"Southern Comfort" by THE CRUSADERS – Instrumental US Double-Album from October 1974 on Blue Thumb Records (April 1975 UK on ABC Records) featuring Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Larry Carlton and Stix Hooper (July 2016 Japan-Only Universal/MCA Records SHM-CD Reissue in the 'Fusion Best 50 Collection' Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...When There's Love Around..."

The first version of this CD was released in Japan 18 January 2012 on Universal/MCA Records UCCY-9904 (Barcode 4988005694553) on a Standard CD. 

This new 6 July 2016 variant is a Reissue of that, only this time what's different is an SHM-CD has been included (Super High Materials is a superior format for better retrieval of info and is playable on all machines), a budget price as part of Universal Japan's Fusion Best 50 Collection Series and a new catalogue number/barcode.

It is NOT a Remaster and doesn't come in MINI LP repro artwork – just another jewel case with an Obi Strip wrapped round the outside. But no remaster credit or not (the 2012 variant didn't have one either) – someone has transferred this to the highest standard and along with its top quality original production values - it sounds just stunning. Let's get to the Jazz Funk...

Released 6 July 2016 in Japan-only - "Southern Comfort" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/MCA Records UCCU-90185 (Barcode 4988031159583) is a SHM-CD Reissue in the Fusion Best 50 Collection Series and features the entire 1974 double-album mastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (63:59 minutes):

1. Stomp And Buck Dance [Side 1]

2. Greasy Spoon

3. Get On The Soul Ship (It's Sailing)

4. Super-Stuff

5. Double Bubble [Side 2]

6. The Well's Gone Dry

7. Southern Comfort

8. Time Bomb

9. When There's Love Around [Side 3]

10. Lilies Of The Nile

11. Whispering Pines [Side 4]

12. A Ballad For Joe (Louis)

Tracks 1 to 12 are the double-album "Southern Comfort" - released October 1974 in the USA on Blue Thumb Records BTSY-9002-2 and April 1975 in the UK on ABC Records ABCD 607. Produced by STEWART LEVINE - it peaked at No. 3 on the US R&B charts and No. 31 on the US Pop LP charts.

THE CRUSADERS were:

WAYNE HENDERSON - Trombone (wrote "Stomp And Buck Dance", "Super-Stuff", "Southern Comfort" and "Whispering Pines")

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards (wrote "Get On The Soul Ship (It's Sailing)", "Double Bubble", "Time Bomb" and "A Ballad For Joe (Louis)")

WILTON FELDER - Tenor Saxophone (wrote "Lilies Of The Nile")

LARRY CARLTON - Guitars (wrote "The Well's Gone Dry")

NESBERT "STIX" HOOPER - Drums (wrote "Greasy Spoon" and "When There's Love Around")

The gatefold inlay has the track-credits on the left side and some Japanese writing on the right (zip in other words). In fact this 2016 reissue actually uses the inlay and rear sleeve insert from the January 2012 issue with the catalogue number UCCY-9904 on them. I suppose given that its a 'budget' reissue, it would have been a bit much to expect a new booklet. But the Audio is what matters to me and this sucker boogies.

This double scored big on the US R&B charts, rising to an impressive high of No. 3, no mean feat for an entire 2LP set made up of Jazz Funk instrumentals. But then when you buy the 2CD "Gold" anthology for The Crusaders, you will find I think as many as five tracks from "Southern Comfort" on it. And after hearing the fabulous jutting Funk of "Stomp And Buck Dance" - it's easy to hear why. This is a commercial Soulful Jazz given a funkified groove by a band of five musicians utterly in sync with each other and the sub-genre they were championing (they would eventually make a global breakthrough with Randy Crawford singing the title track on their "Street Life" album in 1979 on MCA Records).

Highlights include piano-sexy sleaze of Stix Hooper's "Greasy Spoon", the mid-tempo Steely Dan slink of Joe Sample's "Get On The Soul Ship (It's Sailing)" and Wilton Felder's near ten minutes of "Lilies Of The Nile" where Carlton and Felder both get to be Soulful and stretch out. I'd admit that some of the tracks on Side 3 and 4 can overstay their welcome a tad, but mostly it's just class all the way, culminating in Joe Sample's lovely seven and half minutes of "A Ballad For Joe (Louis)" – sweet as.

I've adored The Crusaders and their equally cool solo efforts for over four decades now and "Southern Comfort" is one their touchstone gems. It can whisper in my pines any day of the week, and this gorgeous sounding SHM-CD reissue is the one to get...

"Give Me The Night" by GEORGE BENSON - July 1980 Album on Warner Brothers featuring Quincy Jones Productions and Many Guests (24 June 2009 JAPAN-Only Warner Brothers SHM-CD Reissue with 24-Bit Remaster in Jewel Case) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Remember The Days When We Never Had A Dime…"

  

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE SHM-CD June 2009 REMASTER 

- Also References 2012 and 2015 Japanese CD Issues ***

Originally released on LP in July 1980 on Warner Brothers K 56823 in the UK and BSK 3453 in the USA - George Benson's "Give Me The Night" was a huge record at the time (it peaked at No. 3 in both countries). And like Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" from 1978 before it - its fusion of soul, funk and jazz was popular everywhere - crossing over every rock barrier like never before (it was Grammy nominated and won too).

Yet except for a few remastered tracks on the excellent George Benson 2CD "Anthology" set from 2000 on Rhino - the entire album has been languishing around for over three decades now on one of those awful Eighties CDs with dullard murky sound. Until now...

Released 24 June 2009 in Japan-only on Warner Bros WPCR-13453 (Barcode 4943674090396) - this 24-bit remastered version is an audiophile CD on their SUPER HIGH MATERIALS format (42:51 minutes). An SHM-CD is playable on all machines and is simply a better form of the compact disc. And coming from an era that is probably the most derided in history by music lovers - especially when it comes to bombastic sound and ham-fisted production excesses - this SHM-CD version is a beautifully realized remaster - it really is.

1. Love X Love

2. Off Broadway

3. Moody’s Mood

4. Give Me The Night

5. What’s On Your Mind [Side 2]

6. Dinorah, Dinorah

7. Love Dance

8. Star Of A Story (X)

9. Midnight Love Affair

10. Turn Out The Lamplight

It doesn't say who did the 24-bit transfer - but whoever did has produced the most awesome result because the sound quality is just glorious. Of course the album always had the immaculate production values of QUINCY JONES and the stunning array of top session men to thank for its polish anyway - but this newly upgraded version is just wonderful. It's neither falsely loud nor brash nor clinically clean - there's air around the instruments - it's just warm and there. You hear all the instrumentation - especially the bass and rhythm sections. The wildly underrated funky-as-James-Brown instrumental "Off Broadway" is just stunning now - as is David Wolinski's brilliantly soulful and sleek "Midnight Love Affair".

The jewel case is standard and there's the black and gold obi strip inside; the SHM CD itself feels slightly heavier to ordinary CDs - more substantial - it seems to hold better as it plays in the tray somehow - steady. The 8-page booklet is disappointingly the same as US/Euro issues (has session details though) and the extra foldout page of info about the album that you get in these Japanese issues is - well in Japanese - so its kinda useless.

With 6 of it's 10 killer songs written by Britain's ROD TEMPERTON 9Of Heatwave fame) and the immaculate production values of veteran sound man QUINCY JONES - "Give Me The Night" practically set up the template for the album that would literally take over the world three years later - Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (Quincy produced and Temperton wrote 3 of its 9 songs including the title track). As well as Temperton and Quincy charting the arrangements, the legendary David Foster is in there too. Guest Musicians included such luminaries as Guitarist Lee Ritenour, keyboard whiz-kids Greg Phillanganes, George Duke and Herbie Hancock, Larry Williams is on Flute, Patti Austin on Lead and Backing Vocals, Richard Tee on Synth, Jerry Hey on Trumpet, Abraham Laboriel on Bass, Paulinho Da Costa on Percussion and many more.

Gripes - no Euro/USA issue so it costs as an import - and it wouldn't have taken much to include the edited single mixes of "Give Me The Night" and "Love X Love" as bonus tracks. But this reissue is not about ramming the disc chock-full of extras - it's about the best sound - and on that front they've achieved their goal with absolute knobs on. A fantastic album that in 2020 is 40 years old – and for an LP from a much-derided decade to still sound so kicking and exciting is a testament to the sheer quality thrown at the original all those decades ago. But how do you get your hands on it now...

In October 2019, this 2009 Audiophile version is now unfortunately super expensive and awkward to locate (use Barcode 4943674090396 to locate the correct issue on Amazon or other sites). Subsequently, there has been two further reissues to date and again only in Japan – 13 June 2012 on Warner Brothers WPCR-14501 (Barcode 4943674118281) saw a new 2012 Remaster based on the US tapes put on a SHM-CD in Mini LP Packaging (now deleted and also expensive). That variant however was reissued 29 July 2015 on Warner Brothers WPCR-28201 (Barcode 4943674213399) in a jewel case with liner notes as part of their low-priced 'Fusion Best 1000 Series' (offering quality CDs for 1000 yen). That 2012 Remaster is the only one currently available in 2019 to purchase – often clocking in on Amazon and elsewhere at about £12.00 or so. A reasonable sum for such a great sounding reissue - enjoy...

Japan's Warner Bros. Jazz & Fusion SHM-CD Collection Series (2009)

"Give Me The Night" by George Benson is part of the Japanese-Only "Warner Bros. Jazz & Fusion SHM-CD Collection" Series - Audiophile 24-Bit Remastered SHM-CDs in a Jewel Case with Booklet and Obi.

SHM-CDs are fully compatible with all CD players – Super High Materials CDs are a better form of compact disc brought into play in 2006 (mostly exclusive to Japan) featuring advanced music retrieval over the standard CD that hasn't upgraded its format since introduction in 1983. In artist alphabetical order (all released 24 June 2009), the 20 titles in this Series are:

1. Breezin' (1976) - GEORGE BENSON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13452 – Barcode 4943674090372)

2. Give Me The Night (1980) – GEORGE BENSON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13453 (Barcode 4943674090396)

3. Larry Carlton (1978) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13446 – Barcode 4943674090297)

4. Sleepwalk (1982) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13448 – Barcode 4943674090334)

5. Strikes Twice (1980) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13447 – Barcode 4943674090303)

6. Amandla (1989) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13443 – Barcode 4943674090266)

7. Doo-Bop (1991) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13444 – Barcode 4943674090273)

8. Live Around The World (1996) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13445 – Barcode 4943674090280)

9. Siesta (1982) - MILES DAVIS and MARCUS MILLER

(Warner Bros WPCR-13442 – Barcode 4943674090259)

10. Tutu (1986) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros WPCR-13441 – Barcode 4943674090242)

11. Teasin' (1974) - CORNELL DUPREE

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13457 – Barcode 4943674090440)

12. Between The Sheets (1993) - FOURPLAY (1993)

[Featuring Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East and Harvey Mason]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13460 – Barcode 4943674090471)

13. Fourplay (1991) - FOURPLAY

[Featuring Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East and Harvey Mason]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13459 – Barcode 4943674090464)

14. Word Of Mouth (1981) - JACO PASTORIUS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13454 – Barcode 4943674090402)

15. Rit (1981) - LEE RITENOUR (see also FOURPLAY)

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13456 – Barcode 4943674090433)

16. The Captain's Journey (1978) - LEE RITENOUR

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13455 – Barcode 4943674090419)

17. Magnetic (1986) - STEPS AHEAD [feat Michael Brecker]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13458 – Barcode 494367409040457)

18. More Stuff (1977) - STUFF

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13450 – Barcode 494367409040358)

19. Stuff (1976) - STUFF

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13449 – Barcode 494367409040341)

20. Winelight (1980) - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr.

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13451 – Barcode 494367409040365)

"Naturally" by J.J. CALE - Debut US Album from 1971 on Shelter Records (June 2013 JAPAN-Only Universal SHM-CD Remaster In 5" Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Almost 300 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 3 of 3

- Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Psych, Avant Garde, Underground

Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Country Rock and more

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...I Think I'll Get Me Some To Go..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE JAPANESE-ONLY SHM CD REMASTER FROM 2013 ***

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 his superb 1972 debut album "Naturally" will be a first port of call for many. Four tracks from it were remastered for the 2CD Anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" in 1997 - but this 2013 Japanese SHM-CD represents the first time the entire album's been sonically overhauled. However - given the poor quality of the original 1970 and 1971 recordings - even this best ever audio remaster of "Naturally" has its drawbacks.

Released in Japan 26 June 2013 - "Naturally" by J.J.  CALE on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) and features Repro US LP artwork (including the colour-coded Track List/Musician breakdown on the rear cover that's missing from the card digipak of "Naturally" in the 2013 "Classic Album Selection" 5CD box set).

1. Call Me The Breeze[Side 1]

2. Call The Doctor

3. Don’t Go To Strangers

4. Woman I Love

5. Magnolia

6. Clyde

7. Crazy Mama [Side 2]

8. Nowhere To Run

9. After Midnight

10. River Runs Deep

11. Bringing It Back

12. Crying Eyes

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album “Naturally” – released November 1971 in the USA on Shelter SW-8908 and January 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68105

A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all machines) - nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the CD format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 10 of them and they're uniformly superb. Also this 'actually remastered' reissue of his debut album is 13 seconds longer than the previous Eighties non-remaster (32:26 minutes as opposed to 32:13). The booklet is the usual 8-white pages of Japanese liner notes and a stab at the English lyrics - nothing to really get your teeth into. It should also be noted that the old issues of this CD and the one in a card digipak in the 2013 "Classic" box set are NOT REMASTERS.

SOUND:

I wore out original tan label issues (and silver and green label reissues) of "Naturally" on Seventies vinyl trying to find a copy that didn't sound like a wall of hiss coming out of the speakers. I now know why. Although the improvement in sound here is extensive - the original sessions were dogged with excessive hiss on the master tapes - and I'm afraid that's what you largely get on this 2013 reissue - only accentuated more in some cases.

Hiss culprits include "Call The Doctor", the lovely "Magnolia" and "River Runs Deep". But the piano on "After Midnight", the fiddles on "Clyde" and Mac Gayden's slide guitar on "Crazy Mama" - are all wonderfully clear - major improvements. "Woman I Love" and "Bringing It Back" (lyrics above) are the kind of tracks that don't turn up on "Best Of's" that often - and I'm thrilled to say that they both sound stupendous - stunning clarity on the bass and brass. "Call Me The Breeze" (covered to stunning effect by Lynyrd Skynyrd on 1974's "Second Helping") kicks in nicely too after that beat-box rhythm opening. Overall I'd say that those expecting audiophile from this release should probably cry off - but for those who love the man and his music - then this remaster is a must-buy. Even with that hiss - the clarity is the best yet.

J.J. Cale was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable. What a loss and what an artist. And damn the Japanese for being so good with these bloody things (I've also reviewed "5" and "Troubadour") because I need all 8 of them now!

My long-suffering bank manager will be pleased...

Albums in the June 2013 

J.J. CALE

Japan-Only Universal SHM-CD Mini LP Repro 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)

"Okie" by J.J. CALE from 1974 (June 2013 Japan-Only Universal SHM-CD Remaster in 5" Card Repro Mini LP Sleeve) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 1 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Rock-Fusion, Psychedelic and Underground

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE JAPANESE-ONLY SHM CD REMASTER FROM 2013 ****

"...No Longer Earthly Bound..."

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. And more importantly to long-time fans - this actually remastered reissue has GLORIOUS SOUND trumping all other releases. Here are the gory details...

1. Crying [Side 1]

2. I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)

3. Starbound

4. Rock And Roll Records

5. The Old Man And Me

6. Everlovin’ Woman

7. Cajun Moon [Side 2]

8. I’d Like To Love You Baby

9. Anyway The Wind Blows

10. Precious Memories

11. Okie

12. I Got The Same Old Blues

His 3rd studio album "Okie" was originally issued on vinyl album in April 1974 on Shelter SR-2107 in the USA and June 1974 on A&M Records AMLS 68261 in the UK (excepting one song, they're all Cale originals). Its first CD appearance was way back in 1990 on Mercury 842 102-2 - but it was an OK-sounding CD rather than a great one. A whopping 6 of its 10 tracks were remastered in 1997 for the 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 stunning sonic attack of this 2013 remaster - beautifully transferred and fully realizing the magic that was always there.

Released in Japan 26 June 2013 - "Okie"by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75629 (Barcode 4988005771605) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) in 5" Repro US Mini LP artwork and a booklet with lyrics. The OBI mentions that this disc is part of the "Rock Impact '74" Series.

A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 10 of them and they're uniformly superb. Its total playing time is a mere 29:06 minutes but don't let that deter you - it's probably the sweetest of all his LPs.

On the subject of sound - a few words first about the remaster (and Cale's remasters in general). Both Amazon UK and USA list the 5CD mini box set "Classic Album Selection" as having 2013 remasters ("Okie" is not among them) - it doesn't. Although the CDs look exactly like the old issues, closer examination will show that each has a new catalogue number that reflects the box - but that's all. They all have the old Mercury designed labels of silver and orange lines and are precisely the same as the old Eighties and early Nineties reissues. My Mac even remembered the old track references I'd personally put in. I tried an outside source - like a desktop CD player - same thing - same old discs - absolutely not new. So where does this '2013 Remaster' claim come from? I suspect from these Japanese SHM-CD reissues which are Universal Japan issues only. The point is that the sound difference between this SHM-CD and the ordinary 'digitally mastered' disc of the 1990s is literally like chalk and cheese.

It doesn't say which engineer has done the remaster and transfer in the booklet but the work is AWESOME - truly beautiful sound on every track. If I were to nail down two that show most improvement  - it would be "Starbound" (lyrics from it title this review) and the country jaunt of "Precious Memories" - neither of which are on the 1997 Anthology. There is hiss on these tunes but the clarity of the songs is GORGEOUS. "The Old Man And Me" is beautiful too and the lone cover on the album "I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)" by Rusty Gabbard and Ray Price rocks along with superb clarity. Love it love it.

J.J. Cale was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable. What a loss and what an artist. And damn the Japanese for being so good with these bloody things - because I need all 8 of them now! My long-suffering bank manager will be pleased...

Albums in the June 2013

J. J. CALE

Japan-Only SHM-CD Reissue Series in Mini LP Repro Sleeves 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)