Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BEWITH158LP


Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

140 Gram Vinyl.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-09-22

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4251804141970


Total Cap

Black LP

Artist

Bobby Caldwell

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Be With Records

Restored classics, rare finds, and sought-after releases. Whether you're a vinyl enthusiast or a tape collector, we have something for everyone.

Reissues

Be With Records is a reissue record label that specializes in officially licensing and releasing vinyl records. They focus on making music available that is currently unavailable or has never been released on vinyl before. The label works closely with artists to ensure they have as much input as they desire.
Their mission is to bring *unreleased* gems and forgotten classics back into the spotlight, allowing music lovers to experience these timeless tracks in their original format. Be With Records carefully selects each release, ensuring the highest quality sound and packaging for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
With an extensive catalog spanning various genres, *artists* from Be With Records have gained recognition for their contributions to the world of music. From soulful melodies to funky beats, their releases offer a diverse range of sounds that appeal to a wide audience. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to vinyl, Be With Records offers something special for everyone.

Newest Listed Items

Bobby sadly passed away on 23rd March 2023, after a long struggle with
mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, due to an adverse effect from a
fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The reissue of his wonderful eponymous album will
be available on vinyl across the globe, ensuring that fans of his incomparable
talent - and soul music enthusiasts worldwide - can radiate in the deep beauty
of this seminal album. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis
and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possible
quality at Record Industry in Holland


Known principally as a smooth titan of blue-eyed soul, Bobby Caldwell
transcended genre tags with consummate ease; he was a musical icon of real
class and versatility, cherished the world over. Tragically passing away in
March 2023 at the too young age of 71, it still feels as if Bobby's true artistry is
profoundly under-appreciated. His double platinum self-titled album from 1978
is a timeless masterpiece of sophisticated jazzy soul brilliance and is strictly
canonical. Yes, it's perfect, yet it's been out of press on vinyl for years. We're
deeply honoured to present the long-awaited reissue this summer.


Whilst Ned Doheny is known in Japan as "Mr California", native New Yorker
Bobby Caldwell has always been "Mr AOR" to his Far-Eastern friends. His
distinct charm is an irresistible blend of soul, jazz, and pop influences. He
possessed phenomenal songwriting prowess, smooth vocal performances,
was both a great soul guitarist and dextrous keyboard player and known for
genius chord progressions. It all added up to a multi-layered brilliance entering
the studio, and the singular sound he landed on was laced with soulful,
sweeping strings and funky horns, touching lightly on disco, while allowing his
supple voice to carry the stunning tracks he'd crafted.


String-swept opener "Special To Me" immediately sets the tone with its lush
instrumentation, rich harmonies, and Caldwell's velvety-smooth vocals. Next
up, a huge one. The infectious, mid-tempo bounce of "My Flame" showcases
Caldwell's ability to effortlessly blend catchy pop hooks with soulful
arrangements. It's an exquisite, emotive ballad that, at the same time,
absolutely SLAPS. Game recognise game, and all that, so, accordingly,
Notorious B.I.G. memorably ran with “My Flame” for his 1997 single “Sky’s
The Limit”. The rolling, disco-very "Love Won't Wait" is a slick, uptempo track
containing heartfelt lyrics intertwined with elegant strings and a horn section to
die for. Aching - and achingly cool - single "Can't Say Goodbye" is a real fan
favourite, and it's no surprise. It's a laconic, slow-mo jazz-funk stepper, with
fantastic, very deliberate playing that closes out the A Side quite exceptionally.
"Come To Me" slows proceedings down elegantly to open Side B before the
universally agreed-upon masterpiece enters proceedings.


"What You Won't Do for Love," the standout hit that became a classic in its
own right, perfectly captured Bobby's ability to infuse a contagious groove with
introspective and relatable lyrics. With its instantly recognisable horn riff and
Caldwell's soulful delivery, this timeless, chiller anthem continues to captivate
audiences and define his musical legacy. He scored huge with the track,
taking over the pop and R&amp;B airways with this mellow soul stepper. It has
remained a perennial favourite and has been heavily sampled, such is its
unique allure; Aaliyah sang over snatches of it on "Age Ain’t Nothing But A
Number" and you can hear Caldwell’s vocal sample used for the hook on
Tupac’s posthumously released “Do For Love”.


Upon submitting the finished album to his label, they requested more material
in hope of a big single. As Bobby remembered to Wax Poetics a few years
ago: “Now at this point, I’m mentally exhausted...and bear in mind that I got so
close to all the songs I’d written. I gave each song a profound amount of
thought, and maybe too much. So, in haste, I went in and cut this song, "What
You Won’t Do For Love". Wrote it in a day, cut the rhythm track, overdubbed
the horns, I sang the song, and literally turned it in three days after. And lo and
behold, the one song I gave the least thought to,” Bobby laughed, “ended up
being a national anthem.”


The mysterious, magical "Kalimba Song" is a cosmic, kalimba-driven melodic-
funk instrumental - short but oh, so sweet. It's followed by the supreme tear-
jerker "Take Me Back To Then", Bobby's otherworldly voice deeply longing for
a simpler time, "when life was mellow". I think we can all get behind this
sentiment. The final cut is arguably its deepest, its low-key finest moment. For
us, it is, anyway. The glorious, driving, effortlessly funky guitar-soul jam "Down
For The Third Time" is a huge melancholic Be With favourite and has been
played by discerning genre-hopping DJs with significant glee for years.
Hypnotic, melodic, beautiful. Like the album it elegantly rounds out.


Music GB

Discover Bobby Caldwell by Bobby Caldwell. The long-awaited reissue of his timeless masterpiece is now available on vinyl. Meticulously remastered and cut, this album showcases his soulful vocals and brilliant songwriting. Formats: Vinyl. Label: Be With Records.