Entertainment 1974

Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of albums by the R&B act plus one bonus track. This release includes the #1 chart hit, "Rock The Boat", and the hits "Rockin' Soul", and "Love Corporation". The group named themselves after the business empire of Howard Hues and they recorded some excellent easy listening disco music in the mid-seventies, but they are remembered as a one-hit wonder. The group who may not have been among the most important disco groups, but whose music is definitely worth a listen and a definite addition to all soul lover.

A sketchy and underfocused debut, Rocka Rolla nonetheless begins to delineate the musical territory Judas Priest would explore over the remainder of the decade: frighteningly dark in its effect, tight in its grooves, and capable of expanding to epic song lengths…

In 2013, Funky Town Grooves reissued a significant portion of Norman Connors' discography as a leader slash highly connected talent organizer. Along with straightforward Dance of Magic/Dark of Light and You Are My Starship/Aquarian Dream two-for-one releases, as well as individualized bonus-track-enhanced reissues of Invitation and Take It to the Limit, there was this - a pairing of Connors' 1974 Buddah dates. Among the highlights: a gorgeous eight-minute "Love from the Sun," a storming version of Carlos Garnett's "Mother of the Future" (with Jean Carn at full, jaw-dropping power), and Reggie Lucas' funky instrumental "Slew Foot."

Big Star - Radio City (1974) {Victor Entertainment Japan MiniLP VICP-62292 rel 2003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 251 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1974, 2003 Ardent Music / Victor Entertainment Japan | VICP-62292 | Mini LP
Rock / Contemporary Pop/Rock / Power Pop

Largely lacking co-leader Chris Bell, Big Star's second album also lacked something of the pop sweetness (especially the harmonies) of #1 Record. What it possessed was Alex Chilton's urgency (sometimes desperation) on songs that made his case as a genuine rock & roll eccentric. If #1 Record had a certain pop perfection that brought everything together, Radio City was the sound of everything falling apart, which proved at least as compelling.

In many ways, the California Jam was the equivalent of the Woodstock festival to a burgeoning generation of hard rock and heavy metal fans. Woodstock had changed the face of music in 1969; the California Jam took place five years later down the line. During that time, flower-power had wilted and peace-and-love hippy ideals had been replaced by a culture of wildeyed excess…