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

McKoy ‎– Fight - (1992)

Right Track Records ‎– CD RT KOY-02

Mick's original write-up can be found here.

More goodness from the awesome Noel McKoy and band who have been covered on here many times. McKoy had a real knack for blending social commentary with heartfelt soul music and were essential listening for younger me.

In recent times, Noel has been a part of the brilliant British Collective, along with Don E, Omar, Carl McIntosh, Lee Johns and several other UK soul veterans.

The City Lick is, of course, produced by the legendary and always dope Dodge & IG Culture, no surprises that it is probably my favourite version, although mad love to the original version should be taken as a given.

Paul Gotel's Belvedere Mix is also pretty good with its recreation of the bassline from Gwen McCrae's All This Love I'm Giving.

But all that aside the Original & City Lick are perfection. Start there and branch out is my advice.

Tracklist

1. Fight (7" Mix) 3:20
2. Fight (City Lick Mix)
3. Fight (Paul Gotel Belvedere Mix)
4. Fight (Original Mix)

Discogs page

Download: M-Fi.7z | Filesize: 41.2MB

McKoy - Family - (1994)

RighTrack Records CD TUM 8

Originally posted 23/07/2008

1990-92 was busy time for Noel McKoy. At the same time as he fronted the acid jazz cult band The James Taylor Quartet, he also had some success with Snowboy (doing a cover of Leroy Hudson's Lucky Fellow and Leo's Sunship's Give Me The Sunshine) and his family as McKoy. 

The album 'Full Circle - Within A Spiritual Social Soul' was released in 1993 (If you like this then you need a copy) and that prompted a re-release of the highly rated but underexposed Family.

The Original Version is a beautiful slice of soul but this release called in Ray Hayden of Opaz Studios. Hayden, knowing a good song when he hears one, done the right thing and left it virtually as it was but in true Opaz style, he gives it a great big helping of schmoove. You can't fault this guy, he's a master. Walter Turbitt turns out a short but sweet Live Band Mix which is a joy to hear. Personally, I'm not keen on the Gussie P. Reggae Mix but different strokes and all that?

Tracklist

1. Family (Ray Hayden's Extended Mix)
2. Family (Original Version)
3. Family (Gussie P. Reggae Mix)
4. Family (Live Band Mix)

Download: M-F.7z | Filesize: 39.0MB

'For those who know Soul is what you feel not what you hear.'

Noel McKoy