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MYSTIC MERLIN UK Capitol 1982/2004 Mr. Magician - Perfect - Rock The World - Your Love - Full Moon Rising (Prelude) - Love Is What You Need - Back To Zero - Mindreader CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC. EMI in Europe and the UK have redeemed themselves in my eyes considerably by releasing a very healthy wave of classic soul and funk albums. Not only this, but these have 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. There are 30 releases and many I will cover. I was so, so excited when I saw this as a reissue. 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. Obviously it was a good album then if all other in-demanders are anything to go by. 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 and to be able to buy this for as little as £6.99 here in the UK is really something special. I look forward to future releases and I implore those dealing with this, Gilles Pétard and Gérard Woog to release the classic albums "New Dimensions" from the Dramatics as well as the Blue Magic album from 1981. Go on - you know it makes sense!!! - Barry Towler Albums of the Month in 2003 Albums of the Month in 2002 Albums of the Month in 2001 Albums of the Month in 2000 Albums of the Month in 1999 Albums of the Month in 1998 Albums of the Month in 1997 Other CD
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