"Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology" by THE CARS – Forty-Tracks from 1978 to 1987 LPs on Elektra Records Plus Some Non-LP B-sides, Demos and Unreleased Material. Band featured Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, David Robinson and Producer Ray Thomas Baker (November 1995 UK Elektra Traditions/Rhino 2CD 40-Track Compilation in a Jewel-Case with Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-What-I-Needed-Anthology/dp/B000007XV7?crid=TVPJ780K2V9Q&keywords=603497350629&qid=1707680111&sprefix=603497350629%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=c14fc4712484560803f981d10097bd34&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Let The Good Times Roll…"

The Cars arrived just when the 1978 Music Scene needed them. Unashamedly steeped in US Pop, Rock and New Wave shininess - right from the off, they had hooky Petty-type riffs, knowing lyrics and fabulous Radio-friendly Production values courtesy of Roy Thomas Baker. "The Cars" self-titled debut felt so cleverly cool - like Queen had mated with Eurythmics via The Motels and Talking Heads. 

I can still remember the impact of that fantastic-looking debut album in 1978 - just when Punk was threatening to disappear up its own aggro-addled arse. Dancers dug them - Alternative Rockers liked the gutsy riffage of tunes like "Good Times Roll" and "You're All I Got Tonight" and Radio just couldn't enough of wildly popular hits like "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed". We were indeed Moving In Stereo. Which brings me to 'The Cars Anthology'.

Although CD2 of this frighteningly good twofer drops two tracks I adore by The Cars - "Heartbeat City" from the album of the same name and "A Dream Away" from the hugely underrated fourth platter "Shake It Up" – the Remastered Audio is stonking - there's a half-decent smattering of unreleased sides for die-hards who have been starved on something new for years and a slew of those hard-to-find-on-digital US 45-single side versions instead of the more commonly available LP cuts. 

Th UK variant loses comes in a rather boring double-jewel case and I say this because the US one has a sort of glitter and glam card slipcase – like a Disco Ball which is worth seeking out. Both the British/European version (reviewed below) and the US variant are available cheaply these days (2024) – so collector's choice. Who's gonna drive you home tonight - well this one is my loyal best friend – to the glam gear sticks and smooth synth fenders…

UK released January 1996 (November 1995 in the USA in a Glitter Card Slipcase, UK issue in 2CD Jewel-Case Only) – "Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology" by THE CARS on Elektra Traditions/Rhino 0349-73506-2 (Barcode 603497350629) is a 2CD 40-Track Compilation of Remasters covering 1978 to 1987 (including LP tracks, 45-Single Edits, Non-LP B-sides, Demos and Unreleased) and plays out as follows: 

CD1 (69:24 minutes):
1. Just What I Needed
2. My Best Friend's Girl
3. Good Times Roll
4. You're All I've Got Tonight
5. Don't Cha Stop
6. Moving In Stereo
7. Take Me Now – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Demo
8. Cool Fool – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Demo
9. Let's Go
10. Candy-O
11. Dangerous Type
12. Double Life
13. Got A Lot On My Head
14. It's All I Can Do
15. Nightspots (Early Version) – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Outtake
16. Slipaway – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Demo
17. That's It
18. Panorama
19. Gimme Some Slack
20. Don't Go To Pieces
NOTES ON CD1:
Track 1 is a US 45-Single Version (Their Debut 45), May 1978 on Elektra E-45491 (Charted No.27)
Track 2 is a US 45-Single Version, October 1978 on Elektra E-45537 (No.35)
Track 3 is a US 45-Single Version, February 1979 on Elektra E-46014 (No.41)
Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are from the debut album "The Cars", released June 1978 in the USA on Elektra 6E-135 (peaked US LP charts at No. 18) – Tracks 1 to 3 are also on the LP in Album Version form
Tracks 7, 8 and 15 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Track 15 is an unissued outtake Early Version of "Nightspots" from "The Cars" 1978 sessions – later version included on the 1979 "Candy-O" album
Track 9 is a US 45-single Version, June 1979 on Elektra E-46063, A-side (No.14) – see also Track 17 for Non-LP B-side
Track 10 is a US 45-single Version, December 1979 on Elektra E-46580, A-side (see also Track 12 for B-side)
Track 12 is a US 45-single Version, December 1979 on Elektra E-46580, Non-LP B-side of "Candy-O" (see also Track 10 for A-side)
Tracks 11 is from their second studio album "Candy-O", released June 1969 in the USA on Elektra 5E-507
Track 13 is a US 45-single version, September 1979 on Elektra E-46546, A-side – for Non-LP B-side see Track 14
Track 14 is a US 45-single version, September 1979 on Elektra E-46546, Non-LP B-side of "Got A Lot On My MInd" – for A-side see Track 13
Track 17 is a US 45-single Version, June 1979 on Elektra E-46063, Non-LP B-side of "Let's Go" (see Track 9 for A-side)
Track 18 is from their third studio album "Panorama", released August 1980 in the USA on Elektra 5E-514
Track 19 is a US 45-single Version, January 1981 on Elektra E-47101, A-side – for Non-LP B-side see Track 20
Track 20 is a US 45-single Version, January 1981 on Elektra E-47101, Non-LP B-side of "Gimme Some Slack"

CD2 (69:24 minutes):
1. Touch And Go
2. Don't Tell Me No
3. Shake It Up
4. Since You're Gone
5. I'm Not The One
6. Cruiser
7. The Little Black Egg
8. Funtime
9. You Might Think
10. Drive
11. Magic
12. Hello Again
13. Why Can't I Have You
14. Breakaway
15. Tonight She Comes
16. You Are The Girl
17. Strap Me In
18. Door To Door
19. Leave Or Stay (1977 Demo Version)
20. Ta Ta Wayo Wayo (1977 Demo Version)
NOTES ON CD2:
Track 1 is the Full-Length Album Version of "Touch And Go" from their third studio album "Panorama", released August 1980 in the USA on Elektra 5E-514; an edited Single Mix was issued August 1980 on Elektra E-47039 but is not included here
Track 2 is a US 45-single Version, November 1980 on Elektra E-47080, A-side
Track 3 is a US 45-single Version, November 1981 on Elektra E-47250, A-side (No.4)
Track 4 is a US 45-single Version, March 1982 on Elektra E-47433, A-side (No.41)
Track 5 is the original version from their fourth studio album "Shake It Up", released November 1981 in the USA on Elektra 5E-567; a remixed version of the song was issued on the "Cars Greatst Hits" LP and released January 1986 in the USA as a 45-single on Elektra 7-69569 (that version not included here)
Track 6 is a US 45-single version, November 1981 on Elektra 47250, A-side
Tracks 7 and 8 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Demos recorded early 1981
Track 9 is a US 45-single version, March 1984 on Elektra 7-69744, A-side
Track 10 is a US 45-single version, July 1984 on Elektra 7-69706, A-side
Track 11 is a US 45-single version, May 1984 on Elektra 7-69724, A-side
Track 12 is a US 45-single version, October 1984 on Elektra 7-69681, A-side
Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a US 45-single issued January 1985 on Elektra 7-69657 – the B-side (Track 14) is Non-LP
Album Versions of Tracks 9, 10, 11 12 and 13 are on their fifth studio album "Heartbeat City", March 1984 US LP on Elektra 60296 (No.3)
Track 15 is a US 45-single version, October 1985 on Elektra 7-69589, A-side
Track 16 is a US 45-single version, August 1987 on Elektra 7-69446, A-side
Track 17 is a US 45-single version, October 1987 on Elektra 7-69427, A-side
Track 18 is from their sixth and final album "Door To Door", August 1987 US LP on Elektra 60747
Tracks 19 and 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Demos, later versions of both tracks. Included on the "Door To Door" 
Only US Copies Had A Glossy Card Slipcase and Fat Jewel Cases
"Made In England/Nice 'N' Greasy plus Bonus Tracks"

BRETT MILANO does the new liner notes that includes interviews with principals like singer and Rhythm Guitarist Ric Ocasek, Bassist and Vocalist Benjamin Orr, Guitarist Elliot Easton as well as a surprising number of band and individual photos (Greg Hawkes by his keyboard banks) from the archives - their first European Tour etc. The last few pages give credits – picture the albums – original vinyl catalogue numbers – all the usual. It's thorough and in-depth. 

The BILL INGLOT Remasters punch like a mule - you would expect "Don't Cha Stop", "Let's Go" or "Drive" to float out of your speakers with the precision with which they were recorded - but listening to the superb outtake "Take Me Now" on CD1 and you realise to your shock that this in-yer-face Pop Gem could easily have been on the B-side of one of the debut's 45s. It sounds amazing, feels good too - and the also-unreleased "Cool Fool" is another audio winner (perhaps considered to be too Punky for their Pop-Rock debut). Fans would be hoping that the "Candy-O" tracks like the slinky "Dangerous Type" with its hard guitar solo and the echoed vocals of "Double Life" are given more muscle - and they are (drums a-whacking) - although you might have to give them more welly on the volume control (can I touch you, yes I can). 

And all will enjoy the three Non-LP B-sides - tracks like "It's All I Can Do" (cancel my flight that's going nowhere). The grunge groove inherent in the "Nightspots" version presented here is probably why the band felt it wasn't ready for an album at this point - not 'Cars' enough (if that makes sense). The unissued demo of "Slipaway" kicks strong enough, but it lacks the polish of the final. Another Non-LP flip comes in the form of "That's It" - but it feels very much like a cut that's second tier. Better are the Remasters for The Cure-sounding "Panorama" and the manic guitars/drums of the failed single "Gimme Some Slack" feel like the band is somehow losing its way and needs a new direction (and better tunes).  

I absolutely loved the "Shake It Up" album which I felt was a major return to Cars form - represented here by four goodies - cream being "I'm Not The One" and "Since You're Gone". Their big album "Heartbeat City" is represented by five tracks - albeit in their 'single' form - but God damn - do they sound good. The whole album sang for me - gatefold sleeve for the first time - hits a plenty - "Heartbeat City" felt like their "Rumours" or "Tango In The Night". It peaked at No. 3 (as did the less-deserving second album "Candy-O") and hit just when MTV was making stars out of everyone with even half a tune to flog. "You Might Think" and "Magic" are so 80ts Pop-Rock, but it's "Drive" that hammered home their greatness.

The years went past - a "Greatest Hits" with some new mixes and a new song "Tonight She Comes" filled something of a gap in October 1985 - but the last studio album "Door To Door" from October 1987 seemed like an afterthought and really didn't make the splash it should have. Ocasek and Orr went on to solo careers, but they will (like Lou Gramm and Foreigner) be forever linked to their principal band. 

"Just What I Needed..." is a cool reminder of why Boston's The Cars charted so many singles and clocked up two No. 3 US albums while two of the others were Top Ten. Enjoy...

"Top Of The Line" by PRINCE PHILLIP MITCHELL – Second Album from May 1979 on Atlantic Records (November 2007 Rhino "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" CD Reissue – Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
HIGHER GROUND

SOUL, FUNK and 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 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Lying Here Next To You In My Birthday Suit…"

The cool and seductive "Top Of The Line" is the second Soul album ace songwriter PRINCE PHILLIP MITCHELL made for the mighty Atlantic Records in the late Seventies (1979).

This UK released November 2007 Expanded CD on Rhino remasters the album to a very high quality for the first time and adds on a bonus Previously Unreleased instrumental cut (54:07 minutes total playing time). Here's the break down for Rhino 8122-76434-2 (Barcode 081227643423):

1. Top Of The Line

2. Use Your Body

3. Highlight Of My Life

4. In Between Lovers

5. I'm So Happy

6. If It Ain't Love It'll Go Away

7. Paying The Price

8. Let's Get Wet

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Top Of The Line" released in the USA on Atlantic SD 19231 in May 1979

Track 9 is "Take Me Away (Instrumental)" which is a Previously Unreleased album outtake - the lyrics were never completed nor added to the mix...

Rhino's long-time tape engineer BILL INGLOT has remastered the first generation master tapes and the sound is typically great - warm, funky and with plenty of wallop without having to turn it up. Once again the booklet has an essay on the album and artist by noted writer CHARLES WARING that is excellent.

This is smooth loverman Soul where our hero is a bedroom dynamo and his girl is "dynamite" in the candlelight (and anywhere else that's convenient). "Top Of The Line" is a great groove with strings ("number one...second to none...") while "Use Your Body" is over five minutes of "give it all you've got..." and vocally he gets a tad ecstatic every now and then. The swooning continues with the slick "In Between Lovers" but even better is the Teddy Pendergrass funk of "I'm So Happy" - a lovely upbeat dancer with sighing girly vocals. "Paying The Price" sees him duet with The Jones Girls while "Let's Get Wet" is not really a subtle song where one of The Jones Girls literally say "not tonight Phil..." before the song goes into a pulsing Disco rhythm.

"Top Of The Line" is not really as good as its predecessor "Make It Good" from 1978 (which is also in this series) - but both are old-school Soul albums worth revisiting in your boudoir soon...

PS: This release is part of Rhino's "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults:

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

6. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

7. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Make It Good" (1978 US Debut LP on Atlantic) (see REVIEW)

9. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (1979, his 2nd album on Atlantic) (see REVIEW)

10. The Voices Of East Harlem [featuring Donny Hathaway] -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)

"Blue Magic" by BLUE MAGIC – Debut Album from January 1974 on Atco Records (October 2007 Rhino 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue – Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
HIGHER GROUND

SOUL, FUNK and 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 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Step Right Up...Hurry Hurry..."

Released in early 1974 on Atlantic's US label imprint Atco - Blue Magic's first album was dominated by the huge US Number 1 soft soul hit "Sideshow" (opening lyrics above). Produced by Norman Harris of Philadelphia International fame and with their songs pumped up by the MFSB Orchestra - BLUE MAGIC were Ted Mills (Vocals and Piano) with a foursome of Vocalists in Wendall and Vernon Sawyer, Keith Beaton and Richard Pratt.

As I recall - "Blue Magic" was the kind of mid-70ts Soul album that cluttered up secondhand stores everywhere – a record that was bought at the time for sure but it's fair to say – then dismissed as somewhat lightweight only a few years later. But that was then. And music lovers/collectors have across the decades that followed dug deeper into its lush Atco microgrooves and discovered nuggets overshadowed by the LP's mega hit. And that's where this sexy little Philly-Style CD Reissue comes a silver-suited shimmying in...

Part of Rhino's 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue Series (see list below) - this October 2007 US and UK reissue of "Blue Magic" by BLUE MAGIC on Rhino 8122-76428-2 (Barcode 081227642822) finally makes that self-titled debut album available on Remastered CD (and for the first time in the UK too). Here are the showy details (56:51 minutes)...

1. Sideshow [Side 1]

2. Loom Me Up

3. What’s Come Over Me

4. Just Don't Want To Be Lonely

5. Stop To Start [Side 2]

6. Welcome To The Club

7. Spell

8. Answer To My Prayer

9. Tear It Down

Tracks 1 to 9 are the LP "Blue Magic" released in the USA on Atlantic SD 7038 in January 1974

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Guess Who (Non-Album B-side to "Spell", the 1st 7" single off the album released March 1973 on Atco 6910)

11. Where Have You Been (Non-Album B-side to "Stop To Start", the 3rd single off the album released January 1974 on Atco 6949)

12. Look Me Up (Tom Moulton Remix) (issued on a 1976 Atlantic Records compilation called "Disco-Trek" on Atlantic SD 18185)

The album yielded four singles in the USA:

"Spell" b/w "Guess Who" on Atco 6910, March 1973

"Look Me Up" b/w "What's Come Over Me" on Atco 6930, September 1973

"Stop To Start" b/w "Where Have You Been" on Atco 6949, January 1974

"Sideshow" b/w "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" on Atco 6961, April 1974

BILL INGLOT - Rhino's long-time tape-expect did the remaster and a typically superb job has been delivered - very clear despite the often overbearingly lush string arrangements. There are very detailed liner notes by noted soul writer and contributor CHARLES WARING that include interviews with the band - and the CD even reflects the original yellow ATCO label and multi-coloured logo - all nice touches.

A cross between The Stylistics and The Chi-Lites "Blue Magic" were soft soul by way of Philly and not to everybody's taste (it has to be said). And while this might seem like the kind of music your sister would buy, both disco and soft soul have seen a resurgence of affection among soul lovers in the last few years - usually because if you dig deep enough second time round, there's great tunes in there somewhere.

This seems to have been the case with Blue Magic. Although they charted 3 singles prior, they were forever tied down to their huge "Sideshow" hit, which sort of sidelined better tracks on the album like the Ted Mills penned "Spell" (a pianist, songwriter and vocalist – Mills was defacto band leader) and the genuinely sweet seven minutes-plus of "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (written by the Gamble & Huff team of Bobby Eli, John Freeman and Vinny Barrett – it was Eli and Barrett who also penned the monster "Sideshow").

Disco fans will enjoy the bonus remix of "Look Me Up", while the two B-sides are excellent and rare. Another top job done by RHINO and a cleverly chosen title for reissue too...

PS: This release is part of Rhino's 'Classic Soul Album – Remastered and Expanded' CD Reissue Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare Soul/Funk/R&B albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults.

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

3. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see REVIEW)

4. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

7. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (see REVIEW)

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Make It Good" (see REVIEW)

9. The Voices Of East Harlem [feat Donny Hathaway] -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)

"Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM (October 2007 Rhino 'Expanded & Remastered' CD Reissue - Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review of their 1970 Debut LP on Elektra Records by Mark Barry...

"…Simple Song of Freedom…"

**** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2007 RHINO REISSUE CD 

WITH 11 BONUS TRACKS ***

I've seen the UK variant of this album in all honesty maybe twice in nearly 45 years of collecting vinyl - it's both genuinely hard-to-find and sought-after by Soul collectors. "Right On Be Free" is a sort of Gospel-Funk Righteous-Soul miss-mash.

And as original vinyl copies don't surface that much - this October 2007 UK released ‘Expanded & Remastered’ CD version of "Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM on Rhino 8122-76435-2 (Barcode 081227643522) with a tasty 11 Bonus Tracks is more than welcome and a good move from a smart reissue label. And this reissue includes the outside talents of PHIL UPCHURCH, DONNY HATHAWAY and WILLIE WEEKS in the reissue stew. Here's the gritty urban breakdown:

1. Right On Be Free [Side 1]

2. Simple Song Of Freedom

3. Proud Mary

4. Music In The Air

5. Oh Yeah

6. For What It's Worth [Side 2]

7. Let It Be Me

8. No No No

9. Gotta Be A Change

10. Shaker Life

Tracks 1 to 10 are the lone album "Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM - released October 1970 in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-74080 (with the Butterfly Label Design) and Elektra EKS 74080 in the UK with the Red Label Design (later pressings are Elektra 2469 007) — both original issues donning the luxury of a gatefold sleeve.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Oxford Town (A Bob Dylan cover)

12. Sit Yourself Down (A Stephen Stills cover)

Tracks 11 and 12 are the non-album A&B sides of their 3rd US 7" single issued in mid 1971 on Elektra EKM 45753. The Dylan song first appeared of his 1963 masterpiece "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" and was a powerful protest song then - here it's typically funked up - heavy on the choppy 60's organ with Cynthia Sessions giving impassioned lead vocals. “Oxford Town” was always a strong tune and this is a great version of it.  The Stephen Stills track is from his 1970 debut album "Stephen Stills" and is a very clever choice of song in that the original had a very soulful even churchy feel to it anyway. The TVOEH version keeps to that feel and for me it's definitely one of the highlights here. (The beautifully handled male lead vocal for "Sit Yourself Down" is unknown - so come out wherever you are and claim the glory).

13. Nation Time

14. I Wanna Be Free

15. Hey Brother

16. Love Is The Answer

17. Kind Woman

Tracks 13 to 17 are all from the aborted second album sessions recorded in New York between June and September of 1971 with all songs produced and overseen by soul maestro DONNY HATHAWAY. All are previously unreleased and make their CD debut here - and what a find they are. It's clear that a truly superb 2nd album was in the making and its criminal that it never made it off the blocks. "Nation Time” is a Gamble & Huff song penned in 1968 which was made a hit by THE EBONYS on their self-titled debut LP for Philadelphia International in 1973. It's an excellent funky tune - sort of Ike & Tina Turner guitar-driven righteous soul. "I Wanna Be Free" is a Richie Furay tune with all the right-on musical and lyrical credentials needed. "Hey Brother" contains a version of Hendrix's "Hey Joe" in there and is just superb. "Love Is The Answer" is possibly by Donny Hathaway but the writer is credited as ‘unknown’. “Kind Woman” is another Richie Furay song from his stay with Buffalo Springfield (on their second album "Last Time Around" from 1968) - TVOEH give it a gorgeous slow ballad working.

18. Angry (Tony Davillo cover)

19. (We Are) New York Lightning (Tony Davillo cover)

Tracks 18 and 19 are the non-album A&B sides of their 4th 7" single issued in late 1971 on Elektra EKM 45775. "Angry" features a duet vocal (male & female singers are unidentified) and is excellent - righteous and soulful in all the right ways. The B-side is a slower more soulful song - very nice - a superb extra to have. TONY DAVILLO wrote both the A&B – a session guitarist who also worked with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. 

20. Run Shaker Life (Live) (Richie Havens cover)

21. Soul To Soul (Live)

Tracks 20 and 21 are exclusive to the Various Artists album called "Soul To Soul" issued in the USA on Atlantic in September 1971 (SD 7207). It was recorded in Ghana on 6 March 1971 at a live concert in the capitol city Accra put together to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the African country's independence from British rule.  At times the group sound like 'live' Santana circa '69/'70 - absolutely on fire and kicking. (For those interested the DVD of the show was made available in 2004.)

The core 10-track album is top-heavy with other people's songs - "Simple Song Of Freedom" is a Bobby Darin cover, "Proud Mary" a Creedence Clearwater Revival song, "For What It's Worth" is the famous Buffalo Springfield track - while "Let It Be Me" is an Everly Brothers slow song all funked up. "Run Shaker Life" is a Richie Havens song that turned up on his 1969 2LP set "Richard P. Havens, 1989". Throw in two traditional songs in the shape of "No No No" and "Music In The Air" and that leaves only 3 original songs; "Right On Be Free" and "Gotta Be A Change" are penned by leading light in the Harlem area of New York, and founder of the group, singer CHUCK GRIFFIN. "Oh Yeah" is written by and features fantastic lead vocals from BERNICE COLE.

Two singles came off the album but did no business; they were "Right On Be Free” b/w “Gotta Be A Change" (Elektra 210013) and "Oh Yeah” b/w “No No No" (Elektra 210018)

Remastered by tape maestro BILL INGLOT - the sound quality on this great CD reissue is typically superb. The Remaster brings out the funky-as-fuck bass playing of Chuck Rainey - while Richard Tee's organ permeates every track with a church/choir feel. The liner notes suggest that the house band for these sessions is that of Hathaway's live ensemble, PHIL UPCHURCH on Funky Guitar, WILLIAM WEEKS on Bass and FRED WHITE on Drums - and they are superb. HATHAWAY fans will simply have to own these - I love that guy - what a loss he was to Soul Music.

But it's the assembled voices that dominate every song - and at times - just a little too much so. I would admit that these blasting righteous tunes may not be everybody's cup of Darjeeling - but for me they and the superb extras make it an essential purchase.

To sum up - this is an exceptional release in any man's language - a rare and sought-after album complete with the A&B's of two ridiculously rare 45s and a wad of great previously unreleased material. Is it any wonder fans love Rhino as a label. Way to go boys…

PS: This release is part of Rhino's "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults. The other titles are:

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - “Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

6. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

7. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line” (see REVIEW)

9. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good” (see REVIEW)

PPS: Please note - the "Right On Be Free" album has been reissued since 2007 (in Japan at a budget price) but without the bonus tracks. Use the Barcode provided above to get the correct 2007 Rhino CD because the extras lift it up properly. Unfortunately it's been deleted years now, so prices will fluctuate up and down…mostly up...