Lina - It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix) (Promo Single) - (2001)

Atlantic ‎– PRCD 300669

I'm a big fan of Lina (born Shelina Wade of Denver Colorado), she's got a classy, classic jazz vocalist style, steeped in the traditions of Sarah Vaughn et al. She gets overlooked by many, I feel, which is a real shame.

If you've never investigated Lina before, I can't recommend her albums highly enough. Stranger On Earth, Morning Star (if you can get it for a reasonable price) and The Inner Beauty Movement in particular are amazing, but she's never put out anything less than great to my knowledge. 

This promo CD is a remix of a track allegedly from the Stranger On Earth album, although it's not on my copy of it! What's that about?

Anyway, the original is dope, and has a completely different, laid-back vibe. Sadly that versions not present here on this promo CD (you can find that here). What we have, though, is a simple stripped back, dirty, funky dance-floor friendly groove. Try listening without bobbing your head or even wanting to shake that ass. It's impossible.

My man DJ Premier (although I note Guru is listed as co-producer?) wisely doesn't overdo anything, and lets Lina's vocals shine through. It's essentially a drum track, with some reversed stabs and occasional rhodes style vibes. While the instrumentation is minimal, it helps propel the track by giving it some urgency and a real nice punchy feel.

The No Rap version is great and a really quick bullet of funky shit, weighing in at 2:20 and it's done. For my money though, track one is where it's at. It is still short, but has two verses from Guru who is admittedly going through the numbers here, but it's still wicked  (gotta have me some Guru, right?). The Instrumental is a welcome addition, but the call out Hook is a waste of time being just a small slice of the chorus, and not even in accapella! I'd have rather had an extended mix or the original version.

Still, it IS a promo (and seriously hot it is too).

Tracklist

1. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix)
2. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - No Rap)
3. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Instrumental)
4. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Call Out Hook)

Download: L-IA-GSR.7z | Filesize: 20.3MB

N'Dea Davenport - Bring It On 1998

V2 Records VVR5002033

After joining The Brand New Heavies in 1990, N'dea Davenport moved to London, England. Her solo aspirations were postponed to record two albums for them and she featured on Trust Me, a collaboration with rapper Guru in 1993. She departed from the Heavies in 1994 to pursue a solo career. Her critically acclaimed solo debut album was produced in part by Dallas Austin and Davenport herself. The self-titled album was released in 1998 on V2 Records. Several singles were culled from the album including Bring It On.

Gang Starr's Premier & Guru give it the remix treatment, Guru putting a few lines in on one mix but for me its all about the Tony Maserati Mix. Hex Hector, don't get me started on that.

• Album Mix
• Premier & Guru Mix feat. Guru
• Tony Maserati Mix
• Premier & Guru Mix
• Hex Hector 12" Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ndea 98.rar Filesize: 45.77 MB

Soul II Soul - Just Right 1992

Ten Records TENDG 410

Jazzie B's voice was a driving force behind the early Soul II Soul sound. With his unique accent and smoky vocals he was able to incorporate a reggae influence reflecting the sound system roots, His unique brand of soft rap was very poetic that meshed well with the dance music but he also looked forward and strived to remain original.

"As soon as people think they have deciphered the entire Soul II Soul vibe, my goal is to add something unexpected,"
Jazzie B

Before the release of Volume III: Just Right in 1992, Nellee Hooper left the group to pursue a career as a producer. The third album reflected some other changes too, SIIS introduced the use of male vocalists for the first time, Kofi, and Richie Stephens share vocal duties with Caron Wheeler. This single features the title track from the album featuring UK soul legend Rick Clarke on vocals. Jazzie B also takes the lead on Intelligence and on this release, works well with Gang Starr's Guru on the Jazzie II Guru Mix remixed by DJ Premier. The 9 am Mix, by the Funki Dreds, is a pretty cool 8 minute plus affair which starts of as a nice vocal bubbler then breaks down into an old school dub plate. Nice!

If It's Teaching That You Need
Then I Hope That You Can See
Time Is Not A Shadow
If You Can Stand The Test Of Time
Then I Hope That You Can Find
The Truth That You've Been Searching For
Make Everything Just Right

There Will Always Be A Fountain
As Big As A Mountain
Where The Flow Of Love Will Grow
Just To Capture All This Pleasure
As Much As You Can Measure
Will Take Something To Know

Make Everything Just Right
Make Everything Alright
Make Everything Just Right

Bridge Is Not A Shadow
Keep It Up
You Got To Keep It On
Keep It On The Ground
Move On Keep On Moving
Jazzie B Groove On
Jazzie

The Vibes Alive On Which We Thrive
Doctor Fish Is Our Favourite Dish
Which Rely On To Be Strong
Just To Carry On Doing What
We Do Best I Guess Just To Keep
Rick In Check And Make Sure You
Watch Every Step You Take
To Make Everything All Right
Like A Peaceful World In The Sunlight

Now If You Put Your Hands In Mine
We'll Stand The Test Of Time
And You Know Our Love Will Grow
Just Like The Hands Of Time
Our Love Will Always Shine
Shine On Through The Night
Just Right

• Just Right (Club Mix)
• Just Right (Jinx Mix)
• Intelligence (9 am)
• Intelligence (Jazzie II Guru Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: SIIS Just Right.rar Filesize: 35.89 MB