"Torrid Zone: The Vertigo Recordings 1970-1975" by NUCLEUS and IAN CARR (29 March 2019 UK Esoteric Recordings 6CD Clamshell Box - Paschal Byrne Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Labyrinth..."

Scottish Trumpeter IAN CARR (raised in Newcastle) has deserved this kind of lavish clamshell-dom for some time now. But fans will quickly clock that nine album front covers onto six card sleeves does not artwork go. I say this because on opening this still brilliant Esoteric Recordings mini box set (which the spirit of textured gatefold LP sleeves within me has been looking forward to for some time) - I have to confess to being slightly crest-fallen. Five of the single CD card sleeves reflect the original and cool Roger Dean and Keith Davis artwork for sure (disc three has the October 1972 Ian Car solo album "Belladonna") – but my fave die-cut for their brilliant debut "Elastic Rock" had to be replaced with a period image instead. Boo hoo...

But not to fear my elasticated rocking alley cats – this Jazz Rock Prog-tastic monster hasn’t missed anything else that I can see - all of the original artwork inside and out is repro’d faithfully in the substantially chunky booklet, alongside a whole lot more from magazine and personal archives, most of it seeing the 2019 light of day for the first time in nearly five decades.

But for me, best news is the new Audio - fabulous Paschal Byrne Remasters taken from original Vertigo Records mastertapes, which for my money is one of 'the' reasons for fan purchase. Sweet as a zone that’s torrid (as they say in pre Brexit Brussels). There's a veritable magma flow of solar plexus blowhard horns and synths to wade through, so once more my swirl label devotees unto the die-cut breach...

UK released Friday, 29 March 2019 (5 April 2019 in the USA) - "Torrid Zone: The Vertigo Recordings 1970-1975" by NUCLEUS & IAN CARR on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 62663 (Barcode 5013929476301) is a 6CD Clamshell Box Set offering 9 albums in full (no other bonuses) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (64:42 minutes):

1. 1916 [Side 1]

2. Elastic Rock

3. Striation

4. Taranki

5. Twisted Track

6. Crude Blues (Part One)

7. Crude Blues (Part Two)

8. 1916 - The Battle Of Boogaloo

9. Torrid Zone [Side 2]

10. Stonescape

11. Earth Mother

12. Speaking For Myself, Personally, In My Own Opinion, I Think...

13. Persephones Jive

Tracks 1 to 13 are their debut album "Elastic Rock" [as NUCLEUS] - released June 1970 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 008 (no US issue) - Produced by PETE KING. 

14. Song For The Bearded Lady [Side 1]

15. Sun Child

16. Lullaby For A Lonely Child

17. We'll Talk About It Later

Tracks 14 to 17 are Side 1 of their second album "We'll Talk About It Later" [as NUCLEUS] - released February 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 027 (no US issue) - Produced by PETE KING.

Disc 2 (67:27 minutes):

1. Oasis [Side 2]

2. Ballad Of Joe Pimp

3. Easter 1916

Tracks 1 to 3 are Side 2 of their second album "We'll Talk About It Later" [as NUCLEUS] - released February 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 027 (no US issue) - Produced by PETE KING.

4. Elements I & II [Side 1]

5. Changing Times

6. Bedrock Deadlock

7. Spirit Level

8. Torso [Side 2]

9. Snakehips Dream

Tracks 4 to 9 are their third studio album "Solar Plexus" [as IAN CARR with NUCLEUS] - released June 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 039 (no US issue) - Produced by PETE KING.

IAN CARR - Trumpet and Flugelhorn

BRIAN SMITH - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone and Flute

KARL JENKINS - Baritone Saxophone, Oboe, Piano and Electric Pianos

CHRIS SPEDDING - Guitar

JEFF CLYNE - Bass Guitars

JOHN MARSHALL - Drums and Percussion 

Above line-up for the first two LPs, but for "Solar Plexus", these additional:

Kenny Wheeler and Harry Beckett on Trumpets (Tracks 4, 5, 8 and 9)

Tony Roberts – Tenor Saxophone, Bass and Clarinet

Ron Matthewson – Bass

Keith Winter – VCS3 Synthesiser

Disc 3 (65:56 minutes):

1. Belladonna [Side 1]

2. Summer Rain

3. Remadione [Side 2]

4. May Day

5. Suspension

6. Hector's House

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "Belladonna" [by IAN CARR] – released October 1972 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 076 (no US issue) – Produced by JON HISEMAN of Colosseum

IAN CARR - Trumpet and Flugelhorn

BRIAN SMITH - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Alto and Bamboo Flute

DAVE MacRAE – Fender Electric Piano

ALAN HOLDSWORTH – Guitar

ROY BABBINGTON – Bass Guitar

CHRIS THACKER - Drums

7. Origins [Side 1]

8. Bull Dance

9. Ariadne

10. Arena

Tracks 7 to 10 are Side 1 of the album "Labyrinth" [by IAN CARR with NUCLEUS] – released July 1973 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 091 (no US issue) – Produced by IAN CARR and ROGER WAKE

Disc 4 (73:59 minutes):

1. Arena/Exultation [Side 2]

2. Naxos

Tracks 1 to 2 are Side 2 of the album "Labyrinth" [by IAN CARR with NUCLEUS] – released July 1973 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 091 (no US issue) – Produced by IAN CARR and ROGER WAKE

IAN CARR - Trumpet and Flugelhorn

BRIAN SMITH - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Flute

DAVE MacRAE – Fender Electric Piano

ALAN HOLDSWORTH – Guitar

ROY BABBINGTON – Bass Guitar

CHRIS THACKER – Drums

Plus Guests:

Kenny Wheeler – Trumpets and Flugelhorn

Norma Winstone – Vocals

Paddy Kingsland – VCS3 Synthesiser

Trevor Tomkins – Percussion

Tony Levin – Drums

3. Roots [Side 1]

4. Images

5. Caliban

6. Whapatiti [Side 2]

7. Capricorn

8. Odokamona

9. Southern Roots And Celebration

Tracks 3 to 19 are the album "Roots" [by IAN CARR’S NUCLEUS] – released November 1973 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 100 (no US issue) – Produced by FRITZ FRYER

IAN CARR – Trumpet

BRIAN SMITH – Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Flute and Bamboo Flute

DAVID MacRAE – Electric and Acoustic Piano

JOCELYN PITCHEN – Guitars

ROGER SUTTON – Bass

CLIVE THACKER – Drums (Percussion on "Images")

AUREO de SOUZA – Percussion (Drums on "Images")

JOY YATES - Vocals

10. In Procession [Side 1]

11. The Addison Trip

12. Pastoral Graffiti

13. New Life

14. A Taste Of Sarsaparilla

Tracks 10 to 14 are Side 1 of the album "Under The Sun" [by NUCLEUS] – released October 1974 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 110 (no US issue) - Produced by FRITZ FRYER.

Disc 5 (67:24 minutes):

1. Theme 1 - Sarsaparilla

2. Theme 2 - Feast Alfresco

3. Theme 3 - Rites Of Man

Tracks 1 to 3 are Side 2 of the album "Under The Sun" [by NUCLEUS] – released October 1974 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 110 (no US issue) - Produced by FRITZ FRYER.

IAN CARR – Trumpet and Flugelhorn

BOB BERTIES – Alto and Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and Flute

GORDON BECK – Electric Piano and Percussion (Solo on "Sarsaparilla")

GEOFF CASTLE – Electric Piano and VCS3 Synthesiser (Piano on "A Taste Of Sarsaparilla")

JOCELYN PITCHEN – Guitars (Solo on "New Life")

KEN SHAW – Guitars (Ring Modulated Piano on "In Procession")

ROGER SUTTON – Bass

BRYAN SPRING – Drums, Tympani and Percussion

Guests:

Keiran White (of Steamhammer) sings Vocals on "The Addison Trip"

4. Rat's Bag [Side 1]

5. Alive And Kicking

6. Rachel's Tune

7. Snakehips Etcetera [Side 2]

8. Pussyfoot

9. Heyday

Tracks 4 to 9 are the album "Snakehips Etcetera" [by NUCLEUS] – released April 1975 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 119 and Sire SASD-7508 in the USA (first album by Nucleus issued in America) - Produced by JON HISEMAN of Colosseum.

Disc 6 (41:22 minutes):

1. Phaideaux Corner [Side 1]

2. Alleycat

3. Splat [Side 2]

4. You Can't Be Sure

5. Nosegay

Tracks 1 to 5 are the album "Alleycat" [by NUCLEUS] – released November 1975 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 124 (no US issue) - Produced by JON HISEMAN of Colosseum.

Line-Up for both "Snakehips Etcetera" and "Alleycat"

IAN CARR – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Acoustic Piano, Moog, Percussion

BOB BERTIES – Alto, Baritone and Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Voice

KEN SHAW – Guitars and Percussion

GEOFF CASTLE – Keyboards, Moog, Percussion

ROGER SUTTON – Bass

ROGER SELLERS – Drums and Percussion

Guest:

Trevor Tomkins – Percussion on "Phaideaux Corner" and "Alleycat" on the "Alleycat" album

Compiled and co-ordinated by MARK POWELL with full involvement from those still around the band, the 48-page booklet is an impressive affair and very proudly flaunts the boxes of original Vertigo master tapes across its many picture-festooned pages (along with all of that dinky Roger Dean artwork). Noted writer SID SMITH (who did the liner notes for the impressive Panegyric 'Definitive Edition' CD and BLU RAY reissues of YES) digs in deep for a history across nine studio albums beginning with Carr’s career as part of the Don Rendell Quartet (1965 to 1969) on to Best Group awards at The Montreaux Jazz Festival and celebrated dates in the USA. There are promo pages from Phonogram (who distributed Vertigo), a concert poster for the Queen Elizabeth Hall where a program would set you back a frankly extortionate 10p (ten new pence to you mate) and so on. To the music...

I suspect the last time anyone had these albums on CD in their mits was the 2005 Repertoire reissues – here the Audio is not so in-your-face – warmer and fuller. Spedding trades his guitar licks with the horns of Ian Carr and Karl Jenkins on "Taranaki" – a Karl Jenkins mellow instrumental on Side 1 of "Elastic Rock" and two things are apparent – the band has been listening to Miles Davis and his 1969 Columbia/CBS Records output for a entire year and that the Remaster is fantastic. Sure the separation of instruments is a tad harsh but man are they reproduced well in this transfer. Again the Chris Spedding intro to "Earth Mother" over on Side 2 accompanied by some heavy Oboe soloing is clear and present – Jeff Clyne on Bass. Another moment of remaster clarity comes with the drums, guitar and brass unison opening of "Crude Blues (Part Two)" – a short but very cool opening to Side 2 of the album. Many fans rate "Elastic Rock" as a brilliant account-opener and they’d be right – apart from the one and half-minute drum nonsense of "Speaking For Myself..." – there is hardly a wasted moment.

Issued in February 1971, the proper full-on Jazz-Prog-Rock of "Song For The Bearded Lady" from their second album "We'll Talk About It Later" was chosen as the representative track for the "Time Machine" 3CD Box Set covering Vertigo Records in 2005 ("Torrid Zone" from the 1970 debut album is in there too). And frankly it’s easy to hear why – a neck-jerking seven and a half-minute instrumental workout with clever musical breaks and a hat-tip to King Crimson over on Island Records. Spedding gets to wah-wah his gee-tar on the Clyne/Marshall jabber "Sun Child" behind Carr and Jenkins letting it rip. Miles Davis pretty surfaces in the guise of "Lullaby For A Lonely Child", but the echoed vocals of "Easter 1916" Zappa-fy the album finisher too much for me (and not in a good way).

By the time we reach album three, Ian Carr has taken over composition of all tracks. Guests Kenny Wheeler on Flugelhorn and Tony Roberts on Tenor Sax act as the soloists on "Changing Times" – Nucleus getting Funky. Karl Jenkins does the Oboe solo on the sad Tudor soundscape of "Bedrock Deadlock" with Jeff Clyne drawing his bow across large Double Bass strings before the six and half-minute track takes a sudden and unexpected Funky direction change with a treated guitar from Spedding (very clever and sounding spiffing on this transfer). Confirming its rep as a quality Nucleus outing, the album ends on an epic 15-minute slink – "Snakehips’ Dream" – a tribute to a lady dancer Carr once knew called "Snakehips" Johnson. It’s the first time for me that the keyboards/guitar battles get pride of place – and it so works (best track they ever did methinks).

The inevitable Ian Carr solo album arrived in October 1972 in the shape of "Belladonna" – again its six lengthy instrumentals steeped in the smooze of IC’s acknowledged hero – Miles Davis. The transfer on the lovely and nay even sexy "Summer Rain" is so sweet – with newcomer Dave MacRae bringing his keyboard chops to the party. Jon Hiseman’s production certainly amps up the Alan Holdsworth Guitar and Brian Smith Brass blasts on "Hector's Party" – a song that sounds exactly like its hep title.

A muscular loincloth-clad gladiator brute-type manhandles a Minotaur on the front cover of "Labyrinth" – Nucleus commissioned by the Park Lane Group (with Arts Council funding) to create music based on the antiquities myth (Athens vs. Crete etc). They augmented the band with so many musicians that they literally get a credits ‘Plus’ on the front sleeve – amongst the names being Norma Winstone on Vocals with ace sessionman Tony Levin on Drums (years later he would become the defacto kit-man for Peter Gabriel’s touring band). It opens with the suitably ominous danger inherent in the stabby "Origins" only to go all Bullet bass lines chase sequence on the sexy "Bull Dance". Shimmering Greenslade-type electric piano notes open seven minutes of the excellent "Ariadne" with Norma Waterstone’s high-flying vocals singing of seekers and their detractors - while over on Side 2 the two lengthy workouts "Exultation" and "Naxos" bring the ancient tale into serious Prog-Fusion mode.

Highlights from albums five to nine include the first-time-on-CD appearance of the much-sampled "Roots" LP from November 1973 – resplendent here on CD 4 with its fab Keith Davis designed sleeve. Super cool slow-Drums and Brass-jabbing Grooves give the title track the feel of a Seventies Cop TV show where some Superslick Detective falls in love with a babe from the driver’s seat of his cigarettes ‘n’ coffee filthy car (fantastic remaster too). The cool continues with "Images" where Joy Yates Jazz-moans her words as the British lads smooze the backbeat. "Caliban" sees Nucleus once again embrace their inner Billy Cobham by way of Donald Byrd – funky and sounding like a dead ringer for the sequel "Baby Driver 2: Behind The Wheel Again". Keiran White of Steamhammer moans scat vocals on the hipster Jazz-Funk of "The Addison Trip" while Roger Sutton lets rip on a Bass solo.

The "Under The Sun" album is probably the most Jazz of the lot while I’ve always been partial to the Jon Hiseman produced "Snakehips Etcetera" LP with its garish glossy laminate sleeve (fave tracks "Alive And Kicking" and "Pussyfoot"). And on it goes...

For sure listening to nine albums worth of Jazz Rock, Prog Fusion and even Jeff Beck like funkiness may prove too much for the uninitiated – but I’ve loved this vaults trawl. And how good is it to see the missing digital hole of "Roots" finally be filled and in such Audio style too.

As Sid Smith quite rightly points out in his typically excellent liner notes, bands like Chick Corea’s Return To Forever and John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra probably sold more album on Columbia/CBS in a month than poor Ian Carr did across six years in Blighty - even when Prog Rock and Fusion were literally flavour of the year in 1973 and 1974 – regularly nabbing the No. 1 spot on the LP charts for ELP, Yes, Jethro Tull and Top 5 for Genesis.

But spare a moment for the nine-LP Spice Girls of Jazz-Rock – NUCLEUS. They may have only charted their debut album for one miserly week in 1970 (at No. 46) - but their consistent (yet commercially ignored) brilliance is reflected in this jam-packed box. Man, I could even forgive Ian Carr’s seriously garish Tartan trousers on Page 41 of the booklet as he giggles at the advances of a scantily clad lady in hots pants threatening to do things to his improvisational ass with a Bottle of Stout that may have worried those nice people over at the BBC. Them were the days baby. Recommended and well-done to all involved...

"ABC Rocksteady" by ROLAND ALPHONSO and THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA and VARIOUS (April 2019 UK Doctor Bird Records 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue - Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Swing And Dine..."

Now here’s a winner. A hugely collectable Rock Steady compilation album from 1967 helmed by ROLAND ALPHONSO and THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA that you just never see. If you can actually find a UK original on High Note Records), a clean copy would easily set you back £200+ and the Jamaican pressing that arrived with different artwork in 1968 is apparently just the same. Here the legendary vinyl rarity is given a full-on fill-your-boots mama marital makeover.

All music productions across the entire twofer are helmed by that sought-after Jamaican lady-of-the-studio – SONIA POTTINGER – who also owner of the Tip Top Record Centre – a Jamaican hub of creativity and sales. Through her hands and her Orange Street record shop in Kingston (Sonia is pictured in her store on page 3) passed huge names in Reggae and many of them are here. This two-disc reissue also fills in those High Note and Doctor Bird label UK singles Discography holes that have been missing from the digital domain forever.

Yet aside from all that compilation pedigree - what sets this amazing vaults-trawl apart from so many other great Doctor Bird CD reissues, is the 1968 extras. You get a ginormous 43 of them - including two previously unreleased! You could say naught will be steady or rocking after I plough through these details – 55 tracks moi buoy. There goes the dental-budget and the pacemaker replacement fund...here are the details...

UK released Friday, 5 April 2019 (12 April 2019 in the USA) - "ABC Rock Steady" by ROLAND ALPHONSO & THE ORIGINALS ORCHESTRA [and Various Artists] on Doctor Bird DBCDD-023 (Barcode 5013929272330) offers the original 1967 UK 12-Track LP "ABC Rocksteady" plus 43 Bonus Tracks that play out as follows:

Disc 1 (75:25 minutes):

1. ABC Rock Steady [Side 1]

2. That's Life

3. Say You

4. Sad Song

5. Easy Rock

6. Hip Hug-Her

7. Starlight [Side 2]

8. Wild And Free

9. Little Nut Tree

10. Top Line

11. Narata

12. Pure Soul

Tracks 1 to 12 are the Mono album "ABC Rocksteady" (originally credited to Roland Alphonso & The Originals Orchestra) - released 1967 in the UK on High Note Records HSLP 5001 (artwork is the front of the booklet) and 1968 in Jamaica on Gay Feet S 001 - 2 in different artwork (pictured on the last page of the booklet). Although the original vinyl LP labels states only Roland Alphonso... this CD reissue breaks down the actual players even further:

Tracks 1, 2, 8 and 11 by Roland Alphonso & The Originals Orchestra

Tracks 3 and 9 by The Webber Sisters & The Originals Orchestra

Track 4 by The Originals Orchestra

Track 5 by Roland Alphonso with Aubrey Adams & The Originals Orchestra

Track 6 by Lynn Taitt & The Originals Orchestra

Tracks 7 and 10 by Leslie Butler & The Originals Orchestra

Track 12 by Lennie Hibbert, Lynn Taitt & Count Ossie

BONUS TRACKS (all 1968 UK and JAMAICAN 7" single sides):

13. ABC Rock Steady - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 001, A-side - B-side is "Soul Drums" by Leslie Butler & Count Ossie, Track 26, Disc 2)

14. That's Life - DELANO STEWART (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1138, A-side - copies also on JJ Records DB 1138 - B-side is Track 18 on Disc 1)

15. Say You - KEN BOOTHE (1968 Jamaican 7" single on High Note S. 1, A-side)

16. (It's) So Hard Without You - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) (1968 Jamaican 7" single on Gay Feet S. 156, A-side)

17. Swing And Dine - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1139, A-side - B-side is Track 3, Disc 2)

18. Tell Me Baby - DELANO STEWART (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1138, B-side of "That's Life" - copies also on JJ Records DB 1138 - A-side is Track 14 on Disc 1)

19. A Little Nut Tree - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1125, A-side - B-side is Track 7, Disc 2)

20. I Need Your Loving - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1124, B-side of "It's Hard To Confess", A-side is Track 1, Disc 2)

21. Great '68 - MARVA MOORE & THE GAYSTERS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Pep Records S. 13, A-side)

22. Check Up - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 005, A-side - B-side is Track 5, Disc 2)

23. Top Cat - LESLIE BUTLER [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 008, A-side)

24. Wake Up To Reality - GLEN BROWN & DAVE BARKER (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, Tip Top Record Center, A-side)

25. Fire In Your Wire - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONAIRES (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 007, A-side)

26. Revival - LESLIE BUTLER with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 009, A-side)

27. Over The Rainbow's End - THE GAYLADS (November 1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 009, B-side of "Revival")

28. Devil Woman - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7"single, Tip Top Record Centre, A-side)

Disc 2 (79:16 minutes):

1. It's Hard To Confess - THE GAYLADS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1124, A-side - B-side is Track 20, Disc 1)

2. Ethiopian Kingdom - RONALD DOWNER [and COUNT OSSIE] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1130, A-side - B-side is Track 6, Disc 2)

3. I Could Be A King - THE MELODIANS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1139, B-side of "Swing And Dine" - A-side is Track 17, Disc 1)

4. I've Done You Wrong - THE CONQUERERS (2018, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

5. I'll Come Back - AL & THE VIBRATORS (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 005, B-side of "Check Up" - A-side is Track 22, Disc 1)

6. A Ju Ju Wah - RONALD DOWNER [and COUNT OSSIE] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1130, B-side of "Ethiopian Kingdom" - A-side is Track 2, Disc 2)

7. You Are My Only Love - THE MELODIANS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1125, B-side of "A Little Nut Tree" - A-side is Track 19, Disc 1)

8. Let's Get Together - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, no label or cata no. - B-side of "Cross My Heart" - A-side is Track 11, Disc 2)

9. Little Flea - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with LENNIE HIBBERT & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor DB 1122, A-side - B-side is Track 22, Disc 2)

10. Give Me Bread - THE TENORS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Gay Feet S. 148, A-side - B-side is "Gee Whiz", Track 13, Disc 2)

11. Cross My Heart - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS  (1968 JAMAICAN Promo-Only 7" single, no label or cata no., A-side - B-side is "Let's Get Together", Track 8, Disc 2)

12. We Will Live And Love - CARLTON MANNING (1968 Recording, No Original UK or Jamaican Issue)

13. Gee Whiz - THE TENORS & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 JAMAICAN 7" single on Gay Feet S. 148, B-side to "Give Me Bread", Track 10, Disc 2)

14. Miss Cushie - JUNIOR SOUL [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1112, A-side -B-side is "Dr. Paul", Track 17, Disc 2)

15. Young Wings Can Fly - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1118, A-side (a Ruby & The Romantic cover) - B-side is "I'm Moving On", Track 18, Disc 2)

16. Adults Only - DERMOT LYNCH with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1115, A-side - B-side is "Cool It, Track 19, Disc 2)

17. Dr Paul (aka "Smokey Places") - LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1112, B-side to "Miss Cushie", A-side is Track 14, Disc 2)

18. I'm Moving On - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1118, B-side of "Young Wings Can Fly" - A-side is Track 15, Disc 2)

19. Cool It - DERMOT LYNCH with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1115, B-side of "Adults Only" - A-side is Track 16, Disc 2)

20. Come Let Us Dance - THE CONQUERERS [with LYNN TAITT & THE JETS] (1968 recording, no details available)

21. Anything You Want - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS [with Dudley Williamson] (UK 1968 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1117, B-side of "Coming On The Scene" - A-side is Track 24, Disc 2)

22. The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni) - PATSY (MILLICENT TODD) with LENNIE HERBERT & LYNN TAITT & THE JETS (1968 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1122, B-side of "Little Flea" - A-side is Track 9, Disc 2)

23. I'm Yours Forever - THE SOUL LADS (2018, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

24. Coming On The Scene - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS [with Dudley Williamson] (UK 1968 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1117, A-side - B-side is "Anything You Want", Track 21, Disc 2)

25. Lonesome Lover - AL & THE VIBRATORS with THE FUGITIVES (1967 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB 1085, B-side of "Move Up")

26. Soul Drums - LESLIE BUTLER & COUNT OSSIE (1968 UK 7" single on High Note HS 001, B-side of "ABC Rock Steady" by The Gaylads, Track 13, Disc 1)

27. Call Of The Drums - JOHNNY & THE ATTRACTIONS (1971 UK Promo-Only 7" single on High Note HS 056 [1968 Sonia Pottinger recording], B-side of "Unbelievable Sounds" by Scotty)

Not surprisingly the 16-page colour booklet is festooned with period goodies – Page 5 has a whole wall of nine Gay Feet and High Note Jamaican pressings with their battered and barely legible credits - while Page 9 gives us the British contingent – the distinctive green and yellow mottled labels of Doctor Bird and cool-looking plain white High Note singles of rare early issues like HS 003 and HS 007. Saxophonist Roland Alphonso looks too busy to talk, hep Guitarist Lynn Taitt of The Jets has a colour face pose where he looks like Robert Johnson with those long fingers, Ken Boothe throws a happy dancer pose, Patsy Todd looks classy like Tammi Terrell and The Gaylads look pensive - wondering why they warrant only a black and white publicity shot no doubt. Only organist Aubrey Adams loses out on the pics...

There are local flyers for dances on New Year’s Day, shop counter release sheets, and even an advert for the Jamaican pressing of the mainly instrumental long-playing microgroove LP on Gay Feet Records with teacher impressing her class of eager Kingston female students on the benefits of ABC Rocksteady for your complexion (the UK and Jamaican labels of Sides 1 and 2 of the LP get a page to themselves). The whole shebang has been compiled and managed by Reggae aficionado LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT who co-wrote “Young Gifted & Black: The Story Of Trojan Records” and has compiled huge swaths of Trojan’s catalogue including the magnificent "Trojan 50" mega box set of 2018 (see separate review). With quality ANDY PEARCE mastering – the whole project reeks of class. For sure the audio dips here and there as is the nature of Reggae recordings (I detected a vinyl dub on occasion says El Supremo) – but in the main it’s incredibly clean and full of beans. To the music...

It opens with Roland Alphonso giving it some Herb Alpert type jabs on his ABC saxophone while his Originals Orchestra bring home the fabulous instrumental. The infectious dancers continue on "That’s Life" – Aubrey Adams and her organ dominating the warm summer vibe – and already its easy to see why this LP was such a monster – it’s such great fun. Booker T & The MGs get their "Hip Hug Her" turned into a Reggae organ instrumental while The Webber Sisters (Merlene and Cynthia) add some much-needed vocals to "Say You" and "A Little Nut Tree" – the latter a Biblical tale of lovers under shaded trees. The Ken Boothe hit "Starlight" gets a Nat King Cole hazy-lazy-days brass makeover with Leslie Butler taking over organ duties from Aubrey Adams while Vibraphones end the album on a cover of a 1965 Johnny Lytle tune "The Loop" now upgraded to a new title - "Pure Soul".

The Gaylads take the album instrumental of "ABC Rock Steady" and add their cat on the fiddle and the cow jumped over the moon lyrics for the single version on the first High Note 45. Singer Delano Stewart does the same to the LP’s Side 1 groover "That’s Life" – adding words of woe about fighting with all your might. Ken Boothe does the same to "Say You" – lyrics giving the backbeat a huge lift and more commercial feel (come back and be my best friend). Of the others on Disc 1 – dancers will love "Top Cat" – an organ grinder by Leslie Butler with Guitarist Lynn Taitt that could easily have been on Volume 2 of "ABC Rock Steady" – while Millicent Todd (patsy) warns us in the frantic calypso rhythm of "Fire In Your Wire" (were hearing you Millie – we may not understand a word you’re saying – but we’re hearing you). But my fave is the wobbly Leslie Butler organ of "Revival" where Lynn lays down a fantastic (and clearly mastered) groove that will have you donning a straw hat and sashaying in the sand.

Disc 2 opens with The Gaylads wishing they'd said yes in "It's Hard To Confess" (great audio) while The Melodians reckon they could rule over all they survey in "I Could Be A King". I like the groove Johnny & The Attractions get in "Let's Get Together" (dancing all night long) while The Tenors seem glad to have a chance with you in their "Gee Whiz". And on it goes to Dermot Lynch telling punters to "Cool It" while he rocks it steady and feels alright...

For sure you could argue that this is in fact more Saxophone stabbing grooves than a body needs, but that doesn't stop "ABC Rock Steady" from being another feather in Doctor Bird's reissue cap...

2017 and 2018 Doctor Bird Records CD Reissues
(Featuring Larges Amounts of Trojan Records, Treasure Isle, Pama 60s & 70s etc)

1. BOB ANDY & MARCIA GRIFFITHS - Young, Gifted And Black/Pied Pier (May 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-014 - Barcode 5013929271432)

2. ERROL BROWN/THE REVOLUTIONAIRES – Dubb Everlasting/Dub Expression [1977 and 1978 High Note 2LPs on 1CD] (November 2017, Doctor Bird DBCD-07 – Barcode 5013929270732)

3. DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS – Double Barrel (June 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-016 - Barcode 5013929271630)

4. DESMOND DECKER & THE ACES – Action!/Intensified (August 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCD-025 – Barcode 5013929272538)

5. DESMOND DEKKER – You Can Get It If You Really Want (September 2018 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-015 - Barcode 5013929271531)

6. DESMOND DEKKER – Double Dekker [1973 UK 2LP set onto 1CD] (November 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-018 – Barcode 5013929271838)

7. PHYLLIS DILLON – One Life To Live (September 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-021 – Barcode 5013929272132)

8. ETHIOPIANS – Reggae Power/Woman Capture Man (January 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-10 – Barcode 5013929271036)

9. MARCIA GRIFFITHS – Naturally/Steppin’ [1978 and 1979 2LPs on 1CD] (August 2017 CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-002 – Barcode 5013929270237)

10. DERRICK HARRIOTT & THE CRYSTALITES – Psychedelic Train (October 2017 CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-05 – Barcode 5013929270534)

11. HARRY J. ALL STARS - Liquidator (June 2008 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-012 - Barcode 5013929271234)

12. JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES – From Jamaica With Reggae (February 2018 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-09 – Barcode 5013929270930)

13. THE KINGSTONIANS – Sufferer (September 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-03 – Barcode 5013929270336)

14. THE MAYTALS – Monkey Man/From The Roots (July 2018 2LPs on 1CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-017 – Barcode 5013929271739)

15. THE PIONEERS – Long Shot/Battle Of The Giants (September 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-019 – Barcode 5013929271937)

16. THE UNIQUES - Absolutely The...Uniques (January 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-011 - Barcode 5013929271135)

17. THE UPSETTERS – The Upsetter/Scratch The Upsetter Again (October 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-022 – Barcode 5013929272231)

18. THE UPSETTERS – Return Of Django/Eastwood Rides Again (May 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-013 - Barcode 5013929271333)

19. VARIOUS – Dancing Down Orange Street [Trojan 1969 LP] (September 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-04 – Barcode 5013929270435)

20. VARIOUS – Gay Feet, Every Night (October 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-06 – Barcode 5013929270633)

21. VARIOUS – Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae/Reggay At Its Best (October 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-030 – Barcode 5013929273030)

22. VARIOUS – Hot Shots Of Reggae (November 2017 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-08 – Barcode 5013929270831)

23. VARIOUS – King Size Reggae (November 2018, Doctor Bird DBCD-026 – Barcode 5013929272637)

24. VARIOUS – No More Heartaches/What Am I To Do? [2LPs from 1969 and 1970 onto 1CD] (August 2017, Doctor Bird DBCD-01 – Barcode 5013929270138)

25. VARIOUS [Duke Reid and Treasure Isle Productions] – Soul Of Jamaica/Here Comes The Duke (August 2018 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-024 – Barcode 5013929272439)

2019 Doctor Bird Records CD Reissues

1. ROLAND ALPHANSO & THE ORIGINAL ORCHESTRA – ABC Rock Steady (April 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 43 Bonus Tracks, Doctor Bird DBCDD-023 – Barcode 5013929272330)

2. DENNIS BROWN – Just Dennis/Deep Down (April 2019 2CD Expanded Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-027 – Barcode 5013929272736)

3. ERROL BROWN & THE REVOLUTIONARIES – Culture Dub & Medley Dub (12 July 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 25 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-038 – Barcode 5013929273832)

4. ERROL BROWN & THE SUPERSONICS – The Treasure Dub Albums Collection (13 September 2019 2CD Expanded Set with Eight Previously Unreleased, Doctor Bird DBCDD-043 – Barcode 5013929274334)

5. ALTON ELLIS – Greatest Hits/Mr. Soul Of Jamaica [known as Greatest Hits in the UK] (11 October 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 47 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-045 – Barcode 5013929274532)

6. THE ETHIOPIANS – Engine No. 5 (17 May 2019 1CD Expanded Set with 17 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-035 – Barcode 5013929273535)

7. THE GAYLADS – Fire And Rain (14 June 2019 1CD Expanded Set with 13 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-036 – Barcode 5013929273634)

8. JOHN HOLT – Like A Bolt (January 2019 Expanded CD, Doctor Bird DBCD-029 – Barcode 5013929272934)

9. THE MELODIANS – Rivers Of Babylon (9 August 2019 Expanded 1CD Set with 15 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCD-041 – Barcode 5013929274136)

10. DERRICK MORGAN – Moon Hop/Derrick Morgan In London (April 2019 Expanded 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-032 – Barcode 5013929273238)

11. DERRICK MORGAN – Derrick Morgan And His Friends (12 July 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 24 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-039 – Barcode 5013929273931)

12. SONIA POTTINGER – Put On Your Best Dress: Ska & Rock Steady 1966-1967 (14 June 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 35 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-037 – Barcode 5013929273733)

13. LORD TANAMO & FRIENDS – Festival Jump-Up [1965] (15 November 2019 Expanded 2CD Reissue of 1965 LP with 40 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-046 – Barcode 5013929274631)

14. LINVAL THOMPSON – The Linval Thompson Trojan Roots Album Collection [including two LPs by Big Joe & The Trinity called “African Princess” and “Rock In The Ghetto” and one Linval Thompson LP called “I Love Marijuana”) (11 October 2019 Expanded 2CD Set with 10 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-044 – Barcode 5013929274433)

15. LINVAL THOMPSON & THE REVOLUTIONAIRES – Negrea Love Dub/Outlaw Dub [1978 and 1979] (15 November 2019 Reissue featuring 2LPs onto 1CD (no bonus), Doctor Bird DBCD-047 – Barcode 5013929274730)

16. THE UPSETTERS featuring LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY – Clint Eastwood/Many Moods Of The Upsetters (April 2019 2CD Expanded Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-034 – Barcode 5013929273436)

17. VARIOUS – The Down Town Albums Collection [Down Town Label] (February 2019 2CD Set, Doctor Bird Records DBCDD-020 - Barcode 5013929272033)

18. VARIOUS – Gay Jamaican Independence Time – Boom Sha-Ka-La (17 May 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 35 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-028 – Barcode 5013929272835)

19. VARIOUS – Greatest Jamaican Beat... (March 2019 2CD Set, Doctor Bird DBCDD-033 – Barcode 5013929273337)

20. VARIOUS – Independence Jump Up Calypso (9 August 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 46 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-040 – Barcode 5013929274037)

21. VARIOUS – The Treasure Isle Ska Albums Collection (January 2019 2CD Set [4LPs and more], Doctor Bird DBCDD-031 – Barcode 5013929273139)

22. VARIOUS – You Can’t Wine/Music Alone Shall Live (13 September 2019 2CD Expanded Set with 33 Bonus, Doctor Bird DBCDD-042 - Barcode 5013929274235)

"Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" by VARIOUS (June 2006 UK Rhino/Elektra Reissue - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Psychotic Reaction..."

Whenever we bought in a decent vinyl collection in Reckless (and usually from a guy of a certain age), we would get misty-eyed leering down at this fabulous American-based double-album released in 1972. Even two decades ago it regularly went for over £50 (when that was pricey) and had an almost semi-mythical reputation – often only lasting minutes on our swinging-dick display wall.

Not surprising then that reissue kings Rhino have singled out "Nuggets..." as worthy of its own Mini LP Repro Artwork and Remaster. Let's get psyched...

UK released June 2006 - "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-2 (Barcode 5051011241925) is a reissue/remaster of a 27-Track 1972 double album originally on Elektra Records (USA and Germany) that plays out as follows (76:29 minutes):

1. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (November 1966 US 7" single on Reprise 0532, A-side)

2. Dirty Water - THE STANDELLS (November 1965 US 7" single on Tower 185, A-side)

3. Night Time - THE STRANGELOVES (January 1966 US 7" single on Bang Records B-514, A-side)

4. Lies - THE KNICKERBOCKERS (November 1965 US 7" single on Challenge 59321, A-side)

5. Respect - THE VAGRANTS (Mono) (March 1967 US 7" single on Atco 45-6473, B-side of "I Love, Love You (Yes I Do)"

6. A Public Execution - MOUSE (Mono) (February 1966 US 7" single on Fraternity F-956, A-side)

7. No Time Like The Right Time - THE BLUES PROJECT (February 1967 US 7" single on Verve Forecast KF 5040, A-side - written by Al Kooper)

8. Oh Yeah! - THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (May 1966 US 7" single on Dunwich DX 122, A-side)

9. Pushin' Too Hard - THE SEEDS featuring Sky Saxon (July 1966 US 7" single on G.N.P. Crescendo GNP 372, A-side)

10. Moulty - THE BARBARIANS (Mono) (January 1966 US 7" single on Laurie LR 3326, A-side)

11. Don't Look Back - THE REMAINS (Mono) (August 1966 US 7" single on Epic 5-10060, A-side)

12. An Invitation To Cry - THE MAGICIANS (Mono) (November 1965 US 7" single on Columbia 4-43435, A-side)

13. Liar, Liar - THE CASTAWAYS (June 1965 US 7" single on Soma 1433, A-side)

14. You're Gonna Miss Me - THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR ELEVATORS (Mono) (May 1966 US 7" single on International Artists IA-107, A-side)

15. Psychotic Reaction - COUNT FIVE (July 1966 US 7" single on Double Shot 104, A-side)

16. Hey Joe - THE LEAVES (Mono) (April 1966 US 7" single on Mira 222, A-side)

17. Romeo And Juliet - MICHAEL & THE MESSENGERS (Mono) (June 1967 US 7" single on U.S.A. Records 874, A-side)

18. Sugar And Spice - THE CRYAN SHAMES (Mono) (June 1966 US 7" single on Destination 624, A-side)

19. Baby Please Don't Go - THE AMBOY DUKES (January 1968 US 7" single on Mainstream 676, A-side)

20. Tobacco Road - BLUES MAGOOS (June 1966 US 7" single on Mercury 72590, A-side)

21. Let's Talk About Girls - THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (from the 1967 LP "No Way Out" on Tower Records ST-5096 in Stereo)

22. Sit Down, I Think I Love You - THE MOJO MEN (Mono) (December 1966 US 7" single on Reprise 0539, A-side - Buffalo Springfield cover, song written by Stephen Stills)

23. Run, Run, Run - THE THIRD RAIL (Mono) (June 1967 US 7" single on Epic 5-10191, A-side)

24. My World Fell Down - SAGITTARIUS (Mono) (May 1967 US 7" single on Columbia 4-44163, A-side)

25. Open My Eyes - NAZZ (July 1968 US 7" single on SGC Records 45-001, A-side)

26. Farmer John - THE PREMIERS (May 1964 US 7" single on Warner Brothers 5443, A-side)

27. It's-A-Happening - THE MAGIC MUSHROOMS (Mono) (September 1966 US 7" single on A&M Records 815, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 27 are the double-album "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" - released December 1972 in the USA on Elektra Records 7E-2006 (no UK release).

Tracks 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 27 in MONO

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25 and 26 in STEREO

There is also a remastered 2LP VINYL issue from 2006 on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-1 (Barcode 5051011241918)

The gatefold card sleeve apes the original gatefold vinyl double-album - wisely taking compiler Lenny Kaye's band-by-band liner notes off the unreadable inner sleeve and making them very readable in the chockers 24-page booklet. There are label repros of those of rare American sevens (pictures sleeves for The Magicians, The Strangeloves and The Electric Prunes) whilst the occasional British LP and UK 45 show up too. It's a beautifully in-depth affair and the ALAN SILVERMAN Remasters deliver too - punchy and full of grunge attitude (2LPs remastered in full onto 1CD). And Rhino have even reproduced the 'Something Out Of The Ordinary' Elektra Records inner bag that came with late 1972 originals (to house the CD on side of the gatefold) – nice attention to detail and respect to Kaye and his rather brill little double-bubble of 60ts trouble. To the happening music...

The fabulous "An Invitation to Cry" by The Magicians is a gem - the band containing Allan Jacobs who would become Bunky and later Jake & The Family Jewels. I've raved about their melodic brilliance and reviewed a superb Sundazed CD compilation named after their song here which also contains "I'll Tell the World About You" - covered beautifully by Joe Walsh on his 1972 debt solo album "Barnstorm" - a Magicians ballad. Texan Rocky Ericson headed up The Thirteen Floor Elevators and penned the cool inclusion here of "You're Gonna Miss Me". The legendary first album on International Artists has been bootlegged so many times because originals are so scarce and valuable - Rhino reproducing the yeah-man "...look closely at the cube of sugar I have clutched in my hand..." liner notes to that LP on Page 14 of the packed booklet. But surely everyone's crave has to be the snot-nosed groovy brilliance of "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five who boasted future editor Greg Shaw of "Who Put The Bomp" and whose classic raver even got a release on Pye International in Blighty (7N.25393 being a £75+ 45 rpm rarity).

Dino Valenti's "Hey Joe" gets probably the best 60ts version from The Leaves (Bobby Arlin would go on to be in Hook while Jim Pons would join The Turtles and later the Mothers). Michael & The Messengers took a cover of The Reflections song "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" (a 1964 hit for the Detroit group on Golden World Records GW 9), dropping the bracketed beginning, and made a fair fist of it too. The cool-but-gimmick named Chicago group The Cryan Shames took an old English toast and marmalade Searchers pop-hit "Sugar And Spice" and gave it some US razzle - first issued on the independent Destination Records label only to see the mighty Columbia thereafter take the Shames baton. And no doubt that Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes were listening to Van Morrison's THEM for "Baby Please Don't Go" rather than the Joe Williams original - a right raver in 1967.

John Loudermilk gave Blues Magoos another Greenwich Village cafe yeah-yeah moment in their cover of his famous rocker "Tobacco Road" - very cool stuff on Mercury Records in June 1966. Artie Resnick co-wrote "Good Lovin'" with Rudy Clark and gifted a monster hit to The Young Rascals - for his own band The Third Rail he came up with "Run, Run, Run" - co-penned with his wife and that bubblegum pop purveyor Joey Levine. And while it feels more Sunshine Pop than Psych, I'd argue its a cool inclusion - rounded off at the end of the compilation by Todd Rundgren's Nazz doing the brill "Open My Eyes" and Gary Usher's Sagittarius - another with-it yeah-baby band that was getting all Zodiac and Horse-Man with a bow-and-arrow on us in the summer of 1967.

Very cool and even in 2019, very cheap too – often at less than a fiver of your pre-Brexit remainer pounds. Get your Original Artyfacts here folks and remember people (as The Thirteenth Floor Elevators liner notes wisely inform us) - "...take on the superficial aspects of the quest..."

I do man, I do...