Search - Total Contrast :: Total Contrast

A hidden treasure from the 1980s!

Music | SF, CA United States | 10/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Total Contrast is one of many underrated and obscure bands that unfortunately only true music connoisseurs are familiar with. However, once you purchase this CD, you will be amazed at how talented these guys were and thanks to PTG Records (a dutch label reissuing a bunch of classics that never made it on CD) we have the opportunity to buy this abum for a reasonable price. Yes, that is correct because those of you more familiar with out of print CDs know that this album was released in 1985 in Japan only and now sells for a fortune as it is virtually impossible to find. With this release, the sound quality of course is inferior to the Japanese presses as PTG uses some new technology for digital remastering from vinyl as opposed to using the master tapes but I have to admit that unlike other cheap labels, you cannot hear the hisses and pops that a vinyl produces. Hence, unless you are obsessed with quality, I would highly recommend to buy this CD. Now, back to the content of the album. I am comfortable saying that all tracks are simply amazing. You can hear the English soul sound that most of us are familiar it when listening to similar bands like Loose Ends and The Cool Notes. All tracks are melodic and have a certain punch that will have you hooked from the very start. "Hit And Run", "The River", "Takes A Little Time" are fast- paced,dance R&B gems where as "Entangled and "Sunshine" are more mellow and quiet storm type.

Another good thing about this reissue is that it contains 5 bonus tracks- the US Remix of "Takes A Little Time", "Be With You Tonight", Dub Mix of "Dub A Little While", "I'm Still Waiting", and the Dance Remix of "What You Gonna Do About It". For those of you who are into the 80s R&B, buy this album immediately. You will love it after listening once to it."