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