"See/Search And Nearness" by THE RASCALS (September 2018 Beat Goes On Reissue - 2LPs from 1969 and 1971 Remastered onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Carry Me Back..."

Featuring the March 1971 Album "Search And Nearness"

Having dropped the 'Young' moniker in 1968 for their fourth platter "Once Upon A Dream" (thereafter simply known as The Rascals) – the American band’s sixth and seventh albums (reissued here) were originally issued Stateside in December 1969 and March 1971 on Atlantic Records. But whilst the 'groovin' on a Sunday afternoon' troupe might have been trying to spread out artistically - commercially they were bombing in leaps and bounds.

Few now remember the slightly trippy "See" or "Search And Nearness" LPs - 1969's effort making No. 45 on the Billboard album charts whilst 1971's platter barely registered at No. 198 and then for only 1 week. In fact by the time "Search..." had come round (recorded late 1969 and into 1970) - the four-piece was down to three (Brigati left) and they would soon be signing to Columbia Records for "Peaceful World" - a supposed new start double-album released in the early summer of 1971 but one that again only registered mild public interest.

Neither of these final records for Atlantic were well received by the critics of the day – most saying the band was either languishing on their positive sunshine vibe of 1966 and 1967 that now sounded old hat in 1969 and 1971 or were offering too many styles on their new outings (Country Rock, Sunshine Pop, Psych and Jazz Rock are just some on platter number two alone) which conversely had the backwards effect of making them seem directionless and not expansive.

But Rascals fans see "See" or "Search And Nearness" differently – liking them precisely because of the stretching-out and the range of genres. For instance, my particular poison is a truly stunning Jazz Fusion Rock instrumental called "Nama" which ends Side 1 of "Search And Nearness" (written by the drummer Dino Danelli). Its 5:34 minutes of Keyboards, Saxophones and Drum solos would make most people double-take if they were shown the authors of such a piece as being by 'The Rascals'. Sounding not unlike War meets Billy Cobham meets Earth Wind And Fire – the band of "Good Lovin'" or "Groovin'" are absolutely unrecognisable here.

Availability-wise too both albums have been hard to find on deleted CD for years now - so this card-slipcase September 2018 Double-Disc Remaster by England’s Beat Goes On is a welcome addition to their increasingly impressive reissue catalogue (even if some will feel that this is a five-Star reissue of three-Star material – which it is). So coming to a digital nirvana portal near you - here are the all-seeing all-enlightening details...

UK released Friday, 21 September 2018 - "See/Search And Nearness" by THE RASCALS on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1357 (Barcode 5017261213570) offers two albums (1969 and 1971) Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

CD1 "See" (42:12 minutes):

1. See [Side 1]

2. I'd Like To Take You Home

3. Remember Me

4. I'm Blue

5. Stop And Think

6. Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me

7. Nubia [Side 2]

8. Carry Me Back

9. Away Away

10. Real Thing

11. Death's Reply

12. Hold On

Tracks 1 to 12 are their sixth studio album "See" - released December 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8246 (Stereo only) and in the UK on Atlantic 588 210. Produced by THE RASCALS - it peaked at No. 45 on the US LP charts (didn't chart UK).

THE RASCALS for "See" were:

FELIX CAVALIERE – Keyboards (Organ, Piano), Lead and Backing Vocals

GENE CORNISH – Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals

EDDIE BRIGATI – Percussion, Lead And Backing Vocals

DINO DANELLI – Drums

Guests:

Chuck Rainey – Bass on all tracks except...

Ron Carter – Bass on "Nubia" and "Carry Me Back"

Hubert Laws – Flute on "Nubia", Danny Labbate – Soprano Sax on "Nubia"

CD2 "Search And Nearness" (38:44 minutes):

1. Right On [Side 1]

2. I Believe

3. Thank You Baby

4. You Don't Know

5. Nama

6. Almost Home [Side 2]

7. The Letter

8. Ready For Love

9. Fortunes

10. Glory Glory

Tracks 1 to 10 are their seventh studio album "Search And Nearness" - released March 1971 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8276 and in the UK on Atlantic 2400 113. Produced by THE RASCALS - it peaked at No. 198 in the USA (didn't chart UK).

THE RASCALS for "Search And Nearness" were:

FELIX CAVALIERE – Keyboards (Organ, Piano), Lead and Backing Vocals

GENE CORNISH – Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals

DINO DANELLI – Drums

Others:

Eddie Brigati (left the band during recordings) – Lead Vocals on "You Don’t Know", "The Letter" and "Fortunes" (Felix Cavaliere Lead on all others)

Ron Blanco – Bass on Track 4

Chuck Rainey – Bass on Tracks 1, 2, 5, 7 and 9

Howard Cowart – Bass on Tracks 3, 6, 8 and 10

Joe Newman (Trumpet) with Joe Farrell and Seldon Powell (Saxophones) on "Nama"

David Brigati – Backing Vocals

The Sweet Inspirations – Backing vocals on "Glory Glory"

Cissy Houston and Tasha Thomas – Backing Vocals on "I Believe"

The card-slipcase adds the reissue a classy/luxurious look - Mojo contributor CHARLES WARING does his usual bang-up job with the liner notes gamely describing some of the not-so-brill songs with imaginative adjectives - whilst the big draw will be new 2018 ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters. I've always found the band's own productions a tad clumsy - panning the three vocalists between the speakers like a badly recorded Three Dog Night - but there's no doubt to my ears of the improvement. Even when the guitars are fuzzy and the vocals bucket-deep, the overall stereo imaging is great and at last there's really power to the rhythm section. These CDs are upgrades and contain real oomph on recordings that needed it.

Lead Vocalist and founder member Felix Cavaliere came up with 8 of the 12 compositions on "See" – guitarist Gene Cornish proffering "Remember Me" and "Away Away" - while "I’m Blue" is a co-write between FC and Eddie Brigati - leaving only a lone cover of the Soul masterpiece "Temptation’s ‘Bout To Get Me" – a James Diggs song made a hit by The Knight Brothers in 1965 on Checker Records. Despite its yeah-man image of a silhouette dove on the front cover – the album seemed more full of short songs trying to be hits rather than messages of love and racial integration. Atlantic has issued "Carry Me Back" as a lead-in 45 in August 1969 with the album cut "Real Thing" as its flipside and it reached a respectable No. 26 on the Billboard 100.

They covered The Box Tops hit "The Letter" on "Search And Nearness" LP – a gorgeous gatefold sleeve on original release (the rear child-face artwork is the inlay beneath the CD trays whilst the front cover is the front page of the 16-page booklet). They psych it up although not perhaps as brilliantly as one would hope – but there is not doubt of their passion for the huge social changes taking place in the USA in the opener "Right On" – sort of Three Dog Night does inequality with a Norman Whitfield groove.

For sure not everything here is going to be worshipped from afar, but I can't help think that the second LP especially has stuff worthy of rediscovery and even an occasional rant ("Nama" baby - you heard it here first). Yes its 3-star material, but man what a 5-star presentation of it. Well done to all involved...

"Mental Train: The Island Years 1969-71" by MOTT THE HOOPLE (November 2018 Universal/Island 6CD Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Thunderbuck Ram..."

Featuring the albums "Wildlife" (USA) 
and "Brain Capers" (UK) from 1971

I was both looking forward to and in some ways dreading this MOTT THE HOOPLE Box Set - an odd thing to say when you're spending over £40 of your pensioner’s pre-Brexit allowance. And typically "Mental Train..." both delivers and disappoints is several weird ways.

What’s good - the new Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters have massively improved on what went before - as their skills always seem to do (see my reviews for Free, Budgie, Rory Gallagher, ELP  – a very long list of great work). Some of the unreleased stuff is shockingly magnificent - check out Take 6 of "Angel Of Eight Avenue" on Disc 5 mixed from faders-up multi-tracks - whilst Kris Needs once again nails it with wickedly insightful liner notes that feature new contributions from key players (Campbell Devine and Kris Needs compiled the set). But there's fluff too aplenty, the mock distressed look card artwork is horribly presented and the actual albums themselves have always left so much to be desired – piano-plonking tedium often sitting uncomfortably alongside thundering Rock brilliance. Guy Stevens would have been proud even if the band weren't selling jack for four whole LPs.

There's an absolute ton of Buffin details to crawl through, so Mad Shadows and Willard Manus paperbacks ahoy (they took their name from one of his novels) – let’s get Overend Watts mental on this huge haul...

UK released Friday, 2 November 2018 - "Mental Train: The Island Years 1969-71" by MOTT THE HOOPLE on Universal/Island MOTTBOX 001 (Barcode 602547869623) is a 89-Song 6CD Box Set of New Remasters (30 Previously Unreleased) with a 52-Page Hardback Book, Single Sleeve Mini LP Artwork for all Six Discs and a fold-out Colour Poster all housed in a 10x8 Box with Ribbon. It breaks down as follows:

CD1 "Mott The Hoople" (79:13 minutes, 17 Tracks):

1. You Really Got Me [Side 1]

2. At The Crossroads

3. Laugh At Me

4. Backsliding Fearlessly

5. Rock And Roll Queen (Full Album Version, 5:10 minutes) [Side 2]

6. Rabbit Foot & Toby Time

7. Half Moon Boy

8. Wrath And Wroll

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Mott The Hoople" - released 22 November 1969 in the UK in Stereo on Island Records ILPS 9108 and June 1970 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 8258. Produced by GUY STEVENS - it didn't chart in the UK but peaked at No. 185 in the USA in July 1970. 

BONUS TRACKS:

9. If Your Heart Lay With The Rebel (Would You Cheer The Underdog) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED INSTRUMENTAL

10. Rock And Roll Queen [Single Edit, 3:20 minutes] - October 1969 debut UK 7" single on Island WIP 6072, non-album version

11. Road To Birmingham - non-album B-side to their October 1969 UK debut 7" single on Island WIP 6072

12. Road To Birmingham (Guy Stevens Mix) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

13. You Really Got Me (Full Take, 11:14 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

14. You Really Got Me (Guy Stevens Vocal Mix, 2:51 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

15. Rock And Roll Queen (Guy Stevens Mono Mix, 3:21 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

16. Rock And Roll Queen (Kitchen Sink Instrumental, 5:22minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

17. Little Christine [Recorded 24 June 1969] - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8

CD2 "Mad Shadows" (73:24 minutes, 15 Tracks):

1. Thunderbuck Ram [Side 1]

2. No Wheels To Ride

3. You Are One Of Us

4. Walkin' With A Mountain

5. I Can Feel [Side 2]

6. Threads Of Iron

7. When My Mind's Gone

Tracks 1 to 7 are their second studio album "Mad Shadows" - released September 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9119 and October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8272 (didn't chart in either country)

BONUS TRACKS:

8. Thunderbuck Ram - BBC Session, Top Gear, 21 February 1970 [John Walters Producer]

9. Thunderbuck Ram (Original Take with Organ Solo, 4:50 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

10. No Wheels To Ride (Demo Version, 6:29 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

11. Moonbus (Baby's Got A Down On Me) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

12. The Hunchback Fish (Vocal Rehearsal, 6:01 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

13. You Are One Of Us (Take 9, 5:12 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

14. Going Home [recorded 16 Jan 1970] - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8

15. Keep A Knockin' (Studio Version, Take 2, Little Richard cover, 2:30 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD 3 "Wildlife" (73:30 minutes, 17 Tracks):

1. Whiskey Women [Side 1]

2. Angel Of Eight Avenue

3. Wrong Side Of The River

4. Waterflow

5. Lay Down

6. It Must Be Love [Side 2]

7. Original Mixed Up Kid

8. Home Is Where I Want To Be

9. Keep A Knockin' (Live 1970 at The Fairfield Hall, Croydon in London)

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3rd studio album "Wildlife" - released 19 March 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9144 and April 1971 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 8284 (didn't chart in either country); the Live Version of "Keep A Knockin'" also includes an uncredited version of "What I’d Say" by Jerry Lee Lewis

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Midnight Lady – 9 July 1971 UK 7" single on Island WIP 6105, Non-album A-side

11. The Debt – Non-album B-side of "Midnight Lady"

12. Downtown – 17 September 1971 UK 7" single on Island WIP 6112, Non-album A-side (B-side was the Mick Ralphs album track "Home..."); A-side is a Crazy Horse cover version originally written by Danny Whitten and Neil Young on his backing band's self-titled debut album from 1970

13. Brain Haulage (Whiskey Women) (3:55 minutes) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

14. Growing Man Blues (Take 10, 3:40 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

15. Long Red (Demo, 3:53 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

16. The Ballad Of Billy Joe (3:38 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

17. Lay Down (Take 8, 5:08 minutes, Melanie cover) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD4 "Brain Capers" (68:58 minutes, 16 Tracks):

1. Death May Be Your Santa Claus [Side 1]

2. Your Own Backyard

3. Darkness Darkness

4. The Journey

5. Sweet Angeline [Side 2]

6. Second Love

7. The Moon Upstairs

8. The Wheel Of The Quivering Meat Conception

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fourth studio album "Brain Capers" - released 19 November 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9178 and January 1972 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 8304 (didn't chart in either country)

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Mental Train (The Moon Upstairs) (5:16 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

10. How Long (Death May Be...) (4:10 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

11. Darkness Darkness (3:04 minutes, Jessie Colin Young song, Youngbloods cover) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

12. Your Own Backyard (Complete Take, 4:12 minutes, Dion Cover) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

13. Where Do You All Come Front? (Backing Track, 3:16 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

14. One Of The Boys (Take 2, 4:22 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

15. Movin' On - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8 (mastered from a cassette)

16. Black Scorpio (Mamma's Little Jewel) - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8 (mastered from a cassette)

CD5 "The Ballads Of Mott The Hoople" (Exclusive compilation, 73:18 minutes, 12 Tracks):

1. Like A Rolling Stone (Fragment, 1:29 minutes)

2.  No Wheels To Hide (Live, 1st House Fairfield Hall, Croydon, 7:25 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

3. Angel Of Eight Avenue (Take 6, Mastered from faders-up multi-tracks) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

4. The Journey (10:24 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

5. Blue Broken Tears (3:11 minutes, Mastered from faders-up multi-tracks) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

6. Black Hills (Full Ralphs Version, 4:07 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

7. Can You Sing The Song That I Sing (15:54 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

8. Till I'm Gone - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8 (mastered from a cassette)

9. The Original Mixed Up Kid - BBC Session, Mike Harding, 16 March 1971

10. Ill Wind Blowing - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8 (mastered from a cassette)

11. I'm A River (Rehearsal, 10:40 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

12. Ride On The Sun (Sea Diver) - first UK released March 1981 on the Mott The Hoople compilation LP "Two Miles From Heaven" on Island Records IRSP 8 (mastered from a cassette)

CD6 "It's Live And Live Only" (Exclusive Compilation, 78:18 minutes, 12 Tracks):

1. Rock And Roll Queen

2. Ohio

3. No Wheels To Ride/Hey Jude

4. Thunderbuck Ram

5. Keep A Knockin'

6. You Really Got Me

Tracks 1 to 6 recorded 1 September 1970 at The Fairfield Hall in Croydon, London

"Ohio" is a Neil Young song - a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover; "Hey Jude" is a Beatles cover; Keep A Knockin' is a Little Richard cover and "You Really Got Me" is a Kinks cover

7. The Moon Upstairs

8. Whiskey Women

9. Your Own Backyard

10. Darkness, Darkness

11. The Journey

12. Death May Be Your Santa Claus

Tracks 7 to 12 recorded 30 December 1971 for the BBC's Radio 1 "In Concert" programme (produced by Guy Stevens)

MOTT THE HOOPLE was:

IAN HUNTER (Ian Hunter Patterson) – Lead Singer, Piano

MICK RALPHS – Lead Guitars and Second Lead Vocals

VERDEN ALLEN (Terence Allen) – Organ and Other Keyboards

OVEREND WATTS (Pete Overend Watts) – Bass

DALE “Buffin” GRIFFIN (Terence Dale Griffin) – Drums

Guests:

Guy Stevens – Production, Song Contributions

James Archer of the LSO – Violin on "Angel Of Eighth Avenue"

Jess Roden (of Bronco) – Backing Vocals on "Lay Down"

Stan Tippins (of Doc Thomas Group) – Backing Vocals on "Lay Down"

Jerry Hogan – Pedal Steel Guitar on "It Must Be Love" and "Original Mixed-Up Kid"

Jim Price – Trumpet on "Second Love"

The box looks the part and ribbon allowing you to access the six single card sleeves in the inner well is a nice touch – but as already said and noted by other buyers – none of the card sleeves actually reflect the original British albums. The gatefolds for the first three are gone – removed to the book. The five pinched faces on the inner debut gatefold is spread across the back pages of the hardback, the child and lions photo inside "Mad Shadows" is on the inside of the front, the live shot of the band on the inner gatefold of "Wildlife" is behind text on Pages 36 and 27 and the airplanes inner for "Brain Capers" and the gimmick mask appear at both ends of the book too. The colouring of the CDs reflects the original British LP pressings - the Pink Island 'Pink I' Logo for the first two – the Palm Tree Pink Rim Logo Label for the other two and so on...

The book may seem a little slight at first but there’s a lot of info inside and period stuff to peruse (a fab promo photo on Page 13 for the Doc Thomas Group which featured a young Mick Ralphs and Pete Watts before Guy Stevens altered their names for Mott). Renowned writer KRIS NEEDS provides the tangled and at times chaotic history of the British Band – informative and entertaining reading, as always. The uber rare British picture sleeve for the 1969 "Rock And Roll Queen" single in on Page 48 as is the front sleeve for the final Island album from the period – the 9-Track "Rock And Roll Queen" compilation from 1972 on Island ILPS 9125. It was issued to cash in on the success of the "All The Young Dudes" single and LP on CBS Records (their first chart single courtesy of a song gifted to them by David Bowie). The LP is pictured on Page 48 (along with other European single picture sleeves) and if you want to sequence the popular "Rock And Roll Queen" compilation as a CD from this Box Set use the following tracks:

Side 1:

1. Rock And Roll Queen (Disc 1, Track 5, Album Version)

2. The Wheel Of The Quivering Meat Conception (Disc 4, Track 8)

3. You Really Got Me (Disc 1, Track 1)

4. Thunderbuck Ram (Disc 2, Track 1)

5. Walkin' With A Mountain (Disc 2, Track 4)

Side 2:

1. Death May Be Your Santa Claus (Disc 4, Track 1)

2. Midnight Lady (Disc 3, Track 10)

3. Keep A Knockin' (Live, Full Album Version) (Disc 3, Track 9)

The Audio is fabulous and as these hirsute/girl-leering gents were prone to Rocking out big time like Spooky Tooth with spiked Vodka or a demented Free in a graveyard after dark – both Pearce and Wortham capture all that bottled power so well. The listen is also surprisingly downbeat – way too many slow ballads – ill-advised Country Rock stints on "Wildlife" and a 15-minute outtake from Hunter that will test his mother’s patience. Having said that – I actually think that Disc 4 with the Previously Unreleased material is one of the strongest discs on here – fantastic alternate versions – that Take 6 of the Manhattan morning ballad "Angel Of Eight Avenue" brought a tear of joy to my demonically-possessed elderly-person’s eyes. Let’s get to the content...

The self-titled debut always felt to me like a rudderless beginning - the opening three covers (The Kinks "You Really Got Me", Doug Sahm's "At The Crossroads" and Sonny Bono's "Laugh At Me") displaying a band that seemed to be recording whatever they liked as they were rehearsing. For sure there's power in the sheer riffage on offer as they turn the Kink's proto-punk anthem into an instrumental - whilst Hunter's "Backsliding Fearlessly" sounds like a bad Dylan cover. The first sign of a genuine 'rawk' hit comes with Mick Ralphs "Rock And Roll Woman" presented here in two variants - the full and clear stereo album cut at 5:10 minutes and the severely muffled single edit of 3:20 minutes that sounds like it was mastered in a bucket. "Rabbit Foot And Toby Time" is another rockin' Ralphs tune, but it's an instrumental of two minutes duration that goes absolutely nowhere. Side 2 and the album in general is dominated by the 10:39 minutes of Ian Hunter's "Half Moon Bay" - a slow boiler with great organ playing from Verden Allen that at times feels both epic and indulgent with just the right measures of both. The debut ends with a mad Guy Stevens contribution called "Wrath And Roll" (a habit they would repeat again and again) and unfortunately you can't help thinking it might have been a better idea to include something possibly resembling a tune. Way more interesting is the Previously Unreleased and catchy-titled "If You Lay With The Rebel (Would You Cheer At The Underdog)?" - a riffage instrumental with better Production values than some of the album tracks. Die-hard fans will appreciate 11:17 minutes of "You Really Got Me" where the take descends into guitar mayhem and the fruity "Little Christine" from the "Two Miles..." compilation actually feels like the Faces circa their debut.

From the axe of Mick Ralphs, "Mad Shadows" opens with the wild "Thunderbuck Ram" where England’s Mott The Hoople suddenly thinks it’s a hybrid between MC5 and The Stooges with a bit of melodic Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac thrown in for the middle eight. As Ian Hunter delivers the brooding, epic and even sad "No Wheels To Ride" – only two songs in and the second album already feels like the band has found something – their own MTH sound. A trio of Hunter songs - the reverential "You Are One Of Us", the Chuck Berry boogie of "Walkin' With A Mountain" and the warbling seven-minute keyboard ballad that opens Side 2 "I Can Feel" (complete with Uriah Heep drama vocals) stamps his songwriting authority on proceedings (lovely solo too from Ralphs). "Threads Of Iron" is a jaunty little number from guitarist Ralphs with a catchy 'you are what you are' vocal line. The album closes with Hunter's unnerving and funereal composition "When My Mind's Gone" - a six-and-half-minute piano plonk that sounds as casket-inducing as its title suggests. It's a good album. Amidst the extras - Radio 1's Fluff Freeman introduces an in-the-distance BBC Session version of "Thunderbuck Ram" immediately indicating what an exciting prospect this band must been - live and in yer face. Far better however is the 'Original Take with Organ Solo' of the same song where Mott start to sound dangerously close to Peter Green's "Oh Well" with a disgruntled Hammond playing in the background (have to say this is a highlight amongst the unreleased). Another goody comes in the guise of the Kossoff-sounding riffage for "Moonbus (Baby's Got A Down On Me)" – a very tasty period find. It's also cool to finally hear their fast and furious studio take for Little Richard Penniman's "Keep A Knockin'" – here kept down to a boogie baller of just two and a half minutes (the Georgia Peach would approve).

They try to go American-ish with the very Steppenwolf guitar vs. organ boogie of "Whiskey Women" – the opening track to the infuriating every-musical-direction-will-do third album "Wildlife". But that boys-own beginner is solidly trounced by what I believe to be Ian Hunter's first moment of musical magic – the gorgeous ballad "Angel Of Eight Avenue" where he describes waking up in New York on the first Mott US tour with a lady who is as fragile and as beautiful as the Manhattan morning he's gazing out upon (what a lovely transfer too – great work boys). The cover of Melanie's "Lay Down" features a chorus contribution from Bronco's Jess Roden but the Country-Rock of "It Must Be Love" is awful (the "Downtown" stand alone single wasn't much better - a cover of a Crazy Horse song). The album ends of what feels like a different group - a crowd rousing 11-minute live take on Little Richard's "Keep A Knockin'" with Mick Ralphs showing what he can do when let rip. Late 1971's "Brain Capers" was always their best album and it seems the band thinks so too. "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" opens the record in raucous Rock fashion and this time covers of Dion's "Your Own Backyard" and The Youngbloods "Darkness Darkness" (a Jessie Colin Young song) actually sound like Mott made the right choices. Both "The Journey" and "Sweet Angeline" see Hunter in a melancholy mood (there's a man on a bridge called Suicide) - while Verden Allen provides a rare lead vocal on his own "Second Love". A damn good album "Brain Capers" - wee bit of a lost masterpiece really. I hadn't expected either CD5 or CD6 to provide much but they're full of goodies – especially those unreleased studio outtakes on disc five.

For sure "Mental Train..." is not for the casual browser and it would take until album number five ("All The Young Dudes") to awaken record buyers to MOTT THE HOOPLE. But their is a strange kind of bloody-minded heroism on offer here - a time when bands were allowed to sound nuts - grow with each release - until that initial magic someone saw before they signed them - finally broke through.

Leaping lizards but it's astonishing any of them survived given the times and acrimony within the ranks. Ralphs would go on of course to form Bad Co. with Paul Rodgers of Free whilst Ian Hunter would enjoy a massive solo career and aged 79 in 2018 is still rocking, touring and writing.

Always nuts but glam loveable - on the musical evidence presented here - you may find yourself seeking out Mott The Hoople and "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" this Christmas...

"All In Your Mind: The Transatlantic Years 1970-1974" by STRAY (October 2017 Esoteric Recordings 4CD Box Set - Ben Wiseman Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT 1971... - Exceptional 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)

"...Time Machine..."

Featuring the album "Suicide" by STRAY from March 1971 

For such a prolific British band - Acton’s finest never once saw the fruits of their LP labours chart in any meaningful way. West London's hard-rockers STRAY put out a whopping eight studio albums on two huge record labels between 1970 and 1976 (Transatlantic Records first and then Dawn) and all of it made up of almost entirely original material (the only cover version is one of Cliff Richard’s 50ts classic "Move It"). And yet despite a passionate and loyal college circuit following and years of relentless gigging – not a snifter. Welsh three-piece Budgie placed loads – Space Rock mavericks Hawkwind the same - Ireland's Skid Row with a very young Gary Moore and their weird variant of Speed Rock even nabbed one in 1970 against all the musical odds - but not STRAY.

Hindsight however has seen a growing-warmth towards our head-banging heroes that has transcended decades. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden and Neil Peart of Rush have sung their praises and name-checked Stray's more Prog elements as a seminal influence. The respected and artist-orientated Angel Air Records of the UK put out a live set of the classic line-up in 2014 and fans of hard-hitting Blues Rock mixed with a tinge of Psych and complicated time-phrases have been discovering their forgotten albums for decades.

Hardly surprising then that here comes Cherry Red's much-praised Esoteric Recordings with another overhaul - a 4CD Mini Box Set covering the first period of their output on Transatlantic Records – five albums and a heap of rarities (thirteen to be exact). Although the outer clamshell looks the part – the inner card sleeves decidedly let the side down with no original artwork and albums split across discs. But even despite these iffy presentation choices (not something I ever say of Esoteric Recordings who along with Ace Records are amongst my favourite British reissue labels) - there's much to be praised here – especially the new Ben Wiseman Remastering. So once more my hirsute hobbit-obsessed friends unto the suicidal past, mind trips, moving on Mudanzas and flicks on a Saturday morning...

UK released 20 October 2017 - "All In Your Mind: The Transatlantic Years 1970-1974" by STRAY on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 42607 (Barcode 5013929470743) is a 4CD Mini Clamshell Box Set containing five albums plus rarities that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (77:30 minutes):

1. All In Your Mind [Side 1]

2. Taking All The Good Things

3. Around The World In 80 Days

4. Time Machine

5. Only What You Can Make It [Side 2]

6. Yesterday's Promise

7. Move On

8. In Reverse/Some Say

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Stray" - released June 1970 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 216 (no USA release) - Produced by HUGH MURPHY

9. Son Of The Father [Side 1]

10. Nature's Way

11. Where Do Our Children Belong

12. Jericho

13. Run Mister Run [Side 2]

14. Dearest Eloise

15. Do You Miss Me?

Tracks 9 to 15 on Disc 1 and Track 1 on Disc 2 are their 2nd studio album "Suicide" - released March 1971 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 233 and September 1971 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-611 with the same track list but different artwork

Disc 2 (70:05 minutes):

1. Suicide (as per Tracks 9 to 15 on Disc 1)

2. Our Song [Side 1]

3. After The Storm

4. Sister Mary

5. Move That Wigwam

6. Leave It Out [Side 2]

7. How Could I Forget You?

8. Mr. Hobo

9. Queen Of The Sea

Tracks 2 to 9 are their 3rd studio album "Saturday Morning Pictures" - released February 1972 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 248 and in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-624 - Produced by MARTIN BIRCH and STRAY

10. Changes [Side 1]

11. Come On Over

12. Alright Ma!

13. Oil Fumes And Sea Air

14. Gambler

15. Hallelujah

Tracks 10 to 15 are Side 1 of their 4th studio album "Mudanzas" - released May 1973 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 268 (no USA release) - Produced by WILF PINE

Disc 3 (64:08 minutes):

1. I Believe It [Side 2]

2. Pretty Things

3. Soon As You've Grown

4. Leave It To Us

Tracks 1 to 5 as Side 2 of "Mudanzas" (as per Tracks 10 to 15 on Disc 2)

5. Tap [Side 1]

6. Move It

7. Hey Domino

8. Customs Man

9. Mystic Lady

10. Somebody Called You

11. Give It Up [Side 2]

12. Like A Dream

13. Don't Look Back

14. Right From The Start

15. Our Plea

Tracks 5 to 15 are their 5th studio album "Move It" - released May 1974 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 281 (no USA issue) - Produced by WILF PINE

Disc 4 (43:17 minutes):

Demos & Rarities

1. Change Your Mind

2. The Man Who Paints The Pictures

3. In The Night

4. Outcast

Tracks 1 to 4 are Pye Studio Demos recorded November 1968 and Produced by JOHN SCHROEDER

5. All In Your Mind (Single Version) - released 1971 in Italy as a 7"single on Transatlantic TN 111

6. Encore - recorded during the sessions for "Suicide"

7. Our Song (Single Version)

8. Mama's Coming Home

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of a January 1972 UK 7" single on Big T Records BIG 141 in a picture sleeve

9. Georgia

10. Get Out Right Away

Tracks 9 and 10 were featured on and exclusive to the Stray compilation LP "Tracks" released September 1975 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA SAM 33

11. Brand New Day - non-album B-side to the UK 7" single of "Hallelujah" released 1973 on Transatlantic/Big T Records BIG 512

12. Move It (Single Version)

13. Crazy People

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides of a 1973 UK 7" single on Transatlantic/Big T Records BIG 512

STRAY was (same four-piece line-up for all five LPs):

STEVE GADD - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitars and Percussion

DEL BROMHAM - Lead Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonica, Percussion and Second Vocals

GARY GILES - Bass

RITCHIE COLE - Drums and Percussion

Guests: 

Mike Evans - Violin, Andy Bearne – Harmonica, Keith Bleasy – Congas - all on the "Suicide" LP 

Barry St. John, Kay Gardner, Lisa Strike and P.P. Arnold - all Backing Vocals on the "Suicide" LP

Jimmie Helms - Brass on "Hey Domino" and Backing Vocals on "Customs Man" on the "Move It" LP

Castle Music/Sanctuary first issued these five rare albums onto CD in Remastered form in 2005, 2006 and 2007 with the first four as Expanded Edition single CDs whilst the fifth album "Move It" became a double. Disc 4 of this 2017 reissue gathers up 13 of the Bonus Tracks from those Castle reissues but misses out on eleven BBC Sessions – one on the "Mudanzas" issue in 2006 and ten on the "Move It" double from 2007. With the total playing time on Disc 4 clocking in at 43:17 minutes - there was clearly room for some – but probably licensing rights have disallowed their inclusion here – which is a damn shame. 

Another problem (if you can call it that) is that with five LP covers to represent and only four CD card sleeves to use – Esoteric have decided to do themed artwork for all four cards with background images of the original LPs. They’re black and white and are quite awful really (see photos provided). You lose the impact of the die-cut debut gatefold "Stray" – the gatefold for the hugely popular "Saturday Morning Pictures" – the die-cut van sleeve for "Move It" and so on. Worse – as you can see from the Disc listings provided above – the second LP "Suicide" has its last song on Disc 2 with the bulk of the album on Disc 1 (others are similar). Hardly the greatest way to listen to or look at the albums as they were issued. It would of course have been far better to have had five card sleeves with all the original artwork and the bonuses spread out evenly across them – but alas.

So what do you get? The 20-page booklet has new liner notes from noted writer and rocker extraordinaire MALCOLM DOME that illuminate the band’s hurried and prolific output - whilst principal songwriter and Stray stalwart throughout the decades DAVE BROMHAM provides insider details that are both informative and witty. There are reproductions of Marquee posters, trade adverts for various albums, live shots of the four piece in full flow, snaps of the five album sleeves, a Country Club poster where they shared the venue with an eclectic choice of different-genre bands like Dando Shaft, Osibisa, Mike Westbrook and the Faces. But what I do really like is the BEN WISEMAN Remasters – 24-Bit Digital Versions done at Broadlake Studios in Hertfordshire – full of piss and vinegar – rocking out like the music does but without being overly bombastic. To the music...

Stray had been rehearsing, gigging and writing since 1968 so when they signed to Transatlantic in late 1969 (the label by then looking to expand their predominately Folk and Blues roster into the latest trends) - their self-titled debut was ready to rock. Recorded across only four days of first and second takes - "Stray" carries this Box Set's title track "All In Your Mind" - a huge fan fave and a Del Bromham song that was given prominence on the much-praised "I'm A Freak, Baby" 3CD Mini Box Set on the Grapefruit label in 2016 (goodies galore for fans of Underground Heavies). Barely into their twenties – the songs and playing belie their youth and inexperience with Bromham especially way past his Hank Marvin fixation judging by the heavy-heavy wah-wah "Time Machine". The slow and brooding "Yesterday’s Promise" sounds like Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig meets Black Sabbath getting mellow with their surprisingly trippy "Planet Caravan". The manic guitar pyrotechnics of "Move On" feels like Procol Harum letting Robin Trower out of his amplifier cage. It’s pretty remarkable stuff for such youngsters.

By the time of the second LP "Suicide" in 1971 – founder member Dave Bromham had added an increasing array of instruments to his Electric and Acoustic Guitars of the debut - Mellotron, Organ, Piano, Harpsichord and Harmony Vocals - whilst simultaneously supplying all the songs except "Dearest Eloise" which was a Steve Gadd tune. His songwriting prowess was taking leaps as both the lovely and lonely "Where Do Our Children Belong" and the Stranglers-hooky guitar-chug of "Run Mister Run" testify. At just under 2:20 minutes "Dearest Eloise" has both Harpsichord and Mellotron at its quietly pretty core – more Moody Blues than Stray. And finally things go Funky with the near seven-minute "Do You Miss Me?" – a song I’d swear The Jam’s Paul Weller was listening to as he tried on long trousers for the first time. A doomy feeding-back guitar opens the album’s coolest and yet most dated rocking moment – the Side 2 finisher "Suicide" – 7:42 minutes of very 70ts angst.

For many their 3^rd album from February 1972 "Saturday Morning Pictures" was like discovering "Argus" by Wishbone Ash – a band hitting a creative stride with the gatefold visuals to go along with the thrill. You can hear the Soulful Backing Vocals of Lisa Strike and Immediate’s P.P. "First Cut Is The Deepest" Arnold on the opener "Our Song" – a much more melodic Stray suddenly sounding like their bursting with confidence and the tunes to match the braggadocio. As if discovering Prog by Track 2 - "After The Storm" opens with rain and other ethereal soundscapes only to slip niftily into a wicked Ten Years After strut-fest for the rest of its seven-minutes (Bromham giving it some Tony McPhee on his axe). "Sister Mary" could be Focus, The Moody Blues, The Strawbs or even a speeding Groundhogs – it’s a frantic acoustic-guitar strummer that encompasses all manner of styles whilst at the same time remaining a cute little rocker at heart. Another fave of mine is the loose-lips swagger of "Move That Wigwam" sounding not unlike the Faces rehearsing circa “Long Player” – brill little rocker with clever changes and a catchy doubled-vocal. They go a tad yee-haw Country-Rock with the Terry Stamp sounding "Leave It Out" – better is the fuzzed up blitz of guitars that is "How Could I Forget You" – flanged plucking and vocals ahoy. Both "Mr. Hobo" and "Queen Of The Sea" bring the melodic Rock proceedings to a very satisfying close.

Album four from the spring of 1973 "Mudanzas" (the title comes from a Spanish word for moving on/changing) opens with gorgeous string arrangements from Andrew Powell on the one-minute "Changes" only to return to Rocking business with "Come On Over" – a grungy rocker with some uncomfortable string passages thrown over the top that sound both right and wrong at one and the same time. Clearly listening to The Who - "Alright Ma!" starts our kerranging before settling down into a melodic chorus and cute tune. Going all Ronnie Lane vs. Lindisfarne - "Oil Fumes And Sea Air" is a song about freedom, ships in the bay and the sound of the water going away somewhere new. "Gambler" features some Harmonica warbling and brass jabs but both "Hallelujah" and "I Believe It" have Brass and Strings powered over them to a point where it feels they’re trying too hard.

Album five from May 1974 saw them shake it and groove it – opening with a Drum Solo called "Tap" only to segue into an almost unrecognisable but cleverly boogiefied cover of the Cliff Richard and The Drifters 1958 hit – "Move It" (let me tell you baby it’s called Rock ‘n’ Roll). But after four albums stuff like "Hey Domino" sounds like second-rate Man looking for a hit and failing. Neither here nor there rhythms and badly recorded vocals on "Customs Man" only add to the ordinariness. "Mystic Lady" also tries to be a hit single and actually gets there in a Byrds jangly guitar way.

After signing to Pye Records (covered by another Esoteric Recordings CD compilation called "Fire & Glass: The Pye Recordings 1975-1976" issued November 2017) - Transatlantic Records dragged two compilations out of the band - "Tracks" in September 1975 with two exclusive tracks that appear as Bonuses on Disc 4 and a final comp called “Reflecting & Generation” in July 1977 on Transatlantic TRA SAM 44 that sampled the five albums.

So – a lot of rare 70ts music on offer and despite the presentation carps - there is a lot to savour here and more than a niggling feeling that the British LP charts (and by extension, the British public) lost out to STRAY and not the other way around...

"Trojan 50" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (August 2018 BMG/Trojan 4LP/6CD/2x7"/Memorabilia Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Featuring Tracks from 1971 

"...Young, Gifted And Black..."

On paper the 4LP/6CD/2x7" Box Set "Trojan 50" looks the sumptuous business - a 12" x 12" all-labels retrospective 'celebrating 50 years of Trojan Records' (1968 to 2018). From the gorgeous embossed Trojan Logo artwork and attached card rear, the arm-wrestling weight and silk ribbon inside to lift out the snazzy contents - it's a beautiful thing to hold in your grubby paws for sure. But having lived with this LP-sized beast since its Friday, 10 August 2018 release date and as a huge fan of the iconic British Reggae label – I’m finding the actual music listen a bit underwhelming in places - and on the presentation front side at least - for me it's strangely scant of details and oddly unsatisfying. Bluntly you're probably going to get more actual discography info from this review than you will from the reissue itself. There's a lot of Reggae in your Jeggae to get through, so here goes...

UK/Europe released Friday, 10 August 2018 - "Trojan 50" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on BMG/Trojan 1900W (Barcode 4050538379709) is a non-numbered 12" x 12" LP-sized 193-Track Box Set. It consists of 4 x Themed Vinyl LPs covering UK singles and key songs (48 Tracks), 2 x 3CD Themed Compilations called "Trojan Mix 1" and "Trojan Mix 2" (141 Tracks), 2 x 7" singles (4 Tracks), a 130+Page LP-sized Hardback Book called "Trojan: Art Of The Album", a double-sided A2 colour poster with the 50 LPs featured in the book pictured on one side and the box set artwork on the other, 2 x exclusive 7" singles on Trojan and Trojan Reloaded, a red turntable slipmat (Trojan Records, Est. 1968), a wooden Trojan Records 7" single adapter and a sew-on Trojan Records badge. With discography details added, it breaks down as follows…

ALBUMS

LP1 – "Trojan Hits Volume 1" (Trojan TBL 1031)

Side A:

1. Red, Red Wine – TONY TRIBE (April 1969 UK 7" single on Downtown DT 419, A-side - peaked at No. 46, UK charts)

2. Return Of Django - UPSETTERS (January 1969 UK 7" single on Upsetter US 301, A-side - peaked at No. 5)

3. Skinhead Moon Stomp - SYMARIP (October 1969 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI 7050, A-side – peaked at No. 54)

4. Long Shot Kick De Bucket - THE PIONEERS (August 1969 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 672, A-side - peaked at No. 21)

5. Liquidator - HARRY J. ALL STARS (August 1969 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 675, A-side - peaked at No. 8)

6. Sweet Sensation - THE MELODIANS (December 1968 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 695, A-side - peaked at No. 41)

Side B:

1. Young, Gifted And Black - BOB & MARCIA (February 1970 UK 7" single on Harry J HJ 6605, A-side - peaked at No. 5)

2. Monkey Man - THE MAYTALS (February 1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7711, A-side - peaked at No. 47)

3. Love Of The Common People - NICKY THOMAS (May 1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7750, A-side - peaked at No. 9)

4. You Can Get It If You Really Want It - DESMOND DEKKER (August 1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7777, A-side - peaked at No. 2)

5. Black Pearl - HORACE FAITH (September 1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7790, A-side - peaked at No. 13)

6. Double Barrel - DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS (August 1970 UK 7" single on Techniques TE 901, A-side - peaked at No. 1)

LP2 - "Trojan Hits Volume 2" (Trojan TBL 1033)

Side A:

1. Rain - BRUCE RUFFIN (April 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7814, A-side - peaked at No. 19)

2. Pied Piper - BOB & MARCIA (May 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7818, A-side - peaked at No. 11)

3. Black And White - GREYHOUND (May 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7820, A-side - peaked at No. 6)

4. Monkey Spanner - DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS (June 1971 UK 7" single on Techniques TE 914, A-side - peaked at No. 7)

5. Let Your Year Be Yeah - THE PIONEERS (July 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7825, A-side - peaked at No. 5)

6. Moon River - GREYHOUND (December 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7848, A-side - peaked at No. 12)

Side B:

1. Give And Take - THE PIONEERS (December 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7846, A-side - peaked at No. 35)

2. I Am What I Am - GREYHOUND (March 1972 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7853, A-side - peaked at No. 20)

3. Suzanne Beware Of The Devil - DANDY LIVINGSTONE (August 1972 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 16, A-side - peaked at No. 14)

4. Big Seven - JUDGE DREAD (November 1972 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 613, A-side - peaked at No. 8)

5. Everything I Own - KEN BOOTHE (May 1974 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7920, A-side - peaked at No. 1)

6. Help Me Make It Through The Night - JOHN HOLT (December 1974 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7909, A-side - peaked at No. 6)

LP3 - "Dancing Time" (Trojan TBL 1034)

Side A:

1. Sufferation 1969 - JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (2012 UK 7" single on Duke/Trojan THB 7023, A-side, 500 Copies Only, Previously Unreleased 1969 Recording)

2. Dancing Time - DESMOND DEKKER & THE ACES (2011 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7005, A-side, 250 Copies, Previously Unreleased Recording at the time)

3. I'm Shocking - THE ETHIOPIANS (2011 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7012, A-side, Previously Unreleased 1968 Recording)

4. (Baby) I'll Be Yours - THE GAYLADS (2013 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7024, A-side, 500 copies only, Previously Unreleased at the time)

5. Lick It Back - WINSTON SAMUELS (2010 UK 7" single on Randy's/Trojan THB 7002, B-side to "Pepper Pot" by Count Machuki & Randy's All Stars, 250 copies, Previously Unreleased at the time)

6. Easy Come, Easy Go - THE PIONEERS (2011 UK 7" single on Doctor Bird/Trojan THB 7007, A-side, 400 copies)

Side B:

1. Do The Boogaloo - THE MAYTALS (April 2011 'Record Store Day' UK 7" single on Beverley's/Trojan THB 7008, A-side, 760 copies only, Previously Unreleased at the time)

2. Soul Love - JOEY & GROUP with Tommy McCook and The Supersonics (2013 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7028, A-side, 500 copies only, Previously Unreleased at the time)

3. Reggae To Jeggae - TOMMY McCOOK (2010 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7004, B-side to "Deep In My Soul" by Monty Morris, 400 copies only, Previously Unreleased 1968 recording)

4. Terrible Mistake - ERIC MORRIS (2013 UK 7" single on Universal/Island WI-3163, A-side, 500 Copies, Previously Unreleased at the time)

5. The Lesson - THE TEACHER MAN (2013 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7025, B-side to "Michelle" by Tommy McCook and The Supersonics, 500 copies only, Previously Unreleased Duke Reid Productions)

6. Mettle - THE PIONEERS (2013 UK 7" single on Trojan THB 7026, A-side, 500 copies, Previously Unreleased at the time)

LP4 - "Reggae Goes Pop" (Trojan TBL 1035)

Side A:

1. What Am I To Do (Strings Version) - TONY SCOTT (from the November 2003 4CD Box Set "Muzik City: The Story Of Trojan")

2. Got To Come Back (Strings Version) - DELANO STEWART (2018, Previously Unreleased)

3. Feel A Little Better (Strings Version) - LLOYD PARKS & THE TECHNIQUES (from the October 2004 3CD set "Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set")

4. Fire And Rain - THE GAYLADS (1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7799, A-side, Cover of a James Taylor song)

5. Lonely Man (Strings Version) - DAVE BARKER (from the October 2004 3CD set "Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set")

6. Weep (Strings Version) - BOB ANDY (2018, Previously Unreleased)

Side B:

1. Funny - RUPERT CUNNINGHAM (December 1970 UK 7" single on Duke DU 98, A-side)

2. Working On It Night And Day - THE ACES (October 1972 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7873, A-side)

3. Suzanne, Beware Of The Devil - NICKY THOMAS (August 1972 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7862, A-side)

4. A Little Bit Of Soap - THE PIONEERS (April 1973 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7906, A-side)

5. Lord Pity Us All - MARTIN RILEY (January 1973 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 24, A-side)

6. Come On Girl - JACKIE EDWARDS (October 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7836, A-side)

SINGLES:

1. You Have Caught Me b/w The Little That You Have - THE MELODIANS (A) and JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (B)

August 2018, Trojan THB 7031

2. Real Reggae Music ft. Tippa Irie b/w (DJ Madd Remix of A Side) - REGGAE ROAST SOUNDSYSTEM (A & B)

August 2018, Trojan Reloaded TJRS001

VINYL:

The four albums are catalogue numbers TBL 1031, 1033, 1034 and 1035 - but quite what happened to TBL1032 on LP2 is a mystery - probably just wrong allocation of numbers. The first two albums simple take the bulk of CD1 from the 2011 six-disc Box Set "The Story Of Trojan Records" and transfer 24 of its 25 songs onto two LPs with 12-tracks on each record to allow for fidelity and aural punch - a smart move because these LPs sound fabulous. The colour-coded artwork for each long-player is cute if not a little dull (no inner sleeves either) and I can't help thinking that it would have been better to present the first two as a double-album simply called "Trojan Hits" in a gatefold sleeve. That would have allowed the inner gatefold to be used as a pictorial display for all those fantastic UK 7" single labels I've catalogued above thereby giving newbies a taste of what original 60ts and 70ts fans loved so much about Trojan Records and its subsidiary labels - the aural AND visual impact. LP3 "Dancing Time" takes a slew of the 250-to-500 only copies limited edition Universal/BMG UK 7" single releases issued between 2010 and 2014 on the Trojan Records 'THB' Series and puts them on an album for the first time (I believe). It's a very nice touch actually, as fans wanting to find these niche 45s would have to resort to expensive auction sites to acquire them. Duplication between the CDs and Vinyl is also at a minimum and there is even a couple of Previously Unreleased cuts on LP4 alongside 70ts single side rarities never before on a long-player.

CDs:

"Trojan Mix 1" (Trojan TJTCD573 (Barcode 4050538385731)

CD1 "Hits, Gems & Near Misses, 1968-1975" (74:41 minutes):

1. Thunderstorm - KARL 'King Cannon Ball' BRYAN (December 1968 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 636, A)

2. This Life Makes Me Wonder - DELROY WILSON (April 1969 UK 7" single on Blue Cat BS 155, B-side to "Dip It Up" by The Sparkers - credited originally as "This Life Make Me")

3. Mind Yourself [aka "You Think You Too Bad"] - THE ROYALS (June 1969 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 662, B-side to "Pick Out Me Eye" - credited as "Think You Too Bad")

4. Denver - CLYDE McPHATTER (September 1969 UK 7" single on B&C Records CB 106, A - Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham song)

5. Pickney Gal - DESMOND DEKKER & THE ACES (1969 UK 7" single on Pyramid PYR 6078, A - Leslie Kong Production)

6. Bread On The Table - COUNT SUCKLE with FREDDIE NOTES and THE RUDIES (1970 UK 7" single on Q Records Q 2201, B-side to "Please Don't Go")

7. Sugar Cane - RICHARD ACE and CHARLES ROSS ALL STARS (Trojan TR 7789 was released 1970 as 'Duke DU 98' with a Matrix No. TR 7789 in the run-out grooves. It was the B-side to "Funny" and both the Duke Records A&Bs were credited to Rupert Cunningham only - with no mention of Richard Ace or Charlie Ross)

8. Montego Bay - FREDDIE NOTES and THE RUDIES (September 1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7791, A)

9. Off Limits - CHARLIE ACE and THE AQUARIANS (April 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7814, B-side to "Rain" by Bruce Ruffin - both sides credited to Bruce Ruffin with no mention of Charlie Ace or The Aquarians)

10. Sir Collins Special - LORD CHALMERS and SIR COLLINS (1971 UK 7" single on Smash SMA 2321, A, original credited to Collins All Stars)

11. Brandy - SCOTT ENGLISH (September 1971 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 7, A)

12. Chop Sticks - THE DELTONES (November 1971 UK 7" single on Green Door GO 4010, A)

13. Hysteriacade - COUNT PRINCE MILLER (November 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7842, A)

14. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 - NEASDON CONNECTION (October 1972 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 17, A)

15. Big Six - JUDGE DREAD (August 1972 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 608, A)

16. Think About That - DANDY LIVINGSTONE (December 1972 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 25, B-side of "Big City")

17. Ain't It Groovy - BUSTER PEARSON (March 1973 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 616, A)

18. Big Eight - JUDGE DREAD (April 1973 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 619, A)

19. Behold - THE SETTERS (from the August 1974 Various Artists LP "20 Tighten Ups" on Trojan TRLS 90)

20. We Are Not The Same - CIMARONS (May 1974 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7919, B-side to "Over The Rainbow")

21. Passing Strangers - THE MARVELS (November 1974 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7937, A)

22. Crying Over You - KEN BOOTHE (December 1974 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7944, A - co-write with Lloyd Chalmers)

23. This Monday Morning Feeling - TITO SIMON (October 1974 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 57, A)

24. Running Over - FREDDIE McKAY and DANSAK (1975 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7971, B-side of "Help Me")

25. Nothing Is Impossible - INTERNS [aka The Viceroys] (March 1975 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8097, A – credited as Interns - Winston Riley song and production)

CD2 "Show I The Way - Roots, Dub & Lovers, 1976-1978" (73:30 minutes):

1. The Voice Of The Father -GLEN WASHINGTON (March 1976 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8123, A)

2. Niah Dread - LESTER LEWIS (April 1976 UK 7" single on Attack AT 8127, A)

3. White Bird Come Down - THUNDERBALL (May 1976 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8128, A)

4. Show I The Way - JAH WOOSH (July 1976 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8129, A)

5. Fight Down - LIZZARD (October 1976 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8130, A)

6. Another Moses - ETHIOPIANS (September 1976 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8131, A)

7. We've Got To Part - TREVOR SHIELD and THE BELTONES (April 1976 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 123, B-side to "Everybody's Got A Song To Sing" by The Cables)

8. My Love For You Is Over Now - DOREEN MURRAY (May 1976 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 126, A)

9. I Don't Want To Be A Beggar - RUDOLPH MOWATT (October 1976 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 127, A)

10. Jah Ital - DIEGO and THE SONS OF JAH (April 1977 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9001, A)

11. African Woman - WINSTON FERGUS (May 1977 UK 7" single on Lightning TRO 9010, A)

12. Key Of Keys - MICHAEL ROSE (June 1977 UK 7" single on Trojan Rockers TRO 9019, A)

13. The Slave Trade - ONE LOVE (August 1977 UK 7" single on Lightning TRO 9025, A)

14. Peace Pipe Dub - JOE WHITE (from the 1977 Various Artists UK LP "Tight Rock" on Trojan TMLP 1)

15. Stranger In Love - ELI EMMANUEL (1978 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8133, A)

16. Happiness - THE DINGLES (July 1977 UK 7" single on Trojan Rockers TRO 9023, A)

17. Dignity And Principle - BIG JOE (July 1977 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 138, A)

18. I'm Still In Love With You Girl - ALTON ELLIS (July 1977 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 141, A - credited as "I Am Still In Love")

19. Opportunity - EARL GEORGE [aka George Faith] (August 1977 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 143, A)

20. Segregation - TONY SEXTON (1978 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 153, A)

21. Right Road To Zion - THE JAHLIGHTS (March 1978 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9034, A)

22. Let's Spend The Night Together - TEDDY and THE DISCOLETTES (1978 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9040, A - Rolling Stones cover)

23. Tell The Children The Truth - JIMMY RILEY (1978 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9050, A - original credit "Tell The Youths The Truth")

CD 3: "Ghetto-Ology - Dancehall & Digital Sounds, 1979-1988" (78:12 minutes):

1. Barberman Bawling - WELL PLEASED AND SATISFIED (1979 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9053, A)

2. Nothing Gained (From Loving You) - MARIE PIERRE (1979 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9055, A)

3. Why Won't You Come On - BIM SHERMAN (1979 UK 12" single on Attack TACK 9, B-side to "Thunder And Lightning")

4. Liquid Horns - VIN GORDON and THE CORNER SHOTS (September 1979 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9058, A)

5. Ghetto-Ology - SUGAR MINOTT (1983 UK 12" single on Trojan TROT-9069, A)

6. We Got To Make It - DAVID ISAACS (1979 UK 12" single on Attack TACK 14, B-side to "Colour Of The Rainbow" - both sides credited to Dave Richards)

7. How Can A Man Be Happy - TRISTAN PALMA (1980 UK 12" single on Attack TACK 25, A)

8. Fight Fight Fight - SOWELL RADICS (1980 UK 12" single on Attack TACK 27, A)

9. Take Five [aka "The Russians Are Coming"] - VAL BENNETT and THE REVOLUTIONARIES (January 1981 UK 7" single 4-Track EP "Trojan Explosion - Reggae Instrumental Hits" on Trojan TMX 4012, 2nd Song on Side A – Dave Brubeck cover version)

10. Time Is Important To Me - THE VICEROYS (from the 1982 UK LP "We Must Unite" on Trojan TRLS 208)

11. Give To The Poor - THE MAJESTERIANS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

12. Killerman Jarrett - WINSTON JARRETT (1984 Recording not originally released in the UK)

13. Sensi For Sale - SANDRA ROBINSON and THE TUFF TONES (1985 UK 12" single on Trojan TROT 9079, A)

14. Pirate - THE ETHIOPIANS (1986 UK 12" single on Trojan TROT-9085, A - re-recording of a 1971 song - original on B-side of the 12")

15. Dancing Shoes - GEORGE DEKKER (1986 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9089, A - credited as "Reggae Man")

16. (Who Is He) What Is Man - VIVIAN WEATHERS (1987 UK 12" single on Trojan TROT 9096, A)

17. Jailhouse - PRIVATE TABBY (1987 UK 12" single on Trojan TROT 9087, A)

18. The Original Man - ANDREW TOSH (from the 1988 UK LP "The Original Man" on Attack ATLP 102)

"Trojan Mix 2" (Trojan TJTCD574 (Barcode 4050538385779)

CD1: "Party Tonight, Unreleased & Rarities, 1968-1974" (72:10 minutes):

1. Ska Beat - RICO and HIS ALL STARS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

2. Who La La (Alternate Take) - GLEN BROWN (2018, Previously Unreleased)

3. Party Tonight - SILVERTONES (December 1968 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 637, B-side to "Time Marches On" by The Race Fans)

4. Girls Galore - PHIL PRATT and THE CALTONE ALL STARS (1968, not originally released in the UK)

5. Time Marches On (Alternate Take) - DAVID ISAACS and THE RACE FANS (1968, not originally released in the UK)

6. Creature From The Moon - KING HORROR (2018, Previously Unreleased)

7. Too Experienced (Alternate Version) - OWEN GRAY (2018, Previously Unreleased)

8. Girl I've Got A Date - WINSTON FRANCIS and THE RUDIES (January 1970 UK 7" single on Grape GR 3011, B-side of "Babylon" - credited on original single on both sides as Freddie Notes and The Rudies)

9. Green River - ANONYMOUSLY YOURS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

10. My Desire (Alternate Take) - THE YARDBROOMS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

11. Dread It - GLEN WALKER (1967, not originally released in the UK)

12. Tennessee Waltz - HUGH HENDRICKS and THE BUCCANEERS (1969, not originally released in the UK)

13. Do The Moonwalk - THE RUDIES (2018, Previously Unreleased)

14. Hey Jude (Alternate Take) - THE DYNAMITES (2018, Previously Unreleased)

15. Deep In My Soul - RICK (1970, Previously Unreleased)

16. Sycilidin - SIR COLLINS ALL STARS (1969 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 551, A - possibly unreleased)

17. Wide Awake In A Dream - AL BARRY (2018, Previously Unreleased)

18. Bush Beat - LLOYD and THE PROPHETS (May 1970 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 553, A)

19. Just My Imagination (Alternate Version) - DAVE BARKER (2018, Previously Unreleased)

20. Soul Inspiration - GLEN ADAMS and THE HIPPY BOYS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

21. Loving Feeling - I ROY (2018, Previously Unreleased)

22. Old Man River - ANSEL COLLINS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

23. Lonely For Your Love (Alternate Mix) - NICKY THOMAS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

24. Niki Holiday - THE MARVELS (2018, Previously Unreleased)

25. You Have To Pay - LINVAL THOMPSON (2018, Previously Unreleased)

CD2: "The A To Q Of Trojan [The Subsidiary Labels]" (69:42 minutes):

1. Having A Party - DENNIS WALKS (July 1968 UK 7" single on Amalgamated AMG 816, A)

2. Nana - THE SLICKERS (1968 UK 7" single on Blue Cat BS 134, A)

3. You Know What I Mean - THE INSPIRATIONS (1969 UK 7" single on Upsetter US 300, B-side of "Eight For Eight")

4. Burial Of Longshot, Pt. II - GEORGE LEE and THE RUDIES (1969 UK 7" single on Downtown DT 441, B-side of "Pt. I" by Prince Of Darkness)

5. Whisper A Little Prayer - AUDLEY ROLLEN (1970 UK 7" single on Explosion EX 2040, A - Original issue mistakenly credits Hugh Roy as the artist when its Audley Rollen)

6. Angel - THE VIBRATORS (1970 UK 7" single on Clan Disc CLA 218, B-side of "Don't Mind Me" by Higgs and Wilson [Joe Higgs and Roy Wilson] - a Clancy Eccles Production - The Vibrators aren't credited on the original 45)

7. Piccadilly Hop - HIPPY BOYS (1970 UK 7" single on High Note HS 038, A)

8. Everytime - THE ITALS (December 1970 UK 7" single on Big BG 304, A)

9. You, Yes You - THE REACTION with THE CIMARONS (October 1970 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8022, A)

10. Don't Play That Song - DELROY WILLIAMS and THE REACTION (October 1970 UK 7" single on Joe JRS 11, A)

11. Equal Rights - THE CABLES (1970 UK 7" single on Harry J HJ 6620, B-side of "Feel All Right")

12. Crazy Rhythm - WINSTON WRIGHT (1970 UK 7" single on Techniques TE-907, B-side to "Top Secret")

13. Love You The Most - LLOYD CLARKE (April 1971 UK 7" single on Black Swan BW 1405, A)

14. I'll Be Right There - THE SENSATIONS (1971 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 591, A - original 45 credits Rad Bryan as the artist)

15. Little Boy Blue - VERNE and ALVIN [aka The Maytones] (October 1971 UK 7" single on GG Records GG 4523, A - original 45 credits Verne and Son as the artist)

16. Africa Is Paradise - THE CONSCIOUS MINDS (September 1971 UK 7" single on Green Door GD 4001, B-side to "One Big Unhappy Family" by The Charmers)

17. A Little Love - JIMMY LONDON and THE IMPACT ALL STARS (October 1971 UK 7" single on Randy's RAN 520, A)

18. I'll Be There - ALTON ELLIS (March 1971 UK 7" single on Smash SMA 2320, A)

19. Lollipop Girl - DERRICK HARRIOTT (June 1971 UK 7" single on Song Bird SB 1055, A)

20. Bogus-ism - THE CIMMARONS (April 1971 UK 7" single on Spinning Wheel SW 107, B-side of "Soul For Sale")

21. Sounds Of Babylon - SAMUEL THE FIRST (1971 UK 7" single on Summit SUM 8515, A)

22. My Best Dress - TOMMY McCOOK and THE SUPERSONICS (June 1971 UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI 7058, B-side to "One Life To Live, One Love to Give" by Phyllis Dillon)

23. Don't Try To Use Me - HORACE ANDY (August 1973 UK 7" single on Bread BR 1120, A)

24. You're The One I Love - DOROTHY RUSSELL (1973 UK 7" single on Duke Reid DR 2524, A)

25. Darling Dry Your Eyes - BARRINGTON SPENCE (1975 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 99, A)

CD3: "Blood & Fire - The Hit-Makers" (71:17 minutes):

1. Donkey Returns - BROTHER DAN ALL STARS (July 1968 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 601, A)

2. The Bullet - RICO RODRIGUEZ and THE RUDIES (May 1969 UK 7" single on Blue Cat BS 160, A)

3. Fire Corner - KING STITT (June 1969 UK 7" single on Duke DU 30, A - original 45 mistakenly credited to Clancy Eccles)

4. Put A Little Love In Your Heart - MARCIA GRIFFITHS (October 1969 UK 7" single on Harry J Records TR 693, A - cover of the Jackie DeShannon hit)

5. Wear You To The Ball - U ROY (November 1970 UK 7" single on Duke Reid DR 2513, A - original 45 credited to Hugh Roy and John Holt)

6. You Can't Wine - KINGSTONIANS (1970 UK 7" single on Duke DU 88, A)

7. She Want It - DAVE BARKER (1970 UK 7" single on High Note HS 049, A)

8. Satisfaction - CARL DAWKINS (1970 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7765, A)

9. What Greater Love - TEDDY BROWN (October 1970 UK 7" single on TR 7793, A)

10. 54-46 Was My Number - THE MAYTALS (January 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7808, A)

11. Blood And Fire - NINEY (February 1971 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 568, A)

12. East Of The River Nile - AUGUSTUS PABLO (May 1971 UK 7" single on Big Shot BI 579, A - original 45 credited to Herman)

13. Follow The Leader - GREYHOUND (September 1971 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7834, A)

14. Mother And Child Reunion - THE PIONEERS (February 1972 UK 7" single on Trojan TR 7852, A - original 45 credits the artists as The Uniques – a Paul Simon cover version)

15. The Further You Look (The Less You See) - JOHN HOLT (1972 UK 7" single on Horse HOSS 22, A)

16. Money In My Pocket - DENNIS BROWN (1972 UK 7" single on Pressure Beat PB 5513, A - original 45 credited to Joe Gibbs and The Professionals)

17. Lonely Woman - HORACE ANDY (1972 UK 7" single on Song Bird SB 1085, A)

18. S.90 Skank - BIG YOUTH (December 1972 UK 7" single on Down Town DT 492, B-side to "True True To My Heart" by Keith Hudson - original 45 credits B-side as "Ace 90")

19. Stalag 17 - ANSEL COLLINS (from the 1974 LP "Green Mango" by Tommy and Bobby [Tommy McKay and Bobby Ellis] on Attack ATLP 1004 - credited as "Stack Lack No. 17" on the original album)

20. Fire Burning - BOB ANDY (July 1974 UK 7" single on Harry J Records HJ 6676, A - original 45 credits artist as Keith Anderson)

21. None Shall Escape The Judgement - JOHNNY CLARKE (March 1974 UK 7" single on Explosion EX 2089, A)

22. Love Is Overdue, Pt. I - GREGORY ISAACS (1974 UK 7" single on Attack ATT 8066, A)

23. Hurt So Good - SUSAN CADOGAN (from the 1976 UK LP "Susan Cadogan" on Trojan TRLS 122)

24. Sad And Lonely - KEN BOOTHE (from the 1974 UK LP "Everything I Own" on Trojan TRLS 95, A)

25. Keep It Like It Is - LOUISA MARK (February 1977 UK 7" single on Trojan TRO 9005, A)

PRESENTATION:

The Hardback Book is the first thing that really catches your eye – an LP-sized monster that features 50 iconic and relevant album sleeves in full one-page splendor - from 1968's first flush "Dandy Returns" by Dandy Livingstone on TRL 2 (Dandy looking dapper as he exits a BOAC jet with his BOAC carry bag onto mobile BOAC steps) right through until the April 2018 Record Store Day Box Set of 10 x 45s called "Get Ready Rock Steady" on Trojan TJBOX-004. In-between you get the first two Various Artist volumes of the "Tighten Up" series - both 1969 LPs featuring C.C.S Advertising Associates 'girls' artwork (heavy sellers for the label and most people's introduction to Trojan Records as a label - I still have my original "Tighten Up" with its 14/6d price sticker!). Then on to the 1970 LP "Soul Rebels" for Bob Marley and The Wailers with a bare-chested machine-gun moll by the river (Produced by Lee Perry) and the cartoon guns of Dave and Ansel Collins and their "Double Barrel". It's so cool to see race-breaker covers like "Love Of The Common People" by Nicky Thomas (a black and white child kissing innocently) and Greyhound's "Black And White" (where two different colour hands intertwine as one). Many will recognise the "Club Reggae" compilation sleeve from 1971, John Holt's "One Thousand Volts" from 1973 and Ken Boothe's "Everything I Own" from 1974 (common in secondhand shops for decades). But few will have seen copies of 1968's Various Artists set "Soul Of Jamaica", 1970's "Woman Capture Man" by The Ethiopians, 1973's "Silver Bullets" by The Silvertones or even Prince Jammy's 1979 album "Kamikaze Dub". Being Reggae and Ska - fruitiness and crudity were never far away either - a working girl with handbag hanging outside the market in "Brixton Cat" - a Blue Cat Records compilation (the lady was Joe Mansano's sister-in-law Peggy Jackson, Joe managed "Joe's Record Centre" in Granville Arcade in Brixton that stocked all the Trojan labels) - Millie semi-naked astride a banana for 1970's "Time Will Tell" - a biddy in a doorway giving the finger to Judge Dread on his notorious "Dreadmania" LP from 1973 featuring the decidedly naughty "Big Seven" and the exploits of Little Jack Horner (not thinking about a corner).

There are essays alongside each LP sleeve either by someone in the know or LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT - keeper of the Trojan flame and author of several books on the subject. But a real downside is no track-lists - nor even an indication as to whether or not any songs from these pictured LPs are in the box or where to find them if they are. The two CD sets have no annotation at all except basic catalogue numbers nor do the LPs or sevens. In fact I can’t help thinking that the inclusion of “The Trojan Story” book too would have been better instead of charging fans an extra £20 to get it separately.

I'm already making CD2 of "Trojan Mix 2" my go-to Disc - it's where the Box Set focuses on the subsidiary labels hovering around Trojan - cool outlets like Blue Cat Records, Amalgamated, Duke, High Note, Big Shot, Attack, Summit, Clan Disc, Smash and Harry J (to name but a few). That many of these are non-album B-sides, which to my knowledge have never made it onto digital until now is all the more sweet. The Audio is of course a wildly mixed bag ranging from gutbucket-rough to gut-punch good - but while you wouldn't say the wickedly cool Ska instrumentals of 'Pt. II' of "Burial Of Longshot" by George Lee or "Piccadilly Hop" by the Hippy Boys for instance is Steely Dan in their aural perfection - the sheer good-time vibe it and so many other songs evoke wipes all other considerations out of the equation. And how good is it to hear The Cimarons and the Lee Perry Productions and those 2018 Previously Unreleased cuts. Aunty Harriet in Seven Sisters would approve and that's good enough for me...

I’m still digesting "Trojan 50" and discovering new thrills (I suspect I might be a few weeks doing just that) - and at a very tasty £87 – you can’t argue that it isn’t Crawb Up and Fluffy Fat for the Cheddar.

But as it stands – I Baz (the Jah Righteous) Rude Boy is doing the Killerman Boogaloo and feeling the irration of a nation in vexed sufferation whilst letting my yeah be yeah and my no be no (if you know what I and I is saying).

Maad and big tings recommended…