"Original Album Series" by BILLY COBHAM [ex Mahavishnu Orchestra Drummer] – Including The Albums "Spectrum" (October 1973), "Total Eclipse" (November 1974), "Crosswinds" (March 1974), "A Funky Thide Of Sings" (October 1975) and "Shabazz: Recorded Live In Europe" (May 1975) on Atlantic Records – featuring Tommy Bolin, Jan Hammer, George Duke, Cornell Dupree, John Abercrombie, Jon Tropea, Randy and Mike Brecker, Ron Carter, Ray Barretto and more (November 2012 UK Warner Brothers/Atlantic 5CD Capacity Wallet of Remasters in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"...Searching For The Right Door... "

Drummer BILLY COBHAM gets his first four Jazz Fusion studio sets on Atlantic Records (1973 to 1975) reissued here - alongside a long forgotten European Live outing (also 1975) sandwiched inbetween. 

In January 2021 - the ever-popular "Original Album Series" has a huge number of bands and artists in its formidable WEA cannon - capacity wallet 5CD card box sets most of which are Remasters (as they are here) housing five Mini LP Card Repro Sleeves. And with most five-packs hovering around ten to twelve post Brexit sterling pounds, what's not to like... 

But sometimes it's those off the well-beaten musical track clumps that are the most interesting – the ex Mahavishnu Orchestra sticks-man being a good case in point. Let's get on the Funky Thide of Sings...

UK released November 2012 - "Original Album Series" by BILLY COBHAM on UK Warner Brothers/Atlantic 8122-79696-2 (Barcode 081227969219) is a 5CD Capacity Wallet of Remasters in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves that plays out as follows:

CD1 "Spectrum" (37:18 minutes):
1. Quadrant 4 [Side 1]
2. Medley: (a) Searching For The Right Door / (b) Spectrum 
3. Medley: (a) Anxiety / (b) Taurian Matador 
4. Stratus [Side 2]
5. Medley: (a) To The Women In My Life / (b) Le Lis 
6. Medley: (a) Snoopy's Search / (b) Red Baron 
Tracks 1 to 6 are his debut studio album "Spectrum" – released October 1973 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 7268 and October 1973 in the UK on Atlantic K 40506. Produced by BILLY COBHAM (with Engineer Ken Scott) – players included Jan Hammer on Keyboards, Tommy Bolin and John Tropea on Guitars, Joe Farrell and Jimmy Owens on Horns, Ron Carter and Lee Sklar on Basses and Ray Barretto on Congas with Billy Cobham on Drums and Percussion (all songs by BC). 

CD2 "Total Eclipse" (44:04 minutes):
1. Solarization [Side 1]
(a) Solarization (b) Second Phase (c) Crescent Sun (d) Voyage (e) Solarization-Recapitulation 
2. Lunarputians 
3. Total Eclipse 
4. Bandits 
5. Moon Germs [Side 2]
6. The Moon Ain't Made Of Green Cheese 
7. Sea Of Tranquility 
8. Last Frontier 
Tracks 1 to 8 are his third album "Total Eclipse" – released November 1974 in the USA on Atlantic SD 18121 and November 1974 in the UK on Atlantic K 50098. Produced by BILLY COBHAM (with Engineer Ken Scott) – players included Cornell Dupree and John Abercrombie on Guitars, Mike and Randy Brecker with Glenn Ferris on Horns, Milcho Leviev on Keyboards, Alex Blake on Bass, David Earle Johnson on Congas with Billy Cobham on Drums and Percussion (all songs by BC). 

CD3 "Crosswinds" (35:11 minutes):
1. Spanish Moss - "A Spanish Portrait" [Side 1]
(a) Spanish Moss (b) Savannah The Serene (c) Storm (d) Flash Flood
2. The Pleasant Pheasant [Side 2]
3. Heather 
4. Crosswind 
Tracks 1 to 4 are his second album "Crosswinds" – released March 1974 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7300 and March 1974 in the UK on Atlantic K 50037. Produced by BILLY COBHAM (with Engineer Ken Scott) – players included John Abercrombie on Guitars, George Duke on Keyboards, Randy Brecker and Garnett Brown on Horns with Mike Brecker on Woodwinds, John Williams on Bass, Lee Pastora on Latin Percussion with Billy Cobham on Drums and Percussion (all songs by BC). 

CD4 "A Funky Thide Of Sings" (45:03 minutes):
1. Panhandler [Side 1]
2. Sorcery
3. A Funky Thide Of Sings 
4. Thinking Of You 
5. Some Skunk Funk 
6. Light At The End Of The Tunnel [Side 2]
7. A Funky Kind Of Thing 
8. Moody Modes 
Tracks 1 to 8 are his fifth album "A Funky Thide Of Sings" – released October 1975 in the USA on Atlantic SD 18149 and October 1975 in the UK on Atlantic K 50189. Produced by BILLY COBHAM and MARY MEYERSON - players included John Scofield on Guitars, Milcho Leviev on Keyboards, Randy and Michael Brecker, Larry Schneider, Walt Fowler and Glenn Ferris on Horns with Tom Malone on Trombone and Flute, Alex Blake on Bass, "Rebop" Kwaku Baah on Congas with Billy Cobham on Drums and Percussion.

CD5 "Shabazz: Recorded Live In Europe" (39:38 minutes):
1. Shabazz [Side 1]
2. Taurian Matador (Revised)
3. Red Baron (Revised) [Side 2]
4. Tenth Pinn 
Tracks 1 to 4 are his fourth album "Shabazz: Recorded Live In Europe" – released May 1975 in the USA on Atlantic SD 18139 and May 1975 in the UK on Atlantic K 50147. Produced by BILLY COBHAM and KEN SCOTT – players included John Abercrombie on Guitar, Randy and Mike Brecker with Glenn Ferris on Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone (respectively) with Milcho Leviev on Keyboards, Alex Blake on Bass and Billy Cobham on Drums and Percussion. "Taurian Matador (Revised)" recorded 4 July 1974 at the Montreux Music Festival in Switzerland – all other tracks recorded 13 July 1974 at the Rainbow Theatre in London. 

The card sleeves aren't up to the exacting standards of those Japanese paper-sleeve reissues or SHM-CD Mini LP variants - "Spectrum" loses its gatefold while the musician credits on the rear of "Total Eclipse" and "Crosswinds" are suddenly AWOL completely (I've provided them above) – but they do look dinky and pleasing enough to the eye. And the Remastered Audio courtesy of Rhino (circa 2001, 2002 and 2005 and beyond) is uniformly great throughout. The running order of the albums as per their release dates is 'out' (see above), but other than that, it's a winner. To the many colours...

With ex Zephyr guitar whizz-kid Tommy Bolin (later with The James Gang) and super-sessionman axe-picker John Tropea joined by Jan Hammer on Keyboards (soon to do stints with The Jeff Beck Group) – it's hardly surprising that so many BC fans love the 1973 debut "Spectrum". It opens with a giggling call to arms and a count-In - before launching into the rapido fusion of "Quadrant 4" – the Remaster kicking like a mule. His speaker-to-speaker drumming fills the restless "Searching For The Right Door" and the band goes into Jazz-Funk overdrive/solo city with the title track "Spectrum". It's not surprising that he returned to the speed-freak guitar pyrotechnics of "Taurian Matador" for the European live album issued in 1975 – it's a showstopper if not a tad indulgent. Personally I prefer the trippy "Stratus" over on Side 2 and the sexy hip-swivelling funky chug of "Red Baron" – the kind of Jazz-Funk instrumental you wish was on a 12" single and not the compromised grooves of the last track on Side 2. "Spectrum" is a really good album then, but there was better to come...

Probably his most popular LP amongst Soul kids looking for that Seventies funky edge - the 1974 masterwork that is "Crosswinds" is an out-and-out period gem. When you listen to the very Crusaders fast-Funk of "The Pleasant Pheasant" with Randy Brecker letting rip on that Saxophone before George Duke comes in and synth-warbles those notes to the breakneck end – you understand why Cobham's brand of Jazz Fusion was commercial/accessible to so many and not just virtuoso musicians noodling to please themselves. In fact when Atlantic/Warner-UK started their "Right On!" series of CD reissues dealing with Break Beats and Grooves from the WEA label vaults – they chose the sexy Funk of "Crosswinds" to represent their opening salvo. The eight and half minutes of the mellow "Heather" is a slow vibes and keyboards smoocher that feels like a Jazz Funk love song without words. And clocking in at 17:29 minutes - the four-part "Sound Portrait" on Side 1 called "Spanish Moss" is probably the most overtly Jazz piece on the record with my fave piece being the super-chilled vibes of "Savannah The Serene" which feels like The Mahavishnu Orchestra on mood-enhancing mushrooms. 

"Total Eclipse" is probably the most 'out there' and Fusion of his early catalogue, so the wild guitar-in-a-hurry of "Solarization" might not be for the faint of rhythm - but things soon settle into groove-thang territory with the title track "Total Eclipse" - all that keyboard Funk bolstered up with wads of brass and wind. "Moon Germs" is the same only with more guitar backbeat and a wicked Bass passage as the boys solo off of each other. The live set took the "Crosswinds" band on the road and introduced two new lengthy numbers - "Shabazz" and "Tenth Pinn" - both excellent on what is a forgotten and underrated album. BC goes all Orangutan wanna-be-like-you for the cleverly titled "A Funky Thide Of Sings" LP. Highlights include a big Production synth-and-horns Funk whig-out in the shape of the suitably titled "Panhandler" whist over nine-minutes of "A Funky Side Of Things" over on Side 2 will be enough to keep most toe-tappers in drum-solo heaven for weeks on end. 

The Panamanian Drummer and Writer would make other albums for Atlantic in the late 70ts and continues to record to this day - 2019 seeing the legendary "Crosswinds" LP from 1974 returned to on CD in the "Time Lapse Photos" album while his latest from 2020 "Tierra Del Fuego" references Argentinian influences. 

Not all masterpieces for damn sure, but when Billy Cobham got Funky (as is evidenced so many times across these five albums), it was time to us to shabazz. Perhaps time for us to cross those winds once again too...

"Anthology" by GEORGE BENSON – Album Tracks from 1964 to 1998 – Guest Musicians include [Guitars] Jay Graydon, Earl Klugh, Lee Ritenour, Phil Upchurch, Lonnie Smith [Keyboards] Jorge Dalto, Herbie Hancock, Ronnie Foster, David Paich, Jimmy Smith [Horns and Wind] Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster, Hubert Laws, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Webb [Bass] Stanley Banks, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Pops Popwell of The Crusaders [Drums and Percussion] Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, Ralph McDonald, Airto Moreira, Andy Newmark, Jeff Porcaro of Toto, Narada Michael Walden [Lead and Backing Vocals] Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Cecil and Linda Womack [Producers/Arrangers/Writers] Brother Jack McDuff Quartet, Rudy Van Gelder, Creed Taylor, Quincy Jones, Tommy LiPuma, Arif Mardin and Rod Temperton (October 2000 UK and EUROPE Warner Archives/Rhino 2CD Anthology of Remasters Covering 1964 to 1998 – Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

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"...Livin' Inside Your Love..."

In January 2021 as I write this – the double-CD "Anthology" by GEORGE BENSON is over 20-years old and can be found online for as little as two quid in some places. I'd argue that's an astonishing Remastered bargain bag of Soul and Jazz Funk goodies way too good to ignore.

There is a lot of breezes and give me the nights and living inside your love and eyes and 20/20 visions to get through – so once more unto the guitar fret and swivel hip breach my good peeps of planet Funkerton...

UK and EUROPE released October 2000 - "Anthology" by GEORGE BENSON on Warner Archives/Rhino R2 79934 – 8122-79934-2 (Barcode 081227993429) is a 2CD Set of Album-Track Remasters covering 1964 to 1998 that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (77:37 minutes):
1. Shadow Dancers (from 1964 US LP "The New Boss Guitar Of George Benson" on Prestige PRST 7310 - with The Brother Jack McDuff Quartet)
2. Ain't That Peculiar 
3. A Foggy Day (tracks 2 and 3 from the August 1966 US LP "The Most Exciting New Guitarist On The Jazz Scene Today: It's Uptown" on Columbia CS 9325 in Stereo)
4. Ready And Able (from the January 1967 US LP "The George Benson Cookbook" on Columbia CS 9413 in Stereo by the George Benson Quartet featuring Lonnie Smith)
5. What's New (from the September 1968 US LP "Giblet Gravy" on Verve V6-8749 in Stereo)
6. Chattanooga Choo Choo (from the December 1968 US LP "Shape Of Things To Come" on A&M Records SP-3014 in Stereo)
7. White Rabbit (from the December 1971 US LP "White Rabbit" on CTI Records CTI-6015)
8. Summertime (Live) (from the November 1977 US LP "In Concert: Carnegie Hall" on CTI Records CTI-6072 with Hubert Laws)
9. Breezin' 
10. This Masquerade 
11. Shark Bite (tracks 9 to 11 from the March 1976 US LP "Breezin'" on Warner Brothers BS 2919 - No. 1 both Pop & R&B charts)
12. Nature Boy (from the January 1977 US LP "In Flight" on Warner Brothers BSK-2983)
13. The Greatest Love Of All (Single Version) (June 1977 US 45-single on Arista 0251 - album version on the Soundtrack LP to the film "The Greatest" on Arista AL-7000)
14. On Broadway (Live) (Single Version) 
15. We All Remember Wes (Live) (tracks 14 and 15 from the January 1978 US 2LP-set "Weekend In L.A." on Warner Brothers 2WB-3139 - track 14 is the 'Single Version' issued January 1978 on Warner Brothers WBS-8542, A-side)

CD2 (79:29 minutes):
1. Love Ballad (Single Version) (from the February 1979 US 2LP-set "Livin' Inside Your Love" on Warner Brothers 2BSK-3277 - the single version issued February 1979 in the USA on Warner Brothers WBS-8759, A-side)
2. Off Broadway 
3. Moody's Mood 
4. Give Me The Night (Single Version) (tracks 2 to 4 from the July 1980 US album "Give Me The Night" on Warner Brothers/Qwest HS-3453 - single version of "Give Me The Night" issued June 1980 in the USA on Warner Brothers WBS-49505, A-side)
5. Turn Your Love Around 
6. Love All The Hurt Away (with Aretha Franklin) (tracks 5 and 6 from the October 1981 US 2LP-set "The George Benson Collection" on Warner Brothers 2HW-3577)
7. Mimosa (with Jimmy Smith) (from the September 1982 Jimmy Smith US LP "Off The Top" on Elektra Musician 60175)
8. Being With You (from the May 1983 US LP on Warner Brothers 23744)
9. 20/20 
10. New Day (tracks 9 and 10 are from the December 1984 US LP "20/20" on Warner Brothers 25178)
11. Kisses In The Moonlight (Single Version) (from the August 1986 US LP "While The City Sleeps" on Warner Brothers 25475 - the 45-single edit was issued July 1986 in the USA on Warner Brothers 28640, A-side)
12. Mt. Airy Road (with Earl Klugh) (from the June 1987 US LP "Collaboration" on Warner Brothers 25580)
13. Let's Do It Again (Single Version, Curtis Mayfield cover version) (from the September 1988 US LP "Twice The Love" on Warner Brothers 25705 - single version issued July 1988 in the USA on Warner Brothers 27780, A-side)
14. Tenderly (from the July 1989 US LP "Tenderly" on Warner Brothers 25907)
15. Ready Now That You Are (with The Count Basie Orchestra) (from the September 1990 US LP "Big Boss Band" on Warner Brothers 26295)
16. The Long And Winding Road (Beatles cover) (from the Various Artists September 1995 CD Album "(I Got No Kick Against) Modern Jazz: A GRP Artists' Celebration Of The Songs Of The Beatles" on GRP GRD-9827) 
17. C-Smooth (from the June 1998 US CD Album "Standing Together" on GRP GRD-9906)

Suffice to say that as you wade through pages 42 to 46 (in a 48-page booklet), the sheer size of credits accompanying George Benson, his Guitar and Voice is bewildering and impressive to say the least. I can't list the lot, but try these as Guest Musicians and Collaborators - [Guitars] Jay Graydon, Earl Paul Jackson, Jr., Klugh, Lee Ritenour, Phil Upchurch, Lonnie Smith [Keyboards] Jorge Dalto, Herbie Hancock, Ronnie Foster, David Paich, Jimmy Smith [Horns and Wind] Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster, Hubert Laws, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Webb [Bass] Stanley Banks, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Pops Popwell of The Crusaders [Drums and Percussion] Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, Ralph McDonald, Airto Moreira, Andy Newmark, Jeff Porcaro of Toto, Narada Michael Walden [Lead and Backing Vocals] Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Cecil and Linda Womack [Producers/Arrangers/Writers] Brother Jack McDuff Quartet, Rudy Van Gelder, Creed Taylor, Quincy Jones, Tommy LiPuma, Arif Mardin, Marty Paich and Rod Temperton - yikes! 

The Remasters are fabulous, carried out by Rhino's long-time associated Audio Engineers - BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH. By the time you get into the Seventies and Eighties productions on Disc 1 and 2 - your speakers are jumping and in a good way. The outer card slipcase, the 48-page colour booklet slipped into an inner card band and the gatefold digipak to hold the CDs lend the whole shebang a genuine feeling of substance. The oversized booklet compliments with arrays of album covers, photos of GB with legendary talent scout John Hammond of Columbia Records, on stage with Grover Washington, Jr., at the podium accepting an award with Tommy LiPuma - right up to a landmark snap - George with his wife Johnnie in 1996 as he is awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame where anyone who is anyone has a spot. Beautifully done, the whole lot. To the tunes... 

For most of us, we join Benson in the Seventies even though the 60ts stuff is excellent. My ears want to go to "White Rabbit" and the wonderful "Breezin'" LP in 1976 that changed everything for him. His transition like everyone else (Donald Byrd, Dexter Wansel etc) into Jazz Funk instead of straight-up Jazz proved not just popular but commercial dynamite. "Breezin'" went to Number 1 on the US R&B and 'Rock' charts - that was largely unheard of for the time. I do wish there were more tracks from the vastly underrated "Livin' Inside Your Love" double-album - a wee bit of a gem in my books - but the tunes from the stunning "Give Me The Night" including the fab Funk of "Off Broadway" are amazing - sounding like sparkly new things. His lurve credentials increasingly took over for the "In Your Eyes" and "20/20" albums where the hits became smoochers - and again extraordinary Production credentials. Great range, tunes and presentation 

George Benson unexpectedly pops up in the latest January 2021 edition of “Record Collector magazine for an interview (Page 46) talking about his huge five-decade career and an album he recorded live at Soho's Ronnie Scott's in 2019 called "Weekend In London" – a full 45-years after he first played there (it's available on Prologue Records). Reading stuff like this reminds you (and especially Soul and Funk chumps like me) of what a world-class artist he is and has been for so long. The man played alongside Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder and Minnie Riperton for God's sake – talk about dripping Soul and Jazz kudos. 

Want some quality GB in your life - then Rhino's 2CD "Anthology" is a fab and frankly frugal place to start...

"The Black-Man’s Burdon" by ERIC BURDON and WAR - December 1970 USA 2LP set on MGM/Far Out Records and January 1971 UK 2LP set on Liberty Records – also featuring Lonnie Jordon, Charles Miller, Howard Scott, and Lee Oskar in War with Guest Vocalist Sharon Scott (May 1993, Reissued January 1996, UK/EUROPE ARG Records/BMG Reissue – 2LPs Remastered onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 284 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95

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

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"...Beautiful New Born Child..."

Talk about a forgotten double-album – and its politics. Released Stateside first just 3 days before Christmas 1970 on MGM/Far Out Records (Blighty would have to wait until Liberty Records put it out in January 1971) – the urge-to-splurge 2LP set "The Black-Man's Burdon" was frankly a bit of a beautiful if unwieldy beast. Radical for its time, the initial 30,000 copies of British twofer vinyl sets even elicited censorship in the UK when the spoken poem-piece "P.C. 3" (Track 5 on Side 1) was deemed riot-incendiary because of naughty HRH Queenie references and therefore had that unholy sin of self-expression excluded from the subsequent 20,000 copies pressed (what a palavar). 

A wild combo of originals and extended cover versions where some songs are 2:43 minutes long, while others stretch to 14-minutes and seven parts, 8-minutes, seven-minutes and so on - Eric Burdon and the seven-piece band War were continuing their Rock-Funk meets Soul meets Jazz meets Blues journey with this adventurous and ambition double-whammy. 

Experimental, Rock-Soulful and even Progtastic in some instrumental passages – big things were expected of the release – especially following as it did on the heels of the catchy "Spill The Wine" 45 from their April 1970 debut "Eric Burdon Declares "War"" that had managed a huge No. 4 chart position. But the sheer size and wild nature of what was on offer proved maybe a step too far-out for the public and radio – the 2LP set limping into the US album charts in late December 1970. It eventually peaked at No. 83 and five or six weeks later, quickly disappeared (as did Burdon's fractious relationship with MGM Records where he felt they weren't behind it enough). 

By the end of 1971 - and after a controversial tour of the UK where the British Establishment made it apparent that they were not too pleased with the double's references to Her Majesty in a not so warm-and-fuzzy light – EB and War had parted (only to be reunited years later). Subsequently, five decades of secondhand record shop rack trawling by music lovers seeking something new or maybe different, has seen the 2LP-set become something of an underground darling – an ahead-of-its-racial-times gob at the powers-that-be. Soul-Rock fans love BMB and speak of it in hushed tones, while samplers dig into its sexy rhythms and look reference-cool as they do so. 

The history of "The Black-Man's Burdon" far-out journey on digital is a strangely muted one too. Even in January 2021, an astonishing 50 years after the event – the best 2CD version is not from the 00s or 10s or 20s – but dating all the way back to the reissue halcyon days of Rhino in the early Nineties. Here are the pretty colors for u...

UK released May 1993 (reissued January 1996) - "The Black-Man's Burdon" by ERIC BURDON and WAR on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30742 2 (Barcode 743213074221) offers the US 1970 Double-Album (1971 UK) Remastered onto 2CDs and breaks down as follows: 

CD1 (44:39 minutes): 
1. Paint It Black Medley [Side 1]
(a) Black On Black In Black
(b) Paint It Black I
(c) Laurel & Hardy 
(d) Pintelo Negro II
(e) P.C. 3 
(f) Black Bird 
(g) Paint It Black III
2. Spirit 
3. Beautiful New Born Child [Side 2]
4. Nights In White Satin I
5. The Bird & The Squirrel 
6. Nuts, Seeds & Life 
7. Out Of Nowhere 
8. Nights In White Satin II 
Track 1 is a Rolling Stones cover except Parts (c) to (f) which are War songs; Track 3 features Sharon Scott and The Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California; Tracks 4 and 8 are Moody Blues covers 

CD2 (45:48 minutes):
1. Sun/Moon [Side 3]
2. Pretty Colors 
3. Gun
4. Jimbo
5. Bare Back Ride [Side 4]
6. Home Cookin' 
7. They Can't Take Away Our Music 
Track 7 features Sharon Scott and The Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California

"The Black-Man's Burdon" was released December 1970 in the USA on MGM/Far Out Records SE-4710-2 and January 1971 in the UK on Liberty Records LDS 84003/4 as a 2LP set in both countries. Produced by JERRY GOLDSTEIN – it peaked at No. 82 in the USA (didn't chart UK). All tracks written by War - excepting "Beautiful New Born Child" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music" - which were written by Jerry Goldstein and War. "Paint it Black" and "Nights In White Satin" are cover versions of Rolling Stones and Moody Blues songs.

WAR was: 
ERIC BURDON – Lead Vocals
LONNIE JORDON – Organ, Piano and Vocals 
HOWARD SCOTT – Guitar and Vocal 
LEE OSKAR – Harmonica and Vocal 
CHARLES MILLER – Tenor, Baritone and Alto Saxophones and Flute
B.B. DICKERSON – Bass and Vocal
DEE ALLEN – Conga, Percussion, Vocal 
HAROLD BROWN – Drums 
Guest: 
Sharon Scott and The Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California sing on "Beautiful New Born Child" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music"

Long-standing Rhino/Atlantic Audio Engineers BILL INGLOT and KEN PERRY did the Remasters from first generation tapes and the Audio is punchy and full (the US version was released 4 May 1993 is on Rhino R2 71193 - Barcode 081227119324). There is a later reissue of this but it hasn't got the booklet - nor has it any improvement in Audio. 

The six-leaf double-sized foldout inlay could be described as functionary at best. The two naked ladies laying on grass alongside other seven African-American nature man-children in the background (the band War) which adorned the inner gatefold sleeve of the original double vinyl album is reproduced on two leaves as is a band photo from the period. But the cool 'Official War Bond One Dollar Bill' (shaped like a dollar) that also came with originals is AWOL. With it, you could get $1 discount upon the purchase of two tickets to any Eric Burdon and War gig up to 31 December 1973 – even though he'd disembarked by then and they simply become WAR. There are the usual credits in black and white and BARRY ALFONSO does a great job with the liner notes that include new interviews with Burdon about the songs and their processes. A rear inlay on the British/EC issue lists and pictures the WAR Masters reissue catalogue (see list below). To the music...

In a bold move, MGM took the full-length 6:50-minute version of Side 4's "They Can't Take Our Music Away" with Sharon Scott on Vocals and put it out as the lead American 45-single. December 1970's MGM K-14196 had the full cut of "Home Cookin'" on its flipside and rewarded the band with a No. 50 placing. The British variant from January 1971 on Liberty LBF 15434 had a 4:50 minutes edit with the same B-side, but it sank without a trace and I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen that Liberty Records 45 anywhere in my fifty years of digging tunes and vinyl. 

Side 1 opens with the 13:34-minute cover of "Paint It Black” – the Stones cover turning up three times amidst the original bits – the second of which is sung as "Pintelo Negro". I have to admit that this too-long opener tests my patience nowadays. One hundred times sexier is 8:39 minutes of "Spirit" – a warbling guitar and drum opening explodes into a great Rock-Funk groove – an always on my mind tune that has the band cooking (why was this not single number two in edit form?). Dig that Lee Oskar harmonica too. 

Side 2 sees Sharon Scott make the first of two appearances on duet/crowd Vocals with Eric as "Beautiful New Born Child" comes slinking out of your speakers. A groove – a vibe – the pounding song is the sort of five minutes they probably made up in the studio (I think it is Sharon pictured on the rear sleeve sat atop EB). They then take "Nights In White Satin” and for the first version – slow it right down to a Soul ballad pace – but I find his vocals are forced even if the backing music is fab. We then 2:44 minutes of Flute-Cool – an instrumental with Congas and strummed acoustics called "The Bird & The Squirrel" where War feel Santana good – such a superb groove. Stunning Bass audio on "Nuts, Seeds & Life" – another shuffling percussion number that solo-instrumentals its way to the finish line. You could call it fluff or filler – but I dig it (teeny bit hissy in the transfer). Part 2 of "Nights In White Satin" feels more Soulful that its predecessor. 

For me the second LP confirms the album's greatness far more than the first. Side 3's "Sun/Moon" is a 10-minute slow Jazz-Rock shuffle – Eric and the boys sounding like a cross between a mellow John Mayall circa "Blues From Laurel Canyon" meeting with Miles Davis rehearsing for "A Kind Of Blue". Things pick up the Funky pace big time with the fantastic "Pretty Colors" where Lonnie Jordan suddenly explodes out of the speakers with his piano fills accompanied by seductive Sax jabs from Charles Miller – Eric talking about ladies with a skin tone he loves (probably my fave track on the album). If any song on "The Black-Man's Burdon" double-album was to convince you that War and EB were on to a very special groove and their own sound – then this near seven-minutes of uber-cool is it. Razorblades, switchblades and your handguns – Eric and the boys want you to ditch the lot in "Gun" – urging the street kids to not inflict any more tears. That brilliance is topped off with "Jimbo" – a Funky as James Brown's underarms chugger that once again benefits from a wicked groove, Lonnie Jordan's naturally fluid piano playing and Oscar's harmonica jabs.

Side 4 opens with a bit of ZZ Top "La Grange" guitar before "Bare Back Ride" kicks 

in proper – yet another foot-stomper that feels like Traffic have been listening to Sly and The Family Stone as Eric sings "...don't blow it baby!" Filled with fantastic soloing from Miller on Sax and Oscar on Harp – "Bare Back Ride" is just so typically hip it hurts. Our hero joined the Navy at the age of 17 but he misses Mama and her "Home Cookin'", while the mighty twofer comes to a dignified Gospel-feeling end with "They Can't Take Away Our Music" – a proud and pure cry from deep within for racial equality – no colour – no skin divide. Nice...

These 1993 and 1996 double-CD releases have been deleted decades and can cost up to thirty quid on the open market (I got mine for a reasonable fifteen-ish, so hunt around). But for sheer hutzpah, melt of styles and sound discovery - like so many of their forgotten albums - this is a blast from the past you will want to feel the heat of again and again...

WAR Masters CD Reissues for the UK/EUROPE

1. Eric Burdon Declares "War" (April 1970 US LP)
1995 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30526 2 (Barcode 743213052625)

2. The Black-Man's Burdon (December 1970 US 2LP-set)
May 1993 2CDs on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30742 2 (Barcode 743213074221)

3. War (March 1971 US LP)
May 1993 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30737 2 (Barcode 743213073729)

4. All Day Music (November 1971 US LP)
1995 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30520 2 (Barcode 743213052028)

5. The World Is A Ghetto (November 1972 US LP)
1992 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30521 2 (Barcode 743213052120)

6. Deliver The War (August 1973 US LP) 
1992 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30522 2 (Barcode 743213052229)

7. War Live! (March 1974 US 2LP set) 
1992 2CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30730 2 (Barcode 743213073026)

8. Why Can't We Be Friends? (June 1975, with "Low Rider")
1992 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30523 2 (Barcode 743213052328)

9. Love Is All Around – ERIC BURDON and WAR (December 1976) 
May 1993 2CDs on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30743 2 (Barcode 743213074320)

10. Platinum Jazz (July 1977, 2LP Set, New Material On LP1, Old Material on LP2)
May 1993 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30524 2 (Barcode 743213052427)

11. Galaxy (November 1977 US LP)
January 1996 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30739 2 (Barcode 743213073927)

12. Youngblood – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (August 1978 US LP)
January 1996 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30735 2 (Barcode 743213073521)

13. Outlaw (March 1982 US LP)
January 1996 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30734 2 (Barcode 743213073428)

14. Life (Is So Strange) (July 1983 US LP) 
January 1996 CD on ARG Records/BMG 74321 30738 2 (Barcode 743213073828)

"Green Onions" by BOOKER T & THE M.G.s – October 1962 US LP on Stax, July 1964 UK LP on London – Both in Mono (September 2012 UK Concord Music Group, Inc/Stax Records Expanded Edition CD Reissue in the Stax Remasters Series - Joe Tarantino Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"... Can't Sit Down…"

As I write this in the rainy and miserable Covid-19 wiles of January 2021 during yet another nationwide lockdown - October 2022 (next year) will see the sexy 60ts slink that is "Green Onions" become 60 years young. Can something as Soul-cool and utterly fantastic as this, really be six decades old! 

Re-listening to the whole "Green Onions" album (released October 1962 in the USA on Stax, delayed until July 1964 in Blighty on London Records) and for sure not all of it is as Mono-magical as that evergreen instrumental - a single A-side that surely must rank in the Top 20 of 45s ever released. But it is a total must for 60ts Soul, Funk, Mod and Instrumental fans everywhere. 

What we have here is Concord Music Group's CD attempt at revitalizing the Stax Albums roster in 2011, 2012 and a wee bit into 2013 - the "Stax Remasters" series that managed a haphazard 9-titles in all (each listed below with Barcodes so you can locate them accurately). The series probably didn't do as much business as they had hoped, or when you peruse the selection list provided, the release-title choices weren't exactly as grabby as the "Green Onions" song. So the "Stax Remasters" series quietly fizzled out, as I and others waited in vain for more releases that never showed. 

Just to digress a little and speaking of Stax - Craft Recordings of Los Angeles have since taken up the Concord Music Group, Inc mantle, doing stunning Stax Reissues both old and new. Their American website is well worth a visit for top quality reissues to do with the iconic American Soul label – check out their 22 September 2017 Isaac Hayes 4CD/45-Single Box Set "The Spirit Of Memphis 1962-1976" (Craft Recordings CR00050 – Barcode 888072016996) and the UK/European 6 November 2020 issue of The Staple Singers 7CD Box Set "Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection" (Craft Recordings CR00364 – Barcode 888072207899) that finally remasters their six albums on Stax between 1968 and 1974 and throws in a vital singles/rarity stragglers CD for good measure – all remastered properly and even issued on VINYL too. But I digress, back to the Booker T & The M.G.s CD in hand...

UK released Monday, 3 September 2012 (22 July 2012 in the USA) - "Green Onions" by BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s on Concord Music Group, Inc/Stax Records 0888072339606 (Barcode 888072339606) is an Expanded Edition with Two Bonus Tracks and is part of the "Stax Remasters" Series of CD Reissues (see list below). It breaks down as follows (43:48 minutes):

1. Green Onions [Side 1]
2. Rinky-Dink 
3. I Got A Woman 
4. Mo' Onions 
5. Twist And Shout 
6. Behave Yourself 
7. Stranger On The Shore [Side 2]
8. Lonely Avenue 
9. One Who Really Loves You 
10. Can't Sit Down 
11. A Woman, A Lover, A Friend 
12. Comin' Home Baby
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Green Onions" - released October 1962 in the USA on Stax Records ST-701 [Mono] and July 1964 in the UK on London HA-K 8182 [Mono]. 

BONUS TRACKS: 
13. Green Onions (Live)
14. Can't Sit Down (Live)
Tracks 13 and 14 first appeared on the 1992 American CD "Funky Broadway: Stax Review Live At The 5/4 Ballroom" on Stax SCD-8567 (previously unreleased at that time). They were recorded in August 1965. 

BOOKER T. JONES - Organ 
STEVE CROPPER - Guitar 
LEWIS STEINBERG - Bass (Tracks 1 to 12)
DONALD "Duck" DUNN - Bass (Tracks 13 and 14)
AL JACKSON, Jr - Drums 
Guest: 
Packy Axton - Saxophone on Track 14

The new 12-page booklet has very knowledgeable and affectionate liner notes by ROB BOWMAN - the LP's artwork on the front and rear of the booklet (including Bob Altshuler's original 1962 LP liner notes) - session details, Stax Records release info and reissue credits. But once again the big news is the NEWLY REMASTERED SOUND...

I've reviewed all the other titles in the "Stax Remasters" series (see list below) and duly raved about the fabulous sound quality on them - especially after years of lacklustre reissues in jewel cases and repro digipaks. Well this is the same. 24-bit remastered from the first generation tapes at JOE TARANTINO Mastering in Berkeley, California - the audio quality is meaty - especially of course on the slinky organ of Booker T Jones and the guitar-chopping of Steve Cropper.

Named after a vegetable that plagued American gardens in the summertime and played by a group named after a British Sports car - the 7" single "Green Onions" was a bona-fide monster. Originally issued in the USA on Volt 101 - it was quickly withdrawn and reissued on Stax 127 with the languid "Behave Yourself" as its classy B-side. It hit the US charts in August 1962 and made Number 1 R&B and Number 3 Pop. But not only is "Green Onions" absolute classic 60t's Soul - it has to rank as one the greatest instrumentals ever issued - its cool still intact a full 60 years after it blew everyone away and brought dance-floors to life all over the world.
I wish I could say the rest of the album lives up to that high - it doesn't. 

The covers of "Twist And Shout" (made famous by The Beatles), Acker Bilk's "Stranger On A Shore" and Ray Charles' "Lonely Avenue" are not great - but things pick up considerably with their plucky version of Phil Upchurch's "Can't Sit Down" with fantastic sound quality on Cropper's guitar and Al Jackson's drums. The same applies to their cover of Jackie Wilson's "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend" - with Lewis Steinberg's bass having a warm sound. The identikit "Mo' Onions" was issued as a 45 in 1963 on Stax 142 and has been a fan favourite ever since (and a big moment in their live shows). It sounds fantastic here. The only real plonkers for me are the two 1965-recorded live versions first issued on a now forgotten American Stax CD - neither warranting the word 'bonus' in my book.

To sum up - despite those naff live additions, you do get better sound than that Rhino reissue over 25 years ago, improved packaging and a value-for-money price-tag. Heed your mama's good advice and eat your greens. Recommended...

CD Titles in the "STAX REMASTERS" series are (all reviewed):

1. Green Onions - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s (1962) 
3 September 2012 UK CD on Barcode 888072339606

2. McLemore Avenue - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s (1970)
10 May 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072328747

3. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (1975)
13 September 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072331778 

4. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - THE DRAMATICS (1972)
13 September 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072331761

5. Born Under A Bad Sign – ALBERT KING (1967)
June 2013 UK CD on Barcode 888072343344

6. I'll Play The Blues For You - ALBERT KING (1972)
22 May 2012 UK CD on Barcode 888072337169 

7. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself - THE STAPLE SINGERS (1972)
10 May 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072328761

8. Taylored In Silk - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1973)
10 May 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072328754

9. Do The Funky Chicken - RUFUS THOMAS (1970)
13 September 2011 UK CD on Barcode 888072331785

PPS: For those who want to delve deeper into 60ts and 70ts Soul on both Stax and Atlantic Records and are perhaps willing to flash the cash - check out my in-depth review for the October 2012 "Atlantic Soul Legends" set. It's a European made Mini Box Set on WEA Music/Warner Music France/Rhino 8122797264 (Barcode 0081227972646) that contains '20 Original Albums' in Mini LP Card Sleeves and Remasters. "Green Onions" is entry number two amongst them (after Ray Charles and before Solomon Burke). Also including cool types like Donny Hathaway, Sam Dees and Howard Tate - "Atlantic Soul Legends" sells for under £35 and is a stunning little beast most haven't noticed...

1975 - CAPT. FANTASTIC Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters - A SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK by Mark Barry...

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1975 

CAPT. FANTASTIC 

* Almost 1,600 E-pages of information
* 205 in-depth reviews for quality CD Remasters 

* June 2021 Draft

* Formats included - CD, SACD [Super Audio CD], HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital], Japan SHM-CD and Japan Platinum SHM-CD  [Super High Materials] 

* Major Label Box Set Retrospectives from – EMI, Sony/Legacy, Universal and WEA

* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted...

– Ace, Audio Fidelity, Bear Family, Beats Goes On, Big Break Records (BBR), Cherry Red, Earth, Edsel, Esoteric Recordings, Grapefruit, Hip-O Select, Lemon, Light In The Attic, Mobile Fidelity, Raven, Repertoire, Rev-Ola, Rhino, Salvo, Soul Music Records, Sundazed and Panegyric 

* Technical data from the discs themselves (total playing times and more)

* Release Date, Catalogue No and Barcode to locate the correct issue

* CD Track lists and Details on Bonus material (if any)

* VINYL Discographies referencing CD Box sets (track numbers to sequence singles and albums from the discs – huge number of record labels covered

* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 7” singles and EPs within each review

* Remaster/Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted 

* Packaging descriptions, size of booklets, what’s contained within, who wrote the liner notes, repro artwork explained 

* Reference to the Audio Quality of the CD - analysis of songs 

* Guest Musicians highlighted – Cover Versions noted

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal Vinyl and CD buyers (one of the best secondhand record shops in the West End) and having in excess of 4,225 posts on Amazon (CDs, DVDs, BLU RAYs - Hall Of Fame Reviewer six times etc) - as you can imagine I come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others. 

To that end I've collated together these SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOKS as guides to Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters offering up in-depth reviews on a wide range of titles. And it doesn't have to cost the earth to Sound Good either – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy. 

Like my e-Books for the Seventies first couple of years proved (1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973) - the Rock Music is King onslaught continued full pelt in 1974 and especially - 1975. But this equally productive year also showed music lovers continuing to spread their listening wings – embracing genres many thought conservative ears would never give the time of day to (Reggae, Country, Blues Rock, Avant Garde, Jazz Fusion and Prog and in 1976 even Disco). And while you'll undoubtedly see some well-known titles in here - others were obscure even then and remain so to this day (if they're worth a digital revisit, I like to champion them all). 

Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 too, while others are under a fiver. And even if some Box Sets/Deletions have acquired a price tag - because they’re the best I've included them along with artists/titles that deserve your attention…

Enjoy The Reads - MARK BARRY (2021)

PS: in this series, see also

1968 - VOODOO CHILE

1969 - WHOLE LOTTA LOVE 

1970 - ALL THINGS MUST PASS

1971 - GET IT ON

1972 - TUMBLING DICE 

1973 - US AND THEM 

1974 - PICK UP THE PIECES...

1974 - PICK UP THE PIECES - Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters - A SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK by Mark Barry...

1974

PICK UP THE PIECES

50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 

(1974 to 2024)

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* Over 2,350 E-pages of information

* 262 in-depth reviews for quality CD Remasters 

* January 2024 Draft - 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

* Formats included - CD, SACD [Super Audio CD], HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital], Japan SHM-CD and Japan Platinum SHM-CD  [Super High Materials] 

* Major Label Box Set Retrospectives from – EMI, Sony/Legacy, Universal and WEA

* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted...

– Ace, Audio Fidelity, Bear Family, Beats Goes On, Big Break Records (BBR), Cherry Red, Earth, Edsel, Esoteric Recordings, Grapefruit, Hip-O Select, Lemon, Light In The Attic, Mobile Fidelity, Raven, Repertoire, Rev-Ola, Rhino, Salvo, Soul Music Records, Sundazed and Panegyric 

* Technical data from the discs themselves (total playing times and more)

* Release Date, Catalogue No and Barcode to locate the correct issue

* CD Track lists and Details on Bonus material (if any)

* VINYL Discographies referencing CD Box sets (track numbers to sequence singles and albums from the discs – huge number of record labels covered

* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 7" singles and EPs within each review

* Remaster/Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted 

* Packaging descriptions, size of booklets, what’s contained within, who wrote the liner notes, repro artwork explained 

* Reference to the Audio Quality of the CD - analysis of songs 

* Guest Musicians highlighted – Cover Versions noted

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal Vinyl and CD buyers (one of the best secondhand record shops in the West End) and having been an Amazon 'Hall Of Fame' Reviewer many times - as you can imagine I come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others. 

To that end I've collated together these SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOKS as guides to Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters offering up in-depth reviews on a wide range of titles. And it doesn't have to cost the earth to Sound Good either – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy. 

Like my e-Books for the Seventies' first four years proved (1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973) - the Rock Music is King onslaught continued full pelt with 1974. But this equally productive year also showed music lovers continuing to spread their listening wings – embracing genres many thought conservative ears would never give the time of day to (Reggae, Country, Blues Rock, Avant Garde, Jazz Fusion and Prog). And while you'll undoubtedly see some well-known titles in here - others were obscure even then and remain so to this day (if they're worth a digital revisit, I like to champion them all). 

Many entries in this large and unique book cost less than £10 too, while others are under a fiver. And even if some Box Sets/Deletions have acquired a price tag - because they're the best I've included them along with artists/titles that deserve your attention…

Enjoy The Reads - MARK BARRY (2024)

PS: in this series, see also

1968 - VOODOO CHILE

1969 - WHOLE LOTTA LOVE 

1970 - ALL THINGS MUST PASS

1971 - GET IT ON

1972 - TUMBLING DICE 

1973 - US AND THEM 

1975 - BLOW BY BLOW...

1976 - MORE THAN A FEELING

"Futurama" by BE-BOP DELUXE – May 1975 UK Second Studio Album on Harvest Records - featuring Bill Nelson, Charles Tumahai of Alta Mira and Simon Fox of Hackensack with guests Andy Evans and The Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by John Berryman (May 2019 UK Esoteric Recordings 2CD Expanded Edition – Ben Wiseman Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

PROVE IT ALL NIGHT 

Music Of 1975 to 1979 

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

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

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Futurist Manifesto..."

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With a solid rawk debut in July 1974's "Axe Victim" in the bag and in the shops – Bill Nelson's band eclectic sounding Be-Bop Deluxe toured with Cockney Rebel in the UK to something of a rude awakening. 

Things were not working out down at the oh-so-tight-on-stage farm. The first album's four-piece band worked well in the studio, but still the overall soundscape wasn't coming together as Bill had hoped. At the insistence of his record-company EMI - Nelson auditioned and quickly found two musicians that gelled perfectly – a Mauri bassist with a huge Afro who had played with cult band Alta Mira called Charlie Tumahai and the Drummer from Hackensack – Simon Fox. And the classic Be-Bop Deluxe line-up was born. 

Bill Nelson and Harvest Records now had the power trio with the sympatico feel to go to the next stage, studio album number-two - "Futurama" - and then on to their breakthrough album in January 1976 - "Sunburst Finish" that finally saw the band chart in both the UK and America. 

Which brings us to the superlative 'Be-Bop Deluxe Remasters Series' from Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) – the British home to all things Progtastic, Glam and Art Rock. You could look at CD2 and of course notice that it is (aside from some unreleased) little more than a Remix of CD1 masquerading it would appear as a 'Bonus'. But then if you've been used to the original version – this new Stereo beauty will feel like a Steve Wilson remaster of say Crimson or Tull or Yes - revelatory. It really is great and having that bloody rare 45 tagged onto the end of both discs is an actual 'Bonus' too. 

For those who want to the full Dreamland - there is even a Deluxe Edition of "Futurama" with 3CDs+1DVD issued on the same day, 31 May 2019 – search Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 42670 on Barcode 5013929477049 to get the Box Set skinny on that one. But for the futuristic manifesto digipak we do have, let's deal with this 2CD Expanded Edition...

UK released 31 May 2019 - "Futurama" by BE+BOP DELUXE on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 22672 (Barcode 5013929477247) is a 2CD Expanded Edition of their Second Studio Album from May 1975 that plays outs as follows: 

CD1 "Futurama" The Original Stereo Mix (41:46 minutes):
1. Stage Whispers [Side 1]
2. Love With The Madman
3. Maid In Heaven 
4. Sister Seagull 
5. Sound Track 
6. Music In Dreamland [Side 2]
7. Jean Cocteau 
8. Between The Worlds 
9. Swan Song 
Tracks 1 to 9 are their second album "Futurama" – released May 1975 in the UK on Harvest Records SHSP 4045 and May 1975 in the USA on Harvest/Capitol ST-11432. Produced by ROY THOMAS BAKER (Engineered by Pat Moran) – it didn't chart in either country. The band was credited as BE+BOP DELUXE at this point because of the artwork, but would become their more commonly used moniker BE-BOP DELUXE when they reached "Sunburst Finish" in 1976. 

BONUS TRACKS: 
10. Between The Worlds (Single Version)
11. Lights
Tracks 10 and 11 are a February 1975 UK 45-single on Harvest HAR 5091 with the B-side "Lights" being non-album. The A-side "Between The Worlds" is a different version to the one on the LP and was withdrawn in the UK (copies in either Demo or Stock form are very hard to find). In June 1975 EMI UK decided to issue the popular "Maid In Heaven" track from the LP as a 45-single instead – Harvest HAR 5098 also using the non-LP "Lights" as its flipside. October 1975 then saw the US 45-single of "Maid In Heaven" on Harvest Records 4151 with "Sister Seagull" from the LP on its B-side. 

CD2 "Futurama" New Stereo Mix (50:45 minutes): 
1. Stage Whispers [Side 1]
2. Love With The Madman
3. Maid In Heaven 
4. Sister Seagull 
5. Sound Track 
6. Music In Dreamland [Side 2]
7. Jean Cocteau 
8. Between The Worlds 
9. Swan Song 
BONUS TRACKS:
10. Between The Worlds (Single Version)
11. Lights 
12. Music In Dreamland (Phonogram Studios Version) *
13. Between The Worlds (Alternate Single Version) *
* Previously Unreleased

A four-flap foldout card digipak offers colour galore - that great George Hardie artwork very similar in fact to Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" hands logo that would appear in September 1975 - colour photos of the three-piece in varying weird garb (don't get me started on that suit and tie) - tape boxes pictured beneath the see-through CD trays and a properly informative 28-page booklet. It opens with five or so pages of reminiscences from Nelson (penned January 2019) that give insights straight from the horse's mouth - the text peppered with period memorabilia - gig posters (supporting Cockney Rebel on June 13th, 1974) - Harvest promo photos and even one of Bill smiling outside a record shop with a copy of "Futurama" in hand whilst the entire window is filled with the band's second album (bet those freestanding card cut-outs of the album artwork are worth a few quid now). To satiate that lust, Esoteric have put a foldout poster of the beautiful "Futurama" PECLEC 22672 artwork in one of the flaps (booklet in the other). 

As if that's not enough, head honcho and co-ordinator MARK POWELL gives it six more pages of even deeper detail - all sided with unpublished photos and so forth. People integral to the album's feel and sound like Audio Engineer Pat Moran at Rockfield Studios and hot-from-Queen-success Producer Ray Thomas Baker get more than honorary mentions – Nelson praising Moran expertly splicing in edits into the tapes at a time when computers were not around. Weird then (having sung its praises) that the booklet and digipak would leave out the original LP's inner sleeve with the lyrics (could have been put on the back of the poster - perhaps Nelson didn't want printed?)

But the big news is the newly remastered AUDIO - transfers from original master tapes done the vastly experienced BEN WISEMAN. And if you'll forgive the obvious pun - they don't 'alf Art-Rock and Roll man. I have to say too that I'm more partial now to the CD2 Mix than the original - it's like someone has done it right. To the tales of tomorrow...

Coming over like King Crimson mated with Rush before either band ever existed - it's clear from the immediate density of ideas swirling around the opening minute of "Stage Whispers" that "Futurama" isn't going to be a Christmas sing-along record tailored to everyone’s pallet. Nelson sings in that weirdly neither here nor there voice of his "...this guitar does not lie..." - yeah man - but it sure does make for some jagged-edged rhythms. Suddenly the fuzzed-up Aladdin Sane sounding guitars of "Love With The Madman" have a power - his keyboard work way better than Nelson ever gives it credit. 

In his mind BN rates "Maid In Heaven" and it's easy to hear why - that difficult-to-fully-embrace Be-Bop Deluxe sound given a sudden accessibility by the song. Riffage upon riffage upon guitar licks fill up ever second of "Sister Seagull" - will you meet me there - he asks - might do Buffalo Bill if yer bird keeps his poop off the bonnet of my car. "Sound Track" ends Side 1 with some welcome keyboard tinkling – a joyful little tune where those drums and high hats are clearer than they were before – an accomplished Be-Bop Deluxe sounding like Todd Rundgren meets Sparks meets Queen circa A Night At The Opera.

"...Maybe we'll make music in dreamland tonight..." gushes the rather oddly romantic Prog Rock of Side 2's "Music In Dreamland" where The Grimethorpe Colliery Band give the tune old-fashioned horns. I've always found it a little too melodramatic but I know there are fans who see it as brilliant, just another BBD mishmash that needs time and repeated listens. Acoustic Salsa now sails out of your speakers in the shape of "Jean Cocteau" - the Remix version amazing in its clarity (what playing chops they had even then). 

Back to wild rhythms and density, the very Sheer Heart Attack sounding "Between The Worlds" seems like a bloody odd choice for an album lead-off single, but maybe Harvest must have thought that its slightly Sparks "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" loony-sounding-Rock-meets-pantomime vibe would carry it with the public - it didn't. Huge chords and even bigger keyboard-washes fill your Siamese-twins speakers - an epic piece that talks of staying a while in Bill's dreams as he sings for you his swan song. And on it goes...

Even now in the Prog Revival of these last five years (right into 2020) - for absolutely sure, Be-Bop Deluxe and their dense soundscapes will not be for everyone looking for a chart topper. But re-visiting these albums has been something of an eye-opener for me - far better than I remember them and now sounding like perhaps Wakefield's weird man of Rock was cool all along. 

Impressive and recommended...