With the emergence of the UK Acid Jazz scene in the late 80's came a new style.
Although they were included with the Acid Jazz line up, they were of a different breed. Barrie looked strange enough for Acid Jazz but their smooth-grooved easy-paced dancefloor beast was way too infectious for the Camden scene. Groundbeat never made it further than Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe, although they did have more than one release. If you read the small print you may recognise a few names. Tim Lever & Mike Percy strike again with One World Productions and Andrew Levy & Simon Bartholomew would fare well with The Brand New Heavies but they are in the groove here too. It still feels timeless twenty years on.
On the flip we have a very credible cover of the Sweet Charles classic 'Yes It's You' by Diana Brown and The Brothers. Published by Tuf Records in 1987 and produced by R.S. Digital, you get the distinct impression that this is jam and everybody's having a good time.
"We call this style Groundbeat but it don't matter!"It was more cool music with a lot of funk, a touch of jazz and a heart full of soul. The Masterplan is actually credited to Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe. Some say Barrie K. Sharpe as a DJ, started the Rare Groove phenomenon in the UK. He was at the forefront as a promoter with Cat in the Hat and WAG, a designer with Duffers and Sharpeye and as a recording artist with Diana Brown and The Brothers. The Brothers were a retro funk crew (possibly just studio musicians) fronted by Diana Brown. Together Diana & Barrie created ‘The Masterplan.’
Although they were included with the Acid Jazz line up, they were of a different breed. Barrie looked strange enough for Acid Jazz but their smooth-grooved easy-paced dancefloor beast was way too infectious for the Camden scene. Groundbeat never made it further than Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe, although they did have more than one release. If you read the small print you may recognise a few names. Tim Lever & Mike Percy strike again with One World Productions and Andrew Levy & Simon Bartholomew would fare well with The Brand New Heavies but they are in the groove here too. It still feels timeless twenty years on.
On the flip we have a very credible cover of the Sweet Charles classic 'Yes It's You' by Diana Brown and The Brothers. Published by Tuf Records in 1987 and produced by R.S. Digital, you get the distinct impression that this is jam and everybody's having a good time.
- The Masterplan (Extended Version)
- Yes It's You
Filename: Diana Brown.rar Filesize: 24.18 MB
"WITHOUT PAIN THERE’S NO STRUGGLE
WITHOUT STRUGGLE THERE’S NO CONFLICT
WITHOUT CONFLICT THERE’S NO CHANGE
WITHOUT CHANGE THERE’S NO PROGRESSION"
Barrie K. Sharpe
