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

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

Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (Promo) - Re-Up - (1987)

4th & Broadway 12 BRX 78

Re-Up!: Originally posted by Mick on 12/04/2012.
I reconstructed this from three 320 sources so it's not strictly a vinyl rip. - Kymba

In 1987 when Eric B & Rakim could do no wrong, Coldcut was called upon to remix Paid In Full. Seven Minutes Of Madness turned out to be the most popular mix that year, from the dance-floor point of view at least. It was, quite deservedly, played to death! Eric B was not a happy man though, even though it must have doubled, if not quadrupled the sales of his album. He hated that remix, suggesting that Ofra Haza's Hebrew vocal sample from "Im Nin'Alu" could have been saying "Fuck You" for all we knew. The thing that probably irked him most was that he had no say about the remix and its release.

The real shame was that nobody else got a look in. This promo 12" (handed out at the DMC Convention if I remember rightly) is a remix created by South London's own Derek Boland. Boland had been a DJ on the pirate stations (LWR 92.5) for sometime where he created his own remixes for his show.


This remix of Paid In Full uses a nice sample from John 'Cougar' Mellancamp's - Jack & Diane and a chunk of Chuck Brown's - We Need Some Money. That's Rock Music and Go-Go in this Hip-Hop mix. It's a great version and it deserved more airplay. 

Try it, you'll like it.

Tracklist

• Paid In Full (Derek B's Urban Respray)
• Paid In Full (Album Mix)
• Eric B Is On The Cut 

Download: EB&R-PIF-P.7z | Filesize: 27.7MB

Coldcut - Beats + Pieces - 12" Re-Up - (1987)

Ahead Of Our Time CCUT 1

RE-UP!: Originally posted by Mickey P on 04/04/2012.

I don't have this myself but I did download Mick's original post, so...
If anyone can do us a nice 320 of this, I'd appreciate it! - Kym

1987 was a great year for interesting new ideas. PC's were becoming more available and Cut'n'Paste technology became the new thing. Hot on the heels of Double Dee & Steinski, came Coldcut.

Jonathan Moore & Matt Black have taken the concept to a whole new level nowadays but back in '87 they delivered this slab of vinyl to an unsuspecting world. Featuring Floormaster Squeeze, but doing what, I ask?

Note the logo on the sleeve....

"SORRY, BUT THIS JUST ISN'T MUSIC"

Tracklist

1. Mo' Bass Remix
2. Edit
3. More Beats 

Download: CC-B+P.7z | Filesize: 16.3MB

Danny Madden - Facts Of Life - 12" (Re-Up) - (1990)

WEA Records YZ473T

ReUp: Originally posted by Mickey P back in 22nd May 2008.
If anyone has the CD single I'd sure appreciate a 320 rip as I don't own this one!
- Kymba

Danny Madden has worked with the Basement Boys on Ultra Naté's early work, and he was the background singer and vocal arranger on many of the Def Mix productions.

This track was produced by Danny and Carl McIntosh (Loose Ends) with some Dancin' Danny D remix activity. Is it soulful I hear you ask. Look at the cover, see how it pays homage to Marvin, with this kind of pedigree you don't need to ask, just check the acappella and stop worrying.

There was also an album 'These Are The Facts Of Life' but I never got to hear it. This track was featured in the Mario Van Peebles' movie "New Jack City". It's a beautiful thing people!

Tracklist

1. Dancin' Danny D's Accapella Intro Edit
2. Instrumental
3. Dancin' Danny D's 12" Mix
4. Accapella

Download: DM-FOL.7z | Filesize: 26.7 MB

Anna Mwale - Get Free - (1990)

CBS Records XPR 1563

320 re-up - Originally posted by Mickey P on 15/06/19 - Kym

Absolutely stonking track, you want this. Written by Jean Bronte, John Ritt, Raymond Boye & Anna Mwale and produced by Zed Lovedust.

I don't know anything about her or any of the names on the label but The Eden Upstairs Remix is baaaad!

Tracklist

1. Get Free (Radio Edit)
2. Get Free (The Eden Upstairs Remix)
3. Get Free (The Eden Downstairs Remix)

Download: AM-GF.7z |Filesize: 40.5MB

Souled Out - In My Life - (1992)

Columbia Records 657836 2

320 Re-Up - Originally posted by Mickey P 27/05/2008 - Kymba

1991 introduced those of us fortunate enough to be in the right place, to the wonderful vocals of Sarah Warwick singing Shine On for Souled Out. The following spring this beauty dropped and although our Sarah isn't credited, I've always assumed that she's singing In My Life too. The collective known as Souled Out (a.k.a. Sold Out) comprised of Alessandro Sommella, Domenico "GG" Canu, Ricky Rinaldi and Sergio Della Monica. You may be familiar with some of their later work on the global clubland dancefloors. Hondy (No Access) and the mighty Planetfunk (Chase The Sun) being the most well known to me.

The version of Shine On included here is a club mix by Joey Negro (a.k.a. Dave Lee) and although it's a credible club mix, the Andalucian Mix on my 12" is far superior IMHO. I'll post it when I come across it. Souled Out released an album 'Shine On' in 1992 which I have never been able to find.

"Produced for S.O. Productions. Special versions taken from the CD/MC/LP, "Shine On" LC 0162 MCPS/BIEM/STEMRA

1, 2, 3, ℗ 1992; 4, ℗ 1991 Sony Music Entertainment Italy (SPA) © 1992 Sony Music Entertainment (UK) LTD."

Tracklist

1. In My Life (7" Remix)
2. In My Life (12" Remix)
3. In My Life (Dub Mix)
4. Shine On (Joey Negro 12" Mix)

Download: SO-IML.rar | Filesize: 54.2 MB

Mica Paris - South Of The River - (1990)

4th & Broadway BRCD 199

320 Re-Up - originally posted by Mickey P back in 5th July 2008!

This incredible release is one of my all time favourites from Mica. South Of The River from the Contribution album, remixed by the Blacksmith crew.

Pretty good stuff but then we have Where Are The Children, an absolute gem, soul music the way it's meant to be. The track is one of two tracks recorded at Ground Control, Santa Monica, written and produced by Patrick Moten & J.A. Greene for Golden Empire, the cherry on top comes courtesy of Gerald Albright supplying sax. This track has everything except Bobby Womack!

In contrast we have I Should've Known Better, written and produced by Mica & Omar. Omar plays all the instruments and it's kept sparse and simple but that does not detract from it's effectiveness in any way. Mica has room to breathe, space to perform and Omar's beats behind that dangerous bass line, this is a killer track. Enjoy!

Kym's Note: What a fantastic release! The title track South Of The River is one of her best (but she has so many classics), coming with two mixes by the mighty Blacksmith crew. Their Upso Mix comes correct with a (then) fresh new jack swing vibe. The Brixton Bass Mix has a more organic, typically Blacksmith vibe and just edges it out of the two for me. A great summer track.

Where Are The Children  is such a sublime piece of true soul, beautifully sung by or Mica. Seems to end too quickly though, just when you think it's gonna peak?

And then we have one of my all time favourite tracks I Should've Known Better - a flawless cut. Omar's bassline is DEVASTATING! (Please note though, this is the regular length version clocking in at 5:08 to be found most places this track pops up at. I will later post the I Never Felt Like This Before single which contains a version with an extra 31 seconds. Hey, when you love this song as much as I do that half a minute is almost orgasmic lol).

My suggestion is hit South Of The River (Brixton Bass Mix) and I Should've Known Better and hit them hard. Several times. Then check the other tracks as they're all great. What a serious release this one is.

Tracklist

1. South Of The River (Upso Mix)
2. South Of The River (Brixton Bass Mix)
3. Where Are The Children
4. I Should've Known Better

 Download: MP-SOTR.7z |  Filesize: 40.8MB

Smith & Mighty - Walk On By - (1988)

Three Stripe Records SAM1114

Note: Originally posted by Mickey P 22/07/2008. I don't have this so I can't re-rip it but I still have his copy I DL'd back in the day, so here it is! Over to you, Mick. - Kym

Smith & Mighty's version of Bacharach & David's Walk On By came out amongst a variety of other versions of Walk On By. Due to its ba-a-ad bassline, spasmodic drum patterns and spacious production, this version sounds unique and quite different. So many people copied this simple sound that it is hard now to see Smith & Mighty as the originators, but they were among the first. Back in the day clubbers would happily hit the floor to this. Travelling on the flipside features the manual dexterity of DJ Linx and the vocal talent of Carlton and MC Kelz. A superb follow-up to Anyone, Smith & Mighty helped forge a distinctive UK sound and need to be remembered for that.

Tracklist

1. Walk On By 
2. Walk On By (Mellow Mix) 
3. Travelling 
4. Different Chapter

Download: S&M-WO.7z | Filesize: 25.5 MB

Smith & Mighty - Anyone - (1988)

Beatmaster Records BEAT M2 12

Note: Originally posted by Mickey P back on 22/07/2008. I can't re-rip the songs in 320  or re-scan the art as I don't have it, but I do have his original audio files. - Kymba

Smith & Mighty, consisting of Rob Smith, Ray Mighty and Pete Rose, were a production team from Bristol. The ‘Bristol Sound’ did not originate with the likes of Massive Attack and Portishead. While the Wild Bunch (a Bristol based collective) can claim credit for breaking the sound, it was Smith & Mighty that first created it. Back in the day they were on a par with acts such as Soul II Soul. Anyone was a massive smash that brought them to public attention. With Jackie Jackson on the vocals, they managed to push their formula forwards for public appreciation. 

They were also responsible for Wishing On A Star which was released under the name of the Fresh Four.

Tracklist

1. Anyone (Original Version)
2. Anyone (Rap Mix)
3. Anyone (Instrumental)

Download: S&M-A.7z | Filesize: 18.7 MB

Nu Colours - Desire - (1996)

Polydor/Wildcard, LC0309

320 Re-up! Originally posted 06/04/2009, and yet another one that's incorrectly attributed to Mick. Sort it out, Blogspot!

Well, Nu Colours have been well and truly covered on The Soul Vendor more than once. Mick's already put up Power, and only the other day I put up What In The World/Greater Love; Greater Love being one of my all-time favourite songs.

So that gets me out of having to write anything about the UK's premier gospel outfit.

Onto this track, then.

It's a decent track, second only to Greater Love in their repertoire (in my humble opinion)... but there was only one reason why I bought this CD single, and that was the excellent Linslee's Extended Mix - re-listening now it still stands out as much the best version.

The Ethnic Boyz version isn't bad, but it lacks the power-funk of Linslee's mix. The house mixes are... not my cup of tea. They might be yours? The Gospel Truth According to Mindspell mix is pretty nice, and takes the tune back to a live, stripped-down, purely gospel vibe - it's probably the best mix after Linslee's.

Peace and luvizm,

Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Desire (7")
2. Desire (Ethnic Boyz Main Mix)
3. Desire (Linslee Extended Mix)
4. Desire (Full Chorus London)
5. Desire (Mindspell Classic Club Experience)
6. Desire (The Gospel Truth According To Mindspell)

Download : NC-D.7z | File size: 71.4 MB

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

Mica Paris - Young Soul Rebels - (1991)

Big Life BLR D 57

320 Re-up!!

Mickey P says: A great song from Mica that was the theme from a UK movie of the same name. Not the best movie in the world but hey, thanks for the soundtrack? Along with Mica's B-sides, this was another gem that didn't make it onto an album?

Kymba says: Man, I love Mica's work. She can do no wrong for me. This release is a great example of that.

Ignore the Original Version - it does little for me and probably won't for you either. What you'll want is that wicked remix. The beat sounds very much like a recreation of (or inspired by at the very least) the Think Twice loop as was huge at the time and used on Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's excellent 'Let The Beat Hit 'Em' (as posted elsewhere on here), and Main Source's sublime 'Looking At The Front Door'. It ain't the sample, but it sounds very close.

Have a listen and see what you think.

Tracklist

1. Young Soul Rebels (Remix Edit)
2. Young Soul Rebels (Original Version)
3. Young Soul Rebels (Remix)

Download: MP-YSR.7z | Filesize: 32.1MB

Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (1998)

Cooltempo Records CDCOOL 333

Kym says: This is another 320 re-up of a Mick original post from back in the day. New rips, fresh scans. Enjoy.

Lynden David Hall, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist: Born in Wandsworth, South London, 7 May 1974; married; died London 14 February 2006. He won the 'Best Newcomer' accolade at the 1998 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards. Hall appeared in the hit film Love Actually in 2003, where he sang at the wedding of the characters played by Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The 1997 debut album Medicine 4 My Pain made an unprecedented impact on the discerning tastes of the Brit-Soul fraternity being one of the earlier works to get tagged Neo Soul.

Lynden helped pioneer a domestic live arena for British R&B acts, his 1998 highly-publicised headlining shows in Johannesburg and Durban additionally broke interesting new international ground for a contemporary UK soul act. In 1999, he was the first U.K. performer ever voted "Best Male Artist" by the readers of Britain's Blues & Soul magazine. Medicine For My Pain, as well as the singles Do I Qualify and Sexy Cinderella, had an instant appeal to soul fans in the UK and elsewhere, but it was not until his work got the remix treatment that he got his major breakthrough. Hall was, without doubt, the undisputed King of contemporary UK soul. Crescent Moon was the third single from the album, remixed for 1998 by Dodge for Inside (UK) and Cutfather & Joe (US)

Kym's take: I dig the Album Version, St Anne's Jamdown and the 12" Extended Disco Mix. Ain't no disco about that one though!

Tracklist

1. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (Album Version)
2. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (C&J Stripped Mix)
3. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (St. Anne's Jamdown Mix)
4. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (12" Extended Disco Mix)
5. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (Raw Dawg Mix)
6. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (C&J Long Version)
7. Lynden David Hall - Crescent Moon (Radio Edit)

 Download: LDH-CM.7z | Filesize: 73.3MB

Raw Stylus - Pushing Against The Flow (1996)

Wired Recordings WIRED 224

Kymba says: Re-upped this magnificent CDS in 320! Over to you, Micky...

Raw Stylus was 'Class-A Sound System Soul'. Ron Aslan and Jules Brookes, released white label vinyl records into the funky London club scene which bloomed post Soul II Soul in the early 90's. The best known Raw Stylus track this side of the pond, would be Pushing Against The Flow which was originally spread about on white label, as early as 1992. At that time Debbie Ffrench was on vocal duty. When the band travelled to the US, to record with Gary Katz, Donna Gardier had replaced her. I assume the 1995 versions have retained the Ffrench vocal.

Pushing... was a big underground tune and eventually became the title track of the album. Giles Petersen named it his track of the year and Paul Weller (Jam, Style Council) claimed it 'should have been a No.1 record' in The Face. Other early singles were: Bright Lights, Big cities (White Label), Many Ways (Mo' Wax) & Use Me (Acid Jazz).

A plethora of very healthy mixes to suit almost any occasion, bloody aggravating isn't it. Dave Lee, in his Joey Negro alter-ego. turns out another disco house happy clapper in a very Jamiroquai sort of style. Alvin Speight slows things down to a swagger for a soulful funk, gate that snare baby. Yes Tosh, the Frankie Foncett Funk 12" is a superb R'n'B grind with a gangsta lean, I love the dialogue on the intro. A funky groove but ruff with what sounds like a goose punctuating every line? Personally, I still favour the Raw Stylus mixes, the Original White Label just taking the prize. The Raw Stylus Dark Mix is, without doubt, a killa groove! Sliding in with an accapella intro, it drops with a noise that sounds like a jet about to take off just prior to the baddest bass line knocks the cobwebs outta your woofers. You know when you been tango'ed! ;-)

Kymba says: I'm just updating the DL link to a 320, and I couldn't resist adding my own two cents to the above considering how much I love this track. The Frankie Foncett mixes are hot, and Mickey's "Goose" is a distorted lo-fi horn stab - it's basically a sampling, or recreation, of Craig Mack's Flava In Your Ear. That's my third favourite mix. Second fave is the very badass indeed Raw Stylus Dark Mix, but nothing beats the Original White Label Version for both Micky me - and that includes every single track on the remixes CD of this which I will be posting on here very soon.

PS - The Joey Negro versions are pretty good if house is your thang. You've gotta love that cheeky recreation of Diana Ross's anthem Love Hangover bassline too!

Overall, this is a great CDS - the original is flawless and the remixes are on point. What a sublime release.

Tracklist

1. 7" Edit
2. Raw Stylus Dark Mix
3. Original White Label
4. Joey Negro Extended Mix
5. Alvin Speights Main 12" Mix
6. Fronkie Foncett Funk 12"

Download: RS-PATF.7z| Filesize: 80.2 MB