Don-E - Peace In The World - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway – BRCD 256, 4th & Broadway – 864 091-2

I won't waste any time covering who Don-E is or what he means to me or the wider UK soul scene as that good stuff can all be found on previous write-ups by myself or Mick elsewhere on this blog.

Peace In The World is a beautiful, summery track and there isn't a bad version here.

The Urban Mix and Badboy Submix are my favourites, although if pushed, I'd probably go for the slightly more basic Badboy Submix. It's largely, vocals, beats and bassline, with minimal extra instrumentation, and song song really shines through (and that b-line is kinda nice, you know).

Again, Don-E is still active as an artist, both as part of the British Collective (please search out their album on Amazon or somewhere to support them) and go check out his personal BandCamp page. https://don-e1.bandcamp.com/ which has some heavy releases on there.

Tracklist

1. Peace In The World (Radio Mix)
2. Peace In The World (Urban Mix)
3. Peace In The World (Badboy Submix)
4. Skip To My Lou

Discogs page

Download: D-E-PITW.7z | Filesize: 39.8MB

Don-E - Oh My Gosh - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway – BRCD 260, PolyGram – 864 829-2

Don-E has been well documented on here so I'll keep this relatively short. As many of you know, he is a true UK icon and should be regarded alongside Omar as one of our greatest.

As far as I know, Oh My Gosh was Don-E's first release, so maybe I should've posted this first? :)

While it isn't his best ever work, it is a confident, nicely done mid-tempo joint and is well worth having in your collection.

All the mixes are decent but I think the Original 7" and stripped back Thunderstorm Mix are my favourites, as they let his vocal performance shine, and so edge it for me, but your mileage may vary, as Mick would say.

Don-E is still active as an artist, both as part of the British Collective (please search out their album on Amazon or somewhere to support them) and go check out his personal BandCamp page. https://don-e1.bandcamp.com/ which has some heavy releases on there.

Tracklist

1. Oh My Gosh (R&B Mix)
2. Oh My Gosh (Original 7" Mix)
3. Oh My Gosh (Dancehall Mix)
4. Oh My Gosh (Thunderstorm Mix)

Discogs page

Download: D_E-OMG.7z | Filesize: 36.8MB

Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 242

320 Re-up! Originally posted by Mick on 16/06/2008.

I LOVE Don-E, and I view him as one of the UK's finest artists. This one is a classic and better still would follow. While you're checking this, make sure to buy all the British Collective stuff you can get your hands on. They are comprised of Don-e, Junior, Leee John, Noel McKoy, Omar and Special Guests such as Carl McKintosh and other classic UK soul voices.

Here's Micky's original write-up (and yes, Don-E is from Brixton).

Kym x

Don-E came out of South London if I remember rightly, can anybody confirm that. A multi talented young lad with a good understanding of what was happening at the time. This debut release had a huge impact on the soul & dance scene with Don-E being proclaimed as both a genius and a Stevie Wonder sound-alike. Oh well, can't please them all but I'd take that as a compliment anyway?

Personally, I think the London Mix is blinding and Mystery is a cool track too. Grab the album if you can, there are some damn good tracks on it.

 

Tracklist

1. Love Makes The World Go Round (Radio Mix)
2. Love Makes The World Go Round (Extended Club Mix)
3. Love Makes The World Go Round (London Mix)
4. Mystery

Discogs page

Download D-E-LMTWGR.7z| Filesize: 43.7MB

Simon Harris Starring Dina Carroll & Monte Luv ‎– Don't Stop The Music - UK CDS - (1990)

Living Beat Records ‎– SMASH 10CD

In 1986, Simon Harris, who would later become best known for producing the number one hit "Bass (How Low Can You Go?"), founded the label Music of Life with hundreds of productions, many by Simon himself,  involving UK, US and Jamaican urban artists. Simon broke new ground alongside Asher D and Daddy Freddy, when they released "Ragamuffin Hip Hop", a fusion of reggae and hip hop, and helped to lay the foundations of the urban UK music scene for years to come.

He has remixed many artists such as Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Arthur Baker, War, James Brown, George Clinton, Tony! Toni! Toné! and Prince (The Most Beautiful Girl in the World) to name a few.

He's also the man behind the legendary Beats Breaks and Scratches series of albums – which I've got several of.

This tune has real pedigree, being a cover cover of the 1980 classic by Yarbrough and Peoples, with Mr Harris and team infusing it with 90s urban sensibilities.

His team for this release features the excellent Dina Carroll blessing us with her beautiful vocals as well as rapper Monte Luv. 

It also opens with a nice breakbeat, underpinning the whole song, and I do like a break!

Wicked stuff! :)

Tracklist

1. Don't Stop The Music (Critical Club Mix)
   Featuring [Starring] – Dina Carroll, Monte Luv
2. Ragga House (Return Of The Prodigal Raggamuffin Mix)
   Featuring [Starring] – Daddy Freddy
3. Love Brake
4. Don't Stop The Music (Radio Edit)
   Featuring [Starring] – Dina Carroll, Monte Luv

Discogs page

Download: SH-DSTM.7z | Filesize: 43.9MB

McKoy ‎– Fight - (1992)

Right Track Records ‎– CD RT KOY-02

Mick's original write-up can be found here.

More goodness from the awesome Noel McKoy and band who have been covered on here many times. McKoy had a real knack for blending social commentary with heartfelt soul music and were essential listening for younger me.

In recent times, Noel has been a part of the brilliant British Collective, along with Don E, Omar, Carl McIntosh, Lee Johns and several other UK soul veterans.

The City Lick is, of course, produced by the legendary and always dope Dodge & IG Culture, no surprises that it is probably my favourite version, although mad love to the original version should be taken as a given.

Paul Gotel's Belvedere Mix is also pretty good with its recreation of the bassline from Gwen McCrae's All This Love I'm Giving.

But all that aside the Original & City Lick are perfection. Start there and branch out is my advice.

Tracklist

1. Fight (7" Mix) 3:20
2. Fight (City Lick Mix)
3. Fight (Paul Gotel Belvedere Mix)
4. Fight (Original Mix)

Discogs page

Download: M-Fi.7z | Filesize: 41.2MB

Naughty By Nature - OPP (Remixes) - UK CDS - (1991)

Big Life ‎– BLR D74

Back in 1986 three talented young guys (Treach (Anthony Criss), Vin Rock (Vincent Brown), and DJ Kay Gee (born Keir Lamont Gist)) from New Jersey got together as The New Style, and released an album called the Independent Leaders.

Soon after, a certain Queen Latifah took them under her wing, and they went on to achieve meteoric success under the name of Naughty By Nature.

As a group they were fire, and for a while, I had Treach figured as one of the best ever to do it.

OPP is a Hip-Hop anthem of gargantuan proportions. It's really difficult not to understate how massive or ubiquitous this track was back in the early nineties. The fact that the boys would follow it up with a series of anthems (Ghetto Bastard/Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Uptown Anthem, Hip Hop Hooray and more) is a testament to how skilled the boys were with creating catchy, dance floor friendly Hip Hop whilst retaining their rugged East Coast credentials.

Back to OPP, it has great pedigree; taking it's main hook from ABC by The Jackson 5 (1970), the oh-so-dope drums from Melvin Bliss's Synthetic Substitution (1973), as well as elements from Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's La Di Da Di from 1985.

Featured on here is the original and two other mixes.

I don't think Other People's Productions Remix is as good as the original, but the Fairplay Mix (sampling the Soul II Soul track of the same name) is well worth having in your collection. Both of these were by Funkie Junkie & Skin Up.

Uptown Anthem, featured on the Juice OST was a standout track among many great songs, and alongside OPP, makes this a great release.

Tracklist

1. O.P.P. (Vocal Edit)
2. Uptown Anthem (Video Mix)
3. O.P.P. (Other People's Productions Remix)
4. O.P.P. (Fairplay Remix)

Discogs page

Download: NBN-OPP-R.7z | Filesize: 38.4MB

Caron Wheeler - I Adore You - UKCDS - (1992)

Perspective Records ‎– PERD 7407

So Mickey posted the 12" back in September 2009 (are you feeling old yet? You soon will) but this came out in 1992 (I told you!) and featured on the Mo Money OST.

That's actually a really good album (and fun film) with many great tracks and might make a decent post on here one day!

Anyway, in my opinion, the LP Version is comfortably the best, and I agree with Mickey that most of the other mixes are a bit of a waste of time. If only we'd have gotten an acapella and instrumental for the mixologists. 

Out of the other versions, the Dance Hall Mix is easily the best but doesn't sound like Dancehall as I know it. In fact, this version grows on me the more I hear it.

Sadly, after that they kinda fall off a cliff. I think the Catch The Groove mix is probably the best of the remaining versions, but it's a distant third to the LP Version & Dance Hall mixes. 

No offence to Danny Tenaglia.

Over to you, Mick.

"OK, this is another fine Caron Wheeler moment that had me all excited. Built around a sample taken from the Burt Bacharach & Hal David penned 'Don't Make Me Over' performed by Sybil. during the second 'Summer Of Love'. It was featured in the movie Mo' Money' and boasted a Flyte Time production by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and a Remix and another three remixes from Danny Tenaglia.

It turned out to be a wasted opportunity. Six tracks on this 12" and nothing touches the original LP Version. The sound of 1989 is all over the remixes, even the Jam & Lewis Dance Hall Version echoes to the melody of Todd Terry. It's a shame (IMO) but also fortunate that the splendour of the original needs no assistance."

So here's the CD Single.

That's all. Peace & Luvizm to you all and stay safe out there!

Tracklist

1. I Adore You (LP Radio Mix)
2. I Adore You (Dance Hall Version)
3. I Adore You (Club House Mix)
4. I Adore You (Club House Edit)
5. I Adore You (Catch The Groove Mix)
6. I Adore You (LP Version)

Discogs page | Mickey P's original post

Download: CW-IAY.7z | Filesize: 68.5MB

Loose Ends - Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Remix) - (1992)

10 Records ‎– TENCD 406, 10 Records ‎– 665 357

Firstly, allow me to say that I have nothing against Mr Knuckles, in fact, I think he's one of the best house producers out there. 

Having got that out of the way, now allow me to put out the fact that I find the notion of remixing this track absolute heresy and I am only putting it up for sake of completion. 

It is interesting hearing most of the percussive elements stripped back and leaving the instrumentation in greater clarity, and you do tend to notice stuff in there that never jumped out before, but those four-to-the-floor vibes just do not work for me.

The All Night Mix (Courtesy of Twilight Firm) is more interesting to my ears as the beat is more my thing, as is the scratching, but it is still not a patch on the original.

I guess that is the story of this release for me. The brilliance of the original hangs over and outshines it.

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Radio Edit)
2. Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Club Mix)
3. Hangin' On A String (Original 12'' Mix)
4. Hangin' On A String (The All Night Mix)
5. Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Classic Club Reprise)

Download: LE-HOAS-R.7z | Filesize: 64.5MB

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

Vanessa Simon - Family Madness - (1992)

Kongo Dance ‎– KDCD 4

As requested by JayBilla on the Martine Girault Revival post.

We've established how well loved Omar is on The Soul Vendor previously. Multiple times, probably! He was well and truly in the zone in the nineties and could do no wrong, as evidenced on his production work on this album. Out of the 9 tracks here, three were produced by Wayne Lawes, with Omar handling all the others.

Although I don't know much about her, I do know that Vanessa is the sister of Drum & Bass's DJ Kane.

Family Madness is an album steeped in the rootsy Acid Jazz/funk vibes of that era and still stands up today. Vanessa Simon's vocals are absolutely on point - sometimes funky, sometimes moody, always classy. There is an organic feel to it, as you'd expect from an Omar joint, that's really pleasant on the ear. 

I won't bang on about the individual tracks. I'll leave that for you. What i will say it is a remarkably consistent album without anything in the way of filler.

Wanna let me know which ones you like most in the comments?

Tracklist

1. Family Madness
2. Don't You Ever
3. The Life You Lead
4. It's Only Good For A While
5. To Be With You Only
6. Pack Your Bags
7. Revelation
8. Know What You Want
9. Simple To See

Download: VS-FM.7z | Filesize: 86.2MB

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

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

Martine Girault ‎– Revival - (1992)

FFRR ‎– FCD 195

As requested by Tim on the Chico Debarge Iggin' Me post.

We've already had the 12" posted on here by Mickey back in 2009 (we really could do with a 320 re-rip now I come to think of it) and I've only made you guys wait ten bloody years for this CDS! 

Go peep the original post for more info.

For my two cents worth, ignore the radio mix as usual and dive straight into the Original Mix - four and a half minutes of nineties UK soul perfection. The Funky Vibes mix is a nice curio, it's good to hear a different spin on the classic, and I am feeling the extra hip hop (almost trip hop?) vibes this one packs, but ultimately it falls short of the original.

Nothin's Gonna Change, the final track here, is another really cool track, and well worth your time. Another one with her signature style of sparse, repeated  vocals and hip hop production sensibilities.

Revival is a wicked cut and another timeless track from this era.

Tracklist

1. Revival (Radio Mix)
2. Revival (Original Mix)
3. Revival (Funky Vibes Mix)
4. Nothin's Gonna Change

Download: MG-R.7z | Filesize: 38.3MB