"Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC (2004 Reprise 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Seasons Of My Life..."

LP titles like "Kiln House", "Heroes Are Hard To Find" and "Bare Trees" aren’t exactly household names - unlike the mega-group Fleetwood Mac.

With Peter Green's departure in 1969 for a solo career from the early Bluesy incarnation of the British Super Group – 1970 to 1974 proved a lean time for the Mac. But when American songwriters/lovers Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined forces with Brits Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood – magic was in the air. Their 1975 self-titled album "Fleetwood Mac" introduced a smoother more radio-friendly sound and a new beginning and by 1977's "Rumours" would make them one of the biggest bands on the planet. Here are the landslides...

UK released March 2004 – "Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC on Reprise 8122-73881-2 (Barcode 081227388126) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster that comes with Five Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (62:25 minutes):

1. Monday Morning

2. Warm Ways

3. Blue Letter

4. Rhiannon

5. Over My Head

6. Crystal

7. Say You Love Me [Side 2]

8. Landslide

9. World Turning

10. Sugar Daddy

11. I'm So Afraid

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Fleetwood Mac" – released August 1975 in the UK on Reprise K 54043 and in the USA on Reprise MS 2281. Produced by Fleetwood Mac and KEITH OLSEN.

BONUS MATERIAL:

12. Jam No. 2

13. Say You Love Me (Single Version)

14. Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win) (Single Version)

15. Over My Head (Single Version)

16. Blue Letter (Single Version)

Recorded across three months at Sound City Studios in California – Producer Keith Olsen had no fears about material with three songwriters in the band – Christine McVie, Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. In fact it was Olsen who was a principal mover for the mega-band when he played Mick Fleetwood a track from the "Buckingham-Nicks" debut album on Polydor in 1973 to demonstrate the studios great sound quality. Mick Fleetwood immediately heard that Lindsey guitar and then Stevie's haunting vocal phrasing and knew these guys were the 'fresh blood' his band needed.

The chunky 20-page booklet is a pleasingly fact-filled affair with loads of period photos of the new five-piece line-up (black and white and colour shots including outtakes from the cover shoot with the two men larking about in the doorway), the lyrics in the same type-face as the LP insert and a new set of liner notes by PARKE PUTERBAUGH and a beautiful Remaster from long-time tape engineers for Rhino and WEA - BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH. 

Reprise Records chose the gorgeous sexy groove of Christine McVie's "Over My Head" as their lead off 45 in September 1975 with Lindsey's "I'm So Afraid" on the B-side. It was a smart move – the remixed Reprise RPS-1339 (different to the album cut) hit Top 20 in the USA and suddenly old and new American fans were listening to Fleetwood Mac again (Lindsey's trademark guitar harmonics bolstering the song's impact). But it Stevie's mesmerising "Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win)" that really caught the public's ear – giving the band their first decent hit in February 1976 by making No. 11 on the Pop Charts (Christine McVie’s chipper "Sugar Daddy" was the flipside) and a song that stamped their new 'sound'.

The album was huge in the USA hitting the coveted No. 1 spot – but it would take until November 1976 for the LP to seize any real chart action in their own Blighty where it crawled up to No. 23 almost a year after its release. And that only happened after Reprise hammered the UK market with an unprecedented four new Mac singles – waking the public up to the quality of the new record - "Warm Ways" in October 1975 (Reprise K 14403), "Over My Head" in February 1976 (Reprise K 14413), "Rhiannon" in April 1976 (Reprise K 14430) and "Say You Love Me" in September 1976 (Reprise K 14447). It was the last "Say You Love Me" that finally cracked the UK charts - albeit a modest 7" hit at No. 44. 

Re-listening to it now and apart from the more famous singles - you’re taken by the album cuts too – the great Buckingham/Nicks duet vocals of "Crystal" – the opening bopper "Monday Morning" – the Acoustic Blues chug of the fantastic "World Turning" (similar to "Big Love") and best of all – the heart-breaking ballad "Landslide" – quite possibly Stevie Nicks' best song and surely one of her most beautiful melodies (why wasn't this chosen as a 45?).

"...Mirror in the sky...what is love...can the child within my heart rise above..." – Stevie sang longingly on the beautiful "Landslide". In 1977 that voice and journey would take the world by storm. Start your journey here...

PS: there's also an April 2012 180-Grams Remastered VINYL LP on Reprise 530137-1 (Barcode 093624952305)

"Three Man Army [aka "Mahesha"]/Three Man Army Two" by THREE MAN ARMY (2016 Beat Goes On 2LPs on 1CD - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Space Is The Place..."

Sandwiched between late 60ts GUN on CBS Records, the early 70ts solo years of PARRISH and GURVITZ on Regal Zonophone and finally 1974's BAKER GURVITZ ARMY with GINGER BAKER on Vertigo is the completely overlooked interim group THREE MAN ARMY featuring the musical link between them all – the dynamic brother-duo of ADRIAN and PAUL CURTIS (or GURVITZ as they became known).

Three Man Army's rather good little debut album "A Third Of A Lifetime" from 1971 on B&C's short-lived offshoot label Pegasus Records has built up a serious rep amongst collectors – and was released in real style by England's Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) in July 2016 (see separate review).

Lovers of Classic Seventies Rock (especially hard-rocking bands like Montrose and Grand Funk Railroad) will be glad to see their following two platters on Reprise Records on CD again – the American issued "Three Man Army" [aka "Mahesha"] from 1973 and "Three Man Army Two" from 1974 - even if they aren't as immediate as the debut. Let's get to those big chunky chords...

UK released September 2016 (October 2016 in the USA) - "Three Man Army/Three Man Army Two” by THREE MAN ARMY on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1256 (Barcode 5017261212566) features 2 full albums Remastered onto 1CD with an added Bonus Track and plays out as follows (76:18 minutes):

1. My Yiddishe Mama

2. Hold On

3. Come On Down To Earth

4. Take Me Down From The Mountain

5. Woman

6. Mahesha [Side 2]

7. Take A Look At The Light

8. Can't Leave The Summer - Part I & II

9. The Trip

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second studio album "Three Man Army" - released October 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2150 (No UK Issue). It was issued in Germany in 1974 on Polydor 2310 241 as "Mahesha" with different artwork and has been reissued under that title on LP and CD since then.

10. Polecat Woman

11. Today

12. Flying

13. Space Is The Place

14. Irving [Side 2]

15. I Can't Make The Blind See

16. Burning Angel

17. In My Eyes

Tracks 10 to 17 are their third studio album "Three Man Army Two" - released June 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2182 and in the UK on Reprise K 54015.

BONUS TRACK:

18. Schoolgirl Queen - non-album track and the B-side to "Polecat Woman" in certain European territories (Portugal, Warner Brothers N-S-63-59). The 1973 UK 7" single of "Polecat Woman" on Reprise K 14292 had "Take Me Down From The Mountain" from the 1973 "Three Man Army" LP as its B-side.

THREE MAN ARMY was:

PAUL GURVITZ - Bass Guitar and Vocals - TONY NEWMAN - Drums and Good Vibes - ADRIAN GURVITZ - Lead Guitar, Organ and Vocals

The card slipcase adds a touch of class to the reissue (as it does to all BGO releases) - the 12-page booklet features new liner notes from noted writer NEIL DANIELS who gamely tries to defend what some have described as sub Led Zeppelin Hard Rock while ANDREW THOMPSON has remastered both albums into High Def from real tapes and they sound huge and very powerful. Obvious comparisons like the no-prisoners hard rocking Rock 'n' Roll of Grand Funk Railroad and Montrose jump to mind - even early Blue Oyster Cult and Kansas.

Even if he has Jewish roots - the guitar instrumental cover of "My Yiddishe Mama" fades in and goes out again without any real impact. But things improve big time with the hard-rocking "Hold On" and the Kansas melodic "Come On Down To Earth" where Gurvitz lets rip on a hundred guitars like he's Ted Nugent on acid (the Remaster is huge). "Take Me Down From The Mountain" provides a rare moment of Three Dog Night Funk-Rock with a clever piano chug while "Woman" sounds like TMA are trying to channel their inner FREE and just about pulling it off. Side 2's "Mahehsa" has a lot going on in it - but again feels tired and even plodding despite its best efforts. At least "Take A Look At The Light" features great guitar work and a half-decent 'bickering' set of lyrics and verse melody. "Can't Leave The Summer - Part I & II" have nice melodic touches too amidst the huge riffage...

"Polecat Woman" reeks of Led Zeppelin circa "Houses Of The Holy" - a sort of cross between "Immigrant Song" and "Over The HIlls And Far Away" - all rapid guitars and slightly distant production. I can hear why someone thought it a 7" single even with that Bonzo copycat drum solo. The power ballad "Space Is The Place" even features strings in its 'ripe' six minutes - coming on like an over-zealous ELO. "I Can't Make The Blind See" is afflicted with the same syrup strings - and even though it has one of the prettiest bluesy melodies on the album - it's ruined by the overdone production. "In My Eyes" has a clever riff even when the wall of band voices threaten to swamp everything.

Neither album is great and despite the playing and the occasional moments of Hard Rock brilliance - these will be an 'acquired taste'. But fans should not hesitate - the presentation and audio is first rate...

"In My Life/Wildflowers/Whales & Nightingales" by JUDY COLLINS (2016 Beat Goes On Reissue - 3LPs onto 2CDs - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...There Are Places I Remember...With Lovers And Friends..."

I'm not quite sure what's going on with the presentation of this gorgeous 2CD reissue out of the UK (August 2016 on Beat Goes On) – but it seems to have disappeared down the numerical rabbit hole that is the Amazon sales system.

If I type in the Barcode for BGOCD 1243 into their search bar (5017261212436) – it should bring me immediately to this new August 2016 reissue (3LPs Remastered in High Definition onto 2CDs from original tapes) – but instead I’m taken to the original American issue of "In My Life" as a stand-alone Rhino CD in the late 1990s? And that applies to both Amazon UK and USA sites? I've dropped them a note to sort this out – because as it stands – you can't actually find this beautiful Beat Goes On set on either side of the pond - which does both this superb reissue label and the gorgeous music presented here a massive disservice. Anyway – here are the wild flowers and the sublime nightingales...

UK and US released August 2016 – "In My Life/Wildflowers/Whales & Nightingales" by JUDY COLLINS on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1243 (Barcode 5017261212436) offers 3LPs from 1966, 1968 and 1970 on Elektra Records Remastered in High Definition onto 2CDs from original tapes and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (48:16 minutes):

1. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

2. Hard Lovin' Loser

3. Pirate Jenny

4. Suzanne

5. La Colombe - The Dove

6. Marat/Sade (Homage To Marat: Marat We're Poor, People's Reaction, Poor Old Marat) - Side 2

7. I Think It's Going To Rain Today

8. Sunny Goodge Street

9. Liverpool Lullaby

10. Dress Rehearsal Rag

11. In My Life

Tracks 1 to 11 are her sixth album (fifth studio) "In My Life" - released December 1966 in the USA on Elektra Records EKL-320 (Mono) and Elektra EKS-7320 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. Arranged by JOSHUA RIFKIN and Produced by MARK ABRAHAMSON - it peaked at No. 46 on the US LP charts.

Disc 2 (78:17 minutes):

1. Michael From Mountains

2. Since You Asked

3. Sisters Of Mercy

4. Priests

5. A Ballata Of Francesco Landini (Lasso! Di Donna)

6. Both Sides Now - Side 2

7. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants (The Song Of Old Lovers)

8. Sky Fell

9. Albatross

10. Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye

Tracks 1 to 10 are her seventh album "Wildflowers" - released January 1968 in the USA on Elektra EKL-4001 (Mono) and Elektra EKS-74001 (Stereo) - the Stereo Mix is used. Arranged by JOSHUA RIFKIN and Produced by MARK ABRAHAMSON - it peaked at No. 5 on the US LP charts.

11. Song For David

12. Sons Of

13. The Patriot Game

14. Prothalamium

15. Oh, Had I A Golden Thread

16. Gene's Song

17. Farewell To Tarwathie

18. Time Passes Slowly

19. Marieke

20. Nightingale I

21. Nightingale II

22. Simple Gifts

23. Amazing Grace

Tracks 11 to 23 are her 9th album "Whales & Nightingales" - released November 1970 in the USA on Elektra EKS-75010 and January 1971 in the UK on Elektra K 42059. Arranged by JOHN HAENY and Produced by MARK ABRAHAMSON - it peaked at No. 17 on the US LP charts and No. 37 in the UK (her first chart LP in Britain).

The card slipcase adds a classy feel to all BGO releases and the 16-page booklet features superbly detailed JOHN O’REGAN liner notes rapping affectionate about the three platters in question and her near 50-album career (the text is peppered with black and white period photos as well as album and reissue credits). Regan is right to highlight "In My Life" as a kind of Folk-Rock watershed album in late 1966. In fact when I listen to Bryan Ferry’s cover of "Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues" on his superb 2007 covers project "Dylanesque" – it’s Judy’s slowed down cover version he draws from rather than the Bobster’s original. But the big news here is new 2016 Remasters by ANDREW THOMPSON from original tapes that sound glorious to say the least - those Elektra tapes in seriously good shape. This is a beautiful sounding reissue and BGO is clearly aware of it pronouncing it 'Mastered In High Definition - Audiophile Recording From The Original Masters'. Indeed...

Beautifully Arranged by Joshua Rifkin and Produced by Mark Abrahamson – Judy's sixth album "In My Life" saw Colorado's finest finally leave behind the pure unadorned Folk of her earlier releases on Elektra Records and fully embrace one of the most pleasing of all Sixties sounds – Folk Rock. The eleven cover versions offered here stretch across a gamut of genres and reveal smart choices on the part of a beautiful and clued-in soul – Richard Farina's ho-daddy-haircut-spoonful-of-fun clavinet-manic "Hard Lovin' Loser", Donovan's violent hash smokers in the London hippy-chic "Sunny Goodge Street", Dylan's witty and acidic "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" stripped down to Flute and Voice, Randy Newman's achingly sad "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" and a double-whammy from the King of Cheer – both Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" and "Dress Rehearsal Rag" made prettier by acoustic guitars, Judy’s soaring voice and heroes in the seaweed (her album helped launch his career). Alongside these contemporary American and British singer-songwriters sit the European 'Gauloises' cool of the ship-girls in Berholt Brecht's "Pirate Jenny", Jacques Brel's "La Colombe – The Dove" and a homage to the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat by the Marquis de Sade from the adapted German screenplay of 1963 (1966 string-up-the-aristocrats music by Richard Peaslee).

You can also chuck into that stew the Traditional sea-shanty mucky kid of "Liverpool Lullaby" – but a genuine standout has to be the titular Folk-Soul of The Beatles "In My Life". Of all the millions of Fab covers tapping their staggering catalogue – this is surely one of the most affecting – simple and beautiful and making you reminisce about those 'lovers and friends' lyrics. This is a whole album of eclectic period choices sided by songs of warmth and broken humanity that somehow all gel as one coherent whole. In fact as Hippy-Folk as the album is in places - "In My Life" still stands up and you can’t help but feel is an overlooked gem that shouldn't be. And BGO's Andrew Thompson has transferred these wonderful adaptations with skill and warmth...

Disc 2 gives us two whole albums onto 1 CD - the follow-up LP from January 1968 "Wildflowers" (her sixth release) and a jump to January 1971 for her 9th vinyl outing "Whales & Nightingales". 1971's "Whales & Nightingales" contains the global smash "Amazing Grace" – an exquisitely delicate rendition of the hymn and peace anthem – a song that finally charted Judy Collins everywhere else in the world other than just her native USA.

"Wildflowers" opens with one of a Joni Mitchell double - "Michael From Mountains" which would turn up on her 1968 debut and the Side 2 opener "Both Sides Now" which Joni would eventually air on 1969's "Clouds". Both are so damn good and you can literally feel the songwriting magic emanate from their pores. Gasbag Leonard Cohen once again proves to be the perfect foil for Judy's voice and style - both "Sisters Of Mercy" and "Priests" swirling with plucked harps, tubas and carefully chosen double-bass notes (beautifully clear Remasters on these). I can live without the French baroque of "Lasso! Di Donna" but I welcome the commercial harpsichord pop of "Both Sides Now" - a No. 8 placing on 7" single in the USA in October 1968 (Elektra 45639). We return to cello melancholy with Brel's "La Chanson Des Vieux Amants" and two of her own - the heavily orchestrated "Sky Fell" and "Albatross" - both very Joni-delicate. It ends on yet another Leonard Cohen bedroom tale of lost 'love in the morning' - Judy smartly hooking into his uncanny ability to pen melodies that linger in your heart and brain.

"Whales & Nightingales" follows the same form - opening with the acoustic 'waiting by the stony gate' pleading of Joan Baez's "Song For David" that is followed by the piano waltz Jacques Brel's 'child of no complaint' "Sons Of". Brother of the well-known Irish playwright Brendan Behan - his brother Dominic penned "The Patriot Game" - a warning song to young Irishmen considering a career in the ranks of the Republicans. Avant Garde writers Aaron Kramer and Michael Sahl penned the weird-sounding "Prothalamium" where people prepare for the relentless spring by sweeping out the shadows of seasons past (all the mute birds shall sing). Folky Pete Seeger provides the album's first genuinely lovely moment - a simple piano cover of his "Oh, Had A Golden Thread" where Judy sings in earnest and admiration of the bravery of women giving birth – their children of the earth - saving us from ourselves.

Arranged and Conducted by Gene Murrow - "Gene's Song" is a Traditional played as a short instrumental on what sounds like a harmonium. This in turn segues into humped-back whale cries as Judy sings Acapella on another Traditional "Farewell To Tarwathie" - her voice floating above recordings of lapping waves and their lonesome sonar cries. Sounds a tad hippy-dip I know - but its amazingly affecting. In fact both her politics and environmental concerns are given air on this album with tracks like this and Behan's ode to Irish pain in "The Patriot Game". Bob Dylan gave her "Time Passes Slowly" - a lovely ballad that got lost on Dylan's "New Morning" album in 1970. Her own 'I' and 'II' versions of "Nightingales" are piano ballads about God not answering prayers - while the Panpipe "Simple Gifts" is a variant of 'The Lord Of The Dance' air. But the album is dominated by her ethereal rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace" - her voice soaring in a cathedral echo - the choir joining her as they both bring the ache to a crescendo. I remember the song's impact at the time - people would cry – almost like she’d touched upon a real social longing in those years of chaos and upheaval - and somehow given it a name. I suspect all great conduit songs are like this...

Always a class act but never given the credit she's due - Stephen Stills would pen "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" for her on the 1969 "Crosby, Stills & Nash" debut masterpiece on Atlantic Records. Based on the varied and moving music presented here - Stevie's reaction to Judy Collins doesn't surprise me a jot...

"Free" by FREE feat Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke (September 2016 Island Remasters 1CD Reissue – Andy Pearce/Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"... Songs Of Yesterday..."

In only a matter of months platter number 2 for FREE improved on the rough edges of March 1969’s "Ton Of Sobs" debut in almost every way (they were getting there fast). But it's another decade - so we get another version with yet another sound – and despite some niggling presentation flaws - like all the other titles in this new round – what a barnstormer this 2016 reissue is.

FREE fans will know that the October 2001 and February 2002 CD reissue campaign of all seven of their albums (six studio and one live) came with great Peter Mew remasters, decent bonus tracks and expanded booklets to match - and were mid-price at the time (there has been a Japanese SHM-CD variant since in mini-LP repro artwork).

But here we are in September 2016 with another CD reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by an eighth - the "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD). Unfortunately these new 2016 single-disc versions strip away those brilliant bonuses entirely and unwisely substitute the hugely informative liner notes of the 2001 and 2002 issues for booklets with only band photos. Essentially for Free's self-titled second album "Free" we're back to a straightforward transfer of the 9-track 1969 LP as is. But is another purchase necessary? I'd argue its 'essential'.

Despite the neutering of bonuses and the information-less booklet – this new 2016 reissue offers us one genuinely worthy consolation prize – a new 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM Remaster that breathes wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the album. On buying and reviewing the underrated "Highway", "Free At Last" and "Heartbreaker" CDs in this 2016 reissue cluster and loving their audio – I splashed out on more and the results are equally magical. Also with most of the eight being offered on Amazon at less than five pounds including P&P – you can of course argue that the price is right - and with their generic 'Island Remasters' see-through side panelling on the jewel case – they look good too. Here are the songs of yesterday...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Free" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1969 UK LP and plays out as follows (35:36 minutes):

1. I'll Be Creepin'

2. Songs Of Yesterday

3. Lying In The Sunshine

4. Trouble On Double Time

5. Mouthful Of Grass

6. Woman [Side 2]

7. Free Me

8. Broad Daylight

9. Mourning Sad Morning

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second studio album "Free" - released October 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9104 and November 1969 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4204. Produced by CHRIS BLACKWELL - it peaked at No. 22 on the UK LP charts (didn't chart in the USA).

The ten missing bonus tracks on the October 2001 Island Remasters IMCD 282 (Barcode 731458622529) version are: "Broad Daylight (Single Version)", "The Worm (Single Version)", "I'll Be Creepin' (Single Version)", "Sugar For Mr. Morrison (Single Version)", "Broad Daylight (BBC Session)", "Songs Of Yesterday (BBC Session)", "Mouthful Of Grass (Solo Version)", "Woman (Alternate Version)", "Trouble On Double Time (Alternate Version)" and "Mourning Sad Morning (Alternate Version". As you can see from this list of ten missing extras (including those tasty non-album B-sides "The Worm" and "Sugar For Mr. Morrison" - your loss is considerable – most of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2001 reissue (the Paul Kossoff and Paul Rodgers photo spines on the jewel cases are gone too).

The new booklet is 12-pages and shows a Trident Studios Tape Box photo of 'Songs Of Yesterday' and 'Free Me' on Page 2 (dated 11 June 1969) as well as the black and whites of the band - Fraser and Kirke at the piano and organ, Rodgers singing into a mike, Koss sat down with his guitar- alongside the 'naked girl on the beach with cube photos of the band' shot that adorned the inner gatefold sleeve of the original Island/A&M Records LP. The ‘legs akimbo lady’ front cover is Page 1 and the rear sleeve with track titles and recording details moved to the rear inlay of the CD. As with the new booklet for the "Tons Of Sobs" reissue - you're also struck by how our heroes looked so much older than their young ages belied (Bassist Andy Fraser had only just turned 16 while axeman Paul Kossoff was on the cusp of 18 when they recorded the album). Beneath the see-through CD tray are pictures of the seven reissued albums with the eighth being "The Free Story" double-album compilation from 1974 (for catalogue numbers see notes below) and the CD label repro's the UK Pink 'I' Label design of Island Records in late 1969 (there are no liner notes giving history, details etc.).

But a fabulous new master from ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM – who did such great work on Donovan, Pentangle, Frankie Miller, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, the 2012 Rory Gallagher CD remasters of his Polydor and Chrysalis catalogue - and most recently the 2016 Budgie 3CD Box Set for their MCA LPs and the new 2016 'Deluxe Editions' of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer Island Records catalogue (see reviews for them all) - resoundingly compensates for all of that distasteful compromise.

I've had the October 2001 single-disc Remaster and the 2008 Japanese SHM-CD reissues for years now – both of which rock – but this new September 2016 single-disc version is an entirely different aural beast. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP (just like the other albums in this series). Pearce and Wortham let things breathe (it's a trademark of their work) and the results are powerful to say the least. Their version is muscular and meaty. This is not loudness for loudness sake – not shrill so to speak – just in your face – huge power and presence - like an original tape should be. On to the music...

Reputedly to be called "Desolation Angels" - the band settled for the simpler self titled moniker and were rewarded with a very healthy chart position of No. 22 in the UK (Bad Co. would use the name "Desolation Angels" in 1978 on their Swan Song LP). Rodgers and Fraser had become the principal songwriters and the improvement in their talents over the patchy debut is immense (they co-penned every song except "Trouble On Double Time" which was a band composition). "I'll Be Creepin'" opens proceedings with a swagger that's undeniably Free - that wicked swing they got - Fraser's Bass and Kirke's Drums anchoring Rodgers and Kossoff as they promise "...I'll hold you in my arms..." The Free Box Set of 2002 took its name from "Songs Of Yesterday" - another winner. But the album takes flight for me with the sheer musicality of "Lying in The Sunshine". Most rock bands can pull out a great riff - but can they get you with an undeniably great ballad - Zeppelin had it - and so did Free. The Acoustic guitar is so clear as is that Kirke shuffle on the drums. When Island put out "The Stealer" as a UK 45 in November 1970 to promote the "Highway" LP - they slapped the smoocher "Lying In The Sunshine" on the B-side. But then Side 1 launches into the stratosphere - the stunning boogie of "Trouble On Double Time" and the 'Albatross' inspired instrumental "Mouthful Of Grass" (used in May of the following year as the B-side to the edit of "All Right Now"). I love this double-whammy - Rock and Soul sat comfortably alongside each other - and the remaster here is glorious on both.

Side 2 returns to the business of tight-trousered Rock with "Woman" - a superb guitar hook that's immediately joined by the band sounding tight and looking for a scrap with your sub-woofers. "Free Me" is almost doomy Sabbath Blues - but what gets me is the Audio which is so clear and powerful as Rodgers sings of "...life without you...there's no tomorrow..." Island tried a version of "Broad Daylight" as Free's debut UK 45 (Island WIP 6054) but it sank without a trace despite sporting a non-album B-side in "The Worm" (one of the bonus tracks on the 2001 CD reissue). It lacked the killer punch and catchiness of "Woman" or even "Trouble On Double Time". The album ends on another slow misery chant - Rodgers singing "...think of me sometimes my love..." as a chorus of voices echo his pain (I think its Sue Armstrong who provides the female voice and I don't know whose playing the flute). I love this album and I've felt "Free" the measure of its more famous follow-up "Fire And Water".

Across the seven new 2016 reissues we probably loose thirty to thirty-five genuinely cool bonus tracks of old and all that enlightening info in the booklets too - so buying their catalogue yet again may become a chore for some fans (that Guy Stevens Blues jam is fabulous). But they’re cheap at a fiver and we do gain fabulous new audio - and for many that's probably going to be the deciding factor.

"Free" was a monster step forward for the band from the promise so evident on the "Tons Of Sobs" debut released only months earlier in 1969. They would of course go on to become proper Rock Stars with album number three in June 1970 - "Fire And Water" with the all-conquering "All Right Now" amidst its many pleasures.

If you've any love for the band - you need this new version. And yet how good is it to hear FREE and this 1969 vinyl rarity sound so awesome again after all these decades...

PS: FREE titles in the 9 Sept 2016 Island Remasters CD Reissue Series are:

1. Tons Of Sobs (March 1969 debut UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-5 (Barcode 602547318152)

2. Free (October 1969 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718)

3. Fire And Water (June 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749)

4. Highway (December 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190)

5. Free Live! (June 1971 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-6 (Barcode 602547318763)

6. Free At Last (June 1972 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398)

7. Heartbreaker (January 1973 UK Final Studio LP) - Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268)

8. The Free Story (March 1974 UK 2LP Compilation) - Island Remasters 472 262-9 (Barcode 602547326294)

There is also a VINYL Box Set "FREE - The Vinyl Collection" on Universal/Island 473 187-9 released 9 September 2016 with seven LPs (Barcode 0602547318794)

PPS: Amazon have typically lumped the 2001 and 2016 issues into the same review and it would appear - the same product entry – even though they've two distinct barcodes and prices. Even if you use the correct Barcode 602547318718 for the 2016 single-disc reissue it will bring you to the 2001 reissue that Amazon lists 'with' bonus tracks. So if you're specifically after the 2016 reissue with its different remaster (or the 2001 release) - ask the supplier you're buying from what version it is they're selling. If you’re just buying the Amazon Store issue for £4.99 – it will always be the 2016 9-Track remaster you receive minus any bonuses...