"She's Killing Me/A New Day" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR - Albums Originally from 1979 and 1980 on Columbia Records (September 2014 UK SoulMusic Records CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Play Something Pretty..."

Stax Soul man JOHNNIE TAYLOR got a commercial second wind when he signed to Columbia Records in the USA – promptly charting three albums in a row - "Eargasm" in 1976 (a Number 1 USA R&B LP), "Rated Extraordinaire" in 1977 (No. 6) and "Ever Ready" in 1978 (No. 35). 

This gorgeous-sounding CD reissue/remaster by SoulMusic Records of the UK (part of Cherry Red) deals with the next two Columbia platters dating from 1979 and 1980 (charted 53 and 75) lumped together onto one CD with a massively expanded booklet. Here are the track-by-track details...

UK released September 2014 – "She's Killing Me/A New Day" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR on SoulMusic Records SMCR 25124 (Barcode 5013929082434) offers 2LPs originally from 1979 and 1980 Remastered onto 1CD and pans out as follows (74:46 minutes):

1. Little Dancin' Queen

2. Play Something Pretty

3. (Ooh-Wee) She's Killing Me

4. The Users

5. Love Account

6. Pulling The Train

7. I Can't Leave You Alone

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "She's Killing Me" – released October 1979 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36061

8. The Heart Break Kid

9. I'd Rather Hurt Myself

10. I've Got This Thing For Your Love

11. Signing Off With Love

12. Baby Lay Down

13. Sneakin' Sneakin'

14. I Wanna Get Into You

15. Sylvia

16. Baby Don't Hesitate

Tracks 8 to 16 are the album "A New Day" – released August 1980 in the USA on Columbia Records JC 36548

The 16-page booklet is far more substantial than I'd expected it to be – full album artwork – recording details – repros of the album labels and 45's around both records as well a superbly detailed set of liner notes by American Soul/Funk specialist MATT BRAUER. It looks great and shows a great attention to fan-pleasing details.

But the real fireworks lies in an ALAN WILSON remaster of two albums that were professionally produced. Ballads like "Play Something Pretty" and the conscience-prodding "Love Account" sound incredible – full of great vocals and instrumentation. Funkier Disco tunes like "Little Dancin' Queen" and the guitar flicking/brass pumping dancefloor filler “Pulling The Train” sound great – plenty of vim and vigour. 

 

By the time we get to album two – the same amazing Production values are brought to the talking funk of "The Heart Break Kid" and the smooch of "Signing Off With Love". We go slappy-bass with "Sneakin' Sneakin'" where some lady isn't quite being honest about her night time activities – ending on the John Shaft slinky "Baby Don't Hesitate".

Great remaster, some cool tunes and a substantial booklet – a quality presentation overall by SoulMusic Records of the UK. Fans should dive in – especially given the quality upgrade in the audio...

"Loving Explosion" by THE ELIMINATORS – Debut and Only Album from July 1974 on BRC Records [Brunswick Records Corporation] in the USA (June 1999 UK Soul Brother Records CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I Feel So Good Inside…"

Talk about a forgotten nugget that shouldn't be. Released in the USA in July 1974 on BRC Records (Brunswick Records Corporation) – THE ELIMINATORS lone album is amazingly accomplished Soul/Funk that sounds more 1969 to 1971 than 1974. 

Forgiving the awful atomic bomb artwork - "Loving Explosion" is kind of a cross between Chi-Lites Chicago Soul and Isley Brothers Brass-driven Funk with a gritty James Brown vocalist out front (Levon Meyers tearing it up) backed up at times by The Meters. If that isn't enough to get your 70ts juices a-flowin' - then you may want to check your pulse – because you could already be dead... 

This wonderful 1999 reissue on SOUL BROTHER RECORDS of the UK also sounds incredible – full of power, presence and warmth. The album was originally recorded with the Ultra-Range Sound Process – and as every Soul Fan whose every bought any Brunswick Records compilation on CD knows – their Production values were absolute top notch at all times.

1. Loving Explosion [Side 1]

2. Get Satisfied

3. Love Your Woman

4. Give It Up

5. Try, Try, Try

6. Blood Donors Needed (Give All You Can) [Side 2]

7. Taking Love, And Making Love

8. Get Satisfied (Pt. 2)

9. Loose Hips

10. Rump Bump

UK released June 1999 (reissued March 2003 and July 2009)  – "Love Explosion" by THE ELIMINATORS on Soul Brother Records CD SBCS 4 (Barcode 5013993570424) is a straightforward CD transfer of their lone album originally released July 1974 in the USA on BRC Records BRC 7-7001 (35:05 minutes). There's no liner notes of any real import – just a basic gatefold slip of paper that reproduces the band's declaration on the rear sleeve and naught else. For fans here are the details…

Produced by ALONZO TUCKER (Directed by Jonathan Robinson) – The Eliminators were:

Levon Meyers – Vocalist

Donald Clark – Vocal and Harmonica

Calvin Rhodes – Guitar

Robert Burris – Rhythm Guitar

James Anderson - Organ

James Funches – Alto Sax and Flute

Jonathan L. Robison – Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Godosakahi Jordan - Tenor

Nathaniel Williams – Bass

Clifford Little - Conga

Carl Johnson – Drums

It doesn't say who remastered what or where – and at times it feels like some of this may have been dubbed off vinyl but don't let that put you off – the sound quality is fantastic – full of those top Brunswick Production values.

Musically were in Young Holt Unlimited territory with the fabulous opener "Loving Explosion" – and immediately the throaty vocals of Levon Meyers impresses (there's no credit for the great female backing vocals). We slide into a Meters down-south-funkin' groove with "Get Satisfied" featuring superb speaker-to-speaker funky guitar while the high falsetto of Donald Clark makes itself known too. Things go blown James Brown & The JB's with "Give It Up" - fantastic rhythm and brass punches making it an irresistible dancer (BBR tried it as a single on BBR Records BRC 113 in 1974). Side 1 ends on a great smoocher "Try, Try, Try" again with Levon and the Girls giving in some heartbreak.

Side 2 opens with more Meters-influenced funk "Blood Donor Needed" – a plea to the ghetto people to offer up their blood to aid gunshot kids. The smoochy "Taking Love And Making Love" is Tyrone Davis meets The Chi-Lites – superbly arranged - the kind of Summer Song that sails out of a inner-city ghetto-blaster like a sweet breeze. Funk fans will love "Get Satisfied Part 2" – an instrumental of the A with a killer groove. But the album ends on two highs – "Loose Hips" and the "People Say" (by The Meters) groove of "Rump Bump" where the whole thing comes together – top rhythm section, brass breaks, organ and Levon giving it some Joe Tex vocals. Tremendous finisher.

Forgotten and obscure for sure – The Eliminators deserved a better fate than that. At least this wonderful Soul Brother CD (they also reissued a vinyl copy) remembers their Soul/Funk moment of glory in 1974 with sonic style. 

There was even a 180-Grams VINYL LP repressing of "Loving Explosion" by The Eliminators in March 2019 by Demon of the UK on Demon Records DEMREC362 (Barcode 5014797898707). This is a Soul/Funk album that deserves your readies - check it out soon…

"Blue Magic" by BLUE MAGIC – Debut Album from January 1974 on Atco Records (October 2007 UK Rhino 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue – Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Step Right Up...Hurry Hurry..."

Released in early 1974 on Atlantic's US label imprint Atco - Blue Magic's first album was dominated by the huge US Number 1 soft soul hit "Sideshow" (opening lyrics above). Produced by Norman Harris of Philadelphia International fame and with their songs pumped up by the MFSB Orchestra - BLUE MAGIC were Ted Mills (Vocals and Piano) with a foursome of Vocalists in Wendall and Vernon Sawyer, Keith Beaton and Richard Pratt.

As I recall - "Blue Magic" was the kind of mid-70ts Soul album that cluttered up secondhand stores everywhere – a record that was bought at the time for sure but it's fair to say – then dismissed as somewhat lightweight only a few years later. But that was then. And music lovers/collectors have across the decades that followed dug deeper into its lush Atco microgrooves and discovered nuggets overshadowed by the LP's mega hit. And that's where this sexy little Philly-Style CD Reissue comes a silver-suited shimmying in...

Part of Rhino's 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue Series (see list below) - this October 2007 US and UK reissue of "Blue Magic" by BLUE MAGIC on Rhino 8122-76428-2 (Barcode 081227642822) finally makes that self-titled debut album available on Remastered CD (and for the first time in the UK too). Here are the showy details (56:51 minutes)...

1. Sideshow [Side 1]

2. Loom Me Up

3. What’s Come Over Me

4. Just Don't Want To Be Lonely

5. Stop To Start [Side 2]

6. Welcome To The Club

7. Spell

8. Answer To My Prayer

9. Tear It Down

Tracks 1 to 9 are the LP "Blue Magic" released in the USA on Atlantic SD 7038 in January 1974

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Guess Who (Non-Album B-side to "Spell", the 1st 7" single off the album released March 1973 on Atco 6910)

11. Where Have You Been (Non-Album B-side to "Stop To Start", the 3rd single off the album released January 1974 on Atco 6949)

12. Look Me Up (Tom Moulton Remix) (issued on a 1976 Atlantic Records compilation called "Disco-Trek" on Atlantic SD 18185)

The album yielded four singles in the USA:

"Spell" b/w "Guess Who" on Atco 6910, March 1973

"Look Me Up" b/w "What's Come Over Me" on Atco 6930, September 1973

"Stop To Start" b/w "Where Have You Been" on Atco 6949, January 1974

"Sideshow" b/w "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" on Atco 6961, April 1974

BILL INGLOT - Rhino's long-time tape-expect did the remaster and a typically superb job has been delivered - very clear despite the often overbearingly lush string arrangements. There are very detailed liner notes by noted soul writer and contributor CHARLES WARING that include interviews with the band - and the CD even reflects the original yellow ATCO label and multi-coloured logo - all nice touches.

A cross between The Stylistics and The Chi-Lites "Blue Magic" were soft soul by way of Philly and not to everybody's taste (it has to be said). And while this might seem like the kind of music your sister would buy, both disco and soft soul have seen a resurgence of affection among soul lovers in the last few years - usually because if you dig deep enough second time round, there's great tunes in there somewhere.

This seems to have been the case with Blue Magic. Although they charted 3 singles prior, they were forever tied down to their huge "Sideshow" hit, which sort of sidelined better tracks on the album like the Ted Mills penned "Spell" (a pianist, songwriter and vocalist – Mills was defacto band leader) and the genuinely sweet seven minutes-plus of "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (written by the Gamble & Huff team of Bobby Eli, John Freeman and Vinny Barrett – it was Eli and Barrett who also penned the monster "Sideshow").

Disco fans will enjoy the bonus remix of "Look Me Up", while the two B-sides are excellent and rare. Another top job done by RHINO and a cleverly chosen title for reissue too...

PS: This release is part of Rhino's 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare Soul/Funk/R&B albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults.

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

3. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see REVIEW)

4. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

7. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (see REVIEW)

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Make It Good" (see REVIEW)

9. The Voices Of East Harlem [feat Donny Hathaway] -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)

"To The Limit" by JOAN ARMATRADING - Album from October 1978 on A&M Records (April 2016 UK Music On CD Reissue with a 1997 Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...In Your Loving Arms Again..."

Brummie lass Joan Armatrading (born in the West Indies but moved to the UK when she was 8) had been building a steady stream of classy British LP releases by the time she reached "To The Limit" in October 1978 - her sixth platter.

After her November 1972 debut "Whatever’s For Us" on Fly Records went largely unnoticed - her UK signing to A&M Records brought "Back To The Night" in April 1975 – an equally unsuccessful chart attempt but the first real indication of the monumental talent that would eventually unleash "Joan Armatrading" in August 1976 with the huge global hit "Love And Affection". That chart breakthrough was followed with the equally lovely "Show Some Emotion" album in September 1977 featuring the title track and "Willow".

I recall "To The Limit" at the time - the kind of album that bubbled under in 1978 rather than exploded. In fact since the tectonic impact of "Joan Armatrading" in late 1976 - it had seemed she was on a visible downward slide. "To The Limit" peaked at a respectable No. 13 in the UK - less than "Show Some Emotion" at No. 6 - but tellingly it stalled at No. 125 in the USA after it entered the charts there in November 1978. This feels like a shame to me because I've always thought "To The Limit" to be a wee bit of an overlooked gem in her long and impressive catalogue.

And that's where this 'Music On CD' reissue comes stomping in. As far as I recall the last remaster of the whole album was 2004 (quickly deleted) with some of the songs turning up on the 1996 "Love And Affection" 2CD anthology that had Roger Wake Remasters. The album has been notoriously difficult to find on CD at anything other than exorbitant prices – so this rather tasty looking reissue is a godsend for fans and the plain curious. And it sounds utterly fantastic too. Here are the unlimited details...

UK released April 2016 - "To The Limit" by JOAN ARMATRADING on Music On CD MOCCD13291 (Barcode 0600753605165) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the 10-track 1978 LP that plays out as follows (41:20 minutes):

1. Barefoot And Pregnant [Side 1]

2. Your Letter

3. Am I Blue For You

4. You Rope You Tie Me

5. Baby I

6. Bottom To The Top [Side 2]

7. Taking My Baby To Town

8. What Do You Want

9. Wishing

10. Let It Last

Tracks 1 to 10 are her sixth studio album "To The Limit" - released October 1978 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64732 and November 1978 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4732. Produced by GLYN JOHNS - it peaked at No. 13 in the UK and No. 123 in the USA.

JOAN ARMATRADING - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

PHIL PALMER - Lead Electric Guitar

RED YOUNG - Piano

DICK SIMMS - Organ & Accordion

QUITMAN DAVIS - Lyricon

DAVE MARKEE - Bass

HENRY SPINETTI - Drums 

The 'Music On CD' label is a bit of a strange one. They started out as I recall being 'Music On Vinyl' - the go-to reissue label for all of the Sony product on VINYL - quality 180-gram represses with remasters. But in 2014 the Europe-Pressed CD label began reissuing albums from a huge array of labels and now have over 220 titles in their canon (most are under the Universal umbrella of labels). All their releases come in those natty-looking rounded-corner 'super jewel cases' and for "To The Limit" you also get an 8-page booklet that essentially reproduces the inner sleeve of the 1978 LP - lyrics to the songs - a couple of photos and musician credits - but nothing else - no new liner notes nor any mention of mastering and from what. Credit or no - the audio on this CD is truly glorious - Glyn Johns' original production values shining through - "What Do You Want" sounding audiophile good and stupendously moving for it. 

While the compilations always go for the catchy jaunt of "Barefoot And Pregnant" and the hip Reggae rhythms of "Bottom To The Top" – the hidden album gems of "Baby I" and "What Do You Want" are fantastic songs – full of truth and yes – hurting – a relationship on the rocks – slipping away – even lost. Throw in the sexy acoustic guitar and strangulated synth soloing of "Am I Blue For You", the deceptive groove of "Wishing" and the "Love And Affection" acoustic vibe of "Let It Last" bolstered up with gorgeous accordion and piano notes that compliment rather than intrude as it builds towards a triumphant conclusion (let it last until we die) – and the whole record starts to feel like an overlooked nugget. "To The Limit" is not a masterpiece - but it is chock-full of great songs that still stand up and crucially still get to you.

She would go slightly pop with "Me Myself I" in May 1980 - an album that would storm up No. 5 in the UK and return her to the radio and real chart success Stateside (it peaked at No. 28 – her best showing their). But for many her trio of "Joan Armatrading", "Show Some Emotion" and "To The Limit" from 1976, 1977 and 1978 represent an artistic and emotional high that stings, swoons and ultimately elevates.

I'm off now to check out the first "Outlaws" album (originally 1975 on Arista) and "Blood, Sweat & Tears 3" (originally 1969 and 1970 on Columbia and CBS Records) - both of which have been recently reissued by Music On CD with Remasters.

In the meantime go back in time forty years to 1978 again and take this excellent Joan Armatrading album back 'in your loving arms again'...