Souled Out - In My Life - (1992)

Columbia Records 657836 2

320 Re-Up - Originally posted by Mickey P 27/05/2008 - Kymba

1991 introduced those of us fortunate enough to be in the right place, to the wonderful vocals of Sarah Warwick singing Shine On for Souled Out. The following spring this beauty dropped and although our Sarah isn't credited, I've always assumed that she's singing In My Life too. The collective known as Souled Out (a.k.a. Sold Out) comprised of Alessandro Sommella, Domenico "GG" Canu, Ricky Rinaldi and Sergio Della Monica. You may be familiar with some of their later work on the global clubland dancefloors. Hondy (No Access) and the mighty Planetfunk (Chase The Sun) being the most well known to me.

The version of Shine On included here is a club mix by Joey Negro (a.k.a. Dave Lee) and although it's a credible club mix, the Andalucian Mix on my 12" is far superior IMHO. I'll post it when I come across it. Souled Out released an album 'Shine On' in 1992 which I have never been able to find.

"Produced for S.O. Productions. Special versions taken from the CD/MC/LP, "Shine On" LC 0162 MCPS/BIEM/STEMRA

1, 2, 3, ℗ 1992; 4, ℗ 1991 Sony Music Entertainment Italy (SPA) © 1992 Sony Music Entertainment (UK) LTD."

Tracklist

1. In My Life (7" Remix)
2. In My Life (12" Remix)
3. In My Life (Dub Mix)
4. Shine On (Joey Negro 12" Mix)

Download: SO-IML.rar | Filesize: 54.2 MB

Innocence - Silent Voice - (1990)

Cooltempo ‎– COOLCD 212, Cooltempo ‎– 3235362

Innocence was a British R&B band fronted by vocalist Gee Morris that achieved success in the UK in the early 1990s. Masterminded by the production team of Anna Jolley, Mark Jolley and Brian Harris, Innocence's sound was a blend of R&B/Soul with elements of Ammbient house, Downtempo and Chill-out music.

This was their second single, and it is a great track. The beat is slamming, and Gee's vocals are perfection. This was one of the first tracks I heard of theirs... I have a feeling it was on a Dance Daze live show on TV?

It has that sound they nailed - dance-floor friendly, but chilled. There's a touch of classiness about it that many contemporaries lacked.

There's also a remix of Natural Thing, their first single. It features a really cheeky Doors/Riders On The Storm sample, and is much more of a rave kinda track, despite still maintaining some chill-out vibes. 

I'd suggest jumping straight into track one, if it floats your boat get the Extended Mix on rotation.

Tracklist

1. Silent Voice
2. Silent Voice (Extended Mix)
3. Natural Thing (No-One Here Gets Out Alive)

Download: I-SV.7z | Filesize: 39.2MB

Innocence - Natural Thing - (1990)

Cooltempo ‎– COOLCD 201

Innocence was a British R&B band fronted by vocalist Gee Morris that achieved success in the UK in the early 1990s. Masterminded by the production team of Anna Jolley, Mark Jolley and Brian Harris, Innocence's sound was a blend of R&B/Soul with elements of Ammbient house, Downtempo and Chill-out music.

Way back in the day they were one of my favourite bands with their melting pot fusion sound ticking a bunch of boxes for me.

This was their first track, and we're off to a flying start with a ridiculously catchy hook. Seriously, listen to the hook a few times, and try and get that chorus out of your head. The beats are serious and the extra instrumentation sounds dope.

The Natural Thing (7 Inch) is perfect. Natural Thing (Elevation) is not so much a 12" mix as a 24", weighing in at ten minutes long, and is most welcome, although some folks may find the duration of this version a bit of a stretch.

The Original isn't bad, though very much wannabe Soul II Soul sounding, as most things were back then in the UK club scene. Completely different vibe to the other two versions though and not quite as good.

So jump right into the Natural Thing (7 Inch). Boom!

Tracklist

1. Natural Thing (7 Inch)
2. Natural Thing (Elevation)
3. Natural Thing (Original)

Download: I-NT.7z | Filesize: 39.9MB

Nomad Soul - Candy Mountain - (1991)

Island Records CID 505

I'm reupping this Mickey P post from 13/10/2008. I don't have the CDS so I'm having to put up the version I DL'd back in the day. Over to you, Mister P - Kymba x

Diane Charlemagne is one of those rare UK sparkling talents. Her voice has been described as a soulful, sensual, swooping energy to flow through an eclectic collection of music. Her songwriting claims an innocent beauty with her use of pseudonyms. Achieving stand-out in the musical genres of drum and bass, jazz, dance and pop cannot be claimed by many artists.

Diane has an exceptional flair for songwriting, and so it comes as no surprise the majority of the material she appears on has in fact been both arranged lyrically and melodically by herself. She writes carefully crafted lyrics and beautifully balanced melodies - often shaded by the twinkling stars of leading artists.

Her roots began in Manchester's Moss Side in the early 80s scene. Starting off in a battle of the bands scenario Diane soon became an associated member of legendary R'n'B group 52nd Street. Diane continued her early successes with the band to include Tell Me How It Feels (coming soon) which went on to tear up the US Billboard Charts reaching number 15.

The early nineties saw Diane working with Howie B and Dobie (Soul II Soul), Howie B & Dobie were offered a deal with Island Records. Along with Charlemagne they, allegedly, recorded an album as Nomad Soul. After only one single, Candy Mountain, Dobie apparently left because he wasn't happy with where things were heading.

I was also under the impression she was the vocalist with Cool Down Zone but she doesn't record it in her discography? Then came the monumental breakthrough of Inner City Life by Goldie.

The mid Nineties engaged Diane's voice with Urban Cookie Collective, releases include The Key, The Secret. Since then Charlemagne has progressed on the dance scene and moved into house and garage. Working and writing with artists such as K-Klass, Satoshi Tomiie, Mutiny UK, Santos and Judge Jules, prior to being invited to tour as a singer with Moby. Touring for over 3 years, Diane gained worldwide recognition.

Recent years have seen the soulful diva signed with Chrysalis Music and continuing to work with respected acts such as, collaborations with London Electricity, 2020Soundsystem and Prayer Box. Diane was part of The Gospel Choir performance of Cry Of Innocence - the opera in respect of the tragic death of 19 year old Stephen Lawrence.

OK, so this is a request and I found it in the crates. The SIIS boys get a little quirky on this oddball leftfielder. Using that guitar sample that I know so well but can't put a name too, this avoids a pigeonhole by standing firmly astride the Jazz & Soul division. Hard to choose between the Radio Mix and the Nellee Hooper Mix but both work well.

Tracklist

1. Candy Mountain (Radio Mix)
2. Candy Mountain (Nellee Hooper Mix)
3.  Candy Mountain (DJ Intellectual Mix)
4.  Candy Mountain (Bonus Beats)

Download: NS-CR.7z | Filesize: 24.5 MB

Beverley Knight - Get Up! - CD1 & CD2 - (2001)

Parlophone ‎– CDRS 6564, Parlophone ‎– 7243 5 50038 2 9

Beverley Knight, MBE (born Beverley Anne Smith; 22 March 1973) is a UK soul singer and, latterly, musical theatre actress who released her debut album, The B-Funk, in 1995. Knight has released eight studio albums to date and is widely lauded as one of Britain's greatest soul singers. 

Get Up (along with Made It Back) is one of my fave tracks from our Bev and is presented here for your delectation in all its 2-disc glory.


The Original version is best, obvs, The Middle Row Mix is a nice garage re-lick, if that's your ting blud.

The So Solid Mix doesn't really do much for me, but your mileage may vary.

Tracklist CD1

1. Get Up! (Original Version)
2. Get Up! (Middle Row Mix)
3. Get Up! (So Solid Crew Mix)

============

On Disc 2, the Original version gets another airing, along with tracks Never Too late and What If? Both of which are very nice and well worth a spin. Better than your everage filler tracks.

Tracklist CD2

1. Get Up!
2. Never Too Late
3. What If?

Download: BK-GU.7z Filesize: 54.4MB

Joanna Law - First Time Ever - (1990)

ZYX Records ‎– ZYX 6371-8

Classic track alert!!

Mick uploaded this gem back in 2008. I couldn't believe I'd found it after all this time, so I owe him big time for making it available to those of us who love good music. Mick posted a rip of the 12" (which I re-upped in October 2012) and I've subsequently purchased the CD single from Discogs for a premium price... but it's worth every penny, so I'm uploading it to Soul Vendor in lovely 320 goodness.

Unlike the boss man, it was all about the Mellow Groove version for me, with its very cheeky sampling & reworking of the strangely groovy drums from Paul Simon's 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, although the Bumpy Mix is quality in its own right.

I should also mention that haunting acapella as used to absolutely devastating effect by Coldcut on their 70 Minutes of Madness mix, a CD so awesome that you really ought to own and marvel at.

Anyway, Here's what The Man had to say about it in his original post :

"Another gem engineered by Lee Hamblin. This cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, written by British folk singer, songwriter Ewan MacColl (Kirsty's Dad) and originally sung by Roberta Flack back in 1972. Produced and mixed by Simon 'The Funky Ginger' Law down at The Fallout Shelter in February 1990.

This song is all about the beautiful voice of Ms. Joanna Law, the voice behind many a hit. Simon A. Law, her brother I believe but cannot confirm, is also playing piano with the mighty James 'JTQ' Taylor on Hammond Organ and Ross Anderson on Bass. It includes the Acappella used on the legendary Coldcut - Journeys By DJ mix back in '95. My money goes on the superb Bumpy Mix, lay back, kick it and enjoy the ride. Just under 8 minutes of gently rolling groove with an angel singing on it."

Tracklist:

1. First Time Ever (Mellow Groove)
2. First Time Ever (Bumpy Mix)
3. First Time Ever (Acapella)

Download: JL-FTE.7z | Filesize: 37.1MB

Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure - (1995)

Dorado ‎– DOR040CD

Jhelisa (Anderson), cousin of Carleen Anderson (of Young Disciples fame), was born in Jackson, Mississippi. That gospel drenched soul background is clearly evident in her vocals, although I'd argue she sounds a little sensual and raunchy in her delivery for the churchgoers!

She embarked on her remarkable musical career in London circa 1990 as the vocalist for Soul Family Sensation (I Don't Even Know If I Should Call You Baby is posted elsewhere on here and I will be adding the CDS very soon). She gained a platinum disc for her vocal work with the Shamen on Forever People and, after putting out two wicked albums in Galactica Rush and Language Electric, and then working with some of the biggest names in the industry including James Brown, one of my favourite Hip Hop bands The Roots, Michael Franti (the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Spearhead), Bryan Ferry, Courtney Pine, Massive Attack, Chaka Khan, Roy Ayers, Nitin Sawhney, Sting and others.

Not only that, but she's been in films as well. Truly, a rare talent.

However, I digress. This track, Friendly Pressure, is an absolute stone cold classic. It's also another one featured on the obscenely brilliant Coldcut Journey By DJ album.

I've already mentioned her breathless, sultry vocals, and here she is backed up by some truly talented producers. There are seven(!) mixes on this disc, and none of them are sub-par. 

The picks for me are the Pluvio Mix, the Quiet Storm Mix and the two original versions. Pluvio is probably my fave, but it's a pretty close call.

Interesting note: The piano on the original and filter dub mixes are by the legend that is Mr Simon Law. Speaking of, watch out for the next post...

Peace & Luvizm xxx

Tracklist

1. Friendly Pressure (Radio Mix)
2. Friendly Pressure (Album Mix)
3. Friendly Pressure (The Enemy Release Mix)
4. Friendly Pressure (Pluvio Mix)
5. Friendly Pressure (Beautifully Bare Mix)
6. Friendly Pressure (Filter Dub Mix)
7. Friendly Pressure (Quiet Storm Mix)

Download: J-FP.7z | Filesize: 85.4MB

Janet Jackson - Got 'Til It's Gone (UK CDS & UK Promo) - (1997)

Virgin ‎– 7243 8 94600 2 5, Virgin ‎– VSCDT 1666

Sometimes credited as simply Janet, and other times by her full name, I'm opting for the latter here.

The ninth and youngest child of the Jackson family, Janet became a pop icon following the release of her third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis incorporated elements of R&B, funk, disco, rap and industrial beats, which led to crossover success in popular music.

Janet's 1997 album The Velvet Rope was quite an introspective affair, where she grappled with her depression and demons. Pain makes for great music, however, and this saw some of her best material to date. This single being a great example of that.

Got 'Til It's Gone is really a showcase of beautiful sublime neo-soul style production from Mssrs Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and my man Q-Tip (from A Tribe Called Quest, as if you didn't know) dropping some kinda nice bars, giving us a monster of a cut and arguably my favourite from Miss Jackson.

Featuring samples from the Joni Mitchell recording Big Yellow Taxi. Brit singer Desree would later sue Janet for use of her song Feel So High, later editions would credit Desree.

So on this release you'll be wanting Got 'Til It's Gone (Album Version) for the full experience. Mad props to the Mellow Mix as well, which drops the beats and let's the beauty of the track come to the fore. Really nice with an almost quiet storm vibe.

UK CDS Tracklist 

1. Got 'Til It's Gone (Radio Edit)
2. Got 'Til It's Gone (Mellow Mix)
3. Got 'Til It's Gone (Nellee Hooper Master Mix)
4. Got 'Til It's Gone (Mellow Mix Edit)
5. Got 'Til It's Gone (Album Version)

========

Onto the promo, we have five versions of the regular mix, including an Instrumental for mixologists. Again, Got 'Til It's Gone (Album Version) remains the best version, but you have the option of a No Rap version, minus Tip's bars, or a no Q-Tip version, which is minus his bars and his other background vocals. It's interesting to hear it without him, but it doesn't feel right to me! 

Choose your weapon. As Mickey P would say "Your mileage may vary"...

UK cardboard Sleeve Promo Tracklist

1. Got 'Til It's Gone (Radio Edit)
2. Got 'Til It's Gone (No Q-Tip)
3. Got 'Til It's Gone (No Rap)
4. Got 'Til It's Gone (Instrumental)
5. Got 'Til It's Gone (Album Version)

Download: JJ-GTIG.7z | Filesize: 90.0MB

Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart - (1990)

Elektra ‎– EKR 114CD, Elektra ‎– 7559-66613-2, Elektra ‎– EKR114CD

What an absolutely legendary cut this is from Deee-Lite.

We've talked about classics on here before and this one certainly fits that tag.

This song is built from samples which include a big ol' chunk of the drums from Vernon Burch's 'Get Up' (1979), a much smaller piece of Billy Preston's Stevie Wonder cover 'Uptight' (1966), that dope bassline from mister Herbie Hancock's 'Bring Down the Birds' (1966), multiple elements from Bel-Sha-Zaar, Tommy Genapopoluis and The Grecian Knights 'Introduction' (1969) (what a weird excersize track that one is) ...and I know I must have missed some.

Have a look at the credits on this bad-boy - 'Tip, Bootsy, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and engineer Bob Power. That's about as heavyweight a team as you're ever going to get.

Credits
Composer: Deee-Lite
Vocals: Q-Tip
Background Vocals: Bootsy Collins
Saxophone: Maceo Parker
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Arranger: Deee-Lite
Additional Arrangement, Engineering & Mixing: Mike Rogers
Assistant Engineers: Eddie Sancho, Derek Lategan
Additional Engineer: Bob Power

It's the Meeting Of The Minds Mix you'll be wanting. That's the full length version with additional vocals to provide extra flavour courtesy of Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip, and remains to this day the definitive version of this song.

It's an essential party jam and never fails to move people with its feelgood happy-happy-joy-joy vibes. I've always loved it!

Dig

The chills that you spill up my back 

Keep me filled with satisfaction when we're done

Satisfaction of what's to come

I couldn't ask for another

No, I couldn't ask for another

Your groove, I do deeply dig

No walls, only the bridge, my supper dish

My succotash wish

I couldn't ask for another

No, I couldn't ask for another

Groove is in the heart, Groove is in the heart

Groove is in the heart, Groove is in the heart

Watch out!

The depth of hula groove

Move us to the nth hoop

We're going through to, Horten hears a who

I couldn't ask for another

No, I couldn't ask for another

DJ Soul was on a roll

I been told he can't be sold

Not vicious or malicious

Just de-lovely and delicious

I couldn't ask for another

Someone's in this torso (yeah)

Hot! Gotta deal you wanna know (wanna know)

Dee-Liteful truly Dee-Liteful (liteful)

Makin' it doin' it 'specially at show (show)

Feeling kinda high like a Hendrix haze (haze)

Music makes motion moves like a maze (maze)

All inside of me (side)

Heart especially (yeah)

Help of the rhythm where I wanna be (c'mon)

Flowin' glowin' with electric eyes (ha)

You dip to the dive baby you'll realize (yeah)

Baby you'll see the funky side of me

Baby you'll see that rhythm is the key (hmm!)

Get get ready with it (with it)

Can't can't quit it (quit it)

Stomp on the street when I hear a funk beat (beat)

Playing Pied Piper

Follow what's true

Baby just sing about the groove (sing it)

Groove is in the heart

Tracklist

1. Deee-Lite With Bootsy & Q-Tip - Groove Is In The Heart (Meeting Of The Minds Mix)
2. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart (Peanut Butter Mix)
3. Deee-Lite - What Is Love? (Holographic Goatee Mix)
4. Deee-Lite - What Is Love? (Rainbow Beard Mix)

Download: DL-GIITH.7z | Filesize: 37.2MB

Mica Paris - South Of The River - (1990)

4th & Broadway BRCD 199

320 Re-Up - originally posted by Mickey P back in 5th July 2008!

This incredible release is one of my all time favourites from Mica. South Of The River from the Contribution album, remixed by the Blacksmith crew.

Pretty good stuff but then we have Where Are The Children, an absolute gem, soul music the way it's meant to be. The track is one of two tracks recorded at Ground Control, Santa Monica, written and produced by Patrick Moten & J.A. Greene for Golden Empire, the cherry on top comes courtesy of Gerald Albright supplying sax. This track has everything except Bobby Womack!

In contrast we have I Should've Known Better, written and produced by Mica & Omar. Omar plays all the instruments and it's kept sparse and simple but that does not detract from it's effectiveness in any way. Mica has room to breathe, space to perform and Omar's beats behind that dangerous bass line, this is a killer track. Enjoy!

Kym's Note: What a fantastic release! The title track South Of The River is one of her best (but she has so many classics), coming with two mixes by the mighty Blacksmith crew. Their Upso Mix comes correct with a (then) fresh new jack swing vibe. The Brixton Bass Mix has a more organic, typically Blacksmith vibe and just edges it out of the two for me. A great summer track.

Where Are The Children  is such a sublime piece of true soul, beautifully sung by or Mica. Seems to end too quickly though, just when you think it's gonna peak?

And then we have one of my all time favourite tracks I Should've Known Better - a flawless cut. Omar's bassline is DEVASTATING! (Please note though, this is the regular length version clocking in at 5:08 to be found most places this track pops up at. I will later post the I Never Felt Like This Before single which contains a version with an extra 31 seconds. Hey, when you love this song as much as I do that half a minute is almost orgasmic lol).

My suggestion is hit South Of The River (Brixton Bass Mix) and I Should've Known Better and hit them hard. Several times. Then check the other tracks as they're all great. What a serious release this one is.

Tracklist

1. South Of The River (Upso Mix)
2. South Of The River (Brixton Bass Mix)
3. Where Are The Children
4. I Should've Known Better

 Download: MP-SOTR.7z |  Filesize: 40.8MB

Fresh 4 (Children Of The Ghetto) Featuring Lizz.E - Wishing On A Star - (1989)

10 Records ‎– TENCD 287

Comprising Paul Southey (Suv), brothers J. Thompson (Flynn) and Kirk Thompson (Krust) and Judge, Fresh 4 had a massive underground hit with 1989's "Wishing On A Star", but their debut album went unreleased as a result of musical disagreements with their record company. What a shame!

Strangely, considering they were a band of producers, this track is listed as being produced by Smith & Mighty. Perhaps the fledgling crew were still learning their craft?

Flynn became one half of Flynn & Flora, whereas Suv and Krust would go on to become hugely influential within the drum & Bass scene, being pivotal figures alongside Roni Size within the Reprazent and Full Cycle Records crew. Big up the Bristol massive!

As a lady who loves her breakbeats this track really scratches my itch, combining James Brown's Funky Drummer with the Bobby Byrd Hot Pants (Bonus Beats) break as detailed elsewhere on here), along with some heavy compression, giving us a kick-ass framework for the song. It also uses the beautifully atmospheric Riding High by Faze-O, as sampled by EPMD and Ghostface Killah, as the main melody which is always a real treat to my ears.

Jump right into that 12" mix or the No JB Beats and ignore the edit. Smoke Filled Thoughts is simply the instrumental version, which is nice.

This is a legendary UK cut from way back when and absolutely essential.

Peace and luvizm xx

Tracklist

1. Wishing On A Star
2. Wishing On A Star (12" Mix)
3. Smoke Filled Thoughts
4. Wishing On A Star (No JB Beats)

Download: F4-WOAS.7z | Filesize: 41.3MB

Smith & Mighty - Walk On By - (1988)

Three Stripe Records SAM1114

Note: Originally posted by Mickey P 22/07/2008. I don't have this so I can't re-rip it but I still have his copy I DL'd back in the day, so here it is! Over to you, Mick. - Kym

Smith & Mighty's version of Bacharach & David's Walk On By came out amongst a variety of other versions of Walk On By. Due to its ba-a-ad bassline, spasmodic drum patterns and spacious production, this version sounds unique and quite different. So many people copied this simple sound that it is hard now to see Smith & Mighty as the originators, but they were among the first. Back in the day clubbers would happily hit the floor to this. Travelling on the flipside features the manual dexterity of DJ Linx and the vocal talent of Carlton and MC Kelz. A superb follow-up to Anyone, Smith & Mighty helped forge a distinctive UK sound and need to be remembered for that.

Tracklist

1. Walk On By 
2. Walk On By (Mellow Mix) 
3. Travelling 
4. Different Chapter

Download: S&M-WO.7z | Filesize: 25.5 MB