"Walk In The Night: The Motown 70s Studio Albums" by JR. WALKER and THE ALL STARS - Including The Albums "A Gasssss" (1970 USA and UK), "Rainbow Funk" (1971 USA, 1972 UK), "Moody Jr." (1972 USA and UK), "Peace And Understanding Is Hard To Find" (1973 USA and UK), "Jr. Walker & The All Stars" (1975 UK) and "Hot Shot" (1976 USA and UK) – Featuring Johnny Bristol and Gladys Knight (24 May 2019 UK SoulMusic Records Clamshell Box Set – 6LPs onto 3CDs - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Groove Thang..."

The big sell here for Saxophone and Soul Instrumental fans is the official reissue (for the first time) of six Motown albums covering Jr. Walker's primo period at the Home of Young America – 1970 to 1976 - issued on Gordy's Soul Records label imprint Stateside and on Tamla Motown in the UK (one of them from 1974 only available in Blighty).

And it has to be said that SoulMusic Records of the UK (part of Cherry Red) has done a very sweet job with this 2019 reissue (and at an affordable price too). There's a walk-in wardrobe-full of detail to wade through, so let's have ourselves an all-star gas and groove thang (if you catch my drift)…

UK released Friday, 24 May 2019 - "Walk In The Night: The Motown 0s Studio Albums" by Jr. WALKER and THE ALL STARS on SoulMusic Records SMCR5183BX (Barcode 5013929088337) is a Clamshell Box Set featuring Six Albums Remastered onto 3CDs (with booklet) that plays out as follows:

Jr. WALKER and THE ALL STARS - SIX ALBUMS:

Disc 1 (74:43 minutes):

1. Do You See My Love (For You Growing) [Side 1]

2. And When I Die

3. I Was Made To Love Her

4. Carry Your Own Load

5. Shut Up, Don't Interrupt Me

6. Groove And Move

7. Holly Holy [Side 2]

8. Honey Come Back

9. Riding High On Love

10. Hey Jude

11. At A Saturday Matinee

Tracks 1 to 11 are his ninth album "A Gasssss" - released October 1970 in the USA on Soul Records SS 726 and November 1970 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11167. Produced by JOHNNY BRISTOL - it peaked at No. 28 on the US R&B LP charts (none of Walker's albums charted in the UK top 50)

12. Way Back Home - Instrumental [Side 1]

13. Take Me Girl, I'm Ready

14. Feeling Alright

15. Right On Brothers And Sisters

16. Teach Them To Pray

17. Something [Side 2]

18. Psychedelic Shack

19. Pieces Of A Man

20. These Things Will Keep Me Loving You

Tracks 12 to 20 are his tenth album "Rainbow Funk" - released July 1971 in the USA on Soul Records SS 732L and February 1972 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11198. Produced by JOHNNY BRISTOL - it peaked at No. 12 on the US R&B LP charts

Disc 2 (72:16 minutes):

1. Way Back Home - Vocal [Side 1]

2. I Don't Want To Do Wrong

3. Bristol's Way

4. Don't Blame The Children

5. Me And My Family

6. Groove Thang

7. Still Water Medley

8. Never Can Say Goodbye

9. Walk In The Night

10. Moody Junior

Tracks 1 to 10 are his eleventh album "Moody Jr." - released January 1972 in the USA on Soul Records SS 733L and August 1972 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11211. Produced by JOHNNY BRISTOL - it peaked at No. 22 on the US R&B LP charts

11. I Ain't Going Nowhere [Side 1]

12. I Don't Need No Reason

13. It's Alright, Do What You Gotta Do

14. It's Too Late

15. Soul Clappin'

16. I Can See Clearly Now [Side 2]

17. Gimme That Beat (Part 1)

18. Gimme That Beat (Part 2)

19. Country Boy

20. Peace And Understanding (Is Hard To Find)

Tracks 11 to 20 are his twelfth album "Peace And Understanding Is Hard To Find" - released May 1973 in the USA on Soul Records S S38L and July 1973 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11234 (it peaked at No. 47 on the US R&B LP charts)

Disc 3 (78:35 minutes):

1. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life [Side 1]

2. All In Love Is Fair

3. Killing Me Softly With This Song

4. My Love

5. Boogie Down [Side 2]

6. I Ain't That Easy To Lose

7. Dancin' Like They Do On Soul Train

8. Break Down And Sing

9. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I Gonna Do)

Tracks 1 to 9 are his thirteenth album "Jr. Walker & The All Stars" - recorded in 1974, it was released July 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11274 (no US issue)

10. I'm So Glad [Side 1]

11. Why Can't We Be Lovers

12. You Ain't No Ordinary Woman

13. Just Can't Get Enough

14. Love (Keep Us Together) [Side 2]

15. I Need You Right Now

16. Probe Your Mind

17. Don't Lose What You Got (Trying To Get Back What You Had)

18. Hot Shot

Tracks 10 to 18 are his fourteenth album "Hot Shot" - released February 1976 in the USA on Soul Records S6-745S1 and March 1976 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12018 (it peaked at No. 45 on the US R&B LP charts)

Jr. WALKER and THE ALL STARS - SINGLES:

1. Do You See My Love (For You Growing) [Edit] b/w Groove And Move

17 June 1970 US 7" single on Soul S 35073

25 September 1970 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 750

2. Holly Holy b/w Carry Your Own Load

24 November 1970 US 7" single on Soul S 35081 [A-side is a Neil Diamond cover]

21 September 1973 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 872

(UK single used the 1973 song "Peace And Understanding Is Hard To Find" as its B-side with the 1970 song on the A)

3. Take Me Girl, I'm Ready b/w Right On Brothers And Sisters

8 July 1971 US 7" single on Soul S 35084F

12 January 1973 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 840 with "I Don't Want To Do No Wrong" on the B-side

4. Way Back Home (Vocal) b/w Way Back Home (Instrumental)

4 November 1971 US 7" single on Soul S 35090F

1 June 1973 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 857 (some UK copies have "Country Boy" as an extra track on the B)

5. Walk In The Night b/w I Don't Want To Do No Wrong

29 February 1972 US 7" single on Soul S 35095F

21 July 1972 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 824

(UK issues have "Right On Brothers And Sisters" and "Gotta Hold On To This Feeling" as its B-sides

6. Groove Thang b/w Me And My Family

June 1972 US 7" single on Soul S 35097F

7. Gimme That Beat (Part 1) b/w Gimme That Beat (Part 2)

11 January 1973 US 7" single on Soul S 35104F

8. I Don't Need No Reason b/w Country Boy

1 May 1973 US 7" single on Soul S 35106F

9. Peace And Understanding Is Hard To Find b/w Soul Clappin'

3 July 1973 US 7" single on Soul S 35108F

(for UK issue of "Peace And Understanding..." see "Holly Holy" entry from 1970)

10. Don't Blame The Children b/w Soul Clappin'

1 February 1974 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 889

11. Gotta Hold On To This Feeling b/w I Ain't Going Nowhere

19 April 1974 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 894

12. Dancing Like They Do On Soul Train b/w I Ain't That Easy To Lose

9 May 1974 US 7" single on Soul S 35110F

13. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life b/w Until You Come Back (That's What I Gonna Do) - UNRELEASED

July 1974 US 7" single on Soul S 35114S - UNRELEASED

14. What Does It Take To Win Your Love b/w Country Boy

May 1975 US 7" single on Motown M 1352F

24 October 1980 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 962

(UK B-side is Take Me Girl, I'm Ready)

15. I'm So Glad b/w Soul Clappin'

5 January 1976 US 7" single on Soul S 35116F

23 April 1976 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 1027

(UK B-side was "Dancin' Like They Do On Soul Train"

16. You Ain't No Ordinary Woman b/w Hot Shot

27 May 1976 US 7" single on Soul S 35118F

17. I Ain't Going Nowhere b/w B1. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)? B2. Take Me Girl, I'm Ready

6 May 1977 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 1070

18. Walk In The Night b/w I Need You Right Now

1 September 1978 UK 7" single on Tamla Motown TMG 1118

(B-side is Jr. Walker with Thelma Houston)

The card-sleeves cleverly double-up the albums so the CD cover features the front sleeves and A-sides of both LPs – the rear CD card sleeve has Side 2 of each and their rear album artwork. The 24-page booklet boasts seriously in-depth liner notes from SHARON DAVIS as well as page after page of 45 labels and foreign picture sleeves peppering the text. There are track-by-track credits that mention American 45 issues where relevant and other reissue credits. NICK ROBBINS of Ace Records fame handled the remasters and they sound great – very punchy – the rhythm sections kicking your speaker cones with bad intent. As this is a Studio Albums set, his first LP of the Seventies from May 1970 "…Live" is not included and although the single "What Does It Take To Win Your Love" is not in this box, I’ve included it because the B-side is. Let’s get to the music…

The multiple-times 's' Gas LP opens with a total winner "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" penned by the mighty dancing duo of Johnny Bristol and Jacky Beavers - Juniors well-underrated lead vocal sending its joyous dancer groove to No. 3 on the US R&B charts (what you get here is the Stereo LP cut - the mono single version is only on "The Complete Motown Singles Volume 10: 1970" book pack from 2008). Not so sure about Neil Diamond's "Holly Holy" or The Beatles "Hey Jude" but his take on Laura Nyro's "And When I Die" shows a smart head. But my poison is the instrumental sax-strutter "Groove And Move" followed quickly by the old-time Motown do-do Northern Soul vibe of "Riding High On Love"  (a co-write with Edwin Starr).  

Penned by Wilton Felder of The Crusaders - the second LP's irrepressibly catchy "Way Back Home" turns in both Instrumental and Vocal form on this set - the first being closest to that Jazz-Funk sound we're used to - the ladies cleverly harmonizing all the way to the close with "...way back home..." refrains. Gladys Knight would have a hand in the lyrics to the vocal take of "Way Back Home" on the third LP in this set "Moody Jr.". You can so here why Tamla UK used "Take Me Girl, I'm Ready" on so many single-sides - its lovely shuffling rhythms and Walker vocal being like honey to Northern Soul bees. And once again the fabulous Dave Mason classic he did for Traffic "Feeling Alright" gets another cover though I'd personally reach for the wah-wah geetars of The Temps' "Psychedelic Shack" where Junior manics up the Funk pace to clever effect before his 'do your thang' vocal comes in.

Highlights for "Moody Jr." album include the 'I just can't help myself' girly smooch of "I Don't Want To Do No Wrong", the hard Funk pump behind "Groove Thang" and the almost Blaxploitation feel to "Walk In The Night" as it Barry White's its groovy posterior across your mind's movie screen. Walker once again upbeats his Soul to chart-winning effect with "I Ain't Going Nowhere" - a dancer with gravel vocals and his trademark saxophone dancing over the top. Carole King's magisterial "Tapestry" took 1971 by storm and its hardly surprising that many Soul and Rock acts leaped on the inherent Soulfulness inside one of its Grammy winners "It's Too Late" - Walker giving it a dirty shame vocal before he assures us there'll be good times once again for me and you. We get a wee bit JB with the two-part Funk of "Gimme That Beat" where he asks y’all to have a ball (ok junior) - but for my money the Willie Hutch tune "It's Alright, Do What you Gotta Do" is far better than the promise of musical greatness in the title song "Peace And Understanding…" The last two records simply deliver more of the same…

Not everything on here is Aretha or Marvin or Donny H magical – and Walker could be accused of hacking the same sound over and over again – but within these six long forgotten platters are nuggets I’ve so enjoyed rediscovering and that’s a tip-top recommendation in my patch…

"Nothing But The Truth: 3 Motown Albums On 2CDs Plus Bonus Tracks" by THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Includes Their First, Third and Fourth Albums on Gordy Records (USA) and Tamla Motown (UK) - "The Undisputed Truth" (July 1971 USA, February 1972 UK), "Law Of The Land" (June 1973 USA, September 1973 UK), "Down To Earth" (August 1974 USA, January 1975 UK) Plus Six Bonus Single Sides – Featuring Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Evans with Production, Arrangements and Musical Direction from Norman Whitfield (25 August 2017 Ace Records/Kent Soul 2CD Anthology – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Just My Speed..."

INCLUDING THE ALBUMS 
"The Undisputed Truth" (US Debut Album, US 1971, UK 1972)
"Law Of The Land" (Third Album, US and UK 1973)
"Down To Earth" (Fourth Album, 1974 USA, 1975 UK)

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah!

Amidst my coveted original vinyl LPs lies the rear sleeve of a debut album from 1971 with a cool duderino and his two hipster girl-cats walking in some American park - all multi-coloured jackets, leather onesies, bellbottoms and satellite-receiving afros looking so damn right on man - it hurts. The album is "The Undisputed Truth" by The Undisputed Truth and the bodies are the three lead vocalists - Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Evans. 


The two ladies of TUT (Calvin and Evans) emerged from a Sixties Girl Group called The Delicates while Harris had been on the scene since 1962 - first with The Fabulous Peps and later joining The Ohio Untouchables who would go on to become the hugely successful Ohio Players - major Soul players in the Seventies. The other key element came in the shape of Motown's rebel-child Writer, Producer and Arranger Norman Whitfield and his work with The Temptations as they re-wrote the R 'n' B playbook by practically inventing Psychedelic Soul/Funk With A Message For The People. Let the music take me higher indeed...

Ace Records of the UK have used their Kent-Soul label imprint for some seriously revered releases before - the 2008 "Take Me To The River" Book Set for instance and its two 3CD Book sequels "The Fame Studio..." from 2011 and "Back To The River - More Southern Soul" from 2015. Or even the five compilations in their Dave Godin Soul Treasures Tribute Series for instance. But if I'm to be a truthful Christmas bunny, then this little twofer from 2017 is the peach I return to most. The Temptations were fabulous too throughout this period - but there's just something cooler about The Undisputed Truth that makes me want to seek out everything they ever did. There's a lot of smiling faces (sometimes) to get through, so here goes...

UK released Friday, 25 August 2017 - "Nothing But The Truth: 3 Motown Albums On 2CDs Plus Bonus Tracks" by THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH on Ace/Kent-Soul CDTOP2 469 (Barcode 029667084628) is a 2CD Anthology offering three American Gordy Records albums from 1971, 1973 and 1974 (1972, 1973 and 1975 UK on Tamla Motown) plus Six Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows:

CD1 (69:38 minutes):

1. You Got The Love I Need [Side 1]

2. Save My Love For A Rainy Day

3. California Soul

4. Aquarius

5. Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)

6. Smiling Faces Sometimes [Side 2]

7. We've Got A Way Out Love

8. Since I've Lost You

9. Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone

10. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

11. Like A Rolling Stone

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "The Undisputed Truth" - released July 1971 in the USA on Gordy G-955L and February 1972 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11197 (Stereo). Produced by NORMAN WHITFIELD - it peaked at No. 7 on the US R&B charts (didn't chart UK)

12. Law Of The Land [Side 1]

13. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

14. Girl You're Alright

15. Killing Me Softly With His Song

16. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

17. This Child Needs Its Father

Tracks 12 to 17 are Side 1 of their third album "Law Of The Land" - released June 1973 in the USA on Gordy G 963L and September 1973 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11240 (Stereo) - peaked at No. 52 in the US R&B charts (didn't chart UK). Their second album "Face To Face With The Undisputed Truth" released February 1972 in the USA on Gordy G-959L and July 1972 in the UK on Tamla Motown STMA 8004 is not covered by this 2017 Ace release (is available separately - see my review).

CD2 (70:20 minutes):

1. Mama I Gotta Brand New Thing (Don't Say No) [Side 2]

2. Feelin' Alright?

3. Love And Happiness

4. With A Little Help From my Friends

5. If I Die

6. Walk On By

Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 2 of their third album "Law Of The Land" (see Disc 1)

7. Help Yourself [Side 1]

8. Big John Is My Name

9. Brother Louie

10. I'm A Fool For You

11. Our Day Will Come

12. Just You 'N' Me [Side 2 - see Notes below]

13. The Girl's Alright With Me

Tracks 7 to 13 are their fourth studio album "Down To Earth" - released August 1974 in the USA on Gordy G6-968S1 and January 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11277 - peaked at No. 35 in the US R&B charts (didn't chart UK). Probably dues to a lack of songs at the time of release - Side 2 of the US "Down To Earth" LP on Gordy Records reissued two songs from the "Law Of The Land" LP and one from the debut - so Side 2's US 5-track running order is "Just You 'N' Me", "Love And Happiness", "Law Of The Land", "This Girl's Alright With Me" and "Save My Love For A Rainy Day". This 2CD obviously doesn't duplicate them on Disc 2. Just to confuse matters further, the February 1975 British LP for "Down To Earth" ran differently also - to 12 Tracks instead of 10. The first added song is "Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love" as Track 6 on Side 1 - while Side 2 saw "Let's Go Back To Day One" mixed into its six songs in this order - "Just You 'N' Me", "Love And Happiness", "Law Of The Land", "The Girl's Alright With Me", "Save My Love For A Rainy Day" and "Let's Go Back To Day One".   

BONUS TRACKS:

14. Let's Go Back To Day One – appeared only on the January 1975 UK variant of the "Down To Earth" LP on Tamla Motown STML 11277

15. What It Is (Single Version) – A-side of a 25 January 1972 US 7” single on Gordy G 7114F – B-side was "California Soul"

16. What's Going On (Edit) – B-side to "Help Yourself", a 14 February 1974 US 7” single on Gordy G 7134F. The single edit is 4:58 minutes while the full album version of 9:25 minutes can be found on their second LP "Face To Face With The Undisputed Truth" (February 1972 on Gordy G-959L)

17. You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth (Single Edit) – A-side of a 16 November 1971 US 7” single on Gordy G 7112F – B-side was a 7:03 minute edit of the 10:46 minute album track "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" on the debut LP

18. Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love – first issued as the B-side to "Mama I Got A Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)", a 15 February 1973 US 45 on Gordy G 7124F. Also used as the last track on Side 1 of the UK variant of the "Down To Earth" LP in January 1975 (not on the US album)

19. Law Of The Land (Single Version) – A-side of a 5 May 1973 US 45 on Gordy G 7130F

The chockers 24-page booklet features typically superb detailed liner notes from long-time Ace Records contributor TONY ROUNCE – clearly enthused by a band he digs. You get the front cover artwork to the three LPs (not the rears) – rare Euro picture sleeves to stuff like "Help Yourself", "Law Of The Land" and "Mama I Gotta Brand New Thing..." – a 9-single page worth of US and UK demos on Gordy and Tamla Motown - complimented by sheet music for "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and pictures of our groovy threesome giving it some righteous shuffle on some Soul Train bandstand. The Remasters by DUNCAN COWELL are absolutely cracking even when the hiss of the early 1971 stuff is amplified – it’s not overdone – and besides the music quickly drowns out any quibbles. By the time you get to the "Law Of The Land" album – Joe Harris and his ladies are clear as a bell. To the music...

As much as I treasure owning it and being top heavy with other people's hip songs – the debut is not all Soul-Funk genius for damn sure and could have easily condemned The Undisputed Truth to being a glorified covers band and vanity project for Norman Whitfield. Some of the covers must undoubtedly have felt cheesy even at the time they were released and are almost unlistenable now – a terrible version of Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" is one culprit while the Hair Musical and 5th Dimension hit "Aquarius" just about aligns with Mars. But these are saved by fabulous Northern Soul shufflers like the Barrett Strong/Norman Whitfield opener "You Got The Love I Need" - actually a Temptations tune from 1966 called "I Got Heaven Right Here On Earth" with The Undisputed Truth's lead vocals laid down in March 1971. It was issued as US 45 flipside in May 1971 to the band-breaker "Smiling Faces Sometimes" on the A (Gordy G 7108). Prior to that, their debut US 45 came in the shape of another talcum powder shuffler called "Save My Love For A Rainy Day". Issued February 1971 on Gordy G 7106 (USA) - it was paired with Side 2's "Since I've Lost You" - another Barrett Strong/Norman Whitfield catchy hit. Hell, they liked it so much and obviously out of viable material, "Save My Love..." got used yet again to flesh out the tracks on their fourth platter "Down To Earth" in 1974 and 1975 (see discography notes below).

Ashford & Simpson's lovely "California Soul" still holds up but my fave (and I suspect I'm not alone in this) is the heavy-heavy Psych-Soul of "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" - a stunning 10-minutes-plus cover of the Temptations "Puzzle People" track from 1970. It's all echoed fuzz and shouted chants (right on honey) and leads into the masterpiece that Side 2's opener and defining moment for the band - "Smiling Faces Sometimes". While UK fans had to wait until February 1972 for an actual album, the October 1971 British 45 on Tamla Motown TMG 789 set pulses racing even if it didn't chart (inexplicable giving its utter brilliance). No such problem Stateside where after a steady DJ and Radio build up from its May 13th release on Gordy G 7108, it finally entered the US R&B charts in early July 1971 and promptly charged all the way up to No. 2 - impressive for only their second single-release there.

I've always felt that "Law Of The Land" to be one of 'the' great forgotten Soul/Funk LPs. Their cover of the Roberta Flack hit "Killing Me Softly With His Song" just about stays on the right side and while the ladies take lead on the Temps masterpiece "Just My Imagination..." – a cosy little home out in the country – what a gorgeous melody and sentiment. The social conscience of "This Child Needs Its Father" urges Joe to come back home – a mother walking with her baby – holding her head up high even if she is aching - dying down inside - those strings and brass arrangements making you feel her tired loneliness. Undisputed Truth tackle the Dave Mason Traffic belter "Feelin' Alright?" by slowing it down to a cool-as-ice groove - but then sexy up Al Green's "Love And Happiness" in that battling brass/strings Norman Whitfield way (sounds kinda good y'all).

But more impressive is the trio's fabulous vocals on the stunning Funk of "Mama I Got A Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)". What a tune – your son and his guitar are going to go far...well they did in my book. He tackles a barnstorming "With A Little Help From My Friends" (possibly his best ever vocal) while "If I Die" is a funky black-man's burden declaration that's brilliant both lyrically and musically. "Big John Is My Name" continues the cool on the "Down To Earth" album and how good is it to have those exclusive British tracks at last.

A genuinely great anthology from Kent-Soul – keeps me smiling faces all the ruddy time. Buy it and I envy you the right on...

"Air Cut" by CURVED AIR – Fourth UK Album from April 1973 on Warner Brothers Records – Featuring Sonja Kristina, Mike Wedgwood, Eddie Jobson, Kirby Gregory and Jim Russell with Production by Martin Rushent (26 January 2018 UK Esoteric Recordings CD Reissue in a Card Digipak – Ben Wiseman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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In My E-Book US AND THEM - 1973

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"...Curly-Haired Elfin Boy..."

One of the great Prog crimes of the early Seventies (and I can count a few) was the critical and commercially reaction to Curved Air's fourth album "Air Cut".

Unleashed by Warner Brothers on a largely disinterested UK public in April 1973, it genuinely should have amounted to accolades galore and a tippity-toppity chart position - but misery-guts to all involved - received neither. Thankfully, time has been kinder to its complicated soundscapes and fans have dug deeper, because in my book this is undoubtedly one of the greats of the Prog Rock genre and an overlooked Rock Album gem from the period.

Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) seem to think so too because this rather brill little CD Reissue and Remaster has done our curly-haired Elfin boy proud. Even without extras, the Audio is fantastic and the presentation pleasingly in-depth (and with enthusiastic band involvement). So if you'll forgive me yet another Vidal Sassoon scissors pun, let's get our 'air cut' (oh dear)...

UK released Friday, 26 January 2018 - "Air Cut" by CURVED AIR on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 2617 (Barcode 5013929471740) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the original 8-Track 1973 LP that plays out as follows (40:06 minutes):

1. The Purple Speed Queen [Side 1]

2. Elfin Boy

3. Metamorphosis

4. World [Side 2]

5. Armin

6. U.H.F.

7. Two-Three-Two

8. Easy

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fourth album "Air Cut" - released April 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46224 (no US equivalent). Produced by MARTIN RUSHENT - it didn't chart. Track 1 written by Kirby Gregory and Sonja Kristina, Tracks 2 and 8 written by Sonja Kristina, Track 3 written by Eddie Jobson and Sonja Kristina, Tracks 4 and 7 written by Mike Wedgwood, Track 5 written by Eddie Jobson, Mike Wedgwood, Kirby Gregory and Jim Russell with Track 6 written by Kirby Gregory

CURVED AIR was:

SONJA KRISTINA – Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

EDDIE JOBSON – Electric Violin, Piano, Mellotron, Organ, VCS3 Synthesiser and Electric Piano

KIRBY GREGORY – Guitar and Vocals

MIKE WEDGWOOD – Bass Guitar and Harmony Vocals (“Easy”)

JIM RUSSELL – Drums and Percussion

The card digipak is very pretty, its inner spread mimicking the lovely Ian Fink drawing of the band that graced the gatefold of the original 1972 LP – all five sat like cartoon hippy minstrels around harps and flowers and rivers and flitting hummingbirds (yeah baby). Better lies inside the 24-page booklet – concert memorabilia from the period – live photos – Sounds Magazine reviews – the lyrics to all seven singing tunes except the instrumental "Armin" – and even a rare Malvern Winter Gardens gig with the Gary Moore Band as a support act, the stunning Irish guitarist no doubt plugging his similarly Proggish album "Grinding Stone" out around that time on CBS Records. There are contributions from Sonja and Mike – both clearly proud of their accomplished fourth album work and glad it has received reappraisal across the decades – but the AUDIO is the big draw…

Repertoire of Germany did a CD Remaster of "Air Cut" in 2006 in a card digipak but I can’t help but feel that this BEN WISEMAN 2018 version trumps the Audio on that in every way. This transfer is from the first generation tapes and man you can hear it (a first officially). What is also more evident now is the Producer. MARTIN RUSHENT would of course go on to have huge late Seventies fame with Punk, New Wave and Electronica acts like The Stranglers, The Buzzcocks and Human League – but back in the early part of the Seventies his Prog/Folk-Rock pedigree read like a virtual whose-who of names. He’d been involved in two solo albums for Jonathan Swift on CBS Records – T.Rex and "Electric Warrior", Gentle Giant on Vertigo, Badger and Johnny Harris on Atlantic, Darien Spirit on Charisma, Osibisa on MCA and oodles more. Its clear that as the lovely Side 2 finisher "Easy" plinks its little-boy-with-a-troubled-mind piano notes out through your speakers – soon joined by guitars and superbly complimentary harmony vocals from Mike Wedgwood – that Rushent knew how to mix it all into one cohesive sound.

With Violinist Darryl Way and Keyboardist Francis Monkman having jumped ship after the third album "Phantasmagoria" (released in April 1972) – the remaining three re-grouped and got real lucky. Eddie Jobson's band Fat Grapple had supported Curved Air at a Newcastle Mayfair gig and despite his youth - the 17-year olds playing stunned (a little like Gary Moore in fact). Alternating between Violin and Keyboards – Jobson filled in two gaps. Second up was ace-axeman Kirby Gregory who had been in a band called Armada with future Stretch buddy – Elmer Gantry. Curved Air now had the players and the material…

Musically "Air Cut" feels like this new line-up of Curved Air was channeling Queen, Rush, Genesis, Yes and em - Curved Air - all in the one place. Not only are many of the pieces Gentle Giant-complicated - they are beautifully played. This is a band on its fourth outing and not the naivety of a debut. With the new bloods Eddie Jobson and Kirby Gregory – they hit exceptional-players pay dirt big time. Jobson would go on to Roxy Music after the failure of "Air Cut" (not surprising they wanted him), but what is shocking is that he was only 17 going on 19 when CA got hold of him. And with guitarist Gregory – they were and still are quite rightly proud of the results.

The music quickly switches from Rush guitar-riffage in "U.H.F" to "Foxtrot" piano pretty in the same song. The 10:40 minutes of the Side 1 finisher "Metamorphosis" written by Sonja Kristina and Kirby Gregory is very "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" a year before it happened and contains some of the most accomplished and moving keyboard solos by a staggeringly young Eddie Jobson. For instance at about 3:15 minutes into "Metamorphosis", Sonja and the band's Prog rhythms give way to beautiful grand-piano runs by Jobson - the passage has musicality that would make Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson sit up, fidget and call their therapists in a lather of worry-sweat. As Sonja comes back in with sweetly judged lyrics, it feels "Selling England By The Pound" good. For sure the "Two-Three-Two" tune features lyrics that grate and emotionally upset, but apart from that - the only other real downside is the lack of outtakes - session eavesdrops and alternates fans would now dearly love to hear.

When "Air Cut" failed and the band fizzled out - Gregory left and along with his old band-mucker Elmer Gantry formed Stretch who actually did score a sizeable No. 15 chart hit with their "Why Did You Do It" funkster on Anchor Records in late 1975. But my heart lies (like my sagging waistline) with the air that curved...

A superb reissue and one of so many reasons as to why bands and collectors alike look to Esoteric Recordings of the UK with such affection…

2018 CURVED AIR Reissues on Esoteric Recordings

Francis Monkman and Ben Wiseman Remasters

Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 'Expanded Editions' - No. 4 is album-only

1. Airconditioning (November 1970 UK Debut LP)

2CD Remaster UK released 26 January 2018 on Esoteric Records PECLEC 22616 (Barcode 5013929471641)

2. Second Album (September 1971 UK LP)

CD + DVD Remaster released 24 August 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 22637 (Barcode 5013929473744)

3. Phantasmagoria (April 1972 UK LP)

CD + DVD Remaster released 27 July 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 22638 (Barcode 5013929473843)

4. Air Cut (April 1973 UK LP)

CD Remaster (no Bonus material) released 26 January 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 2617 (Barcode 5013929471740) First Use of Original Tapes