"ABC Rocksteady" by ROLAND ALPHONSO and THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA and VARIOUS (April 2019 UK Doctor Bird Records 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue - Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Swing And Dine..."

Now here’s a winner. A hugely collectable Rock Steady compilation album from 1967 helmed by ROLAND ALPHONSO and THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA that you just never see. If you can actually find a UK original on High Note Records), a clean copy would easily set you back £200+ and the Jamaican pressing that arrived with different artwork in 1968 is apparently just the same. Here the legendary vinyl rarity is given a full-on fill-your-boots mama marital makeover.

All music productions across the entire twofer are helmed by that sought-after Jamaican lady-of-the-studio – SONIA POTTINGER – who also owner of the Tip Top Record Centre – a Jamaican hub of creativity and sales. Through her hands and her Orange Street record shop in Kingston (Sonia is pictured in her store on page 3) passed huge names in Reggae and many of them are here. This two-disc reissue also fills in those High Note and Doctor Bird label UK singles Discography holes that have been missing from the digital domain forever.

Yet aside from all that compilation pedigree - what sets this amazing vaults-trawl apart from so many other great Doctor Bird CD reissues, is the 1968 extras. You get a ginormous 43 of them - including two previously unreleased! You could say naught will be steady or rocking after I plough through these details – 55 tracks moi buoy. There goes the dental-budget and the pacemaker replacement fund...here are the details...

UK released Friday, 5 April 2019 (12 April 2019 in the USA) - "ABC Rock Steady" by ROLAND ALPHONSO & THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA [and Various Artists] on Doctor Bird DBCDD-023 (Barcode 5013929272330) offers the original 1967 UK 12-Track LP "ABC Rocksteady" plus 43 Bonus Tracks that play out as follows:

Disc 1 (75:25 minutes):

1. ABC Rock Steady [Side 1]

2. That's Life

3. Say You

4. Sad Song

5. Easy Rock

6. Hip Hug-Her

7. Starlight [Side 2]

8. Wild And Free

9. Little Nut Tree

10. Top Line

11. Narata

12. Pure Soul

Tracks 1 to 12 are the Mono album "ABC Rocksteady" (originally credited to Roland Alphonso & The Originals Orchestra) - released 1967 in the UK on High Note Records HSLP 5001 (artwork is the front of the booklet) and 1968 in Jamaica on Gay Feet S 001 - 2 in different artwork (pictured on the last page of the booklet). Although the original vinyl LP labels states only Roland Alphonso... this CD reissue breaks down the actual players even further:

Tracks 1, 2, 8 and 11 by Roland Alphonso & The Originals Orchestra

Tracks 3 and 9 by The Webber Sisters & The Originals Orchestra

Track 4 by The Originals Orchestra

Track 5 by Roland Alphonso with Aubrey Adams & The Originals Orchestra

Track 6 by Lynn Taitt & The Originals Orchestra

Tracks 7 and 10 by Leslie Butler & The Originals Orchestra

Track 12 by Lennie Hibbert, Lynn Taitt & Count Ossie

BONUS TRACKS (all 1968 UK and JAMAICAN 7" single sides):

13. ABC Rock Steady - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 001, A-side - B-side is "Soul Drums" by Leslie Butler & Count Ossie, Track 26, Disc 2)

14. That's Life - DELANO STEWART (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1138, A-side - copies also on JJ Records DB 1138 - B-side is Track 18 on Disc 1)

15. Say You - KEN BOOTHE (1968 Jamaican 7" single on High Note S. 1, A-side)

16. (It's) So Hard Without You - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) (1968 Jamaican 7" single on Gay Feet S. 156, A-side)

17. Swing And Dine - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1139, A-side - B-side is Track 3, Disc 2)

18. Tell Me Baby - DELANO STEWART (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1138, B-side of "That's Life" - copies also on JJ Records DB 1138 - A-side is Track 14 on Disc 1)

19. A Little Nut Tree - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1125, A-side - B-side is Track 7, Disc 2)

20. I Need Your Loving - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1124, B-side of "It's Hard To Confess", A-side is Track 1, Disc 2)

21. Great '68 - MARVA MOORE & THE GAYSTERS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Pep Records S. 13, A-side)

22. Check Up - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 005, A-side - B-side is Track 5, Disc 2)

23. Top Cat - LESLIE BUTLER [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 008, A-side)

24. Wake Up To Reality - GLEN BROWN & DAVE BARKER (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, Tip Top Record Center, A-side)

25. Fire In Your Wire - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONAIRES (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 007, A-side)

26. Revival - LESLIE BUTLER with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 009, A-side)

27. Over The Rainbow's End - THE GAYLADS (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 009, B-side of "Revival")

28. Devil Woman - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7"single, Tip Top Record Centre, A-side)

Disc 2 (79:16 minutes):

1. It's Hard To Confess - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1124, A-side - B-side is Track 20, Disc 1)

2. Ethiopian Kingdom - RONALD DOWNER [and COUNT OSSIE] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1130, A-side - B-side is Track 6, Disc 2)

3. I Could Be A King - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1139, B-side of "Swing And Dine" - A-side is Track 17, Disc 1)

4. I've Done You Wrong - THE CONQUERERS (2018, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

5. I'll Come Back - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 005, B-side of "Check Up" - A-side is Track 22, Disc 1)

6. A Ju Ju Wah - RONALD DOWNER [and COUNT OSSIE] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1130, B-side of "Ethiopian Kingdom" - A-side is Track 2, Disc 2)

7. You Are My Only Love - THE MELODIANS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1125, B-side of "A Little Nut Tree" - A-side is Track 19, Disc 1)

8. Let's Get Together - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, no label or cata no. - B-side of "Cross My Heart" - A-side is Track 11, Disc 2)

9. Little Flea - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with LENNIE HIBBERT & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1122, A-side - B-side is Track 22, Disc 2)

10. Give Me Bread - THE TENORS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Gay Feet S. 148, A-side - B-side is "Gee Whiz", Track 13, Disc 2)

11. Cross My Heart - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS  (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, no label or cata no., A-side - B-side is "Let's Get Together", Track 8, Disc 2)

12. We Will Live And Love - CARLTON MANNING (1968 Recording, No Original UK or Jamaican Issue)

13. Gee Whiz - THE TENORS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Gay Feet S. 148, B-side to "Give Me Bread", Track 10, Disc 2)

14. Miss Cushie - JUNIOR SOUL [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1112, A-side -B-side is "Dr. Paul", Track 17, Disc 2)

15. Young Wings Can Fly - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1118, A-side (a Ruby & The Romantic cover) - B-side is "I'm Moving On", Track 18, Disc 2)

16. Adults Only - DERMOT LYNCH with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1115, A-side - B-side is "Cool It, Track 19, Disc 2)

17. Dr Paul (aka "Smokey Places") - LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1112, B-side to "Miss Cushie", A-side is Track 14, Disc 2)

18. I'm Moving On - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1118, B-side of "Young Wings Can Fly" - A-side is Track 15, Disc 2)

19. Cool It - DERMOT LYNCH with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1115, B-side of "Adults Only" - A-side is Track 16, Disc 2)

20. Come Let Us Dance - THE CONQUERERS [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (1968 recording, no details available)

21. Anything You Want - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS [with Dudley Williamson] (UK 1968 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1117, B-side of "Coming On The Scene" - A-side is Track 24, Disc 2)

22. The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni) - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with LENNIE HERBERT & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1122, B-side of "Little Flea" - A-side is Track 9, Disc 2)

23. I'm Yours Forever - THE SOUL LADS (2018, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

24. Coming On The Scene - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS [with Dudley Williamson] (UK 1968 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1117, A-side - B-side is "Anything You Want", Track 21, Disc 2)

25. Lonesome Lover - AL & THE VIBRATORS with THE FUGITIVES (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1085, B-side of "Move Up")

26. Soul Drums - LESLIE BUTLER & COUNT OSSIE (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 001, B-side of "ABC Rock Steady" by The Gaylads, Track 13, Disc 1)

27. Call Of The Drums - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1971 UK Promo-Only 7" single on High Note HS 056 [1968 Sonia Pottinger recording], B-side of "Unbelievable Sounds" by Scotty)

Not surprisingly the 16-page colour booklet is festooned with period goodies – Page 5 has a whole wall of nine Gay Feet and High Note Jamaican pressings with their battered and barely legible credits - while Page 9 gives us the British contingent – the distinctive green and yellow mottled labels of Doctor Bird and cool-looking plain white High Note singles of rare early issues like HS 003 and HS 007. Saxophonist Roland Alphonso looks too busy to talk, hep Guitarist Lynn Taitt of The Jets has a colour face pose where he looks like Robert Johnson with those long fingers, Ken Boothe throws a happy dancer pose, Patsy Todd looks classy like Tammi Terrell and The Gaylads look pensive - wondering why they warrant only a black and white publicity shot no doubt. Only organist Aubrey Adams loses out on the pics...

There are local flyers for dances on New Year’s Day, shop counter release sheets, and even an advert for the Jamaican pressing of the mainly instrumental long-playing microgroove LP on Gay Feet Records with teacher impressing her class of eager Kingston female students on the benefits of ABC Rocksteady for your complexion (the UK and Jamaican labels of Sides 1 and 2 of the LP get a page to themselves). The whole shebang has been compiled and managed by Reggae aficionado LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT who co-wrote “Young Gifted & Black: The Story Of Trojan Records” and has compiled huge swaths of Trojan’s catalogue including the magnificent "Trojan 50" mega box set of 2018 (see separate review). With quality ANDY PEARCE mastering – the whole project reeks of class. For sure the audio dips here and there as is the nature of Reggae recordings (I detected a vinyl dub on occasion says El Supremo) – but in the main it’s incredibly clean and full of beans. To the music...

It opens with Roland Alphonso giving it some Herb Alpert type jabs on his ABC saxophone while his Originals Orchestra bring home the fabulous instrumental. The infectious dancers continue on "That’s Life" – Aubrey Adams and her organ dominating the warm summer vibe – and already its easy to see why this LP was such a monster – it’s such great fun. Booker T & The MGs get their "Hip Hug Her" turned into a Reggae organ instrumental while The Webber Sisters (Merlene and Cynthia) add some much-needed vocals to "Say You" and "A Little Nut Tree" – the latter a Biblical tale of lovers under shaded trees. The Ken Boothe hit "Starlight" gets a Nat King Cole hazy-lazy-days brass makeover with Leslie Butler taking over organ duties from Aubrey Adams while Vibraphones end the album on a cover of a 1965 Johnny Lytle tune "The Loop" now upgraded to a new title - "Pure Soul".

The Gaylads take the album instrumental of "ABC Rock Steady" and add their cat on the fiddle and the cow jumped over the moon lyrics for the single version on the first High Note 45. Singer Delano Stewart does the same to the LP’s Side 1 groover "That’s Life" – adding words of woe about fighting with all your might. Ken Boothe does the same to "Say You" – lyrics giving the backbeat a huge lift and more commercial feel (come back and be my best friend). Of the others on Disc 1 – dancers will love "Top Cat" – an organ grinder by Leslie Butler with Guitarist Lynn Taitt that could easily have been on Volume 2 of "ABC Rock Steady" – while Millicent Todd (patsy) warns us in the frantic calypso rhythm of "Fire In Your Wire" (were hearing you Millie – we may not understand a word you’re saying – but we’re hearing you). But my fave is the wobbly Leslie Butler organ of "Revival" where Lynn lays down a fantastic (and clearly mastered) groove that will have you donning a straw hat and sashaying in the sand.

Disc 2 opens with The Gaylads wishing they'd said yes in "It's Hard To Confess" (great audio) while The Melodians reckon they could rule over all they survey in "I Could Be A King". I like the groove Johnny & The Attractions get in "Let's Get Together" (dancing all night long) while The Tenors seem glad to have a chance with you in their "Gee Whiz". And on it goes to Dermot Lynch telling punters to "Cool It" while he rocks it steady and feels alright...

For sure you could argue that this is in fact more Saxophone stabbing grooves than a body needs, but that doesn't stop "ABC Rock Steady" from being another feather in Doctor Bird's reissue cap...

2017 and 2018 Doctor Bird Records CD Reissues
(Featuring Larges Amounts of Trojan Records, Treasure Isle, Pama 60s & 70s etc)

1. BOB ANDY & MARCIA GRIFFITHS - Young, Gifted And Black/Pied Pier (May 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-014 - Barcode 5013929271432)

2. ERROL BROWN/THE REVOLUTIONAIRES – Dubb Everlasting/Dub Expression [1977 and 1978 High Note 2LPs on 1CD] (November 2017, Doctor Bird DBCD-07 – Barcode 5013929270732)

3. DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS – Double Barrel (June 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-016 - Barcode 5013929271630)

4. DESMOND DECKER & THE ACES – Action!/Intensified (August 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCD-025 – Barcode 5013929272538)

5. DESMOND DEKKER – You Can Get It If You Really Want (September 2018 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-015 - Barcode 5013929271531)

6. DESMOND DEKKER – Double Dekker [1973 UK 2LP set onto 1CD] (November 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-018 – Barcode 5013929271838)

7. PHYLLIS DILLON – One Life To Live (September 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-021 – Barcode 5013929272132)

8. ETHIOPIANS – Reggae Power/Woman Capture Man (January 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-10 – Barcode 5013929271036)

9. MARCIA GRIFFITHS – Naturally/Steppin’ [1978 and 1979 2LPs on 1CD] (August 2017 CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-002 – Barcode 5013929270237)

10. DERRICK HARRIOTT & THE CRYSTALITES – Psychedelic Train (October 2017 CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-05 – Barcode 5013929270534)

11. HARRY J. ALL STARS - Liquidator (June 2008 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-012 - Barcode 5013929271234)

12. JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES – From Jamaica With Reggae (February 2018 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-09 – Barcode 5013929270930)

13. THE KINGSTONIANS – Sufferer (September 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-03 – Barcode 5013929270336)

14. THE MAYTALS – Monkey Man/From The Roots (July 2018 2LPs on 1CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-017 – Barcode 5013929271739)

15. THE PIONEERS – Long Shot/Battle Of The Giants (September 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-019 – Barcode 5013929271937)

16. THE UNIQUES - Absolutely The...Uniques (January 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-011 - Barcode 5013929271135)

17. THE UPSETTERS – The Upsetter/Scratch The Upsetter Again (October 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-022 – Barcode 5013929272231)

18. THE UPSETTERS – Return Of Django/Eastwood Rides Again (May 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-013 - Barcode 5013929271333)

19. VARIOUS – Dancing Down Orange Street [Trojan 1969 LP] (September 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-04 – Barcode 5013929270435)

20. VARIOUS – Gay Feet, Every Night (October 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-06 – Barcode 5013929270633)

21. VARIOUS – Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae/Reggay At Its Best (October 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-030 – Barcode 5013929273030)

22. VARIOUS – Hot Shots Of Reggae (November 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-08 – Barcode 5013929270831)

23. VARIOUS – King Size Reggae (November 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-026 – Barcode 5013929272637)

24. VARIOUS – No More Heartaches/What Am I To Do? [2LPs from 1969 and 1970 onto 1CD] (August 2017, Doctor Bird DBCD-01 – Barcode 5013929270138)

25. VARIOUS [Duke Reid and Treasure Isle Productions] – Soul Of Jamaica/Here Comes The Duke (August 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-024 – Barcode 5013929272439)

2019 Doctor Bird Records CD Reissues

1. ROLAND ALPHANSO & THE ORIGINAL ORCHESTRA – ABC Rock Steady (April 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 43 Bonus Tracks, Doctor Bird DBCDD-023 – Barcode 5013929272330)

2. DENNIS BROWN – Just Dennis/Deep Down (April 2019 2CD Expanded Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-027 – Barcode 5013929272736)

3. ERROL BROWN & THE REVOLUTIONARIES – Culture Dub & Medley Dub (12 July 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 25 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-038 – Barcode 5013929273832)

4. ERROL BROWN & THE SUPERSONICS – The Treasure Dub Albums Collection (13 September 2019 2CD Expanded Set with Eight Previously Unreleased, Doctor Bird DBCDD-043 – Barcode 5013929274334)

5. ALTON ELLIS – Greatest Hits/Mr. Soul Of Jamaica [known as Greatest Hits in the UK] (11 October 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 47 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-045 – Barcode 5013929274532)

6. THE ETHIOPIANS – Engine No. 5 (17 May 2019 1CD Expanded Set with 17 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-035 – Barcode 5013929273535)

7. THE GAYLADS – Fire And Rain (14 June 2019 1CD Expanded Set with 13 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-036 – Barcode 5013929273634)

8. JOHN HOLT – Like A Bolt (January 2019 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-029 – Barcode 5013929272934)

9. THE MELODIANS – Rivers Of Babylon (9 August 2019 Expanded 1CD Set with 15 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-041 – Barcode 5013929274136)

10. DERRICK MORGAN – Moon Hop/Derrick Morgan In London (April 2019 Expanded 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-032 – Barcode 5013929273238)

11. DERRICK MORGAN – Derrick Morgan And His Friends (12 July 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 24 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-039 – Barcode 5013929273931)

12. SONIA POTTINGER – Put On Your Best Dress: Ska & Rock Steady 1966-1967 (14 June 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 35 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-037 – Barcode 5013929273733)

13. LORD TANAMO & FRIENDS – Festival Jump-Up [1965] (15 November 2019 Expanded 2CD Reissue of 1965 LP with 40 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-046 – Barcode 5013929274631)

14. LINVAL THOMPSON – The Linval Thompson Trojan Roots Album Collection [including two LPs by Big Joe & The Trinity called “African Princess” and “Rock In The Ghetto” and one Linval Thompson LP called “I Love Marijuana”) (11 October 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 10 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-044 – Barcode 5013929274433)

15. LINVAL THOMPSON & THE REVOLUTIONAIRES – Negrea Love Dub/Outlaw Dub [1978 and 1979] (15 November 2019 Reissue featuring 2LPs onto 1CD (no bonus), Doctor Bird DBCD-047 – Barcode 5013929274730)

16. THE UPSETTERS featuring LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY – Clint Eastwood/Many Moods Of The Upsetters (April 2019 2CD Expanded Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-034 – Barcode 5013929273436)

17. VARIOUS – The Down Town Albums Collection [Down Town Label] (February 2019 2CD Set, Doctor Bird Records DBCDD-020 - Barcode 5013929272033)

18. VARIOUS – Gay Jamaican Independence Time – Boom Sha-Ka-La (17 May 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 35 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-028 – Barcode 5013929272835)

19. VARIOUS – Greatest Jamaican Beat... (March 2019 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-033 – Barcode 5013929273337)

20. VARIOUS – Independence Jump Up Calypso (9 August 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 46 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-040 – Barcode 5013929274037)

21. VARIOUS – The Treasure Isle Ska Albums Collection (January 2019 2CD Set [4LPs and more], Doctor Bird DBCDD-031 – Barcode 5013929273139)

22. VARIOUS – You Can’t Wine/Music Alone Shall Live (13 September 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 33 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-042 - Barcode 5013929274235)

"Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" by VARIOUS (June 2006 UK Rhino/Elektra Reissue - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Psychotic Reaction..."

Whenever we bought in a decent vinyl collection in Reckless (and usually from a guy of a certain age), we would get misty-eyed leering down at this fabulous American-based double-album released in 1972. Even two decades ago it regularly went for over £50 (when that was pricey) and had an almost semi-mythical reputation – often only lasting minutes on our swinging-dick display wall.

Not surprising then that reissue kings Rhino have singled out "Nuggets..." as worthy of its own Mini LP Repro Artwork and Remaster. Let's get psyched...

UK released June 2006 - "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-2 (Barcode 5051011241925) is a reissue/remaster of a 27-Track 1972 double album originally on Elektra Records (USA and Germany) that plays out as follows (76:29 minutes):

1. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (November 1966 US 7" single on Reprise 0532, A-side)

2. Dirty Water - THE STANDELLS (November 1965 US 7" single on Tower 185, A-side)

3. Night Time - THE STRANGELOVES (January 1966 US 7" single on Bang Records B-514, A-side)

4. Lies - THE KNICKERBOCKERS (November 1965 US 7" single on Challenge 59321, A-side)

5. Respect - THE VAGRANTS (Mono) (March 1967 US 7" single on Atco 45-6473, B-side of "I Love, Love You (Yes I Do)"

6. A Public Execution - MOUSE (Mono) (February 1966 US 7" single on Fraternity F-956, A-side)

7. No Time Like The Right Time - THE BLUES PROJECT (February 1967 US 7" single on Verve Forecast KF 5040, A-side - written by Al Kooper)

8. Oh Yeah! - THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (May 1966 US 7" single on Dunwich DX 122, A-side)

9. Pushin' Too Hard - THE SEEDS featuring Sky Saxon (July 1966 US 7" single on G.N.P. Crescendo GNP 372, A-side)

10. Moulty - THE BARBARIANS (Mono) (January 1966 US 7" single on Laurie LR 3326, A-side)

11. Don't Look Back - THE REMAINS (Mono) (August 1966 US 7" single on Epic 5-10060, A-side)

12. An Invitation To Cry - THE MAGICIANS (Mono) (November 1965 US 7" single on Columbia 4-43435, A-side)

13. Liar, Liar - THE CASTAWAYS (June 1965 US 7" single on Soma 1433, A-side)

14. You're Gonna Miss Me - THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR ELEVATORS (Mono) (May 1966 US 7" single on International Artists IA-107, A-side)

15. Psychotic Reaction - COUNT FIVE (July 1966 US 7" single on Double Shot 104, A-side)

16. Hey Joe - THE LEAVES (Mono) (April 1966 US 7" single on Mira 222, A-side)

17. Romeo And Juliet - MICHAEL & THE MESSENGERS (Mono) (June 1967 US 7" single on U.S.A. Records 874, A-side)

18. Sugar And Spice - THE CRYAN SHAMES (Mono) (June 1966 US 7" single on Destination 624, A-side)

19. Baby Please Don't Go - THE AMBOY DUKES (January 1968 US 7" single on Mainstream 676, A-side)

20. Tobacco Road - BLUES MAGOOS (June 1966 US 7" single on Mercury 72590, A-side)

21. Let's Talk About Girls - THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (from the 1967 LP "No Way Out" on Tower Records ST-5096 in Stereo)

22. Sit Down, I Think I Love You - THE MOJO MEN (Mono) (December 1966 US 7" single on Reprise 0539, A-side - Buffalo Springfield cover, song written by Stephen Stills)

23. Run, Run, Run - THE THIRD RAIL (Mono) (June 1967 US 7" single on Epic 5-10191, A-side)

24. My World Fell Down - SAGITTARIUS (Mono) (May 1967 US 7" single on Columbia 4-44163, A-side)

25. Open My Eyes - NAZZ (July 1968 US 7" single on SGC Records 45-001, A-side)

26. Farmer John - THE PREMIERS (May 1964 US 7" single on Warner Brothers 5443, A-side)

27. It's-A-Happening - THE MAGIC MUSHROOMS (Mono) (September 1966 US 7" single on A&M Records 815, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 27 are the double-album "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" - released December 1972 in the USA on Elektra Records 7E-2006 (no UK release).

Tracks 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 27 in MONO

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25 and 26 in STEREO

There is also a remastered 2LP VINYL issue from 2006 on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-1 (Barcode 5051011241918)

The gatefold card sleeve apes the original gatefold vinyl double-album - wisely taking compiler Lenny Kaye's band-by-band liner notes off the unreadable inner sleeve and making them very readable in the chockers 24-page booklet. There are label repros of those of rare American sevens (pictures sleeves for The Magicians, The Strangeloves and The Electric Prunes) whilst the occasional British LP and UK 45 show up too. It's a beautifully in-depth affair and the ALAN SILVERMAN Remasters deliver too - punchy and full of grunge attitude (2LPs remastered in full onto 1CD). And Rhino have even reproduced the 'Something Out Of The Ordinary' Elektra Records inner bag that came with late 1972 originals (to house the CD on side of the gatefold) – nice attention to detail and respect to Kaye and his rather brill little double-bubble of 60ts trouble. To the happening music...

The fabulous "An Invitation to Cry" by The Magicians is a gem - the band containing Allan Jacobs who would become Bunky and later Jake & The Family Jewels. I've raved about their melodic brilliance and reviewed a superb Sundazed CD compilation named after their song here which also contains "I'll Tell the World About You" - covered beautifully by Joe Walsh on his 1972 debt solo album "Barnstorm" - a Magicians ballad. Texan Rocky Ericson headed up The Thirteen Floor Elevators and penned the cool inclusion here of "You're Gonna Miss Me". The legendary first album on International Artists has been bootlegged so many times because originals are so scarce and valuable - Rhino reproducing the yeah-man "...look closely at the cube of sugar I have clutched in my hand..." liner notes to that LP on Page 14 of the packed booklet. But surely everyone's crave has to be the snot-nosed groovy brilliance of "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five who boasted future editor Greg Shaw of "Who Put The Bomp" and whose classic raver even got a release on Pye International in Blighty (7N.25393 being a £75+ 45 rpm rarity).

Dino Valenti's "Hey Joe" gets probably the best 60ts version from The Leaves (Bobby Arlin would go on to be in Hook while Jim Pons would join The Turtles and later the Mothers). Michael & The Messengers took a cover of The Reflections song "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" (a 1964 hit for the Detroit group on Golden World Records GW 9), dropping the bracketed beginning, and made a fair fist of it too. The cool-but-gimmick named Chicago group The Cryan Shames took an old English toast and marmalade Searchers pop-hit "Sugar And Spice" and gave it some US razzle - first issued on the independent Destination Records label only to see the mighty Columbia thereafter take the Shames baton. And no doubt that Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes were listening to Van Morrison's THEM for "Baby Please Don't Go" rather than the Joe Williams original - a right raver in 1967.

John Loudermilk gave Blues Magoos another Greenwich Village cafe yeah-yeah moment in their cover of his famous rocker "Tobacco Road" - very cool stuff on Mercury Records in June 1966. Artie Resnick co-wrote "Good Lovin'" with Rudy Clark and gifted a monster hit to The Young Rascals - for his own band The Third Rail he came up with "Run, Run, Run" - co-penned with his wife and that bubblegum pop purveyor Joey Levine. And while it feels more Sunshine Pop than Psych, I'd argue its a cool inclusion - rounded off at the end of the compilation by Todd Rundgren's Nazz doing the brill "Open My Eyes" and Gary Usher's Sagittarius - another with-it yeah-baby band that was getting all Zodiac and Horse-Man with a bow-and-arrow on us in the summer of 1967.

Very cool and even in 2019, very cheap too – often at less than a fiver of your pre-Brexit remainer pounds. Get your Original Artyfacts here folks and remember people (as The Thirteenth Floor Elevators liner notes wisely inform us) - "...take on the superficial aspects of the quest..."

I do man, I do...

"The Northern Soul Scene" by VARIOUS (December 1998 UK Deram 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baby, You Got It!"

The nine titles in this 'Decca Originals' CD Series (listed below) are each worth an essay alone - 'On The Scene' compilations pitched as I recall at less than a fiver and in some cases a mere four quid - representing amazing value for money in any man's language (then and now).

Originally released in late 1998 and early 1999 in the UK, each generously proportioned genre-themed CD gives unsuspecting punters a 25-track access to ultra-rare music that would cost a Euro Sceptic's bar tab to acquire the originals on 60ts vinyl. Each is aimed at the discerning collector for sure, but there is also a clever commercialism at work here – the ludicrously well-informed compiler JOHN REED having lined up the goodies to please the ear of the old hand and newbee alike. And of course, all those images of bodies throwing shapes on talcum-powdered floors...let’s get to our worlds turned upside down...

UK released December 1998 - "The Northern Soul Scene" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Deram 844 805-2 (Barcode 042284480529) is a 25-Track CD compilation of 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' Remasters (all British released 7" singles) that plays out as follows (66:55 minutes):

1. I'll Hold You – FRANKIE and JOHNNY (April 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.22376, B-side to "(I'm) Never Gonna Leave You")

2. So-Called Loving – DAVID ESSEX (1969 recording first issued on the 2LP set "Lost & Found" on Decca DPA 3083/4 in April 1980)

3. Nothing But A Heartache – THE FLIRTATIONS (November 1968 UK 7" single on Deram DM 216, A-side)

4. Don't Change It – FEARNS BRASS FOUNDRY (September 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12721, A-side)

5. Baby You've Got It – CLYDE McPHATTER (January 1969 UK 7" single on Deram DM 223, A-side)

6. Name It You Got It – MICKY MOONSHINE (October 1974 UK 7" single on Decca F.13335, B-side of "Baby Blue")

7. My Love – RONNIE JONES (January 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12066, A-side)

8. Ask The Lonely - THE FANTASTICS (January 1970 UK 7" single on Deram DM 283, B-side of "Waiting Around For Heartaches")

9. Stop Breaking My Heart – TOM JONES (January 1970 UK 7" single on Decca F.13061, B-side of "I (Who Have Nothing)")

10. Billy Sunshine – BILLIE DAVIS (1969 SPANISH 7" single on Decca MO 720, A-side - also on the 1970 UK LP "Billie Davis" on Decca SKL 5029)

11. Our Love (Is In The Pocket) – AMEN CORNER (on the 1968 UK LP "Round Amen Corner" on Deram SML 1021)

12. Whose Little Girl Are You – DANNY WILLIAMS (September 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 149, B-side of "Never My Love")

13. Heart Trouble – THE EYES OF BLUE (November 1966 UK 7" single on Deram DM 106, B-side of "Up And Down")

14. Everybody Needs Love – BOBBY HANNA (May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12783, B-side of "Written On The Wind")

15. Picture Me Gone – DAVE BERRY (November 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12513, A-side)

16. I Wanna Know – JOHN E. PAUL (October 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12685, B-side of "Prince Of Players")

17. The Way You Do The Things You Do – ELKIE BROOKS (January 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12061, A-side)

18. I Just Made Up My Mind – JON GUNN (June 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 133, A-side)

19. Something Beautiful – ADRIENNE POSTER (February 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12329, A-side)

20. Reach Out Your Hand – THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (March 1971 UK 7" single on Deram DM 327, A-side)

21. Giving Up On Love – SONNY CHILDE (September 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12218, A-side)

22. My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down – TRULY SMITH (March 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12373, B-side of "Love Is Me Love Is You")

23. All The Time In The World – STEVIE KIMBLE (April 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12378, B-side of "Some Things Take A Little Time")

24. Let The Good Times Roll – TONY NEWMAN (June 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12795, B-side of "Soul Thing")

25. Listen To My Heart - THE BATS (December 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.22534, A-side)

NOTES:

Track 1 – Frankie is a pseudonym for Maggie Bell who would later front Stone The Crows; Johnny is Bobby Kerr

Track 6 - Micky Moonshine is Chris Rainbow

Track 22 – a Smokey Robinson song originally played by Carolyn Crawford

The pleasingly nice-looking 12-page colour booklet has JOHN REED extend an informed paragraph to each artist – The Flirtations jumping up in the air in their cardigans on some runway somewhere as the tuba-festooned Fearns Brass Foundry accompany a happening black couple through the painted archway of love - while Andy Fairweather-Lowe dreams of a solo career posing with Amen Corner (the inset pictured ticket stub for a Spring Bank Holiday Monday gig shows a mouth-watering line-up of Inez & Charlie Foxx, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Geno Washington and The Fantastics). There are no mastering credits, but it does state on the see-through spine 'digitally remastered from the original master tapes' for all of these sets and I’ve found that to be uniformly true. Take the stunning tambourine and strum Soul of "Ask The Lonely" by The Fantastics whose 45s elicit frenzy amongst collectors - gorgeous arrangements and a lead singer with a voice to die for. The huge attack of a throat-wrenching Tom Jones, hits home loud and clear on his typically melodramatic "Stop Breaking My Heart".

Northern Soul Scene opens on a glorious note - Maggie Bell who would of course become the front vocalist for Scottish rockers Stone The Crows - gives it some powerhouse Soul under the non-de-plume of Frankie on "I'll Hold You" - a mere 1965 B-side that will set you back £250 if you can find a copy. Speaking of spunky flipsides, Wiggan Scene dancers would have chewed up Mickey Moonshine and his wah-wah need-in-me guitar anthem "Name It You Got It" while Billie Davis earns her huge collectability with the Euro Decca 45 "Billy Sunshine" (I've never actually seen her lone self-titled "Billie Davis" LP that also contains this deep grooves treasure).  

Welsh boyo's Amen Corner give it some oh yeah baby as they inform us that love is in the pocket (thank God for that - don't want it dangling about boys) while The Eyes Of Blue tried a sort of Small Faces Mod groove with "Heart Trouble" (successfully too). John E. Paul taps the spirit of Jackie Wilson for his frantic "I Wanna Know" while the classy Truly Smith lifts things up with a cross-armed smoocher "My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down" (why wasn't this gorgeous song not a hit). And on it goes. Billie Davis stares wistfully over a railing onto a misty Thames on the back inlay, that stripy suit oh so very 60ts. What a decade...

  

Titles in Deram's 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' UK CD Series

1. The Beat Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 799-2 - Barcode 042284479929)

2. The Blues Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 801-2 - Barcode 042284480123)

3. The Freakbeat Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 879-2 – Barcode 042284487924)

4. The Girls Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 897-2 - Barcode 042284489720)

5. The Mod Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 549-2 - Barcode 042284454926)

6. The Northern Soul Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 805-2 - Barcode 042284480529)

7. The Psychedelic Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 797-2 - Barcode 042284479721)

8. The R&B Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 798-2 - Barcode 042284479820)

9. The Rock 'n' Roll Scene (released March 1999 on Deram 844 892-2 - Barcode 042284489225)

Please note that some of these titles were reissued August 2007 on the budget label 'Spectrum' and "The Northern Soul Scene" has been reissued as a Digipak CD and 2LP Orange Vinyl set (45s wording centred on its front artwork) in March 2024 - Decca 5876826 (Barcode 602458768268) for CD and Decca 5876822 (Barcode 602458768220) for VINYL. 

"The Freakbeat Scene" by VARIOUS (September 1998 UK Deram 'Decca Originals' CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Dig The New Breed..."

The nine titles in this 'Decca Originals' CD Series (listed below) are each worth an essay alone - 'On The Scene' compilations pitched as I recall at less than a fiver and in some cases a mere four quid - representing amazing value for money in any man's language (then and now).

Originally released in late 1998 and early 1999 in the UK, each generously proportioned genre-themed CD gives unsuspecting punters a 25-track access to ultra-rare music that would cost a Euro Sceptic's bar tab to acquire the originals on 60ts vinyl. Each is aimed at the discerning collector for sure, but there is also a clever commercialism at work here – the ludicrously well-informed compiler JOHN REED having lined up the goodies to please the ear of the old hand and newbee alike.

These listens are fun and brilliantly informative too – pointing the musical finger to the hybrid forms of Rock to come in 1969 and 1970. Dig the New Breed indeed. Let's get freaky with the dorky details...

UK released September 1998 - "The Freakbeat Scene" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Deram 844 879-2 (Barcode 042284487924) is a 25-Track CD compilation of 'Decca Originals-On The Scene' Remasters (all British released 7" singles) that plays out as follows (64:09 minutes):

1. Please Please Me - THE SCORE (November 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12527, A-side - Beatles cover)

2. Come On Back - PAUL and RITCHIE and THE CRYIN' SHAMES (September 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12843, B-side of "September In The Rain")

3. Anymore Than I Do - THE ATTACK (March 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12578, B-side of "Hi-Ho Silver Lining")

4. One Third - THE MAJORITY (July 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12453, B-side of "Simplified")

5. One Fine Day - SHEL NAYLOR (March 1964 UK 7" single on Decca F.11856, A-side)

6. Unto Us - THE NEW BREED (November 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12295, B-side of "Friends And Lovers Forever")

7. Grounded - THE SYN (June 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 130, B-side of "Created By Clive")

8. Father's Name Is Dad - THE FIRE (March 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12753, A-side)

9. Understanding - SMALL FACES (August 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12470, B-side of "All Or Nothing")

10. No Good Without You Baby - THE BIRDS (October 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12257, A-side)

11. The Third Degree - MARC BOLAN (June 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12413, A-side)

12. I'm Not Your Stepping Stone - THE FLIES (December 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12533, A-side)

13. Hey GYP (Dig The Slowness) - KEITH SHIELDS (February 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12572, A-side)

14. I'm Leaving - THE MARK FOUR (August 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12204, B-side of "Hurt Me If You Will")

15. Sorry She's Mine - JIMMY WINSTON And His REFLECTIONS (June 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12410, A-side)

16. Wooden Spoon - THE POETS (February 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12569, A-side)

17. Help Me Please - THE OUTER LIMITS (April 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 125, B-side of "Just One More Chance")

18. I Am Nearly There - DENIS COULDRY (February 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12734, B-side of "James And The Basement")

19. I Can Take It - THE BLUE STARS (December 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12030, B-side of "Please Be A Little Kind")

20. Poor Little Heartbreaker - TIMEBOX (March 1969 UK 7" single on Deram DM 246, B-side of "Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye")

21. Run And Hide - THE FAIRYTALE (August 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12644, B-side of "Guess I Was Dreaming")

22. Tax Man - LOOSE ENDS (August 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12476, A-side)

23. Thanks A Lot - THE SEA-DERS (March 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.22576, A-side)

24. Pink Dawn - THE HUMAN INSTINCT (February 1968 UK 7" single on Deram DM 177, B-side of "Renaissance Fair")

25. You Better Get A Better Hold On - THE BEATSTALKERS (March 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12352, B-side of "Left Right Left")

NOTES:

Track 1 - Beatles cover - the B-side of "Please Please Me" is on "The Mod Scene" CD compilation

Track 2 - Paul and Ritchie are Paul Crane and Ritchie Routhledge

Track 8 - Members of The Fire would later play with Paul Brett's Sage and The Strawbs

Track 10 - Ron Wood of The Birds would later join Faces and The Rolling Stones

Track 11 - Marc Bolan would later form Tyrannosaurus Rex with Mickey Finn, which became T.Rex

Track 12 - A Monkees cover version

Track 13 - A Donovan cover - Keith Shields was one of The Wildcats, Marty Wilde's backing group

Track 14 - The Mark Four A-side "Hurt Me If You Will" is on 'The Beat Scene' CD compilation

Track 15 - Jimmy Winston was the Organist in Small Faces - the B-side "It's Not What You Do" in on 'The Mod Scene' compilation

Track 22 - Beatles cover

The pleasingly nice-looking 12-page colour booklet has JOHN REED extend an informed paragraph to each artist – the Israeli Sea-Ders and New Zealand's Human Instinct - while West London's Birds spawned Ron Wood who would of course join Rodders and Ronnie Lane in the Faces and then hop on board The Stones in 1976. There are no mastering credits, but it does state on the see-through spine 'digitally remastered from the original master tapes' for all of these sets and I’ve found that to be uniformly true. Take the 'waters of my mind' of Denis Couldry's brilliant "I Am Nearly There" – wickedly good audio whether he's smooching or rocking out (he does both in great tune). The attacking guitar in The Blue Stars "I Can Take It" is the same, clear and in yer face.

Freakbeat fans love their hidden nuggets - which is why you will notice that a huge 14 of these tracks are flips - the band or artist in question able to whig out a tad and get away from the schmaltz that would invariably be given pride of commercial place on the A-side. The Beatles get two clever re-workings – their 1963 debut "Please Please Me" by The Score and Loose Ends giving it some Revolver with their stab at George Harrison’s withering "Taxman". And how unsurprising is it to hear T. Rex's Marc Bolan (even then) have that sprinkle of magic dust on him with his fabulous groover "The Third Degree".

 "...Their closing in on me..." moan The New Breed on their fantastic chugger "Unto Us" as cops and sheriffs chase down our heroes. Barnstormers come in the shape of supernatural intellect with Fire giving us "Father's Name Is Dad" while the wild fuzzed-up guitar gives The Flies an aggressive edge as they take on that angry Monkees hit "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone". But my fave-rave has to be "Poor Little Heartbreaker" by Timebox - a sexy guitar-jangle akin to The Byrds have a melodic dancing moment. Dig the New Breed...Dig In and Enjoy...

  

Titles in Deram's 'Decca Originals/On The Scene' UK CD Series

1. The Beat Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 799-2 - Barcode 042284479929)

2. The Blues Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 801-2 - Barcode 042284480123)

3. The Freakbeat Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 879-2 – Barcode 042284487924)

4. The Girls Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 897-2 - Barcode 042284489720)

5. The Mod Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 549-2 - Barcode 042284454926)

6. The Northern Soul Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 805-2 - Barcode 042284480529)

7. The Psychedelic Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 797-2 - Barcode 042284479721)

8. The R&B Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 798-2 - Barcode 042284479820)

9. The Rock 'n' Roll Scene (released March 1999 on Deram 844 892-2 - Barcode 042284489225)

Please note that some of these titles were reissued August 2007 on the budget label 'Spectrum'

"Home In Your Heart: The Best Of..." by SOLOMON BURKE (July 1993 Rhino/Atlantic & Atco Remasters 2CDs - Ted Jensen Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Meet Me In Church..."

For sure in 2019 - and even if they are from original master tapes as stated on the artwork - Remasters from January 1992 are 'old'. But that doesn't stop this barnstorming Solomon Burke twofer anthology (released July 1993 in the UK) from doing exactly what it says on the lame-suit lid – hitting you in the Solar Plexus and making a "Home In Your Heart".

Longstanding Audio Engineer and Associate to US reissue label giant Rhino Records - TED JENSEN did these transfers back in the day as I said and I've always loved the way they sound - full of life and oomph and that storming live-in-the-studio Sixties feel. Then throw in the fact that you get a whoop-ass 41 slices of primo Atlantic Records Soul (34 singles and 7 album tracks to be exact-a-mundo) and I'm Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye). And Burke had 21 children! There's a lot on here, so let's get to the prayer books and have those remorseful tear ducts a-flowing people 'cause I feel a sin coming on (Lord have mercy)...

UK released July 1993 - "Home In Your Heart: The Best Of Solomon Burke" by SOLOMON BURKE on Rhino/Atlantic 8122-70284-2 (Barcode 081227028428) is a 41-Track 2CD Anthology of 1992 Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (57:35 minutes):

1. Home In Your Heart (February 1963 US 7"single on Atlantic 45-2180, B-side of "Words" - A-side is Track 8 on Disc 1)

2. Down In The Valley (May 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2147, A-side - B-side is Track 4 on Disc 1)

3. Looking For My Baby (July 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2241, B-side of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" - A-side is Track 18 on Disc 1)

4. I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You (May 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2147, B-side - A-side is Track 2 on Disc 1)

5. Cry To Me (January 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2131, A-side - B-side isn't on this compilation)

6. Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (August 1961 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2114, A-side - B-side isn't on this compilation)

7. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (April 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2226, A-side - B-side is Track 15 on Disc 1)

8. Words (February 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2180, A-side - B-side is Track 1 on Disc 1)

9. Stupidity (July 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2196, B-side of "Can't Nobody Love You" - A-side is Track 13 on Disc 1)

10. Send Me Some Loving (from the 1963 US album "If You Need Me" on Atlantic SD 8085 in Stereo)

11. Go On Back To Him (December 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2170, A-side)

12. Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) (from the 1962 US album "Solomon Burke's Greatest Hits" on Atlantic SD 8067 in Stereo)

13. Can't Nobody Love You (July 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2196, A-side - B-side is Track 9 on Disc 1)

14. Got To Get You Off My Mind (February 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2276, A-side)

15. Someone To Love Me (April 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2226, B-side to "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" - A-side is Track 7 on Disc 1)

16. You're Good For Me (October 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2205, A-side)

17. Dance Dance Dance (August 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2299, B-side of "Someone Is Watching" - A-side is Track 10 on Disc 2)

18. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (July 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2241, A-side - B-side is Track 3 on Disc 1) 

19. Tonight's The Night (May 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2288, A-side)

20. Baby, Come On Home (December 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2314, A-side)

21. If You Need Me (March 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2185, A-side)

22. The Price (October 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2259, A-side)

Disc 2 (57:53 minutes):

1. Get Out Of My Life Woman (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

2. Save It  (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

3. Take Me (Just As I Am) (June 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2416, A-side - B-side is Track 13 on Disc 2)

4. When She Touches Me (October 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2359, A-side - B-side is Track 17 on Disc 2)

5. I Wish I Knew (April 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2507, A-side - B-side is Track 14 on Disc 2)

6. Party People (February 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2483, A-side)

7. Keep A Light In The Window (January 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2378, A-side - B-side is Track 16 on Disc 2)

8. I Feel A Sin Coming On (March 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2327, A-side)

9. Meet Me In Church (June 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2527, B-side of "Save It")

10. Someone Is Watching (August 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2299, A-side - B-side is Track 17 on Disc 1)

11. Detroit City (November 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2459, A-side - B-side is Track 18 on Disc 2)

12. Shame On Me (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

13. I Stayed Away Too Long (June 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2416, B-side of "Take Me (Just As I Am") - A-side is Track 3 on Disc 2)

14. It's Just A Matter Of Time (April 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2507, B-side of "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)" - A-side is Track 5 on Disc 2)

15. Since I Met You Baby (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

16. Time Is A Thief (January 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2378, B-side of "Keep A Light In The Window Until I Get Home" - A-side is Track 7 on Disc 2)

17. Woman, How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do (October 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2359, B-side of "When She Touches Me" - A-side is Track 4 on Disc 2)

18. It's Been A Change (November 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2459, B-side of "Detroit City" - A-side is Track 11 on Disc 2)

19. What'd I Say (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

The 22-page booklet has illuminating and often-hilarious liner notes by GERI HIRSHEY on the larger-than-life Burke of whom it was said could sing to soften or arouse on a dime. The famous Atlantic Records albums "I Wish I Knew" and "Rock 'N Soul" are given full pages and there's a hugely detailed track-by-track Sessionography where you'll spot names like King Curtis and Sam Taylor (Saxophones), Eric Gale, Reggie Young, Billy Butler, Joe South and Jimmy Johnson (Guitars) with Spooner Oldham (Organ) - creamy company indeed. The track list at the rear even gives you Master Tape Numbers and US R&B and Pop chart positions. To the music... 

"...You laughed...you called me my personal clown in front of your friends...you cost me..." - pity poor Solomon as he wails like a man with a nail in his head never mind his shoe on "The Price" - typical melodrama where he does all but weep and ask the Lord for mercy (can't unfortunately help but think that he's heard these calls before from butter-wouldn't-melt in his mouth Solomon). I'd have to say that the Bear Family "Sweet Soul Music - 1961" Remaster for "Just Out Of Reach (For My Two Empty Arms)" is far better than what's on offer here - but that doesn't stop it from being wickedly period. Even better is the sexy shuffle of "Got To Get You Off My Mind" where Solomon's gal has only gone and found someone new and better (so it ain't so papa) - Sam Taylor and Charles Brown punching out those boppin' horns.

But the beauty of this vaults-trawl is that it gives you deeper stuff than obvious compilation cuts like "Cry To Me" and the titular "Home In Your Heart" - dig those 1968 shimmy-shaker LP tracks on Disc 2 like "Save It" (when Solomon gets home he’s gonna have needs) and his call-and-response version of the Ray Charles classic "What’d I Say" – an overdone tune that he brings something new to (Bobby Emmons giving it a bit of Ray on the electric piano while Reggie Young (who only passed this year) plays cool guitar licks. He gets preachy and down with Gospel-Soul on fantastic smoochers like "Meet Me In Church", the quarrelling song "Shame On Me" and the pleader "I Stayed Away Too Long". The intro to "Detroit City" might be a tad hissy but those Joe South and Jimmy Johnson guitar flicks keep things interesting, whilst legendary kit-man Roger Hawkins anchors the brass chugging along to the backbeat like they were to the musical manor born. Burke even keeps up with changing times by covering the Staples Singer educational-call-to-arms stomper "It's Been A Change" - pleading with Washington to open their ears.

A fabulous wealth of Soul, Gospel, Boogie and damn it – sexiness! "...All of the time I keep saying, I'm gonna quit you, but, but, but..." - Solomon stammer-sings on "Woman, How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do" – bemoaning his dreadful and not in the least bit self-inflicted lovelorn fate (easy on that man woman). Grooviest sounds around and then some...