"Give Me The Night" by GEORGE BENSON (24 June 2009 Japan-Only Warner Brothers SHM-CD Reissue with 24-Bit Remaster in Jewel Case) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Remember The Days When We Never Had A Dime…"

  

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE SHM-CD June 2009 REMASTER 

- Also References 2012 and 2015 Japanese CD Issues ***

Originally released on LP in July 1980 on Warner Brothers K 56823 in the UK and BSK 3453 in the USA - George Benson's "Give Me The Night" was a huge record at the time (it peaked at No. 3 in both countries). And like Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" from 1978 before it - its fusion of soul, funk and jazz was popular everywhere - crossing over every rock barrier like never before (it was Grammy nominated and won too).

Yet except for a few remastered tracks on the excellent George Benson 2CD "Anthology" set from 2000 on Rhino - the entire album has been languishing around for over three decades now on one of those awful Eighties CDs with dullard murky sound. Until now...

Released 24 June 2009 in Japan-only on Warner Bros WPCR-13453 (Barcode 4943674090396) - this 24-bit remastered version is an audiophile CD on their SUPER HIGH MATERIALS format (42:51 minutes). An SHM-CD is playable on all machines and is simply a better form of the compact disc. And coming from an era that is probably the most derided in history by music lovers - especially when it comes to bombastic sound and ham-fisted production excesses - this SHM-CD version is a beautifully realized remaster - it really is.

1. Love X Love

2. Off Broadway

3. Moody’s Mood

4. Give Me The Night

5. What’s On Your Mind [Side 2]

6. Dinorah, Dinorah

7. Love Dance

8. Star Of A Story (X)

9. Midnight Love Affair

10. Turn Out The Lamplight

It doesn't say who did the 24-bit transfer - but whoever did has produced the most awesome result because the sound quality is just glorious. Of course the album always had the immaculate production values of QUINCY JONES and the stunning array of top session men to thank for its polish anyway - but this newly upgraded version is just wonderful. It's neither falsely loud nor brash nor clinically clean - there's air around the instruments - it's just warm and there. You hear all the instrumentation - especially the bass and rhythm sections. The wildly underrated funky-as-James-Brown instrumental "Off Broadway" is just stunning now - as is David Wolinski's brilliantly soulful and sleek "Midnight Love Affair".

The jewel case is standard and there's the black and gold obi strip inside; the SHM CD itself feels slightly heavier to ordinary CDs - more substantial - it seems to hold better as it plays in the tray somehow - steady. The 8-page booklet is disappointingly the same as US/Euro issues (has session details though) and the extra foldout page of info about the album that you get in these Japanese issues is - well in Japanese - so its kinda useless.

With 6 of it's 10 killer songs written by Britain's ROD TEMPERTON 9Of Heatwave fame) and the immaculate production values of veteran sound man QUINCY JONES - "Give Me The Night" practically set up the template for the album that would literally take over the world three years later - Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (Quincy produced and Temperton wrote 3 of its 9 songs including the title track). As well as Temperton and Quincy charting the arrangements, the legendary David Foster is in there too. Guest Musicians included such luminaries as Guitarist Lee Ritenour, keyboard whiz-kids Greg Phillanganes, George Duke and Herbie Hancock, Larry Williams is on Flute, Patti Austin on Lead and Backing Vocals, Richard Tee on Synth, Jerry Hey on Trumpet, Abraham Laboriel on Bass, Paulinho Da Costa on Percussion and many more.

Gripes - no Euro/USA issue so it costs as an import - and it wouldn't have taken much to include the edited single mixes of "Give Me The Night" and "Love X Love" as bonus tracks. But this reissue is not about ramming the disc chock-full of extras - it's about the best sound - and on that front they've achieved their goal with absolute knobs on. A fantastic album that in 2020 is 40 years old – and for an LP from a much-derided decade to still sound so kicking and exciting is a testament to the sheer quality thrown at the original all those decades ago. But how do you get your hands on it now...

In October 2019, this 2009 Audiophile version is now unfortunately super expensive and awkward to locate (use Barcode 4943674090396 to locate the correct issue on Amazon or other sites). Subsequently, there has been two further reissues to date and again only in Japan – 13 June 2012 on Warner Brothers WPCR-14501 (Barcode 4943674118281) saw a new 2012 Remaster based on the US tapes put on a SHM-CD in Mini LP Packaging (now deleted and also expensive). That variant however was reissued 29 July 2015 on Warner Brothers WPCR-28201 (Barcode 4943674213399) in a jewel case with liner notes as part of their low-priced 'Fusion Best 1000 Series' (offering quality CDs for 1000 yen). That 2012 Remaster is the only one currently available in 2019 to purchase – often clocking in on Amazon and elsewhere at about £12.00 or so. A reasonable sum for such a great sounding reissue - enjoy...

Japan's Warner Bros. Jazz & Fusion SHM-CD Collection Series (2009)

"Give Me The Night" by George Benson is part of the Japanese-Only "Warner Bros. Jazz & Fusion SHM-CD Collection" Series - Audiophile 24-Bit Remastered SHM-CDs in a Jewel Case with Booklet and Obi.

SHM-CDs are fully compatible with all CD players – Super High Materials CDs are a better form of compact disc brought into play in 2006 (mostly exclusive to Japan) featuring advanced music retrieval over the standard CD that hasn't upgraded its format since introduction in 1983. In artist alphabetical order (all released 24 June 2009), the 20 titles in this Series are:

1. Breezin' (1976) - GEORGE BENSON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13452 – Barcode 4943674090372)

2. Give Me The Night (1980) – GEORGE BENSON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13453 (Barcode 4943674090396)

3. Larry Carlton (1978) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13446 – Barcode 4943674090297)

4. Sleepwalk (1982) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13448 – Barcode 4943674090334)

5. Strikes Twice (1980) - LARRY CARLTON

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13447 – Barcode 4943674090303)

6. Amandla (1989) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13443 – Barcode 4943674090266)

7. Doo-Bop (1991) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13444 – Barcode 4943674090273)

8. Live Around The World (1996) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13445 – Barcode 4943674090280)

9. Siesta (1982) - MILES DAVIS and MARCUS MILLER

(Warner Bros WPCR-13442 – Barcode 4943674090259)

10. Tutu (1986) - MILES DAVIS

(Warner Bros WPCR-13441 – Barcode 4943674090242)

11. Teasin' (1974) - CORNELL DUPREE

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13457 – Barcode 4943674090440)

12. Between The Sheets (1993) - FOURPLAY (1993)

[Featuring Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East and Harvey Mason]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13460 – Barcode 4943674090471)

13. Fourplay (1991) - FOURPLAY

[Featuring Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East and Harvey Mason]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13459 – Barcode 4943674090464)

14. Word Of Mouth (1981) - JACO PASTORIUS

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13454 – Barcode 4943674090402)

15. Rit (1981) - LEE RITENOUR (see also FOURPLAY)

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13456 – Barcode 4943674090433)

16. The Captain's Journey (1978) - LEE RITENOUR

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13455 – Barcode 4943674090419)

17. Magnetic (1986) - STEPS AHEAD [feat Michael Brecker]

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13458 – Barcode 494367409040457)

18. More Stuff (1977) - STUFF

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13450 – Barcode 494367409040358)

19. Stuff (1976) - STUFF

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13449 – Barcode 494367409040341)

20. Winelight (1980) - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr.

(Warner Bros. WPCR-13451 – Barcode 494367409040365)




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"Central Heating: Expanded Version” by HEATWAVE [featuring Rod Temperton] (2015 Big Break Records CD Reissue - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

AMAZON UK Purchase Link Above - AMAZON US LInk Below

"...Mind Blowing Decisions..."

Rod Temperton's HEATWAVE produced this winning 2nd LP in April 1978 on Epic in the USA and GTO Records in the UK (resplendent in its rather naff-looking radiator cover). The album spawned three huge hits - Mind Blowing Decisions", "The Groove Line" and "The Star Of The Story" (covered by George Benson on his 1980 "Give Me The Night" album).

This superb UK-released June 2015 Big Break Records CD Remaster on CDBBRX 0316 (Barcode 5013929061637) takes that 9-track Soul/Funk/Disco LP and adds on three very clever and desirable Bonus Tracks - "Wack The Axe" - an outtake from the "Central Heating" LP sessions that finally turned up as a non album track B-side to "Jitterbuggin'" on the GTO 12" single of 1981 - the other two are 12" Disco Versions of the funky "The Groove Line" and the wonderful Johnny Wilder gem "Mind Blowing Decisions". 

The CD is beautifully remastered by NICK ROBBINS at London's Sound Mastering (a hugely proficient Remaster Engineer who does a lot of work for Ace Records of the UK) and runs to 60:38 minutes with the bonuses. The 12-page booklet has detailed and informative liner notes by CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE - a NYC-based writer and lover of Soul Music. The usual classy presentation from BBR...

DJs have long lusted after the US 12" single of "Mind Blowing Decisions" on Epic 28-50597 (released August 1978) because it extends the album cut from 4:19 minutes to a tasty 7:32 minutes giving you a wicked sort of Reggae Groove in the runout passage before it returns to the slinky tune and smooth vocals. The funk marathon of "The Groove Line" is equally brilliant in its extended form. 

Fans of Rod Temperton (famously wrote large chunks of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" LP) should note that he penned "Put the Word Out", "Send Out For Sunshine", "Central Heating", "The Groove Line", "The Star of The Story", "Party Poops" and "Leavin' For A Dream" while Johnny Wilder wrote the two singles "Happiness Together" and "Mind Blowing Decisions".

The entire album isn't genius - but the great Audio, tasty presentation and those Soul Funk nuggets make it a must buy for fans...

“H/Sign Of The Time” by BOB JAMES (2014 Robinsongs CD Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry…

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Dream Until Dawn..."

Robinsongs is a subsidiary label of Cherry Red Records who have picked up on the gaps in late Seventies and Eighties Jazz Fusion and Soul Funk albums. And this is a clever CD reissue....

UK released July 2014 – "H/Sign Of The Times" by BOB JAMES on Robinsongs CDMRED627 (Barcode 5013929162730) features two LPs on 1CD Remaster and plays out as follows (75:38 minutes):

1. Snowbird Fantasy

2. Shepherd's Song

3. Brighton By The Sea

4. The Walkman

5. Thoroughbred

6. Reunited

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "H" - released 1980 in the USA on Tappan Zee JC 36422

7. Hypnotique

8. The Steamin' Feelin'

9. Enchanted Forest

10. Unicorn

11. Sign Of The Times

12. Love Power

Tracks 7 to 12 are the album "Sign Of The Times" - released 1981 in the USA on Tappan Zee FC 37495

The 12-page booklet gives us informative and detailed liner notes by LOIS WILSON (of the Mojo magazine) and ALAN WILSON at Western Star in Bristol has done the remaster. It's incredibly clean and has sweet muscular audio - reflecting the top quality production values at the time of recording and the great session men like Hiram Bullock, Steve Khan, Bruce Dunlap and Eric Gale all on Guitars, Liberty DeVito on Drums and of course James himself on all manner of keyboards.

Side One of "H" opens with the cheesy "Snowbird Fantasy" (complete with tweeting birdies) but things improve immeasurably with a one two of sweet and funky - the traditional air "Shepherd's Song" done in a moving and truly beautiful keyboard fashion (I'm always putting this instrumental on compilations that make for peaceful listening) followed by "Brighton By The Sea" (written by long time Saxophonist sidekick Grover Washington Jr) providing superb slow Jazz Funk. "The Walkman" is hardly memorable but a cover of the Peaches & Herbs 1979 smoocher "Reunited" ends the album on a Soulful fusion tip.

For me the best of the two albums here is the "Sign Of The Times" set - not least because three of its six Funky Fusion tracks are written by that Boogie genius ROD TEMPERTON of "Thriller" and HEATWAVE fame (his three are "Hypnotique", "The Steamin' Feelin'" and "Sign of The Times"). Bob James penned the other three with "Love Power" (lyrics above) impressing the most featuring Grover Washington Jr, Eric Gale and percussionist Airto. And I've loved the stepper groove and girly backing vocals of the title track "Sign Of The Times" - great stuff.

This is a rather cool little CD reissue of two forgotten BOB JAMES albums that deserve to be noticed again. It's not all genius of course but the goodies like the gorgeous "Shepherd's Song" are worth having...

"Hot Property" by HEATWAVE (2010 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…You're Right In It…"

With all songs on "Hot Property" written by Dancefloor Maestro ROD TEMPERTON (who would of course go on to Global fame by penning half of Michael Jackson's "Thriller") – it should be a killer album. But like so many Soul/Funk/Disco albums of the time (1979) – there's highs and lows. Here are both sides...

UK released November 2010 - "Hot Property" by HEATWAVE on Big Break Records BBRCD 0021 (Barcode 5013929032125) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (67:19 minutes):

1. Razzle Dazzle

2. Eyeballin'

3. This Night We Fell

4. Raise A Blaze

5. First Day Of Snow

6. One Night Tan [Side 2]

7. Therm Warfare

8. All Talked Out

9. That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight

10. Disco

Tracks 1 to 10 are the vinyl album "Hot Property" - released May 1979 in the UK on GTO Records GTLP 039.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Birthday (7" Single Version)

12. Eyeballin' (US 12" Disco Version)

13. One Night Tan (US 7" Version)

14. Therm Warfare (UK 7" Single Version)

15. Birthday (US 12" Version)

The 16-page booklet is the usual great job done by BBR – pictures of the UK and US 7" and 12" labels, band photo and liner notes by HAYDEN JONES (a Writer and DJ in London) with discography info as well. And the rounded-corners of the Super Jewel Case makes it pretty to look at (visually different). But the big news as ever is the ALAN WILSON and WAYNE A. DICKSON remaster which is superlative - beautiful lush sound – real presence on every track.

It opens with a plucky "Razzle Dazzle" and continues in the same vein with "Eyeballin'" – both obvious single choices. The problem for me is that they’re not as good as "Gangsters Of The Groove" by any stretch of the imagination. Far better is the boppin' magic of the deliberately misspelt "Therm Warfare" which stretches to a floor-pleasing 6:44 minutes. It's a killer (lyrics from it title this review). "All Talked Out" is another goody that could so easily have been on MJ's "Off The Wall". The lone love song "That's The Way We'll Always Say Goodnight" is syrupy and features a grating weedy vocal. Things pick up with the final cut though – "Disco" - which sounds just like its title.

Heatwave's "Hot Property" is not nearly as good as the "Candles" album from 1981 (it was leading up to it) - but it most definitely has goodies worth owning. And if you're a fan of Late Seventies Funk and Disco and the genius way-with-a-melody of the sadly departed Rod Temperton – then don the spandex, embrace your inner glitterball and get sweaty with this sexy little reissue...

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

11.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

12. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

13. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

14. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

15. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

16. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

17. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

18. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

29. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

30. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

31. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

32. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

33. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

34 Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

35. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971)

36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)