"Mo'hawk: The Essential Vibes & Grooves 1967-1975" by ALAN HAWKSHAW – Four Songs by The Mohawks, One from Rumplestiltskin, One by The Salon Band plus Fourteen Other Instrumentals from Library Music LPs including the "Dave Allen At Large" TV Theme (May 2003 UK RPM Records CD Compilation – Volume Seven in the Mood Mosaic Series – Sound Recording Technology Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Presentation ****

Audio **** to *****

"…Beat Boutique…"

Stabbing Organ, Swinging Brass Funk, Guitar Grinds – Instrumentals a-go-go baby – shagtastic hair-dos – it smacks of all that - oh yes! 

This admittedly short CD compilation by RPM Records of the UK is given over to the Library Music and extracurricular bands peopled by ace session-man and keyboardist ALAN HAWKSHAW. "Mo'hawk..." is surely the very definition of the word groovy - Hell - it even says Grooves in the subtitle. 

Outside of English Library Music for the legendary KPM and Bruton Music labels - the Leeds-born and in-demand session-man has claimed 7000 credits including official stints with David Bowie and Cliff Richard and large parts of the Disco scene with Donna Summer, Madeline Bell and Olivia Newton-John. "Mo'hawk..." goes to the late Seventies however only once - dealing almost entirely with Funkier musical pastures between 1967 and 1974 when these hooky instrumental vignettes of cool were all the rage on TVs, Radios and even over Supermarket tannoys.

Known from TV, Movie and Library Music and those multitudinous session points in-between– along with folks like Alan Bennett, Keith Mansfield, David Gold, Alan Parker, James Clarke, Tony Allen and their KPM Music ilk – ALAN HAWKSHAW is a very big name in small circles.

Opening with The Mohawks from 1968 on their rare Pama Records debut LP (a UK label more commonly associated with Reggae and Ska) – we race through Organ and Guitar and Brass and Flute instrumentals - Funky Grooves for Now People. It is also part of RPM's Mood Mosaic Series of Ten Volumes (see full list below). There is a lot to process – to the details…

UK released 12 May 2003 - "Mo'hawk: The Essential Vibes & Grooves 1967-1975" by ALAN HAWKSHAW on RPM Records RPM 256 (Barcode 5013929525627) is a 20-Track CD Compilation offering Six Tracks by bands Alan Hawkshaw was in - Four from The Mohawks, One by Rumplestiltskin and one by The Salon Band - plus Fourteen Library Music Instrumentals including some TV Themes. The CD plays out as follows (48:09 minutes):

1. Señor Thump – THE MOHAWKS
2. Beat Me Till I'm Blue – THE MOHAWKS
3. Move Move Move – ALAN HAWKSHAW
4. Girl At The Top – ALAN HAWKSHAW
5. Hastle – ALAN HAWKSHAW
6. The Millionaires – ALAN HAWKSHAW
7. Beat Boutique – ALAN HAWKSHAW
8. Piccadilly Night Ride – ALAN HAWKSHAW
9. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde – THE MOHAWKS
10. Sweet Motion – THE SALON BAND
11. Blue Note – ALAN HAWKSHAW
12. Girl in A Sportscar – ALAN HAWKSHAW
13. Dave Allen At Large – ALAN HAWKSHAW
14. Raver – ALAN HAWKSHAW
15. Drive On – ALAN HAWKSHAW
16. Action Man – ALAN HAWKSHAW
17. Rocky Mountain Roundabout – THE MOHAWKS
18. Powerboat – ALAN HAWKSHAW
19. Rumplestiltskin – RUMPLESTILTSKIN
20. Hawkwind And Fire – ALAN HAWKSHAW

NOTES:
Tracks 1, 2, 9 and 17 are from The Mohawks UK Debut and Only LP "The Champ" released 1968 on Pama Records PMLP 5
Track 3 is from the Alan Parker and Alan Hawkshaw 1970 UK Library Music LP "Music For A Young Generation" on KPM Records KPM 1086
Track 4 is from the Alan Parker, Joe Haider and Alan Hawkshaw 1972 UK Library Music LP "Flute For Moderns" on KPM Records KPM 1080
Tracks 5, 6 and 12 from the Alan Hawkshaw and James Clarke 1973 UK Library Music LP "Friendly Faces" on KPM Records KPM 1123
Tracks 7 and 8 from the Alan Hawkshaw, David Gold and Keith Mansfield 1968 UK Library Music LP "Soul Organ Showcase" on KPM Records KPM 1027
Track 10 by THE SALON BAND from the August 1970 UK Soundtrack LP to "Groupie Girl: original Motion Picture Soundtrack" on Polydor Records 2384 021
Track 11 from the Various Artists 1973 UK Library Music LP "Happy Rainbows" on KPM Records KPM 1127
Track 13 is a 1970 instrumental recording for the Dave Allen TV Show (aired 1971) - first appeared in 1997 on the Alan Hawkshaw CD Compilation "Girl In A Sportscar: The Essential Lounge Music Collection" on Coalition Recordings International 7 0630 180712 5 – Barcode 706301807125
Tracks 14 and 15 from the Bill Martin & Phil Coulter, Alan Hawkshaw and Tony Allan 1967 UK Library Music LP "The Sound Of Pop" on KPM Records KPM 1015
Track 16 from the Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett 1974 UK Library Music LP "Synthesizer And Percussion" on Theme International Music TIM 1012
Track 18 is from the Johnny Pearson, Keith Mansfield and Alan Hawkshaw 1970 UK Library Music LP "Speed And Excitement" on KPM Records KPM 1076
Track 19 is by RUMPLESTILTSKIN from their June 1970 UK Debut LP "Rumplestiltskin" on Bell Records SBLL 130 in Stereo – was also the B-side of "Squadron Leader Johnson", an April 1970 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1101 – the band also featured fellow Library Music guitarist and contributor Alan Parker
Track 20 is from the Various Artists 1978 UK Library Music LP "Jingles Volume Three" on Bruton Music BRB 3

The six-a-side foldout panel inlay has liner notes from KIERON TYLER (dated March 2003) showing pictures of 60ts Hawkshaw, key LP releases like the Groupie Girl soundtrack on Polydor and Rumplestiltskin LP on Bell (both from 1970) and does a really good job of recounting his life in music. Hawkshaw is not a household name by any means – but his music has been in your ears for over six decades. KPM Records also allowed him leeway to record whatever but on the premise that he delivered short-sharp-shocks that could be used. I would say that my NOTES provided above has more info than you get in the inlay – a little light on Discography but not so where it matter – Sound. As you play this compilation (superb audio throughout by the way courtesy of Sound Mastering in Cambridge) – the cuts are short too – often less than two-minutes – come in – do the hooky business – don’t overstay your welcome – and on to the next. The see-through inlay beneath the CD Tray advertises the (then) other six volumes in the series. To the music…

Dig that fantastic guitar solo during "Girl At The Top" – probably future Rumplestiltskin guitarist Alan Bennett letting it rip. Instrumental after super-cool instrumental feels like somebody doing Black Beauty but with a Funk-Up lean. "The Hastle" is typical of that while the "Dave Allen At Large" TV Theme first aired in January 1971 is likely to bring tears to the eyes of most men of a certain age – just genius. Lounge ala Bacharach and David comes waltzing in with seductive strings and Herb Alpert-type Trumpet with "The Millionaires" – the ladies ooh-ing and aah-ing - subtly mixed in to the fabric of the soundstage to give it a bottom end that is not intrusive (such clever arrangements). Time to go Spencer Davis Group R&B sound with the Organ and Brass bopper "Beat Boutique" – a tremendous 1:31 minutes of Groove. The Mohawks give it some happening 60ts with "Piccadilly Bus Ride" – a very cool instrumental that literally exudes Biba and Mini-Skirts and Carnaby Street and could easily have been a TV Show theme about fashion. 

Lounge-Lizard smoochers like "Blue Note" and slow Bass-Funks like "Drive On" will thrill Sixties nuts who did their grooves both hip-swaying and neck-jerking. The 1:37 minutes of the tripping-the-light-go-holly-lightly shuffle of "Girl In A Sportscar" is Lounge Supreme but its backbeat also has one foot in emerging Disco sounds from 1975. Am I ever going to tire of the "Dave Allen At Large" TV theme – never – just a fantastic inclusion that is surprisingly only available officially on a few CD compilations. 

The oldest cut from 1967 is not-surprisingly called "Raver" – some sexy Sally giving it some tassels on a Soho dancefloor – oh behave. But for me the crème de la crème is the truly kickass instrumental "Rumplestiltskin" from 1970. Taken from the band's June 1970 debut album of the same name on Bell Records – it had been put out in April 1970 as the B-side of a long-forgotten and hard-to-find 45 called "Squadron Leader Johnson". What a stunning Rock-Funk groove – I used to put it on CD-R playlists when I was with Reckless Records in Soho in the 90s and 00s and it always brought punters rushing to the counter. "Rumplestiltskin" - the 1970 song - is a Blood, Sweat & Tears meets neck-jerking C.C.S. instrumental with tambourines and shakers and drums rattling in-between a chugging guitar-and-piano beat - groovy with a capitol oovy. It's so 60ts and yet contemporary 70ts too.

And our compilation ends on the latest cut – an almost Starsky and Hutch meets Miami Vice meets Hill Street Blues piano-funker called (not surprisingly) "Hawkwind And Fire" - fantastic.

Hawkshaw passed in October 2021 and the Mood Mosaic CD series of ten volumes listed below are probably all deleted here in February 2025 (as I write this). RPM Records of the UK have also done the Rumplestiltskin album and Groupy Girl Soundtrack on CD too if you want more. But, if you get a chance, treat yourself to the still contemporary-sounding grooves and fantastic musical chops of one Funky West Yorkshireman…Alan Hawkshaw…

MOOD MOSAIC CD Series by RPM Records (10 Volumes)

Volume 1 - "The Go-Go Music Of Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus" – MARK WIRTZ (December 1996 UK RPM Records RPM 172 – Barcode 5022911311728) – 23-Track CD Compilation with Music from 1965-1969

Volume 2 – "The Thriller Memorandum" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (December 1996 UK RPM Records RPM 173 – Barcode 5022911311735) – 24-Track CD Compilation Subtitled '24 Cracking Shots Of Leather Armchair Mood Swingers Inspired By The World Of International Espionage' – features Lounge, TV & Movie Themes, Instrumentals etc – reissued May 2002

Volume 3 - "Kinky Music: Larry Page Orchestra Plays The Music Of The Kinks" – THE LARRY PAGE ORCHESTRA (October 2000 UK RPM Records RPM 213 – Barcode 5013929521322) – Reissue of a June 1965 UK LP on Decca LK 4692 in Mono – Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin was the Guitarist in the Orchestra and Band

Volume 4 - "Lounge With Larry" – THE LARRY PAGE ORCHESTRA (October 2000 UK RPM Records RPM 214 – Barcode 5013929521421) – 21-Track CD Compilation featuring 1967-1971

Volume 5 - "Sitar Beat" – BIG JIM SULLIVAN (May 2002 UK RPM Records RPM 242 – Barcode 5013929524224) – 16-Track CD Compilation that features the British Session Guitarist's 10-Track 1967 UK LP "Sitar A Gogo" originally on Mercury Records SML 30001 in Stereo (itself issued 1968 in the USA as "Sitar Beat" on Mercury SR-61137 in Stereo) - Plus Four More Tracks by The London Studio Group and Two Tracks by Maneshandra Kansara

Volume 6 - "Town Talk!" – THE KEN WOODMAN SOUND (September 2002 UK RPM Records RPM 230 – Barcode 5013929523029) – 24-Track CD Compilation featuring 1966 to 1969 Tracks On Strike and Vibration Records – Most Unreleased on CD since original issue – includes the Title Track which was used by Jimmy Young on his BBC Radio show as a Signature Tune for over 30-years

Volume 7 - "Mo'hawk: The Essential Vibes & Grooves 1967-1975" by ALAN HAWKSHAW (May 2003 UK RPM Records RPM 256 - Barcode 5013929525627) - 20-Track CD Compilation offering Four Tracks by The Mohawks, One by Rumplestiltskin, one by The Salon Band and Fourteen Library Music Tracks including some TV Themes like "Dave Allen At Large" – all featuring Alan Hawkshaw

Volume 8 - "Aim High: Brian Bennett At KPM 1973-1976" by BRIAN BENNETT (December 2004 UK RPM Records RPM 290 – Barcode 5013929529021) – 20-Track CD Compilation featuring Instrumentals from Eleven Library Music LPs Issued on KPM Records

Volume 9 - "Sounds Of Tomorrow" by THE SOUNDS OF TOMORROW featuring SCOTT LUDWIG and MAXIMILLIAN (November 2005 UK RPM Records RPM 300 – Barcode 5013929530027) – 19-Track CD Compilation featuring Instrumentals from 1964-1972 including Previously Unreleased Material

Volume 10 - "Gypsy Creams & Ginger Nuts: Sounds That Swept The Supermarkets" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (May 2007 UK RPM Records RPM 328 – Barcode 5013929532823) – 25-Track CD Compilation featuring Rediffusion Records funky instrumentals between 1968 and 1974

"Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Mad Lads, 87th Off Broadway, The Moments, Lee Williams & The Cymbals, Jimmy Conwell, Ramona King, Four Tees, Natural resources, The Exclusive, The Soul Interiors, The San Francisco TKOs, The Diplomats, The Three Reasons, The Performers, Nightchill, Richard Caiton and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters and Previously Unreleased Material) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Harmony-Sweet-Vocals-1961-1984/dp/B0DQ5X98W7?crid=30E3BPNA2X4O7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fkh1L0GHvbH97OBiiV8HEA.K3Y4al9t4thQHmNem0BC4P3dT_Ot0_wsOG8KCYX1534&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111126&qid=1737992721&sprefix=029667111126%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=5131b333e8217d9aae1b403d72ff3145&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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RATINGS:

Overall: *** to ****

Audio: ****

Presentation: *****

"…For The Love Of You…"

Probably not the prettiest or the most eye-catching artwork in the long history of CD Soul Compilations it must be said - and four or more were left in the can for obvious reasons too - no matter how much the liner notes may enthuse. But (in the main) this last day of January 2025 CD release from our archival pals over at Ace Records is still a lovely listen – and sees many rarities making their debut on CD. Kent Soul is shimmering for collectors once again.

Ace are celebrating the tradition of Balladry and Harmony Soul here – 24-Tracks scattered across more than two decades (1961 to 1984) – many from rare and deleted CDs of old, 2024 vinyl-only releases and at least a third of the haul – brand new. 

Mucho smooching to be done then and extra bottles of Talcum Powder to be lined up on the drinks trolly by the dancefloor just a backfield motion left of the telly. To the broken hearts and men who may not necessarily be true…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 513 (Barcode 029667111126) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters. It includes Six Previously Unreleased for 2025, Four UK 45-Single issues initially only on Vinyl in 2024 and other Rarities first time on CD - it plays out as follows (73:37 minutes):

1. I've Never Found A Girl – THE MAD LADS (from the August 1969 US LP "The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads" on Volt Records VOS-6005 in Stereo – an Eddie Floyd cover version)

2. Instant Replay – 87th OFF BROADWAY (an April 1972 recording first issued on Ace's new reissue label Soul Harmony – the A-side "Instant Replay" is their inaugural release for 25 October 2024 on SH 01 with Larry Sanders and his "I'm In Love" on the flipside – first issue here on CD) 

3. Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You) - MOMENTS (July 1972, US 45-single on Stang ST 5041, A-side – also as The Moments in the UK, 45-single released September 1972 on London HLU 10389, A-side)

4. I'll Be Gone – LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (April 1966, US 45-single on Carnival Records CAR-521, B-side of "I Love You More")

5. Let It All Out – JIMMY CONWELL (Mid 1967, US 45-single on Gemini 1003, B-side of "Too Much")

6. Mr. Lover Supreme – RAMONA KING (an Alex Palao mix of a Previously Unreleased 1970 Golden State Recording – Previously Unreleased)

7. The Wind Is My Only Friend – THE FOUR TEES (a Previously Unissued 1970 Kent recording – Previously Unreleased)

8. For The Love Of You – NATURAL RESOURCES (a Previously Unissued 1969 Bobby Swayne recording – Previously Unreleased)

9. I Still Love You – THE EXCLUSIVE (1970s Eddie Singleton recording – first issued 25 October 2024 in the UK on 45-single on Soul Harmony SH 02, A-side - first time on CD)

10. My Friend Heartaches – THE SOUL INTERIORS (a 1972 GSF Records written by Thomas Crawford first issued September 2024 in the UK on a 45-single, Kent CITY 096, A-side – first time on CD here)

11. Ooh, Baby, Baby – THE SAN FRANCISCO T.K.O.'s (1972 US 45-single on Golden Soul GS 7112, B-side of "Herm" – Lead Vocalist is Penny Lewis – a cover of The Miracles Tamla song of 1965 with Smokey Robinson)

12. Forever – THE DIPLOMATS (a 1963 recording for Arock Records, recorded by Van McCoy and written by Paul Griffin and Willie Denson – first appears as an unreleased track on the June 2004 Diplomats UK CD compilation "Greatest Recordings" on Ace/Kent CDKEND 232)

13. Moon Out There – THE PUFFS (February 1966, US 45-single on Doré 757, B-side of "I Only Cry Once A Day Now" – Female Vocal Group consisting of Joyce Pinkney, Rose Bell and Mary White - arranged by Gene Page)

14. Ain't That Kinda Sad – THE QUESTION MARKS (1964 US 45-single on Money 105, A-side – A.R.D. Production arranged by Hank Jacobs – Thomas Calhoun song)

15. The Greatest Love – THE FOUR SONICS (May 1968, US 45-single on Sport 111, A-side – featuring Anita Watson)

16. You Still Need Me – JOHNNY WESLEY And THE FOUR TEES (April 1966, US 45-single on Melic Records 4170, B-side of "It's The Talk Of The Town" – Arranged by Arthur Wright)

17. Something In My Eye – THE MUSIC CITY SOUL BROTHERS (1964 US 45-single on Music City 855, A-side – featuring Jimmy Norman on Lead with Freddie Hughes and Ken Pleasants on Backing Vocals)

18. Take Me Back – THE THREE REASONS (1971 US 45-single on Carnival CAR-551, B-side of "Just A Groove In "G"" by Wilbur Bascomb And The Zodiac – written by Kenneth Ruffin)

19. Girl I Tried – THE PERFORMERS (originally a 1973 recording first issued in the USA on the August 2011 Various Artists VINYL LP "The Music City Sessions Volume 3: Soul Show" on Omnivore Recordings OVLP- 38 – an Edit is presented here and is first time on CD in 2025)

20. Love Don't Let Me Down – NIGHTCHILL (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from 1980 – a Nick Robbins Mix)

21. You Look Like A Flower – RICHARD CAITON (September 1964, US 45-single on GNP Crescendo GNP 327, A-side)

22. Palms Of Paradise – RAY & BOB (September 1961, US 45-single on Ledo 1151, B-side of "Air Travel" – Ray Swayne and Bob Appleberry)

23. Who Do You Love – THE IMPERIALITES (Previously Unissued 1964 George Semper recording – first time on CD)

24. The Story Says – THE TOKAYS (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording)

NOTES:
All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 5, 10, 12 to 18, 22 to 24 in MONO

The 20-page booklet is the usual Ace Records dream-fest crammed with knowledgeable and well-researched liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY OUNCE – each artist represented by publicity photos if available (The Moments, Ramona King and The Diplomats get whole pages – 5, 8 and 12). There are label repros of hard-to-find US singles in Stock or Demo form and even Trade Adverts alongside the occasional archival Tape Box. Rounce goes deep on facts – names you have never heard of – singers remembered and rightly so. 

The Audio is half-and-half – 12 in STEREO with most of the 45s not surprisingly in MONO. Long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has once again done a sterling job with the Remasters – only one of two betraying their demo-ish origins. When for instance you are playing the unreleased 1970 cut by The Four Tees – great STEREO Audio – same goes for the 1964 MONO of The Music City Soul Brothers - pleading for you to disregard their tears (singers Ken Hughes and Ken Pleasants are pictured in a Trade Advert for an upcoming gig on Page 15). Great stuff. To the tunes…

"Soul Harmony…" opens on a hip-swaying high – The Mad Lads doing a 1969 cover version the Eddie Floyd Stax hit "I've Never Found A Girl" – an LP deep cut – it hears our harmonizing boys giving it some microphone shuffles while smooth guitar soloing and brass punctuate that lovely song. First issued as an Alec Palao Mix on UK 45 in 2024 on Ace's own label imprint Soul Harmony (their debut release) – 87th Off Broadway smooch the eight-piece voices across your speakers – very, very pretty. Falsetto voices akin to The Stylistics and Chi-Lites – The Moments ad a huge chart history and in 1972 their warning ballad "Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You" was typical of their sound. 
Clever choice and top pick (for me) comes in the shape of the arm-shuffling "I'll Be Gone" by Lee Williams & The Cymbals (misspelled as Symbols on original 1966 US 45s) – a fabulous winner and surefire inclusion on Soul Ballads CD-Rs of future home entertainment (the obscure US 45 goes for serious dosh). 

The goodies continue with "Let It All Out" – not the greatest audio for Jimmy Conwell – but man what an emotional punch its 1967 oohs and sways pack (you're gonna stay, a shoulder to cry on). The Ramona King track may be unreleased, but unfortunately you can hear why its weakness and her cloying delivery of it was canned - "Mr Lover Supreme" is more irritating than good and with lyrics that have not worn well. Full-on Brass and String Arrangements threaten to overwhelm "For The Love Of You" but the classy Harmony Vocals of Nature Resources keep you listening and swaying.

Time for some serious smooching – a low Bass eases in the foolish-man oohs of The Exclusives who are glad (nonetheless) that they held onto her. A fabulous find with a disarmingly lovely trumpet solo amidst the pleading vocal pyro-techniques – it was issued as 45-release number two on Ace's Soul Harmony label in October 2024 (this is its first time on CD and will be a welcome addition to digital). The Soul Interiors cut seems to feature an unknown vocalist on "My Friend Heartaches" – but what a voice – might be the song-writer Thomas Mitchell. Speaking of great singers - I would swear that Linda Ronstadt zapped right into the feel of The San Francisco TKOs cover of The Miracles Tamla hit "Ooh, Baby, Baby" for her version in 1978 on Elektra Records – Ronstadt slowing it down to the same funerial pace which in some way enhances the Soulfulness even more. 

Not that enamoured with The Diplomats cut "Forever" and despite serious effort - The Puffs US 45 flipside "Moon Out There" is let down by muffled and worn audio. Better is The Question Marks who go back to 1964 and feature a very Four Tops Motown vibe with their lovely "Ain't That Kinda Sad". Neither hurt nor humiliation will keep Johnny Wesley & The Four Tees away – their "You Still Need Me" a great weepy. I mentioned the haw-haw melodrama of The Soul Brothers earlier as they crawl from the emotional wreckage of "Something In My Eye" (give that lucky guy a hello from the boys). Much going on with "Take Me Back" – the lead vocalist practically shredding his pipes as his backing singers sway and pray. 

The later sound of Nightchill feels out of place and even with Dave Hamilton involvement is not that good to my ears. We head home with Richard Caiton comparing his lady to a flower – but like Ray & Bob song that follow (the oldest cut here from 1961) – the lyrics are weedy and the Vocal Group tradition is more in evidence rather than Soul (and not in a good way). The Imperialites mix up Doo Wop and Soul with their should-we-raise-a-family smoocher "Who Do You Love" while the compilation ends on the weirdly eerie "The Story Says" – a Tokays demo with a Tambourine and Piano and Voices. I can see why it is included, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be playing it again any time soon.

So, to sum up - 31 January 2025's "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" CD has some gems for sure - plus Rarities on Digital that are welcome too. But a lot of these out-of-work chunes were chancing their arms in the first place and haven't weathered well since – so four stars at the most. But the good stuff in-between – oh yes – and the reason why we love Kent Soul compilations to the max...

"Right On! Vol. 5 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 17 Tracks from 1967 to 1976 by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Little Feat (Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris on Backing Vocals), Herbie Mann, Cold Blood, Wade Marcus, Young-Holt Unlimited, Tony Joe White, Willis Jackson, Sam Samudio, Hank Crawford, Gary Burton, Gene Page, Sweetwater, Yusef Lateef, Air, The Don Randi Trio and Herb Geller (January 2004 UK Warner Strategic Marketing (WSM) CD Compilation of Remasters – Volume 5 of 5) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Right-5/dp/B0000YHK04?crid=2PQ8UHHD0DKWD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NDk1tFIxMGDyDNkxr67w-A.j-AiF0pG6ardoubHvoLUcjrBmJ-ScV0fRVagX8vcavw&dib_tag=se&keywords=5050466914729&qid=1737828402&sprefix=5050466914729%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=82b2fc89f5accf421516ec72170d43e7&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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

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RATINGS:

Overall: ****

Presentation: **** 

Audio: **** to *****

"...Vibrations In The Street...Keep Us High..."

Sometime in the late Nineties, the UK branch of Warner Brothers (or WEA to us in the know) seemed to suddenly get hip to the public's needs. And WEA did this at the exact moment they also sheepishly realised they'd an abundance of riches in their glorious back catalogue to meet those cravings.

I recall the 3 sets of "Funk Drops", 3 more for Northern Soul in "After Hours", 2 for Philly in "Crème De La Creme", more Soul, Funk and Gospel rarities in "You Better Believe It" - and on it went. 

Which brings us to here – the superlative "Right On!" series of compilations (on CD and 2LP VINYL Sets) that tapped the Funkier side of Jazz, Fusion and Rock albums issued on Atlantic, Atco, Cotillion, San Francisco, Reprise, Alston and of course Warner Bros between 1966 and 1975. So, September 1999 through to August 2004 saw Five Volumes of "Right On!" in all with a 4CD mop-up 'Box Set' in-between for Volumes 1 to 3 that contained a fourth Bonus Disc of 6 Rare Tracks.

Suddenly, underground names held in collector awe like Eugene McDaniels, David Axelrod, David Newman, Funk Factory, Black Heat, Young-Holt Unlimited, Memphis Horns, Shirley Scott, The Beginning of The End, Claudia Lennear, Tony Joe White, Cold Blood, Air, Yusef Lateef, Herb Geller (lyrics from his song title this review) and loads more got pride of place and new recognition. And much to the joy of collectors and album fetishists alike, the "Right On!" series was also backed up by 2LP VINYL sets, all of which boasted a lone Bonus Track over their CD counterpart (see Discography below).

Remastered and compiled with serious smarts by CHAS CHANDLER and STUART KIRKHAM (Comp Producer Florence Halfon) – these comps quickly became a way for cash-strapped fans and other genre-curious-types of getting rare and largely forgotten Funk and Soul for a decent price (I diligently pickled up each as they appeared). Frankly all five volumes are filled with Mr. Men and still relatively cheap too in 2025 (at least the first three are) - so let's get busy with a final highlight in the series - Door Number Five...to the details...

UK released 26 January 2004 - "Right On! Vol. 5 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Warner Strategic Marketing (WSM) 5046691472 (Barcode 5050466914729) is a 17-Track CD/18-Track 2LP compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (72:59 minutes - CD):

1. Freaks For The Festival – RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK (from the August 1975 US 2LP set "The Case Of The 3 Sided Dream In Audio Color" on Atlantic Records SD 1674 - featuring RR Kirk on Horns, Richard Tee on Keyboards, Cornell Dupree on Guitars and Steve Gadd on Drums – as Sampled by The Beastie Boys on the song "Finger Lickin' Good" from their 1992 album "Check Your Head")

2. Spanish Moon – LITTLE FEAT (from their fourth studio album "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" released August 1974 in the USA on Warner Bros BS 2784 – featuring Lowell George and Paul Barrere on Guitars (song written by LG), Bill Payne on Keyboards, Kenny Gradney on Bass and Richie Hayward on Drums with Backing Vocals from Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris – Produced by Van Dyke Parks) 

3. Hi-Jack – HERBIE MANN (from his album "Discothèque" released April 1975 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 1670 – Flute by Herbie Mann with Pat Rebillot on Keyboards, Hugh McCracken on Guitar, Steve Gadd on Drums with Backing Vocals from Cissy Houston)

4. I Just Want To Make Love To You – COLD BLOOD (from their November 1969 US Debut LP "Cold Blood" on Atlantic/San Francisco SD 200 in Stereo – written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Muddy Waters of Chess Records fame – Cold Blood featured Lydia Pense on Lead Vocals – Samples used by Jurassic 5 and Edan)

5. Feelin' Alright – WADE MARCUS (from the March 1971 US LP "A New Era" on Cotillion SD 9043 – a Traffic cover (written by Dave Mason) – this Instrumental Version by Motown and Stax Producer and Arranger Wade Marcus features Eric Gale and Richard Tee on Guitars with a Piano Solo from Paul Griffin)

6. The Creeper – YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED (from their sixth album "Mellow Dreamin'" released September 1970 in the USA on Cotilion SD 18001 - featuring Bassist Eldee Young, Drummer Isaac "Redd" Holt with ex-Ramsey Lewis Keyboardist Kenneth Chaney and future Trumpeter with The Awakening (1972 and 1973 LPs) Frank Gordon – the instrumental is written by Kenneth Chaney – sample used on Dr. Octagon track "Dr. Octagon")

7. Voodoo Village – TONY JOE WHITE (from his fourth studio album "Tony Joe White" (debut for Warner Brothers) - released March 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 1900 – song by Lee Ann White – Michael Utley of The Dixie Flyers plays Keyboards - the song "Voodoo Village" was also issued February 1971 as a US 45-single on Warner Bros 7468, B-side of "The Daddy" – both tracks from the "Tony Joe White" LP)

8. Pick Up The Pieces – WILLIS JACKSON (from the August 1975 US LP "The Way We Were" on Atlantic SD 18145 – Willis Jackson on Tenor Saxophone - a cover version of the song from the 1974 film of the same name starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford)

9. 15° Capricorn Asc. – SAM SAMUDIO [aka Sam The Sham] (from his March 1971 US Debut Solo LP "Sam, Hard And Heavy" on Atlantic SD 8271 – real name Domingo Samudio - Backing Band is The Dixie Flyers (including Michael Utley and Jim Dickinson), Horns by The Memphis Horns (including Wayne Jackson) and Backing Singers by The Sweet Inspirations (led by Cissy Houston))

10. It's A Funky Thing To Do – HANK CRAWFORD (from the May 1971 US LP "It's A Funky Thing To Do" on Cotillion SD 18003 – Hank Crawford on Saxophone, Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree on Guitars, Richard Tee and Alfred 'Pee Wee' Ellis on Keyboards, Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter on Bass with Bernard Purdie on Drums)

11. Leroy The Magician – GARY BURTON (from the August 1970 US Studio LP "Good Vibes" on Atlantic SD 1560 in Stereo – Keyboards and Vibes by Gary Burton and Richard Tee, Eric Gale and Jerry Hahn on Guitars with Chuck Rainey on Bass and Bernard Purdie on Drums) 

12. Jungle Eyes – GENE PAGE (from his second US LP "Hot City" released January 1975 on Atlantic SD 18111 – written by Billy and Gene Page –Keyboards by Gene Page, Guests Include Keyboards and Production by Barry White, Guitars by Dean Parks and Ray Parker, Jr. with Wilton Felder of The Crusaders on Bass)

13. It Ain't Easy - SWEETWATER (from their US Debut LP "Melon" released November 1971 on Reprise Records RS 6473 – featuring Albert Moore on Flute (also wrote the song) with Nanci Nevins on Vocals and Guitar and Alex Del Zoppo on Keyboards)

14. Prayer – YUSEF LATEEF (from the US LP "Hush 'N' Thunder" released March 1973 on Atlantic SD 1635 – a Kenny Barron cover version - features Yusef Lateef on Tenor Saxophonist, Cornell Dupree on Guitar with Alfred White on Organ and more) 

15. Mr. Man – AIR (from their Debut and Only US LP "Air" released May 1971 on Embryo SD 733 in Stereo – features Herbie Mann on Flute and Googie on Vocals – Guests Randy and Mike Brecker on Trombone and Sax)

16. Hang Loose – THE DON RANDI TRIO (from the US LP ""Live" On The Sunset Strip!" released September 1967 on Reprise Records RS 6252 in Stereo – Original Song - Don Randi on Piano, Pat Smith on Bass and John Clauder on Drums)

17. Space A La Mode – HERB GELLER (from the studio album "Rhyme And Reason" released January 1976 on Atlantic SD 1681 in Stereo – featuring Herb Geller on Saxophone and Flutes, Philip Catherine on Guitar, Rob Franken on Keyboards and Mark Murphy on Vocals)

Graduating from the gatefold slips of paper that masqueraded as a booklet in earlier issues – Volume 5 offers the glory of 8-pages including very basic Discography info and track-by-track liner notes from the compilers (which are informative). Previous issues (namely Volumes 1, 2 and 3) barely showed the American album covers from whence all this Jazz-Funkiness came – here you get a collage of 12 album sleeves on the rear-page of the booklet (which is pretty). As there are no musician credits on any of the five volumes - I have endeavoured to fill out the correct release dates and personnel info where known for each entry – along with any other relevant info (cover versions etc).

Like all the others "Right On! Vol. 5…" hammers where it matters – the Audio is fantastic. Compiled by Chas Chandler (also does the liner notes) and Stuart Kirkham - Florence Halfon is Compilation Producer and the mastering is by Giovanni Scatola at Heathmans Mastering. The Funk is most deaf-in-ite-ly in the ascendancy here (15 of the 17 dates from the 70ts) - so when you play this beast - the music (often instrumental) hits you with unapologetic breaks - Drums and Saxophones and Bass Lines getting high-ya - rattling out of your speakers like a show-off Reggae Stack in Notting Hill. Now - to the actual content...

Volume 5 opens with a clearly hyped-up Rahsaan Roland Kirk (two years before his sad passing at only 44) getting Vocal and Funky with his 4-minute "Freaks At The Festival" – his enthusiasm seeing him wandering in and out of microphone shot several times. The August 1975 US double-album the track comes from is called (delightfully) "The Case Of The 3 Sided Dream In Audio Color" and was a weird one even back then. Although it clearly announces it on the Atlantic Records label as just Cut Grooves - Side 4 of his (3 Sided) 2LP set is air-silence with a few telephone conversations throw in to confuse (ah them was the days)! 

Up next is a gem – and I mean a gem. Common reviewer consensus tells punters looking for Little Feat's fab Rock-Funk grooves to go for the live variant of "Spanish Moon" on the 1978 "Waiting For Columbus" 2LP beast because it features a tight-as-space-capsule-nuts Tower Of Power with their Brass chops as part of the audio assault. The studio version here from 1974's fourth studio album "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" doesn't have that benefit. But make no mistake – the Force of the Funk is most definitely with Little Feat here because the Remaster is truly fantastic. And although the studio variant is shorter (the live cut stretches out the momentum and therefore the hip-swaying effect) – "Spanish Moon" is blindingly great – Lowell George and his band steaming in New Orleans mojo. A very smart inclusion.

Pre-Chic and the Saturday Night Fever vibe of The Tramps and their "Disco Inferno" – up comes fabulous Audio for Herbie Mann as he goes for your 1975 boot-ay and sash-ay with his "Hi-Jack". Flute jabs compliment a relentlessly Funky backbeat while breathy ladies sing of hi-jacking your love (good luck with that gals). Underrated US crossover band Cold Blood has the fantastic Janis Joplin-esque pipes of singer Lydia Pense at their disposal. Lydia slinks through a Brass and Organ funk-up of the Muddy Waters chestnut "I Just Want To Make To You" (written by the mighty Willie Dixon) which gradually goes full-on Blood, Sweat & Tears meets C.C.S. (fantastic stuff and another killer to include). Philly Strings, Fuzzed Up Guitars, precision Bass lines and a Clavinet that has seen to many Blaxploitation movies – Wade Marcus gives us a fab instrumental take on the Dave Mason gem from his days with Traffic - "Feelin' Alright". After five corkers in a row – what you would think would cement the Funky deal is a cut now from Young-Holt Unlimited – but their very Herb Alpert offering "The Creeper" in only OK - trying too hard despite some tasty piano-lines towards the end.

Back to swamp-chaps with no teeth-gaps - and no one (but no one) is better than Tony Joe White during his post-Monument sides on Warner Brothers. His thumping and snorting "Voodoo Village" is a sexy 1971 Rock chugger about ladies with ways and moves you need to stay away from (or in his case, run towards). Willie Jackson goes after the Average White Band instrumental classic from 1974 "Pick Up The Pieces" (a contender for one of the greatest songs ever in my book) - but despite the efforts of his 1975 Sax and Funky Strings – you heart and posterior will always remain with the Scottish Soul Boys and their original on Atlantic Records. You might need to give the curiously titled Sam The Sham track "15° Capricorn Asc." breathing space – but as the Wooly Bully man shouts "Push!" - his team of ace musicians hammer a relentless electric guitar whig-out and "15° Capricorn Asc." from 1971 becomes infectious and utterly brilliant (you can see why Soul Boys looking for a Funky tip dig it so). Two hooky instrumentals from Hank Crawford and Gary Burton introduce flick-guitars, soloing Saxophones and pinging Vibes for "It's A Funky Thing To Do" and "Leroy The Magician" – both equally tasty in their neck-jerking neck of the 1970 and 1971 woods.

Home run gives you two long-standing Funk-Rock-Soul nuggets by Air and Sweetwater – great grooves in "Mr. Man" and "It Ain't Easy". Sweetwater find it hard to deal with the pills and bills of the Rock and Roll lifestyle in their stop-and-start "It Ain't Easy" – but in terms of LP finds – it is second-fiddle to Air and their fab "Mr. Man" on Embryo Records n 1971. This slithering and a-sliding sleezy piano and vocals shouter has turned up on quite a few Funky-Funky compilations and Box Sets – Herbie Mann's touring band fronted by singer Googie hitting a genre winner. Amongst the other four is the hard-hitting Funk of Yusef Lateef strangling his horn on "Prayer" – better for me Don Randi handclapping his Sixties way through "Hang Loose" – even if it does feel a tad out of place after all the Seventies soundscapes that preceded it.

So, to sum up, like its four cheapish predecessors (listed on the rear cover artwork - see photo) - "Right On! Volume 5…" is the fifth and last in a brilliant CD and VINYL series - and like its illustrious forebears - will make you want to own the whole shebang (see list below accurate to January 2025).

In the late Sixties and especially into the first half of the Seventies - Funk, Soul, Latin, Jazz and Fusion from across the cultural pond was at its fabulous and inventive best. Check em out and "Right On!" indeed...

RIGHT ON! 

CD and Vinyl 2LP Series by Warners UK 

A List of Releases

1. Right On! Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 1967-1975 
CD, 17-Tracks: released 27 September 1999 UK on Warner/ESP Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548378052 (Barcode 095483780525) - 67:23 minutes
VINYL, 18-Track 2LP-set: released September 1999 UK on Warner/Atlantic Reprise 9548-378041 (Barcode 95483780401) – Bonus is "North Carolina" by Les McCann, last track on Side 4 – playing time 9:20 minutes

2. Right On! Vol.2: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
CD, 19-Tracks: released Monday, 29 May 2000 UK on Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548384002 (Barcode 095483840021) - 69:30 minutes
VINYL, 20-Track 2LP-set: Warner/Atlantic/Reprise 9548-38401-1 (Barcode 095483840113) – Bonus is "Harlem Buck Dance Strut" by Les McCann, last track on Side 4 – playing time 5:55 minutes

3. Right On! Vol.3: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
CD, 18-Tracks: released Monday, 11 June 2001 on Warner Music UK 9548392072 (Barcode 095483920723) - 71:33 minutes
VINYL, 19-Track 2LP-set: Warner Music UK 9548392061 (Barcode 095483920617) – Bonus Track is "Can you Dig It?" by Herbie Mann, last track on Side 4 – 5:51 minutes

4. Right On! Vol.4: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
CD, 19-Tracks: 26 August 2002 UK Warner Strategic Marketing UK 0927425672 (Barcode 809274256720) - 69:42 minutes
VINYL, 20-Tracks 2LP set: Warner Strategic Marketing 9274-6388-1 - Bonus Track is "Respect Yourself" by Herbie Mann, last track on Side 4 – 6:50 minutes

5. Right On! Vol. 5 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
CD: 17-Tracks: 26 January 2004 UK Warner Strategic Marketing 5046691472 (Barcode 5050466914729) – 72:59 minutes
VINYL, 18-Track 2LP-set: Warner Strategic Marketing 5046696401 (Barcode 5050466964014) – Bonus Track is "Schirokko" by Passport, last track on Side 4 – 5:44 minutes

6. Right On! Box Set: Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
2001 UK Warner Strategic Marketing 092 740477 2 (Barcode 809274047724) 
4CD 67-Track Box Set housed in Book Packaging containing CD Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the Series (61 Tracks) with a further fourth Bonus CD of Six Tracks. 

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

Three of the six Book Set CD Bonuses appeared only on the VINYL 2LP variants of Volumes 1 to 3 (Tracks 3, 4 and 6) – the other three (Tracks 1, 2 and 5) are new to the series here and do not appear on the CD variants of Volumes 4 and 5

"Now Yearbook '77 EXTRA" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Sixty-Two Tracks - Singles and Album Versions by Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, Donna Summer, Iggy Pop, The Jam, The Clash, John Miles, The Boomtown Rats, The Stranglers, Elvis Presley, Billy Paul, Barry White, David Parton, Boz Scaggs, Paul McCartney, Blondie, Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, Elvis Costello, Steve Gibbons Band, Status Quo, Nazareth, Thin Lizzy, Pussycat, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, Hot Chocolate, Shalamar, Tavares, Boney M, Elkie Brooks, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Smokie, Deniece Williams, Rose Royce, Cliff Richard, George Benson and more (January 2025 UK Sony Music/EMI 3CD 62-Track Compilation in a Four-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Varying Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall *** (Good But A Lot Of Dross Too)

Audio *** to **** (From Good to Great)

Presentation *** (Basic As These Always Are)

"…Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy…"

I have about ten of the 4CD Now Yearbook compilations – most of which are accompanied by a further Yearbook Extra release of 3CDs - bringing whichever year haul they're chronicling to well over 140 songs. 

And that's what we have here – an Extra '62 More Essential Hits From 1977' – its 4CD 80-Track Sony/EMI big daddy variant "Now Yearbook '77" released November 2024 and reviewed separately.

But the same problem to my listening ears occurs here as it does with all these Now sets – you are suckered by quantity and once home in your player - unfortunately a wall of second-rate Pop and Disco cack alongside cringe-inducing ballads. Like its four-disc predecessor - Now Yearbook '77 EXTRA does not reflect the overriding theme (for me anyway) of that pivotal year – New Wave, New Rock and Punk. I have an open earhole when it comes to all genres – but man is there some dross on here – spatterings on CD1 but a whole slew on CD3 (hence the 3-star rating).

In its favour, however, Now Yearbook EXTRA 3CD Sets start out at about nine quid, but after a few months can be quickly reduced to six or seven quid which frankly represents serious value for money. You may not be getting anything packaging-wise (there is no Book Edition on the Extra sets like there is on the principal 4-disc versions) - but at least 40 to 50% of the choices will please somebody somewhere and the audio is crackerlackin' throughout – some tracks even highlighting the year of Remaster. Here be the details for the nineteen seventy-seven stragglers…

UK released Friday, 10 January 2025 - "Now Yearbook '77 EXTRA" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW77 / 0198028434317 (Barcode 198028434317) is a 3CD 62-Track Compilation in a Tri-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Single Edits, Album Versions and Various Remasters that plays out as follows:

CD1 (77:15 minutes):
1. Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy – QUEEN (May 1977, EMI Records EMI 2628, Track 1 of 2 on the A-side of a 4-Song single called Queen's First E.P. – 2011 Remaster)
2. Turn To Stone – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA [aka E.L.O.] (October 1977, Jet UP 36313, A-side)
3. Theme From The Deep (Down, Deep Inside) (Album Version) – DONNA SUMMER (from the September 1977 UK LP "The Deep – Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by John Barry on Casablanca CAL 2018)
4. Sunny – BONEY M (February 1977, Atlantic K 10892, A-side – a Bobby Herb cover version originally 1963)
5. Isn't She Lovely – DAVID PARTON (31 December 1976, Pye 7N 45663, A-side – a Stevie Wonder cover version)
6. How Much Love – LEO SAYER (April 1977, Chrysalis CHS 2140, A-side)
7. Tokyo Joe – BRYAN FERRY (April 1977, Polydor 2001 711, A-side)
8. What Can I Say – BOZ SCAGGS (January 1977, CBS Records S CBS 4869, A-side)
9. Maybe I'm Amazed (Live) – WINGS (February 1977, Parlophone R 6017, A-side – featuring Paul and Linda McCartney – 2001 Remaster)
10. Crazy Water – ELTON JOHN (February 1977, Rocket ROKN 521, A-side)
11. I'd Rather Leave When I'm In Love – CAROLE BAYER SAGER (October 1977, Elektra K 12274, A-side)
12. Sunshine After The Rain – ELKIE BROOKS (August 1977, A&M Records AMS 7306, A-side- an Ellie Greenwich cover version originally issued in 1968)
13. Needles And Pins – SMOKEY (September 1977, RAK Records RAK 263, A-side – a Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono song/cover version originally issued in 1963 by Jackie DeShannon)
14. When – SHOWADDYWADDY (February 1977, Arista Records ARISTA 91, A-side)
15. Happy Days (Theme From "Happy Days") – PRATT and McCLAIN with BROTHERLOVE (June 1976, Reprise K 14435, A-side – did not chart until October 1977 after the US TV series became popular in the UK)
16. Suspicion – ELVIS PRESLEY (November 1976, RCA Victor RCA 2768, A-side – a 1962 song originally, re-released in the UK - charted February 1977)
17. Let 'Em In – BILLY PAUL (April 1977, Philadelphia International S PIR 5143, A-side – a Wings cover version written by Paul McCartney)
18. Let's Clean Up The Ghetto (Vocal) – PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL ALL STARS (July 1977, Philadelphia International S PIR 5451, A-side – features several lead vocalists from the famous Soul Label including Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Archie Bell, O'Jays and Dee Dee Sharp then married to the label founder Kenneth Gamble – song written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff)
19. It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me (Single Version) – BARRY WHITE (October 1977, 20th Century Records BTC 2350, A-side)
20. I Wanna Get Next To You – ROSE ROYCE (March 1977, MCA Records MCA 278, A-side – song written by Norman Whitfield of Motown Producer, Temptations Songwriter and Whitfield Records fame)
21. The Greatest Love Of All – GEORGE BENSON (September 1977, Arista Records ARISTA 133, A-side – later famously covered by Whitney Houston)

CD2 (73:24 minutes):
1. Lust For Life (Edit) – IGGY POP (Originally released in the Netherlands in 1977 as a 45-single on RCA Victor PB-9166 with the Full Album Version of 5:12 minutes – this Edit of 3:04 minutes comes from the 1996 reissue without saying so – a Second CD Single on Virgin VUSCDE 116 – the song is also a co-write with David Bowie – see also Track 8 on CD2)
2. In The City – THE JAM (April 1977, Polydor 2058 866, A-side – Paul Weller song)
3. Complete Control – THE CLASH (September 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5664, A-side)
4. Something Better Change – THE STRANGLERS (July 1977, United Artists UP 36277, A-side)
5. Mary Of The 4th Form – THE BOOMTOWN RATS (November 1977, Ensign ENY 9, A-side – featuring Bob Geldof)
6. Rip Her To Shreds – BLONDIE (November 1977, Chrysalis CHS 2180, A-side – featuring Debbie Harry on Lead Vocals – song by Harry Stein – 2001 Remaster)
7. Egyptian Reggae – JONATHAN RICHMAN and THE MODERN LOVERS (September 1977, Beserkley BZZ 2, A-side)
8. China Girl (Single Edit) – IGGY POP (May 1977, RCA Victor PB 9093, A-side – 3:26 minutes, co-write with David Bowie – see also Track 1 on CD2)
9. Alison – ELVIS COSTELLO (May 1977, Stiff BUY 14, A-side – Produced by Nick Lowe)
10. Moody Blue – ELVIS PRESLEY (February 1977, RCA Victor PB 0857, A-side)
11. Tulane – THE STEVE GIBBONS BAND (June 1977, Polydor 2058 889, A-side – a Chuck Berry cover version)
12. Wild Side Of Life – STATUS QUO (December 1976, Vertigo 6059 153, A-side – a Hank Thompson cover version (originally 1951 in the USA on the Country charts) – also Tommy Quickly cover version in the UK in 1964 on the Pop charts)
13. Don't Believe A Word – THIN LIZZY (November 1976, Vertigo LIZZY 1, A-side – a Phil Lynott song)
14. Love Hurts (Single Edit) – NAZARETH (September 1977, Mountain NAZ 001, A-side – Originally issued in November 1974 on Mooncrest MOON 37 as an A-side with "Down" on the flipside – it did not chart. However, on re-issue in September 1977 as part of the 4-Song EP called "Hot Tracks" (Track 1 on Side 1) – it did chart. "Love Hurts" was originally an Everly Brothers song recorded in 1960 on Warner Brothers and written by their old partner from the Fifties Boudleaux Bryant. Jim Capaldi of Traffic also had a hit with it on Island Records in 1975)
15. Gimme Some – BRENDON (January 1977, Magnet Records MAG 80, A-side – a Zombies cover version)
16. Slow Down (Single Version) – JOHN MILES (May 1977, Decca F 13709, A-side – 4:18 minutes – there is a longer version of 4:46 minutes on the 1976 album "Stranger In The City")
17. Bite You Lip (Get Up And Dance) – ELTON JOHN (June  1977, The Rocket Record Company ROKN 526, A-side)
18. My Kinda Life – CLIFF RICHARD (February 1977, EMI Records EMI 2584, A-side)
19. Smile – PUSSYCAT (October 1976, Sonet SON 2096, A-side)
20. Souther Nights – GLEN CAMPBELL (February 1977, Capitol CL 15907, A-side – an Allen Toussaint cover version)
21. Blue Bayou – LINDA RONSTADT (January 1978, Asylum K13106, A-side – a Roy Orbison cover version – issued August 1977 as a US 45-single on Asylum E-45431, A-side

CD3 (72:56 minutes):
1. I Remember Yesterday – DONNA SUMMER (September 1977, GTO Records GT 107, A-side)
2. Uptown Festival (Part 1) (7" Version) – SHALAMAR (April 1977, Soul Train FB 0885, A-side – a Disco mash-up of Motown cover versions including Going To A Go-Go, Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, Uptight (It's Alright) and more)
3. Gettin' Ready For Love (Album Version) – DIANA ROSS (October 1977, Tamla Motown TMG 1090, A-side, 2:45 minutes – also on the LP Baby It's Me from November 1977 in the UK on Tamla Motown STMA 8031 – same playing time – track features Steve Lukather on Guitar, Tom Scott on Sax, Tom Snow on Piano and Jeff Porcaro of Toto on Drums)
4. Don't Leave Me This Way – HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUE NOTES featuring THEODORE PENDERGRASS (31 December 1976, Philadelphia International S PIR 4909, A-side – see also the 4CD set "Now Yearbook '77" for the Thelma Houston version of this song from January 1977)
5. Whodunit – TAVARES (March 1977, Capitol CL 15914, A-side)
6. I'm Qualified To Satisfy You (Single Version) – BARRY WHITE (January 1977, 20th Century Records TC-2328, A-side)
7. Soul Cha Cha – VAN McCOY (January 1977, H&L Records 6105 065, A-side)
8. Dr. Love – TINA CHARLES (November 1976, CBS Records S CBS 4779, A-side – a Biddu song)
9. That's What Friends Are For – DENIECE WILLIAMS (July 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5432, A-side)
10. Put Your Love In Me – HOT CHOCOLATE (November 1977, RAK Records RAK 266, A-side – written by Errol Brown)
11. Another Suitcase In Another Hall – BARBARA DICKSON (January 1977, MCA Records MCA 266, A-side – from the Musical "Evita" – written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice)
12. Angel Of The Morning / Any Way That You Want Me (Edit) – MARY MASON (August 1977, Epic Records S EPC 5552, A-side – Chip Taylor cover versions)
13. Belfast – BONEY M (October 1977, Atlantic K 11020, A-side)
14. Love Of My Life – THE DOOLEYS (October 1977, GTO Records GT 110, A-side)
15. Oh Boy (The Mood I'm In) – BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (January 1977, Pye 7N 45656, A-side)
16. It's A Game – BAY CITY ROLLERS (December 1976, Arista Records ARISTA 78, A-side)
17. You Got What It Takes – SHOWADDYWADDY (July 1977, Arista Records ARISTA 126, A-side – a Marv Johnson hit in 1959 for Motown)
18. Baby I Know – THE RUBETTES (January 1977, State Records STAT 37, A-side)
19. Georgina Bailey – NOOSHA FOX (September 1977, GTO Records GTO 106, A-side)
20. It's Your Life – SMOKIE (June 1977, RAK Records RAK 260, A-side)

Before we go into what is on here – time to talk about the bad side - what's missing from 1977? How about any of these great tracks (hits or not) – Be Good To Yourself by Frankie Miller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, Stranded In A Limousine by Paul Simon, Mainstreet by Bob Seger, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) by Billy Joel, Neat Neat Neat by The Damned, The Name Of The Game by Abba, Walk This Way by Aerosmith, Pretty Vacant by Sex Pistols, Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas, Show You The Way To Go by The Jacksons, Cold As Ice by Foreigner, Feel The Need by The Detroit Emeralds, Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush, The Whole Town's Laughing At Me by Teddy Pendergrass, Psycho Killer by Talking Heads, Remember The Days (At The Old School Yard) by Cat Stevens, Waiting In Vain by Bob Marley & The Wailers, Give A Little Bit by Supertramp, Marquee Moon by Television, Amazing Grace by Judy Collins, Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon, Feels Like The First Time by Foreigner, Little Darling (I Need You) by The Doobie Brothers, Strawberry Letter 23 by The Brothers Johnson and more. Now take a closer look at the tracks on CD3 and see what you do get – a wall of second-rate toss that is not what I recall about 1977 at all. Anyway, to the audio…

Odd for these 3CD sets and especially 1977 which has been reissued to death – there are only three mentions of Remaster Dates out of 62-Tracks – Queen, Wings and Blondie (see lists above). And yet - as everyone knows who buys these sets – the audio is uniformly great across the whole shebang. Rarely does the sound dip or duck or dive – mostly it impresses and at times (like say The Clash, Slade, Elvis Presley, Philly All Stars and The Jam to name but a few) – you may have to turn it down. Fans of 45s will also note the large number of Single Versions, Edits and so forth where many year compilations opt for the Full LP Variants. The info as always is sparse if not non-existent (you get more Discography info in my review than you do on any side of the three-way fold-out card flaps) – but you cannot argue sheer value for money. To the tunes…

CD1: EXTRA '77 opens with two goodies - Queen's "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" from their 'Hot Tracks' EP on EMI and E.L.O. putting just one of the commercial monsters from the "Out Of The Blue" double album - "Turn To Stone". The audio on both rocks. But then it's crap-central until we get to Roxy's Bryan Ferry and his superb "Tokyo Joe" (from the "In Your Mind" album of that year). Another good run of three - McCartney going live with his band Wings on "Maybe I'm Amazed" (from the 3LP set "Wings Over America"), Boz Scaggs and his slick Funk-Rock-Soul "What Can I Say" from the 1976 "Silk Degrees" LP that made his name. And then we one of two from Elton's double album "Blue Moves" - both funky tunes in the shape of "Crazy Water" first and then over on CD2 "Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance)". Other upper moments come from Elkie Brooks enjoying "Sunshine After The Rain" while Elvis can't help his "Suspicious Mind" and there's both social justice and gorgeous audio for "Let's Clean Up The Ghetto" (lead singers from Philadelphia International lust above). For sure there are some duffers towards the end of CD1 - but all in all - it's a decent haul.

But then on CD2 you get a near perfect run of 21 New Wave, Punk and better Rock cuts – two top Iggy Pop tunes "Lust For Life" and "China Girl" (both co-written with David Bowie), three familiars from The Jam, The Clash and The Stranglers and a barnstorming Boomtown Rats with their fabulous "Mary Of The 4th Form". Blondie before the pop with the New Waver "Rip Her To Shreds", Elvis Costello in moving and mellow form with "Alison" - a ballad that stills stands up (from my debut LP "My Aim Is True") while Elvis is soon going the way of the angels with his "Moody Blue". Never did like "Wild Side Of Life" as much as their cover of John Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over The World" (which is on the "Now Yearbook '77" 4CD set - but Lizzy's kick ass "Don't Believe A Word" from their November 1976 LP "Johnny The Fox" is always cool by me. Very clever inclusions are Nazareth slaying it with the ache of "Love Hurts" - a 1974 cover of an old Everly Brothers ballad that finally charted in 1977 for the wild Scots - John Miles' overlooked and brilliant belter "Slow Down" - while US singer and legend interpreter Linda Ronstadt ends an excellent CD with her version of Roy Orbison's magical "Blue Bayou". Linda really did have a way with rearranging songs - and a voice of butter - a warm and mellow way to end CD2.

But CD3 with its overtly Disco /Pop-Soul run - will test the patience of even the hardiest. You get the horrors of Donna Summer chasing that Pink Pound once again and the first Shalamar single (a mash up of cheesy Motown covers) are dreadful. It isn't until Tavares and their witty "Whodunit" that things pick up – but ahead lies Barry White laughably assuring us that he's ready and able – Van McCoy isn't a whole lot better with "Soul Cha Cha". And on it goes with cack like Brotherhood Of Man and The Dooleys and Showaddywaddy and there must be a special place in Hell for later Hot Chocolate singles – Errol Brown and his normally touching songs of old on RAK Records abandoned for sex-o-pants trash with pseudo-suggestive lyrics long past its sell-by-date. Then the Bay City Rollers still trying to be teenybopper relevant – oh God! CD3 is truly dire and is perhaps the worst I have had to endure.

Like its '1978' and '1979' three-disc equivalents - the compilation "Now Yearbook Extra '77" offers a whole lotta listens, some welcome returns for sure and a slew of familiar spiky-hair-do flashbacks. But unfortunately, '…Extra 1977' is also seriously weighed down with too many fast-forwards to make the listen (actually) enjoyable. 

For sure this 1977 three-disc addendum comes at a cheap-as-political-morals price - but just remember to taper those expectations.

I hope Sony and EMI do better for the years they haven't catalogued yet - 1975, 1976, 1972, 1971 and 1970…

NOW YEARBOOK '77 UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW77 - 0198028303521 (Barcode 198028303521) –  released 1 November 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book

"Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW77 - 0198028434317 (Barcode 198028434317) – released 1 Nov 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve Standard Edition

"Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW77 (Barcode 198028303613) - released 1 November 2024 as a 3LP BLUE VINYL Edition with 49-Tracks Truncated down from the 4CD edition

"Now Yearbook Extra '77 - 62 More Essential Hits From 1977" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW77 / 0198028434317 (Barcode 198028434317) – released 10 January 2025 as a 3CD 62-Track Companion Volume in a Three-Panel-Gatefold Card Sleeve