"Roots & Blues: 20 CD Box Set" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (January 2015 UK/EUROPE Sony Music Box Set - Reissues 16 Individual "Roots 'N Blues" CD Compilations Along With One 4CD Box Set Originally Issued 1990-1996 Into One Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00P7372GU&asins=B00P7372GU&linkId=ea03bbad778028e74946aaf6a14803f7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"…Big Legs, Empty Beds And Moonshiners…"

Entirely made up of tracks dubbed from Twenties, Thirties, Forties and Early Fifties 78"s - the 437 tracks across these 20 fabulous "Roots & Blues" CDs (all now in 5" card repro sleeves) represent an Americana Fest you've probably not heard before. 

Bluegrass, Old Timey Country, Guitar Blues, Washboard Shuffles, Church Music and Gospel, Fiddle Music, Piano Blues, Boogie Woogie, Vocal Blues, Cow Bells and Kazoos - it's all here and more - and neatly repackaged too.

Originally issued in the USA between 1990 and 1996 by Columbia/Legacy as 16 individual CD compilations and one 4CD box set - the riches contained within this mid-priced European 20-disc mini box set reissue bundle are amazing. But a word about the SOUND first - we're not talking audiophile here - and you need to accept that as a given for every disc. 

Across 20 themed-sets the audio varies wildly as you can imagine - most times alarmingly good in its clarity given the vintage and sources - but on other occasions it can be utterly atrocious (included for historical and rarity value). But I find the clicks and pops (which aren't that often really) and ghostly voices and messages from the past are part of the thrill and charm. This is grittily real stuff and very funny too in places. Go with the flow on this one...

Another downside (if you could call it that) is that a 36-page booklet giving you basic track lists/credits and little else has replaced the heavily annotated booklets that accompanied the original individual CD releases. You do at least get some paragraphs on each compilation by liner notes king DEAN RUDLAND and the pictures are nice - but the songs and artists are so obscure and interesting that you long for more info on what's what. This is one of those occasions where you wish Sony would have gone a bit better on the booklet (worth pointing out). Here are the finite details...

UK/Europe released January 2015 - "Roots & Blues: 20 CD Box Set" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music 88875043322 (Barcode 888750433220) breaks downs as follows (all compilations Previously Issued in Jewel Cases, here they are individual card sleeves):

Disc 1 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.1", 25 Tracks, 76:09 minutes

Disc 2 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.2", 25 Tracks, 77:52 minutes

Disc 3 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.3", 29 Tracks, 77:52 minutes

Disc 4 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.4", 28 Tracks, 77:07 minutes

Disc 5 "Legends Of The Blues Volume One", 20 Tracks, 59:00 minutes

Disc 6 "Legends Of The Blues Volume Two", 20 Tracks, 61:21 minutes

Disc 7 "Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers", 20 Tracks, 61:29 minutes

Disc 8 "The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives & Steel", 19 Tracks, 57:36 minutes

Disc 9 "The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives & Steel Vol. 2", 20 Tracks, 62:10 minutes

Disc 10 "Lonnie Johnson: Steppin' On The Blues", 19 Tracks, 58:26 minutes

Disc 11 "Preachin' The Gospel: Holy Blues", 20 Tracks, 60:23 minutes

Disc 12 "Good Time Blues: Harmonicas, Kazoos, Washboards & Cow-Bells", 21 Tracks, 59:28 minutes

Disc 13 "News & The Blues: Telling It Like It Is", 20 Tracks, 59:03 minutes

Disc 14 "Booze & The Blues", 22 Tracks, 65:44 minutes

Disc 15 "Messed Up In Love And Other Tales Of Woe", 16 tracks, 45:32 minutes

Disc 16 "Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollipops", 20 Tracks, 61:31 minutes

Disc 17 "Cajun Vol.1: Abbeville Breakdown 1929-1939", 22 Tracks, 61:23 minutes

Disc 18 "Cajun Dance Party: Fais Do-Do", 23 Tracks, 67:58 minutes

Disc 19 "White Country Blues 1926-1938: A Lighter Shade Of Blue Vol.1", 24 Tracks, 73:05 minutes

Disc 20 "White Country Blues 1926-1938: A Lighter Shade Of Blue Vol.2", 24 Tracks, 66:52 minutes

It opens smartly clumping together the 4-discs of the much praised and long deleted "Retrospective: 1925-1950" 4CD Sony/Legacy Box Set first issued June 1992 in the USA (107 tracks). Highlights on Disc 1 are "Cow-Cow Blues" by Dora Carr and "Empty Bed Blues" by Elizabeth Johnson - the kind of 78" Blues you'd swear turned up in episodes of "Boardwalk Empire". Discs 2 and 3 feature names you know like Lonnie Johnson, the piano of Albert Ammons, Roosevelt Sykes, the twelve-string guitar of Blind Willie McTell, Leroy Carr, Charlie Patton, Joshua White and Big Bill Broonzy ("...leaving this morning on the C&A"). Highlights include "Good Woman Blues" where Scrapper Blackwell instructs the lady folk of the USA "...women if you got a good man, give him three meals a day..." and Joshua White worries that he'll have to travel to find love because his "good gal might be in China..." Cliff Carlisle yodels his woes about a lack of clothes, the little ones coming on and his wife eating all the time in "Onion Eating Mama".

By the time you get to Disc 4 every track is really clear and a blast in its own genre right - Bluegrass, Old Timey Country, Guitar Blues, Washboard Shuffles, Church Music and Gospel, Fiddle Music, Piano Blues, Boogie Woogie  - it's all here. Favourites include the saucy "You Got To See Mama Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mama At All)" where our hero is getting instruction on martial bliss and "Mean Black Snake" where another dude suspects his lady is removing traps for another kind of visitor. Two huge Blues giants show up in early form - Muddy Waters and Joe Williams - with William's monster "Baby, Please Don't Go" thrilling still (how many bands have cut their Blues teeth on this song!).

Of the other discs I have two personal favourites - the eerie and harrowing "News & The Blues: Telling It Like It Is" and the deliciously saucy and sexy "Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollipops". The first has Bessie Smith moaning "it's rained five days and the sky is dark at night...there's trouble in the lowlands..." while the amazing guitar of Blind Willie Johnson has "people run and pray..." as the 1912 Titanic sinks during "God Moves On The Water" (amazing solo in the centre of it). 

And when the singers let their hair down - the results on "Raunchy Business" are brilliant. Titles like "My Stove's In Good Condition", "Banana In Your Fruit Basket" and "My Pencil Won't Write No More" don't leave much to delicacy but will make you grin. In fact when Lucille Brogan gives us Part 2 of "Shave 'Em Dry" - the opening lyrics about nipples as big as thumbs and pulling back her mattress so Daddy can oil her springs - is shocking even now. Lillie Mae Kirkman waxes lyrical about a man she met last night in "He's Just My Size" where apparently he's a kitchen mechanic who makes her biscuits rise (lovely).

Some of the Cajun and Washboard stuff is samey for sure and hard to take at times - but the "Booze" and "Messed Up" CDs have nuggets galore (The Mississippi Sheiks and Memphis Minnie to name but a few). But that's what so great about a box as full as this - the sheer variety - Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Blind Boy Fuller and so many more - you'll be digging into it for years to come. "Take It Easy Greasy" the song tells us (Lil Johnson on Disc 2) - I say buy it and jump right in and enjoy...

"New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right In Today's Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (Volume 3 of 7 In A Series) – Featuring Tracks from 1957 to 1968 (Including Eight Previously Unreleased) by Luther Ingram, Paul Clifton, Nappy Brown, Banny Prince, Mr. Dynamite, Barbara Perry, King James, The Charmaines, Terry & Jerry, B.B. King and more (February 2008 UK Ace Records/Kent Dance CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0012EBU8Y&asins=B0012EBU8Y&linkId=3386c6b0b07ad10fba8a1abb7fb37aa3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Doing The Mule... "

This compilation is entry number three in a very cool Ace Records CD Series (see list of seven titles below) – and I have to admit that I've gone a bit doolally for every single set of 24. But while "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn..." isn't quite as good as say Volumes 1 or 7 - it still delivers plenty sweaty shirts and tight skirts for even the most discerning of aficionados. 

Like its six other series buddies - "...with Added Popcorn" goes after 60ts American R&B with a Mod, Boogaloo and New Breed dance rhythm bent and is a genuine winner on every front – audio – song choices – discoveries etc. Most of the 24-cuts span 1960 to 1968 with three nods towards the late 50ts, topped off by Eight Previously Unreleased Period Tracks. The remainder are hard-to-find 45s and unissued rarities that first saw the light of day on CD compilations in 2007. Here are the ladies that wobble as they walk, while their Dapper Dan men do the mule...

UK released February 2008 – "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right in Today's Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 (Barcode 029667229128) is a 24-track CD compilation and plays out as follows (58:07 minutes):

1. Oh Baby Don't You Weep - LUTHER INGRAM (2008, Previously Unissued)

2. She Wobbles When She Walks - PAUL CLIFTON (1962 US 45-single on Teen Post 1100, A – also on Ace CDCHD 1165 – see Track 9)

3. You Love Me Pretty Baby - BANNY PRINCE (1965 US 45-single on Jewel 749, B-side of "You Know I Love You")

4. Mata Hari - CHET "Poison" IVEY (2008, Previously Unissued)

5. I've Got A Feeling For You Baby - GLADYS BRUCE (2008, Previously Unissued)

6. I'm Gonna Start A War - BARBARA & THE BROWNS (1964 Sounds Of Memphis recording first issued June 2007 on the UK Barbara Brown CD compilation "Can't Find Happiness: The Sounds Of Memphis Recordings" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 278)

7. Sh'mon - MR. DYNAMITE (1966 US 45-single on Soultime 001, A)

8. Shirley Jean - GENE BURKS (1964 US 45-single on Arock 1006, B-side of "Take My Hand")

9. Too Young - BOYCE CUNNINGHAM (60s Downey recording first issued on the September 2007 Various Artists CD compilation "R&B On Lakewood Boulevard" on Ace Records CDCHD 1165 - this compilation also features the sought-after Track 2 of this CD)

10. Big Ben - HAROLD ATKINS (2008, Previously Unissued Frisco recording)

11. Coal Miner - NAPPY BROWN (2008, Previously Unissued Alternative and Extended Take of Savoy 1594, US 45-single released January 1961)

12. Tumbling Down - TOM TUMBLEWEED (2008, Previously Unissued Old Town recording)

13. Beautician Blues - B.B. KING (October 1964 US 45-single on Kent 403x45, A)

14. Jack Of All Trades - EUGENE CHURCH (November 1959 US 45-single on Class 261, B-side of "Without Soul")

15. I Idolize You - THE CHARMAINES (1964 Fraternity recording, first issue in 2002 on the UK 45-single Kent Anniversary Special/6ts 6T 18 as the B-side to "Can't Say No" by M&M and The Peanuts)

16. A Man Is A Mean Mean Thing - BARBARA PERRY (2008, Previously Unissued Goldwax recording)

17. First Love Baby - LENA CALHOUN & THE EMOTIONS (October 1961 US 45-single on Flip 357, B-side of "I Ran To You") 

18. I've Got My Eyes On You - MERRY CLAYTON as MARRY CLAYTON (1962 US 45-single on Teldisc 501, B-side to "The Doorbell Rings")

19. I'm A Man - ALBERT WASHINGTON and THE KINGS (January 1968 US 45-single on Fraternity 1002, B-side of "These Arms Of Mine")

20. What'cha Gonna Do - KING JAMES (2008, Previously Unissued Old Town recording)

21. Just Like Yesterday - JOE SIMON (September 1963 US 45-single on Irral 778, A - reissued December 1963 on Dot 16570, A)

22. Mama Julie - TERRY & JERRY (April 1958 US 45-single on Class 226, A - also issued 1965 as a UK 45-single on R&B Records MRB 5009, B-side of "People Are Doing It Every Day") 

23. Doing The Mule - BILLY BLAND (July 1963 US 45-single on Old Town 1143, A)

24. A Lover's Prayer - VERNON GREEN and THE MEDALLIONS (1957 US 45-single on Dooto 425, A)

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED - all tracks in MONO

The 16-page booklet is the usual Ace info-fest – track-by-track explanations by Compiler and Enthusiast ADY CROASDELL (has handled most of these New Breed CD compilations). The text is peppered with rare label repros from Jewel, Soultime, Arock, Savoy and Class sat alongside publicity photos of names that are too long forgotten – R&B ladies Barbara Brown and Barbara Perry in colour, Black and Whites of a lean-back Eugene Church, Vernon Green and The Medallions peeking through a door, Albert Washington clutching his Strat while B.B. King signs to Kent Records in 1958. There is even a Test Pressing of the Gladys Bruce track – not something you would imagine comes up for sale too often on the collector’s market. 

The multiple quality transfers come care of DUNCAN COWELL – Ace’s long-standing Audio Engineer who along with Nick Robbins - does such a stunning job on these recordings. The emphasis is on dancers and clarity joy pops out of your speakers - unreleased or not. To the tunes....

Although days are so lonely and nights are so drear, "Baby Weep No More" for Luther Ingram cause his Previously Unissued bopper is an amazing find. The fun continues when Paul Clifton tells us that his gal "Wobbles When She Walks...", then rolls her eyes and generally makes his poor heart beat a little faster (steady yourself man) - while Banny Prince and his "Pretty Baby" has that great whack-drum shuffling beat that drives New Breed lovers to talcum-powder distraction. And spare a dime (never mind a thought) for a smitten Chet "Poison" Ivey who practically begs "Mata Hari" not to lure him into giving away any military secrets for a night of undoubtedly stunning passion lest he face more than emotional fallout the following morning (how about the Firing Squad Chet). Another great shuffler comes in the organ Boogaloo of "I've Got A Feeling" by Gladys Bruce. Speaking of sassy ladies, Barbara Brown notices that a shimmy-shammy gal is dancing just a little too close to her entirely innocent man and not being born yesterday, our Babs promises "I'm Gonna Start A War" with that Saturday Night harlot. 

Other highlights include a Hammer and Saxophone combo in an Extended "Coal Miner" by Nappy Brown (working that lung-dust until he drops) - while Gene Burks gives us a tremendous 'can-I-take-you-home-with-me' bopper in the shape of "Shirley Jean". B.B. has met a fine beautician in a very good condition - a hard-working, good-looking mama that will ensure that Mr. King doesn't have to worry about a doggone thing (isn't that nice). Eugene Church meanwhile is slipping between Eskimo and Airline Pilot in his "Jack Of All Trades" in an effort to do all that his baby requires. 

Merry Clayton could never have guessed that her sweet 1963 vocals in "I've Got My Eyes On You" would six years later turn into a 'murder' rasp and roar for The Rolling Stones in 1969 when she duetted with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter". Albert Washington gets cocky too in his fab "I'm The Man" - a great vocal and shuffle beat - while the mysterious Terry & Jerry (no one seems to know who they are) can't help getting excited as their "Mama Julie" wears a tight skirt, walks so groovy and talks so sweet - and all at the same time too. And on it goes.. 

For sure there were quite a few I felt were good rather than great (hence the four stars), but for 'dancers right in today's groove' - "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn" is an afternoon listen I'll take any night of the week...

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)

"Help For My Brother: The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-68" by BOBBY BYRD – US Mono and Stereo 45-Singles on Federal, Smash and King Records - Guests Include Anna King, Nat Jones, Ted Wright, Bud Hobgood, James Crawford and James Brown (September 2017 UK Ace Records/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CD Compilation of Remasters – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B074JQDTQ4&asins=B074JQDTQ4&linkId=32af519ce234b2e62497af47d4734528&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...I Found Out..."

Pals since they'd first met in 1953 at a local baseball game (a full three years prior to the start of Mr. Dynamite's career on Federal in 1956) - James Brown aficionados will know the name Bobby Byrd and smile. 

Singer and Band Leader - Byrd was with JB until 1973 and was the first to get solo releases off of JB Productions. And like all things James Brown associated (Vicki Anderson, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley and so on) – those Funk outings were and are hugely sought-after to this day (2021). Byrd has been famously sampled too by acts as diverse at The Stone Roses, Eric B. & Rakim and Jay Z. 

But it appears outside of those renowned 70ts Funk 45s, the starter part of career in the 60ts (and some would say, he himself) appear to have been largely ignored. Unfortunately on hearing this compilation of earlier sides – it’s easy to hear why. They try hard and at times they even succeed (mostly the shuffling ballads mind) and the at-times stunning audio/original production values lift things way up too. But most never get near greatness – they are good and at times even pretty – but never great. And those enticed by the word ‘Funk’ in this compilation’s title should consider it a misnomer and look away now – because almost all of this excepting Funky Soul No. 1 towards the end of the disc are R&B based songs – like middling James Brown R&B but stubbornly without the tunes.  

So what do you get? CDBGPD 309 gathers up all the US A&B-sides Byrd did on Federal, Smash and King Records between 1963 and 1968 including a rare duet with Anna King and one two-sided unreleased 45 - with four of these cuts even presented here in hip-swinging Stereo. To the concertos...

UK released 29 September 2017 - "Help For My Brother: The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-1968" by BOBBY BYRD on Ace Records/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CDBGPD 309 (Barcode 029667085427) is a 24-Track CD Compilation that plays out as follows (65:33 minutes):  

1. I Found Out 

2. They Are Sayin' 

Tracks 1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of Federal 45-12486, released May 1963; A-side by Bobby Byrd, Johnny Terry and James Brown; B-side by James Brown

3. I'm Just A Nobody Parts I & II

Track 3 is the combined A&B-sides of Smash S-1868, released January 1964; both sides by BB and JB credited as Jim Jam

4. Baby Baby Baby 

Track 4 is the A-side of Smash S-1884 by ANNA KING and BOBBY BYRD, released March 1964

B-side was an Instrumental of the A (not included here); both sides by BB and JB credited as Jim Jam

5. I Love You So 

6. Write Me A Letter 

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1903, released May 1964; A-side by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright; B-side is by Howard Diggs and Joseph Ricks 

7. I've Got A Girl 

8. I'm Lonely 

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1928, released September 1964, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

9. We Are In Love

10. No One Like My Baby 

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1964, released January 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

11. Time Will Make A Change 

12. The Way I Feel 

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1984, released May 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

13. Let Me Know 

14. You're Gonna Need My Lovin'

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-2003, released September 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

15. Oh, What A Night 

16. Lost In The Mood Of Changes 

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-2018, released January 1966, A-side is a cover version of The Dells hit originally on Vee-Jay Records in 1956, B-side is a Nat Jones song

17. Ain't No Use 

Track 17 is the A-side of Smash S-2052, released September 1966, A-side is a Nat Jones song, B-side used "Let Me Know" (see Track 13)

18. I Found Out

19. I'll Keep Pressing On 

Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of King 45-6069, released 1967, A-side is a 'New Version' of "I Found Out" (Track 1 originally released May 1963 on Federal). Both sides are in STEREO; B-side by James Brown and Nat Jones 

20. Funky Soul No. 1 Part 1

21. Funky Soul No. 1 Part 2

Tracks 20 and 21 are the A&B-sides of King 45-6126, released September 1967, both sides by James Brown, Bud Hobgood and James Crawford 

22. I'll Lose My Mind 

Track 22 is the B-side of King 45-6151, released February 1968, by Bobby Byrd. A-side was "You've Got To Change Your Mind" by Bobby Byrd and James Brown - the track isn't included here but can be found on the February 2008 2CD set "The Singles Volume 5: 1967-1969" by James Brown on Hip-O Select. 

23. My Concerto 

24. You Gave My Heart A Song To Sing 

Tracks 23 and 24 were to be the A&B-sides of King 45-6165 sometime in 1968, but were never released.  

All songs in MONO except Tracks 18, 19, 22 and 23 which are in STEREO

The 16-page booklet features superbly detailed and rightly affectionate DEAN RUDLAND liner notes - all the text sat beside US 45-label repros, publicity photos of Bobby solo and with The Famous Flames, trade paper reviews, while a gorgeous black and white publicity snap adorns Page 12 of the beautiful Anna King and a suited 'n' booted Bobby Byrd standing beside the white Miami DJ Rick Shaw - the trio beaming proudly - and why wouldn't they. 

A classy affair bolstered up by NICK ROBBINS Remasters - Ace's long-standing Audio Engineer - a man with thousands of transfer credits to his name. And given the sheer quality of the original production values back in the day, it's clear that the tapes have stood the test of time because these Remasters are lovely - fresh and kicking in all the right ways – even shocking at times in their clarity. 

Highlights include two versions of "I Found Out" – the original groover in Mono where his voice is shockingly good and a Stereo remake that is beautiful to listen too but perhaps trowels on the strings too much. A pleader very much in the vein of "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" – the smoocher "I'm Just A Nobody" impresses too with an Organ presence that is weird but works in a lo-fi way. "I've Got A Girl" is lovely Soul - a forgotten shuffler similar to Dan Penn's "I'm A Puppet" while his duet with Anna King is a bopper very much in the style of Otis & Carla having a shout-off about who loves the other the most. Top Audio accolade has to go to "We Are in Love" - where our hero is making wedding plans no matter what the people might say. And on it goes to the winner that is "Funky Soul No.1" – the only real tune on here that does what it says on the tine... 

Bobby Byrd married Vicki Anderson and parted ways with JB in 1973. Byrd passed in September 2007 (JB had gone the year earlier) with his and Vicki’s daughter Carleen carrying on the singing-soulful torch in The Young Disciples. But of course his influence stretches so much further and will continue to do so (the man behind James Brown, and what a legacy that is). 

You could and should argue that this is a period of Bobby Byrd that Funk fans in general will not really want (especially those wanting Rare Groove 70ts cuts). 

But 60ts Soul boys and gals, Mods and R&B New Breed lovers should investigate and I suspect they will find more than enough to enjoy...

"Original Album Series" by THE METERS – Five Albums on Reprise and Warner Brothers Records USA and UK including "Cabbage Alley" (1972), "Rejuvenation" (1974), "Fire On The Bayou" (1975), "Trick Bag" (1976) and "New Directions" (1977) featuring Art Neville and the Songs/Productions of Allen Toussaint (January 2014 UK Rhino/Warners Music Group 5CD Capacity Wallet Mini Box Set of Remasters with Five Repro Artwork Card Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 315 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £5.95 (Jan 2022 Update)

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00MTCDTWS&asins=B00MTCDTWS&linkId=f95dca2244c8856012cccc3c6c25fff6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00GRHBDWY&asins=B00GRHBDWY&linkId=403b7028a183d0d00d71def2765ddaf5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"…Funkify Your Life…"

This brilliant addition to the Warners Music Group Original Album Series strips the five 2001 Rhino CD remasters of The Meters Seventies LPs of their bonus tracks and presents them in simple album form - 5 x 5" singular card repro sleeves (no inners) inside an outer card slipcase. And what a New Orleans blast they are too. Here are the rejuvenating details y'all...

UK released January 2014 - "Original Album Series" by THE METERS on Rhino/Warner Music Group 8122796156 (Barcode 081227961565) is a 5CD Capacity Wallet Mini Box Set of Remasters with Five Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (40:27 minutes):

1. You've Got To Change (You've Got To Reform)

2. Stay Away

3. Birds

4. The Flower Song

5. Soul Island

6. Do The Dirt - [Side 2]

7. Smiling

8. Lonesome And Unwanted People

9. Getting' Funkier All The Time

10. Cabbage Alley

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

Disc 2 (44:13 minutes):

1. People Say

2. Love Is For Me

3. Just Kissed My Baby

4. What'cha Say

5. Jungle Man

6. Hey Pocky A-way - [Side 2]

7. It Ain't No Use

8. Loving You Is On My Mind

9. Africa

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Rejuvenation" - released October 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2200 and October 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54027

Disc 3 (45:59 minutes):

1. Out In The Country

2. Fire On The Bayou

3. Love Slip Upon Ya

4. Talkin' 'Bout New Orleans

5. They All Ask'd About You

6. Can You Do Without? - [Side 2]

7. Liar

8. You're A Friend Of Mine

9. Middle Of The Road

10. Running Fast

11. Mardi Gras Mambo

Tracks 1 to 11 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

Disc 4 (42:16 minutes):

1. Disco Is The Thing Today

2. Find Yourself

3. All These Things

4. I Want To Be Love By You

5. Suite For 20 G

6. (Doodle Loop) The World Is A Little Bit Under The Weather - [Side 2]

7. Trick Bag

8. Mister Moon

9. Chug-A-Lug

10. Hang 'Em High/Honky Tonk Woman

Tracks 1 to 10 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

Disc 5 (41:10 minutes)

1. No More Okey Doke

2. I'm Gone

3. Be My Lady

4. My Name Up In Lights

5. Funkify Your Life - [Side 2]

6. Stop That Train

7. We Got The Kind Of A Love

8. Give It What You Can

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

There's no booklet as is usual with these card packs but the front and rear album artwork looks great. Also there's no mention of who mastered what but on comparing with my "Rejuvenation" CD of old - these are all the 2001 Rhino remasters done by GIOVANNI SCATOLA - and they boogie like a mother. There's fantastic presence and warmth to these discs that clobbers you time and time again as you go through the albums.

Fronted by Art Neville (brother of Aaron Neville) - The Meters already three albums under their belt on Josie Records before they signed to Reprise - "The Meters" and "Look Ka Py-Py" from May and December 1969 and "Struttin'" from June 1970 - so their New Orleans choppy-guitar bad backbeat Funk style was well established. 

The Reprise/Warner Brothers albums refined their simpler Josie Records funk and featuring the songwriting chops of mentor and friend ALLEN TOUSSAINT – 1972 to 1977 contained some of their best-loved songs like "Do The Dirt" and "Cabbage Alley" (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). The non-album single "Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Parts 1 & 2)" is not here - they're bonus tracks on the Rhino 2001 CD of "Cabbage Alley" if you want them. 

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 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 Women" while their cover of Earl King's "Trick Bag" is superb too. They get a great groove going on "Doodle Loop..." too.

The final album "New Directions" sees the Funk and Brass get louder and more Isley Brothers - opening with the fab funk 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".

So there you have it - Funky, Soulful and Nasty - The Meters had it all. A properly great addition to a series that's getting better and better...

PS: See also my review for the stunning SoulMusic Records 6CD Box Set of 2020

"Gettin' Funkier All The Time: The Complete Josie, Reprise & Warner Recordings 1968-1977" by THE METERS...

"Map Of Tiny Perfect Things, The" - A Film Review by Mark Barry of the 2021 Movie Available as an Amazon Download...

"...We're All Looking For The Fourth Dimension..." 

A beautifully scripted and played-out film and released just in time for Valentine's Day mush celebrations – February 2021's "The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things" on Amazon Download/Stream is a better-than-a-romantic-comedy movie idea that pitches 'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower' against 'Groundhog Day'. 

And despite the pitfalls for a movie that would take on either of those wee mini filmic masterpieces – "Map..." comes up trumps in both cases. It's a sort of Sci-Fi Rom Com set on Planet Earth with its Heart and Soul firmly looking up to and longing for  magic in the stars.

The two principal leads Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton play Mark and Margaret – college lovers who don't know they're on a collision course towards each other - or even that hanging out together will enrich their locked-in worlds - maybe even save their sorry judgemental/philosophical nerd-like asses.

Happily predicting every little movement that will happen in his sunny day from the moment he wakes up and his mom drives off to work to his eventual plonking on his suburbia bed – Mark is inexplicably on a 24-hour-loop that melts and resets a second after midnight back into the same day – again and again and again.

And at first – when we meet him – the tall medium-attractive eighteen-year old is apparently happy with this. He repeats his younger sister Emma's "loser" taunt each breakfast for fun (not with malice) while hurting for her three-nil soccer game loss later that afternoon (cool role for Cleo Fraser). His dropped out of a good job now stay-at-home Dad (Josh Hamilton) is trying to write that Civil War novel he's always promised himself he would write, and later on, give his son that awkward parent-child chit-chit on the birds and the bees (but who is the smarter one in the room).

Mark will also drop in on his same-age pal Henry who seems incapable or unwilling to ever leave his game console bedroom as he gets character-trashed every time (if only he knew about that grenade throwing trait that will bring him to the key). Yet despite Mark's carping sister, dreaming Dad, shadowy mum that he never gets to hug and Henry's savvy-yet-somehow-useless advice on girlfriends and maps and life in general (wittily played by Jermaine Harris) – Mark is a positive soul that isn't as yet jaundiced or trapped by his predicament. If anything, he seems even smug in his mastering of unfolding events, whistling his way through it – getting right what he got wrong the repeated day prior.

So with each 24-hour stretch, Mark breezily catches falling crockery, nabs a carton of coffee from off of the roof on a stationary car as he passes on his bicycle, only to deposit the finished latte sup into a passing garbage truck at the exact moment both opportunities present themselves. He pushes a pedestrian back to avoid a falling bird poop - drops down a middle-aged lady's skirt with a steel thongs he's brought for just that purpose, her unwieldy dowdy garment having become wedged behind without her noticing - a potentially embarrassing moment that would have people laughing at her - and so on. Despite the opportunity to hurt and get away with it without consequences, Mark chooses not to.

But then one day by the local pool - a gorgeous young woman of his age catches a beach ball that should have hit another girl he's been trying to get the attention of. Then this mystery girl with her golden ringlets (a luminous Kathryn Newton) just waltzes out of frame – like she doesn't want to be caught - let alone be even spoken to. Could it be that someone else is trapped in this loop with him - and does she offer a way out? Maybe even have an answer as to why they're the only two people in the entire world rotating days in an inescapable time anomaly in the first place?

Without giving too much away, the story unfolds in ways you don't expect and the chemistry between the two leads is real, sweetly handled and like all good movies – something you become seriously invested in. Mark and Margaret start a journey where they begin to discover everyday beauties – seemingly ordinary yet pretty things that they hadn't seen in their own self-centred and egocentric loops. And this is where the movie really starts to fly.

The thing is that the writer had to spot all of these moments (there is a lot of them) and then set them up to be filmed - so scene after scene unfolds with wondrous stuff. And combined with a really pretty acoustic score from Tom Bromley that lifts up key scenes when they really need it - the effect at times is quite magical. There is also an unfolding of love – a scene where Mark sets up a fantasy set for Margaret – a handmade cardboard realisation of a career dream (Margaret longs for NASA and space exploration and she also seems to know a lot about the Fourth Dimension).

For sure, the ideas are directly linked to and lifted from other movies we movie nerds know well (they are actually referenced throughout the film) - but for sheer inventiveness and a genuinely joyful feel and approach to life's ups and downs and young love - "The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things" is a breath of fresh air. It doesn't really have a cynical bone in its body.

I suppose some may find that just a tad too cosy. But I thought it was gorgeous and Writer Lev Grossman and Director Ian Samuels are to be congratulated for pulling off such a pick-me-up coup in a 2020 world so full of loss, hurt and negativity.

And it will surely make the golden-haired Kathryn Newton (the kind of gal every 18-year lad wants to fall in love with) an even bigger star.

Lovely and then some...

"Tighten Up/I Can't Stop Dancing" by ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS – Two US Albums Originally Released April and December 1968 on Atlantic Records in Stereo, Plus Bonuses (November 2004 UK Rhino/Warner Strategic Marketing Reissue – 2LPs Remastered onto 1 CD with Five Bonus Tracks in the 'WSM Soul Masters' Series - Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0006B5ZVC&asins=B0006B5ZVC&linkId=4e7e4be564a1884d486a3b92afe5d8a4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

This Review Along With Nearly 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

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

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

 

Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08YS58MPX&asins=B08YS58MPX&linkId=3962ed6fb1283b3f93519653796b8ade&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

"...You're Mine..."

A very cool reissue indeed from 2004 (if not a tad forgotten in 2021) - loads of primo 60ts Atlantic Records Soul (two whole albums worth), Five Bonuses that include Three Unreleased and all of it in raucous remastered Stereo. And it's cheaper than a Steak and Chips at a Houston hoedown (their hometown). Let's do the monkey time and tighten up to the details...

UK released 15 November 2004 - "Tighten Up/I Can't Stop Dancing" by ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS on Rhino/Warner Strategic Marketing 5046-76155-2 (Barcode 5050467615526) offers 2LPs from 1968 Remastered onto 1CD with Five Bonus Tracks (WSM Soul Masters Series) and plays out as follows (68:10 minutes):

1. Tighten Up (Pt. 1) [Side 1]

2. Tighten Up (Pt. 2)

3. I Don't Wanna Be A Playboy

4. You're Mine

5. Knock On Wood 

6. Give Me Time [Side 2]

7. In The Midnight Hour 

8. When You Left, Heartache Began 

9. A Thousand Wonders

10. A Soldier's Prayer, 1967

Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut album "Tighten Up" – released April 1968 in the USA on Atlantic SC-8181 (CSG Stereo)

NON-ALBUM SINGLES:

11. Dog Eat Dog (April 1968 US 45-single non-album B-side to "Tighten Up" on Atlantic 45-2478)

12. Tighten Up (Pt. 1) Original Single Version (April 1968 US 45-single non-album B-side to "Tighten Up" on Atlantic 45-2478)

13. I Can't Stop Dancing [Side 1]

14. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay

15. Do The Choo Choo

16. You're Such A Beautiful Child 

17. Monkey Time 

18. Do You Feel It ? [Side 2]

19. I've Been Trying 

20. Jammin' In Houston 

21. Love Will Rain On You

22. Sometimes I Wonder

Tracks 13 to 22 are their second studio album "I Can't Stop Dancing" – released December 1968 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8204 (Stereo)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SELECTIONS:

23. Low Down

24. Going Out Of My Head (Demo)

25. Who's Loving who (Demo)

Most folks will settle for the four-pound costing budget CD "The Platinum Collection" that came out in March 2007 as part of Atlantic's 60th Anniversary celebrations. But although its 20-track selection from all three of their Atlantic Records albums (that also includes four non-LP single sides) represents great value for money - the gatefold slip of paper that came with all of those budget compilations tells you bugger all. 

Here in this 2004 dedicated release you get a 16-page booklet with typically in-depth and informative liner notes from CHARLES WARING - a name you see across large amounts of Beat Goes On (BGO) Soul and Jazz CD reissues and a contributor to many key magazines like Blues & Soul, Mojo and Record Collector. His booklet gives you background, photos and publicity shots of the finger-clicking four boys looking dapper in their matching suits, label repros of those fab 45s and a track-by-track credits section. 

The cool extends also to new DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT Remasters from original tapes - Audio Engineer names generic to every Rhino CD reissue for decades. And the STEREO (some re-processed) is fab throughout. Spending the few more quid on this specific reissue is way better than a budget presentation - more thorough with those bonuses too. To the dancing daddies of Houston, Texas...

Forgotten gems include the smooch of "Love Will Rain On You" – a leaving me plea to deaf ears. "Dog Eat Dog" - the rare non-LP B-side of their first British 45 "Tighten Up" on Atlantic 584 185 (May 1968) is a welcome addition to CD - great 60ts Soul (a bit rough around the two-minute edges in the Mono audio department it must be said). The string-drenched/high-vocals of "When You Left, Heartache Began" has adorned Northern Soul compilations for years – its joyous oh girl chorus feeling like a celebration rather than relationship misery. That debut also sported the classy shuffler "You're Mine" and even if his vocal-delivery feels ever so slightly off – it so works – all feel as he promises to never let his girl go. 

And they dance too – the "Tighten Up" 45 was huge – catching the dance-crazes of 1967 and 1968. The identikit Tighten Up opener to their second LP "I Can't Stop Dancing" is a masterstroke – similar to the previous Funky Beat tune but just different enough (and check that flicking guitar). They cover the Major Lance hit "Monkey Time” with a shouting come-on-and-do-it version while their Otis Redding nod to his anthem "Dock Of The Bay" is perhaps too reverential to the original. "Do The Choo Choo" is awful - a poor attempt at a dance craze after the number one success of "Tighten Up" on both sides of the pond.

For sure it isn't all genius and some say that this kind of late 60ts Soul has a dated feel now more than five decades on (2021). But for me, there is a dance and make a fool of yourself in the living room infectiousness to Archie Bell & The Drells that I love - and I keep coming back to those soft-centre slowies too that I admire more and more as the years pass. A sweetheart of a release really, and recommended like a Bass Jam in Houston...

PS: 

Their third album "There's Gonna Be A Showdown" would appear in August 1969 on Atlantic SD-8226 and is also subject to a November 2004 CD Reissue and Remaster (use Barcode 5050467615625 to locate it). It features the 12-track LP in Stereo with a huge 15 Bonus Tracks, 10 non-album single-sides and Four Previously Unreleased.