Mac Band Featuring The McCampbell Brothers ‎– Roses Are Red - Euro Mini CDS - (1988)

MCA Records ‎– 257 859-2

Secind birthday post of the day and it is a straight classic.

"Roses Are Red" is a 1988 single by The Mac Band featuring The McCampbell Brothers, and produced by the legendary LA and Babyface. The Mac Band WERE the McCampbell brothers, so it's a slightly odd name?

This was their most successful of six chart singles on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, peaking at number one for one week on that chart. "Roses Are Red" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. In a weird twist of fate, it fared better this side of the big pond, where it hit #8 on the UK Singles Chart.

This Extended Version is pretty hard to find in good quality, so it is shared with love on here. There's also a nice instrumental version as well for creative mixology. I've also included the regular, non extended version from one of the Nite Flight albums.

"Roses Are Red" is a great, great piece of R&B with LA & babyface at the height of their powers, and is a real favourite of mine.

Tracklist

1. Roses Are Red (Extended Version)
2. Roses Are Red (Instrumental)
3. BONUS TRACK: Roses Are Red

Discogs page

Download: MB-RAR.7z | Filesize: 65.6MB

Levert - Casanova - US CDV - (1987)

Atlantic ‎– 7 81830-2, Atlantic ‎– 81830-2

This one takes me back! I was barely into double digits in age when I first heard it.

The Levert brothers are the sons of The O'Jays' founder and lead-singer Eddie Levert, and as a result, are something approaching R&B royalty. They released their debut album in 1985 

Gerald Levert was a Soul singer born in July 1966; Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. and died 10 November 2006 autopsy report concluded accidental overdose of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs and pneumonia.

Sean Levert was born September 28, 1968 and sadly passed away March 30, 2008, 6 days after being admitted to jail (Cuyahoga County Correctional Facility). According to coroner's report his death was caused by complications from sarcoidosis, issues of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and withdrawal from Xanax. His wife won a lawsuit against Cuyahoga County and was awarded 4 million dollars.

Such a sad, sad end to a couple of legendary figures within the R&B scene.

What a great track! A true summertime jam for sure. And is it me, or do those drums sound a lot like the Bobby Brown Don't Be Cruel pattern?

This is the full original extended mix of Casanova, instead of the shorter edit that's been erroneously labelled on some compilations as 'extended'. 

It can be difficult to source so is shared with love and respect, as always. Also included is Throwdown and the regular, radio mix of Casanova.

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Casanova (Extended Mix)
2. Throwdown
3. Casanova

Discogs page

Download: L-C.7z | Filesize: 53.5MB

Blu Cantrell Featuring Sean Paul ‎– Breathe (CD1 & CD2) - (2003)

CD1 CDS: Arista ‎– 82876545722, BMG ‎– 82876545722

CD2 Maxi: Arista ‎– 82876534012

Blu Cantrell (born Tiffany Cobb, October 1, 1976 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an American R&B singer. She was discovered by Red Zone Entertainment heads Tab and Laney Stewart in early 2000. The producers promptly placed her to Antonio "L.A." Reid who offered the singer a contract with his label Arista Records after a successful audition. In 2001, the singer released her gold certified debut album, So Blu.

Breathe is a ridiculously catchy number (produced by Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, Mark Pitts), sampling Dr Dre & Eminem's track 'What's The Difference' from Dre's 2001 album.

What am I doing explaining this to you? You know this already. 

I'm out! x

Tracklist (CDS)

1. Breathe (Rap Version)
2. Breathe (Radio Mix)
3. Breathe (Ed Funk & D Rok Remix)

Nothing much new here on this disc. The Ed Funk mix is interesting but I still prefer the original.

Tracklist (Maxi)

1. Breathe (Rap Version) (Radio Mix)
2. Breathe (No Rap Version) (Radio Mix)
3. Breathe (Andy & The Lamboy Radio Edit)
4. Breathe (Instrumental)

Download: BC-B.7z | Filesize: 59.4MB

Silk - Hooked On You - (1995)

Elektra ‎– EKR212CD, Elektra ‎– 7559-66055-2

Discovered by Keith Sweat, Silk are an American R&B group, formed in 1989 in Atlanta, Georgia. They are best known for their 1993 hit single, "Freak Me", which reached number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100. They've had a string of other hits, but this one is my favourite.

There are a suite of remixes on here but the Original Extended Mix is by far the best to my ears. 

We start with DJ Clark Kent's mix, sampling Isaac Hayes' A Few More Kisses to Go, no doubt inspired by Redman's use of the sample.

Next up are the Trackmasters, and while I normally find them a little formulaic for my tastes, this is a surprisingly good mix.

The Chucklife mix is kinda boring to me so moving on quickly to The Trackmasters Hip Hop mix, which features Foxy Brown and Tyme dropping a bar each.

Which all brings us back to the highlight of this CD for me, the Original Extended Mix; simply perfect. I love those Ironside style sirens!

All in all, this was a really great value CD, packed with multiple versions. I'd have liked an acapella but I've lost count how often I say that!

Enjoy!

Tracklist

1. Hooked On You (Radio Edit)
2. Hooked On You (D.J. Clark Kent Remix Edit)
3. Hooked On You (Trackmasters Remix)
4. Hooked On You (Chucklife Remix)
5. Hooked On You (Trackmasters Hip-Hop Remix)
6. Hooked On You (Original Extended Mix)

Download: S-HOY.7z | Filesize: 62.4MB

Wayne Marshall ‎– G-Spot (Ooh Aah) - UK CD1 & CD2 - (1994)

Soultown ‎– SOUL-CD0032+1, Soultown ‎– SOULCDS-32+1

You know this one had to come sooner or later, right?

G-Spot reached No. 29 on the UK singles chart in 1994, and later reached a paltry No. 50 when it was re-released in 1996 - although you couldn't put on urban radio without hearing it around the time, so chart position isn't really a reflection of the impact it had.

I don't really have much to say about this release as it speaks for itself. You'll either love it or hate it. I'm the former! ;)

I do have a nitpicky issue with it though - the naming convention is all over the place. The version on 1994's Ninety Degrees & Rising album is called Your G-Spot, it was known by just G-Spot on the radio's back in the day, the single is titled "Ooh Aah" (G Spot) and the individual track names are all over the place.

For someone who likes thing neat and orderly, it's a nightmare!!

The album version "Your G Spot" remains the best but is sadly lacking from these CD's (I've added it to this .ZIP for sake of completion for you). My pick of the bunch is the Lighter In The Air Mix with the always excellent Top Cat bringing you some rudebwoy biznizz. 

The Borehamwood Mix is a slightly remixed, slightly resung version that isn't as good, and the Back In The Day Mix again, isn't as good as the original. 

Nothing on either CD is bad per se but, as I said, just not quite as good.

CD1 Tracklist

1. "Ooh Aah" (G-Spot) (Boreham Wood Mix) (For Those Who Know)
2. "Ooh Aah" (G-Spot) (Back In The Day) (With A Little Love Mix)
3. "Ooh Aah" (G-Spot) (Lighter In The Air Mix) featuring Top Cat

Discogs page

======

Soultown ‎– SOULCDS-32+2

CD2 now and once again, while nice, these tracks just aren't as good as the original version.

Wayne kinda comes off as a UK version of R Kelly, with his sex focussed output. I mean, look at these covers. They could be stills from a porno!

This feeling is reinforced with the track Ooh La La La featuring label mate Ebony (which also features on his Censored album). The story this song puts over comes off like the whole label were simply having sex with each other all the time.

Maybe they were, I don't know, I didn't work there. :D

CD2 Tracklist

1. "Ooh Aah" (G-Spot) Boreham Wood Mix (For Those Who Know)
2. Ooh La La La featuring Ebony
3. "Ooh Aah" (G-Spot) Night Bus Gangster Mix

Discogs page

Download: WM-OAGS.7z | Filesize: 54.7MB

Venus Tribe - Slow Down - (2002)

So Urban Records - 673192 2

Re-Upping this classic piece of UK R&B

Any track produced by Dodge will automatically carry the Soul Vendor seal of approval, as the man really can do no wrong, and Slow Down is a perfect example of this.

A really cool slice of UK R&B soul released in 2002, this should have made more of an impact than it did. I dig the cheeky lil' Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians sample, evoking brand Nubians' classic Slow Down (see Love Thang by Intro for a different sample from that track).

Vocals are on point and courtesy of Dianne Joseph ("Di"), formerly of the UK R&B group Truce, who also supplied the excellent vocals for Drum & Bass dance-floor destroyer Shake Ur Body (the single release of which also carried a Venus Tribe mix which turned it from D&B to R&B - and which I posed on here a few days ago).

The Original Mix is such a classic that it is hard to look beyond it, but Tash (from one of my favourite West Coast Hip-Hop groups Tha Alkaholiks) brings his trademark flow to the w/Rap version, for two verses, which is otherwise the same.

The script gets flipped on the Bigshot Radio Mix, which is a full vocal UK Garage track with a nice enough vibe and decent bassline, if that's your thang.

However, there will be no prizes for guessing where my preference lays. Original styley!

In Dodge we trust.

Peace and luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Slow Down (Original mix) 
2. Slow Down (Original w/Rap Feat. Tash from Tha Liks) 
3. Slow Down (Bigshot Radio Mix) 
4. Slow Down (Vox) - BONUS alternate cut taken from Street Beats Vol 12 Series 4

Download : VT-SD.7z Filesize: 41.060MB

Intro - Love Thang - Europe CDS - (1993)

Atlantic ‎– A7374CD, Atlantic ‎– 7567-85773-2

Intro was an American R&B trio from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The trio consisted of members Jeff Sanders, Clinton "Buddy" Wike and lead singer/songwriter Kenny "G-Love" Greene, who wrote and produced the majority of their material. Intro released two albums (for Atlantic Records): 1993's Intro and their second album, 1995's New Life. 

The group had a string of US hits in the 1990s, including "Let Me Be The One", the Stevie Wonder cover "Ribbon in the Sky", "Funny How Time Flies" and their highest charting hit, "Come Inside".

In very sad turn of events, the velvet voiced Kenny Greene passed away in New York City at the age of 32. Greene had previously revealed that he was bisexual (not an easy thing to admit given the homophobic nature of the urban music scene) and that he was suffering from AIDS in a 2001 interview with Sister2Sister magazine, passing away later that year due to complications of the disease. 

The group disbanded after Kenny's passing although they would later reform as a trio.

Love Thang then stands as a great monument to the group and their solid harmonies, and to Kenny Greene's stand-out talent. He really could sing his ass off, and he truly shows that here. The backing beat behind it is a strangely dope sample taken from Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (via sampling by Brand Nubian for their hip hop smash Slow Down, and several others).

It remains an absolute classic piece of post New Jack Swing era street-soul/R&B.

RIP Kenny xxx

Tracklist

1. Love Thang (Radio Edit)
2. Love Thang (R&B Mix)
3. Love Thang (Hip Hop Mix)
4. Love Thang (Jazz Version)

Discogs page

Download: I-LT.7z | Filesize: 43.1MB

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

Rhythm N Bass - Can't Stop This Feeling / Tell Me - (1993)

Epic ‎– 659200 2

I can't find anything about these guys online so info will be a little sparse.

Members included Alistair Tennant (born 1973, London) & Wayne Hector, but there were also two further members. Tenant did a lot of writing for bands such as Damage, Boyzone(!), Ant & Dec(!) and more. Hector did backing vocals for artists such as Peter Andre, Westlife, Boyzone and Maxi Priest - and writing for many more. (Damage and Maxi Priest aside, there are a bunch of names that have never surfaced on The Soul Vendor before... and never will do again!)

Rhythm N Bass were lauded in certain quarters as the UK answer to the US R&B influx, alongside artists & bands like Wayne Marshall, Damage, Truce and Kreuz.

They released a couple of joints back in the early 90's including the catchy Roses and this track, which was backed up by the Groove Theory penned Tell Me (If You Want Me Too).

So this is a dope party cut and I wholly recommend jumping right into the Extended Version for maximum enjoyment. It's a great track.

Do not overlook Tell Me (If You Want Me Too), though. It's a slow-ish jam with a different vibe, and is also a hell of a track. I do have the Groove Theory version sitting around somewhere, so that'll be a future Soul Vendor post. (have I ever mentioned on here how much I love Amel Larrieux?)

All in all this was a great release from an all-but forgotten UK outfit.

Tracklist

1. Can't Stop This Feeling (Edited Version)
2. Can't Stop This Feeling (House Mix)
3. Tell Me (If You Want Me Too)
4. Can't Stop This Feeling (Extended Version)

Download: R+B-CSTF.7z | Filesize: 41.9 MB

Beverley Knight - Get Up! - CD1 & CD2 - (2001)

Parlophone ‎– CDRS 6564, Parlophone ‎– 7243 5 50038 2 9

Beverley Knight, MBE (born Beverley Anne Smith; 22 March 1973) is a UK soul singer and, latterly, musical theatre actress who released her debut album, The B-Funk, in 1995. Knight has released eight studio albums to date and is widely lauded as one of Britain's greatest soul singers. 

Get Up (along with Made It Back) is one of my fave tracks from our Bev and is presented here for your delectation in all its 2-disc glory.


The Original version is best, obvs, The Middle Row Mix is a nice garage re-lick, if that's your ting blud.

The So Solid Mix doesn't really do much for me, but your mileage may vary.

Tracklist CD1

1. Get Up! (Original Version)
2. Get Up! (Middle Row Mix)
3. Get Up! (So Solid Crew Mix)

============

On Disc 2, the Original version gets another airing, along with tracks Never Too late and What If? Both of which are very nice and well worth a spin. Better than your everage filler tracks.

Tracklist CD2

1. Get Up!
2. Never Too Late
3. What If?

Download: BK-GU.7z Filesize: 54.4MB

Donnell Jones featuring Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - U Know What's Up (CD1 & CD2) - (1999)

CD1 - LaFace Records ‎– 74321 72275 2 / CD2 - LaFace Records ‎– 74321 72276 2

Donell Quinn Jones (born May 22, 1973), better known simply as Donnell Jones, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Just for clarification purposes, this Donnell Jones is not the same person as 1970s funk/disco producer Donnell Jones.

Lisa Nicole Lopes (May 27, 1971 - April 25, 2002), better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. Lopes was best known as one-third of the R&B girl group TLC, alongside Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas.

In 1999, just three short years before Lisa's untimely death, these two cats hooked up to make a chilled R&B classic.

I won't waste your time - CD2 is for the club/dance crowd and ain't for me. I'm including it here for sake of completion.

No, for my money, ignore that and go straight to disc 1 where you have the classic version in either a with or without rap flavour. Left Eye kicks one of (if not) the best verses I'd heard her spit up til that point so both versions work for me.

I miss ya, Lis!

Tracklist CD1

1. U Know What's Up (Album Version)
2. U Know What's Up (Album Version Featuring Left-Eye)

Tracklist CD2

1. U Know What's Up (Jeremy B Radio Edit)
2. U Know What's Up (Jeremy B Main Mix)
3. U Know What's Up (Jeremy B The Edge Dub)

Download: DJ-UKWU.7z | Filesize: 57.5MB

Lina - It's Alright (Promo Single) - (2001)

Atlantic ‎– PRCD 300557

I posted the Gang Starr remix of It's Alright a few weeks back but didn't have the original to hand at the time, so I'm fixing that now.

This is a brilliant, funky ol' track with great production from Lina, Travis House and Jeeve with Craig Kallman & Wakeane Caffey as executive producers. I can't tell you anything about them as I really don't know!

This a step away from Lina's usual jazzy R&B territory towards a more lazy ass funk sound that is so sweet on the ear. As mentioned previously, I like this and the remix equally and both deserve to be on your playlists having a completely different vibe.

Check out the Gang Starr Remix write-up for more info else I'm just repeating myself!

If you want my thoughts, I'm not really feeling Boo-Bonic's verse so I just jump straight into the album version.

Tracklist

1. It's Alright (Radio Edit Clean)
2. It's Alright (Remix) Featuring Boo-Bonic
3. It's Alright (Album Version)
4. It's Alright (Instrumental)
5. It's Alright (Callout Hook)

Download: L-IA.7z | Filesize: 36.2MB

Lina - It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix) (Promo Single) - (2001)

Atlantic ‎– PRCD 300669

I'm a big fan of Lina (born Shelina Wade of Denver Colorado), she's got a classy, classic jazz vocalist style, steeped in the traditions of Sarah Vaughn et al. She gets overlooked by many, I feel, which is a real shame.

If you've never investigated Lina before, I can't recommend her albums highly enough. Stranger On Earth, Morning Star (if you can get it for a reasonable price) and The Inner Beauty Movement in particular are amazing, but she's never put out anything less than great to my knowledge. 

This promo CD is a remix of a track allegedly from the Stranger On Earth album, although it's not on my copy of it! What's that about?

Anyway, the original is dope, and has a completely different, laid-back vibe. Sadly that versions not present here on this promo CD (you can find that here). What we have, though, is a simple stripped back, dirty, funky dance-floor friendly groove. Try listening without bobbing your head or even wanting to shake that ass. It's impossible.

My man DJ Premier (although I note Guru is listed as co-producer?) wisely doesn't overdo anything, and lets Lina's vocals shine through. It's essentially a drum track, with some reversed stabs and occasional rhodes style vibes. While the instrumentation is minimal, it helps propel the track by giving it some urgency and a real nice punchy feel.

The No Rap version is great and a really quick bullet of funky shit, weighing in at 2:20 and it's done. For my money though, track one is where it's at. It is still short, but has two verses from Guru who is admittedly going through the numbers here, but it's still wicked  (gotta have me some Guru, right?). The Instrumental is a welcome addition, but the call out Hook is a waste of time being just a small slice of the chorus, and not even in accapella! I'd have rather had an extended mix or the original version.

Still, it IS a promo (and seriously hot it is too).

Tracklist

1. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix)
2. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - No Rap)
3. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Instrumental)
4. It's Alright (Gang Starr Remix - Call Out Hook)

Download: L-IA-GSR.7z | Filesize: 20.3MB