REISSUE BONANZA …

REISSUE BONANZA ...

The UK’s two most important reissue and archive labels have unleashed a slew of goodies to see us through the high days of summer. Soul wise, the Cherry Red group leads with a RANDY BROWN twofer on its Shout imprint. Their pairing of BROWN’S ‘Midnight Desire’ and ‘Welcome To My Room’ is already being hailed as one of the reissues of the year. The Broadside logo sees a welcome return of two of the POINTER SISTERS’ 1981 albums – ‘Priority’ and ‘Black And White’ while collectors of 60s ephemera will delight to see CDs on beat groups the APPLEJACKS, the MOJOS and LULU. All three releases are stuffed with memory jerking covers of 60s soul and blues classics. The flavour of the UK in the early sixties as it really was … while a twofer on STARBUCK offers a snapshot of the 70s … not soul, of course, but a melodic, soul feel to a lot of the music. Also upcoming from Cherry Red are releases on TED TAYLOR, GWEN and GEORGE McCRAE and a collection that explores the roots of soul – and for those who like to do their music exploring with books, Cherry Red Books have just published ‘Tamla Motown: The Stories Behind The UK Singles’ by TERRY WILSON – a fabulous reference source.
Ever-dependable Ace Records go into summer with four big compilations. Their latest ‘Land Of 1,000 Dances’ album focuses on the Twist and features twist-based cuts from HANK BALLARD, the ISLEY BROTHERS, the MARCELS and the MARVELETTES. The label’s Songwriter Series turns the spotlight onto CHIP TAYLOR. The hits he penned include ‘Wild Thing’, ‘I Can’t Let Go’, ‘Angel Of The Morning’ and ‘I Can’t Wait To See My Baby’s Face’ and the featured artists include BILLY VERA, JUDY CLAY, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, LITTLE EVA, WALTER JACKSON and ARETHA. Ace’s Chartbusters Series offers a timely ‘Sunshine’ edition … lots of pop, of course, but great summer soul too from ROBERT JOHN, 5th. DIMENSION and the FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION. Totally-soulful is ‘London Street Soul’ on BGP – the first of three albums which will celebrate the 21st birthday of Acid Jazz Records. This opener boasts 18 cuts including D’INFLUENCE’S ‘I’m The One’ and the in-demand MICA PARIS-vocalised ‘One Million Smiles.’ Don’t forget, either, that Ace’s ‘Take Me To The River – A Southern Soul Story’ won Best Compilation of 2009 at the recent MOJO Awards… congrats all round…

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