Tammy Payne - In Deeper Life EP - 12" Re-Up - (1996)

Cup Of Tea Records COT 018

Re-Up: Originally posted 03/09/2008.

I do not own this EP but I did download from Mick back in the day.
Apologies it is not in 320! - Kym

In 1996 this EP, written by Tammy Payne & produced by Jim Barr*, was released on the obscure Bristol label, Cup Of Tea, serving Jazz oddities like Junkwaffel & Purple Penguin. I apologise for the sizzling bacon on some tracks but I'm not aware of this vinyl being available elsewhere.

It's not as accessible as Take Me Now and gives an idea how much of a difference the Loop Mix made to the original version. One for the Jazz Heads out there. I like it, left-field and out there but it's interesting and I'm feeling it.

*Jim Barr was bass player with Portishead (1993-1997) before becoming a producer and shortly after this EP, teaming up with Tammy Payne as Sissi on Cup Of Tea in the late 90's and more recently Jukes on Twisted Nerve.

• A1 Reason
• A2 Voices
• A3 In Deeper Life
• B1 This Is Where
• B2 Voices (Seamus 'C' Horse Mix)

Download: TP-IDL.7z | Size: 23.7 MB

Tammy Payne - Do You Feel It (Like I Do) - (1992)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 19, Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD19, Talkin' Loud ‎– 866 827-2

While not as immediate and awesome as the slice of perfection that is Take Me Now, Do You Feel It (Like I Do) is a nice piece of early 90s socially conscious jazzy funk, A sound that really typified not just Talkin' Loud records but the UK underground music scene of this era.

Initially, when she first sings the line about "I had a dream" my gut feeling is to cringe, but as soon as that tried and tested jazz funk Talkin' Loud sound kicks in, you know this is gonna be wicked.

The Jazzy Feelin' mix comes courtesy of Roger Sanchez, and sounded pretty good to me at the time, but on revisiting it with my modern ears, sounds a little by the numbers? Maybe you'll feel differently.

The other version on here (in three separate varieties) comes from Mr Ceri Evans of the Brand New Heavies (and later Sunship), and is the definitive version, for my money.

Jump straight into the 12" mix (track 3) in my opinion.

Tracklist

1. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Jazzy Feelin' 7")
2. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (12")
3. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (7")
4. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Ceri Evans / Tammy Payne Dub)

Download: TP-DYFILID.7z | Filesize: 42.8 MB

Lina - It's Alright (Promo Single) - (2001)

Atlantic ‎– PRCD 300557

I posted the Gang Starr remix of It's Alright a few weeks back but didn't have the original to hand at the time, so I'm fixing that now.

This is a brilliant, funky ol' track with great production from Lina, Travis House and Jeeve with Craig Kallman & Wakeane Caffey as executive producers. I can't tell you anything about them as I really don't know!

This a step away from Lina's usual jazzy R&B territory towards a more lazy ass funk sound that is so sweet on the ear. As mentioned previously, I like this and the remix equally and both deserve to be on your playlists having a completely different vibe.

Check out the Gang Starr Remix write-up for more info else I'm just repeating myself!

If you want my thoughts, I'm not really feeling Boo-Bonic's verse so I just jump straight into the album version.

Tracklist

1. It's Alright (Radio Edit Clean)
2. It's Alright (Remix) Featuring Boo-Bonic
3. It's Alright (Album Version)
4. It's Alright (Instrumental)
5. It's Alright (Callout Hook)

Download: L-IA.7z | Filesize: 36.2MB

Raw Stylus - Pushing Against The Flow (1996)

Wired Recordings WIRED 224

Kymba says: Re-upped this magnificent CDS in 320! Over to you, Micky...

Raw Stylus was 'Class-A Sound System Soul'. Ron Aslan and Jules Brookes, released white label vinyl records into the funky London club scene which bloomed post Soul II Soul in the early 90's. The best known Raw Stylus track this side of the pond, would be Pushing Against The Flow which was originally spread about on white label, as early as 1992. At that time Debbie Ffrench was on vocal duty. When the band travelled to the US, to record with Gary Katz, Donna Gardier had replaced her. I assume the 1995 versions have retained the Ffrench vocal.

Pushing... was a big underground tune and eventually became the title track of the album. Giles Petersen named it his track of the year and Paul Weller (Jam, Style Council) claimed it 'should have been a No.1 record' in The Face. Other early singles were: Bright Lights, Big cities (White Label), Many Ways (Mo' Wax) & Use Me (Acid Jazz).

A plethora of very healthy mixes to suit almost any occasion, bloody aggravating isn't it. Dave Lee, in his Joey Negro alter-ego. turns out another disco house happy clapper in a very Jamiroquai sort of style. Alvin Speight slows things down to a swagger for a soulful funk, gate that snare baby. Yes Tosh, the Frankie Foncett Funk 12" is a superb R'n'B grind with a gangsta lean, I love the dialogue on the intro. A funky groove but ruff with what sounds like a goose punctuating every line? Personally, I still favour the Raw Stylus mixes, the Original White Label just taking the prize. The Raw Stylus Dark Mix is, without doubt, a killa groove! Sliding in with an accapella intro, it drops with a noise that sounds like a jet about to take off just prior to the baddest bass line knocks the cobwebs outta your woofers. You know when you been tango'ed! ;-)

Kymba says: I'm just updating the DL link to a 320, and I couldn't resist adding my own two cents to the above considering how much I love this track. The Frankie Foncett mixes are hot, and Mickey's "Goose" is a distorted lo-fi horn stab - it's basically a sampling, or recreation, of Craig Mack's Flava In Your Ear. That's my third favourite mix. Second fave is the very badass indeed Raw Stylus Dark Mix, but nothing beats the Original White Label Version for both Micky me - and that includes every single track on the remixes CD of this which I will be posting on here very soon.

PS - The Joey Negro versions are pretty good if house is your thang. You've gotta love that cheeky recreation of Diana Ross's anthem Love Hangover bassline too!

Overall, this is a great CDS - the original is flawless and the remixes are on point. What a sublime release.

Tracklist

1. 7" Edit
2. Raw Stylus Dark Mix
3. Original White Label
4. Joey Negro Extended Mix
5. Alvin Speights Main 12" Mix
6. Fronkie Foncett Funk 12"

Download: RS-PATF.7z| Filesize: 80.2 MB

Courtney Pine featuring Lynden David Hall - Lady Day (& John Coltrane) - (2000)

2000 - Universal Jazz ‎– 587 902-2, Blue Thumb Records ‎– 587 902-2

Darling of the British jazz scene (and beyond) Mr Courney Pine CBE is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the saxophone (and bwoy does he make that sax sing), flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and keyboards.

Establishing the influential UK band The Jazz Warriors in 1985, Courtney released the first of many solo albums the following year.

Pine was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000, and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to jazz music. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Westminster on 6 December 2004. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Southampton on 15 July 2010.

So Courtney dropped this fine cover of the Gill Scott Heron classic track back in 2000, featuring our beloved and greatly missed Lynden David Hall on vocals. What a track it turned out to be - a jazz/pseudo Drum & Bass hybrid that is sure to get you grooving. 

Courtney is such an underrated artist and backed up with Lynden's silky vocals it's a hell of a combination.

However, within just six short years of this release Lynden would no longer be with us and the UK music scene would be a poorer, less soulful place.

With no disrespect in any way meant to the mighty Courtney Pine, it is our man Dodge who really brings this track to life with his Soul Inside remix, bringing a more R&B/street soul vibe to the cut and providing the definitive version 

Dodge, Soul Vendor salutes you (and not for the first time either)! 

Enjoy!

Tracklist

1. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Radio Edit)
2. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Soul Inside Remix With Rap)
3. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Bishop Brad Club Mix)

Download: CP&LDH-LD&JC.7z | Filesize: 29.9MB

Jamiroquai - Stillness In Time - CD1 & CD2 - (1995)

Sony Soho Square ‎– 662025 2, Orenda (2) ‎– 662025 2

Some classic era Jamiroquai for you, this time with one of the strongest cuts off their second LP, Return Of The Space Cowboy.

'Stillness In Time' is a track that starts slowly, almost formulaic. In fact, back in the day it took me a while to appreciate it with my minimal attention span. I preferred Space Cowboy (the single version) and Half The Man.  However, once this kicks in it sounds fantastic! I have to say the band are on point here, rocking a dope jazz-funk groove that they started moving away from on later albums. 

Out of either mix on this disc I tend to go for the Vinyl Version as I like the slightly extended nature of it, and once that groove starts, I don't like letting it go! The other tracks are two of the David Morales mix variants. Great for the dancefloor, and timeless house clasics in their own right, but I do prefer the funky flavours of the original single mix, not included.

CD1 Tracklist

1. Stillness In Time (Radio Edit)
2. Space Cowboy (Classic Radio)
3. Space Cowboy (Classic Dub)
4. Stillness In Time (Vinyl Version)

So CD2 is one of these mini greatest hits affairs that Jamiroquai love to do.

Stillness In Time (Vinyl Version), my favourite version of this track, gets another airing. Followed up with album tracks Emergency On Planet Earth (a fave of mine), Space Cowboy and Light Years. Pretty standard stuff really.

CD2 (Greatest Hits) Tracklist

1. Stillness In Time (Vinyl Version)
2. Emergency On Planet Earth
3. Space Cowboy
4. Light Years (Radio Edit)

Download: J-SIT1&2.7z | Filesize: 87.7MB

Tammy Payne - Take me Now - (1991)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 12

Wow, what a song this one is. 

You can find this in a couple of places on the Soul vendor; Mick's already posted the 12" and I recently put up a Talkin' Loud compilation CD with it on, but here is the CDS in all its glory.

Take Me Now is such a great track. The jazzy vibes, that breakbeat underpinning it, the little "Uh!" vocal stab, and Tammy's flawless and sexy vocal performance - she really sings her ass off here - all add up to making a perfect song.

The Loop Mix is the version you'll want, being the definitive version. Forgot the edit. Who needs a shortened version of something so great? The Dub Me Now Mix is kinda nice (more on that in a moment) despite the name being misleading, but as stated, track two all the way for me.

In Heart And Mind is a nice, cool, jazzy number and well worth investigating, too.

Sadly, I don't have much trivia to share on Tammy Payne or this particular track, but looking at the sleeve there are some some things of note. Although Billy Osbourne is listed as the producer, also credited on additional production and remix are the Young Disciples as well as some of their regular crew (Brendan Lynch, Max Beesley and Demus), which is a real treat to know. I'm pretty sure that they're only involved with the Dub Me Now Mix, which isn't particularly dubby, but I wonder if they had anything to do with the Loop Mix?

According to Discogs, Tammy seemed to stop recording after 2004. Such a shame.

tracklist

1. Take Me Now (Loop Edit)
2. Take Me Now (Loop Mix) 
3. In Heart And Mind
4. Take Me Now (Dub Me Edit)

The Download Link is here: TP-TMN.7z | Filesize: 43.1MB

Raw Stylus - Change (1996)

M&G Recordings WIRED 228

Raw Stylus kicked off in London, a funk/soul/jazz outfit featuring Donna Gardier, Jules Brookes and Ron Aslan. Dominic 'Ski' Oakenfull was also in the band for a time. after leaving K-Creative. Donna Gardier replaced Deborah French who left in 1993. Originally, Raw Stylus released white label vinyl records into the London club scene in the early 90's. 1992's Pushing Against the Flow was a popular underground song and later became the title track of their album. Other singles from the same period were Bright Lights, Big Cities (White Label), Many Ways (Mo' Wax) and Use Me (Acid Jazz).

The album was recorded Stateside with Steely Dan producer Gary Katz and an array of musical talent including cameos from Donald Fagen, Bernard Purdie and the cream of New York and London Acid Jazz. The group toured as a nine piece until they split at the end of 1999. Head for Paul Waller's Mix and then search for the album.
Raw Stylus

• Radio Edit
• Album Version
• Joey Negro Vocal
• Paul Waller East Coast Mix
• Bone Krusher Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Raw Stylus Change.ZIP
Filesize: 41.38 MB

Raw Stylus - Believe In Me (1995)

Wired Recordings WIRED 220

Raw Stylus recorded an album in the US on Geffen Records who insisted that Steely Dan producer Gary Katz got involved. The music became more live orientated and they turned out a great, timeless but not particularly commercial album. It is filled with musical talent like Bernard Purdie, Donald Fagen, Randy Brecker as well as many cool players from the 90's London and New York Acid Jazz scenes. This US Billboard No.1 single, Believe In Me came off that album. They were signed to Geffen in the US who were busy promoting Beck and Wu-Tang Clan and didn't really take much notice of them.

The Album Version is still my favourite but check out the Antonio Fargasm Mix, eight minutes of R'n'B grind, waaaay cool! For the house heads, E-Smoove on the Essence Mix and Eric Kupper on the 12" Groove but none of them equal the Album Version. I'd be very interested in hearing the Kupper Old Skool & Vision Lorimer remixes if anyone has them?

• Radio Edit
• Essence Mix
• 12" Grrove
• Flava Mix
• Antonio Fargasm Mix
• Lion's Roar Mix
• Album Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Raw Stylus Believe.rar Filesize: 54.94 MB

Atmosfear - Invasion EP 1981

Elite Music DAZZ 8

The Invasion EP features a female vocal (uncredited) on an uncredited track.

The B-Side is cut into three tracks and although tracks 2 & 3 are joined together, track 2 seems to be a different track. A damn fine track, mind!
(Any info appreciated?)

• Invasion
• Alternative II
• Interplay
• Starburst (Reach Out To The Stars)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DAZZ 8 Invasion EP 1981.rar Size: 43.43 MB

Atmosfear - Motivation/Extract 1980

Elite Music DAZZ 2

Brand new Jazz Funk for 1980, hot on the heels of their success with Dancing In Outer Space, Atmosfear begin to release their work on the Elite Records label. DAZZ 1 is an Elite release for Dancing In Outer Space (originally on MCA) and DAZZ 2 is a double header....

Sure, it's not a great deal different from ...Space but that's no heartbreak?

• Motivation
• Extract

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DAZZ 2 Motivation 1980.rar Size: 23.69 MB

Corky Hale - Harp Beat 1986

Affinity Records AFF 150

Corky Hale is probably the greatest jazz harpist ever and is, apparently, considered by many jazz greats to be one of the finest musicians in Hollywood. She plays piano, harp & flute, considering herself a pianist. She played piano backing for Billie Holiday a couple of years before her demise. This album also features Randy Brecker in the brass line-up.

If I'm honest I'll say that much of this album borders on lift muzak territory but, simply for the novelty of hearing jazz played on a harp, it's a must. Her rendition of 'Roof Garden' makes it worth having IMHO.

• Nothing Higher
• Paradise
• Roof Garden
• So Much In Love
• Up In Smoke
• I'm The One
• Yesterdays
• The Best Thing

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Corky Hale - Harpbeat.rar Filesize: 65.57 MB

D'Angelo - Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine (US import) - 1996

EMI Records, E2-58570

“Wiz zeese Seee-Deees you are really spoilink us!”

That’s right, my strange accented friend, as a lot of my fellow Brits might not have been able to get their paws on this particular release. It’s an imported US CD Single of a track I’m pretty sure never got released over here in the UK.

There’s not a lot I need to say about D’Angelo, really – you all know him already. If you don’t, and you consider yourself a fan of soul music, you should be ashamed. Besides, the Boss-Man Mr P has already written about our Neo-Soul hero in previous posts (search out Brown Sugar, or Lady, or Cruisin’). However, I’ll summarise for you: blah blah D’Angelo, blah awesome, blah sexy, blah Brown Sugar blah blah Voodoo blah where the hell has he been? Blah drugs blah new album out in 2010. I Can't wait!!

Now you’re up to speed, I better tell you about this particular release.

Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine was a standout track among a bunch of standout tracks on a standout album. No, really, the Brown Sugar LP was really that good.

Understated production, great keyboard/organ work and D’Angelo at his falsetto high-note hitting best, this track slinks along at a walking pace, aided by a beautifully sung chorus and, trademark D’Angelo fashion amazing harmonies.

There are no fancy remixes, alas. No instrumental. No acapella. Just a radio edit, and an album version. The real highlight of this particular CD single, however, are two live tracks, both excellent; Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine and one non album track, Can’t Hide Love, which is my fave of the two. Recorded right here in London at our pride and joy, the Jazz Café.

Mmmmm!

• Radio Version
• Album Version
• Live Version
• Can't Hide Love

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine.zip Filesize: 21.9MB

Walter Beasley - I'm So Happy 1987

Urban Records URBX 14 DJ

Another wonderful piece of jazz based Soul from the heart of the UK Rare Groove scene. Jump On It is a Lionel Job produced instrumental by saxophonist Walter Beasley. It sits nicely alongside 3 mixes of I'm So Happy, produced by Job & Beasley. Walter Beasley’s musical journey began in the early 1970s in his hometown of el Centro, California. When his aunt gave him his first Grover Washington, Jr. record at age nine. By his early teens, Beasley was playing saxophone in various bands around Southern California. One of the top five best-selling African-American saxophonists in the world since the late 90’s, Beasley has performed with contemporary jazz and R&B icons Brian McKnight, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Norman Brown, George Howard, Art Porter, Stephanie Mills, Vanessa Williams and Rachelle Ferrell.

Considered by most as “the heir to Grover Washington Jr.’s throne,” the Boston-based musician has been one of the ten highest selling saxmen in the world since 1998 while working as a full professor of music at The Berklee School of Music, where he began teaching in the mid-80s.

• I'm So Happy (12" Remix)
• I'm So Happy (Dub)
• I'm So Happy (7" Version)
• Jump On It

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Walter Beasley.rar Filesize: 30.64 MB

Tammy Payne - Take Me Now 1991

Talkin' Loud TLKX 12

In 1991 there was a whole heap of dance, trance, house, garage (uplifting vocal house at this point in time), rave not to mention the new style soon to arrive 'bass, breaks & bleeps' On the other side of the fence hip hop, trip hop, rap & acid jazz.... Hmmm?

From this Acid Jazz genre came Talkin' Loud Records who had the foresight to release this beautiful song with a jazzy lilt. Tammy Payne is a name I'm familiar with but I know very little about her. Take Me Now, written by Tammy & produced by Billy Osbourne*, came from nowhere and after another release, Do You Feel It (Like I Do), that had little impact she disappeared again. I believe she featured on some of Smith & Mighty's songs before hooking up with Jim Barr for some obscure releases on Cup Of Tea and Twisted Nerve Records.

*Billy Osbourne is the brother of Jeffrey Osbourne, and an original member of L.T.D.
Thanks Mr V. ;-)

• Take Me Now (Loop Mix)
• Take Me Now (Loop Instrumental)
• In Heart And Mind

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Tammy Payne - Take Me Now.rar Size: 19.9 MB