Search - Various :: Vol. 2-Tighten Up

Vol. 2-Tighten Up
Various
Vol. 2-Tighten Up
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (24) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (24) - Disc #2

2009 deluxe two CD edition of this classic Reggae collection, released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of it's original release. Supplementing the original dozen tracks are their respective `B' sides, along with a fu...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Various
Title: Vol. 2-Tighten Up
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
Release Date: 3/17/2009
Album Type: Import
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop
Styles: Ska, Reggae
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 602517970625

Synopsis

Album Description
2009 deluxe two CD edition of this classic Reggae collection, released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of it's original release. Supplementing the original dozen tracks are their respective `B' sides, along with a further 24 tracks, released by Trojan from January to August '69 - the period during which those on the LP originally saw issue as singles. In total, these glorious 48 tracks represent the very best of Trojan's output during what has since proved to be a decisive year in the history of Reggae music Includes cuts from Leslie Kong, Clancy Eccles, Joe Gibbs, Lee Scratch Perry, The Upsetters and many others. Sanctuary.
 

CD Reviews

"No Matter What The People Say...These Sounds Lead The Day..
Mark Barry at Reckless Records, Lon | UK | 03/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Complete with their risqué sleeves, Trojan Records' "Tighten Up" series of iconic vinyl albums began in Britain in January 1969 and ended 8 volumes later in early 1973 when sales simply fizzled out. Warmly remembered to this day as fantastic party music, these budget-priced compilations introduced wonderfully evocative Jamaican Reggae and Ska to British youngsters ravenous for it. Available in every Woolworths up and down the land - these cheap and cheerful compilations were bought up in truckloads.



This 16 March 2009 DELUXE EDITION of "Volume 2" from Universal UK celebrates that; there's a huge amount of music on here, so here's a detailed breakdown...



Disc 1 (66:47 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 make up the album "Tighten Up Volume 2" issued on Trojan Records TTL 7 in November 1969 in the UK. Like the iconic Volume 1 from January 1969, the 2nd in the series was made up of the label's hottest singles from the preceding months - they're listed below...



1. Trojan 672 [A] (August 1969)

2. Big Shot BI 509 [A] (January 1969)

3. Duke DU 30 [A] (June 1969) [lyrics are the title of this review]

4. Amalgamated AMG-839 [A] (May 1969)

5. Downtown DT-410 [A] (February 1969)

6. Trojan TR-658 [A] (May 1969)

7. Upsetter US-301 [A] (May 1969)

8. Big Shot BI-508 [A] (January 1969)

9. Trojan TR-641 [A] (January 1969)

10. Upsetter US-314 [A] (July 1969)

11. Amalgamated AMG-836 [A] (March 1969)

12. Upsetter US-313 [A] (August 1969)



The bonus tracks 13 to 24 are the B-sides of 1 to 12 listed above



Disc 2 (67:13 minutes):

Entitled "The Alternatives!" - tracks 1 to 24 are all singles released on Trojan's group of labels between January and August 1969...complimentary titles to those on Disc 1.



1. High Note HS-011 [A] (January 1969)

2. Duke 5 [A] (January 1969)

3. Trojan TR-642 [A] (February 1969)

4. Big Shot BI-510 [A] (February 1969)

5. Trojan TR-645 [A] (February 1969)

6. High Note HS-014 [A] (February 1969)

7. Trojan TR-654 [A] (May 1969)

8. Big Shot BI-516 [A] (March 1969)

9. Blue Cat BS-154 [A] (March 1969)

10. Amalgamated AMG-835 [A] (March 1969)

11. Big Shot BI-517 [A] (April 1969)

12. Duke DU 22 [A] (May 1969)

13. Upsetter US-307 [A] (May 1969)

14. Trojan TR-666 [A] (June 1969)

15. Amalgamated AMG-842 [A] (June 1969)

16. Trojan TR-660 [A] (June 1969)

17. Big Shot BS-165 [A] (June 1969)

18. Trojan TR-661 [A] (June 1969) (mistakenly credited in the booklet as Island WI-3158)

19. Jackpot JP-700 [A] (July 1969)

20. Jackpot JP-701 [A] (July 1969)

21. High Note HS-021 [A] (August 1969)

22. Trojan TR-671 [A] (August 1969)

23. Trojan TR-673 [A] (August 1969)

24. Trojan TR-675 [A] (August 1969)



The project's been coordinated by NICK BOURNE, while the hugely detailed 28-page booklet has an essay by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT on the album and the scene surrounding it. The crammed booklet pictures most of the 7" labels featured alongside rare snaps of the singers and bands. LCH penned the truly fantastic book "Young, Gifted & Black - The Story Of Trojan Records" (see separate review) - so his knowledge goes deep - it's literally track-by-track annotation. The 4-foldout-flaps reproduce adverts and press releases from 1969, the CDs themselves reflect the original vinyl colouring and there's the now trademark DELUXE EDITION outer plastic wrap - all nice touches.



Again the set is mastered by TIM DEBNEY and the results are fabulous one moment, woeful the next. This is 60's Reggae and it was recorded in Auntie Flo's outside loo - so audiophile is not order of the day here. Although I would quickly add that to my ears, the improvement of sound quality is 'immense' all round - far better that the 2002 set that I've been living with these last few years. That alone is worth it for me...



But then there's also the clever track choices made - I loved hearing the B-sides - in fact they're often better than the A. The instrumental "Last Call" (aka "Tribute To Drumbago") is typical - a fabulous trumpet led Ska shuffle that's as infectious as a fit of the giggles. Disc 2 is simply a wad more of the same - I'll be discovering tracks on this for years to come.



Love it - love it - love it. What a thrill to see this hugely influential album finally given the respect it deserves. Another triumph is this increasingly superb series - highly recommended.



PS: this is the 4th Trojan Records Reggae album from the UK to receive the 2CD DELUXE EDITION treatment - see also my reviews for:

"Tighten Up Volume 1" by VARIOUS ARTISTS

"1000 Volts Of Holt" by JOHN HOLT

"Skinhead Moonstomp" by SYMARIP



"