Customer Reviews

Love Jones

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This 2nd cd reissue (1st was an early 90s Japanese reissue, bulk never left Japanese shores) of the rare one and only album release on the Chicago based group, Brighter Side Of Darkness, was a long time coming. This time availible worldwide. The lp's title song "Love Jones" - 1972, featuring the voice of the group's 12 year old lead singer, Darryl Lamont, sold gold, record numbers! The album has always merited it's place on shelf #1 of the rarer 70s lps, in an old school record collection. Thanks to the folks manning the helm at 20th Century Records during the early, through mid-70s, a significant number of groups, with strong balladry capabilities, landed record contracts with the label, if only to a legend of 45s or one album release. Because of, some great soul/sweet soul recordings became reality, this album being one of them. This reissue contains the original album in it's entirety, and 2 non-album, non-label singles. "Because I Love You" - released on Magic Touch Records, is a sought after "BSD" 45. The album is very good, with most of it containing ballad recordings, a few instrumental titles fill out the lp. Apparently, no deal was struck with those holding the rights to the group's later, killer 45 release "He Made You Mine" Parts 1&2 on the Star-Vue label, to include that lost, extremely difficult to land, classsic on this cd. Nevertheless, the availiblity of Brighter Side Of Darkness's music, remastered high quality digital, is great to see! However, take heed be in order, this recent (past two years or so) group of Japanese reissues of rare soul lps, seems to be of limited pressings, a few of the 2004 releases no longer appear on the worldwide radar screeen, they're gone! There is no reason to believe this slip case reissue is not of specific pressing numbers releases also. With demand pressure coming from different sources, specifically European soul collectors, "here today, gone tomorrow" may well be the future of this cd. One of the true "Holy Grails" of rare soul albums, it is a must in any soul/sweet soul collection of depth! It's buy time, while there is time!

I went to high school with these guys (except for 12 year old, at the time, Darryl Lamont) and back in the days, early 70's, "Love Jones" was it! I hadn't heard this album since 30+ years and am happy that it is available on cd! Love Jones may have been the popular radio tune at the time, but this cd has more impressive soul music, definitely worth the import purchase price, and even more so if you went to school with or know any of the guys in Brighter Side of Darkness (definite sentimental value!).

Any serious collector should now have a copy of this in their collection. Thank goodness for Japanese Record Label - P-Vine Records. For years they have been reissuing obscure classic soul music. Most of which have been forgotten by all but the most serious collector. For any one wishing to build a nice collection of classic soul. Do not pass up a second chance of obtaining these titles. Re-issues like these are never available for long. Finally.... for those complaining about import price. Consider this, once out of print. You be forced to pay 5-6 times the original cost IF you can find one.

A decent soul compilation - "Love Jones" is the obvious standout here - I paid import ($26) for it. Wait 'til the price drops!!