Hits! [Original recording remastered, Import]

The original "Hits!" LP (1980) was a compilation of ten tracks recorded by Boz Scaggs for Columbia. With the sole exception of "Dinah Flow", a rocking minor hit from the "My Time" LP (1972), the album was centred on the music that the artist recorded during his period of greatest commercial success (from the beginning of 1974 to the end of 1980.)

The original LP reached # 24 in the US charts and went gold. "Hits!" was also issued "as is" on CD in the early stages of the "digital era."

In 2006, Columbia Legacy re-released the album in remastered sound and with new artwork and booklet.

From the original ten tracks, only "You Can Have Me Anytime" (from "Middle Man") has been deleted. Five other tracks from the same period have been added, as well as one from 1988.

The new CD now includes two smooth soul tracks from Scaggs' first commercially successful LP, "Slow Dancer" (1974) which was immaculately produced by Johnny Bristol.

Of course, Boz Scaggs would make his breakthrough with the multi-million selling "Silk Degrees" (1976). This LP was more of a pop/rock release and this may be attributed to Scaggs collaboration with guitarist Louie Shelton and with three musicians - keyboardist David Paich in particular -who later, would form Toto. No less than six tracks originate from this LP (which kind of makes it a "Best Of" in itself.)

The "Down Two Then Left" LP (1977) continued in a similar vein and went platinum but the tunes were, overall, much less distinctive. One lone track, the excellent, "Hard Times", comes from this LP (although it did not reach the Top 40).

The follow-up, "Middle Man" (1980) was harder edged, featuring Bill Schnee's shinier and more "modern" production. Guitarist Steve Lukather (from Toto) and keyboardist David Foster add a lot to the proceedings on guitar and synthesizer respectively. There are a lot more hooks and more variety in the songs featured here than on those from "Down Two Then Left". This was reflected, at the time, by two more Top 20 singles: "Jojo" and "Breakdown Dead Ahead".

During that same year, Scaggs still managed to place two more singles in the Top 20. "Look What You Done To Me", a Scaggs-Foster composition featuring Schnee, David Foster, Steve Lukather and members of the Eagles, was also featured in the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack. "Little Miss Sun", written by David Paich, was recorded with Schnee and Toto.

After so much success, most fans were surprised when Boz Scaggs embarked on some kind of sabbatical, at least on record (he continued playing concerts, although not very frequently).

Scaggs made his recording return in 1988 when he released his Stuart Levine produced "Other Roads" which would be his last Columbia album of original material (although he almost exclusively contributed words to the tunes.) From my first listen to it, I have always considered this album as his poorest and most disappointing one (it also went nowhere commercially). "Heart of Mine", the one track culled from it is, luckily, a worthy track.

"Hits!", all 64 minutes of it, is a very fine single CD introduction to the artist. It is, IMO, more suited to the casual fan wanting to hear the main hits.

When going the compilation way, more dedicated listeners will get a wider scope on Boz Scaggs' oeuvre when they buy the 2-CD "My Time: The Anthology (1969-1997)". This multi-label compilation features 153 minutes of music released not only on Columbia but also on the Atlantic, Virgin and Gray Cat labels. A lot of the earlier and later stuff released by Boz Scaggs is outstanding.

There is, however, an important caveat working against "Hits!" Actually, however good it is, I cannot see any reason to buy "Hits!" when:

- All of its 15 tracks are included in the anthology (the latter also includes the one song that was discarded from the original 10-track LP version)

- The anthology is about 2,4 times longer than "Hits!"

- The 2-CD remastered anthology and the single CD "Hits!" sell both for the VERY SAME PRICE (according to the prices listed on Amazon.uk at the time of writing this review.)

Now that you know, be wise when making your buying decision.

i never knew he had so many wonderful hits brilliant cd wonderful soulful voice i can recommend this to everybody

Boz Scaggs is one of those rare breeds in the history of music that had his own unique sound. More stylish and mainstream than Neil Young, his kind of blues and mid seventies "coolness" was as big as anything of the time. And it is fitting that a large section of this wonderful introduction to Boz should come from one of the highlights of the 70's - his blissfull "Silk Degrees" album. Tracks like Lowdown and Lido Shuffle are still fresh and exciting, and you just know live that the place will be jumping with both these tracks and others here. Some of these tracks still send a shiver down my spine, thats just how good they are and how they have stood the test of time. Buy this and impress your mates - its very very cool.