Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Blind Faith 1989

ffrr Records FX144

Up there with Masterplan but this calls to mind 1989, the 2nd 'Summer of Love'. This is soulful, groovy and timeless, it may not be as perfect as Masterplan but it has something else. Masterplan brings to mind Acid Jazz whereas Blind Faith brings to mind Blind Faith. It is not as memorable but it carries less baggage?

Jazzie B & Nellee Hooper on the production and there is a remix 12" but I don't have it. Still, here we have The Masterjam so who needs Soul II Soul mixes.... OK, I wouldn't mind them but... The Masterjam is an excellent mix. Dubwise Selection is just beats from the Groundbeat Mix which is nice and sparse, a great bit of groove but unfortunately it shows up the weak song lyrics.

• The Masterjam
• Dubwise Selection
• Barrie K. Sharpe Groundbeat Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown.rar Filesize: 34.33 MB

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Eating Me Alive 1993

ffrr Records FCD 190

I wanted to post Blind Faith for Zenn but I'm fairly sure that I loaned it out and never got it back, many years ago. I know I don't have Love Or Nothing but while I was looking for something else I came across this CDS. I have to say, I couldn't remember it until I gave it a spin. Check the credits for the list of players.

The Undisputed Mix is the commercial take. It has more hooks than a fishing tackle box, you'll be hard taxed trying to get it out of your head. Part 2 is the instrumental version and the Groundbeat House Ensemble doesn't really do it for me. Diana Brown doesn't sound right over a commercial house groove. The Original Version has it all going on, yeah baby, this is more like it but why bother when you have the Funky, Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix to hand. Holy Cow, listen to that funky-arsed guitar drop. Seven and a half minutes of boombastic funk, this mix Rocks like a MF!

• Undisputed Mix Part 1
• Funky Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix
• Groundbeat House Ensemble
• Original Groundbeat
• Undisputed Mix Part 2

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown - Eating Me.rar Filesize: 40.24 MB

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Sun Worshippers 1990

ffrr Records FCD 144

One for the Groundbeat lovers, Sun Worshippers is basically Masterplan part 2 so you'll probably like it but it aggravates. I find myself shouting out "Can You Dig That." without thinking. Produced and written in conjunction with Tim Lever & Mike Percy, better known as One World Productions, with a shout out to Acid Jazz poet/rapper, Rob Galliano, for inspiration. It makes a change from Masterplan in the playlist though, without sounding lame too. Hardly essential but certainly worth having in the collection.

Do That Funky Thing is straight out of the James Brown school of funk. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they got sued but having said that, it's a great little number. Four and a half minutes of groovy 60's soul. Written (well, the lyrics are...) and produced by Di & Baz for Brothers International.

• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) 7-Inch
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 1
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 2
• Do That Funky Thing

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DB & BKS.rar Filesize: 27.58 MB

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