Billboard

Billboard

July 28, 2001

Declarations of Independents

by Chris Morris

Cool In The Pool: The niftiest reissue we’ve seen recently is a classy new version of the Swimming Pool Q’s’ 1981 album, The Deep End, on Atlanta-based DB Recs. This 20th anniversary collection contains the original album, which still sounds fresh, sophisticated, and inventive, augmented by 12 bonus tracks. Perhaps the best feature of all is vocalist/guitarist/saxophonist Jeff Calder’s intelligent, detailed liner notes, which serve as a thumbnail history of Atlanta’s vibrant music scene in the early ‘80s (and include such fascinating info as the fact that the opening act at the Q’s album release party was none other than R.E.M.). A first rate example of what a top-notch reissue should be, The Deep End is distributed by Redeye.