After 7 - Can't Stop - UK CDS - (1990)

Virgin America ‎– VUSCD 31, Virgin America ‎– 663645

Mickey posted the 12" some years back but I'm re-upping now with the CD Single. I'm going to steal his words for the next two paragraphs as I'm lazy.

"Originating from Indiana in 1988, After 7 have LA Face roots with Kevon and Melvin Edmonds, who are brothers of Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds and Keith Mitchell, who is Antonio 'L.A.' Reid's cousin. They were huge in the US, very polished and soulful, with great vocal range. They were not as well known in the UK but still managed to make a dent.

Can't Stop was probably their most successful release, produced and mixed by L.A. & Face but here remixed by Tim Lever & Mike Percy for One World Productions. Lever and Percy originated in the British pop group Dead Or Alive but managed to later garner credibility as a production team on the UK soul scene between '89-'94. After working with some of the UK's finest soul talent they then returned to their roots writing and producing for acts such as S Club 7 under the name of Steelworks. Strange but true?"

This is a brilliant, classy bit of R&B/soul from the start of the 90's. I love the original but the remix is equally as good, and may even be better. Your mileage may vary but I change my mind over which version I prefer on the regular.

Remix treatment courtesy of One World (Mike Percy & Tim Lever) who were behind that wicked Down On Love track, and are well documented on this site.

Which version do you prefer? Drop us a line in the comments.

Tracklist

1. Can't Stop (One World 12")
2. Can't Stop (L.A.'s 7" Edit)
3. Can't Stop (One World Instrumental)
4. Can't Stop (Clap-A-Pella)

Discogs page | Mick's original post

Download: A7-CS.7z | Filesize: 43.5MB

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

Higher Ground - Sugar Free (Don't Want Your Love) 1991

Cooltempo Records COOLCD246

This cover of the superb 80's Groove killa by Juicy (Jerry & Katreese Barnes, who also wrote the song) was the follow up to Somebody. Personally, I thought Somebody was better and Juicy's 1985 version of Sugar Free (Super Deo Dance Mix) remixed by legendary Deodato, was much better... but this seems to be very popular, then and now so, by request, here it is.

A Mike Percy & Tim Lever production for One World. My apologies for the diabolical CD scan but its reflective and after about six attempts I settled for this one cos you can just about read the credits?

• 7" Edit
• One World Mix
• One Touch Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Higher Ground.rar Filesize: 22.94 MB

After 7 - Can't Stop 1990

Virgin Records America VUST 31

Originating from Indiana in 1988, After 7 have LA Face roots with Kevon and Melvin Edmonds, who are brothers of Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds and Keith Mitchell, who is Antonio 'L.A.' Reid's cousin. They were huge in the US, very polished and soulful, with great vocal range. They were not as well known in the UK but still managed to make a dent.

Can't Stop was probably their most successful release, produced and mixed by L.A. & Face but here remixed by Tim Lever & Mike Percy for One World Productions. Lever and Percy originated in the British pop group Dead Or Alive but managed to later garner credibility as a production team on the UK soul scene between '89-'94. After working with some of the UK's finest soul talent they then returned to their roots writing and producing for acts such as S Club 7 under the name of Steelworks. Strange but true?

• One World 12"
• L.A.'s 7" Edit
• One World Instrumental
• Clap-A-Pella

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: After 7.rar Filesize: 38.83 MB

Diana Brown - The Masterplan 1990

FFRR Records FX 133

With the emergence of the UK Acid Jazz scene in the late 80's came a new style.

"We call this style Groundbeat but it don't matter!"

It was more cool music with a lot of funk, a touch of jazz and a heart full of soul. The Masterplan is actually credited to Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe. Some say Barrie K. Sharpe as a DJ, started the Rare Groove phenomenon in the UK. He was at the forefront as a promoter with Cat in the Hat and WAG, a designer with Duffers and Sharpeye and as a recording artist with Diana Brown and The Brothers. The Brothers were a retro funk crew (possibly just studio musicians) fronted by Diana Brown. Together Diana & Barrie created ‘The Masterplan.’

Although they were included with the Acid Jazz line up, they were of a different breed. Barrie looked strange enough for Acid Jazz but their smooth-grooved easy-paced dancefloor beast was way too infectious for the Camden scene. Groundbeat never made it further than Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe, although they did have more than one release. If you read the small print you may recognise a few names. Tim Lever & Mike Percy strike again with One World Productions and Andrew Levy & Simon Bartholomew would fare well with The Brand New Heavies but they are in the groove here too. It still feels timeless twenty years on.

On the flip we have a very credible cover of the Sweet Charles classic 'Yes It's You' by Diana Brown and The Brothers. Published by Tuf Records in 1987 and produced by R.S. Digital, you get the distinct impression that this is jam and everybody's having a good time.

• The Masterplan (Extended Version)
• Yes It's You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown.rar Filesize: 24.18 MB

"WITHOUT PAIN THERE’S NO STRUGGLE
WITHOUT STRUGGLE THERE’S NO CONFLICT
WITHOUT CONFLICT THERE’S NO CHANGE
WITHOUT CHANGE THERE’S NO PROGRESSION"

Barrie K. Sharpe