"Images" by THE CRUSADERS (June 2009 Universal/Verve 'Originals' CD Remaster in a Card Digipak) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Bayou Bottoms…"

"Images" by THE CRUSADERS was first issued in a single sleeve LP in July 1978 in the USA on Blue Thumb BA-6030 and on ABC Records ABCL 5250 in the UK. This single CD reissue is a straightforward transfer of that long forgotten Jazz Funk album.

US-released June 2009 (September 2009 in the UK) - "Images" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/Verve 0602517995710 (Barcode 602517995710) is part of Universal's 'Originals' CD Reissue series and is issued in a card digipak (no booklet unfortunately) at mid-price. It breakdowns like this (39:46 minutes):

1. Fairy Tales (Joe Sample song)

2. Marcella's Dream (Nesbert "Stix" Hooper song)

3. Bayou Bottoms (Wilton Felder song)

4. Merry Go Round (Joe sample song) 

[Tracks 1 to 4 made up Side 1 of the original LP]

5. Cosmic Reign (Robert "Pops" Popwell song)

6. Covert Action (Wilton Felder song)

7. Snowflake (Joe Sample song)

[Tracks 5 to 7 made up Side 2 of the original LP]

THE CRUSADERS line-up for "Images" was:

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards

WILTON FELDER - Saxophones

BILLY ROGERS - Guitar

ROBERT "POPS" POPWELL - Bass

NESBERT "STIX" HOOPER - Drums & Percussion

Additional Guests were:

DEAN PARKS - Guitar (All Selections)

ROLAND BAUTISTA - Guitar (On "Fairy Tales", "Bayou Bottoms" and "Covert Action")

PAULINHO DaCOSTA - Percussion (All Selections)

Possessing not the greatest album sleeve in history - "Images" was nonetheless a bit of a Jazz-Funk peach. Produced by "Stix" Hooper, Wilton Felder & Joe Sample for "Crusader Productions, Inc." and mastered by long-standing expert Bernie Grundman, it followed so much of their Seventies output - really well-produced instrumental funky tracks followed by mellow ones that filled both the floor and the heart at one and the same time.

Remastered from the original tapes by KEVIN REEVES at Universal Mastering in the States, it now sounds FABULOUS - really clear and defined - and virtually hiss-free.

With juts a poor-sounding 1990 US CD to go on - and only "Snowflake" and "Fairy Tales" on the superior sounding "Gold" 2CD set from 2007 (see separate review) - that means that 5 of these 7 tracks are only now getting the sonic upgrade they've deserved for so long. The funk bliss that is "Bayou Bottoms" now sounds stupendous and had me throwing some very embarrassing shapes on our living room carpet. Other tracks like "Cosmic Reign" and “Merry Go Round” are so "Aja" in their arrangements too - and to be compared with Steely Dan's 1977 masterpiece is the highest compliment really.

After a whole decade and umpteen albums of their particular type of funk & jazz, the same team that handled "Images" would finally hit paydirt a year later in 1979 with the global smash of "Street Life" and make Randy Crawford a star.

"Images" is a forgotten Crusaders album and one that now sounds as fresh as it did over 31 years ago - recommended.

PS: For those interested in delving a little deeper - I've posted a full list to 2009 of the 120+ titles in the "ORIGINALS" CD series in the 'Comment' section attached to this review…

"Fever [1983]/Electric Lady [1985]" by CON FUNK SHUN (October 2014 Robinsongs/Cherry Red Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Can You Feel The Groove Tonight…"

It’s hard to argue with 17 hit singles in a row (1977’s "Ffun" even hit the No. 1 slot) and seven charted albums into the bargain – so Robinsongs of the UK have reissued the lot across 3 CDs (see list below). This 4th title in the series adds CON FUNK SHUN’s 1983 and 1985 efforts on Mercury Records – and does so with style.

Released October 2014 – "Fever/Electric Lady" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs Records CDMRED 636 (Barcode 5013939163638) features 2 full albums Remastered onto 1 CD as follows (71:07 minutes):

1. Can You Feel The Groove Tonight

2. Indiscreet Sweet

3. Baby, I’m Hooked (Right Into Your Love)

4. Thinking About You, Baby

5. Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold

6. Lovin’ Fever

7. Hard Lovin’

8. If I’m Your Lover

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 8th album “Fever” released November 1983 in the USA on Mercury 814 447-1 M-1

9. Turn The Music Up

10. Rock It All Night

11. I’m Leaving Baby

12. Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do

13. Electric Lady

14. Don’t Go (I Want You Back)

15. Circle Of Love

16. Pretty Lady

Tracks 9 to 16 are their 9th album “Electric Lady” released May 1985 in the USA on Mercury Records 824 345-1 M-1

The 12-page booklet has detailed (and honest) liner notes by CHARLES WARING of Soul Jazz Records and Mojo Magazine fame with a full-throated remaster by ALAN WILSON. This CD sounds amazing – full of punch – even when the Eighties Drums threaten to deaden everything. The guitar and synth solos in “Turn The Music Up” are in your face.

“Baby, I’m Hooked (Right Into Your Love)” is a sweet ballad with an infectious vocal and slinky radio-friendly beat. A bit of a smoochy standout on the album - it was released in November 1983 as 45 in the USA (Mercury 814 581-7) and not surprisingly rose to Number 5. “Thinking About You Baby” is the first disappointment – very filler. Better is the Side 2 opener “Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold” – again released as a 45 (Mercury 818 369-7) – but its Doobie Brothers “Minute By Minute” feel feels like its four years too late for the party. Its B-side “Lovin’ Fever” opens with that funky synth flicker that seemed to afflict so many songs of the period – it’s good but it lacks the hook to take it out of the ordinary. We get all Brothers Johnson slap bass funky with “Hard Lovin’” while “Fever” ends proceedings on an upbeat “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” Carl Carlton tip. The album “Fever” managed a healthy Number 12 on the Billboard R&B charts. The follow-up album “Electric Lady” did better at Number 9 – helped by catchy hits – the Gap Band infused “Electric Lady” (4), the lovely ballad “I’m Leavin’ Baby” (12) and one that bubbled under in the Discos - “Tell Me (What I’m Gonna Do)”. The album sleeper is the “PYT” Michael Jackson vibe of “Pretty Lady” – another potential single.

A clever reissue and another tick in the copybook of Robinsongs

PS: other CON FUNK SHON titles reissued by Robinsongs:

1. Loveshine (1978) / Candy (1979) – Robinsongs CMDRED 428

2. Touch (1980) / 7 (1981) / To The Max (1982) – Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Con Funk Shun (1976) / Secrets (1977) – Robinsongs CDMRED 555

"Touch [1980]/Con Funk Shun 7 [1981]/To The Max [1982]" by CON FUNK SHUN (November 2011 Cherry Red/Robinsongs Reissue - 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Bonuses) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Lady's Wild..." 

A clever reissue this – 3 primo CON FUNK SHUN albums from their Eighties Soul-Funk stride lumped together onto 2 remastered CDs with 4 x 12” Single Mixes tagged on as Bonus Tracks. Where's my dancing shoes baby. Here are the let's ride and slide details...

UK released November 2011 - "Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDBRED 519 (Barcode 5013929151932) offers 3LPs from 1980, 1981 and 1982 Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Bonus Tracks that pans out as follows:

Disc 1 (75:33 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 6th vinyl album “Touch” – released December 1980 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4002 and February 1981 in the UK on Mercury 6337 154

Track 10 is “Lady’s Wild (12 Version)”

Track 11 is “Body Lovers (12 Version”

Tracks 12 to 15 are Side 1 of their 7th vinyl album “Con Funk Shun 7” (aka “7”) – released December 1981 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4030

Disc 2 (72:45 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of their 7th vinyl album “Con Funk Shun 7” (aka “7”) – released December 1981 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4030

Tracks 5 to 13 are their 8th vinyl album “To The Max” – released November 1982 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4067

Track 14 is “Ms Got The Body (12” Version)”

Track 15 is “Ms Got The Body (Instrumental Version)”

The 8-page inlay pictures rare 7” singles on Mercury, album artwork and has a basic history of the band and the albums by RALPH TEE. Long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers – and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place – that has passed over to the remasters. “7” and “To The Max” sound incredible – as clear and as muscular as you would want.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Gap Band, Kool & The Gang and Heatwave with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. I’ve been after the EWF Funk of “I’ll Get You Back” from “7” for years now and it sounds just brill here. Another winner is “Too Tight” – even if the mix is a tad weedy for 1981 while “Give Your Love To Me” is a pretty ballad. The slappy bass intro to “Touch” sums up their sound – aimed at the rear and not the head – great fun.

Packing great value for money on both CDs (check the extended playing times) - fans should dive in – especially given the upgraded sound...

PS: Other Robinsongs CD Remasters for CON FUNK SHUN include:

1. Loveshine/Candy (1978 and 1979 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 428)

2. Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max (1980, 1981 and 1982 3 x LPs + 4 Bonus 12" Single Sides onto 2CDs - Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Fever/Electric Lady (1983 and 1985 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 636)

"Loveshine [1978]/Candy [1979]" by CON FUNK SHUN (February 2010 Cherry Red/Robinsongs Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Shake And Dance..."

Two primo CON FUNK SHUN vinyl albums from the band’s late seventies Soul-Funk stride lumped together onto one remastered CD (fro the first time) – the 2^nd release in Robinsongs complete catalogue reissue series for a band that rivalled Earth Wind & Fire in terms of chart success and affection. Here are the Shake and Dance details...

UK released February 2010 – "Loveshine/Candy" by CON FUNK SHUN Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDMRED 428 (Barcode 5013929142824) offers 2 LPs from 1978 and 1979 Remastered onto 1CD and pans out as follows (66:23 minutes):

1. So Easy [Side 1]

2. Magic Woman

3. Shake & Dance With Me

4. Make It Last

5. Loveshine

6. When The Feeling’s Right [Side 2]

7. I Think I Found The Answer

8. Wanna Be There

9. Can’t Go Away

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3^rd vinyl album “Loveshine” – released June 1978 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-3725 and in the UK on Mercury 9100 055. The album rose to Number 10 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

10. Fire When Ready [Side 2]

11. Chase Me

12. Not Ready

13. Da Lady

14. Candy [Side 2]

15. (Let me Put) Love On Your Mind

16. Main Slice

17. Images

Tracks 10 to 17 are their 4th vinyl album “Candy” – released May 1979 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-3754 (No UK release). The album rose to Number 7 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

The 8-page inlay pictures rare 7” singles on Mercury, album artwork and has a basic history of the band and the albums by RALPH TEE. Although it doesn’t say outright – it sounds to me that long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers (as he did with other issues) – and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place – that has passed over to the remasters.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Gap Band, Kool & The Gang, Heatwave and Earth, Wind & Fire with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. Thankfully they didn’t compromise to Disco – so boogie tunes like “So Easy” and “Chase Me” still have that glorious late Seventies Soul/Funk feel (like The Jacksons on a good day). There’s huge punch on tunes like “Shake And Dance With Me” which must have filled so many dancefloors back in the day (the effortlessly cool title track “Loveshine” exudes that same great uptempo vibe). Even when they go a bit Isley-Brothers guitar on the smoocher ballad “(Let Me Put) Love On Your Mind” – they pull it off with style.

Packing great value for money (mid-price, 2 albums on 1CD) - fans should dive in – especially given the really great upgraded sound...

"Con Funk Shun/Secrets" by CON FUNK SHUN - 1976 US Debut Album and 1977 US Second Studio Album on Mercury Records (March 2013 UK Cherry Red/Robinsongs Compilation - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"...Music Is The Way..."

What you get here is two CON FUNK SHUN vinyl albums from the band's outset plus one 12" single as a bonus track lumped together onto one remastered CD (for the first time). This is the 1st release in Robinsongs complete catalogue reissue series for an American Soul/Funk band that rivalled Earth Wind & Fire in terms of sheer chart success and affection (see below). Here are the Ffun details...

UK released March 2013 - "Con Funk Shun/Secrets" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDMRED 555 (Barcode 5013929155534) offers 2LPs from 1976 and 1977 Remastered onto 1CD plus One Bonus Track and pans out as follows (76:43 minutes):

1. Music Is The Way [Side 1]

2. Tell Me That You Like Me

3. Never Be The Same

4. Owe It To Myself

5. Foley Park

6. Nothing To Lose By Trying [Side 2]

7. Forever Just Ain't Long Enough

8. Another World

9. Sho' Feels Good To Me

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut vinyl album "Con Funk Shun" - released 1976 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1120 (no UK release).

10. DooWhaChaWannaDoo [Side 1]

11. Who Has The Time

12. Indian Summer Love (Interlude)

13. Tears In My Eyes

14. Secrets [Side 2]

15. Ffun

16. ConFunkShunizeYa

17. I'll Set You Out O.K.

18. Indian Summer Love (instrumental)

Tracks 10 to 18 are their 2nd vinyl album "Candy" - released September 1977 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1180 and December 1977 in the UK on Mercury 9100 043. The album rose to Number 6 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

BONUS TRACK:

19. Ffun (12" Version) (1977 USA 12" Promo Single on Mercury)

The 16-page booklet pictures rare American 7" singles on Mercury, album artwork, LP label repros and also features a detailed and affectionate history of the band and their first two albums by noted American writer and DJ - RICO WASHINGTON. Long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers (as he did with other issues) - and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place - that has passed over to the remasters. These things boogie and sound just great.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Earth, Wind & Fire, Graham Central Station, Kool & The Gang and even The Commodores with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. The debut album opens with the slap-bass of "Music Is The Way" - a tune that tries hard but is just a little too fast and busy for its own good (even if the audio is superb). Better is the slinky groove of "Tell Me That You Like It" - a guitar groove that would fill dancefloors today. "Owe It To Myself" is a very Hall & Oates groove while "Nothing To Lose By Trying" is a very AWB and while the smoocher "Another World" is loverman TP - it ends on the way forward - the funkily cool "Sho' Feels Good To Me".

Their persistence paid off as the second album was a massive leap forward - and the public thought so too by putting it up to Number 6 on the American R&B album charts (an impressive position for a new band). It helped that the single "Ffun" went to Number 1 on the R&B charts in November 1977 - giving big funky brassy tracks like "ConFunkShunize Ya" (the second single) a Number 31 showing on the charts. The instrumental "Indian Summer Love" is very George Benson circa "Livin' Inside Your Love". Fans are also going to love the 12" single of "Ffun" which extends the album cut from 4:12 to 6:06 minutes - and in a really good way. To my knowledge the 12" was Promo-Only on Mercury Records and has been a long sought after rarity by DJs - so its appearance here on CD fro the first time as a bonus track is a welcome addition.

Packing great value for money (mid-price, 2 albums on 1CD plus a 12") - fans should dive in - especially given the really great upgraded sound...

Other Robinsongs CD Remasters for CON FUNK SHUN include:

1. Loveshine/Candy (1978 and 1979 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 428)

2. Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max (1980, 1981 and 1982 3 x LPs + 4 Bonus 12" Single Sides onto 2CDs - Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Fever/Electric Lady (1983 and 1985 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 636)

"Pendulum: 40th Anniversary Edition" by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - December 1970 USA - January 1971 UK - Sixth Studio Album on Fantasy and Liberty Records (October 2008 UK Concord Music 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

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"...Pagan Baby..."

CCR's popular catalogue had been subject to endless CD reissue in jewel cases and digipaks throughout the 80s and 90s – some good – some ok – some just plain naff. Determined to quash the digital mess – Universal unleashed once more this most American of bands (and their formidable back catalogue) onto the world in 2008 via Concord Music, Inc.

Each album from their July 1968 self-titled debut "Creedence Clearwater Revival" through to December 1970's "Pendulum" got all spruced up with '40th Anniversary Edition' CDs. All six sported cool-looking round-corner jewel cases, expanded booklets, extra tracks and stunning new GEORGE HORN remasters (the round-corner cases have been exchanged for the standard square jobbies of late).

But Creedence being such an iconic '60ts' band their opening salvo for 1970 – the mighty "Pendulum" - always seems to get overlooked in lieu of its more adored predecessors - "Bayou Country", "Green River", "Cosmo's Factory" and "Willy And The Poor Boys". Time to give their swing into the 70ts a proper rubdown...

UK released October 2008 (September 2008 in the USA) – "Pendulum: 40th Anniversary Edition" by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL on Universal/Fantasy/Concord Music Group, Inc. 0888072308817 (Barcode 888072308817) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (54:18 minutes):

1. Pagan Baby [Side 1]

2. Sailor's Lament

3. Chameleon

4. Have You Seen The Rain

5. (Wish I Could) Hideaway

6. Borne To Move [Side 2]

7. Hey Tonight

8. It's Just The Thought

9. Molina

10. Rude Awakening No. 2

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th studio album "Pendulum" - released December 1970 in the USA on Fantasy F-8410 and January 1971 in the UK on Liberty LBG 83400. John Fogerty wrote all songs and Produced – the album peaked at No. 5 on the US LP charts and No. 8 in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. 45 Revolutions Per Minute Part 1

12. 45 Revolutions Per Minute Part 2

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A & B-sides of a US promo-only 7" single on Fantasy 2832/3 released in 1970. Both sides are nearly all dialogue

13. Hey Tonight (Live in Hamburg, Germany, 17 September 1971) - Previously Unreleased

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL was:

JOHN FOGERTY – Lead Vocal, Guitar and Organ

TOM FOGERTY – Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals

STU COOK – Bass and Backing Vocals

DOUG CLIFFORD – Drums and Backing Vocals

Quite why the tracks were put in a different running order on the rear sleeve has always puzzled me (why is "Borne" spelt with an 'e') - but it's nice to see that the live photo by Baron Walman of Fogerty fronting the band that was on the inner gatefold of my Liberty Records album is used as a centre-page spread in the 16-page booklet. JOEL SLEVIN provides insightful liner notes that include an interview with main man John Fogerty about their aspirations to fill the slot left by the recently broken up Beatles (Fogerty wanted John, Tom, Stu and Doug to be as well known as John, Paul, George and Ringo – almost got there John). There are photos of the band in the studio and repro’s of rare 45 picture sleeves for "Hey Tonight" and "Have You Ever Seen The Rain". There is discussion on the rare CCR promo '45 Revolutions' - Doug Clifford imitating Top 40 bay Area DJ Tom Campbell - the boys giggling and goofing off. A three-piece band fronts the Previously Unreleased "Hey Tonight" recorded in Hamburg on the band's final tour for the "Live In Europe" album (which would turn out to be the band's last performance). There are reissue credits and colour photos - very tasty...

Side 1 opens with a total kick-ass winner - the brilliant riff of "Pagan Baby" - 6:23 minutes of pure Creedence genius. In truth it probably goes on for a little 'too' long - but I've always loved it and the remaster here is magnificent. By immediate contrast we get the keyboard choogle of "Sailor's Lament" where the boys sing "shame...it's a shame..." as a refrain throughout.  Fogerty gives it some brass fills on the hugely likeable "Chameleon" - but classic status has to go to the gorgeous and simple strum of "Have You Ever Seen Rain" (with or without a question mark). We get a bit Hammond B-3 organ on the Bluesy "(Wish) I Could Hide Away" - and again a fabulous remaster brings it to life.

Side 2 opens with another crave of mine "Borne To Move" - surely the great unreleased 45 that never happened - boogieing and strutting like only CCR could. What a winner - and all of it sounding fresh as a newly minted decimal pound coin (dig that Bass and Drum break). There can be few CCR fans who don't get a rush to the solar plexus at the opening seconds of the brilliant "Hey Tonight" - relegated to the B-side of "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" in the UK on Liberty LBF 15440 (released March 1971 in the UK). Sounding not unlike The Moody Blues - the organ of "It's Just A Thought" expands their sound beyond that of just guitar and drums. Both it and "Molina" sound stupendous here. And it ends on their "Tomorrow Never Knows" Psych/Prog freak out moment - "Rude Awakening No. 2" - a cacophony of backwards Guitars and strangulated Keyboard sounds that left many baffled and perhaps a tad disappointed.

If you wanted more - "Pendulum" has been thrown into two worthy Box Sets – June 2009's 7-disc replica sleeves of "Creedence Clearwater Revival (40th Anniversary Editions)" on Fantasy/Concord Music Group. Inc. 0888072315716 - or the March 2015 6-disc Box Set of "1961-1972" - that contains the pre-CCR Gollywogs material and some Previously Unreleased. But bluntly with this album and the other five studio album slices on Amazon at less than four quid each – complete with booklets, extras and that gorgeous sound – I find these single disc reissues are the simplistic ones for me...

"...You keep on changing your face..." - John Fogerty sings on "Chameleon". Nothing changes my love for this band or this great album. I know it's not all genius and some even dislike it - but I'm a sucker for CCR and this '40th Anniversary CD Edition' of "Pendulum" is the one to nab...