Chico DeBarge - Iggin' Me (Europe) - (1997)

Universal Music ‎– UND 56130

So at lunchtime I posted the UK CDS but I also have the Europe version here with minor differences in the track listing. 

It's still the fantastic and sexy-ass track which I (and, I hope, we) love, so take your pick.

There's a Radio Edit alongside the excellent Album Version, which is the track to go for on this CD. Following that is a mini sampler for the album - a track made up of snippets from five of the tracks. After that there follows an Instrumental that I discussed on the previous post as well as a TV Track, which I can't differentiate from the Instrumental?

Anyway, if you already DL'd the UK CDS you needn't bother with this one unless you really want the TV Track for some reason.

Regardless, it's a damn good song and either (or both) singles belong in any self respecting Neo Soul fan's collection.

Tracklist

1. Iggin' Me (Radio Edit)
2. Iggin' Me (Album Version)
3. Snippets From The Upcoming Album Long Time No See
4. Iggin' Me (Instrumental)
5. Iggin' Me (T.V. Track)

Download: CD-IM-E.7z | Filesize: 51.9MB

Chico DeBarge - Iggin' Me (UK) - (1997)

Universal Records ‎– UND 56170

This track, man. This track! My god, this is some next level sexy shit. For gods sake please don't play this back to back with Maxwell's Til The Cops Come Knocking. I can't be held responsible for what might happen! ;)

Chico dropped this delicious joint back in 1997 off the back of his Long Time No See album, a disc just dripping in Marvin Gaye vibes. Hell, there's even a Trouble Man cover on it so it isn't a coincidence.

This track, however, not so much. This is Chico doing his thing and being the baddest member of the DeBarge family that we all know and love. The beat sounds more akin to D'Angelo of that era than anything else, but certainly isn't derivative.

The Instrumental is a great addition to this CD and really showcases the musicianship involved. 

Hear those slinky, sensual keys being played? That's Chico's older brother El DeBarge, yes the silky voiced lead singer on DeBarge's Rhythm Of The Night. I love El and his playing here is sublime. Chico wasn't part of the group DeBarge, however. What a talented family. 

 

Tracklist

1. Iggin' Me (Radio Edit)
2. Iggin' Me (Album Version)
3. Iggin' Me (Clean Album Version)
4. Iggin' Me (Instrumental)

Download: CD-IM-UK.7z | Filesize: 40.6MB

Chico DeBarge featuring Erick Sermon & Redman ‎– Soopaman Lover (Remix) (1999)

Motown ‎– UDM-56233

It's my birthday today and you'll have to excuse me being self indulgent: I'm dropping two tasty joints from my favourite DeBarge today - the badboy of the fam, Mr Chico DeBarge.

First up is the oh so wicked remix of Superman, the red hot Soopaman Lover remix featuring Def Squad heavyweights Erick Sermon and Redman (my man).

This remix is straight fire with a hot beat supplied by Mr Sermon, surely one of Hip Hop's most underrated producers (EPMD were effing with the funk before a certain Dr Dre had even conceived of G-Funk)? All props are due. 

It opens with Red in fine style revisiting one of his own Soopaman Lover rhymes - Soopaman Lover Part II if I recall correctly? Chico then takes the reigns and re-sings, in a new styley, the lyrics of his Superman track, which is included as track 4 on this CDS, from his excellent Long Time No See album (you really should check that out if you've not heard it. It's full of Neo Soul goodness). Erick Sermon has a verse at the end to wrap it up. It's R&B/Soul/Hip Hop perfection and I love it as much today as I did back then. Twenty years old now. Damn.

I can't big this track up enough. It's 90s R&B perfection.

You have a street and clean version so take your pick as to if you like profanities or not. There's a nice instrumental as well for mixology. We then have the album version which is a great song as well, just with a different vibe, and it's ably finished off with another cut from Long Time No See, Virgin. It's a really nice track and all round a seriously heavy release.

Next post is the ever so sexy Iggin' Me from the same album. Boom.

See you on the flipside.

Tracklist

1. Soopaman Lover (Remix) (Street Version) Featuring – Erick Sermon, Redman
2. Soopaman Lover (Remix) (Clean Version) Featuring – Erick Sermon, Redman
3. Soopaman Lover (Remix) (Instrumental Version)
4. Superman (Album Version)
5. Virgin (Album Version)

Download: CD-SL.7z | Filesize: 42.5MB

Lina - It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix) (Promo Single) - (2001)

Atlantic ‎– PRCD 300669

I'm a big fan of Lina (born Shelina Wade of Denver Colorado), she's got a classy, classic jazz vocalist style, steeped in the traditions of Sarah Vaughn et al. She gets overlooked by many, I feel, which is a real shame.

If you've never investigated Lina before, I can't recommend her albums highly enough. Stranger On Earth, Morning Star (if you can get it for a reasonable price) and The Inner Beauty Movement in particular are amazing, but she's never put out anything less than great to my knowledge. 

This promo CD is a remix of a track allegedly from the Stranger On Earth album, although it's not on my copy of it! What's that about?

Anyway, the original is dope, and has a completely different, laid-back vibe. Sadly that versions not present here on this promo CD (you can find that here). What we have, though, is a simple stripped back, dirty, funky dance-floor friendly groove. Try listening without bobbing your head or even wanting to shake that ass. It's impossible.

My man DJ Premier (although I note Guru is listed as co-producer?) wisely doesn't overdo anything, and lets Lina's vocals shine through. It's essentially a drum track, with some reversed stabs and occasional rhodes style vibes. While the instrumentation is minimal, it helps propel the track by giving it some urgency and a real nice punchy feel.

The No Rap version is great and a really quick bullet of funky shit, weighing in at 2:20 and it's done. For my money though, track one is where it's at. It is still short, but has two verses from Guru who is admittedly going through the numbers here, but it's still wicked  (gotta have me some Guru, right?). The Instrumental is a welcome addition, but the call out Hook is a waste of time being just a small slice of the chorus, and not even in accapella! I'd have rather had an extended mix or the original version.

Still, it IS a promo (and seriously hot it is too).

Tracklist

1. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix)
2. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - No Rap)
3. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Instrumental)
4. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Call Out Hook)

Download: L-IA-GSR.7z | Filesize: 20.3MB

Lynden David Hall - Do I Qualify? (CD1 & CD2) - (1997)

Cooltempo ‎– 7243 8 85075 2 3, Cooltempo ‎– CDCOOL331, Cooltempo ‎– 8850752

Kym says: It was Lynden's birthday last week and I should have posted this back then so I'm a week late. Sorry Lynden!

Mick originally posted up CD2 back in the day so I am adding both that and CD1 in 320.

Highlight of Disc 1 for me are the Def Squad remixes, in particular the Def Squad No.2 Remix. Erick Sermon is the Daddy!

Back over to Mickey...

CD1 Tracklist

1. Do I Qualify? (Album Mix)
2. Do I Qualify? (K Gee Remix)
3. Do I Qualify? (Darc Extended Mix)
4. Do I Qualify? (Def Squad Remix - No. 2 Remix)
5. Do I Qualify? (Darc Midnight Remix)
6. Do I Qualify? (Def Squad Remix - No. 1 Remix)

Mick says: Another piece from the 'LDH collection', this is CD2 (EMI Records 7243 8 85245 2) from the UK release of Do I Qualify? supplied once again by Alifunk. Top Man!

The prize on this particular release is the exclusive Untouchables Remix of Sexy Cinderella featuring Rha Goddess. We also get the DARC Extended Remix of Do I Qualify? in glorious digital and, as if that wasn't enough, this includes The Jimmy Lee Story which includes girl-on-girl action. OK, sorry, I'm a sad bugger?

CD2 Tracklist

1. Do I Qualify? (Album Mix)
2. Do I Qualify? (Darc Extended Mix)
3. Sexy Cinderella (Untouchables Remix)
4. The Jimmy Lee Story

Download : LDH-DIQ.7z | Filesize: 104MB

Dawn Penn ‎– You Don't Love Me (No, No, No) - (1994)

Atlantic ‎– A8295CD, Big Beat ‎– 7567-95923-2

Another boom tune, this time a reggae classic.

Dawn Penn (born 1952 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer. She had a short career during the rocksteady era between 1967 and 1969, but is best known for this track, which which became a huge hit worldwide in the nineties.

Originally recorded for Studio One back in 1967 as 'You Don't Love Me', she  re-recorded it  in 1992 for producers Steely & Clevie as 'You Don't Love Me (No No No)' and it hit BIG two years later. 

(Although uncredited, Jackie Mitto's 'Ghetto Organ' (for the beat) and Willie Cobbs' "You Don't Love Me" (for the vocals) which shared strong similarities with Bo Diddley's "She's Fine She's Mine", are both deep within the DNA of this particular song (It's really interesting to literally see/hear the evolution from a blues song to a reggae banger).

Anyway, it's a great track, the lyrics are minimal and arguably slightly repetitive, but it gets away with by virtue of being so damn wicked.

I don't much care for the remix, but it is an interesting curio. 

I go all in with the Extended Mix for maximum goodness.

Tracklist

1. You Don't Love Me (No No No) (Original Radio)
2. You Don't Love Me (No No No) (Extended Mix)
3. You Don't Love Me (No No No) (Remix)
4. You Don't Love Me (No No No) (Instrumental Dub)
5. You Don't Love Me (No No No) (Remix Instrumental)

Download: DP-NNNYDLM.7z | Filesize: 48MB

Incognito Featuring Jocelyn Brown ‎– Always There (1991)

Talkin' Loud ‎– 868 359-2, Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 10

Oh my god. What a classic track I've got for you today my Soulistas as birthday month rolls on!

Incognito were always something of a favourite of mine with their sunny blend of funky, jazzy, soul-infused dance music. Real good "up" music. Bluey was always all about the vibes and they put out some amazing stuff.

Teaming up this time with soul POWERHOUSE vocalist, the mighty mighty  Jocelyn Brown, to release an era defining track. No hyperbole meant, it is that great a tune. Jocelyn's particular brand of power-soul could knock down skyscrapers, I am quite sure. What a voice! Although this a cover of a classic Ronnie Laws track from 1975 they really made it their own.

So Bluey's Mix is on the CD and is as fabulous as you'd expect, having that trademark Incognito sound to it. However, a special note needs to be made on how David Morales finessed the track and made it shine so brightly. His work on remixing here cannot be overstated.

I don't need to say much more about this release. It speaks for itself (Oh, by the way, the backup track, Journey Into Sunlight, is incredibly nice as well).  

I'd pick between either the 12" Mix or Bluey's Mix, depending on my mood. You can't go wrong either way. 

I love this track!

Tracklist

1. Always There (Edit)
2. Always There (12" Mix)
3. Always There (Bluey's Mix)
4. Journey Into Sunlight

Download: I-AT.7z | Filesize: 42.8MB

Incognito - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - (1992)

Talkin Loud, TALKCD 21

Kym - 320 re-up of another of my older posts that has somehow been attributed to Mickey (again). Very weird. Original posted 08/04/2009 - where does that time go??

The sun is shining here in North London, so I thought I'd post something with a Summery vibe to match the weather outside.

What better, then, than a Talkin' Loud track? One that's a remake of a Stevie Wonder classic?

I'm a huge Stevie Wonder fan, I know most of his songs backwards, and can't get enough of his 70's period. That brother had the funk down to a T. 

Now, I would normally consider anyone daring to cover one of his songs as utter blasphemy, but Incognito did a brilliant job with this tune, and, dare I say it, improved it by making it a little more dance-friendly, with a more pronounced groove.

Just listening to it now takes me back to summers gone by where I had it on a playlist, along with various other acid jazz type tracks, playing loud during barbecue's with family and friends, the rosé wine flowing, the smell of cooking burgers and J* being passed round...

I better stop now, as I'll be boring you.

There's a Frankie Foncett mix, as well as another track, a remix of Colibri, which sounds, for all the world, like a latin-tinged Roy Ayers/George Benson collaboration. Really good stuff!

However, what you'll really want are the Edit and LP Versions (the LP Version being my personal pick). Essential summertime listening.

Enjoy the sun, y'all!

- Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Edit)
2. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (LP Version)
3. Colibri (Remix)
4. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Frankie Foncett Mix)

Download: I-DYWBAT.7z | File size: 46.7MB

* I don't nowdays, honest! My boyfriend at the time of writing this was a cop! lol

Supercat - Scalp Dem / South Central (Promo) - (1994)

Columbia ‎– CSK 6430

Perhaps dancehall tracks don't truly belong on the Soul Vendor, but May is my birthday month, and so I'm gonna break the rules a little and indulge myself in some boom tunes from my youth.

Today I'm serving up the awe-inspiring Wu-Tang remix of Scalp Dem by Supercat. 'Cat was big back in '94, with a highly influential style that can still be felt to this day (people like Sean Paul owe Supercat and his peers a huge debt of gratitude). I've always been partial to a bit of ragga but some time in 94 I started hearing this one beat (I think Jazzie B used to use the instrumental for backing music on some of his talkie bits on his Monday night Kiss FM show, back before it was crap) that got under my skin.

This beat sounded like nothing else - eerie string type vibes over some plodding drums. Kinda hypnotic, and when I heard the full version I knew it was a masterpiece. 

So there's the Wu-Tang Mix on here followed by the original Dance Hall Mix. Go Wu-Tang for maximum enjoyment, obviously.

It's backed up with the remix of 'Cat's South Central, which is also incredibly catchy, using the Outstanding loop as its basis. It's a fine track but can't touch the majesty of the Scalp Dem Wu remix.

Wu-Tang forever, baby!

Tracklist

1. Scalp Dem (Wu-Tang Mix)
2. Scalp Dem (Dancehall Mix)
3. South Central (Outstanding Mix)

Download: S-SD-P.7z | Filesize: 27.5MB

Mona Lisa - Can't Be Wasting My Time (Promo) - (1996)

Island Records ‎– 422-854 538-2

Kimberly Leadbetter (born November 20, 1979), better known by her professional stage name Mona Lisa, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, actress, model and record producer. She had a few singles, but this was by far her biggest joint and featured on the Don't Be A Menace... OST.

While I love this track I have always had a problem with it - specifically how it lists Butnaked Tim Dawg (and Mr Sex - great name) as the sole producers but it's basically an instrumental of KRS 1's MC's Act Like They Don't Know, produced by my boy DJ Premier. That's without even getting to the original sample used by Preemo (Clifford Brown's Yesterday's in case you're acting like you don't know (see what I did there?)).

Buttnaked Tim Dawg did a lot of that - borrowing heavily from whatever Hip Hop tune was big at the time and making an R&B track from it. See the Dawghouse Remix of Christopher Williams' dope Every Little Thing You Do on this site for further evidence where he once again stole from DJ Premier. I ain't aganst sampling, hell, the  music I love is built upon it, but credit where credit is due.

The production credits do not mention Premier or even Clifford Brown at all. Scandalous!

My production credit gripes aside, this is a great slice of forgotten mid 90s US R&B.

I only have the promo CD so don't have the extra mixes. This CD simply contains with and without rap versions, so take your pick as to what floats your boat. Having said that, the rap is by Mr Cheeks of the Lost Boyz so guess what I'm chosing? :D

Tracklist

1. Can't Be Wasting My Time (One Dread One Ball Head Version) (With Rap)
2. Can't Be Wasting My Time (One Dread One Ball Head Version) (Without Rap)

Download: ML-DBWMT.7z | Filesize: 19.9MB