Opaz - One On One 1992

Opaz Records OP003/SRH

A leading UK producer, songwriter, and artist, Ray Hayden was born in Dublin, Ireland, He moved to England at 4 years old, where he was raised in East London's multiracial borough of Hackney... where he still lives and works. Hayden began his successful jazz/funk DJ life playing with sound systems when he was a teenager, later establishing legendary status working at Dalston's Cubies Nightclub.

An integral part of the UK R&B scene, Hayden and his partners began Opaz Studios in 1996. It can be found on Mare Street between the Hackney Empire and Tops Caribbean Foods. He has also established his own label called Opaz Records. Featuring artists on Opaz Records include Martine Girault, Natasha Campbell and urban gospel vocalist Patrick Jean Paul Denis.

Ray Hayden teamed up with the sublime voice that is Mica Paris to make the most of her gospel background and romanticism. They recorded three tracks: the ballad Waiting For The Morning, the haunting gospel Bless The Day and this blistering duet One on One. Hayden's appreciation is engraved into the vinyl between track 1 and track 2 where "THANKS MICA" can clearly be seen, although a scan is hard to capture.

Also etched into the run out groove of the same side, is

"IN MEMORY OF MAX"

The spine on this sleeve states OPAZ ONE ON ONE OP003 so I take that as confirmation that the artist name is Opaz.

Mica Paris does not feature on the epic B-side. The vocals are performed by Hayden himself. This epic soul anthem first came to my attention via Essex FM, courtesy of Denise Lasalle who released it as a 45 in 1992. When We're Making Love was written by Ray Hayden but I had moved out of London and was trusting John Leech for my soul sounds. He was good but not focused on the London thing.

I caught the Opaz version that same year, when I picked up the Inside! album. Four minutes 50 seconds of absolute heaven. Imagine how I felt when I was lucky enough to find a copy of this 12" up a few years later. Ten minutes plus guys! Ok, admittedly there's a break at the 7:11 and then 4 minutes of instrumental but who cares. It reminds me of the Lowrell - Mellow, Mellow (Right On) 12" where it changed from the Vocal Version to the Instrumental and you didn't bother taking it off.... or was I just lazy?

One On One
One On One (Brief Encounter Instrumental)
When We're Makin Love (Original Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Opaz - One On One.rar Filesize: 54.81 MB

"I wanna say a special thanks to Mica Paris for helping me finish this song and for Julian Palmer for his encouragement. The result is its own reward."
Ray Hayden

When We're Makin' Love
(Ray Hayden)

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

I Like It When You Tease Me
When We're Makin' Love,
All Through The Night
You Know How To Please Me
Make Me Feel Right

I'll Wait Till You
You Couldn't Make It That Much Better
Even If You Tried, You Know
It Doesn't Matter What You Do
You Always Make The Right Move, On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love
Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love

I Think 'Bout Taking Over
When I'm Feeling Down
Your Always There For Me
You Know What I'm Needing
Your The Light
That Brightens My Day

When We're Alone
Nothing Else Really Matters
About The World Outside, We Say,
It Doesn't Matter What They Know
They Never Gonna Get Through
When We're Making Love

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me
Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
Am I Dreaming
With You
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You