THEM/THE "ANGRY" YOUNG THEM LK 4700 (-65) UK MONO

 Their first LP and apparently the only true grup effort, since the follow-up "Them Again"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2019/11/themthem-again-lk-4751-66-uk-mono.html  was made as the band was breaking up. Most of it recorded with studio musicians and the only member present in all was Van Morrison. And while that just was a good r&b record this is top-notch. A true band effort, blending six Morrison compositions with eight covers and performed as angry as promised. So honest and right-on you get the impression it was recorded live in the studio with just few overdubs. A chance to hear Them exactly as they were. To get the right feeling it's best listened to in one continuous session, but if I have to pick favorites it'd be the Morrison-penned "Mystic Eyes", "Little Girl" and "Gloria" plus the "Bright Lights Big City" cover. If You're interested in getting more mono cuts from the band, issued close to the fact, I truly recommend the "World Of Them" mono, which has some of the best from their first two albums plus a couple of UK non-LP cuts and is good listening   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/11/themthe-world-of-them-pa-86-70-uk-mono.html    . This debute has been issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years. US and Canadian versions, as "Here Comes The Night", came with diffrent tracking and sleeve design. Very first UK had ridged label as shown here in a laminated cover with production credited to Tommy Scott only on rear. Later pressings also have names of producers Bert Berns and Dick Rowe added.  (VMÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

          
                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                               

 

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES /CREAM OF THE CROP MS 694 (-69) US

 The UK mono I posted earlier https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/cream-of-crop-tml-11137.html was a rather dull fold, so it's good to finally find a US original to hear it as it was meant to be. At the time Diana Ross was already leaving the group to go for a solo carreer, but the success of the "Someday We'll Be Together" 45 led the label to release one final LP with her in. Apparently apart from the hit it mainly consists of older, earlier unissued, material - including covers of Beatles, Dylan and Stevie Wonder songs. So how does it hold on in comparison to the trio's previous albums? As a whole it works with the same magic as before...at least for this old die-hard Supremes fan. Not all in on the "Hey Jude" and "Blowing In The Wind" covers, but the rest is Supremes just like I want them. E.g. "Someday We'll Be Together" both relaxed and enchanting, "The Beginning Of The End" very sweet and "Loving You Is Better Than Ever" sounding good classic Supremes. So even if Diana Ross was leaving at the time and most of the LP is a hodgepodge of earlier dismissed cuts it's still a very good album. Don't know of any other label back then that would have had enough goodies hidden in the vaults to produce something with this quality. That's high standard. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and/or CD through the years, also US cassette, 8-track and reel.  Japan 2012 limited ed. remastered CD in paper sleeve (UICY 752 30). Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)  (TÖMÖ*)  (ZYZÖ*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                                  

                                                                                   


 

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC KLP 8050 (-65) US MONO

 

One of my favorite US sixties bands and one I always try to buy original issues from if I can find them. The striking melodies to kind lyrics perfomed in a positive way always work when I need an uplift. This was their debute album. Containing five traditional tunes arranged by the band, one cover each of a Fred Neil and a Phil Sector song, all well performed in a jug-bandish style. Though what really gets me here are the John Sebastian-penned "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind", "Younger Girl", "Do You Believe In Magic" and "On The Road Again". All four pop classics in my book, still touching me after all those years. Mixing self-penned with traditional songs and cover versions sometimes leads to uneven results, but there are no such problems here. It all flows melodic and catchy, good to the ears all through. Listening as I write this with a big smile on my face. Issued and reissued all over the world through the years on vinyl and CD, also US 4-track, 8-track and Play Tape. First UK on Pye International (NPL 28069). EU 2002 CD on Buddah (74465 99730 2) came with five bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with picture inner.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                

   

                                                                             

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                                                                                

 

THE BEATLES/ABBEY ROAD LM-2315 (-70) TAIWAN

 

The hunt for odd variations of classic albums sometimes takes me to strange places. This Taiwanese I've seen listed as "unofficial release" and I usually don't go for those as they tend to have subpar audio, but this was a surprise. Looking at the cheapish sleeve quality and reading the somewhat odd lyric display on rear (shown below) you don't expect much, yet the vinyl is something else. Matrices have the UK 1st issue stamps - YEX 749-2 and YEX 750-1. Both sides also have hand etched LM 2315 plus a couple of Chinese signs I can't dechiffer.  Anyway the press is error-free and the audio excellent. Comparing with a UK 1st they come out exactly the same...at least to my ears. Don't know about the other Taiwanese label issues, but in this case it's positively made from UK matrices. I've compared the stamps and they match exactly. So just dismissing this release as "unofficial" doesn't fit. In that case how on earth did they get hold of the original UK molds? If You know more about this - please comment and tell! This Liming Record issue had label as shown here in a cover consisting of thin paper sheets covered in plastic with "lyrics" on rear.   (BÄ*) (LGÅ) (ÄZÄ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

 

EDWIN STARR/25 MILES S 940 (-69) US

 

Edwin Starr, born Charles Edwin Hatcher (1942-2003), started his recording carreer 1965 with the Detroit label Ric-Tic and managed a couple of rather popular and ok selling 45:s for them. But, as the story goes, Motown's Berry Gordy was frustrated by the competition and simply bought the label to get Starr on his team...and apparently it was a good buy.  His first LP - "Soul Master" -  may have passed by rather unnoticed by the large public at the time, but this second did a lot better with the title song reaching #6 on Billboard and also becoming an international hit. Listening to the LP today I hear tophole Motown - very well sung and played, the stereo mix is just dandy and the audio excellent. No need to jump tracks here, it's just a fine flow all the way. Non of the songs strikes me as especially catchy, though playing through puts me in very pleasant mood, so for me in this case the whole is certainly greater than any particular part. The tracks I fancy most are "Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love" and "25 Miles". Full album below. Sixties issues on vinyl over Europe, Downunder, Japan, Canada and a couple of South American countries, also US cassette, 4-track and 8-track. UK in both mono and stereo (S/TML 11115). Japan 2013 limited edition remastered CD on Motown (UICY 75849). Premiere US had label as shown here in a laminated cover with "The Motown Sound" inner.  (YZÄ*)  (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                              

                                                                                    

                                                                                

 

AGNETHA FÄLTSKOG/AGNETHA FÄLTSKOGS BÄSTA CLPL 1023 (-73) SWEDEN

  

 A compilation of 45 A:s and flips plus a couple of LP cuts, mostly from her debute https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/04/agnetha-faltskog-clp-64-68-sweden.html . After ABBA:s victory with "Waterloo" in the Eurovision Song Contest the already planned "Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/01/agnetha-faltskogelva-kvinnor-i-ett-hus.html  was postponed, so her then label Cupol hastily released this instead trying to cash in on the success. What I hear here is a collection of sentimental ballads in euro schlager style, performed from a young girl's point of view as common back then, handeling longing and lost loves. Most self-penned and all sung in Swedish. No rock'n'roll and far from the strong female images that often rule the music scene today. Nevertheless interesting, not only for fans of her or ABBA who want everything with the combo, but also as an historical fact since it takes you back to very different times as they were. The songs themselves doesn't tickle me that much, but the young unspoiled voice, the sweet arrangements and absolutely tophole audio makes it fine listening anyway. And as always on her early albums you get very nice sleeve pics. This was Swedish only, later reissues with framed Cupol logo on label. Also cassette (Cupol CK 1023) and 2008 17xFile, AAC, by Sony Music. First press had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (ÄBBÖ*)  (FÄV*)  (CCÖ*)  (SCÄ*)  (ÄGFÅ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 

JAMES TAYLOR/MUD SLIDE SLIM AND THE BLUE HORIZON BS 2561 (-71) US

 

  For more on his mostly rocky road to fame please also check post on his first two albums  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2022/04/james-taylor-apcor-3-68-uk-mono.html  and   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/06/james-taylorsweet-baby-james-ws-1843-70.html . Those were both critically acclaimed and the second also sold very well.  This third did even better, reaching #2 on Billboard, while the spawned cover of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend" got to #1. But there were mixed opinions among critics. While some gave it thumbs up, others called it dull or too introvert. I get the same feeling here as from his second album. Incredibly well played and produced (by Peter Asher). Melodies that don't hit at once but grows on you. The ten self-penned songs with mostly introspective lyrics about him and people near him, sung by that cozy soothing voice. Also the audio on this copy is absolutely tophole (Terra Haute pressing). All that together makes it a perfect mood record, fitting both for relaxing in the listening chair and as background to calm chores. Full album below. Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First UK on Warner Bros. (WS 2561). Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover with lyrics and credits inside.

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

 

THE SUPREMES/MEET THE SUPREMES SL 10109 (-64) UK MONO

 

This twelve track UK debute, released before the British adopted the Motown label, came with tracks from their homonymous first US album  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-supremesmeet-supremes-mt-606-64-us.html   - "Your Heart Belongs To Me", "Buttered Popcorn", "I Want A Guy", "You Bring Back Memories", "Time Changes Things", "Play A Sad Song", "Baby Don't Go" and "Never Again" - coupled with two 45 A-sides - "Where Did Our Love Go" and" "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Thru' His Eyes" - and two B:s - "(The Man With The) Rock'n'Roll Banjo Band" and "Standing At The Crossroads Of Love". The front sleeve pic same as US LP "Where Did Our Love Go"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-supremeswhere-did-our-love-go-mt.html   while the rear is different. To my knowledge this was the only issue with this tracking, which together with label and rear sleeve makes it a unique one-off. One could argue that the US originals are the only real deal and this just a variety of many. But all the above, combined with top audio and the laminated flip/back package, makes it as collectable as any of those...at least for me.   (ZYZÖ*) (FÄV*) (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                

                                                                                  

 

SKIN ALLEY S 63847 (-69) UK

 British prog outfit founded in London 1968 by bassist/keybordist/vocalist Thomas Crimble and drummer Alvin Pope. After some member changes they got a contract with UK CBS and recorded this debute LP. My first taste of it was through the superb "Fill Your Head With Rock" sampler   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/09/fill-your-head-with-rock-spr-3940-70.html , which had the "Living In Sin" cut. That has grown to be one of my favorites from there and for a long while I've been trying to get the original album which has been hard for a man with a rather thin wallet.  But a couple of days ago I found a fitting playable copy and...it was worth the wait.  Attractive melodies conveyed in a soft prog way with lots of organ and flute. One long and two short instrumentals, the rest vocal. All cuts self-penned. Favorite track...still - "Living In Sin". But there are a lot more to enjoy here. Full album below. This was the first of two for CBS, after which they moved to Transatlantic for two more albums 1972-73. Already 1970, following the recording of their second LP "To Pagham And Beyond", Crimble left the band to play bass with Hawkwind and is also said to have made major contributions to their "In Search Of Space" album    https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/05/hawkwindin-search-of-space-uag-29202-71.html  . For some reason this debute has never been released in US and didn't sell a lot in UK, Downunder or Netherlands, where it was first released. But today it has been reissued numerous times on CD and LP so anyone can get a taste. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin cover, some laminated. 

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                             

 

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) KLP 402 (-67) UK MONO

 

Soundtrack to a Francis Ford Coppola movie I haven't seen and probably won't in the foreseeable future. But since all the music is written by John Sebastian and part of it performed by Lovin' Spoonful it can be heard as a regular band album, also suggested by the title. As such it may not be their best, excused and explained by the music had to follow the film plot which meant controlled creativity rather than free artistry. As I haven't seen the movie the orchestral instrumentals don't mean that much to me, though there are a few cuts making it worth while. "Darling Be Home Soon" so soft and melodic it's always been one of my favorites from the band and the title song, "Girl, Beautiful Girl" and "Wash Her Away" are all perky and happy enough for smiles. Audio shifts a little between tracks, but all good or at least ok. So not the all Lovin' Spoonful project that the sleeve may suggest, but you do get a fair amount of group effort and I guess that and the sleeve pics are enough for any true band fan. Premiere US on Kama Sutra (KLP/KLPS 8058 ST). Also originally released in Canada, Downunder, South Africa and a couple of European countries. Japan 2008 mini-LP CD on Buddha Records (BVCM 35455). First UK had ridged label as shown here on thick heavy vinyl in a laminated flip/back cover.   (ZÖNT*)

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                               

 

MARY WELLS/TWO LOVERS AND OTHER GREAT HITS MT 607 (-63) US MONO

 

 She was the queen of Motown back then, before the Holland-Dozier-Holland era. And even if her fame faded somewhat later in the sixties she remained a big inspiration and help to the label's upcoming stars by just being there. An exemple would be the 1964 duet LP with the then aspiring Marvin Gaye  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/06/this-was-their-only-motown-album.html  .  This was her third album, among other tracks also containing the Billboard #7 "Two Lovers" and #15 "Laughing Boy" 45 A:s plus the "Two Lovers" flip side "Operator". Someone into the H-D-H hit machine may miss the obvious catchiness of their songs, but there are other qualities here. As produced by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, played by The Funk Brothers with background quires by The Andantes and Martha & The Vandellas I'm amazed how down to earth it all sounds. You get the impression all was recorded live in the studio with just minimal overdubbing. And since the audio on this copy (RCA/Rockaway pressing) is absolutely stunning, if I close my eyes in the listening chair I'm there... getting full access to the sessions. Musically it's a good mix - some up-tempos and one jazzy coupled with laguishing love ballads - all with that special Motown feeling. Favorite tracks - "Two lovers", "Stop Right Here" and the jazzy "Goody, Goody". Originally released also in Canada (Tamla MO 607) and UK (Oriole PS 40045). Later reissued in Japan, Spain and Germany. US CD on Motown (3746352212) came with the same tracking. Very first US copies came on an older label desgn with the star to the right. Not certain how early this is, but the whole package with ridged label on medium thick vinyl in a cover with laminated front points to sometimes around mid-sixties.  (FÄV*)  (YZÄ*)  (TÖMÖ*) (ÖXCÅ*) (MÄWY*)