Tammy Payne - Do You Feel It (Like I Do) - (1992)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 19, Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD19, Talkin' Loud ‎– 866 827-2

While not as immediate and awesome as the slice of perfection that is Take Me Now, Do You Feel It (Like I Do) is a nice piece of early 90s socially conscious jazzy funk, A sound that really typified not just Talkin' Loud records but the UK underground music scene of this era.

Initially, when she first sings the line about "I had a dream" my gut feeling is to cringe, but as soon as that tried and tested jazz funk Talkin' Loud sound kicks in, you know this is gonna be wicked.

The Jazzy Feelin' mix comes courtesy of Roger Sanchez, and sounded pretty good to me at the time, but on revisiting it with my modern ears, sounds a little by the numbers? Maybe you'll feel differently.

The other version on here (in three separate varieties) comes from Mr Ceri Evans of the Brand New Heavies (and later Sunship), and is the definitive version, for my money.

Jump straight into the 12" mix (track 3) in my opinion.

Tracklist

1. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Jazzy Feelin' 7")
2. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (12")
3. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (7")
4. Do You Feel It (Like I Do) (Ceri Evans / Tammy Payne Dub)

Download: TP-DYFILID.7z | Filesize: 42.8 MB

Young Disciples - Get Yourself Together (1991)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD15, Talkin' Loud ‎– 868 993-2

Another strong release from the YD's whom I have well and truly bigged up in prior posts, so I'll get right into the tracks themselves.

There are two versions of Get Yourself Together, one of their very best tracks, both with radically different intros. I can't really pick which one I prefer so I have both in my playlist and listen to whatever pops up. Hey, it works for me.

However, the real treat here is Step Right On, which is one of my favourite tracks on The Road To Freedom. On the album it's called Step Right On (Dub), but is really an instrumental. The two mixes here have a full vocal courtesy of Outlaw Posse, strangely missing from the album - even the reissue with the extra tracks.

Anyway, look, it's a Young Disciples release so just go ahead and grab it. Quality is well and truly assured!

Peace & luvizm.

Tracklist

1. Get Yourself Together (Album Edit)
2. Get Yourself Together (Album Mix)
3. Step Right On (Keep On Steppin')
4. Step Right On (Original Mix)

Download: YD-GYT.7z | Filesize: 40.1MB

Young Disciples - Road To Freedom (reissue) - (1991/2006)

Talkin' Loud Classics ‎– 9840692

I mentioned in a previous that I don't normally do album posts on here but really this place feels kinda incomplete without this iconic release.

Where do you start when talking about a classic such as this? Words fail me when I try to sum up what this represented for many of us us here in the UK in the early '90s, especially if I want to do it justice. 

Marc Nelson and Femi Williams had been kickin' it for a while in 1990 before they were introduced to a certain Miss Carleen Anderson, true funk and soul royalty, being the daughter of James Brown Protege Vicky Anderson (Message From The Soul Sisters), who had relocated to London. A coming together of like minded folk somewhat akin to the stars aligning.

Now, I ain't much of a believer in fate and suchlike, but whatever universal chemistry led to this fortuitous meeting, I am eternally grateful. It birthed such amazing music as Get Yourself Together, As We Come To Be, Move On, the heartrendingly beautiful Freedom Suite and, of course, Apparently Nothin' - a song so perfect and era defining it really needs little said about it (although I do wax lyrical on my Apparently Nothin' CD single post). 

In addition to Carleen's angelic singing, Road To Freedom featured guest spots from the always dope Masta Ace from the US, with my man MC Mell'O and Outlaw Posse repping the UK. The list of musicians involved is even more impressive; Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Mick Talbot, Paul Weller (yeah, THE Paul Weller (the album was recorded at his own studio) of The Jam fame), Steve White, Max Beesley, and IG Culture from Dodge City Productions, who all feature.

No wonder it was so damn good!

While a sizeable chunk of the UK demographic were swept along on the crest of a glorious wave of bleepy, intense BPM breakbeat madness and rave culture, there was a parallel musical movement more urban, more soulful and informed by a hip hop sensibility that pulled us in a direction far more nourishing to the soul. It had been around for a while, spearheaded by artists like Loose Ends and Soul II Soul in the late 80s, with bands such as the Sindecut, The Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai and others following in the early 90s. The YDs were a huge part of that; really solidifying the urban cool identity of so many of us, and in a way, still defining us to this day.

So this is the 2006 reissue which contains 4 bonus tracks at the end. I wanted to put this up so you could get your hands on the Soul Pride Mix of Move On, which is easily one of their best, and really outstrips the original.

They only released the one album, which is a damn shame, but looking back on it, when you've dropped something so timeless and perfect... where would you go after that?

Peace and love x

Tracklist

1. Get Yourself Together (Part 1 & 2) 
2. Apparently Nothin' (Soul River) 
3. Funky Yeh Funki 
4. Talkin' What I Feel 
5. All I Have (In Dub) 
6. Move On 
7. As We Come (To Be) 
8. Step Right On (Dub) 
9. Freedom Suite (Freedom, Wanting, To Be Free) 
10. Young Disciples Theme 
11. All I Have In Me (Young Ideas Mix) 
12. Move On (Soul Pride Mix) 
13. Apparently Nothin' (12" Mix) 
14. All I Have In Me (Original Musiquarium Mix)

Download: YD-RTF.7z | Filesize: 175.256MB

Young Disciples - Apparently Nothin' (1991)

Talkin' Loud, TLKCD 5

Now re-upped in 320.

An anonymous person requested Apparently Nothin’ in the comments section of the Young Disciples EP/Move On EP, and I felt moved to oblige.

To be fair, I can’t believe this track isn’t on here already, it’s such an undeniable, bona-fide, classic, and it’s the sort of track that should be on first, before any other tracks are added, kinda thing - it really is that big a tune.

You all know this song. It was the gem in the crown of the UK urban music scene in the 90s. A modern day funk masterpiece, no less. I’d even go so far as to say it is arguably one of the finest slices of music to ever come out of the UK (then again, the YD’s are one of my all-time fave bands, so I’m kinda biased). It was covered by the Brand New Heavies (I have their version laying around somewhere if anyone is curious), but it plain wasn't as good as this original release. There really isn't much to say about this song that you won't already know, I guess.

This CD single contains no real surprises - there's the version we all know and love, as well as a shortened Radio Edit, and an Instrumental version (yay!). There's also the Soul River version, which appears on the album, which has that wicked Rhodes/wah-wah opening.

Ladies and gentlemen, Soul Vendor is proud to present the mighty Young Disciples, Apparently Nothin’.

That is all. ;)

Kymba x

Tracklist

1. Apparently Nothin’ (Edit) 
2. Apparently Nothin’ 
3. Apparently Nothin’ (Soul River Mix) 
4. Apparently Nothin’ (Instrumental) 

Download: YD-AN.7z | Filesize: 43.3MB

Tammy Payne - Take me Now - (1991)

Talkin' Loud ‎– TLKCD 12

Wow, what a song this one is. 

You can find this in a couple of places on the Soul vendor; Mick's already posted the 12" and I recently put up a Talkin' Loud compilation CD with it on, but here is the CDS in all its glory.

Take Me Now is such a great track. The jazzy vibes, that breakbeat underpinning it, the little "Uh!" vocal stab, and Tammy's flawless and sexy vocal performance - she really sings her ass off here - all add up to making a perfect song.

The Loop Mix is the version you'll want, being the definitive version. Forgot the edit. Who needs a shortened version of something so great? The Dub Me Now Mix is kinda nice (more on that in a moment) despite the name being misleading, but as stated, track two all the way for me.

In Heart And Mind is a nice, cool, jazzy number and well worth investigating, too.

Sadly, I don't have much trivia to share on Tammy Payne or this particular track, but looking at the sleeve there are some some things of note. Although Billy Osbourne is listed as the producer, also credited on additional production and remix are the Young Disciples as well as some of their regular crew (Brendan Lynch, Max Beesley and Demus), which is a real treat to know. I'm pretty sure that they're only involved with the Dub Me Now Mix, which isn't particularly dubby, but I wonder if they had anything to do with the Loop Mix?

According to Discogs, Tammy seemed to stop recording after 2004. Such a shame.

tracklist

1. Take Me Now (Loop Edit)
2. Take Me Now (Loop Mix) 
3. In Heart And Mind
4. Take Me Now (Dub Me Edit)

The Download Link is here: TP-TMN.7z | Filesize: 43.1MB

Various - Talkin Loud Two (1993)

Talkin' Loud ‎– 516 061-2

This one's going out to JayBilla, and to the rest of the MIA Soul Vendor crew who have yet to return.

I used to love the trend that we enjoyed in the 90s of labels releasing "sampler" compilation albums. It was a great way to get hold of some phatt tunes at a reasonable price. In my other life as a hiphop and Drum & Bass fan, Rawkus Records and Moving Shadow used to do a wicked line in the things.

I digress though. Talkin Loud's second compilation album is a belter with highlights including Galliano's Prince Of Peace, All I have In Me and Move On from the seminal Young Disciples, MC Solaar dropping some dope French hiphop in Qui Seme Le Vent Recolte Le Tempo, Omar's two joints, Incognito's fab Stevie Wonder Cover Don't You Worry Bout A Thing (as posted elsewhere on here) and the always brilliant Take Me Now by Tammy Payne. And that's just my faves. The others ain't exactly filler.

What this all adds up to is a strong release from a fantastic label highlighting their trademark blend of bohemian/urban/hippy/soul/acid jazz.

I'd actually forgotten what a great album this was. What are YOUR highlights?

Tracklist

1. Urban Species - Hide And Seek (4:35) 
2. Galliano - Hungry Like A Baby (5:12) 
3. Incognito - Colibri (5:39) 
4. Omar - You've Got To Move (5:14) 
5. The K-Creative - Back To The Real World (7:18) 
6. Young Disciples - All I Have In Me (6:06) 
7. Marxman - Theme From Marxman (4:24) 
8. MC Solaar - Qui Seme Le Vent Recolte Le Tempo (4:00) 
9. Perception - Serious Love (5:36) 
10. Bryan Powell - I Commit (3:22) 
11. Tammy Payne - Take Me Now (5:35) 
12. Young Disciples - Move On (3:27) 
13. Omar - Music (5:37) 
14. Galliano - Prince Of Peace (3:59) 
15. Incognito - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (5:12) 

PS - I have an alternative version of this CD with a slightly tweaked tracklisting. 3 songs are different. Track 12 is 'Apparently Nothin'' rather than 'Move On', Track 13 is 'There's Nothing Like This' instead of 'Music', and 15 is 'Always There' and not 'Don't You Worry Bout A Thing'. If there's any interest I can always put that up as well. Let me know.

Download: TL2.7z | Filesize: 177MB

Young Disciples - Apparently Nothin' (1991)

Talkin' Loud, TLKCD 5

I originally posted Apparently Nothin’ in February 2009, but since we're on a program of re-upping all the releases that were saved to (and lost by) Megaupload, I figured I'd rip it again at a higher quality.

Apparently Nothin' is such an undeniable, bona-fide, classic, and it’s the sort of track that should have been on this blog first, before any other tracks are added, kinda thing - it really is that big a tune.

You all know this song. It was the gem in the crown of the UK urban music scene in the 90s. A modern day funk masterpiece, no less. I’d even go so far as to say it is arguably one of the finest slices of music to ever come out of the UK (then again, the YD’s are one of my all-time fave bands, so I’m kinda biased). It was covered by the Brand New Heavies (I have their version laying around somewhere if anyone is curious), but it plain wasn't as good as this original release. There really isn't much to say about this song that you won't already know, I guess.

Its flawless retro funk production, coupled with a killer vocal performance from Carleen Anderson (True funk royalty; her mother was one of James Brown's go-to funky divas, recording the classic Message From The Soul Sisters among others), make it a killer release.

This CD single contains no real surprises - there's the version we all know and love, as well as a shortened Radio Edit, and an Instrumental version (yay!). There's also the Soul River version, which appears on the album, but isn't quite as good (in my opinion anyway), but does have a lovely wah-wah guitar opening.

Ladies and gentlemen, Soul Vendor is proud to present the mighty Young Disciples, Apparently Nothin’.

I've re-ripped it in 192kbps for your listening pleasure, so you may want to re-download. Oh, I also bought the US limited edition remixes recently; I'll get those ripped and upped ASAP for you.

Enjoy!

- Kymba

• Apparently Nothin’ (Edit)
• Apparently Nothin’
• Apparently Nothin’ (Soul River Mix)
• Apparently Nothin’ (Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Apparently Nothin'.zip | Filesize: 26.33MB @ 192kbps

Perception - Guilty 1993

Talkin Loud Records TLKCD36

Guilty was originally on an album released by Barbra Streisand in 1980. After the success of the Bee Gees in '77 - '78, Streisand asked Barry Gibb to write an album for her. It became her best-selling album to date with sales of over 20 million copies and was produced by Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson.

The title track, vocal duet between Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees. was written by all three Bee Gees: Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb, Guilty peaked at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 pop chart and also won a Grammy Award. In the UK, the song reached #34 on the UK Singles Chart (because we have more taste). I recall back at the time, proclaiming the song a dirge to my long-suffering Mum, who liked it of course. I was young and foolish at the time. The song is a fine piece of music ruined by the vocalists.

In 1993 when Guilty was covered by Perception, I was able to appreciate the song better. OK, I was older... happy now. It's produced by Lati Kronlund and Tony Campbell, who was originally signed to Talkin' Loud with Perception before forming Act Of Faith in 1992 with Nicholas Demetriades. This is a 1993 release with no mention of Anthony M. Campbell. We have Mike McEvoy on production of Reach Out and writing credits go to the usual names, Daly, Rose, Forde & McEvoy. The lady on the front cover looks familiar, anybody know for sure?

All very interesting I'm sure but let's cut to the chase. The Take Two Remix of Guilty is courtesy of Ray Hayden at Opaz Studios. Game over!

• Guilty (Edit)
• Reach Out
• Guilty
• Guilty (Take Two Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Perception.rar Filesize: 32.04 MB

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