"SOUL GALORE! - 60ts SOUL, R&B, NORTHERN, MOD, NEW BREED, FUNK, RARE GROOVE and More" - Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters - 212 In-depth Reviews by AMAZON Hall Of Fame Reviewer MARK BARRY...

215 In-Depth Reviews Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series - An Amazon E-Book

SOUL GALORE! 
 

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

Also Includes Harmony Soul, Rare Groove and Funk...
Just Click Below To Purchase e-Book for £5.95 (July 2024 Update)
Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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* SOUL GALORE! 60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul, Mod, Rare Groove etc

* Over 1,500 E-pages, 215 in-depth reviews of CD Remasters 1990 to 2024

* Formats - CD, HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital] and Japanese SHM-CD

* Major Label Box Set Retros – EMI, Rhino, Sony/Legacy, Universal and WEA

* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted:

Ace, Apple, Bear Family, Beat Goes On, Beat Goes Public (BGP), Big Break Records (BBR), Cherry Red Records, Edsel, EMI/Stateside, Esoteric Recordings, Hip-O Select, Kent-Soul, Light In The Attic, Real Gone Music, Repertoire, Rev-Ola, Rhino, Robinsongs, Salvo, Soul Brother, SoulMusic Records, Stax, SuperBird and Universal Japan

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

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

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

* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 

7" singles and EPs within each review

* Vinyl Discographies referencing the CD Reissue for all Box Sets

* Remaster and Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted

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

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

* Guest musicians highlighted – Cover versions noted

* Find Guest Musicians (who played on what)

* Find your favourite Remaster Engineers and Authors of Liner Notes

* Find your favourite 1960's and 1970's Record Labels on CD (Atlantic, Cadet, Curtom, Motown, Philadelphia International, Polydor, Stax etc)

* Find your favourite Reissue Label on CD (Ace, Bear Family, BBR, Hip-O Select etc)

* Find your favourite Format (HDCD, SHM-CD etc)

SIXTIES RECORD LABELS covered by the book include:

ABC, ABC/Dunhill, A&M, Alston, Apple, Atlantic/Atco, Big Town, Blue Note, Blue Thumb, Brunswick, Cadet Concept, Capitol, CBS, Checker, Chess, Columbia, Cotillion, Dakar, Elektra, EMI, Epic, Fame, Fantasy, Federal, Fontana, Goldwax, Hi Records, Hot Wax, Immediate, Imperial, Invictus, Island, Josie, Ko Ko, Liberty, London, MCA, Mercury, MGM, Modern, Polydor, Probe, Pye International, Rare Earth, RCA Victor, Reprise, Ric-Tic, Stax, Sussex, Track, Truth, Veep, Verve and Verve Forecast, Volt, United Artists and Warner Brothers

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal vinyl and CD buyers (one the best second hand record shops in the West End) and having been an Amazon 'Hall Of Fame' Reviewer six times in the past (over 2,500,000 views on my reviews) – as you can imagine - I come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others. 

To that end I’ve collated together these SOUNDS GOOD genre-specific books as guides to Exceptional CD Remasters. Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 and a few are under a fiver. And even if some Box Sets/Deletions have now acquired a price tag - because they’re the best I've included them - along with artists/titles that I feel deserve your attention…

Hope you enjoy the reads – Mark Barry (2024)

"HIGHER GROUND - 70ts SOUL, FUNK & JAZZ FUSION" - Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters - 316 In-depth Reviews by AMAZON Hall Of Fame Reviewer MARK BARRY...

SOUNDS GOOD Book Series - E-Book Available on all Amazon sites

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

Also Includes Northern Soul, Mod, Disco, Jazz Funk...

 

A Huge 316 reviews and over 2,120 e-Pages
Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95 (January 2022 Update)
Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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HIGHER GROUND

70ts Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion

Your Guide To The Best 

CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, Rare 45s...

Included are CD Compilations from US & UK Reissue Labels like Ace Records, Bear Family, Beat Goes On (BGO), Beat Goes Public (BGP), Big Break Records (BBR), Brunswick, Concord Music, Inc. (Stax), Edsel, Hip-O Select, Kent Soul and Kent Dance, Real Gone, Repertoire, Rhino, Robinsongs, RPM, Sony BMG, Sony Legacy, Soul Brother, SoulMusic Records, Universal Music Group, WEA etc.... 

70s Classic Labels like ABC, A&M/Ode, Atlantic, 

Blue Note, Blue Thumb, Brunswick, Cadet, Capitol, Chess, Columbia, Curtom, CTI, Dakar, Decca, Dial, Elektra, Enterprise, Epic, Fame, Hi, Hot Wax, Imperial, Invictus, King, Ko Ko, London, Mercury, Milestone, Minit, Gordy, Motown, Soul and Tamla Motown, Philadelphia International, Polydor, Pye, RCA Victor, Stax, Sussex, T-Neck, Volt, United Arts, Warners & Associated, Westbound, and more...

PREFACE

It doesn’t have to cost the earth to sound good – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy – and in today’s marketplace of multiple issues that can be a bit of a minefield to navigate. I worked as the Principal Rarities Buyer in Reckless Records in Soho’s Berwick Street for nearly 20 years (one of the best secondhand record shops in London) – so as you can imagine I came across hundreds of CD reissues – some better than others. 

Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 while others are under a fiver. And even if certain Box Sets and Deletions have acquired a bit of an unsavoury price tag since release - because they’re the best – I’ve included them for your (audio) culinary delight. 

I’ve also made a point of including Artists and Titles you probably don’t know but deserve your attention…music that’s worth getting into your life. There are 316 entries in this huge book beginning in the 1990s and continuing right through to end of 2021 – all with tracks lists and wads of important collector details. All info is taken from the discs themselves – so no cut and paste crap. In fact there’s in excess of 2,120 E-Pages...so plenty to read...and for a good price too. 

HIGHER GROUND – 70ts SOUL, FUNK & JAZZ FUSION... features CD Reissues and Remasters of 1970s Soul, Northern Soul, Funk, Rare Groove, Disco, Fusion, (some) Jazz, Jazz Fusion and Jazz Funk on labels like Atlantic – Chess – Motown - Stax – Warner Brothers and so on. With a natural extension, many artists progressed into the Eighties and many of those titles are featured also.

Each entry focuses on decent remasters with indepth info that helps a purchase decision. You get catalogue numbers, barcodes to identify correct issues, track lists including info on original issues like album and 7” single catalogue numbers, total playing times, packaging and liner notes descriptions, what important guests played on what, cover versions are highlighted, remaster engineers named and a lot of info on the original album. And because it’s a digital book - you can access or look for anything in the text via the search box – particularly handy for collectors looking for connections, labels, songs, favourite labels etc.

I provide a Discography for Box Sets and these lists also include Imports, some Audiophile Titles and Japanese SHM-CDs too where relevant or exclusive. 

Enjoy the reads – Mark Barry (2022)

"Funky Good Time: The Anthology by THE J.B.'s featuring Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker and The Macks, The Last Word, The First Family, The James Brown Soul Train (1995 US Polydor/Chronicles 2CD of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 304 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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"...The Grunt..."

Blessed Blackness indeed. I suspect that if future geneticists somehow get a micro-droplet of James Brown's blood – splice in a little of Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker horn spittle – maybe a slither of Jabo Starks' broken drumstick and a shaved smidgen of Jimmy Nolen's plectrum – you'd create SUPER FUNK MAN – the funkiest cat who ever lived! Superman would crap his outside yellow underpants at the mere sight of him (eat your heart out Henry Cavill). 

There is so much brilliance on this 2CD Polydor-Chronicles 30-tracker beast for James Brown's backing band THE J.B.'s (and all points in-between) that a 'get up offa that thang' freak out on the part of my aged and flabby posterior would hardly do its monumental grooves the credit it so wildly deserves. Covering single and album releases made between June 1971 and April 1976 and even offering two Previously Unreleased - "Funky Good Time: The Anthology" is just so damn good and that goes for both chock-full CDs.  

Describe it? You gotta try, as the great man was fond of saying. Pass the peas and grunt if you please, 'cause here comes the blessed blackness in detail...

UK released March 1995 (23 February 1995 USA) - "Funky Good Time: The Anthology" by THE J.B.'s on Polydor/Chronicles 527 094-2 (Barcode 731452709424) is a 2CD Anthology featuring FRED WESLEY that covers 1970 to 1976 on People and Polydor Records and plays out as follows:

CD1 (76:41 minutes):

1. Introduction To The J.B.'s (0:25) / Doing It To Death (12:09) 

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Complete Version, Track Originally on "Doing It To Death" – July 1973 US LP on People PE 5603 (no UK issue)

2. The Grunt (Parts 1 & 2) (3:30)

Part 1 on the June 1972 US LP "Food For Thought (Pass The Peas I Mean Gimme Some More)" on People PE 5601 - Part 2 is the Non-LP B-side of "The Grunt (Part 1)", July 1971 UK-only 45-single on Mojo 2027 002

3. My Brother (Parts 1 & 2)

Part 1 is the A-side to a June 1971 US 45-single on People 45-2502 (re-titled as "To My Brother" when issued on the "Food For Thought" LP, June 1972 on People PE 5601). A six-second intro from the original master tape has been added to Part 1. Part 2 is Non-LP B-side only.

4. Pass The Peas (3:30)

May 1972 US 45-single on People PE 607, A-side. Also on the "Food For Thought" LP - for B-side see Track 8

5. Gimme Some More (3:05)

November 1971 US 45-single on People PE 602 - also on the "Food For Thought" LP 

6. J.B. Shout (2:47)

August 1972 US 45-single on People PE 614, Non-LP B-side of "Back Stabbers"

7. Blessed Blackness (3:43) - on the "Food For Thought" LP

8. Hot Pants Road (2:45) 

May 1972 US 45-single on People PE 607, B-side of "Pass The Peas" (see Track 4). Also on the "Food For Thought" LP

9. Givin' Up Food For Funk (Parts 1 & 2) (5:47)

June 1972 US 45-Single A&B-sides of People PE 610 - single-only released

10. Honky Tonk (Part 1) (3:04)

June 1972 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14129, A-side - also included on the October 1973 James Brown album "Soul Classics Vol. II" on Polydor SC 5402

11. Dirty Harri (3:10)

March 1973 US 45-single on People PE 619, Non-LP Version, B-side of "Sportin' Life"  

12. Watermelon Man (3:35)

November 1972 US 45-single on People PE 617, A-side, Non-LP single-only release - a Herbie Hancock cover version

13. Parrty (Parts 1 & 2) (5:51)

July 1973 US 45-single on People PE 624 (James Brown writer & producer) - also on the June 1974 Maceo LP "Us" on People PE 6601

14. You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks And I'll Be Straight (3:30)

September 1973 US 45-single on People PE 627, Non-LP Version, B-side of "If You Don't Get It The First Time, Back Up And Try It Again, Party" (for A-side see Track 3, CD2) - an Alternate Take is used on the "Doing It To Death" LP

Track 1 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Tracks 1, 6, 11, 12, 14 and 15 by FRED WESLEY And THE J.B.'s

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 by THE J.B.'s

Track 10 by THE JAMES BROWN SOUL TRAIN 

Track 13 by MACEO And THE MACKS (Maceo Parker)

CD2 (77:50 minutes): 

1. Gimme Some More (3:56)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version (Recorded 14 September 1972 at the Apollo Theatre, NYC)

2. Same Beat (Parts 1, 2 & 3) (7:46)

January 1974 US 45-single on People PE-632, A-side (Part 1) - also on the "Damn Right I Am Somebody" – June 1974 US LP on People PE 6602 - Parts 2 & 3 are the NON-LP B-side 

3. If You Don't Get It The First Time, Back Up And Try It Again, Party (3:32)

September 1973 US 45-single on People PE 627, A-side (for B-side, see Track 14 on CD1) - also on the "Damn Right I Am Somebody" LP 

4. Damn Right I Am Somebody (6:26)

May 1974 US 45-single on People PE 638 (both sides) - full album version from the "Damn Right I Am Somebody" LP 

5. I'm Payin' Taxes, What Am I Buyin' - from the "Damn Right I Am Somebody" LP 

6. Soul Power 74 (4:10)

October 1973 US 45-single on People PE 631, A-side - also on the Maceo LP "Us"

7. Keep On Bumpin' Before You Give Out Of Gas (3:32)

February 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14226, A-side, Non-LP single-only release

8. Breakin' Bread (4:20)

December 1974 US 45-single on People PE 648, A-side - also on the January 1975 US LP "Breakin' Bread" on People PE 6604

9. Rockin' Funky Watergate (4:33)

August 1974 US PROMO-ONLY DJ-Edit in STEREO on People PE 643, B-side (A-side was Mono) - also on the "Breakin' Bread" LP

10. Control (People Go Where We Send You Part 1) (3:45)

 August 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14250, A-side, Non-LP single-only release

11. Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (3:19)

1975 US 45-single on People PE 647, A-side, Non-LP single-only release

12. All Aboard The Soul Funky Train (4:30)

1975 US 45-single on People PE 663, A-side - also on the September 1975 US LP "Hustle With Speed" on People PE 6606  

13. (It's Not The Express) It's The J.B.'s Monaurial (8:13)

June 1975 US 45-single on People PE 955, A&B Parts 1 & 2 - this is the full version from the September 1975 US LP "Hustle With Speed" on People PE 6606

14. Future Shock (Dance Your Pants Off) (4:02)

1975 US 45-single on People PE 661, A-side (Part 1), also included on the January 1976 US LP "Hot" by James Brown on Polydor PD 6059 

15. Everybody Wanna Get Funky One More Time (Part 1) (5:52)

April 1976 US 45-single on People PE 664, A-side - Non-LP single-only release

 

Track 1 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Tracks 1, 12 by THE J.B.'s

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, by FRED WESLEY And THE J.B.'s

Track 14 by MACEO 

Tracks 6 and 11 by MACEO And THE MACKS (Maceo Parker)

Track 7 by THE LAST WORD (Fred Wesley, James Brown, Maceo Parker etc)

Tracks 8, 9 and 13 by FRED & THE NEW J.B.'s (Fred Wesley etc)

Track 10 by THE FIRST FAMILY 

Track 15 by THE J.B.'s with JAMES BROWN 

The 24-page booklet is a crammed with black and whites of the 7-to-13 piece 'band' that was THE J.B.'s. With James Brown at the writing, co-writing and Production helm - we get introduced to legends that have travelled through their ranks like horn players Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, pianist and singer Bobby Byrd, Guitarists Jimmy Nolen and Hearlon "Cheese" Marlin, Bassist William "Bootsy" Collins, Tenor Saxophonist St. Clair Pinckney, Bassist Fred Thomas and Drummer John "Jabo" Starks. Guests include Randy Brecker on Trumpet, Hugh McCracken on Guitar and "Pee Wee" Ellis from The Famous Flames. 

The final 10-pages or so goes into a track-by-track credits but oddly leaves out catalogue numbers and dates (I've supplied them above). Long-time Tour Manager and keeper of the JB flame ALAN LEEDS (he did all 11 of the magnificent "Singles" Volumes for Hip-O Select) provides the insightful, honest and witty liner notes. You get small photos of all five period albums, some 45-label repros and a couple of typically attention-grabbing trade adverts - but the lack of colour kind of lets the side down a tad. 

What doesn't disappoint is the AUDIO care of a team of two - Transfers by GARY MAYO and Digital Remasters by JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO. Palmaccio did the gargantuan STAX Singles box sets (Volumes 1 to 3 as I recall) so he knows his way around a tape box or two. The Funk is strong with this one. To the chunes...  

"How can we do it? We do it to death!" As Fred and James Brown lead the band through the shout/response intro to the impossibly catchy "If You Don't Do It The First Time, Back Up And Try It Again, Party" - it takes less than a minute for that Funky neck-jerking rhythm to turn into Fred's trademark horn. It's just fantastic. You could argue I suppose that 30 slabs of this relentless Funk is too much, but even when they tackle something like Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" - the J.B.'s put their own stamp on it and somehow make it their own. 

You would also have to say that the shadow of The Meters and their impossibly sexy New Orleans strut-funk permeates organ-driven B-sides like "Dirty Harri" and talking-the-talk "Same Beat" where a groove is faded-in and just stays locked-in like a limpet that's found its mollusc home. There is even a touch of Fusion in the subtly angry "Damn Right I Am Somebody" – a song that Funks pertinent subjects like lack of food, drug-riddled neighbourhoods and racial inequality. In fact period Politics is always there beneath the surface, made available to the masses as JB chants "You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks And I'll Be Straight" – both Hearlon "Cheese" Martin and Jimmy Nolen flicking those guitar notes to stunning effect. And perhaps his greatest groove ever - "Doing It To Death" - weighs in at an almost side long 12-minutes on CD1 – a Previously Unreleased entry actually worthy of the moniker 'Bonus'. Astonishing. 

"We're gonna have a funky good time! Gotta take you higher!" – James Brown sings as he leads his ace band in "Doing It To Death" – Fred taking it to the bridge as ever. And it is will cost you less than seven quid brand new. 

Now I'll grunt for that plate of peas any day...

ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY for "Funky Good Time: The Anthology"

Credited as THE J.B.'s:

"Food For Thought (Pass The Peas I Mean Gimme Some More)" - June 1972 US LP on People PE 5601 - Issued as "Pass The Peas" in the UK on Mojo 2918 004 also in 1972

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 on CD1 and Track 1 on CD2

"Doing It To Death" – July 1973 US LP on People PE 5603 (no UK issue)

Tracks 1 and 14 on CD1

"Hustle With Speed" – September 1975 US LP on People PE 6606 

Tracks 12 and 13 on CD2

Credited as FRED WESLEY and THE J.B.'s:

"Damn Right I Am Somebody" – June 1974 US LP on People PE 6602 - Same title July 1974 UK on Polydor 2391 125 

Tracks 2, 3, 4 and 5 on CD2

Credited as FRED & THE NEW J.B.'s:

"Breakin' Bread" – January 1975 US LP on People PE 6604

Tracks 8 and 9 on CD2

Credited as MACEO (Maceo Parker):

"Us" - June 1974 US LP on People PE 6601

Track 13 on CD1 and Track 6 on CD2

With JAMES BROWN:

"Soul Classics Vol. II" - October 1973 US James Brown album on Polydor SC 5402 featuring The J.B.'s - Track 10 on CD1

"Hot" - January 1976 US LP by James Brown on Polydor PD 6059

Track 14 on CD2

"A Little Bit Of Glory/Back To The Garden/Don't Let Your Family Down" by DAVE CARTWRIGHT – Second, Third and Fourth Studio Albums from 1972, 1973 and 1974 on Transatlantic Records (October 2020 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs Remastered Onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review And 205 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW

FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"...Helping Hand..."

England's Beat Goes On have a long history of reissuing Folk and especially Folk-Rock - a tradition Surrey-man Dave Cartwright belonged to. 

What you get here are his second, third and fourth British albums issued on Nathan Joseph's Transatlantic Records in 1972, 1973 and 1974. BGO have clumped that trio onto a classy 2CD reissue/remaster and added a chunky booklet and card slipcase. Here are the details...

UK released 23 October 2020 - "A Little Bit Of Glory/Back To The Garden/Don't Let Your Family Down" by DAVE CARTWRIGHT on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1429 (Barcode 5017261214294) offers 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows: 

CD1 (79:12 minutes): 

1. Song For Susan [Side 1]

2. Rainbow Green 

3. Blue-Eyed Jean 

4. We All Need A King 

5. Tom All Alone 

6. Song Of Davy 

7. It Hardly Ever Rains [Side 2]

8. Oh Sweet Momma

9. 50 Miles Of Blue 

10. Middle Of The Road 

11. Good Times Are Coming Again 

Tracks 1 to 11 are his second studio album "A Little Bit of Glory" - released 1972 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 255. Dave Cartwright on Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals with guests Paul Brett on Electric Guitar, Pete Chapman on Bass and Roger Odell/John Dean on Drums and Percussion. Backing Vocals by Liz Pearson and Clare Torry 

12. Nights Of Magic [Side 1]

13. My Delicate Skin 

14. Cobweb Broom 

15. To Make Tomorrow Green 

16. A Little Bit Of Glory 

17. Dark Eyed Sailor [Side 2]

18. Shepherd's Return 

19. Chains 

20. Angeline 

21. Dance Of The Seasons 

22. Back To The Garden (Reprise)

Tracks 12 to 22 are his third studio album "Back To The Garden" - released May 1973 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 267. Guests include Mike Moran and ted Taylor on Keyboards, Paul Keogh and Ray Fenwick on Guitars, Graham Preskott on Mandolin, Bouzouki, Violins and more with Chris Karan and Barry De Sousa on Drums. 

CD2 (38:31 minutes):

1. Travelling Show [Side 1]

2. Don't Let Your Family Down

3. England

4. Joanna 

5. Do You Remember?

6. It Isn't Easy [Side 2]

7. Court Of The Queen 

8. Maggie My Dear 

9. When Love Comes Home 

10. Song And Dance Man

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fourth studio album "Don't Let Your Family Down" - released September 1974 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 284. 

The presentation is top class - a pretty card slipcase that lends these BGO reissues a touch of class and an impressive 24-page booklet that reproduces the voluminous lyrics across all the albums and even the rare poster that came with original copies of "Back To The Garden". Long-standing scribe for BGO and other reissues JOHN O'REGAN provides the new liner notes and potted history of Cartwright's career and Folky associations. The lovely Remasters are care of ANDREW THOMPSON - very pretty and clear. But that's where the good news ends.

I wish I could say that despite writing all his own material, Cartwright is a Nick Drake type discovery, unfortunately he isn't. When reissue-darlings Grapefruit Records tried to tempt me in May 2019 with their 3CD Clamshell Mini Box Set "Strangers In The Room: A Journey Through The British Folk Rock Scene 1967-1973" with Cartwright's jaunty "My Delicate Skin" included - I was unconvinced. 

That remains the same right across three whole albums. When I worked at Reckless in Berwick Street, this was the kind of weedy garden-fairy schlock Folk-Rock Transatlantic too often attempted to champion and couldn't sell. Cartwright had a voice not unlike say a lukewarm version of George Harrison or Clifford T. Ward - but without the tunes to make it worthwhile. It's like listening to a poor man's McGuinness Flint but without any of the genuine charm or melodies Gallagher & Lyle could so easily conjure up. 

Paul Brett plays Electric Guitar on "Good Times Are Coming Again" and the lady who blew everyone away in 1973 on "The Great Gig In The Sky" – Clare Torry giving it some oh oh oh on the song that ended Side 1 of Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" is also on the first album. But in each case, it's not so you'd notice. Ray Fenwick of Quiver plays Guitar too and Barry De Sousa of Trees drums on some cuts. There are a lot of twee lyrics too, passable rather than inspiring or even moving. The real problem for me is that despite sounding great - especially as 1973 and 1974 loomed and the Production values were upped - the songs are singularly unimpressive - one after another. 

Still with the gorgeous presentation and quality transfer audio - fans will have to have it; but for anyone else, I'd advise a listen first...

"People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story" by CURTIS MAYFIELD – Single and Album Tracks from 1961 to 1990 on ABC-Parkway, Curtom, Boardwalk, CRC and RSO Records - Including Curtis Mayfield with The Impressions and Duets with Linda Clifford (February 1996 US Rhino 3CD Long Box Set – Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 336 Others Is Available In My

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

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"...Show Me Love..."

Classy, beautiful, one of a kind and still relevant over a quarter of a century after its first issue - in truth, there aren't a lot of 'big' CD Box Sets you can say that about. 

Rhino USA did the career-chronicle business by the mighty Curtis Mayfield when they issued this gorgeous homage in February 1996 to one of Soul's true giants. Across 3CDs and 51-Tracks that include his Harmony Group Soul beginnings with The Impressions up to duets with Linda Clifford – you get all points between September 1961 and June 1990. Some are full album versions whilst others are rare single-edits – and all of it, deeply impressive. 

In fact "People Get Ready!..." would have been perfection bar none had it included tracks from his astonishing comeback album "New World Order" of September 1996 that showed Curtis was still firing on all sixes despite being literally crippled by injury. That niggle withstanding, from my vantage point of March 2021 (a full 25 years after its release) - "People Get Ready!..." is still the best Curtis Mayfield career retrospective ever afforded his legacy. Choices of colours indeed, let's get to them... 

US released 27 February 1996 - "People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story" by CURTIS MAYFIELD on Rhino R2 72262 (Barcode 081227226220) is a 3CD 51-Track Long Box Set of Remasters covering 1961 to 1990 that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (78:59 minutes):

1. Gypsy Woman – THE IMPRESSIONS (September 1961, ABC-Paramount 45-10241, A-side)

2. It's All Right - THE IMPRESSIONS (September 1963, ABC-Paramount 45-10487, A-side)

3. I'm So Proud - THE IMPRESSIONS (March 1964, ABC-Paramount 45-10544, A-side)

4. Keep On Pushing - THE IMPRESSIONS (May 1964, ABC-Paramount 45-10554, A-side)

5. Amen - THE IMPRESSIONS (Full-Length Version from the July 1964 US LP "Keep On Pushing" on ABC-Paramount ABCS-493 in Stereo)

6. People Get Ready - THE IMPRESSIONS (January 1965, ABC-Paramount 45-10672, A-side)

7. Woman's Got Soul - THE IMPRESSIONS (March 1965, ABC-Paramount 45-10647, A-side)

8. We're A Winner - THE IMPRESSIONS (November 1967, ABC-Paramount 45-11022, A-side)

9. I Loved And I Lost - THE IMPRESSIONS (Full-Length Version from the February 1968 US LP "We're A Winner" on ABC-Paramount ABCS-635 in Stereo)

10. Fool For You - THE IMPRESSIONS (August 1968, Curtom CR 1932, A-side)

11. This Is My Country - THE IMPRESSIONS (November 1968, Curtom CR 1934, A-side)

12. Choice Of Colors - THE IMPRESSIONS (May 1969, Curtom CR 1943, A-side)

13. The Makings Of You (October 1970, Curtom CR 1955, B-side of "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go" - see also Track 14)

14. (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go (Full-Length Version from the September 1970 US LP "Curtis" on Curtom CRS 8005 - an edited version of Track 14 was issued as the A-side to the 45-single for Track 13 – not included here)

15. Move On Up (Full-Length Version from the September 1970 US LP "Curtis" on Curtom CRS 8005)

16. We People Who Are Darker Than Blue (Full-Length Version from the September 1970 US LP "Curtis" on Curtom CRS 8005)

17. Check Out Your Mind (from the May 1971 US LP "Curtis/Live!" on Curtom CRS 8008)

18. Mighty Mighty (Spade And Whitey) (from the May 1971 US LP "Curtis/Live!" on Curtom CRS 8008)

19. Stone Junkie (from the May 1971 US LP "Curtis/Live!" on Curtom CRS 8008)

CD2 (76:24 minutes):

1. Beautiful Brother Of Mine (Edit) (June 1971, Curtom CR 1960, A-side 45-single - reissued April 1972, Curtom CR 1972)

2. Get Down (Full-Length Version from the October 1971 US LP "Roots" on Curtom CRS 8009)

3. We Got To Have Peace (Full-Length Version from the October 1971 US LP "Roots" on Curtom CRS 8009)

4. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") (Full-Length Version from the July 1972 US Soundtrack LP "Superfly" on Curtom CRS 8014-ST)

5. Superfly (Full-Length Version from the July 1972 US Soundtrack LP "Superfly" on Curtom CRS 8014-ST)

6. Give Me Your Love (from the July 1972 US Soundtrack LP "Superfly" on Curtom CRS 8014-ST)

7. Pusherman (from the July 1972 US Soundtrack LP "Superfly" on Curtom CRS 8014-ST)

8. Future Shock (Edit) (June 1973, Curtom CR 1987, A-side US 45-single)

9. If I Were Only A Child Again (September 1973, Curtom CR 1991, A-side US 45-single) 

10. Can't Say Nothin' (Edit) (November 1973, Curtom CR 1993, A-side US 45-single)

11. Kung Fu (Edit) (May 1974, Curtom CR 1999, A-side US 45-single)

12. Sweet Exorcist (September 1974, Curtom CR 2005, A-side US 45-single)

13. To Be Invisible (from the May 1974 US LP "Sweet Exorcist" on Curtom CRS 8601)

14. Mother's Son (Edit) (December 1974, Curtom CR 2006, A-side US 45-single)

15. Billy Jack (from the May 1975 US LP "(There's No Place Like) America Today" on Curtom CU 5001)

16. So In Love (Edit) (July 1975, Curtom CMS 0105, A-side US 45-single)

CD3 (70:43 minutes):

1. Only You Babe (Full-Length Version from the June 1976 US LP "Give, Get, Take And Have" on Curtom CU 5007)

2. Party Night (October 1976, Curtom CMS 0122, A-side US 45-single)

3. Mr. Welfare Man (from the June 1976 US LP "Give, Get, Take And Have" on Curtom CU 5007)

4. Show Me Love (Edit) (April 1977, Curtom CMS 0125, A-side US 45-single)

5. Do Do Wap Is Strong In Here (from the September 1977 US LP "Short Eyes" on Curtom CMS 0131)

6. You Are, You Are (March 1978, Curtom CR 0135, A-side US 45-single)

7. Do It All Night (Edit) (September 1978, Curtom CMS 0141, A-side US 45-single)

8. You're So Good To Me (Edit, credited to Curtis Mayfield only) (July 1979, RSO/Curtom RS 941, B-side to "Between You Baby And Me" - see Track 9)

9. Between You Baby And Me [credited to Curtis Mayfield And Linda Clifford] (Full-Length Version from the July 1979 US LP "Heartbeat" on RSO/Curtom RS-1-3053)

10. Love's Sweet Sensation [credited to Curtis Mayfield And Linda Clifford] (April 1980, RSO/Curtom RS 1029, A-side)

11. Love Me, Love Me Now (Edit) (June 1980, RSO/Curtom RS 1036, A-side US 45-single)

12. Tripping Out (Edit) (August 1980, RSO/Curtom RS 1046, A-side US 45-single)

13. She Don't Let Nobody (But Me) (August 1981, Boardwalk NB7-11-122, A-side US 45-single)

14. Baby It's You (August 1985, CRC Records 85-001, A-side US 45-single)

15. Homeless (Full-Length Version from the March 1990 US Album "Take It To The Streets" on Curtom CUR 2008)

16. Do Be Down (June 1990, Curtom 7 CUR 107, A-side UK 45-single)

I suppose the downside with 'Long Box' sets is the sheer size and awkward bulkiness, but you also get to see the 60-page colour booklet spread out pictorially in ways that CD-sized ones simply can't. Compiled by DAVID LEES and after testimonials from people as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, George Clinton and Chuck D. - there are a few pages by R&B and Social Politics expert WAYNE EDWARDS on the impact of Curtis' deeply messaged music. That's followed by the 'British Ambassador Of Soul' DAVID NATHAN who goes deep into CM from Pages 12 to 39 with loads of period photos breaking up the text. A smart move too is to allow CM his own comments in the final pages (based on a 1994 interview with Alan Warner) followed by track-by-track listings, a thoroughly extensive Singles and Albums Discography and of course detailed compilation credits. The three jewel-case CDs are contained within ribboned trays with the booklet sat atop - the whole thing feeling substantial and classy. 

But the big news is the gorgeous transfers by long-time Audio Engineers to Rhino - BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH (done at Digiprep). Anyone who has had interest in The Impressions or Curtis' solo career from 1970 onwards (largely on his own Curtom Records) will know that his music was recorded and kept well. I have reviewed the "Definitive Impressions" Volume 1 and 2 from Ace’s Kent Soul – beautifully transferred too – and Rhino’s superb 1997 25th Anniversary 2CD set for the big one - "Superfly". This Box set is up there with all of it, and more. 

So as you lay into the near perfect run of Tracks 1 to 12 by The Impressions on CD1, you're hammered by songs and productions, which shimmer with brilliance and fidelity. And of course it only gets better as we play through 70ts masterpieces like "Curtis" (1970), "Roots" (1971), "Superfly" (1972) and "Back To The World" (1973) and so on. A really great job done and proper attention paid. To the music...

There are no complaints about skimpy playing times on any of the discs because Rhino has cleverly (and rightly) chosen 'Full-Length' Album Versions (instead of Single Edits) of such biggies as his positivity anthem "Move on Up" and social-awareness warning "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going to Go". Those full LP cuts extend to huge fan faves like "Get Down", "We Got To Have Peace" and the No. 2 R&B hit "Freddie's Dead". 

It's been an age since I revisited the "Sweet Exorcist" and "(There's No Place Like) America Today" albums and I'd forgotten how good "To be Invisible" and "Billy Jack" were. And somehow common consensus tells us that 1972's Blaxploitation Movie Soundtrack "Superfly" marked a zenith for Curtis Mayfield's music, but if anything this Box set nails that untruth with a CD3 that surprises way more than you would expect (it begins in 1976). And on it goes, his voice deepening into the 80s and 90s. 

Chicago’s finest was a musician of love and conscience who influenced so many in every genre and the "People Get Ready!" Box Set is a joyous Audio and Presentation winner worthy of him. You want the best Beautiful Brother Of Mine - then look no further...