With just a couple of days to go until Brian Bennett hits 81, I am pleased to see that an album that I first bought in 1981 - Voyage - is about to be released in an expanded edition on CD. 'a journey into discoid funk', as it is subtitled, has been a fave of mine for most of these last four decades. It is indeed danceable, and yet also quite hypnotic at the same time, with its pulsing synths and electronic soundscapes. A few years ago it was re-issued on both vinyl and CD by Isle of Jura, and whilst it sounded incredible, the packaging left a lot to be desired... indeed, it was mediocre at best. All we got was a simple fold-over single sheet inlay, the outside comprising a repro of the outer LP sleeve (the reverse being so small that the writing on it was unreadable) and absolutely nothing in the gatefold, but a b&w advert and a selection of Jura's back catalogue. Very disappointing and pathetic. This 2CD expanded edition fills me with confidence and expectation and I'm sure the accompanying booklet will be just as good to look at as the CDs will be to hear. I've already ordered mine from Leo's Den. Here's their info on the release.
Brian Bennett
Voyage - 2CD Set
PRE-ORDER March 26th Release.
12.99 GBP + Worldwide Shipping
It is so good to see that Warren has completed one of the many wonderful projects he has in the pipeline. This has been released with Brian’s blessing and Warren who worked closely with Cherry Red to complete, this 2-CD edition of VOYAGE. This release boasts the addition of previously unissued working mixes of the album, plus the rare 7” edits from the single ‘Pendulum Force’.
In 1978, inspired by the Disco boom, and particularly the space age Disco records emanating from the continent, Brian recorded what he described as “A Journey Into Discoid Funk”. Housed in a striking, colourful sleeve depicting – appropriately enough – a spaceship, VOYAGE was a departure for Bennett, serving up infectious, cosmic disco/jazz/funk with a nod towards his earlier, funky library work.
Fast forward to the noughties, when DJs, crate diggers and hip-hop artists are busy sampling old funk and disco records, a new generation discovered VOYAGE. These new fans of the LP had no knowledge of Brian’s past pedigree: they just heard funky breaks and beats, ensuring original copies of VOYAGE are now valuable.
Key track ‘Solstice’ has been sampled by around 60 different artists, including Kanye West, Nas, Madlib. Other tracks from the album to have been sampled include ‘Ocean Glide’ and ‘Chain Reaction’.
Please note if you order this release with any other title, the whole order will be shipped together in March. Thank you.
Track Listing:
DISC ONE
1. VOYAGE
2. SOLSTICE
3. CHAIN REACTION
4. PENDULUM FORCE
5. AIR QUAKE
6. OCEAN GLIDE
DISC TWO
1. PENDULUM FORCE (7” Edit)
2. OCEAN GLIDE (7” Edit)
3. VOYAGE (working mix) *
4. SOLSTICE (working mix) *
5. CHAIN REACTION (working mix) *
6. PENDULUM FORCE (working mix) *
7. AIR QUAKE (working mix) *
8. OCEAN GLIDE (working mix) *
* previously unissued
Also available on CD and LP WITHOUT the extras versions.