Tony! Toni! Toné! - The Blues 1990

Wing Records WINCD 8

Tony! Toni! Toné! helped to take New Jack Swing to the masses. This R'n'B outfit from Oakland, California emerged in the late 1980s. Dwayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Wiggins (a.k.a. Raphael Saadiq) on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy Christian on drums.

The Revival was released in 1990 and this sophomore set hit platinum. The album spawned several #1 R&B hits with It Never Rains In Southern California, Feels Good, The Blues. Feels Good was their first Top 10 hit. The Greezy Drums Mix is mixed by Ken 'Dr. Shaft' Kessie 1418 (I have no idea but that's what it says on the bloody cover!). Their name is said to be a play on Tora! Tora! Tora! but why Tony?

• The Blues (The Mix)
• Jo Jo
• The Blues (Greezy Drums Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Tonies Blues.rar Filesize: 23.17 MB

Zhané - Request Line 1997

Motown Records 860 647-2

Zhané (pronounced Jah-Nay) featured Jean Norris and Renee Neufville. After meeting Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature, he was left impressed enough to go right into the studio to record for Roll Wit tha Flava. When Hey, Mr. DJ was released as well, it made the Top 10 and earned the group a contract with Motown in 1994. Their debut album, Pronounced Jah-Nay, produced two further Top 40 hits, Groove Thang & Sending My Love, and went gold by the end of the year. The girls released their sophomore album Saturday Night in 1997, co-produced by Kay Gee, Eddie F. & Zhane. The release featured this hit single, Request Line. It peaked just outside the Top 40.

This release features 3 versions of Request Line and the 1993 album version of Hey DJ though it must be said, Nitebreed's Mix has a soul factor of 0.5 and the only reason it get's a score, at all, is because the full vocal is in there. Not a bad club tune though, I guess? To further pee you off, another is the Instrumental, leaving only the Radio Edit? Anyhow, to sweeten the package (and because I don't have the complete vinyl) I've included 1994's Sending My Love (Sticky Stamp Mix) coz people it's bad!

Produced by Darren Lightly & Kay Gee, Request Line samples Ashford & Simpson's It Seems To Hang On and features Sheldon Goode on guitar. Hey Mr. DJ samples Looking Up To You by Michael Wycoff. Sending My Love remix and additional production by Cedeno & Soulfinga.

• Radio Edit
• Instrumental
• Hey DJ (Album Version)
• Nitebreed's Got You On Hold Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Zhane.rar Filesize: 31.19 MB

Blackgirl - 90's Girl 1994

Kaper Records 74321-21789-2

BlackGirl consisted of Pam Copeland, Nycolia 'Tye-V' Turman and Rochelle Stuart from Atlanta. They formed in 1992 on the Kaper label and released their debut album, Treat U Right, in 1994. The single Krazy spent 15 weeks in the US Top 100, but it was its follow up that took BlackGirl into the Top 20. Produced by Teddy Riley the single 90's Girl spent 20 weeks in The Top 100 stalling at #13. The song was revamped for a Chrysler TV ad and as proof of their success, the group scored a tour with R Kelly.

Towards the end of 1994, BlackGirl earned two Billboard Music Award nominations for Top R&B Group, and Top R&B New Artist. In 1995, BlackGirl earned two Soul Train Award nominations, one for Single Of The Year for "Let's Do It Again" and Album Of The Year for Treat U Right. They then released 90's Girl in the UK, backed with Krazy and Ooh Yeah, where it reached #23 in the national chart. Their sophomore set, Evolution of BlackGirl, was finished but never released. In 1996 the group split, some of the members went on to work with the likes of Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton and Jermaine Jackson. After the break up Nycolia went on to write, or record back up vocals for Pink, Deborah Cox, Case, Toni Braxton and Will Smith.

Included in this rar is an extra Boss' Hip-Hop Extended Mix of Krazy which was taken from vinyl that I no longer have?

• 90's Girl (Encore Extended Alternate Remix)
• Krazy (Boss' Groove Mix)
• Krazy (Krazy Party Mix)
• Ooh Yeah (Smooth)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Blackgirl.rar Filesize: 35.89 MB

Deni Hines & Don-E - Delicious 1998

Mushroom Records MUSH20CD

1998: The stunning Deni Hines steps up to the plate. Her debut album Pay Attention soon to drop but first her debut single. Superb choice of song, a cover of the Terry Steele classic, Delicious, from the Prisoner Of Love album. How best to get her noticed, good thinking... shoot the video underwater. Excellent!

Cherry on the top: Bring Don-E in to duet with her. Deni & Don-E go together like Ben & Jerry's, absolutely heavenly. Head straight for the Extended Version. C. Swing Mix for the R'n'B set.

• Radio Edit
• C. Swing Mix
• Buttercup Mix
• Colour System Inc White Mix
• Colour System Inc Gold Mix
• Lost In Dub Mix
• Extended Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Deni - Delicious.rar Filesize: 51.97 MB

Don-E - Rhythm Of Life 1995

Island Records BRCD 328

After the abysmal Craz-e in 1993 (even Blacksmith couldn't save that one?) I almost gave up on Don-E but along came Fakin' The Funk and he was back on track. From the funking good album Changing Seasons, this is Rhythm Of Life and you don't need to look further than the Mellow Madness Mix. It's Blacksmith back on track too. Special Request is a beautiful slice of summer soul. For those that have heard the album, this is the song used in the Introlude track.

• Rhythm Of Life (Edit)
• Rhythm Of Life (Mellow Madness Mix)
• Rhythm Of Life (Harmony Party Mix)
• Special Request

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Don E - ROL.rar Filesize: 29.19 MB

Xscape - Who Can I Run To? 1995

Columbia 662811 2

If you think Xscape were a short lived venture, think again. They've had three albums to my knowledge, the last Traces Of My Lipstick being released in 1998. For their sophomore set Off The Hook, Jermaine Dupri provides some more great production on Who Can I Run To? (with Carl So-Lowe assisting on the remix), the girls doing a great job covering The Jones Girls track, The Mr. Dupri Mix uses Teddy P's Love TKO to bounce the song about and after a slightly worrisome opening it settles nicely. Do You Want To, penned by Daryl Simmons, is a straight-up song about making love, effective as an R&B Remix shuffler complete with rap from King Just (Adrian Angevin to his Mum) but particularly stunning in its Quiet Storm format here. An excellent release to push the album. Off the Hook, it certainly is.

• Who Can I Run To? (LP Version)
• Who Can I Run To? (Mr Dupri Mix)
• Do You Want To (Remix With Rap)
• Do You Want To (Quiet Storm)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Xscape - Who Can I Run To_.rar Filesize: 21.04 MB

Xscape - Just Kickin' It 1993

Columbia 659862 2

Xscape are an early 90's female vocal quartet. Sisters Latocha and Tamika Scott, along with Kandi Burruss and Tamika Cottle brought a more soulful side to the R&B. Just Kickin' It is the bonafide classic which introduced the laid-back, gospel sounding vocalists to an unsuspecting public. Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal Jr. for So So Def Productions, these girls are no wannabe gold-digga's.

This song is from their debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha which is a top quality buy for any R&B fan, young or old. Good quality vocals and a positive vibe.

• Radio Version
• Alternative Radio Version
• Extended Remix
• Remix Instrumental
• Radio Edit Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Xscape - Just Kickin' It CDS.rar Filesize: 25.77 MB

Street Sounds Edition 5 1983

Street Sounds Records STSND 005

Another iconic release from the Street Sounds stable. Packed full of goodies, as usual, and a quarter of a century later there are still healthy tracks here. Oliver Cheatham's Linx ad is here. The first three tracks on each side do it for me but the jewel in this crown is The Funk Masters - It's Over.

• Freeez - I.O.U. (Megamix)
• Aretha Franklin - Get It Right
• Terri Wells - You Make It Heaven
• Kenny Lynch - Half The Day's Gone...
• La Famille - All Night Long
• The Funk Masters - It's Over
• Oliver Cheatham - Get Down Saturday Night
• MCB - I'm The One, You're The One
• Brass Construction - Walkin' The Line
• Wickett - Can't Get Enough Of You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Edition 5.rar Filesize: 85.52 MB

The Dells - I Touched A Dream 1980

20th Century Fox Records TCD 2463

• I Touched A Dream
• All About The Paper

An excellent 1980 release from The Dells. The heartrending title track from the album 'I Touched A Dream'. produced by Carl Davis & Eugene Record, great song, great voice, yada yada....

Flip that sucker over and drop the other side!

Whoa Baby, now your talking. Two years later Ms Holloway would cover this with her inimitable Diva voice and a cracking job was done by all but for now let The Dells tell you All About The Paper

The Download Link is here: Download
198020thCenturyFoxTCD2463.rar Size: 16,069 kb.

Salsoul I 1988

KISS Records LIPS 1

I bought this album specifically for the Surface track, Falling In Love. It had eluded me for some time but shortly after picking this up I managed to get the Ramshorm re-issue 12". Fortunately, this album was not a wasted purchase coz it has a handful of goodies onboard but despite the interesting notes from Norman Jay and the credits with each track, there is no mention of which version they are?

Double Exposure's Ten Percent is a storming disco track but somewhere there's 10 minutes of Walter Gibbons mix. The Salsoul Orchestra's Take Some Time Out For Love is an awesome track and this version has some cool lead guitar on it. Loleatta Holloway is a magnificient vocalist but I prefer All About The Papers done by The Dells. It's still a good version though. The Strangers contribute with Hubert 'D-Train' Eaves written Step Out Of My Dream, album version is my guess as it's definitely not the full 12" or Dream Version. Jimmy Williams puts on a fine performance with All My Lovin' but my favourite track here is Instant Funk with the Bunny Sigler penned Can You See Where I'm Coming From? Salsoul bliss and disco heaven!

I may add some history here later but meanwhile read Norman Jay's notes.

• Jimmy Williams - All Of My Lovin'
• Aurra - Are You Single
• Loleatta Holloway - All About The Papers
• Instant Funk - Can You See Where I'm Coming From
• Double Exposure - Ten Per Cent
• The Salsoul Orchestra - Take Some Time Out For Love
• The Strangers - Step Out Of My Dreams
• Surface - Falling In Love

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Salsoul 1.rar Filesize: 76.95 MB

Richard Rogers - Can't Stop Loving You 1990

BCM Records BCM 450 X (BCM 12450)

Richard Rogers shares his name with Oscar Hammerstein's right hand man. Instead, this Rogers has the Godfather Of House at his side. Rogers & Jefferson, it has a good ring to it. When Marshall Jefferson laid down that piano on 'Move Your Body' I never expected that he would produce something like this a few years later.

Strings and Horns arranged and conducted by Orbert C. Davis for Orbark productions with Mark Ingram and Reggie Hall on backing vocals. Producer, mixed & written by the legendary Marshall Jefferson for On The House productions. Engineered by Bob Bennett. Licensed from SAM Records.

• Club Mix
• Acapella
• Radio Version
• Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Richard Rogers.rar Filesize: 38.12 MB

Will Downing & Mica Paris - Where Is The Love 1989

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 122

Mr. Downing is joined by South London's finest, Mica Paris, on this collaboration. Two brand new stars glowing bright in the celestial soul heavens, both with debut albums riding high in the album charts. What better way to get them talked about than a cover of a soul duet classic from two of the finest voices ever. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway's 1972 Grammy winner, Where Is The Love and don't they do it justice. Add a Radio Mix of a song each and it's a value for money 12".

That ain't enough though, on this release we have another track by Mica. Same Feeling is, to my knowledge, otherwise unavailable. It's not as special as her later bonus tracks but it is good enough to warrant a place on your ipod. Play it loud and tell me you ain't dancin'.

• Will Downing & Mica Paris - Where Is The Love
• Mica Paris - My One Temptation (Radio Mix)
• Will Downing - A Love Supreme (Radio Mix)
• Mica Paris - Same Feeling

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Will Mica.rar Filesize: 31.78 MB