A.B.'s - Deja Vu 1983

Streetwave XKHAN 503

• Deja Vu
• Asian Moon

A Jazz Funk release on Morgan Khan's Streetwave label, this is Tokyo Jazz from the Alfa Moon stable. This Japanese instrumental funk group was formed in '82 by bass player Naoki Watanabe and Atsuo Okamoto from the group Spectrum, guitarists Fujimal Yoshino and Makoto Matsushita, and keyboard player Yoshihiko Ando. Yoshino came from a band called Shogun while Matsushita and Ando were studio session musicians. Its fair to say that all members worked as studio musicians at some point though. Watanabe and Yoshino had also made aquaintance via the Moon Records Fujimaru Band.

Produced by Toshio Oguri and engineered by Tatsuo Umetsu for 'From East'. All very interesting I'm sure but hearing it is far more impressive, Deja Vu is a beautiful piece of soulful jazz with an oriental edge. If you haven't, then you should!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: ABs.rar Filesize: 19.92 MB

Maxeen - Is It Meant To Feel This Way 1988

Bodyrock Records BR-T-002

I know the information on the sleeve and labels says different but somebody down at Bodyrock made a mistook? The cat. number above, I read from the engraved run out. The track on the flipside is most definitely Is It Meant To Feel This Way with a fade?

OK, shame about Threw It All Away but this is a groove. Not to everybody's taste of course but in South London during the 'Summer of Love' this was slamming. Forget about the 808's and Smiley faces, here comes Maxeen with her chunky killer b-line and floaty vocal with a slighty squiffy chorus, and Man, that stab!

Recorded in London's A.M.A. Studios with Andrew Palmer at the controls. Tony 'Skully' Cooper is the man behind the music and that's a Bass Synth people. Distributed, once again, by Jet Star bringing The Sound of Urban London to the masses. Well, they tried to back in the day?

• Is It Meant To Feel This Way 5:59
• Is It Meant To Feel This Way 5:10

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 1988 Is It Meant To Feel This Wa..rar Filesize: 23.69 MB

Lillo Thomas - Settle Down 1984

Capitol Records 12 CL 356

From his 1984 sophomore set, All Of You, Settle Down was a UK Top 75 hit in 1985. This bubbler with a killer bass line was a staple on most dancefloors in the mid eighties. Lillo Thomas has a unique vocal style and on his single releases the music was just as interesting. The album, also featured the track I Like Your Style which received heavy airplay on the better U.K. soul stations. Loved by the Pirates, Settle Down with its bass line breakdown, got used in many a mix (check out my Mastermiks Dance Party for an idea).
(The above link takes you to a blogpost where access to the images has been denied. Those four images from that post are the four shown below:-)

The same year he recorded with Melba Moore on When You Love Me Like This.

• Settle Down (Extended Remix)
• Settle Down (Instrumental Version)
• I Like Your Style

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Lillo Thomas.rar Filesize: 28.36 MB

Nova Casper - Turned On To You 1986

Bluebird Records BRT 24

• Extended Version
• Extended Instrumental

Back in the day, the Rare Groove scene declared this null and void coz the Eighties Ladies version was more rare. In a pigs ear, say I!

Nova Casper has the most luscious voice and Ian Morrow has done a splendid job on the sound. Written by Roy Ayers (Yes, they've spelt it wrong again?) & Edwin Birdsong, this version is an absolute killer groove.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nova Casper.rar Filesize: 21.38 MB

Pat Lewis - Seperation 1991

Debut Records DEBTX 3131

• Seperation (Extended Mix)
• Seperation (7" Version)
• Something's Telling Me

Patsy Lewis grew up in Detroit. In the early sixties, Patsy & Diane Lewis along with sisters Betty & Jackie Winston, formed a group called “The Adorables” which had moderate success. As Pat Lewis, she recorded solo and began singing background vocals for various artists at Motown and numerous other recording studios.

In 1967, Aretha Franklin asked her to become one of her background singers while she also continued to arrange and sing background along with Diane and Rose as “The Group” working on Isaac Hayes’ album “Hot Buttered Soul.” On tour “The Group” became “Hot Buttered Soul.”

In 1985, she reunited with her long time friend and producer, George Clinton and then in In 1986, Pat was contacted by the late Edwin Starr, who resided in England which opened up the world of Northern Soul. Pat toured the U.K. over the next few years. During that time she met Ian Levine, a friend of Kim Weston, who came to Detroit and wanted to record many of the Motown Artist and their old hits, plus some original songs one of which was Seperation, written with Billy Griffin. Ian hired Pat as the coordinator, These projects lasted four to five years. Ian also employed Pat, in England, to do other projects for him.

Among many others, Pat has worked with Isaac Hayes, Johnny Taylor, Albert King, The Supremes, Dionne Warrick, Mavis Staples, Tracy Ullman, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Kim Weston, Jackie Wilson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Simon, The Four Tops, Billy Eckstein, Frederick Knight, The Reflections, The Marvelettes, Barbara McNair, Lamont Dozier, Burt Bacharach, The Miracles, 5th Dimension, The Funkadelics, The Contours, Marilyn McCoo, Edwin Starr, Vickie Winan, Johnny Bristol, Freda Payne, Ivy Joe Hunter, Vanessa Williams, Billy Preston, Mary Wells, Brook Benton, Jimmy Ruffin, Betty Lavette, David Ruffin and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pat Lewis.rar Filesize: 27.51 MB

Emma Haywoode - Don't Poison Me 1991

Boss Records BOSS 12008

• Don't Poison Me
• Don't Poison Me (Instrumental)

Cracking slab of vinyl from Emma Haywoode, this dropped in '91 and I never heard of her again. Back in the day, I wondered whether she was related to Haywoode, the 1985 Pop/Dance 'Roses' artist. Now in the age of the internet, it took me two clicks to find out that she is the sister of Sid (Sidney) 'Roses' Haywoode. How the times are changing. Enjoy.

This gorgeous eco-friendly groove was written and produced by Emma & Livingston Brown and published by Equinox Songs. Need Your Lovin' was the only other release by Emma, released in 1990 I've never seen or heard it?

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Emma Haywoode.rar Filesize: 18.67 MB

Intrigue - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie 1984

Music Power Records MPR(T)12

Music Power Records was a record shop in Ilford (London, UK), same logo on their sign. I guess it was another branch and they had a label. Whatever, this is quality 80's Groove. Stop messing about. Download, press play and turn the volume up!

• Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
• Like The Way You Do It

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Intrigue.rar Filesize: 15.74 MB

Gene Rice - You're A Victim 1991

RCA Records GENE 2

Another Bob Jones masterpiece, check the flipside 'Surgery Mix' and note the small print. Roy Hayden, I think not ladies & gentlemen. Mr. Ray Hayden from Opaz Records once again!

• You're A Victim (Sound Of Urban London Mix)
• You're A Victim (Surgery 12" Mix)
• Love Is Calling You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Gene Rice.rar Filesize: 25.66 MB

gmt - Feel So Good 1992

MCA Records MCSTD 1674

This strange bit of easy listening muzak got commissioned for the mighty Bob Jones remix treatment. Trust me, that (and the nice cover art by Robert Longo) is the only reason it's here. For contrast, try listening to the GMT 12" before playing the Bob Jones 12". The erratic and meaningless instrumentation and the ineffectual (unknown) vocal are, at the least, lacklustre. Doctor Bob weaves his magic and turns this sugar sweet vocal into a breath of fresh air. It's not a must have but it does make a nice change in your playlist.

• 7" Version
• Q 12"
• Bob Jones 12"
• GMT 12"
• Bob Jones 12" Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: gmt 1992.rar Filesize: 37.47 MB

Funky Poets - Born In The Ghetto 1993

Epic Records 660352 2

An obscure release that slipped under the radar in 1993. This has a convincing vocal with a gorgeous chorus and production credits including a certain Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales and Dave Darlington from the MAW studio team.

All good mixes in their own way, 1987 World DMC mix champion CJ Mackintosh stays true on the contemporary tip while Absolute (Andy Watkins & Paul Wilson) turn out another soulful gem. For the clever buggers amongst you, the Ballad version should mix well as an acappella?

• Radio Version
• Absolute Remix
• CJ Vocal
• Ballad

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Funky Poets 1993.rar Filesize: 31.33 MB

Lance Ellington - Treat Me Right 1990

A&M Records USAT 683

The opening track from his 1990 debut album Pleasure and Pain, this is Lance Ellington. Lance is British but the album was produced by Steve Hodge at Flyte Tyme Studios.

This 12" features remixes by Def Mix Productions' David Morales who, I believe, at this time was still Frankie Knuckles protégè.

• Club Mix
• The Right Dub
• 7" Radio Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Treat Me Right.rar Filesize: 34.87 MB

Opaz - I Don't Want It 1993

Opaz Music OPH001

Opaz featuring Ray Hayden. This was the sound of Urban London, the sound of the streets. In 1991, Ray Hayden met up with Martine Girault and Revival hit the streets. In 1992 it was voted best soul record of the year at the World DMC music awards. Unfortunately the lady had problems and her career stumbled. Hayden released this song under the name of Opaz but one look at the credits tells you that Ray Hayden IS Opaz.

A leading UK producer, songwriter, and artist, Hayden has produced many other artists including jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan, Incognito and Swing Out Sister. He was raised in East London (Hackney... where he still lives) and began as a DJ when he was a teenager. As well as being a celebrated DJ and music producer, this extremely talented songwriter and vocalist is part of the UK R&B scene, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Soul II Soul and Caron Wheeler. He established his own label called Opaz Records which has featured artists such as Martine Girault and Natasha Campbell.

Written, arranged, produced & performed by
Ray Hayden for Opaz Productions.
Executive producers: Ray Hayden & Shamin Noronha.
Lead & Backing Vocals: Ray Hayden
Additional Keyboards: Danny G.
Saxophone & Flute: Gary Belfield
Horn Section: Kevin Robinson, Fayyaz Virji & Gary Belfield.
Bass: Wayne Lawes.
Programmed, Engineered & Edited by: Ray Hayden.
Recorded & Mixed: Opaz Studios (London, U.K.)

Mastered by: Mike Marsh (The Exchange)
Artwork concept: Ray Hayden & Shamin Noronha.
Artwork & Layout Design: Gary Hall (LAC)
Photography: Craig Fordham.

• I Don't Want It (Radio Edit)
• I Don't Want It (Parts 1 & 2)
• I Don't Want It (Stone Cold Mix)
• Don't Wanna Cry

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Opaz.rar Filesize: 36.14 MB