"The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" by BILL WITHERS - 1971, 1972, 1973 (Live Double), 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1985 Albums (November 2012 UK Sony Music/Legacy 9-CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters in Bordered Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

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"…A Lovely Day…"

Columbia have many world-class box sets in their "Complete Album Series" – but you'd have to say that this BILL WITHERS winner is just a little bit more special than most. And with a thoroughly deserved Grammy win under the belt - it’s time to review the great Soul Man’s legacy...

Released November 2012 in the UK and USA - "The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" by BILL WITHERS is a 9-CD Mini Box Set with a 40-page booklet on Sony Music/Legacy 88697894672 (Barcode 886978946720) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (35:37 minutes)

1. Harlem [Side 1]

2. Ain't No Sunshine

3. Grandma's Hands

4. Sweet Wanomi

5. Everybody's Talkin'

6. Do It Good

7. Hope She'll Be Happier – [Side 2]

8. Let It Be Me

9. I'm Her Daddy

10. In My Heart

11. Moanin' And Groanin'

12. Better Off Dead

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Just As I Am" – released May 1971 on Sussex SXBS-7006 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLS 65002 in the UK.

Disc 2 (36:14 minutes):

1. Lonely Town, Lonely Street [Side 1]

2. Let Me In Your Life

3. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?

4. Use Me

5. Lean On Me

6. Kissing My Love – [Side 2]

7. I Don't Know

8. Another Day To Run

9. I Don't Want You On My Mind

10. Take It All In And Check It All Out

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 2nd studio album "Still Bill" – released May 1972 on Sussex SXBS 7014 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLS 68107 in the UK

Disc 3 (77:09 Minutes):

1. Use Me (Live) [Side 1]

2. Friend Of Mine (Live)

3. Ain't No Sunshine (Live)

4. Grandma's Hands (Live)

5. World Keeps Going Around (Live) - [Side 2]

6. Let Me In Your Life (Live)

7. Better Off Dead (Live)

8. For My Friend (Live)

9. I Can't Write Left Handed (Live) - [Side 3]

10. Lean On Me (Live)

11. Lonely Town Lonely Street (Live)

12. Hope She'll Be Happier (Live)

13. Let Us Love (Live) – [Side 4]

14. Harlem/Cold Baloney (Live)

Tracks 1 to 13 are the live double album "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall" – released April 1973 on Sussex SXBS 7025-2 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLD 3001 in the UK

Disc 4 (37:36 minutes):

1. You [Side 1]

2. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh

3. Stories

4. Green Grass

5. Ruby Lee

6. Heartbreak Road – [Side 2]

7. Can We Pretend

8. Liza

9. Make A Smile For Me

10. Railroad Man

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 3rd studio album "+ 'Justments" – released March 1974 on Sussex SRA 8032 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLH 68230 in the UK

Disc 5 (43:51 minutes):

1. I Wish You Well [Side 1]

2. The Best You Can

3. Make Love To Your Mind

4. I Love You Dawn

5. She's Lonely

6. Sometimes A Song – [Side 2]

7. Paint Your Pretty Picture

8. Family Table

9. Don't You Want To Stay?

10. Hello Like Before

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th studio album "Making Music" – released October 1975 on Columbia PC 33704 in the USA and CBS 69183 in the UK

Disc 6 (41:03 minutes):

1. Close To Me [Side 1]

2. Naked & Warm (Heaven! Oh! Heaven!)

3. Where Are You

4. Dreams

5. If I Didn't Mean You Well – [Side 2]

6. I'll Be With You

7. City Of The Angels

8. My Imagination

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 5th studio album "Naked & Warm" – released October 1976 on Columbia PC 34327 in the USA and December 1976 in the UK on CBS 81580

Disc 7 (38:26 minutes):

1. Lovely Day [Side 1]

2. I Want To Spend The Night

3. Lovely Night For Dancing

4. Then You Smile At Me

5. She Wants To (Get On Down)

6. It Ain't Because Of Me Baby

7. Tender Things

8. Wintertime

9. Let Me Be The One You Need

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 6th studio album "Menagerie" – released October 1977 on Columbia JC 34903 in the USA and January 1978 in the UK on CBS S CBS 82265

Disc 8 (39:03 minutes):

1. All Because Of You [Side 1]

2. Dedicated To You My Love

3. Don't It Make It Better

4. You Got The Stuff

5. Look To Each Other For Love

6. Love

7. Love Is

8. Memories Are That Way

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 7th studio album "'Bout Love" – released March 1979 in the USA on Columbia JC 35596 and in the UK on CBS S CBS 83176

Disc 9 (45:11 minutes):

1. Oh Yeah! [Side 1]

2. Something That Turns You On

3. Don't Make Me Wait

4. Heart In Your Life

5. Watching You Watching Me

6. We Could Be Sweet Lovers [Side 2]

7. You Just Can't Smile It Away

8. Steppin' Right Along

9. Whatever Happens

10. You Try To Find A Love

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 8th studio album "Watching You Watching Me" – released May 1985 in the USA on Columbia FC 39887

The attention to detail is pleasing - the first 4 discs sport the Sussex label as per the original vinyl albums while the following five have the red Columbia labels. "Still Bill" has its 'opening doors' front sleeve while the double "Live At Carnegie Hall" also has its original gatefold reproduced. Each card sleeve is now bordered in white but it looks and feels classy (even if the print is tiny). The chunky 40-page booklet doesn’t scrimp on detail either - track-by-track annotation with photos of the albums, rare music press adverts, liner notes by Michael Eric Dyson and even a letter from the great man himself at the beginning about his long musical journey.

But the big news for fans is the stunning new remastered sound carried out by a trio of engineers - MARK WILDER for 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 with 1, 2 and 7 handled by JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO and 3 done by TOM RUFF. Original analogue master tapes have been used in all transfers and what a job they’ve done... Right from the opening acoustic strum of “Harlem” on his fabulous debut album “Just As I Am” and onto the gutsy pump of “Lonely Town, Lonely Street” which opens the equally brill follow up LP “Still Bill” - the sound quality is truly glorious throughout. Beautiful feel - space around the instruments - clarity - warm bass - not to over-trebled - it’s a top notch job done and makes you re-hear all those wonderful songs anew. 

And then you're hit by that other thing - the sheer wall-to-wall class of his songwriting - properly soulful tunes that etch their way into your heart and won't leave. And then there’s thrill number three - the stuff you haven't heard - the discoveries... "Better Off Dead" (a B-side to "Lean On Me" in the UK in August 1972) and "Do It Good" both off the debut - "Kissing My Love" and "Take It All In And Check It All Out" off the second studio album "Still Bill" - the lowdown yet super cool groove of "Ruby Lee" (covered by Joe Cocker on his "Sheffield Steel" album from 1982) and the beautiful "Hello Like Before" - both off the massively underrated "+ 'Justments" LP - all of it screams out to be reappraised and loved again.

Like 1972's "Donny Hathaway Live" LP - 1973's "Carnegie Hall" vinyl double has garnished a legendary reputation amongst soul aficionados. Intimate with his audience despite the venue size - a band cooking - songs that sway and groove. Five of its mainly mellow fourteen are exclusive - the impassioned love songs "Friend Of Mine" and "Let Us Love", the acoustic old-man weariness of "World Keeps Going Around", the aching anti-war song "I Can't Write Left-Handed" and "Cold Baloney" which is worked into a 14 minute encore with "Harlem". "Carnegie Hall" is a whole heap of magic and you can literally feel the audience filing it into their memory banks.

It's also pleasing to hear that even into the late Seventies and Eighties - he never lost his knack for a tune - the pretty "My Imagination" from "Naked & Warm",  the "trying to make us happy..." vibe to the finger-tapping "Look To Each For Love" from "'Bout Love" and the funky dancer "Steppin' Right Along" from "Watching You Watching Me". The only bum note (if you could call it that) is that Page 13 shows us the rare picture sleeve of the Christmas 1972 US 7" single for "The Gift Of Giving b/w Let Us Love" on Sussex SUX 247. To my knowledge its rare A-side has never been on CD anywhere in the world and unfortunately because this is an albums set - it isn't included here either (when there was room). And although the look is generic to this series by Columbia - I also think the outer box is a tad naff looking and the borders around each Mini LP Card Sleeve kind of sabotages the effect. And maybe even a disc of rarities. Other than those minor niggles - it's a feast and cheap too...

Somehow like equal giants Bobby Womack, Minnie Riperton and Donny Hathaway - Bill Withers has always been the underdog of Soul - never spoken about in the same awe-struck tones that are routinely given to Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. In my book he’s always been right up there with the best of them - a world class Soul Brother - and this ludicrously good mini CD box set is a way in for us mere mortals to that musical greatness...

"I loved that old lady..." - he says to the audience as he introduces "Grandma's Hands" on "Live At Carnegie Hall". Well - we feel the same about you mate. Beautiful and then some...

"Change Everything" by DEL AMITRI (January 2014 UK 'Re-Presents' 2CD Reissue and Remaster Of Their 1992 3rd Album On A&M Records - Remastered and Expanded) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Counting Down The Hours...On The Long Journey Home..." 

Hailing out of Scotland as a sort of Soulful Indie band with great Rock tunes - I first heard del Amitri pump out “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” in the Summer of 1989 off their “Waking Hours” album. And that’s when the love affair started. I’ve subsequently bought maybe twenty CD singles by them over the years - because like Love and Money, The Bible, The Fat Lady Sings, Deacon Blue, The Big Dish and The Silencers - their B-sides were often as good as (if not better than) the album tracks. Now fans are being treated to a “Re-Presents” reissue series of their three albums on A&M Records - “Waking Hours” (1989 and 1990), “Change Everything” (1992) and “Twisted” (1995). Here’s the beer-stained/used condom details...

UK Released 20 January 2014 - “Change Everything” on Universal/Mercury 3755684 (Barcode 602537556847) is a 2CD reissue (in a jewel case) of their 3rd album first issued on A&M Records 395 385 in June 1992 (50:58 minutes). Disc 2 (68:38 minutes) gathers up a whopping 18 non-album studio tracks from multiple variants of 4 single releases. The mastering has been done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road and the 16-page liner notes (which feature interviews with Justin Currie and Iain Harvey along with press clippings) are expertly handled by TERRY STAUNTON. 

Like it’s A&M predecessor “Waking Hours” - the 12-track “Change Everything” was chock-full of radio friendly hits. “Always The Last To Know” (May 1992), “Be My Downfall” (July 1992), "Just Like A Man” (September 1992) and “When We Were Young” (January 1993) were all released as singles each sporting 7”, 10”, 12" and CD single formats. Unfortunately for die-hard fans (and unlike the “Waking Hours” reissue which has at least two tracks on it that were exclusive to vinyl) - all 16 on Disc 2 are from the CD singles. So if you're like me and you've collected the lot - all you’re getting here is a slight sound upgrade. But at just under seventy minutes it's still amazing value for money...even the live tracks are fantastic (with a really witty into by Paul Whitehouse as mock DJ Mike Smash)...

Speaking of the remaster on the album itself - it’s hard to notice it. The original was a full-on live-in-the-studio feel recording and was beautifully produced by Gil Norton in the first place. A slight amping up is the best way to describe this version - nothing radical - but then like U2’s “Achtung Baby” from 1991 - it doesn’t need a remaster. What is impressive is the sheer song quality and sonic blast that accompanies them. Hooky as Hell and lyrically brilliant - lead singer, bassist and principal songwriter Justin Currie could pen a tune. Amongst the B-sides genius crops up four times - the “a girl who had a hundred ways to hurt you...” folksy jaunt that is “Whiskey Remorse”, the band sounding like a Tom Petty outtake on “Don’t Cry No Tears”, the acoustic love song “The Verb To Love” and my absolute fave - the gorgeous “Long Journey Home” which could easily grace the end of a movie and leave you tingling as you leave the aisle (lyrics from it title this review). I even dig their cover of “Cindy Incidentally” - a band and time-period they clearly worshiped. 

Never hip and somehow derided in some circles as a poor-man’s Faces - I loved del Amitri with a passion. OK this reissue isn’t going to set die-hard fans on fire - but they produced yet another corker in “Change Everything” and this cheap double CD re-boot is a reminder of that brilliance. Both an album and a band that deserve major reappraisal and a ten-spot of your hard-earned.

I’m off now to pine for girls who do you duff and live on the wrong side of the London to Glasgow train tracks...

"Play The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS - September 1972 Album On Atlantic Records with Guests Eric Clapton, Dr. John and The J. Geils Band (May 1992 US Rhino CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

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"...Come On Mama...Let Me Turn You On…"

1972's "Plays The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS is the kind of Blues-Rock album that should be more famous - yet even with heavy-hitters like ERIC CLAPTON, Dr. JOHN and The J. GEILS BAND guesting - it has somehow slipped into an unfair obscurity. Time to rectify that…

1. A Man Of Many Words [Side 1]

2. My Baby She Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Ride)

3. (a) Come On In The House (b) Have Mercy Baby

4. T-Bone Shuffle

5. A Poor Man's Plea

6. Messin' With The Kid [Side 2]

7. This Old Fool

8. I Don't Know

9. Bad Bad Whiskey

10. Honeydripper

"Play The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS was US CD-reissued in May 1992 on Rhino R2 70299 (Barcode 081227029920) - a straightforward transfer of the 10-track vinyl album first released September 1972 on both sides of the pond - Atlantic SD 33-364 (USA) and Atlantic K 40240 (UK) respectively.

Excepting "This Old Fool" and "Honeydripper" which were put down in April 1972 in Boston - the other 8 tracks were recorded in October 1970 in the Criteria Studios in Florida (left in the can for two whole years). Co-produced by ERIC CLAPTON, AHMET ERTEGUN, TOM DOWD and MICHAEL CUSCUNA - the sessions also featured J. Geils on Guitar, Magic Dick on Harmonica and Seth Justman on Keyboards - all fellow Atlantic label mates in THE J. GEILS BAND.

DR. JOHN contributes Piano with ERIC CLAPTON playing Rhythm and Bottleneck Guitar on 7 of the 10 tracks - "A Man Of Many Words" (a Buddy Guy original), "My Baby She Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Rise)" (a Sonny Boy Williamson cover), "Come On In This House/Have Mercy Baby" (both Junior Wells originals), "T-Bone Shuffle" (a T-Bone Walker cover), "A Poor Man's Plea" (a Junior Wells original), "Messin' With The Kid" (a Mel London cover), "I Don't Know" (a Willie Mabon cover) and "Bad Bad Whiskey" (a Thomas Davis cover).

It opens strongly with "A Man Of Many Words" (lyrics from it title this review) and continues just so. Rory Gallagher (an axeman remembered with huge affection) opened his blistering "Live! In Europe" LP on Polydor from 1972 with "Messin' With The Kid" and much of "Plays The Blues" has that same raucous having-us-a-good-time feel to each track (despite its two year tortured recording history). The great combo of two diverse guitar players and the alternating of lead vocals on each track give the whole thing a freshness that screams off the tracks even now. Add in complimentary session players and you’re on a winner.

"Plays The Blues" is a hugely enjoyable album - I wore out my UK pressing to the point of too-many-scratches - and it’s a blast to hear it sound so chipper on this lively JOE GASTWIRT remaster.

Spend a skydiver on this one - worth every red penny and blue cent...

"Waking Hours" by DEL AMITRI (January 2014 UK 'Re-Presents' 2CD Reissue Of Their 1989 2nd Album On A&M Records - Remastered and Expanded) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sweet Memory In Your Mind..."

Hailing out of Scotland as a sort of Soulful yet Indie version of the Faces - like so many I never noticed del Amitri's self-titled debut album on Chrysalis which came and went in May 1985. 

It wasn’t until I heard "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" in the Summer of 1989 that the love affair started. I've subsequently bought maybe twenty CD singles by them over the years - because like Love and Money, The Bible, The Fat Lady Sings, Deacon Blue, The Big Dish and The Silencers - their B-sides were often as good as (if not better than) the album tracks. 

Now fans are being treated to a 'Re-Presents' reissue 2CD series of their three albums on A&M Records - "Waking Hours" (1989 and 1990), "Change Everything" (1992) and "Twisted" (1995). Here's the beer-stained details...

UK released 20 January 2014 - "Waking Hours" on Universal/Mercury 3753354 (Barcode 602537533541) is a 2CD reissue in a jewel case of their 2nd album first issued on A&M Records 9006 in July 1989. On the success of the "Nothing Ever Happens" single in January 1990 - the album was re-released in February 1990 with the sleeve used on this reissue (45:50 minutes).

Disc 2 (51: 02 minutes) gathers up 16 non-album studio tracks from 5 single releases - 2 of which are from 10" and 12" singles - so are new to CD. The remaster has been done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road and the 16-page liner notes (which feature interviews with Currie and Harvey along with press clippings) are expertly handled by TERRY STAUNTON.

Having had 4 whole years to craft his song-writing skills, lead singer, bassist and principal writer JUSTIN CURRIE has recruited new band members IAIN HARVEY (guitarist) and ANDY ALSTON (Keyboards) and after returning from a small US tour that rejuvenated them - they signed to A&M with an album full of great melodies that were far more radio-friendly than their well-received but commercially flaccid debut. It’s a sign of "Waking Hours" strength that 4 of its 10 tracks became singles - "Kiss This Thing Goodbye", "Stone Cold Sober", "Move Away Jimmy Blue" and "Nothing Ever Happens" with a further stand alone single in 1990 - "Spit In The Rain". 

The original album was beautifully produced in the first place with an almost live-in-the studio feel to every track - real songs sung with real feeling. The remaster barely changes that (its nine seconds longer than my old CD) and is truthfully only ever-so-slightly better. However, album sleepers like the rocking "Opposite View" and the upbeat "When I Want You" now sound gorgeous. "This Side Of The Morning" sounds so like Rod Stewart circa "Every Picture Tells A Story" - a massive compliment in my book. And the whole album still stands up as a total listening experience. 

Disc 2 is extraordinary in many ways - there's at least three meisterwerks on here - the unbelievably rock-soulful and lyrically brilliant "So Many Souls To Change" which focuses on corporate greed screwing our world up - the wistful "...we gave away our innocence..." song "Don't I Look Like The Kind Of Guy You Used To Hate" and the lovely yet distinctly Scottish melancholy of "Spit In The Rain" released as a stand-alone single in October 1990 after the album (lyrics from it title this review). 

Fans will especially enjoy the acoustic strum of "Fred Partington's Daughter" which was exclusive to the 10" vinyl single of "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" (making its CD debut here) and the ramshackle but fun version of "This Side Of The Morning" which we are assured was recorded live at 2 a.m. in a car-park somewhere (exclusive to the 12" vinyl single of "Move Away Jimmy Blue"). Both of these rare tracks make their first CD appearance here and are very welcome additions. 

Never hip and somehow derided in some circles as a poor-man's Faces - I loved del Amitri with a passion. They produced a corker in this album - it deserves major reappraisal and a ten-spot of your hard-earned. This cheap double CD and warm remaster of "Waking Hours" is a reminder of their brilliance. And in 2024, they toured as a support act to the mighty Simple Minds - tasty double-bill. 

Well, here's another twofer you need - I'm off to grow some sideburns...

“Sweet Soul Music - 24 Scorching Classics From 1975”. A Review Of The February 2014 BEAR FAMILY CD - Volume 15 of 15 In a Yearly Series Covering 1960 to 1975 - All With Stunning Sound Quality, Huge Playing Times and Deluxe Presentation.

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

“...Go Sister Go...”

I reviewed the preceding 10 volumes in this incredible series from 1961 to 1970 (probably the best Bear has ever done) and loved them to distraction. Jurgen Crasser was the remaster engineer for those. This time around (1971 to 1975) the sound hero on all five volumes bears the unlikely moniker of WOLFGANG MANNS. And I swear I may have to get “Wolfgang Is My Main Mann” tattooed on my frumpy Irish buttocks - because these expertly crafted CD compilations are sonically sensational in every way. They’re going to blow the minds of Seventies Soul fans everywhere. Here’s the necessary for “1975”...

Released 14 February 2014 on Bear Family BCD 16885 AS (Barcode 5397102168857) - the CD compilation “Sweet Soul Music - 24 Scorching Classics From 1975” breaks down as follows 

(86:10 minutes):

1. Lady Marmalade - LABELLE (Epic 8-50048)
2. Supernatural Thing, Part 1 - BEN E. KING (Atlantic 45-3241)
3. Walking In Rhythm - THE BLACKBYRDS (Fantasy F-736)
4. Love Won’t Let Me Wait - MAJOR HARRIS (Atlantic 45-3248)
5. Rockin’ Chair - GWEN McCRAE (Cat 1996)
6. Shining Star - EARTH, WIND and FIRE (Columbia 3-10090)
7. Shackin’ Up - BARBARA MASON (Buddah BDA 459-N)
8. Give The People What They Want - THE O’JAYS (Philadelphia International ZS7 3565)
9. The Hustle - VAN McCOY and THE SOUL CITY SYMPHONY (Avco AV-4653)
10. Keep The Home Fires Burnin’ - LATIMORE (Glades 1726)
11. Slippery When Wet - THE COMMODORES (Motown M 1338F)
12. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - NATALIE COLE (Capitol 4109)
13. Fight The Power, Part 1 - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (T-Neck ZS8 2256)
14. How Long (Betcha’ Got A Chick On The Side) - THE POINTER SISTERS (Blue Thumb BTA-265)
15. Do It Any Way You Wanna - PEOPLE’S CHOICE (TSOP ZS8 4769)
16. It Only Takes A Minute - TAVARES (Capitol 4111) 
17. Loving Arms - MILLIE JACKSON (Spring SPR 161)
18. Full Of Fire - AL GREEN (Hi 5N 2300)
19. Love Rollercoaster (Single Edit) - OHIO PLAYERS (Mercury 73734)
20. Love Machine, Part 1 - THE MIRACLES (Tamla T 54262F) 
21. Sweet Thing - RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN (ABC Records ABC-12149)
22. Hold Back The Night - THE TRAMMPS (Buddah BDA-507)
23. Turning Point - TYRONE DAVIS (Dakar DK 4550)
24. Boogie Fever - THE SYLVERS (Capitol 4179)

The three-way fold-out card digipak of the preceding 10 volumes has been kept as has the  live-on-stage Jackie Wilson photo on the spine that is now extended (when you line all 15 spines they make one photograph). This “1975” set features THE POINTER SISTERS on the front cover while the stock 7” of “The Hustle” by VAN McCOY graces the inside flap with a further photo of the lady threesome LABELLE in wild concert garb on the center lip. The detachable booklet is properly beautiful - a 76 oversized-pages wad of deep liner notes by world-renowned R'n'B and Soul expert BILL DALH with Discography info by DAVE “Daddy Cool” BOOTH. There’s black and white/colour publicity pictures of the artists (hairy chests, large-brim white hats and patch-inlaid elephant flares ahoy), the single labels/album covers and adverts from the US music press. Quality all the way...

As you can see from the catalogue numbers provided above all tracks are US 7” singles and proceedings open in stunning form with Labelle’s irrepressable “Lady Marmalade”. The crystal clear sound quality continues with a double slinky - “Supernatural Thing” and Walking In Rhythm” - but slows down into the bedroom panting of Major Harris being a naughty boy in “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”. Things pick up considerably with Gwen McCrae’s brilliant “Rockin’ Chair” - a tune I've loved for decades - and at last lifted out of former muddiness with a new coat of aural paint. 

Genius choices come in three forms - the talking nosey-neighbors “Shackin’ Up” by Barbara Mason while Latimore’s “Keep The Home Fires Burnin’” is superlative funk. Equally cool in our trio is the wah-wah guitars and chunky bass of “How Long...” by The Pointer Sisters combining with some great string arrangements to deliver a fabulous builder. Even Van McCoy’s over-played “The Hustle” sounds transformed as does the happy Natalie Cole movie-favorite “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”. 

The bopping “Do It Any Way You Wanna” by People’s Choice (written by Leon Huff) contrasts nicely with the barroom Tom Waits impassioned moan of Millie Jackson’s “Loving Arms” in beautiful sound quality. And how good is to hear Al Green sound full-on in your speakers instead of the clamped-down production values we’ve been used to. The Miracles' “Love Machine” is bound to bring out the Afro in you while “Sweet Thing” will bring out the Julio Iglesias bedroom eyes - both stunning in their transfers. 

It goes out with three popular dancers - the fantastically upbeat “Hold Back The Night” by The Trammps (covered by so many) and the “I used to stay out all night long...” of “Turning Point” by Trone Davis on Dakar (sounding lovely) with the future of Disco finishing it all off - “Boogie Fever” by The Sylvers. 

I had honestly thought that this Volume from 1975 would be the weakest - but if anything it’s as brilliant as the 1971 set - a superlative mix of the familiar and lesser-heard - all properly handled by people who care about sound quality. And check out that eye-watering total playing time - 86:10 minutes - God God Y’all Indeed! 

These sets have been a long time coming but man have they been worth the wait. I know long-term Soul fans will look at the track list and price and perhaps baulk at duplicity and cost - DON’T. You’ve not heard these classics and undergrounds until now. And if you’ve any joy for Seventies Soul - then you need to have this volume and the other four compilations in your life -because GLORIOUS is the word that comes to mind. These are already my reissues of the year for 2014. 

The mighty Bear Family folks - accept no less.

“Sweet Soul Music - 23 Scorching Classics From 1974”. A Review Of The February 2014 BEAR FAMILY CD - Volume 14 of 15 In a Yearly Series Covering 1960 to 1975 - All With Stunning Sound Quality, Huge Playing Times and Deluxe Presentation.

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

“...Diggin' The Scene...With A Gangster Lean...”

I reviewed the preceding 10 volumes in this incredible series from 1961 to 1970 (probably the best Bear has ever done) and loved them to distraction. Jurgen Crasser was the remaster engineer for those. This time around (1971 to 1975) the sound hero on all five volumes bears the unlikely moniker of WOLFGANG MANNS. And I swear I may have to get “Wolfgang Is My Main Mann” tattooed on my frumpy Irish buttocks - because these expertly crafted CD compilations are sonically sensational in every way. They’re going to blow the minds of Seventies Soul fans everywhere. Here’s the necessary for “1974”...

Released 14 February 2014 on Bear Family BCD 16884 AS (Barcode 5397102168840) - the CD compilation “Sweet Soul Music - 23 Scorching Classics From 1974” breaks down as follows (82:32 minutes):

1. Boogie Down - EDDIE KENDRICKS (Tamla T 54243F)
2. Lookin’ For A Love - BOBBY WOMACK (United Artists UA-XW375-W)
3. Mighty Mighty - EARTH, WIND and FIRE (Columbia 4-46007)
4. You Make Me Feel Brand New - THE STYLISTICS (Avco AV-4634)
5. Be Thankful For What You’ve Got - WILLIAM DeVAUGHN (Roxbury BRBO-0236)
6. The Payback, Part 1 - JAMES BROWN (Polydor PD 14223)
7. Dancing Machine - THE JACKSON 5 (Motown M 1286F)
8. Sideshow - BLUE MAGIC (Atco 45-6961) 
9. Rock Your Baby - GEORGE McCRAE (T.K. Records 1004)
10. Hollywood Swinging - KOOL and THE GANG (De-Lite DEP 561) 
11. Rock The Boat - THE HUES CORPORATION (RCA Victor APBO 0232)
12. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On - YVONNE FAIR (Motown M 1306F)
13. Hang On In There Baby - JOHNNY BRISTOL (MGM M14715)
14. Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied) (Single Edit) - B.T. EXPRESS (Scepter SCE 12395) 
15. Let’s Straighten It Out - LATIMORE (Glades 1722)
16. When Will I See You Again - THE THREE DEGREES (Philadelphia International ZS7 3550)
17. Everlasting Love - CARL CARLTON (Back Beat BB-630)
18. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (Truth TRA-3206)
19. I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me) - BOBBY BLAND (ABC Dunhill D-15015)
20. You Got The Love - RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN (ABC Records ABC-12032)
21. You Little Trustmaker - THE TYMES (RCA Victor PB-10022)
22. As Long As He Takes Care Of Home - CANDI STATON (Warner Brothers WBS 8038)
23. Fire - OHIO PLAYERS (Mercury 73643)

The three-way fold-out card digipak of the preceding 10 volumes has been kept as has the live-on-stage Jackie Wilson photo on the spine that is now extended (when you line all 15 spines they make one photograph). This “1974” set features EARTH, WIND and FIRE on the front cover while the stock 7” of “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by THE STYLISTICS graces the inside flap with a further photo of a pensive-looking YVONNE FAIR on the center lip. The detachable booklet is properly beautiful - a 76 oversized-pages wad of deep liner notes by world-renowned R'n'B and Soul expert BILL DALH with Discography info by DAVE “Daddy Cool” BOOTH. There’s black and white/colour publicity pictures of the artists (more afro hairdos than you can shake a stick at) - the single labels and album covers where relevant and adverts from the US music press. Quality all the way...

As you can see from the catalogue numbers provided above all tracks are US 7” singles and like “1971” it opens with a cleverly chosen triple-whammy of crystal clear sound quality - the hissy but ballsy “Boogie Down” by Eddie Kendricks followed by a truly huge remaster of Bobby Womack’s chipper “Lookin’ For A Love” and a blasting Earth, Wind and Fire laying down a template that would serve them well for years to come. The gooey but lovely “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by The Stylistics sounds amazing - full of extraordinary presence (the kind of Soul your sister liked). It’s followed by a real gem - William De Vaughn’s car-crawling genius of a song “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got” - the sound quality on this one track is worth the price of admission alone (lyrics from it title this review). We’re back to serious funk with Part 1 of “The Payback” by James Brown which sounds ludicrously brilliant and is guaranteed to make stone dead hair follicles grow again.  

A brave and clever choice is the unexpected “Dancing Machine” by The Jackson 5 where they try to leave the teenybopper behind and tap into the funk of the time and just about succeed. The pretty “hurry hurry” talking song “Sideshow” by Blue Magic sounds lush and full while the ogre of Disco is being ushered in by a quad of huge hits - “Rock Your Baby”, “When Will I See You Again”, “Rock The Boat” and “Hand On In There Baby”. I hate them all personally but for those who want them in top sound quality - then look no further.   

Far tastier is the genius choice of Yvonne Fair’s utterly brilliant “Funky Music...” - an irresistible chunk of dancing dynamite liable to make Granny boogie that hip-replacement. Falling into the same territory is the “whatever it is...” bump and grind of “Do It...” by B.T. Express. And another nugget is the slow groove of Benny Latimore’s hypnotic piano on “Let’s Straighten It Out” - with its “tossin’ and turnin’ in your sleep...” lyrics - gorgeous stuff. The audio gurus will flip for the sheer sonic improvement contained in Bear’s remaster of Carl Carlton’s jubilant “Everlasting Love”. And a really great double funk act is Bobby Bland and Chaka Khan with Rufus - both sounding fantastic. I even have to admit to a soft spot for the ‘dooby dooby’ Pop/Soul of “You Little Trustmaker” by The Tymes. 

Niggles - like "1972" there's those irritating exclusions (probably due to licensing rights). Where’s the crossover hit “Pick Up The Pieces” by Average White Band, maybe a bit of Lou Bond, Willie Hutch, Chairmen Of The Board,  Ashford & Simpson, The Commodores, Billy Paul... I’d admit that at least 5 of the Disco-orientated tracks make me cringe even now - but there’s no doubting that the compilers had to touch all bases. But yet again there’s that nice mixture of the common and the obscure (all sounding as pert as a grunting gay gymnast in the Russian Winter Olympics). I also had no problems with playback despite the jam-packed value-for-money playing time of 83 minutes. 

These sets have been a long time coming but man have they been worth the wait. I know long-term Soul fans will look at the track list and price and perhaps baulk at duplicity and cost - DON’T. You’ve not heard these classics until now. And if you’ve any joy for Seventies Soul - then you need to have this volume and the other four compilations in your life -because GLORIOUS is the word that comes to mind. These are already my reissues of the year for 2014. 

The mighty Bear Family folks - accept no less.