"MFSB/Love Is The Message/Universal Love/Philadelphia Freedom" by MFSB – Four US R&B and Soul Albums originally released on Philadelphia International Records in April 1973 (May 1973 UK), December 1973 (May 1974 UK), June 1975 (July 1975 UK) and November 1975 (January 1976 UK) – Featuring Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell and The Three Degrees with Production, Arrangements and Songwriting Contributions from Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Bobby Martin, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurst, Lenny Pakula, Norman Harris and Tony Bell (May 2026 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Records Compilation – Four Albums On Two Discs Series – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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RATINGS:

Overall: **** First Three Great Albums with One Later Dud

Presentation: **** Charles Waring 20-Page Booklet, All Artwork, Card Slipcase

Audio: **** to ***** Superb New 2026 Remasters by Andrew Thompson

"…The Sound Of Philadelphia…"

Like the O'Jays and the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes sets in this fabulous series of Audio and Presentation winners (see my separate review for those twofers) – we of the bellbottom jeans and groovy dancehall persuasion are hit with more Philly Lurve and Seventies Message Soul from those Mother Father Sister Brother hipsters - MFSB.

This May 2026 MFSB-load from England's Beat Goes On Records (BGO for short) is part of their Four Albums On Two Discs Series (see list below) offering punters no less than four US Billboard charters by the Philadelphia International inhouse band – MFSB. The second famously made No.1 on the R&B LP charts - while album three hit No.2 and the others a respectable No. 20 (Debut) and No. 14 (Fourth). These largely Instrumental Soul LPs were huge back in the day - Philadelphia International Records albums from 1973 to 1976 (US/UK) and onwards into the Disco era featuring the steership of two huge names in musical innovation - Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff - known to most of us music nuts as Gamble & Huff. To the details, Universal Love and the kind of Freedom only Philadelphia can offer…

UK released Friday, 22 May 2026 - "MFSB/Love Is The Message/Universal Love/Philadelphia Freedom" by MFSB on Beat Goes On BGOCD1575 (Barcode 5017261215758) is a Compilation that offers Four Albums Remastered On Two Discs (originally on Philadelphia International Records in the USA and UK in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976) that plays out as follows:

CD1 (65:24 minutes, 14 Tracks):
1. Freddie's Dead [Side 1]
2. Family Affair
3. Something For Nothing
4. Back Stabbers [Side 2]
5. Lay In Low
6. Poinciana
Tracks 1 to 6 are their Debut Album "MFSB" – released April 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 32046 and May 1973 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 65903. It peaked at No.20 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts. Track 1 is a Curtis Mayfield cover, Track 2 is a Sly and The Family Stone cover, Track 3 is a Kenneth Gamble, Roland Chambers and Thom Bell song, Track 4 is another cover - a huge hit for The O'Jays on Philadelphia International Records in 1972 written by Leon Huff and Gene McFadden & John Whitehead, Track 5 written by Carl Gilbert and Leon Huff, Track 6 is a 1936 Jazz Standard written by Nat Simon and Buddy Berner and made famous by Glenn Miller, Benny Carter and Bing Crosby

7. Zack's Fanfare [Side 1]
8. Love Is The Message
9. Cheaper To Keep Her
10. My One And Only Love
11. TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia
12. Zack's Fanfare (I Hear Music)
13. Touch Me In The Morning
14. Bitter Sweet
Tracks 7 to 14 are their second studio album "Love Is The Message" - released December 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 32707 and as "TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)" in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 80154 in May 1974. It peaked at No.1 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts.

CD2 (77:54 minutes, 19 Tracks):
1. Sexy [Side 1]
2. MFSB
3. Human Machine
4. Love Has No Time Or Place
5. T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care) [Side 2]
6. Let's Go Disco
7. K-Jee
8. My Mood
Tracks 1 to 8 are their third studio album "Universal Love" – released June 1975 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 33158 and July 1975 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 80410. It peaked at No.2 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts and No.4 on the Billboard Pop album charts.

9. Zack's Fanfare No.2 [Side 1]
10. Get Down With The Philly Sound
11. Philadelphia Freedom
12. South Philly
13. Ferry Avenue
14. Interlude 1 [Side 2]
15. When Your Love Is Gone
16. Morning Tears
17. Brothers And Sisters
18. Smile Happy
19. The Zip
Tracks 9 to 19 are their fourth studio LP "Philadelphia Freedom" - released November 1975 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records PZ 33845 and January 1976 in the UK on Philadelphia International Records PIR 69208 – Produced by GAMBLE and HUFF – it peaked at No.14 on US Billboard R&B LP charts

The card slipcase looks well tasty and you cannot argue on the value-for-money front, considering that individual CDs of these albums have been deleted for years and regularly pass the £12 to £15 price-barrier per disc. Beat Goes On and resident Soul/Jazz liner-notes author CHARLES WARING (of Mojo and Record Collector) do their usual bang-up job of repro'ing the front and rear sleeve artwork in the chunky 20-page booklet (albeit much of it in black and white). Waring talks on the new kids on the block taking a chart/heart dominant Motown and Stax by surprise in the early Seventies – Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff of Philadelphia International Records. 
Bankrolled by a deep-pockets Columbia – the two Songwriters, Arrangers and Producers (Gamble & Huff) signed a heap of commercially brill names (O’Jays, The Three Degrees, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Manhattans (later it would be Lou Rawls, Dexter Wansel and Teddy Pendergrass). 

For all this New Philly Soul – Gamble & Huff would need their very own Love Unlimited Orchestra inhouse band. But they figure, why not make them an item too – MFSB. And thus, begins Instrumental Soul (a nod to Isaac Hayes of course) and a chart success story that defied the odds. And - of course - best of all - you get kicking new Remasters from 2026 by ANDREW THOMPSON. Gamble and Huff produced their Philly boys well, and there isn't a moment when hearing this great Soul music on BGOCD1575 doesn't seriously impress. Nice...to the tunes...

CD1 opens with a wallop – Strings and Funk combine with a soloing Saxophone and an Organ Funky Groove for the Curtis Mayfield pusher-song "Freddie's Dead". This 7:11 minute instrumental-work-out sports fabulous audio as an array of soloists do their groove-thang - Lenny Pakula on Organ, Tony Williams on the Saxophone with Vince Montana on Vibes while Don Renadlo does those Horns and Strings. I had honestly forgotten what a vibing beast it is as a Debut LP opener – the fantastic arrangements building and building on that hypno-groove. "MFSB" the LP now serves up a shimmering Electric Piano instrumental for the Sly & The Family Stone classic - "Family Affair" (October 1971 US 45 on Epic 5-10805). At 4:20 minutes – it might feel shorter than its predecessor but man is it funkier – a version surely Sylvester Stone would approve of as Guitarists Fuzz-Funk alongside that Organ chug. Side 1 ends with "Something For Nothing" - their first original piece – a fabulous and huge movie-sounding swirl of Strings, Piano and pulsating Brass Jabs. Its 3:00 minutes of instrumental bravado would be used as a B-side for the "TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)" 45 in February 1974 that would give them their first Number 1. 

Side 2 of "MFSB" continues the winning run of covers with a 6:30-minute groove on The O'Jays winner - "Back Stabbers". A fantastic groove of Vibes and affects Guitar are anchoring by Earl Young drumming – and again the BGO audio puncing this superb instrumental re-work into your living room like it demands to be reheard and re-appreciated. Time to get down with the sheets and the lurve baby – in slinks a bedroom Blues of Saxophone and Vibes suitably baptised as "Lay It Low". By the time the Strings mosey into your subwoofers (about 1:50 minutes or so) – lurve resistance is futile and it's time to call the cot-makers. Onto sweeping old-skool panoramas with the 1936 Jazz Standard "Poinciana" – the album finisher and the first clunker for me – MFSB sounding like elevator muzak instead of the five instrumental winners that preceded it. There is respite in the piano soloing – but I always too the need off before I had to listen to any more. But – make no mistake – a stunning declaration of intent as a Debut. 

Album two picked up where the debut left off - "Love Is The Message" being an album of instrumentals. And again, some work - some don't - while others just feel like schlock ("My One And Only" and "Touch Me In The Morning") or filler ("Zack's Fanfare" which appears twice). In between are those great Philly dancers - and how good is it to hear the full album cut of "Love Is The Message" at 6:36 minutes. The chipper and almost note-for-note cover of Johnnie Taylor's "Cheaper To Keep Her" has always been a favourite of mine (he had a hit with it on Stax earlier in 1973). It ends on a high note with the brilliant Jack Faith and Bruce Hawes instrumental "Bitter Sweet" - as cool and as lovely as Philly gets. The February 1974 US 45 for "TSOP The Sound Of Philadelphia" b/w "Something For Nothing" (from the Debut album) was a monster (Philadelphia International ZS7 3540). It entered the US R&B charts 16 March 1974 and was soon heading to the coveted No.1 slot where it enjoyed a total of a three-and-a-half-month chart stay – which in turn put the LP on the same number – top slot. Considering the success of that Philly winner - the follow-up June 1974 US 45-single which featured The Three Degrees providing the vocals - "Love Is The Message" b/w the album cut "My One And Only" - stalled at No. 42 (Philadelphia International ZS7 3547). They would have to wait until June 1975 for another Top 40 seven-inch with "Sexy" from the "Universal Love" album. To sum up - it's not all genius by any stretch of the imagination and I doubt the "Love Is The Message" album would make No. 1 on any R&B chart here in 2026 (53 years ago - MFSB were a sensation) - but what is on here now sounds stunning and if you're a fan of Seventies Soul or Philly – this a win.

CD2: In April 1975 (with the Vietnam War officially declared over by President Ford) – the last troops left Saigon and America was ready to party and feel good. You can see this in the sleeve of June 1975's "Universal Love" (MFSB was the in-house Soul Orchestra for Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International label). A sun rises on a vessel-less sea that has flowers of hope floating above it – a far cry from the cover art for MFSB's 2nd album "Love Is The Message" from December 1973 with its ugly skull soldier and atomic bomb explosion looming in the background (the self-titled debut album from April 1973 showed a syringe lying in a coffin - reflecting America’s inner-city slide into drugs).

Like the hugely successful predecessor "Love Is The Message" that achieved R&B No.1 in 1974 - the largely instrumental "Universal Love" album follow-up for 1975 contained more sexy rhythms and warm sways totally capturing the National zeitgeist and catapulting it up to No.2 on the American R&B charts and an impressive No. 4 on the US Pop charts. A point of order though first - super-fans will know that the "Universal Love" album spawned four 45s in the USA and UK – Sexy b/w Human Machine (May 1975 USA on Philadelphia International ZS8 3567 – June 1975 UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 3381) – followed by T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care) b/w Love Has No Time Or Place (September 1975 USA on Philadelphia International ZS8 3576 – no UK issue) – followed by Let's Go Disco b/w My Mood (stock copy) and Let's Go Disco (Album Version) [6] b/w Let's Go Disco (D.J. Short Version) - September 1975 UK-only on Philadelphia International S PIR 3635. Only the Demo/Promo version had a 'D.J. Short Version' on the B-side running to 2:37 minutes instead of the album's 4:18 minutes on the A. The final 45 was K-Jee b/w My Mood (March 1978 USA on Philadelphia International ZS8 3641 - May 1978 UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 6287 (the A-side is a single edit at 3:20 minutes while the album full version is 4:19 minutes – the B-side is the full album version at 4:15 minutes) on the back of its inclusion in the monster "Saturday Night Fever". I mention all these 45s because all had Single Edits – so completists will need the Big Break Records Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster from July 2015 (Big Break Records CDBBRX 0312 - Barcode 5013929061231) which I have also reviewed. 

To the music on "Universal Love" - primarily an 8-track instrumental LP with vocals only on "Love Has No Time Or Place" and "Let's Go Disco" – the emphasis was always going to be on the orchestral swirls, guitar licks, bass slaps, brass punches and that high-hat rhythm. This BGO 2CD set brings that out – fabulous audio panache. If I was to single out one track that showcases - the gorgeous album finisher "My Mood" is an instrumental that sounds like easy-listening Bacharach taken to another Soulful level. I've had this track on Philly compilations of old – but the audio off this beauty beats them all. Impressive. Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff not surprisingly penned the two slick openers – the dancefloor friendly "Sexy" and "MFSB" (Mothers Fathers Sisters Brothers) and they sound fab. Ron Baker of the Salsoul Orchestra co-wrote "Human Machine" with Leon Huff and is a mid-tempo groove with great Steely Dan-ish guitar and keyboard flicks (feels like Disco all grown up and proud of itself). By the time you get to the six-minute "Love Has No Time Or Place" (written by Bruce Hawes and Cynthia Briggs) the group has reached a place of sophisticated excellence that is hard to resist – a perfect hybrid of Disco girl-vocals over George Benson Jazz guitar licks – all of it complimented by that shuffling Philly backbeat and the ever-present lush strings. It’s an impressive groove and frankly sexy too. Side 2 opens with "T.L.C. (Tender Loving Care)" – a jazzy slide in gives way to pure Philly bop – all high-hats, wah-wah guitars, brass and strings. We get a bit Funk with "Let's Go Disco" where they sound like Kool & The Gang and "K-Jee" is cool too –but my poison has always been the masterful Gamble & Huff slink of "My Mood" – a stunning instrumental that feels the ultimate Easy Listening Jazz cool.

By the time we reach LP No.4 from November 1975 - "Philadelphia Freedom" – MFSB were starting to tread water - Philly's inhouse backing band coming across as Tuxedo Soul without any actual Soul. Side 1 opens with another "Zack's Fanfare" (No.2) - only instead of a groover - it's a circus announcement with some backing - "Ladies and gentlemen, Gamble & Huff proudly presents..." The album proper starts with the barely passable funk of "Get Down With The Philly Sound" where suddenly MFSB sound like a knock-off of a bad Barry White covers band. Next up is their version of an Elton John 45-single winner - the track that gives the album its name "Philadelphia Freedom". But frankly it only makes you want to hear the EJ original. Dexter Wansel songs provide the album with a much-needed lift, but his "Where Is The Love Gone" is loaded with dated instrumentation. Far better is Wansel's "Morning Tears" - a Saxophone ballad that smooches along its string laden path rather nicely. And on it goes to three more cheesy installments - glory days over.

To sum up - the first three albums are cracker-lackin' but that fourth is almost unlistenable to me. Having said that, it's cool to have the Debut and the Fourth outing on CD at last - and in quality form. 

If you're looking for single edits and the likes - Big Break Records of the UK did excellent 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissues and Remasters of "Love Is The Message" and "Universal Love" back in September 2012. 

But for most - this May 2026 BGO grouping of four albums onto two 2CDs with great annotation and toppermost Audio will be a must-own for all MFSB and Seventies Philly Sound fans…way to go...

Soul/Funk/Disco/Fusion and Philly Soul Titles In The 

Beat Goes On (BGO) Records 'Four Albums On Two Discs' Series

UK issued 2CD Compilations in a Card Slipcase with Remasters

1. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - "Imagination/I Feel A Song/2nd Anniversary/The One And Only…"
Four US Albums originally issued on Buddah Records in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1978
UK released 27 February 2026 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1567 (Barcode 5017261215673)

2. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Funky Serenity/Ramsey Lewis’ Newly Recorded, All-Time, Non-Stop Golden Hits [aka Golden Hits]/Solar Wind/Sun Goddess"
Four US Albums originally issued 1973 (two) and 1974 (two) on Columbia Records
UK released 18 May 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1335 (Barcode 5017261213358)

3. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Legacy/Ramsey/Live At The Savoy/Chance Encounter"
Four US Albums originally issued 1978, 1979 and two in 1982 on Columbia Records
UK released 30 March 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1330 (Barcode 5017261213303)

4. THE MANHATTANS - "There's No Me Without You/That's How Much I Love You/The Manhattans/It Feels So Good"
Four US Albums originally issued on Columbia Records in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977
UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1557 (Barcode 5017261215574) 

5. HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (featuring Teddy Pendergrass) – "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Featuring… (aka I Miss You)/Black And Blue/To Be True (Featuring Teddy Pendergrass)/Wake Up Everybody"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1972, 1973 and 1975 (Two)
UK released Friday, 8 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1572 (Barcode 5017261215727)

6. MFSB - "MFSB/TSOP The Sound Of Philadelphia (aka Love Is The Message)/Universal Love/Philadelphia Freedom"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1973 (Two), and 1975 (Two) – Philly Backing Band - Guests featuring Gamble & Huff, The Three Degrees and Dexter Wansel
UK released Friday, 22 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1575 (Barcode 5017261215758)

7. BUDDY MILES EXPRESS/BUDDY MILES
"Expressway To Your Skull/Electric Church/Them Changes/We Got To Live Together"
Four US Albums originally issued 1968, 1969 and Two in 1970 on Mercury Records
UK released 7 January 2022 (delayed from November 2021), Beat Goes On BGOCD1468 (Barcode 5017261214683)

8. THE O'JAYS - "Back Stabbers/Ship Ahoy/Survival/Family Reunion"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1972, 1973 and 1975
UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1563 (Barcode 5017261215635)

9. BILLY PAUL – "Ebony Woman/Going East/360 Degrees Of Billy Paul/War Of The Gods"
Four US Albums originally issued on Neptune and Philadelphia International Records in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973
UK released 7 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1561 (Barcode 5017261215611)

10. TEDDY PENDERGRASS - "Teddy Pendergrass/Life Is A Song Worth Singing/Teddy/TP"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 – Former Lead Vocalist in Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
UK released Friday, 22 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1574 (Barcode 5017261215741)

11. LOU RAWLS - "All Things In Time/Unmistakably Lou/When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All/Let Me Be Good To You"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, Two in 1977 and One in 1979
UK released 3 October 2025, Beat Goes on BGOCD1560 (Barcode 5017261215604)

12. DEXTER WANSEL - "Life On Mars/What The World Is Coming To/Voyager/Time Is Slipping Away"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979
UK released 10 March 2023, BGOCD1490 (Barcode 5017261214904) 

"Merry Clayton" by MERRY CLAYTON – October 1971 US Second Studio Album on Ode Records and A&M Records in the UK - featuring Joe Sample and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders, Carole King, Billy Preston, Clarence McDonald on Keyboards, Anita Porée and Jerry Peters (both of Black Magic!) on Backing Vocals and Song Contributions with David T. Walker on Guitar and others (November 2010 UK/UK Repertoire CD Reissue/Remaster in A Card Digipak) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0isgL88z

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

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…I Still Think Of You…After All This Time…"

Born on Christmas Day near New Orleans in 1948 as Mary Clayton - her parents were so overjoyed at their special arrival - they nicknamed her Merry. And you can't help but think that Mom and Pops Clayton were right on the musical spondulicks. 

To understand the genuine class act you're dealing with here - a potted-history of Merry Clayton's past vocal glories will set the scene...

She contributed to Neil Young's "The Old Laughing Lady" and "I've Loved Her So Long" on his self-titled debut album in 1968, sings on Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright" from his "With A Little Help From My Friends" debut album from 1969 and is on Allen Toussaint's magical "From A Whisper To A Scream" (1970). She sang with the Brothers and Sisters on the 1969 "Dylan's Gospel" LP doing lead vocals (and credited as such) on "The Mighty Quinn" (even got a 45 release). Just as impressively, Merry sings on "Way Over Yonder", "Where You Lead" and "Smackwater Jack" on Carole King's magisterial "Tapestry" album that shattered everyone in 1971. Then there were sessions for B.B. King, Jesse Davis, Neil Diamond, Charles Wright, Jimmy Witherspoon, Billy Preston, Lee Michaels, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Ruth Copeland, Chi Coltrane, David T. Walker, Etta James, Rare Earth, The Who and even Ringo Starr.

But her most famous outing must be her duet vocals with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter" - one of the standout album tracks from "Let It Bleed" - the Rolling Stones masterpiece from 1969 (it was the first album produced by Jimmy Miller who suggested Merry for the vocals). She even turns up on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" in 1974 and "Cornflake Girl" by Tori Amos in 1994…and is prominently featured in the award-winning 2013 movie about backing singers - "20 Feet From Stardom" - with affectionate contributions from no less than Mick Jagger recalling her mink coat, curlers and early-morning up-an-octave screams into the microphone.

So it's hardly surprising that MERRY CLAYTON signed to Lou Adler's Ode Records in the late Sixties and quickly pushed out two solo albums - "Gimme Shelter" - her debut from August 1970 named after that famous duet – and this - "Merry Clayton" from October 1971 – a whole album of Soulified cover versions of contemporary Rock and Soul songs that included exclusives from Carole King. Hell, even the musician list is impressive too (see below). Here are the details after all this time…

1. Southern Man – a Neil Young cover [Side 1]
2. Walk On In – a Carole King cover
3. After All This Time – a Carole King song 
4. Love Me Or Let Me Be Lonely – Anita Porée, Jerry Peters and Skip Scarborough song initially done by The Friends Of Distinction in 1970
5. A Song For You – a Leon Russell cover
6. Sho'Nuff – a Billy Preston and Joe Green song
7. Steamroller – a James Taylor cover [Side 2]
8. Same Old Story – a Carole King song
9. Light On The Hill – Richard Jones cover
10. Grandma's Hands – a Bill Withers cover
11. Whatever – a Leon Ware cover

"Merry Clayton" by MERRY CLAYTON was released October 1971 on Ode Records SP-77012 in the USA and on A&M Records AMLS 67012 in the UK. The album peaked at No.36 on the US Billboard R&B charts and No.180 on the US Billboard Pop charts (didn't chart UK). The band was... 

KEYBOARDS: Billy Preston, Carole King, Clarence McDonald, Jerry Peters and Joe Sample (of The Crusaders)
GUITARS: David T. Walker
SAXOPHONE – Curtis Amy
BASS: Wilton Felder (of The Crusaders)
DRUMS: Paul Humphrey
PERCUSSION: Bobbye Porter, Gary Coleman and Sandra Crouch
BACKING VOCALS: Abigail Haness (of Jo Mama), Jerry Peters (of Black Magic!), Merry Clayton, Patrice Holloway and The James Cleveland Choir

It doesn't say who's remastered this 5 November 2010 EU/UK released reissue CD on Repertoire REP 5177 (Barcode 4009910517727) - but the sticker on the card digipak claims that it's been beautifully done - and they'd be right (37:23 minutes, 11 Tracks). As with the "Gimme Shelter" Debut Album in this Repertoire Series (REP 5176 – Barcode 4009910517628) - the sound quality is full-on fantastic - lending the Soul-meets-Gospel feel of the songs a huge sonic punch. Very little hiss - you can hear piano, drums, sweet bass and guitar strings rattling - loads of presence – and of course her voice letting rip in that Soul Diva manner that thrills - it's a top job done. The 8-page inlay reproduces the LP artwork, original cover blurb and now has extra affectionate and knowledgeable liner notes by noted UK writer CHRIS WELCH (dated September 2010) – it fits into an inner pouch in the card digipak artwork (see photos). To the music…

Our heroine singer tackles Neil Young for the first time as the "Merry Clayton" album opens with "Southern Man" from his 1970 Reprise Records LP "After The Gold Rush". It’s a fantastic beginning – the whole band in synch to that Soulified Country-ish sound and those anti burning crosses lyrics – the full backing singers gang accompanying too. The audio – again – just superb. Next up is a double.

First aired by Merry on this self-titled LP in October 1971 – the two Side 1 songs "Walk On In" and "After All This Time" were brand new Carole King tunes at the time. "Walk On In" went on to be hugely popular as a cover version - Lou Rawls, The Shirelles, Debbie Au, Linda Hopkins and Terry Simmons all did a version in 1972 alone, Brenda & The Tabulations in 1973, Rita Coolidge in 1981, and so on. Margie Joesph over on Atlantic Records did a lovely version of "After All This Time" on her 1975 "Margie" album. Merry gives "Walk On In" an upbeat Soul feel – Organ, Guitar Flicks, sweet musical accompaniment. But while it's a good tune - the "…I'm so glad you are mine…" gorgeousness of "After All This Time" whomps all in its path. The strings are sweet, the organ and guitar match perfectly but its Merry's warm vocal that seduces while her husband Curtis Amy provides fabulous Saxophone breaks. What a song – this definite album highlight was chosen as the LP's lead-off and only single. It was first issued July 1971 on Ode 70 ODE-66018 with the Leon Ware track "Whatever" on the B-side – then relaunched in October 1971 on Ode 70 ODE-66020 with the James Taylor cover version of "Steamroller" on the flipside (the UK 45-single had to wait until 4 February 1972 on A&M Records AMS 886 - "Steamroller" on the B-side). With strong flips Stateside on both Ode 70 Records 45s - and a Soul-mad UK on her lone A&M single – it takes me back even now in 2026 that none of them clicked with the public on either side of the pond – even with the singer-songwriter strength of Carole King on the A.

Carole never did her own version of "Walk On In" - but the truly lovely "After All This Time" proved too sweet a melody to resist and her version turned up on the 1996 document of her live outing "The Carnegie Hall Concert" on Columbia Records. So for Carole King aficionados – this Merry Clayton album is a great place to get a top audio copy of these two obscure CK gems (albeit by someone else). 

Song 4 on Side 1 was written by Anita Porée and Jerry Peters (both of Black Magic!) with another Soul Songwriting hero - Skip Scarborough. "Love Me Or Let Me Be Lonely" was first aired February 1970 by The Friends Of Distinction on RCA Victor 74-0319 – it hit No.13 on the US Billboard R&B charts. Both of its songwriters Anita Porée and Jerry Peters are musicians on the Merry Clayton album – they had been with the group Black Magic! - who managed one album on Atlantic Records in 1970 called "Ready To Love". Scarborough would later bring his writing chops to Freda Payne, Bill Withers and Earth, Wind and Fire (check out the Expansion label 2011 CD "The Skip Scarborough Songbook" to know what you're missing). 

Side 1 ends with two nice touches – a slow Soulful take on the Leon Russell been-on-a-hundred-stages song "A Song For You" – the ladies and boys building up those backing vocals to an almost Gospel testify. Good – but far better for me is the joyful church-organ bopping Billy Preston/Joe Green gem "Sho'Nuff" – Merry getting her teeth into a Sister loves-her-man anthem – the lady vocalists harmonizing on those 'Yes I Do' and set my soul on fire oohs and oohs. Fab. 

Just as she opened the 1970 Ode Records album "Gimme Shelter" with a cover of James Taylor's "Country Road" – Merry kicks Side 2 into gear with a fantastic Bluesy take on Taylor's "Steamroller" – both tracks from his 1970 Warner Brothers LP breakthrough "Sweet Baby James". Towards the end, she really lets her vocal range rip with croaks and echoed hollers – impressive stuff. Time for another Carole King winner, but this time it’s a sad ballad - "Same Old Story". At 2:50 minutes in and very much in the vein of Aretha over on Atlantic Records, her I-cried-too-many-tears crew of singers kick in, and the effect is stunning (David T. Walker on Guitar with hubby Curtis Amy on Saxophone and even a smattering of strings towards its four-and-a-half-minute fade out). "Light On The Hill" is a Richard Jones piano shuffler where stepping-stones are discussed – searches for a friendly home – the church organ, vocals and tambourine giving it a righteous vibe. Family and the awe-inspiring wisdom and safety of "Grandma's Hands" crop up next. The Bill Withers original is on his Sussex Records debut album "Just As I Am" – here Merry sings it with more menace – men whooping young kids – local unwed mothers – and I think that is Joe Sample on piano as the strings and voices join in on the testifying. The album ends with a Leon Ware song - "Whatever" – an uptempo dancer urging people to do their thing – feel whatever groove it is that makes you stronger.

For me, there is a feeling that after the "Steamroller" opener, Side 2 sort of peters out – good but never great. And perhaps that how Joe Public perceived her second LP full of other people’s great songs – just good – but no more. Even after all these decades loving the whole album – I know its rating bones are 4-stars and not 5. But God – the good stuff – and this fab new audio – I love it!

Repertoire have also reissued the album prior "Gimme Shelter" – her debut American solo LP on Ode Records SP 77701 from October 1970. Its November 2010 CD version is on Repertoire REP 5176 – use Barcode 4009910517628 to get the right issue...

"Westbound SUPER BREAKS - Essential Funk, Soul And Jazz Samples And Breakbeats" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Tracks from 1969 to 1976 (September 2018 UK Ace/Westbound Records CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0eMuhzEV

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This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2026 Update)

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"...Funk It Down..."

Funky as a gnat's fuzzy wuzzy funky bits - this is the kind of CD compilation that puts a smirk on my wizened visage and the kind of neck-jerking body-moving Monster Ace Records of the UK are just so damn good at. Details...

Released Friday, 28 September 2018 - "Westbound SUPER BREAKS - Essential Funk, Soul And Jazz Samples And Breakbeats" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Westbound CDSEWD 163 (Barcode 029667090827) offers 19 tracks from 1969 through to 1976 (74:23 minutes). There's a 16-page illustrated booklet with new liner notes from Soul Expert and genre aficionado DEAN RUDLAND with high quality mastering from long-time Ace Engineer DUNCAN COWELL. 

While names like Funkadelic, Junie, Ohio Players, The Detroit Emeralds and Denise LaSalle will be familiar to most Soul lovers - especially those who treasure those 70ts grooves - obscuro-types like the James Brown excitable King Errisson and the flute driven bass pump-action of Pleasure Web will be new and most welcome. Same goes for Caesar Frazier - as the hip-cat singer chants "...I can feel the Funk!" at the beginning and end of the 5:05 minutes of his "Funk It Down" - it's the kind of fantastic brass and bass slow sexy groove you want to rave about and one that will drive most dancefloor shufflers into bottom-wiggling overdrive (look out ladies). 

The saucily titled "The Fuzz And Da Boog" by Fuzzy Haskins is pure instrumental Funk - all tight synths and brass jabs as it motors along. Then there's granny and the "Funky Worm" by The Detroit Emeralds - what fun (pictured in its label bag on Page 7 of the booklet). Spanky Wilson does a very cool Hammond keyboard-jabbing live cover of Bill Withers' fab groove "Kissing My Love" (such a tender sender). The Detroit Emeralds show yet again why they're a Soul Treasure amongst those in the know – the sexy, sexy shuffle of "Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)". And there's so much more where that came from...

Ignore the rather naff artwork - this is another winner from Ace and after 40 years of hitting us with forgotten grooves that need to be rediscovered - you'd think they be slowing down by now. On the evidence of this rather groovy little Boogaloo - there's little chance of that...

"The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN – December 1979, October 1980 and June 1982 US Albums on Atlantic Records - Guests included Corrado Rustici on Guitar, T.M. Stevens on Bass and Frank Martin on Keyboards with Wayne Shorter on Saxophone (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B070W62Bd

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

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

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"...Take It To The Bossman..."

When Jazz-Fusion Drummer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN left John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra behind – Michigan's finest signed to Atlantic Records and promptly released a string of albums that are held in real affection to this day. This is the second instalment by Beat Goes On of England covering his Jazz-Funk-Soul years with the label - their first 2CD set expertly handled his first three albums for the label - "Garden Of Love Light" and "I Cry, I Smile" - both from 1977 and  "Awakening" from 1979 (see separate review and photo provided below).

This second 3LPs onto 2CDs Reissue/Remasters instalment gets into the period most fans loved and picked up on in the first place – back in those hazy Funky days. His breakthrough album "The Dance Of Life" from 1979 with the monster hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" and the two LPs that cemented his rep as a Soulful Funkster – "Victory" from 1980 and "Confidence" from 1982. Here are the dancing details...

UK released Friday, 20 November 2015 (December 2015 in the USA) - "The Dance Of Life/Victory/Confidence" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN is a Compilation on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1215 (Barcode 5017261212153) that features 3LPs onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (62:53 minutes):
1. You're Soo Good [Side 1]
2. I Shoulda Loved Ya
3. Lovin' You Madly
4. Crazy For Ya
5. Tonight I'm Alright [Side 2]
6. Why Did You Turn On Me
7. Carry On
8. The Dance Of Life
Tracks 1 to 8 are his 4th solo album "The Dance Of Life" – released December 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19259 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50678

9. The Real Thang
10. I Want You
11. Take It To The Bossman
12. Alone Without You
Tracks 9 to 12 are Side 1 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19279 and in the UK Atlantic K 50743

Disc 2 (61:57 minutes):
1. Get Up!
2. Lucky Fella
3. You Will Find Your Way
4. Victory Suite:
(a) The Theme (b) The Battle (Hero-Soldiers Battle The Hostile Forces) (c) Victory For The Hero-Soldiers
Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of his fifth studio album "Victory" – released October 1980 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50743

5. You're No. 1
6. Summer Lady
7. I'm Ready
8. Safe In My Arms
9. Confidence [Side 2]
10. Holiday
11. You Ought To Love Me
12. Listen To Me
Tracks 5 to 12 are his sixth studio album "Confidence" – released June 1982 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19351 and in the UK and Europe on Atlantic ATL 50 883

There's a classy card wrap, a chunky 28-page booklet with new liner notes from Mojo’s resident Jazz writer CHARLES WARING along with album credits, lyrics and photos. But the best news is 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON – fans are going to love the Audio here – beautifully transferred...

While the preceding album "Awakening" finally saw NMW see some LP chart action - rising to a very respectable No.15 slot on the US R&B album charts in March 1979 – it was "The Dance Of Life" LP from later that year that made him a star. It broke the top ten and nestled at No. 9 in December of 1979 – bolstered up with the huge hit "I Shoulda Loved Ya" which reached No. 4 on the singles chart and "Tonight I'm Alright" which managed a more modest No. 35. Narada handled Lead Vocals, Drums, All Percussion and some Piano while Corrado Rustici played Guitar, T.M. Stevens did the Bass and Frank Martin played Keyboards and Synths.

Relistening to this superb Remaster in 2015 - I'd forgotten just how wickedly catchy the guitar-funk of "You're Soo Good" and the album's title track "The Dance Of Life" are – a six and a half minute fusion instrumental dedicated to both former band mates David Sancious and Mahavishnu – Rustici's guitar work sounding like Carlos Santana on a roll. I can also still feel the Funk big time on the 6:34-minutes of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" - the kind of Atlantic 12" single I DJ'd to death back in the day (a guaranteed crowd pleaser and hip-swiveller).

Even though it managed only No.21 high on the US Billboard R&B LP charts – the "Dance Of Life" follow-up LP "Victory" was actually a better album for me (especially Side 1). The rapid-paced brass-funky opener "The Real Thang" is a belter and clearly trying to ape the sheer Hitsville of "I Shoulda Loved Ya" – just about pulling it off too (so Earth, Wind & Fire). It hit the US R&B singles charts in early November 1980 (just after the album's release) but only managed a modest No. 22 placing when in hindsight – it should have climbed much higher. I'd forgotten just how good "I Want You" is – a great slice of Chic-inspired Soul-Funk – sounding absolutely spiffing here – far better than my worn-out Atlantic Records 12" Single (K 11634T). 

Continuing with the "Victory" album, again, "Take It To The Bossman" could have been another winning single – funky in all the right ways and with huge guitar breaks that amaze even now – but it was never capitalised upon. The pseudo crowd chanting in "Get Up!" was probably a mistake and "Lucky Fella" (dedicated to his Dad) feels a tad forced too - but things get better with the smooch of "You Will Find Your Way". The "Victory" LP ends with the slightly indulgent 8:33 minutes of the 3-part "Victory Suite" – an instrumental that at times feels like a Fusion Band on a marching spree. It waffles on until it reaches a nice phase around 2:40 minutes and continues that way with tasty guitar work right up to its mellow finish (an edit and it would have been special). 

"...Everybody ready! We're gonna jam y'all!" - Narada shouts at the beginning of "You're No. 1" – a cool Funky opener for the third platter on offer here - "Confidence". The slinky and catchy "I'm Ready" was issued as a 45 (and 12" in the UK) – a very appealing groove - similar to Rod Temperton's sound with Heatwave. Funky and aimed at the feet – "Summer Lady" is the album's best groove – a tune that still stands up (too hot for me). I've always liked his Soul-Mellow tribute to Joni Mitchell "Blue Side To Midnight" which finishes the album in smoochy 'poor me' mode (Wayne Shorter puts in a lovely Sax solo)...

Three good Soul-Funk-Fusion albums Remastered really well onto 2CDs with quality presentation and affection – Narada Michael Walden fans will lap this up...

"Garden Of Love Light/I Cry, I Smile/Awakening" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN [Drummer ex Mahavishnu Orchestra] – December 1976 US Debut Album, November 1977 Second Album and February 1979 Third Studio Album on Atlantic Records - Guests include Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Richard Gomez, Hiram Bullock on Guitars, Herbie Mann on Flute with David Sancious, Patrick Adams and Cliff 'Cliffalee' Carter on Keyboards plus Arrangements by Michael Gibbs (September 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs, Andrew Thompson BGO Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

https://link.amazon/B0aeyd1Ls

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

This Review Along With A HUGE 356 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £4.95 (2026 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...The Sun Is Dancing..."

When Jazz-Fusion Drummer NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN left John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra behind – Michigan's finest signed to Atlantic Records who promptly pumped out the first two LPs on this 2CD set in 1976 and 1977. While they had their moments (especially the Santana, Richard Gomez and Jeff Beck guest spots and the David Sancious Keyboards contributions) – it wasn't until 1979's Disco and Funk orientated "Awakening" album that the public sat up and noticed and things started moving for him. And that's where this superb-sounding British Double-CD Reissue & Remaster comp comes in. Here are oneness love lights...

UK released Friday, 25 September 2015 (October 2015 in the USA) - "Garden Of Love Light/I Cry, I Smile/Awakening" by NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1210 (Barcode 5017261212108) features 3LPs on 2CDs and plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 (63:30 minutes):
1. White Night [Side 1]
2. Garden Of Love Light 
3. Delightful
4. First Love 
5. Mediation [Side 2]
6. The Sun Is Dancing 
7. You Got The Soul 
8. Saint And The Rascal  
9. You Are Love
Tracks 1 to 9 are his Debut Solo album "Garden Of Love Light" – released December 1976 in the USA on Atlantic SD 18199 and February 1977 in the UK on Atlantic K 50329

10. I Need Your Love
11. Better Man
12. Soul Bird 
13. I Remember 
14. Oneness-Cry
Tracks 10 to 14 are Side 1 of his second studio album "I Cry, I Smile" – released November 1977 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19141 and May 1978 in the UK on Atlantic K 50417

Disc 2 (60:51 minutes):

1. Mango Bop
2. Rainbow-Sky
3. I Cry, I Smile 
4. Heaven's Just A Step Ahead 
5. So Long 
Tracks 1 to 5 Tracks are Side 2 of his second studio album "I Cry, I Smile" – released 1977 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19141 and May 1978 in the UK on Atlantic K 50417

6. Love Me Only 
7. I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You) 
8. Give Your Love A Chance 
9. They Want The Feeling
10. Awakening Suite Part 1 (Childhood – The Opening Of The Heart) [Side 2]
11. The Awakening 
12. Listen To Me 
13. Full & Satisfied 
14. Will You Ever Know
Tracks 6 to 14 are his third studio solo album "Awakening" – released February 1979 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19222 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50570

There's a classy card wrap, a chunky 24-page booklet with new liner notes from Mojo’s resident Jazz writer CHARLES WARING along with album credits, lyrics and photos. But the best news is 2015 remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON which trump the 2001 Collectables CDs I've had these last few years. Fans are going to love the Audio here – beautifully transferred...

The first album "Garden Of Love Light" opens with the heavy and noisy Mahavishnu influenced "White Night" – a rather pointless exercise in Guitar Fusion that is followed by an awful vocal from Walden on the title track (supported by Cissy Houston) where he sounds like an uncertain and very young Prince. But things improve immeasurably with the following two tracks – two forgotten winners that practically secure the album’s desirability. The first is the commercially wicked groove of "Delightful" which features a trio of major league musical contributions – Raymond Gomez giving it some Santana/Neil Schon type guitar - while David Sancious adds the funky keyboards while Patti Scialfa provides breathy girl backing vocals. It’s a winner and hardly surprising that Atlantic Records USA tried an edited version of it as a 45 on Atlantic 3385 with "You Are Love" on the flipside – but it failed to take (Gomez plays a blinder on guitar). 

But then you're hit with something genuinely lovely and even dare we say inspiring (unlike all that hippy psychobabble claptrap espoused by the Bentley-driving Guru Sri Chinmoy on his liner notes). An instrumental called "First Love" which is essential a Soulful string piece that acts as a vehicle for Carlos Santana as guest guitarist. What makes this unusual and beautiful is that Santana forsakes showy screeching fret work for a more Soulful George Benson approach – it's unusual quiet for him – and along with the lush strings arranged by England's Michael Gibbs and his gorgeous playing and Sancious soaring on the Organ – it’s a stand-out moment on an otherwise patchy record. More dire Guru knob follows with the spoken "The Sun Is Dancing" which segues into 9:33 minutes of Fusion Rock that would have been immeasurably better with a trim of the beginning and the more noodly centre passages. They try for Soul-Funk with "You Got The Soul" but it fails on a terrible set of vocals and lyrics. Ace guitarist Jeff Beck brings some of his "Blow By Blow" and "Wired" axe magic to "Saint And The Rascal" and remains the highlight of Side 2. 

Album number two "I Cry, I Smile" features another stellar cast of session musicians – Hiram Bullock on Guitar, Herbie Mann on Flute, Cliff "Cliffalee" Carter on Keyboards, and Norma Jean Bell on Saxophone with orchestral arrangements by Michael Gibbs. The keyboard and guitar funk of "Soul Bird" made for an obvious US single (Atlantic 3450) but again the public remained uninterested. Best is the Side 1 finisher - the pretty Ray Gomez guitar instrumental "Oneness-Cry" (the flip of "Soul Bird" on Atlantic 3450. Saving us from the syrupy "I Cry, I Smile" - Side 2 features a standout – "Heaven's Just A Step Ahead" – a catchy little Soul-Funk ditty that at last feels like the album is living and breathing. Hiram Bullock plays fabulous Guitar while Cliff "Cliffalee" Carter lays down a Funky clavinet like Stevie Wonder at his best.

After two bitty LPs the public all but ignored – things had to change – and they did. Going after the Disco and Funk markets Walden brought in the magic fingers of Patrick Adams while the experienced Bob Clearmountain recorded and mixed the record at The Power Station – spiritual home to Chic. Result was the "Awakening" album (appropriate title too). The moment the Funk 'n' Strings of "Love Me Only" hit you – any punter is going to know that they're in the presence of an album they need to buy. And they did - "Awakening" became his first chart album and peaked at a respectable 15 on the US R&B hit parade. But even bigger and certainly a winner with the public is the monster old-skool hit "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)" – an infectious Funkathon that is guaranteed to fill a floor with strut-your-stuff shapes. The vocals are so much stronger and the Funkiness of it suddenly makes Narada like a real contender for Prince No. 2. The smoochy "Give Your Love A Chance" is another soft Soul winner - but the bruiser "They Want The Feeling" is undone by its overly manic pace. Fusion returns in style with "The Awakening Suite" where he seems to find his musical place ably assisted by Pat Thrall and Jay Graydon on Guitars and soaring orchestral arrangements by Jorge Del Barrio. "Full & Satisfied" is the kind of commercial Funk the radio loves and it's surprising that Atlantic didn't milk it for just that...

The first two records are patchy for sure but contain stunning moments while record number three saw the template come together that would lead to global domination with his "The Dance Of Life" album in late 1979 (see my separate review for BGO's twofer that contains "The Dance Of Life" LP and two other album charters from 1980 and 1982 - "Victory" and "Confidence" - pictured below). 

This auspicious start for the ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra Drummer and Multi Instrumentalist Narada Michael Walden is well worth checking out especially given the gorgeous audio. Onwards to "I Should Have Loved Ya"...