Supercat - Scalp Dem / South Central (Promo) - (1994)

Columbia ‎– CSK 6430

Perhaps dancehall tracks don't truly belong on the Soul Vendor, but May is my birthday month, and so I'm gonna break the rules a little and indulge myself in some boom tunes from my youth.

Today I'm serving up the awe-inspiring Wu-Tang remix of Scalp Dem by Supercat. 'Cat was big back in '94, with a highly influential style that can still be felt to this day (people like Sean Paul owe Supercat and his peers a huge debt of gratitude). I've always been partial to a bit of ragga but some time in 94 I started hearing this one beat (I think Jazzie B used to use the instrumental for backing music on some of his talkie bits on his Monday night Kiss FM show, back before it was crap) that got under my skin.

This beat sounded like nothing else - eerie string type vibes over some plodding drums. Kinda hypnotic, and when I heard the full version I knew it was a masterpiece. 

So there's the Wu-Tang Mix on here followed by the original Dance Hall Mix. Go Wu-Tang for maximum enjoyment, obviously.

It's backed up with the remix of 'Cat's South Central, which is also incredibly catchy, using the Outstanding loop as its basis. It's a fine track but can't touch the majesty of the Scalp Dem Wu remix.

Wu-Tang forever, baby!

Tracklist

1. Scalp Dem (Wu-Tang Mix)
2. Scalp Dem (Dancehall Mix)
3. South Central (Outstanding Mix)

Download: S-SD-P.7z | Filesize: 27.5MB

SWV - Anything (1994)

RCA/BMG, LC0316

Once upon a time, this wise lady (well, okay, not so wise, as it was me) said "we're all about the continuity here on The Soul Vendor", so, with that in mind, to follow on from Mickey's SWV Downtown post which mentions the excellent remix of Anything, I figured I'd post... the excellent remix of Anything.

The album mix of Anything on It's About Time never really did much for me; it was nice enough, just not as good as some of the other tracks, so I wasn't exactly that worried about it getting a single release... until I heard the remix, that is...

Draft in Allstar (Allen Gordon Jr) to provide a beefed up vibe for the track, with funky block-party style beats and a loop (and horns) sampled from disco-funk classic "Get Up and Dance" by Freedom, bring in Joe on backing vocals, and top it off with the biggest thing to happen to hiphop in the 90's (and, arguably, since), the Wu-Tang Clan (or at least members ODB, Meth & U-God) to drop a funky rhyme to round it out, and you have something seriously big on your hands.

This is a booty-shakin', hands in the air party jam of the highest order - and to think it was a slow-jam on the album.

The CD Single contains a slightly remixed album version (with a naughty sample of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing drums laced underneath), and an instrumental of the album version, but it really is all about the Old Skool Mix, as mentioned above. It's a killer! There's also an Old Skool Party Mix, which is similar, but has various vocals and beats dropping in and out - almost in a dub style - it's not bad, and might be handy for mixing, but stick with track one for the full flava is the advice from yours truly.

- Kymba :)

PS - Sorry about the CD scan - it didn't come out at all well

Tracklist

1. Anything (Old Skool Mix featuring Wu-Tang Clan)
2. Anything (Album Remix)
3. Anything (Old Skool Party Mix)
4. Anything (Album Instrumental)

Download: S-A.7z | Filesize: 50MB

SWV - Anything - (1994)

RCA Records 74321-21221-2

With their 1992 debut, It's About Time, SWV scored a string of Top Ten R&B hits that established them as one of the most popular urban R&B groups of the '90s. SWV (Sisters With Voices) is comprised of three school friends:

Cheryl "Coko" Gamble-Clemons
Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George
Leanne "Lelee" Lyons

All three learnt their skills through singing in church as children. A demo tape caught the attention of Teddy Riley (Guy), who had already helped establish the careers of Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. SWV's album went double platinum within its first year of release.

Anything was their contribution to the OST for the movie Above the Rim and became a Top Ten R&B hit in the spring of 1994. The Old Skool Mix features members of Wu Tang Clan.

• Old Skool Mix
• Album Mix
• Old Skool Party Mix
• Album Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: SWV Anything.rar Filesize: 31.38 MB