Recueil Des Coursvolume 138 (1973 I)

The Lizards is the 1973 album from french psych funk artist Cliff Cardwin!

Motown's 1986 double-LP, What's Going On/Let's Get It On combined Marvin Gaye's two best-known albums in one set. Although the moods of the two albums aren't necessarily compatible the first is a reflective social protest piece, the second, well, the title is self-explanatory it was an excellent bargain to have the two classic albums together.

Before hitting her stride with 1974's "Caught Up", Millie Jackson delivered this tasty disc of uptown Southern soul. Both Stax raw and Philly International slick, It Hurts So Good percolates with smoky horns, snaking guitar lines, electric piano, strings, and bluesy funk grooves. In addition to her usually provocative take on relationships (both in the home and at the dark end of the street), Jackson - via Curtis Mayfield - delivers the affecting ghetto laments "I Cry," "Hypocrisy," and "Two-Faced World." And while some of the charts are a bit lacking, Jackson is solid throughout, especially on slow-burners like "Good to the Very Last Drop." A fine early offering from the diva of salacious sass.

These two albums are almost perfectly suited to each other, representating the peak of the Temptations' early- to mid-'70s output. "A Song for You" was a rare Berry Gordy co-production (necessitated by Norman Whitfield's departure from the company) Gordy and Jimmy Bowen came up with an album that combined a powerful, funky beat with gorgeous singing (especially by Dennis Edwards) and a range of superb songs. These tapes sound extraordinary on this release, like they're really being heard properly for the first time. "Masterpiece" was precisely that for producer Whitfield, comprised of just six songs, every one of them a winner, including the epic-length title song, possibly the best extended track ever to come out of Motown Records. The two albums fit together almost seamlessly (though one wishes that "Masterpiece"'s tracks were first on the disc), and the only flaw is that there are no expanded notes or album credits.

2008 digitally remastered and expanded edition of Claire's 1973 sophomore album, a masterpiece of Folk Rock and the art of songwriting featuring music of both innocence and maturity. Produced by Paul Samwell Smith (who had recently worked with Cat Stevens), October is a highlight of Claire's early career and is certain to appeal to those who appreciate the art of the singer/songwriter. The possessor of one of the finest voices in popular music, Claire Hamill signed to Island records at the age of 16, recording two albums which featured contributions from John Martyn, Free and Terry Reid. With her songs covered by Eva Cassidy and cited by Kate Bush as an influence, this reissue is the first part of a program that sees the reissuing of Claire's work by Esoteric Recordings.

American Beat Records combines the Impressions' 1973 "Preacher Man" (#204 US Pop; #31 US R&B) and "Finally Got Myself Together" (#176 US Pop; #16 US R&B) the following year - on one CD providing for an interesting contrast in production styles. "Preacher Man", the more adventurous (lyrically) of the two, is message laden. And with the exception of Gene Chandler and James Thompson's musing "Color Us All Grey (I'm Lost)," Richard Tufo's productions rule. Ed Townsend produced "Finally Got Myself Together", a solid soul harmony album featuring "(I'm a Changed Man) Finally Got Myself Together," "If It's In You to Do Wrong" and "We Go Back a Ways," a smooth red-light ballad. The Impressions, who sought an identity from the time Curtis Mayfield departed until they disbanded, is comprised of Reggie Torian, Ralph Johnson, Fred Cash and Sam Gooden on these tracks.