"The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – September 1983 US Soundtrack Album on Motown Records, Plus April 1984 Follow-Up Motown Album "More Songs From The Big Chill" Plus 2 Bonus Soundtrack Pieces (all CD1) and CD2 "Bigger Chill – Music Of A Generation" with 19 Further Sixties and Seventies Period Tracks (March 2004 USA Hip-O Select 2CD Deluxe Edition with 26 Bonus Tracks and Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE Volume 7"

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

All Info Taken From The Discs Themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap) Only £3.95 per Volume 

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"...Dancing In The Street..."

 

Universal's Deluxe Edition 2CD Compilations seem to be defunct now in 2023. Once they were such a force – a huge 630-plus releases from 2001 onward to 2017 encompassing all genres of music. Now they are all but forgotten it seems - part of CD Reissue History - a series that had simply outran its course and overstayed its welcome.

 

DE's had that look – initially with the outer DELUXE EDITION plastic slipcase (often with credits printed on the rear, this DE does) that would be later be replaced by a band on the outside of a flimsy card Digipak (Thin Lizzy issues) that cheapened the series to a point where collectors hated them. And it seemed that every huge album issued in the 60ts, 70ts and 80ts had to have a DE. But many titles seemed to be stretching it at times with dubious bonuses and there was never that much of an imagination when it came to what was reissued. 

 

But there were about 10 in my books (Howlin' Wolf "The London Chess Sessions", Whiskeytown's "Strangers Almanac", The Who's "Who's Next", Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", the Jimmy Cliff and Various Artists Reggae Soundtrack "The Harder They Come", Bob Marley & The Wailers "Legend: Best Of") that actually sang like a bird and genuinely enhanced the original they were supposed to be complimenting.

 

Originally issued as a humble 10-tracker LP on US Motown in September 1983, "The Big Chill Original Soundtrack" focused on the exuberant "Dancing In The Street" Soul, R&B, Rock and Pop of the Sixties. It proved hugely popular because of its on-the-money track choices. The Lawrence Kasdan directed film about American friends navigating life, marriage, loneliness, kids and success in the burbs starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly and Jobeth Williams caught the zeitgeist when it was released into the cinema in late 1983. Hitting the Billboard LP charts in late October 1983 – it rose to No. 17and spent a whopping 161 weeks on the charts. The music in the film was so popular, it spawned a follow-up More album in 1984 that itself peaked at a more modest No. 85 – but was still impressive. Two songs are missing from that second album – The Rolling Stones and The Steve Miller Band due to licensing. This 2CD DE variant of "The Big Chill Soundtrack" just amplifies both of those LPs by adding 21 more cuts. It's a winner I've been meaning to champion for years.

 

You could easily argue that there are so many 60ts compilations that offer more, are easier to get etc. But this is one of those Hip-O Select reissues that so works and with genuinely top-notch Suha Gur Remasters (access to original master tapes) – packs the punch where it counts – audio – and can still be purchased in certain places for under fifteen quid. With its Digipak interior, outer plastic slipcase and its 24-page expanded booklet, it looks the part too. There's a lot to digest, so to the cold sweats...

 

US released 23 March 2004 - "The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Hip-O Select B0001940-02 (Barcode 602498162286) is a 2CD Deluxe Edition Compilation offer Two Albums and Two Previously Unreleased Soundtrack Songs on CD1 with 19 More 'Music Of A Generation' Sixties Tracks on CD2. It plays out as follows (US 45-single details after each title):

 

CD1 (57:03 minutes):

1. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – MARVIN GAYE (October 1968, Tamla T-54176, A-side)

2. My Girl – THE TEMPTATIONS (December 1964, Gordy G-7083, A-side)

3. Good Lovin' – THE RASCALS (February 1966, Atlantic 45-2321, A-side)

4. The Tracks Of My Tears – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (June 1965, Tamla T-54118, A-side)

5. Joy To The World – THREE DOG NIGHT (February 1971, Dunhill/ABC Records D-4272, A-side)

6. Ain't Too Proud To Be – THE TEMPTATIONS (May 1966, Gordy G-7054, A-side)

7. A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (September 1967, Atlantic 45-2441, A-side)

8. I Second That Emotion – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (October 1967, Tamla T-54159, A-side)

9. A Whiter Shade Of Pale – PROCOL HARUM (June 1967, Deram 45-7507, A-side)

10. Tell Him – THE EXCITERS (October 1962, United Artists UA 544, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "The Big Chill Original Soundtrack" – released September 1983 in the USA on Motown 6062 ML. UK release was July 1984 on CD – Motown ZD72347.

 

11. Bad Moon Rising – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (April 1969, Fantasy 622, A-side)

12. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (March 1966, Atlantic 45-2326, A-side)

13. In The Midnight Hour – THE RASCALS (cover version of the Wilson Pickett Atlantic Records classic, from their debut album "The Young Rascals" - released March 1966 in the USA on Atlantic 8123 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 8123 (Stereo) – Stereo Version used)

14. Gimme Some Lovin' – THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP (December 1966, United Artists UA 50108, A-side, featured vocalist is Steve Winwood)

15. The Weight – THE BAND (August 1968, Capitol 2269, A-side, featured vocalist Robbie Robertson)

16. Wouldn't It Be Nice – THE BEACH BOYS (July 1966, Capitol 5706, A-side)

Tracks 11 to 17 on CD1 and Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4 on CD2 are the album "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" – released April 1984 in the USA on Motown 6094M. Note: the original LP had 11-tracks – the two missing are "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones and "Quicksilver Girl" by The Steve Miller Band due to licensing. Four of these LP tracks were not actually featured in the movie but included on the LP as period pieces – they are separated over to Tracks 1 to 4 on CD2.

 

FILM INSTRUMENTALS

17. Strangers In The Night – BERT KAEMPFERT (April 1966, Decca 31945, A-side – also on "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" LP from 1984 – see Tracks 11 to 16 above)

18. You Can't Always Get What You Want – CHURCH VERSION (Previously Unreleased, 1983 Soundtrack Version used at the beginning of the movie)

 

CD2 "Bigger Chill: Music Of A Generation" (60:20 minutes):

1. It's The Same Old Song – THE FOUR TOPS (July 1965, Motown M 1081, A-side)

2. Dancing In The Street – MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS (July 1964, Gordy G-7033, A-side)

3. What's Going On – MARVIN GAYE (January 1971, Tamla T 54201, A-side)

4. Too Many Fish In The Sea – THE MARVELETTES (October 1964, Tamla T-54105, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 4 do not appear in the film but were included on the follow-up LP "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" in April 1984

 

5. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing – MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL (March 1968, Tamla T-54163, A-side)

6. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted – JIMMY RUFFIN (June 1966, Soul S-35022, A-side)

7. Shotgun – Jr. WALKER & THE ALL STARS (January 1965, Soul S 35008, A-side)

8. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) – ISLEY BROTHERS (March 1968, Tamla T-54164, A-side)

9. Ask Any Girl – THE SUPREMES (September 1964, Motown M-1066, B-side to "Baby Love")

10. You Don't Own Me – LESLEY GORE (December 1963, Mercury 72206, A-side)

11. Like To Get To Know You – SPANKY & OUR GANG (April 1968, Mercury 72795, A-side)

12. Monday, Monday – THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS (March 1966, Dunhill D-4026, A-side)

13. Nights In White Satin – MOODY BLUES (January 1968, Deram 45-85023, A-side)

14. Feelin' Alright – JOE COCKER (May 1969, A&M 1063, A-side)

15. Game Of Love – WAYNE FONTANA & THE MINDBENDERS (February 1965, Fontana F-1503, A-side)

16. I Got You (I Feel Good) – JAMES BROWN and THE FAMOUS FLAMES (October 1965, King 45-6015, A-side)

17. (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet – BLUES MAGOOS (October 1966, Mercury 72622, A-side)

18. Time Of The Season – THE ZOMBIES (October 1968, Date 2-1628, A-side)

19. Get It While You Can – HOWARD TATE (March 1967, Verve VK 10496, A-side)

 

The four-way foldout card digipak provides stills from the movie on the inner flaps (William Hurt and Meg Tilly – Jeff Goldblum and Tom Berenger) – there's nothing underneath the see-through CD trays, but the oversized 24-page booklet has a new and very cool essay from KEVIN FILIPSKI called The Pulse Of A Generation – he being the first cool one to review the film in his 1983 college newspaper. For instance – Filipski points out that the hugely overplayed (and a tune I personally hate) "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum was first used in this 1983 film and to clever visual story-telling effect. Since then, Shade has been in every 60ts-based movie under the sun as an easy theme touch. Abutting the text are pictures of both album sleeves from 1983 and 1984, basic track details (no catalogue numbers or dates, I have provided that above) and two other photos of actors Kevin Kline, William Hurt and Meg Tilly.

 

But all of that is whomped by the fantastically alive Audio – remastered by a man who has had a hand in huge numbers of Motown and Hip-O Select reissues – SUHA GUR. Like Ellen Fitton or Erick Labson or Gavin Lurssen – Suha Gur is a Remastering Engineer I seek out. I've reviewed his Allman Brothers, Four Tops, Cream, Kansas, Fairport Convention, Joe Cocker Remasters - many on Deluxe Editions - and all are exceptionally good. Take a trio like the rarely heard B-side "Ask Any Girl" by The Supremes nestling as Track 9 on CD2 followed by Lesley Gore doing "You Don't Own Me" as Track 10 and again the lesser-celebrated "Like To Get To Know You" by Spanky & Our Gang as Track 11 (dig that fantastic Mamas & Papas layered vocal passage that plays the song out) – you may to turn the stereo down such is the clarity – fabulous stuff.

 

The 1983 Motown album and its 1984 follow-up followed the same musical formula - mostly 60ts Soul, R 'n' B, Pop and Rock with a smattering of early Seventies - Marvin Gaye's utterly stupendous "What's Going On" and Three Dog Night's fab cover of the Hoyt Axton tune "Joy To The World" - Jeremiah Bullfrog sounding like the decade before anyway. You might look at titles like "Dancing In The Street" by Martha & The Vandellas, "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin or even "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations- and think - I've heard these perennials too many times before. But you haven't heard them in this clarity which has endowed each with a freshness that's revelatory - and on more than a few occasions I cried because they capture youth. Throw in nuggets like Joe Cocker's utter belter "Feelin' Alright" or even the innocence in The Marvelettes and their girly "Too Many Fish In The Sea" or or the blistering Motownesque "Gimme Some Lovin'" by The Spencer Davis group fronted by the astonishing young pipes of Steve Winwood. Hell, I even dig that Church Version of The Stones' "Let It Bleed" classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" that Kasdan used at the beginning of the movie when you slowly begin to realize why someone is being dressed...

And on it goes - "The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" is that rarity in reissues - the kind of release that upped the original to a point where a compilation is remembered with such affection 40-years after its initial charm. Check online too in 2023 as price vary. Buy and enjoy...

"A's and B's" by REDBONE – Thirty-Six Single Sides from 1970 to 1977 on Epic and RCA Records USA and Epic Records UK and Brazil – featuring Pat and Lolly Vegas (March 2023 UK BGO Records (Beat Goes On Records) 2CD Compilation of Andrew Thompson Remasters)

 

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"...Come And Get Your Love..."

 

A two-hit wonder on the singles chart in their native USA in 1971 and 1972 (one big smash in the UK in 1971 that went all the way to No.2) – the Native Indian REDBONE are a strange one. Part a poor man's METERS - sort of MALO Latin-Rhythms with a bit of Funky booty butt waddles via GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION – they have always bubbled under but never really broken through.

 

But unfortunately – and even with the expanse of thirty-six 45-single sides from 1970 to 1977 presented here in quality remastered audio – it is easy to hear why. Their LPs never sold when I worked the vinyl counters in Reckless Records in London's Soho – and it has remained that way for decades.

 

Redbone were good at times, but never consistently great and despite this valiant British 2CD seven-inch singles trawl through material even diehard Seventies nuts like me don't know – there are not the discoveries you would hope for (some nuggets for sure, but not much more (hence the 3-stars). This release also doesn't provide any real discography info, so I have. Anyway, to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 17 March 2023 - "A's and B's" by REDBONE on Beat Goes On Records (BGO) BGOCD1488 (Barcode 5017261214881) is a 36-Track 2CD Compilation of Digitally Remastered 45-Single Sides from the USA, UK and JAPAN that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (61:22 minutes):

1. Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band

2. Night Come Down

Tracks 1 and 2 the A&B-sides of February 1970 US Debut 45-single on Epic 5-10597

3. Maggie

4. New Blue Sermonette

Tracks 3 and 4 the A&B-sides of October 1970 US 45-single on Epic 5-10670

5. Alcatraz

Track 5 the B-side of Maggie, October 1971 Japan-only 45-single on Epic 83006

6. Light As A Feather

7. Who Can Say?

Tracks 6 and 7 the A&B-sides of February 1971 US 45-single on Epic 5-10712

8. The Witch Queen Of New Orleans

9. Chant: 13^th Hour

Tracks 8 and 9 the A&B-sides of May 1971 US 45-single on Epic 5-10749; August 1971 UK 45-single on Epic EPC 7351 – peaked at No. 21 in the USA, No. 2 in the UK

10. When You Got Trouble

11. Niji Trance

12. Jericho

Tracks 10 and 12 the A&B-sides of March 1972 US 45-single on Epic 5-10839; Tracks 11 and 12 the A&B-sides of April 1972 UK 45-single on Epic S EPC 7954; note – the A-side in the UK was "Niji Trance", "When You Got Trouble" was not released there

13. Message From A Drum

14. One Monkey

Tracks 13 and 14 the A&B-sides of May 1972 US 45-single on Epic 5-10866 (no UK issue)

15. Fais-Do

16. Already Here (Brujo)

Tracks 15 and 16 the A&B-sides of August 1972 US 45-single on Epic 5-10910

17. Poison Ivy

18. Condition Your Condition

Tracks 17 and 18 the A&B-sides of January 1973 US 45-single on Epic 5-10946; A-side is a cover version of The Coasters 1959 R&B classic originally on Atlantic Records in the USA

 

CD2 (62:49 minutes):

1. We Were All Wounded At Wounded Knee

2. Speakeasy

Tracks 1 and 2 the A&B-sides of March 1973 US 45-single on Epic 5-10979; February 1974 UK 45-single on Epic S EPC 1472

3. Come And Get Your Love

4. Day To Day Life

Tracks 3 and 4 the A&B-sides of August 1973 US 45-single on Epic 5-11035; April 1974 UK 45-single on Epic S EPC 1944

5. Wovoka

6. Clouds In My Sunshine

7. Sweet Lady Of Love

Tracks 5 and 6 the A&B-sides of May 1974 US 45-single on Epic 5-11131; Tracks 5 and 7 the A&B-sides of November 1973 UK 45-single on Epic S EPC 1830; Note – Tracks 10 and 6 issued in the UK September 1974 as the A&B-sides of Epic S EPC 2664; Track 8 on CD1 and Track 5 reissued as A&B-sides in the UK on Epic S EPC 4894 in January 1977

8. Suzi Girl

9. Interstate Highway 101

Tracks 8 and 9 the A&B-sides of August 1974 US 45-single on Epic 8-50015

10. One More Time

11. Blood, Sweat & Tears

Tracks 10 and 11 the A&B-sides of October 1974 US 45-single on Epic 8-50015; Note: Tracks 10 and 6 issued in the UK September 1974 as the A&B-sides of Epic S EPC 2664

12. Only You And Rock And Roll

Tracks 12 and 9 the A&B-sides of February 1975 US 45-single on Epic 8-50074

13. I've Got To Find The Right Woman

14. Physical Attraction

Tracks 13 and 14 the A&B-sides of May 1975 US 45-single on Epic 8-50107

15. (Beaded Dreams Through) Turquoise Eyes

Track 15 is the B-side of "Suzi Girl" in 1975 on a Brazilian 45-single 66262

16. Checkin’ It Out

Track 16 is the A-side of a 1977 Promo-Only US 45-single on RCA JH-11182

17. Give Our Love Another Try

Track 17 is the A-side of a 1977 Promo-only US 45-single on RCA JH-11096

18. Funky Silk

 

I have to say that even though the card-slipcase gives BGO Records compilations a cool look – these 2CD sets have boring and uninspiring front of shop artwork. On the rear of the slight 12-page booklet (good liner notes from SEAN EGAN) is a collage photo of varying picture sleeves down through the years (US, UK, Europe etc) that would have made for far prettier front cover artwork. Still – the digitally remastered Sony/BMG Remasters all pack a wallop (no engineer name noted)

 

As a two-sided different listen, the swamp rock voodoo vibe of "The Witch Queen Of New Orleans" backed by the extraordinary "Chant: 13^th Hour" which offers a Native Indian chant and drone for its first minute and half before going immediately into the most unexpected Meters/Allen Toussaint-type Funk that sounds staggeringly contemporary in 2023 for something that is 52-years old. "Give us just a little more time... " - the Native American band pleads – for more of this – you can have all the time you want. The melodies and heartaches continue with the really rather good "When You Get Trouble" – a sort of Drifters/Stylistics soulful shuffle that hooks its way into your affections as it comments on social mores of the day - eight children to feed, the landlord bearing down on you (great screaming passionate vocals as it gets into a stride too).

 

Don’t know why someone in Epic UK thought "Niji Trance" would somehow be a better A-side than "When You Get Trouble" – it’s an interesting spirit dance of a funker, but it was never as commercial as say the USA A-side or its guitar-funk social-commentary "Jericho" flip – a neighbourhood on the edge of Fresno where people are living in tents and lean-tos. Another excellent song (quite rightly noted by Sean Egan in his liner notes) is the mellow and sincere "Message From A Drum" – a very Matthews Southern Comfort vibe (its flipside "One Monkey" is piano-organ pretty too, a song about moving up to Detroit).

 

Things go downhill fast by the time CD2 comes around - "We Were All Wounded At Wounded Knee" feeling like a sideways but somehow cheesy attempt to recreate the hit "The Witch Queen Of New Orleans" hit. Its B-side is an awful pedal-steel country thing called "Speakeasy". A track called "Hail" was issued as a UK 45 A-side with "Condition Your Condition" as its flipside April 1973 on Epic S EPC 1398, but unfortunately it has not been included on CD2 - a naughty oversight. But things cheer up considerably when we get to the joyous "Come And Get Your Love" – the song that was of course revived by being used in the opening sequence of the huge Marvel Movie "Guardians Of The Galaxy" as Chris Pratt dances across an alien surface with the Redbone song playing on his Walkman. Despite being listed on the card sleeve as "Day To Day Life/Chant Wovoka" – it is only the "Day To Day Life" edit at 2:40 minutes. Great Production and the catchy guitar-funk of "Wovoka" should have seen it succeed as a 45-single – especially with its hey-hey Native Indian chant B-side "Clouds In My Sunshine" that quickly morphs into Stylistics Soul-Pop territory. Unfortunately by the time I get to the insipid "Suzi Girl", "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and so on Redbone feel like a band trying to find a hit rather than writing any.

 

Redbone have their admirers and this huge 2CD singles haul is going to make them very happy by way of rarity content and remastered audio; but for the rest of us, I advise a listen first...

"Life On Mars/What The World Is Coming To/Voyager/Time Is Slipping Away" by DEXTER WANSEL – Albums from August 1976, May 1977, March 1978 and October 1979 on Philadelphia International Records with guests Bobby Malach, Al Harrison, Grover Washington, Jr., Idris Muhammad, Vocalists The Jones Girls, Jean Carn, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Terry Welles and the bands INSTANT FUNK and MFSB on Horns and Strings (March 2023 UK BGO Records (Beat Goes On Records) Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"…Dreams Of Tomorrow…"

 

Philly-born Jazz-Funk multi-instrumentalist DEXTER WANSEL worked as the all-purpose Studio wizard for Gamble and Huff at the Philadelphia International label throughout the Seventies before launching his own much-revered Solo career – a very big deal among Jazz Funk enthusiasts of that golden decade.

 

Wansel stormed the Soul-Funk/Jazz-Fusion marketplace with "Life On Mars" in August 1976 and "What The World Is Coming To" in May 1977 – then "Voyager" and "Time Is Slipping Away" in March 1978 and October 1979. All four on these were on the much-loved Philadelphia International Records label, but only one of ever secured a British release on vinyl - "Voyager". When I worked the counters at Reckless Records in both Islington and Soho's Berwick Street in the 90s and 00’s – these LPs were regular £30 sellers back when £15 was considered a lot.

 

Fans of Wansel who wanted to own the albums on digital will undoubtedly have been here before when Westside of the UK reissued these as '2LPs on 1CD' couplings in 1999 and Edsel again in 2005. But they have been deleted years and in themselves, pricey to track down.

 

This time around in 2023 (10 March to be exact), England's BGO Records (Beat Goes On Records) has clumped all four together into one 2CD card-slipcase remastered bundle for the first time with remastered audio, new liner notes and their usual brand of classy presentation. And man what a joyous and gorgeous sounding racket this reissue compilation makes. Throw in singers like The Jones Girls, Terri Welles and Jean Carr with Saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., drummed Idris Muhammad with the MFSB and INSTANT FUNK Horns and Strings as your backing crew - and we are in Philly Heaven never mind a mood. Here are the Martian details...

 

UK released 10 March 2023 - "Life On Mars/What The World Is Coming To/Voyager/Time Is Slipping Away" by DEXTER WANSEL on BGO Records (Beat Goes On Records) BGOCD1490 (Barcode 5017261214904) is a Compilation that offers Four Albums Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (77:47 minutes):

1. A Prophet Named K.G. [Side 1]

2. Life On Mars

3. Together Once Again

4. Stargazer

5. One Million Miles From The Ground [Side 2]

6. You Can Be What You Wanna Be

7. Theme From The Planets

8. Rings Of Saturn

Tracks 1 to 8 are the debut album "Life On Mars" - released August 1976 in the USA on Philadelphia International PZ 34079 (no UK release). Produced by DEXTER WANSEL – the backing band included INSTANT FUNK, Bobby Malach and Al Harrison on Horns with Terry Welles on Leads Vocals and Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton and Carla Benson on Backing Vocals.

 

9. First Light of The Morning [Side 1]

10. Dance With Me Tonight

11. Holdin' On

12. Ode Infinitum

13. Disco Lights [Side 2]

14. What The World Is Coming To

15. Going Back To Kingston Town

16. Dreams Of Tomorrow

17. Prelude No. 1

Tracks 9 to 17 are his second studio album "What The World Is Coming To" – released May 1977 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records PZ 34487 (no UK issue). Produced by DEXTER WANSEL – band featured DW on Keyboards, Percussion and Lead Vocals, Steve Gold on Keyboards, Herb Smith and Dennis Harris on Guitars, Bobby Malach on Saxophone and Al Harrison on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Derrick Graves on Bass, Billy Johnson on Drums. Jean Carn does Backing Vocals on Tracks 11 and 15. Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Evette Benton do Backing Vocals on Track 10. Idris Muhammad play Drums on Track 14.

 

CD2 (75:50 minutes):

1. All Night Long [Side 1]

2. Solutions

3. Voyager

4. I Just Want To Love You [Side 2]

5. Time Is The Teacher

6. Latin Love (Let Me Known)

7. I'm In Love

Tracks 1 to 7 are his 3rd album "Voyager" - released March 1978 in the USA on Philadelphia International JZ 34985 and June 1978 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 8276. Produced by DEXTER WANSEL except Track 6 by DERRECK GRAVES.

Band included: Dexter Wansel on Keyboards, Guitar, Drums and Percussion, Steve Gold on Keyboards, Cynthia Biggs on Piano, Herb Smith on Rhythm Guitar, George Howard on Saxophone, Butch Harper on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Derrick Graves on Bass and Billy Johnson on Drums with Strings and Horns by Don Renaldo. Backing Vocals by Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Evette Benton on Tracks 1, 6 and 7.

 

8. I'll Never Forget (My Favorite Disco) [Side 1]

9. The Sweetest Pain

10. Funk Attack

11. Time Is Slipping Away

12. It's Been Cool [Side 2]

13. Let Me Rock You

14. New Beginning

15. One For The Road

Tracks 8 to 15 are his 4th album "Time Is Slipping Away" - released October 1979 in the USA on Philadelphia International JZ 36024 (no UK release). Produced by DEXTER WANSEL. Band included Dexter Wansel on Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Percussion and Drums with Mark Rubin and Herb Smith on Guitars, Bobby Malach and Willie Williams on Saxophones, Jimmy Williams and Steve Green on Bass, Miguel Fuentes on Percussion, Jim Gallagher on Vibraslap and Quinton Joseph and Pete Rudd on Drums. The Jones Girls Lead Vocals on Tracks 8 and 13, Backing Vocals on Tracks 9 and 12, Terri Wells sings Lead Vocals on Tracks 9 and 14. Backing Vocalists include Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Carolyn Holloway, Evette Benton, Lorna Wansel, Shirley Collins and more.

 

The outer card slipcase lends these BGO compilations a classy look and longtime writer and contributor to Mojo, Record Collector and BGO reissues CHARLES WARING gives a full overview in the 24-page booklet (features all artwork and original musician credits). The rear of the jewel case and card wrap state 'digitally remastered from original master tapes' but doesn't advise when or by who. They sound amazing but as it's licensed from Sony/BMG - I'm pretty sure these are the Philly Remasters and not new variants. Whatever way you look at it, the audio here is fabulous - full and muscular and not too rammed for the sake of it. To the chunes...

 

CD1 offers us the mighty "Life On Mars" first. The album opens on the famous wavering synth funk of "A Prophet Named K.G." – then the strings kick in and about two minutes into it's four BOBBY MALACH hits us with His Saxophone playing ably abetted by AL HARRISON on Trumpet. The swirling magic continues with the title track "Life On Mars" where Philly band INSTANT FUNK soon turn the proceedings into the nastiest groove cleverly made more accessible by the trio of ladies singing along to the Funk – BARBARA INGRAM, CARLA BENSON and EVETTE BENTON. "Together Once Again" is almost Jon Anderson of Yes in its fusion beginning - but soon settles into love song territory as TERRY WELLES takes lead vocals – a very pretty number indeed. Arranged by Jack Faith "Stargazer" is a breakneck-speed instrumental that perfectly mixes his Funk with those Philly Strings.

 

Side 2 opens with one of my faves - the ballad 'n' strings floater "One Million Miles From The Ground" where Dexter fronts the Lead Vocals (again subtle doubled-vocals from the ladies). I've always thought it a gorgeous tune – a Philly nugget hidden on an album too many people don't know about. They issued it Stateside as a 45 on Philadelphia International ZS8-3606 with "Stargazer" on the flipside but it didn't break the Top 40. One of the albums Big Funk cornerstones is "You Can Be What You Wanna Be" which again features INSTANT FUNK as the backing band. Even sweeter for me is superlative instrumental "Theme From The Planets" – a fabulous piece of slick and smooth Funk that never overdoes it as the synths soar and the Saxophone blows cool and sexy (gorgeous remastered Audio too). It ends on "Rings Of Saturn" – another Fusion instrumental that even has 'Blade Runner' vibes in the Sax soloing.

 

The second album "What The World Is Coming To" opens with a fantastic 6:05 minute instrumental called "First Light Of The Morning" where sessionman Bobby Malach plays a blinder on Tenor Saxophone – the tune itself all slappy bass. That dancing Jazz-Funk vibe is carried over to the seriously commercial "Dance With Me Tonight" – Wansel handling the lead vocals while Bobby Malach and Al Harrison give it some brass. Derek Graves anchors the whole butt-shaking-dancefloor-filler song with crystal clear Bass plucks that centre a keyboard solo from Steve Gold – so Con Funk Shun.

 

Seeing the potential of a smooch on the A with a Bopper on the flip - Philadelphia International tried "Dance With Me Tonight" as the B-side to the next track - "Holdin' On" (June 1977 US 45-single on Philadelphia International ZS8 3629) – the second and last single off the album. "Holdin' On" had the added attraction of duet backing vocals from the Philly label fave Jean Carn (with the MFSB strings drawing out the 4:51 minute lurch).

 

Back to Slap-Bass Funk with a keyboard and horn swirl for "Ode Infinitum" – an instrumental that pumps those Bass and Drum fills to the max. Side 2 opens with the synth-soloing and funky-pleasing "Disco Lights" which the label coupled with "Ode Infinitum" as the B-side to the first 45-single off the LP in April 1977 (Philadelphia International ZS8 3616). Sounding like Rick Wakeman having a Stevie Wonder moment, "Disco Lights" is a good funker that builds up to DW singing about lights shining bright. CTI Records drummer Idris Muhammad lends his sticks to "What The World Is Coming To" – a mellow keyboard pleader that opens with children playing. Al Harrison provides the Flugelhorn Solo and a lovely piece of music it is – not dissimilar to say Donald Byrd on "Spaces And Places".

 

The big piece however for me on Side 2 is "Dreams Of Tomorrow" - where Jean Carn takes lead vocals helped by Dennis Harris on guitar and Charles Collins on Drums. It swirls and sashays like really good Narada Michael Walden and the audio is fabulous too.

 

CD2 opens with the hugely popular slappy-bass "All Night Long" which Philly tried as a lead-in 45 (Philadelphia International ZS8 3640) before the album was released with the title track from his preceding album "What The World Is Coming To" on its flip. In Britain the 12" single (with "Disco Lights") on it's flip has always been a sought after gem. And yet for such an upbeat Funk tune - it seems hard to imagine now that it didn't chart on either side of the pond.

 

It's followed by the social-consciousness keyboard workout "Solutions" (lyrics by Cynthia Biggs) which cleverly features news broadcasts after the chorus (it charted Stateside in June 1978 in the lower end of the top 100). Rapid-fire Funk and Prog Jazz follows with the superb title track "Voyage" - the kind of Trumpet/Keyboard battle that Jazz-Fusion dancers love. We go Philly smoocher versus Dexter Wansel with "Time Is The Teacher" - the kind of Grover Washington, Jr. Saxophone funk that would populate "Winelight" in 1980.

 

With his sights firmly on the Dancefloors of America - "I'll Never Forget (My Favorite Disco)" has a slinky Chi-like bass line with The Jones Girls out front singing about the joys of Studio 54. But then we veer away from commercialism and hit Jazz Fusion Nirvana - the sexily wonderful "The Sweetest Pain" featuring Terri Wells on Lead Vocals. It's as if everything that was great about the period and PI's arrangements came together in one place - the super-sweet rhythm, the harp strings being plucked, the beautifully placed brass fills - what a winner. Bit of a meisterwork frankly and for DJs what a shame they never put out a 12" of it - the US-only 7" was on ZS9 3724 featuring "Funk Attack" as its B-side. Philly also tried the upbeat Kool & The Gang vibe of "It's Been Cool" as a single but it did little business. Better is The Jones Girls getting all breathy on "Let Me Rock You" and The Crusaders groove of the finisher "One For The Road" has always been an underrated gem. Speaking of "Funk Attack" earlier - it occurs to me that it has a vocal I'd swear the young Prince heard and nicked wholesale.

 

After 4 LPs that didn't crack the top 40 (the superb "Time Is Slipping Away" only managed 58 on Billboard's R&B album charts) - Wansel went back to the control at Philadelphia International - only to spoken of in hushed tones by Jazz Funkers for the next three decades.

 

"...Hold me real tight when it starts to storm..." – Wansel sang on "One Million Miles From The Ground" and I agree. A smart and timely reissue by BGO in March 2023 and one I am reliving all over again. Embrace this space I say...

"Country Home/Ace Of Sunlight" by BRONCO – November 1970 and July 1971 Debut and Second Studio Albums on Island Records (UK) featuring Jess Roden and Robbie Blunt with guests Mick Ralphs and Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople, Trevor Lucas of Fairport Convention and Songwriting Credits with Clifford T. Ward all on the Second Album (October 2010 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

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"...Turn Your Bumpers West..."

 

Despite their stellar line-ups and some quality songs - England's BRONCO came and went without too many people noticing. So it's nice to see this superb sounding remaster on BGO Records (Beat Goes On) celebrate the short but illustrious career of this unfairly forgotten and deeply melodic Rock group that featured two underground heroes in Jess Roden and Robbie Blunt.

 

Soon to be Bad Company main guitarist Mick Ralphs appears with Ian Hunter (both in Mott The Hoople at the time) on the second LP "Ace Of Sunlight" as does Trevor Lucas of Fairport Convention (one track each) – while some tracks on the second were also co-written with Clifford T. Ward - a very musical and rum crew indeed. Here are the shards of sunlight...

 

UK released October 2010 - "Country Home/Ace Of Sunlight" by BRONCO Beat Goes On Records BGOCD 946 (Barcode 5017261209467) is a compilation that Remasters 2LPs onto 1CD and breaks down as follows (72:57 minutes):

 

1. Civil Of You Stranger [Side 1]

2. Love

3. Misfit On Your Stair

4. Bumpers West

5. Home [Side 2]

6. Well Anyhow

7. Tim (So Long Between)

Tracks 1 to 7 are their debut album "Country Home" released November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9124. The famous double-album label sampler compilation "Bumpers" on Island Records in late 1970 took its name partially from Track 4 and the version of "Love" featuring on that August 1970 2LP Sampler is different to what appeared in November 1970.

 

8. Amber Moon [Side 1]

9. Time Slips Away

10. Some Uncertainty

11. Woman

12. New Day Avenue [Side 2]

13. Discernable

14. Sudden Street

15. Joys And Fears

Tracks 8 to 15 are their 2nd LP "Ace Of Sunlight" - released July 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9161. Mick Ralphs (later with Bad Company) and Ian Hunter both of Mott The Hoople guest on one song - "Amber Moon". Trevor Lucas of Fairport Convention lends Vocals to "Time Slips Away".

 

The outer card-wrap slipcase pictures both albums while the 12-page booklet has excellent liner notes by MICHAEL HEATLEY that includes rare photos of the band, a history and interviews. The remaster is fabulous - great clear sound by ANDREW THOMPSON - lovely detail and power where it's needed - a top job done.

 

Sounding not unlike a more rocky version of Matthews Southern Comfort - the group featuring guitar hero and lead vocalist JESS RODEN alongside fellow guitar muckers ROBBIE BLUNT and KEVYN GAMMOND (Blunt went on to be Robert Plant's principal sideman) with JOHN PASTERNAK on Bass and PETE ROBINSON on Drums. Robinson was the original drummer with Band Of Joy way back in 1966 while Mick Ralphs (who joined the group for the 2nd LP) would of course became the main man on the sticks with BAD COMPANY.

 

In fact when you listen to the rambling and hard-riffing "Well Anyhow" it's hard not to hear those Free and Bad Company comparisons. But the songs were often softer than that - least not of all "Bumpers West" who lyrics titled that beloved 2LP sampler set "Bumpers" at the end of 1970 (lyrics from it title this review). Roden often wrote the softer songs like "Love" and "Home" while "Time (So Long Between)" which ends the 1st album is a neither here nor there hybrid of Rock and Folk.

 

So why didn't they click with the public? What's clearly missing is that killer single - that one song that would get them noticed. There was a moment perhaps when it might have happened in the fabulous builder "Time Slips Away" on "Ace Of Sunlight" (written by Robbie Blunt). The track turned up on the "Meet On The Ledge - Island Folk/Rock" 3CD Box Set in 2009 and I've raved about it before (see separate review). With an edit maybe it might have gotten them radio play. The album opens with the lovely "Amber Moon" co-written by Roden with Suzy Worth while "Some Uncertainty", "Woman" and "Discernible" all feature Clifford T. Ward in the song-writing credits but in truth are disappointingly slight.

 

"New Day Avenue" is lovely too. The only real downer about this re-issue is that a very rare single "Lazy Now" b/w "A Matter Of Perspective" on Island WIP 6096 (issued in 1970) is not included - shame that. There is the very definite feeling of a band progressing leaps and bounds by the time they hit that 2nd album (they even supported Zeppelin at The Wembley Empire in 1971). With Roden departed, the others re-grouped and made one more album "Smoking Mixture" on Polydor in 1972 before finally disbanding.

 

You would not under any circumstances call either Bronco album on Island Records in 1970 and 1971 some sort of lost masterpiece (you would have to go to Nick Drake and Cat Stevens for that) and there is a frustrating ordinariness about both records despite their rarity on original vinyl. But if you like your US melodies via British Rock bands like say Matthews Southern Comfort, Cochise, Brinsley Schwarz or Help Yourself – then there's a lot on here to like - and given the classy presentation - time to not let this rare one slip away...