Pure Groove (The Classics) - Various Artists > Reviews > Going Back to My Roots

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
Value for Money

Advantages:	Some brilliant tracks that bring back memories of the 80's
Disadvantages:	A few duff tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

As the latter part of my teenage years were spent during the 80’s decade, I have a strong affinity for a lot of the music released during that time. I spent a great deal of that time at nightclubs, and would quite often pre-order songs I had heard played in the clubs.

Of course, there have been many compilations of music from this period, but last year I purchased a double CD box set called “Pure Groove Classics”, which was released in September 2002. At present, I can only find this listed on HMV via the internet, where it is priced at £18.99. However, it may still be possible to purchase it from the high street shops. As the title suggests, the 2 CDs only contain songs that were played in clubs or were based on a soul theme.

This is not the first album to have been released in the Pure Groove Collection. A double CD entitled Pure Groove was the first release and the release of Pure Groove Classics seemed to be the natural progression, after the success of its predecessor.

CD1
****
The unmistakable trumpet sounds of Odyssey, together with the bass guitar, begin the track “Goin’ back to my roots”, a great song to dance to. The music is strange in this though, as what appears to be a disco/dance track, has some very heavy guitar playing in the middle.

Brass instruments feature heavily on The Average White Band’s “Let’s go round again” a song which holds fond memories of me from the Eighties. The majority of the song is the chorus repeated, but there are two verses in the middle! Despite all this, a great track and thoroughly deserves its inclusion.

“Disco Nights” by GQ has a real disco theme to it, and tells of nights spent dancing the night away. GQ have a very similar sound to The Real Thing, and the guitars, bongos, and cymbals which are played throughout the track, all have a soft feel to them.

Fast drums and a bass beat heralds the beginning of “Stomp” by Brothers Johnson, who have a similar vocal sound to The Bee Gees, although backed by female vocals. A fast paced song and the enjoyment of the singers is evident.

The Fatback Band sing “Spanish Hustle” which of course has a Spanish feel and begins with manically played bongos, before the introduction of the organ and cymbals. The song is mainly instrumental, although there are a few shouts during its duration.

“Get down Saturday Night” has to be one of the best tracks on the album and this original version by Oliver Cheatham was immensely successful on its release. I used to always play this before I went out at a weekend to get me in the mood for partying. Cheatham has a similar voice to Luther Vandross, apart from the fact that his voice is a lot higher in places. The song has recently been covered by Room 5.

“Got to be Real” fools the listener into thinking that this is going to be a track by Earth Wind and Fire, due to the trumpet fanfare at the beginning. However, the vocals of Lynn emerge, and although she has a rather strange voice, screechy in places, this song works, and a funky dance track emerges. Another relationship song, telling the world that when a relationship is good, it can not be rocked.

CD2
****
“Big Fun” by the Gap Band, sets a party mood, with a samba feel to this track, the ending having female vocals and lots of whoops and shouts. A fast paced track, extolling the virtues of life. Not as popular as the group’s earlier offering “Oops Upside your Head” but comes a close second.

“Mine All Mine” by Cashflow is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and although loosely based on The Fatback Band’s “I found Lovin’” it didn’t quite manage to live up to the hype, with the weak vocals getting lost in the music.

The Dazz Band were played mostly in the clubs during the 80’s and “Let it all Blow” was a really successful club release. The vocals laid over the funky guitar and bongo’s are both distorted and echo while being sung. A nonsensical song, in that the message is not clear, but it has a great dance beat and ends with the banging of a gong.

“Single Life” by Cameo, a band made famous by their lead singer’s bright red codpiece on Top of the Pops during the decade. Cameo had a very distinctive sound featuring drums that were almost tin like. This song extols the virtues of being a single person and having a good time.

Loose Ends lend their “Magic Touch” release to the album, which begins with a soulful guitar, accompanied by bongo drums, and a fantastic saxophone solo. The female singer, although not possessing the greatest voice, certainly makes her mark on this track, which is sung to the man in her life, and explains the reason why his “magic touch” is so good.

Whistles and a newspaper vendor’s shout begin the track “Headlines” by Midnight Star. Scratching and a bassy drum beat set the tone, and this track is quite a stop start affair, synonymous with the break dancing period. Whistles are blown through the song, and there is also a rap in the middle.

A loud rhythmic drum beat sets the tone for “Tossing and Turning” by Windjammer, which softens out somewhat as the keyboards and guitars are introduced. The vocals take their time to come in, and the song is about restless nights, without the love of your life.

The unmistakable sound of tinkling bells accompanied by drums and guitars, heralds the beginning of “Stop to Love” by Luther Vandross, a song about a man urging his girlfriend to show a little more compassion in their relationship. Having seen Luther live a number of times, I would thoroughly recommend it. His voice is truly amazing.

Evelyn King released some fantastic tracks in the early Eighties, and “I’m in Love” is featured on the album. A really funky background combined with her amazing voice which can only have been influenced by Aretha Franklin, makes this track a true classic. The title speaks for itself as to what the song is about.

A heavier, although still soulful beat begins the track “Happy” by Surface. Another song that is very similar to those by The Fatback Band, the track is a feel good one, although the male vocal is quite sorrowful. The drums in this track are the most prominent instrument.

Kashif provides the vocals on “I just gotta have you”. The vocal at the beginning of the track sounds as though someone has a finger trapped in the door, but it soon explodes into another funky beat. One of the weaker tracks, as the vocal is quite strained in places.

I have not covered all of the tracks on the album, but have endeavoured to list those that I like, and the very few that do not move me at all.

If you are a fan of dance music from the Eighties, the chances are that this will be an album to add to your collection.

Of course, this album would not be to everyone’s taste, but as the music contained on it is the type that shaped my life during the early Eighties, I am thrilled with my purchase. Not only does it bring back many memories, both good and bad from that time, there are some truly classic tracks contained on it.