![v-gold [limited edition] [import]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00001NFJD.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg)
| 1. Walk Don't Run |
| 2. Telstar |
| 3. The Cruel Sea |
| 4. Slaughter On 10th Avenue |
| 5. Yellow Jacket |
| 6. Apache |
| 7. Perfidia |
| 8. Diamond Head |
| 9. House Of The Rising Sun |
| 10. Secret Agent Man |
| 11. Manchurian Beat |
| 12. Bumble Be Rock |
| 13. Pipeline |
| 14. Wipe Out |
| 15. Caravan |
| 16. Hokkaido Skies |
| 17. Kyoto Doll |
| 18. Stranger In Midosuji |
| 19. Reflections In A Palace Lake |
| 20. Ginza Lights |
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese-only release featuring updated versions of 20 of the band's all-time best, including 'Walk Don't Run', 'Telstar', 'Secret Agent Man', 'Wipe Out' and 'Kyoto Bojo'. Comes packaged in a regular jewelbox inside an attractive slipcase sleeve complete
Opener WATCH THEM ROLL is Sean Paul by-numbers, fairly uninspired, but things are looking up shortly thereafter. New bad man on the block Mavado - whose debut GANGSTA FOR LIFE album is scheduled for release via VP in July - features twice, first with his scorching TOP SHOTTA NAH MISS on the rough, tough POWERCUT rhythm, then with the deadly LAST NIGHT. No matter how you feel about guns and gangsters - and I'll definitely say that to me, a bad man's about as much good as a dead man - it's clear that Mavado is a major talent, capable of building and sustaining huge, earthquaking vibes. The equally exciting Munga Honourebel also scores a direct hit with his first class BAD FROM MI BORN. Veterans Elephant Man and Buju Banton tackle a couple of roots reggae rhythm updates, with Ellie on Sly and Robbie's classic UNMETERED TAXI (BRING IT) and Buju tearing into the M16 (BOBBY RED), both excellent selections.
Shane Brown flashes his bona fide roots reggae credentials - via his father, legendary engineer Errol Brown - on the brilliant STATEMENT rhythm, his bubbling, dubwise follow up to last year's CONFESSIONS (see Chuck Fenda's massive GASH DEM). Morgan Heritage's sizzling BROOKLYN & JAMAICA is pretty much the best take on the rhythm, but the full-length sampler is also worth picking up with quality contributions from Elephant Man, Kiprich, Busy Signal, Sizzla, Voicemail, Anthony B and others. Check it out. It's always good to hear the exceptionally gifted Jah Cure, especially now that he's not recording so frequently, and STICKY on the new JAMDOWN rhythm is pure niceness, definitely not his best-ever performance, but just a really classic roots reggae vocal and the perfect antidote to all the rudeboy runnings. The remarkably talented - and frustratingly under-recorded - I Wayne also scores with the very romantic NEED HER IN MY ARMS, and Virgin Islands chanter Pressure keeps the lights down low for his excellent, Vendetta-produced LOVE & AFFECTION. Gyptian's MY FADDAH SEH is nice, too.
It's not all solid gold though. I've never been able to tune in to Tessanne Chin's inexplicably popular HIDE AWAY, which sounds to me like a moderately updated, early nineties-style power rock ballad. Ms. Chin has a gorgeous, beautifully controlled voice, easily the equal of current favourite Alaine, but HIDE AWAY just doesn't belong on a REGGAE GOLD collection. Actually, I wasn't too impressed with Alaine's SACRIFICE, either, definitely not one of Vendetta's better productions, and a very standard, very cliched lovers lyric from the otherwise amazing Alaine. Much worse than these though is the remix of MIMS' THIS IS WHY I'M HOT, another selection that's misplaced, with guests Junior Reid and even Baby Cham both sounding out of their element. To be fair, VP usually includes one of these crossover efforts on the REGGAE GOLD roster (last year we got R Kelly teamed with Sean Paul on the nice SLOW WINE), but this time I'm not crossing. The audio CD closes with Shaggy's MORE WOMAN, which at least is good fun. The DVD, as per usual, is a bit of a grab bag. I liked the interviews with Elephant Man, Gyptian and Shaggy, but the behind-the-scenes photo shoot footage was extremely tedious. Empress's guide to Kingston nightlife wasn't particularly exciting, either.
Overall, as is usually the case, REGGAE GOLD 2007 succeeds in offering a little something for everyone, and it's a worthwhile buy for both casual listeners and full-time reggae lovers alike.
VP Records is ran like a well oiled machine and if you really love reggae music (or if just are really interested in the genre), you will definitely find yourself having to deal with VP in one way or another. This is largely due to the fact that they boast some of the finest talent in all of the Caribbean and they do an international promotion for their artists on a level perhaps unlike anything the music has ever seen. As of this writing, VP's roster of artists is absolutely ridiculous! Besides maintaining at least partial rights to international superstars such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul and Elephant Man; they also have reggae superstars such as The Messenger, Luciano; Capleton; Morgan Heritage; Beres Hammond, who hasn't had an official non VP release in over 10 years, and although Lady Saw recently completed her contract with the label, her current release, the well solid Walk Out is in their hands to promote and care for. Besides those names, the label boasts serious roots talent in the form of three young geniuses, I-Wayne, Warrior King and Gyptian; and not to neglect the dancehall, their roster of young dancehall talent includes TOK, Assassin, Kiprich and the recently inked hit maker Mavado. If you know nothing about reggae music, yes, this is a very big deal! Not to mention that I've forgotten such names as the Warlord Bounty Killer, the dancehall poet Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice and Junior Kelly (although you wouldn't know that because Penitentiary still makes a point of releasing albums by them) and soca heads Bunji Garlin and Edwin Yearwood. The label is stacked! Their roster is the equivalent of a single NBA team having four of the starting five of an all star team in any given year, and the following year and even the following year. If you make reggae music also, you have to deal with VP in some form or another as well in any aspect of the business. They sponsor tours for their artists, have their excellent and ever-growing Riddim Driven series which links them with some of the finest producers Jamaica has to offer, and other artists, who are not signed to the label and yet routinely have albums released, such as Turbulence who has had four VP releases to date, Glen Washington, Buju Banton, Anthony B, and most notably the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and Sizzla (who himself, by my count, has had 10 VP releases). Again, if you are into the music, or even if you just KNOW about reggae music, the name VP Records definitely needs to be one with whom you are familiar.
This year's installment of VP's signature series, Reggae Gold follows a year in which reggae, although not in the international spotlight (perhaps largely due to the continued postponement of Elephant Man's Bad Boy debut) as much as previous few years has actually been very solid. Although, a quick perusal through JA tabloids and newspapers (and some would say those are the exact same thing) might make you think some of the bigger names spend more time fighting amongst themselves than in the studio: With Bounty and Beenie's decade old rivalry hitting new heights (or depths that is) with the inclusion of an `Angel' (and Bounty's own seemingly endless women problems); Vybz Kartel's unhappiness with his label, Greensleeves and ultimate departure from Bounty's Alliance (along with his protégé Aidonia) and bloody war with latest VP signee Mavado and many other things that music overcame (and used) to its benefit in making one of the finest music years in recent memory for reggae. The proof is in the pudding as RG 2007 is without a doubt one of the finest installments the series has seen in quite a while and it doesn't depart from the lineup which I mentioned at all. It is still, relatively a glorified promo album for VP Records, but what a solid promo it is! This series is typically hit-or-miss style and truly the better VP Records series is so consistently without a doubt the double annual installments of Strictly the Best, but Reggae Gold 2007 does an excellent job in attempting to close the gap and this year, all you who make this your one reggae album of the year to check might be looking for something else which interests you later as the new comers here absolutely steal the show, but the one or two older heads present do themselves fine as well.
First, just getting the bad out of the way: I live in somewhat of a reggae box. If I'm not listening to reggae music or soca then there's an African vibes playing, other than that, I don't get too international, therefore, as of writing this, I had NEVER actually heard the song This is Why I'm Hot by Mims (and I can imagine someone somewhere is sitting down writing a review of a `hip hop gold' styled album and mentioning that "you're probably well tired of this song by this point") although I had heard of it. This remixed version of the song (which I guess is basically a Baby Cham and Junior Reid combination over the original track) I do not like very much at all, it almost kills the early vibe of the album sandwiched between a ridiculously over hyped Watch Dem Roll by Sean Paul over the migraine inducing hype Tremor riddim by Stephen McGregor and Mavado's epochal Kartel aimed Top Shatta Nah Miss over McGregor's massive Power Cut riddim. The song is the obligatory odd remix with a foreign artist and, as usual, the song just doesn't work here. Then there's Elephant Man's answer to Buju's MASSIVE Driver tune, Bring It, which just doesn't bring very much over the same riddim (which should have been retired immediately after Buju put that genius piece on recording, the song pretty much never gets off the floor and fittingly at its conclusion, Ele gives credit to where its due, Buju. And lastly (literally) the closer, Shaggy's More Woman which lags far behind some of his other far better work as of late (wouldn't an excellent way to end the album been with his megahit Heathen?!!!). And I've been called a reggae snob, so if a Reggae Gold album comes down the road 15 tracks deep with only 3 bad ones, its definitely a winner!
The good? To all those people who have asked me in the past sixteen months where they could get that Morgan Heritage tune about NYC and Jamaica, here you go! I'm not the biggest MH fan in the world but I definitely have to concur that the tune Brooklyn & Jamaica is amongst their finest work over Shane Brown's well powerful Statement Riddim. Check the man himself, Buju Banton reuniting with Penthouse where he got his start on yet another riddim called the M-16, this time, an absolutely divine sounding Dean Fraser cut which melds itself around Buju's very Driver-ish flow. AND THAT'S IT representing for the older heads the balance of the album's top notch material is put out by artists on whom the international spotlight has yet to shine, but hopefully and obviously is making its way towards. Check the magical Sticky by martian voiced singer Jah Cure. I could perhaps never tire of hearing Jah Cure and following the past 12 months where the artist had been less than active (perhaps in anticipation of his release which is now scheduled at just about a month and a half away as of this writing), Sticky is a great big WELCOME BACK to the Montego Bay native over Ce'cile's new riddim, the wonderfully old school spiced Jam Down riddim (which always has A LOT of people on the dance floor and whose album is actually due the same day as this RG 2007, also on VP). (and don't be surprised at all should Cure's release from prison coincide with the announcement of a signing with VP as he has released two albums with the label since his incarceration)
Heading the relatively brief dancehall portion of the album is definitely `hybrid' dancehall artist Munga Honourable's Bad From Mi Bawn. The self proclaimed `Gangsta Ras' who boasts of not only having the backing of dancehall ace producer Vendetta (over whom's excellent techno spiced Sativa riddim the track flows) but David House, label home of the Prophet himself, as co-managers, knocks an absolute homerun with the track which has become one of his biggest to date and don't be surprised if VP's next big dancehall signing is Honourable at all (unless of course Greensleeves again catches them off guard as they did with both Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel (and Fantan Mojah for the matter). The one that didn't get away from VP, most recent addition to their roster, sickly looking brutally efficient hit maker Mavado, offers two equally bullet laden tracks with the aforementioned Top Shatta Nah Miss and Last Night over the Show Off riddim. The better track is probably Last Night, but both are fairly equally solid tracks with both offering a decent taste of Mavado's vibes, but neither actually defining his shocking cold efficiency in the dancehall. The second half, and actually just about the final third of Reggae Gold 2007 is where the real quality lay on this album, however (of course minus Shaggy's closer). Pick any of the songs there and you'll have a winner! Starting with the young Tessanne Chin's (or Tami jr. as I'm calling her) beautiful Hideaway. I'm good and tired of the couple of years old Hideaway, but it's still an excellent track, which is barely reggae, save for that excellent guitar riffy one drop at the song's beginning, but an excellent inclusion to the album giving an international spot to what has undoubtedly been one of the most popular songs in the Caribbean over the past couple of years. Then there's the enigma that is I-Wayne. The downright peculiar singer who has attracted some of the most. . . Peculiar criticisms and praises of any young artist to date pushes forth the excellent lovers track I Need Her In My Arms, and while I'll always prefer the fire spitting and lava condemning I-Wayne, his offering for Reggae Gold 2007 is definitely amongst the strongest tracks to be found anywhere on the album (and hopefully this winter we'll see his sophomore studio release).
The top three tracks here definitely make themselves standout from the rest. Check Gyptian's ridiculous and frustrating My Fadah Seh which comes not too far after his album to make you wonder why it couldn't have made it, and. . . Not too far after his album to make you know that by time the next album rolls around (unless of course Gyptian is going to be following Sizzla's time schedule for releases) that the track will probably be too old to be included (and don't put that past VP to do anyway). Even with the presence of the MASSIVE Beng Beng on his debut, My Name is Gyptian, had you dropped My Fadah Seh on that album, it would have instantly become the finest track on the album, the wonderfully spiritual track is easily the finest tune young Gyptian has ever voiced. Then there's the odd man out on the album, Pressure Busspipe, whose cause I've been championing since I heard his debut album last year, links with Vendetta and the St. Thomas native pushes one of the best lover's tracks modern reggae has ever produced! Love & Affection is MASSIVE! So much so, Vendetta has taken such an interest in Pressure that he has signed him alongside Munga to his label and subsequent recordings from the duo have hit the street (especially the wicked Be Free), definitely Love & Affection is a big break for the artist showing just how far VI reggae has progressed in its short time. Lastly. . . Easily the best song on this good album and easily the best song I've heard in a while is ridiculously lovely songbird Alaine's Sacrifice. The song is something off an angel's play list and out of, of course, Vendetta's studio, it's a big chunk of romantic and lover's magic that you NEED to hear DEFINITELY!
Overall, in typical hit or miss style, Reggae Gold 2007 is a big hit. Also included is the now customary DVD which goes behinds the scenes (and even a little around my neighborhood!) definitely needs to be watched as its stocked full of cool pieces and frames, and as general, a nicely produced project outside of the music, VP always puts their best foot forward on the Reggae Gold album. Not as usually, I'm recommending this one to just about anyone, newer fans, definitely this thing is built for you, but older and more established fans, this is the first official cd for many of the pieces here you will LOVE the DVD.
Seriously, I really dig John Lennon's vocal on "Ain't She Sweet." This is very classic ultra-Early Beatles. This track was the first thing about this disc that got my attention, but there are also many other great hits, absolute staples of the British Invasion era music:
Freddie and the Dreamers' "I'm Telling You Now", The Hollies' "Bus Stop" and "Game of Love", "Groovy Kind of Love," "Ferry Cross the Mersey"....This CD has many of the most important recordings of that magical era. Essential
And the CD quality of the music means this is the best I've ever heard some of these songs sound. It's also interesting to hear Cat Stevens doing his own version of his "First Cut Is the Deepest" hit.
The song selection is mostly on target and provides a nice sampling of the various styles that made the British Invasion years so exciting musically. Pop is represented by Tom Jones, The Seekers, and Lulu; group harmonies are typified by Peter & Gordon, Chad & Jeremy, The Searchers, and The Hollies; straight ahead rock is provided by The Troggs, The Spencer Davis Group and The Who; we even get a sampling of psychedelia courtesy of Donovan and some very early prog rock from Procol Harum. It's also good to see some groups and performers from the era that are typically not represented on these collections like Georgie Fame, The Merseys, The Merseybeats, and The Silkie. The only real disappointment for me on this collection is the track selected for Eric Burdon & The Animals, probably done so for rights issues. But, for a 2-CD set, "British Invasion: Gold" is a terrific collection, one of the best available.
Todd Rundgren's song kept echoing in my head and I was telling myself not to get it now. But I had to feed into my conscious and get it. And I am enjoying it already.
There are songs that I have heard but never knew who sang them. This is a good compilation of songs selected.
you will enjoy it. i sure did.
Not only did the decade provide a variety of musical styles, the way music was presented to the public was changing, too. The once dominant Top 40 AM radio gave way to FM stations and AOR formats. As such you get a mixed bag of LP versions (for example, the 5:14 version of "She's Gone" and the 5:59 version of "I'm Not in Love) along with radio edits ("Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" is cut from 4:33 to 3:18 and "Blinded by the Light" is nearly cut in half--the LP version was 7:08 while the single version was 3:47). Since many listeners will recognize both versions, it's not a big deal that about half the songs are presented in their single-release version. [I do, however, have a complaint with the version of "Maggie May" that was used. The LP version was 5:45 and the radio edit was 5:11. The version here is futher truncated to 3:41!]
The 20-page booklet is serviceable, but hardly essential. There are a handful of pictures, track listing (with release dates and highest chart position) and a 6-page essay by Mike Ragogna.[The essay does clarify that in Springsteen's lyrics to "Blinded by the light," he in fact wrote "...revved up like a deuce..."--NOT a feminine hygiene product. So could we all start singing the right words?!!]
If you're looking for a fun trip down memory lane, it's hard to beat '70s GOLD. [Running Time: Disc 1 - 78:34, Disc 2 - 77:29] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
By far, the biggest piece of soca produced internationally, has been VP Records' annual Soca Gold compilation. The compilation, which began way back in 1997 has made fans of the genre out of people who would otherwise be completely unaware of the vibes (with the possible exception the seemingly inexhaustible Byron Lee & The Dragonaires from Jamaica). VP has shown a level commitment to soca over the years unlike any international company ever before, even while the music isn't terribly popular in Jamaica, VP's main area of interest (although they recently signed wicked Trinidadian reggae artist Jah Melody) , but the vibes are growing here as well. The label has over the years created not only Soca Gold, but the more old school set with Soca 101 and the sidekick styled set of D'Soca Zone series, all of which are consistently supported and all of which have seen releases in the past year or so. VP has also released albums by the likes Byron Lee & The Dragonnaires (who up until a couple of years ago were releasing albums at a Sizzla-like pacing, all on VP) and young soca group 3 Suns (formerly Treason). Also, they have recently added to their official ranks Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah and the leader of the pack Bunji Garlin as VP artists, they have truly been pushing soca hard (props to Edwin Howell whose name is almost always associated with the releases). Compare that type of commitment to their main competitors, namely Greensleeves and the seemingly winding down Jet Star, whose level of soca has been all put non-existent, and you really have to say that besides the likes of Kevin Lyttle and Rupee (both of whom have and continue to routinely appear on VP compilations) making themselves to international stardom levels in the past few years, VP has done just about as much as anyone on an international level pushing soca music to the masses all over the world (and more props to JW Records who has been responsible pushing the artsits' music all over the Caribbean regionally). With the additions of Yearwood and Garlin, particularly Garlin whose style of soca music is considerably more hardcore than what has been heard internationally to date, they have shown an even greater level of commitment. Garlin's recent project Global, his first since under contract with the label and second for them overall (the first being Revelation in 2002) was a very solid piece and is currently being promoted considerably, just as much as the typical VP release as Garlin begins now to engage in a world tour in support of the project. Take all of that and combine it to coincide with this, the releasing of their crowning jewel of soca, Soca Gold, which this year has really obviously received more time and attention than in any other year (including last year's ULTRA sleek Soca Gold 2006 edition) packing vibes on vibes and of course attempting to push soca music on the international scale, the likes of which has ever been seen!
Unlike its sister album Reggae Gold (this year marks the second time which both albums have been released simultaneously) I'm pretty much always happy with the Soca Gold albums. This is partly due to, of course, I listen to reggae music more, thus when the RG album drops I'm far more familiar with (and in some cases downright tired of) many of the songs filling the album; however, this is also due to the fact that the selections on the Soca Gold album are generally well chosen and compiled not only for their being fine songs individually, but also to the point where the album flows together very nicely and on a single vibe. There is, again unlike the Reggae Gold side, typically a certain vibe to the Soca Gold album: 2006 was the 10th anniversary edition and was probably the sleekest, best looking and well done project (not the best musically, just the best overall well done), the vibes weren't as overall as HUGE soca sounding, but more laid back than 2005; 2005 was pretty much insanity on a cd, it went everywhere! Big, small, loud and smooth at the same time, culminating with the aptly titled Madder Dan Dat (although I'm still calling Mor Tor the best song on that album); all of the other albums in the Soca Gold series also had a certain direction of taking the vibes, some were just about as hard as it gets, some were more Caribbean sounding (like 2003), but all have done a fairly good job in pushing some of the most solid soca vibes around (and for the record 2005 is still my favorite to date, getting close though). They have also, perhaps more importantly, served in pushing some of the various names to those who typically wouldn't know the artists. Me myself, prior to Soca Gold 2003 which featured the MASSIVE Bounce, had never heard of the madness that was Dawg E. Slaughter, only to find out that not only was he an emerging soca artist (who also scored a mammoth shot on 2004's edition with Trample and likewise does the same on SG 2007) but a popular radio voice on the island as well, SG 2003 made me a fan of his, as well as other editions pushing names such as Maximus Dan, Lil Bits, 3 Suns, the late Onika Bostic, Blazer!, and Sanell Dempster, whom I probably would have had a while to wait before actually learning of them otherwise, before I moved back to the Caribbean. Exposing these artists to the international masses alongside some of the more popular names already, the Bunji Garlins, Machel Montano's, Kevin Lyttle's, Rupie's and Edwin Yearwood's of the world have all previously appeared on Soca Gold albums, and although I'm well familiar with them, following the vibes of the various years, I'm sure this series has exposed many to them as well.
The vibes of this year's release, Soca Gold 2007 have once again gotten bigger. Taking last year's approach in terms of look and feel of the overall project (once again very well done, 2006 was just something produced by scientists somewhere with the high tech gloss which that one had, it was absolutely gorgeous) and adding its own serious vibes on the music side, 2007 challenges 2005 for my overall favorite of the series. The vibes here are just mad! Take that and combine it with the fact that VP has apparently heard my constant ranting (or just finally wised up) and thrown in one of my absolute favorites who scores with the biggest shot on an album full of mammoth shots, but more on that in a bit. The best thing about this one is that you can pretty much play it all the way through and even while there is one very frustrating remix here (and one odd sounding addictive opener), if you love soca music you will definitely appreciate the entire album. The album almost never gives the listener a point at which to just rest, you have to watch this one all the way through, and may require several naps to complete.
As I mentioned the album has served to expose the masses and I as well to several new names in the music, or names which are just new to the listener and this year is no different, as I come away from Soca Gold 2007 definitely keen on paying attention to some new names, three in particular. The first is fittingly who opens the album with a seriously huge voice, Bajan Kimberly Innis. Innis puts forth a vocal effort on her divine Carnival Symphony which not only gives you the big loud soca style chants that I love, but also a basic r&b style singing which shows off her greatest musical asset, that shocking voice. I had previously heard of her through a big contest which she participated in and came in second I believe, and all I can do is hope to hear the winner (whose name slips my mind now) on future editions of Soca Gold, because if her vibes are bigger than this, then I'm missing something! The second two names who I am entirely more familiar with, but had never taken time to specifically listen to and enjoy their music up until this point. Check seriously talented Bajan (all three are Bajans, Barbados taking over on SG 2007) Mr. Dale;s top notch offering Born Fa Dis. I hadn't really been paying attention to the song for awhile listening through the album (because its situated where it follows one of the biggest smashes on the album altogether, but Born Fa Dis is seriously high level soca. Its one of the few songs here which is somewhat confusing (as is the next song I'll mention as well) as its done in more r&b or pop stylee, but its still ultra upbeat so it doesn't let down the vibes to the point where you get a different feel at all. It works so well on the SG 2007 album as does that entire vibe which gives it a slightly different feel, but not enough to change the vibes. The last artist who I come away from SG 2007 attempting to pay a greater attention to is Peter Ram. I had ben familiar with the NAME Peter Ram for awhile now, but had never really associated a single song with the artist. Well that changes with one listen to his absolutely pinpoint precisely wicked Woman By My Side. The song takes awhile to build and when it finally does, you discover one of the finest hooks on the entire album, and also one of the finest songs altogether on the album. The song is a straight biggup to all the women and one of the few tunes here which has a fine message besides something of the more usual, Ram definitely makes the most of the track and scores a grand slam on the track (and in retrospect, I had actually heard a remix of the song before this version, which included dancehall DJ Vybz Kartel, both are very solid).
Of the names which I'm more familiar with, I was downright delighted to see that VP had once again tapped El-a-Kru for this album with a remix of their Expose track. The song, the Precision Radio mix of Expose is a pretty frustrating track, but its almost a good frustration. Put the song in its original form on and you have one of my truly favorite songs ever! The remix somewhat keeps a level on nutty lead singer Tizzy, but at a point she absolutely loses her mind (which is why I love her so!) and makes the song what it is, one of the most powerful vibes you'll ever hear, and still El-a-Kru continues to do Antigua proud (and the wonderful video is also included on the DVD). Then there's Rikki Jai's Last Band with the traditional big TnT sounding soca vibe, complete with the steel pan back and whistling and jumping, just a wonderful track by one of the true Caribbean soca superstars, a really big track (whose video is also included on the DVD). Sean Caruth also represents very very well on his outstanding Wine On Me coming in the latter stages on the album never letting the vibes get low even for a minute, Caruth's style is one of almost `aggressive' singing and probably I've never heard him work it better on a track than on Wine On Me (especially during the crazy bridge). Then there's a new face from SG 2006 back to drop one of the biggest tracks on this year's edition, Rita Jones. Jones' fantastic Bounce and Move is seriously one of SG 2007's best efforts again, just as she did on last year's offering Carnival Feeling with Roy Cape. Cape himself is back again this year, this time with Blaxx on the very powerful Dutty. And I just wouldn't be right if I failed to mention Krosfyah's MASSIVE No Wall Flower or Yearwood on Agua, both of which I had been listening to for a while, but both still retain much power definitely!
Then there are the big boys and girls who really dominate the vibes here. Bunji Garlin checks in with one of the stronger pieces from his new album, Blaze It Up. Blaze is about as dancehall as any track here gets but after just a few listens, it gets MASSIVE, with a truly maddening riddim playing backdrop to a very strong track from the Fyahman. The Fyahwoman, Faye Ann Lyons, Garlin's better half outdoes hubby with her seriously mad M.A.S. (Make a Stage) which plays on one of the most simple thoughts to make a big track. The song basically says "FIND SOMEWHERE AND MAKE A STAGE", but I guess it follows the old adage of `less is more' as the track is HUGE! As is her usual, the star from the SG 2006 album (she appeared on two of the biggest tracks on the album, including the album's best with Ms Aleysha, Party) nearly steals the show again with her tune. The second best tune overall here comes from Ms Slaughter, still pushing some of the best tunes, and definitely glad to see him back with his MASSIVE Spread the Love. Spread the Love is almost his dedication to Soca music and were it a person, Ms Soca would be smiling. Spread the Love is everything you might expect in the traditional aspect, but it has a very melodic riddim behind it as well with an odd bouncing/humming which chases the riddim and it continues to build over and over and the fine backup singer later in the song even adds fire! Lastly, the big gyal inna di house, who needs to be on this album everywhere offers the best shot here. I'm VERY partial, because she is my favorite overall Soca artist, but Destra's fast building and heavy I Dare You is SG 2007's best track. It doesn't take very long to build at all and when it does, I mean I think I lose my spot somewhere, I go into a day dream. The sexy pint sized soca head always belong on this album as she routinely makes such songs and I Dare You is definitely near the top of her rapidly growing catalogue. Perhaps the only regret is that SG 2007 does not contain the MAMMOTH Open the Gate by Shurwayne Winchester, but in this case, it is excusabvle.
Overall, I love this album! Check the stacked DVD which includes several nice videos, songs and live performances (including I Dare You) with probably young Miss Innis giving the best offering on her Carnival Symphony, listening to her voice live, it loses absolutely no power in the studio. Faye-Ann as usual does an excellent job screaming herself hoarse on her MAS and Olatunji also gives an outstanding performance on his super hype Get Wild. Of the videos Expose and Woman By My Side definitely steal the show. This one is almost overdoing it! I don't need this much good soca! Soca Gold 2007 is definitely a shot at whats coming, presumably VP will continue to push these crazy vibes (and now if you really are listening, SIGN DESTRA!) and I'll keep on eating them up (you will too if you read this far into this review). As the lovely Mrs. Garlin so eloquently puts it on her MAS, "Somebody made a mistake, they say Carnival dun", its not! Love Soca Gold 2007.
However, here are a few points to consider:
*Most of these tracks are from the mid-Sixties. Twenty-six of the tracks were released from 1964 to 1967--eleven from 1967 alone! [Note: All tracks are presented chronologically.]
*There is a heavy emphasis on Motown hits. [Five of which are duplicated from MOTOWN GOLD.] My only concern is why was it necessary to include three(!) Supremes songs?
*The British Invasion is represented by only three artists--The Mindbenders, The Troggs and Procol Harum. The heavy hitters (Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, et. al.) are missing. Also, two of America's biggest bands--The Beach Boys and The Doors--are also MIA.
*Finally, with each disk under sixty minutes, it would have been easy to add another ten to twelve tracks and perhaps rectify some of the above concerns.
But if you're looking for a collection of songs guaranteed to satisfy your Sixties nostalgia craving, there are few releases that will provide that fix better than '60s GOLD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
You can nit-pick about which remixes were used for this compilation, but I think the producers (one of whom previously submitted a review) put a lot of effort and thought into this compilation. For example, some of the remixes on here are some that I never knew existed: "Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin, "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood, and the mixes of Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait" and Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" have subtle differences in them from their extended versions found on other albums (check out the Madonna sample on "I Can't Wait").
Like one of the producers said, this features a mix of mainstream choices ("Venus" by Bananarama) and more obscure tracks (Seduction's "You're My One and Only"). I think the mainstream choices were excellent ones. The New York Mix of "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood is not a common one I find on CD.
If you love '80s music, you will undoubtedly treasure this. I think this compilation definitely has the '80s remix collector in mind but the mixes here are not too radical from their original versions so even casual fans will dig this.
I wanted to make some notes to go along with your comments:
- Martha Wash does sing the entirety, lead and back-up of "You're My One and Only." To my knowledge, the only version with any of the Seduction girls on it at all is the one where Michelle Visage re-does the rap.
- Almost all of your mix comments have to do with time issues; the line-up got bumped around a lot as permissions came in -- or didn't -- for other tracks that we wanted to include. With Donna we were trying to save a minute, and Sybil really goes on at 7-minutes plus, and this is an unusual edit from England that telescopes the long version much better than the official single, which just fades out.
- In the case of Kool and the Gang and Jody, I made these calls because I thought these were the versions that served the song and the vocalist best; I find the remix-album version of "Don't You Want Me" way too cut-up to be listenable, and the Francois remix just felt long to me as I re-listened. And "Fresh" is so unconventional because it's laid back, this is just my favorite version. I used the album version of "Seventh Heaven" on a Gwen Guthrie compilation for the same reason although I do regret not having the chance just yet to get Larry Levan's mix of it out. I also admit to having a problem with some of the disruptive multiple-edits that Arthur Baker and the Latin Rascals did as stunts in long versions. That's my problem entirely and I admit it. So these are some of the considerations. There's a multiplicity of factors. Including the fact that once you've done something, it's sometimes hard to change because that costs money and time.
- Frankie was just too famous to leave out. We are briefed to balance mainstream choices with our own obscure faves and things that we know need to be debuted on CD. It's to make the lineup accessible to a more casual buyer. Thanks for noticing the Joe Jackson, it's not an edit, the co-producers searched high and low for the right version used on the vinyl 12. I was so glad to put it next to the hard core pop dance records it got played next to in its time. And similarly, I wanted to draw a historical and musical line between Junior, Safety Dance and Don't Stop the Music.
- Some things will always be over-issued, because they are big hits. I know I have 20 copies of "Boogie Oogie Oogie" and "Shame" if I have one.
Thanks again Dan for being such a great watchdog. I wish there was still a publication like Dance Music Report around, you would have been great writing a column that finds reissues so we know about rarities coming out before they go out of print again.
CD1
1. I can't wait (6:22)
2. She works hard for the money (5:20) (The LP version??? Where's the 12"??? Actually, it's on an import disc titled "I Love 80's Disco v. 2")
3. venus (7:24)
4. stepping out (4:23)(very cool version that restores the intro of the 7" version but gives us the full length LP version, which faded in from another track on the original LP)
5. two of hearts (7:47)
6. maniac (5:56) (The amazing Jellybean club mix)
7. relax (7:24)
8. you're my one and only (7:40) (NOT the Martha Wash version, the actual group Seduction)
9. Pump up the volume (6:47) (one of numerous mixes of this track--this one features a sample of Din Daa Daa near the end)
10. freeway of love (6:29) (AWESOME to have the 12" version on CD!!! So much more Aretha ad-libbing at the end of the track)
11. higher love (7:28) (Another treasure on CD! Just a simple extended version, not some over-remixed version)
12. don't make me over (4:21) (WHY not the full length mix???)
CD2
1. let the music play (5:45) (the extended version of the original mix, not the `re-mix' that's on the original Shannon CD, which makes this a rare treat)
2. come go with me (6:40)
3. Everybody wants to rule the world (5:40)
4. Breakout (5:49) (the good version from the 12", which is basically an extended mix of the original)
5. Poison arrow (6:54) (I don't know how this atrocious jazzy remix ever got released of this classic synthdance hit, which never got a worthy 12" club mix)
6. Betcha wouldn't hurt me (5:22)
7. Don't look any further (5:21)
8. Starchild (6:40)
9. Don't you want me (4:11) (Blasphemy! The club remix is a PRIORITY and should have been on here!)
10. fresh (6:19) (blech. This is the `extended' version, not the HOT HOT remix with the driving beat)
11. Mama used to say (4:53)
12. safety dance (4:33)
13. don't stop the music (7:52)
If you love soft rock or adult contemporary music then you'll have no trouble enjoying this collection.
In the late 60s and early 70s, it was widely acknowledged that the two gods of Country were Johnny Cash and Jim Reeves (selling better than ever after his untimely death). So it is strange that Reeves's star has waned so quickly, and he is excluded from a compilation like this. That would have been unthinkable thirty years ago; now it is unremarkable.
On the other hand, Jerry Lee Lewis definitely does not belong here. When Tennessee Ernie Ford says "If you see me coming, better stand aside. A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died", you don't really take him seriously. When Lewis introduces himself as "The Killer", you get the uneasy feeling he really means it. His music is on the fringes of country and his attitude is on the edge of sanity.
Still, this is a good, representative collection and is available at bargain prices, so has to be recommended. I always take it when I drive through the Mojave or the Sierras. For me, this is music for the open road.
This compilation, being by Hip-O, has easy access to the vaults of the record labels that are now part of the Universal group, so those labels dominate - however, Hip-O have licensed some tracks from the Sony / BMG group, so Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride and Eddy Arnold are included. The real surprise is that Reba McEntire and George Strait, two artists who each had several number one hits for Universal labels in the eighties, are omitted. You'd think it was easier for Hip-O to include them than to worry about Dolly and the others.
The tracks are in chronological sequence, beginning with Hank Williams in 1951 and ending with Patty Loveless in 1989. 1989 is an interesting and appropriate end-point, as that was the year when a new generation of singers changed everything in country music, or so it seemed. Of course, the new generation has recorded a lot of great music (though how much of it can truly be described as country is a matter for debate) but I know that many country fans regard 1989 as the beginning of the end of their kind of country music.
The compiler clearly likes the seventies best as there are fifteen tracks from that decade with seven tracks each from the fifties, sixties and eighties. I can well understand the compiler's preference, as it was a very good decade for country music, both at home in America and internationally.
With a compilation like this, it is always possible to argue about track selection - whether the song selected for the chosen artist is the best, whether some omitted artists should have been included and so on - but when you look at it overall, this is a brilliant compilation that provides a great introduction to four decades of country music - and it comes with liner notes by Rich Kienzle.
This collection could easily have been expanded by an additional dozen or more tracks, allowing the compilers to focus more attention on country's golden era, namely the fifties and the sixties. There are only five tracks from the fifties and eight from the sixties, while the seventies--an era marked by crossover artists like Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers--is represented by fifteen tracks (nearly half of the total).
In fact, the compilers of this anthology placed a lot of emphasis on crossover hits. Twenty of these No. 1 country hits also hit the top 40 on the pop charts, with "Sixteen Tons," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" placing No. 1 on both charts.
There's only one serious misstep in the song selection. While it DID reach the top of the country charts in 1972, Jerry Lee Lewis's versions of the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" simply is out of place. And personally, I could have done without Lee Greenwood's maudlin "God Bless the U.S.A." [Besides, it's the only song that didn't reach No. 1.] The only other flaw in this collection is that even though it runs through 1989, there are no artists from country's new traditionalism movement. Where's George Strait or Randy Travis?
With that said, this is an overall satisfying--albeit brief--look at four decades of country music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Definitely cheesey. Definitely worth the money. This is much better than buying all of the individual band's CDs, which probably only have one or a few good songs on them.
Rock out with your air guitar! Good songs for singing extremely loudly on the way home from work!
Japanese-only release featuring updated versions of 20 of the band's all-time best, including 'Walk Don't Run', 'Telstar', 'Secret Agent Man', 'Wipe Out' and 'Kyoto Bojo'. Comes packaged in a regular jewelbox inside an attractive slipcase sleeve complete
V-Gold,Ventures,Universal/Mca,Oldies,Rock
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Reggae Gold 2007
Various Artists Manufacturer: Vp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  Dance Hall
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ASIN: B000PLCMPU Release Date: 2007-06-12 |
Tracks:
- Watch Them Roll - Sean Paul
- This Is Why I'm Hot - MIMS
- Top Shotta Nah Miss - Mavado
- Bad From Mi Born - Munga
- Last Night - Mavado
- Bring It - Elephant Man
- Bobby Reds - Buju Banton
- Brooklyn And Jamaica - Morgan Heritage
- Sticky - Jah Cure
- My Fadah Seh - Gyptian
- Hide Away - Tessanne
- Love And Affection - Pressure
- I Need Her In My Arms - I-Wayne
- Sacrifice - Alaine
- More Woman - Shaggy
Customer Reviews:
YA HO!.......2007-06-19
Opener WATCH THEM ROLL is Sean Paul by-numbers, fairly uninspired, but things are looking up shortly thereafter. New bad man on the block Mavado - whose debut GANGSTA FOR LIFE album is scheduled for release via VP in July - features twice, first with his scorching TOP SHOTTA NAH MISS on the rough, tough POWERCUT rhythm, then with the deadly LAST NIGHT. No matter how you feel about guns and gangsters - and I'll definitely say that to me, a bad man's about as much good as a dead man - it's clear that Mavado is a major talent, capable of building and sustaining huge, earthquaking vibes. The equally exciting Munga Honourebel also scores a direct hit with his first class BAD FROM MI BORN. Veterans Elephant Man and Buju Banton tackle a couple of roots reggae rhythm updates, with Ellie on Sly and Robbie's classic UNMETERED TAXI (BRING IT) and Buju tearing into the M16 (BOBBY RED), both excellent selections.
Shane Brown flashes his bona fide roots reggae credentials - via his father, legendary engineer Errol Brown - on the brilliant STATEMENT rhythm, his bubbling, dubwise follow up to last year's CONFESSIONS (see Chuck Fenda's massive GASH DEM). Morgan Heritage's sizzling BROOKLYN & JAMAICA is pretty much the best take on the rhythm, but the full-length sampler is also worth picking up with quality contributions from Elephant Man, Kiprich, Busy Signal, Sizzla, Voicemail, Anthony B and others. Check it out. It's always good to hear the exceptionally gifted Jah Cure, especially now that he's not recording so frequently, and STICKY on the new JAMDOWN rhythm is pure niceness, definitely not his best-ever performance, but just a really classic roots reggae vocal and the perfect antidote to all the rudeboy runnings. The remarkably talented - and frustratingly under-recorded - I Wayne also scores with the very romantic NEED HER IN MY ARMS, and Virgin Islands chanter Pressure keeps the lights down low for his excellent, Vendetta-produced LOVE & AFFECTION. Gyptian's MY FADDAH SEH is nice, too.
It's not all solid gold though. I've never been able to tune in to Tessanne Chin's inexplicably popular HIDE AWAY, which sounds to me like a moderately updated, early nineties-style power rock ballad. Ms. Chin has a gorgeous, beautifully controlled voice, easily the equal of current favourite Alaine, but HIDE AWAY just doesn't belong on a REGGAE GOLD collection. Actually, I wasn't too impressed with Alaine's SACRIFICE, either, definitely not one of Vendetta's better productions, and a very standard, very cliched lovers lyric from the otherwise amazing Alaine. Much worse than these though is the remix of MIMS' THIS IS WHY I'M HOT, another selection that's misplaced, with guests Junior Reid and even Baby Cham both sounding out of their element. To be fair, VP usually includes one of these crossover efforts on the REGGAE GOLD roster (last year we got R Kelly teamed with Sean Paul on the nice SLOW WINE), but this time I'm not crossing. The audio CD closes with Shaggy's MORE WOMAN, which at least is good fun. The DVD, as per usual, is a bit of a grab bag. I liked the interviews with Elephant Man, Gyptian and Shaggy, but the behind-the-scenes photo shoot footage was extremely tedious. Empress's guide to Kingston nightlife wasn't particularly exciting, either.
Overall, as is usually the case, REGGAE GOLD 2007 succeeds in offering a little something for everyone, and it's a worthwhile buy for both casual listeners and full-time reggae lovers alike.
Reggae Gold?. . . Exceptional?. . ........2007-06-12
VP Records is ran like a well oiled machine and if you really love reggae music (or if just are really interested in the genre), you will definitely find yourself having to deal with VP in one way or another. This is largely due to the fact that they boast some of the finest talent in all of the Caribbean and they do an international promotion for their artists on a level perhaps unlike anything the music has ever seen. As of this writing, VP's roster of artists is absolutely ridiculous! Besides maintaining at least partial rights to international superstars such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul and Elephant Man; they also have reggae superstars such as The Messenger, Luciano; Capleton; Morgan Heritage; Beres Hammond, who hasn't had an official non VP release in over 10 years, and although Lady Saw recently completed her contract with the label, her current release, the well solid Walk Out is in their hands to promote and care for. Besides those names, the label boasts serious roots talent in the form of three young geniuses, I-Wayne, Warrior King and Gyptian; and not to neglect the dancehall, their roster of young dancehall talent includes TOK, Assassin, Kiprich and the recently inked hit maker Mavado. If you know nothing about reggae music, yes, this is a very big deal! Not to mention that I've forgotten such names as the Warlord Bounty Killer, the dancehall poet Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice and Junior Kelly (although you wouldn't know that because Penitentiary still makes a point of releasing albums by them) and soca heads Bunji Garlin and Edwin Yearwood. The label is stacked! Their roster is the equivalent of a single NBA team having four of the starting five of an all star team in any given year, and the following year and even the following year. If you make reggae music also, you have to deal with VP in some form or another as well in any aspect of the business. They sponsor tours for their artists, have their excellent and ever-growing Riddim Driven series which links them with some of the finest producers Jamaica has to offer, and other artists, who are not signed to the label and yet routinely have albums released, such as Turbulence who has had four VP releases to date, Glen Washington, Buju Banton, Anthony B, and most notably the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and Sizzla (who himself, by my count, has had 10 VP releases). Again, if you are into the music, or even if you just KNOW about reggae music, the name VP Records definitely needs to be one with whom you are familiar.
This year's installment of VP's signature series, Reggae Gold follows a year in which reggae, although not in the international spotlight (perhaps largely due to the continued postponement of Elephant Man's Bad Boy debut) as much as previous few years has actually been very solid. Although, a quick perusal through JA tabloids and newspapers (and some would say those are the exact same thing) might make you think some of the bigger names spend more time fighting amongst themselves than in the studio: With Bounty and Beenie's decade old rivalry hitting new heights (or depths that is) with the inclusion of an `Angel' (and Bounty's own seemingly endless women problems); Vybz Kartel's unhappiness with his label, Greensleeves and ultimate departure from Bounty's Alliance (along with his protégé Aidonia) and bloody war with latest VP signee Mavado and many other things that music overcame (and used) to its benefit in making one of the finest music years in recent memory for reggae. The proof is in the pudding as RG 2007 is without a doubt one of the finest installments the series has seen in quite a while and it doesn't depart from the lineup which I mentioned at all. It is still, relatively a glorified promo album for VP Records, but what a solid promo it is! This series is typically hit-or-miss style and truly the better VP Records series is so consistently without a doubt the double annual installments of Strictly the Best, but Reggae Gold 2007 does an excellent job in attempting to close the gap and this year, all you who make this your one reggae album of the year to check might be looking for something else which interests you later as the new comers here absolutely steal the show, but the one or two older heads present do themselves fine as well.
First, just getting the bad out of the way: I live in somewhat of a reggae box. If I'm not listening to reggae music or soca then there's an African vibes playing, other than that, I don't get too international, therefore, as of writing this, I had NEVER actually heard the song This is Why I'm Hot by Mims (and I can imagine someone somewhere is sitting down writing a review of a `hip hop gold' styled album and mentioning that "you're probably well tired of this song by this point") although I had heard of it. This remixed version of the song (which I guess is basically a Baby Cham and Junior Reid combination over the original track) I do not like very much at all, it almost kills the early vibe of the album sandwiched between a ridiculously over hyped Watch Dem Roll by Sean Paul over the migraine inducing hype Tremor riddim by Stephen McGregor and Mavado's epochal Kartel aimed Top Shatta Nah Miss over McGregor's massive Power Cut riddim. The song is the obligatory odd remix with a foreign artist and, as usual, the song just doesn't work here. Then there's Elephant Man's answer to Buju's MASSIVE Driver tune, Bring It, which just doesn't bring very much over the same riddim (which should have been retired immediately after Buju put that genius piece on recording, the song pretty much never gets off the floor and fittingly at its conclusion, Ele gives credit to where its due, Buju. And lastly (literally) the closer, Shaggy's More Woman which lags far behind some of his other far better work as of late (wouldn't an excellent way to end the album been with his megahit Heathen?!!!). And I've been called a reggae snob, so if a Reggae Gold album comes down the road 15 tracks deep with only 3 bad ones, its definitely a winner!
The good? To all those people who have asked me in the past sixteen months where they could get that Morgan Heritage tune about NYC and Jamaica, here you go! I'm not the biggest MH fan in the world but I definitely have to concur that the tune Brooklyn & Jamaica is amongst their finest work over Shane Brown's well powerful Statement Riddim. Check the man himself, Buju Banton reuniting with Penthouse where he got his start on yet another riddim called the M-16, this time, an absolutely divine sounding Dean Fraser cut which melds itself around Buju's very Driver-ish flow. AND THAT'S IT representing for the older heads the balance of the album's top notch material is put out by artists on whom the international spotlight has yet to shine, but hopefully and obviously is making its way towards. Check the magical Sticky by martian voiced singer Jah Cure. I could perhaps never tire of hearing Jah Cure and following the past 12 months where the artist had been less than active (perhaps in anticipation of his release which is now scheduled at just about a month and a half away as of this writing), Sticky is a great big WELCOME BACK to the Montego Bay native over Ce'cile's new riddim, the wonderfully old school spiced Jam Down riddim (which always has A LOT of people on the dance floor and whose album is actually due the same day as this RG 2007, also on VP). (and don't be surprised at all should Cure's release from prison coincide with the announcement of a signing with VP as he has released two albums with the label since his incarceration)
Heading the relatively brief dancehall portion of the album is definitely `hybrid' dancehall artist Munga Honourable's Bad From Mi Bawn. The self proclaimed `Gangsta Ras' who boasts of not only having the backing of dancehall ace producer Vendetta (over whom's excellent techno spiced Sativa riddim the track flows) but David House, label home of the Prophet himself, as co-managers, knocks an absolute homerun with the track which has become one of his biggest to date and don't be surprised if VP's next big dancehall signing is Honourable at all (unless of course Greensleeves again catches them off guard as they did with both Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel (and Fantan Mojah for the matter). The one that didn't get away from VP, most recent addition to their roster, sickly looking brutally efficient hit maker Mavado, offers two equally bullet laden tracks with the aforementioned Top Shatta Nah Miss and Last Night over the Show Off riddim. The better track is probably Last Night, but both are fairly equally solid tracks with both offering a decent taste of Mavado's vibes, but neither actually defining his shocking cold efficiency in the dancehall. The second half, and actually just about the final third of Reggae Gold 2007 is where the real quality lay on this album, however (of course minus Shaggy's closer). Pick any of the songs there and you'll have a winner! Starting with the young Tessanne Chin's (or Tami jr. as I'm calling her) beautiful Hideaway. I'm good and tired of the couple of years old Hideaway, but it's still an excellent track, which is barely reggae, save for that excellent guitar riffy one drop at the song's beginning, but an excellent inclusion to the album giving an international spot to what has undoubtedly been one of the most popular songs in the Caribbean over the past couple of years. Then there's the enigma that is I-Wayne. The downright peculiar singer who has attracted some of the most. . . Peculiar criticisms and praises of any young artist to date pushes forth the excellent lovers track I Need Her In My Arms, and while I'll always prefer the fire spitting and lava condemning I-Wayne, his offering for Reggae Gold 2007 is definitely amongst the strongest tracks to be found anywhere on the album (and hopefully this winter we'll see his sophomore studio release).
The top three tracks here definitely make themselves standout from the rest. Check Gyptian's ridiculous and frustrating My Fadah Seh which comes not too far after his album to make you wonder why it couldn't have made it, and. . . Not too far after his album to make you know that by time the next album rolls around (unless of course Gyptian is going to be following Sizzla's time schedule for releases) that the track will probably be too old to be included (and don't put that past VP to do anyway). Even with the presence of the MASSIVE Beng Beng on his debut, My Name is Gyptian, had you dropped My Fadah Seh on that album, it would have instantly become the finest track on the album, the wonderfully spiritual track is easily the finest tune young Gyptian has ever voiced. Then there's the odd man out on the album, Pressure Busspipe, whose cause I've been championing since I heard his debut album last year, links with Vendetta and the St. Thomas native pushes one of the best lover's tracks modern reggae has ever produced! Love & Affection is MASSIVE! So much so, Vendetta has taken such an interest in Pressure that he has signed him alongside Munga to his label and subsequent recordings from the duo have hit the street (especially the wicked Be Free), definitely Love & Affection is a big break for the artist showing just how far VI reggae has progressed in its short time. Lastly. . . Easily the best song on this good album and easily the best song I've heard in a while is ridiculously lovely songbird Alaine's Sacrifice. The song is something off an angel's play list and out of, of course, Vendetta's studio, it's a big chunk of romantic and lover's magic that you NEED to hear DEFINITELY!
Overall, in typical hit or miss style, Reggae Gold 2007 is a big hit. Also included is the now customary DVD which goes behinds the scenes (and even a little around my neighborhood!) definitely needs to be watched as its stocked full of cool pieces and frames, and as general, a nicely produced project outside of the music, VP always puts their best foot forward on the Reggae Gold album. Not as usually, I'm recommending this one to just about anyone, newer fans, definitely this thing is built for you, but older and more established fans, this is the first official cd for many of the pieces here you will LOVE the DVD.
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Gold: British Invasion
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000GBEOKU Release Date: 2006-08-08 |
Tracks:
- Ain't She Sweet - The Beatles
- Bad to Me - Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas
- I'm Telling You Now - Freddie & the Dreamers
- I Think of You - The Merseybeats
- Needles and Pins - The Searchers
- World Without Love - Peter & Gordon
- Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying - Gerry & the Pacemakers
- Wishin' & Hopin' - Dusty Springfield
- She's Not There - The Zombies
- Summer Song - Chad & Jeremy
- Ferry Across the Mersey - Gerry & the Pacemakers
- Yeh Yeh - Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames
- Game of Love - Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders
- It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones
- You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
- You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - Silkie
Tracks:
- Groovy Kind of Love - The Mindbenders
- Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) - The Walker Brothers
- Sorrow - Merseys
- Wild Thing - The Troggs
- Bus Stop - The Hollies
- Sunshine Superman - Donovan
- See See Rider - Eric Burdon & the Animals
- Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group
- Happy Jack - The Who
- Georgy Girl - The Seekers
- Pamela, Pamela - Wayne Fontana
- Here Comes My Baby - The Tremeloes
- Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
- To Sir with Love - Lulu
- Love Is All Around - The Troggs
- First Cut Is the Deepest - Cat Stevens
Customer Reviews:
cool tunes.......2007-02-21
Seriously, I really dig John Lennon's vocal on "Ain't She Sweet." This is very classic ultra-Early Beatles. This track was the first thing about this disc that got my attention, but there are also many other great hits, absolute staples of the British Invasion era music:
Freddie and the Dreamers' "I'm Telling You Now", The Hollies' "Bus Stop" and "Game of Love", "Groovy Kind of Love," "Ferry Cross the Mersey"....This CD has many of the most important recordings of that magical era. Essential
And the CD quality of the music means this is the best I've ever heard some of these songs sound. It's also interesting to hear Cat Stevens doing his own version of his "First Cut Is the Deepest" hit.
Great compilation including some hard-to-find tracks.......2007-02-18
Great Music from a Great Era in Rock `n Roll.......2007-01-10
The song selection is mostly on target and provides a nice sampling of the various styles that made the British Invasion years so exciting musically. Pop is represented by Tom Jones, The Seekers, and Lulu; group harmonies are typified by Peter & Gordon, Chad & Jeremy, The Searchers, and The Hollies; straight ahead rock is provided by The Troggs, The Spencer Davis Group and The Who; we even get a sampling of psychedelia courtesy of Donovan and some very early prog rock from Procol Harum. It's also good to see some groups and performers from the era that are typically not represented on these collections like Georgie Fame, The Merseys, The Merseybeats, and The Silkie. The only real disappointment for me on this collection is the track selected for Eric Burdon & The Animals, probably done so for rights issues. But, for a 2-CD set, "British Invasion: Gold" is a terrific collection, one of the best available.
Great Overview of The Beatles'Fellow Travelers.......2007-01-10
British Invasion.......2007-01-09
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'70s: Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000CQQH0O Release Date: 2006-01-10 |
Tracks:
- More Than A Feeling Boston
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Chicago
- Joy To The World Three Dog Night
- Listen To The Music The Doobie Brothers
- Stuck In The Middle With You Stealers Wheel
- Maggie May Rod Stewart
- Rocket Man Elton John
- Rock On David Essex
- All Right Now Free
- The Boys Are Back In Town Thin Lizzy
- Smokin In The Boys Room Brownsville Station
- Fooled Around And Fell In Love Elvin Bishop
- My Best Friends Girl The Cars
- My Sharona The Knack
- Heart Of Glass Blondie
- Blinded By The Light Manfred Manns Earth Band
- Hello Its Me Todd Rundgren
- Im Not In Love 10cc
- Crazy Love Poco
- Peace Train Cat Stevens
Tracks:
- September Earth, Wind & Fire
- Ill Be Around The Spinners
- Will It Go Round In Circles Billy Preston
- Brick House Commodores
- Strawberry Letter 23 The Brothers Johnson
- Whats Goin On Marvin Gaye
- Wake Up Everybody Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
- Shes Gone Hall & Oates
- Love Will Find A Way Pablo Cruise
- So Into You Atlanta Rhythm Section
- Jackie Blue The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
- Free Bird Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Drift Away Dobie Gray
- Lean On Me Bill Withers
- I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash
- You Are So Beautiful Joe Cocker
- Miracles Jefferson Starship
- I Feel Love Donna Summer
- Y.M.C.A. Village People
- I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor
Customer Reviews:
Great CD!.......2007-06-15
Todd Rundgren's song kept echoing in my head and I was telling myself not to get it now. But I had to feed into my conscious and get it. And I am enjoying it already.
There are songs that I have heard but never knew who sang them. This is a good compilation of songs selected.
HeeBeeGeeBees!.......2007-04-28
Tonight's the Night.......2007-02-10
nice old tunes.......2006-11-11
you will enjoy it. i sure did.
+ 1/2 stars...Fun Collection of '70s Biggest Hits.......2006-09-15
Not only did the decade provide a variety of musical styles, the way music was presented to the public was changing, too. The once dominant Top 40 AM radio gave way to FM stations and AOR formats. As such you get a mixed bag of LP versions (for example, the 5:14 version of "She's Gone" and the 5:59 version of "I'm Not in Love) along with radio edits ("Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" is cut from 4:33 to 3:18 and "Blinded by the Light" is nearly cut in half--the LP version was 7:08 while the single version was 3:47). Since many listeners will recognize both versions, it's not a big deal that about half the songs are presented in their single-release version. [I do, however, have a complaint with the version of "Maggie May" that was used. The LP version was 5:45 and the radio edit was 5:11. The version here is futher truncated to 3:41!]
The 20-page booklet is serviceable, but hardly essential. There are a handful of pictures, track listing (with release dates and highest chart position) and a 6-page essay by Mike Ragogna.[The essay does clarify that in Springsteen's lyrics to "Blinded by the light," he in fact wrote "...revved up like a deuce..."--NOT a feminine hygiene product. So could we all start singing the right words?!!]
If you're looking for a fun trip down memory lane, it's hard to beat '70s GOLD. [Running Time: Disc 1 - 78:34, Disc 2 - 77:29] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Soca Gold 2007
Various Artists Manufacturer: Vp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000PMG9K8 Release Date: 2007-06-12 |
Tracks:
- Carnival Symphony - Kiberly Inniss
- Dutty - Roy Cape
- Make a Stage (M.A.S.) - Fay-Ann Lyons
- Woman By My Side - Peter Ham
- I Dare You - Destra
- Agua - Edwin Yearwood
- Get Wild - Olatunji Yearwood
- Spread the Love - Mr. Slaughter
- Born Fa Dis - Mr. Dale
- Wine Yuh Bumper (No Wall Flowers) - Krosfyah
- Blaze It Up - Bunji Garlin
- All Day All Nite - Lil Rick
- Bounce And Move - Rita Jones
- Expose Precision - El-A-Kru
- Last Band - Rikki Jai
- Wine On Me - Sean Caruth
- Jumping Up - K.V. Charles
Customer Reviews:
BUY IT! I Dare You. . . .......2007-06-12
By far, the biggest piece of soca produced internationally, has been VP Records' annual Soca Gold compilation. The compilation, which began way back in 1997 has made fans of the genre out of people who would otherwise be completely unaware of the vibes (with the possible exception the seemingly inexhaustible Byron Lee & The Dragonaires from Jamaica). VP has shown a level commitment to soca over the years unlike any international company ever before, even while the music isn't terribly popular in Jamaica, VP's main area of interest (although they recently signed wicked Trinidadian reggae artist Jah Melody) , but the vibes are growing here as well. The label has over the years created not only Soca Gold, but the more old school set with Soca 101 and the sidekick styled set of D'Soca Zone series, all of which are consistently supported and all of which have seen releases in the past year or so. VP has also released albums by the likes Byron Lee & The Dragonnaires (who up until a couple of years ago were releasing albums at a Sizzla-like pacing, all on VP) and young soca group 3 Suns (formerly Treason). Also, they have recently added to their official ranks Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah and the leader of the pack Bunji Garlin as VP artists, they have truly been pushing soca hard (props to Edwin Howell whose name is almost always associated with the releases). Compare that type of commitment to their main competitors, namely Greensleeves and the seemingly winding down Jet Star, whose level of soca has been all put non-existent, and you really have to say that besides the likes of Kevin Lyttle and Rupee (both of whom have and continue to routinely appear on VP compilations) making themselves to international stardom levels in the past few years, VP has done just about as much as anyone on an international level pushing soca music to the masses all over the world (and more props to JW Records who has been responsible pushing the artsits' music all over the Caribbean regionally). With the additions of Yearwood and Garlin, particularly Garlin whose style of soca music is considerably more hardcore than what has been heard internationally to date, they have shown an even greater level of commitment. Garlin's recent project Global, his first since under contract with the label and second for them overall (the first being Revelation in 2002) was a very solid piece and is currently being promoted considerably, just as much as the typical VP release as Garlin begins now to engage in a world tour in support of the project. Take all of that and combine it to coincide with this, the releasing of their crowning jewel of soca, Soca Gold, which this year has really obviously received more time and attention than in any other year (including last year's ULTRA sleek Soca Gold 2006 edition) packing vibes on vibes and of course attempting to push soca music on the international scale, the likes of which has ever been seen!
Unlike its sister album Reggae Gold (this year marks the second time which both albums have been released simultaneously) I'm pretty much always happy with the Soca Gold albums. This is partly due to, of course, I listen to reggae music more, thus when the RG album drops I'm far more familiar with (and in some cases downright tired of) many of the songs filling the album; however, this is also due to the fact that the selections on the Soca Gold album are generally well chosen and compiled not only for their being fine songs individually, but also to the point where the album flows together very nicely and on a single vibe. There is, again unlike the Reggae Gold side, typically a certain vibe to the Soca Gold album: 2006 was the 10th anniversary edition and was probably the sleekest, best looking and well done project (not the best musically, just the best overall well done), the vibes weren't as overall as HUGE soca sounding, but more laid back than 2005; 2005 was pretty much insanity on a cd, it went everywhere! Big, small, loud and smooth at the same time, culminating with the aptly titled Madder Dan Dat (although I'm still calling Mor Tor the best song on that album); all of the other albums in the Soca Gold series also had a certain direction of taking the vibes, some were just about as hard as it gets, some were more Caribbean sounding (like 2003), but all have done a fairly good job in pushing some of the most solid soca vibes around (and for the record 2005 is still my favorite to date, getting close though). They have also, perhaps more importantly, served in pushing some of the various names to those who typically wouldn't know the artists. Me myself, prior to Soca Gold 2003 which featured the MASSIVE Bounce, had never heard of the madness that was Dawg E. Slaughter, only to find out that not only was he an emerging soca artist (who also scored a mammoth shot on 2004's edition with Trample and likewise does the same on SG 2007) but a popular radio voice on the island as well, SG 2003 made me a fan of his, as well as other editions pushing names such as Maximus Dan, Lil Bits, 3 Suns, the late Onika Bostic, Blazer!, and Sanell Dempster, whom I probably would have had a while to wait before actually learning of them otherwise, before I moved back to the Caribbean. Exposing these artists to the international masses alongside some of the more popular names already, the Bunji Garlins, Machel Montano's, Kevin Lyttle's, Rupie's and Edwin Yearwood's of the world have all previously appeared on Soca Gold albums, and although I'm well familiar with them, following the vibes of the various years, I'm sure this series has exposed many to them as well.
The vibes of this year's release, Soca Gold 2007 have once again gotten bigger. Taking last year's approach in terms of look and feel of the overall project (once again very well done, 2006 was just something produced by scientists somewhere with the high tech gloss which that one had, it was absolutely gorgeous) and adding its own serious vibes on the music side, 2007 challenges 2005 for my overall favorite of the series. The vibes here are just mad! Take that and combine it with the fact that VP has apparently heard my constant ranting (or just finally wised up) and thrown in one of my absolute favorites who scores with the biggest shot on an album full of mammoth shots, but more on that in a bit. The best thing about this one is that you can pretty much play it all the way through and even while there is one very frustrating remix here (and one odd sounding addictive opener), if you love soca music you will definitely appreciate the entire album. The album almost never gives the listener a point at which to just rest, you have to watch this one all the way through, and may require several naps to complete.
As I mentioned the album has served to expose the masses and I as well to several new names in the music, or names which are just new to the listener and this year is no different, as I come away from Soca Gold 2007 definitely keen on paying attention to some new names, three in particular. The first is fittingly who opens the album with a seriously huge voice, Bajan Kimberly Innis. Innis puts forth a vocal effort on her divine Carnival Symphony which not only gives you the big loud soca style chants that I love, but also a basic r&b style singing which shows off her greatest musical asset, that shocking voice. I had previously heard of her through a big contest which she participated in and came in second I believe, and all I can do is hope to hear the winner (whose name slips my mind now) on future editions of Soca Gold, because if her vibes are bigger than this, then I'm missing something! The second two names who I am entirely more familiar with, but had never taken time to specifically listen to and enjoy their music up until this point. Check seriously talented Bajan (all three are Bajans, Barbados taking over on SG 2007) Mr. Dale;s top notch offering Born Fa Dis. I hadn't really been paying attention to the song for awhile listening through the album (because its situated where it follows one of the biggest smashes on the album altogether, but Born Fa Dis is seriously high level soca. Its one of the few songs here which is somewhat confusing (as is the next song I'll mention as well) as its done in more r&b or pop stylee, but its still ultra upbeat so it doesn't let down the vibes to the point where you get a different feel at all. It works so well on the SG 2007 album as does that entire vibe which gives it a slightly different feel, but not enough to change the vibes. The last artist who I come away from SG 2007 attempting to pay a greater attention to is Peter Ram. I had ben familiar with the NAME Peter Ram for awhile now, but had never really associated a single song with the artist. Well that changes with one listen to his absolutely pinpoint precisely wicked Woman By My Side. The song takes awhile to build and when it finally does, you discover one of the finest hooks on the entire album, and also one of the finest songs altogether on the album. The song is a straight biggup to all the women and one of the few tunes here which has a fine message besides something of the more usual, Ram definitely makes the most of the track and scores a grand slam on the track (and in retrospect, I had actually heard a remix of the song before this version, which included dancehall DJ Vybz Kartel, both are very solid).
Of the names which I'm more familiar with, I was downright delighted to see that VP had once again tapped El-a-Kru for this album with a remix of their Expose track. The song, the Precision Radio mix of Expose is a pretty frustrating track, but its almost a good frustration. Put the song in its original form on and you have one of my truly favorite songs ever! The remix somewhat keeps a level on nutty lead singer Tizzy, but at a point she absolutely loses her mind (which is why I love her so!) and makes the song what it is, one of the most powerful vibes you'll ever hear, and still El-a-Kru continues to do Antigua proud (and the wonderful video is also included on the DVD). Then there's Rikki Jai's Last Band with the traditional big TnT sounding soca vibe, complete with the steel pan back and whistling and jumping, just a wonderful track by one of the true Caribbean soca superstars, a really big track (whose video is also included on the DVD). Sean Caruth also represents very very well on his outstanding Wine On Me coming in the latter stages on the album never letting the vibes get low even for a minute, Caruth's style is one of almost `aggressive' singing and probably I've never heard him work it better on a track than on Wine On Me (especially during the crazy bridge). Then there's a new face from SG 2006 back to drop one of the biggest tracks on this year's edition, Rita Jones. Jones' fantastic Bounce and Move is seriously one of SG 2007's best efforts again, just as she did on last year's offering Carnival Feeling with Roy Cape. Cape himself is back again this year, this time with Blaxx on the very powerful Dutty. And I just wouldn't be right if I failed to mention Krosfyah's MASSIVE No Wall Flower or Yearwood on Agua, both of which I had been listening to for a while, but both still retain much power definitely!
Then there are the big boys and girls who really dominate the vibes here. Bunji Garlin checks in with one of the stronger pieces from his new album, Blaze It Up. Blaze is about as dancehall as any track here gets but after just a few listens, it gets MASSIVE, with a truly maddening riddim playing backdrop to a very strong track from the Fyahman. The Fyahwoman, Faye Ann Lyons, Garlin's better half outdoes hubby with her seriously mad M.A.S. (Make a Stage) which plays on one of the most simple thoughts to make a big track. The song basically says "FIND SOMEWHERE AND MAKE A STAGE", but I guess it follows the old adage of `less is more' as the track is HUGE! As is her usual, the star from the SG 2006 album (she appeared on two of the biggest tracks on the album, including the album's best with Ms Aleysha, Party) nearly steals the show again with her tune. The second best tune overall here comes from Ms Slaughter, still pushing some of the best tunes, and definitely glad to see him back with his MASSIVE Spread the Love. Spread the Love is almost his dedication to Soca music and were it a person, Ms Soca would be smiling. Spread the Love is everything you might expect in the traditional aspect, but it has a very melodic riddim behind it as well with an odd bouncing/humming which chases the riddim and it continues to build over and over and the fine backup singer later in the song even adds fire! Lastly, the big gyal inna di house, who needs to be on this album everywhere offers the best shot here. I'm VERY partial, because she is my favorite overall Soca artist, but Destra's fast building and heavy I Dare You is SG 2007's best track. It doesn't take very long to build at all and when it does, I mean I think I lose my spot somewhere, I go into a day dream. The sexy pint sized soca head always belong on this album as she routinely makes such songs and I Dare You is definitely near the top of her rapidly growing catalogue. Perhaps the only regret is that SG 2007 does not contain the MAMMOTH Open the Gate by Shurwayne Winchester, but in this case, it is excusabvle.
Overall, I love this album! Check the stacked DVD which includes several nice videos, songs and live performances (including I Dare You) with probably young Miss Innis giving the best offering on her Carnival Symphony, listening to her voice live, it loses absolutely no power in the studio. Faye-Ann as usual does an excellent job screaming herself hoarse on her MAS and Olatunji also gives an outstanding performance on his super hype Get Wild. Of the videos Expose and Woman By My Side definitely steal the show. This one is almost overdoing it! I don't need this much good soca! Soca Gold 2007 is definitely a shot at whats coming, presumably VP will continue to push these crazy vibes (and now if you really are listening, SIGN DESTRA!) and I'll keep on eating them up (you will too if you read this far into this review). As the lovely Mrs. Garlin so eloquently puts it on her MAS, "Somebody made a mistake, they say Carnival dun", its not! Love Soca Gold 2007.
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'60s: Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000FKO5CO Release Date: 2006-06-27 |
Tracks:
- Shop Around - The Miracles
- Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
- Hey! Baby - Bruce Channel
- Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland
- It's My Party - Lesley Gore
- My Boyfriend's Back - The Angels
- Dancing In The Street - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- Leader Of The Pack - The Shangri-Las
- Baby Love - Diana Ross & The Supremes
- You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers
- Game Of Love - Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders
- Wooly Bully - Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
- I Can't Help Myself - Four Tops
- Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire
- Rescue Me - Fontella Bass
- 1-2-3 - Len Barry
- I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown
- Lightnin' Strikes - Lou Christie
- California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas
- Sunny - Bobby Hebb
Tracks:
- Wild Thing - The Troggs
- (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet - Blues Magoos
- 98.6 - Keith
- Come On Down To My Boat - Every Mother's Son
- Sunday Will Never Be The Same - Spanky & Our Gang
- Let's Live For Today - The Grass Roots
- A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
- Reflections - Diana Ross & The Supremes
- Incense And Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock
- The Rain, The Park & Other Things - The Cowsills
- Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) - The Hombres
- Bend Me, Shape Me - The American Breed
- Love Is Blue - Paul Mauriat
- Summertime Blues - Blue Cheer
- Grazing In The Grass - Hugh Masekela
- Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
- Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
- Rock Me - Steppenwolf
- Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam
Customer Reviews:
Memories In Every Song.......2007-04-11
Easy to sing with!!.......2006-08-10
'60s: Gold Various Artists.......2006-08-03
+ 1/2 stars...'60s GOLD Will Satisfy That Nostalgia Craving.......2006-07-18
However, here are a few points to consider:
*Most of these tracks are from the mid-Sixties. Twenty-six of the tracks were released from 1964 to 1967--eleven from 1967 alone! [Note: All tracks are presented chronologically.]
*There is a heavy emphasis on Motown hits. [Five of which are duplicated from MOTOWN GOLD.] My only concern is why was it necessary to include three(!) Supremes songs?
*The British Invasion is represented by only three artists--The Mindbenders, The Troggs and Procol Harum. The heavy hitters (Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, et. al.) are missing. Also, two of America's biggest bands--The Beach Boys and The Doors--are also MIA.
*Finally, with each disk under sixty minutes, it would have been easy to add another ten to twelve tracks and perhaps rectify some of the above concerns.
But if you're looking for a collection of songs guaranteed to satisfy your Sixties nostalgia craving, there are few releases that will provide that fix better than '60s GOLD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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'80s Dance Gold
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ASIN: B000H0MNNA Release Date: 2006-09-19 |
Tracks:
- I Can't Wait [Long Dutch Mix] - Nu Shooz
- She Works Hard for the Money [LP Mix] - Donna Summer
- Venus [Extended Version] - Bananarama
- Steppin' Out [Promo 12 Inch/LP Mix] - Joe Jackson
- Two of Hearts [European Dance Mix]
- Maniac [Remix] - Michael Sembello
- Relax [New York Mix] - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
- You're My One and Only (True Love) [Club Mix]
- Pump Up the Volume [US Remix] - M/A/R/R/S,
- Freeway of Love [Extended Remix] - Aretha Franklin
- Higher Love [U.K. Extended Mix] - Steve Winwood
- Don't Make Me Over [The King-Dom Come Mix Radio Version]
Tracks:
- Let the Musc Play [Original 12-Inch Mix]
- Come Go with Me [Extended Mix]
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World [Extended Version] - Tears for Fears
- Breakout [A New Rockin' Version] - Swing Out Sister
- Poison Arrow [US Remix]
- Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me [Special Extended Version] - Patti Austin, Quincy Jones
- Don't Look Any Further [Original 12-Inch Remix] - Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett
- Starchild [LP Mix] - Level 42
- Don't You Want Me [LP Mix] - Jody Watley
- Fresh [Dance Mix] - Kool & the Gang
- Mama Used to Say [British Party Mix]
- Safety Dance [Extended Club Mix] - Men Without Hats
- Don't Stop the Music [Long Version] - Yarbrough & Peoples
Customer Reviews:
bring the memories on..........2007-01-29
Fantastic collection.......2006-12-04
You can nit-pick about which remixes were used for this compilation, but I think the producers (one of whom previously submitted a review) put a lot of effort and thought into this compilation. For example, some of the remixes on here are some that I never knew existed: "Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin, "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood, and the mixes of Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait" and Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" have subtle differences in them from their extended versions found on other albums (check out the Madonna sample on "I Can't Wait").
Like one of the producers said, this features a mix of mainstream choices ("Venus" by Bananarama) and more obscure tracks (Seduction's "You're My One and Only"). I think the mainstream choices were excellent ones. The New York Mix of "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood is not a common one I find on CD.
If you love '80s music, you will undoubtedly treasure this. I think this compilation definitely has the '80s remix collector in mind but the mixes here are not too radical from their original versions so even casual fans will dig this.
Dan, you are the best..........2006-10-06
I wanted to make some notes to go along with your comments:
- Martha Wash does sing the entirety, lead and back-up of "You're My One and Only." To my knowledge, the only version with any of the Seduction girls on it at all is the one where Michelle Visage re-does the rap.
- Almost all of your mix comments have to do with time issues; the line-up got bumped around a lot as permissions came in -- or didn't -- for other tracks that we wanted to include. With Donna we were trying to save a minute, and Sybil really goes on at 7-minutes plus, and this is an unusual edit from England that telescopes the long version much better than the official single, which just fades out.
- In the case of Kool and the Gang and Jody, I made these calls because I thought these were the versions that served the song and the vocalist best; I find the remix-album version of "Don't You Want Me" way too cut-up to be listenable, and the Francois remix just felt long to me as I re-listened. And "Fresh" is so unconventional because it's laid back, this is just my favorite version. I used the album version of "Seventh Heaven" on a Gwen Guthrie compilation for the same reason although I do regret not having the chance just yet to get Larry Levan's mix of it out. I also admit to having a problem with some of the disruptive multiple-edits that Arthur Baker and the Latin Rascals did as stunts in long versions. That's my problem entirely and I admit it. So these are some of the considerations. There's a multiplicity of factors. Including the fact that once you've done something, it's sometimes hard to change because that costs money and time.
- Frankie was just too famous to leave out. We are briefed to balance mainstream choices with our own obscure faves and things that we know need to be debuted on CD. It's to make the lineup accessible to a more casual buyer. Thanks for noticing the Joe Jackson, it's not an edit, the co-producers searched high and low for the right version used on the vinyl 12. I was so glad to put it next to the hard core pop dance records it got played next to in its time. And similarly, I wanted to draw a historical and musical line between Junior, Safety Dance and Don't Stop the Music.
- Some things will always be over-issued, because they are big hits. I know I have 20 copies of "Boogie Oogie Oogie" and "Shame" if I have one.
Thanks again Dan for being such a great watchdog. I wish there was still a publication like Dance Music Report around, you would have been great writing a column that finds reissues so we know about rarities coming out before they go out of print again.
Some gems finally make their way to CD.......2006-09-27
CD1
1. I can't wait (6:22)
2. She works hard for the money (5:20) (The LP version??? Where's the 12"??? Actually, it's on an import disc titled "I Love 80's Disco v. 2")
3. venus (7:24)
4. stepping out (4:23)(very cool version that restores the intro of the 7" version but gives us the full length LP version, which faded in from another track on the original LP)
5. two of hearts (7:47)
6. maniac (5:56) (The amazing Jellybean club mix)
7. relax (7:24)
8. you're my one and only (7:40) (NOT the Martha Wash version, the actual group Seduction)
9. Pump up the volume (6:47) (one of numerous mixes of this track--this one features a sample of Din Daa Daa near the end)
10. freeway of love (6:29) (AWESOME to have the 12" version on CD!!! So much more Aretha ad-libbing at the end of the track)
11. higher love (7:28) (Another treasure on CD! Just a simple extended version, not some over-remixed version)
12. don't make me over (4:21) (WHY not the full length mix???)
CD2
1. let the music play (5:45) (the extended version of the original mix, not the `re-mix' that's on the original Shannon CD, which makes this a rare treat)
2. come go with me (6:40)
3. Everybody wants to rule the world (5:40)
4. Breakout (5:49) (the good version from the 12", which is basically an extended mix of the original)
5. Poison arrow (6:54) (I don't know how this atrocious jazzy remix ever got released of this classic synthdance hit, which never got a worthy 12" club mix)
6. Betcha wouldn't hurt me (5:22)
7. Don't look any further (5:21)
8. Starchild (6:40)
9. Don't you want me (4:11) (Blasphemy! The club remix is a PRIORITY and should have been on here!)
10. fresh (6:19) (blech. This is the `extended' version, not the HOT HOT remix with the driving beat)
11. Mama used to say (4:53)
12. safety dance (4:33)
13. don't stop the music (7:52)
Average customer rating:
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Gold: Soft Rock
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
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ASIN: B000NJWSQ2 Release Date: 2007-04-03 |
Tracks:
- Daniel - Elton John
- Wild World - Cat Stevens
- Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels) - Jim Croce
- Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts
- Melissa - The Allman Brothers Band
- (Find A) Reason to Believe - Rod Stewart
- Stuck in the Middle with You - Stealers Wheel
- Drift Away - Dobie Gray
- Someone to Lay Down Beside Me - Karla Bonoff
- Sentimental Lady - Bob Welch
- Longer - Dan Fogelberg,
- We Just Disagree - Dave Mason
- You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
- More Than Words - Extreme
- One of Us - Joan Osborne
Tracks:
- Sara Smile - Hall & Oates
- Tempted - Squeeze
- Lotta Love - Nicolette Larson
- Nassau/Baby, I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
- Magnet and Steel - Walter Egan
- Into the Night - Benny Mardones
- Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
- So into You - Atlanta Rhythm Section
- Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop
- Baby Come Back - Player
- Things We Do for Love - 10cc
- Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia
- Your Wildest Dreams - The Moody Blues
- In the House of Stone and Light - Martin Page
- Cry - Godley & Creme
Customer Reviews:
It fills in the gaps.......2007-04-10
If you love soft rock or adult contemporary music then you'll have no trouble enjoying this collection.
Average customer rating:
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Classic Country Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Contemporary Country
| Country
| Styles
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ASIN: B000A0GPSQ Release Date: 2005-07-26 |
Tracks:
- Hey, Good Lookin' - Hank Williams
- It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels - Kitty Wells
- Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Why Baby Why - Webb Pierce, Red Sovine
- I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
- All I Have to Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers
- Hello Walls - Faron Young
- Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke, Leroy Van Dyke
- I Fall to Pieces - Patsy Cline
- Tender Years - George Jones
- King of the Road - Roger Miller
- Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
- Mama Tried - Merle Haggard
- Hello Darlin' - Conway Twitty
- Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn
- Help Me Make It Through the Night - Sammi Smith
- Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' - Charley Pride
- Chantilly Lace - Jerry Lee Lewis
Tracks:
- Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. - Donna Fargo
- Eleven Roses - Hank Williams, Jr.
- I Love - Tom T. Hall
- Jolene - Dolly Parton
- Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender
- Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
- San Antonio Stroll - Tanya Tucker
- Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) - Waylon Jennings
- Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle
- Gambler - Kenny Rogers
- Do You Know You Are My Sunshine - The Statler Brothers
- I Believe in You - Don Williams
- Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys
- I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool - George Jones, Barbara Mandrell
- Fourteen Carat Mind - Gene Watson
- God Bless the U.S.A. - Lee Greenwood
- Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses - Kathy Mattea
- Timber, I'm Falling in Love - Patty Loveless
Customer Reviews:
Country gold standard.......2006-01-30
In the late 60s and early 70s, it was widely acknowledged that the two gods of Country were Johnny Cash and Jim Reeves (selling better than ever after his untimely death). So it is strange that Reeves's star has waned so quickly, and he is excluded from a compilation like this. That would have been unthinkable thirty years ago; now it is unremarkable.
On the other hand, Jerry Lee Lewis definitely does not belong here. When Tennessee Ernie Ford says "If you see me coming, better stand aside. A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died", you don't really take him seriously. When Lewis introduces himself as "The Killer", you get the uneasy feeling he really means it. His music is on the fringes of country and his attitude is on the edge of sanity.
Still, this is a good, representative collection and is available at bargain prices, so has to be recommended. I always take it when I drive through the Mojave or the Sierras. For me, this is music for the open road.
Four decades of country number ones.......2005-07-29
This compilation, being by Hip-O, has easy access to the vaults of the record labels that are now part of the Universal group, so those labels dominate - however, Hip-O have licensed some tracks from the Sony / BMG group, so Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride and Eddy Arnold are included. The real surprise is that Reba McEntire and George Strait, two artists who each had several number one hits for Universal labels in the eighties, are omitted. You'd think it was easier for Hip-O to include them than to worry about Dolly and the others.
The tracks are in chronological sequence, beginning with Hank Williams in 1951 and ending with Patty Loveless in 1989. 1989 is an interesting and appropriate end-point, as that was the year when a new generation of singers changed everything in country music, or so it seemed. Of course, the new generation has recorded a lot of great music (though how much of it can truly be described as country is a matter for debate) but I know that many country fans regard 1989 as the beginning of the end of their kind of country music.
The compiler clearly likes the seventies best as there are fifteen tracks from that decade with seven tracks each from the fifties, sixties and eighties. I can well understand the compiler's preference, as it was a very good decade for country music, both at home in America and internationally.
With a compilation like this, it is always possible to argue about track selection - whether the song selected for the chosen artist is the best, whether some omitted artists should have been included and so on - but when you look at it overall, this is a brilliant compilation that provides a great introduction to four decades of country music - and it comes with liner notes by Rich Kienzle.
+ 1/2 stars...Nearly Forty Years of Classic Country.......2005-07-27
This collection could easily have been expanded by an additional dozen or more tracks, allowing the compilers to focus more attention on country's golden era, namely the fifties and the sixties. There are only five tracks from the fifties and eight from the sixties, while the seventies--an era marked by crossover artists like Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers--is represented by fifteen tracks (nearly half of the total).
In fact, the compilers of this anthology placed a lot of emphasis on crossover hits. Twenty of these No. 1 country hits also hit the top 40 on the pop charts, with "Sixteen Tons," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" placing No. 1 on both charts.
There's only one serious misstep in the song selection. While it DID reach the top of the country charts in 1972, Jerry Lee Lewis's versions of the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" simply is out of place. And personally, I could have done without Lee Greenwood's maudlin "God Bless the U.S.A." [Besides, it's the only song that didn't reach No. 1.] The only other flaw in this collection is that even though it runs through 1989, there are no artists from country's new traditionalism movement. Where's George Strait or Randy Travis?
With that said, this is an overall satisfying--albeit brief--look at four decades of country music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Average customer rating: 
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Love Songs: Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
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ASIN: B000CQQH0Y Release Date: 2006-01-24 |
Tracks:
- The Shoop Shoop Song (Its In His Kiss) Cher
- (Youre My) Soul And Inspiration The Righteous Brothers
- My Girl The Temptations
- Aint Nothin Like The Real Thing Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Dedicated To The One I Love The Mamas And The Papas
- You Wear It Well Rod Stewart
- Nassau/Baby I Love Your Way Peter Frampton
- The Things We Do For Love 10cc
- True Spandau Ballet
- Baby, Come To Me Patti Austin & James Ingram
- Just Once Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram
- Will You Still Love Me Chicago
- Breathe Again Toni Braxton
- Get Here Oleta Adams
- Save The Best For Last Vanessa Williams
- Incomplete Sisq
- All My Life K-Ci & JoJo
- Ill Make Love To You Boyz II Men
- Up Where We Belong Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
- At Last Etta James
Tracks:
- Cant Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe Barry White
- Feels Good Tony! Toni!Tone!
- If It Isnt Love New Edition
- The Best Of My Love The Emotions
- Could It Be Magic Donna Summer
- Lets Stay Together Al Green
- Lets Get It On Marvin Gaye
- You Are So Beautiful Joe Cocker
- Touch Me In The Morning Diana Ross
- Reunited Peaches And Herb
- Always Atlantic Starr
- Cherish Kool & The Gang
- Still The Commodores
- Being With You Smokey Robinson
- Truly Lionel Richie
- More Than Words Extreme
- Stay (I Missed You) Lisa Loeb & Nina Stories
- I Honestly Love You Olivia Newton-John
- Always On My Mind Willie Nelson
- I Got You Babe Sonny and Cher
Average customer rating:
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Power Ballads Gold
Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000A0GPT0 Release Date: 2005-07-26 |
Tracks:
- Lady Styx
- Love Hurts Nazareth
- Feel Like Makin Love Bad Company
- Beth KISS
- I Want To Know What Love Is Foreigner
- Goodbye Night Ranger
- Amanda Boston
- Honestly Stryper
- Carrie Europe
- Is This Love Whitesnake
- Save Your Love Great White
- When The Children Cry White Lion
- What Love Can Be Kingdom Come
- Every Rose Has Its Thorn Poison
- Dont Know What You Got (Till Its Gone) Cinderella
Tracks:
- Headed For A Heartbreak Winger
- Dont Close Your Eyes Kix
- Heaven Warrant
- When I See You Smile Bad English
- Love Song Tesla
- I Remember You Skid Row
- The Ballad Of Jayne L.A. Guns
- Fly To The Angels Slaughter
- High Enough Damn Yankees
- Silent Lucidity Queensryche
- Love Of A Lifetime Firehouse
- More Than Words Extreme
- Only Time Will Tell Nelson
- Love Is On The Way Saigon Kick
- Id Do Anything For Love (But I Wont Do That) Meat Loaf
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful blend of romantic songs.......2006-08-20
Wanna ride in my Trans Am?.......2005-11-09
Definitely cheesey. Definitely worth the money. This is much better than buying all of the individual band's CDs, which probably only have one or a few good songs on them.
Rock out with your air guitar! Good songs for singing extremely loudly on the way home from work!
It has it all !!!.......2005-11-04
Rock Music:
- Viaje de Estudios
- Vida [Import]
- Vol. 1-Beat Bluf En Braine [Import]
- Vol. 2-Beat Bluf En Braine [Import]
- Welcome to the North [Enhanced] [Import]
- What It Takes
- Yardbirds [Import]
- #1's [Import]
- All the 50's [Import]
- Archiva, Vol. 1/Archiva, Vol. 2
