Don-E - Fakin' The Funk - UKCDS - (1995)

4th & Broadway BRCD 290

320 RE-UP! Originally posted by Mickey P 13/07/2008

Mick says: After the hype, the success and the mistake, Don-E slipped away to produce his sophomore set. His return was greeted with a lot less fuss, many people have likely not heard of Changing Seasons, the album was certainly nowhere near as successful as Unbreakable. 

This was, I believe, the first single released before the album was released (but don't quote me) and Dodge from Dodge City Productions was called in for remix duty. The Soul Inside Mix gives a different slant to what is already a fair track but it don't raise it to essential. 

It is still a release worth having though and a promise of better to come.

Kymba says: I personally think Don-E gets better with age and his Try This album is near flawless. 

Back on track, this a wicked release. every track is good but Dodge's Soul Inside mix is the pick for me. There were also a set of "Crooklyn Dodge" mixes that I haven't got and would love to hear, if anyone out there has them?

Tracklist

1. Fakin' The Funk (Album Edit)
2. Fakin' The Funk (Soul Inside Mix)
3. Fakin' The Funk (Fakin' It Mix)
4. Tonight 

Discogs page 

Download: D-E-FTF.7z | Filesize: 46.2MB

Al Jarreau Feat. Phife ‎Dawg – In My Music (Dodge Remixes) - (2001) / In My Music (Remixes Promo) - (2000)

Al Jarreau Feat. Phife ‎– In My Music (Dodge Remixes) - 2001

GRP ‎– 158 568-2

My second birthday gift today is a two part post for you, Vendistas.

Musical heavywieght Al Jarreau is a legendary figure within the jazz and soul worlds. 

Alwin Lopez Jarreau (March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017) was an American singer and musician. He received a total of seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for over a dozen more. Jarreau is perhaps best known for his 1981 album Breakin' Away. He hit the mainstream in a BIG way when he did the theme tune to the 80's classic TV show Moonlighting, starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis (Now there's a blast from the past for you!), and was among the performers on the 1985 charity song "We Are the World."

He had such an expansive and influential career that I really couldn't do it justice in a single post devoted to just one song of his, so please check out his Wikipedia entry for more info.

Malik Izaak Taylor was born November 20, 1970 and sadly passed in March 22, 2016.  Known professionally as Phife Dawg (or simply Phife), Malik was an American rapper and a member of the group A Tribe Called Quest. He was also known as the "Five-Foot Assassin" and "The Five-Footer", because he stood at just 5 feet 3 inches.

Phife formed A Tribe Called Quest, then simply named Quest, with childhood friend Q-Tip and DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad (also for a short time Jarobi White) in 1985. The band would go on to have a huge affect on the Hip Hop landscape, understandably frequently cited as many peoples' favourite Hip Hop band. 

The melodic Mix is nice, but I would suggest jumping into Dodge's Main mix immediately, as it's my favourite. They're both an upgrade over the original, although that one is great in its own right... but you know how I feel about my man Dodge!

Tracklist

1. In My Music (Dodge's Main Mix Radio Edit)
2. In My Music (Dodge's Main Mix)
3. In My Music (Melodic Mix)
4. In My Music (Original Album Version)

Discogs page

Download: AJ-IMM-CDS.7z | Filesize: 40.7MB

===================================

Al Jarreau Feat. Phife ‎– In My Music (Dodge Remixes) - Original Promo - 2000

Verve Records ‎– VERR-01049-2

And because I love you, here is the UK promo release on Verve Records from a year before.

It's 7 tracks with three variations on the Dodge Main Mix as well as three variations of the Melodic Mix, all topped off with the original album mix.

This is a good one for mixologists but it'd be nice if they'd put an acapella on there!

Thanks for your amazing music, Al! xx

Peace & luvizm, people!

Tracklist

1. In My Music (Dodge's Main Mix)
2. In My Music (Dodge's Main Mix Radio Edit)
3. In My Music (Dodge's Main Mix Instrumental)
4. In My Music (Melodic Mix)
5. In My Music (Melodic Mix Radio Edit)
6. In My Music (Melodic Mix Instrumental)
7. In My Music (Album Version)

Discogs page

Download: AJ-IMM-P.7z | Filesize: 67.9MB

Venus Tribe - Slow Down - (2002)

So Urban Records - 673192 2

Re-Upping this classic piece of UK R&B

Any track produced by Dodge will automatically carry the Soul Vendor seal of approval, as the man really can do no wrong, and Slow Down is a perfect example of this.

A really cool slice of UK R&B soul released in 2002, this should have made more of an impact than it did. I dig the cheeky lil' Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians sample, evoking brand Nubians' classic Slow Down (see Love Thang by Intro for a different sample from that track).

Vocals are on point and courtesy of Dianne Joseph ("Di"), formerly of the UK R&B group Truce, who also supplied the excellent vocals for Drum & Bass dance-floor destroyer Shake Ur Body (the single release of which also carried a Venus Tribe mix which turned it from D&B to R&B - and which I posed on here a few days ago).

The Original Mix is such a classic that it is hard to look beyond it, but Tash (from one of my favourite West Coast Hip-Hop groups Tha Alkaholiks) brings his trademark flow to the w/Rap version, for two verses, which is otherwise the same.

The script gets flipped on the Bigshot Radio Mix, which is a full vocal UK Garage track with a nice enough vibe and decent bassline, if that's your thang.

However, there will be no prizes for guessing where my preference lays. Original styley!

In Dodge we trust.

Peace and luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Slow Down (Original mix) 
2. Slow Down (Original w/Rap Feat. Tash from Tha Liks) 
3. Slow Down (Bigshot Radio Mix) 
4. Slow Down (Vox) - BONUS alternate cut taken from Street Beats Vol 12 Series 4

Download : VT-SD.7z Filesize: 41.060MB

Shy FX & T Power - Shake Ur Body - UK CDS - (2002)

Positiva ‎– CDTIV 171, Positiva ‎– 7243 5 50693 0 6

I love it when my underground music blows up into the mainstream and enjoys some well deserved success - and here is a great example of just that that.

Shy FX and T Power are both legendary in their own rights as producers on the Drum & Bass scene, but together they were spectacular! They dropped classics such as this track and later, Feelings, which is to follow. They put out two fantastic albums and served up a bunch of wicked cuts for the raving crew.

Featuring the fabulous vocals of the hugely talented Dianne Joseph (Truce, Venus Tribe), and a nice latin inspired groove, they knocked this one out of the park.

I always lean more into the full length versions rather than radio edits, so I'd say jump right into the Original Mix.

However, if you're not feeling Drum & Bass, there is a UK Garage mix courtesy of Sunship (AKA Ceri  Evans from The Brand New Heavies), and, even better, The DJ Dodge produced Venus Tribe Mix (Di also supplied the sublime vocals for the Venus Tribe project), bringing you some tasty R&B vibes.

Tracklist

1. Shake Ur Body (Radio Edit)
2. Shake Ur Body (Original Mix)
3. Shake Ur Body (Sunship Vocal Mix)
4. Shake Ur Body (Venus Tribe Mix)

Discogs page

Download: SFXTP-SUB.7z | Filesize: 38.2MB

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

Dodge City Productions - Unleash Your Love - (1993)

4th & Broadway ‎– BRCD 265, 4th & Broadway ‎– 862 067-2

Another banger from the Dodge City Productions boys, again featuring the wonderful  Portugese jazz vocalist Ghida De Palma on vocals. This was the next-best track after As Long As We're Around off the Steppin' Up & Out album, and  makes for another heavy release.

You get a radio edit version in the City Lick Edit, but not the full length or an extended version. This original rub still remains my favourite so I'm including the LP version as well for completions sake.

The Unleash Your Love (Unleash A Scat Mix) is a nice change of pace - a much tougher beat, with a dash of ragga dancehall style vocals give it a completely different vibe to the original with Ghida strutting her stuff via resung vocals.

The No Strings Attached mix is aptly named, being the regular City Lick version minus all strings instrumentation. It's nice but does leave me thinking the strings were there for a reason.

Somewhat predictably, I say go straight for the Album Version or the City Lick Edit to enjoy this track at its best. The other mixes are well worth a listen though.

Kymba

Tracklist

1. Unleash Your Love (City Lick Edit)
2. Unleash Your Love (Unleash A Scat Mix)
3. Unleash Your Love (No Strings Attached Mix)
4. Don't Worry
5. Bonus Track: Unleash Your Love (City Lick Mix) (Album Version) 

Download: DCP-UYL.7z | Filesize: 58.4MB

Steven Simmonds - Tears Never Dry - (1998)

Rhythm Series – CDRHYTHM 14, Parlophone – 7243 8 86116 2 6

Note - I originally posted this back in June 2012, but now re-upping in glorious 320! Enjoy!

Wow. This is such a badass, sexy track. You get the impression that poor Stephen Simmonds had been dumped by his woman when these tracks were recorded. He's really taking it hard, and beating himself up for having screwed up. Still, his pain seems to make for good music, and so we have the tracks Tears Never Dry featuring popular Swedish singer Lisa Nilsson, and One, which is track two (heh). Tears Never Dry is a catchy, nice little slice of pop soul. One is a man vs piano slow jam of repentance that's a little too self absorbed for me.

No disrespect to tracks one and two, but skip 'em and head straight into track three: the Soul Inside Mix. It's perfection. Dodge brings something really special to the table, and turns a good song into a f***ing great one. Better bassline, better beat, and you've got to love that mournful guitar. It's wicked (I'm sure that's Ronnie Jordan, considering his ties with the DCP boys, but he's not credited).  Anyway, this remix really brings the track to seductive, moody life, and is so good that I will always go straight for it.

Stephen Simmonds, big up your naughty, got caught cheating behind your girls back, chest.

By the way, his album Spirit Tales, which is the only other release I have by him, is excellent, and comes highly recommended by me.

Here's an artist bio stolen from LastFM:

Stephen Simmonds is a Swedish Alternative Soul recording artist, son of a Jamaican musician Father and Swedish Mother was raised in the south of Stockholm, the United States and Israel.

After completing a high-school education at the Stockholm music school Södra Latin, Swedish producer Peter Cartriers heard of Stephens talent in 1995 and invited him to his studio in Stockholm where they made a demo that first attracted the attention of a Swedish indie label and then secured a record deal with the UK major label Parlophone/EMI Music as well as Priority Records in the US. Stephen wrote and Peter produced Stephens first critically acclaimed and 5 times Grammy nominated album “Alone” (the album was re-mixed and re-named “Spirit Tales” for his UK and US release) and Stephen Simmonds had his breakthrough in 1997 with the hit “Tears Never Dry” a duet with Swedish superstar Lisa Nilsson that quickly became the most played track on radio that year.

Since then his talent has brought him to the US and the UK where he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Masters At Work and Mica Paris. His US release “Spirit Tales” was highly recommended by Prince and the New Power Generation on their official website.

He has performed for Stevie Wonder and Amnesty and he is the only Swedish artist who has been reviewed in the Quincy Jones founded Soul and R&B bible Vibe Magazine.

PS - I think there are some other mixes of this floating around, which I've never heard, so if you have these, why not share the love with us?

Tracklist

1. Tears Never Dry
2. One
3. Tears Never Dry (Soul Inside Mix)

Download: SS-TND.7z | Filesize: 33.6MB

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

Soul II Soul ‎– Represent (1997)

Island Records, CID668/572087-2

Wow, this CD has an awful cover! No offence, skin-head man... you could be a lovely guy in real life I guess. Luckily the contents are all that and a fat bag o' chips!

So this is another great track from UK heavyweights Soul II Soul, this time featuring the excellent Paul Johnson, who had already made waves on the UK soul scene with the Dodge produced If We Lose Our Way, a track I never managed to get hold of outside of a compilation CD, but would dearly love. *hint hint*

Represent was a fine tune on a very good album. It's chilled and cool, typifying the sound of Soul II Soul, and this version gets two airings here with the Album and Radio Mix.

I actually err on the side of the remixes here though, preferring the more hiphop tinged Full Crew Mix  which turns it into a true banga which I love, and, for the dancefloors, the breakbeat-tastic and oh-so-funky Katt Mix which is in a UK Garage styley.

Having said that, the album/radio versions are really nice, plus there's a Soul Inside mix from our boy Dodge, and you know that man never disappoints.

This is a very rare instance though where I prefer another remix over a Dodge one. That might be the sign of the end times.

Big up Full Crew!

- Kym x

Tracklist

1. Represent (Album mix)
2. Represent (Radio Edit)
3. Represent (Katt Mix)
4. Represent (Soul Inside Reworked Rep Mix)
5. Represent (Full Crew Mix)

Download: SIIS-R.7z | Filesize: 58MB

Courtney Pine featuring Lynden David Hall - Lady Day (& John Coltrane) - (2000)

2000 - Universal Jazz ‎– 587 902-2, Blue Thumb Records ‎– 587 902-2

Darling of the British jazz scene (and beyond) Mr Courney Pine CBE is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the saxophone (and bwoy does he make that sax sing), flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and keyboards.

Establishing the influential UK band The Jazz Warriors in 1985, Courtney released the first of many solo albums the following year.

Pine was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000, and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to jazz music. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Westminster on 6 December 2004. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Southampton on 15 July 2010.

So Courtney dropped this fine cover of the Gill Scott Heron classic track back in 2000, featuring our beloved and greatly missed Lynden David Hall on vocals. What a track it turned out to be - a jazz/pseudo Drum & Bass hybrid that is sure to get you grooving. 

Courtney is such an underrated artist and backed up with Lynden's silky vocals it's a hell of a combination.

However, within just six short years of this release Lynden would no longer be with us and the UK music scene would be a poorer, less soulful place.

With no disrespect in any way meant to the mighty Courtney Pine, it is our man Dodge who really brings this track to life with his Soul Inside remix, bringing a more R&B/street soul vibe to the cut and providing the definitive version 

Dodge, Soul Vendor salutes you (and not for the first time either)! 

Enjoy!

Tracklist

1. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Radio Edit)
2. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Soul Inside Remix With Rap)
3. Lady Day (& John Coltrane) (Bishop Brad Club Mix)

Download: CP&LDH-LD&JC.7z | Filesize: 29.9MB

D'Angelo - Brown Sugar CD Single (1996)

1996, Cooltempo, CDCOOL 307

Special request!

Mick has already posted the 12" here but after a request the other day about six years ago(!) I thought I'd put up the CD single in 320kbps.

So there is little I can say that Mick hasn't already beaten me to. D'Angelo was the standard-bearer for the fledgling Neo Soul movement, whether willing or not.

Brown Sugar is one of, if not THE, best D'Angelo tune outside of the Voodoo album (Voodoo, how I love thee), a sublime cut with D'Angelo killing it on the vocals and smoky, sensual production courtesy of Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest. Quite frankly, it's an amazing track.

The UK CD single then brings us an edited, Radio version, that is the original with 20 seconds shaved off. Stick with the album cut for a deeper experience, I say. 

However, the real highlights here are the Carl McIintosh (of Loose Ends fame) produced Dollar Bag Mix, and Dodge's Soul Inside Mix. Avid readers will be all too aware of how much I love Dodge, and that funky bassline he brings is tight as hell, but the smoothed out vibes of  Carl's mix can't be praised enough. Though not quite as classic as the original, I can't decide between either, they are the highlights of this CD single.

The album cut When We Get By also gets an airing which a brilliant cut, and, on a lesser album, could well have been a single in its own right.

- Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Brown Sugar (Radio Version) 
2. Brown Sugar (Dollar Bag Mix) 
3. Brown Sugar (Soul Inside 808 Mix) 
4. When We Get By 

Download: D-BS.7z Filesize: 41.782MB

D'Angelo - Brown Sugar - (1995)

Cooltempo Records 12COOLDJ 307

D'Angelo was a breath of fresh air in 1995. Known to his Mum as Michael Eugene Archer, he was hailed as America's R&B Jesus. His first two studio albums, Brown Sugar and Voodoo, have both been held in high esteem by artists and listeners alike. Singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter D'Angelo is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities.

Brown Sugar (the album) was released in June of 1995. The album crept up on an unsuspecting public finally breaking with Lady in 1996. By that time the title track debut solo single from the debut solo album of the same name, and the follow up single, Cruisin', had both been played to death by the more discerning soulies in the know.

On this UK 12" it's between the Soul Inside 808 Mix and the Dime Bag Mix and as much as I want Carl McIntosh to be the best, I think the Dodge Soul Inside mix just takes it. I love Dodge City Productions but I expect a Loose Ends connection to be more soulful, either way there not much in it.

• Brown Sugar (Soul Inside 808 Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Dime Bag Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Dollar Bag Mix)
• Brown Sugar

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: D'Angelo 12.rar Filesize: 59.63 MB

Courtesy of Kymba and featuring an extra track but you still need the 12" for the Dime Bag Mix.

Kym says: I can't re-up the 12" in 320 as I don't have it. I am leaving Mick's write-up intact though for posterity. What I do have however is a nice clean high quality rip of the CDS. As with my other D'Angelo CDs this is in storage at the moment, so I can't rescan the artwork.

If any of the Soul Vendor fam can either rip the 12" or do us some fresh scans, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Tracklist

1. Brown Sugar (Radio Mix) 
2. Brown Sugar (Soul Inside 808 Mix) 
3. Brown Sugar (Dollar Bag Mix) 
4. When We Get By 

The Download Link is here: Download  Filesize: 41.782MB

Beverley Knight - Made It Back 1999

Parlophone Records CDRHYTHS 18

Finally, the second of Alifunk's Beverley Knight's Made It Back CD singles. Released in April 1999, this was the first single taken from her re-packaged album. Made It Back '99 features a more commercial production provided by TNT and Mike Spencer, who introduce a sample of 's Good Times by Chic into the song. The Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards groove with its bitchin' bassline, has been used more times than a 2 Bit hooker but Boy, does it feel at home on this number. Not much left of the Soul Inside production of course, but what the hey, it still includes Redman & Specialist. I guess you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs?

The single became Knight's first top 20 single in the UK when it peaked at #19 upon its release. It was supported by a re-released version of Prodigal Sista, which contained this and two other remixed tracks. A new video was also created, but was not included on the CDS but I've included it here. As with the original, it uses the TNT 7" Mix which does not feature Redman. The Booker T Night Time Dub is typical 4x4 Garage fodder although it does retain much of the vocal.

• TNT Good Times 12" Mix
• TNT Good Times 7" Mix
• Booker T Night Time Dub
• Original Album Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Beverley Knight.rar Filesize: 58.6 MB