Closer Than Close - You Got A Hold On Me 1992

Slam Jam Records SLAM 3T

Closer Than Close featured the voice of Beverley Skeete, before she became the voice behind Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. Closer Than Close had some success with You Got A Hold On Me and A New Life, but it was only moderate success. They got involved in the production of other artists for a short time before disbanding the group.

Beverley Skeete is one of the UK's hardest working vocalists with commitment, enthusiasm and real passion. She is also one of the UK's most renowned background singers and has an awesome voice which will stir a touch of deja-vu in most people, since it has featured on more records than the average household has in its collection. One of my favourite performances is on Atmosfear's Xtra Special which can be found elsewhere on here and she is also Guilty by Perception which came as a surprise.

You Got A Hold On Me is written by Beverley Skeete, Hamilton, Coello & Allabaster but I know nothing of the other names and my lame research has turned up now't. I seem to recall Steve Hobbs writing about the group in Blues & Soul magazine but my collection bit the dust in my last move (downsizing). Although the Blacksmith Remixes make this release interesting, I thought The Original Jam was strong enough to stand up under it's own power. The Brixton Club and Dub mixes have some dodgy breaks that had me checking the vinyl but I guess the Brixton Bass Mix is the main joint. Enjoy!

• The Original Jam
• Brixton Bass Mix
• Brixton Club Mix
• Brixton Dub Mix

The Download Link is here:Download

Filename: Closer Than Close.rar Filesize: 42.54 MB

Sly & Robbie - The Rhythm Killers E.P. 1987

4th & Broadway Promo BOOPS 1

This was a 'handout' at the annual DMC Convention in London 1987. To promote the Rhythm Killers album which was soon to be released. The notes on the 12" sleeve are rather misleading, suggesting that Fire is edited. Not so, Boops (Here To Go) would be the lead off single from the album. On the album, it's preceded by Fire, a cover of the Ohio Players 70's classic and followed by Let's Rock forming the 'so-called' 18 minute opus. Side A of this release is basically straight of the album.

C.J. (Christopher John) Mackintosh was born in Paris and raised in London. In 1987, he made a name for himself by winning the UK title in the DMC Mix Championship. Later that year he hooked up with Dave Dorrell and created the monster that was Pump Up The Volume but for now, Fourth & Broadway supplied him with the Sly & Robbie instrumentals and "C.J." Scratch was born. This is what it's all about, CJ doing what he does best.

The Boops part of "CJ" Scratch was remade and used as the official B-Side of the Boops (Here To Go) 12" release. This particular recording was never officially released though. Enjoy!

• Fire
• Boops (Here To Go)
• Fire (Instrumental)
• Boops (Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sly & Robbie.rar Filesize: 41.04 MB