"What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco & Warner Bros. Records 1969-1977" by VARIOUS (October 2006 US Rhino 4CD Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"…Glide In My Stride And A Dip In My Hip…"

  

This October 2006 Various Artists Rhino Box Set of 4CDs on Rhino R2 77635 (Barcode 081227763527) received packaging accolades for its tastily presented 91-tracks (even won an award) but it appears little else. A normally voracious Soul-buying community just didn't seem to notice "What It Is! Funky Soul and Rare Grooves..." or indeed even care. 

 

Perhaps its rustic cigar-box look confused - or the track list page on the rear that kept falling off - or so many artist names you've never heard of...maybe all of it just put people off. Well I think a reassessment is in order, because this American 4CD Soul & Funk Box Set is a proper little groove-master and unsung genre masterpiece. I got a glide in my stride and a dip in my hip indeed.

But the best way to show the diversity and genius of "What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco & Warner Bros. Records 1969-1977" by VARIOUS ARTISTS is to give a detailed track list of the Rhino Box Set:

Disc 1 (cover photo is The Commodores), 27 tracks, 76:23 minutes:

1. Spreadin' Honey - THE WATTS 103rd ST. RHYTHM BAND (1967 single, Keymen 108)

2. Soul Finger - BAR-KAYS (1967 single, Volt 148)

3. The Shadow Of Your Smile - BROTHER JACK McDUFF (1967 LP "Tobacco Road", Atlantic 1472)

4. Gangster Of Love (Parts 1 & 2) - JIMMY NORMAN (1968 Two-Part single, Josie 994)

5. The Memphis Train - RUFUS THOMAS (1968 single, Stax 250)

6. Get Out Of My Life Woman - GRASSELLA OLIPHANT (1967 LP "The Grass Is Greener", Atlantic 1494)

7. Live Right Now - EDDIE HARRIS (1968 single edit, Atlantic 2561)

8. Pig Snoots, Part 1 - NATURAL BRIDGE BUNCH (1968 single, Atco 6628)

9. Soul Sound System - THE FREEDOM SOUNDS feat WAYNE HENDERSON (1968 LP "Soul Sound System", Atlantic 1512)

10. Snatching It Back - CLARENCE CARTER (1969 single, Atlantic 2605)

11. Stoned Soul - ARTIE CHRISTOPHER (1968 single, Atlantic 2573)

12. Getting The Corners - THE T.S.U. TORNADOES (1968 single, Atlantic 2579)

13. Sexy Coffee Pot - TONY ALVON & THE BELAIRS (1969 single, Atlantic 2632)

14. Don't Come Around Here Anymore - MARK PUTNEY (1969 single, Atlantic 2617)

15. Keep On Dancing - THE COMMODORES (1969 single, Atlantic 2633)

16. Right On Brother - Part 1 - THE SOUTHSHORE COMMISSION (1969 single, Atlantic 2684)

17. Pop. Popcorn Children - ELDRIDGE HOLMES (1969 single, Atco 6701)

18. It's Your Thing - COLD GRITS (1969 single, Atco 6707)

19. It's All In Your Mind - SOUL ANGELS (1969 single, Josie 1002)

20. Funky John - JOHNNY CAMERON & THE CAMERONS (1969 single, Atlantic 2734)

21. Help Me Make Up My Mind - JOYCE JONES (1969 single, Atco 6681)

22. Rock Me Baby - LOU JOHNSON (1969 LP "Sweet Southern Soul", Cotillion 9008)

23. Sing A Simple Song - THE NOBLE KNIGHTS (1969 single, Cotillion 44030)

24. Do You Dig It - TITUS TURNER (1969 single, Josie 1012)

25. Funky Canyon - PHIL MOORE Jr. (1969 LP "Right On", Atlantic 1530)

26. Jan Jan - THE FABULOUS COUNTS (1969 LP "Jan Jan", Cotillion 9011)

27. Tampin - THE RHINE OAKS [uncredited are The Meters and Allen Toussaint] (1969 single, Atco 6724)

Disc 2 (cover photo is Curtis Mayfield), 21 tracks, 74:10 minutes:

1. Gossip - VYRIL NEVILLE (1970 single, Josie 1014)

2. Somebody In The World For You - THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL (1968 single, Loma 2093)

3. Stanga - LITTLE SISTER (1970 single, Stone Flower 9001)

4. Jumpin' Jack Flash - ANANDA SHANKAR (1970 single, Reprise 6398)

5. The Embryo - BRUTE FORCE 1970 (1970 LP "Brute Force" on Embryo 522)

6. Sookie Sookie - DON COVAY and THE JEFFERSON LEMON BLUES BAND (1970 single, Atlantic 2742)

7. Right On - CLARENCER WHEELER & THE ENFORCERS (1970 LP `Doin' What We Wanna" on Atlantic 1551)

8. (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go - CURTIS MAYFIELD (1970 single, Curtom/Buddah 1955)

9. Stepping Stones - JOHNNY HARRIS (1970 UK LP "Movements" on Warner Brothers WS 3002)

10. I'm Just Like You - 6IX [Sly & The Family Stone using pseudonym] (1970 single, Stone Flower 9002)

11. Funky Thing - Part 1 - THE UNEMPLOYED (1970 single, Cotillion 44085)

12. Messie Bessie - SHIRLEY SCOTT (1970 LP "Something" on Atlantic 1561)

13. Fairchild - WILLIE WEST (1970 single, Josie 1019)

14. Cold Bear - THE GATORS (1970 single, Atco 6870)

15. I Can't Get Next To You - MONGO SANTAMARIA (1970 LP "Feelin' Alright" on Atlantic 8252)

16. Feelin' Alright - LULU (1970 LP "New Routes" on Atco 310)

17. Soul Bowl MEMPHIS HORNS (1970 LP "Memphis Horns" on Cotillion 9014)

18. Tuane - HAMMER (1970 LP "Hammer" on San Francisco 203)

19. Take It Off - Part II - JOHNNY TOLBERT and DE THANGS (1970 single, Atlantic 2757)

20. Seeds Of Life - HARLEM RIVER DRIVE feat Eddie Palmieri & Jimmy Norman (1971 LP "Harlem River Drive" on Roulette 3004)

21. Engine No. 9 [Edit] - WILSON PICKETT (1970 single, Atlantic 2765)

Disc 3 (cover photo is Little Richard), 21 tracks, 77:40 minutes:

1. Hard Times - BABY HUEY & THE BABY SITTERS (1971 single, Curtom 1962)

2. What So Never The Dance - Part 1 & 2 - HOUSE GUESTS [pseudonym for Bootsy Collins] (1971 single, House Guests 28205)

3. Headless Heroes - EUGENE McDANIELS (1971 LP "Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse" on Atlantic 8281)

4. Spinning Wheel - WADE MARCUS (1971 LP "A New Era" on Cotillion 9043)

5. Bad Tune - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1971 LP "Earth, Wind & Fire" on Warner Brothers 1905)

6. Mr. Cool - RASPUTIN'S STASH (1971 LP "Rasputin's Stash" on Cotillion 9046)

7. Don't Cha Hear Me Callin' To Ya - JUNIOR MANCE (1971 LP "With A Lotta Help From My Friends" on Atlantic 1562)

8. Hang On In There - THE STOVALL SISTERS (1971 single, Reprise 1028)

9. Funky Nassau - Part II - THE BEGINNING OF THE END (1971 single B-side, Alston 4595)

10. Whatever's Fair - MARK HOLDER & THE POSITIVES (1972 single, Cotillion 44147)

11. Face It - ED ROBINSON (1971 single B-side to "Temptation's `Bout To Get Me", Atco 6812)

12. Wah-Wah Man - YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED (1971 LP "Born Again" on Cotillion 18004)

13. Rock Steady (Alternate Mix) - ARETHA FRANKLIN (Previously Unreleased)

14. Won't Nobody Listen - BLACK HAZE EXPRESS (1971 single, Clintone 005)

15. Goin' Down - ALLEN TOUSSAINT (1972 LP "Life, Love And Faith" on Reprise 2062)

16. Suavecito {Edit] - MALO (1972 single edit, Warner Brothers 7559)

17. You Gotta Know Whatcha Doin' - CHARLES WRIGHT (1972 single, Warner Brothers 7630)

18. Mo Jo Hanna - TAMI LYNN (1972 LP "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" on Cotillion 9052)

19. Ridin' Thumb - KING CURTIS (1972 LP "Everybody's Talkin'" on Atco 385)

20. Almendra - MACONDO (1972 LP "Macondo" on Atlantic 7234)

21. Nuki Suki - LITTLE RICHARD (1972 single, Reprise 1130)

Disc 4 (cover photo is Black Heat), 22 tracks, 78:50 minutes:

1. Getting Uptown (To Get Down) - UNITED 8 (1972 single, Atlantic 2896)

2. 8 Days On The Road - HOWARD TATE (1972 LP "Howard Tate" on Atlantic 8303)

3.Moon Shadow [Edit] - LABELLE (1972 LP "Moon Shadow" on Warner Brothers 2618. The album has a `Full Length Version' - the `Edit' presented here first appeared on the 1997 compilation "Something Silver" on Warner Archives 46359)

4. Let It Crawl - SOCIETY'S BAG (1972 single, Warner Brothers 7622)

5. Wanoah - BLACK HEAT (1972 LP "Black Heat" on Atlantic 7237)

6. If It Was Good Enough For Daddy - CLARENCE REID (1973 LP "Running Water" on Alston 7027)

7. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky - CLAUDIA LENNEAR (1973 LP "Phew!" on Warner Brothers 2654)

8. Cosmic Sea - MYSTIC MOODS (1973 single, Warner Brothers 7686)

9. Kissing My Love - COLD BLOOD (featuring Lydia Pense) (1973 LP "Thriller!" on Reprise 2130)

10. Flute Thing [Edit] - SEATRAIN (1973 single, Warner Brothers 7696)

11. Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push `n' Shove) - Part II - THE METERS (1972 single, Reprise 1135 B-side)

12. Funky To The Bone - FREDDI/HENCHI & THE SOUL SETTERS (1973 single (Promo-only), Reprise 1175)

13. Try It Again - BOBBY BYRD (1973 single, Kwanza 7703)

14. Teasin' - CORNELL DUPREE (1974 LP "Teasin'" on Atlantic 7311)

15. (Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away - DR. JOHN (1974 LP `"Desitively Bonnaroo" on Atco 7043)

16. Chicken Heads - OSCAR BROWN, Jr. (1974 LP "Fresh" on Atlantic 18106)

17. Rien Na Va Plus - FUNK FACTORY (1975 LP "Funk Factory" on Atco 116)

18. Cajun Moon [Edit] - HERBIE MANN [Vocal by CISSY HOUSTON] (1976 single, Atlantic 3343)

19. Improve - DARROW FLETCHER (1977 single, Atco 7083)

20. Riding High - FAZE-O (1978 LP "Riding High" on She 740)

21. Four Play [Edit] - FRED WESLEY & THE HORNY HORNS (1977 single, Atlantic 3408 (Promo))

22. California Dreamin' [Edit] - EDDIE HAZEL (1977 single, Warner Brothers 8425)

Housed in a thick cigar-shaped hard card box (with a loose outer paper wrapper that lists the tracks) - inside are 4 card sleeves centred in a hollow - each with photos as advised above. Compiled by MATT ABELS and MASON WILLIAMS with REGGIE COLLINS - the 84-page booklet is superlative - featuring an Introduction by OLIVER WANG and track-by-track liner notes (with discography details) on each song. The info digs deep into the history of the tune and the artists and only on a rare occasion is there nothing - like Johnny Tolbert and De Thangs (no one seems to know who he is). Classy photos from the Michael Ochs Archive festoon each page and even though the 4CDs are primarily 7"-single driven - there's a two-page spread towards the end that collages together a fabulous display of those rare album covers (some complete with dollar stickers on them) while pages 80/81 sport a side-by-side rare 45s display. My only complaint about the booklet is that its sepia and not colour - but other than that - there's really informative reading in here for the label enthusiast.

On occasion in the past Rhino were accused of scrimping on track numbers on their compilations (60 minutes when there was room for 78 and more) - but as you can see from the playing times above - these CDs are chockers with goodies. And a quick glance at the Artists will reveal 'lots' of names seeing CD release for the first time and a large number of catalogue numbers on Atlantic and Atco 7" single being filled in for collectors. There's even a sensational 'Alternate Mix' of Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" on Disc 3 that sees the tune go all Psych towards the end. Remastered by Rhino's resident tape experts BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH - I'm glad to say the sound quality is incredible throughout - so full of life and presence - a top job done - especially given the differing sources and time frames.

Disc 1 is filled with groovy American 45 cuts like "Sexy Coffee Pot" by Tony Alvon & The Belairs while an un-credited Meters go funk fantastic on "Tampin'" by The Rhine Oaks. Disc 2 is simply brilliant - opening with a fabulous triple whammy of unknowns - Cyril Neville, The Mighty Hannibal and Little Sister (lyrics from the Neville track title this review). The diversity extends to Lulu's cool cover of Dave Mason's "Feelin' Alright" (when he was with Traffic), the serious drum-funky instrumental "The Deacon" by Brute Force and the stunning "Tuane" by Hammer on San Francisco Records. "Tuane" sounds like the Brian Auger Oblivion Express doing a scat Latin-Fusion-Funk tune (this gem first turned up on the 2002 Atlantic compilation "Right On! Vol. 4").

Disc 2 also sports some very smart compiler choices - Ananda Shankar's hugely popular Sitar-cool rendition of The Rolling Stones 1968 classic "Jumping Jack Flash" - following by a long sought-after British vinyl rarity - "Stepping Stones" taken from the 1970 Johnny Harris flute-fusion LP "Movements" on Warner Brothers. Sly & The Family Stone turn in disguise once more as 6IX. Disc 3 boasts a stunning previously unreleased mix of Aretha's "Rock Steady" and an ultra-rare American 45 that costs real money on the obscure Clintone label by the militant group Black Haze Express. And again on Disc 4 - those clever choices - Labelle's funkified cover of Cat Stevens' "Moonshadow" segueing later into the synth fusion of "Riding High" by Faze-O. I love it all! The seriously sexy Claudia Lennear (reputed the inspiration behind "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones) gets to do an Allen Toussaint workout on "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky" with Ry Cooder and Spooner Oldham somewhere inside that 1973 mix. The seriously underrated Cold Blood had the raspy Janis Joplin vocals of Lydia Pense to boogie up the Bill Withers "Still Bill" classic "Kissing My Love" - while Herbie Mann's flute fusion transforms J.J. Cale's swamp ballad "Cajun Moon" into an entirely different hip animal. And on it goes...

It's true to say that if (like me) you own all the Volumes in the "Right On", "Natural High" and "Funk Drops" sets - you may have a large part of this. But those 8 or 9 discs will cost you the same and don't have the superlative liner notes supplied here - as well as that sheer 'dip in and discover something new every time you play it' feel that this superb Box Set gives you.

I'd argue that in a sea of reissues - this is one ship you should board. Stunning and then some...

7” SINGLES in Numerical Order with (Release Date) and Disc No. Track No:
"What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco & Warner Bros. Records 1969-1977" by VARIOUS ARTISTS

Atco 6628 (1968) 1.7

Atco 6681 (1969) 1.21

Atco 6701 (1969) 1.17

Atco 6707 (1969) 1.18

Atco 6724 (1969) 1.27

Atco 6870 (1970) 2.14

Atlantic 2561 (1968) 1.7

Atlantic 2573 (1968) 1.11

Atlantic 2579 (1968) 1.12

Atlantic 2605 (1969) 1.10

Atlantic 2607 (1969) 1.18

Atlantic 2617 (1969) 1.14

Atlantic 2632 (1969) 1.13

Atlantic 2633 (1969) 1.15

Atlantic 2684 (1969) 1.16

Atlantic 2734 (1969) 1.20

Atlantic 2742 (1970) 2.6

Atlantic 2757 (1970) 2.19

Atlantic 2765 (1970) 2.21

Cotillion 44030 (1969) 1.23

Cotillion 44085 (1970) 2.11

Curtom/Buddah 1955 (1970) 2.8

Curtom 1962 (1971) 3.1

Houseguests 28205 (1971) 3.2

Josie 994 (1968) 1.4

Josie 1002 (1969) 1.19

Josie 1012 (1969) 1.24

Josie 1014 (1970) 2.1

Josie 1019 (1970) 2.13

Keymen 108 (1967) 1.1

Loma 2093 (1968) 2.2

Reprise 6398 (1970) 2.4

Stax 250 (1968) 1.5

Stone Flower 9001 (1970) 2.3

Stone Flower 9002 (1970) 2.10

Volt 148 (1967) 1.2 

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exceptional CD Remasters - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Places And Spaces" by DONALD BYRD - 1975 US and UK Blue Note LP (1997 UK Blue Note 'Rare Groove Series' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 This Review Along With 333 Others Is Available In My

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"…Funky Nirvana…"

Places And Spaces by DONALD BYRD (1997 CD Remaster)

With a near 60-year career stretching back to 1955 (he passed away in 2013) – Michigan's DONALD BYRD was smart enough to see the musical writing on the wall in the early Seventies. He jumped at the chance to move from straight-up Jazz and began a run of peerless Jazz Fusion masterpieces that Funk fans adore to this day.

Beginning with his "Black Byrd" album in 1972 on Blue Note, “Street Lady” in 1973 and “Stepping Into Tomorrow” in 1974 - he finally made his way to what I think is his bona-fide masterpiece – 1975’s “Places And Spaces”. Whenever a copy would turn up in Reckless (even back in the early Nineties) – we'd give it pride of place on the wall – and it would last hours rather than days (priced at £30 back when thirty smackers was a huge amount to pay for a vinyl LP). And the passing decades haven’t diminished its Funky impact one jot. In fact it not only stands up as a great overall listen today (2014) – but only seem to get hipper with time.

The vinyl LP was originally released in November 1975 in the USA on Blue Note BN-LA549-G and Blue Note UAG 20001 in the UK. The 1997 CD remaster on EMI/BLUE NOT CDP 8543262  is part of their BLUE NOTE RARE GROOVE SERIES and features a mere gatefold slip of paper as an insert. But the remaster is fabulous – full of detail - all that string and trumpet playing hitting your speakers with lovely full-bodied clarity (35:51 minutes).

The album has only 7 tracks – all of which are Trumpet Fusion Jazz (Flugelhorn too) with some intermittent scatting vocals on the chorus by KAY HEATH and the MIZELL Brothers. With the strings arranged by WADE MARCUS – songwriters LARRY and FONCE MIZELL seemed to give BYRD the fusion tunes he needed to let rip. It opens with the joyous party-time of "Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)" – a playlist winner if ever there was one. Kay Heath's vocals lead the chorus on the upbeat "Wind Parade" and then we're onto one of the album's highlights – a huge funky tune – "Dominoes".

As if it couldn't get any better than a perfect Side 1 – Side 2 opens with the best – the glorious title track. It never ceases to send me – especially the warbling Trumpet solo he does towards the end. "You And Your Music" turns up the funky drums and piano (Harvey Mason and Skip Scarborough) while "Night Whistler" gets all slinky Steely Dan (circa Royal Scam and Aja) with cleverly treated echoes on the lead instruments. It ends on a Temptations cover version – "Just My Imagination" which is oddly the least successful of all the tunes. He would follow "Places And Spaces" with the equally popular "Caricatures" in 1976 (they used its drawing sleeve on his "Best Of" CD).

I've loved "Places And Spaces" for 40 years now – what a winner. In truth I do wish the CD wasn't so basic and I'd love to hear any kind of outtakes from the sessions – but that's another reissue. In the meantime – get this funky joy into your life real soon….yeah baby…

"The Collection Volume 1 - Show Your Hand/How Sweet Can You Get?/Average White Band" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND - 1973 and 1974 Albums and more (April 2009 UK Edsel 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Any Way You Want It…You Got It…"

This is the first of four ‘Collection’ 2CD sets (all four spines make an AWB) covering the entire Average White Band catalogue from their MCA debut in 1973 right through to their wicked RCA period in 1980. And it doesn't take a particular genius to work out that this and its three companions are brill - Soul/Rock gems from a hugely under-appreciated Scottish band.

Released April 2009 in the UK as a 2CD set - "The Collection Volume 1 - Show Your Hand/Average White Band/How Sweet Can You Get?" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND on Edsel EDSD 2030 (Barcode 740155203030) is a 2CD set containing 3 albums worth of material and more and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (56:45 minutes):

1. The Jugglers 

2. The World Has Music

3. Twilight Zone

4. Put It Where You Want It

5. Show Your Hand 

6. Back In '67

7. Reach Out 

8. T.L.C.

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Show Your Hands" originally issued in June 1973 on MCA Records MUPS 486 in the UK and on MCA MAPS 6694 in the USA. 

[Note: on the back of their second album's success (the "Pick Up The Pieces" "Average White Band" album) - “Show Your Hands" was then given a different name and reissued in the USA in April 1975 as "Put It Where You Want It" with the opening song "The Jugglers" replaced by "How Can You Go Home"]

BONUS TRACKS: 

9. Reach Out (First Version)

10. The Jugglers (First Version) 

11. It Didn't Take A Minute 

12. In The Beginning 

13. Look Out Now

14. Back In '67 (First Version) 

15. How Can You Go Home - issued as a NON-LP 7" single on MCA Records MCA 102 in the UK in January 1974 with 1973's "Twilight Zone" on the B-side (it was in itself reissued as MCA 186 in 1975 with the same tracks).

Disc 2 (79:50 minutes):

1. Person To Person

2. Keepin' It To Myself

3. There's Always Someone Waiting

4. McEwan's Export 

5. Got The Love

6. Work To Do 

7. Just Want To Love You Tonight

8. Pick Up The Pieces 

9. I Just Can't Give You Up 

10. How Sweet Can You Get (First Version)

Tracks 1 to 10 are "The Clovis Sessions" CD on the Deluxe Edition of "Average White Band" from 2003 - renamed here as a 'missing' album - "How Sweet Can You Get?"

11. You Got It 

12. Got The Love

13. Pick Up The Pieces 

14. Person To Person

15. Work To Do

16. Nothing You Can Do

17. Just Want To Love You Tonight 

18. Keepin' It To Myself

19. I Just Can't Give You Up

20. There’s Always Someone Waiting

Tracks 11 to 20 are their 2nd and most famous album "Average White Band" (also known as The White Album because of its distinctive plain artwork) issued on Atlantic K 50058 in July 1974 in the UK and as "AWB" in the USA on Atlantic SD-7308 in September 1974 (it reached number 1 in the USA, and number 6 in the UK in early 1975)

There's a card wrap on the outside, a 20-page booklet on the inside with liner notes by noted soul expert and writer TONY ROUNCE with contributions from key band members - Alan Gorrie, Onnie McIntyre and Hamish Stuart. The mastering was done by ALCHEMY in London and the sound is similar to the superb Rhino remasters of 1993 - warm, ballsy and in your face for all the right reasons. There's also a huge and noticeable difference between the very airy production values of their UK debut and the glossy but beautiful polish on the second album by famed American producer ARIF MARDIN. But the truth is - it all sounds spiffing...

It's worth pointing out that if you already own the Deluxe of AWB from 2003, there is only Disc 1 to be interested in - but the music is still great. 

That the Scottish are as funky as f**k should surprise no one (John Martyn, Cado Belle, Love And Money, even The Blue Nile funk with the best of them), but they all have one common thread - SOUL - it may be white boy's soul - but it's soul - par excellence. Retailing at ten pounds in a megastore - I've seen this 2CD set online for as little as a fiver, which is ludicrously great value for money. 

The Average White Band were always the business - and even possess what is arguably the coolest name ever given to a rock group in the history of the world. 

Don't be a wee timorous beastie and get this into your life...recommended big time.  

PS: the other titles in this Edsel Series for AWB are:

1. The Collection Volume Two

Features "Cut The Cake" (1975), "Soul Searching" (1976) and "Benny & Us" (1977), 3 full albums on 2CDs - Edsel EDSD 2031

2. The Collection Volume Three 

Features "Person To Person" (1977 2LP Live Set) and "Warmer Communications" (1978), 3 full albums with 2 Bonus Tracks on 2CDs - Edsel EDSD 2032

3. The Collection Volume Four

Features "Feel No Fret" (1979), "Volume 8" (Volume III from 1980 expanded), "Shine" (1980) and "Cupid's In Fashion", 4 Albums Worth Across 2CDs - Edsel EDSD 2033

"Abraxas" by SANTANA - September 1970 US Second Studio LP on Columbia Records (2008 US Mobile Fidelity ULTRADISC II 24-Carat Gold Audiophile CD In Mini LP Repro Artwork with Poster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Is That You?"

There is a long line of classic Rock albums given multiple CD reissues with each issue claiming to be sonically better than the last – and Santana’s 2^nd album "Abraxas" from 1970 is no different. To my knowledge this is reissue number 4 – a 1980’s basic version best forgotten, a 1991 Mobile Fidelity ULTRADISC II audiophile CD remaster (UDCD 552), followed by a 2003 Song Legacy CD with 3 bonus live tracks and a proper Vic Anesini Remaster - and now this – a second MOFI Original Master Recording Audiophile CD in 2008 using their GAIN 2 SYSTEM transfer. Here are the naked lady details…

US released April 2008 – "Abraxas" by SANTANA on Mobile Fidelity UDCD 775 (Barcode 821797077569) comes in over-sized hard-card repro packaging that mimics the September 1970 original US LP – gatefold sleeve and all (37:30 minutes). 

 

It was originally released September 1970 in the USA on Columbia KC 30130 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64087 (in a single sleeve without a poster – American originals had a beautiful black and white foldout poster of the six-piece band that is unfortunately AWOL in this repro). 

 

This Mobile Fidelity CD is a 24-Carat Gold Audiophile issue – itself housed in a protective gauze sleeve within a black and gold gatefold card inner that gives detailed information about their ULTRADISC II range and their patented GAIN 2 SYSTEM of remastering from the first generation Original Master Tape. It’s a limited edition and numbered on the rear in gold (up to 10,000).

1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts [Side 1]

2. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen

3. Oye Coma Va

4. Incident At Neshabur

5. Se A Cabo [Side 2]

6. Mother's Daughter

7. Samba Pa Ti

8. Hope You're Feeling Better

9. El Nicoya

Mobile Fidelity used to only use lift-lock jewel cases with barely any reference to the original packaging – but in the last six or seven years – most of their ULTRADISC II releases now come in these aesthetically pleasing card repro sleeves that at least give some recognition of the original artwork. It has to be said MOFI's improved efforts still don't really hold a candle against the superlative Japanese reissues on SHM-CD, SACD and now Platinum SHM-CD (they seem to have card repros down to a very fine art). 

 

The most obvious thing about this new issue is that you can barely read the album title on the famous and striking MATI painting that adorns the cover. The wordless colour photo that spread across the inner gatefold of original American LPs is here (with some new wording on it) but what would it have taken to reproduce the lovely poster as a separate foldout inlay? Instead we get a pointless gatefold colour repro of the album artwork again (albeit without the album title and with more readable songwriting credits).

ROB LoVERDE and SHAWN R. BRITTON carried out the remaster at Mobile’s studios in Sebastopol, California using their GAIN 2 SYSTEM. According to the Net and discussion forums the big news is (although it doesn’t say this anywhere on the packaging) that a mastertape has been found that precedes all others and apparently has for the first time the ‘right’ STEREO channel separation on it (left and right) – whereas all previous issues (including their own) used the old ‘wrong’ version with the channels arse-about-face. Certainly the sonic results are impressive – especially in the dense bottom end of Bass and Percussion.

The opening piano, high hat and percussion tinkles rattling out of "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" (written by the band's Conga player Mike Carabello) is newly clear and when the rhythm section kicks in – the bass and congas are fabulous (there is hiss at the outset but it dissipates). It segues into the double cover version of "Black Magic Woman" (Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac) and "Gypsy Queen" (a Gabor Szabo song). The vocals are great and that big guitar break half way through is now muscular as it assaults your speakers. The funky single "Oye Coma Va" (a Tito Puente song) is probably best on here sonically – second only to that great bedsit-shagging song "Samba Pa Ti". The wonderful instrumental "Samba Pa Ti" is hissy but still full of extraordinary presence (millions of babies ahoy).

Both the Jose 'Chepito' Areas songs "Se A Cabo" (the rough translation from Spanish is "it's over") and the album finisher "El Nicoya" have great percussion definition even as Carlos lets it rip. The more rocky Gregg Rolie songs – "Mother's Daughter" and "Hope You're Feeling Better" break up the Latin rhythms nicely – and as the band lets fly – the guitars are suitably chunky and the vocals good too.

This is an impressive release – and makes me want to invest in the MOFI reissues of their 1969 debut and especially 1972's "Caravanserai" with its gorgeous "Song Of The Wind".

Is it worth the few extra quid - those hard-earned bucks? Absolutely. This a truly beautiful and full-bodied Remaster and if you have any love for the album, this is the absolute bizz-schnizz...