Mint Condition - Let Me Be The One - UK CDS - (1997)

Polydor ‎– 571713-2

Mint Condition hail from Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the time of writing this they are 8 albums deep and can list things like supporting the man, the legend Prince among their many accomplishments. The have also been nominated for four Grammy and Soul Train Awards.

These boys ain't playin'!!

Let Me Be The One is arguably my favourite cut of theirs. It's an on the DL joint heavy on the groove with a bubbling undercurrent of sensuality and exactly the kinda neo soul vibes that I like. However, it was when it got the remix treatment that it truly elevated for me.

So, the Album versions are fabulous, but it's the Ummah versions you should check for. Track two is much my favourite of them. It's the Ummah Mix featuring Q-Tip. Sublime production from who I assume is J Dilla, lends a blunted, low key sexy vibe to things and the track is all the better for it.

My only critique is that it's an edit and not a full ength version

Tracklist

1. Let Me Be The One (Album Edit)
2. Let Me Be The One (Ummah Radio Remix featuring Q-Tip)
3. Let Me Be The One (Ummah Remix Instrumental Q-Tip Version)
4. Let Me Be The One (Ummah Radio Remix featuring Phife)
5. Let Me Be The One (Ummah Remix Instrumental Phife Version)
6. Let Me Be The One (Silk's Radio Remix)
7. Let Me Be The One (Album Version)

Discogs page

Download: MC-LMBTO.7z | Filesize: 71.2MB

Raphael Saadiq & Q-Tip ‎– Get Involved - (1999)

Hollywood Records ‎– 0101185HWR

Raphael Saadiq (born Charles Ray Wiggins; May 14, 1966) is an American singer/songwriter, musician, and record producer. In his early days in the New Jack Swing era he was a member of the multiplatinum selling group Tony! Toni! Toné!

Like similar-minded musician D'Angelo, Raph would go on to have a really interesting career putting out the highest quaility neo soul and R&B, always seeming to be a cut above the majority of his contemporaries. Check out albums such as Instant Vintage or Stone Rollin' to get what I mean. Also much like D he isn't overly prolific, but is slightly more so than the Voodoo man.

Q-Tip (born Jonathan William Davis; April 10, 1970), who would later change his name to Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, is an American rapper, record producer, actor and DJ. Nicknamed The Abstract, and a founding member of legendary Hip Hop crew A Tribe Called Quest (arguably my favourite band along with The Roots and the Wu), 'Tip is noted for both his laidback mic skills as well as his production prowess.

You know this track is gonna be a killer right from the start when those strings (sampled from the Gamble & Huff produced 1973 track I'll Always Love My Mama by The Intruders) kick in. Q-Tip informs us of how "the S-A-double-D-I-Q" wants to get involved leading us into the typically flawless vocal stylings of Raph.

DJ Thomilla's Benztown Remix (or RMX) is actually really good and I like it a lot. It's incredibly difficult to see past the brilliance of the original though. Makes a pleasant change over the original for sure.

Bottom line: I LOVE this song! Jump straight into the pitch-perfect Original Version but do check out DJ Thomilla's version.

Tracklist

1. Get Involved (Album Version)
2. Get Involved (DJ Thomilla's Benztown RMX) (Edit)
3. Get Involved (DJ Thomilla's Benztown RMX) (Extended)
4. Get Involved (Instrumental)

Download: RS&QT-GI.7z | Filesize: 31MB