"Bish" by STEPHEN BISHOP - August 1978 Second Studio Album (December 2006 US-Only Hip-O Select CD Reissue in Mini LP Hard Card Gatefold Repro Artwork - Numbered Limited Edition of 5000) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…What Should I Do…I'm Losing Myself In You…" 

Following on from his hugely popular debut album "Careless" (released December 1976 on ABC Records in the both the States and UK) – 1978's "Bish" was a classy follow-through – an audiophile-sounding vinyl LP featuring a glittering array of top West Coast session players that is beloved by Stephen Bishop fans to this day.

On CD - there's been budget issues of some of its tracks here in the UK on MCA/Half Moon and in the US on the excellent Rhino "Best Of" remaster in 1988 - but this is the first proper sonic doing of the entire album and the result I'm happy to say is just beautiful. The audio quality here is breathtaking - clarity that fans will absolutely delight in - pretty much the same as "Careless" (see separate review in “SOUNDS GOOD: Sixties & Seventies Volume 1”).

1. If I Only Had A Brain [Side 1]

2. Losing Myself In You

3. Looking For The Right One

4. Everybody Needs Love

5. A Fool At Heart

6. What Can Love Do

7. Vagabond From Heaven [Side 2]

8. Bish’s Hideaway

9. Only The Heart Within You

10. Recognized

11. I’ve Never Known A Nite Like This

12. When I Was In Love

Released December 2006 in the USA-only – "Bish" by STEPHEN BISHOP on Hip-O Select/Geffen B000298402 (Barcode 008811837921) is a straightforward CD reissue (in gatefold repro artwork) of his 2nd studio LP released August 1978 in the USA on ABC Records AA-1082 and in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5252 (44:30 minutes total playing time).

It’s a NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION of 5000 issued in an oversized 5" gatefold Mini LP repro hard-card sleeve (numbered on the rear in gold). There's also a see-through sepia-printed inner sleeve giving re-issue details. The card sleeve has the words LIMITED EDITION boxed in gold on the rear and the detail even stretches to a pasted-on inner gatefold sleeve like US albums of the time. It's a shame though that there is no history to the album, no proper liner note contributed by the man himself, not even an original release date of the LP or singles or photos from the sessions - still, that all pales against the real deal - the stunning sound...

Universal uses several top engineers (Erick Labson, Ellen Fitton, Suha Gur and Kevin Reeves are among the names I've reviewed before) and GAVIN LURSSEN is one of them. His work here is a sensation (as it was on the 2005 Hip-O Select "Careless" CD). The album "Bish" was beautifully produced by Bishop in the first place - but here all that work comes shining through. The mastering is 'so' sweet - it's like a Mobile Fidelity CD - you feel care was taken with it and the result is a genuine thrill.

Like its predecessor, the tracks are top-heavy with contributions from `superstars of the day' - "Losing Myself In You" features David Foster on Piano with brilliantly complimentary Michael McDonald Backing Vocals (lyrics above), "Everybody Needs Love" features Ray Parker on Guitar, "A Fool At Heart" features Bill Payne of Little Feat on Keyboards with Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan on Backing Vocals. The opening double track on Side 2 is called "Prelude/Vagabond From Heaven" and it features a lovely keyboard lead-in by Steve Porcaro of Toto on "Prelude" which is in turn followed by more spine-tingling duet vocals from Michael McDonald on "Vagabond From Heaven". 

The beautiful and plaintive "Only The Heart Within You" has Art Garfunkel on very subtle Backing Vocals towards the end, while Porcaro turns again on "I've Never Known A Night Like This" but this time with Tom Scott on Saxophone.  Even the opening instrumental cover version of "The Wizard Of Oz" classic "If I Only Had A Brain" is pretty - setting up a sort of whimsical feel to certain tracks on the album. It's a very nice album indeed...

As a US import, the Hip-O Select label isn't cheap (it received no UK release), but like Ace, Bear Family, Rhino and Raven - their issues are the best. For lovers of the album this a no-brainer - it's a must have purchase. This reissue of "Bish" is a superlative job done - and recommended big time.

PS: Gavin Lurssen's top-notch mastering work is also featured on the 2CD compilation "Gold" - an Anthology by THE CRUSADERS of their primo Seventies Jazz Funk stuff with the Blue Thumb and ABC Labels. It's also another Hip-O Select release via Universal - see my separate review in the download book "HIGHER GROUND - 70's Soul, Funk and Jazz Fusion" (link below)

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“The Solo Albums: Volume 3 - Deep In My Soul and Big Time” by SMOKEY ROBINSON (2011 Hip-O Select/Motown CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…My Mind Went Blank…No Words Came Through…"

The third volume of CD Reissues in a Series of 6 covering Smokey Robinson's Solo Albums on Motown reaches the year of Disco and Funk – 1977. Once again we get two full albums expertly Remastered onto 1 CD and even have Two Rare Bonus Tracks thrown in. Here are the Big Time details...

Released January 2011 in the UK (delayed from December 2010) – "The Solo Albums, Volume 3 - Deep In My Soul/Big Time" by SMOKEY ROBINSON on Hip-O Select/Motown B0014909-02 (Barcode 602527518923) breaks down as follows (77:36 minutes):

1. Vitamin U

2. There Will Come A Day (I'm Gonna Happen To You)

3. Let's Do The Dance Of Life Together

4. If You Want My Love

5. You Cannot Laugh Alone

6. In My Corner

8. The Humming Song (Lost For Words)

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 5th solo album "Deep In My Soul" - released January 1977 in the USA on Tamla T6-350S1 and in April 1977 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12055.

9. Theme From Big Time

10. J.J.'s Theme

11. Hip Trip

12. He Is The Light Of The World

13. So Nice To Be With You

14. Shana's Theme (with Dialogue)

15. If We're Gonna Act Like Lovers

16. The Agony And The Ecstasy

17. Theme From Big Time (Reprise)

Tracks 9 to 17 are his 6th solo album - the Soundtrack to the movie "Big Time" - released June 1977 in the USA on Tamla T6-355S1 and September 1977 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12068.

BONUS TRACKS:

18. Mother's Son

19. Pops, We Love You (12-Inch Version)

Tracks 18 and 19 are from the Various Artists tribute LP to Berry Gordy's father called "Pops, We Love You...The Album" (he died at the age of 90 in 1978). It was released December 1978 in the USA on Motown M7 921R1 and June 1979 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12114.

The gatefold card-digipak houses a 20-page colour booklet containing liner notes by PETER DOGGETT (formerly of Record Collector magazine and author of the book "There's A Riot Going On"). It also reproduces the American artwork front and rear for each album (even though in truth they're impossible to read), has photographic outtakes from the album sleeve and detailed recording and release credits.

Remastered by ELLEN FITTON from the original Stereo tapes - the sound quality is superb (she did an equally great job on Volume 1). I've reviewed CDs remastered by Fitton before - she's one of Universal's top engineers (others are Erick Labson, Suha Gur, Gavin Lurssen, Gary Moore and Kevin Reeves). I've created a TAG above (pictorial displays of artwork) for `both' her remasters and Hip-O Select releases worth noting.

Unfortunately, the great sound quality is where the good news ends. It's easy to hear why the album "Deep In My Soul" is dollar-bin fodder - none of the 8 tracks are written by Smokey and most are syrupy late Seventies pap done by in-house writers. Things improve a little with the obvious lead off single "There Will Come A Day (I'm Gonna Happen To You)" put out in January 1977 on Tamla 54279 (it reached 7 on the R&B charts), but it's B-side "The Humming Song" (lyrics above) sum up the whole record - uninspired for the most part - and only ever workmanlike elsewhere.

The rare and largely forgotten "Big Time" soundtrack from 1978 is a strange one. Executive Produced by Smokey, he gave it a whole year of his life and wrote all the music too (yet rarely talks of it). Although most of the shortish tracks are only ok, it opens on an absolutely lengthy blinder - "Theme From Big Time" - a nine and half minute funky workout that has long since been sought after by rare groove aficionados. It was issued as a 7" single in the USA and split across 2 sides (Tamla 54288), but the real prize is a promo-only 12" version of it edited to 8:29 on Tamla PR-29 - it commands big money among DJ's who appreciate the wallop a 12" single. As far as I'm aware, this is its CD debut and it's a welcome reissue. Another nice mid-tempo dancer is "Hip Trip" and the six-minute ballad "So Nice To Be With You" is pretty too.

There's two tribute songs tagged on as 'bonus tracks' at the end that are truly dreadful - awful cloying pap - and painful reminders of just how quickly the company had lost its way and fans in the process.

To sum up - with only a couple of tunes on the first album and a funky workout on the second - this is without doubt the most disappointing release of the Series so far. And even if some of it is rare and the sound quality is superb...it's a 3-star release - and pushing it at that...

"Syreeta/Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" by SYREETA [featuring STEVIE WONDER] (June 2004 US-Only Hip-O Select CD Compilation - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD in Mini LP Packaging with an Ellen Fitton Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"…Walking In The Rain…"

Numbered to 5000 and released on Hip-O Select's own website in June 2004 and then given a Stateside commercial release that same year - this limited edition CD has long since been deleted and has acquired a bit of a hefty price-tag ever since.

US released June 2004 – "Syreeta/Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" by SYRETTA [featuring STEVIE WONDER] on Motown/Hip-O Select B0002543-02 offers up the first two of six LPs Syreeta Wright recorded for Motown in the Seventies and breaks down as follows (78:07 minutes):

1. I Love Every Little Thing About You [Side 1]

2. Black Maybe

3. Keep Him Like He Is

4. Happiness

5. She's Leaving Home [Side 2]

6. What Love Has Joined Together

7. How Many Days

8. Baby Don't You Let Me Lose This

9. To Know You Is To Love You

Tracks 1 to 9 are her debut album "Syreeta" released June 1972 in the USA on MoWest MW-113L and November 1972 in the UK on MoWest MWS 7001

[Tracks 1, 2, 4 and 7 are written by Stevie Wonder with 3, 8 and 9 co-written with Syreeta Wright. Tracks 5 and 6 are covers of The Beatles "She's Leaving Home" and The Temptations "What Love Has Joined Together" (written by Smokey Robinson)]

10. I’m Goin' Left [Side 1]

11. Spinnin’ And Spinnin'

12. Your Kiss Is Sweet

13. Come And Get This Stuff

14. Heavy Day

15. Cause We've Ended As Lovers [Side 2]

16. Just A Little Piece Of You

17. Waitin' For The Postman

18. When Your Daddy's Not Around

19. I Wanna Be By Your Side

20. Universal Sound Of The World (Your Kiss Is Sweet)

Tracks 10 to 20 are her 2nd LP "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" released June 1974 in the USA on Motown M6-808S1 and September 1974 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11268 [Tracks 13, 15, 17, 18 and 19 are written by Stevie Wonder with 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 20 co-written with Syreeta Wright]

The gatefold card digipak is numbered in gold on the rear (a limited edition of 5000 worldwide) and features the artwork to "Syreeta" on the front cover with the rear sleeve of to the original LP pictured beneath the see-through tray on the inside. The 16-page booklet has the 2nd album artwork complete too with detailed recording and reissue credits and an essay on the releases by British Soul aficionado DAVID NATHAN (with contributions from Syreeta herself - sadly in the year before she died).

The sound quality is truly BEAUTIFUL - remastered from the first generation tapes by one of Universal's top engineers - ELLEN FITTON. She did all 14 of the extraordinary "Motown Complete Singles" Box Sets (Volumes 1 to 12B) as well as many, many other releases from Motown artists - Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvelettes, Four Tops (I've reviewed a myriad of other EF Remasters).

Married to Syreeta since 1970, both albums heavily featured Stevie Wonder's mercurial involvement in production, song contribution and playing - and both are so much the better for it (this was his 1972 to 1974 run-of-genius period - "Music Of My Mind", "Talking Book", "Innervisions" and "Fulfillingness' First Finale"). So it's also not surprising to find that his production values on these two records matched that of the highly produced "Innervisons" say - all swirling synths and funky beats with that wonderful Seventies feel. Ace guitarist BUZZY FENTON played on "Syreeta" while MINNIE RIPERTON sang backing vocals on "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta".

Both albums were critically acclaimed at the time, but the public didn't take to either in earnest giving them modest positions of 38 and 53 on the USA Billboard R 'n' B album charts (they made no inroads in Soul-mad Blighty). Which is strange because the lead off single from "Syreeta" was its strongest track - an edit of "To Know You Is To Love You". It's the albums only duet vocal between Stevie and Syreeta and was released Stateside on MoWest 5021 in July 1972. Its sound quality here is a real highlight. The cover of the Sgt. Peppers classic "She's Leaving Home" features a treated vocal by Stevie cleverly wrapped around layered backing vocals from her. Another goody on the debut is "I Love Every Little Thing About You" which Stevie had released on "Music Of My Mind" in March 1972 - but her later version is equally good - and very suited to her sweet vocals.

It's not all genius of course - the 2nd LP sports some dreadfully saccharine tracks like "Your Kiss Is Sweet" and "Waitin' For The Postman" (which features GC Cameron on duet lead vocals). But it redeems itself big time on the heartfelt "Cause We Ended As Lovers" (lyrics above) - a track I've loved for years and came to in a roundabout way. Jeff Beck did a stunning instrumental cover version of it on his brilliant 1975 "Blow By Blow" album - and I backtracked to find the lovely original. Another track where the romance and music do combine so sweetly is "Just A Little Piece Of You" - a bit of a forgotten Soul gem really.

To sum up - this is a lovely reissue with gorgeous sound quality - and while it's not all Godlike in terms of songs - the good stuff is well worth seeking out - even if it costs...

“Street Corner Talking/Hellbound Train” by SAVOY BROWN (September 2006 Beat Goes On Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

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"…I'm Going Down The Road…You Won't See Me Again…"

UK released September 2006 - "Street Corner Talking/Hellbound Train" by SAVOY BROWN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 717 (Barcode 5017261207173) gives you two rare Decca/Parrot Records LPs Remastered onto one CD - "Street Corner Talking" from 1971 and "Hellbound Train" from 1972. And its hairy-assed bottom-wiggling boogie breaks down as follows (76:38 minutes):

1. Tell Mama

2. Let It Rock

3. I Can’t Get Next To You

4. Time Does Tell

5. Street Corner Talking [Side 2]

6. All I Can Do

7. Wang Dang Doodle

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "Street Corner Talking" issued on Decca TXS 104 in the UK and on Parrot PAS 71047 in the USA in September 1971

8. Doin’ Fine

9. Lost And Lonely Child

10. I’ll Make Everything Alright

11. Troubled By These Days And Times

12. If I Could See An End [Side 2]

13. It’ll Make You Happy

14. Hellbound Train

Tracks 8 to 14 are the album "Hellbound Train" issued on Decca TXS 107 in the UK and on Parrot XPAS 71052 in the USA in February 1972

The cartoon on the outer gatefold sleeve of "Street Corner Talking" is partially reproduced in the 12-page booklet - as are the band photos on the inner gatefold - and the black and white "Hellbound Train" cartoon on the inner gatefold of the LP is fully reproduced as a 2-page spread on the center pages also. There's very good liner notes by JOHN O'REGAN on the band history and the making of the two albums (they charted in the USA at 75 and 34 respectively on the back of the Blues boom).

The sound quality is great - really clear and ballsy (it doesn't say who did what). But the remaster of “Street Corner Talking” gives full reign to the Lead Guitar of Kim Simmonds on tracks like "Tell Mama" where the band sounds not unlike Juicy Lucy meets Ten Years After meets The Allman Brothers...a combination that will appeal to many who like their boogie with a slice of Blues in it. The covers of The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" and Koko Taylor's "Wang Dang Doodle" (written by Willie Dixon) are very well done too - suitably funk-rocked up. Tracks like “Tell Mama”, “Time Does Tell” and “Street Corner Talking” are all Kim Simmonds originals whilst “Let It Rock” and “All I Can Do” are co-written by Simmonds with Paul Raymond.

Produced by the legendary NEIL SLAVEN and Engineered by ROY THOMAS BAKER - 1972’s “Hellbound Train” (despite its title) gets a bit more contemplative and even soulful on tracks like "Lost And Lonely Child" and "Troubled By These Days And Times". I particularly like the organ-driven funk of "It'll Make You Happy" and the nine minutes of "Hellbound Train" (lyrics above) which sounds almost like an American Gypsy or Atlanta Rhythm Section tune - with Dave Bidwell's drumming and Paul Raymond's keyboards slinking through the entire number - it's very good indeed. And once again Simmonds dominates in the writing – “Lost And Lonely Child”, “I’ll Make Everything Alright” and “It’ll Make You Happy” being his own whilst the others are co-writes with Keyboard Player Paul Raymond and Bassist Andy Silvester. Singer Dave walker also has a great set of lungs on him…

The original vinyl versions of these albums in the UK are extremely hard to find now and expensive as well - so this is a welcome CD reissue. 

Never quite as commercially winning as say Ten Years After nor as visible as Wishbone Ash or as hip as Chicken Shack – Savoy Brown have nonetheless always been a cult amongst Blues-Rock fans. And on the strength of this rather cool little CD reissue – you can easily hear why…

“Dream Of A Lifetime 1953-1959” by THE FLAMINGOS. A Review Of The 2010 Jasmine Label 2CD Compilation.

"…My Love Must Be A Kind Of Blind Love…I Can’t See Anyone But You…"

Offering up a generous 50-tracks, this 2CD set covers a large part of the 45" single output for the American Doo Wop/Vocal group The Flamingos on the Chance, Parrot, Checker and End labels between 1953 and 1959.

Released in the UK/Europe in March 2010, here's a breakdown of Jasmine JASCD 554...

Disc: 1
1. SOME DAY SOMEWAY
2. IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU
3. HURRY HOME BABY
4. THAT'S MY DESIRE
5. GOLDEN TEARDROPS
6. CARRIED A WAY
7. PLAN FOR LOVE
8. YOU AIN'T READY
9. CROSS OVER THE BRIDGE
10. LISTEN TO MY PLEA
11. BLUES IN A LETTER
12. JUMP CHILDREN
13. SEPTEMBER SONG
14. DREAM OF A LIFETIME
15. ON MY MERRY WAY
16. GET WITH IT
17. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW
18. I'M YOURS
19. KO KO MO
20. IF I COULD LOVE YOU
21. I FOUND A NEW BABY
22. THAT'S MY BABY (CHICK A BOOM)
23. WHEN
24. I WANT TO LOVE YOU
25. PLEASE COME BACK HOME

Disc: 2
1. NEED YOUR LOVE
2. I'LL BE HOME
3. A KISS FROM YOUR LIPS
4. GET WITH IT
5. SHILLY DILLY
6. THE VOW
7. JUST FOR A KICK
8. WOULD I BE CRYING (IF I WERE LYING TO YOU)
9. DREAM OF A LIFETIME
10. WHISPERING STARS
11. I'LL BE HOME
12. CHICKIE UM BAH
13. CRY
14. STOLEN LOVE
15. NOBODY'S LOVE
16. WHEN
17. THE LADDER OF LOVE
18. LOVERS NEVER SAY GOODBYE
19. THAT LOVE IS YOU
20. BUT NOT FOR ME
21. I SHED A TEAR AT YOUR WEDDING
22. LOVE WALKED IN
23. AT THE PROM
24. GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART
25. I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU

Disc 1 (70:19 minutes):
1 and 2 are Chance 1133 (March 1953)
3 and 4 are Chance 1140 (June 1953)
5 and 6 are Chance 1145 (September 1953)
7 and 8 are Chance 1149 (October 1953)
9 and 10 are Chance 1154 (March 1954)
11 and 12 are Chance 1162 (October 1954)
13 is on “The Moonglows Meet The Flamingos On The Dusty Road To Hits”, 1962 USA LP on Vee Jay LP-1052
14 and 15 are Parrot 808 (August 1954)
16 and 17 are Parrot 811 (December 1954)
18 and 19 are Parrot 812 (January 1955)
20 and 21 are on “The Flamingos”, 1976 USA LP on Chess ACRR-702
22 and 23 are Checker 815 (April 1955)
24 and 25 are Checker 821 (July 1955)

Disc 2 (69:06 minutes):
1 and 2 are Checker 830 (January 1956)
3 and 4 are Checker 837 (April 1956)
5 and 6 are Checker 846 (August 1956)
7 and 8 are Checker 853 (November 1956)
9 and 10 are Checker 915 ((January 1959)
11 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
12 is from “The Flamingos”, 1959 USA LP on End Records LP-1433
13 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (recorded 28 March 1956)
14 and 15 are from “Chess Rock & Rhythm Series – The Flamingos”, 1984 USA LP on Chess CH-9177
16 is a PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Take of “When”
17 is the A-side of Decca 30335 (May 1957)
18 and 19 are End 1035 (October 1958)
20 and 21 are End 1040 (February 1959)
22 and 23 are End 1044 (March 1959)
24 and 25 are End 1046 (April 1959)
[Notes: 20, 22, 24 and 25 are in STEREO]

The compilation and annotation have been put together by BOB FISHER (small liner notes in the fold-out inlay) with the CD Mastering done by TALL ORDER of the UK. Of their 40 or so 7” singles, this budget-priced set offers you up nearly 75% of them in rough sequential order.

Hailing from Chicago, The Flamingos have long been considered by collectors as ‘the’ class act of Doo Wop and Harmony Vocals. Their slow atmosphere-drenched ballads practically defined dancefloor smooching in the Fifties. And they had a dizzying array of great Lead vocalists throughout – Sollie McElroy, Johnny Carter, Tommy Hunt, Paul Wilson and Nate Wilson.

Their cherished End label albums have been on CD in the States for years, but this rather nicely lined-up 2CD set concentrates on what you heard on the Radio during the period – their superb singles.
And given the vintage, the sound varies from very good (the early Chance label stuff) to superb (the Nate Nelson lead vocals of “I Only Have Eyes For You” in glorious Stereo – lyrics above).

So - lots of tracks, very good sound and at six quid for a 2CD set - it's cheap too. Until Bear Family does a more comprehensive box set one day covering their entire output - this is a rather lovely release to be getting on with.

Recommended.

PS: Jasmine have also done a May 2010 2CD set for "The Five Keys" – see separate review