Upcoming Reissues & Releases (Chic and more!): (December 1, 2006 - January 22, 2007)

Updated 01/17/06

Aside from the Cerrone Reissues update, it's been a while since I've done one of these, so I figure it's about time I put together another round up of releases.

First off, I'm really excited about the Chic reissues. A little while back Wounded Bird Records (who came up with that name anyway?) did a 2 on 1 CD reissue of their "Real People" (1980, Atlantic) and "Tongue In Chic" (1982, Atlantic) LPs. About a year ago, I submitted a review of the 2 on 1 CD to discomusic.com; in the review, I wrote that I hoped Wounded Bird would reissue their other two 80's albums in the future.. I don't know if they were reading it or anything, but either way, I'm glad to know they'll be on CD again very soon, especially since the out of print CD editions were already going for big $$ on eBay..

Also, some updates on the upcoming 70's Supremes album sets from Hip-O Select that I posted about back in my first Disco Delivery entry. Nothing really definite yet, but I'm really excited about these as well.. Update: As of December 1st, Hip-O has released "This Is The Story: The 70's Albums, Vol. 1 1970-1973," so far only available on their website www.hip-oselect.com.. Unfortunately, no word yet on Volume two with their disco albums.. Curiously, CD Universe has a listing for "This Is The Story." They've scheduled their release for December 12th, with a list price of $52.49 US..

January 17th update: Just added details about the N.Y.C. Peech Boys Japanese reissue from December 2nd..

December 1st:


Delegation - The Promise Of Love (1977, State/Shadybrook / 2006, Vivid)
buy @ amazon.com | cduniverse.com | dustygroove.com | hmv.co.jp
This is one I saw on the upcoming reissues list over at Dusty Groove.. I've really been digging their song "Heartbreak No. 9" for the last little while, so this one caught my eye.. This was the UK trio's first album from 1977 and from what I've read online, the title track along with "Soul Trippin'," "Back Door Love" (hmm..), "Oh Honey" (thanks Joe!) and "Where Is The Love We Used To Know" were the notable tracks on this one.. I also came across this reissue listed on HMV Japan, so this one looks like it could be a Japanese reissue, so far that's the only other site I've seen it listed on..
DELEGATION - THE PROMISE OF LOVE LP @ DISCOGS
DELEGATION - THE PROMISE OF LOVE LP @ SOULSTRUT
DELEGATION @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
THE COMPLETE DISCO GUIDE TO DELEGATION @ DISCOSAVVY


Magic Lady - Hot N' Sassy (1982, A&M / 2006, PTG/Vinyl Masterpiece)
buy @ dustygroove.com | vinyl masterpiece
I remember hearing this album on mp3 a little while back, so far I've lost the mp3s, but I still remember it being a delicious slice of early 80's dance synth-pop goodness. Like all of their albums, this one was produced by Michael Stokes. His wife Linda Stokes was a member of the group, and interestingly enough, Michael himself was the head of A&R at A&M at this time, where he signed none other than Janet Jackson. So far, this album, like many of PTG/Vinyl Masterpiece's other releases, is only available through Dusty Groove, the Vinyl Masterpiece website and their seller on eBay..
MAGIC LADY - HOT N' SASSY LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
MAGIC LADY @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
MAGIC LADY @ SOULWALKING

December 2nd:


N.Y.C. Peech Boys - Life Is Something Special (1983, Island / 2006, P-Vine)
buy @ dustygroove.com | amazon.com | cduniverse.com | p-vine shop | hmv.co.jp
A Japanese CD reissue of the N.Y.C. Peech Boys (AKA New York Citi Peech Boys) lone LP (with great cover art by Keith Haring, no less). So far, I'm only familiar with the Peech Boys from their seminal Paradise Garage/Electro-funk classic "Don't Make Me Wait," originally released 1982 on West End. "Don't Make Me Wait" also appears on this album, and apparently Island also saw it fit to re-release it as a 12'' single. I'm not sure if the LP mix differs from the original release on West End, I guess that will be a surprise for when I hear it. Obviously, I have yet to hear this LP, but the entire thing was produced by Larry Levan (who needs no introduction) and Michael DeBenedictus, so this is definitely one for my wants list. The CD reissue includes several bonus tracks: "Life Is Something Special (Special Edition)," "Don't Make Me Wait (Dub)," "On A Journey (Dubmix)," and "Come On Come On (Don't Say Maybe) (Dub)." This CD was originally released in Japan on December 2nd, however the "import release" appears to have been January 16th, when it started showing up on some of the major retailers like Amazon and Dusty Groove.
ROBERT CHRISTGAU: N.Y.C. PEECH BOYS - LIFE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL LP (REVIEW)
PEECH BOYS @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
N.Y.C. PEECH BOYS @ JAHSONIC
PEECH BOYS @ DISCOGS

December 5th:


Chic - Chic (1977, Atlantic / 2006, Wounded Bird)
buy @ dustygroove.com | amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | cduniverse.com
Chic's very first album and among their very best. Not the first time the album has been on CD, but as far as I know, the CD has been out of print for a few years now.. A while back when I did a review, I said this album was "just short of classic," I have to take that back. This is a surefire classic in every sense, definitely a must have if you like Chic..
Amazon says the release date is Dec. 5th, but if anyone wants it right away, Dusty Groove seems to have copies available already, and at a great price too..
CHIC - CHIC LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
CHIC - CHIC CD @ DISCOMUSIC.COM


Chic - Take It Off (1981, Atlantic / 2006, Wounded Bird)
buy @ dustygroove.com | amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | cduniverse.com
In my opinion, one of the best Chic albums, certainly their best during the 1980s and one of their most underrated. This album has been on CD before, but has been long out of print, to say the least.. Can't wait to finally have a copy for myself!
CHIC - TAKE IT OFF LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
CHIC - TAKE IT OFF LP @ DISCOGS


Chic - Believer (1983, Atlantic / 2006, Wounded Bird)
buy @ dustygroove.com | amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | cduniverse.com
The last Chic album with the classic lineup of Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Luci Martin, Alfa Anderson and Tony Thompson.. The reviews on this one still seem to be mixed today. By this time Bernard and Nile were involved individually in their own outside productions (not to mention their own solo albums) and were experimenting with a more synthesized sound on this album. That said, I really enjoy this LP as well, bad reviews notwithstanding. I'll admit it was more robotic than in the past, the Chic strings were long gone by this point, yet their unique Chic sound was still in place. This would be the last Chic album until 1992, when Edwards and Rodgers would regroup without Martin, Anderson or Thompson.. Anyway, this release is quite timely, given how someone was trying to pass one of the out of print CD editions off for over $100 US on eBay (gimme a break!)..
CHIC - BELIEVER LP (REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE
CHIC ALBUM REVIEWS @ ROBERTCHRISTGAU.COM


Chic - Chic-ism (1992, Warner Bros. / 2006, Wounded Bird)
buy @ dustygroove.com | amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | cduniverse.com
Chic's early '90s comeback album.. At first I didn't know what to make of the production, with the classic Chic sound filtered through early 90's production values. That said, this one grew on me quite a bit.. Not one of their best, but a good album nonetheless (I don't think I could dislike any of their albums). I guess the disco "revival" or re-evaluation was just starting then, as well, Atlantic had released a well-received Greatest Hits CD on them the year before. I'm guessing those two things played a part in the timing of this album.. By this time Chic was Bernard, Nile with their new singers Sylver Logan Sharp (who's still with Chic) and Jenn Thomas. Needless to say, Bernard would pass away in 1996 and this would be the last Chic studio album to date (though there seems to be a new Chic album in the works)..
CHIC - CHIC-ISM (ALBUM REVIEW) @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE

December 10th:


Hot Bush - Hot Bush (1980, APA/TK / 2006, Soul Profiles)
buy @ dustygroove
A real rarity that I also came across on Dusty Groove's upcoming reissues list.. All I know about this album is that it was originally released in 1980 on TK Records' APA imprint and that it's apparently a disco album.. The track "Tell Me What You Will" seems to be the best known of the bunch, though that's not saying much. Dusty Groove doesn't specify the label that's reissuing this, and a search on some of the Japanese retailers is completely fruitless.. Nevertheless, this is one album that's piqued my interest.. Update: It seems Dusty Groove released this one early for some reason.. It's already available to buy.. Somehow I'm thinking this is probably an "unofficial" release..
BLACK MUSIC COLLECTORS - APA RECORDS DISCOGRAPHY

December 15th:


King Errisson - Magic Man/L.A. Bound (1976, 1977, Westbound / 2006, Westbound/Ace)
buy @ cduniverse.com | amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | dustygroove.com
Aside from the fact that he's a well-renowned percussionist who's accumulated quite an impressive CV in his time, I'm not really too familiar with King Errisson and his work.. From what I do know, his big disco favourite "Manhattan Love Song" was off his "L.A. Bound" (1977, Westbound) LP. Needless to say, I've been wanting to hear that album for a little while now. That LP was produced by Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey, who also produced C.J. & Co. among others.. I did a review of one of the Mike Theodore Orchestra albums a few months back.. Needless to say any album with the two of these guys involved has got to be good..
KING ERRISSON - L.A. BOUND LP @ DISCOMUSIC.COM
KING ERRISSON @ ALL MUSIC GUIDE

January 22nd:


Discotheque, Vol. 2: The Paradise Garage (2007, Gut)
buy @ amazon.co.uk | amazon.com | cduniverse.com | dustygroove.com
Yes, another Paradise Garage compilation.. The Gut label's Discotheque series is described as "the soundtrack to the world's greatest clubs".. So far I've seen a promo copy of this 2-CD set for sale on eBay, but the seller didn't provide a tracklist. Amazon UK has it listed, but no tracklist there either (Update: Thanks to the anonymous commenter for providing a tracklist.. See the comments section for it).. This installation in the series (as will the others, I believe) will be researched and compiled by author Tim Lawrence and Ian Dewhirst who was involved with the Mastercuts compilations and some of the more recent ones on Salsoul/Suss'd, so I'm hopeful that there'll be some original selections on it.. So far Gut have released Discotheque, Volume 1 on Manchester's legendary Hacienda. In any case, I'm looking forward to what this and other future installations in their Discotheque series have to offer..


By the way, if anyone has any other upcoming releases they would like to notify me about, feel free to email me through the suggestions link on the top left hand menu..

CATEGORIES: REISSUES & RELEASES