnes, Kitty Haywood, Shirley Wahl and Dave Scott with Guitarists Phil Upchurch and Peter Cosey and founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, Drummer Maurice White with Saxophonist Donald Myrick), Terry Callier, Marlena Shaw, Little Milton, Phil Upchurch (with Donny Hathaway on Piano), Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. The CD plays out as follows (71:03 minutes):

1. Dear Prudence – RAMSEY LEWIS (from the March 1969 US LP "Mother Nature's Son" on Cadet Records LPS 821 in Stereo – May 1969 in the UK on Chess/Cadet CRS 4545 in Stereo – Whole LP is made up of Beatles cover versions from the 2LP set "The Beatles" (aka The White Album) recorded only weeks after that famous double-LP release worldwide in November 1968)

2. Les Fleur – MINNIE RIPERTON (from the September 1970 US Solo Debut LP "Come To My Garden" on GRT Records GRT 30001 in Stereo)

3. It's All Up To You – THE DELLS (from the August 1971 US LP "Freedom Means" on Cadet Records CA 50004 (no UK issue) – see also Track 13 from the same album – both songs written by Terry Callier and Larry Wade)

4. By The Time I Get To Phoenix – BILLY STEWART (January 1970 US 45-Single on Chess 2080, A-side (no UK issue) – a Jimmy Webb song made famous by Glen Campbell – Produced by Charles Stepney)

5. Stand Up And Be Counted – MEDITATION SINGERS (from the August 1968 US Third Studio LP "The Bad Apple" on Checker LPS 10044 in Stereo – song written by Gene Barge, Production by Ralph Bass with Lead Vocals by Secular Singer Laura Lee Newton - MONO)

6. Love Has Fallen On Me – THE NEW ROTARY CONNECTION (from their August 1971 sixth and final studio LP "Hey, Love" on Chess/Cadet Concept CC 50006 (October 1971 in the UK on Chess 6310 105) – track features Minnie Riperton on Lead Vocals)

7. What Color Is Love – TERRY CALLIER (from his December 1972 US third studio LP "What Color Is Love" on Chess/Cadet CA 50019 (no UK release) – track features Charles Stepney on Keyboards and Production, Phil Upchurch on Guitar, Donald Myrick of E, W & F on Saxophone and Flute with Arthur Hoyle of Sun Ra Arkestra on Trumpet)

8. Brother Where Are You – MARLENA SHAW (August 1967 US 45-single on Cadet 5571, Non-LP B-side of "Waiting For Charlie To Come Home" – an Oscar Brown Jr. song)

9. More And More – LITTLE MILTON (October 1967 US 45-single on Checker 1189, A-side – Produced by Billy Davis)

10. Eternal Journey – RAMSEY LEWIS (from the July 1968 US LP "Maiden Voyage" on Chess/Cadet Records LPS 811 in Stereo and September 1968 in the UK on Chess CRLS 4539 in Stereo – a co-write between Stepney and Lewis)

11. California Soul – MARLENA SHAW (from the November 1969 US LP on Cadet Records LPS-833 in Stereo – An Ashford & Simpson song featuring Production and Arrangements by Charles Stepney)

12. Can't Catch The Train – TERRY CALLIER (from his October 1973 US Fourth Studio Album "I Just Can’t Help Myself" on Cadet Records – Featuring Producer, Arranger and Musician Charles Stepney with Phil Upchurch, Richard Evans of The Soulful Strings and Don Myrick of The Pharaohs and Later Earth, Wind & Fire on Alto Sax)

13. The Love We Have (Stays On My Mind) – THE DELLS (from the August 1971 US LP "Freedom Means" on Cadet Records CA 50004 (no UK issue) – see also Track 3 from the same album – both songs written by Terry Callier and Larry Wade)

14. Teach Me How To Fly – ROTARY CONNECTION (from the October 1968 US Second Studio LP "Aladdin" on Cadet Concept Records LPS 317 in Stereo (May 1969 in the UK on Chess CRLS 4547 in Stereo) – a Sidney Barnes song with Sidney Barnes and Minnie Riperton on Lead Vocals)

15. More And More – PHIL UPCHURCH (from the May 1969 US LP "Upchurch" on Cadet LPS 827 in Stereo – features Chess Records session Bassist Louis Satterfield and future Atlantic Records Soul star Donny Hathaway on Piano)

16. I'm High Again – BO DIDDLEY (June 1968 US 45-single on Checker 1200, A-side – written by Sidney Barnes of Rotary Connection with Production sharded by Gene Page and Charles Stepney - MONO)

17. Let's Spend The Night Together – MUDDY WATERS (from his October 1968 US LP "Electric Mud" on Cadet Concept LPS 314 in Stereo, January 1969 UK on Chess Records CRLS 4542 in Stereo – a Rolling Stones cover version done in Psych-Blues style, produced by Stepney)

18. Smokestack Mountain – HOWLIN' WOLF (from his January 1969 US LP "The Howlin' Wolf Album" on Cadet Concept LPS 319 in Stereo – a re-make of his old Chess Records classic in a Psych-Blues vein (like the Muddy Waters LP, see Track 17) features members of Rotary Connection, Guitarists Phil Upchurch and Hubert Sumlin with Gene Barge on Saxophone and Don Myrick on Flute)

19. Girl, You Lit My Fire – JUNIOR WELLS (September 1968 US 45-single on Blue Rock B-4062, A-side – October 1968 UK 45-single on Mercury MF 1056, A-side - Produced by Eugene Daniels with Arrangements by CS - MONO)

20. I'm Gonna Keep It To Myself – BUDDY GUY (September 1967 US 45-single on Chess 2022, B-side of "I Suffer With The Blues" (no UK release) – Produced by Gene Barge and CS)

NOTES:

All Tracks in STEREO except Track 5, 16 and 19 in MONO

DEAN RUDLAND does his usual bang-up job in the liner notes of the 20-Page booklet - artists in alphabetical order rather than track order - photos of notables like The Dells, Rotary Connection, Terry Callier, Muddy in that silly priest's smock while Howlin' Wolf smiles from a house balcony. There is a small history of the artist for each entry and session-players (when known). I'm going to quote details from Rudland's stellar work extensively...

In some respects, Chicago-born Jazzer Charles Stepney was all but forgotten amongst Soul Boys until (typically) The English/Acid Jazz Obsessives started digging into the names surrounding the music they loved as they explored in secondhand record shops and LP crates in dark leery passages. In fact - the offshoot label of Cadet and Cadet Concept (a go-to name for collectors of Psych-Soul) had been on Marshall Chess' mind for some time, when he married it with the Genius that was Charles Stepney (Marshall waxed lyrical about Stepney on the Charlie Gillett Show on Radio London in the 90s - Born in Chicago in March 1931, multi-instrumentalist Stepney would pass far too early at only 45 in May 1976). 

Rudland's superb liner notes paints the picture of a meeting of minds that would move the genre needle forward massively. Marshall Chess and Stepney meet over dinner to discuss what would become Rotary Connection and Stepney arrives with an Entire Symphony in his briefcase. Marshall knew this was the guy. Stepney had already established himself too with the Chess Producers (Gene Barge, Billy Davis and Bobby Miller) for his speed and innovation. His mentoring of the Drummer with the Ramsey Lewis Trio - Maurice White and his Saxophonist Donald Myrick - would lead to Maurice forming the mighty Earth, Wind & Fire and the global success of Kalimba Productions (a name I remember reading in the EWF liner notes back in the Seventies day). Stepney also later pulled Soul Ladies The Emotions from a failing career at Stax and ditto to Deniece Williams' by Producing and Arranging the monster US & Worldwide R&B Soul smoocher "Free" for her - a Number 2 in the USA and No. 1 in the UK in 1976 on Epic Records (Free also featured Sidney Barnes of Rotary Connection on Vocals). Interestingly, Rudland's notes also mention a 4CD Box Set lingering across the decades for CS and that the "Eternal Journey..." compilation I am reviewing was first gathered in 2016 - and only through a 10-year perseverance - is it with us at all! (Radiohead namechecked the great man in 2016 on their "A Moon Shaped Pool" album). 

But the really great news is stunning audio from NICK ROBBINS Remasters - the best I've heard to date of Cadet material. Let's get to the meat and potatoes... 

Norman Whitfield over at Motown and Charles Stepney at Chess were at the very forefront of Progressive Soul between 1968 and 1974 – genres like Psych-Soul and Folk-Soul that have attained near mythical connotations amongst Soul and Rock collectors and music lovers. This compilation isn't perfect – I mean where is there a photo of the main man? We get Howlin Wolf, Terry Callier, The Rotary Connection, The Dells and so on – all the big artist names associated with CS - but none of Stepney himself? The album collage on the front cover is a nice touch too – hip albums amongst those in-the-know like The (New) Rotary Connection's "Hey, Love", Marlena Shaw's "The Spice Of Life" and Muddy Waters' mad Psych-Blues LP "Electric Mud". 

It opens so strongly with Ramsey Lewis and his band getting their grubby paws on "The Beatles" (White Album) only days after its release in November 1968 so they could do an entire album of covers from it which they aptly named "Every Mother's Son". The Audio quality on their Funky-Piano-Driven instrumental of "Dear Prudence" is fantastic - drums, bass, those swirling Stepney string arrangements going ape as the 4:37 minute neck-jerker builds to a fab finish. Door No. 2 and in sails Minnie Riperton with Rotary Connection for the huge Acid Jazz fave "Les Fleur" - and again you're whomped with gorgeous audio as the ladies and gents raise it up to the heavens (love that Trumpet and Glockenspiel break at 1:40). Two album stunners came out of the Cadet Concept camp in 1971 - Rotary's "Hey, Love" and The Dells giving it some 'always be happy' "Freedom Means" (Track 3 is The Dells). Written by Terry Callier and Larry Wade - The Dells tune "It's All Up To You" is more old-skool swirling Soul than Psych-Soul and Rudland quite rightly emphasises this in his superb liner notes. The British vinyl variants of either LP (on Chess) are so hard to find - and as a rarities guy in a busy West End store - I could count on one hand how many times I saw copies. Lovely stuff. 

I could honestly do without the Jimmy Webb cover of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (a song made famous of course by Glen Campbell) coming from Billy Stewart - good rather than great. Righteous preaching by way of that Staple Singers sound comes in the shape of The Meditation Singers – lead vocalist Laura Lee Newton telling us to "Stand Up And Be Counted". Speaking of great lady-lead vocal group ensembles, collectors will wallow in the Piano-Funky feel-so-good vibes in "Love Has Fallen On Me" Minnie Riperton and Kitty Haywood wailing and harmonizing in such a magical almost ethereal way.

More genius song choices come in the shape of the sexy Jazz-Soul-Psych of the compilation title track "Eternal Journey" (written by Stepney with Ramsey Lewis) with Minnie Riperton giving it some glass shattering vocal gymnastics (like a violin note being drawn across a rusty fret) only to later hah like she’s having an orgasm. While all this is signifying, Ramsey Lewis plinks on his Piano like the chugga-chugga Funkmeister he undoubtedly was. It is fantastic stuff – anchored by stunning Bass from Cleveland East with Maurice White on shuffling Drums. That is followed by Marlena Shaw's every popular cover version of Ashford & Simpson's "California Soul" – a huge Acid Jazz tune for over three decades now. The sheer class of Soul Vocal Groups at the top of their game comes screaming through with The Dells doing their gorgeous "The Love We Have (Stays On My Mind)". The final cut by Buddy Guy is a forgotten gem – brilliant Stepney Brass arrangements elevating a standard R&B and Blues Boogie into something better – it may only be three-minutes but it kicks longer butt. 

But there are missteps for me – the manic rhythm, scat vocals and warbling sax of the Terry Callier track "Can't Catch The Train" do my brain in – and nothing on that front has changed when I re-listen to it here. And I know it has been done to death over the last fifteen years especially, but where is the Phil Upchurch and Rotary Connection anthem "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun" that Nuyorcian Soul made famous again in the Nineties. Or why choose the lesser sub-5th Dimension sounding "Teach Me How To Fly" by The Rotary Connection over Terry Callier’s magnificent songwriting contribution to their "Hey, Love!" album with "Song For Everyone" – an absolute barnstormer and VERY Charles Stepney. Or how about the stunning string arrangements on "Looking Through The Eyes of Love" where Stepney goes all Petula Clark meets Bacharach & David while Minnie soars uncredited in the background hitting those ludicrous octaves. 

I would have placed both Dave Scott lead-vocal barnstormers "Hanging Round The Bee Tree" and the title track on the August 1971 US "Hey, Love" album as stunning examples of Stepney and his arrangement skills not just with strings but vocal charts. And despite being penned by Sidney Barnes of The Rotary Connection with Production Values from heroes like Gene Page and Stepney – the Bo Diddley Checker 45 A-side "I'm High Again" is very average fare. The my-heart-is-not-in-it Muddy Waters cover of The Rolling Stones classic "Let's Spend The Night Together" sounds wildly out-of-place. The Howlin Wolf remake of his own "Smokestack Lightning" just about pulls it off – but again – feels out of place somehow here. However, the last two tracks - the 45s for Junior Wells and Buddy Guy are great entries and very clever choices. And - it must be noted with some strength that these are the Best Remasters I've heard of this material to date - and that is a joy to behold - so five stars on the Audio Remasters.

To sum up - a tad disappointing perhaps in track choices, songs that should have been on here and that omission of a photograph of Stepney is a clumsy goof - but "Eternal Journey..." is still a huge feather in Ace's Reissue cap and for me - a reissue to savour in early 2026...(I've ordered the 2LP set too as a collectable)...

"Hot Buttered Singles Volume 2: 1972-1976" by ISAAC HAYES – Twenty 45-Single Sides on Enterprise, Stax Records and Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records in their 7" Single Edited Forms – Musicians Include The Bar-Kays, The Isaac Hayes Movement and a Duet with David Porter (April 2025 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Nick Robbins Remasters – Volume 2 of a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Buttered-Singles-2-1972-1976/dp/B00008EMAY?crid=29PTKQ4XDX0QR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h8nNlq8IBb8thcK8cYK3zw.xVfTWsQv3kC9AulhJaEcls2AtQ_wtl7xFOkZ4obbIwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667112628&qid=1745851878&sprefix=029667112628%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=86307ddb8c61908881def224e7704aee&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

This Review Along With 349 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2025 Update)

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

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RATINGS: 

Content **** 

Audio and Presentation *****

"…Ike's Mood 20…"

Second Volume from those terribly with-it chappies over at Ace Records for the Singles Discography of all thangs Isaac Hayes on Enterprise, Hot Buttered Soul and ABC Records. 

Volume 1 hit us in October 2024 (Single CD, 2LP Vinyl set – the same here) and was something of an instant classic with fans and collectors alike. 

But - despite the NICK ROBBINS Remasters delivering big time and containing Enterprise and HBS/ABC single-sides that are difficult to find on CD – even the most die-hard shafting enthusiast would have to contend that Hayes pursued that Disco Dollar just a little too much in the later years (the "Juicy Fruit..." stuff isn't exactly my cup of Darjeeling) - so some of Volume 2 (like Volume 1) has not dated well. And there was the "Wonderful" 9-Track CD compilation that gathered up much of this stuff in Phil De Lancie Remastered form back in September 1994 (issued both in the USA and UK/Europe) which any self-respecting IH fan would already have. But here in April 2025 - that was more than 30-years ago – so updates ahoy.

This gold-chain-clanking beastie contains things like the sought-after B-side "Type Thang" that was featured in the Blaxploitation movie "Shaft's Big Score" but not on the vinyl album, the two single-edits of "Joy Pt 1" and "Joy Pt 2" that will allow fans to hear a more manageable eight-minutes of this wickedly good groove rather than the overdone near 16-minute LP version and the B-side instrumental 45-edit to "Hung Up On My Baby" from the "Tough Guys" Soundtrack of 1974. 

Fans and buyers alike should also note that although Volume 1 was dated 1969 to 1972 – space restrictions did not allow Ace to include his last 45 for that year in Volume 1. Thus Ike's last 45 of 1972 opens Volume 2 (September 1972 in the USA and November 1972 in the UK) - the rest concentrating on 1973 to 1976 on Enterprise Records and his own Hot Buttered Soul label (issued via ABC Records). 

So – and as it is with so many compilations - "Hot Buttered Singles Volume 2: 1972-1976" by Isaac Hayes has its highs and lows - but even the slips are not that bad. The UK VINYL 2LP Set (also issued 25 April 2025) on Ace Records HIQLP2 154 (Barcode 029667026116) offers the full 20-tracks/liner notes and will surely become a sought-after double. To the damn-right-baby details…

UK released Friday, 25 April 2025 - "Hot Buttered Singles Volume 2: 1972-1976" by ISAAC HAYES on Ace Records CDTOP 1660 (Barcode 029667112628) is a 20-Track Remastered CD Compilation of 45-Single Side Edits And Non-LP Material that plays out as follows (this review provides both US and UK 45-Single Discography details - 77:12 minutes total playing time):

1. Theme From The Men (Instrumental) (4:00 minutes)
2. Type Thang (3:49 minutes)
USA: released 18 September 1972, Enterprise ENA-9058, A&B-sides
UK: released 3 November 1972, Stax Records 2025 146, A&B-sides
A-side is a Leon Ware and Jacqueline Hilliard song. Later recorded by Third Creation and issued (Promo-only) in the USA on Motown M 1250F in 1973. The B-side Type Thang was featured in the "Shaft's Big Score" film but not on the soundtrack album.

3. Rolling Down A Mountainside (4:18 minutes)
4. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right (4:43 minutes)
USA: March 1973, Enterprise ENA-9065, A&B-sides as above
UK: 20 April 1973, Stax 2025 117, sides reversed, A-side was (If Loving You…)

5. Joy Pt 1 (4:35 minutes)
6. Joy Pt 2 (3:41 minutes)
USA: released November 1973, Enterprise ENA-9085, A&B-sides
UK: released 8 February 1974, Stax Records 2025 220, A&B-sides
Note: A&B-sides is an Isaac Hayes song – the full length 15:55 minute album cut is on the October 1973 US LP "Joy" on Enterprise ENS-5007 (October 1973 UK on Stax 2325 111, reissued UK on Stax STX 1016 in August 1974)

7. Wonderful (3:37 minutes)
8. Someone Made You For Me (4:00 minutes)
USA: released March 1974, Enterprise ENA-9095
UK: no UK issue
Note: Non-LP track in the USA at the time of release. A -side by Isaac Hayes, B-side by Henry Glover (both produced by IH). Finally released on a US compilation CD album called "Wonderful" in September 1994 on Stax SCD-8585-2 (Stax CDSXE 112 in the UK). The 9-track "Wonderful" CD compilation gathered up seven of his Non-LP Enterprise US singles and added in two Live Songs from the "Wattstax/The Living Word" two double-albums - "Ain't No Sunshine" (a Bill Withers cover at 17:38 minutes) and a longer live take of "Rolling Down A Mountainside" at 5:27 minutes – both recorded in Los Angeles, 20 August 1972 (from Volume 1 and 2 respectively)

9. Title Theme (2:32 minutes)
10. Hung Up On My Baby (Instrumental) (3:37 minutes)
USA: released July 1974, Enterprise ENA-9104, A&B-sides
UK: released 30 August 1974, Stax STXS 2004, A&B-sides
Note: the A-side is the same length as the "Tough Guys" Soundtrack LP cut to the Paramount film "Three Tough Guys" – but the B-side is an edit to the full-length LP version of 6:15 minutes

11. Chocolate Chip (Vocal) (3:45 minutes)
12. Chocolate Chip (Instrumental) (4:05 minutes)
USA: released August 1975, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC-12118, A&B-sides
UK: released 22 August 1975, ABC Records ABC 4076, A&B-sides
Note: written by IH, both tracks from the 1975 US LP "Chocolate Chip" on Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABCD-874 - LP versions are 5:30 and 5:32 minutes respectively

13. Come Live With Me (3:24 minutes)
14. Body Language (3:45 minutes)
USA: released October 1975, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC-12138, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: written by IH, both tracks from the 1975 US LP "Chocolate Chip" on Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABCD-874 – LP versions are 6:35 and 5:31 minutes respectively

15. Disco Connection (3:38 minutes)
16. St. Thomas Square (4:39 minutes)
USA: released 15 February 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC-12171, A&B-sides
UK: released 19 March 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC 4100, A&B-sides
Note: credited to ISAAC HAYES MOVEMENT – both tracks on the 1975 US LP "Disco Connection" on Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABCD-923 – LP versions are 6:14 and 5:52 minutes respectively

17. Rock Me Easy Baby (Pt.1) (3:32 minutes)
18. Rock Me Easy Baby (Pt.2) (3:55 minutes)
USA: released April 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC-12176, A&B-sides
UK: released 11 June 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC 4111, A&B-sides
Note: from the 1976 US LP "Groove-A-Thon" on Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABCD-925 – full LP version is 8:17 minutes

19. Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak) Pt. I (3:43 minutes)
20. Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak) Pt. II (3:07 minutes)
USA: released August 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC-12206, A&B-sides
UK: released 10 September 1976, Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABC 4136, A&B-sides
Note: from the 1976 US LP "Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)" on Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records ABCD-953 – full LP version is 6:15 minutes

As it was with Volume 1 - the 16-page booklet of Volume 2 features fantastically detailed liner notes from Ace's long-standing Soul Expert and Scribe – TONY ROUNCE – a sure sign of quality – and clearly a big fan of the mighty Hayes. All pages are sided with US, UK and European label repros and rare picture sleeves (dig the Pic Sleeves for "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" and "Joy" on Pages 5 and 7). By the time we get to 1974, 1975 and 1976 – most territories have dispensed with anything as elaborate as a picture sleeve and instead the booklet pops for 45 Promo Copies on the Hot Buttered Soul/ABC Records labels. A good read and fabulous Remasters from long-time Audio Engineer for Ace - NICK ROBBINS – this period featuring super clear Production values and a band in the pocket every time – even if the material does not reach the pinnacle of his earlier Stax output. To the tunes…

For 1972, "Theme From The Men" sounds like Disco four years before the charts caught on to its rhythms – gorgeous audio as those strings and brass jabs kick in. Loving the wah-wah and arrangement that has the slightest touch of 007 about its swagger. Followed by one of my fave-raves - you're a square type-thang if you're feet ain't moving to the so-period Soundtrack-meets-Soul of "Type Thang". Strings feature heavily before the Big Ike comes in with his winners-and-losers chocolate éclair vocals - "Rolling Down A Mountainside" – the Movement funking with those brass and strings backing up by a driving beat. I doubt there a wrong version of the right love song that is "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" – a fabulous Homer Banks, Carl Hampton and Raymond Jackson song made famous by Luther Ingram and others. Many countries probably played this over the official A. 

You can feel the sophistication and era changes in "Joy" – a fabulous groove on an admittedly patchy album (of the same name). Whittled down from its marathon 16-minutes on the LP – Hayes cleverly gives Part 2 to DJs on the flipside so with two copies they could cue-in Part II as punters got into the groove they did not want to end. This joyful Funky pairing is my current go-to combo on this compilation. "Wonderful" is another cool groove even if the lyrics are a tad cheesy – a Non-LP 45 with the Bacharach/David-embracing smoocher "Someone Made You For Me" on the flipside. No such lurve shenanigans with the wild guitars and very Blaxploitation vibe to "Title Theme" (the movie Two Tough Guys) – warbling high-hats, fuzz licks and brass – the production though has always bothered me and still does. Way better is the high-stepping instrumental "Hung Up On My Baby" which feels like George Benson and Phil Upchurch with something funky going on in a sensual guitar way (brass joins the soloing about one and half-minutes in to fab effect, followed by a fuzzed-up Isley Brothers type guitar solo). You can so hear why this cut is sought after – all business and no bollox.

Both cuts of "Chocolate Chip" have a relentlessly Funky backbeat that must have torn up dancefloors - James Brown and Isaac Hayes melted into one brass-driving gem. Time to lurve baby - Ike has done a lot of playing around (big cities and smaller towns) but now he's found a girl he wants to settle with and she needs to "Come Live With Me". Gorgeous production values for sure and a clear Remaster - but this kind of soppy smooch is hard to hack in 2025. Better is the guitar, high hat and piano slink in "Body Language" where her action produces satisfaction (steady now Ike). And again - really great audio with presence and power as the strings lift things up about 1:25 minutes in. 

For me the ever-so-slight rot started in on "Disco Connection" - a half-decent groove but one that still feels somehow uninspired. But I had forgotten how good the instrumental B-side "St. Thomas Square" was - a pleasant surprise. 1976 and we're embracing a combo of Disco and Funk with (mostly) great results - his "Rock Me Easy Baby" and "Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)" singles filled with loverman lyrics and sexy-lexy 'long as you please me' grooves (check out Part 2 of Rock Me Easy Baby – heavy on the Tablas and Heavy breathing). For sure "Juicy Fruit..." is the lesser of the two – but I know genre lovers who swear it's a forgotten deep cut that should be revisited. And again - fantastic audio filling your overheating speakers.

Like its predecessor Volume 1 - despite its occasional dips - I am going to keep coming back to "Hot Buttered Singles Volume 2: 1972-1976". This is another win-win compilation for Ace - suave Symphonic Soul and Funk making me dig it...easy baby...

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"I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" by NORMA TANEGA – 1971 Second Studio Album on RCA Victor Records UK (no US issue) featuring Musician Mike Maran, Producer Don Paul and Arranger Nick Harrison (31 January 2025 UK Ace Records Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks - Two 1971 Library Music Rarities and Two Previously Unreleased – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Audio ****

Presentation *****

"…Fragments Of You And Me…"

Bubbly and giggling Californian Norma Tanega was famously a London lover to Britain's Dusty Springfield for five years (late Sixties to the early Seventies) when such a relationship (let alone the union of two musicians) was both physically dangerous and a very definite commercial no-no (Dusty lived in terror of being outed). Tanega also wrote songs for Dusty scattered across albums and flipsides. But in the last seven years especially (we are here in January 2025) – Norma's 1971 Lesbian Love Letter Album to Dusty has acquired hero worship amongst lost-gems aficionados. And at times you can hear why.

Despite its rather caustic (maybe even sensing doom up ahead) title – Norma's "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" album is a deeply romantic homespun Folk outing with some Sunshine Pop, Baroque and Chamber Music Harpsichord thrown into the mix - flourishes that feel more Flowers In My Hair 1967 than Led Zeppelin 1971 where levees are breaking to the sound of whacked drum kits and droning harmonicas. It doesn't help either that five of its sixteen tracks are kind of pointless instrumentals or that one only-ok song is represented twice ("What More In This World Could Anyone Be Living For"). For me - to appreciate the I'm in love truth coursing through its pretty veins – I programmed my own Norma Tanega album (you can see the list below) – and that – even if I say so myself - is a very lovely thing indeed.

When this second studio album of hers was released in the late spring of 1971 by RCA Records UK (no one seems to know its actual release date, probably May or June 1971) - a confused and probably disinterested RCA had already floated the songs "Nothing Much Is Happening Today" and "Antarctic Rose" as a 45-single in April 1971 on RCA Victor RCA 2072. But it sold zip and is now as rare as the Vinyl LP. There is not (nor has there been) a 1971 US equivalent of the album and the single was UK-only too. In fact, up until 1971, Norma was famous for one chart 45 in February 1966 in the States on New Voice Records called "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog" which was a minor hit (March 1966 in the UK on Stateside SS 496). 

In the booklet - the few trade-newspaper reviews Ace were able to reproduce make much of her five-year absence from the music scene – describing her as a nomad. In fact - as you read the tiny newspaper print - you can feel the reviewer fighting the inherent negativity in the 45-single song title used to promote the album - "Nothing Much Is Happening Today" - by calling her new music on RCA as not nothing much – but actually good. Truth was (as Bob Stanley gleans in the liner notes) - the LP would have been and was hard to market given its scattergun approach – too many instrumentals and not enough radio-friendly three-minute ditties to coax the Top of the Pops crowds. So - forgotten it was - probably in UK remainder bins by November 1971 with a 'drastically reduced to 78p' sticker stuck on its laminate sleeve. 

There was a May 2022 Norma Tanega 2CD/2LP compilation called "I'm The Sky: Studio and Demo Recordings 1964-1971" issued on Anthology Recordings ARC084 (Barcode 184923608427) that scattered most of the album across two discs - but this 31 Jan 2025 variant appears to be the first reissue on CD of the album proper. So old Ace Records of the UK have pulled off a wee bit of a coup here by being the first company to reissue the album "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" on CD - and this time - as a Remastered 'Expanded Edition' with Four Bonus Tracks – two of which are from an uber rare Library Music LP (also 1971) and the other two are Previously Unreleased.

A word to the wise first. In the Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide of 2018 (not so long ago) – this album is not even listed at a value of £15. How time has changed. Enterprising dealers and Folk-Prog Folk-Pastoral seekers have stumbled on an album I couldn't give away in the racks of Reckless in Soho for decades and are now asking £400 or more on auction sites. Is it worth that much wonga on original vinyl – no not really. But is it any good? I say a relieved yes - especially in a selected-songs program mode that cuts out some of the faff (more of that at the end of the review). Let's get to the details…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" by NORMA TANEGA on Ace Records CDTOP 1653 (Barcode 029667111522) is a 20-Track CD Reissue and Remaster of her 16-Track 1971 UK album on RCA Victor Records (unissued in the USA) with Four Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (51:07 minutes):

1. Now Is The Time [Side 1]
2. Beautiful Things
3. Illusion
4. Cowfold (Instrumental)
5. Magic Day
6. Hampton Court (Instrumental)
7. What More In The World Could Anyone Be Living For (Version 2)
8. Clapham Junction (Instrumental) [Side 2]
9. Elephants Angels And Roses
10. Antarctic Rose 
11. Stranger
12. Barrell Organ Blues (Instrumental)
13. Nothing Much Is Happening Today
14. What More In This World Could Anyone Be Living For (Version 1)
15. Upper Osterley (Instrumental)
16. A Goodbye Song
Tracks 1 to 16 are her second studio album "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" – released (May or June) 1971 on RCA Victor SF 8217 in the UK (no US issue). Produced by DON PAUL – it did not chart

BONUS TRACKS:
17. Barrel Organ
18. Alternator Man
19. Upside Down Town 
20. Magic Day (Demo)

NOTES:
Two of the four bonus tracks on this CD reissue (Tracks 17 and 18) were originally part of three instrumentals featured on a 1971 24-Track UK Library Music LP called "Period/Pastoral/Solo Instruments – Moog/Dramatic" on Standard Music Library ESL/121. The other (third) instrumental was "Cowfold" – which showed up on Side 1 of the "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" LP

Side 1 of that Library Music LP was called "Period/Pastoral/Solo Instruments" while Side 2 was "Moog/Dramatic" – her three were on Side 1. Track 19 of the Bonuses is another harpsichord instrumental called "Upside Down Town" while Track 20 "Magic Day (Demo)" is also Previously Unreleased. The Demo of "Magic Day" is a Vocal Take with less instruments than the LP cut. Just as lovely as the issued ballad on the album - for me "Magic Day (Demo)" is undoubtedly the prize previously unreleased track on this timely CD reissue/remaster.

Long-standing Audio Engineer for Ace Records NICK ROBBINS has done the transfers and the Audio is sweet – warm and lovely – as much of the album demands. For sure there are some ragged top-end edges here and there – but for the main – this feels like an upgrade of a forgotten album that deserves audio TLC. BOB STANLEY handles the liner notes to the 12-page booklet and gives an excellent history of her career whilst quoting references on the recordings – singles pictured between the text etc. The usual bang-up-job from Ace. To the music…

The idea that this is a lost classic or masterpiece is stretching credulity for me. But – and I do mean this – I have re-sequenced the album into 11 tracks instead of its original cluttered 16 and included in that rejigger is a repeat of the "Magic Day" track albeit in Demo form. I use only one instrumental of the five on the original (wasted spaces in my mind), dropped the two versions of "What More In This World Could Anyone Be Living For", added the Demo Version of "Magic Day" (to make that the doubled-up track instead). The album title comes from lyrics in "Illusion" and reflects the romanticism of the lyric-songs. 

The album opens with "Now Is The Time" – an attempt at a singer-songwriter Rock Song maybe ala Carole King or even Vinegar Joe – but the electric guitars feel heavy-handed on what is essentially a Folk album. Thankfully better is to come. "Beautiful Things" and "Illusion" are where the LP lights up – sweet and heartfelt ballads that employ strings and the musical talents of Mike Maran – the man who oversaw the whole LP (his reminiscences of recording are in the booklet). The first of five instrumentals rears its intrusive head - "Cowfold" having been used on the Library Music LP described above that also appeared in 1971. The only instrumental I have time for here is "Clapham Junction" - a harpsichord ditty that features her infectious giggle and laugh (Ace used it on the "London A to Z…" CD compilation of 2023 curated by Bob Stanley). Again, things pick up.

As I play this truly warm Remaster of "Magic Day" – it is a gorgeous song and should have been the single - "…I am so very happy…to be able to call you my friend…" and "…evening rainbows shine across her face…ring around the sun the world is falling into place…" and "…you gave me a dazzling day…a sky full of music and fairytale delights…" It is one of the sweetest and most celebratory Gay love songs I have ever heard. The demo in the bonuses is just as beautiful. There is a slight harshness to the acoustic guitars of "Antarctic Rose" – a tale of blue lips and minus ten degrees below in Iceland – Aurora Borealis lights enchanting and lonely at the same time. 

There is little doubt about the depth of her love in the Harpsichord gorgeous and upbeat "Elephant Angels And Roses" – lyrics like "…I think about you…angels inside awake when I touch you…everything I see is a fragment of you and me…" or how about "…love is a playground…world is a big zoo…elephants mingle with angels and roses…love is you…" There is a slightly fazed soft trippy Sunshine Pop acoustic guitar touch to "Stranger" – her song full of empathy – full moon tenderly. 

So, there you have it. Not quite the undiluted masterpiece of yesterday dealers are assuring you it is - but nonetheless - there is a loveliness and charm to Norma Tanega's "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" (especially in a programmed rejigger) that just couldn't happen in a sinister-ridden 2025. And with a decent Audio Remaster and booklet that explains and appreciates her contributions - once again Ace Records of the UK have done collectors a solid. 

Innocently, perhaps even naively, Tanega sang "…I am a stranger to this time…but the space of loving knows no tears…" back in the receding mists of 1971 just before her union with that beautiful British icon ended shortly after. This excellent CD reissue captures some of that 'Magic Day' that lasted five years and meant so much to Norma (she passed in December 2019, Dusty in March 1999). Investigate...

PS: Controversy time - my suggested 11-Track 'alternate album' by Norma Tanega is called "The You Of Us". The title I've chosen comes from lyrics in the song "Illusions". I've tried a few combinations, but this one makes for such a lovely listen. You can sequence it from the CD tracks suggested below (total playing time of 33:04 minutes).

Side 1 (Program CD Tracks 2, 3, 8, 5 and 10):
1. Beautiful Things
2. Illusion
3. Clapham Junction (Instrumental)
4. Magic Day
5. Antarctic Rose

Side 2 (Program CD Tracks 9, 11, 13, 1, 20 and 16):
1. Elephants Angels And Roses
2. Stranger
3. Nothing Much Is Happening Today
4. Now Is The Time
5. Another Magic Day
6. A Goodbye Song

PPS: Why is the Fly Records logo on the rear inlay of this Ace CD?

"You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 26 x UK 45-Single Tracks from 1963 to 1969 in Mono (23) and Stereo (3) by Helen Shapiro, Alma Colgan, Vashti (Bunyan), Friday Browne, Glenda Collins, Valerie Mitchell, The Three Bells, Cilla Black, Elkie Brooks, The Soul Mates and The Jet Set featuring Liza Strike, Jackie Lee, Ottilie Patterson Accompanied By Sonny Boy Williamson, Tiffany, Millicent Martin, Barbara Ruskin, Jane Hillary and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of 26 Tracks (14 New to CD) Remastered by Nick Robbins – Eleventh Release in their 'Beat Girls' Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS: 

Overall ****

Audio ****

Presentation *****

"…Cry No More…"

To look at this January 2025 UK CD smooching your New Year retinas with knowing saucy winks – you would not credit it with being release number eleven in Ace's ongoing series for 60t's trailblazing women - Beat Girls. 

In fact - "You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls" is a second-volume follow-up to its well-reviewed predecessor "Marylebone Beat Girls 1964-1967" from June 2017 – a whopping seven years after that quietly joyful event (see full list of Beat Girls releases below). Of course, with a compilation listen like this - you do have to love Sixties Mono Singles (only three are in Stereo) and the constant angst/purring of beehive babes who may or may not know how to woo innocent Mutts and Jeffs. 

Many of the 60ts lady heroes (sung and unsung) are here – the ground-breakers like in-demand session Vocalist Liza Strike, eventual Tyne Tees TV Presenter Friday Browne whose 45 is sought-after and not just for John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page on the B-side, chanteuse Elkie Brooks before her teaming up with Robert Palmer in Vinegar Joe and then a huge solo career to this day, Just Another Diamond Day folk darling Vashti Bunyan, sexpot sister Valerie Mitchell (her sibling was Janie Jones of The Clash fame – check out their ample-assets photo on Page 14), Irish Blues nut Ottilie Patterson teaming up with visiting Chess Records legend Sonny Boy Williamson in 1964 to do a Big Joe Williams cover and of course that genre ground-breaker from up North - Cilla Black (gorgeous colour snap of Lorra-Lorra on the rear page of the chock-a-block booklet – Vashti Bunyan graces the front sleeve colour shot – new from her archive). The Black and White photos that follow each entry too are enough to make you teary-eyed – doing it back in the day when talent plus cahonies was genuinely out there for any young woman.

Marylebone was/is an area in London within earshot of Abbey Road Studios where many of these young EMI hopefuls were recorded – Columbia, Parlophone and HMV Records being the bulk of these UK 45-single releases. Amassing the Discography however for these 26 sides (14 new to CD) - it is noticeable that many entries are rated at 5 or 6 good - rather than 7, 8, 9 or 10 great – so some caution is advised for newcomers (hence the 4-star rating despite exceptional presentation). 

But once again the NICK ROBBINS Audio is as pucker as you would expect from an Audio Engineer who must be one of the most experienced in England - and the IAN CHAPMAN and MICK PATRICK liner notes of 24-pages seriously needs to be put up for some kind of writing award – page after dedicated page of superlative in-depth researched detail collectors will love. To the go-getter backcombed gals of yesteryear – damsels who were not distressed but determined to damn the torpedoes no matter what cardigans said - to the details…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 1652 (Barcode 029667112222) is a 26-Track CD-only Compilation of Remasters from 1963 to 1969 including 14 Tracks New to CD. It is the eleventh release in their Beat Girls Series (see full list below) and plays out as follows (65:35 minutes):

1.Snakes And Snails – ALMA COGAN (July 1965, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7652, A-side – written by Chris Curtis of The Searchers – features John Paul Jones on Bass and Jimmy Page on Guitar)

2. I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In) – HELEN SHAPIRO (1967 recording first issued on the February 1998 UK CD compilation "At Abbey Road 1961 to 1967" on EMI 493 4522 (Barcode 724349345225) – a Lesley Gore cover version)

3. Don't Let It Rain – KATHY KISSOON [aka Peanut] (January 1969, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8525 in STEREO, A-side – written by John Peel and S. Roberton – became the Charting Duo Mac And Katie Kissoon in the Seventies – thereafter Katie Kissoon became a hugely popular Backing Vocalist for big names like Van Morrison, Roger Waters, Robbie Williams, George Harrison and many more) – see also Track 20 – the B-side

4. Too Late To Say You're Sorry – THE SOUL MATES (September 1965, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5334, A-side – featuring singer Liza Strike – song written by Brian Henderson) – for LIZA STRIKE see also Tracks 10 and 25

5. Getting Nowhere – FRIDAY BROWNE (January 1966, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5396, A-side – her real name is Maran Stockley – song written by Graham Gouldman later of 10cc – B-side (Track 24) "And (To Me He Meant Everything)" is sought after by collectors because it features Jimmy Page on Guitar pre-Led Zeppelin) – see also Track 24

6. The Town I Live In – JACKIE LEE (November 1966, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8052, A-side – Mike Leander Arrangements) – see also Track 12 as EMMA REID

7. From Now On – CILLA BLACK (November 1967, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5652 in STEREO, B-side of "I Only Live To Love You" – both sides Produced by George Martin of Beatles fame)

8. Cry No More – THE THREE BELLS (August 1966, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7980, A-side – three sisters, Sue, Carole and Jean Bell from Liverpool - song written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy and first issued by Ben E. King) – see also Track 15

9. He's Gotta Love Me – ELKIE BROOKS (June 1965, HMV POP 1431, A-side – written by Kenny Lynch and Jerry Ragovoy – later joined Vinegar Joe with Singer Robert Palmer) – see also Track 14

10. How Can I Know – LIZA & THE JET SET (September 1965, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5248, B-side of "Dancing Yet" – song written by Brian Henderson) – see also Tracks 4 with The Soul Mates and Track 25 as The Jet Set

11. You Can Go – VALERIE MITCHELL (May 1966, UK 45-single on HMV POP 1529, A-side – written by Sidney Gilbert – sister of Marion Mitchell aka Janie Jones made famous (infamous) by The Clash song on their debut album)

12. Just Like A Man – EMMA REDE [aka Jackie Lee, see Track 6] (February 1967, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8136, A-side – written by Les Reed and Barry Mason)

13. Baby It Hurts – GLENDA COLLINS (April 1964, UK 45-single on HMV POP 1283, A-side – written by Billy Page – both A&B-sides are R.G.M. Sound which was Joe Meek – B-side "Nice Wasn't It" also written by Joe Meek)

14. Stop The Music – ELKIE BROOKS (February 1966, UK 45-single on HMV POP 1512, B-side of "Baby Let Me Love You") see also Track 9

15. He Doesn't Love Me – THE THREE BELLS (October 1964, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7399, B-side of "Softly In The Night" – three sisters, Sue, Carole and Jean Bell from Liverpool - song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde and covered earlier in the year by The Breakaways on their March 1964 UK 45 as the A-side of Pye 7N 15618) – see also Track 8

16. I Know – TIFFANY (July 1965, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5311, B-side of "Am I Dreaming" – real name Irene Green, ex Liverbirds – song is a Susan George cover version)

17. Baby Please Don't Go – OTTILIE PATTERSON Accompanied By SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (February 1964, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7208, A-side – a Big Joe Williams cover version, Irish Born singer and Blues enthusiast Ottilie sings Lead Vocals while Blues Legend Sonny Boy Williamson also provides Harmonica – arranged and conducted by Ivor Raymonde)

18. Get Lost My Love – MILLICENT MARTIN (June 1963, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5033, B-side of "Gravy Waltz")

19. Take Me Away – JANE HILLARY (May 1966, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7918, B-side of "You've Got That Hold On Me" – Produced and Written by Don Charles and Peter Lee Sterling aka Don And Pete who had released one UK single "And I'm Crying Again" on Columbia DB 7881 in April 1966 – Jane Hillary is Brenda Hill of The Ravons who appeared on Opportunity Knocks in 1965)

20. Will I Never See The Sun – KATHY KISSOON (January 1969, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8525 in STEREO, B-side of "Don't Let It Rain" - became the Charting Duo Mac And Katie Kissoon in the Seventies – thereafter Katie Kissoon became a hugely popular Backing Vocalist for big names like Van Morrison, Roger Waters, Robbie Williams, George Harrison and many more) – see also Track 3 – the A-side

21. Come In To My Arms Again – BARBARA RUSKIN (October 1967, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5642, A-side – written by Barbara Ruskin – was later covered in the USA by The Vogues for their July 1970 45-single as the B-side of their 50ts Medley song on Reprise 0931)

22. Train Song – VASHTI (May 1966, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7917, A-side – real name Vashti Bunyan) – for its B-side "Love Song" see also Track 26

23. You Kissed Me Boy – LESLEY DUNCAN (February 1964, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5106, A-side – written by Lesley Duncan and Jimmy Duncan)

24. And (To Me He Meant Everything) – FRIDAY BROWNE (January 1966, UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5396, B-side of "Getting Nowhere" (see Track 5) – her real name is Maran Stockley – "And (To Me He Meant Everything)" is sought after by collectors because it features Jimmy Page on Guitar pre-Led Zeppelin) – for Friday Browne see also Track 5

25. You Got Me Hooked – THE JET SET (November 1964, Parlophone R 5199, A-side – The Jet set featuring Lead Vocalist and Session Singer Liza Strike – see also Track 4 by The Soulmates and Track 10 by Liza & The Jet Set

26. Love Song – VASHTI (May 1966, UK 45-single on Columbia DB 7917, A-side – real name Vashti Bunyan) – for its A-side "Train Song" see also Track 22

NOTES: All Tracks in MONO except Tracks 3, 7 and 20 in STEREO

The listen stretches through a surprising number of flipsides - from the cool kitsch of June 1963 (Millicent Martin) through to January 1969 (Katie Kissoon) – but mostly concentrates on the mid-years inbetween. Clever-inclusions come in the shape of the sought-after Millicent Martin B-side from 1963 "Get Lost My Love" on Parlophone – later to become globally famous as a version of the brassy theme song used in The Austin Powers Movie – an almost vaudeville nugget that offset the terrible "Gravy Waltz" A-side. Working with The Yardbirds as he toured England and Europe – Chess Records giant Sonny Boy Williamson was boozed and schmoozed by the young men and ladies of Blighty – enjoying a renaissance not afforded in his native land. Northern Ireland vocal belter Ottilie Patterson (County Down) lets rip with her Bessie Smith growl and purr on the Big Joe Williams classic "Baby Please Don't Go" – her fantastic pairing producing a winner. Another Six Counties genius Van Morrison would also tackle this gem with Them on Decca a few years later – but you have to say that the liner notes are right to claim that Ottilie was a firebrand singer now overlooked – smart stuff to put the track on here. 

A definite move forward in sound and feel and back when she was called Kathy – Katie Kissoon gets all melodrama Soulful with her fab 1969 B-side "Will I Never See The Sun" – great stuff and one Mods and Northern Soul fans will dig. Speaking of Soulful girlies – Barbara Ruskin belts out her own "Come In To My Arms Again" in a very Phil Spector Ronettes fashion – all Wall of Sound melodrama over-produced (on purpose) by Jack MacLeod. The sheet music to the Lesley Duncan song "You Kissed Me Boy" appears on Page 3 – a pretty song at best - but LD would go on to write so much better stuff in the Seventies – see my review for the 2CD anthology "Sing Lesley Sing: The RCA and CBS Recordings 1968-1972" on RMP Records from June 2017. Fantastic is the only way to describe the slink of Liza Strike as she vocally elevates the title track "You Got Me Hooked". Soft and mellow and pretty does it as all five foot eight and half-inches tall (her EMI bio) Vashti Bunyan (then trading as Vashti) travels North for her "Train Song" – longing for her man on a British Rail rustbucket in that ever-so-slightly fay whispered vocal of hers - the equally lovely blue-eyed B-side "Love Song" (Track 26) ends the compilation in a perhaps too mellow manner (but collectors will love their inclusion).

I often find the idea of these compilations better than the actual listen – but "You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls" achieves that double-whammy that Ace Records does so well – a surprising and uplifting tinkle on the memory glands whilst at the same time satisfying the lust of collectors for rarities on Remastered Digital. 

Well done to the good chaps praising ground-breaking ladies – admirable and fun. And as I eye the black and white promo photos of a Five Point Cut Helen Shapiro on Page 5 or the gorgeous Updo Styled Katie Kissoon on Page 6 or even a brooding Bob Bouffant Millicent Martin on Page 18 – I think of their classiness and the sheer hutzpah they had to take on such a male dominated world. 

I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In) - Helen Shapiro and her fellow goers sang in the Sixties – yes you are and yes you did…recommended…

 Beat Girls Series from Ace Records of the UK

CDs and LPs Issued from March 2016 to January 2025

1. "Love Hit Me! Decca Beat Girls 1962-1970" (24 Tracks)
CD (24 Tracks):
Released 25 March 2016 on Ace Records CDCHD 1456 (Barcode 029667074629)
VINYL LP as "Love Hit Me! Decca Beat Girls 1963-1970" (12 Tracks, 180 Grams, Sunshine Yellow Coloured Vinyl)
Released 25 March 2016 on Ace Records XXQLP 041 (Barcode 029667004312)
 
2. "Scratch My Back! Pye Beat Girls 1963-1968" (24 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 29 April 2016 on Ace Records CDCHD 1472 (Barcode 029667075923)
 
3. "The Girls Want The Boys! Sweden's Beat Girls 1964-1970"
CD (24 Tracks):
Released 28 October 2016 on Ace Records CDTOP 1482 (Barcode 029667077224)
VINYL LP (12 Tracks, 180 Grams, White Coloured Vinyl LP)
Released 28 October 2016 on Ace Records XXQLP 048 (Barcode 029667005319)
 
4. "Marylebone Beat Girls 1964-1967"
CD (25 Tracks):
Released 30 June 2017 on Ace Records CDTOP 1492 (Barcode 029667078726)
VINYL LP (12 Tracks, 180 Grams Weight, Orange Coloured Vinyl):
Released 30 June 2017 on Ace Records XXQLP 050 (Barcode 029667005715)
 
5. "Beat Girls Español! 1960s She-Pop From Spain" (Torrelaguna Sound and Yé-Yé)
CD (25 Tracks):
Released 26 January 2018 on Ace Records CDTOP 1512 (Barcode 029667086325)
VINYL LP (14 Tracks, 180 Grams, White Coloured Vinyl LP)
Released 26 January 2018 on Ace Records XXQLP 053 (Barcode 029667007115)
 
6. "She Came From Hungary! 1960s Beat Girls From The Eastern Bloc"
CD (24 Tracks):
Released 25 September 2018 on Ace International CDTOP 1519 (Barcode 029667088329)
VINYL LP (14-Tracks, 180 Grams, Translucent Red Coloured Vinyl LP)
Released 25 September 2018 on Ace International XXQLP 054 (Barcode 029667007917)
 
7. "Live It Up! Bayswater Beat Girls 1964-1967" (25 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 30 August 2019 on Ace Records CDTOP 1550 (Barcode 029667095327)
 
8. "She Came From Liverpool! Merseybeat Girl-Pop 1962-1968" (24 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 29 November 2019 on Ace Records CDTOP 1561 (Barcode 029667096829)
 
9. "Don't Blow Your Cool! More 60s Girls From UK Decca" (24 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 29 May 2020 on Ace Records CDTOP 1568 (Barcode 029667097826)
 
10. "She Wants You! Pye Records' Feminine Side 1964-1970" (25 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 26 February 2021 on Ace Records CDTOP 1596 (Barcode 029667101028)
 
11. "You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls" (25 Tracks, CD-only)
Released 31 January 2025 on Ace Records CDTOP 1652 (Barcode 029667112222)