Cameo - Skin I'm In 1988

Club Records JABCD 77

Last week, Larry Blackmon strutted his stuff at the O2 Indigo. I had the opportunity to go but couldn't make it. Absolutely gutted. As a tribute to a fine group who have contributed far more than most to dancefloor history, The Soul Vendor proudly presents Cameo.

By 1980, Cameo already had a history as a 13 piece, funk and soul phenomenon. Albums such as Cameosis and Knights of the Sound Table were laid on a foundation of legend.

In the mid-80's Larry Blackmon and his crew were ready to move on. With Alligator Woman in 1982, the band stripped down to five main members. Blackmon moved the band in a new direction, giving them a cutting edge sound dominated by a drum machine and prominent bass line. He donned 'a red codpiece', added his trademark "Ooow!" into the mix and totally reinvented the group.

Cameo's 1983 release Style was one of the first to come from this new label and was the first disc to capitalize on Cameo's new sound. She's Strange came out in 1984 and its '12-inch mix' was a major smash in the clubs. 1985's Single Life was also a major club hit that saw some crossover success, especially in the UK.

Word Up! hit the airwaves in mid-1986, the resulting album turned Cameo into superstars. The follow-up tracks, Candy and Back and Forth, were also huge hits for the funk trio. By this time, the band were included in every mix or album compilation going. Les Adams remixed Word Up! to great effect and soon after the original Cameo Megamix made it's presence felt. The Cameo Megamix Two is an epic 10 mins of blistering anthems that doesn't sell you short.

Two years later, Cameo released Machismo to lukewarm response despite favourable review. It's a good song with a positive message and yet Skin I'm In sunk without a trace in the UK. It would appear Cameo's reign was over. Almost in reflection of this, Honey is a short reprise of Candy without a song as such. It simply echoes a song that once was.

• Skin I'm In
• Honey
• The Cameo Megamix Two

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Cameo.rar Filesize: 33.75 MB

Asia Blue - Escaping 1992

Atomic Records WNRT 882

This song has been performed by several artists, including Dina Carroll in 1996, but Margaret Urlich's version, included on her 1989 album Safety In Numbers, seems to be the earliest. I don't have that album so I can't check the writing credit but Asia Blue credits "Written by B. Blue / R. Smith" whereas Dina Carroll's includes "D. Carroll / N. Lowis" As Barry Blue seems to be the man behind Asia Blue, I guess he is B. Blue and one is left to assume Dina re-arranged something?

The main version is a Steve Anderson Remix for the Disco Mix Club but the Sleeping Giant Mix is my fav.

• Escaping (A Kiss Across The Sea)
• Escaping (Sleeping Giant Mix)
• I Want The Right (To Be Wrong)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Asia Blue - Escaping.rar Filesize: 28.89 MB

Cool Down Zone - Heaven Knows 1990

10 Records TEN X 309


1990 saw the arrival of Cool Down Zone featuring the gorgeous vocals of Charlemagne. At this time she wasn't getting a special mention. The Remix 12" has exactly the same B-Side and one track on the A-Side which is a Steve 'Disco Mix Club' Anderson remix that in no way competes with the original, therefore I've simply added the track.

• Heaven Knows
• Come Be My Lover
• I Always Seem To Cry

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: CDZ 1990 Heaven Knows.rar Filesize: 52.09 MB




Heaven Knows (Remix)
10 Records TEN X 309

• Heaven Knows (Remix)
• Come Be My Lover
• I Always Seem To Cry