Maxwell - Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) - (1996)

Columbia Records, LCD162

Another track taken from the excellent Urban Hang Suite LP, Ascension was one of my fave tracks on that particular album, however, the Tribute remix (presumably in "tribute" to the SOS Band's brilliant "No One's Gonna Love You", which was plundered to provide a brand new backing track for Ascension) really pushed it up a notch, and is much one of my favourite remixes.

(Mickey - we don't have any SOS Band on here, do we?)

There's also an extended "Uncut" take of the album version of Ascension, as well as a track called Reunion, which is a sexy ballad as only Maxwell can do them, but it is just the album version, so nothing special or new there.

Really though, you'll be wanting the Tribute mix. It's brilliant. There's also a nice instrumental version included as well in the form of the Tribute Unsung mix.

- Kymba :)

• Ascension (Uncut)
• Ascension (No One's Gonna Love You, So Don't Ever Wonder
  The Tribute Uncut)
• Ascension (No One's Gonna Love You, So Don't Ever Wonder
  The Tribute Unsung)
• Reunion

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ascension.zip File size: 22 MB

Ava Cherry - Gimme, Gimme 1993

Pulse 8 Records CDLOSE 46

Ava Cherry grew up in Chicago, loving Motown, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight, but a four-year stint with rock star David Bowie would forever confuse her musical direction. From 1974 to 1978, as part of a backing trio comprising Robin Clark and Luther Vandross, ex model Ava was Bowie’s lover in the early to mid ’70s, as well as one of his backup singers in The Astronettes during the Diamond Dogs/Young Americans Tour. Bowie had plans for Ava Cherry and The Astronettes, producing an album for the trio that was New Wave before the term existed. It also ended up being shelved for twenty years when things with their mutual management Main Man went sour.

That setback didn’t stop Cherry from pursuing a music career, though it was tough for her to break away from being 'David Bowie’s lover'. Cherry returned home to Chicago where a friend introduced her to Curtis Mayfield. Curtom/RSO Records released her first album, Spend The Night?, but didn't use any of the rock songs she'd written. A 1980 album for RSO, Ripe!!!, caused a minor ripple on the Billboard Black Albums Chart, but when RSO bit the dust, Ava found herself with a new deal on Capitol Records. The resulting album, Streetcar Named Desire followed in 1983 on Capitol Records. It was a bit of a throwback, a funk/disco affair, just when New Wave and the music industry had finally caught up to Cherry.

When Vandross started blowing up, she joined him in 1986 and was heard on the Any Love album onward. In 1987, her second Capitol LP, Picture Me, dropped with little sales. However, along with Lisa Fischer and Kevin Owens, Cherry contributed to making Luther Vandross a top draw in urban music. The group didn't just sing behind Vandross; they executed some classy stepping and dance routines that always wowed the punters.

In 1993 Pulse 8 Records picked this track up from Radikal Records. Produced and arranged by Mauro Malavasi, the man behind Change (another Luther connection) and The B.B.& Q. Band, this snappy R'n'B number gets the remix treatment and works well for it. Written by Cherry & Malavasi, the Original Mix does a fine job in a nice 'n schmoove shuffling manner. The No Face Remix by Mark Sexx at My Place, has a great loping bass line punctuated by stabs and works wonders on the feet but my personal favourite is the Radio Boot Mix by Jay 'Mixin' Dixon at Studio J. No, me neither but it's good, a shame then that there's no 12" Boot Mix on the CD?

In 1997, J-Bird (behind the current Sherrick releases) made her Spend the Night album available on CD.

• No Face Edit
• Radio Boot Mix
• Original Mix
• West End Remix
• West End House Dub
• No Face Remix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ava Cherry.rar Filesize: 46.24 MB

Dread Flimstone- From The Ghetto 1991

Urban Records URBX 87

"Y'know, I think we should play a lil' music for the nice people listening... FROM THE GHETTO!"

"Dread Flimstone" was a monicker adopted by white California resident Rex Morgan, formerly a punk, who gave it up to become a Rastafarian(!) and then started making hiphop/funk tinged reggae based dance music. He toured with such luminaries as Burning Spear, Yellowman, Ziggy Marley, Third World, and Big Audio Dynamite.

The "Modern Tone Age Family" consisted of Dread Flimstone, vocalist Jah T and Papa Yaie, alongside producer Freddy Bastone.

This little gem burst onto the music scene back in 1991, and was really massive. Although never followed up with another hit single, Dread Flimstone still recorded three albums and had modest success with them. I haven't got any of his albums, so can't really vouch for quality, but I'm willing to bet calling yourself something like Dread Flimstone instantly pigeonholes you as a novelty act.

So, "From The Ghetto", then. It's a great, catchy song, and this 12" comes with no less than six(!) mixes. In honesty, there's not THAT much variation between them. My pick is the Modern Tone Family Album Mix, which is nice and funky - the others all veer a bit too close to four-to-the-floor house music for my liking, and get a bit samey, but are all worth a listen.

Enjoy!

- Kymba :)

• From The Ghetto (Radio Mix)
• From The Ghetto (Modern Tone Family Album Mix)
• From The Ghetto (Freddy's Bronx Mix)
• From The Ghetto (Fully Radical Mix)
• From The Ghetto (Bastone's Mix)
• From The Ghetto (Carpeteria Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: From The Ghetto (Mixes).zip File size: 35.6 MB

PS - I've placed both the resized artwork for the Soul Vendor site, as well as the full-size scans, in the .ZIP file.

Also, as this is a vinyl rip, there may be a few crackles and a bit of "hum" - as usual, I've kept the original .WAV files of the vinyl rip, so if anyone wants them to remove the vinyl noises, just holler and I can arrange to send them.

"Not wishing to rain on Kymba's impressive parade...."

For the CD download, click here

Filename: Dread Flimstone.rar File size: 28.6 MB

Be aware that the CD has only four mixes and does not include the Album Version.

Lynden David Hall - Forgive Me (UK 12") - (2000)

EMI Records/Cooltempo, 12COOL346

"This one's fresh, this one's a brand new (brand new) check the mic a one-two..."

To continue from the post yesterday, kindly supplied by our very own José Manuel aka Alifunk, of the Promo CD for "Forgive Me", here's a rip of the "Forgive Me" 12" - complete with extended mixes.

I'll keep this short, as Mick posted all about it on the previous post.

The first mix is Artful Dodger's excellent Dark Dub - I know it's probably blasphemy, but I prefer this to their full vocal mix, I remember shaking my booty in the clubs to this when it came out, and it would absolutely destroy dance-floors. An absolute killer dance track.

Secondly, we have the excellent Ignorants Club Mix, which is an extended version of their mix on the promo CD - I really like this mix, like the Artful Dodger Dark Dub, which caters for the dancefloor massive, this one is for the Hiphop/R&B heads, and really hits the spot.

Finally, catering for the soul lovers, there is the album mix, and the full majesty of the D-Influence remix - check out that gorgeous intro.

Before I go, and I think I speak for Mickey as well here, I would like to big up José and DJ Larry for getting involved and helping to share the music - this post is dedicated to you boys, as well as to the memory of Lynden, who we all miss terribly.

- Kymba :)

• Forgive Me (Artful Dodger Dark Dub)
• Forgive Me (Ignorants Club)
• Forgive Me (Album version)
• Forgive Me (D-Influence 12" Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Ascension.zip File size: 26 MB

PS - I've placed both the resized artwork for the Soul Vendor site, as well as the full-size scans, in the .ZIP file. Also, as this is a vinyl rip, there may be a few crackles and a bit of "hum" - as usual, I've kept the original .WAV files of the vinyl rip, so if anyone wants them to remove the vinyl noises, just holler and I can arrange to send them

Bass Attitude - Treated Me Cruel 1992

Go Beat Records DOD CD 85

Bass Attitude featuring Shay Jones on vocals. Treated Me Cruel came out on Go Beat Records (which I believe was something to do with Norman 'Beats International' Cook?) when they were still quite new.

I know nothing about the group but they appear to consist of Ronnie Herel, who was the man behind Quartz (Meltdown and Naked Love) and is now a DJ for the BBC. Danny Lerman is a well respected saxophonist from Boston and Shay Jones voice has been heard on many club tunes, especially early Chicago House.

• Bad Mutha 7"
• Deep Freeze 7"
• Bad Mutha 12"
• Deep Freeze Club Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Bass Attitude.rar Filesize: 31.78 MB

Lynden David Hall - Forgive Me 1999

Cooltempo Records CDCOLDJY346

This very healthy digipack DJ Promo CD comes courtesy of Alifunk (José Manuel to his Mum) who was kind enough to upload and share the wealth. José, I'm sure I'm not the only one here that appreciates getting hold of this release. Respect!

1999 was a great year for the UK Dance scene. The UK Garage scene had opened up the flood gates and amongst the detritus there were a few serious contenders. Mark Hill, better known as Artful Dodger, was one such person, putting Southampton on the production team map.

D-Influence started out in 1991, forging a name for themselves with their unique brand of Soulful, Jazz orientated Electronica. They soon became an 'in demand' production team on the remix wishlist. I believe Kwame Kwaten & Ed Baden-Powell were responsible for the remixes but don't quote me.

Trevor Henry and Anthony Marshall crashed onto the scene in 1993 with a little ditty called Phat Girls. Trell & Marshall, as they like to refer to themselves, were soon too be found providing Ignorants remixes for all the best UK R&B artists and their own music was shelved.

• D-Influence Radio Mix
• Ignorants Radio Edit
• Artful Dodger Vocal

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Lynden David Hall.rar Filesize: 33.45 MB

I have added the 12" vinyl version of Artful Dodger's Vocal mix.

Mary J. Blige - You Remind Me 1993

MCA Records MCSTD 1770

"Mary, Mary, Mary! You Remind Me..."

This is a freekin' gem, I absolutely love this tune. Mary J. Blige dropped the bomb in '92. Know about Mary, then skip the next three paragraphs.

In 1988, Mary J. Blige recorded an impromptu cover of Anita Baker's Caught Up In the Rapture at a recording booth in a local mall (Damn, anybody remember them, they were cool!). Her mother's boyfriend at the time later played the recording to Jeff Redd, a recording artist and A&R runner for Uptown Records. In 1989, she was signed to the label; becoming the company's youngest and first female artist.

After signing to Uptown, Blige did session work as a background singer for her label mates. In 1990, she was introduced as a background singer for Redd, during a performance at the Apollo Theatre. The same year she also sang the hook on I'll Do 4 U by Father MC, also appearing in the video. In 1991, she was spotted on the syndicated show, Showtime at the Apollo, singing back up for Jeff Redd. Mary's first national debut appearance was in the summer of 1992 when she appeared on Yo! MTV Raps performing What's the 411? with Grand Puba.

Production for Blige's debut album began in 1991, with Sean "Puffy" Combs (at the time a fledgling A&R executive at Uptown) largely overseeing the project. Also enlisted were some of the top R&B and hip hop producers of the time, among them Tony Dofat, Mark Morales and Cory Rooney, Dave "Jam" Hall, and DeVante Swing. On July 28, 1992, Uptown Records released What's the 411? her debut album. You Remind Me was the album's lead-off single, peaked at 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the R&B singles chart that summer.

In the UK, the track was presented to Ray Hayden who gave it the Opaz treatment. It was a fair track to begin with, the Album Version has a long, drawn out, Diva-ish intro before the street beats drop. Mark Morales gave it some serious beats on the Ad's Mix, making the best of that hooky chorus. Quite what Opaz were expected to do I don't know. I guess it was just a case of getting the UK's hottest, up and coming name on the release.

However, Hayden successfully takes the whole deal up another couple of notched to the left. In the Straight From The Heart Mix, we still have all the major hooks but they sound so much classier. It's still Street but... It's Schmoov! Listen to that bass roll, that scream sample, oh my, yes sir, this is where it's at.

The Straight From The Heart Radio Mix is not simply an edit of the Straight From The Heart Mix, it seems to have more going on but sounds even less cluttered. I would probably favour this mix if it didn't have an early fade, Mr. Black? Mr. V? Any other afficiando's out there that can shed some light here. Maybe I'm hearing an illusion or is there an ultimate mix that I'm missing?

• Straight From The Heart Radio Mix
• Straight From The Heart Mix
• Album Version
• Ad's Radio Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Mary J Blige.rar File size: 27.11 MB

SWV - Downtown EP 1994

RCA Records 74321 18901-2

Love this tune, especially for Kymba cos she doesn't have it.

SWV, (Sisters With Voices) are from New York. All three girls began getting their singing experience in church at a young age. Teddy Riley was one of the main producers responsible for making them one of the most successful and popular urban groups of the 1990s.

Their first single, "Right Here", was released in the autumn of 1992. It peaked at #13 on the R&B chart, but the hit follow-up single, "I'm So Into You", is what caused them to become a commercial force among urban fans. The two singles were followed by the biggest hits of their career, "Weak" and "Right Here/Human Nature" (a remix of their first single featuring samples of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature"). "Weak" became their only single to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it stayed for 2 weeks while "Right Here (Human Nature)" peaked at #2. The fifth single, "You're Always on My Mind" was another top ten R&B hit.

In the spring of 1994, SWV contributed the old school radio version of Anything, featuring Wu-Tang Clan to the soundtrack of the movie Above the Rim; it became another hit single.

• Downtown (Street Radio Mix)
• Downtown (Wet Extended Mix)
• Always On My Mind (Extended Street Mix)
• Always On My Mind (Radio Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: SWV.rar Filesize: 31.27 MB

Downtown
(G. Parker, G. Gomez & K. Ortiz)

[Coko]
Boy, I want you to listen closely to what I have to say
'Cause this is the way to my heart

You've been wondering how you can make it better
Baby, it's easy to turn my world inside out
Your discovery will take us to another place
Baby, on that, there is no doubt
I've been waiting for the special moment
Anticipating all the things you'll do to me
Make the first step to release my emotions
To take the road to ecstacy

You gotta go downtown
That's the way to my love
Take it round and round
Oooh, you can't stop 'til you find my love
Go downtown, To taste the sweetness
Will be enough
That's the love that you've been dreaming of

Keep on doing, doing what you're doing
'Til you feel the passion burning up inside of me
If you do me right
We'll be making love all through the night
Until you uncover the mystery
Take it nice and slow
Baby, don't rush the feeling
Now you know how you can make it happen, yeah
My desire is begging for the healing
Let me guide you down to the place to be

You gotta go downtown
That's the way to my love
Take it round and round
Oooh, you can't stop 'til you find my love
Go downtown, To taste the sweetness
Will be enough
That's the love that you've been dreaming of

That's where I keep the key to my love.
(To my love)
It opens up the door to so, so much more.
(So, so, so much more)
Baby, move on down, get closer
To my sensitivity.
Ooh, yeah
Baby, send me.

Downtown

(Ooh you can't stop till you find my love)
Baby don't you dare stop
(That's the love that you been dreamin' of)
That's the love you're dreamin of
(Ooh you can't stop till you find my love)
Don't you stop
(That's the love that you've been dreamin' of)
That's the love you're dreamin of

Always On My Mind
(B.A. Morgan, R. Wison & O. Scott)

You're always on my mind
You're always on my mind
You're always on my mind
On my mind

Boy, I can't seem to get you outta my head
But theres something about you that makes me smile
Dont change, I like the way you make me feel
Can we take our time and do this for awhile

Girl, I never thought Id find someone to love me
Now youre the only one I want in my life
And the special touch you give comes from you only
I guess thats why youre always on my mind

You're always on my mind {Ooh, baby}
You're always on my mind {All...all the time}
You're always on my mind {I'm thinkin' of you}
You're always on my mind
On my mind

Sometimes I find it hard to concentrate
Because thoughts of us together fill my head
When you're away, its hard to sleep at night
So my pillow, like my thoughts of you, I hold tight

Girl, I never thought I'd find someone to love me
Now you're the only one I want in my life
And the special touch you give comes from you only
I guess thats why you're always on my mind

You're always on my mind (You're always on my mind)
You're always on my mind {All the time} (All the time)
You're always on my mind (Thinkin' bout you, baby)
You're always on my mind {And you are}
On my mind

(On my mind) Thinkin bout ya, thinkin bout ya
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya {I just cant stop thinkin'}
(On my mind) Thinking bout ya, thinking bout ya
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya (You're always on my mind)

(On my mind) Thinkin' bout ya, thinkin' bout ya
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya {All the time}
(On my mind) Thinkin; bout ya, thinkin' bout ya
Mind

You're always on my mind {Baby}
You're always on my mind (Day and night) {You got me thinkin', thinkin' of you}
You're always on my mind {You} (You're always) {Always}
You're always on my mind (Nobody but, nobody but you)

You're always on my mind {I got you} (Thinkin' of you)

Thinkin' bout ya {Baby}, thinkin' bout ya {Baby} (Baby, baby, baby)
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya
Thinkin bout ya, thinkin bout ya {All I do} (All I do is think of you)
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya

(You're always on my mind) Thinkin' bout ya, thinkin' bout ya
I cant stop thinkin bout ya
(You're always on my mind) Thinkin' bout ya, thinkin' bout ya
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya

(You're always on my mind) Thinkin' bout ya, thinkin' bout ya
I cant stop thinkin' bout ya
(You're always on my mind)

M-Beat featuring Jamiroquai - Do U Know Where You're Coming From (1996)

Renk Records, CDRENK63

I dug this one out especially for Mickey, whom I know is something of a Jamiroquai fan.

Back in 1996, seemingly from out of nowhere, a weird collaboration happened. M-Beat (a guy best known for the jungle track Incredible with General Levy) made a funky slice of Drum & Bass with perennial Acid jazz faves Jamiroquai.

Like I said, weird.

However, the results were most definitely not weird. Anything but, in fact. The combination of D&B tempo drums and 70’s funk permeating this track (you’ve got to love those wah-wah guitars) work very well indeed alongside Jay Kay's always catchy vocals, giving Jamiroquai one of their punchier, funkier moments. This is proper future funk.

There are several versions, with not a LOT to pick from between them, but I always err on the side of the Extended Mix, which kicks some serious bootie (and has more wah-wah's and vibes).

Essential stuff!

Do check out the second link, it contains the Jumpin' Jack Frost remix that was only on the 12", and so wasn't on this CD.

An edit of this track made its way onto certain editions of the Travelling Without Moving CD as an unheralded bonus track.

• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Original Mix)
• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Touch Of Horn Mix)
• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Extended Mix)
• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Full Horns Mix)
• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Intelligent Groove Mix)
• Do U Know Where You're Coming From (Dextrous Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Do U Know Where You're Coming From.zip File size: 33.1 MB

Triviality: The tracklisting differs slightly between the back of the inlay card (displayed above, and which I've included in the .ZIP file), and the folded "lip" part of the inlay card. Have a look and see what I mean. I've gone with the ones listed above, but you might want to amend the track names if you feel I should have gone for the others.

L.V. - Throw Your Hands Up 1995

Tommy Boy Records TBCD 699

Larry Sanders, better know by his stage name L.V. is best known for his collaboration with rapper Coolio on the hit single, Gangsta's Paradise. His contribution to the song is the vocal bit that is not rap.

L.V. grew up with a father who sang gospel music along with the radio every morning, won a high school talent contest, joined the Los Angeles City College choir, and contributed R&B vocals to a neighbourhood rap group, the South Central Cartel. L.V. is said to have been shot nine times at close range. He spent eight months in the hospital and a year and a half in a wheelchair before he eventually recovered completely.

Following his success with Gangsta's Paradise, L.V. landed a contract with Tommy Boy Records, and released his debut album I Am L.V. in 1996. This album didn't spawn many singles, except for the title track. The album does feature his solo recording of Gangsta's Paradise. That version is 'sans Coolio' and all the better for it, in my humble opinion of course. That's not to say I don't love the original tune mind.

Throw Your Hands Up is a pretty good sing-along song (Heyyyy, Yoooo) with a lazy head-nodding bottom line. Kinda reminds me of Zhane's It's A Party but certainly nothing to get excited about. It's available with or without rap from Treach and once again my preference is without. The KAM Version is not a lot different from the No Rap Version but I seem to prefer it?

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: LV.rar File size: 27.98 MB

Michael Patto - So Much For The Lovin' 1991

Imagine Records ZD 44782

Michael Patto is a song writer, producer and artist. Born of Mike Patto snr. who was a highly respected rock musician (Spooky Tooth, Patto, Timebox, Boxer), Michael started out on bass but switched to piano in his late teens and started writing songs. He was signed as an artist to BMG aged 20. He saw people take his good ideas and turn them into rubbish and decided to move on and started working with Kenny Lynch.

At 26 he started his own label Exploding Plastic which introduced him to a lot of new music. Being the in-house producer he was working on all kinds of music from Soulful House to Indie. It was there we he had the opportunity to work a lot with British soul genius Don-E. Mike has worked on so many different recordings and has been involved with some of the finest talents on the UK music scene.

As an artist he is probably best known for (I've Got) Love Enough For Two which, somewhat criminally, failed to chart in 1991. Personally, I thought that was far to Pop which was why a) I didn't buy it and b) it should have charted. So Much For The Lovin' came out that same year and is a great piece of soulful dance music. I seriously suspect that the Charme crowd will like the Radical Mix more. A lovely lazy bassline, almost dub style but retaining the song in full. What Can I Do is another good song, writing with Wayne Brown was obviously a good combination. I cannot understand why these singles didn't chart in the UK and the only answer I can come up with is a lack of good taste in the music industry at that time. If it isn't what the industry believes in then it doesn't get the exposure.

• So Much For The Lovin'
• What Can I Do
• So Much For The Lovin' (Radical Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Michael Patto.rar File size: 25.25 MB

Michael Patto is a legend that nobody has heard of. He will be involved in something in your music collection. Visit his MySpace and hear some of his work.

Sherrick - Let's Be Lovers Tonight 1987

WEA Records W9146T

Lamotte Smith, a.k.a. Sherrick, recorded his debut album 'Sherrick' (1987) with Warner Brothers. It was produced by Michael Stokes and gave us the first single release Just Call which hit the UK Top 30. This track is a Bobby Sandstrom along with Steve Barri who supplied the remix.

The Extended Dance Remix is certainly worthy of a place in your collection and the two tracks on the flip, Let's Be Lovers Tonight and Do You Baby, are from the album. Not much in the 12" department but if you haven't got Sherrick's album (which I haven't) then it's a nice addition.

Sherrick began putting together some new songs when he tragically died in January 1999. The new recordings are not yet released as his wife Lynne Conner-Smith (who is in posession of his most recent tapes) is wary of many record companies and their agenda's. It is supposedly being made available through Johnson Dynasty Inc. via their website but it doesn't seem very professional. I hope Mrs. Conner-Smith has the good sense to get some good backing after all, distrust is one thing but losing the opportunity altogether is foolish.

• Extended Dance Remix
• LP Version
• Do You Baby

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sherrick.rar File size: 32.2 MB