The Temptations - The Jones 1992

Motown Records TMGX 1403

The Temptations are a legendary group but in 1991 when they released the album 'Milestone' the line up had changed several times and group members were suffering ill health. With no particularly strong songs either, it's hardly surprising that Milestone, as an album, was forgotten.

It was probably for this reason that 'The Jones' was offered up for the remix treatment. The UK's Bob Jones could do no wrong at this time and Ray Hayden was formidable as a producer, artist and remix engineer, especially on the London scene. Opaz Studios turned out this superb remix which was played to death that summer.

I seem to recall a film of similar name. Can anybody confirm whether or not this track was featured in a movie around 1992?

• 12" Surgery Mix
• Full Surgery Mix
• 7" Surgery Mix
• Surgery Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Temptations.rar Filesize: 46.39 MB

Frances Nero - Footsteps 1991

Debut Records DEBTX 3109

Billed as "The Soul Anthem Of The 90's", this Ian Levine collaboration took the UK dancefloors by storm in early 1991, even managing to reach #17 in the UK Top Twenty. To quote Ian Levine:

"Frances Nero won a talent contest in Detroit in 1965, won a year's recording contract with Motown, and released one single, "Keep On Loving Me", then recorded for Eddie Singleton's Shrine label, but those recordings never even came out, so she went twenty three years between releases. I wrote this song, which I adore, with Ivy Jo Hunter, the man who wrote "Dancing In The Street". I found Frances in Detroit and she hadn't even recorded for twenty three years. This was the only Motorcity release to cross over to the charts. However, and much to Frances' constant annoyance to this present day, the deal for Motorcity was an exclusive one, and was frozen, with no more releases coming out, and the only way I freed up the entire catalogue was to waive all rights to royalties for Footsteps, so none of us made a penny off it. Sad. But still a wonderful record and a classic, especially thanks to Chris Hill."

The main A Side mix rules but do check the Sole Mix by Steve Mac & Darren Pearce and Robin Sellars 'Lace Up Mix' which are both competent but unnecessary.

• Footsteps following me
• Footsteps following me (Sole Mix)
• Footsteps following me (Lace Up Mix)

The Download Link is here:Download
Filename: Frances Nero.rar Filesize: 36.29 MB

Movement 98 - Sunrise 1990

Circa Records YRT 51

This was the follow up to the dancefloor classic Joy and Heartbreak, which I never knew about until I came across it in a secondhand shop. Movement 98 comprised of Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, better known as Perfecto. The full artist credit is Movement 98 featuring Carroll Thompson.

Carroll Thompson is better known (to me) for her Lovers Rock reggae releases, in particular I'm So Sorry from 1981. This release is let down somewhat by a clumsy attempt to include a rap by Cinderella which was the thing at the time. Many releases had a 'without rap' edit included on the 12" but not on this one. I created my own edit and have included it in the rar file. Feel free to use it or delete it as you see fit?

• Sunrise (Satori Mix)
• Ninety 8 (Complete)
• Sunrise (Satori Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Movement 98.rar Filesize: 39.18 MB

Flair - G.Q. 1988

Champion Records CHAMP 12-68

Peter Bielig and Joe Matz would eventually team up with Noel McCalla and produce Look What Love Did To Me under the guise of Nuf-El-Tee. In the late 80's they were still hoping to make an impact though. Along with Peter Shindler and Janet Rose they made a dent on the dancefloors of Europe with this dubious slab of vinyl. G.Q. featured in many DJ playlists for sometime in the UK during 1988.

• G.Q.
• G.Q. (Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Flair.rar Filesize: 16.07 MB

Nuf El Tee - Back Together Again 1992

Retro Records RET 128

Nuf-El-Tee comprised of Peter Bielig and Joe Matz, previously known as Flair, who had a certain amount of dancefloor success with G.Q. For Nuf-El-Tee they acquired guest vocals from the great Noel McCalla. Look What Love Did To Me was, for me, their finest hour and when I come across it, I'll post it. Meanwhile, this release, dedicated to the late Donny Hathaway, features Shirley Gordon alongside our Noel in a very competent cover of the classic Back Together Again. Obviously, Donny & Roberta Flack are gonna be hard to compete with but the vocal performance here is top notch.

Unfortunately, due to the current trend at the time, Tony G. was brought in to add a little reggae style chat over the middle eight. It does nothing for the song and would have been better off on B-side. Do not be deterred though because on said B-side there lies the U.S. Remix by Bernard Stortz. Remix my arse, this is just the song without the gimmicks, exactly how it should be and sounding fine.

• Back Together Again
• Back Together Again (U.S. Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nuf El Tee.rar Filesize: 19.89 MB

Keni Stevens - Living On The Edge 1989

Debut Records dblp 505

Not to keen on te title track but its not a bad album. Better production than the 'Blue Moods' album despite the lack of names involved. Sheila Ferguson gets a shout out and Mike Stevens is, I believe, Keni's brother but I'm not sure whether I read that or we talked about it back in the day. Those credits are soooo, so tiny?

• Living On The Edge
• I Know How
• Love Takes Over The Dance
• You're A Sin
• Gonna Take Some Time
• Someone
• Sailing
• After All
• Living On The Edge (Reprise)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Keni Stevens.rar Filesize: 65.46 MB
I have mistakenly entered 1987 for the year of release in the rar files, sorry?

Noel McKoy - Baby Mother, Baby Father 1995

Right Track Records RT 004

A couple of years after the splendid McKoy album, Full Circle, Noel McKoy released this solo work under his full name. It's still Right Track Records, still Hit & Run Music but Noel's name seems to be the only one involved.

As for the mixes, head straight for the B-Side and make your choice. Longsy D knocks up a soulfull shuffler but for me, KG's Naughty Boy mix with it's Doug E. Fresh sample works well and probably gets more plays.

• Solo Funk Mix
• Take Heed Club Mix
• Longsy D's Father Mix
• KG's Naughty Boy Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Noel McKoy 1995.rar Filesize: 28.09 MB

T-Empo - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning 1994

FFRR Records FCD 232

This superb update of the Thelma Houston classic hit in 1994 and tore up dancefloors everywhere. Loretta Johnson handles the vocals with confidence and the whole thing sounds very authentic. I still love the original but this works well too.

• T-Empo Radio Edit
• T-Empo Mix
• Madhatters R&B Mix
• Matthew Roberts Mix
• Scat-A-Day Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: T Empo 94.rar Filesize: 46.02 MB

Various Artists - The Cerrone Productions: The Best Of Disco 1980

Malligator Records 773 808

Back in 1977 when I got my driving licence, that was when I started my real clubbing era. My friends and I would travel to Canvey & Southend to vist the Bardots, Goldmine or the Zero 6. The Zero was really cool coz it had it's own record shop in the foyer. It used to sell all the latest imports which were very difficult to find back then. When Don Ray released Got To Have Loving I thought it was the best song ever (Hey, it was disco peaktime in '78!) and I bought a copy there and then, along with a couple of other 12"s (about 99p each, if I recall correctly). My mate Dave bought the album Garden Of Love and next day I was over his house listening to it.

The next week I tried to buy a copy but it was gone. I never did get a copy but I did get some of the tracks on vinyl. This album has Standing In The Rain which was one of my 'most wanted' tracks for many years. I've added a couple more to my CD version of the album and they're included.

The album has no year on it but it seems to be 1979, the tracks are all Cerrone productions and mostly French. Although it is called the Best of Disco there are some great tunes here, some strange ones too. Check out the oh-so-not-politically-correct Don't Refuse Me. Pado sings a love ballad, is that soulful. Hmmmm?

• Kongas: Africanism-Gimme Some Loving
• Pado & Co: Let's Have A Party
• Don Ray: Standing In The Rain
• Don Ray: Got To Have Loving
• Kongas: Tattoo Woman
• Revelacion: Crocos Dance
• Revelacion: The House Of The Rising Sun-Revelacion Suite
• Pado & Co: Don't Refuse Me
• Cristal: La Nuit Pour Nous
• B.O.F. Brigade Mondaine: Generique
• Max Berlin's: Dream Disco
• Five Letters: Disco Radio
• B.O.F. Brigade Mondaine: Phonic

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Cerrone.rar Filesize: 115.33 MB

Paul Laurence - Strung Out 1985

Capitol Records 12CL 393

New York's Paul Laurence worked in the 80's, as a producer/songwriter with names like Melba Moore, Lillo Thomas, Meli'sa Morgan and Keith Washington. With succes came the opportunity of being a recording artist himself with this from his first 1985 Capitol Records album, Haven't You Heard, being the most well known. 'Strung Out' was absolutely huge on the South London pirate stations.

• Strung Out (Extended Dance Mix)
• I'm Sensitive
• Strung Out

The Download Link is: Download
Filename: Paul Laurence - Strung Out 12.rar Size: 24.16 MB

Misty Oldland - Got Me A Feeling 1993

XPCD 316

Produced, written and music by the talented Michele Oldland with additional production by Maxton 'Gig' Beesley Jnr. & Jeremy Meehan (Max Beesley's High Vibes) Jo Dworniak (I-Level) & Glen Nightingale (Jamiroquai, Gap Band, etc.).

Also featured are the uncredited vocals of Omar Lye Fook of 'There's Nothing Like This' fame and doesn't it show. The floaty, atmospheric, jazzy vibe and Misty's vocals, all kind of sensuous in a somewhat, ethereal way.

How bloody silly of me to peel the contact label off the back.
Where did she go, where's the album?

• 7" Version
• 12" Version: Misty's Magic Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: XPCD 316.rar Size: 14.48 MB

YoYo Honey - Get It On 1991

Zomba Music JIVE CD 281

Another slice of Voodoo Soul, this is one of my favourites. The first single released by YoYo Honey, a year before the album came out. A second single would be released in 1991.

The Radio Mix later became the Album Version. My personal preference is for the Perfecto Mix created by Paul Oakenfold & Steve Osbourne. The Ragga & Dub are the work of Steely & Clevie. Great band, great tune, I wonder what happened to them?

• Radio Mix
• Perfecto Mix
• Ragga Mix
• Dub It On Mix

The download link is: Download
Filename: YoYo Honey - Get It On.rar Size: 24.5 MB