Yutaka - Brazasia 1990

GRP Records GRP-9616-1

Japanese Jazz muso, Yutaka Yokokura plays Koto and keys. Yutaka's debut was recorded in 1978 , and originally released in Japan. The Love Light project was an new experience of jazz and oriental sounds which is being sampled to death recently by the Hip Hop fraternity. Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen and the upcoming talent represented by Yutaka, felt they had accomplished a fresh fusion of music.

Brazasia is Yutaka's third album, released in 1990 on GRP, and features a plethora of fine musicians, notably Dave Gruisin and Paulinho Da Costa. Of the many fine tracks here, I personally love the title track, Brazasia sung by Pauline Wilson and Morena. It's a fine example of light jazz, nice to chill out to and it makes me think of sunny climates and crystal clear seas which I really need here in Grey Britain?

• Brazasia
• East By South
• Morena
• Chuva
• Lambada Nova (You're Good For Me)
• Urban Jungle
• Wayward Wind
• (If I Only Have) One Chance
• Sao Jorge
• Say You Do

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Yutaka.rar Filesize: 63.82 MB

Miles Jaye - Heaven 1989

Fourth & Broadway Records BRW 133

I almost left this off. I considered not mentioning it and hoping nobody noticed also but, major embarassment, I only have the 7". I do however, have the 12" Club Mix and with the tracks on the 7" that leaves Bonus Beats & a Dub missing I think?

I have to post it though because this track is a legend. Remixed by the Def Mix Productions dynamic duo, Frankie Knuckles and David Morales, this awesome bubbler is Miles Jaye's finest dancefloor moment. Riding into a new decade, the Remix and Ed's Edit make for a superb single release but the Celestial Club Mix was the bright star from the 80's, the light from which can still be seen in many a good club today.

• Heaven (Remix)
• Heaven (Original Version Ed's Edit)
• Heaven (Celestial Club Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Miles Jaye - Heaven.rar Filesize: 22.53 MB

Beggar & Co. - (Somebody) Help Me Out 1981

Ensign Records ENYT 201

It was in 1981 when Jazz Funk Group Light Of the World (originally including Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick) left the stage of Hammersmith Apollo and returned as Beggar and Co. They went on to some success with top ten hits like (Somebody) Help Me Out and Mule Chant No. 2 with help from Spandau Ballet. The members, Breeze McKrieth, Kenny Wellington and David Baptiste, (formerly the horn section of Light Of the World) Gee Bello and Nat Augustin. This track can be found on their album Monument but on this release it is edited and remixed by Barry Blue.

• (Somebody) Help Me Out
• Rising Sun

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Beggar & Co .rar Filesize: 19.49 MB

Sandals - Nothing E.P. 1992

FFRR Records FCD 199

The Sandals were Will Blanchard, John Harris, Derek Delves & Ian Simmonds. Acid Jazz owner, Eddie Piller was the Sandals' manager for their one album history. This release is produced and remixed by Paul Daley and Neil Barnes (Leftfield) who could do no wrong at the time.

• Nothing
• Nothing (Extended Version)
• Nothing (Dub)
• Nothing (Hard Hands Ritual)
• Nothing (Distant Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sandals - Nothing EP.rar Filesize: 44.99 MB

Capitol Classics Volume 2 1989

Capitol Records EMS 1338

Capitol certainly have more than their fair share of Classics but I only have Volume 2 & 3. Many thanks to Boo for supplying Volume 1.

Anybody have Volume 4?

Another learning curve for me.

I bought it for Maze, BB&Q and Paul Laurence.

I value it for Gene Dunlap & Cecil Parker.

• William De Vaughn
• B B & Q Band
• Gene Dunlap
• Maze
• Xavier
• Cecil Parker
• Paul Laurence
• Dayton
• Gene Dunlap & The Ridgeways
• Natalie Cole

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Capitol Classics Volume 2.rar Size: 64.88 MB

Asia Blue - Connect 1992

Atomic Records ABDJ 1

This is the song that actually got me interested in Asia Blue. Note that it's a Promo 12", no cover i.e. no pretty girls to distract me from the music. No sir, this was recommended by Steve Hobbs in Blues & Soul mag and it joined my very long 'Wanted' list. Although all Asia Blue's songs are OK, none of them were particularly special. Boy In The Moon was all about D-Influence and Escaping was bought on the strength of the other two singles. Connect is more than that, Connect is special.

The 3 Amigoz Mix is as far as you need to go, IMO. It's an infectious piece of street soul that has the x factor (and I don't mean the bloody tv program) that makes you want to move. The other mixes are a little less effective and the 4 2 The Floor house mix should be treated with the contempt it deserves. A pointless attempt at making the song fit where it shouldn't.

• The 3 Amigoz Mix
• 4 2 The Floor Mix
• 7" Radio Mix
• Street Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Asia Blue - Connect.rar Filesize: 38.96 MB

Lynden David Hall - Do I Qualify 1998

Cooltempo Records 12COOL 331

The ever popular Lynden David Hall makes another appearance, thanks to José Manuel who has kindly supplied, not only the audio but, all the artwork and credits. Respect!

Do I Qualify, the first single release from Medicine 4 My Pain (I believe?) remixed here by Karl "K-Gee" Gordon to fine effect. The Album Mix is included along with Def Squads Number 2 Mix but my favourite is the ever-so-soulful, DARC Extended Mix. Thanks for your hard work José.

• K Gee Remix
• Album Mix
• Darc Extended Mix
• Def Squad Remix - Number 2 Remix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: LDH - Do I Qualify.rar Filesize: 39.87 MB

Asia Blue - Escaping 1992

Atomic Records WNRT 882

This song has been performed by several artists, including Dina Carroll in 1996, but Margaret Urlich's version, included on her 1989 album Safety In Numbers, seems to be the earliest. I don't have that album so I can't check the writing credit but Asia Blue credits "Written by B. Blue / R. Smith" whereas Dina Carroll's includes "D. Carroll / N. Lowis" As Barry Blue seems to be the man behind Asia Blue, I guess he is B. Blue and one is left to assume Dina re-arranged something?

The main version is a Steve Anderson Remix for the Disco Mix Club but the Sleeping Giant Mix is my fav.

• Escaping (A Kiss Across The Sea)
• Escaping (Sleeping Giant Mix)
• I Want The Right (To Be Wrong)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Asia Blue - Escaping.rar Filesize: 28.89 MB

Adeva - Adeva! (Ltd. Bonus 12") 1989

Cooltempo Records CTLPD 13

When Adeva's album came out in 1989, it was accompanied, for a limited time, by a bonus 12" single featuring three unreleased mixes. Beautiful Love is remixed by Frankie Knuckles for Def Mix productions. The Dream Mix is more of a dub mix, featuring David Morales, John Poppo & Eric Kupper on keys, drums and programming, etc. I created my own Extended vocal with it coz it's boring. Promises & I Thank You are in-house Smack Productions remixes.

• Beautiful Love (The Dream Mix)
• Promises (Truth Mix)
• I Thank You (New Jersey Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Adeva! Bonus 12.rar Filesize: 52.15 MB

Miles Jaye - Objective 1989

Island Records BRCD 142

This was my favourite track from the album at the time. I bought the album because of Objective and was pleased when the Club Mix got a release. Grover Washington shines on the Sax Mix but it seems somehow, inconclusive. That hasn't stopped me playing it often over the years.

• Radio Mix
• Club Mix
• Sax Mix
• Reprise

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Miles Jaye - Objective.rar Filesize: 20.21 MB

Miles Jaye - Irresistable 1989

Fourth & Broadway Records BRLP 531

Miles Jaye became one of the most popular male vocalists in urban circles during the late '80s. Having learnt violin in New York and learned keyboards and bass in the Air Force, he worked with Phyllis Hyman before Teddy Pendergrass signed him after hearing a demo tape.

Island released his debut album Miles in 1987, and Let's Start Love Over was a sizable hit. He worked on Teddy P's album Joy but it was his next album, Irresistible, that became his most succesful, spawning two more singles Objective (featuring Grover Washington Jnr. on soprano sax) and Heaven. All seven of Jaye's albums are worth checking out but this is my personal favourite. I don't think it ever got a CD release but if I'm wrong then I would like to invest in a copy. Here then, is my vinyl rip.

• Irresistible
• Objective
• Next Time
• Slo Dance
• Message
• Neither One Of Us
• Interlude
• I'll Be There Tonight
• Heaven
• Love In The Night

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Miles Jaye - 1989 Irresitable.rar Filesize: 66.41 MB

Paradise Orchestra - Colour Me 1991

Pulse 8 Records 12 LOSE 10

Italian DJ's and disco pioneers, Corrado Rizza and Gino 'Woody' Bianchi who set up Wax Productions with Dominico Scuteri, a very talented musician. Colour Me by Paradise Orchestra, one of the best Euro House tracks ever released, was their first creation, released by Alvaro Ugolini and Dario Raimondi's Rome label, X-Energy. The record charted (briefly thank God) in the UK on the highly credible Pulse 8 label establishing for them, an excellent reputation on the dance scene.

For my money, the 70's Classic Mix says it all but a song of this calibre works anyway you want it. The hook is in the string section and The Theme is like a Stringapella, listen and it will catch you like a box of fishing hooks. THIS is why it works and yet it sounds so simple?

• 70's Classic Mix
• The Theme
• Heavenly Mix
• Dominic Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Paradise Orchestra.rar Filesize: 30.33 MB

Street Sounds Edition 14 1985

Street Sounds STSND 14

Another iconic release from the Street Sounds stable. Packed full of goodies, as usual, although some of the big tracks are not so cool now, Five Star - Love Take Over, Ready For The World - Oh Sheila and pretend the Three Degrees - The Heaven I Need (it's not a bad track!) is not a Stock, Aitken & Waterman production. Starpoint - What You Been Missin' and Tramaine - Fall Down (Spirit Of Love) are good songs but for me Frankie Kelly - Ain't That The Truth, Collage - Romeo Where's Juliet, Gardenia - Chiquita Linda and Jeff Tyzik - Sweet Surrender still sound more than just good and Bernard Wright - Who Do You Love simply rules. What a tune, now that's the cherry, that's what it's all about!

• Ready For The World
• The Three Degrees
• Frankie Kelly
• Bernard Wright
• Jeff Tyzik
• Starpoint
• Five Star
• Collage
• Tramaine
• Gardenia

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds Edition 14.rar Filesize: 103.38 MB