"Zakarrias" by ZAKARRIAS – October 1971 UK Debut Album on Deram Records featuring Zakarrias (Bobby Haumer), Peter Robinson, Geoff Leigh, Don Gould, and Martin Harrison (February 2010 UK Cherry Red/Cherry Tree Records CD Reissue – Andy Pearce Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Cosmic Bride..."

Apart from his very vague recollection of the album sessions in the summer of 1971 in London as "...a reasonably excruciating learning curve..." - Deram Records Producer Roger Watson then goes on to describe Bobby Haumer as "...a very odd Austrian bloke". The Record Mirror reviewer for its 6 Nov 1971 issue (the only review available of the album) was less enthusiastic of Haumer's Zakarrias alter-ego - helpfully suggesting that "...it might be kinder if all copies were withdrawn from public consumption". Nice.

Slithered out into the British marketplace in October 1971 on Deram SML 1091 - not only did Bobby 'Robert' Haumer (aka Zakarrias) not have a band - but he hadn't a work permit visa either. So legend has it that Decca gave the LP zero promotion (while Haumer went back to Europe) and probably put out maybe 100 copies or less into unsuspecting Blighty stores. And Decca/Deram then it seems did indeed heed that reviewers advice and withdrew the album. 

As a result the lone "Zakarrias" LP has steadily begun to accumulate frankly ludicrous bid-amounts online. The liner notes (written in October 2009) to this February 2010 UK Cherry Tree CD Reissue and Remaster told of a copy reaching $1000 - when in March 2024 you have copies for sale at over £2100. Is it worth that - yes and no in equal measure would be my curt response - but if you are interested (and there's a lot to like here) - then CRTREE006 sports fabulously clean CD audio.

Let's talk genres also. As everyone knows England's 'Deram' Records was Decca's home for all things Avant Garde and Progressive in the late 60s and early 70ts. Any album on the label garnishes dosh - but the idea that this LP is Psych is rubbish. I suspect some enterprising trader peddled this largely Rock and Prog Folk orientated LP as 'Psych' - thereby sending fans and buyers into a frenzy. As there is a distinct lack of electric guitars on the long-player - Psych whig-outs are absolutely not the order of the day. The "Zakarrias" album is more Prog Folk - part Jethro Tull - part Van Der Graaf Generator - part Soft Machine - part Audience - even Funky in tunes like "The Unknown Years" and "Let Us Change". 

And when Universal started releasing those 3CD Label Retrospective Clamshell Box Sets - the rather excellent Acoustic-Rock-Folk of Zakarrias track "The Unknown Years" showed up on the January 2003 set "Legend Of A Mind: The Underground Anthology" - while the album's flanged-finisher "Cosmic Bride" showed up in May 2008 on the "Strange Pleasures: Further Sounds Of The Decca Underground" 3CD set. It's a fair bet that most collectors had not heard either track up until then and I suspect those entries alone sent collectors a-hunting and a-bidding. Let's get to the reissue at hand - the first official issue of the album in forty years and thankfully with stonkingly great audio courtesy of obviously very clean master tapes.

UK released February 2010 - "Zakarrias" by ZAKARRIAS on Cherry Red/Cherry Tree Records CRTREE006 (Barcode 5013929690622) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the 1971 album that plays out as follows (41:21 minutes):

1. Country Out Of Reach [Side 1]
2. Who Gave You Love
3. Never Reachin'
4. The Unknown Years
5. Sunny Side [Side 2]
6. Spring Of Fate
7. Let Us Change
8. Don't Cry
9. Cosmic Bride
Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut album "Zakarrias" - released October 1971 in the UK on Deram SML 1091, produced by Roger Watson. Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 6 written by Zakarrias - Tracks 1, 4, 7 and 8 written by Zakarrias and his wife Eva - Track 9 written by Zakarrias and Samy Bimbach (Manager of Salt, Bobby Haumer's previous band).

Musicians:
Zakarrias (Bobby Haumer) - All Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Kazoo
Peter Robinson - Keyboards
Geoff Leigh - Saxophone and Flute
Martin Harrison - Drums
Don Gould - String Arrangements on "Spring Of Fate", "Don't Cry" and "Cosmic Bride" and played Piano on "Spring Of Fate". 

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Bobby Haumer had been with Vienna based teenage Psych band Expiration who managed one Euro 45-single "It Wasn't Right" b/w "And The World Will Be A Bird" on VRC Records. Haumer then joined forces with Huw Lloyd-Langton and John Lingwood to form the Munich-based Salt with the idea of peddling songs to Decca. Lloyd-Langton eventually jumped ship and would then famously join the newly formed Hawkwind in the UK while Langford did stints with Amon Duul, Steamhammer and eventually Manfred Mann's Earth Band. But the Zakarrias album appears to be just Bobby Haumer under the pseudonym with guest musicians - Peter Robinson would end up in Quatermass over on Harvest Records while Geoff Leigh did stints in Henry Cow (on Virgin) and Quiet Sun.

There may only be 8-pages in the booklet but the DAVID WELLS liner notes (which I have liberally used as a basis for this review) are the kind of researched genius you expect from someone like him – a proper fact-fest that lays out the Bobby (Robert) Haumer/Zakarrias story for the first time in its many lurid colours. There are some promo photos (Salt, a smiling long-haired Baumer as alter-ego Zakarrias) and even photos of the Expiration and Bobby Haumer Band (BHB) 45s out of Europe. But the real deal comes with one of my fave Audio Engineers – ANDY PEARCE – who has done Budgie, Free, Rory Gallagher, Spooky Tooth, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, ELP, Wishbone Ash and loads more. If he gets his hands on a master tape – it will sound alive and kicking and so it is here. Admittedly the flange separation sop favoured in the day on say "Cosmic Bride" can be speaker-to-speaker harsh, but that is more down to the recording trickery of the time. Mostly this sounds so clear and vibrant and a properly great job done.

Both the Side 1 opener "Country Out Of Reach" and Side 2's "Don't Cry" employ a very heavily fuzzed Bass Guitar line as the basis of the songs which gives both an ever so slightly amateur-hour grungy Rock feel – like you have stumbled on Roger Bain (of Sabbath fame) producing Budgie on their 1971 MCA Records debut. They are both good but falsely make you think the album is going to Psych it up bigtime any second now when it does  nothing of the sort. Many of the songs are Acoustic Guitar based – more a Prog Folk feel with some funky keyboard fills – and his voice is good without ever being great – but still more than Peter Hammill-acceptable. The album's other gems include "Spring Of Fate" and the speaker-to-speaker harmonies in "Who Gave You Love" even if lyrically it can all feel a tad too down for its own good. 

"Zakarrias" is the kind of obscurity that deserves rediscovery but temper those Psych hopes and amp up your inner Prog Folk with a sprinkle of flange instead. Well done to Cherry Tree Records (part of England's Cherry Red roster of labels) for getting this big-bucks charmer out there once again and don't ya just love the Seventies where people made albums like this and hoped for the best... 

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"Keep Smilin'" by BUNNY SIGLER - October 1974 US 10-Track Second LP on Philadelphia International Records KZ 33249 – CD8 Inside The 20CD Various Artists Box Set "Philadelphia International Records: The Collection" – Note: Seven Of Its Ten Tracks Had Also Been Previously Issued in May 1974 In The USA as "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" on Philadelphia International Records KZ 32859 and July 1974 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 8025 - "Keep Smilin'" received no UK issue (May 2014 UK Sony Music 20CD Mini Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...That's How Long I'll Be Loving You..."

"The Collection" offers you 20 Philly Soul albums in single repro card sleeves inside a hard-card box set with a chunky 36-page booklet (5 of the discs even have bonus tracks – Nos. 1, 3, 6. 9 and 17). 

Bunny Sigler's entry is a strange one in some respects in that it offers us the October 1974 album after the one that charted in May 1974. The May 1974 Philly LP "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" sold well and rose to a respectable No. 27 on the US R&B LP charts with a run of nine weeks. What you get here is a reissue in October 1974 under a different name "Keep Smilin'" with seven of the originals tracks retained and three new ones added on – "Shake Your Booty", the title track "Keep Smilin'" and "Sweeter Than The Berry". 

The original May 1974 LP "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" was also issued in the UK under the same name, but "Keep Smilin'" with too much duplication - was not. Big Break Records of the UK did a superb CD Remaster of "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" in October 2012 (CDBBR 0182 – Barcode 5013929048232) with two bonus tracks – 45-single versions of "Love Train" and "I Lied". But it did not include the three new songs of the reissued LP. So this box set offers the only way I know of to get the "Keep Smilin'" album configuration on CD. Here are the details...

UK released May 2014 - "Philadelphia International Records: The Collection" by VARIOUS ARTISTS is a 20CD Mini Box Set on Sony Music 88843055662 (Barcode 888430556621) and CD8 of the 20 breaks down as follows (42:32 minutes):

CD8:
1. Shake Your Booty [Side 1]
2. Picture Us
3. Keep Smilin'
4. That's How Long I'll Be Loving You
5. I Lied
6. Things Are Gonna Get Better [Side 2]
7. Sweeter Than The Berry
8. Your Love Is Good
9. Somebody Free
10. Love Train
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Keep Smilin'" by BUNNY SIGLER - released October 1974 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 33249. The album had been US released earlier in May 1974 as "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" on Philadelphia International KZ 32859 peaking on the US R&B LP charts at No. 27 (released July 1974 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 8025) - but had only seven of the ten tracks featured above. The seven on "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" can be sequenced by using the following songs on CD8 - Side 1: 6, 4, 5, 2 and 10 and Side 2: 8 and 9 only

All albums (including those with bonuses) are documented in the lovely 36-page colour booklet that features brief reviews of each title by long-time Soul aficionado DEAN RUDLAND. These are followed by page-after-page of the albums pictured alongside detailed track lists. Each of the CDs is numbered on the label so you know where they're placed in the order of things. There are no mastering credits - but as all of these albums have been available before at one point on Sony/Legacy reissues so those remasters have been used and the sound quality is uniformly great.

Back in May 1974 when the original LP was still hot, Philly pushed out Sigler's extended cover version of the classic O'Jays hit "Love Train (Part One)" on a 45 (Philadelphia International ZS8 3545) with (Part Two) on the flipside – even gracing the release with a rare picture sleeve. With steady radio play, it finally charted in July 1974 and they were rewarded with a No. 28 placing on the US R&B singles chart. 

Resplendent in his kinky boots and looking like Sigler is auditioning for a Jilly Cooper novel about horseracing shenanigans in well-heeled stud-stables, the rejiggered October 1974 LP didn't fare so well on the singles front. Philly USA issued three 45s around "Keep Smilin'" - first up came Philadelphia International ZS8 3554 in October 1974 that coupled the new tune "Keep Smilin'" with "Somebody Free" on the B-side but it didn't chart. 

The lovely "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You" was then coupled in January 1975 with "Somebody Free" on Philadelphia International ZS8 3575, but again no joy in chart action. February 1975 saw the ass-swaying "Shake Your Booty" which utilized Instant Funk as its backing band put out on Philadelphia International ZS8 3560 with "Your Love Is Good" on its B-side (MFSB being the backing band there). But it was clear the LP was played out and Sigler wouldn't see singles chart action again until 1978. 

With arrangers like Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker and Dexter Wansel, Sigler's knack for a tune and musicians like Instant Funk and MFSB as his support acts – the late 1974 LP "Keep Smilin'" maybe a forgotten album now but is a cool inclusion here nonetheless. 

For sure with 20 different albums in the overall box set, you could argue that there are a few clunkers in its midst. But with interesting releases like this, "Keep Smilin'" and "The Collection" in general is a winner - beautifully presented, sounds spiffing and full of great Seventies Soul memories you will want to relive again and again...

PS: the "Philadelphia International Records: The Collection" Box Set also contains a version of the 1974 MFSB album "Love Is The Message"

"When Love Is New" by BILLY PAUL – December 1975 US LP on Philadelphia International (January 1976 in the UK) featuring Gamble/Huff Songs and Dexter Wansel Arrangements (April 2010 UK Edsel CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Please...Let The Dollar Circulate…"

Largely forgotten now in the pantheon of Seventies Soul - Billy Paul's "When Love Is New" is part of a mid-price CD reissue series of Philadelphia International albums by Demon's EDSEL label in the UK (see List below). Most of the albums seem to be focusing on the year 1975. Here are the details the Billy Paul entry…

UK released April 2010 - "When Love Is New" by BILLY PAUL on Edsel EDSM0003 (Barcode 740155000332) is a no-frills CD Remaster of that popular 7-track American Soul album and plays out as follows (37:43 minutes):

1. People Power [Side 1]
2. America (We Need The Light)
3. Let The Dollar Circulate
4. Malorie
5. When Love Is New [Side 2]
6. I Want'cha Baby 
7. Let's Make A Baby 
Tracks 1 to 7 are a straightforward reissue (no bonus tracks) of the LP "When Love Is New" released December 1975 on Philadelphia International Records PZ 33843 in the USA and January 1976 on Philadelphia International Records S PIR 69207 in the UK. It was his 5th album for the famous Soul label and peaked at Number 17 on the US R 'n' B charts (did not chart UK). 

The 12-page booklet provides you with production credits and superb liner notes by noted soul expert TONY ROUNCE. But the real deal is in the sound. The CD has been mastered by TALL ORDER of the UK and the sound quality is truly fantastic (Rounce name checks this). Clear, ballsy and wonderfully detailed - the remaster allows the lush GAMBLE & HUFF production values to really shine. 

The album seems to be a tale of two halves - Side 1 has 3 socially conscious tunes in a row ending with a slightly upbeat 4th ditty ("Marjorie"), while Side 2 is a full-on lover man suite with all 3 songs provided by label founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. 

My personal favourite (and recently sampled by rap/soul artists Jay Dilla, Steve Spacek and Cartie) is "Let The Dollar Circulate" (lyrics above) which is a brilliantly funky tune with a top 'message' that unfortunately reverberates to this day. I also like the album opener too "People Power" - which is arranged by jazz-funk favourite Dexter Wansel. 

As the years have passed by, some Soul fans have deemed Billy Paul to be just a little too lightweight to be taken seriously. But I'd say this album should be revisited so as to change that opinion. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination - but there are goodies on here - and they now have superlative sound and a dirt-cheap price tag thrown in… 

Other UK-issued 2010 CD titles in the 

Demon/Edsel Series of Philly Reissues:

1. Dance Your Troubles Away - ARCHIE BELL and THE DRELLS (1975) – released 9 August 2010 on Edsel EDSM0006 (Barcode 740155000639)

2. Wake Up Everybody...Plus - HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUE NOTES (1975) – released 9 April 2010 on Edsel EDSM0002 (Barcode 740155000233) – Includes 11-minute 1977 Tom Moulton Remix of Don't Leave Me This Way as a Bonus Track

3. Philadelphia Freedom - M.F.S.B. (1975) [was due Summer 2010 on Edsel EDSM0005 but is unreleased]

4. Family Reunion...Plus - THE O'JAYS (1975) – released 12 April 2010 on Edsel EDSM0001 (Barcode 740155000134) – Includes near 10-minute 1977 Tom Moulton Remix if I Love Music as a Bonus Track

5. The Three Degrees Live [aka Live In London] (1975) - THE THREE DEGREES – released April 2010 on Edsel EDSM0004 (Barcode 740155000431)

"Red Clay/Straight Life/First Light Plus Two Bonuses" by FREDDIE HUBBARD – Three US Albums from June 1970, March and December 1971 all on CTI Records featured guests include Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, George Benson, Joe DeJohnette, Hubert Laws and Lenny White (July 2014 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation - 3LPs onto 2CDs with Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Playing It Straight..."

By the time Freddie Hubbard hit 1970, he'd already clocked up a staggering 21 albums or so since his Blue Note Records debut "Open Sesame" in 1960 – two and three at a time on Blue Note, Impulse and Atlantic Records. Time for a new chapter...a new stretch and a new label...

Produced by Blue Note's legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder – Trumpeter FREDDIE HUBBARD saw his first three albums for CTI Records (Creed Taylor Inc) released in 1970 and 1971 and this superb Beat Goes On 2CD compilation does those three Jazz and Fusion pieces a solid. Here are the Prog-intrepid details…

UK released July 2014 – "Red Clay/Straight Life/First Light Plus Bonuses" by FREDDIE HUBBARD on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1154 (Barcode 5017261211545) is a 2CD Compilation of Remasters containing 3LPs that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (66:54 minutes):
1. Red Clay
2. Delphia
3. Suite Sioux 
4. The Intrepid Fox
Tracks 1 to 4 are the album "Red Clay" – released June 1970 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6001 

5. Cold Turkey (a cover version of a John Lennon song and is a Bonus Track)
6. Straight Life 

Tracks 5 and 6 are Side 1 of the album "Straight Life" – released March 1971 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6007

CD2 (78:12 minutes):
1. Mr. Clean
2. Here’s That Rainy day

Tracks 5 and 6 are Side 2 of the album "Straight Life" – released March 1971 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6007

3. First Light
4. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
5. Moment To Moment 
6. Yesterday’s Dreams
7. Lonely Town
Tracks 3 to 7 are the album "First Light" – released December 1971 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6013 

BONUS TRACKS:

8. Fantasy In D

9. First Light (Alternate)

 

For "Red Clay" Hubbard's band consisted of HERBIE HANCOCK on Piano, JOE HENDERSON on Saxophone, RON CARTER on Bass and LENNY WHITE on Drums. For "Straight Life" - JOE DeJOHNETTE replaced Lenny White on Drums and added GEORGE BENSON on Guitar - while the "First Light" sessions kept the "Straight Up" line-up but also added HUBERT LAWS on Flute as well as a host of other Horn and Vibe players. 

The 16-page booklet features liner notes by noted musicologist CHARLES WARRING and new interviews with Lenny White about the harrowing recording session with his Jazz heroes in every corner of the studio (he was only in his early twenties). The outer card wrap also lends these BGO reissues a feeling of class – but truth be told – I really miss the gorgeous artwork of those glossy hard-card gatefold sleeves that caught your eye and made you part with cash. The tiny pictures of them don't do the aesthetic feel of those original vinyl gems any real justice. Shame that. But as ever with BGO – making up for any shortcomings is the fantastic remastered sound…

As you can imagine the Rudy Van Gelder production values on these contemporary Jazz pieces are immaculate throughout and ANDREW THOMPSON's 2014 remasters bring this to very much to the fore – each cut is warm, clear as a bell and full of presence. The beautiful "Dolphins" (from "Red Clay") is presented to us with such delicacy – it's a joy to the ear. Hubbard also dug his Beatles Solo work – the 10-minute outtake on John Lennon's "Cold Turkey" is suitably jagged, manic and a brilliant slightly Proggy-interpretation of an awkward song - while Paul McCartney's 1971 "Ram" album centrepiece "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" retains the original's whimsy and pretty melody (nicely mixing in strings with the Trumpet to give a sort of "I Am The Walrus" effect). And the two outtakes from "First Light" are real finds too - fully formed nuggets worthy of the tag Bonus. 

Like so many others - Hubbard would go further down the more commercial crossover route of Jazz Fusion on the albums that followed - "Keep Your Soul Together" (1973) and "Polar AC" (1975) – his next phase with the iconic CTI label - who England's BGO has also issued as a stacked-and-racked 2CD compilation (see separate review). 

"Red Clay/Straight Life/First Light Plus Bonuses" by Freddie Hubbard is a beautifully done comp offering three great albums and two highly respectable bonuses into the twofer bargain. So, despite missing that fab artwork - another BGOCD set that is wholeheartedly recommended…

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"Original Album Series" by CHIC - Five Studio Albums from 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 on Atlantic Records featuring Bernard Edwards (Bass) and Nile Rodgers (Guitar) (October 2011 UK Atlantic/Rhino 5CD Capacity Wallet in the 'Original Album Series' – Five Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves with Rhino Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Warm Sunny Night... "

In truth you forget just how good Bernard Edwards (Bass) and Niles Rodgers (Guitar) were until you rehear their band CHIC in all their Funky Disco Ball glory. And this clever addition to the Original Album Series is going to whet your beak with enough pigeon neck-jerking dance routines to make your missus cringe and reach for the sedative vials. 

These 5 albums in their cool card repro sleeves contain all 8 of their 9 massive hits - two of which ("Le Freak" and "Good Times") went to Number 1 on the American Billboard R&B singles charts. CHIC had a sophistication and groove that put them head and shoulders above all the other on-the-bandwagon groups of the time - and they looked young, up for it and cool. Here are the C'est Chic details...

UK released October 2011 - "Original Album Classics" by CHIC on Atlantic/Rhino 8122797595 (Barcode 081227975951) is a 5CD/5Album Card Sleeve Capacity Wallet with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves inside that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (38:41 minutes):
1. Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) [Side 1]
2. Sao Paulo
3. You Can Get By
4. Everybody Dance [Side 2]
5. Est-Ce Que C'est Chic
6. Falling in Love With You
7. Strike Up The Band
Tracks 1 to 7 are their debut album "Chic" - released December 1977 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19153 and February 1978 in the UK on Atlantic K 50441

Disc 2 (42:08 minutes):
1. Chic Cheer [Side 1]
2. Le Freak
3. Savoir Faire
4. Happy Man
5. I Want Your Love [Side 2]
6. At Last I Am Free
7. Sometimes You Win
8. (Funny) Bone
Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd album "C'est Chic" - released December 1978 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19209 and January 1979 in the UK on Atlantic K 50565

Disc 3 (36:49 minutes):
1. Good Times [Side 1]
2. A Warm Summer Night
3. My Feet Keep Dancing
4. My Forbidden Lover [Side 2]
5. Can't Stand To Love You
6. Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)
7. What About Me
Tracks 1 to 7 are their 3rd album "Risqué" - released August 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 16003 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50634

Disc 4 (37:32 minutes):
1. Open Up [Side 1]
2. Real People
3. I Loved You More
4. I Got Protection
5. Rebels Are We [Side 2]
6. Chip Off The Old Block
7. 26
8. You Can't Do It Alone
Tracks 1 to 8 are their 4th album "Real People" - released July 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 16016 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50711

Disc 5 (40:31 minutes):
1. Stage Fright [Side 1]
2. Burn Hard
3. So Fine
4. Flash Back
5. Telling Lies
6. You Love Is Cancelled [Side 2]
7. Would You Be My Baby
8. Take It Off
9. Just Out of Reach
10. Baby Doll
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 5th album "Take It Off" - released December 1981 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19323 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50845

Quite apart from chart hits like "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" (No. 6), "Everybody Dance" (No. 12), "I Want Your Love" (No. 5), "My Forbidden Lover" (No. 33) and "Rebels We Are" (No. 8) - you get those albums nuggets you'd completely forgotten about like the gorgeous ballads "A Warm Summer Night" and "Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)". In fact, the entire "Risqué" album has always been a masterpiece of Soul, Disco and Funk to me. The funky "Chip Off The Old Block" has the girls telling us about "hard knocks" while the mid-tempo and infectious "You Can't Do It Alone" could so easily be a Risqué outtake.

The CHIC sound was centred around the dynamic duo - BERNARD EDWARDS on Bass and NILE RODGERS on Guitar with regular lady vocals who also became synonymous with that Chic-Organization sound - Alfa Anderson, Fonzi Thornton, Luci Martin, Michelle Cobbs and Ullanda McCulloch. The keyboards usually came from a trio - Andy Schwartz, Raymond Jones and Rob Sabrino (he was later with the Kiss-offshoot Frehley's Comet). Produced by Edwards and Rodgers - the CHIC sound also threw in its fair share of strings backing-up those neck-jerking funky Disco grooves. 

And although their commercial shine had diminished by the time they got to "Take It Off" in 1981 - it's an album that's ripe for rediscovery. "Flash Back" is just as catchy as their earlier hits with a distinctive bass opening that stays for the whole of the groove reinforced by great Ronn Matlock type vocals (I think the singer is actually Fonzi Thornton but I could be wrong). "Your Love Is Cancelled" too features a lethal combo of slap bass with bopping keyboards.

"Could you love me...on a warm summer night..." the girls swoon on that Risqué ballad. A couple of tunes into this wicked mini box set and you'll find yourself agreeing...yes, I could. And it's still on UK catalogue in March 2024 at roughly twelve quid or less (five full albums) depending on what site you buy from...

"Night Cruiser" by DEODATO – September 1980 Album on Warner Brothers featuring Eumir Deodato and Platinum Hook on Vocals (July 2014 JAPAN-Only CD on Warner Brothers/Jasrac 'Fusion Best Collection 1000' Series - 24-Bit CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Cruiser-Eumir-Deodato/dp/B00K0PDR8M?crid=B3OJAWV2DS6J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6GeUMCSMjGzIr2koBVyK9g.zt6TQd-PSeJwbm5mP4mZALnsUeYoV7M1QyCx6c_hWsw&dib_tag=se&keywords=4943674180578&qid=1710776579&sprefix=4943674180578%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=58c0da1ae8001f4e1be6ff41b47f497a&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...Uncle Funk..."

I can remember DJ'ing the UK 12" single of "Night Cruiser" by DEODATO on Warner Brothers K 17696 (T) in its distinctive Die-Cut Card Sleeve and the assembled crowd loving every uber-funky echoed-synth moment of it. And as the backing group Platinum Hook shouted and clapped throughout – the assembled dancers hungry for Jazz Funk and Fusion would do the same. 

I used to work for Aer Lingus at the time and I'd fly to Heathrow from Dublin on a Saturday morning – hit Berwick Street and The Record Shack in Soho – get my Jazz Funk and Soul Essentials – and be back that night in a Club that specialized in Jazz Funk. Ah – them was the days…(I shudder to think of the clobber I wore). Which brings us by way of air bubble, needle and deck to this fab reissue…

Warner Brothers Music Group has reissued the "Night Cruiser" album as part of their 'Fusion Best Collection 1000' Series for 2014 in Japan – 24-Bit CD Remasters of classic albums from their large umbrella of labels. The vinyl LP was originally released September 1980 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3467 (No UK issue) and this limited edition CD reissue is a straightforward transfer of that Jazz Fusion classic (34:42 mnutes). Here are the Groovitation details…

Released 23 July 2014 in Japan – "Night Cruiser" by DEODATO on Warner Brothers/Jasrac WPCR-28074 (Barcode 4943674180578) breaks down as follows:

1. Night Cruiser (6:20 minutes)
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards 
Gary Granger – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums 
George Parrish, Jr – Guitars 
Jimmy Maelen – Percussion
Platinum Hook – Vocals and Claps

2. East Side Strut (5:38 minutes)
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards 
Gary Granger – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums 
Sergio Dias – Guitar 
Jimmy Maelen – Percussion 

3. Skatin' (5:19 minutes)
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards 
David Bravo – Synthesizers 
Gary Granger – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums
George Parrish, Jr – Guitars
Jimmy Maelen – Percussion
Platinum Hook – Claps

4. Uncle Funk (6:31 minutes) [Side 2]
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards and Guitar
Skipp Ingram – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums
Victor Jones – Rhythm Guitar
Ronald Bell – Tenor Sax
Platinum Hook – Vocals and Claps

5. Love Magic (4:41 minutes)
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards
Gary Granger – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums
George Parrish, Jr – Guitars
Jimmy Maelen – Percussion
Platinum Hook – Claps

6. Groovitation (6:15 minutes)
Eumir Deodato – Keyboards and Bass Drums
Skipp Ingram – Bass
Stephen Daniels – Drums
Sergio Dias – Guitar 
Ray Gomez – Guitar Solo
Jimmy Maelen – Percussion
Platinum Hook – Claps

The standard CD has a cream Warner Brothers label and the foldout inlay pictures the album artwork and recording credits on one side with a short May 2014 essay on the album in Japanese on the rear. Only the outer OBI tells us of the 24-Bit Remaster (no names) and it sounds fabulous – clear, punchy and not too over-trebled for the sake of it. It has the magic of the vinyl album and the sheer sonic wallop you got off the 12" single. 

After years with the CTI label – Brazil's primo keyboard player Eumir Deodato decided like many other Jazz Players of the time to go for the feet and not the head come the late Seventies. He embarked on his Funky Journey with "Love Island" in 1978 and "Knights Of Fantasy" in 1979 – finally hitting paydirt with the brill "Night Cruiser" album in 1980. All six tracks are Jazz Fusion/Jazz Funk in the best dancefloor tradition enlisting the musicianship and Production chops of Kool and The Gang members Ronald Bell and George Brown and most of the band Platinum Hook. 

"Easy Side Strut" reminds you of George Benson's "Breezin'" album with its harmonics-guitar opening and brass now crystal clear. It goes all Rod Temperton's Heatwave-sounding with "Skatin'" – a slick groove that could easily have been another single like the brilliant title track. Side 2 opens with "Uncle Funk" a wickedly catchy slice of Saxophone and Guitar Funk co-written with Bassist Jamil Joanes. Ronald Bell of Kool & The Gang plays impressively cool Saxophone throughout. 

We go back to that keyboard aura of "Night Cruiser" for "Love Magic" which sounds like something off Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" in instrumental form. It has a fabulous feel as it piano grooves along – another dancefloor slayer (a co-write with Dave Bravo). "Groovitation" features a suitably flash solo in its centre from Spanish Electric Guitar virtuoso Ray Gomez – it's another bass-and-brass driven funkster and is a very cool way to end a very cool album…

I've loved rehearing and reliving this forgotten nugget of an LP. If you've any love for "Night Cruiser" the track and fancy more of the same – then wing this mid-priced Japanese CD remaster into your player as soon as your missus isn't looking…Do It!

"The Complete Atco Recordings" by DEE DEE WARWICK – Including Her Third Studio Album "Turning Around" from 1970 on Atco Records in Full, Single Sides and Posthumous Rarities (July 2014 USA Real Gone Music 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B046USAOa

----------------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 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 £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…You Tore My Wall Down..."

To my knowledge and outside of expensive imports and bad-sounding sources - Dee Dee Warwick (younger sister of Dionne and cousin to Whitney Houston) has seen only snatches of her stay at Atlantic Records 'Atco' label made available on CD - until now that is.

This superb all-encompassing American 2CD compilation by newcomers Real Gone Music (in conjunction with Rhino) is a welcome haul. Included amongst its 35-tracks are 5 non-LP 7" single sides, her whole 10-song album "Turning Around" from 1970, 8 further rarities from three older CD compilations and an additional 12 previously unreleased cuts made available here for the first time ever. And all of it wrapped up in tasty liner notes and newly remastered/improved sound. Here are the Soulful tears and grooves of a classy lady...

US released July 2014 - "The Complete Atco Recordings" by DEE DEE WARWICK on Real Gone Music/Rhino Custom Products/Soul Music Records RGM-0277 OPCD 8864 (Barcode 848064002772) is a 2CD Compilation of Remasters that pans out as follows:

Disc 1 (59:47 minutes):
1. What Manner Of Man
2. You Tore My Wall Down
3. Only The One You Love
4. The Way We Used To Do
5. She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking)
6. More Today Than Yesterday
7. Make Love To Me
8. I Ain't Got To Love Nobody Else
9. Who Will The Next Fool Be
10. I'm Only Human
11. Down So Low
12. If This Was The Last Song
13. A Girl Who'll Satisfy Her Man
14. I'm Glad I'm A Woman
15. Now That There's You
16. Seachin'
17. Can't We Begin Again

Note: Tracks 1, 2, 15 and 17 are Previously Unreleased
Tracks 3 and 4 first issued in 1996 on the Ichiban CD compilation "She Didn't Know It: The Atco Sessions"

Disc 2 (63:32 minutes):
1. Cold Night In Georgia
2. I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face
3. Love I Found (In You)
4. Rescue Me
5. Pooky
6. Suspicious Minds
7. Make It With You
8. Turn Around And Love You
9. Sweet Dreams
10. Can't it Wait Until Tomorrow
11. Everybody's Got To Believe In Somebody
12. In The Land Of Make Believe
13. Signed Dede
14. Sweet Dreams (Alternate Take)
15. The Way We Used To Do (Alternate Take)
16. Take Your Time And Love Me
17. Beauty, Duty, Charm And Sex
18. Worlds Apart
Tracks 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 17 are Previously Unreleased
Tracks 2, 3, 8, 16 and 18 first issued in 1996 on the Ichiban CD compilation "She Didn't Know It: The Atco Sessions"
Track 4 first issued in 2004 on the Rhino CD compilation "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters"

This 2CD retrospective will allow fans to sequence her US singles and lone album on Atco Records as follows...
[5/1] = Track 5 on Disc 1 - [1/2] = Track 1, Disc 2 etc:

1. She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) [5/1] b/w Make Love To Me [7/1]
May 1970 USA 7" on Atco 45-6754
(Backing Vocals by The Dixie Flyers)

2. I'm Only Human [10/1] b/w If This Was The Last Song [12/1]
1970 USA 7" single on Atco 45-6769

3. Cold Night In Georgia [1/2] b/w Searchin' [16/1]
1971 USA 7" single on Atco 45-6796

4. Suspicious Minds [6/2] b/w I'm Glad I'm A Woman [14/1]
May 1971 USA 7" single on Atlantic 45-6810

5. Everybody's Got To Believe In Somebody [11/2] b/w Signed Dede [13/2]
1971 USA 7" single on Atco 45-6840

Her Third Studio LP "Turning Around" was released September 1970 in the USA on Atco SD 33-337 and in the UK on Atco (Plum Label) 2465 018:
Side 1:
1. If This Was The Last Song [12/1]
2. More Today Than Yesterday [6/1]
3. Who Will The Next Fool Be [9/1]
4. I'm Glad I'm A Woman [14/1]
5. She Didn't Know [5/1]
Side 2:
1. A Girl Who'll Satisfy Her Man [13/1]
2. I Ain't Got To Love Nobody Else [8/1]
3. I'm Only Human [10/1]
4. Make Love To Me [7/1]
5. Down So Low [11/1]

The 16-page booklet has detailed liner notes on every song by Soul lover and Genre Expert DAVID NATHAN that includes interviews with the great lady (Nathan cut his journalistic chops on an interview he did with Dee Dee 43-years back). His knowledge and affection for his Soul Lady survivor are infectious while the last few pages feature pictures of those wonderful Atco labels and the rare Picture Sleeves of "She Didn't Know" and "Cold Night In Georgia" (an answer song to "Rainy Night In Georgia"). MIKE MILCHNER carried out the remasters at SonicVision and they're excellent throughout. It should be noted that each track has hiss levels that are higher than some might like (the whole 10-track album was recorded in one day) but Milchner has smartly not tried to damp them down with restrictions - he's let these things breath - and for me - there's even more power in the impassioned performances because of it.

It opens with an absolute one-two sucker punch of previously unreleased nuggets recorded February 1970 in Florida in glorious Stereo clarity - two stormingly great Northern Soul type dancers "What Manner Of Man" and "You Tore My Wall Down". Part penned by Marvin Gaye's Ed Townsend - honestly - expect someone to put out a repro 45 of "You Tore My Wall Down" real soon - and then watch as a feeding frenzy ensues amongst collectors to get a copy and make their way pronto to a dancehall with a jumbo-sized tin of Johnson's Talcum Powder.

The album is mainly slow torch songs - her cover of Charlie Rich's "Who Will The Next Fool Be" is a good example - a slow chugging Soul pace punctuated with roaring vocals, Mike Utley's organ and Jim Dickinson's fiery guitar. It mellows with the lovely "I'm Glad I'm A Woman" (used as a B-side to her cover of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds"). Written by Swamp Dogg and Gary Bonds - the confessional talking-song style of "She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking)" saw the infidelity tune rise to Number 10 on the R&B singles charts. "Make Love To Me" and "I'm Only Human" plead and hurt in that classic early Seventies Soul way - great stuff. Her Bluesy cover of Mother Earth's "Down So Low' is the closest the album comes to Lydia Pense and the Soul-Rock of Cold Blood - echoed guitars complimenting her powerhouse vocals and the misery mood.

Of the singles her chugging "Cold Night In Georgia" is excellent. It was an answer tune to Brook Benton's hit "Rainy Night In Georgia" (itself a Tony Joe White cover) with lyrics like "I heat my room to 100 degrees...still my heart's about to freeze..." Her Soulful take on Presley's "Suspicious Minds" is workmanlike really - but better is her cover of Sam & Dave's 1968 hit "Everybody's Got To Believe In Somebody" (written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter) with its pretty non-album flipside "Signed Dede".

Of the unreleased stuff perhaps most unexpected is a funked up trot through Patsy Cline's Country stalwart "Sweet Dreams" that is surprisingly cool - but easily trumping that is "The Way We Used To Do" is a torcher where she sounds not unlike a female Donny Hathaway (fabulous Production values too). "Pooky" is awful but redemption comes when she goes a bit Northern Soul again with a brassy version of Fontella Bass' "Rescue Me".

Having cut her backing-vocalist teeth in the early to mid Sixties with Aretha Franklin, Garnet Mimms, Nina Simone and many others - it was time her to shine on her own - so sweet Dee Dee Warwick signed to Atlantic. And on the strength of this wickedly entertaining double-CD - I'm glad she did...

Similar 'Real Gone Music' CD Compilations 

1. LINDA JONES - The Complete Atco-Loma-Warner Brothers Recordings
2. PATTI LaBELLE and THE BLUEBELLES - The Complete Atlantic Sides (2CDs)
3. BARBARA LEWIS - The Complete Atlantic Singles (2CDs)
4. BARBARA LYNN - The Complete Atlantic Recordings
5. JACKIE MOORE - The Complete Atlantic Recordings
6. BETTYE SWANN - The Complete Atlantic Recordings
7. THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS - The Complete Atlantic Singles (2CDs)
8. IRMA THOMAS - Full Time Woman: The Lost Cotillion Album

"The Best Of The Chi-Lites: The Original Brunswick Recordings 1969-1976" by THE CHI-LITES – Including Singles and Album Tracks featuring Eugene Record (June 1987 Original and February 2004 Reissue (with Different Artwork) UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation with Adam Skeaping Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B09EKIAg7

----------------------------------------------------

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 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 £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

Rating: *****

"...I Found Sunshine..."

When Ace Records of the UK started issuing CDs back in the late Eighties (much to the excitement of collectors)  – this peach on CDKEN 911 was amongst their first vanguard of titles (originally released June 1987). I bought their Jackie Wilson CD compilation too - "Reet Petite" from May 1986 on Ace CDCH 902. I purchased both because they boasted astonishing remastered sound direct from original Brunswick master tapes. 

So why lose a winner to time because Ace has clearly decided to upgrade this early CHI-LITES CD compilation gem (the old artwork is pictured on the rear inlay - see photo above) by reissuing it in June 2004 with a different sleeve and better booklet (the same amazing Audio has been used). So here is the power to the people…

Re-issued February 2004 (see PS below) – "The Best Of The Chi-Lites: The Original Brunswick Recordings 1969-1976" by THE CHI-LITES on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEN 911 (Barcode 029667291125) breaks down as follows (74:18 minutes): 

1. Give It Away (January 1969 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55398, A-side)

2. Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was (July 1969 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55414, A-side)

3. 24 Hours Of Sadness (February 1970 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55426, A-side)

4. I Like Your Lovin' (Do You Like Mine) (July 1970 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55438, A-side)

5. Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So) (November 1970 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55442, A-side)

6. (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People (April 1971 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55450, June 1971 UK 45-single on MCA Records MU 1138, A-side)

7. Have You Seen Her (October 1971 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55462, Number 1 R&B hit, December 1971 UK 45-single on MCA Records MU 1146, A-side)

8. Oh Girl (April 1972 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55471, Number 1 R&B hit, April 1972 UK 45-single on MCA Records MU 1156, A-side)

9. The Coldest Days Of My Life (July 1972 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55478, July 1972 UK 45-single on MCA Records MU 1162)

10. We Need Order (December 1972 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55489, December 1972 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 1, A-side)

11. A Letter To Myself (February 1973 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55491, March 1973 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 2, A-side)

12. Stoned Out Of My Mind (July 1973 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55500, September 1973 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 7, A-side)

13. I Found Sunshine (November 1973 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55503, June 1974 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 12, A-side)

14. Homely Girl (February 1974 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55505, March 1974 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 9, A-side)

15. Too Good To Be Forgotten (May 1974 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55512, B-side to "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At The Conference Table)" in the USA - September 1974 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 13, A-side in the UK)

16. There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At The Conference Table) (May 1974 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55512, B-side to "Too Good To Be Forgotten" in the USA - September 1974 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 13, B-side in the UK)

17. Toby (January 1975 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55515, January 1975 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 15, A-side)

18. It's Time For Love (October 1975 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55520, August 1975 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 25, A-side)

19. You Don't Have To Go (July 1976 USA 7" single on Brunswick 55528, June 1976 UK 45-single on Brunswick BR 34, A-side)

The 1987 original UK CD (as I recall) had a basic inlay – the 2004 reissue features great liner notes for noted Soul expert TONY ROUNCE in a 12-page upgrade – a man whose name has turned up on countless Ace and Edsel reissues. This time the track-by-track text is peppered with those great US Brunswick singles, UK demos and Trade Adverts. But once again what really grabs you is the audio - fantastically good remasters full of detail and huge presence – Ultimate Sound from original Brunswick Tapes done by ADAM SKEAPING. As most fans will know the Brunswick label famously had the talents of the 5-time Grammy winner BRUCE SWEDIEN as their Audio Engineer (later worked on Michael Jackson's "Thriller") and man does it show. 

Take a song like "We Need Order" – a No. 13 Billboard R&B hit in the States (not so in the UK) – it's a mixed tempo song – slinky one second – fast the next. The remaster brings out the fabulous rhythm and layered vocals and brass. The whole run sounds truly amazing and makes for a serious audio nostalgia fest that will have more than a few olden types like me reaching for the Kleenex before the kids see.

Every one of the 19 entries detailed above charted on the American Billboard R&B listings (they had 8 in the UK with "Have You Seen Her" having been a hit twice in 1972 and 1975). The first five tracks were US only 45s - tremendous Chicago-based Soul/R&B - the first British 'Brunswick' 7" single was the seriously synth-funky "(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People)". 

Of course the big secret with THE CHI-LITES was the songwriting talent of EUGENE RECORD - even now in 2024 - you forget how good his songs are and why they were so popular. The talking/strings tunes like "A Letter To Myself" and "The Coldest Days Of My Life" border on the cheesy for sure and yet they tug on the heart strings with ease. 

"Have You Seen Her", "Oh Girl" and "Homely Girl" are gorgeous Seventies Soul and now bona fide classics (covered by many in tribute). And while I love the huge synth intro to "(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People" and the Beyoncé-sampled brass of "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" – my real poison on here has always been the fabulous "It's Time For Love" from 1975 – which in my book should have been a Number One. For me it encompasses everything that was so dash-darn good about 70ts Soul - Can You Dig It Y'all! Yes! I Do Brother!

There are lots of cheap CHI-LITES compilations (some with re-recordings bearing the same title) - but I urge you to look no further (seek this Kent Soul compilation out). A winner then and now…

PS: Rather confusingly both the 1987 and 2004 CDs for this release use exactly the same catalogue number CDKEN 911 – and worse – the same barcode 029667291125. I mention this because a seller will use the Barcode to locate the right issue for sale. You can therefore get the 1987 original issue with the lesser liner notes instead of the 2004 version with the upgraded booklet – so 'check' with your buyer that it is the 2004 version you're getting (the artwork presently showing on Amazon with the Kent Soul logo in the top right hand corner). 

I have included Front, Inner and Rear artwork photos above for the 2004 reissue so you know what to look for...