"You Got The Power: CAMEO PARKWAY Northern Soul 1964-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Four Exceptions, Evie Sands, Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, Bunny Sigler, Jerry Jackson, The Orlons, Bobby Paris, Chubby Checker, Eddie Holman and more (June 2020 US ABKCO Records CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Shake And Shingaling..."

I've reviewed nearly 500 or so R&B and Soul CDs across the years and most buyers will not be in the least bit surprised when I rave about England's Kent Soul releases, Bear Family's Sweet Soul Music Series (15 amazing volumes out of Germany) or any number of American Rhino R&B, Funk and Soul Box Sets. Other British labels like Edsel, Demon and Soul Jazz Records in my prayers too. 

Add to that roster stunning independent newcomers like England's SoulMusic, Big Break Records (of Cherry Red) and Real Gone Music (of the USA) - and it comes as something of a shock to me when I now find myself championing a (ahem) 'major' label - in this case ABKCO Records of the USA - a set of letters far more associated with copyright shenanigans to do with The Rolling Stones and their late 60ts catalogue on London/Decca. 

But, I recently bought and reviewed ABKCO's stunning Sam Cooke 5CD Box Set "The Complete KEEN Years: 1957 to 1960" of 2020 - and here's yet another unassuming gem come slithering out of that New York City-based camp. Perhaps because there are so many Soul Reissues these days – it has gone slightly unnoticed. We need to rectify that. 

For sure "You Got The Power" boasts only 20 Northern Soul tracks from an array of labels under the Cameo-Parkway umbrella (those US 45-labels are pictured on the last page of the booklet) and with that sub 52-minute total playing time, it really should have had five or six more rarities added in. 

But with ADY CROASDELL compilation choices (some of these 1964 to 1967 cuts are so sought after) and TERI LANDI first-generation tape transfers - what "You Got The Power..." loses in waist bulge, it more than makes up for in quality stitching. Fit? It's a cracking listen, and fun too. Let's get to the Shake and the Shingaling...

US released 19 June 2020 - "You Got The Power: (Cameo Parkway) Northern Soul 1964-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on ABKCO 8536-2 (Barcode 018771853626) offers 20-Tracks Remastered and plays out as follows (51:53 minutes):

1. You Got The Power - THE FOUR EXCEPTIONS (June 1966, Parkway P-986, A-side)

2. Because Of My Heart - FRANKIE BEVERLY & THE BUTLERS (1967, Fairmount F-1017, A-side - also 2012 UK Reissue on Outta Sight OSV-074, A-side)

3. (Whao, Whoa) I Love Him So - NIKKI BLU (November 1964, Parkway P-931, A-side - Chubby Checker Production - Ernest Evans and Thom Bell song)

4. Girl Don't Make Me Wait - BUNNY SIGLER (December 1966, Parkway P-123, A-side - Leon Huff song)

5. It's Rough Out There - JERRY JACKSON (September 1966, Parkway P-100, A-side - also October 1966 UK on Cameo-Parkway P-100, A-side and Reissued 2012 UK on Outta Sight OVS-076)

6. Envy In My Eyes - THE ORLONS (October 1965, Cameo C-384, B-side of "No Love But Your Love" - Gamble & Huff Production of Eugene Dozier song)

7. Picture Me Gone - EVIE SANDS (June 1966, Cameo C-413, A-side - also August 1966 UK on Cameo-Parkway C 413, A-side - from the Motion Picture Soundtrack "Step Out Of Your Mind" - a Chip Taylor, Al Gorgoni song)

8. Country Girl - VICKIE BARNES (November 1965, Parkway P-966, A-side)

9. Night Owl - BOBBY PARIS (February 1966, Cameo C-396, B-side of "Tears On My Pillow" - November 1977 UK reissue on London HLU 10553, B-side of "You Didn't Say A Word")

10. Village Of Tears - BEN ZINE (July 1966, Parkway P-996, B-side of "What The Heck's The Hanky Panky")

11. You Just Don't Know (What You Do To Me) - CHUBBY CHECKER (December 1965, Parkway P-965, A-side - January 1966 UK on Cameo Parkway P 862, B-side of "Two Hearts Make One Love")

12. The 81 - CANDY AND THE KISSES (October 1964, Cameo C-336, A-side - January 1965 UK on Cameo-Parkway C 336, A-side)

13. Shake And Shingaling (Part 1) - GENE WALTERS (1967, Fairmount F-1018, A-side)

14. S.O.S. (Heart In Distress) - CHRISTINE COOPER (January 1966, Parkway P-971, A-side) 

15. Eddie's My Name - EDDIE HOLMAN (April 1966, Parkway P-981, B-side of "Don't Stop Now")

16. Pass Me By - HATTIE WINSTON (1964, Parkway P-956, A-side)

17. The Grass (Will Sing For You) - LONNIE YOUNGBLOOD (November 1966, Fairmount F-1016, A-side)

18. (Your Love Was Just A) False Alarm - TARI STEVENS (March 1955, Fairmount F-1001, A-side)

19. Who Do You Think You Are - THE SOUL CITY (1967, Good Time GT-802, B-side of "Cold Hearted Blues")

20. You Didn't Say A Word - YVONNE BAKER (March 1967, Parkway P-140, B-side of "To Prove My Love Is True" - November 1977 UK reissue on London HLU 10553, A-side)

There are very classy black and white publicity shots of Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, Evie Sands, Candy And The Kisses (their single "The 81" actually dented the US Billboard charts at No. 19 R&B, No. 51 Pop), Christine Cooper, Yvonne Baker, The Orlons, Eddie Holman and Bunny Sigler who each get a page shot, and so on. The track-by-track annotation includes songwriting credits, US and UK Catalogue Numbers, US chart info if any and the last page of the booklet gives you a collage 16 rare 45 labels - Cameo, Parkway, Fairmount, England's Cameo-Parkway. It's nicely done and Croasdell goes into the songs and their history with typically enthusiastic and informative details. The TERI LANDI Remasters are tremendous - full of punch and the sheer hutzpah that 60ts Soul recordings elicit. To the tunes... 

A frantic bom-bom backing group of boys and girls anchors the 'goddess of temptation...relieve me of my frustration' dance-a-thon that is "You Got The Power" - The Four Exceptions tearing into it like their lives depended on it. It's a cool opener and a taster of themes. As it is with all the best Northern Soul compilations like this, misery and elation are the subject matters. My man's the best (say the girls), better than all the crappy rest, then quickly descending in emotional scales to false alarms, jealousy, envy, broken hearts, tickers in distress, send out an S.O.S. to the love doctor - you get the picture. 

Take "Pass Me By" by Hattie Winston, a Thom Bell Production of a song he co-wrote with Arthur Ross. She starts her story with "I was your only girl...I don't know why you cheated and lied..." and in comes the brass and strings as the drums whack out the hoo-hoo pain in the chorus. You can just imagine earnest young men shimmying on a Northern Soul night dancefloor loving every "...now that you disown me..." line (is it any wonder people want the 45 and Croasdell included it here). 

Eddie Holman doesn't drive a big car, doesn't act like a movie star, because pleasin' is his game and he assures us in the great dancer "Eddie's My Name" that business is good (you go Eddie). Evie Sands has eyes and she can see that some other girl is telling her man that it's over, but she pleads "Picture Me Gone" (another great strings and melodrama dancer). And on it goes...

"... What a fool you've been..." - Bobby Paris tells us in his cautionary "Night Owl" B-side. Northern Soul fans need to buy this and not make a mistake like poor heartbroken Bobby...

"Gold" by MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS – Single and Album Tracks from 1962 to 1978 on Gordy and MCA Records Including Solo Titles and Previously Unreleased Stereo Versions (April 2006 UK Universal/Hip-O/Motown 2CD Definitive Edition Anthology – Ellen Fitton Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Like A Heat Wave..."

Often stickered as a 'Definitive Edition', I've reviewed about six of Universal's "Gold" 2CD sets - The Crusaders, Steppenwolf, Marvin Gaye, Cream, Lionel Richie & The Commodores, Traffic, Kool & The Gang and so on. And have found that the right ones have stunning Remastered Audio. This Hip-O Select double for Motown's Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is one of those. 

"Gold" is Mastered by ELLEN FITTON, the lady who did all fourteen of 'The Complete Motown Singles' Hardback Book Sets across eight years (2005 to 2013) - an award winning series that unleashed 1847 US Singles over 75 CD Volumes in packaging so lavish it literally made your eyes water. 

So our Ellen knows her way around a Mono or Stereo master tape box or two. And that's the kind of quality you're getting here. First up is the Martha & The Vandellas girl-group years and then the solo Martha Reeves stuff - 22 US R&B chart hits in (each is here), a smattering of hard-to-find B-sides on digital, CD compilation Rarities and even Three Previously Unreleased Stereo Mixes, including one for the huge hit "...Heat Wave". You could argue that given the playing-time room on either CD that more rare B-sides and LP cuts could and should have been included, but it is impressive nonetheless. 

So ignore the boring generic title/packaging and feel the sonic boom. And the fact that "Gold" is new for less than seven squid (or about four if you look around on the secondhand market) is only a bonus. To the details and the original Heat Wave gals...

UK released 3 April 2006 - "Gold" by MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS on Universal/Hip-O/Motown 0602498840993 (Barcode 602498840993) is a 2CD 42-Track Definitive Edition Anthology of Remasters that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (56:29 minutes): 

1. I'll Have To Let Him Go (September 1962, Gordy 7011, A-side)

2. Come And Get These Memories (February 1963, Gordy 7014, A-side)

3. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Extended Stereo Mix)

4. A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday) (July 1963, Gordy 7022, B-side of "Heat Wave")

5. Quicksand (November 1963, Gordy 7025, A-side)

6. Darling, I Hum Our Song (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Stereo Mix)

7. Live Wire (January 1964, Gordy 7027, A-side)

8. In My Lonely Room (March 1964, Gordy 7031, A-side)

9. Dancing In The Street (July 1964, Gordy 7033, A-side)

10. There He Is (At My Door) (July 1964, Gordy 7033, B-side)

11. Wild One (November 1964, Gordy 7036, A-side)

12. Nowhere To Run (February 1965, Gordy 7039, A-side)

13. Motoring (February 1965, Gordy 7039, B-side)

14. You've Been In Love Too Long (July 1965, Gordy 7045, A-side)

15. Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things) (July 1965, Gordy 7045, B-side)

16. My Baby Loves Me (Stereo Version from the January 2003 CD compilation "The Love Songs Of Motown")

17. What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love (May 1966, Gordy 7053, A-side)

18. I'm Ready For Love (Alternate Stereo Version that was included on the US LP "Watchout!" on Gordy G920 in December 1966)

19. Third Finger, Left Hand (October 1966, Gordy 7058, Non-LP B-side of "Jimmy Mack" – see also Track 1 on CD2)

20. It's Easy To Fall In Love (With A Guy Like You) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Stereo Mix)

CD1: All Tracks credited to MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS 

CD2 (66:32 minutes):

1. Jimmy Mack (Stereo Single Version, Mixed by Tom Moulton and First Issued July 2005 on the 4CD Box Set "The Motown Collection")

2. Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone (August 1967, Gordy 7062, A-side)

3. One Way Out (August 1967, Gordy 7062, B-side)

4. Honey Chile (October 1967, Gordy 7067, A-side)

5. Show Me The Way (October 1967, Gordy 7067, B-side)

6. I Promise To Wait My Love (April 1968, Gordy 7070, A-side)

7. Forget Me Not (April 1968, Gordy 7070, B-side)

8. I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing (July 1969, Gordy 7075, Non-LP A-side)

9. Sweet Darlin' (October 1968, Gordy 7080, Non-LP A-side)

10. (We've Got) Honey Love (April 1969, Gordy 7085, A-side)

11. Taking My Love (And Leaving Me) (August 1969, Gordy 7094, A-side)

12. I Should Be Proud (February 1970, Gordy 7098, A-side)

13. Love, Guess Who (February 1970, Gordy 7098, B-side)

14. I Gotta Let Me Go (November 1970, Gordy 7103, Non-LP A-side)

15. Bless You (September 1971, Gordy 7110, A-side)

16. In And Out Of Life (January 1972, Gordy 7113, A-side)

17. Tear It On Down (May 1972, Gordy 7118, A-side)

18. Willie D (from the December 1974 US LP Soundtrack "Willie Dynamite" on MCA Records MCA-393)

19. Power Of Love (February 1974, MCA 40194, A-side)

20. Wild Night (August 1974, MCA 40274, A-side)

21. Love Blind (May 1975, Arista AS-0124, A-side)

22. Free Again (from the 1978 Henry Cosby US LP "We Meet Again" on Milestone/Fantasy 9549)

CD2: Tracks 1 to 3 credited to MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

Tracks 4 to 17 credited to MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS 

Track 18 credited to MARTHA REEVES & THE SWEET THINGS 

Tracks 19 to 22 credited to MARTHA REEVES 

The 20-page booklet has some fab photos and none moreso than the gorgeous hipster 60ts shot on the last page – the three gals looking glad to be alive in full colour. MARK BEGO, co-author of the MR autobiography "Confessions Of A Motown Diva", gives us a potted history of the group and their hit-making machine in the excellent liner notes. Both "Heat Wave" and "Jimmy Mack" hit the coveted No. 1 spot on the US R&B singles charts in 1963 and 1967 respectively, whilst the iconic "Dancing In The Street" and "Nowhere To Run" 45s were huge Top 10 hits too in 1964 and 1965. 

The other colour photos in the booklet are very cool culminating in a solo pose, while the last few pages are given over to detailed track-by-track info including release dates for the 45s and LPs and Pop/R&B US Chart positions. But the big news is the ELLEN FITTON Remasters ("Heat Wave" was by Suha Gur) and they are just fabulous – punchy and alive and rearing to go. 

Although they are all but forgotten now (even on oldies Radio) - "My Baby Loves Me" and "I'm Ready For Love" were huge hits of the day (No. 3 and No. 2 in November 1966 and March 1967). Rehearing them now (and so many of the others) is like revisiting friends from the past you regret losing touch with. Martha and her gals benefitted of course from gifted songwriters like Smokey Robinson, Sylvia May and Ivory Joe Hunter and of course the magic of H-D-H (Holland-Dozier-Holland). 

Northern Soul hero Frank Wilson (whose lone copy of the withdrawn 1966 45 "Do I Love You" reputedly exchanged hands for 25,000 dollars in the last few years) has a cover of his "It's Easy To Fall In Love (With A Guy Like You)" at the end of CD1 – but this time in the shape of a Previously Unissued Stereo variant - a genuine find if ever there was one.

By the time we're into CD2 and nearing the Solo years, we get Richard Morris, Norman Whitfield, Ashford & Simpson and Clarence Paul contributing the tunes. Martha covers Van Morrison's "Wild Night" and J.J. Johnson's "Willie D" whilst offering up a rare song of her own in "Love Blind". Her last brush with the US charts came on MCA Records - the catchy "Power Of Love" given to her Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Joe Simon (it peaked at No. 22). 

"Gold" by MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS gives you a whole lot of goodies for not a lot of wonga. Sure, in 2021, some fifty to sixty years after the main event, we may not have the stamina to 'dance in the street' anymore - and with Covid-19 - it may actually be illegal. But there is naught stopping a body from dancing towards this joyous little twofer. Come and get these memories - good advice I say...

"Precious: The Anthology 1963-1972" by LINDA JONES – Single and Album Tracks on Cub, Loma, Atco, Blue Cat, Warner Brothers, Neptune, Turbo and Stang Records - featuring The Whatnauts (November 2016 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Do I Love You...I Do..."

Here's the odd thing. I know that of all the 24-cuts assembled on this comely CD compilation covering Linda Jones' criminally cut-short career (she died early 1972, aged only 27) - I'll probably only play maybe 10 of these songs. Yet despite that, I would still award this CD Anthology a full five-stars in a heartbeat, when it should really be three or four. Why? Because the goodies contained within are the absolute business in my Soul book – they really are. 

Stuff like her debut seven-inch single – a cover of Jackie Wilson's Brunswick hit "Lonely Teardrops" issued May 1963 on the obscure Cub is a starting point (she was only 19) - ok rather than ever rising above that. But once Linda Jones got into her stride - especially between 1967 and 1972 when she was handled by Loma, Neptune, Turbo and Warner Brothers Records and given better material - she was staggering. 

"I Do" from the obscure September 1972 US LP "Let It Be Me" on Turbo Records is a primo example - she wails, she pleads, she moans - it's like Etta James on some serious substances. I just love that abandon-passion, as I suspect many others do too. And don't get me started on the ball-busting "Hypnotized" from 1967 – we could be here for decades. 

Let's waste no more tears and get to one of the most beloved lady singers in the Soul genre and a typically classy homage to her musical legacy by England's Ace Records on their label imprint Kent Soul...

UK released 25 November 2016 (December 2016 in the USA) - "Precious: The Anthology 1963-1972" by LINDA JONES on Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 458 (Barcode 029667078122) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (71:34 minutes):

1. Hypnotized (May 1967 US 45-single on Loma 2070, A-side)

2. Lonely Teardrops (May 1963 US Debut 45-single on Cub 9124, A-side, as Linda Lane – a Jackie Wilson cover)

3. I'm Taking Back My Love 

4. Take The Boy Out Of The Country (Tracks 4 and 3 [note playing order] are the A&B-sides of a May 1965 US 45-single on Atco 45-6344)

5. Fugitive From Love 

6. You Hit Me Like T.N.T. (Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a July 1966 US 45-single on Blue Cat BC 128)

7. Give My Love A Try (December 1967 US 45-single on Loma 2085, A-side)

8. A Last Minute Miracle (from the August 1967 US LP "Hypnotized" on Loma LS 5907 in Stereo)

9. What I've Done (To Make You Mad) (September 1967 US 45-single on Loma 2077, A-side)

10. My Heart Needs A Break (February 1968 US 45-single on Loma 2091, A-side)

11. That's When I'll Stop Loving You (October 1969 US 45-single on Neptune N-17, B-side to "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow" - see Track 13 for A-side)

12. I Just Can't Live My Life (Without You Baby) (April 1969 US 45-single on Warner Brothers 7278, B-side of "My Heart (Will Understand)"

13. I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow  (October 1969 US 45-single on Neptune N-17, A-side - see Track 11 for B-side)

14. Can You Blame Me? 

15. Ooh Baby You Move Me (Tracks 15 and 14 [note order] are the A&B-sides of a May 1970 US 45-single on Neptune N26)

16. I Do 

17. If Only We Had Met Sooner (Tracks 16 and 17 from the September 1972 US LP "Let It Be Me" on Turbo Records TU-7008)

18. I Can't Make It All Alone (November 1971 US 45-single on Turbo TU 017, A-side)

19. Stay With Me Forever (May 1971 US 45-single on Turbo TU 012, A-side - for B-side see Track 23) 

20. Behold (from the May 1972 US LP "Your Precious Love" on Turbo TU-7007)

21. Not On The Outside (May 1972 US 45-single on Turbo TU 024, A-side)

22. I'm So Glad I Found You (Linda Jones & The Whatnauts) (June 1972 US 45-single on Stang 5039, A-side)

23. I've Given You The Best Years Of My Life (May 1971 US 45-single n Turbo TU 012, B-side to "Stay With Me Forever" - for A-side see Track 19)

24. Your Precious Love (February 1972 US 45-single on Turbo TU 021, A-side)

Tracks 1, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24 in STEREO

Tracks 2 to 6, 10 to 15, 18 and 23 in MONO   

Outside of three deep LP cuts from 1972, the remaining 23 entries are single sides, Ace cleverly choosing the lesser-trodden path of B-sides that to my knowledge have never been on CD before. You could argue that someone somewhere should really do a full-on Anthology for Linda Jones because again as far as I know in 2021, neither of the albums featured here on Turbo have ever been on CD anywhere in the world. So what do you get? 

The 16-page booklet is headed-up with TONY ROUNCE liner notes that acknowledges how her legend has grown amongst Deep Soul collectors in the last five decades – a sort female version of Chuck Jackson or Tommy Tate. All of those rare US 45-single labels for Loma, Warner Bros, Stang, Turbo, Atco, Blue Cat, Neptune and so on are pictured amongst the text and facts. The two Turbo LPs are here too as is the Loma "Hypnotized" album that actually charted in October 1967 eventually achieving an impressive No. 26 on the US R&B LP charts. "Your Precious Love" would hit the US LP charts in June 1972 (shortly after its release in May) and achieve a peak placing of No. 35. There are trade adverts for Loma Records and a French picture sleeve for the magical Northern Soul-ish "Hypnotized" graces the rear sleeve (tasty all around, as usual). Long-standing Audio Engineer for Ace Records DUNCAN COWELL has done the Remasters and they are lovely – pleasing for me to hear more Stereo than Mono – though both have punch and clarity. To the music...

"Precious: The Anthology..." opens on a barnstormer - the gorgeous melodrama of "Hypnotized". It hit the US R&B singles chart weeks after release in late June 1967 whereupon Loma 2070 rose to a deserved No. 4 position. Her first album by the same name would follow into the R&B LP charts. With its bells and brass and slow lurch - the all-it-took was just-one-little-look pleader sailed its way into Northern Soul hearts with a speeding bullet. 

Linda Jones has always been a fave of NS fans - in fact when WEA were assaulting the British marketplace in 2002, 2003, 2004 with volume after volume of single CD/2LP sets like "Funky Drops" and so on - their "After Hours...Northern Soul Masters" Series showcased Linda with "My Heart Needs A Break" on Volume 1, "Just Can't Live My Life" on Volume 2 and "A Last Minute Miracle" on Volume 3. Loma played it smart by following the breakthrough of "Hypnotized" with the equally beautiful "What've I Done (To Make You Mad)" - the ballad rewarding the Warner Brothers distributed label with a No. 8 hit single in October 1967 (Loma 2077). 

This set also features her other four US R&B chart entries - "Give My Love A Try" (Loma 2085, entered January 1968, peaked at No. 34), "That's When I'll Stop Loving You" (Neptune N-17, entered January 1970, peaked at No. 40), "Your Precious Love" (Turbo 021, entered February 1972, peaked at No. 15) and "Not On The Outside" (Turbo 024, entered June 1972 and peaked at No. 32). Another Northern Soul fave is "I Just Can't Live My Life (Without You Baby)" - the much-sought B-side of her only single on the Warner Brothers label "My Heart (Will Understand)". I also like her cover of The O'Jays "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)" - an early song for them in October 1967 on Bell 691. And on it goes...

Rounce quite rightly argues that had she lived to fulfil her potential, Linda Jones would be up there with more revered/famous names like Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Etta James - and he's right. But you have to say that once again Ace's Kent Soul have pulled off a CD winner to honour her tantalising and indeed hypnotising legacy. RIP you sweet lady...

"Big New York Soul: Wand Records 1961-1966" by CHUCK JACKSON – Previously Unreleased Material (including a duet with Dionne Warwick), Alternate Versions, Rare Wand 45s, LP Cuts and Originally Unissued 60ts Wand and Scepter Recordings Previously Only Available On Vinyl and CD Compilations from the 1980s and 1990s (September 2017 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...All About You..."

A heady if not entirely unsuccessful stew of eight previously unreleased 60ts tracks, alternate variants of popular back catalogue hits, two deep LP cuts and ten lesser-heard Wand Records 45s into the bargain. Top that lot off with four vinyl-only compilation tracks from long deleted 80ts LPs/90s CDs and an unheard duet with Dionne Warwick from 1963 and you're set. 

Although I will confess to not loving obvious filler like his (not surprisingly) unreleased cover of the spy theme "The Silencer" (originally done by Vikki Carr) - this is still a typically classy Kent Soul release for the Mod-beloved Chuck Jackson from England's Ace Records. Let's not waste a second and have at the Manhattan Soul from "Big New York..." 

UK released 29 September 2017 - "Big New York Soul: Wand Records 1961-1966" by CHUCK JACKSON on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 465 (Barcode 029667083027) is a 24-Track CD compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (64:05 minutes): 

1. Things Just Ain't Right (2017, Previously Unissued 28 March 1965 Wand recording)

2. Little By Little (Originally Unissued 28 October 1965 Wand recording, first appeared on the September 1987 UK CJ compilation LP "A Powerful Soul" on Kent KENT 073 - see also Track 16)

3. Hand It Over (February 1964 US 45-single on Wand 149, A-side)

4. Big New York (September 1963 US 45-single on Wand 141, A-side - Ed Townsend song)

5. King Of The Mountain (from the 1963 "Encore!" LP on Wand LP 655 in Mono)

6. Another Day (from the 1963 "Encore!" LP on Wand LP 655 in Mono)

7. Need To Belong (2017, Previously Unissued 28 October 1965 Wand recording)

8. For All Time (May 1964 US 45-single on Wand 154, Second Issue B-side of "Beg Me" - see also Track 15)

9. If I Didn't Love You (July 1965 US 45-single on Wand 188, A-side)

10. The Same Old Story (March 1961 US 45-single on Wand 108, B-side of "(It Never Happens) In Real Life"

11. Why Some People Don't Like Me (2017, Previously Unissued 21 May 1964 Wand recording)

12. What You Gonna' Say (January 1962 US 45-single on Wand 119, A-side)

13. I've Got To Be Strong (October 1966 US 45-single on Wand WN-1142, A-side)

14. The Silencer (Originally unissued 1965-6 recording, first issued May 1992 on the Various Artists US 3CD Compilation "Capricorn Records Presents The Scepter Records Story" on Capricorn 9 42003 2 - a Vikki Carr cover version)

15.  This Broken Heart (That You Gave Me) (May 1964 US 45-single on Wand 154, First Issue B-side of "Beg Me" - see also Track 10 for second issue B-side)

16. Forget About Me (Originally Unissued 28 October 1965 Wand recording, first appeared on the September 1987 UK CJ compilation LP "A Powerful Soul" on Kent KENT 073 - see also Track 2)

17. Meet Me Half Way (2017, Previously Unissued 1962 recording)

18. And That's Saying A Lot (April 1966 US 45-single on Wand WN-1119, B-side of "All In My Mind")

19. Through My Tears (2017, Previously Unissued 1962 recording)

20. Getting Ready For The Heartbreak (October 1962 US 45-single on Wand 128, A-side)

21. In Between Tears (2017, Previous Unissued version of Wand 128 B-side (A-side is Track 20). First appeared on the August 1986 UK compilation LP "The Magic Touch" on Kent KENT 057)

22. All About You (2017, Previously Unissued 1962-3 recording)

23. Anymore [Duet with DIONNE WARWICK] (2017, Previously Unissued 1963-4 recording)

24. Why, Why, Why (2017, Previously Unissued 28 October 1965 Wand recording)

All Tracks in MONO except Track 1 in STEREO

Tracks 1, 7, 11, 17, 19, 22, 23 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Ace/Kent Soul really does the biz-schnizz by these jam-packed booklets, and this 20-page info/pic-fest is no different. ADY CROASDELL has compiled and done the comprehensive liner notes - his text peppered with Wand Records trade adverts and period promotional material, concert posters in colour, Cash Box magazine issues repro'd, photos of Chuck with his Scepter Records ladies in crime The Shirelles and an ultra-rare acetate of the "Little By Little" track. They have even given a page over to a gorgeous 1966 Japanese picture sleeve for the "I've Got To Be Strong" 45 – something I've never seen in all my years in rarities. 

Long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has done the deed by the tapes and transfers - most all of it in punchy Mono - sounding fresh and alive. To the tunes...

Over the top strings and brass greet you for the common-man tune "King Of The Mountain" and strangulated Egyptian shakers on "Another Day" - but while his vocals are great - I could personally live without these sub-Coasters tunes. Closing up all of his windows so no one can see, Chuck sobs as he informs of his totally innocent behaviour. Why, 'cause he's "Getting Ready For The Heartbreak" (gorgeous audio on those girly vocals, guitars and organ). 

Mod lovers go for his "Beg Me" big time - a sought-after stop-start-rhythm dancer with a fantastic wild chorus - Ace featured it on their May 2016 CD compilation "Modernism". Say you need my arms, he pleads in the frantic "Hand It Over" and I'd forgotten the sheer melodrama of "Forget About Me" - certainly the version hidden on KENT 073 all these decades. A man of very few words, you have to love the full-on I'm-gonna-die melodrama in "And That's Saying A Lot" – a forgotten 45 side presented here with great audio. 

The unreleased stuff is a very mixed bag of good and just plain crap. Although the vocals are a little too far back in the mix, "Need To Belong" is a lovely find – a slow sexy melody. You can so hear though why "In Broken Tears" and "Why Some People Don't Like Me" remained in the can – starting out slow and then going into a beat that is just plain awkward and confused – both would have died on radio. "Things Just Ain't Right" opens the CD in startling Stereo while the thought-you-loved-me-too of "Little By Little" is an excellent boohoo moaner, presented here in top-class audio. The big disappointment is the Dionne Warwick duet "Anymore" where her lead vocal (followed by him a few verses later) is somehow lost way back in the mix. It makes for a pleasant Bacharach/David Pop-Soul moment, but also feels like unfinished business few wanted to actually complete. At least the CD ends on "Why, Why, Why" – a nice slice on Northern Soul-ish melodrama. 

There are other Chuck Jackson CDs (loads in fact) that cover the eight or so albums he put out on Wand, never mind his stint with Motown and that Bacharach/David monster "Any Day Now". But "Big New York Soul" goes deeper than most into the singles and rarities (there are B-sides here I'm quite sure you can't find anywhere else) and I for one like this off-the-beaten track compilation for just that. 

Chuck Jackson's "Big New York Soul: Wand Records 1961-1966" is not all genius by any stretch, but there is enough to keep devotees faithful. And when you hear that voice, you know why they loved him in the first place...

"Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (June 2008 US Rhino Handmade 4CD 82-Track LP-Sized Box Set – Limited Numbered Edition of 3000 Copies - Billy Vera Compiled Selections – Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Since I Fell For You…"

A sister box to "Atlantic Blues {1949-1970}" released Stateside in September 2007 - "Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" by VARIOUS ARTISTS followed in June 2008 on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7738 (Barcode 603497773824). The third themed set was "Atlantic Soul {1959-1975}" – see list provided below.

It's pretty to look at for sure - all three themed sets are. You get 4CDs and 82-Tracks in 4 x 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut lipped hollows inside a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. The 32-page LP-Sized booklet inside is numbered to 3000 (on the last page) and it all breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, "Jumpin' & Bluesy", THE CLOVERS pictured, 21 tracks, 55:31 minutes:

1. Hey Miss Fannie - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 977, B-side of "I Played The Fool")

2. One Mint Julep - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 963, A)

3. Yes It's You - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 989, B-side of "Crawlin'")

4. Bip Bam - CLYDE McPHATTER and THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1043, A)

5. I Confess - THE CLOVERS (1953, Atlantic 1045, A)

6. Don't Dog Me - THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 2049, A)

7. The Feeling is So Good - THE CLOVERS (1953. Atlantic 1046, A)

8. Ooh I - CARMEN TAYLOR & THE BOLEROS 1954. Atlantic 1041, A)

9. Whatcha Gonna Do  - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS (1954, Atlantic 1055, A)

10. Sh-Boom - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104, A)

11. Cross Over The Bridge - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104, B)

12. Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash - THE CLOVERS (1954, Atlantic 1035, A)

13. Tell Me (Are You Really Mine) - THE PLAYBOYS (1954, Cat 108, A)

14. Zippity Zum (I'm In Love) - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 109, A)

15. Got The Water Boiling - THE REGALS (1955, Atlantic 1062, A)

16. Good Golly Miss Molly - THE PLAYBOYS (1954, Cat 115, A)

17. Walk That Walk - THE SHEIKS (9154, Cat 116, A)

18. Could It Be - THE SH-BOOMS (1954, Cat 117, A)

19. You Tickle Me Baby - THE ROYAL JOKERS (1955, Atlantic 6052, A)

20. Nip Sip - THE CLOVERS (1955, Atlantic 1073, A)

21. Come Back My Love - THE CARDINALS (1955, Atlantic 1067, A)

Disc 2, "Slow & Dreamy", THE CARDINALS pictured, 20 tracks, 57:16 minutes:

1. Skylark - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 934, B-side of "Don't You Know I Love You")

2. Needless - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 944, B-side of "Fool, Fool, Fool")

3. I'll Always Love You - THE CARDINALS (1951, Atlantic 952, A)

4. I Played The Fool - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 977, A)

5. Under A Blanket Of Blue - THE CARDINALS (1954, Atlantic 1025, B-side of "Please Baby")

6. A Beggar For Your Kisses - THE DIAMONDS  (1952, Atlantic 981, A)

7. The Way I Feel - CLYDE McPHATTER and THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1006, A)

8. You Are My Only Love - THE CARDINALS (1953, Atlantic 995, B-side of "Lovie Darlin'")

9. Two Loves Have I - THE DIAMONDS (1952, Atlantic 1003, B-side of "I'll Live Again")

10. Here Goes A Fool - THE CLOVERS (1953, Atlantic 1000, B-side of "Good Lovin'")

11. Bless You (For Being An Angel) - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 109, A)

12. Cherry - THE DIAMONDS  (1953, Atlantic 1017, B-side of "Romance In The Dark")

13. The Bells Of St. Mary's - THE DRIFTERS featuring Clyde McPhatter (1954, Atlantic 1048, B-side of "White Christmas")

14. Blue Velvet - THE CLOVERS (1954, Atlantic 1052, A)

15. A Girl To Love - THE CHORDETTES (1955, Cat 112, A)

16. The Door Is Still Open - THE CARDINALS (1955, Atlantic 1054, A)

17. Adorable - THE DRIFTERS (1955, Atlantic 1078, A)

18. Sympathy - THE SENSATIONS featuring TOMMY WICKS (1955, Atco 6056, B-side of "Yes Sir, That's My Baby")

19. Devil Or Angel - THE CLOVERS (1955, Atlantic 1083, A)

20. Your Promise To Be Mine - THE DRIFTERS 1955, Atlantic 1089, B-side of "Ruby Baby")

Disc 3 "The Rock 'n' Roll Era", THE DRIFTERS pictured, 20 tracks, 49:30 minutes:

1. Ruby Baby - THE DRIFTERS (1955, Atlantic 1089, A)

2. Please Mr. Disc Jockey - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1956, Atlantic 6067, A)

3. Shadows Of Love - THE PEARLS (1955, Atco 6057, A)

4. Brazil - THE COASTERS (1956, Atco 6073, B-side of "One Kiss Lead To Another")

5. Drifting Away From You - THE DRIFTERS (1957, Atlantic 1141, B-side of "Hypnotized")

6. Mr. Lee - THE BOBETTES (1956, Atlantic 1144, A)

7. Bells Of Love - THE PEARLS (1955, Atco 6066, A)

8. Hey Baby Baby - THE CASTELLES (1956, Atlantic 6069, B-side of "Happy And Gay")

9. Cry Baby Cry - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1956, Atlantic 6075, A)

10. Finders Keepers - THJE CRESENDOS (1956, Atlantic 1109, B-side of "Sweet Dreams")

11. Fools Fall In Love - THE DRIFTERS (1956, Atlantic 1123, A)

12. My Only Desire - THE FLYERS (1956, Atco 6088, B-side of "On Bended Knee")

13. Lone Lonely Nights - CLYDE McPHATTER (1957, Atlantic 1149, A)

14. It's Good To Me (You Don't Know And I Don't Know) - THE OSPREYS with Reggie Obrecht Orchestra (1957, East West 110, A)

15. Pledge Of Love - THE PENGUINS (1957, Atlantic 1132, A)

16.  The Girl I Love - THE GLOWTONES (1957, East West 101, A and Atlantic 1156, A)

17. Drip Drop - THE DRIFTERS (1958, Atlantic 1187, A)

18. Can't You Understand - THE KING BEES/LLOYD PRICE ORCHESTRA (1957, KRC 302, A)

19. Down In The Alley - THE CLOVERS (1957, Atlantic 1152, A)

20. I Know - THE DRIFTERS (1957, Atlantic 1161, A)

Disc 4, "Group Revival", THE ROMEOS pictured, 21 tracks, 51:18 minutes:

1. I Shot Mr. Lee - THE BOBETTES (1959, Atlantic 2069, A)

2. Lady Love - THE DEL-LARKS (1958, East West 116, A)

3. Dance! - THE COASTERS (1958, Atco 6111, A)

4. Remember The Night - THE DEL-LARKS (B-side of 2)

5. Nosey Neighbors - THE VIBRA-HARPS (1958, Atlantic 6134, A)

6. I'll Be Seeing You - THE CRESCENDOS (1956, Atlantic 2014, A)

7. Lost Love - THE SUPERIORS (1957, Atco 6106, A)

8. Romance In The Dark - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1957, Atco 6115, A)

9. Moments To Remember You By - THE ROMEOS (1957, Atco 6107, A)

10. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart - THE COASTERS (1958, Atco 6116, A)

11. Bila - THE VERSATONES (1963, Atlantic 2211, A)

12. Since I Fell For You - THE SKYLINERS (1963, Atlantic 6270, A)

13. Blue Moon - THE SH-BOOMS 1960,Atlantic 2074, A)

14. Dear One - BILLY STORM (1961, Atlantic 2098, A)

15. Short Skirts - THE SH-BOOMS (B-side of 13)

16. Tight Skirt And Sweater - THE VERSATONES (1963, Atlantic 2211, A)

17. When You Dance - BILLY STORM (B-side of 14, Both Sides Supervised by PHIL SPECTOR)

18. Twist And Shout - THE TOP NOTES (1961, Atlantic 2115, A)

19. Hearts Of Stone - THE TOP NOTES (1961, Atlantic 2097, A)

20. Pretty Pretty Girl (The New Beat) - THE TIME TONES (1961, Atco 6201, A)

21. A Kiss From Your Lips - BILLY STORM (1961, Atlantic 2112, B-side of "Honey Love", Supervised by PHIL SPECTOR)

CONTENT and PRESENTATION:

Taking a look at the paltry playing times provided above - the first disappointment is the scrimping of song inclusions. Less than fifty minutes on Disc 3 for God's sake. A box like this should have had at least 25 sides a disc and more. Three sides of the ultra-rare DIAMONDS trio of 45s are featured when there was plenty of room for their 3 flips. And while the booklet is genuinely lovely to look at - it's short at 32 pages. There's other annoying discrepancies - none of the individual entries tell you whether the song is an A or B (I've put in the info myself) - singles are credited as THE DRIFTERS featuring Clyde McPhatter when it's the other way around (even though they've actually pictured the offending entry) - THE CARDINALS "Under A Blanket Of Blue" is credited as 1951 when its 1954. The BILLY VERA liner notes are typically informative and entertaining - but there's precious little of them. For a box set aimed firmly at die-hard collectors - some of it seems a tad sloppy and even lazy for a company with such a quality reputation. But at least all that's rectified by the actually play of each CD...

SOUND:

Long-standing tape engineers BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH have done a wonderful job with the remastering despite the age of these recordings. Another cool side to this set is hearing tracks that have remained in obscurity for decades - even if they're dubbed from discs or worn tapes (which only a tiny minority are). "Yes It's You" is the first track to show slight distortion but it's a fabulous B-side and worthy of inclusion as is "Cross Over The Bridge" by THE CHORDS on Cat Records. Other rarities include THE DIAMONDS "A Beggar For Your Kisses" (listed at over $1,500) and THE CLOVERS B-side "Skylark" (listed at a paltry $1,000). Another nugget is "Could It Be" by THE SH-BOOMS sounding like seaside Vocal R'n'B with its organ and boppin' beat. "You Tickle Me Baby" by THE ROYAL JOKERS is the most fun with one of the group giggling hysterically throughout.  

The audio quality on THE CARDINALS jaunty "Come Back My Love" is fabulous - what a gem (in the vein of The Clovers and McPhatter's Drifters). Disc 2 pours on the pleading and smoochers ("You Are My Only Love") while Disc 3 boogies it with cool dancers like "Fools Fall In Love" and "Drip Drop". Disc 4 gives a lesser beaten-track - the Vocal Group revivals in the Sixties - even throwing in some rare Phil Spector tie-ins (see Billy Storm). Great stuff and makes me wish there was a Volume 2. 

Despite its shortcomings (playing time especially) - this is a gorgeous Box Set to behold and listen to. And because it's the magical Atlantic label - I had to own it. I suggest you do too...

RHINO Handmade Series of Themed Atlantic Records Box Sets

Numbered Limited Editions of 3000 Copies

Compiled by BILLY VERA – DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT Remasters

All Reviewed...

1. "Atlantic Blues {1949-1970}" - September 2007 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7737 (Barcode 603497773725) - it contains 4CDs/80-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut hollows in a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 36-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.

2. "Atlantic Soul {1959-1975}" – October 2007 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7739 (Barcode 603497773923) – it contains 4CDs/82-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut hollows in a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 36-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.

3. "Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" - June 2008 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7738 (Barcode 603497773824) – it contains 4CDs/82-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves are housed in hollows inside a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 32-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.