N'Dea Davenport - Bring It On 1998

V2 Records VVR5002033

After joining The Brand New Heavies in 1990, N'dea Davenport moved to London, England. Her solo aspirations were postponed to record two albums for them and she featured on Trust Me, a collaboration with rapper Guru in 1993. She departed from the Heavies in 1994 to pursue a solo career. Her critically acclaimed solo debut album was produced in part by Dallas Austin and Davenport herself. The self-titled album was released in 1998 on V2 Records. Several singles were culled from the album including Bring It On.

Gang Starr's Premier & Guru give it the remix treatment, Guru putting a few lines in on one mix but for me its all about the Tony Maserati Mix. Hex Hector, don't get me started on that.

• Album Mix
• Premier & Guru Mix feat. Guru
• Tony Maserati Mix
• Premier & Guru Mix
• Hex Hector 12" Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ndea 98.rar Filesize: 45.77 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

Headz - 1994

Mo Wax Records MWCD026

OK, this isn't soul, per se, but its damn good music that belongs in a Soul & Dance arena. Leftfield, fair enough, but interesting and skillfully executed. This is for the Hip Hop avant garde, lovers of the Low End Theory, the Jazz Headz.

A collage of beautiful jams, 16 instrumental excursions, my favourites being Freedom Now (Meditation) by Patterson, Contemplating Jazz by Attica Blues, Ravers Suck Our Sound by LA Funk Mob and the DJ Shadow tracks, Lost & Found (S.F.L.) & In-Flux (Alternative Interlude '93 Remix). Also worthy of a mention is the Palm Skin Productions - Slipper Suite comprising

1. Jeremy's Velvet Slippers
2. Moonrakers
3. Unspeakable Acts

It's all good, insert disc, press play, lay back and do your thing!

This 2 CD set came in a plastic gatefold wallet with two CDs each in its own sleeve.

It was later reissued carrying the same catalog number but in plain grey card sleeves without the artwork. I don't think its available anymore. OK, I admit it, it was an easy post but the turntable is out and ready to work.

• Patterson - Freedom Now
• Attica Blues - Contemplating Jazz
• Awunsound - Symmetrical Jazz
• Nightmares On Wax - Stars
• La Funk Mob - Ravers Suck Our Sound
• M.F. Outa 'National Miles Out Of Time
• RPM - The Inside
• Autechre - Lowride
• Olde Scottish - Wildstyle: The Krush Handshake
• DJ Shadow - Lost & Found
• Skull - Destroy All Monsters
• Deflon Sallahr - ... Don't Fake It
• RPM - 2000
• Palm Skin Productions - Slipper Suite
• UNKLE - The Time Has Come
• Howie B Inc. - Head West
• Tranquility Bass - They Came In Peace
• DJ Shadow - In-Flux

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Headz.rar Filesize: 189.55 MB

Courtney Buchanan - R U Conscious 1993

Conscious Records MCSTD 1792

Courtney Buchanan gained critical acclaim with his single release Life With You in '92. His second single release 'R U Conscious - The Chapters' (CON 14) was licensed from Conscious Records by MCA a scored a minor hit in 1993.

The CD single release features the additional Hip Hop Edit and the Final Chapter (Instrumental). Buchanan was hot property in '93 and Soul II Soul's Daddae Harvey is involved on the remixes. His Soul Mix: The Final Chapter was always the one that got the drop back in the day. Listening now, I think the Album Version is the better mix.

In 1994 he dropped a stunning release called Heaven which I never got my hands on. It's supposedly taken from an album called 'Kingdom Come' but I've never come across either.

• Chapter One (Hip Hop Edit)
• Chapter One (Full Hip Hop Mix)
• Chapter Two (Ragga Mix)
• Chapter Three (Album Version)
• Chapter Four (Soul Mix)
• Final Chapter (Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Courtney Buchanan.rar Filesize: 41.52 MB

Portrait - Here We Go! 1993

Capitol Records CDCL 683

Portrait are Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Irving Washington III, Eric Kirkland and Philip Johnson. This US group from Los Angeles, debuted in 1992 with Honey Dip and Here We Go Again! was the follow up which was a little more successful. They rode in on the back of New Jack Swing which was just starting to fade in the UK at the time.

This 1993 UK release features the US Extended Version that works the New Jack vibe well (with Bonus Beats) while the UK is catered for with the Dr. Bob Jones Deep Cut Surgery Mix. Need I say more?

As with Brian McKnight, they got involved in the Black Men United project, singing on U Will Know for the Jason's Lyric ost. Working with Quincy Jones, Babyface and Tamia kept them in the public eye but covering a Bee Gees song lost them a lot of credibility and they fell from grace. They are still recording, their last release was in 2005 on the foreign market.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Portrait.rar Filesize: 28.8 MB

Apologies for the crappy CD jpg but the outer ring text is mirror effect and I can't get a scan?

Brian McKnight - One Last Cry 1993

Mercury Records Promo MRXDJ 394

Brian McKnight grew up on gospel as a member of a Seventh-day Adventist Church choir and a band leader in high school. His older brother was a member of Take 6 and their success gave him a little motivation. McKnight signed with Mercury Records at the age of 19 and released his first album, Brian McKnight, in 1992.

Brian McKnight produced and featured in BMU (Black Men United), a collaboration between a large number of black male RnB acts including Aaron Hall, Boyz II Men, El DeBarge, Gerald Levert, H-Town, Tevin Campbell, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Usher. The sole song "U Will Know", written by a young D'Angelo, was released in 1994. It was featured in the movie Jason's Lyric and on the movie's soundtrack.

McKnight’s vocal style is his own. He does however draw heavily from Stevie Wonder and also has an uncanny ability to mimic the timbre and style of other singers .

• One Last Cry (Single Edit)
• Goodbye My Love (A Real Goodbye Mix)
• Goodbye My Love (Radio 7")
• Goodbye My Love (N.O. Joe Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Brian McKnight.rar Filesize: 30.76 MB

Higher Ground - Sugar Free (Don't Want Your Love) 1991

Cooltempo Records COOLCD246

This cover of the superb 80's Groove killa by Juicy (Jerry & Katreese Barnes, who also wrote the song) was the follow up to Somebody. Personally, I thought Somebody was better and Juicy's 1985 version of Sugar Free (Super Deo Dance Mix) remixed by legendary Deodato, was much better... but this seems to be very popular, then and now so, by request, here it is.

A Mike Percy & Tim Lever production for One World. My apologies for the diabolical CD scan but its reflective and after about six attempts I settled for this one cos you can just about read the credits?

• 7" Edit
• One World Mix
• One Touch Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Higher Ground.rar Filesize: 22.94 MB

Bootsy's Rubber Band - Jungle Bass 1990

4th & Broadway Records BRECD 550

One for the Funky People out there, I know there are a few. William Bootsy Collins was one of James Brown's regular band, The JB's, in the late 1960s before joining forces with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic cartel in the '70s, Collins' driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk. His signature instrument is a custom-built star-shaped bass guitar he calls the Space Bass. Collins was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Check the names on this list of credits, a veritable 'Who's Who' in the Funk business.

In 1990 Bootsy collaborated with Deee-Lite on their massive hit Groove Is In The Heart where he contributed additional vocals along with Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. Although he also appeared in the music video playing the bass, the bassline in the song is actually a sample of a Herbie Hancock song called Bring Out The Birds, Bootsy's Rubber Band did become the backing musicians for Deee-Lite during their world tour though. Despite being thoroughly busy they still had time to produce this wonderful bit of experimental music. 30 minutes of cyberfunk!

• Jungle Bass (Jungle One/Long Form)
• Disciples Of Funk (Return Of The Funkateers)
• Jungle Bass (House Of Bass Mix)
• Interzone (Silent Hush-Hush Mix/Cyberfunk)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Jungle Bass CDS.rar Filesize: 46.5 MB

Everis - Back To Basics 1990

Soul Town Records SOUL 009

In 1989 Everis joined up with Soul Town Records, where he released several singles including a cover of Closer I Get To You with the cult underground artiste Maxeen. In 1990, he released his debut album Back To Basics. During his time at Soul Town he had some success with hits such as Summer Time, Stay and Better Love.

In 1992 Everis supported The Jones Girls comeback and first ever London gigs at the Dominion Theatre and has appeared on the same bill as Kym Mazelle, Don-E, Kenny Thomas, The Escoffereys, Omar, Mica Paris, Gabrielle and many more.

My apologies for the quality of this post but I was only able to find a second hand copy of this album with no cover (homemade art above). There is a bit of 'vinyl grind' at the beginning of each side and some 'pop and crackle' throughout but not too much that it spoils the listening experience. I would, however, welcome a clean copy and proper artwork?

• Get Your Love
• Say
• Hooked On You
• Don't Stop The Love
• Sweetest Love
• Looking For A Lover
• Staying Awake All Night
• My Latin Experience
• Better Love
• Girl

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Everis.rar Filesize: 57.97 MB

Maxeen - Never Been In Love 1990

Soultown Records SOUL 007

In 1990 Maxeen released Never Been In Love (Like This Before) on the highly credible Soultown Records label. She released several singles including a duet cover of Closer I Get To You with the cult underground artiste Everis. Everis released his own Back To Basics album in 1990 and Maxeen was supposed to have her album Emotions released soon. I've never seen any evidence that it was released, let alone available to buy?

Never Been In Love is written by Maxeen herself and produced by Maxeen & E. Pellins. I would gamble a fair sum on a spelling mistake there. Everis now goes under the name of Everis Pellius. The track is engineered by Wayne 'Bustin' Brown who has worked with many British artists such as D Influence. It's extremely frustrating how little information there is about these people, it's about time the likes of Blues & Soul Magazine started a Brit Soul database. They certainly have the information and so would I if I hadn't lost all my B&S mags half a decade back. :-(

• Never Been In Love (Like This Before) Queen Bee Mix
• In Love (Killer B 18 Cert) Bass Line Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 1990 Never Been.rar Filesize: 20.89 MB

Capitol Classics Volume 1 1988

Capitol Records EMS 1316

Massive respect to my man Boo for supplying the artwork for this gem! As we are unable to record the vinyl at its (French?) source, I have collected together the tracklist. Can you please confirm that I have used all the correct versions Boo?

The first two Capitol Classics releases were essential at the time, I never managed to get this release and had to wait to find the tracks I wanted on other compilations. The later releases were 'less essential' back in the day although they are all interesting for different reasons now.

In the case of this album, the tracks that were of interest at the time were likely to be A Taste Of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie, The BB&Q Band - On The Beat, The McCrary's - Love On A Summer Night (a Jazz Funk classic), Dayton - Sound Of Music and Mystic Merlin - Just Can't Give You Up.

Most of these are now easily found and no surprise but what about L.J. Reynolds - Key To The World (a Nortern Soul anthem?), Eddie Henderson - Prance On (a forgotten Jazz Funker) and the wonderful O'Bryan - Doin' Alright. These are great songs that have been left on the back shelf for too long, good to be reminded of them again. Gary Bartz - Music Is My Sanctuary is a fine tune that slipped through the cracks into obscurity, sounding much younger than it's 31 years of age. The pearl in the shell making this album essential for me though, Sheree Brown - It's A Pleasure, and it certainly is!

A great list of record shops on the rear makes good reading. It's like a list of my favourite lunch time visits throughout the 80's & 90's. Tooting, Balham, Brixton, Holborn, Chingford, Hackney, East Ham, Bow, Putney & Croydon. Good to see Mi Price listed as there were LWR (92.5) DJ's working there. Every one of them helped relieve me of large portions of my hard earnt wages. Several shops in the heart of London's Soho helped, some were record shops too! Steve's in Leicester Square deserves a mention, as does Reckless in Soho, Solar in Brixton underground and Beano's in Croydon Market.

Thanks Boo, a great post! ;-)

• L.J. Reynolds
• A Taste Of Honey
• BB&Q Band
• Eddie Henderson
• McCrarys
• Sheree Brown
• Dayton
• O'Bryan
• Mystic Merlin
• Gary Bartz

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Capitol Classics.rar Filesize: 92.43 MB

Street Sounds Edition 15 1985

Street Sounds STSND 15

The most memorable Street Sounds Edition for me. Not because of the choice of tracks but because of the climate at the time it was released. Aleem's awesome Get Loose was so overplayed by this time that I always skipped the track when playing this album. Packed full of goodies, as usual and the longevity on this selection is as good as the day it was released. Caprice, 100% still sounds fresh to my ears, as does Evelyn 'Champagne' King's, Your Personal Touch in it's short but efficient Dance Mix format. The beautiful ballad, Mated by David Grant & Jaki Graham is here in it's Extended Version but my favourite tracks are Mr DJ by The Concept, simple but effective, and the track I bought the album for, Princess, After The Love Has Gone the Chief Inspector Remix, which is based on the Wally Badarou classic, Chief Inspector, which was huge at the time.

• The Concept - Mr DJ
• Aleem - Get Loose
• Colonel Abrams - Music Is The Answer
• Brass Construction - Give & Take
• David Grant & Jaki Graham - Mated
• Princess - After The Love Has Gone
• Evelyn King - Personal Touch
• B.T. Express - Uptown Express
• Caprice - 100%
• Masquerade - One Nation

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds Edition 15.rar Filesize: 110.98 MB