Monica - Before You Walk Out Of My Life - (1996)

Arista Records / Rowdy Records - 74321 37404 2

320 Re-Up!! Originally posted 01/04/2012

Monica Denise Arnold (born October 24, 1980), professionally known as Monica, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Arnold was a member of Charles Thompson and the Majestics, a traveling 12-piece gospel choir prior to signing a solo recording contract with Arista Records in 1995, at the tender age of just 15.

In 1991, Monica was discovered by music producer Dallas Austin at the Center Stage auditorium in Atlanta performing Whitney Houston 1986’s Greatest Love of All. Amazed by her voice, Dallas offered her a record deal with his Arista Records-distributed label Rowdy Records and consulted rapper Queen Latifah to work as Monica’s first manager. Shortly afterwards Dallas and then staff producers 

Tim & Bob entered the studio with Monica to start writing and producing her debut Miss Thang which was eventually released in July 1995 and scored number thirty-six on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number seven on the Top R&B Albums chart. It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for more than three million store-shipped copies and produced three top ten singles, including debut single Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days) and this track, Before You Walk Out Of My Life, both of which made Monica the youngest artist ever to have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. 

Miss Thang subsequently won Monica a Billboard Music Award and garnered her an American Music Award nomination in the Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist category.

Let's not muck around here - I just can't get past that awesome Pete Rock Remix. That was my feeling back in the day and I've not changed my mind since.

There's not a bad version on this CD, and there really isn't a lot to chose from between the remaining three mixes, but, trust me, head straight for the Pete Rock Remix. Why would you need anything else??


Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Radio Edit)
2. Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Pete Rock Remix)
3. Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Tony Rich Remix)
4. Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Mike Dean Remix)

Download: M-BYWOOML.7z | Filesize: 41.7MB

Tom Browne - Funkin' For Jamaica - (1991)

BMG/Arista Records 664 998

320 re-up!

Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954 in Queens, New York, United States) rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune, and scored two major hits in 1980 and 1981: the No. 1 US Billboard R&B single "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" and the No. 4 US R&B single, "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)". Later in 1982 he released a minor hit called, "Fungi Mama (bebopafunkadiscolypso)" which was also recorded on the Arista record label and reached number 58 in the UK chart.

Funkin' For Jamaica is a legendary track from that really needs no introduction, so I'll dispense with the usual description on this one. You know it, and, if you have a pair of ears that work properly, you probably love it. It was a top ten hit in the UK, and spent four weeks at numero uno on the US R&B chart.

Now Funkin' For Jamaica did not need a remix as it still sounds fantastic to this day, but eleven years after it first came out in 1991 that's exactly what it got. Thankfully, the remix was quality. None other than Drizabone on the lick, and, oh my god, I think I do actually prefer it. It's not a heavy handed hatchet job, it's a sophisticated update that keeps close to the original vibe.

There's a 7", a 12" (Clearly the best one) and a slightly more stripped down Jam Dub Mix. However, if you should find it heresy like I perhaps should so, you can find the original version on this CD, too.

What a wicked release this was, and it is still incredibly hard to beat as a Summer vibe party song.

Despite the colours used for the front cover of this single, I'd always assumed the track was dedicated to Jamaica, Queens in New York, seeing as Tom is American, and this ain't no reggae track! (note it was later pointed out to me by Mick that the original release was titled "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)".

Tracklist

1. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 7" Remix)
2. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 12" Remix)
3. Funkin' For Jamaica (Original)
4. Funkin' For Jamaica (1991 Jam Dub Mix)

Download: TB.FFJ.7z | Filesize: 47.4MB

Dodge City Productions - The Clarity EP - (1992)

4th & Broadway Records BRCD 231 - 886 397-2

320 re-up - originally posted 07/06/2012.

Dodge City Productions (DCP) were a British hip hop/Acid jazz group formed in London circa 1991, (and signed to the 4th & Broadway records), by IG Culture (real name Ian Grant) and DJ Dodge (real name Roger Drakes). They were one of the leaders of the Acid Jazz movement, and also received much acclaim and success for their many, many dope remixes, usually done as "City Lick". The group split in the early 1990s, and both members went to have further success in the music industry as solo artists.

Anyway, I've already told you all about the DCP boys here, so to the tracks themselves.

I have problems picking out what version I prefer as I like them both; I think The Clarity Edit just edges it as the drums seem a bit tighter, but there's not a lot in it. What do you think?? 

It's backed up by two solid cuts from the album: Ain't Going For That (actually a sequel to the album cut) & The Slow Jam which is a gorgeous jazzy cut that slinks its way under your skin, and features... yeah, you guessed it, our man Ronnie Jordan on guitar.

All in all, a quality release.

Tracklist

1. The Road In Front Of Me (The Clarity Edit)
2. The Road In Front Of Me (The Black Mix)
3. Ain't Going For That (Part 2 '92)
4. The Slow Jam

Download: DCP-TC-EP.7z | Filesize: 54.0MB

Big Daddy Kane - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (1989)

Cold Chillin' ‎– W 2635T

Here's a quick and dirty post of an utterly brilliant 12".

Apologies upfront as this is a vinyl rip, and while my rip is great, I no longer have access to to the large scanner I used to use, so I've had to borrow an image from Discogs.

The audio rip itself is particularly good. It's a 320kbp rip of a treasured slice of wax. Being a bit OCD I used to tape record my 12" records as soon as I bought them, and then leave the 12" alone, meaning there are very few pops and crackles. It sounds almost like a CD rip.

Anyway, about this tune. The original is okay, but far from Kane's greatest track. However, the two Brixton Bass remixes here (track 1 'Brixton Bass Mix; and track 3 'UPSO Mix' are phenomenal and really elevate it. 

The pick of the bunch is the titular Brixton Bass mix, with it's sweet and slick production. This mix transformed it into a smooth summer jam you can bump in your whip to this day and it sounds pretty damn fresh still, and, aside from Kane mentioning the year on a couple of occasions, has aged like a fine wine. I absolutely adore this track!

In addition to the quality of the main remix, the UPSO Mix is really good, too. Yeah, it may not be quite as amazing, but the tougher sounding UPSO Mix is still way better than the original and flexes its muscles with a lovely reverse JBs/The Grunt loop, and will satisfy the street crowd.

All in all, this is a pretty essential release, especially if, like me, you adore Big Daddy Kane.

Tracklist

1. Ain't No stoppng Us Now (Brixton Bass Mix)
2. Ain't No stoppng Us Now (LP Version)
3. Ain't No stoppng Us Now (UPSO Mix)

Download: BDK-ANSUN.7z | Filesize: 31.3MB

The Beatmasters - Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1990)

Rhythm King/Epic Records 657361 2

Stop.

I know what you're thinking; "Beatmasters. Betty Boo. Is this what a quality site like The Soul Vendor has descended to?"

Hold on, though. This track is a perfect candidate for TSV. Okay, it's not so much soul as it is hip-hop, really, but this classy little number samples the hell out of Marlena Shaw, one of my soul icons, and her brilliant Woman of the Ghetto track (I think it was actually the live version of Woman Of The Ghetto), alongside 24-Carat Black's Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth. Oh, there are also a slew of other samples in there. Try and spot them all.

It features Brit rapper JC 001, who, at one time I seem to recall, held a record for being the fastest rapper around. Fortunately, he exhibits restraint on this and offers up some contemplative rhymes and paints an interesting picture with his lyrics. Check it and hear for yourself.

It's the 7" you'll want, which is wicked, but the jazz-tastic Freebop mix is also really nice if you fancy a switch.  The Chips Mix is another nice variation on the track, but not quite as good as the other two in my opinion. Night in Action is a really good secondary track. Heavy on the reggae samples, and good for it. Give it a breakbeat and it would almost be old skool hardcore. Very much in the spirit of their previous release Ska Train.

All in all, this package goes to show what an underrated bunch of producers the Beatmasters were if you look past their novelty misadventures with Betty Boo.

• Boulevard of Broken Dreams (7")
• Night In Action
• Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Freebop Mix)
• Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Chips Mix)

The Download Link is here: Boulevard Of Broken Dreams.zip | Filesize: 38.18MB

Young Disciples - Young Disciples EP Remix (1992)

Talkin' Loud Records TLKXR18

How great a label was Talkin’ Loud? (Don’t answer, rhetorical question.)
Talkin’ Loud had many, many great artists recording for them and really carried the torch for the quality urban UK music scene of the early nineties, but, for me, no Talkin’ Loud artist or band came close to the Young Disciples.
I won’t wax lyrical about the YD's, Mickey has already written a nice piece about them in the post for the original Young Disciples EP. No, I’ll just talk about this particular release.
Move On, the main track from the YD’s EP was always due for release as a single. Like Get Yourself Together and the anthemic Apparently Nothin’ before it, it was much too catchy a track not to be. However, it is the version contained on this remix EP, the Soul Pride Mix, which got heavy rotation in the clubs and radio stations, and is regarded by yours truly as the definitive version of the track. Far superior to the album and original EP version, without being radically different.
Also included are two other mixes, the Hog Mix and the Lynch Mob Beats version, which was also included on the original EP, which vexes me a little, as I’d have liked an Acapella. Still, both tracks are, dare I say it, not bad as filler tunes *ducks something thrown by BadBoy*, but really, it’s all about the Soul Pride Mix.
The views expressed in my posts do not necessarily reflect those of Mickey P, but sometimes they might do, as he has an excellent taste in music.
For the original EP, and more on the YD’s themselves, please see Mickey's earlier post here.
- Kymba

• Move On (Soul pride Mix)
• Move On (Hog Mix)
• Move On (Lynch Mob Beats)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Young Disciples EP (Remix).zip Filesize: 17MB