Mac Band Featuring The McCampbell Brothers ‎– Roses Are Red - Euro Mini CDS - (1988)

MCA Records ‎– 257 859-2

Secind birthday post of the day and it is a straight classic.

"Roses Are Red" is a 1988 single by The Mac Band featuring The McCampbell Brothers, and produced by the legendary LA and Babyface. The Mac Band WERE the McCampbell brothers, so it's a slightly odd name?

This was their most successful of six chart singles on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, peaking at number one for one week on that chart. "Roses Are Red" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. In a weird twist of fate, it fared better this side of the big pond, where it hit #8 on the UK Singles Chart.

This Extended Version is pretty hard to find in good quality, so it is shared with love on here. There's also a nice instrumental version as well for creative mixology. I've also included the regular, non extended version from one of the Nite Flight albums.

"Roses Are Red" is a great, great piece of R&B with LA & babyface at the height of their powers, and is a real favourite of mine.

Tracklist

1. Roses Are Red (Extended Version)
2. Roses Are Red (Instrumental)
3. BONUS TRACK: Roses Are Red

Discogs page

Download: MB-RAR.7z | Filesize: 65.6MB

Mica Paris - My One Temptation - UK Mini CDS - (1988)

4th & Broadway ‎– BRCDP 85

Mica Paris (born Michelle Wallen on 27 April 1969 in South London) is an English soul singer, radio, television celeb, occasional actress and author who has featured here on The Soul Vendor many times - and this post continues that trend.

My One Temptation was Mica's debut track, and what an assured, cool debut it was, setting the tone for a career that's lasted over three decades now. A bona fide classic in every way, and still sounds great.

The Radio Mix is the classic best known version, but the Club Mix followed by Lee's Fave Bits are well worth your time if you like the original.

Rock together is a nice track but the title track is the one.

Enjoy!

Tracklist

1. My One Temptation (Club Mix)
2. My One Temptation (Radio Mix)
3. My One Temptation (Lee's Fave Bits)
4. Rock Together

Discogs page

Download: MP-MOT.7z | Filesize: 39.7MB

Loose Ends ‎– Hangin' On A String (Contemplating) - (1985/1988)

Virgin ‎– CDT 39

Loose Ends formed in London in 1980, initially comprising vocalist and guitarist Carl McIntosh, vocalist Jane Eugene, and keyboard player, writer and founder Steve Nichol. The latter two left the group in 1989 due to poor progression and since their departure the newer Loose Ends sound has gained higher chart positions globally and a wider fan base in the R&B genre through Carl McIntosh's production skills.

Hangin' On A String (Contemplating) is one of the UK's biggest ever soul tunes. It's a seminal, I'd even say Legendary cut and is hugely influential to this day, it knocked down the transatlantic doors and set the scene for the crossover success of UK acts like Soul II Soul in subsequent years.

Although this was released first on vinyl in 1985, peaking at #13 on the UK Singles Chart and #1 in the US R&B Singles Charts, that was before the time of the CD, and it was reissued on this (then) cutting edge digital format in 1988.

The Extended Dance Mix is a classic and just over 6 minutes of perfection. Jump right in!

Away from the obvious brilliance of the classic title joint, A Little Spice is a really catchy, latin-infused dance number and is well worth checking out if you're unfamiliar with it. Dial 999 is similarly catchy, and indicative of the 80's soul incarnation of Loose Ends' sound. There are some chords in the bridge that remind me of Saturday Love by Alex O'Neil and Cherelle. Let me know if you agree.

Tracklist

1. Hangin' On A String (Contemplating) (Extended Dance Mix)
2. A Little Spice
3. Dial 999 (12" Extended Mix)

Download: LE-HOAS.7z | Filesize: 39.0MB

Smith & Mighty - Walk On By - (1988)

Three Stripe Records SAM1114

Note: Originally posted by Mickey P 22/07/2008. I don't have this so I can't re-rip it but I still have his copy I DL'd back in the day, so here it is! Over to you, Mick. - Kym

Smith & Mighty's version of Bacharach & David's Walk On By came out amongst a variety of other versions of Walk On By. Due to its ba-a-ad bassline, spasmodic drum patterns and spacious production, this version sounds unique and quite different. So many people copied this simple sound that it is hard now to see Smith & Mighty as the originators, but they were among the first. Back in the day clubbers would happily hit the floor to this. Travelling on the flipside features the manual dexterity of DJ Linx and the vocal talent of Carlton and MC Kelz. A superb follow-up to Anyone, Smith & Mighty helped forge a distinctive UK sound and need to be remembered for that.

Tracklist

1. Walk On By 
2. Walk On By (Mellow Mix) 
3. Travelling 
4. Different Chapter

Download: S&M-WO.7z | Filesize: 25.5 MB

Smith & Mighty - Anyone - (1988)

Beatmaster Records BEAT M2 12

Note: Originally posted by Mickey P back on 22/07/2008. I can't re-rip the songs in 320  or re-scan the art as I don't have it, but I do have his original audio files. - Kymba

Smith & Mighty, consisting of Rob Smith, Ray Mighty and Pete Rose, were a production team from Bristol. The ‘Bristol Sound’ did not originate with the likes of Massive Attack and Portishead. While the Wild Bunch (a Bristol based collective) can claim credit for breaking the sound, it was Smith & Mighty that first created it. Back in the day they were on a par with acts such as Soul II Soul. Anyone was a massive smash that brought them to public attention. With Jackie Jackson on the vocals, they managed to push their formula forwards for public appreciation. 

They were also responsible for Wishing On A Star which was released under the name of the Fresh Four.

Tracklist

1. Anyone (Original Version)
2. Anyone (Rap Mix)
3. Anyone (Instrumental)

Download: S&M-A.7z | Filesize: 18.7 MB

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