The Brand New Heavies - Stay This Way (1992)

Acid Jazz Records BNHCD2

Mick has already written about the Brand New Heavies, so I'll skip all that and get straight into this particular release.

In short, I love the track. It's up there as one of the best joints the BNH's ever recorded in my opinion. It's effortlessly cool, and a beautiful summertime jam. N'Dea Davenport absolutely kills it with her relaxed and effortless vocal performance, and the boys provide a classy sunshine beat for her to flow over.

The single version(s) has some extra instrumentation and percussion compared to the album version, including some nice bongos, with the Extended version getting a sexy sax solo thrown into the mix as well. As is my penchant, the extended mix is my pick of the bunch.

The two backup tracks, Bang, and O-Fa-Fu, are cool too. Bang is very much a typical BNH instrumental. Peep it and you'll know what I mean. O-Fa-Fu sounds for all the world like an extended theme tune to a 70s Cop Show complete with throwback vibes and wahwah guitars - a wholly good thing in my book (have I ever mentioned how much I dig wahwah?).

All in all I think Stay This Way is one of BNH's all time classic joints, and an essential item in your summer playlists.

Tracklist

1. Stay This Way 
2. Stay This Way (Extended) 
3. Bang 
4. O-Fa-Fu 

The Download Link is here: BNH-STW.7z | Filesize: 36.1MB

The Brand New Heavies - Sometimes 1997

FFRR Records BNHCD 8

That sticker alone would have made this CD single essential to me. Anything sporting a Masters At Work remix was a 'must have' in my book but, let's step back a little and look at the list of accolades on this release.

The Brand New Heavies hit the scene via the UK's Acid Jazz movement. In the late 80's they were an instrumental funk outfit playing new retro music to Soul music's 'Rare Groove' crowd. For their first album the group featured the incredible vocals of Jay Ella Ruth on a few tracks. For various reasons, the group then hired the services of the very competent N'Dea Davenport who became a member and brought much polish to the bands veneer. The down side of this was the decision to re-record the debut album which resulted in the Jay Ella Ruth recordings being virtually forgotten. For their third album Shelter, from which this single was taken (fifth if you include the re-recording of the debut and sideline rap release Heavy Rhyme Experience) N'Dea Davenport had split for a solo career and the band brought in Siedah Garrett, a much lauded vocalist who had sung with Dennis Edwards, Michael Jackson & Maysa Leak (Incognito).

As an album track, Sometimes was one of the stronger tracks and it was therefore a logical choice for single release. The remix treatment by 'Little' Louie Vega & Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez on the MAW Smooth Mix created a nice vocal dancefloor track. Much of the House music fodder was void of vocals and this is why Masters At Work have always been considered a cut (or six) above the rest. I don't consider this mix to be one of their better examples but in 1997 I thought it was great. There were quite a few MAW remixes of this track on vinyl.

Finally, the unique feature on this release for me is Q Tip. The acclaimed rapper/producer from A Tribe Called Quest, who came to the attention of the public via De La Soul and the Native Tongues Posse. Q Tip has since appeared on many releases and remixes but this was a new thing at the time. The Ummah (Arabic for "brotherhood") was a production team consisting of members of A Tribe Called Quest and Jay Dee. Their work on this release is what keeps it fresh. Enjoy!

• Radio Edit
• MAW Smooth Mix
• Ummah Remix
• Nuyoricans Meet The Heavies

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sometimes (BNHCD 8).zip Filesize: 36.27 MB

The Brand New Heavies - Back To Love 1994

FFRR Records BNHCD4

BNH developed a sophisticated sound that screamed classic soul in an era dominated by Hip Hop. Formed in 1985 by London school friends, Jan Kincaid, Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy the instrumental group were inspired by James Brown, The Meters and other records its members heard while clubbing the rare groove scene in vogue at the moment.

From the 1994 album Brother, Sister, this is The Brand New Heavies with N'Dea Davenport, who then left to complete her solo album (which she had put on hold to join the group). This great track is turned into an absolute monster by Mr. Ray Hayden on the Opaz Club Version. A stunning remix from the master himself. Baby Don't Use Me is an original track, only available on this release (to my knowledge) and certainly worth having if you like the Heavies.

• Back To Love
• Back To Love (Opaz Radio Version)
• Back To Love (Opaz Club Version)
• Baby Don't Use Me

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: BNH - Back To Love CDS.rar Filesize: 28.99 MB

"It seem to me that we don't always get along
If we are trying now dont seem to try too long
Watching your neighbour seems to fill you with alarm
Just coz hes different now
Dont mean he means you harm
City living has got us all pent up inside
When we have problems it seems we all just run and hide
Time to discover why we are feeling this way
Lets let love have its say

Chorus:
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
were all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
Thats why Im here to say, gotta get back get back to love
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
were all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
Thats why Im here to say, gotta get back get back to it now

Trouble started when we dont communicate
Well build our future now or we can seal our fate
Wasted energy on promises we break
Weve wasted chance now, but still it aint too late
There is a common goal we must all realize
Its time to make a change, in how we live our lives
Time to discover why, we are feeling this way
Lets let love save the day"

Diana Brown - The Masterplan 1990

FFRR Records FX 133

With the emergence of the UK Acid Jazz scene in the late 80's came a new style.

"We call this style Groundbeat but it don't matter!"

It was more cool music with a lot of funk, a touch of jazz and a heart full of soul. The Masterplan is actually credited to Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe. Some say Barrie K. Sharpe as a DJ, started the Rare Groove phenomenon in the UK. He was at the forefront as a promoter with Cat in the Hat and WAG, a designer with Duffers and Sharpeye and as a recording artist with Diana Brown and The Brothers. The Brothers were a retro funk crew (possibly just studio musicians) fronted by Diana Brown. Together Diana & Barrie created ‘The Masterplan.’

Although they were included with the Acid Jazz line up, they were of a different breed. Barrie looked strange enough for Acid Jazz but their smooth-grooved easy-paced dancefloor beast was way too infectious for the Camden scene. Groundbeat never made it further than Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe, although they did have more than one release. If you read the small print you may recognise a few names. Tim Lever & Mike Percy strike again with One World Productions and Andrew Levy & Simon Bartholomew would fare well with The Brand New Heavies but they are in the groove here too. It still feels timeless twenty years on.

On the flip we have a very credible cover of the Sweet Charles classic 'Yes It's You' by Diana Brown and The Brothers. Published by Tuf Records in 1987 and produced by R.S. Digital, you get the distinct impression that this is jam and everybody's having a good time.

• The Masterplan (Extended Version)
• Yes It's You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown.rar Filesize: 24.18 MB

"WITHOUT PAIN THERE’S NO STRUGGLE
WITHOUT STRUGGLE THERE’S NO CONFLICT
WITHOUT CONFLICT THERE’S NO CHANGE
WITHOUT CHANGE THERE’S NO PROGRESSION"

Barrie K. Sharpe