CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC. This was a part of a healthy wave of classic soul and funk album releases that EMI in Europe and the UKwere to be applauded for. A pity then that the series started and ended with those! Like I always say...if I had some clout...lol. Again, this has been fully remastered with 24-bit digitising. AND we have been spared the dreadful digipak packaging as well. No matter how well you handle the damn things they still get worn don't they?! This superb set from 1982 was the third and final set from this eccentric and colourful ensemble, and sales-wise it did not do at all well. Being classy that doesn't surprise me at all, when you think about the hype and pomp that Electro was receiving at the time. This set by Mystic Merlin, overlooked in the early 1980s, has now attained an almost cult status for cuts such as "Mr. Magician" and "Full Moon" and rightly so. This album sees the timely introduction of Freddie Jackson as lead vocalist and needless to say I ADORE his vocals. He shines on all tracks and needless to say the sublime musical backdrop complete with funky bass, horns and real rhythm. I feel that the early 1980s was golden period for our music, and this has hitherto been an unexploited era for reissue. Crammed with steppers and midtempo numbers this is really essential soul from the Capitol vaults.
I love every track on offer here, and feel that Freddie delivers the goods on all tempos. My standouts have to be the opener and cult favourite "Mr. Magician" and the ESSENTIAL stepper, "Full Moon", complete with freaky keyboards. Atmospheric and funky to the point of pain, this funky slap-bass driven groove is just amazing. This beats any of the drivel which passes as R&B today. With a bass line straight out of the Curtis Mayfield "You're So Good To Me" groove, you know that this is a showstopper. Did Freddie ever have an inkling about the fantastic career he would later have? The sumptuous ballad, "Your Love", resplendent in fender rhodes keyboards, with hindsight, offered us a glimpse of the man we would know and love as a very successful solo artist. I cannot recommend this album enough I prey that albums like this, if not afforded a proper hard-copy reissue, are afforded a fresh lease of life via digital downloading services. I implore those dealing with this issue to release the classic albums "New Dimensions" from the Dramatics as well as the Blue Magic album, "Welcome Back", from 1981. Go on - you know it makes sense!!!
Barry Towler,
The Vibe Scribe
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