It’s hard to translate into words just how I feel about listening to Ashford & Simpson as their music transmits that rare magic which only seems available to a very few artists. Maybe it is something to do with a certain nostalgia the era between 73-81 conjures up, although I’m pretty sure it’s purely down to their sublime (I use the word carefully in this case) vocals that combine to elevate life in all its rich complexities. I’ll try to bypass the word Soul here too, despite it being a ready and necessary reference point, as there is also something truly universal, transcendent of genres contained within the music they wrote together. If you can find a more perfect song than Ain’t no Mountain High Enough written for a then solo Diana Ross at Motown, good luck to you. After all, their calibre as songwriters always did speak for itself. This triple CD collection however is all about their years at Warner Bros and contains many beautifully poignant pieces of music, which both touch the dancefloor as readily as they do reach out for the heart. Perhaps most relevant for our purposes are the extended versions found on the additional third disc (to the double vinyl release) with numbers such as Found A Cure remixed by Tom Moulton, Joe Clausell’s wonderful remake of Bourgie Bourgie, Mike Maurro and Wayne Dickson’s tastefully funky take on Stay Free, plus an all-time favourite in the shape of It Seems To Hang On remixed by Jimmy Simpson – which expands the spine tingling vocals into an ecstasy all of their own. There remains something particularly singular and unique about this music. In addition, the main sleeve notes once again arrive care of Christian John Wikane who must surely by now qualify as one of the most foremost authorities on R&B/ Disco. Listen on with pleasure…
Release: September 7
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