Review: Black Ivory – Baby, Won't You Change Your Mind (BBE Music)

After less than 30 seconds of hearing the title track you'll be asking yourselves, "why have we not heard of these guys?"

Hot on the heals of their 'Don't Turn Around' earlier album (more of which below), here's the second installment of the Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess (that would go on to be The Universal Robot Band whose monster hit 'Barely Breaking Even' that BBE take their name) why aren't they as well know as The Detroit Spinners, The Temptations, The Dramatics or any other 70s male vocal group called 'The' something.

We'll it's still a question that we'll never know the answer to as these must thave been the tracks that didn't make the first album but there's no let up in quality on this 8 track album [Ed. not 8-track!] with the one bonus track. 

Again, it's all about the vocal harmonies, the soul, the big string productions along with featuring future mega stars as Vince Montana on vibes and drummer Larry Blackmon (later of Cameo).

The tracks fit the 'formula' of the time (perhaps that why they got 'overlooked') but this was when soul, disco, big ballards ('Baby Won't You Change Your Mind' and 'It's Time To Say Goodbye') so that whatever they did is pure gold like, 'Just Leave Me Some', the Northern Soul of 'Push Comes To Shove' (great work by Vince) and even the 'sugary' 'Time Is Love' and 'Spinning Around' seem to have some balls; very nice last song slowee material. 

'One Way Ticket To Loveland', 'No If's And's, Or But's' and 'Wishful Thinkin' could all have been 'hits' as Adams and Burgess were briming full of ideas and talent which they more show here and indeed, went onto prove in their subsequent careers. 

Perception released two albums by the group under their sub label project run by Adams, Today Records (the other being 'Don't Turn Around' also from in 1972 that's being re-issue by BBE on the same day, see review 'HERE') and fifty years on they sound as beaautiful now as they did them.

Artist: Black Ivory

Title: Don't Turn Around 

Release date: 17 January, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE704 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Black Ivory - Don't Turn Around (BBE Music)

After less than 30 seconds of hearing the title track of this album, you'll be asking yourselves, "why have we not heard of these guys?"

We'll that is unless you've been hanging onto your BBE 7" from 2012 thinking, 'I Keep Asking You Questions', when are we going to get a Black Ivory album orignally released on Perception Records in 1972 (Ed. can you stop keep asking us questions now?)

What's even more baffling is that as the initial incarnation of Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess (that would go on to be The Universal Robot Band whose monster hit 'Barely Breaking Even' that BBE take their name) why aren't they as well know as The Detroit Spinners, The Temptations, The Dramatics or any other 70s male vocal group called 'The' something?

We'll it's beyond me as this is all about the vocal harmonies, the soul, the big string productions along with featuring future mega stars as Vince Montana on vibes and drummer Larry Blackmon (later of Cameo).

The tracks fit the 'formula' of the time (perhaps that why they got 'overlooked') but this was when soul, disco, big ballards were what you did and every track is pure gold from the longing of 'You & I' to 'I Keep Asking You Questions' and the then future funky, 'Our Future'.

There's some tracks that are a bit sugary (but not 'I'll Find A Way' or 'She Said That She's Leaving') and at the other extreme, 'Surrender' sounds like their tribute to the Jackson 5!

That said, Adams and Burgess were briming full of talent which they more show here and, indeed, proved in their subsequent careers. 

Perception released two albums by the group under their sub label project run by Adams, Today Records (the other being 'Baby, Won't You Change Your Mind' also from 1972 that's being re-issue by BBE on the same day, see review 'HERE') and fifty years on they sound as beaautiful now as they did them.

Artist: Black Ivory

Title: Don't Turn Around 

Release date: 17 January, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE704 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Julius Brockington - The United Chair (BBE Music)

If your sitting comfortably.... then I'll begin.

If you've just got to grips with the keyboard whiz that is Julius Brockington from his album 'Sophisicated Funk' (review HERE) that's largely cover versions of tracks made famous by others like Isaac Hayes ('Do Your Thing'), Stevie Wonder ('If You Really Love Me'), Al Green ('Let's Stay Together') and Aretha Franklin ('Rock Steady') then this album is a bit of a shock.

'Sophisicated Funk'  was released in 1972 but  a year later for 'The United Chair', label head Patrick Adams, obviously saw something in Brockington's composition 'Cold Water' to give him a free funk reign over the seven tracks here.

Once more the cover does not give any incling as to what's on the inside but prepare yourself for some pre-beat gospel soul funk that's spacey and rocks, particularly  'BALT, Wash. EXP' and classic, 'Fourty Nine Reasons'.

'Fourty Nine Reasons' is the track that the diggers search for at nearly 8 minutes long.  Ironically, the one track not written by Brockington himself but his Alto saxophonist and flautist, Steve Turner who, along with Gerry Langston (guitar), Jim Wilson (trumpet), Ralph Fisher (drums), Marcel Turner (bass) and Julius (organ, piano and synth) produce an individual funky sound which is another reason the two albums are so different.

There's unusual funk tunes like 'Lost Tribe', 'In The Back Of The Churchyard' (sounds like it could have been a TV theme for a Blackploitation Father Brown) or 'Gettin' Into It' (The Clangers go to funky town - watch out for the Soup Dragon)

It's a lot less Brian Auger than it's predecessor and more soul/R'n'B, perhaps he needed a Julie Discoll/Oblivion Express to make the charts although 'Jaded Jackie' is more mainstream soul-jazz instrumental [hey, it was released as a 45 single in the US with 'In The Back Of The Churchyard' - hope you find one in the bargain bins]

If you had to pick just the one album betwen 'Sophisticated Funk' and 'The United Chair' that would be a very difficult choice but as they've been re-issued on the same day by BBE, it'd be rude to to get and enjoy both of them and marvel at the talent of Mr Brockington.

Artist: Julius Brockington

Title: The United Chair 

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE658 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Julius Brockington - Sophisticated Funk (BBE Music)

If you didn't know that this album was a much sort after funk-jazz album form the 70s that was originally released on Today/Perception Records, you might think from the cover that it's a Chazza Shop Classic,

Even the cover versions have the hallmark (no pun etc.) of a cheapo in the racks at Woolies.

But let us stop there as Julius Brockington - even his name sounds like a old boy cricket team; isn't there a Lord Brockington XI? - but this guy is soul-jazz hot like Brian Auger. 

Supported by Willie Bear (really!) and his incredible bass, Anthony Blunt (what the spy?) on drums, Don Mitchell (guitar), Bobby Morton Jr. (Percussion) and produced by disco legend Patrick Adams, so you can see why your West Coast hip-community love this album for samples so much.

If you need bass, 'Cold Water' is as low as you can go and whilst I'm not so keen on their version of 'Let's Stay Together', 'Rock Steady' and 'If You Really Love Me' more than make up for that; along with the only Brockington original composition, 'Cold Water' and the 9 minutes of Isaac Hayes' 'Do Your Thing' (Wow! it's a monster track).

If you were being very harsh, Julius does sound like he's been to Blackpool Tower to see Reg Dixon (ask you grandparents) but you just gotta love the "in your face" vibe of it at a time when the likes of ELP/The Nice  were up there own organ prog rock/classical parahernalia.

And it's not just me that rates this album: Madlib, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist and many more are fans so it's time to get this now as BBE have re-issued it so beautifully.  

As they say, don't judge a record by the cover.

Artist: Julius Brockington

Title: Sophisticated Funk

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE658 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: James Deron – You Don’t Know (JJ ReWork) (Adesso Music)

If you don't know who the "JJ" is here, you've not been following the recent releases on Adesso Music as it's Junior Jack's label.

This is the first time Swiss based James Deron has linked up with JJ after over 20 years of releasing house music on labels such as Nervous, King Street, Purple Tracks, Union Records and many more.

This track actually sounds a bit 'Nervous' rather than ususal Afro-house style but with the added bonus of hints of Northern Soul "oooh, ooohs", strings and vibes, its classic dancefloor!

This follows recent releases like the Deepshakerz remix of Dave Mayer & Deeplomatik's 'House Tribes' (review HERE), 'Colombia' and 'Badman' by Eldeanyo (reviews HERE and HERE).

I suspect this is just the first of many future JD & JJ ventures so stay tuned.

Artist: James Deron

Title: You Don't Know (JJ ReWork)

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : Adesso Music

Catalog Number : WP1411 / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Johnny Pate - Brother On The Run (OST) (BBE Music)

It's a busy day for BBE with the release of a number of re-issues from  the 1970s brilliance of the Perception Records back catalogue. 

But here's the one that's going to be on everyone's list as it's the original soundtrack to 'Brother On Run' by Johnny Pate. 

At the height of Blaxpliotation movies (indeed, this soundtrack got Pate the deal to follow up with the 'Shaft In Africa' soundtrack). And that's something you can hear on the longest track on the album, 'Auto Chase' with Mtume at his best with the big horns and some wah-wah guitar!

If you like a bit of sultry smutz, head straight for 'Ms Johnton's Sex Scene' or the organ sleaze of 'Lady Leaving Store' but what you'll want this album for is the 'Brother Of The Run' main track and the reprises.

Released in 1973, it's funkier than Lalo Schifrin but just as cool as, along with Pate on bass, Mtume is on percussion, Joe Beck guitar and they join Cedric Lawson (keys) and Donald MacDonald (drums).

Label mate. Julius Brockington was feeling this in his 'The United Chair' (review HERE) sessions and feel that Patrick Adams might has missed a trick if he'd got the two together but when ya brother's on the run, ya must just keep truckin' (as they used to say).

Artist: Johnny Pate

Title: Brother On The Run (The Original Soundtrack)

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE703 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: MF Robots - The Love It Takes (Atjazz Remixes) (BBE Music)

One of the best things about having such a great album out on BBE (talking about MF Robots' 'Break The Wall' in this instance) is that there's a load of premium groove makers that can do a fantastic job of re-adjusting a track for a quality soul-funk fused dancefloor.  

In this case you've got already had extended vocal and instrumental house and boogie versions by Two Soul (being Louie Vega and Josh Milan) of 'Make The Call' back in September of last year.

And if that wasn't enough, Atjazz remixes 'The Love It Takes' (again who doesn't love an Atjazz remix - he's done hundreds!).  And he must love this one as he's gone the extra mile with a distinctive sound that could be for Dr Buzzard or The Manhatten Transfer fans that they didn't know they needed a dub sythn Latin funk groover in their box.  

So clever, it's got an instrumental version too! Remember, 'The Love It Takes' has been given back to the world. Just loop it up - you never know the Atjazz Hectic Extension might make the  Valentine's Love Mix for Andy Garvey's Delectabeats Radio Show; stay tuned as they say.

But hang on, what is this! It's an Atjazz Galaxy Aart Dub and Dub Instrumental that strips the horns and ups the bouncey boogie in an electro-dub way.  I thought the original Atjazz remix was brilliant and I'm thinking this is at least as good; it not better!
If this is the love it takes, I'll have it all night long.

P.S. Check out last week's 'love' edition of Andy's show with "Special Guest" Gerry Hectic HERE.

Artist: MF Robots

Album: The Love It Takes (Atjazz Remixes)

Release Date: 17th February, 2023

Label: BBE Music

Catalog Number BBE646SDG6 / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Conic Rose - Heller Tag (Conic Rose)

Conic Rose's debut album 'Heller Tag' is one of those 'WOW!' moments as if everyone from Gilles Peterson to James Acaster had just found their new "immcaulate" album!

If you can image Kruder & Dorfmeister and Cinematic Orchestra's lovechild, this collection of jazzy, ambient, hip-trippy electronica OST instrumental pop is pretty close.

We've already raved about 'Gleisdreieck', 'Goodbye' and the magnificent 'Learn To Be Cool' [Miles Davis meets 'Teardrops' via 'Baba O'Riley' - this is the only way to learn to be cool] but you'll be hard pressed to find another 12 perfect tracks this side of next year.

Others have mentioned Bach, Bonobo, Jon Hassell, Nils-Petter Molvaer and they're all there along with Can ('Hope In The Crypto Crash') or the Balearic dawn of 'Nie Wieder Knutschen'; you could say it's a modern 'free' jazz as it's open season. 

For more information on the band and the earlier singles, check the links above and after such a miserable start to the year, this is a the best antidote to get on a new high.

Great artwork too!

Artist: Conic Rose 

Title: Heller Tag

Release date: 17 February, 2023

Label: Conic Rose

Cat. No: ConicRoseS04

Review: Astrud Gilberto - Now (BBE Music)

Wow, the world's first lady of Brazilian music, Astrid Gilberto with an album featuring Eumar Deodato, Airto Moreira, Patrick Adams, Bob Cranshaw, Ron Carter, Mike Longo and Billy Cobham!  With a line-up like that, the ten track album originally released in 1972 sells itself.  

Songs sung in both Portuguese and English are trade-mark Gilberto and includes the much loved 'Take It Easy My Brother Charlie' (previously released on BBE as part of 'The Best Of Perception & Today Records' over 10 years ago).

There's a certain amount of 'easy listening' at face value, but considering what was going on in Brazil then and repeating itself today, 'Bridges' and 'Daybreak' have more than just poignancy.  In comparision, this version of 'Gingele'  and 'General da Banda' are great warm-ups for swaying samba/bossa dancing whist 'Baião' is even better.

The opening two tracks are the extremes with the sickly 'Make Love To Me' (that you could only think had the touch of class cheap 70s porn movie soundtrack) and the 'commercial' hit, 'Zigy Zigy Za' that's very future Deodato (where's the longer 12" version?.

Clearly there was more to 'The Girl from Ipanema' than just the one song and from the cover photo she'd certainly grown up from the 'girl' photo of at the airport in the early 60s (bearing in mind, the year before CTI released the 'Gilberto With Turrentine' - Stanley, of course - and similar line-up to this album).  'Now' is a social document of the time that's unexpected found 2023 as another now too!

P.S. You'd also be needing today's 1972 re-issue of Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção – Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei (see review HERE).

 

Artist: Astrud Gilberto

Title: NOW

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE699 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção – Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei (Mr Bongo)

It may have taken 50 years to 'arrive' but Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção's 'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' has lost none of it's original 1972 brilliance of Brazilian-psych-folk-MPB. 

Originally released on Tapecar Records iyou won't find an orginal copy) you'll find these 11 tracks taking inspriation from all over the globe including British 60s pop ('Bloco Da Visão', 'Sozinho Não Estou', 'Qualé A Sua'), US. West Coast psychadelia/prog rock/Country/olk rock (Grateful Dead/CSN[&Y]/Doors, etc.) ('Dobra A Esquina P/ Ver O Sol', 'No Mundo da Lua'), Samba/Bossa ('Os Olhos), Tropicália.and a mixture of all. 

The sound/mastering is of high quality and the only slight moan, the tracks are 'punk length' short so there's no extended version - love to know what would have happened if the guitar (Rick Ferreira) pheak out at the end of 'Quero Companheira' would have gone or the funky horns on 'Qualé A Sua'.

If your a fans of Nara Leão, Milton Nascimento, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil or Astrid Gilberto (her 'Now' album that was also released in 1972 is re-release today too, review HERE), this album has a lot for you and it's easy to see why this record has demanded such high prices over the years so many thanks to Mr Bongo for sourcing an official re-release.

Artist: Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção
Title: Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei
Release date : 17th February, 2023
Label : Mr Bongo
Catalog Number : MRBCDLP276
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp