Customer Reviews

Love City

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this album by Ron way back in the day and have been waiting for it to be produced on a CD. Ron has never received his just due and I am glad someone had the foresight to reissue his music. Buy this CD and you will be just as elated as I am for this reissue.

Released on Cotillion SD 5213 in August 1979 in the USA only (Cotillion is an Atlantic subsidiary), Ronn Matlock's sole album is the very definition of those overused words "forgotten masterpiece".

Originally produced by the legendary MICHAEL STOKES, all tracks are self-penned and this superlative CD is remastered to perfection by Rhino's tape maestro BILL INGLOT in 2007. The 8-track album is supplemented by two bonus tracks, the edited single mono mixes of the album's only single Cotillion 45002 released in September 1979 - "Let Me Dance" b/w "You Got The Best Of Me".

Stylistically, think CHIC meets TEDDY PENDERGRASS meets EARTH, WIND & FIRE meets BROOK BENTON meets orchestral BARRY WHITE - but even better! Then there's his lovely tonal silky voice - sweet as a nut.

If you want real convincing, check out a 25-second snippet on iTunes of "Love City" (lyrics above) and "Back Street" for irresistible funky floor fillers and "I Can't Forget About You" and "Take Me To The Top (Of Your Mountain)" for that slinky bedroom shagpad moment! None of it has dated - and every track is a real find for lovers of funky soul, disco and rare groove.

"Love City" is an absolute peach of an album - and as it 'never' received an official UK release, it's been a hugely collectable and expensive 'piece' on this side of the pond for nearly 30 years now.

Another top job done by RHINO - and a cleverly chosen title for reissue.

PS: This release is part of Rhino's "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" Series.
Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults.
Some other titles are:

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)
2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)
3. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)
4. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see REVIEW)
5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"
6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"
7. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good" (1st LP for Atlantic, see REVIEW)
8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (2nd album for Atlantic in 1979)
9. The Voices Of East Harlem [featuring Donny Hathaway] -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)