Where do you start when talking about a classic such as this? Words fail me when I try to sum up what this represented for many of us us here in the UK in the early '90s, especially if I want to do it justice.
Marc Nelson and Femi Williams had been kickin' it for a while in 1990 before they were introduced to a certain Miss Carleen Anderson, true funk and soul royalty, being the daughter of James Brown Protege Vicky Anderson (Message From The Soul Sisters), who had relocated to London. A coming together of like minded folk somewhat akin to the stars aligning.
Now, I ain't much of a believer in fate and suchlike, but whatever universal chemistry led to this fortuitous meeting, I am eternally grateful. It birthed such amazing music as Get Yourself Together, As We Come To Be, Move On, the heartrendingly beautiful Freedom Suite and, of course, Apparently Nothin' - a song so perfect and era defining it really needs little said about it (although I do wax lyrical on my Apparently Nothin' CD single post).
In addition to Carleen's angelic singing, Road To Freedom featured guest spots from the always dope Masta Ace from the US, with my man MC Mell'O and Outlaw Posse repping the UK. The list of musicians involved is even more impressive; Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Mick Talbot, Paul Weller (yeah, THE Paul Weller (the album was recorded at his own studio) of The Jam fame), Steve White, Max Beesley, and IG Culture from Dodge City Productions, who all feature.
No wonder it was so damn good!
While a sizeable chunk of the UK demographic were swept along on the crest of a glorious wave of bleepy, intense BPM breakbeat madness and rave culture, there was a parallel musical movement more urban, more soulful and informed by a hip hop sensibility that pulled us in a direction far more nourishing to the soul. It had been around for a while, spearheaded by artists like Loose Ends and Soul II Soul in the late 80s, with bands such as the Sindecut, The Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai and others following in the early 90s. The YDs were a huge part of that; really solidifying the urban cool identity of so many of us, and in a way, still defining us to this day.
So this is the 2006 reissue which contains 4 bonus tracks at the end. I wanted to put this up so you could get your hands on the Soul Pride Mix of Move On, which is easily one of their best, and really outstrips the original.
They only released the one album, which is a damn shame, but looking back on it, when you've dropped something so timeless and perfect... where would you go after that?
Peace and love x
- Get Yourself Together (Part 1 & 2)
- Apparently Nothin' (Soul River)
- Funky Yeh Funki
- Talkin' What I Feel
- All I Have (In Dub)
- Move On
- As We Come (To Be)
- Step Right On (Dub)
- Freedom Suite (Freedom, Wanting, To Be Free)
- Young Disciples Theme
- All I Have In Me (Young Ideas Mix)
- Move On (Soul Pride Mix)
- Apparently Nothin' (12" Mix)
- All I Have In Me (Original Musiquarium Mix)
Download: YD-RTF.7z | Filesize: 175.256MB
