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

Levert - Casanova - US CDV - (1987)

Atlantic ‎– 7 81830-2, Atlantic ‎– 81830-2

This one takes me back! I was barely into double digits in age when I first heard it.

The Levert brothers are the sons of The O'Jays' founder and lead-singer Eddie Levert, and as a result, are something approaching R&B royalty. They released their debut album in 1985 

Gerald Levert was a Soul singer born in July 1966; Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. and died 10 November 2006 autopsy report concluded accidental overdose of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs and pneumonia.

Sean Levert was born September 28, 1968 and sadly passed away March 30, 2008, 6 days after being admitted to jail (Cuyahoga County Correctional Facility). According to coroner's report his death was caused by complications from sarcoidosis, issues of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and withdrawal from Xanax. His wife won a lawsuit against Cuyahoga County and was awarded 4 million dollars.

Such a sad, sad end to a couple of legendary figures within the R&B scene.

What a great track! A true summertime jam for sure. And is it me, or do those drums sound a lot like the Bobby Brown Don't Be Cruel pattern?

This is the full original extended mix of Casanova, instead of the shorter edit that's been erroneously labelled on some compilations as 'extended'. 

It can be difficult to source so is shared with love and respect, as always. Also included is Throwdown and the regular, radio mix of Casanova.

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Casanova (Extended Mix)
2. Throwdown
3. Casanova

Discogs page

Download: L-C.7z | Filesize: 53.5MB

Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (Promo) - Re-Up - (1987)

4th & Broadway 12 BRX 78

Re-Up!: Originally posted by Mick on 12/04/2012.
I reconstructed this from three 320 sources so it's not strictly a vinyl rip. - Kymba

In 1987 when Eric B & Rakim could do no wrong, Coldcut was called upon to remix Paid In Full. Seven Minutes Of Madness turned out to be the most popular mix that year, from the dance-floor point of view at least. It was, quite deservedly, played to death! Eric B was not a happy man though, even though it must have doubled, if not quadrupled the sales of his album. He hated that remix, suggesting that Ofra Haza's Hebrew vocal sample from "Im Nin'Alu" could have been saying "Fuck You" for all we knew. The thing that probably irked him most was that he had no say about the remix and its release.

The real shame was that nobody else got a look in. This promo 12" (handed out at the DMC Convention if I remember rightly) is a remix created by South London's own Derek Boland. Boland had been a DJ on the pirate stations (LWR 92.5) for sometime where he created his own remixes for his show.


This remix of Paid In Full uses a nice sample from John 'Cougar' Mellancamp's - Jack & Diane and a chunk of Chuck Brown's - We Need Some Money. That's Rock Music and Go-Go in this Hip-Hop mix. It's a great version and it deserved more airplay. 

Try it, you'll like it.

Tracklist

• Paid In Full (Derek B's Urban Respray)
• Paid In Full (Album Mix)
• Eric B Is On The Cut 

Download: EB&R-PIF-P.7z | Filesize: 27.7MB

Coldcut - Beats + Pieces - 12" Re-Up - (1987)

Ahead Of Our Time CCUT 1

RE-UP!: Originally posted by Mickey P on 04/04/2012.

I don't have this myself but I did download Mick's original post, so...
If anyone can do us a nice 320 of this, I'd appreciate it! - Kym

1987 was a great year for interesting new ideas. PC's were becoming more available and Cut'n'Paste technology became the new thing. Hot on the heels of Double Dee & Steinski, came Coldcut.

Jonathan Moore & Matt Black have taken the concept to a whole new level nowadays but back in '87 they delivered this slab of vinyl to an unsuspecting world. Featuring Floormaster Squeeze, but doing what, I ask?

Note the logo on the sleeve....

"SORRY, BUT THIS JUST ISN'T MUSIC"

Tracklist

1. Mo' Bass Remix
2. Edit
3. More Beats 

Download: CC-B+P.7z | Filesize: 16.3MB

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

Fresh 4 (Children Of The Ghetto) Featuring Lizz.E - Wishing On A Star - (1989)

10 Records ‎– TENCD 287

Comprising Paul Southey (Suv), brothers J. Thompson (Flynn) and Kirk Thompson (Krust) and Judge, Fresh 4 had a massive underground hit with 1989's "Wishing On A Star", but their debut album went unreleased as a result of musical disagreements with their record company. What a shame!

Strangely, considering they were a band of producers, this track is listed as being produced by Smith & Mighty. Perhaps the fledgling crew were still learning their craft?

Flynn became one half of Flynn & Flora, whereas Suv and Krust would go on to become hugely influential within the drum & Bass scene, being pivotal figures alongside Roni Size within the Reprazent and Full Cycle Records crew. Big up the Bristol massive!

As a lady who loves her breakbeats this track really scratches my itch, combining James Brown's Funky Drummer with the Bobby Byrd Hot Pants (Bonus Beats) break as detailed elsewhere on here), along with some heavy compression, giving us a kick-ass framework for the song. It also uses the beautifully atmospheric Riding High by Faze-O, as sampled by EPMD and Ghostface Killah, as the main melody which is always a real treat to my ears.

Jump right into that 12" mix or the No JB Beats and ignore the edit. Smoke Filled Thoughts is simply the instrumental version, which is nice.

This is a legendary UK cut from way back when and absolutely essential.

Peace and luvizm xx

Tracklist

1. Wishing On A Star
2. Wishing On A Star (12" Mix)
3. Smoke Filled Thoughts
4. Wishing On A Star (No JB Beats)

Download: F4-WOAS.7z | Filesize: 41.3MB

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

Tom Browne - Funkin' For Jamaica - (1991)

BMG/Arista Records 664 998

320 re-up!

Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954 in Queens, New York, United States) rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune, and scored two major hits in 1980 and 1981: the No. 1 US Billboard R&B single "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" and the No. 4 US R&B single, "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)". Later in 1982 he released a minor hit called, "Fungi Mama (bebopafunkadiscolypso)" which was also recorded on the Arista record label and reached number 58 in the UK chart.

Funkin' For Jamaica is a legendary track from that really needs no introduction, so I'll dispense with the usual description on this one. You know it, and, if you have a pair of ears that work properly, you probably love it. It was a top ten hit in the UK, and spent four weeks at numero uno on the US R&B chart.

Now Funkin' For Jamaica did not need a remix as it still sounds fantastic to this day, but eleven years after it first came out in 1991 that's exactly what it got. Thankfully, the remix was quality. None other than Drizabone on the lick, and, oh my god, I think I do actually prefer it. It's not a heavy handed hatchet job, it's a sophisticated update that keeps close to the original vibe.

There's a 7", a 12" (Clearly the best one) and a slightly more stripped down Jam Dub Mix. However, if you should find it heresy like I perhaps should so, you can find the original version on this CD, too.

What a wicked release this was, and it is still incredibly hard to beat as a Summer vibe party song.

Despite the colours used for the front cover of this single, I'd always assumed the track was dedicated to Jamaica, Queens in New York, seeing as Tom is American, and this ain't no reggae track! (note it was later pointed out to me by Mick that the original release was titled "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)".

Tracklist

1. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 7" Remix)
2. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 12" Remix)
3. Funkin' For Jamaica (Original)
4. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 Jam Dub Mix)

Download: TB.FFJ.7z | Filesize: 47.4MB

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

Paul Johnson - No More Tomorrows (Promo) - (1989)

CBS ‎– PJOHN C7, CBS ‎– 654596 2 Promo

Paul Johnson is something of an unheralded UK Soul legend. He began singing in school and church while living in New York during the 1970's and later worked with one of the UK’s pioneering contemporary Gospel bands, Paradise and also sang with the London Community Gospel Choir. 

He sang backing vocals with Junior Giscombe on the Red Wedge Tour where he met Billy Bragg, Paul Weller, The Smiths, Blow Monkeys, Communards and many other pop artists. Soon after that tour, he signed an album deal as singer and songwriter to CBS Records in the late 1980's in which he recorded two albums, Paul Johnson and Personal. His first singles were When Love Comes Calling, written and produced Junior Giscombe and Half a World Away. 

Paul has also worked with Bryan Ferry, Stevie Wonder, Bros, Mica Paris, Juliet Roberts, Loose Ends, Al Green, Tom Robinson, Cliff Richard, George Michael, Soul II Soul (Represent is already on here), Glen Goldsmith, Steven Dante, Bluey Maunick of Incognito and many others. In addition, he has toured Europe and the UK, doing numerous television shows and has performed at Ronnie Scots and Sadlers Wells and has been a featured artist on various records, performing on numerous re-mixes through producer Danny D. Through an introduction by Juliet Roberts, he began touring and recording with M People and has sung with Lynieve Austin and Sarah Brown on tours around the world. 

His other work has been as a production co-ordinator providing session singers for the industry in the UK and abroad which include managing and signing Shaun Escoffery to his own production company. After working with DJ Dodge, he was introduced to a new audience through the release in 1994 of If We Lose Our Way (a release I'm desperate to get on Soul Vendor) written and produced with IG Culture, Sayin’ Something and To Be Wanted. He began working on an album with DJ Dodge that has never been released. 

He stopped singing some time ago and is currently "somewhat removed from the music industry". Currently, he is the head of a department in an inner city college where he works with young people and adults who despite very difficult circumstances are attempting to improve their lives through accessing education.

Awesome stuff!

Tracklist

1. No More Tomorrows
2. I Don't Care
3. Hold On! I'm Comin'
4. That Was Yesterday

Download: PJ-NMT.7z | Filesize: 34.3MB

The Chimes - Heaven - (1989)

CBS ‎– 655432 2

There can be few breakbeats as wicked as Bobby Byrd's awesome Hot Pants (Bonus Beats) break. It's up there with the all-time great breaks that have transcended genre such as the Winston's Amen Brother, James Brown's Funky Drummer and Skull Snaps' It's A New Day to name a few.

You can find it as the rhythmic backbone to widely varied tracks like Fresh 4's Wishing On A Star, Congress' 40 Miles, True Faith/Pin-up Girls' Take Me Away, The Prodigy's Warriors Dance, Stone Roses' Fools Gold, Run DMC's What's It All About, Blurr's There's No Other Way, Big Daddy Kane's Raw and soooo many others.

And then there's this little beauty. Released in 1989 producer Mike Peden (later one half of The Lighthouse Family) put together a solid groove of a bassline, laced it with the Hot Pants break, and employed the killer diva-like voice of Miss Pauline Henry to absolutely murk up the track.

This is a fantastic slice of classic UK soul & dance, as HMV like to categorise it and remains a total banger thirty years on (seriously, can you believe it's really thirty damn years??).

Frankie Foncett is on the remix for the Attack Vocal Club Mix and provides an interesting take but it not really my thing. Go straight in with the original version (track one) or maybe even the Heavy Club.

Incidentally, apologies for the state of the CD sleeve - that faux gold colour doesn't take ageing very well!

Tracklist

1. Heaven
2. Heaven (Heavy Club)
3. Heaven (Attack Vocal Club Mix)
4. So Much In Love (Extended Demo Version)

Download: TC-H.7z | Filesize: 42.8MB

James Ingram - It's Real 1989

WEA Records W2975CD

James Ingram is from Akron, Ohio. Like the family group Ingram, he is also a self-taught musician who plays piano, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, as well as having an excellent voice. Additionally, he is a producer and songwriter. He began his career in the '70s as part of the band Revelation Funk and gained his reputation in the Los Angeles area as a session vocalist. His surname and six degrees of seperation seem to be the only connection with Ingram the group?

Having made the grade with his performance on Quincey Jones album and his duet with Michael McDonald on Yah Mo B There, Ingram put his voice on all the best recordings but his own solo work didn't seem to get the same recognition. In 1989, for his third album, the production skills of Gene Griffin were used, with remixes by Teddy Riley, It's Real, the album title track was very much the sound of now. Despite the Swingbeat label, it still sounds pretty fresh. I like the comments from the producers.... (Teddy Riley & Gene Griffin, I guess?)

"Who we working with?"

"It's James man"

"Brown?"

"Nah man, James Ingram."

Yeah, New Jack Swing, some of it was damn good!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: James Ingram - Its Real CDS.rar
Size: 20.86 MB

Atmosfear - Invasion EP 1981

Elite Music DAZZ 8

The Invasion EP features a female vocal (uncredited) on an uncredited track.

The B-Side is cut into three tracks and although tracks 2 & 3 are joined together, track 2 seems to be a different track. A damn fine track, mind!
(Any info appreciated?)

• Invasion
• Alternative II
• Interplay
• Starburst (Reach Out To The Stars)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DAZZ 8 Invasion EP 1981.rar Size: 43.43 MB

Atmosfear - Motivation/Extract 1980

Elite Music DAZZ 2

Brand new Jazz Funk for 1980, hot on the heels of their success with Dancing In Outer Space, Atmosfear begin to release their work on the Elite Records label. DAZZ 1 is an Elite release for Dancing In Outer Space (originally on MCA) and DAZZ 2 is a double header....

Sure, it's not a great deal different from ...Space but that's no heartbreak?

• Motivation
• Extract

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DAZZ 2 Motivation 1980.rar Size: 23.69 MB