Jazz FM Records – JAZZFMCD09
This is a brilliant release packed with fantastic songs. It was later re-released on the Hed Kandi label, which itself was purchased by Ministry Of Sound, I believe?
Highlights for me include Nuyorican Soul's Rotary Connection cover 'I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun', Camelle Hinds' sublime 'Saulsalito Calling', Jamiroquai 'Blow Your Mind', Urban Species 'Spiritual Love' (this is the better version of it, strangely missing from the single), Leena Conquest's 'Boundaries' as featured elsewhere here, Mother Earth 'Jesse' and the superb Curtis Mayfield cover 'The Other Side Of Town' by Julian Joseph featuring Sharon Musgrave, which gives the haunting original a more upbeat feel.
And by listing those I'm doing the others a disservice. There's not a bad track here so enjoy!
Tracklist CD1
- Nuyorican Soul - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun 5:16
- Camelle Hinds - Saulsalito Calling 4:02
- Jamiroquai - Blow Your Mind 8:34
- Nite Flyte - Coast To Coast (Extended Club Mix) 7:07
- Hit The Boom - Here Comes The Sun 5:25
- Blacknuss Feat. Robyn, Joshua* & Abel - Roll With Me 5:11
- Drizabone - The Last Time 5:30
- Soundscape UK With Rita Campbell - I'll Be Around 4:03
- S-Tone Inc. - Time 4:58
- Down To The Bone - Staten Island Groove 7:02
- The Quiet Boys Feat. Camelle Hinds - Everybody Loves The Sunshine 5:25
- Freedom Or Not - In The City 5:29
Tracklist CD2
- Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime 6:30
- Urban Species - Spiritual Love 5:12
- Morcheeba - Part Of The Process 4:26
- Greg Frank - Live And Love 3:57
- Leena Conquest - Boundaries (Radio Edit) 4:12
- Dust - Donna 5:25
- Ohm Guru - Never Be There 6:31
- Vanessa Rubin - Gotta B Everything 5:45
- Julian Joseph Feat. Sharon Musgrave - The Other Side Of Town 5:40
- Mother Earth - Jesse 5:02
- Folasade - Eyes On The Prize 4:45
- Anthea - Don't Explain 3:59
- Rad. - Elboy 5:05
- Four 80 East - Table For Two 4:30
Natural Response 74321208522
320 Re-up of this fantastic track originally posted by Mick back in 01/09/2008. Over to you, Mr P...
Texas-born Leena Conquest has a unique phrasing style that places her among the best singers in urban music. She has worked with Roy Ayers & Mulgrew Miller on her album Come Fly Away, and on William Parker's 'Raining on the Moon' album and an upcoming release with pianist Dave Burrell.
The full artist title is Leena Conquest and Hip Hop Finger, (a.k.a. Hans Holler, Walter Malli & Werner Popp) whose album Sub Pop, (Aurra 22123) originally showcased this little ditty. Boundaries was produced by Werner 'Les Demon Flowers' Geier (who remixed Omar's Keep Steppin' amongst others) and Rodney Hunter for Uptight Productions. It samples Stop the Rain by Average White Band. Adrian 'Tricky' Thaws (Massive Attack) is responsible for the Tricky Mix obviously, whilst the Six In The Morning Mix is a Tony 'Dobie' Campbell (SIIS, Wookie, Tricky) creation but it still sounds best in its original Full Length Mix. Love Is Blind is simply beautiful, showcasing Leena's jazzy vocal abilities to great effect.
Tracklist
- Boundaries (Full Length Mix)
- Boundaries (Tricky Mix)
- Boundaries (Six In The Morning Mix)
- Love Is Blind
Download : LC-B.7z | Filesize: 53.6MB
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
- Keep Steppin'
- Keep Steppin' (Uptight Remix featuring Leena Conquest)
- Keep Steppin' (DJ Premier Mix featuring Uptown)
- Keep Steppin' (Ghetto Lab Mix featuring Darkman)
- Keep Steppin' (Ghettapella featuring Darkman)
Tracklist CD2
- Keep Steppin'
- There's Nothing Like This
- Who Chooses The Seasons (Duet featuring Carleen Anderson)
Download here: O-KS.7z | Filesize: 78.3 MB
