"Gettin' Funkier All The Time: The Complete Josie/Reprise & Warner Recordings 1969-1977" by THE METERS – Including Eight Albums, Album Outtakes, Single Edits, Stand-Alone Singles and Rarities – Band featuring Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter and Joseph Modeliste with guests Allen Toussaint and Lowell George (January 2020 UK SoulMusic 6CD 116-Track Clamshell Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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"...Fire On The Bayou..."

What a balls-to-the-wall winner this is. And past the obvious, let me explain why...

Like their 'Doctor Bird' label imprint that has been reissuing stunning Reggae, Ska and Dub CDs for years now (often doubles with large wads on unreleased and first time on digital stuff) - 'SoulMusic Records' is another imprint of 'Cherry Red UK' - and it does what it says on the tin, deals with Soul and R&B Music (vintage stuff mostly). 

So being a collector and sometime nutter for all things 60ts and 70ts - I've nabbed their exemplary Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Dells, Staples Singers and Mother's Finest sets and duly raved unto the joy fantastic about them (see separate reviews). But this reissue is the big league, because for SoulMusic to collate together the entirety of The Meters New Orleans Soul and Bayou Funk output is a very big feather indeed - and in an increasingly huge hat. It's obvious from their thank-you list on the back-page of a pleasingly chockers-booklet, that they are proud of their funky little beast - and damn rightly. So what's shakin' a cissy strut tail feather within...

Across six CDs packing a huge 116-tracks - you get eight full albums in Stereo from their tenure at Josie, Reprise and Warner Brothers Records between 1969 and 1977 - all of it housed inside a glossy mini clamshell box set accompanied by a jam-packed 40-page booklet and dual-sided mini LP card sleeves (matt). As if that's not enough, four of the albums are the Rhino 'Expanded Edition' versions remastered by Giovanni Scatola in 2001 that came with loads of tasty extras, and the last disc here even tags on 4 single edits plus a rare 12" Disco Mix that is first time on CD anywhere in the World. It’s all here. To the truncated details...

UK released Friday, 24 January 2020 - "Gettin' Funkier All The Time: The Complete Josie/Reprise & Warner Recordings 1969-1977" by THE METERS on SoulMusic Records QSMCR-5190BX (Barcode 5013929089006) is a 116-Track, 6CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters with Six Themed Card Sleeves and a 40-Page Booklet that plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 "Here Comes The Meter Man" (26 Tracks, 75:11 minutes): 

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "The Meters" – released May 1969 in the USA on Josie Records JOS 4010 in Stereo 

Tracks 13 and 14 were first issued as Bonus Outtakes on the 2001 Expanded Edition CD of "The Meters" on Rhino 

Tracks 15 to 26 are their second studio album "Look-Ka Py Py" – released December 1969 in the USA on Josie JOS 4011 in Stereo

Disc 2 "A Message From The Meters" (24 Tracks, 66:35 minutes):

Tracks 1 and 2 and 5 to 14 are their third studio album "Struttin'" – released June 1970 in the USA on Josie JOS 4012 in Stereo

Tracks 3 and 4 are "Grass" and "Borro" – Bonus Outtakes on the 2001 Rhino Expanded Edition CD reissue of "Look-Ka Py Py"

Tracks 15 and 16 "Funky Meters Soul" and "Meter Strut" – Bonus Outtakes on the 2001 Rhino Expanded Edition CD reissue of "Struttin'"

Tracks 17 to 24 are Non-Album A&B-sides of Josie Records 45-singles

Disc 3 "Just Kissed My Baby" (18 Tracks, 71:25 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Cabbage Alley" - released June 1972 in the USA on Reprise Records MS 2076 and in the UK on Reprise K 44242

Tracks 11 and 12 are a Non-Album A&B-side of a 45 single for "Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push And Shove)"

Tracks 13 to 18 are Side 1 of the album "Rejuvenation" - released October 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2200 and October 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54027

Disc 4 "Mardi Gras Mambo" (18 Tracks, 75:47 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 3 are Side 2 of the album "Rejuvenation" - released October 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2200 and October 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54027

Tracks 4 to 14 are the album "Fire On The Bayou" - released August 1975 in the USA on Reprise MS 2228 and August 1975 in the UK on Reprise K 54044

Tracks 15 to 18 first issued 2001 as Album Outtake Bonus Tracks on the Rhino 2CD Expanded Edition Reissue of "Fire On The Bayou"

Disc 5 "Mister Moon" (16 Tracks, 63:36 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Trick Bag" - released September 1976 in the USA on Reprise MS 2252 and September 1976 in the UK on Reprise K 54078. Note: the final tenth song on Side 2 of the original 1976 LP was a medley of two songs "Hang 'Em High/Honky Tonk Woman". However, the 2001 Rhino Remastered Reissue split them into two separate tracks, so that’s what’s been used here

Tracks 12 to 16 first issued 2001 as Album Outtake Bonus Tracks on the Rhino 2CD Expanded Edition Reissue of "Trick Bag"

Disc 6 "Be My Lady" (14 Tracks, 65:44 minutes): 

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "New Directions" - released June 1977 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 3042 (No UK release)

Track 9 is a Bonus Track Outtake that first appeared on the 2001 CD Remaster of the "New Directions" album

Tracks 10 to 14 are Various Single Edits - Track 13 is the Disco Mix of "Disco Is The Thing Today". At 6:27 minutes, it was issued June 1976 as a Promotional-Only 12" Single in the USA on Warner Brothers PRO 636 and is exclusive to this CD reissue

Long-standing Audio Engineer for Ace and Kent Soul reissues - NICK ROBBINS has done the superb mastering and CHARLES WARING of Mojo and Record Collector contributing fame pours on the factoids and photos in the booklet. The attention to minutiae is everywhere - the card sleeves show you both front and rear cover of the LPs AND the labels - there are repros of promo 45s and black and white publicity snaps - unused artwork and proof sheets for photos shoots - and the whole thing id dedicated to Art Neville who passed in July 2019. Here is a simplified breakdown...

All five of the Reprise and Warners LP have been available since 2014 as part of WEA's Original Album Series for about ten to twelve quid - so the prize here is the first three records, those 2001 bonus cuts only hitherto available on long-deleted CDs and that exclusive twelve-inch. There is also tasty presentation and new mastering. 

Fronted by Art Neville (brother of Aaron Neville) - The Meters quickly established their New Orleans Funk-Soul sound by punching out three rapid succession albums on Josie Records - "The Meters" and "Look Ka Py-Py" from May and December 1969 and "Struttin'" from June 1970. With Art Neville on Keyboards - Leo Nocentelli played Guitar; George Porter handled Bass while Joseph Modeliste whacking the Drums. 

Fellow musical traveller in all things Bayou Funk – we must also mention ALLEN TOUSSAINT in relation to The Meters. The dapper songwriting gent produced those three albums on Josie and after the release of his own second solo album "Life, Love And Faith" on Reprise Records in July 1972 – was instrumental in bringing the band to Sinatra’s old label. The Reprise/Warner Brothers albums refined and upgraded their Josie-years style and sound with guest spots by the likes of Lowell George from Little Feat. Toussaint is even listed as co-producer for "Cabbage Alley" – their debut for Reprise Records released a month before his own LP in June 1972. But you find out in the digs-deep liner-notes that he took a very real back seat – was rarely at any sessions even though he is contractually credited on the LP cover as such - and simply let the band self-produce and explore their own new sound. Three of The Meters - George Porter, Jr., Joseph (Ziggy) Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli – are essentially the backbones of his band for the "Life, Love And Faith" album. All of The Meters (including Art Neville) and three members of Little Feat (including Lowell George) also famously acted as back-up band for Robert Palmer's solo debut album after he'd left Vinegar Joe - "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" – released September 1974 in the UK on Island Records. Palmer even does the Allen Toussaint classic "From A Whisper To A Scream" on that album. In short, there was a whole lotta funkiness going on around The Meters and their pal Toussaint. 

Our Louisiana heroes were no slouches on the seven-inch single front either. Between 1969 and 1977, they punched out a whopping twenty-one 45s across the three labels (charting nine of them on R&B). Impressively, all forty-two A&B-sides are here, including stand-alones. Best-loved grooves include "Sophisticated Cissy”, "Cissy Strut", "Ease Back", "Dry Spell" and "Look-Ka Py Py" (1969), "Chicken Strut", "Hand Clapping Song" and "A Message From The Meters" (1970), "Do The Dirt",  "Cabbage Alley" and "Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Parts 1 & 2)" (1972), "Hey Pocky A-way" and "People Say" (1974), "Running Fast" (1975), "Disco Is The Thing Today" and "Trick Bag" (1976) and "Be My Lady" (1977). 

Killer album cuts include the Little Feat Funk of "Stay Away", "Getting' Funkier All The Time" and their mellow cover of Neil Young's "Birds" (all on "Cabbage Alley") while "Rejuvenation" provides unexpected moments of melody warmth and mid-tempo Hall & Oates soulfulness amidst the butt-boogie - "Love Is For Me" and "It Ain't No Use" while "Jungle Man" has a fantastic nasty groove (might just be their best album).

One of the prizes on here is the stunning "Fire On The Bayou" album from 1975 - which is a wonderful combo of sophisticated Soul meets their unique brand of Orleans Funk. It opens on a nasty groover "Out In The Country" – followed by the guitar chug of "Fire On The Bayou" where they sound like the title – on 'fire' – the tightest rhythm section ever. They go a bit Funk-Rock with their cover of the Russ Ballard/Argent song "Liar" - while nasty returns with "Can You Do Without?" complete with "Meow! Vocals. Things get mellow with "You're A Friend Of Mine" – so Allen Toussaint – so sweet. A keyboard tinkle introduces the Little Feat/Atlanta Rhythm Section slink of "Middle Of The Road" – a fantastic 8-minute instrumental that has been a Jazz-Funk prize for decades. What a winner this track is and it features gorgeous audio too as Leon Nocentelli lets rip with those warm summer evening fret flourishes – sounding not unlike an ultra-inspired George Benson circa "Breezin'".

I've always loved the "Trick Bag" album too because of their funkified covers of an obscure James Taylor instrumental from "One Man Dog" called "Suite For 20 G" and their New Orleans version of the Stones "Honky Tonk Woman" while their cover of Earl King's "Trick Bag" is superb also. They get a great groove going on "Doodle Loop..." too.

The final album "New Directions" saw the Funk and Brass get louder - more Isley Brothers - opening with the fab groove of "No More Okey Doke". Their New Orleans roots come out in their cover of Allen Toussaint's "I'm Gone" and a nod is given to Reggae in their take of Peter Tosh's "Stop That Train" (sounding contemporary). But the tune for me is "Funkify Your Life" which is just fantastic - a guaranteed floor-filler and a sure fire way to lose a few pounds after those Festive indulgences. "New Directions" ends with another dancefloor winner in the shape of "Give It What You Can".

Amongst the Outtake Bonuses and Stand-Alone Singles – I’m loving a nine-minute keyboard and guitar workout from the "Trick Bag" sessions of Neil Young’s "Down By The River" - or even the frantic simplicity of "Meter Strut" – a 2:47 minute guitar-flicking drum-whacking instrumental outtake from the "Struttin'" LP sessions. It's hardly surprising too that the non-LP "Chug Chug Chug-A-Bug (Push And Show)" had its Side B Part 2 shouter groove featured on the award-winning "What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco & Warner Bros. Records 1969-1977" 4CD Box Set - issued by Rhino in October 2006 in a cool-looking cigar-box-type set up. A nugget tucked away on a single flipside. It's just yet another primo example of The Meters and their seemingly effortless Average White Band 'Pick Up The Pieces' groovy groove-ness. And on it goes...

Probably a Soul and Funk 'Reissue of the Year 2020' accolade to SoulMusic Records - and most definitely a big thank you from all of us in the netherworld of Post Covid-19 to all of the good Trick Bag folks involved. Fab and then some...

"Four Albums Plus A+B Sides And E.P. Tracks On Three Discs" by GENO WASHINGTON & THE RAM JAM BAND – Featuring Four UK Mono Albums "Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt... Live!" (December 1966 Live Set), "Shake A Tail Feather" (June 1967 Studio LP), "Hipsters, Flipsters, Finer-Poppin' Daddies!" (September 1967 Live LP), "Running Wild" (November 1968 Live Set on Pye and Final LP) Plus Singles, EP Tracks and Unreleased Recordings Encompassing 1966 to 1972, all on Piccadilly and Pye Records (November 2020 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) 3CD 81-Track Compilation of New 2020 Remasters – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"... Uptight (Everything's Alright)..."

In October 2016, Edsel of the UK reissued the entirety of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band's recorded output across two three-Disc Sets - "Geno! The Piccadilly & Pye Studio Recordings" on Edsel EDSK 7114 (Barcode 740155711436) with 47 tracks - and “Geno – Live!!!” on Edsel EDSX 3032 (Barcode 740155303235) with 36 tracks – 83 songs in total. 

Those 2016 issues were in fact exact reissues of MONO remasters that dated back to 1998 when Sanctuary of the UK had put out the British Soul band's output on two Sequel Records compilations - "My Bombers My Dexy's My Highs: The Sixties Studio Sessions" on Sequel NEMCD 973 (Barcode 5023224097323) including at that time - eight previously unreleased outtakes being heard for the first time - and "Geno! Geno! Geno! Live In The Sixties" on Sequel NXTCD 295 (Barcode 5023224329523). 

What you get here in late November 2020 (during a pandemic no less) is a like-for-like Beat Goes On (BGO) reissue of the whole shebang in a one-stop package; its range covering Piccadilly and Pye recordings from 1966 to 1972 newly remastered for this release. So across 3CDs with huge laying times (see below), you will be able to sequence one full studio album, three full live sets, the A&B-sides of twelve 45-singles (three of which are GW solo offerings), two four-track EPs and even the unreleased eight that Sequel uncovered in 1998. Eighty-One Soul and R&B blasts from the past in all. There is a huge amount of "Geno!" to shake a tail feather at, so let’s get foot stompin' with the details...

UK released Friday, 27 November 2020 (delayed from September 2020) - "Four Albums Plus A+B Sides And E.P. Tracks On Three Discs" by GENO WASHINGTON & THE RAM JAM BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD1433 (Barcode 5017261214331) offers 81-Tracks across 3CDs newly remastered in 2020 and plays out as follows: 

Disc One (80:55 minutes): 

1. Philly Dog 

2. Ride Your Pony 

3. Uptight (Everything's Alright)

4. (I'm A) Road Runner 

5. Hold On, I'm Comin'

6. Don't Fight It 

7. Land Of A Thousand Dances (Part 1) / (Part 2) 

Note: Part 2 of Land opened [Side 2] of the original LP

8. Respect

9. Willy Nilly 

10. Get Down With It 

11. Michael (The Lover) 

12. Que Sera Sera 

13. You Don't Know (Like I Do)

Tracks 1 to 13 are their debut album, a live set called "Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt...LIVE!" - released December 1966 in the UK on Piccadilly NPL 38026 (Mono) and NSPL 38026 (Stereo) – the Mono Mix is used. The Mono mix peaked at No. 5 on the UK LP charts 

14. Raise Your Hand [Side 1]

15. You Got Me Hummin' 

16. Three Time Loser 

17. Tell It Like It Is 

18. Use Me 

19. Understanding 

20. Knock On Wood [Side 2]

21. Bonie Maronie

22. Never Like This Before 

23. I'm Your Puppet 

24. Who's Foolin' Who 

25. (I Gotta) Hold On To Your Love

Tracks 14 to 25 are their only studio album "Shake A Tail Feather" - released June 1967 in the UK on Piccadilly NPL 38029 (Mono) and NSPL 38029 (Stereo) – the Mono Mix is used here (didn't chart). 

BONUS TRACKS (A&B-sides):

26. Water 

Track 26 is a 29 April 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35312, A-side - B-side was the album track "Understanding" (Track 19, Disc One)

27. Hi! Hi! Hazel 

28. Beach Bash 

Tracks 27 and 28 are the A&B-sides of a 15 July 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35329

Disc Two (79:03 minutes):

1. Herk's Works [Side 1]

2. Day Tripper/I Can't Turn You Loose 

3. You Left The Water Running 

4. In The Midnight Hour 

5. Hi-Heel Sneakers 

6. Shotgun 

7. Raise Your Hand [Side 2]

8. Who's Foolin' Who 

9. Things Get Better 

10. It's A Wonder 

11. She Shot A Hole In My Soul 

12. Wild Thing

Tracks 1 to 12 are their third album, their second live set "Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin' Daddies!" - released September 1967 in the UK on Piccadilly NPL 38032 (Mono) and NSPL 38032 (Stereo) - the Mono Mix is used. The Stereo variant peaked at No. 8 in the UK LP charts. 

13. I Take What I Want [Side 1]

14. Knock On Wood 

15. Gimme A Little Sign/Raise Your Hand 

16. Michael (The Lover) 

17. Que Sera Sera 

18. Rock Me Baby (Part 1) / Rock Me Baby (Part 2) 

[Part 2 of Rock Me Baby is where Side 2 of the original LP began]

19. Hi-Heel Sneakers/Mary Ann 

20. I Get So Excited 

21. Holdin' On With Both Hands 

22. Jumpin' Jack Flash 

23. I Got You Babe 

Tracks 13 to 23 are their fourth and last album, a live set called "Running Wild" - released November 1968 in the UK on Pye NPL 18219 (Mono) and NSPL 18219 (Stereo) - the Mono Mix is used (didn't chart)

BONUS TRACKS (A&B-sides):

24. Que Sera Sera 

25. All I Need 

Tracks 24 and 25 are the A&B-sides of a 30 September 1967 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35346

Disc Three - BONUS TRACKS, A&B-Sides and E.P. Tracks (79:13 minutes):

1. If You Knew 

2. Always 

Tracks 1 and 2 were exclusive to the 4-Track January 1967 "Hi!" EP on Piccadilly NEP 34054, the other two tracks were the A-sides of their first two British 45s - "Hi Hi Hazel" and "Water" (Tracks 26 and 27 on Disc One)

3. Michael

4. (I Gotta) Hold On To My Love 

Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B-sides of a 24 January 1967 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35359

5. I've Been Hurt By Love 

Track 5 is the non-album B-side of "She Shot A Hole In My Soul", released June 1967 in the UK on Piccadilly 7N 35392 – A-side is Track 11 on Disc 2

6. Tell It Like It Is 

7. Girl I Want To Marry You 

Tracks 6 and 7 are the A&B-sides of a 1 September 1967 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35403

8. Different Strokes 

9. I'm Your Puppet 

Tracks 8 and 9 are exclusive to the December 1967 UK 4-Track EP "Different Strokes" on Pye NEP 24293 - the other two studio songs are "You Got Me Humming" and "Use Me" - Tracks 15 and 18 on Disc One 

10. I Can't Quit Her 

11. Put Out The Fire 

Tracks 10 and 11 are the non-album A&B-sides of a June 1968 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17570

12. Bring It To Me Baby 

13. I Can't Let You Go 

Tracks 12 and 13 are the non-album A&B-sides of a 15 November 1968 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17649

14. My Little Chickadee 

15. Seven Eleven 

Tracks 14 and 15 are the non-album A&B-sides of a 6 June 1969 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17745

16. Alison Please 

17. Each And Every Part Of Me 

Tracks 16 and 17 are the non-album A&B-sides of a 15 January 1971 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 45019 - solo single credited to Geno Washington only

18. Feeling So Good (S.K.O.O.B.Y.D.O.O.)

Track 18 is the A-side of a 23 July 1971 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 45085 - B-side was "My Little Chickadee" (Track 14 on Disc Three) - as Geno Washington

19. Dirty Dirty 

20. Give 'Em A Hand 

Tracks 19 and 20 are the A&B-sides of a 11 February 1972 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 45121 - as Geno Washington

21. If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)

22. Going Back 

23. Listen To My Love Song That Ain't Got A Rhyme 

24. Careful Not To Break The Spell 

25. I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman 

26. Boomerang 

27. She's All I Got 

28. Summer Fever 

Tracks 21 to 28 are outtakes first issued 1998 on the UK CD compilation "My Bombers My Dexy's My Highs: The Sixties Studio Sessions" on Sequel NEMCD 973 (Barcode 5023224097323)

PS: in December 1968, Pye Records issued a second 4-track EP called "Small Package Of Hipsters" on Pye NEP 24302 that consisted of four tracks from the debut live album (Three on Side 1 and the last on Side 2). They can be sequenced using Tracks 1,2, 3 and 8 on Disc One.

The chunky four-way foldout card digipak feels clunky compared to BGO's generic card slipcase with a 2CD jewel case inside - a stylish presentation that makes their reissues look distinguished. So I can't say I'm a fan of this packaging that I find is too easy to tear if you don't handle it ultra-carefully. In its favour - as you can see from the photos I've provided, BGO has used full-colour plates of the cover art on the two inner flaps while the 24-page booklet features new liner notes from one of Mojo's and Record Collector's top Sol and Jazz contributors CHARLES WARING. The first eight or so pages reproduce the original artwork and original LP liner notes from the 60ts and there is a rudimentary discography that I've expanded above. Waring does his usual thorough and affectionate job - filling you in on the considerable and somewhat unacknowledged contribution Indiana's Geno Washington made in the UK between those halcyon years of 1966 to 1968. A black American with a set of lungs and equally huge personality to match fronting five or six white English Mod boys – all of which dug American R&B and Soul the most. 

In the absence of actual US stars like Otis and Aretha and Marvin and so on – Geno Washington and the incendiary live shows of The Ram Jam Band (took their name from a pub called The Ram Jam Inn in Rutland, East Midlands, ten travelled down to London) provided the nearest thing ravenous British fans could get to their Soul and R&B heroes. In some ways it explains why the live debut caused such a sensation – hammering a No. 5 slot on the British LP chart at Christmas 1966 (the year of "Revolver") – but the studio follow-up in 1967 that should have smashed it - didn't bother the UK Top 50 chart at all. Geno Washington and his sweaty-betty band were all about the excitement of the stage and anything else just felt tepid.  

But while all that sounds fine in context, the danger here in 2021 for newcomers and revisiting fans alike is that what was so hip and happening then can today feel like some glorified covers band. And in truth by the time you get to the third live set "Running Wild" trying desperately to ape the No. 5 UK LP placing of their live debut "Hand Clappin... " – it does begin to wear thin. 

But don't let that put you off. When Kevin Rowland's Dexy's Midnight Runners immortalised the frontman singer in their name-checking "Geno" single of March 1980 on Late Night Feelings/Parlophone R 6033 – its infectious beat reminded fans of Washington's glorious past and contributions. It's Rock-Soulful feel and arrangements also caught the public mood – storming up to No. 1 (it was produced by ex Jellybread singer and keyboardist Pete Wingfield, of "Eighteen With A Bullet" fame). The Remastered Audio here is care of ANDREW THOMPSON, but it excludes Stereo in favour of what BGO licensed from Sanctuary - all material in MONO (the Edsel represses were also all Mono). They sound great and I'm sure will have many who loved the originals digging the new breed clarity. And I had forgotten about those sevens and that very cool "Hi!" EP from January 1967. 

Not all genius for sure, but man what memories and with the Edsel and Sanctuary sets long deleted and subsequently costing - this is a smart and timely reminder by England’s BGO of an American man ensconced in Blighty with his boys own Mod-tastic crew – the whole lot of whom broke down the genre barriers and let the joy of music in...

"Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Walter Jackson, Freddy Butler, Roy Hamilton, Chuck Jackson, Kenny Carter, Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, Lou Johnson, Brooks O’Dell, Garnet Mimms, Tommy Hunt, Clarence Pinckney, James Carr and more (May 2020 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

This Review and over 184 More Are Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series - An Amazon E-Book

SOUL GALORE! 
 

60ts Soul, R'n'B, Mod, Northern Soul, New Breed and More
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Also Includes Harmony Soul, Rare Groove and Funk...
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"...Reach Out For Me..."

This is the kind of CD compilation you just know is going to be dripping class and quality – its swaying anthems of lad heartbreak and misery awash with a big old hunk of churning-burning lurve gone wrong (or just plain gone) - all of which, apparently, is entirely the woman's fault (no honestly). 

Ace's 'Kent Soul' roster of CD compilations clocks up catalogue number 490 here and even after all these decades, we still get a wee flutter in the groin area at the mere mention of one. And so it is with "Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" – you pretty much get what it says on the tin - majestic male vocalists from the heyday of that swinging decade giving it some vocal silk and sophistication ably abetted by girly backing singers and heavy-on-the-mascara string arrangements where via US 45s words like 'cry' and 'gloomy' and 'wrong' and 'losing you' populate each and every mini opera. 

And if that's not enough, five of these twenty-four pleaders are in the kind of jaw-dropping STEREO that only bigger studios like RCA and Columbia could provide – whilst another five are Previously Unreleased – even these with some genuinely great finds amongst them. Let's get to the river of tears, which is just outside the town of lonely, across the border from...etc.

UK released 29 May 2020 (delayed from April 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic) - "Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 490 (Barcode 029667098120) is a CD compilation of 24-tracks that plays out as follows (68:59 minutes):

1. Forget The Girl - WALTER JACKSON (originally unissued 1968 Okeh recording, first appeared on the 2007 CD compilation "Speak Her Name: The Okeh Recordings, Vol. 3" by Walter Jackson on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 273)

2. They Say I'm Afraid (Of Losing You) - FREDDY BUTLER (from the 1967 US Mono LP "With A Dab Of Soul" on Kapp KL-1519)

3. Heartache (Hurry On By) - ROY HAMILTON (July 1965 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-8641, A-side)

4. Like A Big Bad Rain - KENNY CARTER (2020, Previously Unissued 1966 RCA recording in STEREO)

5. (There's) No Place To Hide - BEN E. KING (August 1965 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-6371, A-side)

6. Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry - CLYDE McPHATTER (July 1967 US 45-single on Amy 993, B-side of "I Dreamt I Died")

7. Gloomy Day - HERB JOHNSON (August 1965 US 45-single on Arctic 109, A-side, co-write with Kenneth Gamble)

8. Just Outside Of Lonely - CLARENCE PINCKNEY (2020, Previously unissued Brass Parrot recording from 1973)

9. Seeing Is Believing - TONY MASON (February 1967 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-9104, B-side of "Take Good Care"

10. Don't Make Me Over - TOMMY HUNT (originally unissued 1963 Scepter recording, first appeared on the October 1986 UK compilation LP "Your Man" by Tommy Hunt on Kent Records KENT 059)

11. Reach Out For Me - LOU JOHNSON (July 1963 US 45-single on Big Top 45-3153, A-side)

12. Now You Are Gone - BROOKS O'DELL (1968 US 45-single on Valentine VAL 104, A-side)

13. You Got Too Much Going For You - JIMMY BEAUMONT (June 1966 US 45-single on Bang B-525, A-side - Joe Simmons song)

14. A Day Or Two - GARRETT SAUNDERS (October 1962 US 45-single on Serock SR 2001, A-side)

15. Where Does Love Go - FREDDIE SCOTT (February 1964 US 45-single on Colpix CP-724, A-side)

16. I Can't Stand To See You Cry - CHUCK JACKSON (Originally Unissued 1965 Wand recording, first released on the September 1987 UK compilation LP "A Powerful Soul" by Chuck Jackson on Kent Records KENT 073)

17. Anytime You Want Me - GARNET MIMMS (February 1964 US 45-single on United Artists UA 694, A-side)

18. Can't Stand Your Fooling Around - GENE BURKS (October 1963 US 45-single on Arock AR-1001, B-side of "Monkey Man")

19. I Want To Be Loved - BILLY WATKINS (2020, Previously Unissued 1964 Kent recording)

20. Lover's Competition - JAMES CARR (February 1965 US 45-single on Goldwax GW-112, B-side of "I Can't Make It")

21. You Are A Lucky So And So - SAMMY SEVENS (July 1963 US 45-single on Swan 4146, A-side)

22. Good For A Lifetime - AL HIBBLER (January 1966 US 45-single on Satin S-401, A-side)  

23. Through A Long And Sleepless Night - JIMMY RADCLIFFE (2020, Previously Unreleased 'Alternate Vocal' of a September 1963 US-issued 45-single on Musicor 1033, A-side)

24. I Love You So Much - JUNIOR LEWIS (2020, Previously Unreleased 1962 Arock recording)

Tracks 1, 4, 15, 16 and 17 in STEREO - all others in MONO

Tracks 4, 8, 19, 23 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

Part of the joy of 'Kent Soul/Dance' CD compilations is the research and how classily Ace Records present it - always championing names that are criminally forgotten like Brooks O'Dell and Clarence Pinckney alongside others that are seriously sought-after like James Carr, Chuck Jackson and Garnet Mimms. And so it is with the 24-pages presented here - compiled and annotated by long-time Ace Records associate and genre lover ADY CROASDEL. Cool photos abound - an ageing ex Drifters and Atlantic Records vocal legend Clyde McPhatter still finding time to smile alongside Fame Records Studio hero Jim Hall - a suited and booted Freddy Butler looking dapper in a publicity black and white - trade adverts for Roy Hamilton and Freddie Scott 45s on RCA Victor and Colpix - Garnett Mimms letting it rip live at the Whisky A Go Go in 1967 - and even Gene Burks displaying more bling on his bejewelled fingers and shirt cufflinks than Fats Domino in his Aladdin Records prime. Every song gets a paragraph, facts and details unfurled and all of it alongside rare 45-labels repro'd between the texts. It's a typically classy job. 

Ace's trusted Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS amps up the Remasters to truly lovely clarity. For sure one or two of the Mono singles feel like the tapes might not have survived as well as one would have hoped - but those stunning Stereo cuts, quality unreleased and seriously popular dancers (Clyde McPhatter) in this kind of audio quality is going to be a huge draw for Northern Soul fans galore. To the music...

"Soul Voices..." smartly opens with a Stereo winner where Walter Jackson realises that "...this time she's gone..." - if only he could "Forget The Girl". Amongst his final recordings for Columbia, it has beautiful production values and sets up the predominantly funereal pace of all to come. On the contrary, Freddy Butler doesn't feel ominous in any way as his girl could never be that cruel - flat out denying emotional catastrophe on the horizon in his gloriously camp LP cut "They Say I'm Afraid (Of Losing You)". Sweet as honey and deep as walnut, Roy Hamilton's fantastically expressive voice soars up and down in "Heartache (Hurry On By)" - a classic cross your arms across your heart dancefloor shuffler. Despite the hammy thunder and rain beginning, the first of five Previously Unreleased sides turns out to be a Stereo stunner from Kenny Carter - its top-notch RCA Victor production telling us that she's ready to move on again (what a find). 

And while the Ben E. King B-side "(There's) No Place To Hide" is aided by Bert Barns arrangements - most NS fans will leap to Track 6 and Clyde McPhatter's "Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry" - another B-side discovered through crate trawls that became expensive in the 80ts collecting scene (very tasty my dear). Personally though, the Clarence Pinckney discovery "Just Outside Of Lonely" from 1973 is far more exciting in my book - a pleader to not break his heart that features Gwen Guthrie amidst its three backing singers (another bonus worthy of the moniker). Rounding out the first eleven cuts, you then get a sort of Soul Men take on Lounge Music perpetrators double-whammy. Tommy Hunts brings genuine class to his cover of Bacharach and David's "Don't Make Me Over" (originally their first 45 for Dionne Warwick) - while Lou Johnson also elevates B&D's "Reach Out For Me" (an original song for him). Bacharach provided the arrangements (and piano I think) on the sweet Lou Johnson session and it is as lovely as crossover Pop vs. Soul can get (both Tracks 10 and 11 with fabulous audio too).

Making melodrama sound so good, another clever choice comes in the shape of Brooks O'Dell whose "Now You Are Gone" is a 'you were my symphony' crier - whilst Jimmy Beaumont (another drama merchant) is clearly channelling Phil Spector is his production of Joe Simmons' "You Got Too Much Going For You". You will recognise Beaumont's superb voice from The Skyliner's huge 1958 Vocal Group hit "Since I Don't Have You" - he was the lead vocalist and melodist on that gorgeous Calico Records ballad. Speaking of misery adverted - Garrett Saunders could avoid it too if only the memories didn't linger on in his 48-hours pleader "A Day Or Two". And amongst the final run is breathtaking Stereo for Garnet Mimms on his "Anytime You Want" while gorgeous is the only word I can use to describe the Van McCoy-written Chuck Jackson offering "I Can't Stand To See You Cry" - a rarity only available on a long-deleted Kent Records LP from 1987. And on it goes, tune after tune... 

As beautifully done and as swish as the photograph of Junior Lewis on the front cover of the booklet is - I also know that 24-cuts of this variety of shuffling 60s ballad might be someone's else idea of water-boarding. But I'm not one of them and I'm sure there will be legions more like me. 

Tony Mason saw his girl '...kissing his best friend the night before...' so had to hide his face, shed a grievous tear and walk on by. Thank God Producer Richard Tee was on hand to record his vocal response the next day, is all I can say. Buy and behold baby...and shame on all those ladies who were entirely at fault...no honestly...

"SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE Volume 7 - 1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD Exceptional Remasters" by MARK BARRY. Volume 7 of 7...Each Volume With Different Entries

  The SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOKS Series...

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SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE 
Volume 7 of 7

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD

Exceptional Reissues and Remasters...

* Vol. 7 - over 1,600 E-pages, 205 in-depth reviews, CD reissues 1990 to 2024

* Volumes 1 to 6 have 205-reviews each also, all different, no duplicates 

* Across the whole series are 1,435 different reviews

* Formats included - CD, SACD [Super Audio CD], HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital], Japan SHM-CD and Japan Platinum SHM-CD  [Super High Materials]

* Major Label Box Set Retrospectives from – EMI, Sony/Legacy, Universal and WEA

* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted...

– Ace, Audio Fidelity, Bear Family, Beat Goes On, Big Break Records (BBR), Craft Recordings, Edsel, Esoteric Recordings, Grapefruit, Hip-O Select, Light In The Attic, Mobile Fidelity, Music On CD, Raven, Repertoire, Rev-Ola, Rhino, The Right Stuff, Salvo, Strawberry, Sundazed and Panegyric

* Technical data from the discs themselves (total playing times and more)

* Release Date, Catalogue No and Barcode to locate the correct issue

* Track lists and Details on Bonus material (if any)

* Vinyl Discographies referencing CD Box sets (track numbers to sequence singles and albums from the discs)

* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 7” singles and EPs within each review

* Remaster/Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted

* Packaging descriptions, size of booklets, what’s contained within, who wrote the liner notes, repro artwork explained

* Reference to the Audio Quality of the CD - analysis of songs

* Guest Musicians highlighted – Cover Versions noted

* Find Artists and Guest Musicians (who played on what)

* Find Original Album Producers and Engineers

* Find your favourite Remaster Engineers and Authors of Liner Notes

SIXTIES and SEVENTIES RECORD LABELS covered by the book include:

ABC, ABC/Dunhill, A&M, Apple, Ardent, Asylum, Atlantic/Atco, Bearsville, Blue Horizon, Brain, Capitol, Capricorn, CBS, Charisma, Chrysalis, Columbia, Dawn, Decca, Deram (Nova), DJM, Elektra, EMI, Epic, Fantasy, Fly, Fontana, Harvest, Immediate, Island, Liberty, London, Marmalade, MCA, Mercury, MGM, Monument, Mooncrest, Parlophone, Parrot, Polydor, Probe, Purple, Pye International, RAK, Rare Earth, RCA Victor, Reaction, Reprise, Rolling Stones, RSO, Shelter, Smash, Straight, Track, Uni, Vertigo, Verve, Virgin, United Artists and Warner Brothers

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal Vinyl and CD buyers (one of the best secondhand record shops in the West End) and having over 3620 posts (CDs, DVDs, BLU RAYs) - as you can imagine I come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others. 

To that end I've collated together these SOUNDS GOOD books as guides to Exceptional CD Remasters offering up in-depth reviews on a wide range of titles. And it no longer has to cost the earth to Sound Good either – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy. 

 

Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 while others are under a fiver. And even if some Box Sets/Deletions have acquired a price tag - because they're the best I've included them along with artists/titles that deserve your attention…

Enjoy the reads – Mark Barry (2024) 

"New Breed R&B: Soulful 60s Blues For Today's Dancers" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring ZZ Hill, B.B. King, The Newports, Jimmy Holiday, Bobby Bland, Mary Love, Lowell Fulsom, Little Joe Hinton, Jimmy McCracklin and more (July 2001 UK Ace Records/Kent Dance CD Compilation of Remasters - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Stand Up Straight And Tall…"

What a corker this is, the first in a string of seven CD compilations across nearly 20-years (see title list below) dedicated to lovers of New Breed R&B, dancing joy and serious bouts of unfortunate hip-displacement thereafter (but it was worth every trip to the A&E). A lot to mashed potatoes to Yakety Yak about, so let's get to the cool moves and sexy grooves right away...

UK released July 2001 – "New Breed R&B: Soulful 60s Blues For Today's Dancers" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Dance CDKEND 199 (Barcode 029667219921) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that breaks down as follows (61:38 minutes):

1. I've Been Hurt So Many Times – LARRY DAVIS (1969, Kent 4519)

2. No More Doggin' – ZZ HILL (1966, Kent 444)

3. Love You Baby – BOBBY "Blue" BLAND (Vocal) and IKE TURNER and His Orchestra (1962, Kent 378)

4. Tired Of Walkin' – LITTLE JOE HINTON (1962, Kent 368)

5. Long Gone Baby – B.B. KING (1967, Kent 462)

6. Stand Up Straight And Tall – JACKIE SHANE (1967, Modern 1031)

7. Dixie Women – THE NEWPORTS (1962, Kent 380)

8. Stuffed Peppers (aka "Humpin'") – FRANK ARMSTRONG (1967, Modern 1045)

9. New Figure – KING SOLOMAN (1965, Kent 451)

10. Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea – TERRY & THE TYRANTS (1964, Kent 399)

11. Baby You're The One – MARVIN & JOHNNY (1965, Kent 436)

12. You Gotta Bend A Little – LARRY & TOMMY (1967, Modern 1041)

13. You And Me Forever – VERNON GARRETT (1966, Modern 1026)

14. Just To Hold My Hand – VERNON and JEWEL (1965, Kent 430)

15. The New Breed – JIMMY HOLIDAY (1967, De Silva Music/Kent 482)

16. Me And The Chauffeur – BIG MAMA THORNTON (1965, Kent 424)

17. Let Your Hair Down – ARTHUR K. ADAMS (1967, Modern 1050)

18. Take Your Shoes Off (Part II) – BOOKER T. AVERHART & THE MUSTANGS (1965, Kent 437)

19. Lovin' Touch – LOWELL FULSOM (1968, Kent 505)

20. Ain't Givin' Up Nothin' – AL KING (1968, Kent 498)

21. Find Another Woman – WILLIE HEADEN (1967, Kent 473)

22. He's The One – IKE and TINA TURNER (1965, Kent 418)

23. Move A Little Closer – MARY LOVE (1966, Modern 1020)

24. I Got Eyes For You – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (1962, Kent 369)

Roughly based around a night's playlist at The Hideaway Club in Manchester, England (and The Twisted Wheel) – this dreamy Mod CD compilation has contributions from PAUL WELSBY (Hideaway Club) and is compiled by fan and archivist ADRIAN CROASDELL – so the floor-boogie credentials are all in place. The 16-page booklet is filled with photos of Kent and Modern USA demos, pictures of faves like B.B. King, Joe Hinton, Big Mama Thornton and even a colour snap of Arthur Adams in a hammock lounging with his guitar. 

But the big news for real fans has to be the stunning song choices combined with NICK ROBBINS remasters from original master tapes. This Kent Dance 60ts New Breed R&B CD sounds absolutely amazing. Let's get the shakers and makers…

It opens with the brassy dancer "I've Been Hurt So many Times" and you literally see those shimmy-shaking dudes and dudettes on some club dancefloor giving in shapes their respective mums would find alarming. Hard-hitting floor-filler continues in the equally lively "No More Doggin'" by ZZ Hill - where his woman has spent all his money on whiskey, beer and wine (naughty girl). We get genuine old-time R&B with "Love You Baby" where a young Bobby Bland wails in front of an Ike Turner band that's cooking. Far better is the "no more" growl of Little Joe Hinton where he tells us he's "Tired Of Walkin'" against a stabbing backbeat with the guitar and brass going at it good-o.

One of the highlights on here – B.B. King's rare British 45 on Polydor 56735 from 1967 of "Long Gone Baby" on that distinctive mottled red label is pictured in the booklet across Pages 4 and 5 – and not surprisingly, it's a corker. That's followed by the wickedly funky organ shuffle of Jackie Shane – a very clever choice and the kind of cool killer tune you wish you could find at some car-boot sale for 50p on a Sunday morning (fat chance). Tempo-wise it's smartly followed by "Dixie Women" – a mid-tempo piano and girl's hand-clapper that has a fantastic saxophone solo in the centre. "Stuffed Peppers" is a superb hip-shaking Saxophone and Guitar instrumental also known as "Humpin'" because – well – that's what it sounds like.

King Soloman is digging his new figure mama because she sure looks good – even if she has gained a little weight (she’s gained it in the right places you see). Staying with a saucy theme – Big Mama Thornton (pictured on Page 9 on tour in the UK in 1965) – takes the Ernest Lawler Blues tune about doing naughty things in cars and funks it up into a frantic James Brown dancer – all shiny suits and wicked shuffling footwork (what a winner – and fabulous audio quality too). Another Funky Blues nugget follows with fantastic guitar and organ grooves on "Let Your Hair Down" – Arthur Adams even giving some James Brown-"Uh!" in-between brass breaks. 

Part II of "Take Your Shoes Off" is a flipside saxophone and guitar instrumental sounding not unlike Ike Turner's Rhythm Kings lashing one out. The audio remaster on "Lovin' Touch" is shockingly good, a fab Funky Groover with an irresistible backbeat where Lowell Fulsom wants to tell his lady that she's in luck – he still has that loving touch (thank God for that). And on it goes, winner after winner to the sweaty-betty end.

It becomes commonplace in reviewer circles to award Ace's Kent Soul and Kent Dance CD compilations five stars.

But sometimes when you’re faced with this much brilliance and it’s presented this well by people who both know their stuff and care – then five-stars it is…

Titles in Ace's "New Breed R&B" CD Compilation Series on Kent Dance

In Release-Date Order (2001 to 2020)

1. New Breed R&B: Soulful 60s Blues For Today's Dances (July 2001, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 199 – Barcode 029667219921)

2. King New Breed Rhythm & Blues (July 2002, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 210 – Barcode 029667221023)

3. New Breed R&B With Added Popcorn – Early 60ts R&B Dancers Right In Today's Groove (February 2008, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 – Barcode 029667229128)

4. King New Breed R&B Volume 2 (April 2012, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 373 – Barcode 069227237321)

5. New Breed Blues with Black Popcorn (April 2013, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 393 – Barcode 029667239325)

6. New Breed Workin': Blues With A Rhythm (January 2016, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 443 – Barcode 029667244329)

7. New Breed R&B: Saturday Night Special (July 2020, Ace Kent Dance CDKEND 492 – Barcode 029667098823)

"King New Breed Rhythm & Blues" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 1957 to 1967 Tracks by Lula Reed, Freddie King, Mike Pedicin, Tiny Topsy, Mary Johnson, The "5" Royales, Joe Tex, Little Willie John, Albert King, Ike Turner, Bobby Byrd, Johnny Watson and more (July 2002 UK Ace Records/Kent Dance CD Compilation of Remasters – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Hug you With All My Might..."

As Northern Soul lovers began to expand their musical horizons - it didn't take British Mods long to work out that a rich (and similar) vein of bopping gold was to be mined in the fields of America's Blues and Rhythm 'n' Blues - especially if you concentrated on the King and Federal labels between 1957 and 1967 - whose rosters contained some storming names and tunes (as this compilation does).

And that's where this fab little British CD from 2002 comes in – the second compilation of its kind in a series of seven titles to date (July 2020). Compiled by experts/genre lovers at Ace Records for British dancers to shake their talcum tail feather to in nightclubs up and down Blighty - good names like Adrian Croasdell, Paul Wellsby, Damian Hewitt and Roger Banks have been involved in this first Volume on their Kent Dance label imprint (see list below). And what a corker it is too. Here are the Club A-Go-Go details...

UK released July 2002 - "King New Breed Rhythm & Blues" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Dance CDKEND 210 (Barcode 029667221023) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that breaks down as follows (62:53 minutes):

1. Burnt Toast And Black Coffee - MIKE PEDICIN (1961, Federal 12417, A)
2. I'm Shakin' - LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (1960, Federal 5342, A)
3. Thanks Mr. Postman - BOBBY KING (1962, Federal 12449 and Federal 12473, A)
4. Just A Little Bit - TINY TOPSY (1959, Federal 12357, A)
5. Had You Told It Like It Was (It Wouldn't Be Like It Is) - ALBERT KING (1963, King 5751, A)
6. You're Welcome To The Club - LEE "SHOT" WILLIAMS (1964, Federal 12522, A)
7. Not Much (Do You Baby) - ROSEMARY (Previously Unreleased Alternate Version of Federal 12447 recorded 1961)
8. Now I've Got A Woman - FREDDY KING (1964, Federal 12529, A)
9. Three Little Pigs - JAMES DUNCAN (1964, King 5966, A)
10. Don't Be So Mean - WILLIAM PATTON (1967, King 6116, A)
11. I Say, I Love You - JOHNNY WATSON (1963, King 5833, A)
12. My Kinda Girl - HANNIBAL (1963, King 5837, A, written by Jonny Watson)
13. You're Using Me - THE KING PINS (1964, Federal 12519, A)
14. I Found Out - BOBBY BYRD (1963, Federal 12486, A)
15. Hard Forgetting Memories - MARY JOHNSON (1963, Federal 12506, A)
16. It's Easy Child - LULA REED & FREDDY KING with SONNY THOMPSON 7 His Orchestra (1962, Federal 12477, A)
17. Think - The "5" ROYALES (1957, King 5053, A)
18. Pneumonia - JOE TEX (1956, King 4980, B-side of "Get Way Back")
19. I Don't Know About You - LLOYD NOLAN (1962, King 5680, A)
20. You Don't Want Me Around - MIKE WILLIAMS (1966, King 6067, A)
21. Bad Girl - THE FABULOUS DENOS (1964, King 5908, A)
22. I'm Better Off Now (Than I Was Before) - THE PREMIERS (1966, King 6061, B-side of "She's Always There")
23. Some Other Day, Some Other Time - FREDDY KING (1964, Federal 12532, A)
24. She Made My Blood Run Cold - IKE TURNER (1957, Federal 12297, A)

ADRIAN CROADELL gives wonderfully detailed and affectionate mini histories of each song in the 12-page booklet - who wrote what - who featured in the mix - their place in musical history etc. There are superb photos of LULA REED, THE FABULOUS DENOS and FREDDY KING (with fans Bill Millar and Ray Topping) - whose tracks are amongst the highlights on here. And the remasters from original analogue tapes have been carried by the vastly experienced DUNCAN COWELL - a Sound Engineer who must have over 400 remaster credits to his name - if not more. These tracks sound fabulous - full of Sixties atmosphere and King Production values.

Hand-picked for both musical and rarity value - this is a CD that barely puts a foot wrong. It opens with the bopping Saxophone and Drums R&B of "Burnt Toast And Black Coffee" - a tune that captures the crossover of R&B into early Sixties Soul. But things really swing into cool action with "I'm Shakin'" by Little Willie John with its speeded-up "Fever" feel. The hip choice kicks in with Tiny Topsy's fantastic "Just A Little Bit" - a lady with a huge growling voice and a frame to match (not unlike LaVern Baker).

Two total winners turn up midways - the unlikely sounding "Three Little Pigs" which has that neck-jerking Sixties beat that's half R'n'B half Motown ("...huffin' and puffin' have mercy...") - utterly brill. And shortly after that is Johnny (Guitar) Watson cutting a monkey shine on the cool guitar bop of "I Say, I Love You" where he admits to his lady that he's been something of a "dirty dog" with other women in the locale. James Shaw (aka Hannibal) gives it some groovy Wilson Pickett gravel vocals on the "been around the world" song "My Kinda Girl".

It's strange to hear Bobby Byrd sing but he's a great set of expressive lungs on the lightweight "I Found Out" while Phil Spector drama comes to the fore on Mary Johnson's obscure "Hard Forgetting Memories". Speaking of fabulous lungs - a huge dancer favourite is the Dinah Washington vocals of Lula Reed duetting here with Freddy King on "It's Easy Child" - a cool mid-tempo piano and drum shuffle. 

You immediately "Think" of James Brown who took the "5" Royales tune and practically launched his career on it (and for a 1957 song - it's staggering how borderline Soul it is without knowing it). Tex's "Pneumonia" has some aggressive lyrics towards his baby while the finger-clicking "I Don't Know About You" by the obscure Lloyd Nolan has an effortless Sixties cool about it. The lovely "Bad Girl" by The Fabulous Denos is the kind of 45 that would surely trade hands for serious money - a wicked little tune.

"I guess I'll investigate..." - Mike Pedicin sang on "Burnt Toast And Black Coffee". 

I think that Sixties hipster was on to something...

Titles in Ace's "New Breed R&B" CD Compilation Series on Kent Dance

In Release-Date Order from 2001 to 2020

1. New Breed R&B: Soulful 60s Blues For Today's Dances (July 2001, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 199 – Barcode 029667219921)

2. King New Breed Rhythm & Blues (July 2002, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 210 – Barcode 029667221023)

3. New Breed R&B With Added Popcorn – Early 60ts R&B Dancers Right In Today's Groove (February 2008, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 – Barcode 029667229128)

4. King New Breed R&B Volume 2 (April 2012, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 373 – Barcode 069227237321)

5. New Breed Blues with Black Popcorn (April 2013, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 393 – Barcode 029667239325)

6. New Breed Workin': Blues With A Rhythm (January 2016, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 443 – Barcode 029667244329)

7. New Breed R&B: Saturday Night Special (July 2020, Ace Kent Dance CDKEND 492 – Barcode 029667098823)