Aaron Hall featuring Redman - Curiosity - (1995)

MCA Records, MCADM-55143

320 re-up! This is yet another in a long string of my old posts that have somehow become attributed to Mickey P. - Kymba

Aaron Hall (born August 10, 1964), is an American soul singer and songwriter. He was the silky-voiced lead singer of uber-producer Teddy Riley's New Jack Swing trailblazers Guy. He also sounded more than a little like Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band - no bad thing at all.

Anyway, post-Guy, Aaron had a few solo hits like the superb Don't Be Afraid from the excellent Juice OST, and this track, Curiosity, taken from the Dangerous Minds OST - yes, that's the film that *THAT* Coolio song came from.

It's a nice, funky slice of street-soul, produced and writted by Mr. Dalvin of Jodeci and one Missy Elliott, but the Marley Marl Remix is the one you'll want. It's much, MUCH funkier, and features Redman, probably my favourite rapper, doing a couple of verses that again help lift it above the original.

There's also a nice instrumental for you mixologists out there - something I always look for in a release, although no acapella.

As a point of interest, I've just seen some Youtube vids called Aaron Hall's Dog Rehab with our man working out of LA, training and rehabilitating doggies. As an animal lover that makes me love Aaron even more.

- Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Curiosity (Marley Marl Remix - Radio Version)
2. Curiosity (Misdemeanor)
3. Curiosity (LP Version)
4. Curiosity (Marley Marl Remix - Instrumental)

Download: AH-C.7z | File size: 38.8MB

M-Beat featuring Jamiroquai - Do U Know Where You're Coming From - (1996)

Renk Records, CDRENK63

320 Re-Up!

Back in 1996, seemingly from out of nowhere, a weird collaboration happened. M-Beat (a guy best known for the jungle track Incredible with General Levy) made a funky slice of Drum & Bass with perennial Acid jazz faves Jamiroquai.

However, the results were most definitely not weird. Anything but, in fact. The combination of D&B tempo drums and 70’s funk permeating this track (you’ve got to love those wah-wah guitars) work very well indeed alongside Jay Kay's always catchy vocals, giving Jamiroquai one of their punchier, funkier moments.

This is proper future funk.

There are several versions, with not a great deal to pick from between them, but I always err on the side of the Extended Mix, which kicks some serious bootie (and has more wah-wah's and vibes).

Essential stuff!

An edit of this track made its way onto certain editions of the Travelling Without Moving CD as an unheralded bonus track.

PS - Stop the press... I've added the vinyl only Jumping Jack Frost remix, which is highly chilled full D&B version. Well worth adding to your collection.

Tracklist

1. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Original Mix)
2. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Touch Of Horn Mix)
3. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Extended Mix)
4. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Full Horns Mix)
5. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Intelligent Groove Mix)
6. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Dextrous Remix)
7. Do You Know Where You're Coming From (Jumping Jack Frost Remix)

Download: MB&J-DYKWYCF File size: 67.1 MB

Triviality: The tracklisting differs slightly between the back of the inlay card (displayed above, and which I've included in the .ZIP file), and the folded "lip" part of the inlay card. Have a look and see what I mean. I've gone with the ones listed above, but you might want to amend the track names if you feel I should have gone for the others.

Tammy Payne - Do You Feel It (Like I Do) - (1992)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 19, Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD19, Talkin' Loud ‎– 866 827-2

While not as immediate and awesome as the slice of perfection that is Take Me Now, Do You Feel It (Like I Do) is a nice piece of early 90s socially conscious jazzy funk, A sound that really typified not just Talkin' Loud records but the UK underground music scene of this era.

Initially, when she first sings the line about "I had a dream" my gut feeling is to cringe, but as soon as that tried and tested jazz funk Talkin' Loud sound kicks in, you know this is gonna be wicked.

The Jazzy Feelin' mix comes courtesy of Roger Sanchez, and sounded pretty good to me at the time, but on revisiting it with my modern ears, sounds a little by the numbers? Maybe you'll feel differently.

The other version on here (in three separate varieties) comes from Mr Ceri Evans of the Brand New Heavies (and later Sunship), and is the definitive version, for my money.

Jump straight into the 12" mix (track 3) in my opinion.

Tracklist

1. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Jazzy Feelin' 7")
2. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (12")
3. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (7")
4. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Ceri Evans / Tammy Payne Dub)

Download: TP-DYFILID.7z | Filesize: 42.8 MB

Aswad ‎– Next To You - (1990)

Island Records ‎– CIDM 753, Island Records ‎– 875 963-2

Well, the sun is shining so I thought that was a good excuse as any to post up this summertime joint.

Aswad (Arabic for "black") are the UK's premier reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been around since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums.

Current members

• Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye – vocals, drums (1975–present)
• Tony "Gad" Robinson – vocals, bass, keyboards (1976–present)

Former members

• Brinsley "Dan" Forde – vocals, rhythm guitars (1975–1996, 2009)
• Donald "Dee" Griffiths – lead guitars (1975–1980)
• George "Ras" Oban – bass (1975–1979)
• Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings – keyboards (1975–1976)

Aswad released their most recent material in 2009, with the album City Lock. They released the singles "What Is Love?" and "Do That Thing" in the same year.

These boys are artists of the highest order.

Next To You is such a nice track, taking me back to blazing summer afternoons in the early nineties. This one's thirty years old next year. Feeling old yet?

It feels more R&B than reggae, although with reggae overtones, obviously.  The Roughneck Mix is your extended version, so investigate that if you're into the tune. The Jazz mix ain't really Jazz at all, but does make for a nice variation, being a little more piano driven. The Dimension Dub is a sample fest and also a very competent variation that's worth checking.

Tracklist

1. Next To You
2. Next To You (Roughneck Mix)
3. Next To You (Jazz Mix)
4. Next To You (Dimension Dub Mix)

Download: A-NTY.7z | Filesize: 40MB

Dodge City Productions - The Clarity EP - (1992)

4th & Broadway Records BRCD 231 - 886 397-2

320 re-up - originally posted 07/06/2012.

Dodge City Productions (DCP) were a British hip hop/Acid jazz group formed in London circa 1991, (and signed to the 4th & Broadway records), by IG Culture (real name Ian Grant) and DJ Dodge (real name Roger Drakes). They were one of the leaders of the Acid Jazz movement, and also received much acclaim and success for their many, many dope remixes, usually done as "City Lick". The group split in the early 1990s, and both members went to have further success in the music industry as solo artists.

Anyway, I've already told you all about the DCP boys here, so to the tracks themselves.

I have problems picking out what version I prefer as I like them both; I think The Clarity Edit just edges it as the drums seem a bit tighter, but there's not a lot in it. What do you think?? 

It's backed up by two solid cuts from the album: Ain't Going For That (actually a sequel to the album cut) & The Slow Jam which is a gorgeous jazzy cut that slinks its way under your skin, and features... yeah, you guessed it, our man Ronnie Jordan on guitar.

All in all, a quality release.

Tracklist

1. The Road In Front Of Me (The Clarity Edit)
2. The Road In Front Of Me (The Black Mix)
3. Ain't Going For That (Part 2 '92)
4. The Slow Jam

Download: DCP-TC-EP.7z | Filesize: 54.0MB

Dodge City Productions - As Long As We're Around - (1992)

4th & Broadway Records - BRCD 261

320 Re-up - Originally posted 06/05/2012 by me.

Combining an authentic jazzy Hip-Hop swagger with a sophisticated soulful knowhow and bringing it to everything they touched, DJ Dodge and IG Culture were two of my favourite producers back in the day. 

A regrettably short-lived career as a duo in their own right under the name Dodge City Productions saw them release an EP, a couple of singles and an LP, Steppin' Up & Out, and go on to remix anybody who mattered, infusing any artist with their trademark classy urban sound.

Steppin' Up & Out is a great album, but I felt it perhaps leaned a little too heavily towards Hip-Hop, and could have done with a couple more tracks like As Long As We're Around to make it truly fly, as it was clearly the stand-out track. Feels a little weird me saying that, being the Hip-Hop fan that I am, to speak the truth.

Both Dodge and IG have enjoyed hugely successful solo careers since disbanding DCP and are still very much involved in the music scene. Here's some further reading on on our dynamic duo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_City_Productions

Onto this release, featuring the talented vocalist Ghida De Palma singing her ass off, and the mighty Ronnie Jordan on guitar (no wonder it sounds so great), the LP Edit is a nice enough shortening of a brilliant track, but it saddens me there is no extended version of it, or even just the full LP version, on this CD (so I've included the full album track in the download to make up for that fact. Never say I don't look after you). Why only feature a shortened version of the reason you're buying the single for in the first place?? It doesn't make sense.

The script gets flipped in a harder take on the track in the Say You Hear Dis Mix; Ghida's vocals are re-sung in a more aggressive fashion, the beat is considerably harder; and it sounds a lot better today than I remember from the time when all I cared about was the original/LP version that was getting heavy rotation. Really good stuff. The Dub Dance version is effectively the LP mix minus pieces of the chorus, but is otherwise a minor variation on the original mix.

Rounding it out is the Whistle Mix of Young Life, which is a nice early 90s slice of jazzy Hip-Hop which, if, like me, you're into bands like A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul will appeal to you.

Enjoy this, as it's another classic.

Tracklist

1. As Long As We're Around (LP Edit)
2. As Long As We're Around (Say You Hear Dis Mix)
3. As Long As We're Around (Dub Dance)
4. Young Life (Whistle Mix)
5. Bonus: As Long As We're Around (LP Version)

Download Link is here: DCP-ALAWA.7z | Filesize: 54.4MB

Mica Paris - One - (1995)

Cooltempo Records, CDCOOL304

Originally posted in 2009 by me. Now re-upped in 320. This is another of those odd ones that is now being attributed to Mickey. Really weird, that. - Kymba

Following on from Mickey's The Chimes post, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" which is a U2 cover version par excellence, I thought I'd do the same. We're all about the continuity here!

So take one pretentious rock/pop star's arguably finest moment. Get someone hugely talented, vocally, in to re-sing it and voila - instant magic! (Ah... but it was 'a good song' and Mica is probably the only singer who could've truly improved it? Mickey)

Yup, you're right, Mick. I'll take my slap on the wrists there - it is a classic song with truly beautiful lyrics, and I'm letting my dislike for Bono & Co colour my words, but listening to Mica Paris sing it is like hearing it the way it should be rather than just a mere cover.

Mica sings with effortless grace, and real passion. Her smokey vocals - I almost melt when she ups the emotion with the line "...did I disappoint you..." - over the slick, non intrusive beats, really are a match made in heaven. Having said that, Mica could ride over a Gun N Roses beat and make it sound wicked.

There's a suite of mixes, and I'll hazard a semi-educated guess and say that our Mickey would go for the lovely Perfecto mixes, but, for me, the Ethnic Boyz mix is the best (points awarded if you can tell me what song is sampled for the main loop), closely followed by the Original Mix. 

That's not to say the others are bad at all, though!

Tracklist

1. One (Perfecto 7" Edit)
2. One (Original Mix)
3. One (Perfecto Mix)
4. One (Ethnic Boyz Mix)
5. One (Perfecto Dub)

Download: MP-O.7z | Filesize: 58.9MB

Mica Paris - Young Soul Rebels - (1991)

Big Life BLR D 57

320 Re-up!!

Mickey P says: A great song from Mica that was the theme from a UK movie of the same name. Not the best movie in the world but hey, thanks for the soundtrack? Along with Mica's B-sides, this was another gem that didn't make it onto an album?

Kymba says: Man, I love Mica's work. She can do no wrong for me. This release is a great example of that.

Ignore the Original Version - it does little for me and probably won't for you either. What you'll want is that wicked remix. The beat sounds very much like a recreation of (or inspired by at the very least) the Think Twice loop as was huge at the time and used on Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's excellent 'Let The Beat Hit 'Em' (as posted elsewhere on here), and Main Source's sublime 'Looking At The Front Door'. It ain't the sample, but it sounds very close.

Have a listen and see what you think.

Tracklist

1. Young Soul Rebels (Remix Edit)
2. Young Soul Rebels (Original Version)
3. Young Soul Rebels (Remix)

Download: MP-YSR.7z | Filesize: 32.1MB

Mica Paris - Contribution - (1990)

4th & Broadway ‎– BRCD 188, Island Records ‎– 879 319-2

I've always loved Mica, and in the late 80s to early 90s she was banging out tune after wonderful tune. My One Temptation, the uber sexy Breathe Life Into Me, the breathtakingly beautiful I Should Have Known Better (one of the best basslines ever - thanks, Omar!), Young Soul Rebels... I could go on but you get the point.

Contribution is such a great tune. It's got the typical early 90s UK urban music scene vibes of equality and social consciousness which may come off as cheesey to some, but it is way better than the rank commercialism and overt hyper-sexualisation of today's music. And it's all held down with a very urban party vibe style beat. 

Hip Hop legend Rakim (we're not worthy!) makes an appearance, dropping some of his trademark ahead-of-his-time bars over the dope beats. There is also guitar work by a certain Mr Nile Rogers of Chic fame. Awesome!

I genuinely enjoy all the mixes and this is one rare occasion where I'm not gonna suggest one or two over the others (I know, right?). They're not too dissimilar but they all work.

Incidentally, the backup track Showers Of Love is produced by Phivos (Phill) Sebastiane better known as The Scientist! No, not the reggae dub specialist, but the UK's own electronic music Scientist who put out legendary breakbeat cuts such as The Excorcist and The Bee. as well as Champion Sound (under the name Kick Squad). Sadly, Showers of Love is the weakest joint on this CD, and shows none of Phil's psychedelic rave infused breakbeat madness.

Tracklist

1. Contribution (The Original Edit)
2. Contribution (Transistor Mix)
3. Contribution (The Revolution Remix)
4. Showers Of Love

Download: MP-C.7z | Filesize: 41.1MB

Mica Paris - Breathe Life Into Me - (1988)

Island Records ‎– BRCDP 115

Mica Paris (born Michelle Wallen on 27 April 1969 in South London) is an English soul singer, radio and television celeb, and occasional actress and author who is well documented on Soul Vendor - and will be featured several times more in the near future.

She dropped her debut joint 'So Good' in 1988, followed by the first single, the sublime My One Temptation. Breathe life Into Me followed this and made an instant impression on a very young me.

Mica's vocals are undeniably rooted in the gospel tradition, but she sings with a certain husky, raunchy edge, and can hit certain notes that almost pierce your soul, as I mentioned when I posted her track One back in the day (watch this space for a 320 re-up of that, btw).

Yeah, the production (by L'Equipe (Miles Waters, Peter Vale) with Engineering by Lee Hamblin) is relatively pop sounding, and doesn't have the proto Neo Soul and R&B vibes of her early 90s work that I loved her for so much... but DAMN if this ain't a sexy, seductive piece of work. It is undeniably tight and sexy, and Mica's sensual delivery give this a certain ooh-la-la that elevates it into something special. Easily my favourite joint from her debut album.

Turn the lights down, light up some candles, pour a glass of something naughty jump straight into that extended mix.

Bliss!

Note: Although the cover scan looks like it's a cassette, I can assure you that this is the CD single. It has a half sized inlay card to show off the picture disc.

Tracklist

1. Breathe Life Into Me (Radio Remix)
2. Breathe Life Into Me (Extended Remix)
3. In The City
4. Like Dreamers Do (Hello New York)

Download: MP-BLIM.7z | Filesize: 42.9MB