DOCTOR BIRD Records of the UK - CD REISSUE LABEL'S DISCOGRAPHY (Alphabetical and Numerical for 2017 to 2019) - A List by Mark Barry...

ALPHABETICAL and NUMERICAL ORDER Discography

For DOCTOR BIRD Records of the UK (2017 to 2019)

CD Reissues covering TROJAN RECORDS and its array of subsidiary labels...

Trojan Records original releases from 1967 to 2019
All CDs feature new ANDY PEARCE Remasters and
TONY ROUNCE and/or LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT Liner Notes

ALPHABETICAL ORDER Discography

2017 and 2018 DOCTOR BIRD CD Reissues for Trojan etc.

1. BOB ANDY and MARCIA GRIFFITHS - Young, Gifted And Black/Pied Pier 
(May 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-014 - Barcode 5013929271432)
Features two albums from 1970 and 1971 - both albums in full

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

3. DAVE and ANSEL COLLINS – Double Barrel 
(June 2018 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-016 - Barcode 5013929271630)
Features popular 1971 12-Track LP originally on Trojan plus 15 Bonus Tracks 

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

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

6. DESMOND DEKKER – Double Dekker 
(November 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-018 – Barcode 5013929271838)
Features 1973 UK 2LP set on Trojan Records Plus A Bonus Track onto 1CD 

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

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

9. MARCIA GRIFFITHS – Naturally/Steppin’ 
(August 2017, Doctor Bird DBCD-002 – Barcode 5013929270237)

Features two 1978 and 1979 albums remastered onto 1CD

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

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

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

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

14. THE MAYTALS – Monkey Man/From The Roots 
(July 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-017 – Barcode 5013929271739)
Features two albums from 1969 and 1973 on Trojan remastered onto 1CD with 3 Bonuses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALPHABETICAL ORDER Discography

2019 DOCTOR BIRD CD Reissues for Trojan etc.

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

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

3. CLINT EASTWOOD and LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY & THE UPSETTERS – Clint Eastwood/Many Moods Of The Upsetters (April 2019 2CD Expanded Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-034 – Barcode 5013929273436)

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

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

For Lee 'Scratch' Perry – see Clint Eastwood and...

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

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

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

NUMERICAL ORDER

Discography for Doctor Bird Records of the UK (2017 to 2019)

(Part of Cherry Red)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DBCD-018 - DESMOND DEKKER – Double Dekker (November 2013, Doctor Bird DBCD-018 – Barcode 5013929271838)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Greatest Jamaican Beat - ROCK STEADY - Baba-Boom Time" by VARIOUS (March 2019 UK Doctor Bird Records 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue - Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baba Boom Time..."

Continuing their fabulous excavation of all things Trojan Records and their many related labels - England's Doctor Bird Records dig deep this time and come up with a 60ts Rock Steady LP giant. Then they festoon it with an unreleased album and more unreleased/first-time-on-CD nuggets than you can shake a Moody Ska at (a whopping 50 cuts). They’ve even got the uber-rare B-sides to TR 001 and TR 002 on here as bonuses – the first and second Trojan 45s in the summer of 1967 (see Disc 1). Get your sax out folks (and I mean that in the nicest possible way)...

UK released Friday, 8 March 2019 (15 March 2019 in the USA) - "Greatest Jamaican Beat - Rock Steady - Baba-Boom Time" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Doctor Bird DBCDD-033 (Barcode 5013929273337) is a 50-Track 2CD Reissue and 'Expanded Edition' Remaster of the 1967 LP "Greatest Jamaican Beat" that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (78:18 minutes):

"Greatest Jamaican Beat" UK LP released June 1967 on Doctor Bird DLM-5009

Side 1:

1. Baba Boom (Festival Song 1967) - THE JAMAICANS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7012, A-side)

2. Tommy's Rock Steady - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (August 1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7016, B-side of "Ain't That Loving You' by Alton Ellis And The Friends; also pressed on Trojan TR-004 in 1967)

3. Drink Wine - THE TECHNIQUES (first appearance on this LP, later UK-issued 1968 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7031, A-side)

4. Hot Rock - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (first appearance on this LP)

5. Release Me - PHYLLIS DILLON (first appearance on this LP)

6. Hey Leroy (Your Mama's Calling You) - SAM JONES (first appearance on this LP)

Side 2:

7. Queen Majesty [aka "Majesty And Queen"] - THE TECHNIQUES (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7019, A-side)

8. Soul Serenade - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7013, B-side of "The Same Song" by The Paragons)

9. Mercy Mercy - THE PARAGONS [with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics] (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7011, A-side)

10. Don't Touch Me Tomato - PHYLLIS DILLON (first appearance on this LP)

11. You Don't Need Me - THE MELODIANS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7006, A-side)

12. Down On Bond Street [aka "Don On Bond Street" and Travelling on Bond Street"] - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7001, B-side of "You Don't Care")

BONUS TRACKS:

13. You Should've Known Better - THE TREE TOPS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7008, B-side of "Do It Right" credited as 3 Tops)

14. I've Got A Pain - THE JAMAICANS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7007, B-side of "Things You Said You Loved")

15. Lie Low - THE GLADIATORS (not originally released)

16. Fight Too Much - JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7005, B-side of "Carry Go Bring Come" - for A-side see Track 19 on Disc 1)

17. I Know Just How She Feels [aka "Far Away Love"] - THE MELODIANS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7022, B-side of "I Caught You")

18. What Kind Of Fool - THE TREASURE ISLE BOYS (June 1967 UK 7" single on Island WI-3047, B-side of "1, 2, 3 Kick" - for A-side see Track 16 on Disc 2)

19. Carry Go Bring Come (Rock Steady Version) - JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7005, A-side - for B-side see Track 16 on Disc 1)  

20. Matthew, Mark, Luke & John - NORMAN GRANT (not originally released)

21. I'm Am Sorry - GLORIA & FRANKLIN (previously unreleased in the UK)

22. Tears In My Eyes - ERIC MORRIS (not originally released)

23. Once A Man (Alternate Version) - JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (not originally released)

24. You Have Caught Me (Alternate Version) - THE MELODIANS (not originally released in the UK)

25. Do It Right (Alternate Version) - THE TREE TOPS (not originally released in the UK)

Disc 2 (77:05 minutes):

"Soul-Rock-Steady" by TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS

Track 2 is credited to Lynn Tait with Tommy McCook and The Supersonics

Track 6 is credited to Lynn Tait with Tommy McCook and Lester Sterling

Previously Unreleased, An Unissued 1968 UK 12-Track Album on Treasure Isle

Side 1:

1. Soul Rock (December 1967 UK 7" single on Trojan TR-009, Tommy McCook B-side of "Wise Birds Follow Spring" by Alton Ellis and The Flames)

2. Spanish Eyes (1966 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1047, A-side with Lynn Tait)

3. Never To Be Mine [aka "O Solo Mio" and "It's Now Or Never"] (July 1967 UK 7" single on Trojan TR-001 by Roland Alphonso (with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics), B-side to Duke Reid doing "Judge Sympathy")

4. Indian Love Call (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1053, A-side)

5. Starry Night (July 1967 UK 7" single on Trojan TR-002, B-side to "Fook Sang" by Tony & Dennis)

6. The Yellow Basket [aka "A Tisket, A Tasket"] (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1059, B-side to "I've Got A Date" by Alton Ellis and The Flames

Side 2:

7. Inez - LESTER STERLING with TOMMY McCOOK and THE SUPERSONICS (1966 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1057, A-side)

8. Sir Don [aka "Yeh Yeah"] - TOMMY McCOOK and THE SUPERSONICS (December 1967 UK 7" single on Trojan TR-011, B-side of "I Am A Loving Pauper" by Dobby Dobson)

9. Saboo - THE MOVING BROTHERS (June 1967 UK 7" single on Island WI-3049, B-side of "Darling I Love You" and reissued later in 1967 with the sides reversed on Treasure Isle TI-7018 - "Saboo" as the A)

10. What Now? [Theme from Dr. Zhivago] - TOMMY McCOOK (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1061, B-side of "Don't Stay Away" by Phillis Dillon)

11. Zazuka - THE TREASURE BOYS [featuring Tommy McCook & The Supersonics] (January 1968 UK 7" single on Trojan TR-010, B-side to "Love Is A Treasure" - both sides originally credited to The Treasure Boys)

12. Train to Ska-Thedral (Winchester Cathedral) (first appeared on the 1967 Various Artists UK Mono album "Duke Reid Rock's Steady" on Island ILP 958)

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Wall Street Shuffle - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7004, B-side to "Rock Steady" by Alton Ellis and The Flames)

14. Sweet And Gentle - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (May 1967 UK 7" single on Island WI-3045, B-side to "On The Beach " by The Paragons)

15. Moody Ska - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (first appeared on the 1968 UK Various Artists Mono LP "Jamaican Memories" on Blue Cat Records BCL-1)

16. One, Two, Three Kick - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (June 1967 UK 7" single on Island WI-3047, A-side, for B-side see Track 18 on Disc 1)

17. Jam Session - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1058, B-side of "Jezebel" by Lloyd and Glenn)

18. Sweet Lorna - BOBBY ELLIS with TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (not originally released in the UK)

19. Nocturn - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (previously unreleased)

20. Continental - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1970 Jamaican 7" single on Duke Reid Records, B-side to "You Made Me Happy" (a Blood Sweat & Tears cover). But in the UK it was issued as "Duke's Reggae" on the B-side of a 1970 UK 7" single on Duke Reid DR-2512, A-side is "You Made Me So Happy" by Alton Ellis)

21. The Shadow Of Your Smile - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7020, B-side of "Cool Down" by The Silvertones)

22. Persian Cat (Once In A Persian Market Place) - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7017 as "Once A Man", B-side of "Persian Cat" by Justine Hines)

23. Real Cool - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1967 UK 7" single as "Soul Serenade" on Treasure Isle TI-7013, B-side of "The Same Song" by The Paragons)

24. Our Man Flint [aka "Sway"] - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (1968 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7039, A-side)

25. Michelle - TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS (not originally released in the UK, Beatles cover)

Long-time collector and Soul/Reggae aficionado TONY ROUNCE has penned the deep detailed liner notes in the pleasingly fat 16-page booklet. The album was released in the UK first in 1967 with a text sleeve front and rear (I've never seen one) and amazingly both sides are depicted here along with the different artwork and labels for the Jamaican pressing issued later that same year. There are press adverts for the 'Ba-Ba-Boom!' sure shot, Tommy and his Supersonic crew looking suitably silver-suited lounge club as they catch that last train to Skasville and of course, pages of those gorgeous British and Jamaican 45 label repros - including one with the rare slightly Psych looking Doctor Bird label bag - a very hard-to-find item in Britain and something that used to get collectors excited in Reckless whenever they were scampering through the New Arrivals Reggae boxes. But best of all is the 3M Magnetic Master Tape pictured in full on Page 13 for the unreleased Mono 1968 LP by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - "Soul-Rock-Steady" - its 12-tracks lined up on CD here as they were on the original reel. Fantastico...

Compiled by Trojan Records keeper-of-the-flame LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT and mastered by one of my fave Audio Engineers ANDY PEARCE and I'm frankly ready to touch my tomato down on Bond Street (no matter what Phyllis Dillon might think – see Track 10 on Disc 1) and go ba-ba-boom baby (if you know what I mean). Let's get to the music before we get arrested for enjoying ourselves too much...

I think Andy Pearce had his work cut out for him on this one - lo-fi is the word. Having said that and even forgiving the terrible Phyllis Dillon cover of Englebert Humperdinck's "Release Me" - stuff like The Techniques hitting those top notes on "Queen Majesty" (they wanna meet her) and the cool Instrumental "Hot Rock" or even the utterly infectious "Ba Ba Boom" - a festival winner in 1967 - it all sounds better than I've heard it before. Just don't go expecting audiophile miracles. Digging the decidedly fruity (and I don't five a day) "Don't Touch Me Tomato" where Phyllis Dillon don't mind you rubbing up her Pumpkin or Potato but its no go for the round plumb ones. Fab drum whacks on the "I've Got A Pain" by The Jamaicans where the poor lad's heart is in flitters and the doctor's little blue pill ain't helping his pining a whole lot. Body swaying dancers will shuffle to the cool breeze that is "Lie Low" by The Gladiators - the boys telling neighbours to love each other and stop the aggro of an evening. Rock Steady collectors will surely have a soft spot for the recorded-in-a-bucket but oozing fun "Fight Too Much" where going to certain schools is a precarious business. Of the unreleased, a real find is "I'm Am Sorry" - an atmospheric done-you-wrong smoocher from Gloria Crawford and possibly Franklyn White (of The Techniques). Pretty too is "Tears In My Eyes" by Eric Morris - the closest the whole 2CD set gets to Soul-Reggae.

Over on CD2 we get the impossibly rare unreleased album "Soul-Rock-Steady" which sounds a lot like its title - a slew of shuffling Reggae instrumentals based on Tommy's horn playing - Rock Steady beats with a hint of Soul in the fills. With limp covers of "Spanish Eyes" and "Never To Be Mine" - it feels at time like budget compilation until you get to the cuts like "Soul Rock" and the jaunty "Sir Don" - a cool cover of Georgie Fame's "Yeh, Yeh". The production on the "Saboo" track suddenly lifts up - probably the best cut on the LP - Tommy's trumpet pace so languid (it would become both an A and B-side).  All aboard the last "Train To Ska-Thedral" - a wicked finisher that rightly earned its place on the ludicrously rare "Duke Reid Rock's Steady" LP in 1967 (an Island Records compilation). Off the Bonus Tracks - you gotta love the "1, 2, 3 Kick" organ-and-rhythm groover (gorgeous stuff) and "Real Cool" lives up to its sexy title - a nicely recorded Sax and Shuffle dancer and for me one of the 2CDs highlights.

Not for everyone, but those who dig their real Rock Steady will be licking their lips on this one, and as you can see from the list below, England's Doctor Bird Records are fast winning hearts out there in the Reggae shires and hedgerows.  Moody Ska indeed...  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019 Doctor Bird Records CD Reissues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Revolution: Underground Sounds Of 1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (February 2019 UK Esoteric Recordings 3CD Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry

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"...Chariots Rising..."

In truth I faltered at the basket stage on this one. Looking at the track list across 3CDs (42 cuts) - I realised being an ardent fan of that wildly creative decade and a major collector of CD reissues for over 30 years now that I'd at least 75 to 80% of the entries offer here - so what's the point? Do I need another remaster of overdone 1968 hits like Arthur Brown's "Fire!" or Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman" or The Bonzo's "I'm An Urban Spaceman" or Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger's "This Wheel's On Fire" or even for that matter the lesser-heard "Race With The Devil" by Gun – the answer is not really...

But then those reissue hairy-types over at Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) know suckers like me; it's the gaps in between that I'm after. And they have filled out the well-endowed discs with clever inclusions. An unreleased song overture to Island Records from 1968 by The Action (hoping for a signing) that hasn't been available since it first saw light of day in 1985, rare B-sides by The Bystanders and Genesis, even rarer A-side single-only releases from Dave Mason, The Pretty Things and The Moles and an EP cut from Sam Gopal. And there is much more too...

There's the emergence of Seventies Prog Rock giants in former incarnations - the Gods featuring Ken Hensley later with Toe Fat and then of course Uriah Heep, Steve Howe with Tomorrow before Yes, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown that featured a teenage Carl Palmer who would bash the kit for Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Ray Shulman dreaming of a Gentle Giant when he was with Dantalian's Chariot, Jeff Lynne plucking a bow with The Idle Race before he formed The Electric Light Orchestra, Cheerful Insanity from Robert Fripp in Giles, Giles & Fripp before changing the course of music with King Crimson and even a young Andy Somers who many years later would become the zippy guitarist Andy Summers in another tiny group - The Police. There's a lot to love here and it's been presented in Esoteric's usual top quality way (audio and looks). Here are the chariots rising...

UK released Friday, 22 February 2019 (1 March 2019 in the USA) - "Revolution - Underground Sounds Of 1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 32662 (Barcode 5013929476202) is a 3CD, 42-Track Clamshell Box Set of Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (73:24 minutes):

1. And The Address - DEEP PURPLE

2. This Wheel's On Fire - JULIE DRISCOLL, BRIAN AUGER & THE TRINITY

3. Talkin' About The Good Times - PRETTY THINGS

4. World War Three - DANTALIAN'S CHARIOT

5. A Saying For Today - THE ACTION

6. Crossroads Of Time - EYES OF BLUE

7. Sunshine Help Me - SPOOKY TOOTH

8. Early Morning - BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST

9. All Day, All Night - BLONDE ON BLONDE

10. Happy Birthday/The Birthday Party - IDLE RACE

11. Revolution - TOMORROW

12. We Are The Moles (Part 1) - THE MOLES

13. Blackberry Way - THE MOVE

14. One Eyed Hound - GENESIS

15. On A Saturday - KEITH WEST

16. Sovay - PENTANGLE

17. Cave Of Clear Light - THE BYSTANDERS

18. Soma (Parts One & Two) - DANTALIAN'S CHARIOT

19. Fire! - THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

20. I'm The Urban Spaceman - THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND

Disc 2 (72:39 minute):

1. Shapes Of Things - JEFF BECK

2. Black Magic Woman - FLEETWOOD MAC

3. Pearly Queen - TRAFFIC

4. People You Were Going To - VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR

5. Reality - SECOND HAND

6. Love Is The Law - EYES OF BLUE

7. Dusty - JOHN MARTYN

8. In Her Mind - ECLECTION

9. Summertime - LOVE SCULPTURE

10. Fly Tomorrow - JOHN MAYALL

11. Place Of My Own - CARAVAN

12. No Title - TEN YEARS AFTER

13. Child Of My Kingdom - THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

14. I Never Knew - THE GODS

Disc 3 (71:42 minutes):

1. My Sunday Feeling - JETHRO TULL

2. Sabre Dance - LOVE SCULPTURE

3. Flames - ELMER GANTRY'S VELVET OPERA

4. Somewhere To Go - THE DEVIANTS

5. Cold Embrace - SAM GOPAL

6. Shine On Brightly - PROCOL HARUM

7. Paradise Flat - STATUS QUO

8. That's Me - GENESIS

9. Suite No. 1 - GILES, GILES & FRIPP

10. Mist On A Monday Morning - THE MOVE

11. Ten Thousand Words In A Cardboard Box - THE AQUARIAN AGE

12. Mr. Sunshine - BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST

13. Just For You - DAVE MASON

14. S.F. Sorrow Is Born - PRETTY THINGS

15. Magic Man - CARAVAN

16. The Half-Remarkable Question - THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND

17. Race With The Devil - GUN

18. Mandrake Root - DEEP PURPLE

The incredibly chunky 48-page booklet lines up the artists in alphabetical order (The Action and The Aquarian Age to Van Der Graaf Generator and Keith West) with MARK POWELL pouring on the biographies and details (he also compiled and researched the set). Page after Page offers promo photos, trade adverts, concert posters, men in fields communing with nature (or mushrooms) and so forth. It's a properly huge and thorough read (each of the singular CD card front sleeves features a montage of the photos used within the booklet). BEN WISEMAN has done the new Remasters at Alchemy with the Audio being uniformly great throughout - stuff like Love Sculpture and The Incredible String Band leaping out of the speakers.

The line-up of tracks is smartly done. Disc 1 opens its account with "And The Address" - one of two Stereo cuts from Deep Purple's September 1968 UK debut album "Shades Of..." on Parlophone PCS 7055 (the second is "Mandrake Root" which ends Disc 3). The Jon Lord/Ritchie Blackmore "And The Address" instrumental fades in a suitably doomy way only to eventually explode into a four-and-half minute Rock-Funk groove that allows ace axeman Blackmore room to bend and ping followed quickly by that huge organ sound Lord specialises in. It's so 60ts, so Deep Purple and so 1968.

The familiar sway of April 1968's "...does your memory serve you well..." from Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger follows nicely, the flanged rhythms of "This Wheel's On Fire" doing the Rick Danko and Bob Dylan composition a solid. The A-side of Columbia DB 8353 from The Pretty Things (February 1968) is "Talkin' About The Good Times" where our heroes (Dick Taylor and Phil May) produce an bona-fide slice of 60ts brilliance - The Who meets, well The Pretty Things.

To hell with pretty - let's rock is the mantra for "World War Three" by the fuzz-guitar grooving Dantalian’s Chariot - a band featured Zoot Money on Vocals, Pat Donaldson of Fairport Convention and Andy Summers of The Police. DC's wild guitar-driver recorded in January 1968 perfectly compliments one of this set's genuine joys - a melodic gem from The Action called "A Saying For Today”. Its an Ian Whiteman composition recorded in the summer of 1968 that only surfaced in 1985 on a rare UK 5-Track Mini LP called "Action Speak Louder Than..." on Dojo Records DOJOLP003 (one of Charly’s budget labels). Great stuff. Other winners on Disc 1 are Gary Wright's "Sunshine Help Me" - a Spooky Tooth sexy Rock groove from their Island Records debut album "It's All About" - sitar hippy dippy from Blonde On Blonde as he spends all day and all night dreaming of you - and shades of future brilliance as you barely recognise singer Peter Gabriel's voice on the May 1968 Genesis B-side "One-Eyed Hound" - a £400+ rarity originally on Decca 12775. Keith West gets an acoustic pop moment on the lovely "On A Saturday" - a July 1968 British 45 on Parlophone R 5713 featuring a hidden cache of stars - Steve Howe of Yes on Guitar, Ronnie Wood of the Faces and Stones on Bass and Aynsley Dunbar on Drums. Clive John and Micky Jones (later of Welsh rockers Man) penned the incredibly pretty and pure 60ts waft of "Cave Of Clear Light" – a rare and fab psychedelic B-side by The Bystanders – where these mind-travellers have clearly been spending too many hours on translucent lakes whilst watching a hermit meditate outside his cave, silent and free of the world (but maybe a little smelly though). Disc 1 finishes with Neill Innes having some fun on "I'm An Urban Spaceman" – a changing society song that caught the mood of the times, propelling it to an unlikely No. 5 spot on the UK singles chart in November 1968 on Liberty Records.

Discs 2 and 3 give us genius stuff like John Mayall in Laurel Canyon territory on the yeah man "Fly Tomorrow" (Mick Taylor of the Stones guesting to such wonderful effect) – the soft acoustic beauty of John Martyn plucking on "Dusty" from his second album "The Tumbler" (December 1968) with Harold McNair accompanying on Flute - the surprising Mamas and Papas meets The Moody Blues musicality of Eclection's gorgeous "in Her Mind" and Dave Edmunds getting all guitar-wild on the classical "Sabre Dance" in his band Love Sculpture (their cover of the Gershwin standard "Summertime" is another surprise ballad moment – very early Fleetwood Mac actually).

Changes were everywhere - Roy Wood would leave The Move doing their pastoral clavinet ditty "Mist On A Monday Morning" to form Wizzard and lash into the full-on glam of "Ball Park Incident", the Quo would abandon the frilly shirts and Pop-Psych of "Paradise Flats" and go no-nonsense Rock Boogie in 1970 with "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" - while "My Sunday Feeling" from Tull's debut "This Was" is again a very clever choice - showing just how much styles were being mashed into each other to create new sounds and new angles. And as you touch on Van Der Graaf Generator, Caravan and even the normally rocking Ten Years After (their eight-minute-plus "No Title" is trippy 1968) – it's not a large musical leap to 1973 where Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells", Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon", Tull's "As Thick As A Brick" and the Yes double "Tales From Topographic Oceans" would actually take the chart top LP spots all in the same year. Five years earlier and 1968 was surely the beginning of all that...the revolution's starting point.

There's a knack to these releases and Esoteric seem to have it down pat these days. Great stuff and thoroughly recommended...

"Every Day I Have The Blues: The Sixties Anthology" by ALEXIS KORNER (November 2018 UK Grapefruit Records UK 3CD Clamshell Box Set - 2006/2007 Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Prayer Meeting..."

'The Alexis Korner Collection – The Godfather Of British Blues Remastered' series of digital reissues put out by Castle Music of the UK in 2006 and 2007 numbered nine expanded albums alone - roughly covering his first decade of music from 1962 to 1972. There was also one all-eras double-CD compilation called "Kornerstoned" in 2006 to round off that huge haul up to ten (I loved that set - the last song on Disc 2 here "Rosie (Alternate Version)" was an exclusive to that 2CD compilation). But all are now deleted and in many cases very expensive to acquire on the used market. There have also been wads of other CD reissues (before and since) touching on the same territory.

So with so many albums and off-cuts to his credit spread across too many disparate compilations  - how good is it to see this gorgeous 2018 Box Set from current day reissue kings Grapefruit Records of the UK finally gather together a huge chuck of his primo 60ts output and associations into one sweetly presented place and at a good price too (Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser from Free are here amongst other luminaries). And even if there isn't technically a wad of newbee Previously Unreleased material (which is a bit of a disappointment) – the jam-packed playing times of each remastered disc more than makes up for it. And I for one am digging the sheer scope of what's on offer too. First, a potted breakdown...

Across 66-Tracks, "Every Day I Have The Blues..." includes songs from the nine albums "R&B From The Marquee" (November 1962, 9 of 12 tracks), "Red Hot From Alex" (June 1964, 5 Tracks), "Rhythm & Blues" (October 1964, 1 Track), "At The Cavern" (October 1964, 6 Tracks), "Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated" (June 1965, 5 Tracks), "Sky High" (April 1966, 9 Tracks of 15), "A New Generation Of Blues" (July 1968, 8 Tracks of 11 in Stereo), "Both Sides" (May 1970, 6 Tracks from a Dutch LP) and "Bootleg Him!" – an August 1972 2LP compilation of 60ts and 70ts outtakes (9 Tracks). There is also a rare acoustic-guitar song from an early British EP with Davy Graham, single and flexi sides, CD compilation exclusives and much more. Here are the intricate details...

UK released 22 November 2018 - "Every Day I Have The Blues: The Sixties Anthology" by ALEXIS KORNER on Grapefruit Records CRSEGBOX048 (Barcode 5013929184800) is a 3CD Retrospective in a Clamshell Box with Mini LP Sleeves and Booklet. It plays out as follows:

Disc One "Night Time In The Right Time" (77:40 minutes):

1. 3/4 A.D. - ALEXIS KORNER with DAVY GRAHAM

2. She Fooled Me - BLUES INCORPORATED

3. Gotta Move

4. Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound

5. I Got My Brand On You

6. Keep Your Hands Off

7. I Wanna Put A Tiger In Your Tank

8. I Got My Mojo Working

9. Down Town

10. How Long, How Long Blues

11. I Thought I Heard That Train Whistle Blow

12. I'm Built For Comfort (Aka Everything She Needs)

13. Up-Town

14. Rockin'

15. Night Time Is The Right Time

16. See See Rider

17. Blue Mink

18. Rainy Tuesday

19. Yogi

20. Sappho

21. Preachin' The Blues

22. Taboo Man

23. Whoa Babe

24. Every Day I Have The Blues

25. Well All Right, O.K., You Win

Disc Two "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" (79:28 minutes):

1. Little Bitty Gal Blues

2. Hoochie Coochie Man

3. Kansas City

4. Woke Up This Morning

5. Stormy Monday

6. Cabbage Greens

7. Chicken Shack

8. Haitian Fight Song

9. I Need Your Loving

10. Please Please Please

11. Little Baby

12. Roberta (Single Version)

13. I Got A Woman

14. Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb On Me

15. Long Black Train

16. Rock Me

17. I'm So Glad

18. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

19. Oo-Wee Baby

20. River's Invitation

21. Money Honey

22. Louise

23. Floating

24. Rosie (Alternative Version)

Disc Three "What's That Sound I Hear" (79:35 minutes):

1. Yellow Dog Blues

2. The Love You Save

3. Corina, Corina

4. Mary Open The Door

5. Little Bitty Girl

6. Go Down Sunshine

7. The Same For You

8. I'm Tore Down

9. In The Evening

10. Somethin' You Got

11. What's That Sound I Hear

12. I Wonder Who? (Alternative Version)

13. Operator

14. Steal Away

15. Mighty Mighty (Spade And Whitey)

16. Funky

17. Wild Injun Woman

18. To Whom It May Concern

19. I See It

20. You Don't Miss Your Water

Each of the themed-CDs has a period photo - Blues Incorporated for Disc One with Cyril Davies and Dick Heckstall-Smith, Alexis alone in the recording studio on a chair for Disc Two and for Disc Three – Alexis with his trademark rounded hipster black glasses and an acoustic guitar at a gig microphone. The 22-page booklet features new liner notes from noted writer DAVID WELLS and has all the Ace of Clubs, Decca and Liberty album sleeves, loads of trade adverts from NME, Evening Standard, Melody Maker and Jazz News, those rare Blues Incorporated Parlophone singles, a flyer for a Champion Jack Dupree gig with Al Sykes and Alexis on the same December bill (six schillings at the door!) and even a picture of Herbie Goins during the recording of the "Red Hot From Alex" LP. It's very tastefully done.

There is no mastering credit so it’s got to be the Sanctuary/Castle Music remasters done in 2006 and 2007 and they reflect the recording standards of the time – a lot of the basically-recorded Mono on Disc 1 is good to ok, while Discs 2 and 3 get better and 3 in particularly (largely Stereo) sounds amazing (the late Sixties outtakes on the cool "Bootleg Him!" double are hair-raising).

It opens with a very cool and wonderfully recorded acoustic duet instrumental "3/4 A.D." recorded April 1961 and released March 1962 on the uber-rare British "Alexis Korner/Davy Graham EP" on Topic Records TOP 70 - a tune that's more John Renbourn Folk than Blues. It's followed by the first of the "Bootleg Him!" outtakes - a cover of Billy Boyd Arnold's "She Fooled Me" as done by Blues Incorporated. The lavishly presented 20-track "Bootleg Him!" double-album first appeared August 1972 in the UK on Mickie Most's RAK Records SRAKSP 51 and "She Fooled Me" is one of the earliest cuts on that trawl-haul, recorded January 1962. Even then Alexis's voice had that cool to it - and if you can forgive the terribly sexist lyrics, you can enjoy Cyril Davies warbling so effectively on the Harp.

"Gotta Move" is a good Korner original - a boogie instrumental from the groundbreaking November 1962 British LP "R&B At The Marquee" on Decca's budget label Ace Of Hearts ACL 1130 (credited to Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated). Better is the fantastically evocative vocals of the dapper Long John Baldry fronting a cover of Jimmy Witherspoon's "Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound" as Cyril lays into the Harmonica in between verses - another winner from the "Marquee" LP. Speaking of Cyril Davies, he finally steps up to the microphone on the Willie Dixon-penned Muddy Waters song "I've Got My Brand On You" and while he was never Baldry or Korner in terms of sheer expressiveness - I've always thought Cyril's vocals just as good as say John Mayall (he also fronts "I Wanna To Put A Tiger In Your Tank" and "Got My Mojo Working" on the same LP). Baldry returns two more times to great effect on "How Long, How Long Blues" (a Leroy Carr cover) and his own composition "I Thought I Heard That Train Whistle Blow" which nicks lyrics from the Carr song.

The audio takes a leap upwards for the five tunes featured from the June 1965 LP "Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated" originally on Ace Of Clubs ACL 1187. All are instrumentals – four Alexis originals and a cover of the Son House classic "Preachin’ The Blues". Top audio or not, I wish I could say I’ve always enjoyed them but they’ve always felt plodding to me – strangely dull. Better is the greasy and dirty live recording of "Whao Babe" from the October 1964 UK LP "At The Cavern" originally on Oriole PS 40058 – an AK original that at least has heart amidst a manic letting rip. Herbie Goins does lead vocals on the second and third "At The Cavern" inclusions – the set’s title tune "Every Day I Have The Blues" and "Well All Right, O.K., You Win" – Alexis announcing him as “...someone you can sing...” while Dave Castle plays a blinder on Saxophone behind a clearly inebriated band (Malcolm Saul on Organ).

Disc 2 offers three more "At The Cavern" instalments – a cracking groove for Big Joe Turner's "Little Bitty Gal Blues" – once again Dave Castle complimenting an Alexis' vocal with superb Saxophone fills. The other two are the Willie Dixon Chess Records classic "Hoochie Coochie Man" (made famous by Muddy Waters) and Lieber/Stoller's Wilbert Harrison rocker "Kansas City" sung by Herbie Goins. Upping the audio again - Goins adds some of that vocal class to five from the superb "Red Hot From Alex" set, a June 1964 UK LP on Transatlantic Records TRA 117. The band features Danny Thompson of Pentangle fame on Double Bass while Dave Castle gets to drag out the flute for a cool version of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" - a gorgeous groove. Dick Heckstall-Smith also returns for Saxophone on "Chicken Shack" along with fellow horn player Art Thelmen. But my faves on Disc 2 are two quiet Acoustic and Harmonica shuffles from the lesser-seen June 1966 UK LP "Sky High" on Spot JW 551 - a Johnny Temple cover of "Louise" and his own "Floating" - just Acoustic and naught else. Nice...

Disc 3 has the sensational "Steal Away" recorded September 1968 before Robert Plant had joined Page's motley crew as Led Zeppelin's front man. It's pure 'Zep I' territory, Plant wailing in that fantastic Bluesy voice while Korner answers in mumbles. It could even double as a debut outtake. Zeppelin famously included a nod to "Steal Away" by incorporating a snippet of it in "How Many More Times" - the song that ends Side 2 of their explosive January 1969 debut on Atlantic Records. Another forgotten gem is the "Both Sides" album from May 1970 issued in Germany on Metronome Records and in the Netherlands on Phillips 6413 008 (its this version they use). Andy Fraser of Free plays Bass on the album while the subtly distinctive vocals of Paul Rodgers can also be heard duetting with Korner on "To Whom It May Concern" - while Avant Garde artist Lol Coxhill lends his saxophone warbles to Korner's cover of Free's "Wild Indian Woman" (mysteriously respelled as "Wild Injun Woman"). Korner's love of Soul Music is very prominent on the "Both Sides" album too – he covers The Staples Singers "Soul Folk In Action" LP cut "I See It", William Bell's classic "You Don't Miss Your Water" (how I cry) and Curtis Mayfield's call for racial social justice in "Mighty Mighty (Spade And Whitey)" – Paul Rodgers of Free joining him on the backing vocals. Very tasty...

If ever an artist/catalyst deserved reverence and remembrance, then the part-Greek, part-Turk, part-Austrian and yet somehow all-English Alexis Korner is that guy. Along with Cyril Davies and John Mayall - Korner is often referred to as 'the Godfather of British Blues' and these three themed-CDs show why. A great reminder of a great artist (with a whole lotta help from others)...