Darkman - Yabba Dabba Doo Reloaded - (1994)

Wildcard Records, Polydor ‎– 851 131-2

For sake of completion here are the Yabba Dabba Doo remixes, big up the one like the DJ Pugwash for the shout on the original post.

My mix of choice is still to this day the Femi Fem (of the Young Disciples) produced Party Like That Mix, but the remixes are all pretty strong. Pugs was bigging up the Mutiny remix, which is probably the best out of these newer mixes, and my junglist leanings have me appreciating the M-Beat version.

- Kym :)

Tracklist

1. Yabba Dabba Doo (La Smoov 7")
2. Yabba Dabba Doo (Original 7")
3. Yabba Dabba Doo (Party Like That Mix)
4. Yabba Dabba Doo (Mutiny One Time For Your Mind Mix)
5. Yabba Dabba Doo (M-Beat Jungle Mix)

Download: D-YDD.7z | File size: 50.5MB

Darkman - Yabba Dabba Doo - (1994)

Wildcard Records, CARDD6 855781-2

320 reup! Looks like this is another of my old posts being attributed to Mickey. Really odd - Fix up, blogger! - Kym

Here's a total banger!

Wildcard were another label on a roll in the early nineties. They'd signed China Black after their massive indie success on the Reggae charts with the still brilliant Searching (available for download elsewhere on TSV - I'll also post up a rip of the original indie release which had different mixes), and helped propel it into the pop charts. They also had Nu Colours, another up and coming urban act, and then they signed Darkman, who would go on to score the biggest UK Hip Hop chart position to date with the infectious Yabba Dabba Doo.

This track absolutely dominated airplay in the UK in the summer of '94. It was massive both on radio and in the clubs. it would blow up again the following year as well when it was remixed and rereleased (I'll post the re-release at a later date for sake of completion). However, the finest version of it for me was always the Party Like That Mix, available on both releases.

The Ghetto Lab mix is interesting for the more gangsta take on the lyrics, the 7" Mix is thoroughly decent, as is the bonus track What's not Yours, but, as stated above, it's the anthemic Party Like That Mix all the way for this girl.

Some trivia - Yabba Dabba Doo was produced by Darkman AND a guy called Micky P (I'm pretty sure he was the same Micky P who used to be on KISS FM back in the day, when it was actually good) - no relation to our Soul Vending founder.  Also,  there was additional production by the Young Disciples' very own Femi Fem. Cool, huh?

- Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Yabba Dabba Doo (7" Mix)
2. Yabba Dabba Doo (Party Like That Mix)
3. What's Not Yours (Power Lab Censored Mix)
4. Yabba Dabba Doo (Ghetto Lab Mix)

Download: D-YDD.7z | File size: 40.4MB

Darkman - Who's The Darkman (1994)

Wildcard Records, CARDD8 853489-2

320 re-up!

Today's prime cut I'm serving up is Darkman's follow-on single to Yabba Dabba Doo, which you can find elsewhere on this site - "earth gyrl" had posted in the comments section she'd like to see this one posted, so, this one's for you, Gyrl.

Who's The Darkman was a nice follow-up single, but didn't make as huge a splash as Yabba Dabba did. However, it's still a great sounding funky track (despite the kinda loose rapping style at times), and will sound dope played at volume from your car speakers - please tell me I'm not the only one who's been caning Soul Vendor in my car?? I've got an iPod playlist chock full of beautiful urban goodness from here - but I digress.

I like both mixes of this track, and find it hard to pick between them. I think the Shine Mix just edges it, but it kinda depends on my mood. Wicked isn't a bad song, but you'll really be wanting the title track.

If I recall correctly, there were no more releases from Worldwide, the album that accompanied this and Yabba Dabba, but don't quote me on that. Regardless, the two posted here are HEAVY!

Take care, lovely people.

- Kymba :)

Tracklist:

1. Who's The Darkman? (Power Lab 7")
2. Who's The Darkman? (Shine Mix)
3. Wicked (Ghetto Lab Mix)
4. Wicked (Power Lab Mix)

Download: D-WTD.7z | File size: 38.8MB

Omar - Keep Steppin' (1994)

RCA Records 74321233672

So, the 12" of this was posted previously by Mick, but this is a new 320kbp rip of the two CD singles, with freshly scanned artwork, so I figured I'd put up a new post.

I love the positive lyrics in this track. Check them out:

Keep Steppin’
O. Lye-Fook/D. Frank

When you’re walking talking steady you're ready,
To be dealing with your own inhibitions,
If I told you so you’d never believe me,
That you yourself must make those crucial decisions

It’s never too late, To do what you want,
Things can go right, You’ve got to be strong

Don’t be bullied in your own little corner,
Weigh up your principles with dignity and honour,
We all have our own ways of moving,
Sometimes the other people can’t see that we’re grooving

Repeat chorus

Keep on steppin' heads up up don’t worry,
You get yours i get mine to the next story,
Pick up the pace blackness in your face,
So much flava with my very own taste,
Giving it all ’cause it’s all that i'm giving,
Now who can stop me from my choice of living,
Politics hurts in a life that costs,
Concrete is down and my advice is step off

Give me something that makes it worth me living,
Want some mountain air ’cause i don’t care, For this pollution I am breathing,
Gonna let go of this excess baggage i am carrying,
I'm gonna reach so high it feels like i am truly truly flying

Repeat chorus

I ain’t so old to learn something new,
Too blind to see, Too deaf to hear,
Too dumb to understand the truth,
When will we all learn,
So we can all use, The wisdom for a greater meaning

Co-produced by Omar and David Frank for Muso Music Inc.

Omar .. vocals, keyboards
Dave Frank .. Keyboards, programming
Concrete .. rap

Mick said: "A collection of mixes on this '94 CD Single from RCA. The original release is backed up by the Uptight Remix by Rodney Hunter (Moreaus) & Demon Flowers (Werner Geier of Kruder & Dorfmeister). It features additional vocals from Leena Conquest (Boundaries).

Next up comes from Gang Starr's DJ Premier and features Uptown (Dope On Plastic). Last but not least, we have two mixes from London's Ghetto Lab featuring Darkman with his own inimitable rap style. The last mix is an Acapella featuring Darkman. No unreleased tracks though, which is a shame but then what do you want for £3."

Kymba says: CD1 is a suite of mixes. As a big fan of Gang Starr and DJ Premier, it's no secret that I love his mix. The main melody is sampled and cut up from Bob James' Touchdown, sample spotters.  The Ghetto Lab Mix is a typical Darkman affair and pretty dope. The Ghettapella will be of use to you mixologists, too.

However, for me, it is the Uptight Remix (featuring Leena Conquest blessing us with some sultry backing vocals) that towers above the other versions. It's funkier, punchier and really brings that funk out of Omar's original vocal recording. The fact that there's a Skull Snaps/New Day breakbeat in there helps. Man, I love that break! This is the mix I bought the CD for back in the day.

CD2 has the LP version of Keep Steppin', backed up with Omar's biggest cut, There's Nothing Like this and topped off with a beautiful duet with Carleen Anderson of The Young Disciples.

This 2 disc set is a great release, so get it while it's fresh!

Tracklist CD1

1. Keep Steppin' 
2. Keep Steppin' (Uptight Remix featuring Leena Conquest) 
3. Keep Steppin' (DJ Premier Mix featuring Uptown) 
4. Keep Steppin' (Ghetto Lab Mix featuring Darkman) 
5. Keep Steppin' (Ghettapella featuring Darkman) 

Tracklist CD2

1. Keep Steppin' 
2. There's Nothing Like This 
3. Who Chooses The Seasons (Duet featuring Carleen Anderson) 

Download here: O-KS.7z | Filesize: 78.3 MB