Caron Wheeler - I Adore You 1992

Perspective Records PERT 7407

OK, this is another fine Caron Wheeler moment that had me all excited. Built around a sample taken from the Burt Bacharach & Hal David penned 'Don't Make Me Over' performed by Sybil. during the second 'Summer Of Love'. It was featured in the movie Mo' Money' and boasted a Flyte Time production by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and a Remix and another three remixes from Danny Tenaglia.

It turned out to be a wasted opportunity. Six tracks on this 12" and nothing touches the original LP Version. The sound of 1989 is all over the remixes, even the Jam & Lewis Dance Hall Version echoes to the melody of Todd Terry. It's a shame (IMO) but also fortunate that the splendour of the original needs no assistance.

• LP Version
• Dance Hall Version
• I Adore Dubb
• Club House Mix
• Catch The Groove Mix
• LP Radio Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Caron Wheeler.rar Filesize: 62.2 MB

Lewis Taylor - Whoever 1996

Island Records PY 940

Lewis Taylor began musical life playing in The Edgar Broughton Band, an unlikely apprenticeship when you listen to his self titled debut, if you enjoy this, buy that. Coming over like a modern day Marvin; he has Gaye's passionate, creamy inflections down pat yet this is so much more. Taylor's prowess as a multi-instrumentalist and a highly eclectic musical sensibility also echoes the Beach Boys, Joe Meek, prog rock and psychedelia. Whoever is as wonderful a slice of soul as you are likely to hear. The other three tracks were not released on any of his albums, to my knowledge but give an interesting insight into his diversity. Listen in wonder to the psychadelic Pie In Electric Sky and marvel at how it becomes the wonderful soulful gem If I Lay Down With You. Waves is classic soul and then Trip So Heavy comes on like Marvin on LSD.... Taylor suffered commercially because programmers didn't understand where he was coming from. Stop trying to figure it out and just enjoy, every track is a gem!

BTW, the cover was designed to look ruff like that, it's in good condition, honest?

• Whoever
• Pie In Electric Sky/If I Lay Down With You
• Waves
• Trip So Heavy

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Lewis Taylor.rar Filesize: 25.05 MB

"Thanks Frank!"

Linda Lewis - Sideway Shuffle 1995

Turpin Records TPN-1

• Sideway Shuffle (South Of The Border)
• For Lovesake
• Sideway Shuffle (Radio Edit)

The return of Linda Lewis: After a long hiatus, losing interest in the fickle music industry and being a parent, Linda 'Rock A Doodle Do' Lewis got back into the business. Linda, who originated from London's East End, had moved with her husband to L.A. Having rested for several years, she suddenly got the urge to make music again and returned home to the UK where she recorded an album called 'Second Nature' for Turpin Records in 1995. The album became a hit in Japan, a place where Linda's popularity has never diminished.

This single taken from 'Second Nature' features a new recording of Sideway Shuffle, originally from 1974's Heart Strings album which also featured Rock A Doodle Do and Fathoms Deep. For Lovesake is the superior track though, a solid, retro soul shuffler with extra 'feel good' factor.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Linda Lewis.rar Filesize: 23.08 MB

Sounds Of Blackness - I'm Going All The Way 1994

Perspective Records 31458 7481 1

• Nuttin But Sõl For Ya Remix
• Nuttin But Sõl For Ya Instrumental
• Break Da Sõl Remix
• Classic Remix
• A Stompin' Good Time Dub
• Fierce Reprise Dub

Recorded at Skip Saylor studios by 'AJ' Jeffries, this Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis 'Flyte Tyme' production is taken from the 'Africa To America: Journey Of The Drum' album by the mighty Sounds Of Blackness. In case you were stranded on a desert island somewhere, The Sounds Of Blackness are a 52 piece Gospel group led by Gary Hines, which spawned Ann Bennett-Nesby. This was from their second album and for it's single release, a whole heap of remixes were commisioned. This is the less common Sõl Survivor & Frankie Knuckles collection.

Frankie Knuckles is one of my all time favourite remixers but his Classic Remix is most definitely not classic. It doesn't suit the vocal at all and was, IMHO, a sign that his star was beginning to wane (step forward David Morales, the servant becomes the master). The two Knuckles Dubs are far superior with Stompin' being a great full vocal (less dub) take. Personally, the Sõl Survivor mixes are what makes this 12" essential. Superb, rough R&B grind with the looping sound bytes that work in unison with the vocal. Nuttin' But Sõl For Ya!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sounds of Blackness.rar Filesize: 52.11 MB

Pat Lewis - Seperation 1991

Debut Records DEBTX 3131

• Seperation (Extended Mix)
• Seperation (7" Version)
• Something's Telling Me

Patsy Lewis grew up in Detroit. In the early sixties, Patsy & Diane Lewis along with sisters Betty & Jackie Winston, formed a group called “The Adorables” which had moderate success. As Pat Lewis, she recorded solo and began singing background vocals for various artists at Motown and numerous other recording studios.

In 1967, Aretha Franklin asked her to become one of her background singers while she also continued to arrange and sing background along with Diane and Rose as “The Group” working on Isaac Hayes’ album “Hot Buttered Soul.” On tour “The Group” became “Hot Buttered Soul.”

In 1985, she reunited with her long time friend and producer, George Clinton and then in In 1986, Pat was contacted by the late Edwin Starr, who resided in England which opened up the world of Northern Soul. Pat toured the U.K. over the next few years. During that time she met Ian Levine, a friend of Kim Weston, who came to Detroit and wanted to record many of the Motown Artist and their old hits, plus some original songs one of which was Seperation, written with Billy Griffin. Ian hired Pat as the coordinator, These projects lasted four to five years. Ian also employed Pat, in England, to do other projects for him.

Among many others, Pat has worked with Isaac Hayes, Johnny Taylor, Albert King, The Supremes, Dionne Warrick, Mavis Staples, Tracy Ullman, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Kim Weston, Jackie Wilson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Simon, The Four Tops, Billy Eckstein, Frederick Knight, The Reflections, The Marvelettes, Barbara McNair, Lamont Dozier, Burt Bacharach, The Miracles, 5th Dimension, The Funkadelics, The Contours, Marilyn McCoo, Edwin Starr, Vickie Winan, Johnny Bristol, Freda Payne, Ivy Joe Hunter, Vanessa Williams, Billy Preston, Mary Wells, Brook Benton, Jimmy Ruffin, Betty Lavette, David Ruffin and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pat Lewis.rar Filesize: 27.51 MB