Carleen Anderson - Mama Said 1994

Circa Records YRCDG114

Carleen Anderson is the UK's adopted soul sister. Born in the USA, the daughter of Vicki Anderson and stepdaughter of Bobby Byrd was most well known as the lead singer in the Young Disciples before setting off on her own solo career.

Mama Said was her first solo hit single but this release came after the Ian Green produced album True Spirit was released. If you haven't heard the album, it's essential soul. On this CD single You've Got To Earn It, is a live recording of Carleen singing with Pop Staples & the Memphis Rhythm Section , Who Was That Masked Man features Paul Weller (Jam, Style Council) while the demo recording of If You Knew is not on any of her albums.

• Mama Said
• You've Got To Earn It
• Who Was That Masked Man
• If You Knew (Demo)

The Download Link is: Download
Filename: MamaSaidDisc2.rar Size: 22.64 mb

Linda Lewis - Sideway Shuffle 1995

Turpin Records TPN-1

• Sideway Shuffle (South Of The Border)
• For Lovesake
• Sideway Shuffle (Radio Edit)

The return of Linda Lewis: After a long hiatus, losing interest in the fickle music industry and being a parent, Linda 'Rock A Doodle Do' Lewis got back into the business. Linda, who originated from London's East End, had moved with her husband to L.A. Having rested for several years, she suddenly got the urge to make music again and returned home to the UK where she recorded an album called 'Second Nature' for Turpin Records in 1995. The album became a hit in Japan, a place where Linda's popularity has never diminished.

This single taken from 'Second Nature' features a new recording of Sideway Shuffle, originally from 1974's Heart Strings album which also featured Rock A Doodle Do and Fathoms Deep. For Lovesake is the superior track though, a solid, retro soul shuffler with extra 'feel good' factor.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Linda Lewis.rar Filesize: 23.08 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

Wish - Nice And Soft 1981

Excaliber Records EXCL 511

• Special Disco Mixer
• Uptown Mix
• Downtown Mix

An early eighties dancefloor classic with vocals by La-Rita Gaskins and a mixes by John Morales (later of M&M fame). Produced & arranged by the infamous Greg Carmichael (apparently solo with no Adams credited) and a special remix by Morgan Khan & Alan James Jewell. The Special Disco Mixer is interesting but not up to par. As an evolutionary observation of Soul & Dance development it is worth listening to but oh, how our expectations have changed.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Wish.rar Filesize: 47.92 MB

Roshelle Fleming - Love Itch 1986

Crossover SLN 1

• Love Itch
• Love Itch (Instrumental)
• Love Itch (Radio Version)

Listen to that opening vocal, how many times have you heard that voice sampled? Roshelle Fleming, was once part of First Choice, of 'Let No Man Put Asunder' fame. The '70s Philly disco vocal group consisted of Roshelle Fleming, Annette Guest and Ursula Herring. Philadelphia native Fleming is one of the most distinctive lead vocalists in Soul & Dance music. Fleming's vocals are also one of the most sampled, heard on countless dance records from around the world.

This dancefloor cracker is like an extension of Fonda Rae's Electro anthem, Tuch Me (Touch Me). Hardly surprising as it's produced and arranged by Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams, the guys who wrote and produced Tuch Me and were also behind Universal Robot Band, Inner Life, Phreek, & Bumblebee Unlimited. Love Itch was mixed by Elai Turbo, who has worked on Run DMC & Alyson Williams among others.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Roshelle Fleming.rar Filesize: 25.5 MB

Malcolm McLaren - Double Dutch 1983

Chrysalis Records MALC 312

To be truly cynical for a moment, it's easy to suggest that McLaren preyed upon the stupid. After taking the dumb, young testosterone filled white teenage rock scene by storm with the Sex Pistols, he then proceeded to do the same with young black teenagers, taking the whole B-Boy/Hip Hop/Electro thing out of 'The Projects' and putting it onto the World stage.

('Of course we know who can really blow')

The true wonder lies in the fact that he was able to do it after being labeled as a 'con man' on the music scene. Of course, the fact of the matter is, he was bloody good at exploiting an opportunity. I was about to say talent but I don't think that description covers Sid Viscious? McLaren was a genius of sorts but love him or hate him, he did bring The World Class Supreme Team Show to our attention and for that alone, I'll allow him the room to exist in my little piece of the web.

The main release here is credited to Malcolm McLaren & The Ebonettes and is basically, Double Dutch is like a theme song for the skipping sport of the American Double Dutch League. That makes it sound like crap but I love it, it's not quite singing and not quite rapping either, set over a traditional African melody with a catchy chorus. Considering that this was the follow-up to the revolutionary Buffalo Gals, it must have taken some balls to put this out, or a good accountant.

"Schemin' on the meaning of a jazz thing."

The flipside is credited to Malcom McLaren & The World Class Supreme Team Show but McLaren don't figure on this except in the writing credits. She's Looking Like A Hobo seems to be either the track that was used in Buffalo Gals or an extension of the idea used in Buffalo Gals. Either way, if you like the music behind that track, you'll enjoy this. I like all of this release, it's fresh and interesting a quarter of a century down the line but the track that makes it essential to me is D'Ya Like Scratchin'? This track always makes me feel good with its hip hop scratch and rap skills set over a soulful melodic backbeat. Returning to my opening cynicism, this is probably an advert for their radio show but as with all McLaren's projects, it's done so well that you don't feel the pain.

Novacaine for the Soul?

• Double Dutch (New Dance Mix)
• She's Looking Like A Hobo
• D'Ya Like Scratchin'? (Special Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Malcolm McLaren.rar Filesize: 33.26 MB

After 7 - Can't Stop 1990

Virgin Records America VUST 31

Originating from Indiana in 1988, After 7 have LA Face roots with Kevon and Melvin Edmonds, who are brothers of Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds and Keith Mitchell, who is Antonio 'L.A.' Reid's cousin. They were huge in the US, very polished and soulful, with great vocal range. They were not as well known in the UK but still managed to make a dent.

Can't Stop was probably their most successful release, produced and mixed by L.A. & Face but here remixed by Tim Lever & Mike Percy for One World Productions. Lever and Percy originated in the British pop group Dead Or Alive but managed to later garner credibility as a production team on the UK soul scene between '89-'94. After working with some of the UK's finest soul talent they then returned to their roots writing and producing for acts such as S Club 7 under the name of Steelworks. Strange but true?

• One World 12"
• L.A.'s 7" Edit
• One World Instrumental
• Clap-A-Pella

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: After 7.rar Filesize: 38.83 MB

The Masterdon Committee - Funk Box Party 1982

Dee Jay Limited Edition BLUE-002

• Part 1
• Part 2

This is a Old School Hip Hop classic that I, once again, gotta give props to Marcus for. I didn't hear it until 1986/7 when Barry B put it out in one of his mixes layered with DSM's Destiny. The Mastermix Dance Party went out on the Thursday night and on Friday I would generally spend lunch down in the basement with Marcus and a cassette tape, playing name that tune on the car stereo. Good Times!

"Listen, listen, listen for the beatbox, Huh!"

The group came from the 147th street area of 70's Harlem, New York and comprised of MasterDon, Pebbly Poo, Gangster G, Keith KC, Boo Ski & Johnny D. It's a 'call and answer' style track that has been used many times since, a lively crowd in the studio alongside the crisp 808 beats and old school claps. It sounds like they were having a damn good party when they recorded it. Further in, the raps really kick in, Pebbly Poo's spot is one of the earliest examples of the aggressive female style developed by Roxanne Shante a few years later.

I was too late for the original pressing but managed to get a re-issue a few years later. Funk Box Party is an awesome tune and absolutely essential. Part 1 is the vocal and Part 2 is an Instrumental with vocal chorus.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Masterdon Committee.rar Filesize: 23.26 MB

Ingram - Smoothin Groovin 1983

Streetwave Records WAVEL 3

• Smoothin Groovin
• D.J.'s Delight
• D.J.'s Delight Medley

Ingram were a family group that came from Camden, (NJ not UK). Siblings, Norman (bass and trumpet), James or Jimi (vocals, keyboards, sax, flute), Barbara (vocals), Billy (guitar, bass, trombone), John (lead vocals, drums, tuba), Timmy (drums, percussion, trumpet) and Francis, Edith, and Virginia Ingram (vocals) had their roots are in gospel as their father was a minister. Recording under various names such as Ingram, The Ingram Kingdom & The Ingram Family, they wrote, arranged, produced and published their own material and other artists. They were mostly active in the US during the 1970's but never really got the recognition they deserved.

Ingram resurfaced in 1983 for two more albums, Would You Like to Fly (1983) and Night Stalkers (1985). Smoothin' Groovin' (U.K. Top 75), and D.J.'s Delight came from the 1983 album and Streetwave Records licensed the tracks for the U.K where they enjoyed a measure of success.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ingram.rar Filesize: 30.59 MB

Out And About EP 1992

Talkin' Loud TLKCD17

Subtitled "Talkin' Loud On Tour '92" this sampler EP was used to push Perception & K-Creative, the labels hot new talent's.

For me it was Feed The Feeling which I played, equally, both mixes. The original is a cool jazzy vibe but the Pal Joey remix is stripped down and the refrain & vocals lose their beauty BUT instead we get a groove that nails your feet to the floor and has more hooks than a fishing tackle box!

K-Creative are exploring jazzy rap and they have good ideas goin' on but it's not essential, just interesting at this point.

Perception later cut a beautiful rendition of the Bee Gees penned Guilty (a 1980 hit for Streisand & Gibb) that was so good, I actually forgot why I wasn't supposed to like it.

K-Creative also released some reasonble product, A Stitch In Time being memorable for me but nothing really broke through for them on the commercial front. I guess that's a good thing in some ways but then.... where are they now?

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Talkin Loud On Tour 92 EP.rar Size: 24.79 MB

Rose Windross - Living Life Your Own Way 1991

Acid Jazz jazid 37t

Here's another forgotten gem from the Acid Jazz label. Barrie K. Sharpe again on the B side production with an epic eight minute Groundbeat opus. The A side is the real gem though. Rose Windross of Soul II Soul fame, writing credit on both tracks and producing Living Life Your Own Way. No sign of Jazzie B & co but check the flipside credits and there you will find James Taylor on keyboards alongside Barrie with his congas. It's all good people.

• Living Life Your Own Way (Extended Version)
• Love In The Making (Groundbeat Mix Extended Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Rose Windross.rar Filesize: 30.89 MB

Vivienne McKone - Sing 1992

FFR Records FX 183

• Sing (Remix)
• Sing
• Self Control (Straight Back Mix)
• Fly

An excellent E.P. from Vivienne McKone, produced by Stewart Levine and a couple of remixes from Simon Law. Law, known for his smooth, soulful remixes at a time when everybody else was banging the beats and making cheesey dance mixes, loses his stride here on Sing (Remix), producing a good pop song along the lines of a Gabrielle single.

Move swiftly along and sample the original Sing, far superior and as cool as you like. Flipping over, Simon Law redeems himself with the superb Straight Back Mix of Self Control, funky back beat and a dangerous vibe lead up to some philly strings and handclaps a la Forget Me Nots, nice tune. Finally, Vivienne's previous release Fly does exactly what it says on the label, soaring beautifully through soul heaven. A great release.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Viv McKone.rar Filesize: 29.61 MB