"NYC 1961-1966" by JACKIE WILSON – Features 48 Brunswick Records Recordings from 1961 to 1966, 25 of Which Are Previously Unreleased and the Remainder Key Singles and Albums Tracks (March 2015 Ace Records UK 2CD Anthology – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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60ts Soul, R'n'B, Mod, Northern Soul, New Breed and More
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"...Soul Galore..."

Oh my giddy aunt - what a reissue! How many decades have we waited for this fabulous double slice of Mr. Excitement Soul? In fact this UK release feels like Rhino's monumental unearthing of Aretha Franklin's unissued Atlantic sides on the "Rare & Unreleased Recordings..." 2CD sensation in 2007.

"NYC 1961-1966" offers fans 48 Soulful tracks across 2CDS - 25 of which are Previously Unreleased (17 new songs and 8 Alternate Takes) from Jackie Wilson's hugely successful stay at Brunswick Records. There's one song (Track 15 on Disc 1) from a long-deleted 1987 American LP on Rhino while the remaining 22 cuts are much-needed remasters of rare single sides - many of which haven't been on CD in decades. And quite apart from the wad of unreleased goodies - the Audio Remasters by DUNCAN COWELL at Audio Archiving from original Brunswick tapes are simply sensational - gorgeous sound throughout - giving full reign to Wilson's operatic vocals and his troupe of ace musicians. There's a wad to get through here so let's get stuck into this treasure trove right away...

UK released Monday 30 March 2015 (April 2015 in the USA) - "NYC 1961-1966" by JACKIE WILSON is a 48-track 2CD set on Ace Records CDTOP2 1428 (Barcode 029667071024) and pans out as follows:

Disc 1 (69:03 minutes):

1. I Believe I'll Love On (November 1965 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55283, A)

2. Me, My Mother's Son (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 11), recorded 11 August 1965 in NYC)

3. 3 Days 1 Hour 30 Minutes (January 1966 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55289, A)

4. I've Gotta Get Back (Country Boy) (January 1966 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55289, B-side to "3 Days 1 Hour 30 Minutes")

5. All My Lovin' (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 7), recorded 3 December 1965, NYC)

6. Soul Galore (Previously Unreleased Take 8 (unedited) of Brunswick 55290 (A), recorded 3 December 1965, NYC)

7.  Think Twice by Jackie Wilson &LaVern Baker (Previously Unreleased Take 4 of Brunswick 55287 (A), recorded 11 August 1965, NYC)

8. Please Don't Hurt Me (I've Never Been In Love Before) by Jackie Wilson & LaVern Baker (January 1966 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55287, B-side of "Think Twice")

9. No Pity (In The Naked City) (June 1965 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55280, A)

10. I'm So Lonely (June 1965 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55280, B-side of "No Pity (In The Naked City)")

11. I Can't Stand Another Hurt (In My Heart) (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 4), recorded 8 April 1965, NYC)

12. Watch Out (November 1964 USA 7"single on Brunswick 55273, B-side of "She's All Right")

13. She's All Right (November 1964 USA 7"single on Brunswick 55273, A)

14. Soul Time (March 1965 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55277, B-side of "Danny Boy")

15. Silent One (Take 4 - Previously Unreleased Song that first appeared on the "Through The Years" Jackie Wilson LP in 1987 on Rhino RNLP 70230 (CD was 1992 on Rhino R2 70230)

16. Change Me (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 8), recorded 8 October 1964, NYC)

17. Haunted House (February 1964 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55260, B-side of "I'm Travelin' On")

18. I'm Travelin' On February 1964 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55260, A)

19. Expressions (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 7), recorded 26 March 1964, NYC)

20. Dream aka I Dreamed (What A Dream Last Night) (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 3), recorded 26 March 1964, NYC)

21. Big Boss Line (Previously Unreleased Take 7 of Brunswick 55266, B-side of "Shake! Shake! Shake!")

22. Twistin' & Shoutin' (Doing The Monkey) (Previously Unreleased False Start/Take 2 of a song on the 1964 Jackie Wilson LP "Somethin' Else!!" on Brunswick 754117)

23. Hole Me, Need Me (Previously Unreleased Song (Overdub Take 7), recorded 6 January 1964, NYC)

24. Start The Record Over (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 11), recorded 7 August 1963, NYC)

NOTES for Disc 1:

All Tracks STEREO except Track 10 - which is MONO

All Tracks credited to Jackie Wilson except Tracks 7 & 8 - which are Jackie Wilson and LaVern Baker

Previously Unreleased Songs (2015) - Tracks 2, 5, 11, 16, 19, 20, 23 and 24

Previously Unreleased Song (1987) - Track 15

Previously Unreleased Alternate Takes (2015) - Tracks 6, 7, 13, 21 and 22

USA 7" Singles - Tracks 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 18

Disc 2 (62:57 minutes):

1. The New Breed (September 1963 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55250, B-side of "Baby Get It")

2. Say I Do by Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins (July 1963 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55243, B-side of "Shake A Hand")

3. Shake A Hand by Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins (July 1963 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55243, A)

4. Don't Laugh At Me aka Don't Make Me Cry (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 8), recorded 7 August 1963, NYC)

5. Love (Is Where You Find It) (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 5), recorded 7 August 1963, NYC)

6. You Can't Have Your Cake And Eat It Too (Previously Unreleased Song (Take 5), recorded 28 February 1963, NYC)

7. Call Her Up (Previously Unreleased Alternate Take 7 of Brunswick 55263 (A))

8. What Good Am I Without You? (December 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55236, A)

9. Shake! Shake! Shake! (Previously Unreleased Alternate Take (no number) of Brunswick 55246 (A))

10. Baby Workout (Previously Unreleased Alternate False Start/Take 5 of Brunswick 55239 (A))

11. I Just Can't Help It (June 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55229, A)

12. My Tale Of Woe (June 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55229, B-side of "I Just Can't Help It")

13. Baby, That's All (August 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55233, A)

14. I Hurt So Bad (Somebody Help Me) (Previously Unreleased Song, recorded 7 August 1962, NYC)

15. Tears (Don't Care Who Cry Them) (Previously Unreleased Song, recorded 7 August 1962)

16. Sing (And Tell The Blues So Long) (Previously Unreleased Song, recorded 25 January 1962, NYC)

17. I Found Love by Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins (March 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55224, A)

18. There's Nothing Like Love by Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins (March 1962 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55224, B-side of "I Found Love")

19. The Dancing Man (Previously Unreleased Song, recorded 25 January 1962, NYC)

20. You Don't Know What It Means (August 1961 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55219, B-side of "Years From Now")

21. Years From Now (August 1961 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55219, A)

22. The Test Of Time (Previously Unreleased Song, recorded 22 May 1961, NYC)

23. Lonely Life (June 1961 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55216, B-side of "I'm Comin' On Back To You")

24. I'm Comin' On Back To You (June 1961 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55216, A)

Notes for Disc 2:

All tracks are STEREO except Tracks 9, 10, 11 and 12 - which are MONO

All tracks credited to Jackie Wilson except Tracks 3 & 4 and 17 & 18 - which are Jackie Wilson and Linda Hopkins

Previously Unreleased Songs (2015) - Tracks 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 19 and 22

Previously Unreleased Alternate Takes (2015) - Tracks 7, 9 and 10

USA 7" Singles - Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23 and 24

The 24-page booklet is jam-packed with pages of Brunswick label repro's, Cashbox Trade Adverts and Reviews and Session-by-Session liner notes by noted authority ROB HUGHES (with contributions from Roger Armstrong and Bob Dunham). It has to be said because the liner notes are laid out in session order - the read can be awkward. If you want to find Track 1 on Disc 1 it's on Page 20 because it's from August 1965 - while Track 23 on Disc 2 from May 1961 is on Page 6. I can understand why it's pitched this way - it makes Discography sense. Each entry is incredibly detailed even stating 2/20 or 1/22 before each line so that you know exactly which track is where (Disc 2 Track 20 or Disc 1 Track 22 and so on). The pictures and adverts are gorgeous to look at (a full-page print for "What Good Am I Without You?" on Brunswick 55236 as the inside back inlay for instance). There are classy black and whites of Jackie in the Studio with Dick Jacobs and Nat Tarnopol dotted throughout the text (and back page). It's typical Ace Records quality all the way...

I've already mentioned the superlative Audio - which I think is shockingly good. The odd track like "Watch Out" starts out with thrilling studio chatter but 95% of the rest are straightforward start and finish songs with little messing about in-between. When you play track 1 on Disc 1 Eddie Singleton's "I Believe I'll Love On" - a 1965 single in full-on STEREO - the Audio is glorious - it stays that way pretty much throughout.

"Me, My Mother's Son" (track 2 on Disc 2) begins the run of Previously Unreleased material and its very good - a dancer that pushes the guitar to the right and the brass to the left. "3 Days 1 Hour 30 Minutes" is very Wilson Pickett in its frantic funk but actually better is the slower talker-tune on the flipside - "I've Gotta Get Back (Country Boy)". Northern Soul clubbers will chew up the stepper "All My Lovin'" - the first genuinely great unreleased track. You can hear why Take 8 of "Soul Galore" was left in the can (the vocals at the start don't quite work) - but that doesn't stop the tune from being a barnstormer - great groover. Again another B-side outdoes the A for me with "Please Don't Hurt Me (I've Never Been In Love Before)" where the powerhouse duo of Jackie Wilson and LaVern Baker go head-to-head in a slow "beggin' you please" vocal battle.

I've had the June 1965 single "No Pity (In The Naked City)" on at least 3 compilations before but never heard it sound this good or clear (absolute stunner - and nice to hear its rare B-side "I'm So Lonely" follow it). We're hit with another gorgeous sounding Previously Unreleased track - "I Can't Stand Another Hurt (In My Heart)" - it's a hurting ballad and his vocal is superb (even if the organ dominates the tune a little too much). 7" single genius crops up with "Watch Out" (the flip of 1964's "She's All Right") - what a choppy winner with very cleverly layered vocals from other bass singers in the group (Ray Gordy Orchestra). Unfortunately the fabulous studio chatter ("take it down just a hair") that should precede the song has been added onto to the end of the track before it "I Can't Stand Another Hurt..." I can understand why Ace did this - it allows you to cue up the single "Watch Out" without intrusive stuff at the beginning (worth pointing out).

Another thumping dancer B-side turns up with "Soul Time" (flip of 1965's cover of the Irish air "Danny Boy"). "Silent One" is lovely stuff - it originally appeared on the American Rhino LP "Through The Years" in 1987 (reissued on Rhino CD in 1992) and to my knowledge hasn't been available since. It's a winner and beautifully produced too. But then we're hit with what I think is the prize on Disc 1 - a pleader ballad - the unreleased "Change Me" recorded in October 1964 in Stereo. It's Soul melodrama in all the best ways. "Haunted House" is a gorgeous B-side - full of atmosphere and Sixties Soul. Of the remainder the hand-clapping foot-stomping "Big Boss Line" is another winner - presented here as an Alternate Take for this infectious B-side.

Disc 2 opens with "The New Breed" where Jackie tells us the kids of America have found their groove with Soul Music (too damn right). I've had the "Shake A Hand" duet with Linda Hopkins before but I've never had its storming B-side "Say I Do" where the big-throated pair roar into the microphones like they're trying to outdo each other. It's followed by three unreleased - the ballad "Don't Laugh At Me", a salsa tune called "Love (Is Where You Find It)" and a mid-tempo number entitled "You Can't Have Your Cake And Eat It Too" - they're good rather than being great. Better is the Alternate Take of "Call Her Up" where his vocals are typically enthusiastic.

Having had so much Stereo - the cluster of Mono cuts in the middle of Disc 2 come as something of a shock - not that the False Start and Take 5 of "Baby Workout" isn't brilliant (it is). We go all Vocal Group on fab little bopper "I Just Can't Help It" (the uncredited backing group may be the Hollywood Flames with Donald Height) and I've never heard its rare B-side "Tale Of Woe" before anywhere else. Of the next three unreleased I like "Sing (And Tell The Blues So Long)" the best and the audio on the single "Years From Now" b/w "You Don't Know What It Means" is truly fantastic. It ends on the chipper "I'm Comin' On Back To You" sounding like it was minted yesterday.

Not everything on these 2CDs is unmitigated genius - but man the good stuff far outweighs the bad by a mile. A superlative release from the mighty Ace Records of the UK and surely one of 'the' Soul Reissues of 2015...

"Looking For You: The Complete United Artist & Veep Singles" by GARNET MIMMS [and The Enchanters] – A&B-sides of Fourteen US Singles from 1963 through to 1967 and more (March 2015 Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Nearly 195 Others Is Available in my

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"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Jazz Dancers, Rare Grooves

Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more...

 

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"...Precious Love..."

Now here's something well tasty for lovers of classic American Sixties Soul – the A&B-sides of fourteen Garnet Mimms singles gathered together in one place for the first time. 

Everything about this CD release smacks of quality – gorgeous audio – equally sweet presentation coupled with the real deal - classy, moving and uplifting music. For me "Looking For You" is already a contender for SOUL REISSUE OF THE YEAR 2015. Here are the details to make you "Cry Baby"...

UK released 30 March 2015 – "Looking For You: The Complete United Artists and Veep Singles" by GARNET MIMMS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDTOP 423 (Barcode 029667242325) will allow fans to sequence his singles as follows (77:01 minutes):

US and UK SINGLES – [7] = track number

1. Cry Baby [1] b/w Don't Change Your Heart [2]

October 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 629

October 1963 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1033

2. Baby Don't You Weep [3] b/w For Your Precious Love [4]

November 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 658

December 1963 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1038

3. Tell Me Baby [5] b/w Anytime You Want Me [6]

February 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 694

April 1964 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1048

4. A Quiet Place [7] b/w One Girl [8]

May 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 715

5. Look Away [9] b/w One Woman Man [10]

October 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 773

6. A Little Bit Of Soap [11] b/w I'll Make It Up To You [12]

1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 796

7. It Was Easier To Hurt Her [13] b/w So Close [14]

1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 848

May 1965 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1090

8. Welcome Home [15] b/w Everytime [16]

1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 868 – WITHDRAWN

9. Everytime [16] b/w That Goes To Show You [17]

1965 USA 7” single on United Artists UA 887

10. Looking For You [18] b/w More Than A Miracle [19]

1965 USA 7” single on United Artists UA 951

11. I'll Take Good Care Of You [20] b/w Prove It To Me [21]

March 1966 USA 7” single on United Artists UA 995

March 1966 UK 7” single on United Artists UP 1130 with “Looking For You” as the B-side

12. It's Been Such A Long Way Home [22] b/w Thinkin' [23]

June 1966 USA 7" single on Veep V 1232

August 1966 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1147

13. My Baby [24] b/w Keep On Smilin’ [25]

September 1966 USA 7” single on Veep V 1234

September 1966 UK 7” single on United Artists UP 1153 with “It Won’t Hurt (Half As Much) as the B-side (not on this compilation)

14. All About Love [26] b/w The Truth Hurts [27]

February 1967 USA 7" single on Veep V 1252

February 1967 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1172

Notes:

Tracks 1 to 4, 7 and 8 credited to GARNET MIMMS & THE ENCHANTERS

All other tracks credited to GARNET MIMMS

All tracks are in STEREO except 22 and 26 – which are MONO

Track 28 is from the USA Stereo LP "As Long As I Have You" on United Artists UAS 6396 and the A-side of a rare French 45 from 1964 on United Artists 35012

There is a British 45 of "As Long As I Have You" released July 1967 on United Artists UP 1186 coupled with a cover of The Beatles' "Yesterday" as its B-side – but both cuts are Live Versions from the 1967 UK-only LP "Live" on United Artists ULP 1174 (Mono) and SULP 1174 (Stereo) and not the Studio Version.

The 16-page booklet is the usual visual gourmet of American and British 45’s repro’d on almost every page – complimented by in-studio snaps of the great Songwriter and Producer Jerry Ragovoy working with Garnet and the Enchanters. There are rare American Picture Sleeves – Billboard Trade Adverts and Reviews – even a colour photo of Garnet looking pensive in Central London in 1971 (wondering where all those Northern Soul royalties went). Speaking of the UK and the affection Mimms is held in here - despite any Top 50 chart action – the British side of United Artists believed in Mimms so much that they released a staggering 10 singles between October 1963 and July 1967 (with a further 3 on Verve up to 1968) and three full albums into the bargain (see Discography attached to this review in the comment section). Relistening to them now – it seems cruel that none took to the charts.

Long-standing go-to Soul Man TONY ROUNCE provides the affectionate and informative liner notes – quite right stating that Garnet is a long overdue contender for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The remasters carried out by expert Engineer DUNCAN COWELL are exceptionally good. With all but two tracks in glorious STEREO – the punch off these beautiful slices of Soul is full on – tingly indeed.

It opens with the game-changer "Cry Baby" which virtually introduced torch-song Soul with its huge production values and melodrama pleading – Mimms sounding like an equal to Jackie Wilson (a compliment most Soul singers would take any day of the week). Despite the strength of his second heartbroken release "Baby Don’t You Weep" (another Jerry Ragovoy penned pleader) – US DJs took to the Jerry Butler cover version of "For Your Precious Love" on the B-side which made it chart at 9 on the American R&B charts in November 1963 with the A reaching only 11. And it's easy to hear why – it's just beautiful – and presented here in glorious Stereo, packs an emotional wallop that transcends the 50 years plus since it was released.

Things go into a dancer shuffle with the clapping hands of "Tell Me Baby" - but again it’s the torch song B-side "Anytime You Want Me" that impresses more – his vocals soaring like Jackie on a roll. Things go shuffling Sam Cooke with Johnny Dollar trying to get away from the man next store with a radio in "A Quiet Place". Songwriting heroes Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy provide the walking-down-the street ache in both "One Girl" and "Look Away". His cover of The Jarmels "A Little Bit Of Soap" feels too poppy by far - but Production values soar on the chipper "Everytime" with a melody and hook that’s not a million miles away from "It's Alright" by The Impressions.

His pairing of the Northern Soul dancer "Looking For You" with the beautifully delivered ballad "More Than A Miracle" are seen by Soul collectors and connoisseurs as the pinnacle of his masterful art (both sides penned by Ragovoy with Doc Pomus sharing a credit on the B-side). Beauty and double-sided genius crop up yet again on "I’ll Take Good Care Of You" b/w "Prove It To Me". While "I’ll Take Good Care Of You" is undeniably hissy in places – it has so much emotion going on - that you’re swept away in the passion of it all. Countering the smooch of the A-side - cool groove of the month goes to its flip-side "Prove It To Me" – a really wicked mover. Janis Joplin covered both "Cry Baby" and "My Baby" on her magnificent “Pearl” album in 1971 – tapping into Garnet’s impassioned delivery for both cuts. And on it goes through to "As Long As I Have You" – a fantastic floor-filling stepper including here as a sort of CD bonus because it turned up (not in his native America) but in France on an uber-rare United Artists 45 that now commands big bucks.

So there you have it – class from start to finish. Ace Records of the UK have reissued some corkers in their time with the Kent-Soul imprint – but "Looking For You: The Complete United Artists & Veep Singles" by Garnet Mimms will surely be up there for years to come.

Well done to everyone involved for treating the man and his music with the respect and affection they both deserve... 

ACTUAL TRACK LIST

 

1. Cry Baby (August 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 629, A)

2. Don't Change Your Heart (August 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 629, B-side to "Cry Baby")

3. Baby Don’t You Weep (November 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 658, A)

4. For Your Precious Love (November 1963 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 658, B-side to "Baby Don't You Weep")

5. Tell Me Baby (February 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 694, A)

6. Anytime You Want Me (February 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 694, B-side of "Tell Me Baby")

7. A Quiet Place (May 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 715, A)

8. One Girl (May 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 715, B-side to "A Quiet Place")

9. Look Away (October 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 773, A)

10. One Woman Man (October 1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 773, B-side to "Look Away")

11. A Little Bit Of Soap (1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 796, A)

12. I'll Make It Up To You (1964 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 796, B-side of "A Little Bit Of Soap")

13. It Was Easier To Hurt Her (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 848, A)

14. So Close (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 848, B-side to "It Was Easier To Hurt Her")

15. Welcome Home (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 868, A -WITHDRAWN)

16. Everytime (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 868, B –WITHDRAWN – eventually issued as the A of UA 887)

17. That Goes To Show You (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 887, B-side of "Everytime")

18. Looking For You (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 951, A)

19. More Than A Miracle (1965 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 951, B-side of "Looking For You")

20. I'll Take Good Care Of You (March 1966 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 995, A)

21. Prove It To Me (March 1966 USA 7" single on United Artists UA 995, B-side to "I'll Take Good Care Of You")

22. It's Been Such A Long Way Home (June 1966 USA 7” single on Veep V 1232, A)

23. Thinkin' (June 1966 USA 7" single on Veep V 1232, B-side to "It's Been Such A Long Way Home")

24. My Baby (September 1966 USA 7" single on Veep V 1234, A)

25. Keep On Smilin' (September 1966 USA 7" single on Veep V 1234, B-side of "My Baby")

26. All About Love (February 1967 USA 7" single on Veep V 1252, A)

27. The Truth Hurts (February 1967 USA 7" single on Veep V 1252, B-side of "All About Love")

28. As Long As I Have You (from the 1964 USA Stereo LP "As Long I Have You" on United Artists UAS 6396 and French-Only 1964 7" single on United Artists 35012, A)

"Gears/Forever Taurus" by JOHNNY HAMMOND – Albums from 1975 and 1976 on Milestone Records featuring Larry and Fonce Mizell, Chuck Rainey, Wade and Ralph Marcus with Harvey Mason and Sonny Burke (October 1992 Ace/Beat Goes Public Reissue – 2LPs onto 1CD - Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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HIGHER GROUND

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION 
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

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"…Shifting Gears…"

When Soul morphed into Funk - which the old-world Jazz musicians then blended into Jazz Fusion - the berets of Jazz purists fell to the floor in disgust and dismay - but the heart rates of Dancers around the globe got with the groove and shouted "Hallelujah!" I was one of those giddy groovers...

I've never been a Jazz purist myself (can't stand that crap) but between 1973 and 1975 particularly - Rock/Soul guys like me were looking for something new and Jazz Fusion/Funk caught our attention. Quality musicians that stretched back as far as the late Fifties like trumpeter Donald Byrd, multi-instrumentalist Herbie Hancock and keyboardist Johnny Hammond (Smith) embraced the Funk and threw out absolutely fabulous albums on labels like CTI, BSF, Kudo, Blue Note and Milestone.

Hammond's legendary "Gears" album from 1975 (with superb Larry and Fonce Mizell songs and Production) and it's 1976 follow-up "Forever Taurus" (with heavy Wade and Ralph Marcus involvement) are from that ilk - and they've been cherished Jazz-Funk-Fusion LPs for collectors since their release on Milestone Records in the USA four decades ago. And that's where this amazing twofer/value for money BGP CD comes in.

Here are the Cosmic Voyager details...

UK released October 1992 – "Gears/Forever Taurus" by JOHNNY HAMMOND on Ace/Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 037 (Barcode 029667273725) offers 2LPs from 1975 and 1976 originally on Milestone Records Remastered onto 1CD (in 1992) that pans out as follows (74:22 minutes):

1. Tell Me What To Do [Side 1]

2. Los Conquistadores Chocolates

3. Lost On 23rd Street

4. Fantasy [Side 2]

5. Shifting Gears

6. Can't We Smile

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "Gears" - released November 1975 in the USA on Milestone M-9062

7. Old Devil Moon [Side 1]

8.  Countdown

9. Walk In Sunshine

10. Ghetto Samba

11. Cosmic Voyager [Side 2]

12. My Ship

13. Winds Of Change

14. Forever Taurus

Tracks 7 to 14 are the album "Forever Taurus" - released 1976 in the USA on Milestone M-9068

"Tell Me What To Do" has been featured on more Jazz Fusion/Rare Groove compilations than you can shake a stick at - and hardly surprising - what a winner. Its vocal set-up reminds me of Donald Byrd's masterpiece "Places And Spaces (also from late 1975) - another Mizell Brothers involvement. These guys seemed to funkify everyone and everything they touched - modernising their sound and that's what you get with "Gears". The wind and Spanish jabbering that begins "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" soon succumbs to frantic drums, flute and bass - but when it hits about 2 minutes in - the strings and vibes begin and the result is very special indeed. Side One ends with the mellow "Lost On 23rd Street" - with those strange synth flourishes behind that Stevie Wonder clavinet beat.

Side 2 opens with probably everyone's fave - the funky "Fantasy" (co-written by Hammond and the Mizell Brothers). Gorgeous guitar flicks mingle with strings and again those groove vocals while Chuck Rainey on Bass and Harvey Mason on Drums - punch out that that amazing rhythm section. Slap bass opens "Shifting Gears" - soon joined by wah-wah guitar and hip flute flourishes - it's always been my poison on the album (can't resist that funky groove). It ends on the mellow "Can't We Smile" where initial Crusaders-like piano morphs into spacey keyboard warbles and Jean Luc-Ponty type violin soloing.

"Forever Taurus" moved away from the Mizell brothers to the combo of Wade and Ralph Marcus along with a raft of hugely accomplished sessionmen like Trumpeter Chuck Findley, Saxophonist Jack Nimitz and Keyboard whizz Sonny Burke. Wade Marcus provided tunes in the shape of "Countdown", "Ghetto Samba" and "Winds Of Change" while Hammond stumped up "Walk In Sunshine", "Cosmic Voyager" and "Forever Taurus". Hammond's keyboard-funky covers of the standard "Old Devil Moon" and Gershwin's "My Ship" rounded out proceedings very nicely indeed.

A pair of vinyl sweeties - and its testament to their enduring appeal that even after 28 years in the marketplace (2020) - this British-issued Ace/Beat Goes Public twofer CD stills sells for full price and more...

"Taylored In Silk" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR – US Album from June 1973 on Stax Records (July 1975 in the UK) Plus Bonus Tracks (May 2011 UK Concord Music Group Inc/Universal/Stax 'Stax Remasters' Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Six Bonus Tracks - Joe Tarantino Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 340 Others Is Available In My

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

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"…I've Got Someone I Can Call My Very Own…"

Now here comes a Stax-Soulful goody – released Stateside first (delayed all the way until 1975 in the UK) – the original American vinyl LP hit the US R&B charts in early July 1973 and quickly proved a winner, eventually settling at No. 3 on the LP charts (back in the days when albums shifted genuinely huge numbers). 

It was held in affection then and remains so to this day. Hardly surprising then that the Taylor in Silk was due a digital dust off and the new custodians of the Stax Records legacy (Concord Music Group of the USA) have done a nice job on this CD reminding us of its lurve charms (the 8-track album is augmented with a generous Six Bonus Tracks - the A&B-sides of three stand-alone US Stax 45s). Here are the velveteen details...

Released Monday 16 May 2011 in the UK - "Taylored In Silk" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR on Concord Music Group, Inc/Stax 0888072328754 (Barcode 0888072328754) is part of the 2011/2012 'Stax Remasters' Series and breaks down as follows (55:58 minutes):

1. We're Getting Careless With Our Love [Side 1]

2. Starting All Over Again

3. Cheaper To Keep Her

4. Talk To Me

5. I Believe In You (You Believe In Me) [Side 2]

6. One Thing Wrong With My Baby

7. I Can Read Between The Lines

8. This Bitter Earth

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Taylored In Silk" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR – released June 1973 in the USA on Stax Records STS-3014 and July 1975 in the UK on Stax Records STX 1012

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Hijackin' Love

10. Love In The Streets (Ain't Good As The Love At Home) – Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of an August 1971 US 45 on Stax STA-0096 (no UK issue)

11. Standing In For Jody

12. Shackin' Up – Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of a January 1972 US 45 on Stax STA-0114 and May 1972 UK on Stax 2025 083

13. Doing My Own Thing (Part 1)

14. Doing My Own Thing (Part 2) – Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of an April 1972  US 45 on Stax STA-0122 (no UK issue)

The new 12-page booklet has very knowledgeable and affectionate liner notes by BILL DAHL who did the exceptional liner notes on Bear Family’s 1961-1970 "Sweet Soul Music" CDs (10 volumes) and their 1945-1960 "Blowing The Fuse" series on R'n'B music (16 volumes). I’ve reviewed nearly all of them. You also get the original artwork on the front and rear of the booklet, musician and session details etc. But it's a shame the booklet doesn’t go any further. There’s no new photos, no memorabilia - and it makes the inlay feel workmanlike at best – even a little dull – when it should have spread its wings a little. But the big news is the SOUND…

I've reviewed the other titles in this new 'Stax Remasters' Series (see list below) and duly raved about the fabulous sound quality on all – especially after years of lacklustre reissues in jewel cases and repro digipaks. Well this is the same. 24-bit remastered from the first generation tapes at JOE TARANTINO Mastering in Berkeley, California – the audio quality is fantastic – which of course makes you reassess every song – and here it gives incredible clarity to these hugely underrated slices of Seventies Soul.

The whole album is good and very much in a smoochy mode – songs about lovin' and cheatin' and not getting' caught cheatin' etc. "I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)" made the top spot on the US R'n'B charts in June 1973 (lyrics above) while the lovely cover of Prince Phillip Mitchell's "Starting All Over Again" is superlative Stax Soul.  The witty lyrics of Mack Rice' "Cheaper To Keep Her" still bring a smile to a face and a tap to a foot - while the sound quality on the mid-tempo "I Can Read Between The Lines" is gorgeous.

And the funkier singles are a huge treat – off-setting the slightly loverman feel of the album. "Hijackin' Love" made Number 10 on the US R'n'B charts – and with its fantastically punchy funk rhythm – it's easy to hear why. The "…using me for a spare…" choppy Soul of "Standing In For Jody" is great - as is the JB funk of its wicked B-side "Shackin' Up" (another song about another woman's husband). The guitar opening of "Doing My Own Thing" makes you think you’ve stumbled on a John Lee Hooker Blues session, but it then settles into a great Soulful groove which brings the guitar back later. "Part 2" feels like a great James Brown B-side you’re glad you’ve rediscovered. Very, very good indeed…

To sum up – this is as superlative value-for-money reissue with top-notch Seventies Soul and sound quality that trumps everything that’s gone before…

STAX REMASTERS Series to 2014 are (all reviewed):

1. Green Onions – BOOKER T & THE M.G.'s (1962)

2. McLemore Avenue - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'s (1970)

3. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (1975)

4. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - THE DRAMATICS (1972)

5. Born Under A Bad Sign - ALBERT KING (1967)

6. I'll Play The Blues For You – ALBERT KING (1971)

7. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself - THE STAPLE SINGERS (1972)

8. Taylored In Silk - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1973)

9. Do The Funky Chicken - RUFUS THOMAS (1970)