"Cold Fact" by RODRIGUEZ [Sixto] – March 1970 US Debut LP on Sussex Records Featuring Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodor, Bob Babbitt and Andrew Smith (August 2008 US Light in The Attic Records CD Reissue and Remaster In A Card Digipak With Large Booklet – Itself Reissued August 2019 in the UK on Universal/Sussex – Using The Light in The Attic Records 2008 Remaster but in a Jewel Case with Reduced Booklet) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 307 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95 (2021 Update)

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00MTCDTWS&asins=B00MTCDTWS&linkId=f95dca2244c8856012cccc3c6c25fff6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"</iframe>

"…Searching For Sugar Man…"

Sometimes in a lifetime of scouring through racks for musical thrills - you stumble on something just a little bit special that it seems no one has noticed (including myself). 

Back in the Nineties when I was upstairs in the grotty and cramped Cheapo Cheapo Records of London's Rupert Street on one of my twice-weekly forages - Vincent (who worked that floor) would stand behind his tiny counter space and smile, because he knew I always spent money and would take chances.

So there I am - flicking through manky reused plastics - once again raiding the soundtrack section to add to my 40 or so John Barry vinyl albums. And if the mood took me (and it always did) - I'd then move over and mosey through the nearby Easy Listening Section where Phil Cording (the cantankerous old geezer who owned the place and worked downstairs) would lump all sorts - Labi Siffre, Nick Jameson (of Foghat) and (usually American copies) Rodriguez. 

I'd see the sleeve of what Phil clearly thought was some Jose Feliciano lookalike and think naught of it. "Cold Fact" would in fact sit there for months on end at £2.50 - and no one but no one - would pay any attention to it all (even the Soul Boys who would be scouring the basement area for Kent compilations on Ace Records). 

But then years later came the American reissue label Light in The Attic Records quickly followed by the sensational 2012 movie "Searching For Sugar Man" (see separate review for the BLU RAY) and Rodriguez LPs stopped being sold for £2.50 'real fast'...

Back in the 2000's "Light In The Attic" was a relatively unknown reissue label in the mainstream - but their quality was on par with Bear Family of Germany and Ace Records of the UK - names that speak volumes to collectors all over the world. And while the two reissued albums raised eyebrows with their musical quality and sumptuous presentations (for a relative unknown) - the film busted the music open like a floodgate.

Sixto's debut American album "Cold Fact" was released March 1970 on Sussex SXBS 7000; followed the next year by "Coming From Reality" in November 1971 on Sussex SXBS 7012 – effectively his last studio effort. But despite their musical quality - few noticed locally. Legend in fact has it that "Coming From Reality" sold less than 20 copies. Then our American Reissue heroes step in - "Cold Fact" released on Light in The Attic LITA 036 (Barcode 826853003629) in August 2008 while "Coming From Reality" followed in May 2009 on LITA 038 (Barcode 826853003827). Light In The Attic also issued VINYL variants too. Fans of Rodriguez and the film "Searching For Sugar Man" have been purchasing those American releases ever since. 

Cut to summer of 2019. What you have here is a reissue of a reissue – Universal UK (or UM abbreviated) finally giving both of his Sussex albums CD and Vinyl Reissues in August 2019. To the cold facts...

UK released Friday, 30 August 2019 - "Cold Fact" by RODRIGUEZ on Universal/Sussex 00602577896255 (Barcode 602577896255) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster (based on the August 2008 Light in The Attic Records Remaster) that plays out as follows (30:26 minutes): 

1. Sugar Man [Side 1]

2. Only Good For Conversation

3. Crucify Your Mind

4. This Is Not A Song, It's An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues

5. Hate Street Dialogue

6. Forget It

7. Inner City Blues [Side 2]

8. I Wonder

9. Like Janis

10. Gommorah (A Nursery Rhyme)

11. Rich Folks Hoax

12. Jane S. Piddy

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Cold Fact" – released March 1970 in the USA on Sussex Records Sussex SXBS 7000. Produced by DENNIS COFFEY and MIKE THEODORE – it didn’t chart (no UK release either). 

Musicians were:

SIXTO RODRIGUEZ – Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar 

DENNIS COFFEY – Electric Guitar 

MIKE THEODORE – Keyboards and Brass/String Arrangements 

BOB BABBITT – Bass

ANDREW SMITH – Drums 

BOB PANGBORN – Percussion 

Guests – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Gordon Staples 

The 12-page booklet of the 2019 reissue offers all the lyrics and basic reissue credits – the Remaster used is the 2008 LITA version. For sure there is hiss evident on many of these 1969 recordings, but the clarity and air around them is wonderfully evocative. This is real music played with real heart and I for one think that in this case, warmth is better than Audiophile. It's delicate Folk-Soul Music and it needed a deft touch - LITA and Universal have done that. 

Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (pronounced Sees-Toe) was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 to recently emigrated Mexican parents. From the early to late Sixties - Motown had put the Motor City on the musical map - so emerging singer-songwriters cut their teeth in bars and cafes, soaked up the campus and street politics and hoped to get noticed. After an early 7" single in 1967 on Impact that folded without trace - enter Producer Dennis Coffey and Sussex Records (home of Bill Withers). 

Opening with acoustic chords and clever Mike Theodore keyboard jabs - "Sugar Man" talks of "silver magic ships" bringing "colours to my dreams..." and as his voice fades out in a deathly echo - the drug references are no longer cool. It then goes all Psych Rock in the fuzzed-up "Only Good For Conversation" (doesn't really suit him) but things so stratospheric for me in the gorgeous "Crucify Your Mind" - a track I'm always playing. It has a brill melody - clever vibes after each set of lines and a fabulous brass backing that makes it feel like Jose Feliciano doing Soul.

"The Establishment Blues" struck a chord with kids in South Africa because of its lyrics - words like "I opened the window to listen to the news...but all I heard was the Establishment Blues..." The same applied to the superb Side 2 opener "Inner City Blues" where Rodriguez echoed their young yet restricted existence - "papa don't allow no new ideas around here..." The bass and guitars are harshly separated on "I Wonder" but it doesn't stop it from a being a great song - and when the organ kicks in as he sings, "I wonder does hatred ever end..." - it sounds like "Blonde On Blonde" Dylan - Sixto making social comments that are astute and matter. 

"Like Janis" feels like Dylan circa "New Morning" where he sings, "I know you're lonely..." Both it and "Gommorah" are very hissy - but the tunes feature slick guitar playing and "Gomorrah" some ill-advised kiddies singing. The albums other great song "Rich Folks Hoax" slams greed in all kinds of high places - "the priest is preaching from a shallow grave..." and some music industry type "don't tell me your recipes for my happiness..." It ends on the attacking "Jane P. Diddy" where he accuses someone of being "pimp and paint" - nice. And the "Coming From Reality" album that followed "Cold Fact" in November 1971 is even better in my opinion – see separate review. 

"Cold Fact" was a forgotten classic, now no longer forgotten because people cared enough to see it resurrected. Nice to know that minor miracles such as this can still actually happen in the real world as well as on the silver screen...

PS: this review is dedicated to Phil Cording and his Staff at Cheapo Cheapo Records in London’s Rupert Street - Vincent and Jack. ‘Uncle’ Phil sadly passed away a few years back...RIP and thanks for all the records...

PPS: 30 August 2019 also saw a VINYL LP Reissue of "Cold Fact" on Universal/Sussex 00602577077371 (Barcode 602577077371)

"Searching For Sugar Man" by RODRIGUEZ. A Review Of The BLU RAY…

"...I Think Of You..."

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

and the

Rodriguez Albums "Cold Fact" (1970) and "Coming From Reality" (1971)

In some respects to review the fantastic documentary film "Searching For Sugar Man" is to ruin it. But here's the some-info' version minus spoilers…

Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (pronounced Sees-Toe) was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 to recently emigrated Mexican parents. From the early to late Sixties, Motown had put the Motor City on the musical map – so emerging singer-songwriters cut their teeth in bars and cafes, soaked up the campus/street politics and hoped to get noticed. After an early 7" single in 1967 on Impact that folded without trace - enter Producer Dennis Coffey and Sussex Records (home of Bill Withers). 

Sixto's debut American album "Cold Fact" was born - March 1970 on Sussex SXBS 7000 - followed the next year by "Coming From Reality" - November 1971 on Sussex SXBS 7012. But despite their musical quality, few noticed locally. Legend in fact has it that "Coming From Reality" sold less than 20 copies. 

Cut to the other side of the world – South Africa in fact – and young black and white kids are plagued by Apartheid. With lyrics like "drinking from a Judas cup…papa don't like new ideas round here…" or "I wonder will this hatred ever end?" – they pick up on the Arthur Lee melodies and the Bob Dylan protest lyrics and the soulful Jose Feliciano voice and the album becomes a huge hit over there. So Rodriguez tours and those shows are emblazoned into the memory. But then the mysterious American immigrant troubadour disappears…some even ruminating that he's dead – or never existed at all. Cut to decades later and a South African secondhand record-store owner wonders what happened to this huge and positive influence in his life? And so the journey begins…searching for the sugar man…

As a cartoon figure wanders across the dirty city streets of a cold Detroit with a guitar case strapped over his shoulder - you listen to tracks like "Crucify Your Mind" and "Inner City Blues" – and you wonder how in God's name you've never heard this great music before. Politics, Mafia swindles, radio indifference – all of it probably. But it's what happens next that makes you double take and grin from ear to ear all the way to the joyous end…

I urge you to buy either of the stunning Light in The Attic CD/LP remasters and reissues of both his original albums - "Cold Fact" on LITA 036 or "Coming From Reality" on LITA 038. They have (at last) been reissued 30 August 2019 in the UK on both CD and LP - Universal/Sussex 00602577896255 (Barcode 602577896255) for the "Cold Fact" CD and Universal/Sussex 00602577077371 (Barcode 602577077371) for the "Cold Fact" LP - with Universal/Sussex 00602577896354 (Barcode 602577896354) for the "Coming From Reality" CD and Universal/Sussex 00602577077388 (Barcode 00602577077388) for the "Coming From Reality" LP. Both CD variants can be bought for between five and seven pounds. 

The "Coming From Reality" album has "I Think Of You" - as lovely a melody as you've ever heard. The album finisher "Cause" has stunning lyrics – "...Cause I lost my job two weeks before Christmas, and I talked to Jesus at the sewer, and the Pope said it was none of his Goddamn business…" The CD reissue even has three Bonus Tracks from his aborted 3rd album – "Can't Get Away" showing how well his songwriting had progressed. After them make a beeline to this wonderful BLU RAY.

To sum up - you know the way you look at hundreds of 5-Star reviews and wonder what all the love is about – don't. 

They're all right…

“Face To Face With The Truth” by THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH (June 2003 Universal Music group/Gordy/Miracle Records CD Remaster) - 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)

"…Harmony Is The Key…"

"Face To Face With The Truth" was the second US album for NORMAN WHITFIELD'S band THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH in February 1972 and this June 2003 European CD remaster on Universal Music Group/Gordy/Miracle Records 067 100-2 (Barcode 044006710020) is a straightforward copy of that soul-funk peach and hard-to-find vinyl rarity.

1. You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth [Side 1]

2. What It Is?

3. Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) Friendship Train

4. Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) - [Side 2]

5. Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me

6. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me

7. What's Going On

The 7-track LP was originally issued February 1972 on Gordy G959L in the USA (July 1972 on Tamla Motown STMA 8004 in the UK) and this "ORIGINAL FUNK LP SERIES" CD reissue (in a card digipak) fully reproduces the original gatefold sleeve artwork and offers an 8-page booklet. Inside is a very knowledgeable and concise essay on the album by DAVID COLE - Editor of the specialist soul magazine "In The Basement".

The band depicted on the front sleeve is JOE HARRIS (lead vocals), BRENDA JOYCE EVANS and BILLIE RAE CALVIN (duet and backing vocals). Whitfield produced the album and co-wrote 5 of its 7 songs with another Motown genius BARRETT STRONG. "Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me" was first outed by Gladys Knight & The Pips while the album's closer is a 9-minute cover of Marvin Gaye's 1971 Tamla masterpiece "What's Going On". Other notable musicians are DENNIS COFFEY on Lead Guitar, EARL VAN DYKE on Piano with EDDIE BROWN on Bongo and Congo Drums.

Musically the album is typical of so many Whitfield productions - the filler tracks are fairly obvious and ok - but the killer long funky workouts are stunning. Bass starter, slinky wah-wah guitar fills, strings backed up with conga rhythms - all of it peppered with social consciousness lyrics that to this day don't sound dated. The groove takes its time to get its hooks into you and even after nine or ten minutes, it never feels like it overstayed its welcome. Joe Harris was a wonderful vocalist too - a little like Pops Staples let loose. For me the big highlight is the near nine-minute "Ungena Za Ulimwengu..." - very Isaac Hayes in its hypnotic lingering pace and build - his fabulous groove always had customers coming to the record counter asking after it (lyrics above).

It doesn't say who remastered the tapes or where it was done, but the sound is wonderfully clear and defined. It's not all great for sure, but the ones that are worth it - especially in this great sound quality - make this forgotten goody well worth your checking out. Recommended.

PS: Here's a full list of the 2003 "Original Funk LP Series" CD reissues:

1. A Tear To A Smile - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY

(1975 US LP on Polydor, CD reissue is 065 620-2)

2. Propositions - BAR-KAYS

(1982 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 822 885-2)

3. Summertime Groove - BOHANNON

(1978 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 077 014-2)

4. Ugly Ego - CAMEO

(1978 USA LP On Chocolate City, CD reissue is 077 251-2)

5. Con Funk Shun 7 - CON FUNK SHUN

(1981 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 699-2)

6. Nice And Soulful - CAROLINE CRAWFORD

(1979 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 067 517-2)

7. The Gap Band - THE GAP BAND

(1979 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 698-2)

8. Something Special - KOOL and THE GANG

(1981 LP on De-Lite, CD reissue is 063 695-2)

9. In Heat - LOVE UNLIMITED

(1974 LP on 20th Century, CD reissue is 063 625-2)

10. Just Outside Of Town - MANDRILL

(1973 LP on Polydor, CD reissue is 065 619-2)

11. Them Changes - BUDDY MILES [Drummer with The Electric Flag]

(1970 LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 693-2)

12. One Way featuring Al Hudson - ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON

(1979 LP on MCA, CD reissue is 113 201-2)

13. What Am I Gonna Do - GLORIA SCOTT [Barry White production]

(1974 USA LP on Casablanca, CD reissue is 063 694-2)

14. Moving South - SOUTHSIDE MOVEMENT

(1975 USA LP on 20th Century, CD reissue is 063 691-2)

15. Face To Face With The Truth - THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH

(1972 LP on Gordy & Tamla Motown, CD reissue is 067 100-2)

PPS: Along with many other Soul Titles - the "Face To Face With The Truth" album finally saw CD reissue once again in 2015/2016 on 'Universal Music Group/Elemental Music'. Titles to date in that CD Reissue Series are (I've reviewed 1, 3, 8, 13 and 15):

1. Hang On In There Baby (1974 LP on MGM Records) - JOHNNY BRISTOL (Universal/Elemental 88518 - 8435395501153)

2. The Original Disco Man (1979 LP on Polydor) - JAMES BROWN (Universal/Elemental 88523 – Barcode 8435395501450)

3. Music To Make Love By (1975 LP on Chess) - SOLOMON BURKE (Universal/Elemental 88528 – Barcode 8435395501627)

4. Hot On The Tracks (1976 LP on Motown) – THE COMMODORES (Universal/Elemental 88511 – Barcode 8435395500965)

5. Breakin' Bread (1974 LP on People) – FRED (WESLEY) & THE NEW JB’S (Universal/Elemental 88522 – Barcode 8435395501252)

6. Doing It To Death (1973 LP on People) - THE JB'S [with James Brown] (Universal/Elemental 88517 – Barcode 8435395501146)

7. People...Hold On (1972 LP on Tamla) – EDDIE KENDRICKS (Universal/Elemental 88501 – Barcode 8435395500569)

8. Mother Nature's Son (1968 Stereo LP on Cadet, Charles Stepney Production) – RAMSEY LEWIS (Universal/Elemental 88504 – Barcode 8435395500590)

9. Them Changes (1970 LP on Cadet) - RAMSEY LEWIS (Universal/Elemental 88516 – Barcode 8435395501139)

10. Fire (1974 LP on Mercury) - THE OHIO PLAYERS (Universal/Elemental 88506 – Barcode 8435395500973)

11. Skin Tight (1974 LP on Mercury with 1 Bonus Track) - THE OHIO PLAYERS (Universal/Elemental 88510 – Barcode 8435395500958)

12. Get Ready (1969 LP on Rare Earth) – RARE EARTH (Universal/Elemental 88505 – Barcode 8435395500866)

13. Soulin' (1966 Stereo LP on Capitol) - LOU RAWLS (Universal/Elemental 88515 - 8435395501122)

14. Smokey (1973 LP on Tamla) – SMOKEY ROBINSON (Universal/Elemental 88503 – Barcode 8435395500583)

15. My Whole World Ended (1969 Stereo LP on Motown) - DAVID RUFFIN (Universal/Elemental 88527 – Barcode 8435395501542)

16. The Groove Governor (1970 LP on Soul) – JIMMY RUFFIN (Universal/Elemental 88513 – Barcode 8435395501108)

17. Still Waters Run Deep (1970 LP on Tamla) – THE TEMPTATIONS (Universal 88502 – Barcode 8435395500576)

18. Face To Face With The Truth (1972 LP on Gordy) – THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH (Universal/Elemental 88509 – Barcode 8435395500941)

19. Together Brothers O.S.T. (1974 2LPs on 20th Century, Single CD) – BARRY WHITE and THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA (Universal/Elemental 88507 – Barcode 8435395500880)

-->

PPS: For those wishing to explore this Motown band's output more, below is an Undisputed Truth LP discography...

1. “The Undisputed Truth”, July 1971 LP on Gordy G-955L in the USA and February 1972 on Tamla Motown STML 11197 in the UK

Side 1:
You Got The Love I Need; Save My Love For A Rainy Day; California Soul; Aquarius; Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)
Side2:
Smiling Faces Sometimes; We’ve Got A Way Out My Love; Since I’ve Lost You; Ain’t No Sunshine Since You’ve Been Gone; I Heard It Through The Grapevine; Like A Rolling Stone

2. “Face To Face With The Truth”, February 1972 LP on Gordy G-959L in the USA and July 1972 on Tamla Motown STMA 8004 in the UK

Side 1:
You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth; What It Is ?; Ungena Za Ulimengu (Unite The World) Friendship Train
Side 2:
Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are); Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me; Don’t Let Him Take Your Love From Me; What’s Going On

3. “Law Of The Land”, July 1973 LP on Gordy G-963L in the USA and September 1973 on Tamla Motown STML 11240 in the UK

Side 1:
Law Of The Land; Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone; Girl You’re Alright; Killing Me Softly With This Song; Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me); This Child Needs Its Father
Side 2:
Mama I Gotta Brand New Thing (Don’t Say No); Feelin’ Alright; Love And Happiness; With A Little Help From My Friends; If I Die; Walk On By

4. “Down To Earth”, September 1974 LP on Gordy G6-968S1 in the USA and January 1975 on Tamla Motown STML 11277 in the UK

Side 1:
Help Yourself; Big John Is My Name; Brother Louie; I’m A Fool For You; Our Day Will Come
Side 2:
Just You ‘N’ Me; Love And Happiness; Law Of The Land; The Girl’s Alright With Me; Save My Love For A Rainy Day

[Note: The UK LP has two extra tracks over the USA issue.
“Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love” is added as Track 6 (the last track) on Side 1, while “Let’s Go Back To Day One” is added on to Side 2 as Track 6 (again the last track).
“Gonna Keep On…” was the non-album B-side of “Mama I Got A Brand New Thing (Don’t Say No)”, a US 7” single on Gordy 7124, while “Let’s Go Back…” is unique to this issue.

5. “Cosmic Truth”, March 1975 LP on Gordy G6-970S1 in the USA and June 1975 on Tamla Motown STMA 8023 in the UK

Side 1:
Earthquake Shake; Down By The River; UFO’s; Lil’ Red Ridin’ Hood; Squeeze Me, Tease Me
Side 2:
Spaced Out; Got To Get My Hands On Some Lovin’; 1990; (I Know) I’m Losing You

6. “Higher Than High”, October 1975 on Gordy G6-972S1 in the USA and on Tamla Motown STML 12009 in The UK

Side 1:
Higher Than High; Poontang; Life Ain’t So Easy; Boogie Bump Boogie
Side 2:
Help Yourself; I’m In The Red Zone; Overload; I Saw You When You Met Her; Ma

7. “Method To The Madness”, December 1976 LP on Whitfield WH 2967 in the USA and Whitfield K 56289 in the UK

Side 1:
Cosmic Contact; Method To The Madness; Sunshine; You + Me = Love
Side 2:
Hole In The Wall; Loose; Life Ain’t So Easy; Take A Vacation From Life; Let’s Go To The Disco

8. “Smokin’”, 1979 USA LP on Whitfield WHK 3202 and Whitfield K 56497 in the UK

Side 1:
Show Time; Talkin’ To The Wind; Atomic Funk; I Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love
Side 2:
Space Machine; Tazmainian Monster; Sandman; Misunderstood