"The 8th Day…Plus… + I Gotta Get Home…Plus" by THE 8TH DAY (September 2009 Edsel 2CD Retrospective Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I've Got A Story To Tell You..."

After the song-writing partnership of Holland-Dozier-Holland (Edward-Lamont-Brian) left Motown in the late Sixties, they set up the INVICTUS and HOT WAX labels in the States featuring hot new soul acts like Chairman Of The Board, Freda Payne, Parliament, The Honey Cone, Ruth Copeland, Laura Lee etc.

Part of a slew of UK releases covering all those acts and both of those labels (see list below) - "The 8th Day...Plus + I Gotta Get Home...Plus" by THE 8TH DAY on Edsel ESCD 2068 (Barcode 740155206635) is a superbly presented 2CD Anthology of the H-D-H band fronted by the fantastically expressive vocals of MELVIN DAVIS.

This UK September 2009 remastered 2CD set gathers up both of their rare early Seventies albums, non-album single sides and other related tracks and play out as follows...

Disc 1 (48:26 minutes)

1. She's Not Just Another Woman

2. You've Got To Crawl (Before You Walk)

3. Too Many Cooks (Spoil The Soup)

4. La-De-Dah

5. Eeny-Meeny-Miny-Mo (Three's A Crowd)

6. Just As Long

7. I Can't Fool Myself

8. I'm Worried

9. I've Come To Save You

Tracks 1 to 9 is their debut US album "The 8th Day", April 1971 on Invictus ST 7306

Tracks 10 is "She's Not Just Another Woman", April 1971 USA 7" single mix on Invictus IS 9087 (it's B-side is the album track "I Can't Fool Myself" - Track 7)

Track 11 is "Eeny-Meeny-Miny-Mo (Instrumental)" - it turns up re-titled as "Get Your House In Order" which was issued in 1974 as the instrumental B-side to "Sittin' On A Time Bomb (Waitin' For The Hurt To Come)" by LEE CHARLES on Invictus ZS7 1260 (both tracks were non-album)

Tracks 12 and 13 are "If I Could See The Light In The Window" and "(If I Could See The Light In The Window (Instrumental)", Non-Album A&B of their 3rd US 7" single released December 1971 on Invictus IS 9107

Disc 2 (50:36 minutes):

1. I Gotta Get Home (I Can't Let My Baby Get Lonely)

2. Cheba

3. Good Book

4. Anything

5. Rocks In My Head

6. Faith

7. Get Your Mind Straight

8. Heaven Is There To Guide Us

Tracks 1 to 8 is their 2nd US album "I Gotta Get Home (I Can't Let My Baby Get Lonely)", April 1972 on Invictus ST 9809

Track 9 is "You Made Me Over", a 1973 USA 7" solo single by MELVIN DAVIS on Invictus ZS7 1259

Tracks 10 and 11 are "I'm Worried (Single Edit)" and "Just As Long (Single Edit)", non-album shortened versions of tracks from "The 8th Day" LP issued in 1972 as a MELVIN DAVIS solo single on Invictus IS 9115

Track 12 is "It's Instrumental To Be Free", a non-album B-side to "You've Got To Crawl (Before You Walk)" issued September 1971 on US 7" single Invictus IS 9098

Track 13 is "Free Your Mind" - it's a remix of "It's Instrumental To Be Free" (Track 12) and it appeared as the B-side of the UK 7" single "Love Machine" by THE POLITICIANS on Hot Wax HWX 114

The 16-page booklet has affectionate and informative liner notes by noted British soul lover and expert TONY ROUNCE while the remastered sound by ALCHEMY is warm, clear and gorgeous to the ear (surprisingly free of hiss).

Their debut album opens with a lethal one-two sucker punch - "She Not Just Another Woman" and "You Gotta Crawl (Before You Walk)" - 20 seconds into either and you're hooked. It's easy to see why both reached number 3 on the US R'n'B charts in 1971. This is truly fabulous Seventies soul with one foot still in the Sixties vibe; it's The Temptations - it's Stevie - it's Jackie Wilson on Brunswick with a little RCA Sam Cooke thrown in. It sounds like a reinvigorated Motown hit-making machine with a point to prove - the arrangements, the tight band, the wonderful brass fills that make your feet tap - all topped by the killer vocals of Northern Soul favourite MELVIN DAVIS (who toured as recently as Summer 2009 to rapturous applause by soul lovers hungry for the real deal). Then just as you're about to pigeonhole The 8th Day as a H-D-H singles-machine, you get the stunning seven and a half minutes of "Just As Long" - as lovely a soul ballad as you're ever likely to hear - that starts out almost as an instrumental and then builds - so sweet.

Niggles - the liner notes for Disc 2 have IS 9098 as 9090 and IS 9115 as 9117 - both miscredited in the booklet - and collectors will know that there's a 7" single edit of "You Gotta Crawl" which lops off 15 seconds from the album version that could have been put on here, but it's a minor exclusion.  Besides - prior to the availability of the Net - and as someone who's worked in second-hand records shops for nearly 20 years - I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually seen copies of these rare US LPs and singles.  What a treat to have them all finally presented to us - and in such a cool way too.

Great stuff Edsel - love it, love it, love it - recommended big time.

PS: other titles in this series are:

1. CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD - Give Me Just A Little More Time Plus... (Featuring bonus albums by GENERAL JOHNSON and HARRISON KENNEDY) (Edsel EDSD 2053, 2CDs)

2. CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD - Bittersweet + Skin I'm In + Bonus Album by DANNY WOODS Aries  (Edsel EDSD 2055, 2CDs)

3. RUTH COPELAND - Self Portrait + I Am What I Am albums Plus... (Edsel EDSD 2067, 2CDs)

4. HOLLAND-DOZIER-HOLLAND - Love & Beauty - The Complete Invictus Masters (Edsel EDSD 2056, 2CDs)

5. PARLIAMENT - Osmium Plus... (Edsel EDSS 1031, 1CD)

6. FREDA PAYNE - Band Of Gold + Contact  + The Best Of + Reaching Out (Edsel EDSD 2054, 2CDs)

PPS: for those who want to go deeper into the Invictus and Hot Wax labels, Sequel Records of the UK released a huge number of related CDs in 1999 featuring artists not covered in this 2009 reissue series - some of those names are 100 Proof Aged In Soul, Flaming Ember, The Politicians, The Glass House, Barrino Brothers, Eloise Laws and several cool Various Artist compilations like "Invictus Chartbusters"

“Music From The North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology" by THE JAYHAWKS (2009 America 'DELUXE EDITION' Version with 2CDs and 1DVD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Never Thought That I’d Miss You… That I’d Miss You So Much…"

American 88697 47043 2 is in tri-gatefold card sleeve with an extensive booklet and song choices overseen by key band member GARY LOURIS.

This is the 2CD + 1DVD 'Deluxe Edition' of "Music From The North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology" by THE JAYHAWKS. The DE is green in colour - the standard 1CD version is red.

Disc 1 has 20 remastered tracks from their 6 studio albums (the standard single CD version); a bonus Disc 2 which contains 20 rarities (14 of which are previously unreleased) and a bonus DVD that gives you 7 Music Videos Plus 2 EPKs (Electronic Press Kits).

Here’s a detailed track-by-track breakdown…

Disc 1 (76:29 minutes):
1. Two Angels
2. Ain’t No End
(1 and 2 from “Blue Earth”, 1989)
3. Waiting For The Sun
4. Martin’s Song
5. Clouds
6. Settled Down Like Rain
(3 to 6 from “Hollywood Town Hall”, 1992)
7. Blue
8. I’d Run Away
9. Over My Shoulder
10. Miss Williams’ Guitar
(7 to 10 from “Tomorrow The Green Grass”, 1995)
11. Trouble
12. Big Star
13. The Man Who Loved Life
(11 to 13 from “Sound Of Lies”, 1997)
14. Smile
15. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
16. What Led Me To This Town
(14 to 16 from “Smile”, 2000)
17. Tailspin
18. All The Right Reasons
19. Save It For A Rainy Day
20. Angelyne
(17 to 20 from “Rainy Day Music”, 2003)

Disc 2 (76:10 minutes):
1. Falling Star (from “The Jayhawks”, privately pressed US-only debut LP limited to 2000 copies, never officially on CD before)
2. Old Woman From Red Clay (Alternate Take of “Two Angels” from “Blue Earth”)
3. That’s The Bag I’m In (A Fred Neil cover Recorded Live for KFAL Radio in Minneapolis in October 1989)
4. Won’t Be Coming Home (1991 Demo, Later Made Famous by GOLDEN SMOG)
5. Stone Cold Mess (Outtake from “Hollywood Town Hall” Sessions, 1992)
6. Mission On 2nd (Outtake from “Hollywood Town Hall” Sessions, 1992)
7. Lights (Victoria Williams cover specially recorded for the Various Artists compilation “Sweet Relief: A Benefit For Victoria Williams”, 1993)
8. Darling Today (Non-Album B-side of USA CD single of “Blue”, 1995)
9. Break My Mind (Non-Album B-side of USA CD single of “Bad Time”, 1995)
10. Get The Load Out (Non-Album B-side of a European CD single of “Bad Time”, 1995)
11. Poor Little Fish (Early Version, An Outtake from the “Sound Of Lies” Sessions, 1996)
12. Someone Will (1998 Demo for “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” from “Smile”, first aired on “Live From The Women’s Club Official Bootleg” CD in 2003)
13. Cure For This (1999 Previously Unreleased Track, has emerged as “Goodbye Kiss” by Janey Winterbauer and Marc Perlman on their “25:32:47” EP in early 2009)
14. I Can Make It On My Own (1998/1999 Demo from the “Smile” Sessions)
15. Rotterdam (1999 Demo of “All The Right Reasons”)
16. Follow Me (2001 Demo by Tom O’Reagan)
17. In The Canyon (2001 Demo, Outtake from the “Rainy Day Music” Sessions)
18. Tailspin (2001 “Early Version” Demo from the “Rainy Day Music” Sessions)
19. I Think I’ve Had Enough (2001 Demo from the “Rainy Day Music” Sessions)
20. Help Me Forget (2001 Demo from the “Rainy Day Music” Sessions)

Tracks 2 to 6 and 11 to 20 are previously unreleased

“…Anthology…” is produced by JOHN JACKSON and PD LARSON (who also does the liner notes) with superb mastering by GREG CALBI at Sterling Sound in New York. The sound quality is really clean and musically upped a notch (“Blue” in particular is gorgeous - lyrics for this review above). The 26-page booklet gives detailed backgrounds to each song (especially the unreleased stuff) and even if the print is tiny, it makes for a really entertaining and informative read.

I’d expected the quality to dip on Disc 2, but for the most part it’s actually a strong rival for the sheer melody of the songs on Disc 1. It’s really impressive stuff. Fans will adore “Rotterdam” the demo version of “All The Right Reasons” (surely one of their strongest songs) while the “Poor Little Fish” alternate is them stretching out into soundscapes they normally wouldn’t go anywhere near – and winning – I love it. Their cover of the Victoria Williams song “Lights” for her cancer relief CD project is both fantastically musical and poignant. The quirky videos for “Big Star” (bevies of babes petting the boys) and “Save It For A Rainy Day” (ballerina outfits and swimming pools) are just icing on an already rather cool little cupcake.

“Music From The North Country” is a superb overview of a great American band in the tradition of Big Star and R.E.M. – and classily done too. It truly is a shame that they’re gone. Recommended - big time.

“The Best Of” by ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON and ALICIA MYERS. A Review of the 1996 USA-Only CD Compilation on MCA Records.

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…There’s Nothing To It…Get Up And Do Your Thang…”

One Way’s most famous hit 1979’s “You Can Do It” is the kind of infectious funky little Soul/R’n’B number that I loved then and still do now – and it’s still a guaranteed floor filler.

Released in the USA-only in April 1996, MCAD-11432 breaks down as follows (69:32 minutes)

1. Cutie Pie (1982 USA LP “Who’s Foolin’ Who” on MCA 5279)
2. Lady You Are (1984 USA LP “Lady” on MCA 5470)
3. You Can Do It (1979 USA LP “Happy Feet” on ABC 1136)
4. I Want To Thank You (1981 USA LP “Alicia” on MCA 5181)
5. Mr. Groove (as per 2)
6. Something In The Past (1980 USA LP “One Way featuring Al Hudson” on MCA 5127)
7. Pop It [Single Edit] (1980 USA 7” single on MCA 41298 [A]
(The full album version is on “One Way featuring Al Hudson” (as per 6))
8. Don’t Think About It (1986 USA LP “One Way IX” on MCA 5823)
9. Appreciation (1984 USA LP “I Appreciate” on MCA 5485)
10. Push [Single Edit] (1981 USA 7” single on MCA 51110 [A]
(The full album version is on “Love Is…One Way” 1981 USA LP on MCA 5163)
11. If You Play Your Cards Right (as per 4)
12. Pull Fancy Dancer/Pull, Part 1 (1981 USA 7” single on MCA 51165 [A]
(The full album version is on “Fancy Dancer” 1981 USA LP on MCA 5247)
13. You Better Quit (as per 8)
14. You Get The Best From Me (Say, Say, Say) (as per 9)

1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 13 are credited to ONE WAY
6 and 7 are credited to ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON
3 is credited to AL HUDSON and THE PARTNERS
4, 9, 11 and 14 are credited to ALICIA MYERS

The sound quality is fabulous throughout because all tracks have been remastered by one of Universal’s top audio engineers ERICK LABSON (has over 800 mastering credits to his name) while the 12-page inlay features affectionate and informative liner notes by one of Britain’s most famous soul aficionados DAVID NATHAN.

Personally I find some of the early solo Alicia Myers tracks difficult to take in all their over-the-top Eighties production and cheesy lyrics (her "Say, Say, Say" is however a genuine highlight here). What is smart though is to finally see the three rare 7" single edits of “Pop It”, “Push” and “Pull Fancy Dancer…” make their way onto a good CD. In fact the superb remastered sound lifts them and all the other tracks out of their squashed vinyl muddiness into real clarity. The whack out of the funky and soulful “You Better Quit” (their last R&B hit) will make your feet tap and shake your booty (as they say in all the best commentaries)…

It’s not all genius of course, but this well-endowed “Best Of” compilation is still a cracking good soul listen – and it’s bolstered up with really great sound too.

One Way, Al Hudson and Alicia Myers are remembered with affection and on the strength of this – it’s easy to see why.

Recommended.

“Pass The Plate” by THE CRUSADERS (2008 Universal 'Originals' CD Reissue - Kevin Reeves Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Felt Good…Nice And Good All The Way…" 

Ten years after their formation in 1961 - THE CRUSADERS finally dropped the word "Jazz" from their name and continued with a funkier direction for their debut LP on Chisa Records in 1970  - “Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes" (Chisa CS 804). Both “Old Socks…” and this - their rare 2nd album “Pass The Plate” on Chisa Records CS 807 - are available as part of Universal’s ‘Originals” CD Reissue Series.

UK released October 2008 - "Pass The Plate" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/Verve/Chisa B0011961-02 (Barcode 602517833333) is a straightforward 7-track transfer of their rare 2nd album and is part of their Universal’s ‘Originals’ CD Reissue Series - Soul, Funk, Fusion and Jazz albums in card digipaks at mid price (42:16 minutes). Here are the platefuls…

1. Pass The Plate

(a) Tap N' Shuffle (b) Sing For Your Keep (c) Beggin' (d) Haggin' Stomp! (e) Pennies, Nickels & Dimes

2. Young Rabbits ’71-’72

3. Listen And You’ll See

4 Greasy Spoon

5. Treat Me Like Ya Treat Yaself

6. Goin’ Down South

7. Love Can’t Grow Where The Rain Won’t Fall

Tracks 1 and 2 written by Wayne Henderson, Track 4 by Nesbert Hooper and Tracks 3, 5, 6 and 7 by Joe Sample

The line up was still a four-piece (with Arthur Adams supplementing on guitar):

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards

WILTON FELDER - Saxophones

WAYNE HENDERSON - Trombones

NESBERT "STIX" HOOPER - Drums & Percussion

ARTHUR ADAMS - Guitar

"Pass The Plate" was originally released May 1971 in the USA on Chisa Records CS-807 as a single album in a fetching gatefold sleeve (NO UK equivalent). Originally produced by STEWART LEVINE to great effect - this 2008 CD reissue is a straightforward copy of that album. Experienced and long-standing Engineer KEVIN REEVES has carried out the Remaster at Universal Mastering Studios and the sound quality is fabulous - funky, clear and muscular - just what's needed. The tri-gatefold card digipak reproduces the original fold-out artwork and informative liner notes by LES CARTER of KPPC FM Radio Station (there is no booklet.

Side 1 opens with the near 16-minute title track "Pass The Plate" by Wayne Henderson which is broken into 5 parts (a) Tap N' Shuffle (b) Sing For Your Keep (c) Beggin' (d) Haggin' Stomp! (e) Pennies, Nickels & Dimes. "Pass The Plate" was actually edited down to 2:42 minutes and issued in May 1971 as a 7" single on Chisa C 8013 with the slinky "Greasy Spoon" from Side 2 of the LP as its brilliant B-side (title of this review is spoken by the drummer at the end of the song). This lone 45 was issued and distributed solely by Motown, hence both sides of it (along with an unreleased version) have turned up on Disc 4 of the "The Motown Singles Collection Volume 11A: 1971" from February of 2009.

Side 2 contains two of my favourites - a lethal double whammy opening of Joe Sample's sweet and soulful "Listen And You'll See" followed by the already mentioned funky chestnut "Greasy Spoon". Sample's "Goin' Down South" is a wicked groover too. The only track that I find hard to take is the uncomfortably fast "Young Rabbits-'71-'72" which ends Side 1 - a little too fusion for my old foggy ears.

"Pass The Plate" is typical of so many of The Crusaders Seventies LPs - funky Jazz-Soul with a wee bit of fusion thrown in - and to this day it's still cool, wonderfully slick and just so listenable. This cracking but long-forgotten Jazz-Funk Meisterwork is now less than mid-price on CD and it's one I urge you to check out.

The Crusaders - I never tire of them...

PS: See also my review for another superlative Crusaders set - the 2CD Anthology “Gold” with amazing Gavin Lurssen Remasters…and "Old Socks, New Shoes", "Images" and "Free As The Wind" - and Joe Sample's "Rainbow Seeker" solo LP...

“Roebuck Man“ by ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP (1992 Sequel Records CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I'm Going Down That Sunny Road…" 

Already 64 years old when he recorded this obscure and forgotten Blues album in early 1970 - Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup had cruelly seen 3 of his compositions covered by Elvis Presley (most famously “That’s All Right”) - but because of strange royalty arrangements – never saw any cash for them. But like Curtis Jones, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters and so many other black blues man of the time (who all complained of being ‘done’ by industry types) - they moved to Britain and Europe where their music was being listened to and appreciated by ecstatic white musicians and mixed audiences hungry for the real deal.

Working a small UK tour at the time (financed by The National Blues Federation of the USA) - Crudup stopped into a London studio to record this album. Produced by CHRIS TRIMMING and RON WATTS and engineered by MICK TAUBER, the whole LP was recorded in one day, 26 February 1970 and released in July 1970 on the Stereo LP United Artists UAS 29092 in the UK. Sporting a fetching laminate front sleeve, the album title came from a pub in Putney (featured behind him on the sleeve) where he received a none-to-enlightened reception and famously included an acidic reaction to it in the album’s title track. The LP also included ex members of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann and the newly formed McGuinness Flint - who were all big fans.

The line up was:

ARTHUR “BIG BOY” CRUDUP – Guitar & Vocals

HUGHIE FLINT – Drums (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, McGuinness Flint)

BENNY GALLAGHER – Guitar, Bass & Vocals (McGuinness Flint, Gallagher & Lyle)

DAVE GELLY – Tenor Sax

JOHN LEWIS – Piano

TOM McGUINNESS – Guitar (Manfred Mann, McGuinness Flint)

This September 1992 UK CD on Sequel NEX CD 210 (Barcode 5023224121028) is a straightforward transfer of the 13-track album "Roebuck Man" by ARTHUR CRUDUP (digitally remastered at Abbey Road and subtitled "The 1970 London Sessions"). 

All tracks are Arthur Crudup originals and the sound is lovely throughout – warm and full (48:42 minutes). 

1. I Don’t Worry 

2. Needle Time

3. Room And Board 

4. Blind Man Sees 

5. Long Curly Mane 

6. Roebuck Man

7. Old And Grey [Side 2]

8. Before You Go

9. Korrina Korrina

10. Boogie In The Morning

11. Get You In My Arms

12. What Are You Trying To Do?

13. Burying Ground

It’s immediately obvious that the band complimented his voice and songs – most are combo numbers, but “Blind Man Sees” is just him and guitar ala John Lee Hooker. The harsh “Roebuck Man” opens with “If you should have to come to England, please don’t go to the Roebuck man…” but things get more Chicken Shack with the stunning “Room And Board” – thrilling guitar work and the band digging it (lyrics above).

“Corrina Corrina” (not the famous Joe Turner track Corrine, Corrina) is just Crudup and John Lewis on Piano and is wonderful blues – simple and sweet. It then ups a notch when the band joins them on the Jerry Lee Lewis sounding “Boogie In The Morning” – with piano rolls and great sax work from Dave Gelly, if you heard it in a pub, your foot would be pounding the floorboards in glee. He tells “Katy Mae” he loves her in “What Are You Trying To Do?” and the band just chugs along behind him to such sweet effect until he shouts “Take it!” and they start into blues rocking. “Burying Ground” is a dark closer about death and women dressed in red! So - a great little album then and rare on original vinyl. 

Arthur Crudup died in early 1974, aged 68. Blues historians often say that he gave a lot to the blues and an incalculable donation to world history via Elvis Presley and his 1st Sun 7” single in 1955 “That’s All Right” – it’s just such a shame the music business didn’t return the compliment.Still - there is this superb little CD to treasure and rave about. Seek it out…

“Emma” – the BBC’s 2009 Adaptation of Jane Austen’s Novel on BLU RAY…or not…

"…I Have Examined My Own Heart…And There You Were…"

The BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's 4th and least-liked book is a superbly realized and warm-hearted gem, thanks to its talented and aptly chosen cast and its truly beautiful production values. ROMOLA GARAI and JONNY LEE MILLER as Emma Woodhouse and George Knightley are wonderful in their parts and exude genuine chemistry, while MICHAEL GAMBON is spot-on as Emma's loving but hypochondriac father and the other sub-characters are expertly played out too. It's what we all know - no one does it better than the BBC...

But as someone who loves oldies and wants to collect films in their best form, there's a stickler point of view that I feel needs to be put out there - and right now... Standard Definition versus High Definition...

I've watched a lot of BLU RAY reissues across the last year (and reviewed most of them) and loved the ones that have been properly restored or properly prepped for reissue. But - and this is a big but - when old movies or TV productions are transferred to BLU RAY, unless they're remastered or restored, the indoor shots are invariably worse - loads of blocking, fuzziness and bad lighting... This production of Emma doesn't have any of that because its trump card is 2009 HIGH DEFINITION filming... Filmed in HD, every frame is gorgeous - and it's been lit with HD in mind, so interiors of great halls, the upholstery of regal chairs, the intricate stitching in gowns, the lacework of shawls, the silk of scarves, the weaved threads of dapper waistcoats - all of it - is there for you to see in endlessly fabulous detail.

Which brings me to my biggest gripe - where's the BLU RAY? My wife and I watched the 4 parts of "Emma" as it was broadcast on Sunday nights in standard definition, but recorded it to the hard-drive the following Tuesday night when it was broadcast in HD - and the difference couldn't have been more marked. We watched BOTH versions in other words. It's TWICE AS GOOD in HD - and a genuine thing of wonder to look at - so where's the BLU RAY with the HIGH DEF picture?

"Young Victoria" is the same, a superb little period film with beautiful production work put into it - put out only on DVD when it would have been a breathtaking BLU RAY... (I wonder how many sales they lost because of that?)

I won't buy "Emma" on DVD because it short-changes my viewing pleasure and in some sort of strange way - does the whole effort put into it by the BBC a massive disservice.

If it was filmed in HD - and looks best in that - then why sell it in a sub-standard format? Let's dump DVDs for God's sake (which have quickly become worthless across a vast number of titles - I know - we sell them second-hand and they're fast becoming as useless as CD) and move on... The DVD is dead - and BLU RAY is its replacement - and this progression is not going to be stopped...

Paying money for Emma on DVD is like buying an out-of-date computer, it will work, but when you see the new 27" iMac with its beautiful reproduction graphics, you know you've made a huge mistake and someone conned you out of your cash...

Five stars for the series then, but docked one star for its release on DVD-only - which ultimately short-changes the buying public and denies them a proper choice when purchasing...

PS: : three other Romola Garai movies worth checking out are “Inside I’m Dancing”, “Amazing Grace” and “I Capture The Castle”
And three Jonny Lee Miller films are “The Flying Scotsman”, “Melinda and Melinda” and “ Plunkett and MacLeane”

“Coraline” – A Review of the 2009 Animated Film Now Issued on BLU RAY in Both 2D and 3D.

"…No Coraline!” said the Evil Spider. “I’m Your “Other” Mother…"

I would echo other reviews of "Coraline" - an absolute wow on the 2D BLU RAY image - but gimmicky, dark and blurry on the 3D version.

This is aimed at both the kids and their accompanying parents - childlike enough to capture the wee ones for two hours, but adult enough in other ways to keep us old-folk glued. My 11 and 15 year olds loved it, though I would say it might be a bit 'too' scary for children younger than that (it's quite sinister in parts - this is not saccharine Disney, but Tim Burton territory - and he rarely panders nor holds back).

Four flimsy card glasses are provided for the 3D version (you choose either 2D or 3D from the main menu), but as you watch it, they irritate and you're far too aware of them. Pixar’s “Up” had proper 3D glasses when we went to see it at the cinema and they made a huge difference to both the quality of the 3D effect and the comfort (too busy enjoying the film to notice).

The 2D version couldn’t be more different. The BLU RAY image is awesome – really bringing out the workmanship that went into each shot. The richness of the animation and the hugely imaginative way all the characters look in every single scene – it’s all an absolute blast. The vocal work is typically ace too (Dakota Fanning shines) and the story of parents and their children straying apart is like a dark Brothers Grimm tale that will unfortunately ring too true for many. The extras are superb too. Shame the whole thing is let down by the 3D side of things.

To sum up - and despite some niggles - the gobsmacking beauty of the print, the great voice talent and the dead clever grown-up story make it all worthwhile.

This is one you'll watch again and again – and your kids will impress their friends with it.

Recommended.

"From The Roots" by THE MAYTALS (December 2003 Sanctuary/Trojan 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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And is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...

"…All Over The World…Share Out The Gold And Silver…"

Jamaican born Frederick "Toots" Hibbert was just 18 when he formed the earliest version of The Maytals in 1961 with his two friends Nathaniel "Jerry" Mathias and Henry "Raleigh" Gordon (the three are pictured on the cover). A couple of albums (and a Sixties jail-sentence for their leader later) and you jump forward to the 1970s - and the same wiser trio made this wonderful but now largely forgotten Reggae LP “From The Roots”. Sanctuary in the UK acquired the entire Trojan Records Reggae catalogue in 2001 for over £10 million and in a slew of superb CD reissues - this nifty little piece is a genuine star propping up the bar. Here are the precious metals...

UK issued in December 2003 – "From The Roots" by THE MAYTALS on Sanctuary/Trojan TJCCD091 (Barcode 5050159909124) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD version of that rare 1973 UK album and breaks down as follows (62:56 minutes):

1. Pee Pee Cluck Cluck

2. Loving Spirit

3. Doctor Lester (Aka African Doctor)

4. Gold & Silver 

5. Koo Koo

6. Revival Reggae

7. Thy Kingdom Come

8. One Eye Ends

9. A Time To Love

10. 9 O’Clock

11. Know Me Good

12. Got To Feel (It)

13. Feel So Good

14. Give Peace A Chance 

Tracks 1 to 14 are the album "From The Roots" issued in 1973 in the UK on Trojan TRLS 65 (recorded in/copyright date 1969)

BONUS TRACKS: 

15. Israel (a 1970 Jamaican 7" single)

16. Your Troubles Are Over (an album outtake)

17. Doctor Lester [aka African Doctor] (Alternate Take)

18. Know Me Good (Alternate Take) 

19. Feel So Good (Alternate Take)

20. I Alone (a 1971 single issued is Jamaica on Starapple Records)

21. One Eye Enos (a different version to the album cut; it was issued in the UK in 1971 on a 7" single Summit SUM 8520) 

22. Funky Funky (a 1971 Jamaican 7" single issued on Beverley's Records)

The album was produced by the legendary but short-lived LESLIE KONG (he died in 1971 aged only 37) - a young Chinese immigrant who was instrumental in the recording and acceptance of Jamaican music in its formative years (he did Bob Marley's 1st single in 1962).  The 12-page foldout insert has affectionate liner notes by HARRY HORNBY while the whole project was coordinated and compiled by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT and JOHN REED - both of whom have extensive writing and compiling experience across a huge range of Trojan releases. Excepting the cover of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance", all tracks are Hibbert originals - and there's even a card wrap on the outside depicting the original album sleeve that gives the whole release a classy feel...

Given the less-than-stellar quality of the original recordings (reggae is notoriously non-audiophile), the sound quality on these Cedar-improved remasters is superb - muscular and clear. Personal favourites include the sharing-out-our-wealth song "Gold And Silver" (lyrics above) and the superb "Loving Spirit" which is imbibed with Hibbert's strong belief in love channeled through God and music. The extras are ace too - personally I feel the 'Alternate Take' of "Know Me Good" is better than the released album version and "Funky Funky" is a wicked little groover of a record that must be impossible to find on original vinyl...and a cool rediscovery.

"From The Roots" is a sweetheart of an album and it's listed value at £30 in the Record Collector Price Guide of 2010 doesn't in any way reflect the difficulty you would have in locating an original copy on vinyl. For a lot less, you can now easily get this expanded CD instead. It's a journey you should take...and well done to all the good people involved in keeping this particular reggae flame alive…

PS: if you're looking for more music in the same vein, see my reviews for the 2CD DELUXE EDITIONS of the following 4 iconic British LP releases all of which were also on the Trojan Records label - "Tighten Up Volume 1" and "Tighten Up Volume 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS, "1000 Volts Of Holt" by JOHN HOLT and "Skinhead Moonstomp" by SYMARIP. And for Island Records UK - see also my review of the 2009 3CD mini box set "War Ina Babylon"...