{"product_id":"ocean-potion","title":"Ocean Potion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Leach's\u003c\/strong\u003e Balearic beach-funk beast \u003cem\u003eOcean Potion\u003c\/em\u003e, recorded with the Crystal Grass Orchestra, is an absolutely ace, \u003cstrong\u003eNed Doheny\u003c\/strong\u003e-adjacent funky AOR \/ blue-eyed soul BBQ classic from 1976.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWho is \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Leach\u003c\/strong\u003e, you ask? None other than \u003cstrong\u003eSeasick Steve\u003c\/strong\u003e in a previous life! A French-only release on Philips, it's a hugely immediate, pop-funk firecracker. It features a wonderfully lush, full orchestral sound throughout, underpinning Steve's gorgeous voice and an army of brilliant backing vocalists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe supporting cast is phenomenal and is arguably the salient reason this is such a fantastic record. We're talking legendary players from the French scene (think Arpadys, Voyage, Kongas, CCPP, Giant, Swing Family) such as \u003cstrong\u003eDon Ray\u003c\/strong\u003e with his arranger-conductor hat on as well as synths, \u003cstrong\u003eMarc Chantereau\u003c\/strong\u003e on percussion, \u003cstrong\u003eSlim Pezin\u003c\/strong\u003e on guitar, \u003cstrong\u003eAndré Ceccarelli\u003c\/strong\u003e on drums, \u003cstrong\u003eChristian Padovan\u003c\/strong\u003e on bass and \u003cstrong\u003ePierre Halation\u003c\/strong\u003e on flute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith these snakes behind the scenes, it remains a mystery how \u003cem\u003eOcean Potion\u003c\/em\u003e is so relatively unknown. Hopefully, this long overdue reissue rectifies this and puts a stop to people dropping £200 on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTriumphant, horn-forward opener \"\u003cem\u003eThe Light Of The Mind\u003c\/em\u003e\" has that uniquely \u003cstrong\u003eNed Doheny\u003c\/strong\u003e fidgety funk feel with a fantastically irresistible chorus and great harmonies. Just magic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe insouciant, swaggering \"\u003cem\u003eHey! Hey! What You Doin To Me\u003c\/em\u003e\" is straight up white-hot feel-good funk with by turns sweeping and stabbing strings and a neck-snapping break. Crucial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComing off like something off The Beach Boy's Surf's Up or Holland (including a sneaky \"reason to live\" reference that surely nods to \"The Trader\") is the brilliantly ominous, driving wall of sound of \"\u003cem\u003eTake Strength\u003c\/em\u003e\". Cavernous drums, urgent strings and a staggeringly good vocal performance make this a real highlight amongst an album of highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe blissful folk-funk of \"\u003cem\u003eThe Lady Of The Sea\u003c\/em\u003e\" is a real naked heartbreaker, melancholic vibes and a beautiful flute line complementing each other perfectly. Side A closes out with \"\u003cem\u003eAll My Life\u003c\/em\u003e\", a groovy island-funk white-reggae-tinged lilter which just about lands the right side of acceptable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSide B opens with the gorgeous \"\u003cem\u003eYou're The Only One Girl\u003c\/em\u003e\" before the propulsive Philly soul of \"\u003cem\u003eAt Least We Got Love\u003c\/em\u003e\" elegantly glides into focus. Pulsing beats and piano working with that irresistible orchestra of grass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGlacial ballad \"\u003cem\u003eAll Love's Children\u003c\/em\u003e\" has a deep New Orleans soul feel that truly soars whilst the breezy \"\u003cem\u003eGet Out In The Sun\u003c\/em\u003e\" owes a debt to \"Crocodile Rock\". It's pure pop for now people and wouldn't have been out of place on a late 70s \u003cstrong\u003eNick Lowe\u003c\/strong\u003e effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeep late-period Beach Boys gem \"\u003cem\u003eGolden Hues\u003c\/em\u003e\" is another heavy melancholic downlifter that really beguiles before the real reason you're all here. Pastoral closer \"\u003cem\u003eI Meditate Each Day\u003c\/em\u003e\" is just beautiful, and likely the reason this reissue is giving you that special feeling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother gorgeous flute-led, folk-funk groover, it featured in a memorable mix from the Creme2laCreme crew (\u003cstrong\u003eRaphael Top-Secret\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJerome Qpchan\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eAntoine Kogut\u003c\/strong\u003e) live on Red Light Radio over a decade ago and has been top of many heads' wants list never since. Just mellow out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs ever, the audio for \u003cem\u003eOcean Potion\u003c\/em\u003e has been carefully remastered by \u003cstrong\u003eBe With\u003c\/strong\u003e regular \u003cstrong\u003eSimon Francis\u003c\/strong\u003e, ensuring it sounds better than ever. \u003cstrong\u003eCicely Balston\u003c\/strong\u003e's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at Record Industry in Holland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original, iconic sleeve featuring a topless \u003cstrong\u003eSteve\u003c\/strong\u003e reclining next to his piano on a flatbed truck on the beach (of course?!) has been restored here at \u003cstrong\u003eBe With HQ\u003c\/strong\u003e as the finishing touch to this long overdue reissue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Be With Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531187786059,"sku":"2218871","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/BEWITH169LP_abebda1c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728097814","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/ocean-potion","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}