Aswad ‎– Next To You - (1990)

Island Records ‎– CIDM 753, Island Records ‎– 875 963-2

Well, the sun is shining so I thought that was a good excuse as any to post up this summertime joint.

Aswad (Arabic for "black") are the UK's premier reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been around since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums.

Current members

• Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye – vocals, drums (1975–present)
• Tony "Gad" Robinson – vocals, bass, keyboards (1976–present)

Former members

• Brinsley "Dan" Forde – vocals, rhythm guitars (1975–1996, 2009)
• Donald "Dee" Griffiths – lead guitars (1975–1980)
• George "Ras" Oban – bass (1975–1979)
• Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings – keyboards (1975–1976)

Aswad released their most recent material in 2009, with the album City Lock. They released the singles "What Is Love?" and "Do That Thing" in the same year.

These boys are artists of the highest order.

Next To You is such a nice track, taking me back to blazing summer afternoons in the early nineties. This one's thirty years old next year. Feeling old yet?

It feels more R&B than reggae, although with reggae overtones, obviously.  The Roughneck Mix is your extended version, so investigate that if you're into the tune. The Jazz mix ain't really Jazz at all, but does make for a nice variation, being a little more piano driven. The Dimension Dub is a sample fest and also a very competent variation that's worth checking.

Tracklist

1. Next To You
2. Next To You (Roughneck Mix)
3. Next To You (Jazz Mix)
4. Next To You (Dimension Dub Mix)

Download: A-NTY.7z | Filesize: 40MB

Incognito Featuring Jocelyn Brown ‎– Always There (1991)

Talkin' Loud ‎– 868 359-2, Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 10

Oh my god. What a classic track I've got for you today my Soulistas as birthday month rolls on!

Incognito were always something of a favourite of mine with their sunny blend of funky, jazzy, soul-infused dance music. Real good "up" music. Bluey was always all about the vibes and they put out some amazing stuff.

Teaming up this time with soul POWERHOUSE vocalist, the mighty mighty  Jocelyn Brown, to release an era defining track. No hyperbole meant, it is that great a tune. Jocelyn's particular brand of power-soul could knock down skyscrapers, I am quite sure. What a voice! Although this a cover of a classic Ronnie Laws track from 1975 they really made it their own.

So Bluey's Mix is on the CD and is as fabulous as you'd expect, having that trademark Incognito sound to it. However, a special note needs to be made on how David Morales finessed the track and made it shine so brightly. His work on remixing here cannot be overstated.

I don't need to say much more about this release. It speaks for itself (Oh, by the way, the backup track, Journey Into Sunlight, is incredibly nice as well).  

I'd pick between either the 12" Mix or Bluey's Mix, depending on my mood. You can't go wrong either way. 

I love this track!

Tracklist

1. Always There (Edit)
2. Always There (12" Mix)
3. Always There (Bluey's Mix)
4. Journey Into Sunlight

Download: I-AT.7z | Filesize: 42.8MB

Incognito - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - (1992)

Talkin Loud, TALKCD 21

Kym - 320 re-up of another of my older posts that has somehow been attributed to Mickey (again). Very weird. Original posted 08/04/2009 - where does that time go??

The sun is shining here in North London, so I thought I'd post something with a Summery vibe to match the weather outside.

What better, then, than a Talkin' Loud track? One that's a remake of a Stevie Wonder classic?

I'm a huge Stevie Wonder fan, I know most of his songs backwards, and can't get enough of his 70's period. That brother had the funk down to a T. 

Now, I would normally consider anyone daring to cover one of his songs as utter blasphemy, but Incognito did a brilliant job with this tune, and, dare I say it, improved it by making it a little more dance-friendly, with a more pronounced groove.

Just listening to it now takes me back to summers gone by where I had it on a playlist, along with various other acid jazz type tracks, playing loud during barbecue's with family and friends, the rosé wine flowing, the smell of cooking burgers and J* being passed round...

I better stop now, as I'll be boring you.

There's a Frankie Foncett mix, as well as another track, a remix of Colibri, which sounds, for all the world, like a latin-tinged Roy Ayers/George Benson collaboration. Really good stuff!

However, what you'll really want are the Edit and LP Versions (the LP Version being my personal pick). Essential summertime listening.

Enjoy the sun, y'all!

- Kymba :)

Tracklist

1. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Edit)
2. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (LP Version)
3. Colibri (Remix)
4. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Frankie Foncett Mix)

Download: I-DYWBAT.7z | File size: 46.7MB

* I don't nowdays, honest! My boyfriend at the time of writing this was a cop! lol