Mary J. Blige - You Remind Me 1993

MCA Records MCSTD 1770

"Mary, Mary, Mary! You Remind Me..."

This is a freekin' gem, I absolutely love this tune. Mary J. Blige dropped the bomb in '92. Know about Mary, then skip the next three paragraphs.

In 1988, Mary J. Blige recorded an impromptu cover of Anita Baker's Caught Up In the Rapture at a recording booth in a local mall (Damn, anybody remember them, they were cool!). Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the recording to Jeff Redd, a recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records. In 1989, she was signed to the label; becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.

After signing to Uptown, Blige did session work as a background singer for her label mates. In 1990, she was introduced as a background singer for Redd, during a performance at the Apollo Theatre. The same year she also sang the hook on I'll Do 4 U by Father MC, also appearing in the video. In 1991, she was spotted on the syndicated show, Showtime at the Apollo, singing back up for Jeff Redd. Mary's first national debut appearance was in the summer of 1992 when she appeared on Yo! MTV Raps performing What's the 411? with Grand Puba.

Production for Blige's debut album began in 1991, with Sean "Puffy" Combs (at the time a fledgling A&R executive at Uptown) largely overseeing the project. Also enlisted were some of the top R&B and hip hop producers of the time, among them Tony Dofat, Mark Morales and Cory Rooney, Dave "Jam" Hall, and DeVante Swing. On July 28, 1992, Uptown Records released What's the 411? her debut album. You Remind Me was the album's lead-off single, peaked at 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the R&B singles chart that summer.

In the UK, the track was presented to Ray Hayden who gave it the Opaz treatment. It was a fair track to begin with, the Album Version has a long, drawn out, Diva-ish intro before the street beats drop. Mark Morales gave it some serious beats on the Ad's Mix, making the best of that hooky chorus. Quite what Opaz were expected to do I don't know. I guess it was just a case of getting the UK's hottest, up and coming name on the release.

However, Hayden successfully takes the whole deal up another couple of notched to the left. In the Straight From The Heart Mix, we still have all the major hooks but they sound so much classier. It's still Street but... It's Schmoov! Listen to that bass roll, that scream sample, oh my, yes sir, this is where it's at.

The Straight From The Heart Radio Mix is not simply an edit of the Straight From The Heart Mix, it seems to have more going on but sounds even less cluttered. I would probably favour this mix if it didn't have an early fade, Mr. Black? Mr. V? Any other afficiando's out there that can shed some light here. Maybe I'm hearing an illusion or is there an ultimate mix that I'm missing?

• Straight From The Heart Radio Mix
• Straight From The Heart Mix
• Album Version
• Ad's Radio Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Mary J Blige.rar File size: 27.11 MB

Opaz - One On One 1992

Opaz Records OP003/SRH

A leading UK producer, songwriter, and artist, Ray Hayden was born in Dublin, Ireland, He moved to England at 4 years old, where he was raised in East London's multiracial borough of Hackney... where he still lives and works. Hayden began his successful jazz/funk DJ life playing with sound systems when he was a teenager, later establishing legendary status working at Dalston's Cubies Nightclub.

An integral part of the UK R&B scene, Hayden and his partners began Opaz Studios in 1996. It can be found on Mare Street between the Hackney Empire and Tops Caribbean Foods. He has also established his own label called Opaz Records. Featuring artists on Opaz Records include Martine Girault, Natasha Campbell and urban gospel vocalist Patrick Jean Paul Denis.
Ray Hayden teamed up with the sublime voice that is Mica Paris to make the most of her gospel background and romanticism. They recorded three tracks: the ballad Waiting For The Morning, the haunting gospel Bless The Day and this blistering duet One on One. Hayden's appreciation is engraved into the vinyl between track 1 and track 2 where "THANKS MICA" can clearly be seen, although a scan is hard to capture.

Also etched into the run out groove of the same side, is

"IN MEMORY OF MAX"

The spine on this sleeve states OPAZ ONE ON ONE OP003 so I take that as confirmation that the artist name is Opaz.

Mica Paris does not feature on the epic B-side. The vocals are performed by Hayden himself. This epic soul anthem first came to my attention via Essex FM, courtesy of Denise Lasalle who released it as a 45 in 1992. When We're Making Love was written by Ray Hayden but I had moved out of London and was trusting John Leech for my soul sounds. He was good but not focused on the London thing.

I caught the Opaz version that same year, when I picked up the Inside! album. Four minutes 50 seconds of absolute heaven. Imagine how I felt when I was lucky enough to find a copy of this 12" up a few years later. Ten minutes plus guys! Ok, admittedly there's a break at the 7:11 and then 4 minutes of instrumental but who cares. It reminds me of the Lowrell - Mellow, Mellow (Right On) 12" where it changed from the Vocal Version to the Instrumental and you didn't bother taking it off.... or was I just lazy?

One On One
One On One (Brief Encounter Instrumental)
When We're Makin Love (Original Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Opaz - One On One.rar Filesize: 54.81 MB

"I wanna say a special thanks to Mica Paris for helping me finish this song and for Julian Palmer for his encouragement. The result is its own reward."
Ray Hayden

When We're Makin' Love
(Ray Hayden)

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

I Like It When You Tease Me
When We're Makin' Love,
All Through The Night
You Know How To Please Me
Make Me Feel Right

I'll Wait Till You
You Couldn't Make It That Much Better
Even If You Tried, You Know
It Doesn't Matter What You Do
You Always Make The Right Move, On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love
Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love

I Think 'Bout Taking Over
When I'm Feeling Down
Your Always There For Me
You Know What I'm Needing
Your The Light
That Brightens My Day

When We're Alone
Nothing Else Really Matters
About The World Outside, We Say,
It Doesn't Matter What They Know
They Never Gonna Get Through
When We're Making Love

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me
Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
Am I Dreaming
With You
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You

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"

Opaz - I Don't Want It 1993

Opaz Music OPH001

Opaz featuring Ray Hayden. This was the sound of Urban London, the sound of the streets. In 1991, Ray Hayden met up with Martine Girault and Revival hit the streets. In 1992 it was voted best soul record of the year at the World DMC music awards. Unfortunately the lady had problems and her career stumbled. Hayden released this song under the name of Opaz but one look at the credits tells you that Ray Hayden IS Opaz.

A leading UK producer, songwriter, and artist, Hayden has produced many other artists including jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan, Incognito and Swing Out Sister. He was raised in East London (Hackney... where he still lives) and began as a DJ when he was a teenager. As well as being a celebrated DJ and music producer, this extremely talented songwriter and vocalist is part of the UK R&B scene, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Soul II Soul and Caron Wheeler. He established his own label called Opaz Records which has featured artists such as Martine Girault and Natasha Campbell.

Written, arranged, produced & performed by
Ray Hayden for Opaz Productions.
Executive producers: Ray Hayden & Shamin Noronha.
Lead & Backing Vocals: Ray Hayden
Additional Keyboards: Danny G.
Saxophone & Flute: Gary Belfield
Horn Section: Kevin Robinson, Fayyaz Virji & Gary Belfield.
Bass: Wayne Lawes.
Programmed, Engineered & Edited by: Ray Hayden.
Recorded & Mixed: Opaz Studios (London, U.K.)

Mastered by: Mike Marsh (The Exchange)
Artwork concept: Ray Hayden & Shamin Noronha.
Artwork & Layout Design: Gary Hall (LAC)
Photography: Craig Fordham.

• I Don't Want It (Radio Edit)
• I Don't Want It (Parts 1 & 2)
• I Don't Want It (Stone Cold Mix)
• Don't Wanna Cry

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Opaz.rar Filesize: 36.14 MB

The Temptations - The Jones 1992

Motown Records TMGX 1403

The Temptations are a legendary group but in 1991 when they released the album 'Milestone' the line up had changed several times and group members were suffering ill health. With no particularly strong songs either, it's hardly surprising that Milestone, as an album, was forgotten.

It was probably for this reason that 'The Jones' was offered up for the remix treatment. The UK's Bob Jones could do no wrong at this time and Ray Hayden was formidable as a producer, artist and remix engineer, especially on the London scene. Opaz Studios turned out this superb remix which was played to death that summer.

I seem to recall a film of similar name. Can anybody confirm whether or not this track was featured in a movie around 1992?

• 12" Surgery Mix
• Full Surgery Mix
• 7" Surgery Mix
• Surgery Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Temptations.rar Filesize: 46.39 MB