I'm looking to pick this up on vinyl soon, but am torn between these two particular versions: https://www.discogs.com/The-Congos-Heart-Of-The-Congos/release/303219 and https://www.discogs.com/Congos-Heart-Of-The-Congos/release/355091 not too bothered about the extra tracks on the second option, tbh. soooo - which of these versions are going to give me more bang for my buck? thanks in advance!
Given the choice I would get the B&F also. Having said that, I just picked up whatever version is currently in print for $15 and it does not sound terrible when compared to a lot of other reggae releases. Some of the records that were pressed by big labels sound great, but anything even a little bit off the beaten path usually sounds a little bit "lofi" shall we say. I would be very interested in a reggae best pressing thread for some of the releases by Culture, Congos, U-Roy etc.
If you aren't bothered about the extra tracks then get the Go Feet, it's an almost contemporary issue, is nicely done and pressed and costs a lot less than the BAF, at least in the real world if not on Discogs. If you want extra tracks and lovely packaging go BAF, if you want them with a nicer pressings go Simply Vinyl.
Incidentally has everyone recommending the BAF actually listened to the Go Feet? Just because the BAF is nice doesn't mean the Go Feet isn't.
June 2nd US: 40th anniversary of original or 20th anniversary of reissue: 20 years after the release of Blood & Fire’s outstanding but now deleted ‘Heart Of The Congos’ reissue, VP Records /17 North Parade release a definitive, 2017 remastered 3CD edition, put together with both respect and gratitude to that illustrious antecedent. This new deluxe 3CD edition is the first to feature the now almost impossible to find original mix of the album, unavailable since producer Lee Perry withdrew the set in 1977. Also includes the more well-known re-mix, dubs, disco mix, seven and twelve inch versions and ‘Don’t Blame It On I’ an overlooked previously unreleased track unearthed, too late to include on the Blood & Fire release, by Steve Barrow and David Katz in 1997. Look out for a featured track on the Songlines Magazine covermount CD, May 2017 issue! The Congos-Don't Blame it on I
Damn, I didn't even know about this until they mentioned it on Sound Opinions. Price ain't bad: The Congos - Heart Of The Congos - Amazon.com Music They didn't really review the sound quality though, but Greg Kot mentioned that the album was commonly released in bootleg-quality releases and to avoid those (i.e. if you're going to get it, get this version).
The Go Feat has the proper cover. If it sounded ok that would sway it for me. Can the 3xLP on VP be trusted? My VP repress of Lee Perry Roastfish was mastered at inconsistent speed. Maybe they are better today but I don't know. And what's the story concerning the mix? The VP press release says this is the first time the original mix has been available since 1977!
Yes, the very first pressing had a different mix, which has not been reissued before, but that mix is not part of the 3-LP set, only the 3-CD (it was issued separately on LP for RSD), so it's a moot point if you're looking to get the vinyl. I only have the CD set, but I think you can safely expect the LPs to be excellent. Here is the story of the different pressings and the two mixes: Upsetter Station - Out Of Africa Comes The Congoman
Reading the story – I would have thought that it was hard to get the original 53 minute full-length versions (both mixes) of the album onto an LP without compromise of sound quality, which is why, I guess, later versions had tracks shortened.
I have the Go Feet VPRL 1287 vinyl which I bought in 2015 (though Amazon lists it as release in 2010). It's about £15/$20 over here, new. It sounds OK, not great, to me! which rightly or wrongly I put down to the recording. I don't know how it compares to the Blood and Fire version, so that may well be better. (I'm happy to take Forum members expertise on that). I didn't really try to compare versions (different covers, tracks or lengths of tracks) but just got it alongside Culture's Two Sevens Clash after reading various reggae threads.
Dear all, I hope I put my topic in the right forum as it's about how to select a preferred label. I would like to get hold of the (vinyl) album "Heart of the Congos" by The Congos. At discogs there is a really large list of vinyl releases: The Congos - Heart Of The Congos The first affordable release of this album seems to be this one: The Congos - Heart Of The Congos The label is Go-Feet-Records. I'm just wondering if there are any audible differences between the different labels / releases? How do you select your records when there are so many labels / releases? (I always try to select the oldes affordable record as - until now - it seems older releases seem to sound better in general) Kind regards, J.