For those that have bought all the top rated Robert Palmer albums and have not heard this one, what were you thinking? This is in my opinion is thee best album that he had recorded, 'One Last Look' is a true love rock soul song and 'Spanish Moon' is a superb version. 'What Can You Bring Me' alone sells this cd but once you sit down and listen you will listen over and over. I burned out my album when this was issued and I'll probley do the same to this disc, the line up of musicians is great with many members of "Little Feat" complimenting Palmers soulful voice. I think you will find this one of his finest and one of the most under rated. God Bless Robert Palmer..

Unfortunately this is yet another batch of "remasters" that follows the trend of mastering the music for earbuds and not a proper stereo system. The music is compressed, tinny and shrill. The low end is virtually nonexistent.

If you care about the quality of sound in your music and are a fan of Robert Palmer's catalog you would be doing yourself a disservice by getting these 2011 editions. I suggest you hunt down the original Island Records compact discs from the early 90's. They still sound quite good. I know because I went running back to them after hearing these.

Updated for new limited edition release in vinyl replica packaging:

The reissue by Culture Factory is notable for bringing a classic album back into print after being absent for a long time.

It does have some issues however. The remaster is brighter and a bit more shrill compared to the previous CD and also features some compression applied to the recording which does destroy some of the dynamic range of the original recording. Is it bad? That depends on what you're listening for, what matters to you as a listener and what you're listening to the CD on in terms of equipment.

In my opinion (and keep in mind it's just mine), this version is better than nothing but the original CD (both the Island which I've heard and the U.S. master which has its own unique mastering) are better than the Culture Factory edition. I suspect this is the Japanese remasters from a couple of years back just repurposed for this released.

For those interested you'll note that the Culture Factory touts "24 bit" mastering--it's still a 16 bit CD so while the higher definition transfer IS important what matters is how you master the recording as well.

I appreciate that Culture Factory has taken great pains to put out this terrific album again (and this edition is limited to 3000 copies)but I'd recommend the original CD pressing before the Culture Factory edition. Nevertheless, if you can't find the original CD edition, the remaster is an second option (or a vinyl needle drop).

I'd give the remaster 3 stars.

ORIGINAL CD Mastering (U.S. Edition)

If you come to "Some People Can Do What They Like" expecting

with its big hit single "Addicted to Love" or

with "Simply Irresitible" you'll be surprised but not disappointed. Early in Robert Palmer's career he was a musical omnivore--devoring a variety of genres as a kid he didn't see barriers when it came to musical styles. So "Some People" like it's two immediate predecessors ("

and

) features elements of Funk, R&B, Rock, Reagge and other musical genres in a fascinting, potent mix that gives this album a timeless quality.

Working with the members of Little Feat (one of Palmer's favorite bands), The Meters and studio pros, Palmer and producer Steve Smith assembled a strong, cohesive album that varies from older material ("Man Smart, Woman Smarter"), covers of newer material (Lowell George's "Spanish Moon")and originals ("Gotta Get A Grip, Part II")that was largely ignored because of the lack of a major hit single. That's too bad because while the follow up album

was also very good (and had a major hit single with "Every Kinda People"), it isn't quite as strong as Palmer's third album.

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EDITION:

The original CD mastering sounded extremely good and the MP3 appears to use the same mastering. I had the opportunity to compare them when a friend played me the downloaded version. It sounds pretty good for what it is (although it isn't quite as good as the CD lacking the original analog feel of the original album and doesn't quite have the depth of the CD--it is, however, very close). Unfortunately, we don't get any bonus tracks (Palmer's back catalog was remastered and issued on CD a couple of years back in a limited edition Japanese boxed set but that set also lacked bonus tracks and the mastering suffered from some issues with compression for those that care)and I'm at a loss as to why Palmer's back catalog hasn't received the attention it deserves (Particularly given that there is a bit of an 80's craze again and Palmer's biggest hits were during the 80's).

Highly recommended.

It is being remastered and is being rereleased. You don't have to pay 90 dollars. Take the time and shop around. Only 15.75

Palmer released his first solo album 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley' recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1974, was heavily influenced by the music of Little Feat and the funk fusion of The Meters who acted as backing band along with producer/guitarist Lowell George. Both the album and single reached the Top 100 in the US. Of note is the fact that "Sailin' Shoes" (the album's first track), Palmer's own "Hey Julia" and the Allen Toussaint-penned title track carry virtually the same rhythm, and were packaged on the album as a "trilogy" without a pause between them.

Relocating from London to New York with his wife, Palmer released 'Pressure Drop' in November 1975 (featuring Motown bassist James Jamerson). An album that displayed his interests in reggae and rock music, He toured with Little Feat to promote that album.

That brings us to this album 'Some people can do what they like' the extensive line-up for this album included, Robert Palmer - vocals, Chuck Rainey - bass, Paul Barrere - guitar, background vocals, Chilli Charles - timbales, Pierre Brock - bass, Greg Carroll - harmonica, Sam Clayton - percussion, background vocals, Robert Greenidge - steel drums & pans, Freddie Harris - guitar, Richard Hayward - drums, Carol Kaye - guitar, Jody Linscott - percussion, Conductor, Jeff Porcaro - drums, Bill Payne - keyboards, background vocals, James Allen Smith - keyboards, Freddie Wall - guitar, Michael "Spider" Webb - drums, William D. "Smitty" Smith - keyboards, Arthur Smith - ocarina, penny whistle.

Musically it follows on from the first two albums (not a bad thing) being once again a quirky mix of New Orleans/Reggae/Caribbean/with touches of rock music.

Tracks

"One Last Look" (Bill Payne, Fran Tate) - 4:22

"Keep in Touch" (Robert Palmer) - 3:25

"Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" (David Kleiber) - 2:35

"Spanish Moon" (Lowell George) - 5:58

"Have Mercy" (Don Covay) - 3:50

"Gotta Get a Grip on You, Pt. II" (Robert Palmer, Alan Powell) - 3:57

"What Can You Bring Me" (James Gadson) - 3:43

"Hard Head" (John Watson) - 4:30

"Off the Bone" (Phil Brown, Robert Palmer, S. Smith) - 2:18

"Some People Can Do What They Like" (Robert Palmer) - 4:09

'Once Last Look' the opening track is smooth soul (almost Philly in sound) that actually wouldn't be out of place on a Boz Scaggs album.

This is followed by a Palmer original 'Keep In Touch' starts with a funky New Orleans bass, drums back-beat then opens up to a funky shuffle-beat song, stunning.

'Man Smart, (Women Smarter)' written by a David Kleiber which I believe was a pseudonym of budget records entrepreneur David Miller, anyway a sunny Caribbean tune and a minor hit (46 in the UK in 1977).

'Spanish Moon' follows, written by Lowell George, and backed by what sounds like Little Feat, although they all played on the album I don't have specific listings of who played on what, beautiful shuffling funky New Orleans beat.

'Have Mercy' a Don Covay song is up next a staccato piano led song that once again wouldn't sound out of place on a Little Feat album.

'Gotta Get a Grip on You, Pt. II' another Palmer co-write utilising the New Orleans shuffling funky beat.

'What Can You Bring Me' was written by top session drummer James Gadson and it shows in an upbeat funky drummer led song I don't know who drummed on this but I'm sure he didn't let Gadson down.

'Hard Head' written by John Watson (never heard of him) a gentle reggae beat brings forward a gentle reggae song maybe an album filler.

'Off The Bone' a Palmer co-write and instrumental with a Caribbean flavour...........nice.

Last track now and the title track of the album 'Some people can do what they like' another Palmer original and starts off like a track off Feat's Dixie Chicken album but by the time Palmer sings it sounds like a train moving down the track bringing the album to an end.

This album in my opinion is the third great album produced by Palmer, yes he achieved chart and commercial success further down the line in a more 'rock' surrounding but his first three albums will always be his greatest achievement to me.