"Right On! Vol. 4 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 19 Tracks from 1966 to 1974 by Hammer, Tami Lynn, Herbie Mann, Yusef Lateef, John Baldry, Cornell Dupree, Clarence Reid, Eddie Harris, Oscar Brown, Jr., Les McCann, King Curtis, Eugene McDaniels, The Freedom Sounds, The Fabulous Counts, Hubert Laws featuring Melba Moore, William S. Fischer, Barbara & Ernie and Passport (August 2002 UK Warner Strategic Marketing (WSM) CD Compilation of Remasters – Volume 4 of 5) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Presentation ****

Audio *****

"...Searching The Circle…"

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, Embryo, 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, Cornel Dupree, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, King Curtis 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. Cool and still relatively cheap too in 2025 (at least the first three are) - so let's get busy with a final highlight in this cool series - Door Number Five...to the details...

UK released 26 August 2002 - "Right On! Vol. 4 More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Warner Strategic Marketing (WSM) 0927425672 (Barcode 809274256720) is a 19-Track CD/20-Track 2LP compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (69:42 minutes - CD):

1. Tuane – HAMMER (from their November 1970 debut album "Hammer" on Atlantic/San Francisco SD 203 in Stereo – Written by and featuring Norman Landsberg on Keyboards with Jack O’Brien on Guitar)

2. Mo Jo Hanna – TAMI LYNN (from her Debut Album "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" released February 1972 in the USA on Cotillion SD 9052 – Produced by Jerry Wexler – Note: there was also a 1972 UK LP on Mojo 2916 007 but it does NOT contain this track) 

3. Our Man Flint – HERBIE MANN (from his album "Our Mann Flint" released January 1966 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 1464 in Stereo – Flute by Herbie Mann with Arrangements by Arif Mardin – written by Jerry Goldsmith)

4. Live Humble – YUSEF LATEEF (from his album "The Diverse Yusef Lateef" released January 1970 on Atlantic SD 1548 in Stereo – written by Yusef Lateef – Features YL on Saxophone, Richard Tee on Piano, Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie on Bass and Drums with The Sweet Inspirations on Backing Vocals)

5. Hambone – JOHN BALDRY [aka Long John Baldry] (from the album "Everything Stops For Tea" released May 1972 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS-2614 – a Sam Mitchell song – LP produced by Elton John and Rod Stewart (Stewart for "Hambone") and features Sam Mitchell (of Uncle Dog) on Guitar, Ian Armit (of Argent) on Piano with John Porter (of Uncle Dog) on Bass, Terry Stannard (of Kokomo and Uncle Dog) on Drums and Baldry on Vocals)

6. Teasin' – CORNELL DUPREE (from his Debut Album "Teasin'" released December 1974 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7311 – Written by Curtis Ousley and Delaney Bramlett - featuring Dupree on Lead Guitar, Richard Tee on Keyboards, David Newman on Saxophone with Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie on Bass and Drums)

7. It Was Good Enough For Daddy – CLARENCE REID (from his Third studio album "Running Water" - released July 1973 in the USA on Alston Records SD-7027)

8. Live Right Now (Promo-Only EP Single Edit) – EDDIE HARRIS (1968 US Promo-Only 45-EP-single Edit on Atlantic EP-A 1011, 2:46 minutes – from the album 1968 US LP "Plug It In" on Atlantic SD 1506 where the LP version is 6:56 minutes)

9. Chicken Heads – OSCAR BROWN, Jr. (from his January 1975 US LP "Fresh" on Atlantic SD 18106 – featuring Phil Upchurch on Guitar – a Bobby Rush cover version)

10. Shamading – LES McCANN (from the October 1972 US LP "Talk To The People" on Atlantic SD 1619 – Les McCann on Piano and Vocals, Keith Loving on Guitar)

11. Ridin' Thumb (Jam) – KING CURTIS (from the February 1972 US LP "Everybody's Talkin'" on Atco SD33-385 in Stereo – Cornell Dupree on Guitar, Piano by Richard Tee, Organ by Billy Preston, King Curtis On Saxophone) 

12. Cherrystones – EUGENE McDANIELS (from his US LP "Outlaw" released May 1970 on Atlantic SD 8259 – Guitars by Eric Weissberg and Hugh McCracken, Keyboards by Mother Hen (Jane Getz) with Ron Carter on Bass)

13. Soul Sound System – THE FREEDOM SOUNDS featuring WAYNE HENDERSON (from their Second US LP "Soul Sound System" released December 1968 on Atlantic Records SD 1512 in Stereo – Written by and Featuring Wayne Henderson on Trumpet)

14. The Bite – THE FABULOUS COUNTS (from the August 1969 US Debut LP "Jan Jan" on Cotillion SD 9011 in Stereo – written by Keyboardist Mose Davis of the bands Moses (1978) and Free Spirit (2003) – The Fabulous Counts aka The Counts also included Guitarist Leroy Emmanuel)

15. No More – HUBERT LAWS featuring MELBA MOORE (from the US LP "Laws' Cause" released January 1969 on Atlantic SD 1510 in Stereo – features Melba Moore on Vocals, Hubert Laws on Flute, Kenny Burrell on Guitar, Chick Corea on Piano with Ron Carter and Grady Tate on Bass and Drums)

16. They Call It Rock & Roll Music – DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS featuring KING CURTIS (from the US LP "To Bonnie From Delaney" released September 1970 on Atco Records SD 33-341 in Stereo – Written by Delaney Bramlett - featuring Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett on Vocals, King Curtis on Saxophone, Ben Benay on Guitar, Duane Allman on Slide Guitar, Jim Gordon Keyboards and more)

17. Saigon – WILLIAM S. FISCHER (from the US LP "Circles" released August 1970 on Embryo Records SD 529 in Stereo – featuring Fischer on Synth and Keyboards, Bill Robinson on Vocals, Eric Weissberg and Hugh McCracken on Guitars with Ron Carter and Billy Cobham on Bass and Drums)

18. Searching The Circle – BARBARA & ERNIE (from the US Debut LP "Prelude To" released May 1971 on Cotillion SD 9044 in Stereo – featuring Barbara Massey on Keyboards and Ernie Calabria on Guitars with Bill Salter and Grady Tate on Bass and Drums with Orchestrations by Eumir Deodato)

19. The Cat From Katmandu – PASSPORT (from the studio album "Second Passport" released November 1972 on Reprise MS 2143 in Stereo – featuring Klaus Doldinger on Keyboards and Saxophones with Wolfgang Schmid on Guitars and Bass and John Mealing on Piano and Organ)

Graduating from the gatefold slips of paper that masqueraded as a booklet in earlier issues – Volume 4 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. 4…" 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. Volume 4 includes more Vocals than most of the other sets – John Baldry and Clarence Reid bringing up the affected and funny lyrics – while lady-singers like Melba Moore, Bonnie Bramlett and Barbara Massey shine out the gutsy front. Five from 1966 to 1969 and the other thirteen from 1970 to 1974 - the Funk is the thing here - the mostly instrumental music hitting you with unapologetic breaks and grooves. Each listen feels new – an undiscovered cool one - Drums, Saxophones and Bass Lines getting high-ya - if you dig my parlance. Now - to the actual content...

Volume 4 opens with a Rock Group favoured by the legendary Californian gig entrepreneur Bill Graham who managed one album on the San Francisco Records offshoot of Atlantic. Hammer offer us three-minutes of their "Tuane" a sort of Funky Focus moment meets a skating Sly Stone – one of those deep-dive cuts you see turn up on WEA and Rhino CD comps quite a bit. Organ, rap vocals, ripping guitar solo set against a ferocious backbeat groove – a dream opener. First vocal comes from the fantastic pipes of Tami Lynn getting all down in Louisiana with the voodoo-britches of "Mojo Hanna" – ably supported after the first chorus with her equally sassy sisters (such a great Southern Meters-ish vibe). 

We go back to Sixties Lounge with the slinky instrumental "Our Man Flint" – secret-agent man making a cocktail in his suede and animal print honeytrap lair as some fox coos in the corner – about to feel the wonder of Herbie Mann's golden flute (if you catch my menthol drift). Despite the stunning backing band pedigree (The Sweet Sensations humming to the Bass and Drums of Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie while YL solos on his horn) - not so sure about the Yusef Lateef cut – although if you give it time his "Live Humble" builds up such a head of hypnotic funky steam – you may love it. 

Up next is a huge fave of mine – the mighty John Baldry (Long John in the 60ts) getting Rock-Funky on his two-album stint with Warner Brothers in 1971 and 1972. Produced to clarity perfection by none other than ex Steampacket and Faces vocal buddy Rod Stewart (Elton John did Side 1 of the album) - "Hambone" allows Baldry to build up the vocals while his British band gets to chug and neck-jerk on Guitar, Piano and especially those in-yer-face Bass and Drums. Huge audio on this and what a grower gem. I have reviewed the Expanded Edition Rhino CD Reissues and Remasters of John Baldry's two Warner albums "It Ain't Easy" (1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" – check them out separately. Next in line is a fantastic Meters-like groove from Cornell Dupree – his Jazz-Funk LP "Teasin'" from 1974 high on any self-respecting hip-swayers list. 

Time to slow down the pace – maybe even get a bit Funky-philosophical – Clarence Reid retelling a sorry tale of a man's wife getting down the day after their wedding. This loose-goose behaviour then prompts some even nastier storytelling home truths about Reid's Pops – a man it turns out - was not-so-saintly neither. Funny for sure (and a fantastic audio Remaster too) but its out-of-date attitudes might be one to skip in 2025. The edit 45-single version of the Eddie Harris song "Live Right Now" is rare (and probably first time on CD here) but it stands no Funky chance against the relentless clavinet and harmonica funk of Oscar Brown, Jr. – the chap obsessed with his gal and her cooking on "Chicken Heads". 

On a similar Stevie Wonder Clavinet-Funk tip – again we get amazing audio on the Les McCann track "Shamading" – a going-for-it 1972 workout I had not heard before. Astonishing band on the King Curtis jam "Ridin' Thumb" – a furious groove set up by (check out the names) Cornell Dupree on Guitar, Piano by Richard Tee, Organ by Billy Preston and King Curtis On Saxophone. I know those who worship at the feet of the two Eugene McDaniels LPs – the May 1971 US album "Headless Heroes Of The Apocalypse" which features the title rack "Headless Heroes" on it (Track 5 on Volume 1 of this series) and what we get here - "Cherrystones" from the album "Outlaw" released May 1970. Witty lyrics, politics and social graces mixed up in a knowing rap. Very cool. Piano-Jazz-Funk next with The Freedom Sounds featuring Wayne Henderson – a killer instrumental with Latin leanings and stunning playing (Remaster rocks as well). 

The curiously-named "Jan Jan" LP by The Fabulous Counts was featured on Volume 3 of this series – here we get the Saxophone and Guitar instrumental "The Bite" where the band come on like an updated version of Booker T & The MGs. Home run gives us Melba Moore with Vocalists fronting Hubert Laws on his slightly Broadway-Show-hip "No More" – good but no convincing to me. Time to go Rock and Funk boogie with the darlings of Rock Stars like Eric Clapton and Duane Allman – Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Great groove with Guitar and Sax for their relentlessly funking "They Call It Rock & Roll Music" when Delaney sings "King Curtis is going to play Saxophone for ya" – and he does – quickly followed by soling from Duane Allman on Guitar. 

Speaking of gee-tar players - ace axemen Hugh McCracken and Eric Weissberg bring great chops to "Saigon" by William S. Fischer – their standout work backed up by Ron Carter on Bass with Billy Cobham on Drums (a track from his "Crosswinds" solo-album of 1974 is on Volume 1 of the "Right On!" series). One-time contributor to Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba sessions - Ernie Calabria plays strummed Guitars on the Shuggie Otis-type groove of "Searching The Circle". Shake your head spacey and sounding not unlike a Hair-outtake or an Association-type Sunshine Pop groove - "Searching The Circle" is a joyful discovery straddling both the Sixties and the Seventies. And it ends on the Euro Funk of Passport giving it to "The Cat From Katmandu" (something tells me the bad boy deserved it).

So, to sum up, akin to its four cheapish companions - "Right On! Volume 4…" is a brilliant CD and VINYL set that will make you want to own the whole kit and kaboodle (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 0927-42567-2 (Barcode 809274256720)
VINYL, 20-Tracks 2LP set: Warner Strategic Marketing 9274-6388-1 - Bonus Track is "Respect Yourself" by Herbie Mann, last track on Side 4 – 6:50 minutes

5. Right On! Vol. 5: More Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 
CD: 17-Tracks: 26 January 2004 UK Warner Strategic Marketing 5046691472 (Barcode 5050466914729) – 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.

See also a separate post where I have done a 5-Volume Track-by-Track and Artist-by-Artist INDEX for the "Right On!" CD Series so you can locate what artist is on what compilation

"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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HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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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

This Review Along With 350 Others Is Available In My

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

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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