A warning about some of the latest Universal "Disco Fever" releases. Atlantic Starr's "Radiant" is the same vinyl rip used by Vinyl Masterpieces. The same with the Starpoint titles.

kitbradley said:

A warning about some of the latest Universal "Disco Fever" releases. Atlantic Starr's "Radiant" is the same vinyl rip used by Vinyl Masterpieces. The same with the Starpoint titles.

wow, those two Lakeside comps are slammin! missing Outrageous though... still gonna get them ASAP

[Edited 6/20/18 8:14am]

SoulAlive said:

well,I’m happy to report that the ‘Alligator Woman’ reissue sounds fantastic....crisp,remastered sound....the synths especially sound vibrant and powerful.

Nice!

Dancelot said:

wow, those two Lakeside comps are slammin! missing Outrageous though... still gonna get them ASAP

I'm waiting for my copy to arrive I'll order the second set later.

one thing I've noticed about Lakeside.....beginning with the 1983 Untouchables album,they began to explore electrofunk sounds (similiar to what labelmates Midnight Star were doing).....which they continued with the next album Outrageous.It's still funky and I like it,but I think their earlier albums are superior.

SoulAlive said:

[...]with the next album Outrageous.It's still funky and I like it,but I think their earlier albums are superior.

for sure. I still would llike to have the CD though

they had two(?) other albums after Outrageous , from those I only have Power, but I admit I haven't listened to it in maybe 25 years.... would be almost like a new album to me now LOL I just remember it had some small Brownmark involvement I think

Dancelot said:

SoulAlive said:

well,I’m happy to report that the ‘Alligator Woman’ reissue sounds fantastic....crisp,remastered sound....the synths especially sound vibrant and powerful.

yea i got that one too and DeBarge Rhythm of the Night

By 1989 The O'Jays had been making music for thirty years. A milestone came in 1972 when with "Backstabbers" they ushered in a new era of Philadelphia soul that had been brewing beneath the surface but now superseded the Stax, Atlantic and Motown domination of the 60s in the mainstream. Gerald Levert's group Levert were in a good place with the success of "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop Goes My Mind" and "Casanova" and fellow group member Marc Gordon joined Gerald on this album for writing and co-producer duties. Still, much is written and producee here by Eddie and Walter themselves in an era outside of Gamble & Huff's authority despite recording facilities utilized by Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Singles from this album were "Have You Had Your Love Today", "Out of My Mind", "Serious Hold On Me" and pethaps the album's most enduring song is "Friend Of A Friend" while there is also an outstanding 'quiet storm' moment here too in the timeless "Fading". The original LP was released on CD at the time (now scarce), but the good news is that this reissue comes complete with bonus mixes of the first three singles.

Tracklist
1. Out Of My Mind
2. Leave It Alone
3. Have You Had Your Love Today?
4. Serious Hold On Me
5. Friend Of A Friend
6. Never Been Better
7. Rainbow
8. Fading
9. Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black
Bonus Tracks:
10. Serious Hold On Me (Single Version)
11. Serious Hold On Me (Instrumental)
12. Ous Of My Mind (Radio Mix)
13. Out Of My Mind (Soul 2 Mix)
14. Have You Had Your Love Tonight (Club Version)
15. Have You Had Your Love Today (Power Radio Mix)

Naked Eyes "Naked Eyes (2018 Remaster)"

Tracklist
1. Always Something There To Remind Me
2. Fortune And Fame
3. When The Lights Go Out
4. Voices In My Head
5. Low Life
6. Promises, Promises (US Single Version)
7. I Could Show You How
8. Emotion In Motion
9. Burning Bridges
10. Could Be
11. A Very Hard Act To Follow
12. The Time Is Now
13. Pit Stop
14. Always Something There To Remind Me (Jellybean Extended Remix)
15. Promises, Promises (feat. Madonna) (Jellybean 12" Dance Mix)

The original 1983 Now That’s What I Call Music compilation – forever after referred to as ‘NOW 1’ – is being reissued on double vinyl and double CD in July.

kitbradley said:

A warning about some of the latest Universal "Disco Fever" releases. Atlantic Starr's "Radiant" is the same vinyl rip used by Vinyl Masterpieces. The same with the Starpoint titles.

This is interesting. It does look like no new mastertape transfers were done at all and only titles already in the digital library were reissued. A lot of these titles were first issued on CD in Japan before Universal merged Polygram, MCA, Motown etc. and as most of us are aware, in the last five or so years Universal have allowed 3rd parties to reissue their titles less and less... now it seems that international arms of the label have trouble accessing tape vaults as well. Or no-one can be bothered to take the time to digitise albums not already in the library.

SoulConservator said:

kitbradley said:

A warning about some of the latest Universal "Disco Fever" releases. Atlantic Starr's "Radiant" is the same vinyl rip used by Vinyl Masterpieces. The same with the Starpoint titles.

This is interesting. It does look like no new mastertape transfers were done at all and only titles already in the digital library were reissued. A lot of these titles were first issued on CD in Japan before Universal merged Polygram, MCA, Motown etc. and as most of us are aware, in the last five or so years Universal have allowed 3rd parties to reissue their titles less and less... now it seems that international arms of the label have trouble accessing tape vaults as well. Or no-one can be bothered to take the time to digitise albums not already in the library.

I have a feeling it's this. I remember several years ago when Universal Japan reissued Stephanie Mills' "Stephanie" and "Sweet Sensation". Both were vinyl rips. Not sure why the masters were not used for those releases. Both titles were later reissued in the U.S. as a compilation album and master tapes were used. they were remastered and they sounded amazing.

getxxxx said: