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

Seanie T - S.O.S. - UK 12" - (2001)

Ill Flava Records – HGST001

Sean Theobalds aka Seanie T (also going by the name of Amedis), is a UK Hip Hop/Ragga emcee from South East London. He is also founder and head of Dark Horizon Rekordz, a UK hip hop label.

He was also in The Blacknificent Seven, a UK Hip Hop group featuring Estelle, Rodney P, Roots Manuva, Karl Hinds and more, but they only seemed active 2005 throuogh 2006.

S.O.S. (standing for Same Ol' Sean) is a straight banga produced by Amedis and Taipanic aka Tony Rotten from Black Twang, and features some nice backing vocals on the chorus courtesy of Blak Twang himself, Roots Manuva, Big Ted and our very own Karl Hinds.

Unfortunately never released on CD, this 12 is backed with a track called the Formidable, and there is an instrumental of both cuts, which may please you mixologists. Sadly there is no acapella, though.

Apologies for the audio quality, I'm not best placed to rip from vinyl any more. If anyone has a better rip they'd like to contribute I'd be happy to replace! (I also no longer work at the place with the A3 scanner so had to list the images from Discogs lol).

Enjoy this UKHH gem.

Tracklist

1. S.O.S. (Radio Edit) (Featuring Big Ted, Blak Twang, Karl Hinds, Roots Manuva)
2. S.O.S. (Instrumental)
3. The Formidable
4. The Formidable (Instrumental)

Discogs page

Download: ST-SOS.7z | Filesize: 42.6MB

Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 242

320 Re-up! Originally posted by Mick on 16/06/2008.

I LOVE Don-E, and I view him as one of the UK's finest artists. This one is a classic and better still would follow. While you're checking this, make sure to buy all the British Collective stuff you can get your hands on. They are comprised of Don-e, Junior, Leee John, Noel McKoy, Omar and Special Guests such as Carl McKintosh and other classic UK soul voices.

Here's Micky's original write-up (and yes, Don-E is from Brixton).

Kym x

Don-E came out of South London if I remember rightly, can anybody confirm that. A multi talented young lad with a good understanding of what was happening at the time. This debut release had a huge impact on the soul & dance scene with Don-E being proclaimed as both a genius and a Stevie Wonder sound-alike. Oh well, can't please them all but I'd take that as a compliment anyway?

Personally, I think the London Mix is blinding and Mystery is a cool track too. Grab the album if you can, there are some damn good tracks on it.

 

Tracklist

1. Love Makes The World Go Round (Radio Mix)
2. Love Makes The World Go Round (Extended Club Mix)
3. Love Makes The World Go Round (London Mix)
4. Mystery

Discogs page

Download D-E-LMTWGR.7z| Filesize: 43.7MB

McKoy ‎– On The Streets - UK CDS - (1993)

Right Track Records ‎– CD TUM 

Noel McKoy is a revered soul singer from South London. He also currently owns the Dutch Pot nightclub in London. How's that for diversification? :D In recent times Noel has linked with fellow UK soul icons such as Don E, Omar, Lee Johns, Carl McIntosh and more to form the British Collective. Look up and buy their album 'The Renaissance' if you can. It's wicked.

Noel cites influences such as The Beatles, Dennis Brown, Chaka Khan, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Quite a mix!

McKoy the band have been covered on here multiple times, so I will keep this short and sweet. 

(Mickey did a much better write up of this one here.)

Allow me to save you time and effort; the 7" and Extended versions are great, the Mother Mix does nada for me... jump straight into track 3 without hesitation.

Track 3 is the Soweto Meets Moss Side mix, by far my favourite version, and features The James Taylor Quartet doing their thang. Funky, old skool vibes run throughout this one, lifting it above the original versions and blowing away the other mix. It's brilliant and possibly even tops the always wicked Family as Mr McKoy's finest moment (Actually, that last statement is a biggie and it depends on my mood).

Thanks for the funky UK vibes, Noel!

Tracklist

1. On The Streets (7" Version)
2. On The Streets (Extended Mix)
3. On The Streets (Soweto Meets Moss Side)
4. On The Streets (Mother Mix)

Discogs page

Download: M-OTS.7z | Filesize: 44.3MB

The Brand New Heavies - Stay This Way (1992)

Acid Jazz Records BNHCD2

Mick has already written about the Brand New Heavies, so I'll skip all that and get straight into this particular release.

In short, I love the track. It's up there as one of the best joints the BNH's ever recorded in my opinion. It's effortlessly cool, and a beautiful summertime jam. N'Dea Davenport absolutely kills it with her relaxed and effortless vocal performance, and the boys provide a classy sunshine beat for her to flow over.

The single version(s) has some extra instrumentation and percussion compared to the album version, including some nice bongos, with the Extended version getting a sexy sax solo thrown into the mix as well. As is my penchant, the extended mix is my pick of the bunch.

The two backup tracks, Bang, and O-Fa-Fu, are cool too. Bang is very much a typical BNH instrumental. Peep it and you'll know what I mean. O-Fa-Fu sounds for all the world like an extended theme tune to a 70s Cop Show complete with throwback vibes and wahwah guitars - a wholly good thing in my book (have I ever mentioned how much I dig wahwah?).

All in all I think Stay This Way is one of BNH's all time classic joints, and an essential item in your summer playlists.

Tracklist

1. Stay This Way 
2. Stay This Way (Extended) 
3. Bang 
4. O-Fa-Fu 

The Download Link is here: BNH-STW.7z | Filesize: 36.1MB

Omar - Keep Steppin' (1994)

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

1. Keep Steppin' 
2. Keep Steppin' (Uptight Remix featuring Leena Conquest) 
3. Keep Steppin' (DJ Premier Mix featuring Uptown) 
4. Keep Steppin' (Ghetto Lab Mix featuring Darkman) 
5. Keep Steppin' (Ghettapella featuring Darkman) 

Tracklist CD2

1. Keep Steppin' 
2. There's Nothing Like This 
3. Who Chooses The Seasons (Duet featuring Carleen Anderson) 

Download here: O-KS.7z | Filesize: 78.3 MB

Omar - For Pleasure (1994)

BMG ‎– 74321208532, RCA ‎– 74321208532

Listen, before I start the review proper I feel the need to preface it with the following: we're not in the business of posting up entire albums on the Soul Vendor. We're all about venerating certain artists and primarily posting dope CD Singles containing mixes that, criminally, would be otherwise lost to time.

However, this album is special and deserving of veneration. It's out of print and only available on the secondary market, often for silly money (I'm looking at you Amazon third party sellers). Please do all you can to support the artist if you dig his work. Omar is the very definition of "legendary" and is one of the rare UK soul artists who had a very palpable influence on the US artists, essentially creating "neo soul" before it was even a thing.

Omar released For Pleasure back in July 1994 to widespread acclaim. Known mainly for the super-smooth joint There's Nothing Like This and the fabulous Your Loss My Gain, this time around Omar dropped an absolute BOMB of an album in For Pleasure which had a lot more swagger about it. The production had a touch more of the hiphop about it, and the tracks, for my tastes, were of a higher standard.

The first track proper, I'm Still Standing, is as infectious as the flu, and a great way to kick things off. I love how Omar plays those keys - it really makes me regret dropping my piano lessons! Next up is Saturday, probably my favourite cut off the album. That Monstrous bassline had me at first listen. Keep Steppin' is dope with its positive lyrics, but I preferred the Uptight Remix on the CD Single. Other choice cuts would be Need You Bad, Confection, Making Sense Of It with its square synth bass lead and the title track For Pleasure, in which Omar sounds like he's channelling Stevie Wonder on those keys!

For Pleasure remains a gem in the crown of UK soul and, for me at least, a true seminal moment. I hope it brings you as many eargasms as it did me.

Tracklist

1. My Baby Says
2. I'm Still Standing
3. Saturday
4. Keep Steppin'
5. Magical Mystery Interlude
6. Outside
7. Little Boy
8. Need You Bad
9. Can't Get Nowhere
10. Confection
11. Magical Mystical Way
12. Making Sense Of It
13. For Pleasure

Download here: O-FP.7z | Filesize: 118MB

The Brand New Heavies - Sometimes 1997

FFRR Records BNHCD 8

That sticker alone would have made this CD single essential to me. Anything sporting a Masters At Work remix was a 'must have' in my book but, let's step back a little and look at the list of accolades on this release.

The Brand New Heavies hit the scene via the UK's Acid Jazz movement. In the late 80's they were an instrumental funk outfit playing new retro music to Soul music's 'Rare Groove' crowd. For their first album the group featured the incredible vocals of Jay Ella Ruth on a few tracks. For various reasons, the group then hired the services of the very competent N'Dea Davenport who became a member and brought much polish to the bands veneer. The down side of this was the decision to re-record the debut album which resulted in the Jay Ella Ruth recordings being virtually forgotten. For their third album Shelter, from which this single was taken (fifth if you include the re-recording of the debut and sideline rap release Heavy Rhyme Experience) N'Dea Davenport had split for a solo career and the band brought in Siedah Garrett, a much lauded vocalist who had sung with Dennis Edwards, Michael Jackson & Maysa Leak (Incognito).

As an album track, Sometimes was one of the stronger tracks and it was therefore a logical choice for single release. The remix treatment by 'Little' Louie Vega & Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez on the MAW Smooth Mix created a nice vocal dancefloor track. Much of the House music fodder was void of vocals and this is why Masters At Work have always been considered a cut (or six) above the rest. I don't consider this mix to be one of their better examples but in 1997 I thought it was great. There were quite a few MAW remixes of this track on vinyl.

Finally, the unique feature on this release for me is Q Tip. The acclaimed rapper/producer from A Tribe Called Quest, who came to the attention of the public via De La Soul and the Native Tongues Posse. Q Tip has since appeared on many releases and remixes but this was a new thing at the time. The Ummah (Arabic for "brotherhood") was a production team consisting of members of A Tribe Called Quest and Jay Dee. Their work on this release is what keeps it fresh. Enjoy!

• Radio Edit
• MAW Smooth Mix
• Ummah Remix
• Nuyoricans Meet The Heavies

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sometimes (BNHCD 8).zip Filesize: 36.27 MB

Omar - Outside/Saturday (1994)

RCA Records 74321213972

Omar is quite often overlooked in the history of soul, he's certainly one of the UK's most underrated artists. He virtually invented Street Soul and is an all-round writer/producer/musician/artist and yet he is remembered (just) as a one hit wonder for There's Nothing Like This. Time's are changing, after six albums (yes, six albums. The last one Sing released in 2006) and awards for 'Best Neo-Soul Act' and 'Outstanding Achievement Award' at the Urban Music Awards 2006, Omar is getting the recognition he deserves.

Back in 1994 he released the superb For Pleasure album and this single was lifted from it. Strange release, this one. The title track is Outside and it was specially remixed by the legendary Ray Hayden at Opaz Studios. Unfortunately, only the Radio Edit is on the CD?

Saturday is another track from the album and this has been remixed by Frankie Foncett. Foncett is not always good but the Gangster Club Ride is an interesting take on that urban ghetto vibe. For me though, this release is all about the Absolute Remix. Sublime, as always.

• Outside (Opaz Radio Edit)
• Saturday (Frankie Foncett's Gangster Club Ride)
• Saturday (Frankie Foncett's Club Part 1)
• Saturday (The Absolute Remix)

The Download Link is here: Omar - Saturday (CD Single).zip | Filesize: 30.1 MB

Gems For Jem - Time For Love 1993

E-Zee Records EZY 1204

• Time For Love
• Even When You're Gone

Gems For Jem is another project from Darren Pearce & Steve McCutcheon (Massivo) who both wrote, performed and produced this pair of gems. Daft name for a quality soul act but then it takes all sorts to make up a playlist. Even When You're Gone has been posted before as part of the Inside! collection but Time For Love is new here and what an inclusion it is. Enjoy!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Gems For Jem.rar Filesize: 21.2 MB

90's, British, Dance, Funk, Groove, Nineties, Soul, UK, Urban,

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Eating Me Alive 1993

ffrr Records FCD 190

I wanted to post Blind Faith for Zenn but I'm fairly sure that I loaned it out and never got it back, many years ago. I know I don't have Love Or Nothing but while I was looking for something else I came across this CDS. I have to say, I couldn't remember it until I gave it a spin. Check the credits for the list of players.

The Undisputed Mix is the commercial take. It has more hooks than a fishing tackle box, you'll be hard taxed trying to get it out of your head. Part 2 is the instrumental version and the Groundbeat House Ensemble doesn't really do it for me. Diana Brown doesn't sound right over a commercial house groove. The Original Version has it all going on, yeah baby, this is more like it but why bother when you have the Funky, Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix to hand. Holy Cow, listen to that funky-arsed guitar drop. Seven and a half minutes of boombastic funk, this mix Rocks like a MF!

• Undisputed Mix Part 1
• Funky Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix
• Groundbeat House Ensemble
• Original Groundbeat
• Undisputed Mix Part 2

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown - Eating Me.rar Filesize: 40.24 MB

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Sun Worshippers 1990

ffrr Records FCD 144

One for the Groundbeat lovers, Sun Worshippers is basically Masterplan part 2 so you'll probably like it but it aggravates. I find myself shouting out "Can You Dig That." without thinking. Produced and written in conjunction with Tim Lever & Mike Percy, better known as One World Productions, with a shout out to Acid Jazz poet/rapper, Rob Galliano, for inspiration. It makes a change from Masterplan in the playlist though, without sounding lame too. Hardly essential but certainly worth having in the collection.

Do That Funky Thing is straight out of the James Brown school of funk. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they got sued but having said that, it's a great little number. Four and a half minutes of groovy 60's soul. Written (well, the lyrics are...) and produced by Di & Baz for Brothers International.

• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) 7-Inch
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 1
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 2
• Do That Funky Thing

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DB & BKS.rar Filesize: 27.58 MB

Street Sounds Edition 7 1983

Street Sounds STSND 007

Another great release on the Street Sounds label. Michael Jackson's Billie Jean was phenomenal at the time and Lydia Murdock grabbed a whole heap of limelight with Superstar with a few surprises, first it ripped off Billie Jean's groove, secondly it was an 'answer back' song and finally it consists of a female rap. Extraordinary at the time but oh so dated now. Instant Funk & Billy Griffin were popular here but for me it was all about side one. Dayton's Sound Of Music, Tom Browne and The Jones Girls in particular but Curtis and Lillo also high on the list.

• Dayton - Sound Of Music
• Curtis Hairston - I Want You
• Tom Browne - Brighter Tomorrow
• The Jones Girls - Knockin'
• Lillo Thomas - I Love It
• Lydia Murdock - Superstar
• Second Image - Don't You
• Instant Funk - You'll Be Mine
• Billy Griffin - Respect
• Lew Kirton - Talk To Me

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds.rar Filesize: 78.31 MB

Everis - Back To Basics 1990

Soul Town Records SOUL 009

In 1989 Everis joined up with Soul Town Records, where he released several singles including a cover of Closer I Get To You with the cult underground artiste Maxeen. In 1990, he released his debut album Back To Basics. During his time at Soul Town he had some success with hits such as Summer Time, Stay and Better Love.

In 1992 Everis supported The Jones Girls comeback and first ever London gigs at the Dominion Theatre and has appeared on the same bill as Kym Mazelle, Don-E, Kenny Thomas, The Escoffereys, Omar, Mica Paris, Gabrielle and many more.

My apologies for the quality of this post but I was only able to find a second hand copy of this album with no cover (homemade art above). There is a bit of 'vinyl grind' at the beginning of each side and some 'pop and crackle' throughout but not too much that it spoils the listening experience. I would, however, welcome a clean copy and proper artwork?

• Get Your Love
• Say
• Hooked On You
• Don't Stop The Love
• Sweetest Love
• Looking For A Lover
• Staying Awake All Night
• My Latin Experience
• Better Love
• Girl

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Everis.rar Filesize: 57.97 MB