Ozone

An interesting choice for reissue from out friends, Vinyl Masterpiece. The set is well sought after for the sublime “Our Hearts Will Always Shine” - a track that was lifted for a recent UK compilation, and this has to be the champion track on this album. What a cracking song – the bass guitar, strings and keys and the simple, catchy nature make this an 80s classic. For me this track is but one of three choices on here. It's not the best album Motown put out but has my favourite composition on it. The CD is therefore worth it for this song and this song alone. The set itself is quite rocky, poppy and was a victim of Motown's policy at the time which was more akin to stumbling around hoping to get into the hit parade again. Michael Stokes is the main man producing this set, and his hand is very much felt at the helm. Hopefully the man, along with Missus, Linda Stokes will be producing new material very soon...
'Til then though I want to sing the praises of the other two gems on here. “I Can't Wait” has a real classy orientation and the strings are beautifully conducted and remind me of the style used by the Isley Brothers on their “Masterpiece” album, or by the Dazz Band on their “Keep It Live” album. The track, other than the strings has a gorgeous late 70s / early 80s Switch feel to it. This also comes seriously recommended. The upbeat “Here I Go Again” also gets a thumbs up from here. Typical of it's era, the rhodes and slap bass make me very warm inside. If only this sound was more prevalent today then I, for one, would be happier. From what I see, we're moving in the right direction! Until then though, bank on Vinyl Masterpiece to keep our needs met with quality 80s releases such as this. No longer is this LP a pricey collector's item!

Barry Towler

Masterpiece Vol. 7 - Various Artists

Vinyl Masterpiece are seriously dedicated to the 1980s, which is something I can really connect with too. With lots of new material being released in an 80s retro fashion, some of my old favourites – although, to me, timeless – are being breathed new life and sound totally fresh and today again! This series of compilations, then, really are worthwhile. Volume 7 is no let down and I was so happy when I saw classics such as “Touch Me (All Night Long)” by Wish, featuring Fonda Rae included, and Mtume's brilliant 1984 jam, “Prime Time”. Tracks such as the O'Jays “Love You Direct” were excellent examples of soulful 80s dance, and Frankie Rodriquez has edited and remixed this track to great effect. Michael Wycoff's “Tell Me Love” is here in it's full extended glory and so is the Whispers' “Tonight”from their 1983 LP, “Love For Love”. An excellent slice of Leon F. Sylvers at his best.
UK act Freeez appear with the excellent “Can't Keep My Love” with it's addictive bassline reminiscent to Colors' “L.O.S. (Love On Sight)”. Lee Prentiss' “Love This Way” is a new one on me, but I love it – it epitomizes the mid 80s club scene perfectly. Yes, what a great year 1986 was. Such a shame this sound was swept away by 'New Jack Swing'. How passé and dated that sounds now! Another cut I was hitherto unaware of was the brilliant Julius Brown and “Sho Nuff (Sure Look Good)” - produced by the superb Butch Ingram back in 1985 on the Society Hill imprint. The late Brandi Wells is also included with her excellent “Watch Out”. Fans of the Real Thing have “Street Corner Boogie” to add to their collection, and that should please a lot of people. I am grateful to the guys for the top class remastering of these tracks. Brilliantly done and faultless. If only all vinyl could be remastered this well!

Barry Towler

Total Contrast

This is a classy, classy album from UK act Total Contrast. Released in 1985 and produced by the super-talented Steve Harvey, I'm sure you'll agree that this is a great album and lovely for it to be reissues, again, on CD. This was a rare album to find on CD, but this is more worthwhile as it contains bonus tracks – remixes and singles which the original CD did not contain. The sound that Steve creates here is very American and paved the way to his living and working in the US in the late 80s. Not sure what the guys are doing now BUT this superb album is a testament to their talent. For me, every single track is worthy of praise. Mainly uptempo and bubbly, this is a powerfully uplifting, feel-good album and has been with me in my car on many a trip. “Hit And Run” still kicks backside, as does the thumping synthy “The River” - a track that sounds very much influenced by The System. It has shades, too, of Steve Harvey's very own “Tonight” single too – I wish someone would get that on a compilation!
The downtempo, string laden “Where Is Love” offers contrast but not as superior to the real KILLER on here which, for my moneys worth is “Sunshine”. Such a superb, summery track and one that has not aged a second. Totally brilliant and as good in 2009 as it was in 1985. Actually, this reminds me a lot of what Loose Ends were creating at the time. Now there's another quality UK group! “How many Reasons” is a strong midtempo cut, as is the single release, “Takes A Little Time”. This was given a really strong remix in the US and – yes – it's also contained on here. Simply marvellous. I prefer the dance remix of “What You Gonna Do About It” and that's here, as is the their great single from 1983 “Be With You Tonight”. This is a classy release – obviously taken from the source tapes and mastered properly, time and effort have been taken on this. Do not overlook this classy UK soul from 1985.

Barry Towler

Millie Scott - Love Me Right

This was a VERY collectible CD and has fetched tidy sums on ebay and the like, so it's great the PTG / Vinyl Masterpiece have done the decent thing and have reissued this album again on CD. It's a simple case of giving us what we really want. This classy 1987 album has always been a popular spin for me, and the uptempo cuts on here are the very peak of adult orientated soulful dance music in the 80s. Later that year Teddy Riley would sweep in with a harsher, brasher and less warm sound. Albums such as this were to dwindle and fade away. Until now, of course where the scales are beginning to tip. “Automatic” was a single and appears here in it's original album splendor as well as the extended 12” version which weighs in at six-and-a-half minutes. “Every Little Bit” always gets dug out in the Spring – reminds me of warm spring days, blue skies and colourful flowers! This song has such a lovely vibe; infectious and totally a song I cannot do without.
The ballad “Don't Take Your Love” still blows me away today – featuring Earl Klugh on guitar, the strings and atmosphere equals the classy work produced by her contemporaries, such as Regina Belle, Meli'sa Morgan, Peggi Blu and Vaneese Thomas. I really, truly, and genuinely miss this style of soul music and hope it makes a comeback. I've had more than a stomach full of this clomping urban stuff haven't you? Almost a clone of “Ev'ry Little Bit”, “Let's Talk It Over” does the business and so, too do the bonus tracks which are all the 12” mixes. “Ev'ry Little Bit”, “Automatic” and, for me, the lesser “Prisoner Of Love” is included here in full length remastered glory. Now you don't have to pay a king's ransom for a CD copy of this - easy to source and at a very reasonable price. What are you waiting for?

Barry Towler