Jazz FM - Nu Cool - (1998)

Jazz FM Records ‎– JAZZFMCD09

This is a brilliant release packed with fantastic songs. It was later re-released on the Hed Kandi label, which itself was purchased by Ministry Of Sound, I believe?

Highlights for me include Nuyorican Soul's Rotary Connection cover 'I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun', Camelle Hinds' sublime 'Saulsalito Calling', Jamiroquai 'Blow Your Mind', Urban Species 'Spiritual Love' (this is the better version of it, strangely missing from the single), Leena Conquest's 'Boundaries' as featured elsewhere here, Mother Earth 'Jesse' and the superb Curtis Mayfield cover 'The Other Side Of Town' by Julian Joseph featuring Sharon Musgrave, which gives the haunting original a more upbeat feel.

And by listing those I'm doing the others a disservice. There's not a bad track here so enjoy!

Tracklist CD1

1. Nuyorican Soul - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun 5:16
2. Camelle Hinds - Saulsalito Calling 4:02
3. Jamiroquai - Blow Your Mind 8:34
4. Nite Flyte - Coast To Coast (Extended Club Mix) 7:07
5. Hit The Boom - Here Comes The Sun 5:25
6. Blacknuss Feat. Robyn, Joshua* & Abel - Roll With Me 5:11
7. Drizabone - The Last Time 5:30
8. Soundscape UK With Rita Campbell - I'll Be Around 4:03
9. S-Tone Inc. - Time 4:58
10. Down To The Bone - Staten Island Groove 7:02
11. The Quiet Boys Feat. Camelle Hinds - Everybody Loves The Sunshine  5:25
12. Freedom Or Not - In The City 5:29

Tracklist CD2

1. Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime 6:30
2. Urban Species - Spiritual Love 5:12
3. Morcheeba - Part Of The Process 4:26
4. Greg Frank - Live And Love 3:57
5. Leena Conquest - Boundaries (Radio Edit) 4:12
6. Dust - Donna 5:25
7. Ohm Guru - Never Be There 6:31
8. Vanessa Rubin - Gotta B Everything 5:45
9. Julian Joseph Feat. Sharon Musgrave - The Other Side Of Town 5:40
10. Mother Earth - Jesse 5:02
11. Folasade - Eyes On The Prize 4:45
12. Anthea - Don't Explain 3:59
13. Rad. - Elboy 5:05
14. Four 80 East - Table For Two 4:30

Download: JFM-NC.7z | Filesize: 285.5MB

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