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

Pride 'n Politix - Hold On 1991

East West Records A8707T

Pride 'n Politix released an album Changes in 1991, written and performed by multi-talented Robyn Smith and vocalist Nikki Romillie (a.k.a. Colnel Red) along with saxophonist Carlton Romillie. The album was produced by Smith and overseen by Merlin Bobb & Sylvia Rhone, recorded in both London and LA and released on East West America and casting doubt on the groups origin. It's pretty damn good but didn't really get the recognition it deserved.

The opening track, Hold On was released as a single prior to the albums release and was handed to the Def Mix Production crew for remix treatment. David Morales turned out this splendid piece of work, engineered by John Poppo, which set tongues wagging on the club scene but possibly let the album down when it came out as a straight soul set. Either way, this release is most excellent. The LP Version gives an insight into the album but the Extended Remix transforms the track into something uplifting and totally awesome. The Bonus Mix is really just an Instrumental version of the remix.

• Extended Remix
• Bonus Mix
• LP Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pride N Politix.rar Filesize: 38.65 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

The Chimes - True Love 1990

CBS Records CHIM T2

I heard a superb remix of Stronger Together and when this got released I thought I had found it. I was totally gutted to find that this is a Morales Dub Club groove that has very little in common with the original.

Then I played the True Love mixes and suddenly, the world was a nicer place. Two gorgeous mixes, both equally addictive but I think that the Extended Version is better listening whereas the Louie Louie Remix, having that baaad bass line, is better for the floor.

• True Love (Extended Version)
• True Love (Louie Louie Remix)
• Stronger Together (Red Zone Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Chimes 12.rar Filesize: 33.5 MB