"Right On! Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 1967-1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Volume 1 of 5 (September 1999 UK Warner.ESP - Warner/Atlantic/Reprise CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 304 Others Is Available In My

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

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"...Got More Glide In My Stride And More Dip In My Hip..."

Sometime in the late Nineties, the UK branch of Warner Brothers seemed to suddenly get hip to the public's needs. And WEA did this at the exact moment they also sheepishly realised they'd an abundance of riches in their glorious back catalogue to meet those cravings. I recall the 3 sets of "Funk Drops", 3 more for Northern Soul in "After Hours", 2 for Philly in "Crème De La Creme", more Soul, Funk and Gospel rarities in "You Better Believe It" - and on it went. 

Which brings us to here. Your starter for ten was the very cool "Right On!" series of compilations that tapped the Funkier side of Jazz, Fusion and Rock albums issued on Atlantic, Atco, Cotillion, San Francisco, Reprise and of course Warner Bros between 1967 and 1975. So September 1999 through to August 2004 saw Five Volumes of "Right On!" in all with a 4CD mop-up 'Box Set' in-between for Volumes 1 to 3 that contained a fourth Bonus Disc of 6 Rare Tracks. 

Suddenly, underground names held in collector awe like Eugene McDaniels, David Axelrod and David Newman got pride of place and new recognition. And much to the joy of collectors/album fetishists alike, the "Right On!" series was also backed up by 2LP VINYL sets, all of which boasted a lone Bonus Track over their CD counterparts. 

Remastered - well annotated and compiled with some serious smarts by CHAS CHANDLER and STUART KIRKHAM – they quickly became a way for fans and cash-strapped curious-types of getting rare and largely forgotten Funk and Soul for a decent price (I diligently pickled up each as they appeared). Frankly all five volumes are filled with Mr. Cool and still relatively cheap too, so let's get busy with the starting gate...Volume 1...

UK released 27 September 1999 - "Right On! Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 1967-1975" byVARIOUS ARTISTS on Warner.ESP  - Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548378052 (Barcode 095483780525) is a 17-Track CD/18-Track 2LP Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (67:23 minutes, CD):

1. For What It's Worth – CHER (from the June 1969 US LP "3614 Jackson Highway" on Atco SD 33-298 in Stereo – a Buffalo Springfield cover version, written by Stephen Stills)

2. General Confessional – THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (from the November 1968 US LP "Release Of An Oath" on Reprise RS 6316 in Stereo - Arranged and Written by DAVID AXELROD) 

3. Fat Mama - HERBIE HANCOCK (Instrumental from the December 1969 US LP "Fat Albert Rotunda" on Warner Brothers WS 1834 in Stereo - featuring Billy Butler and Eric Gale on Guitars with Joe Farrell and Joe Henderson on Saxophones)

4. Captain Buckles - DAVID NEWMAN (from the March 1971 US LP "Captain Buckles" on Cotillion SD 18002 - featuring Eric Gale on Guitar, Newman on Saxophones and Flute)

5. Headless Heroes - EUGENE McDANIELS (from the May 1971 US LP "Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse" on Atlantic SD 8281 - Miroslav Vitous of Weather Report on Bass with Alphonse Mouzon on Drums)

6. The Shadow Of Your Smile - JACK McDUFF (from the February 1967 US LP "Tobacco Road" on Atlantic SD 1472 in Stereo)

7. Tighten Up - ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS (from the April 1968 US LP "Tighten Up" on Atlantic SC-8181 in Stereo)

8. Spinning Wheel – WADE MARCUS (from the 1971 US LP "A New Era" on Cotillion SD 9043 – a Blood, Sweat & Tears cover – featuring Eric Gale and Richard Tee on Guitars)

9. Bad Tune – EARTH, WIND & FIRE (from the March 1971 US Debut LP "Earth, Wind & Fire" on Warner Brothers WS 1905)

10. Mr. Cool – RASPUTIN'S STASH (from the September 1971 US LP "Rasputin's Stash" on Cotillion SD 9046 - Lead Vocals by Bruce Butler)

11. Don't Cha Hear Me Calling To Ya - JUNIOR MANCE (from the August 1970 US LP "With A Lotta Help From My Friends" on Atlantic SD 1562 - backing band is Chuck Rainey on Bass, Eric Gale on Guitar, Billy Cobham on Drums with Mance on Keyboards) 

12. Stepping Stones - JOHNNY HARRIS (from the 1970 UK LP "Movements" on Warner Brothers WS 3002)

13. Black Heat - ZIMBA KU (from the June 1975 US LP "Keep On Running" on Atlantic SD 18128) 

14. Soul Train - CHARLES WRIGHT (from the September 1972 US LP "Rhythm & Poetry" on Warner BS 2620) 

15. Get Out Of My Life Woman - GRASSELLA OLIPHANT (from the December 1967 US LP "The Grass Is Greener" on Atlantic SD 1494 in Stereo - Grant Green on Guitar, Harold Ousley and Clarke Terry on Horns with John Patton on Organ - song is Allen Toussaint cover)

16. Feeling Alright - LULU (from the January 1970 US LP "New Routes" on Atlantic SD 33-310 in Stereo - Dave Mason song, Traffic cover) 

17. Crosswind - BILLY COBHAM (from the March 1974 US LP "Crosswinds" on Atlantic SD 7300)

The big disappointment (which they would change as the Volumes progressed) is the virtually information-less gatefold slip of paper that masquerades as a booklet. You get the titles and the album names they came from but naught else really – no paragraphs on the songs – no photos of those LP sleeves you never see – Drummer Grassella Oliphant or the Junior Mance album. I know it is remastered but there is just no credit as to who did what or where - which in 1999 was sloppy to say the least. But – and I must emphasis this – the Audio is fantastic – and the track play really cool and at times completely revelatory. Focusing on music with 'breaks' - there are drums ahoy and they rattle and bash out of your speakers with real intent. To the music... 

The only real slip for me is the Wade Marcus cover of Blood, Sweat & Tear's "Spinning Wheel" that feels more Lounge Lizard than Black Heat (which is a damn shame). No such complaint for the fabulous agitator – smooth operator – they call me "Mr. Cool" – where the confident lead singer of Rasputin's Stash assures us that he fooled around with the President's old lady and then called her shady into the rhyming bargain (wowser). Genius pacing follow-up comes with the Piano-Funky instrumental "Don't Cha Hear Me Calling To Ya" where Junior Mance hums along to his own playing while a truly mean Bass, Guitar and Drum ensemble Funk the mother out of the groove. 

The Axelrod arranged "General Confessional" ambles along as one of those indefinable Funk instrumentals for most of its duration until the boys sing one line towards the end (title) and fade out. But its Soundtrack even Avant Garde vibe is brilliant – a 60ts Rock groove with its infectious rhythms nodding at Soul Boys. In some ways Joe Cocker gets the gong for best cover of Dave Mason's stunning Traffic song "Feeling Alright" – but our Lulu gives it a fair shake. The Johnny Harris "Movements" UK-only LP has a legend all to its own in Blighty – so incredibly sought after. And on it goes to the brilliant and dare we even say it 'commercial fusion' of Drummer Billy Cobham on his "Crosswinds" album – a cornerstone of many a young dude's hipster collection.  

"Right On!" is a brilliant little CD play and there are four more entries to look forward too (see below). 

"...I Got More Glide In My Stride And More Dip In My Hip..." - sang Bruce Butler of Rasputin's Stash as he stroked his ego in the impossibly sexy groove of "Mr. Cool"

Amen to that baby and I envy you the Right On journey...

RIGHT ON! 

CD and Vinyl 2LP Series by Warners UK 

A List of Releases

1. Right On! Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 1967-1975 

CD, 17-Tracks: released 27 September 1999 UK on Warner.ESP Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548378052 (Barcode 095483780525)

VINYL, 18-Track 2LP-set: released September 1999 UK on Warner/Atlantic Reprise 9548-378041 (Barcode 95483780401) – Bonus is "North Carolina" by Les McCann, last track on Side 4 – playing time 9:20 minutes

2. Right On! Vol.2: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 

CD, 19-Tracks: released Monday, 29 May 2000 UK on Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548384002 (Barcode 095483840021) 

VINYL, 20-Track 2LP-set: Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548-38401-1 (Barcode 095483840113) – Bonus is "Harlem Buck Dance Strut" by Les McCann, last track on Side 4 – playing time 5:55 minutes

3. Right On! Vol.3: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 

CD, 18-Tracks: released Monday, 11 June 2001 on Warner Music UK 9548392072 (Barcode 095483920723) 

VINYL, 19-Track 2LP-set: Warner Music UK 9548392061 (Barcode 095483920617) – Bonus Track is "Can you Dig It?" by Herbie Mann, last track on Side 4 – 5:51 minutes

4. Right On! Vol.4: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 

CD, 19-Tracks: 26 August 2002 UK Warner Strategic Marketing UK 0927-42567-2 (Barcode 809274256720)

VINYL, 20-Tracks 2LP set: Warner Strategic Marketing 9274-6388-1 - Bonus Track is "Respect Yourself" by Herbie Mann, last track on Side 4 – 6:50 minutes

5. Right On! Vol. 5 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 

CD: 17-Tracks: 26 January 2004 UK Warner Strategic Marketing 5046691472 (Barcode 5050466914729)

VINYL, 18-Track 2LP-set: Warner Strategic Marketing 5046696401 (Barcode 5050466964014) – Bonus Track is "Schirokko" by Passport, last track on Side 4 – 5:44 minutes

6. Right On! Box Set: Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 

2001 UK Warner Strategic Marketing 092 740477 2 (Barcode 809274047724) 

4CD 67-Track Box Set housed in Book Packaging containing CD Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the Series (61 Tracks) with a further fourth Bonus CD of Six Tracks. Three of the six CD bonuses appeared only on the VINYL 2LP variants of Volumes 1 to 3 (Tracks 3, 4 and 6 below) – the other three are new to the series here. 

The six bonuses for the Box Set are (1) "People Say" by The Meters, (2) "Fried Okra" by The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, (3) "Can You Dig It?" by Herbie Mann, (4) "Harlem Buck Dance Strut" by Les McCann, (5) "People" by Graham Central Station and (6) "North Carolina" by Les McCann.

"Make It Funky: The Big Payback: 1971-1975" by JAMES BROWN – Featuring Fred Wesley, Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Vikki Anderson and more (July 1996 UK Polydor/Chronicles 2CD Compilation – Gary N. Mayo Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 299 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 £6.95 (2021 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Papa Don't Take No Mess..."

For many JB fans, this astonishing 1996 compilation on Polydor's 'Chronicles' Series of 2CD Remasters is something of a motherlode. Twenty-Six primo tracks – eight of which are previously unreleased versions – proper annotation and top quality tape transfers from original masters. Indeed, after 20-plus years of reviewing and listening and shaking my ancient booty in anyone's unfortunate direction type-thang – I would go as far as saying that "Make It Funky..." is one of the most satisfying Soul/Funk Reissues out there – evah! 

This is James Brown at his peak - absolutely smashing it with every release. At times - and in the misty hindsight of 2021 (some 45 to 50 years after the event) – it is hard to imagine anyone ever coming near to James Brown's genius in the first half of the Seventies. And of course there is also the staggering shadow JB's music and influence has cast ever since (styles, sampling etc). 

But enough of that, time to get into some hot pants, shake hands with our Funky President and get on the good foot. UH! To the details y'all...

UK released 23 July 1996 - "Make It Funky: The Big Payback: 1971-1975" by JAMES BROWN on Polydor/Chronicles 533 052-2 (Barcode 731453305229) is a 2CD 26-Track Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (US variant is Polydor/Chronicles 31453 3052-2 - Barcode 731453305229):

CD1 (77:26 minutes):

1. Escape-Ism (4:02 minutes)

Part 2 of the song from the August 1971 US album "Hot Pants" on Polydor PD-4054

2. Hot Pants, Parts 1 & 2 (6:55 minutes)

June 1971 US 45-single on People 45-2501, A&B-sides combined 

3. I'm A Greedy Man (7:08 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028 - Parts 1 and 2 combined 

4. Make It Funky, Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 (12:45 minutes)

Combination of four sides from two US 45-singles - the first was August 1971 on Polydor PD 2-14088 (Parts 1 & 2) - the second was October 1971 on Polydor PD 14098 (Parts 3 & 4). Parts 3 & 4 were also issued on the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004. This is the first time all four parts have been issued as one long jam. 

5. King Heroin (3:55 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028

6. I Got Ants In My Pants (And I Want To Dance) (7:26 minutes)

January 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14162 – the A-side was (Part 1) with the B-side being Parts 15 and 16. This variant combines both sides and adds a small amount more 

7. There It Is (5:47 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028. The album split the track into Parts 1 & 2 - this is the full version combined. It was also issued April 1972 as a Parts 1 & 2 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14125

8. Get On The Good Foot (5:44 minutes)

From the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004 - also issued as a Parts 1 & 2 July 1972 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14139

9. Don't Tell It (8:25 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Complete Version (recorded January 1973) - a 3:57-minute edit was issued on the December 1976 US LP "Bodyheat" on Polydor PD-1-6093

10. I Got A Bag Of My Own (3:46 minutes)

From the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004 - also issued as the A-side to an October 1972 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14153

11. Down And Out in New York City (5:21 minutes) 

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version with Spoken Intro - the February 1973 US Soundtrack LP to "Black Caesar" on Polydor PD 6014 has a version at 4:43 minutes (by James Brown & The J.B.'s) - whilst the February 1973 US 45-single A-side of "Down And Out In New York City" had an edit at 3:15 minutes – this is the first time the full version has been issued

12. Think (3:12 minutes)

April 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14177, A-side only

13. Make It Good To Yourself (Interlude) (2:19 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version - a 22-second portion of this was issued on the Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s June 1974 US LP "Damn Right I Am Somebody" on People PE 6602

Tracks 9, 11 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD1

CD2 (76:43 minutes):

1. The Payback (7:39 minutes)

Full album version from the December 1973 US 2LP set "The Payback" on Polydor PD 2-3007 - also issued as a Parts 1 & 2 US 45-single in February 1974 on Polydor PD-14223

2. Stoned To The Bone (4:00 minutes)

October 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14210, A-side only - edit of a 10:05 minute version on "The Payback" 2LP set

3. Mind Power (4:08 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Version (recorded February 1973)

4. World Of Soul (5:44 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Session (recorded February 1973)

5. Papa Don't Take No Mess (13:50 minutes)

Full Album Version from the June 1974 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001 - track took up all of Side 4 - also issued as an August 1974 US 45-single that edited down the full LP version into Parts 1 & 2 for Polydor PD 14255 

6. Coldblooded (5:04 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Undubbed Version - issued on the "Hell" 2LP-set with overdubs 

7. I Can't Stand It "76" (8:11 minutes)

Full Version from the June 1974 US 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001

8. My Thang (4:15 minutes)

Full Version from the June 1974 US 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001 - also issued in full as Side A of a June 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14244

9. Funky President (People It's Bad) (4:08 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Original Speed Master - speed-up version issued as an October 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14258 and featured on the December 1974 US LP "Reality" on Polydor PD 6039 

10. I Feel Good (3:02 minutes)

Full album version from the May 1975 US LP "Sex Machine Today" on Polydor PD 6042

11. Problems (2:50 minutes)

Full album version from the May 1975 US LP "Sex Machine Today" on Polydor PD 6042

12. Turn On The Heat And Build Some Fire (6:07 minutes)

Full Album Version from the September 1975 US LP "Everybody's Doin' The Hustle & The Double Bump" on Polydor PD 6054

13. Hot Pants Finale (Live) (7:20 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version (recorded 26 July 1971 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NYC)

Tracks 3, 4, 6, 9 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD2

Both HENRY WEINGER and former JB Tour Manager ALAN LEEDS have been at helm of so many Brown reissues - and received special-praise for the stunning Hip-O Select 'Singles' Series that ran to eleven 2CD volumes covering 1956 to 1981 (finished in October 2011, I have reviewed Volumes 4 to 11). Leeds was there from 1969 to 1973 (working with and for the Soul Brother) and proffers superb liner notes and track-by-track recording details in the 24-page booklet. 

Pages 10 and 11 features a black-and-white snap of 'the boys' - the heroes in JB's backing band - Jimmy Nolen and Hearlon 'Cheese' Martin on Guitars, Charles Sherrell and Fred Thomas on Bass, Drummers John Morgan and John 'Jabo' Starks with Horn Players Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, St. Clair Pinckney, Isiah 'Ike' Oakley and "Cheese" Martin. Not pictured but name-checked are other huge contributors including long-time collaborator with JB and founder of The Famous Flames – Bobby Byrd – accompanied by his Vocalist wife Vikki Anderson – both on "Make It Funky". Fusion Drummer Billy Cobham plays on "King Heroin" while Trumpeter and Trombonists Randy and Michael Brecker worked on "I Got A Bag Of My Own". David Sanborn with Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis did their Horn bits for "My Thang" and so on (there are numerous other contributions – too many to document). 

But the real deal for me is the balls-to-the-wall muscle in the GARY N. MAYO Remasters done at Polygram's Studios. The tightness of the band - the groove - the wonderful butt swinging Funk of it all - fabulous. All tracks are in STEREO except "Make It Funky" and "Stoned To The Bone" which are MONO.

Fans will be quietly thrilled by several of the Previously Unreleased tracks – all parts of the singles "Hot Pants" and that monster four-piece "Make It Funky" (none have ever been on LP before). "Funky President" is as originally recorded and mixed and the version of the stand-alone 45 for "Think" is the rare STEREO Mix that got put out in tandem with the Mono variant (they are on Volume 8 of the Singles series). The "Interlude" piece that ends CD1 is a blast – an intense Funk-a-thon snippet that wasn't put on the "Black Caesar" soundtrack. And don't get me started on the holy trilogy of tracks from his run of double-album nirvana - "Get On The Good Foot", "The Payback" and "Hell". 

A fantastic kick-ass twofer that is now surprisingly hard to find in near-mint used condition (for a CD anyway). Papa Don't Take No Mess – James Brown sang on that near fourteen-minute workout. Neither should you, invest, and right soon...

"Understanding/Communication" by BOBBY WOMACK – September 1971 ("Communication") and March 1972 ("Understanding") Third and Fourth US Studio Albums on United Artists Records (issued June and September 1972 in the UK). Featuring Linda Womack, Barry Beckett, Pam Grier, Joe Hicks with David Hood and Ronnie Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals House Band (September 2004 UK EMI Stateside Compilation – 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD – Steve Rooke and Nigel Reeve Abbey Road Studios Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 299 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 £6.95 (2021 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...I Can Understand It... "

A sob Soul story with a happy ending... I'd bought the then newcomer 'Q' Magazine from a shop in Berwick Street on a whim, absolutely loved its contents and funky writing and quickly began collecting them (I think it was only issue 5 or 6 in 1986 or 1987). Damn, I even had two of those Perspex 'Q' holders they sold for £11.99 from their back pages to house my collection in (numbered on the spines with cryptic messages from films and albums). 

Anyway, back to that early issue of Q. What caught my eye was that it contained a near seven-or-eight page article accompanied by cool photos on the amazing musical life of Bobby Womack. While his albums "The Poet I" and "II" had made impact and reignited interest in 1981 and 1984, few talked of BW in Blighty in the late Eighties let alone acknowledged his contributions to Soul in the Sixties and Seventies on Imperial and United Artists Records. 

And in some respects, in March 2021, it's the same really. Womack always seems to be overlooked for the bigger names, yet he made consistently good albums that at times tipped over into greatness and even brilliance. Case in point here. You get his excellent fourth and third studio albums (the running order is reversed for some reason) from 1971 and 1972 - Remastered in their entirety onto 1CD with a half decent booklet and a not too ludicrous price tag. Time for us to understand it...indeed...here are the communicative details...

UK released September 2004 - "Understanding/Communication" by BOBBY WOMACK on EMI/Stateside 866 0782 (Barcode 724386607829) offers two LPs from 1971 and 1972 Remastered onto 1CD (see below re running order) that plays out as follows (71:41 minutes):

1. I Can Understand It [Side 1]

2. Woman's Gotta Have It 

3. And I Love Her 

4. Got To Get You Back 

5. Simple Man [Side 2]

6. Ruby Dean 

7. Thing Called Love 

8. Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)

9. Harry Hippie 

Tracks 1 to 9 are his fourth studio album "Understanding" (fifth LP overall) - released March 1972 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5577 and September 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29365. It peaked at No. 7 on the US R&B charts (didn't chart UK). 

10. Communication [Side 1]

11. Come L'Amore 

12. Fire And Rain 

13. (If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back 

14. Monologue / (They Long To Be) Close To You [Side 2]

15. Everything Is Beautiful 

16. That's The Way I Feel About Cha 

17. Yield Not To Temptation

Tracks 10 to 17 are his third studio album "Communication" (fourth overall) - released September 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5539 and June 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29306. It peaked at No. 7 on the US R&B LP charts (didn't chart UK). 

DEAN RUDLAND of Ace Records reissue-fame provides the liner notes in the 12-page booklet. It's nice if not a tad underwhelming – a couple of black and white period photos with BW sporting an open chest, trademark sunglasses and a hanging medallion (no LP artwork). Rudland gives a potted history of the period LPs – but the big news is Remasters done at Abbey Road Studios by STEVE ROOKE and NIGEL REEVE. Rooke was part of the team that handled the much praised Beatles reissues and Apple Artists catalogue – whilst Nigel Reeve has been at the helm of many revered Audiophile reissues including huge swathes of the Universal "Originals" catalogue. Both know their way around a tape box or two in other words and the Audio is fabulous. I had British LP pressings of both albums for years and they never sounded this good. To the music... 

Womack used the same trusted crew on top-flight musicians for both records. Guests included Barry Beckett on Keyboards, Tippy Armstrong and Jimmy Johnson on Guitars, David Hood and Roger Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals inhouse-band on Bass and Drums with Bobby Womack, Ronnie Eads, Harvey Thompson, Dale Quillen and Harrison Calloway, Jr. on Horns. Backing Singers included Blaxploitation star Pam Grier with veteran vocalists Patrice Holloway and Janice Singleton. 

Although released in September 1971 – the "Communication" album turned out to have great legs (a 40-week run) aided by two singles from it – one of which almost clipped the coveted No. 1 spot. United Artists opened the "Communication" LP's onslaught with its title track released a month before the LP – the James Taylor cover "Fire And Rain" on its flipside. Released August 1971, United Artists 50816 entered the US R&B charts in October and eventually settled at a modest No. 40 placing. Although the album used just his name - the American seven-inch singles credited him as '(The Preacher) Bobby Womack And Peace' – a nod in part to the talking-then-singing style that was his trademark. 

But in November 1971, UA hit Radio and Sales paydirt when they issued the irrepressibly catchy "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" with "Come L'Amore" on the B-side. The sexy groove of United Artists 50847 saw the single smash into the Top Ten and eventually peak at No. 2 with a 17-week run. 

Better was to come for the follow-up "Understanding" album when in April 1972, United Artists 50902 coupled the instantly likeable "Woman's Gotta Have It" with another Side 1 LP track "(If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back". This time the 45 went all the way to Number 1 – an impressive feat back in the day. July 1972 then saw the Neil Diamond cover version of "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)" coupled with "Harry Hippie" on United Artists 50946. The A-side of that 45 stalled at No. 16 in September 1972, but then the flip gained popularity and went to No. 8 in late December 1972. 

With four sides known to Joe Public, the "Understanding" LP secured sales to put it (like its popular predecessor) up to No. 7 R&B and No. 43 Rock. Womack would only compound that success in the early months of 1973 with his soundtrack album to "Across 110th Street". The title song to "Across 110th Street" was famously re-used in full by Quentin Tarantino in the opening airport walkway sequence to his "Jackie Brown" film of 1997 - his gangster homage movie featuring Pam Grier who had sung with Womack all those decades ago. 

I love this little release. For sure in 2021, I find some of the cover versions completely superfluous to requirements and the long talked leads-ins a tad testing too – but when Bobby The Preacher got his great lungs around a great tune – I was sold and slaughtered. And there are far more of those on here than filler. Very cool. 

Bobby Womack sang "Yield Not To Temptation" - I'm gonna ignore him and buy as many of these reissues as I can. RIP you pioneer and thanks for all the great memories...

PS: see my review for "Fly Me To The Moon/My Prescription" - his first two albums on Imperial Records also in this EMI-Stateside CD Reissue series

"This Is Lowrider Soul 1962-1970" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Brenton Wood, Barbara Mason, The Webs, The Charmels, The Ambassadors, The Whispers, Bobbi Row & The Englishmen, The Esquires, The Lovelles, Lee Williams & The Cymbals, William Bell, Aesop's Fables, Bobby Burn and more (February 2019 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Oh How It Hurts..."

Sometimes terminology goes against you and I would argue that the description Lowrider is something of a case in point here. 

Fifties Vocal Groups and their falsetto crooning Doo Wop morphed into Sixties Soul and R&B – or Harmony Soul as it often called - one of the genre's many branches by the time that eventful decade itself morphed into the Seventies and all that came with it (Philly, Jazz Fusion, Rare Grooves, Disco etc). 

And that's what you essentially get here - only its entitled 'Lowrider Soul' – named after American cars and their hipster drivers cruising around Southern California in their cools-mobiles looking for a Night Club or Radio Station that championed the musical playlist they liked – heavy on the smooch – smooth on the Soul. In fact if I were to rename this compilation I'd call it 'Slide On By: Harmony Vocal Groups That Put The Smooth In Soulful 6ts Ballads' - or some such convoluted sets of words! 

What you have here is Slow Soul and a lot of it - swooning and swaying ballads sung by perplexed-looking blue-eyed guys and mascara-bleeding gals fronting Harmony Vocal Groups, both laying the blame at the other's door as they give us tale after tale of hurting, heartache, misery and woe (and that's just the break-up - the aftermath is a whole different level). I know some listeners find this kind of 24-cut Sixties-playlist boring after only Track 10 (the same pace after the same pace), but I am so down with it. These mini melodramas are authentically beautiful – the very definition of Deep Soul to me. 

Throw in careful selection of actual warmth vs. rarities in the songs - quality liner notes that genuinely illuminate - and crisp Audio that is so sweet throughout – and you get one of the loveliest listens I’ve had the pleasure of shuffling through in a long time (not something the Lowrider artwork screams out at you). Time for details - to the shattered dreams, secondhand happiness and kerbside crawlers of Californian Soul...

UK released Friday, 8 February 2019 - "This Is Lowrider Soul: 1962-1970" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 482 (Barcode 029777092920) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (65:31 minutes):

1. Take A Step - AESOP'S FABLES (October 1967, US 45-single on Atco 45-6523, A-side)

2. Why'd You Put Me On - BOBBI ROW & THE ENGLISHMEN (August 1965, US 45-single on Money 116, B-side of "Facts Of Life")

3. I Wanna Chance - THE VOWS (June 1962, US 45-single on Markay 103, B-side to "Have You Heard")

4. Where Were You - BRENTON WOOD (February 1969, US 45-single on Double Shot 137, B-side of "A Change Is Gonna Come")

5. Second Hand Happiness - JIMMY CONWELL (December 1966, Mirwood 5530, A-side)

6. 'Til You Come Back To Me - LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (December 1968, US 45-single on Carnival CAR-540, A-side)

7. Oh How It Hurts - BARBARA MASON (October 1967, US 45-single on Arctic 137, A-side) 

8. I Really Love You - THE AMBASSDORS (December 1968, US 45-single Arctic 147, A-side)

9. As I Sit Here - THE WHISPERS (July 1965, US 45-single on Dore 740, A-side)

10. One More Chance - THE FOUR TEES (August 1970, US 45-single on Kent K 4530, A-side)

11. No Doubt About it - THE ESQUIRES (October 1968, US 45-single on Wand 1193, B-side of "You've Got The Power")

12. It's Not That Easy - REUBEN BELL with THE CASANOVAS (December 1967, US 45-single on Murco 1035, A-side)

13. It's So Hard To Break A Habit - THE WEBS (January 1968, US 45-single on Popside 4595, B-side of "Give In")

14. Pretending Dear - THE LOVELLES (April 1969, Atco 45-6670, B-side of "I'm Comin' Today")

15. Find Me - THE ATTRACTIONS (1966, US 45-single on Renfro 117, A-side) 

16. Shattered Dreams - THE ENDEAVORS (May 1970, US 45-single on Stop ST 372, B-side of "I Know You Don't Want Me") 

17. Be Kind To Love - THE INTERPRETERS (June 1967, US 45-single on A-Bet 9425, A-side)

18. When You're Poor (2019, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Golden State Recorders 1966/1967 recording)

19. Never Gonna Let Him Know - DEBBIE TAYLOR (March 1969, US 45-single on GWP Records GWP 501, A-side)

20. As Long As I've Got You - THE CHARMELS (December 1967, US 45-single on Volt 45-155, A-side)

21. Don't Forget About Me Baby - JEFF DALE (January 1965, US 45-single on Atco 45-6332, A-side)

22. I'm A Lonely Man - BOBBY BURN (1968/1971, US 45-single on Chant CH-522, A-side)

23. Crying All My Myself - WILLIAM BELL (July 1965, US 45-single on Stax S-174, A-side)

24. I'm Just Passing Time - MELVIN HICKS & THE VERSATILES (2019, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1972 Brass Parrot recording)

All Tracks in MONO except 7 and 8 which are STEREO

Tracks 18 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Compiled and Annotated by SEAN HAMPSEY (with some further notes on 'The Southern Soul Spinners' Group, Southern California and the Chicano music scene by Ruben Molina) - the 24-page booklet is the usual feast of rare 45-labels, trade adverts, local newspaper reviews, publicity photos, acetates and white labels (a typically classy Kent Soul reissue). There are full-page adverts given over to the lovely Barbara Mason and her "Oh How It Hurts" on Arctic distributed by Jamie/Guyden, The Whispers advertise for a band member (yes that Whispers who had huge hits in the 80s on Solar) and The Charmels look happy in colour in a garden on the rear page (lovely stuff and full of track-by-track info). 

Long-standing Audio-Engineer for Ace and Kent Soul NICK ROBBINS does the predominately Mono Remasters (two are in Stereo) and these things sound really lovely. Take The Webs much sought-after B-side "It's So Hard To Break A Habit" - amazing Production values that have been sampled before, but I bet those lifts haven't sounded as good as they do here. These are chest hugging hip-swishing smoochers and the clear audio really adds to that – swirling around your living room like vocal honey. To the playlist...

It's noticeable from the list above how many of these gems are B-sides - probably because the dancer was on the Plug Side with the Smooch on the flip. "Lowrider Soul..." opens well with a bunch of white boys getting blue-eyed Soulful with their superb "Take A Step" - the obscure Aesop's Fables being an Atco Records act you don't hear about every day of the week. A sort of 'hold you tight' cross between The Rascals and The Association - their "Take A Step" sets the scene nicely. It's followed by another sought-after shuffler from the Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race named Bobbi Row & The Englishmen - "Why'd You Put Me On" making me want to pull those emotional oars like a goodun. The first of a few audio wows comes with the 1962 recording of "I Wanna Chance" by The Vows - the almost operatic voice of Helen Simpson soaring on this lovely song (James Moore involved too). 

Forever associated (and rightly so) with the brilliant "Gimme Little Sign" - Brenton Wood gets to show he's so much more than that bopper by going all Smokey Robinson cool on "Where Were You" - the B-side of a Sam Cooke cover he did in 1969 on Double Shot Records - a 45 that bubbled under the R&B charts at No. 131. Jimmy Conwell and Lee Williams more than justify the huge amounts people are prepared to pay for their "Second Hand Happiness" and "'Til You Come Back To Me" - but for me Barbara Mason just exudes class on her "Oh How It Hurts" - hoping that tomorrow she'll have the strength to find someone new.

Jimmy Bishop and Kenny Gamble gave the original "I Really Love You" to Dee Dee Sharp in 1965 on Cameo – but the lowrider club community digs the medium-slow ballad version by The Ambassadors. You could imagine its stop-start melodrama beats slaughtering an audience in a live environment – here it just make you want to sway with your gal on the kitchen-diner floor. The Otis Taylor cover of "One More Chance" by The Four Tees is lovely too – our heroes pleading that you don’t come around here no more and really this heartless moll should give our truly repentant malfeasant a second go-round. And on it goes – sweetheart after sweetheart – tunes that have been sampled – or The Lovelles single that actually feature Duane Allman on guitar – or the strings and vocals majesty of The Attractions on an impossibly lusted after 45 on Renfro, a label few have ever seen let alone heard.

Lowrider Soul, Harmony Vocal Soul, Smooth Ballads – even Deep Soul. Call it what you want, but call it. 

Another CD winner from Kent Soul – a heartbeat spinner and wallet muleskinner – way to go guys...

"Funk Drops: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise And Warner Bros. Records 1968-1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (September 2001 UK Warner Strategic Marketing United Kingdom - Rick Conrad CD Compilation - Giovanni Scatola Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sexy Coffee Pot..."

Between 2001 and 2005 and using their Warner Strategic Marketing United Kingdom wing (often simply abbreviated to WSM) - the major label WEA were hammering the British and European markets with visually and audibly cool compilations to satisfy the then burgeoning need for Soul Breaks and especially Rare Groove Funk from the 60ts and 70ts. 

The fabulous WEA compilation series called "Funk Drops: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities From The Vaults Of..." was one of those temptresses. Three volumes eventually covered 1968 to 1977 – laying into singles and deep LP cuts that were costing collectors a fortune on bidding sites (there was talk of a Volume 4 for Funk Drops, but it never materialised). 

WSM UK also gave us "After Hours" for Northern Soul (3 volumes) - "Natural High" for 2-Step Soul (3 volumes) - "Right On!" for Funk and Soul (5 volumes) - "The In Sound" series (11 or so volumes for covers, lounge music that crossed over into Soul, Eastern vibes, Psych in Soul) - "You Better Believe It" (2 volumes of rare Soul), "Creme De La Creme" (2 volumes for Philly Soul and Funk), "Blues And Soul Power" (1 volume of Funky R&B Crossovers 1964-1972), "From Burbank To The Bay Area..." (1 volume of Barrio Breaks, East-Bay Grease, Folk Funk and more from WEA's vaults) and so on. It was a deluge of goodies. Back to the first volume of "Funk Drops..." 

Remastered by GIOVANNI SCATOLA and compiled with smarts by RICK CONRAD at WSM UK - much to the pleasure of collectors - each playing-time-heavy CD also came in a 2LP VINYL SET complete with detailed inner sleeves that pictured all those sexy and sought-after American Funk 45s on labels like Alston, Atco, Atlantic, Cotillion, Josie, Reprise, San Francisco and of course - Warner Brothers. In fact, in the case of the Vinyl Double-Album for 'Volume 1' – it boasted one bonus track at the end of Side 4 - "Funky To The Bone" by Freddi Henchi & The Soul Setters (see list below for Barcode to locate it). 

But let's get back to the CD that first appeared in September 2001. Long forgotten and criminally so - Volume 1 of "Funk Drops" can be picked up dirt cheap in 2021 - for about four quid including P&P. The equally brilliant (if not actually better) Volume 2 from August 2002 is still out there for about nine pounds but June 2004's Volume 3 currently pushes an extortionate ninety quid or so! I loved the lot and actually bought both variants – CD and VINYL. Time to explore the Sexy Coffee Pot of dark musical delights sloshing aromatic in Volume 1...

UK released 3 September 2001 - "Funk Drops: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise And Warner Bros. Records 1968-1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Warner Strategic Marketing UK 0927-40712-2 (Barcode 809274071224) is a 20-Track CD compilation of Remasters (the first of three) that plays out as follows (72:55 minutes): 

1. You Gotta Know Whatcha Doin' - CHARLES WRIGHT (September 1972, US 45-single on Warner Bros WB 7630, A-side)

2. Sexy Coffee Pot - TONY ALVON & THE BELAIRS (May 1969, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2632, B-Side of "Boom-Boom-Boom")

3. Soul Machine - THE METERS (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording made during the sessions for "The Meters" LP issued April 1969 on Josie LP 4010. "Soul Machine" issued Stateside on the 'Expanded Edition' CD of "The Meters" by Rhino in 2001 and by SoulMusic in 2020 on the "Gettin' Funkier All The Time..." 6CD Box Set)

4. Dirty Red - THE FABULOUS COUNTS (April 1969, US 45-single on Moira 45-105, B-side of "Scrambled Eggs" - also on the June 1969 Stereo LP "Jan Jan" on Cotillion SD 9011)

5. Cold Bear - THE GATURS (January 1972, US 45-single on Atco 45-6870, A-side - featuring Willie Tee)

6. Nobody But You Babe - CLARENCE REID (May 1969, US 45-single on Alston 45-4574, A-side - also on the 1969 US Stereo LP "Dancin' With Nobody But You Babe" on Atco SD-33-307)

7. Pop, Popcorn Children - ELDRIDGE HOLMES (August 1969, US 45-single on Atco 45-6701, A-side - Produced Allen Toussaint)

8. Engine Number 9 [6:26 minutes] - WILSON PICKETT (September 1970, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2765, A-side. The original US 7" single had only the 2:46 minutes of Part 1 on the A-side with "International Playboy" as its B-side. This CD offers the full album version of 'Part 1 and 2' running to 6:26 minutes. It was also called "Get Me Back On Time - Engine Number 9" in the UK when it was issued there October 1970 on Atlantic 2091 032) - hence it is given that title on this CD.

9. What So Never The Dance (Pt. 1 &2) - HOUSE GUEST RATED X (November 1971, US 45-single on House Guests 28205 - offers both A&B-sides at 3:58 minutes)

10. C'mon Children - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (January 1972 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WB 7549, B-side of "I Think About Lovin' You" - also on the 1972 US LP "Earth, Wind & Fire" on Warner Brothers WS-1905)

11. Back On The Streets Again - TOWER OF POWER (January 1971, US 45-single on San Francisco 45-64, A-side edit of 3:16 minutes - full version on the "East Bay Grease" LP on San Francisco 204)

12. Getting Uptown (To Get Down) - UNITED 8 (June 1972, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2896, A-side - Instrumental)

13. Love The Life You Live - BLACK HEAT (from the 1973 US LP "No Time To Burn" on Atlantic SD-7294 - full album version 6:33 minutes - Kool & The Gang song)

14. Come Little Children - DONNY HATHAWAY (from the June 1973 LP "Extension Of A Man" on Atco SD 7029 - full album version at 4:33 minutes, single edit was 3:38 minutes - Phil Upchurch Guitar Solo - Produced Arif Mardin)

15. 65 Bars And A Taste Of Soul - THE WATTS 103rd STREET RHYTHM BAND (July 1968, US 45-single on Warner Brothers 7222, B-side of "Bottomless")

16. Don't Come Around Here Anymore - MARK PUTNEY (April 1969, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2617, B-side of "Today's Man")

17. It's Your Thing - COLD GRITS (August 1969, US 45-single on Atco 45-6709, A-side - Isley Brothers cover) 

18. Ridin' Thumb - KING CURTIS (from the 1972 US LP "Everybody's Talkin'" on Atco SD 33-385 - features Billy Preston on Organ and Richard Tee on Piano - written by James Seals)

19. Same Old Thing - THE METERS (from the June 1970 US LP "Struttin'" on Josie LP 4012)

20. Shop Talk (Version No. 1) - COLD BLOOD (from the Various Artists "San Francisco Fall 1970 Sampler" LP on San Francisco SD-158 - differs from the version of their 1971 "Sisyphus" album on San Francisco SD-205)

Compiled and Annotated by RICK CONRAD - the 12-page booklet gives you track by track info followed by the discography info you would want. But if I'm honest, the booklet is visually dire, letting the side down by not picturing those tasty 45 labels or even the colourful album sleeves you never see like the completely forgotten King Curtis "Everybody's Talkin'" and Clarence Reid "Dancing With Nobody But You Babe" albums. They would rectify this in further 'Funk Drops' issues and on the "After Hours", "You Better Believe It" and "Right On!" compilations. What isn't a let down are the fantastically muscular GIOVANNI SCATOLA Remasters - bringing to life each and every entry. To the grooves...

Any compilation which acknowledges that Donny Hathaway was Funky as well as a beautifully expressive Soul singer gets my vote - "Funk Drops" cleverly featuring the full album cut of "Come Little Children" from his fabulous "Extension Of A Man" album. It's typical of so many cuts on this CD - a tune that surprises by an artist you think you have pegged. The great groove opens with a James Brown-ish growl followed quickly by Phil Upchurch on Lead Guitar - Arif Mardin providing the tasty Production. There are also those obscure B-sides like the Brass and Guitar Meters-like flick of "65 Bars And A Taste Of Soul" - a neck-jerking instrumental from The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band that is certain to lively-up any dancefloor. 

Obscure but worthy comes in the shape of "Sexy Coffee Pot" by Tony Avlon & The Belairs - an upon-my-soul uh-huh-huh sure-feels-good chugger that again hits you with brass first, then cements the butt-wiggling deal with those so-want-to-sample drums and guitar flicks (Rhino would give it pride-of-place too on their award-winning "What It Is!" 4CD box set in 2006). Also included on that Box Set is the getting down and hanging around of United 8 – essentially a guitar-flicking instrumental with some man/woman to-and-fro scat vocals at either end. In a similar vein is the irresistible instrumental cover of The Isley Brothers signature groove "It's Your Thing" by Cold Grits – an obscure bunch of musicians who some say turned out to be members of John Fred's Playboy Band mixed up with Wayne Cochran's backing group. Conrad's liner notes advise that there is an entire album of the same still in the vaults awaiting release. 

Before they went full-on commercial Soul – Earth, Wind & Fire had a sort of Tower of Power vs. Prog Funkadelic feel to album cuts like "C'mon Children" – a hard-driving Funky workout. Speaking of forgotten album stints, Clarence Reid gets a truly brilliant groove to "Nobody But You Babe" – a big and brassy doing my thing 1969 A-side on Alston Records that Bear Family of Germany featured on their "Sweet Soul Music" Series of CDs for that year. And I have never heard the alternate Version 1 of Shop Talk by Cold Blood – darlings of the Soul-Funk discovery trail. There are loads more where they came from...

It probably shouldn't come as any real shock that a record label as genre-wide reaching as Warner Brothers would have Funk, Soul and Rare Grooves galore in their vaults. But that it would come as a surprise that thrills like this CD does – is – well a surprise. And Volume 2 of "Funk Drops" trumped the opening salvo, as far as I'm concerned. 

Cheap and cheerful - I'll drop either Volume of "Funk Drops" in my sexy black coffee any day of the week...

The "Funk Drops" CD and 2LP Series of Compilations

From Warner Strategic Marketing United Kingdom

Volume 1 - released 3 September 2001: 

CD: "Funk Drops: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities: From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise and Warner Bros. Records 1968-1974" on Warner Strategic Marketing 0927-40712-2 (Barcode 809274071224) - 20 Track CD

VINYL: Warner Strategic Marketing 0927-40713-1 (Barcode 809274071316) – 21-Track 2LP set with One Bonus - "Funky To The Bone" by Freddi Henchi & The Soul Setters (last track on Side 4)

Volume 2 - released 5 August 2002: 

CD: "Funk Drops 2: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities: From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise and Warner Bros. Records 1968-1975" on Warner Strategic Marketing 0927-48413-2 (Barcode 809274841322) - 23 Track CD

VINYL: Warner Strategic Marketing 0927-48413-1 (Barcode 809274841315) - 23-Track 2LP set (no bonus tracks)

Volume 3 - released 21 June 2004:

CD: "Funk Drops 3: Breaks, Nuggets And Rarities: From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise and Warner Bros. Records 1968-1977" on Warner Strategic Marketing 5046-66295 2 (Barcode 5050466629524) - 25-Track CD

VINYL: Warner Strategic Marketing 5046-66295-1 (Barcode 5 050466 629517) - 25 Track 2LP set (no bonuses)