Every so often an artist comes along who has that special gift of not only being a crafted songwriter, but a superb singer as well. One notable person being the late Curtis Mayfield, and the great Lamont Dozier whose rare and collectable LP from the eighties gets a CD release by Sanctuary Records (as well as a whole bunch of his other work issued via Warner Bros.). Whilst this was a UK only issue back in the eighties via independent record label 'Demon' don't be fooled into a false sense of security in thinking that is the only reason this title has been so highly sought after - quite the contrary - as Berry Gordy once claimed "It's What's In The Groove That Counts" and that is most certainly the case here. Who really cares what label it originally came out on, this is an opportunity to experience a master at work.

Dozier's work with the Holland Brothers in the early to mid sixties as a songwriter and producer at Motown is well documented and I do not intend to go over old ground except to say you may wish to see other titles by artists produced by Lamont on this web site such as Eloise Laws, 100 Proof Aged In Soul, Freda Payne etc.

The quality contained in this recording is nothing short of a masterpiece from start to finish mixing the usual love ballads amongst some of the best slow grooves and dance floor goodies you could wish for. The opening title track has you hooked from the start before settling down into a finger snapping groove that has hints of Earth Wind & Fire, and using a little imagination and vari-speed on the decks can turn this into a dance floor winner. Other uptempo gems include the funk influenced 'On The One' with a backing track that is reminiscent of the style that found Midnight Star & Lakeside fame during the same period.

Want me pick the standout song on this CD? well for me it has to be 'Round Trip Ticket' that had me playing this gorgeous song over and over and has fast become my song of the moment, and McKinley Jackson' s typical production never fails to excite. Check out other standout songs such as the unusually titled 'Call The Wagon' which after just a couple of listens will have you hooked for life and is one of the songs that will sound just great on late night radio. The years have been most kind to Lamont and like a bottle of good wine he has matured to perfection and this CD will not disappoint ardent followers of this great mans music, as well as introducing a new younger listening audience who will be discovering just what us older ones have been raving about for years.

In conclusion the old cliché 'They don't make songs like this anymore' couldn't be more true, and whilst there is no denying there is still good soul music around today, there really is nothing like the original thing - an absolute superb CD that today's R & B singers can look at in admiration and agree that Dozier set the standards back in the 70/80's for others to follow.

Rating 10/10

Don't forget Lamont's other UK CD's issued via Sanctuary Records.