"Inner Spectrum" by ACE SPECTRUM (2007 Rhino 'Expanded & Remastered" CD Reissue with Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I Don’t Want To Play Around…"

Released on vinyl June 1974 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7299 - "Inner Spectrum" by ACE SPECTRUM is actually a very Gamble & Huff Philly sounding record. Quite apart from being something of a lost classic - its smooth string-drenched Soul has always been hard to find on vinyl (particularly in the UK) and pricey too. So its 'UK' reissue on this 2007 Expanded CD Remaster by America's Rhino is very welcome indeed to soul fans everywhere. Here are the details...

UK released October 2007 – "Inner Spectrum" by ACE SPECTRUM on Rhino 8122-76429-2 (Barcode 081227642921) is an 'Expanded & Remastered' CD Edition with three Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows...

1. Don't Send Nobody Else

2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

3. If You Were There

4. Moving On

5. Pickup [Side 2]

6. Me And My Love

7. Easy

8. I Don't Want To Play Around

Tracks 1 to 8 make up the original June 1974 US vinyl album "Inner Spectrum" (Atlantic SD 7299). BILL INGLOT – one of Rhino's long-standing Audio Engineers has remastered the original tapes to perfection – this is a wonderful sounding Soul CD.

BONUS TRACKS:

The last three cuts are bonuses. Track 9 is the 'Mono Single Version' of the hugely popular 1974 single hit "Don't Send Nobody Else" on Atco 3012 penned by the dynamic songwriting duo of NICHOLAS ASHFORD and VALERIE SIMPSON. Track 10 is an 'Alternate Take' of "Don't Send Nobody Else" in Stereo (similar to the album cut) - while the CD finishes with "Runnin' Out Baby" - a completely new song by Johnson and Zant found in the vaults and aired for the first time anywhere for this issue.

A four-piece male vocal Soul group - ACE SPECTRUM consisted of RUDY GAY, AUBREY JOHNSON, ELLIOT ISAAC and ED ZANT with Gay, Zant and Johnson being the principal songs writers. The album's overall feel is that of the O’JAYS meets the CHI-LITES meets the SPINNERS meets HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUENOTES – soft sensual soul with tasty brass fills puncturing the string arrangements complimenting the ever cascading falsetto vocals. Each band member was able to hold their own as a lead vocalist, yet they made an equally impressive sound as a foursome. This is particularly in evidence in the album's big ballad finisher "I Don't Want To Play Around" penned by Ed Zant and Aubrey Johnson. It saunters along with vocal pyrotechnics for about 4 of its lush 7 minutes when it suddenly goes into a Salsa finish – funky as James Brown’s DNA – and so Philly that its just not true! Lovers of all forms of Seventies Soul will adore it!

There are a number covers on the album. Track 2 is first up. James Taylor's sweetly aching “Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" is similar to "Love The One You're With" by Stephen Stills - a rock tune that lends itself to Soul interpretation – and will always come out a winner because the song itself is so strong. It was The Isley Brothers who first realized the Soul feel to "Lonely" when they covered it for their 1973 album "3 + 3" (the original is on James Taylor’s 1972 Warner Brothers album "One Man Dog"). The Ace Spectrum version is even slower than The Isleys take and ooh so sweet - one of the genuine gems on this re-release.  Mining that same Isleys album - "If You Were There" is a cover from it and a lovely version too.

I would admit that some may find the sound of these tracks just 'too' syrupy for their liking but if you’re willing to take a chance – it’s a purchase you will enjoy so much. They released another album "Low Rent Rendezvous" in 1975 again on Atlantic Records (SD 18143) but that album isn’t in this series – maybe next time.

To sum up – a rare Soft Soul album most people thought they would never actually see on a proper domestically released CD – and yet another superb job done by Rhino. Recommended...

PS: This release is part of Rhino's 'CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED' Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults. Other titles are:

1. BLUE MAGIC – Blue Magic [see REVIEW]

2. DONNY HATHAWAY – Come Back Charleston Blue [see REVIEW]

3. LEROY HUTSON – Paradise [see REVIEW]

4. RONN MATLOCK – Love City [see REVIEW]

5. GWEN McCRAE – Gwen McCrae

6. GWEN McCRAE – On My Way

7. PRINCE PHILIP MITCHELL – Top Of The Line [see REVIEW]

8. PRINCE PHILIP MITCHELL – Make It Good [see REVIEW]

9. THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM – Right On Be Free [see REVIEW]

PPS: In 2016 - the 2007 CD has been deleted a good few years now and acquired a nasty price tag- so shop around when trying to acquire a copy...

"Love City" by RONN MATLOCK (October 2007 Rhino 'Classic Soul Album - Expanded and Remastered' CD Reissue Of His Superb 1979 US Soul Album On Cotillion Records) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...We're Not Going To A Place...We're Going To A State Of Mind…"

Originally released 1979 on Cotillion Records in the USA only (Cotillion is an Atlantic subsidiary) - Ronn Matlock's lone Soul album is the very definition of those overused words "forgotten masterpiece". I’ve loved this superb record to distraction for decades and what an utter blast it is to finally have my grubby mitts on the CD (and sounding so damn good too).

Originally produced by the legendary MICHAEL STOKES - all eight songs are Ronn Matlock originals with this 2007 CD reissue offers us two rare single sides as bonuses. BILL INGLOT – one of Rhino's top tape maestros has handled the remaster and the result is wonderful – warm and funky – full of presence and not too amped up for the sake of it (proud to call him a friend on Facebook). 

Released October 2007 on CD in the UK - "Love City" by RONN MATLOCK on Rhino 8122-76431-2 (Barcode 081227643126) is part of Rhino's CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED Series of CD reissues and breaks down as follows:

1. Let Me Dance [Side 1]

2. Love City

3. I Can’t Forget About You

4. Feeling Something

5. Back Street [Side 2]

6. Take Me To The Top (Of Your Mountain)

7. You Got The Best Of Me

8. Working Man

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Love City" released August 1979 in the USA on Cotillion SD 5213

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Let Me Dance (Mono Single Version)

10. You Got The Best Of Me (Mono Single version) – Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of a September 1979 USA 7" single on Cotillion 45002

Stylistically think CHIC meets TEDDY PENDERGRASS meets EARTH, WIND & FIRE meets BROOK BENTON meets orchestral BARRY WHITE - but even better! Then there's Matlock’s lovely tonal silky voice - sweet as a nut. If you want real convincing - check out a 25-second snippet on iTunes of "Love City" (lyrics above) – or "Back Street" for irresistible funky floor fillers and "I Can't Forget About You" and "Take Me To The Top (Of Your Mountain)" for that slinky bedroom shagpad moment. None of it has dated and every track is a real find for lovers of funky soul, disco and rare groove.

"Love City" is an absolute peach of an album - and as it never received an official UK release - it's been a hugely collectable and expensive 'piece' on this side of the pond for nearly 30 years now. Yet another top job done by Rhino and a cleverly chosen title for CD reissue – check this baby out as soon as possible…

PS: This release is part of Rhino's 2007 CD Reissue Series CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults.

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway – “Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T.” (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - “Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

7. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line” (see REVIEW)

8. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good” (see REVIEW)

9. The Voices Of East Harlem -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by JELLYBREAD (including 'only' their 1970 Debut Album "First Slice") (2008 Sony/Blue Horizon CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Want You By My Side..."

Taking their name from a 1963 Stax 7" single by Booker T & The MG's – England's Blues Rock combo JELLYBREAD was...

PETE WINGFIELD on Piano and Vocals

PAUL BUTLER on Guitar

JOHN BEST on Bass

CHRIS WATERS on Drums

JELLYBREAD did 3 albums and 6 singles for the cult UK blues label - which throws up an unintentional glitch in this CD's claim to be "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" - it isn't.

What this 15 September 2008 UK released 24-track reissue covers is only the first album and 3 of the 7" singles that surrounded it. The anomaly lies in distribution rights - then and now. "65 Parkway", their 2nd album, came out in 1971 on Blue Horizon 2431 002, while their 3rd and last album "Back To The Beginning Again" followed in 1972 on Blue Horizon 2931 004. Unfortunately their issue and distribution was handled by the Polydor group at the time - and still is. Therefore those albums and the other three singles are out of the scope of this Sony/CBS release. They may be issued at some point in the future by Universal - but that remains to be seen. However there are plenty of other goodies on this unassuming little nugget that more than compensate...

UK released September 2008 – “The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions” by JELLYBREAD on Sony/Blue Horizon 88697192182 (Barcode 886971921823) is a CD Remaster and plays out as follows (78:51 minutes):

1. River’s Invitation

2. I Pity The Fool

3. Never Say No

4. Chairman Mao’s Boogaloo

5. Evening

6. I’ve Got To Forget You

7. Boogie Sandwich

8. Rusty Blade

9. No Brag Just Facts (Pts. 1 & 2)

10. No One Else

11. Don’t Pay Them No Mind

Tracks 1 to 11 make up the album "First Slice" issued early 1970 on Blue Horizon S 7-63853 in the UK and Blue Horizon BH 4801 in the USA

(Tracks 2 and 10 off the album, "Chairman Mao's Boogaloo" b/w "No One Else", were issued as their first UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3162 in late September 1969. The A is a piano-driven instrumental; both tracks are Butler/Wingfield originals)

Tracks 12 and 13 are "Comment" b/w "Funky Wasp", which was their 2nd UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3169 issued in January 1970 - both songs are non-album. "Comment" is a Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band cover version, an obscure B-side to the "Must Be Your Thing" 7" single from 1969 on US Warner Brothers; the B-side to "Comment" is a rocking original, a New Orleans styled instrumental peppered with superb piano playing by Pete Wingfield.

Tracks 14 and 15 are "Rockin' Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu" b/w "Readin' The Meters", which was their 3rd UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-374 issued in April 1970 - and again both songs are non-album. The A is a cover of the 1957 Huey Smith classic while the B is a funky wah-wah guitar instrumental written by the whole band

Tracks 16 and 17 are "Old Man Hank" b/w "Faded Grace", which was their 4th UK 7" single issued 4 December 1970 on Blue Horizon 57-3180 - again, both tracks were non-album at the time (Butler and Wingfield originals) and are more pop than blues.

Then comes a genuine treat for blues collectors....

Tracks 18 to 22 are five of the six songs issued on their privately pressed mini-LP "Jellybread", issued March 1969 on Liphook Records LIPHOOK 1. Due to time restraints on this CD, the Royce Swain song "Evening" has been left off (their excellent re-recording of it is Track 5 on the album anyway). Featuring covers of Jimmy Roger's "That's Alright", Don Robey's "Don't Want No Woman", Roosevelt Syke's "Drivin' Wheel", Percy Mayfield's "Never Say No" and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Sugar Mama" - 99 copies only were pressed up and given a stamped handmade sleeve. It was sold at gigs and in specialist shops and used as a showcase for the band. Impossible to find (I've never seen one) and with a £100+ rarity value, its inclusion here is a genuine bonus for collectors of rare blues. Their superb cover of Percy Mayfield's "Never Say No" is actually ballsier than the re-recorded version on the album for my money and given the rocking bluesy nature of the other recordings - it's easy to see why BH signed them.

The original tapes are remastered to the usual SUPERB standard by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering, the detailed 12-page booklet has a stylish and informative essay on the group by label boss MIKE VERNON, all of it supplemented with advert reproductions, band photos, the record sleeves, session details etc. Finally, a tasty card wrap covers the outside jewel case - and even the tracks are typeset on the cover as the album in the left column, and the bonuses in the right - so you can see where the natural break is - all of it typical of the excellence that has surrounded every BH release to date.

Highlights include a slow and brassy version of Bobby Bland's 1961 Duke Records classic "I Pity The Fool" and the epic seven-minute "Evening" which could have been a moody Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac classic in the hands of someone else (Gary Moore did a wonderfully slow and evocative cover of it on his excellent "Close As You Get" album from last year).

Which brings me to another anomaly as I listen to the excellent slow blues of "No One Else" - from my days as Mail-Order/Rarities Manager in Reckless Records in both their Islington and Soho branches, I recall Jellybread not being held in the highest regard by BH collectors anywhere. It isn't that the album is awful; it's just perceived as a little dull and lifeless - white boys doing lackluster versions of black man's blues. I think this superb release may well change that - because like the Christine Perfect album and CD reissue in this series (see separate review), this is essentially a 3-star album pushed up to a bona-fide 4-star release by its genuinely excellent bonus tracks and quality audio presentation.

There's excellent stuff on this reissue and I hope it will lead to a reappraisal of this forgotten but rather cool and funky British blues band...

PS: see also separate reviews for TOP TOPHAM, GORDON SMITH and KEY LARGO - other "Complete" CDs in this series



PPS: Pete Wingfield (pictured above) had a sizeable solo hit in June 1975 on Island Records with "Eighteen With A Bullet" (see review for his "Island Years" CD)