Argent

ALL TOGETHER NOW is the best CD Argent ever released. It includes the band's (and leader Rod Argent's, whether with the Zombies or Argent) finest moment ever, "Hold Your Head Up", a song which inspired me to recover faster whenever I had any type of illness. However, there are other great moments here, too, and, along with the self-titled debut and RING OF HANDS, forms one-third of the essential Argent trilogy. This CD is one which you must own if you're into high-class pop-rock or progressive rock.

It's good to finally see this album back in print again, and it sounds great.

If you have the 1997 Koch disc, and are wondering about any difference in remastering between the two, I have compared them both: Don't waste your money, because both discs are nearly identical.

Also, the Koch disc has three more tracks, albeit that exist elsewhere in the currently available Argent CD catalog.

I heard a slight, and I mean SLIGHT, additional clarity in Rod Argent's organ opening of "Hold Your Head Up", but you're only going to hear this thru really good headphones, and then, again, only minimally.

I did find "I Am The Dance Of Ages" to be slightly more dynamic on the Koch, but the clarity of both were virtually the same, so the effect could be duplicated on the new disc by just adjusting the bass upward.

So, again, I don't see any reason for buying this release, as all the five bonus tracks on this edition are also on the Koch CD, if you already own it.

And, seeing what the OOP Koch edition is going for used, you would want to buy this one, and spend the money you save buying "Nexus" & "In Deep".

I have always found myself listening to "Nexus", with the fabulous Kohoutek suite, more than this album. "All Together Now" is certainly not a bad album, I just happen to prefer "Nexus".

JULY 2008 UPDATE:

Sony Japan has just released the entire Argent catalog in the guise of remastered mini-LP sleeves.

The 2008 DSD-processing on these titles is superior to all previous remastered releases, including the Edsel, Koch & Acadia-label releases, not to mention the pathetic-sounding Collectables discs.

Unfortunately, however, Sony missed a few bonus tracks which appeared on the two prior "All Together Now" Koch & Acadia releases, "Kingdom", and "Closer To Heaven", of particular note.

Here are the links to the 2008 mini-sleeves:

Argent
Ring Of Hands
All Together Now
In Deep
Nexus
Encore
Circus

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 13.5MM X 13.5MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.

The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!

All I can say is I'm impressed. In the 60's I thought they were "average" and, to be honest, didn't buy a single album.....but just saw them live....and was blown away. Colin Blunstone has the voice of an angel...and the talent to throw it out just right....Rod Argent on keyboards is magical. Colin's voice compares to "the picture of Dorion Grey" in it's strength....thought for a minute a 20 yr. old was on stage. Amazing. Detractors beware....insecurity of the "pop" scene won't discourage real fans...Colin and Rod deserve Pop royalty, the only reason they didn't get it before ( "in the 60's ) was because of their gentlemanly lyrics......which is ( and was ) not popular in wartime ( which is all the time ). Peaceful people will like this.

I used to run to the record store to buy their new 45s. I saw Bunnie Lake is Missing 10 times to hear them sing "Just Out of Reach." I was and still am the biggest fan of these guys! Blunstones voice is from somewhere else and As Far As I Can See both inspires and haunts me.I always loved Argent's keyboard work too! Everyone I have had listen to this absolutely loves it! What do we have to do to get these guys the recognition they deserve?

This album took some time to grow on me, but once the songs were familiar I could appreciate them so much more. Instant favorites were the upbeat tunes of In My Mind a Miracle and Time to Move. I Want to Fly and Wings Against the Sun are perfectly suited to Blunstone's hauntingly ethereal voice. With You Not Here and Together feature layered harmonies that are wonderfully satisfying. This version of I Don't Believe in Miracles is proof that Blunstone has only improved with age and Argent's backing vocals add an extra dimension.
Although most people I know rank Memphis among their favorites, I'm not so fond of the string arrangement (it sounds a little Disney) and although it's still a great song, compared to the other incredible songs on this album it falls towards the bottom. The titletrack is slowly growing on me 9 months later (it's jazzy, but slow). The only two songs that I can't say are "great" are Southside of the Street, which sounds predictable and cliche (but perfect for Rod's voice), and Look for a Better Way which is slow and draggy.

This album features a wide variety of sounds, all of them wonderful. Highly recommended!

This CD is no gimmick put together to cash in on the bands name and nostalgia. It was crafted with great pride, thought and care.
It also represents a true group effort. The distinct vocals of Colin Blunstone are supplemented by wonderful background vocals and arrangements. The songwriting is accomplished and complex. I agree with the reviewer that the collection gets progressively stronger after the first few songs.

"Time To Move" is an excellent rocker and easily could have been a nice follow-up to "Just Out Of Reach" or "Time of the Season". Most of the other selections are more sophisicated but have the Zombies trademark. The diverse musical and vocal arrangements hold and captivate your interest after repeated listening.

This CD illustrates these performers remain energetic and creative with a real passion for their craft. I hope and suspect this music will not represent a closing footnote on this group.
They obvious have a lot left in them and this work compares very favorably with any of the new "singer songwriters" being hyped today.

I would give this a strong 4.5 stars if possible.

With the possible exception of Colin Blunstone's sublime solo album "One Year," this is the best and most consistent recording he or Rod Argent have released since "Odessey and Oracle" (which is name-checked in the superb opener "In My Mind a Miracle") -- and a convincing Zombies album. If you don't care for baroque rock, you probably shouldn't be listening, but "As Far As I Can See" also delves into the bluesier side of The Zombies, where Argent and Blunstone are perhaps most musically in accord now.

For me, the problem tracks are "Southside of the Street" -- a little too sunny and strutting to feel in character for these specialists in sultry bittersweetness -- and what seems the umpteenth redo of "I Don't Believe in Miracles," a fine song which Colin has been trying to make a hit for many years, without success (without commercial success, anyway); your mileage may differ, of course. All in all, this is a classy, uplifting and sometimes moving album which finds these rock veterans palpably rediscovering their passion for the unique musical personality they form together.

"As Far As I Can See" deserves and rewards the support of everyone devoted to The Zombies and their still remarkably contemporary-sounding music.

After The Zombies ("She's Not There," "Time of the Season") broke up in in April, 1968, keyboardist Rod Argent formed Argent in 1969. Rod Argent, Zombies bassist, Chris White, and Russ Ballard were the group's songwriters. In four years, the band released some of the biggest prog-rock hits of the early 70s including the prog-anthem, "Hold Your Head Up," "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" (later covered by KISS), and "Liar" (later covered by Three Dog Night). While Argent's albums (Argent, Ring of Hands, and All Together Now) were somewhat uneven collections on their own, this long-overdue, definitive Argent compilation disc features a strong setlist that rivals anything ever recorded by Emerson Lake & Palmer and Yes. This compilation also includes a live version of the Zombies' classic, "Time of the Season:"

1. Liar
2. Schoolgirl
3. Dance in the Smoke
4. Sweet Mary
5. Lothlorien
6. Pleasure
7. Celebration
8. Cast Your Spell Uranus
9. Hold Your Head Up
10. Be My Lover, Be My Friend
11. I am the dance of ages
12. Tragedy
13. God Gave
14. Rock and Roll to You
15. It's only Money pt 2
16. Man for all reasons
17. Thunder and Lightning
18. Jester
19. Time of the Season (Live)

G. Merritt

After The Zombies broke up, keyboardist / songwriter Rod Argent formed a new band in 1969, which incorporated more classical, jazz, and art rock influences, in line with Argent's musical training. The group's other members were lead singer / guitarist / songwriter Russ Ballard, bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer Bob Henrit.

Russ Ballard also wrote "God Gave Rock `N' Roll to You," later covered by Kiss, and "Liar," a top 10 hit for Three Dog Night in 1971.

Contains the top five smash "Hold Your Head Up," as well as Argent's versions of "Liar" and "God Gave Rock `N' Roll to You."

This is the first Argent hits collection since the eight-track 1976 Anthology: The Best of Argent, and is the only one to exclusively feature the single mixes of their hits along with popular album tracks.

This 18-track collection includes 10 original single mixes that are appearing on CD for the first time. In addition, none of these versions is available on iTunes.

Includes a live reworking of The Zombies classic "Time of the Season."

A good musical, yet not the greatest by Lloyd Webber. Actually, the song "Memory" is the only one in our memories. The rest seems to me quite average. We should have in mind that a few years later Webber wrote wonderful songs for each one of his musicals: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SUNSET BOULEVARD and the unfortunate WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, besides his previous masterpiece, JESUSCHRIST SUPERSTAR, with almost an entire collection of classical and marvelous songs. I saw CATS in Broadway back in 1992 and I saw it again last year here in Chile: I guess some cats were left on the plane on their way down here because the southamerican tour production looked quite poor compared to the Broadway version. It was shown in a huge arena and in a frontal stage, quite different to the half-circled and smaller Winter Garden Stage.

I do not mean to ruffle anybody's feathers in my comments of this particular CATS recording, However, of all the official English-language recordings this recording sounds a little stilted and wanting in that littbe bit of energy. Part of it could be due to some of the performances, and part of it because this album uses the first version of CATS. Yet despite the lack of oomph, it is quite good and redeems itself by the aura it projects for being the world-premiere recording of the score.

This recording features the Grizabella of Elaine Paige, who can be considered a true Grizabella in her own right. It's true that this early recording doesn't allow her to nuance the role as she did in the video, but she conveys a strength and vulnerability in her portrayal. Paige's rendition of Memory is solid, but at this early stage she had yet to mature into the role. I guess that it's also because this recording used the single version of the song, and that's probably why it sounds stilted. Brian Blessed partners her with his sincere and benevolent portrayal of Old Deuteronomy, and the rest of the performers fare quite well. However, I found Paul Nicholas as The Rum Tum Tugger to be somewhat wanting in energy. He fares a little better in his rendition of Mr. Mistoffelees, but doesn't smoke it out in his standout number. I think this is pretty much the case for most of the performers here, as the performances of the cast as a whole sound solid yet stilted at the same time. The orchestrations are less flashy and somewhat weak but you can hear the sort of sound that Lloyd-Webber originally intended for the musical, and the variants. Yes, this West End cast recording is like a concept album of sorts, staying closer to the T.S. Eliot cat poems without cutting verses as in later productions.

The redeeming feature of this West End cast recording are the variants of numbers that were changed in lature productions. One variant, the duet for Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer is set to an unvarying and jazzy melody that Lloyd-Webber replaced with the vaudeville-like version as heard on the Broadway video and in the video. The other variant is the duet for Growltiger and Griddlebone during Growltiger's Last Stand. Before this duet number was replaced with the better-fitting Puccini spoof, Growltiger and Griddlebone sang a rather unromantic drinking song about a musically talented parrot named Billy M'Caw. Even if Lloyd-Webber admits to preferring Billy M'Caw I tend to like the Puccini spoof a little better as it better integrates itself into the scene. For those who are used to the later versions of these numbers and to the beefed-up orchestration of the Broadway and video versions, this recording can offer a nice contrast. Yet in my view they have only made the rewrites and revisions that Lloyd-Webber added to the score for the rest of the productions much better. Despite my feelings, at least the aura of this recording is enough to save it from being stilted, despite the solid performances from everyone concerned. And besides, it includes extra verses that were cut for the Broadway and subsequent productions of the show, so it makes this album feel closer to the T.S. Eliot poems.

It's good to see this recording in a reissue that treats it with respect. The 2 CDs come in a slimline double-disc case, packaged in a neat slipcase. The booklets are an improvement over those in the previous Polydor releases, as they have offered a better-print edition of the libretto and the production credits, including the musical numbers. However, I do admit that there isn't much of a difference in sound quality between this release and the original Polydor CD. The CDs appear to have been pressed from the original CD master rather than the better-sounding remastered version that was released in 1998. I know that if I were to recommend this West End cast recording I would recommend the 1998 remastered version, as it sounds less muffled compared to the sound on this release. Yet it would not be practical because that 1998 CD costs a whopping 65 dollars.

In short, even if CATS fans covet this recording I'm sorry to say I don't covet it as much as they do. I acknowledge its strengths, but yet I know it sounds a little stilted on the whole. Even so, this recording redeems itself with its solid performance and the aura of it representing the first thoughts of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and staying close to T.S. Eliot's source material before the show was tweaked and altered for Broadway. But my first choice for a CATS recording still lies with the Broadway cast Cats: Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording (1982 Original Broadway Cast)as it's got this energy that makes the show work, without destroying its spirit and nature.

I have heard many different recordings of the show CATS and I still find the original London cast to be best. The songs are brilliant, the music fantastic and the singers magnificent. Elaine Paige is the original and the best Grizabella.

The London verson has a longer overture and has more lyrics then the b way version
1. overture..........London
2. Jelicle Songs.....London
3. Naming of Cats....London
4. Invitation........London
5. Gumbie Cat........B way [shorter]
6. Rum Tum Tugger...London
7. Grizabella.......Same
8. Bustopher Jones..London
9. Mungo & rumple...Tie But Lundon Is much slower!
10.Old D...........London [but longer]
11.Jellicle ball..tie Shorter than B way
12.Memory.........London
13. Moments Of Happiness. London
14. Gus..........London
15. Skimble shanks.London
16. Macavity.London
17. Mistofoless. London
18 Memory. London
19 heviside layor.london
20 ad ressing. london london wins!!!!

Like most people, I've been torn between London and Broadway for a while. I'll admit, I'm fond of both London and Broadway, but some songs I like on Broadway more than London, and vice versa. However, when I bought the Australian recording, it turned into my favorite CATS recording, hands down. They have EVERY song in there, (Growltiger's Last Stand, and Battle of the Pekes and Pollicles) Anyhow, here's my biased opinion on which of the three recordings dominate in certain songs.


Overture - The overture is pretty much the same

Jellicle Song for Jellicle Cats - London

Naming of Cats - Australia

Invitation to the Jellicle Ball - Broadway

Old Gumbie Cat - London but Australia's is pretty darn good

Rum Tum Tugger - I'm not very fond of London's version or Broadway's. I'd have to say Australia, but Broadway is just as good.

Grizabella - London

Bustopher Jones - London

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer - Australia. This version has a very interesting Mungo and Rumpel

Old Deuteronomy - London or Broadway

Jellicle Ball - London

Grizabella: The Glamour Cat - Tie


Memory - Okay, Elaine Paige is about as good as it gets. But Debbie Byrne from Australia delivers a heart felt Memory also.

Gus: The Theatre Cat - Australia

Growltiger's Last Stand/The Ballad of Billy McCaw - All are good

Macavity: The Mystery Cat - Australia

Mr. Mistoffelees - Australia. The Australian Rum Tum Tugger is a lot better. And while I'm a huge Sarah Brightman fan, and you can hear her overpowering in this song, I still say Australia wins here.

Memory - Moment of truth. I love Elaine Paige. Her Memory is as good as it gets. However, some would say that Elaine's version is too soft and sweet, and isn't bitter and cold enough. This song could go both ways. Betty Buckley certainly expressed rage and power in this song, but maybe too much. In my personal opinon, Elaine's version is too soft, and Buckley's version is too cold. Debbie Byrne is a perfect medium, and she expresses remorse, sorrow, pain, anger, and loneliness in perfect harmony. I'd have to say Australia.

Journey to the Heaviside Layer - Not much of a difference. Tie between all three.

Ad-Dressing of Cats - Broadway. THANK GOD FOR KEN PAGE.

I'll Take You There
Let It Rain
Let's Stay Together
Listen to the Music
Hold Your Head Up
Oh Girl
Black and White
Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)
Back Stabbers
Rocket Man
School's Out
Lean on Me
Go All the Way
A Horse with No Name
Nights in White Satin
I Can See Clearly Now
Without You
I Saw the Light
Layla

The reason I checked out this CD from local library is because I just watched the disappointing movie version of `Phantom of the Opera' and hoped Andrew Lloyd Webber who appears suffering from `over-esteem' would redeem himself in this format of presentation. It really would have worked, considered the similar quality of cello and human voice and the already famous melodies.

But it didn't! This is a tacky and totally forgettable presentation only suitable for elevators and ... well, you know, some public facilities. It makes the critically panned 'Phantom of the Opera' movie like a masterpiece! It's not so much the music's or musician's faults. There just isn't any thought process in the music making at all. If the cello is just going to play by the numbers, what's the point then? And the music arrangements on the orchestra side are just as shameful and insulting.

Compare to 'Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone', it's a clear example how a good taste of music adaptation can make a difference between Heaven and Hell.


It should be a minus star!

Fantastic collection for true Andrew Lloyd Weber fans. A perfect gift for you or your friends. Everyone who hears mine wants a copy.

Certainly Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote some superb melodies and certainly his brother Julian is an accomplished, outstanding cellist. That said, while it is fine to listen to a couple of these songs at a time played in this format, the real greatness of Andrew was in his collaboration with his lyricists like Tim Rice, and the songs just work better in my opinion as Broadway/theatre, with the rich diversity of soloists who have sung them.

I got an e-mail recommending this CD....Being the Andrew Lloyd Webber fan that I was, I just decided to buy it thinking it was his greatest hits by the original casts of his Play.

Boy was I wrong...but pleassantly so. Julian Lloyd Weber does a brilliant job of his brothers work...Purely instrumentational and incredibly beautiful... definately worth buying if your are ALW fan

An updated and improved version of Lloyd Webber plays Lloyd Webber. The original was great; and this new one is even better. The old songs have been enhanced, and there are six new selections from Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind (the title song featuring Andrew on piano) and the two best Andrew songs brother Julian has ever done: "Our Kind of Love" and "God's Own Country" from the Beautiful Game. Even if you aren't into the Lloyd Webber brothers, any fan of classical and/or show music would absolutely love this CD.

Julian Lloyd-Webber has just the right romantic touch for these transcriptions of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's tunes. His (Julian's) rendtion of 'Tell Me On a Sunday' brings a tear to the eye.
Lloyd Webber Plays Lloyd Webber

The music touches your heart. Just great...

if you like ALW you will love Julian. After listening to this cd you will fall madly in love with him and will stay under his spell forever.

One of the finest cds ever.He does his brother's music proud.Definitely could change everyone's mind about cello music.A must have.

Sony Japan has just released the entire Argent Epic Records seven-disc catalog ("Counterpoints" was on a different label) in remastered, mini-LP sleeve format.

The 2008 Sony DSD-processed remastering trumps all previous releases, including the BGO, Edsel, Koch & Acadia-label CD's, not to mention the pathetic-sounding Collectables and Wounded Bird discs.

It is wonderful to finally have the primary Argent repertoire in dynamically-matched sound, as all the different releases (from the plethora of labels mentioned above) had varying audio levels, not to mention quality.

And, as always, the `sleeves themselves are fabulous, all being faithful replicas of the original gatefold LP record covers (except for "Nexus", which was a single-pocket LP design).

Unfortunately, however, Sony did not include two non-album tracks, "Kingdom", and "Closer To Heaven", which appeared on the "All Together Now" 2001-Koch & 2007-Acadia releases.

Curiously, though, Koch & Acadia also included as "bonus" tracks, songs that originally belonged to other Argent albums. These all appear in their proper place on the 2008 Japan releases.

Here are the links to the 2008 `sleeves:

Argent
Ring Of Hands
All Together Now
In Deep
Nexus
Encore
Circus

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.

The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!

After I picked up the Zombies box set, I went crazy trying to find more of them. The truth be told, there is none. Yea, this filled a void in the 70's; I guess it was better than disco. So many years later, it just sounds tired.

As a dewy-eyed teen, I bought these albums when they first came out. This two-on-one release is very welcome-- I still feel these were the best Argent albums. The songwriting is tuneful (for the most part; sometimes Argent and Ballard get carried away) and the instrumentation is always top-notch. Call this progressive pop from an innocent time, and enjoy it.

OK...firstly, lemme state that it is possible that I might have a bad pressing or something, but...

I've been waiting AGES for this two-fer CD...I've always wanted to hear Argent's first album remastered (Ring of Hands has always been easily availible). Let me state this right off: Both albums are wonderful musically. However, something BAD happened during the remastering of the first album...it's WAYY to trebly, and while some songs sound fine, some tracks (like tracks 3 and 4, which are probably the worst) suffer from some MAJOR digititis..the instruments sound really bizarre, almsot "crackly," and they're not like that on the original. Anybody have input?

After the Zombies break up, R. argent forms this band. These are the first two LP's from 1969 and 1971. To my ears they are better than any other Argent LPs and better than any Zombies LPs. The vibe on these two records is very laid back and mystical. Dance in the smoke off the first LP is my favorite. We will light a ever burning fire tonight, we will build it and dance in the smoke. with each branch we'll tie somebodies worry to it, we will build it and dance in the smoke. (something like that.)

with the release of this album argent was poised to enter the coming decade at the top of the pop game.perhaps overlooked(somewhat)in the US it was nevertheless the logical culmination of what the zombies had been working toward over the past few years.especially noteworthy was the songwriting skill of mister ballard.forty years on this music still has a stunning and radiant quality.

Sony Japan has just released the entire Argent Epic Records seven-disc catalog ("Counterpoints" was on a different label) in remastered, mini-LP sleeve format.

The 2008 Sony DSD-processed remastering trumps all previous releases, including the BGO, Edsel, Koch & Acadia-label CD's, not to mention the pathetic-sounding Collectables and Wounded Bird discs.

It is wonderful to finally have the primary Argent repertoire in dynamically-matched sound, as all the different releases (from the plethora of labels mentioned above) had varying audio levels, not to mention quality.

And, as always, the `sleeves themselves are fabulous, all being faithful replicas of the original gatefold LP record covers (except for "Nexus", which was a single-pocket LP design).

Unfortunately, however, Sony did not include two non-album tracks, "Kingdom", and "Closer To Heaven", which appeared on the "All Together Now" 2001-Koch & 2007-Acadia releases.

Curiously, though, Koch & Acadia also included as "bonus" tracks, songs that originally belonged to other Argent albums. These all appear in their proper place on the 2008 Japan releases.

Here are the links to the 2008 `sleeves:

Argent
Ring Of Hands
All Together Now
In Deep
Nexus
Encore
Circus

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.

The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!