Search - The Notations :: Notations

To the foreign suitors (reissue companies), the Notations lp

William Blackshear | West Orange, NJ USA | 04/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...was, take a number (to reissue onto cd) and stand in line! How else can one explain the fact that a Japanese reissue company first reissued the Chicago group's one and only album "The Notations"-(1976), Japan only -(90s), followed by 2 UK reissue companies, Charly Records (98) and Sequel Records (99), securing reissue deals, and once again by a Japanese company-(03), in what amounts to the same cd all along. Did the album request "show me the love"? The album was destined for a certain level of quality since the group had production benefits of Curtis Mayfield's, Curtom label. The group recorded for the Twinight and Gemigo labels in the 70s. Many old-school music listeners recall the sublime, non-album, ballad classic "I'm Still Here". The writer is aware of 3 non-album 45s, with the other two 45s presenting classic balladry in the vein of the aforementioned. All 3 are sought after by soul/sweet soul record collectors. This album contains very good mid-70s ballads and uptempo tracks, it's a good one! "It Only Hurts For A Little While", "Make Me Twice The Man", "Take It Slow", all well performed ballads with the Curtom label touch. The uptempo tracks are good too. Once again shows the foreign reissue companies are on their "game" when it comes to knowledge of! This album, reissued 4 times to this point.... Hello! Covers presented, or lack thereof, no matter, these reissues don't use the original album cover anyway, it's the music that counts. Mid-70s soul and ballads. Original album difficult to locate at this time. This reissue of the album merits inclusion in an old-school music collection of depth. Also, "I'm Still Here" is availible on soul/sweet soul compilation cd. This release, it's Buy Time."