Azizi - Trouble 1991

Arista Records 211 685

Azizi are Nanci Williams and Eileen McKoy, about whom I know little but they seem to be a project. The names that crop up on the vinyl are production by Alun (with a 'U') Lane & Ted Hayton and additional production or remix by Phil Bodger.

For my part, in 1991 Midnight Lover (Young Girl) got played on Essex FM and I thought it was good. I heard no more about them but found the album 'Trouble' purely by chance, some time later.

Thanks Saleiz for pointing out the obvious reference (when you know) to Minnie Ripperton's 1975 'Adventures In Paradise' album.

I also found that my favourite track from the album, the Slam Jam Phil Bodger tweaked 'Don't Say That It's Over' was released with Frankie Knuckles remixes.

Thanks to Finest Def Mix for making it available. ;-)

• Midnight Lover (Young Girl)
• Don't Say That It's Over
• Sweet Thing
• Evermore
• Don't Make Me Wait
• Trouble
• Free
• Things Are Not The Way
• I Betcha
• (They Long To Be) Close To You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Azizi - Trouble.rar
Filesize: 73.09 MB

Nu Colours - Power 1992

Wild Card Records CARDD 3

Nu Colours were the gospel group and looked likely to make a cross over into the mainstream. The Gospel group comprising Lain Gray (Lain provided some great vocals for Jason Chue a.k.a. Wookie on 'Battle' amongst many others), Lawrence Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Patricia Knight and the legendary Fay Simpson.

Fay is one of the most experienced singers on the UK gospel scene. She honed her craft growing up in the Church of God of Prophecy in Harlesden, north west London, and at 19 joined Nu Colours, who had a deal with a secular label. She left the group in 1995 and began song writing and vocal arranging.

After singing on the UK gospel circuit, Lain Gray was asked to join premier gospel outfit Nu Colours in 1991, Lawrence Johnson, founder member of the group, was calling Lain for auditions saying he was putting some band together. Later he said, 'Oh, in case you don't get this, would you be interested in being involved with Nu Colours?'

Power is written by producer Ian Green and group vocalists Lawrence Johnson & Fay Simpson with Monie Love writing and performing the rap. The Evergreen Mix is the Ian Green single release while the Garage Mix and Underground Dub are remixed by Paul Gotel, the dub is a Well Hung Parliament mix along with his sidekick, Spencer Williams.

Tears is the Frankie Knuckles Instrumental which is somewhat odd as it was originally a Frankie Knuckles & Satoshi Tomiie song and without Nu Colours vocals it still is, even though its produced by V Outfit.

• Power (Evergreen Mix)
• Power (Garage Mix)
• Tears (FK Instrumental)
• Power (Underground Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nu Colours.rar Filesize: 31.89 MB

Frankie Knuckles - It's Hard Sometimes 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 52

Produced by Frankie Knuckles & John Poppo. Written and performed by Frankie along with Danny Madden & Satoshi Tomiie and featuring the wonderful vocal talent of Shelton Becton. It's Hard Sometimes, if I remember correctly, was the introduction to Frankie Knuckles forthcoming album, Beyond The Mix, and boy, did it get a fond welcome. I personally thought it was his best for awhile, until he released Rain Falls.

The beauty of the David Morales Classic Club Mix is in the speed. Slow and soulful with a painfully slow but irresistible House groove. It also features the most gorgeous piano solo, probably played bt Satoshi Tomiie although Eric Kupper, Terry Burrus & Peter 'Ski' Schwartz are also credited but not 'who done what'? The Alternate 12" Mix is more what you would expect, riding on a mid tempo groove but leaving out the piano. I have no idea why it fades with only a minute left. It seems totally pointless but doesn't spoil the listening experience much. If you like to mix with long overlaps then you'll want the 8:02, no fade, version.

• D.M. Classic Radio
• D.M. Classic Club Mix
• Alternate 12" Mix (Fade)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Hard Sometimes CDS.rar Filesize: 26.56 MB

Frankie Knuckles - Rain Falls 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 60

Frankie Knuckles other productions from this period seem to get much more attention but Rain Falls is one of his best for me. Taken from the album Beyond The Mix, this is a classic that got lost in the shadows cast by it's siblings. It features vocals by Lisa Michaelis and music by Satoshi Tomiie and the cherry on top is backing vocals provided by Danny Madden (on the Morales Mix) and Moisture. This is more than just another Def Mix Classic.

As the 90's settled in so the record companies urged and manipulated the market to encourage the record buying public to become the CD buying public. If we ignore the vinyl sycophants and look at it logically, it was a good idea. Unfortunately there were many downsides, one of which was the time restrictions to qualify for pop chart inclusion. This led to the major labels insisting that radio edits be included and leaving out the full length versions? In this instance I was deprived of some great mixes including David Morales awesome 10 minute epic, the Soakin' Wet Mix. If anybody has it, I would love a copy. In their place, we are provided with Workout featuring the vocal talents of Roberta Gilliam. Ms. Gilliam sang a slow groove classic back in the 80's called All I Want Is My Baby and she has a fine voice. You would imagine that the combination of a House Music Legend and a Voice from the heavens would result in the stuff that anthems are made of but.... not this time?

• Rain Falls (Wet Radio Mix)
• Rain Falls (Frankie's Original Version)
• Workout (1992 Vocal Mix)
• Workout (Eric Kupper Vocal Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Rain Falls CDS.rar Filesize: 32.55MB

Miles Jaye - Heaven 1989

Fourth & Broadway Records BRW 133

I almost left this off. I considered not mentioning it and hoping nobody noticed also but, major embarassment, I only have the 7". I do however, have the 12" Club Mix and with the tracks on the 7" that leaves Bonus Beats & a Dub missing I think?

I have to post it though because this track is a legend. Remixed by the Def Mix Productions dynamic duo, Frankie Knuckles and David Morales, this awesome bubbler is Miles Jaye's finest dancefloor moment. Riding into a new decade, the Remix and Ed's Edit make for a superb single release but the Celestial Club Mix was the bright star from the 80's, the light from which can still be seen in many a good club today.

• Heaven (Remix)
• Heaven (Original Version Ed's Edit)
• Heaven (Celestial Club Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Miles Jaye - Heaven.rar Filesize: 22.53 MB

Ray Simpson - Crazy Pictures 1991

Circa Records YRT 76

A "Native New Yorker" born and raised in the Bronx, sports fan Simpson is a proud husband and father living in New Jersey. As Valerie Simpson's younger brother, Ray Simpson first started as songwriter in early 70's before embarking on a solo career. He recorded Tiger Love for Warner Brothers in 1978 which was released with little success.

He is frequently employed as a background vocalist and can be found on Ashford & Simpson's Solid as well as albums by Will Downing, Diana Ross & Billy Joel. Simpson made another attempt to break through in 1991, releasing two singles. Crazy Pictures, co-penned by Bluey Maunick and produced by Michael Powell & Sir Gant, enjoyed limited success, Remixed by Frankie Knuckles and featuring additional keyboards by Satoshi Tomiie, the Classic Club Mix makes a fine noise, as does the R'n'B Extended Version. 1992's Out There, produced by Bluey Maunick, sadly disappeared without a trace.

In 1997 he joined Soul II Soul on their Time For Change album, singing lead vocal on four of the ten tracks. Pleasure Dome was released as a single and although Ray's voice has still failed to garner the recognition it deserves, the single scored well on the UK dancefloors in it's remix format.

• Classic Club Mix
• Classic Radio Version
• R n B Extended Version
• Classic Reprise

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ray Simpson 91.rar Filesize: 44.07 MB

Sounds Of Blackness - I'm Going All The Way 1994

Perspective Records 31458 7481 1

• Nuttin But Sõl For Ya Remix
• Nuttin But Sõl For Ya Instrumental
• Break Da Sõl Remix
• Classic Remix
• A Stompin' Good Time Dub
• Fierce Reprise Dub

Recorded at Skip Saylor studios by 'AJ' Jeffries, this Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis 'Flyte Tyme' production is taken from the 'Africa To America: Journey Of The Drum' album by the mighty Sounds Of Blackness. In case you were stranded on a desert island somewhere, The Sounds Of Blackness are a 52 piece Gospel group led by Gary Hines, which spawned Ann Bennett-Nesby. This was from their second album and for it's single release, a whole heap of remixes were commisioned. This is the less common Sõl Survivor & Frankie Knuckles collection.

Frankie Knuckles is one of my all time favourite remixers but his Classic Remix is most definitely not classic. It doesn't suit the vocal at all and was, IMHO, a sign that his star was beginning to wane (step forward David Morales, the servant becomes the master). The two Knuckles Dubs are far superior with Stompin' being a great full vocal (less dub) take. Personally, the Sõl Survivor mixes are what makes this 12" essential. Superb, rough R&B grind with the looping sound bytes that work in unison with the vocal. Nuttin' But Sõl For Ya!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sounds of Blackness.rar Filesize: 52.11 MB