Angel – The Casablanca Years 7 CD 2018

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With the just released new, strong ANGEL album, many asked for this Caroline Records extensive, mammoth 7-disc Box Set celebrating the legendary early discography of the Washington DC-bred glam/rock outfit. Entitled “Angel: The Casablanca Years“, the band-approved Box includes all the complete discography with the record label, remastered, plus a bonus disc ‘Rarities’ with songs available for the first time on CD.

Formed in Washington DC in the mid ’70s, Angel were allegedly discovered playing in a nightclub by bassist Gene Simmons, and subsequently signed Kiss’ then label Casablanca. A big lush sound and the band dressed in white, they stood out in more ways than one. And their label has rotational symmetry too – it reads the same upside down.

The original line-up comprised vocalist Frank DiMino, guitarist Punky Meadows, bassist Mickie Jones, drummer Barry Brandt and keyboard player Gregg Giuffria.
The eponymous debut had some progressive roots too. The mix of acoustic and electric guitars with layered keyboards courtesy of Giuffria and even occasional flute make for a big sound, and the big vocals have range and power that overlay the strings well.

The second (and better known) album ‘Helluva Band’ was even bigger, and although a little more mainstream it featured Gregg’s ivory in a bigger role, at times a nod to Keith Emerson in his playing.
Some of the tracks are quite gentle, but aren’t without their charm, and there’s some blistering guitar work too.

Third album ‘On Earth As It Is In Heaven’ was the last to feature bassist Jones. The album was produced by the legendary Eddie Kramer.
The record kicks off much heavier, it’s solid and there’s some great tracks. Crunchy at times, commercial at others.

1978’s ‘White Hot’, one of the band’s most mainstream, commercial and successful outputs, featured new bassist Felix Robinson. The track ‘Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Any More’ was a minor hit, very radio friendly.
Compare this and the debut and they’re a mile apart, but listen to the albums in order and the journey seems obvious.

By 1979 and ‘Sinful’, their fifth (and final, before reformations) studio album, was their more melodic rock / AOR yet, but still had some serious rock’n’roll moments. Going a similar way to Kiss at the time. The piano on ‘LA Lady’ is almost American FM radio / AOR with a bluesy foundation

The double album ‘Live Without A Net’ is one of the highlights of this Box. This is the first time this recording has been properly remastered, originally a bit muddy, now sounds in all its glory.
Here, Angel hoped would do for them as Alive had done for Kiss. It actually led to their breakup. A shame. It’s a great album that had a solid setlist from across the career.
Despite the move from prog/glam to mainstream hard rock, things never worked out for Angel as the live set shows.

And the other highlight here is the bonus disc 7: ‘Rarities’.
We find the all the Angel singles – different versions of the album tracks, some remixed – B-sides, and the legendary theme song for the movie ‘Foxes’.
There’s 3 versions of ’20th Century Foxes’; the ‘Mono Mix’, the ‘Stereo’, and the original full version that appears only on the “Foxes” soundtrack (vinyl LP out of print) two minutes longer than the included into Angel’s ‘Anthology’.
Additionally, this is not the version of ’20th Century Foxes’ included as bonus track into a ‘Sinful’ reissue: here the chorus says “Running with the foxes…” instead of singing “20th century foxes…”
So, it’s exclusive to this Box.

The band’s catalogue has been compiled and reissued several times. And by Rock Candy who have done things piecemeal. This package, however, compiles the complete works, fully remastered.
The music and packaging are both excellent and this whole thing demands a place in any record collection. It’s how things should be done.
A Must

DISC ONE – ANGEL (1975)
Tower
Long Time
Rock & Rollers
Broken Dreams
Mariner
Sunday Morning
On & On
Angel (Theme)

DISC TWO – HELLUVA BAND (1976)
Feelin’ Right
The Fortune
Anyway, You Want It
Dr. Ice
Mirrors
Feelings
Pressure Point
Chicken Soup
Angel Theme

DISC THREE – ON EARTH AS IT IS ON HEAVEN (1977)
Can You Feel It
She’s A Mover
Big Boy (Let’s Do It Again)
Telephone Exchange
White Lightning
On The Rocks
You’re Not Fooling Me
That Magic Touch
Cast The First Stone
Just A Dream

DISC FOUR – WHITE HOT (1978)
Don’t Leave Me Lonely
Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
Hold Me, Squeeze Me
Over And Over
Under Suspicion
Got Love If You Want It
Stick Like Glue
Flying With Broken Wings (Without You)
You Could Lose Me
The Winter Song

DISC FIVE – SINFUL (1979)
Don’t Take Your Love
L.A. Lady
Just Can’t Take It
You Can’t Buy Love
Bad Time
Waited A Long Time
I’ll Bring the Whole World to Your Door
I’ll Never Fall In Love Again
Wild And Hot
Lovers Live On

DISC SIX – LIVE WITHOUT A NET (1980)
Tower
Can You Feel It
Don’t Leave Me Lonely
Telephone Exchange
I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
Over and Over
Anyway, You Want It
On the Rocks
Wild & Hot
All the Young Dudes
Rock & Rollers
White Lightning
Hold Me, Squeeze Me
Got Love If You Want It
Feelin’ Right
20th Century Foxes

DISC SEVEN – (BONUS MATERIAL)
Rock & Rollers – Mono Mix
That Magic Touch – Mono Mix
Winter Song – Mono Mix
Flying With Broken Wings (Without You) – Mono Mix
Don’t Leave Me Lonely – Mono Mix
Don’t Take Your Love – Mono Mix
20th Century Foxes – Mono Mix
Rock & Rollers – Single Edit
On & On – Single Edit
Tower – Single Edit
Don’t Leave Me Lonely – Single Edit
20th Century Foxes – Stereo Edit
Better Days – Single B-Side
Walk Away Renee – Anthology
Virginia – Foxes Soundtrack
20th Century Foxes – Foxes Soundtrack
The Christmas Song – Single Edit

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