SWV - I'm So Into You 1993

RCA Records SWV 2

OK, I lost the cover to this so I've managed to find the front but not the back. However, this is a must have. SWV, another 'BAM Jam' Brian Alexander Morgan production, Teddy Riley on the Remix with Wreck-N-Effect along for the ride but, for Mikey, it's all about track 4.

Allstar's Drop Check Dance Mix is all you need. Allen 'Allstar' Gordon Jr. cuttin' it up for Blackstar and boy, does he know how to rinse it out. It's a mutha, if you don't know, you better get to know!

• Allstar's Drop Radio Mix
• Teddy's Radio feat. Wrecks-N-Effect
• Teddy's Radio Mix
• Allstar's Drop Check Dance Mix
• Teddy's Extended Mix feat. Wrecks-N-Effect

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: SWV.rar Filesize: 36.85 MB

Omar - Golden Brown 1997

RCA Records 74321 52542 2

In 1997 Omar released his new album, This Is Not A Love Song. Before it's release, he released a single from the album which surprised many. A cover of a Punk Rock ballad, an Ode to Heroin, a Heart FM classic?

In retrospect, it was a move of pure genius. Golden Brown, by The Stranglers, is a song that millions of normal everyday people feel comfortable with (many don't even realise it's about drugs) and therefore it might get the multi talented, under appreciated, genius that is Omar some kudos. It didn't of course, but it did give us this CD single release.

This release is all about Wherever, which is also from the album but on the album it is not remixed by the Blacksmith team though. The Blacksmith Full R&B Rub is eight minutes of pure class, leaving the, otherwise good, Blacksmith Hip Hop Mix in the shade.

The Brass Tooth "Well Constructed" Mix is a fine example of just how good a 4x4 remix can be. It plays a little fast for Omar but Croydon's Neville Smith who would put out the excellent Celebrate Life on Well Built Records the following year, has done a great job. This mix puts the song on the dance floor whilst retaining the soulful body of the song and giving it an uplifting gospel element.

• Golden Brown
• Wherever (Blacksmith Full R&B Rub)
• Wherever (Blacksmith Hip Hop Mix)
• Wherever (Brass Tooth "Well Constructed" Mix)

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

Cameo - Skin I'm In 1988

Club Records JABCD 77

Last week, Larry Blackmon strutted his stuff at the O2 Indigo. I had the opportunity to go but couldn't make it. Absolutely gutted. As a tribute to a fine group who have contributed far more than most to dancefloor history, The Soul Vendor proudly presents Cameo.

By 1980, Cameo already had a history as a 13 piece, funk and soul phenomenon. Albums such as Cameosis and Knights of the Sound Table were laid on a foundation of legend.

In the mid-80's Larry Blackmon and his crew were ready to move on. With Alligator Woman in 1982, the band stripped down to five main members. Blackmon moved the band in a new direction, giving them a cutting edge sound dominated by a drum machine and prominent bass line. He donned 'a red codpiece', added his trademark "Ooow!" into the mix and totally reinvented the group.

Cameo's 1983 release Style was one of the first to come from this new label and was the first disc to capitalize on Cameo's new sound. She's Strange came out in 1984 and its '12-inch mix' was a major smash in the clubs. 1985's Single Life was also a major club hit that saw some crossover success, especially in the UK.

Word Up! hit the airwaves in mid-1986, the resulting album turned Cameo into superstars. The follow-up tracks, Candy and Back and Forth, were also huge hits for the funk trio. By this time, the band were included in every mix or album compilation going. Les Adams remixed Word Up! to great effect and soon after the original Cameo Megamix made it's presence felt. The Cameo Megamix Two is an epic 10 mins of blistering anthems that doesn't sell you short.

Two years later, Cameo released Machismo to lukewarm response despite favourable review. It's a good song with a positive message and yet Skin I'm In sunk without a trace in the UK. It would appear Cameo's reign was over. Almost in reflection of this, Honey is a short reprise of Candy without a song as such. It simply echoes a song that once was.

• Skin I'm In
• Honey
• The Cameo Megamix Two

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Cameo.rar Filesize: 33.75 MB

Jomanda - I Like It 1993

Big Beat Records A8377CD

Jomanda are from New Jersey and comprised of Joanne Thomas, Cheri Williams and Renee Washington. Their 1990 album was a house music affair that delivered several US dance chart hits, including Got a Love for You, which made US #1 in 1991. It also crossed over to the mainstream, peaking at number 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

I first encounted Jomanda during the 'Summer Of Love', courtesy of a blinding House classic entitled Make My Body Rock. It certainly did and when I came across this release, I hoped for another belter. I was in for a bit of a shock. To my surprise, I Like It turned out to be an R&B track. In 1993, they released their second album, Nubia Soul, which was an R&B/Hip Hop joint from which this single was released.

The track play list is perfect though. The Radio Edit introduces you to a great R&B joint. It's followed by the Smoove Edit. Eric 'E Smoove' Miller was the third part of the Chicago Trax team, along with Steve 'Silk' Hurley and Maurice Joshua. His mixes are of the 4x4 variety, walking that thin line between Dance and House. It's good ground in the right hands but the Extended Smoove Club Mix is too cheesey for my liking and the Smoove Edit has nothing to offer at all. What can I say, I'm honest and it's only my opinion?

The Original Mix puts you back in an R&B mood and then up steps Kenny 'Rah-Rah Smoove' Kornegay with his Nubia Soul Remix for an Untouchables Production that gives us that last minute slam dunk. Bam!

• Radio Edit
• Smoove Edit
• Extended Smoove Club Mix
• Original Mix
• Nubia Soul Remix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Jomanda.rar Filesize: 35.62MB

Joanne Thomas also went under the name of Yavahn and in 1998 she released a track called Baby You which is one of my (many) all time favourite songs. Sadly, she died in October 2003 after a three year battle with cancer.

Sinclair - Ain't No Cassanova 1995

Dome Records CD DOME 103

OK, Kymba is taking care of I Want You Back so I thought I'd throw up the 1995 remix of Ain't No Casanova. It's not a great release, the Groove '95 Remix trying to use the Jackson 5 bass line as it's hook and the Ken Kessie US Mix being the US Encore Mix renamed.

It is of interest however, for it's inclusion of the 2B3 Back To Basics Remix which opens it up with a light and airy production. Unfortunately, I find it distorted and uncontrolled. It's certainly not up to 2B3 standards which is a shame.

All is not lost though because we still have the beautiful Stay With Me Tonight which is not Street Soul but is a classy stepper worth having, especially as it wasn't on the 1994 I Want You Back album.

• Groove '95 Remix
• Ken Kessie US Mix
• 2B3 Back To Basics Remix
• Stay With Me Tonight

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sinclair.rar Filesize: 27.99 MB

Brigette McWilliams - I Get The Job Done 1994

Virgin Records VUSCD18

Brigette McWilliams was born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles and New York. She grew up immersed in an environment full of musical greats. Her mother, Paulette McWilliams had a 60s hit, ‘Bend Me Shape Me’ with the group Rufus and regularly toured and recorded with Quincy Jones and Luther Vandross. She claims that she is influenced by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Chaka Khan, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. The music, energy and spirit of the scene at the time captivated her and set the scene for what she would later become.

Brigette studied law and thought this may be her eventual career before joining a girl group Flavor and signing with Universal Records. However her distinctively rich alto tones soon landed her a solo deal with Virgin Records for two highly acclaimed albums.

McWilliams made her début for Virgin in 1994 with the album Take Advantage Of Me. Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal for So So Def productions, she was surrounded by a wealth of musical talent and was only required to sing what was written for her. It received favourable reviews in the soul / R & B papers but she later complained that she enjoyed 'zero creative control' in its conception.

The fact that she went on to write and produce alongside Steve Harvey on her 2005 release, Starlight Lounge, on Expansion Records , venturing into Jazz and Brazilian rhythms, tells you how frustrating it must have been for her. She shortened her artist name to Brigette, branched out into fashion accessories and married Mark Romanek, (the film director responsible for films like ‘One Hour Photo’ and the music video to Michael and Janet Jackson’s ‘Scream’).

OK, that's the story, here's the music. A plethora of mixes from Jermaine Dupri himself using EW&F and James Brown samples, an interesting offering from Shannon Houchins but the only mix I need is the Quiet Storm Mix by Wicked T incorporating the guitar work of Verve artis, Evan Marks. Pure unadulterated soul. Enjoy!

• Natural Radio Mix With Clean Intro
• Hard Funk Mix
• Quiet Storm Mix
• The Extended
• Hard Funk Mix Instrumental
• On Top Of The Job Mix
• On Top Of The Job Mix Instrumental
• LP Version
• Quiet Storm Mix Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Brigette McWilliams.rar Filesize: 68.61 MB

Beverley Knight - Made It Back 1999

Parlophone Records CDRHYTHS 18

Finally, the second of Alifunk's Beverley Knight's Made It Back CD singles. Released in April 1999, this was the first single taken from her re-packaged album. Made It Back '99 features a more commercial production provided by TNT and Mike Spencer, who introduce a sample of 's Good Times by Chic into the song. The Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards groove with its bitchin' bassline, has been used more times than a 2 Bit hooker but Boy, does it feel at home on this number. Not much left of the Soul Inside production of course, but what the hey, it still includes Redman & Specialist. I guess you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs?

The single became Knight's first top 20 single in the UK when it peaked at #19 upon its release. It was supported by a re-released version of Prodigal Sista, which contained this and two other remixed tracks. A new video was also created, but was not included on the CDS but I've included it here. As with the original, it uses the TNT 7" Mix which does not feature Redman. The Booker T Night Time Dub is typical 4x4 Garage fodder although it does retain much of the vocal.

• TNT Good Times 12" Mix
• TNT Good Times 7" Mix
• Booker T Night Time Dub
• Original Album Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Beverley Knight.rar Filesize: 58.6 MB

Pauline Henry - Too Many People 1993

Sony S² Records 659594 6

Pauline Henry started her career as the lead-singer of the Scottish band The Chimes. She then went solo and released two albums: Pauline and Do Over. The singles include a cover of the Juicy classic Sugarfree, Watch The Miracle Start and Too Many People.

After parting with The Chimes, Henry needed to reassess her career:

"After The Chimes, I took a while to think about what I really wanted to do with my career. I got my head down writing and had 25 songs. I learned my craft live, as opposed to being 'created' in the studio. I didn't know much about studios until I joined the Chimes."

As she idolizes Tina Turner, it was doubtless no accident that her debut album included Can't Take Your Love, co-written with Terry Britten, who had penned many of Turner's biggest hits. There was also a cover version of Bad Company's Feel Like Makin' Love, revealing her R&B roots.

Too Many People has the catchiest chorus ever and this 12" release features an all-star cast of remix talent. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, nothing can raise the song higher than a very well performed, fairly good song with an extremely catchy chorus. Don't get me wrong, it isn't I Should Be So Lucky but Pauline is capable of great work so why give her any less than great songs. Blacksmith do a fine job as usual, as do Absolute and the less obvious Ten City. Hard to choose but the Blacksmith Extended Mix is probably the pick of the bunch. Enjoy, it is a good song and were it by an unknown I would probably think even more highly of it?

• Extended Version
• Blacksmith Dancehall Mix
• Blacksmith Extended Mix
• Absolute 12" Mix
• Ten City 12" Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Too Many People 12@.rar Filesize: 54.48 MB

Beverley Knight - Made It Back 1998

EMI Records 7243 885636 0 4

Another one of Alifunk's gems. Beverley Knight in fine form, striking out for girl power, well it was the late Nineties. This is the original release of Made It Back, featuring Redman. Ali has also supplied the video to which I have added a stereo soundtrack. It's not the best quality available but I have increased the frame size and contrast and I believe it is meant to feel a bit ruff.

Made It Back was the first single released from her second album, Prodigal Sista. It was also the first single on EMI after she signed with them in 1997 after disagreements with Dome Records. The release instantly proved that Knight had made the right decision after it entered the UK Top 40 at #21 - her highest charting single up to that point. Featuring US rap star Redman, the song was nominated for Best Single at the 1998 MOBO Awards in London, which Knight lost out to Freak Me by Another Level and she had to settle for Best R&B Act of 1998, a very reasonable accolade, I think?

• Made It Back (feat. Redman)
• Made It Back (C-Swing Mix)
• Made It Back (Brooklyn Funk Club Mix)
• Made It Back
• Made It Back (Video)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Made It Back 97.rar Filesize: 66.25 MB

Aaron Hall - Don't Be Afraid - (1992)

MCA Records, MCSTD 1632

It's the 7th of April, and that can only mean ONE thing.... it's Aaron Hall Day today on Soul Vendor, and here's our second offering:

Don't Be Afraid, alongside Teddy Riley & Tammy Lucas's brilliant Is It Good To You, were the lead singles from the Juice OST, one of the very best Original Motion Picture Soundtracks I've ever heard.

Instead of working with his former colleague Riley, Hall made this track with heavyweight Hiphop producer Hank Shocklee (of The Bomb Squad fame), whose 'wall of sound' production style blew so many of us away on the first three Public Enemy albums.

As far as CD singles go, this is a fine, FINE release, and fantastic value for money.

There are eight(!) tracks, two of them instrumentals; there's a 7" Edit of the original album track (which is still the best mix for me), a track called Vocal Files (which is an alternative acapella take on the chorus), a nice downtempo extra-naughty mix in the form of the Sex You Down Version, and a funkier-than-James-Brown's-socks version in The 125th Gangster of the Posse Mix, in which Mr Hall struts his stuff in a jazzy, semi-scat manner, and proves nobody can shout "oooh-wee" quite like he does. I aint even joking! Oh, there's also the tweaked Nasty Man's Groove mix, which is a slightly less street, slightly more melodic version of the original, without straying too far from it (for the record, 'Nasty Man' was Aaron's nickname in Guy).

Don't Be Afraid is something of a classic, and certainly one of my favourite R&B tracks of the nineties.

- Kymba :)

PS - I've re-ripped this and it's now in 192kbps, and I've added the full length album version, not listed on the CD single, as it's still the best version of the track.

• Don't Be Afraid (7" Edit)
• Don't Be Afraid (Nasty Man's Groove)
• Don't Be Afraid (Sex You Down Version)
• Don't Be Afraid (Sex You Down Instrumental)
• Don't Be Afraid (Nasty Man's Groove Instrumental)
• Don't Be Afraid (The 125th Gangster of the Posse Mix)
• Don't Be Afraid (Piano Jam)
• Don't Be Afraid (Vocal Files)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Don't Be Afraid (Single).zip File size: 31.5 MB

10 x 12 - A Bad Album 1986

Portrait Records PRT 26920

This is for those of you that are not old enough to remember the 80's club scene. This is a sampler album that hit the spot in early 1986. Black Music has not always been mainstream. It used to be 'underground' or 'specialist' and became overly popular in certain eras. I guess Tamla Motown was probably the first Black Music become Pop Music. Disco also had a good go before the mainstream 'White' market stole it and milked it relentlessly causing, in the process, 'the death of Disco'.

Interestingly, that cull enabled the wonderful process that led to the advent of House & Garage. Allow me to digress a little more here. When I say House & Garage, I ain't talking about the shite we in the UK now refer to as House & Garage in the Noughties. That's actually Bassline & 90's 2 Step.

In the meantime, incredible things were happening on the underground Black Music scene. Rapping, Hip Hop, Electro, Breakdancing, Graffitti, Jazz Funk, Cherry (Jerry?) Curls, Extensions, Combats and Batty Riders? Behind it all though, was a slow heavy bass line that became known as 80's Groove. By 1986, Black Music was ready to take over the charts again.

Most of the tracks on this album are US releases from 1985 and most went on to become anthems. There was something for everybody on this and the only track I personally, didn't rate highly at the time is Lovebug Starski. My opinion hasn't changed much.

Portrait Records was a reasonably good Pop label, releasing some fair 12"s, Say Yeah by The Limit being a perfect example, but I have many of those featured on here and they didn't come out on Portrait except New York Eyes as I recall. I guess it was a CBS showcase then?

Living In America was a huge tune marking the return of 'The hardest working man in show business...' James Brown. He hadn't really been away as such cos every record company with his name in their catalogue was re-releasing it. In 1984 he teamed up with Afrika Bambaataa for Unity and his name was legend. His product was being cut up by every DJ in the world at this time. Even I used to try using the Sex Machine intro as a sample, especially the "1, 2, 3... " It was a phenomenon and hard to describe now without it sounding like an exaggeration. James Brown became an institution and Living In America was his way of saying...

I'm more than a legend, I'm alive!

'The Boss' was making his presence felt on the Top Twenty again.

Full Force were, for a short time, the name on everybody's lips. B-Fine, Shy Shy, Paul Anthony, Bowlegged Lou, 'Curt-T-T'& Baby Gerry came together in Brooklyn during 1984. By autumn of 1985 Alice (I Want You Just For Me) had been played to death everywhere whilst I Wonder (If I Take You Home) was last seasons 'most played'. Unfortunately, 1986 was the crest of the wave, Full Force overkill, they would never have another hit with their name on it.

Roy Ayers Hot was the reason I bought this album. Infectious rhythm, excellent vibraphone solo and James Mtume production. What more can you ask for.... Oh, I know, a showcase in a Michael Jackson video, thanks!

James 'Jimmy Jam' Harris III and Terry Lewis comprised the production team known as Flyte Tyme and they ruled in the 80's. Cherrelle was launched on Tabu Records and although her voice wasn't the best on the scene, she had something. Jam & Lewis was part of the something she had and just in case there was any doubt, they teamed her up with their new male talent, Alexander O'Neal. Saturday Love was a club hit of epic proportion. The inclusion of an accapella on the 12" ensured that it got mixed with all sorts on pirate radio. The version included here is the album cut which is cool because it's not on the 12". O'Neal's own offering is also included here, If You Were Here Tonight has gone on to become a slow jam stalwart, featuring on more Quiet Storm collections than you could shake a stick at. There's one more Jam & Lewis contribution in the shape of The Finest by The S.O.S. Band. I believe this is the 12" Long Version and is also an anthem.

Juicy contribute their finest moment on the dancefloor with Sugar Free (The Super Deo Dance Mix) although it does fade early. They were an Eumir Deodato project, hence the Super Deo title. Deodato was a 70's legend and moved into production in the 80's. There's nearly six minutes here and you don't feel like you are missing anything. A little knowledge can be bad for you?

Last on the list, but certainly not least, we have New York Eyes by Nicole featuring Timmy Thomas. Nicole had a succesion of releases mostly US, some with Clivilles & Cole but this is the only one she is truly memorable for. Timmy Thomas is something of a legend himself, he is also world reknowned for one song. In 1972 he released Why Can't We Live Together and it blew up worldwide. Here, he produces and duets superbly with Nicole and you can't but help wonder why they never had more product of this calibre?

• James Brown - Living In America
• Full Force - Alice
• Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - I Wonder
• Lovebug Starski - House Rocker
• Roy Ayers - Hot
• Cherrelle - Saturday Love
• Juicy - Sugar Free
• Nicole - New York Eyes
• Alexander O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight
• The S.O.S. Band - The Finest

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: A Bad Album.rar Filesize: 114.53 MB

Nine Yards - Always Find A Way 1999

Virgin Records VSCDT1746

Once again, supplied by Alifunk.

This time it's Nine Yards with their pre millennium joint, Always Find A Way. I must confess, Nine Yards never really did it for me but I know there was a lot of love for them. Like other UK R&B outfits, Nine Yards adopted the smooooth US-style. What made them a little more interesting than most was the involvement of some genuine talent, both in the playing and songwriting departments. Along with vocalist Clevedon Buntyn and rapper Ian Thomas, the South London born singer Wayne Beckford signed a major deal with Virgin records for his trio Nine Yards in 1997.

The accomplished artist, musician, songwriter and producer, has since gone on to a production career that now has nearly a decade of history. This Jamaican from Peckham has his new found family of KONVICT music which boasts platinum artists like Akon and T-Pain.

The Jay Dee Remix is the one for the R&B crew, stealing from Minnie Ripperton's 1975 recording Inside My Love. The Radio Edit makes for comfortable 'easy listening' while Todd Terry's Extended Club Mix needs to be pitched waaaay down, assuming you want it to sound anything like a half decent rendition of the song but hey, what the hell, if the beats fit, synch it!

• Radio Edit
• Todd Terry's Extended Club Mix
• Jay Dee Remix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nine Yards.rar Filesize: 35.15 MB



Respect to José Manuel.

Trivia: The group name means 'everything' and the phrase refers to the length of an ammunition belt, i.e. 'Use it all, the whole nine yards.'

Blacksmith - Get Back To Love 1989

ffrr Records FX 111

Karl Alexis Atkins & Hugh Atkins together with Peter Carlyle Trotman formed the foundation of Blacksmith. They are essentially a production team from South London. Blacksmith mixes were in demand and invariably came in pairs, Brixton Bass and Upso mixes. They had an edge in the late 80's, early 90's, in the fact that their production style covered both downbeat R&B headnodders, and uptempo dancefloor mixes without entering into house music territory.

Trotman can be found on quite a few things outside the Blacksmith field. He plays bass on, among others, Zero 7's 'Simple Things' album and has even sung vocals for East West Connection. Karl 'Blacksmith' Atkins is the main man though, I suspect? For a short time only, they tried their hand in the 'Artist' category, releasing (to my knowledge at the time) two singles, for which they went all 4x4 deciding to move Blacksmith into the 'Dance' arena.

Get Back To Love done quite well because it featured on ffrr's Silver On Black sampler album. The album contained a Radio Edit which clocked in at around four minutes. It sounded good, uplifting house with lots of vocals, but the fade left you wanting more and so I went seeking the twelve inch.

The exciting thing about this 12" was the Blaze Remixes. Blaze, to me, were the MAW of the late 80's. I had flipped over If You Should Need A Friend and went through the roof to Can't Win For Losing. Then they provided the remixes of Mica's Great Impersonation. I had great expectations for this 12" but I was blandly disappointed. The Blaze Club Mix has the vocals and keyboards higher in the mix and some fluttering percussion has been added with a bucketful of flange. The Blaze Dub doubles up, nay, triples the amount of flange and leaves the vocals in which is effective but then it adds further insult by fading out at five and a half minutes.

All in all, the Blaze mixes are no better than the original. Had this not been Blaze I would not have been so critical but Kevin Hedge & Josh Milan are producers of high calibre and I came to the conclusion that they were short of time or couldn't be bothered. For that reason my vote goes on the Blacksmith Mix every time.

They followed it up with Hold You Back in 1990 which I have a horrible feeling has gone missing but I will have a look later.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Blacksmith.rar Filesize: 40.47 MB