Friday, October 13, 2006

New Cerrone Reissues



...well sort of..

On the September 26th, Recall Records (www.recallrecords.com) along with Cerrone's own Malligator Records (www.malligator.com) reissued four of Cerrone's classic albums, plus the "Cerrone by Bob Sinclar" disc from 2001 as well as "Hysteria," Cerrone's 2002 album (which I really enjoy, for the most part) in the US and Canada. While Cerrone's albums have been in print rather consistently throughout the years, this is probably the first time since the '90s that his three classic albums have gotten a domestic release in the US, and the first time the latter two have gotten a domestic release in Canada. Previously Unidisc here in Canada had reissued many of Cerrone's classic albums, with rather questionable mastering quality on a few of them, I might add ("The Golden Touch" certainly did, from my experience).. Also, Barclay/Universal in France had reissued and remastered most of his albums, and those are largely still in print as well (just at expensive import prices for us over here). I'm hoping the quality of these reissues from Recall at least surpasses some of the previous ones we've seen on this side of the pond, particularly from Unidisc and Hot Productions. Judging from the covers they used (original artwork for "Love in C Minor" people!) it's looking good so far..

Also, I've finally managed to clue into the Cerrone by Bob Sinclar disc, which really is an interesting, innovative concept. Initially, when it came out a few years back, I thought it was another remix/butcher project. To my surprise, Sinclar (real name: Christophe Le Friant), who has certainly referenced Cerrone in his work before (see 'Africanism'), has found a way to both showcase Cerrone's original work and pay homage to it. In other words, a kind of hybrid greatest hits/remix/re-edit package. To paraphrase an online review, the album, (kind of like some of Dimitri from Paris' mix CDs) is one of those things that connects the dots between classic disco and today's dance music.. So for those who may not be completely familiar Cerrone's stuff, a great introduction to his work..


Love in C Minor (1976, Malligator / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | dustygroove.com
The title track is, as many are probably aware, is a landmark disco classic.. Worked with Alec R. Costandinos on this one, his influence is especially apparent on the title track and "Midnite Lady." Overall, an undisputed classic. I hope they used the full version of "Love In C Minor" with the talking ladies intro on this reissue..
CERRONE - LOVE IN C MINOR (UNCENSORED UK LP) @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - LOVE IN C MINOR (US LP) @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - LOVE IN C MINOR LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE



Cerrone's Paradise (1977, Malligator / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | dustygroove.com
Aside from the title track, I haven't heard this album yet, but allmusic gives it four and a half stars.. (note to self: get this right now!)
CERRONE - CERRONE'S PARADISE (UNCENSORED FRENCH LP) @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - CERRONE'S PARADISE (US LP) @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - CERRONE'S PARADISE LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE



Cerrone III: Supernature (1977, Malligator / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | amazon.ca | dustygroove.com
Along with "Love In C Minor," one of his greatest albums. The title track and "Give Me Love," again, undisputed disco classics.
CERRONE - CERRONE III: SUPERNATURE LP @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - CERRONE III: SUPERNATURE LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE



Cerrone IV: The Golden Touch (1978, Malligator / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | amazon.ca | dustygroove.com
A bit of a mixed bag in my opinion. Crowning jewel of this album is definitely the second half with "Look For Love" and "Music Of Life."
CERRONE - CERRONE IV: THE GOLDEN TOUCH LP @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - CERRONE IV: THE GOLDEN TOUCH LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE



Cerrone by Bob Sinclar (2001, Barclay / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | amazon.ca | dustygroove.com
As mentioned above, a hybrid greatest hits/remix/re-edit package. Probably not of much interest if you're well familiar with his catalogue already, but a fitting tribute/introduction to Cerrone's work..
CERRONE BY BOB SINCLAR CD @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE BY BOB SINCLAR CD @ DISCOGS
CERRONE BY BOB SINCLAR CD (REVIEW) @ FILTER27



Hysteria (2002, Malligator / 2006, Recall)
order @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | dustygroove.com
His 2002 comeback album. Faves of mine include the title track (which sounds like classic Cerrone meets Daft Punk), "Love On The Dancefloor," "The Only One" (feat. Nile Rodgers) and his update of "Got To Have Lovin'" which he originally produced for Don Ray in 1978..
CERRONE - HYSTERIA CD @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
CERRONE - HYSTERIA CD @ DISCOGS


LINKS:
CHARTATTACK: DISCO PIONEER CERRONE REVIVED BY REISSUES (AUGUST 28, 2006)
ANTIMUSIC NETWORK: BLAME CERRONE FOR DISCO (AUGUST 24, 2006)
CERRONE REISSUES INFO @ RYKO DISTRIBUTION
CERRONE'S OFFICIAL SITE (remove exclamation point in new window)
CERRONE'S OFFICIAL MYSPACE
CERRONE @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
CERRONE @ DISCOMUSEUM.COM
CERRONE @ DISCOGS


CATEGORIES: REISSUES & RELEASES

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cerrone's Albums - "Love in C Minor" and "Cerrone's Paradise" are truly amazing. The brilliance of the compositions are unmatched.

Tommy said...

Totally agree re: Love in C Minor, definitely a masterpiece.. I definitely need to get a copy of Cerrone's Paradise..

Bruno Republic said...

I picked up the Love In C Minor when I was in New York. It's *much* better mastering than the Unidisc release and I highly recommend it.

Bruce (Graham Start on discomusic.com forums)

Tommy said...

Glad to know these are of good quality.. Thanks for the confirmation Bruno :)

chaptwo said...

On Love In "C" Minor: Cerrone had previously worked with Alec while he was a member of Kongas and with jazz funk fusion artist John Kongos on Elektra..."Midnight Lady" is a must have for true fans..

On Cerrone's Paradise, this woefully underrated album also features Take Me on the flip, and totally worth having.

Lene Lovich, the pop punk princess is the lyricist on the entire Supernature album and also co-wrote the body of work on Don Ray's must-have "Garden of Love" LP.

To close, "Cerrone by Bob Sinclar" is a terrific compilation, that is loaded with obscure singles from Cerrone's Malligator and Crocos labels and is worth the price just for a digital copy of "Striptease", featured on one of his movie soundtracks for "Brigade Mondaine" (sp). Aside one bizzare edit, this album is essential for true Cerrone fans.

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