COMMODORES - COMMODORES (1977)
And I'm back folks. Again with a Commodores album (and a bonus!); this time their same titled release from 1977. Their first album "Machine Gun" is available on CD, but the albums I've posted so far, "Caught In The Act", "Movin' On" and "Hot On The Tracks" aren't. "Commodores" (or "Zoom" as it was titled in the UK and the rest of Europe), also is currently unavailable. I won't bother you with the horror story of crappy anthologies and all that, 'cause by now I think I've made my point. Anyway, the album "Commodores" from '77 is nice, but it's becoming more and more obvious that Lionel Richie's influence on the band results in more and more 'poppy' material and slow jams. Of course the biggest R&B- and Pop Chart hit here is 'Easy' and, admitted, it's a nice song, but definitely not Commodores if you ask me. The same goes for 'Zoom'. Those tracks might as well have been released as Lionel Richie singles. But nil desperandum: there's enough to enjoy and of course I have to mention the superb floor filler 'Brick House' first. I added the twelve inch 'disco single' of 'Brick House' as a bonus, because there's a story to that cut. The initial 'Brick House' was over 6 minutes long, but was later remixed and edited down to a 3'28" version for the album. The original version of 'Brick House' had more reverb, and both the horn section and rhythm guitar were more present in the final mixdown. Compare the two and listen closely, because you'll hear undeniable differences between the 12" mix and the album version. The more than obvious and clearly audible edits in the album cut (the version that everybody knows) reveal this little secret beyond a shadow of a doubt. Why this all had to happen is beyond me. Maybe it had something to do with the playing time of the record, but then I wonder why 'Zoom' had to get 6'35". Let's not forget to mention cuts like 'Squeeze The Fruit', 'Funky Situation' and 'Patch It Up', 'cause there we'll recognize the good ol' Commodores again. So no worries folks, 'cause y'all will enjoy this one. Nicely delivered -with a bonus track- at 320 Kbps!
Note: the link had gone inactive, but I re-upped the file again. Enjoy!
30 replies:
Thank you Baby for making me curious. Can't keep my mouth water. Hope the next post will be a little bit more funky.
hey grandpa...as always, great posts!!!
im back and back in the saddle, im gonna post up about 50 albums between now and mid december, so come on by the crate
We are patiently waiting...
looking forward to it as always
Thanks for full version of "Brick House"! great track
Couldn't agree more--they became more "Bitchey's" band that the original Commodores bangin' dance band. This I think was the last Commodores album I had bought…
babyG - wow, not only some sweet (I'll reserve killer for more appopriate releases) unavailable tunes, but a little bonus with what should constitute historical liner notes!
you rock (or rather funk) like no other.....
thanks
can't believe i just discovered your blog, man... but better late than never, i suppose!
cheers!
I tossed out my cassette of this very same album, not knowing that it was out of print :(
It boggles my mind that such a quality album has met this fate.
Well, guys, same for me. But that's why the blogs deliver such a great service in reviving these gems!
And it's also good to know that we see some new names amongst the visitors.
Welcome!
BG
Hey I have Natural High,Hot On The Tracks, Caught in the Act ,Commodores (self titled),Midnight Magic,Machine gun ,Live! ,and In the Pocket all on CD and would love to share them with you e-mail me at megaone@excite.com
Hi Baby Grandpa,
You definitly are a great Commodores's fan. Recently I saw the italian DJ Daniele Baldelli in Tracks, a tv program from Arte (the franco-german cultural channel) dedicated to underground musics and trends. I never heard before about this guy, did you ? Anyway, he explained his discotheque from the 70's was called Cosmic and its logo was inspired by the Commodores' cover you just posted. Because it was look,ing like the letters were like an explosion, or disruption, of what was before...
Ciao, as Baldelli might also say !
Well, Dr Funkathus, that's some nice side information! Never knew that story. Too bad we don't have Arte on cable where I live.
And to Big Cee: I'll email you one of these days. No worries,
BG
I have "Commodores" on CD, and except for "Squeeze the Fruit" and "Patch It Up", all tracks are longer than on the original album. "Zoom" is 7:06, "Easy" is 4:53, "Brick House" clocks in at 3:46 (not 6 minutes, but anyway), and so on. The songs were that way on the original mixdown master, they were edited down for the LP.
I'll grab your link to get the full version of "Brick House" though - and crank it up full power from my PC loudspeakers.
Well, Gumby, thanks for the comments. I got the story on 'Brick House' from a funk dealer on a record fair. He was also the one to tell me that the tracks on the cd were 'somewhat' longer than on the album, because of the simple fact that the audio quality of a cd 'allows' a fade out to last longer. On an album, a fade out usually disappears in the surface noise of a vinyl groove.
I've never been too sure about that fade out story even though it makes sense. The only thing I do believe, though, is the 'Brick House' story.
So my question is: since I had to deal with stories out of second hand, where did you get to hear your side of the story about that master tape?
BG
It's mentioned in the notes in the CD booklet.
And here i was thinking Lionel Richie was a piece of shite!
But this is the business - nice post!
Briefly - a great blogspot you have but how about getting us the following hard-to-find albums/vinyls:
Natural High by The Commodores
Hot Property by Heatwave.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Natural High will come up soon. First I have to take care of some serious personal issues. It will be alright, so stay put. Have to look for the Heatwave though.
Peace,
BG
hi
mostly into jazz and 60's stuff, i'm finding this really great, did'nt know what i was missing.
thanks
Glad to know I made you discover this album, McSquirty.
Peace,
BG
Love it.
But I still can't stand Lionel Richie's crappy ballads, even after all these years, having listened and bought all the early albums within days of their initial LP release.
Regardless
Regards
Funkishbass
Love it.
But I still can't stand Lionel Richie's crappy ballads, even after all these years, having listened and bought all the early albums within days of their initial LP release.
Regardless
Regards
Funkishbass
Commodores were enjoyable as a developing group, not just for their funk. I like their soft and sexy side, too.
Thanks for the exposure.
This kind of soul/funk doesn't usually float my boat too much but this album has always had an enduring hold on me. My cassette copy screwed up years ago so many thanks!
Hello there guys,
great job posting all these long lost albums here.
I just wanted to let you know that the download link to the self title Commodores album is not working.
Keep up the good work!
Hello Anonymous,
Will repost the album as soon as possible.
The link should be back up again in less than 24 hours.
Today is Monday, February 9th 2009, so you do the maths! ;-)
Peace,
BG
Yoaawll! It's Mighty Mighty and letting it all come out. Great post BGP! A lot of stuff was cleared up right there for me. I always wondered why the 12" and the album version sounded so different.
...on cd and mp3 @ http://www.amazon.com/Commodores/dp/B000001AEE/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_lnk
peace
stay OOP
I totally agree with you Shmzr, but in this case I'll leave the rip online, simply 'cause of the running time of the original tracks AND the 12" version of Brick House, which is still not available.
The article I wrote will reveal some more about this.
Other than that I will most certainly take rips offline if they're easily available for cheap, and I have done so many times.
Thanks for stopping by,
Peace,
BG
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