Thank God It's Friday Paper Sleeve

Well, for anyone wondering: This Limited Edition Mini-LP Papersleeve reissue is a work of art, and THIS IS DEFINITELY A HIGH-DEFINITION REMASTER! So much so, it felt like the first time hearing this soundtrack really for the first time. From pressing "play", you will immediately hear, without question, the BEST version of the TGIF soundtrack to own. Sonically, this is the equivalent to sitting in a theater watching a Digital 3-D HD film on a Digital screen. It sounds like the aural equivalent of that. The perfect balance of laser-like clarity, incredible, punchy bass, and balanced yet nuanced (in the best way) spatial differentiation. I'm the very proud owner of many Japanese SHM-CDs and Blu-spec CDs and a few domestic HDCDs, and this is most definitely on the same level as them, and may have an advantage over a couple of those formats. I am very relieved to know that we have an alternative to the very pricey Japanese Mini pressings. I think this French branch may be related to Universal Music's acquiring of EMI's catalog over the last year, and is part of the diversification of the profits between that one entity, to avoid a music monopoly. I am aware that some of Culture Factory's reissues have been disliked by some owners, but, I can very safely tell anyone waffling on purchasing this particular item that THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM! I'm an audiophile (I guess since I was in single-digits without knowing it at the time), and I am ecstatic with this edition. It represents a bar by which many future purchases will be judged. I hope the other albums I get from Culture Factory are of this calibre (or at least remastered by the same engineers). Yes, there is a typo w/ the second papersleeve for the second disc, which does make it harder to know the recording history, sequencing, producers, etc., which makes it essential to keep the French Obi strip, which includes just a little bit of info. It also would be easier to keep the Obi if it came in a permanent shrink wrap covering that some apparently come with; but these are minor issues compared to the greatness we're getting and for the VERY REASONABLE selling-price. So, Disco/soundtrack/audio fans, RUN, DON'T WALK and buy this great soundtrack before they're all sold!

After a long delay, this 2013 remastered version finally came out and I must say the long wait is definitely worth it. This 2013 cd version (high definition remastering 96khx/24-bit) is a marked improvement on the sound quality of the first cd version under the Casablanca label released by Mercury Records which had such a weak recording level and weak bass. This 2013 version is such a delight to listen to because the sound quality is superb and glorious. Clarity is so evident you get to hear and appreciate the instruments used in each song. The listening experience is like reliving the 70s all over again when disco ruled. I owned a vinyl copy of this album which I played over and over again and still keep up to now. In terms of packaging, I still prefer the first cd version because it had no pretensions of trying to replicate anything. It was in a simple double cd jewel case with a wonderful foldable insert containg complete song information on all 19 songs. Unfortunately, this 2013 paper-sleeve version is NOT a replica of the original vinyl version. On the cardboard sleeve for Disc 2, song information on Side 3 and 4 is MISSING. Instead, it shows the Je T'Aime song information which is already shown in the middle portion of the cd cardboard case. Why is there redundant information? When you say replica, this means EXACTLY like the original and this is not. Still, I give this remastered 2013 cd 5 stars for it's superb, glorious sound. This is really how the TGIF soundtrack should be heard by one and all especially by the new generation to enhance their appreciation of disco (dance) music. Of course, this soundtrack includes the show-stopping "Last Dance" by legendary dance diva and Queen of Disco Donna Summer. The song went on to win a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song for songwriter Paul Jabara (Donna won Best R & B Female Vocal Performance) and the ultimate Oscar for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture. Bravo!

I really can't add much that hasn't been covered by other reviewers other than to say that the sound quality, though not bad on the previous 2-CD release of THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY SOUNDTRACK, has been really improved. The separation and clarity of the instruments and vocals is really dynamic and I noticed it immediately especially on the song, "Take It To The Zoo" by Sunshine (a group formed by Donna Summer's sisters from what I read). It almost sounded like a different song because of the clarity; in fact the whole track list sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Magnificent! Perhaps the only thing to complain about is the lack of any new liner notes or booklet, and I agree with reviewer @129_BPM about the picture sleeves. It's a small gripe but the first issued 2-CD of TGIF came with a five panel fold out with pictures from the movie that I'm guessing was more in line with the original album art. I also find it a little difficult getting the CDs back into the cardboard replica of the record cover, even though each CD comes with their own CD sleeve (but in all fairness I also have this issue with real albums, LOL, so maybe it's just me). It would've been really nice to have some updated liner notes about this movie soundtrack especially given that the soundtrack was a great success, but the movie was a flop. In fact, the song "Last Dance" performed by Donna Summer and written by Paul Jabara (who was also in the movie) would go on to win the Academy Award that year for best song. Another thing I didn't know was the inclusion of a different cut of Diana Ross's "Lovin', Livin' And Givin'" -- actually the original version that was on the album release -- that was replaced when TGIF first came out on CD (thanks @129_BPM). Anyway, definitely pick it up before it goes out-of-print again.

One of my favorite albums. So glad I got it on CD!

c'est la copie du master tape pour les vinyles d'origines sauf pour le titre de Diana Ross qui est en version longue sur le vinyle et en version courte sur le CD. (c'est le seul bémol...) Sinon, très bonne re-masterisation normalisée à 0dB, donc aux taquets !! Fans de DISCO, je vous conseille ce CD !!!

Thank God It's Friday war sozusagen die "schwarze Antwort" auf Saturday-Night Fever. Leider wurde dieser Film kein "Kassenschlager". Das ist wohl auch mit der Grund, warum es davon bisher keine deutsche Synchronfassung auf DVD gibt. Hier der Soundtrack davon.

Although the movie was a disaster, its soundtrack is regarded as being even better than Saturday Night Fever... And I agree 100% Mow about this release, I already owned the previous version on CD but couldn`t resist this one. What a beauty! if it was not for the little mistakes already mentioned in other comments, it really feels like opening the LP and discovering the albums for the first time. So just because this gave me such a great feeling of days gone by I give it a 5 star rating all the way

Questa edizione è sicuramente la migliore OST pubblicata sia per il packaging-design che per le cover contenenti i due CD che riproducono la serigrafia dei vinili (in realtà vi è stampata su di essi solo una parte) usciti sul finire degli anni '70 che per l'audio che si attesta su valori molto alti per non dire excellenti. Tra l'altro ci sono tracce che in versione digitale NON sono mai state pubblicate e qui presenti per la prima volta. D'accordo pienamente con chi mi ha preceduto nella recensione, tuttavia per la questione delle cover e serigrafie impresse sui due CD ritengo che non sia un errore di stampa. Penso che volessero fare una riproduzione solo in parte e NON completa fedele al triplo vinile di origine riproducendo quindi l'etichetta seriale "Casablanca" come appariva nei vinili all'epoca. Le riproduzioni stampate su CD fanno da esempio del lato A e B anche se in realtà sono note con dicitura "side 1 e side 2" dipende comunque dal tipo di edizione; nel mio caso questa. La stampa dei CD rispetta l'ordine sequenziale dei vinili in origine anzi per essere precisi del primo vinile e le cover sono inserite in successione esatta... fosse pure errato... il problema non sussiste. Vorrei ricordare che esiste anche la versione US doppio cd contenente un book interessante, due Cd che anche in questo caso riportano la serigrafia "Casablanca" a specchio su sfondo tutto nero. Qui curiosamente la traccia di Diana Ross è più lunga di circa un minuto come lo è nel vinile - dovessi fare un confronto, qualitativamente parlando.... beh questa editata da Culture Factory (Francia) è decisamente migliore sotto ogni aspetto! Quello che cattura maggiormente la mia attenzione comunque è l'aspetto sul fronte sonoro stereofonico che è veramente impressionante e magnifico; effetto molto dettagliato-delineato e preciso che anche a bassi volumi è un piacere ascoltare. Per darvi un'idea il cd "SATURDAY NIGHT" nemmeno si attesta su questi valori qualitativi sonori stereofonici anche se di qualità nonostante la provenienza del master. "THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY" rimane la migliore OST ri-masterizzata degli anni '70.