Color Me Badd - Time & Chance 1993

Giant Records 74321 16899 2

Chances are, you hear Color Me Badd and think I Wanna Sex U Up.... Don't!

This is a great release, overlooked by many and a great loss IMHO. The maturity shown in this track emphasizes how much the group had progressed. Funk On A Skunk is the weapon of choice for me. How Deep is also a worthy stand-alone track and not just along for the ride. Enjoy!

• Time And Chance (Radio Edit)
• Time And Chance (Album Version)
• Time And Chance (Funk On A Skunk Mix)
• How Deep (Album Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: CMB - Time And Chance.rar Filesize: 23.03 MB

Homegrown Volume 1 1993

Kongo Dance KDCD6

Featuring tracks from Omar, Victor Haynes, Vanessa Simon, Damel Carayol, F.B.I., Good Time Band & Unfinished Business.

• Do You Mind
• Little Boy
• Heaven
• Simple To See
• F.B.I.
• It's Only Good For A While
• Good Feeling
• Two Hearts
• Bad Deal
• You Can Fly
• Dangerous*
• Unfinished Business*

"...Streetsoul or Urban Jazz is uniquely a British phenomenon..."

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Homegrown Vol.1.rar Filesize: 71.01 MB



*2 bonus tracks that were not available on the low volume vinyl pressing.

Moving In The Right Direction - Tales From The South SIde 1992

Kold Sweat KSEP 203

For those of you who like that Hammond organ sound and the lazy funky Hip Hop breaks then this will suit you. This White Label was reviewed by Steve Hobbs in Blues & Soul and I was pleased to find it a week or so later. I didn't realise that it got an official release until I searched for info?
Produced by Moving In The Right Direction, featuring the dubious vocal talents of Huntkillbury Finn, (what were you on?) Superb C & Michael Campbell... this is a bit of sought after plastic on the Hip Hop scene. Track A1, Be There, is probably the only vocal track that comes close to working IMHO?

Secondhand

Despite what this advertised copy supposedly has on it, there are instrumentals to all three featured tracks and an additional, and by far the best, bonus instrumental track "Sweet Sister Funk" If you like your breaks, all the Instrumentals are good but as for the vocal tracks... I'll leave that judgment for you guys?

• Be There
• Cinderella
• Tales From The Southside
• Sweet Sister Funk (Instrumental)
• Be There (Instrumental)
• Cinderella (Instrumental)
• Tales From The Southside (Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Moving In The Right Direction - ..rar Filesize: 40.07 MB

Loose Ends - Magic Touch 1985

Virgin Records VS761 13

Not much to see on this one but that just adds to the audio sensation, less to detract. This white label (OK, mauve label then) came from nowhere and spread like chinese whispers for a short time. The only info is on the sticker, the serial stamped in the run out on both sides with A-1 & B-1 to tell them apart.

The reason for this Virgin Promo is the addition of the legendary Roy Ayers playing vibraphone on Loose Ends latest single (at the time, of course) and although they have noted that his appearance is courtesy of CBS Records, they then go and spell his name wrong. The 'Vibes Version' is even more beautiful than the classic original and for the Roy Ayers fans, the B-side is an instrumental.

• Magic Touch Vibes Version
• Magic Touch Vibes Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Loose Ends Vibes.rar Filesize: 19.9 MB

Dream Warriors - My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style 1990

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 197

Wash Your Face In My Sink was an odd but infectious release featuring a quirky new rap style from a couple of Canadians that called themselves the Dream Warriors. King Lou & Capital Q grabbed the attention of many but little did we know. 'Sink' was just the appetiser, this track was the hammer that really knocked the nail home.

Using the mighty Soul Bossanova recorded by Quincey 'The Big Q' Jones, My Definition... is impossible to ignore, even if you hate rap. The breakdowns are perfect and the sample loop is tight, the rap is delivered with a mentality that was good to hear at the time as most rappers were either clowns or soldiers. The Dream Warriors managed to have fun while sounding intelligent and the music isn't Boom-Bap!

• My Definition... (Soul Bossanova Mix)
• My Definition... (Echo Mix)
• My Definition... (Empty Mix)
• U Never Know A Good Thing Till U Lose It

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Dream Warriors - My Definition.rar Filesize: 33.41 MB

C.F.M. Band - Jazz It Up 1990

Underworld Records AP 150

The C.F.M. Band, or Crazy French Man Band, was the brainchild of Reynald 'Crazy Frenchman' Deschamps. The main track is marked JAZZ Side, note the shout out to Richie Weeks on vocal. This Jazzy keyboards and scat over 808 beats should be awful but for some obscure reason it works, and it works well too.

The HOUZZ Side is not so exceptional and proves the point IMHO.

Jazz It Up

• Jazz Mix
• Swinging With The 808
• Jam Mix

Dance To The Music (Body Action)

• HNRG Houzz Mix
• Funkeep On Dancin' Groove
• Dance Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: CFM Band.rar Filesize: 49.03 MB

The Last Poets - Black & Strong (Homesick) 1995

Rykodisc RA12 1048

Umar Bin Hassan and Abiodun Oyewole (a.k.a. Dune) join forces with P-Funk's finest. George Clinton, Bootsy Collins & Bernie Worrell play alongside The Last Poets and if that's not enough, Grandmaster Melle Mel adds his dulcet tones to the mix. This is for the real Mutha-funkers amongst you, the usual Last Poets 'Black Power' subject matter but with funky backing amidst the percussion.

As a bonus, on this 12" you have a superb Ambient Dub with lots of percussion and dubby reverb and to ice the cake, Acappellas.

• Black and Strong (Homesick) Album Track
• Black and Strong (Homesick) Ambient Dub Mix
• Black and Strong (Homesick) Radio Edit
• Homesick Album Track
• Black and Strong (Homesick) Vocal Only Edits

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Last Poets - Homesick 95.rar Filesize: 60.62 MB

Misty Oldland - Got Me A Feeling 1993

XPCD 316

Produced, written and music by the talented Michele Oldland with additional production by Maxton 'Gig' Beesley Jnr. & Jeremy Meehan (Max Beesley's High Vibes) Jo Dworniak (I-Level) & Glen Nightingale (Jamiroquai, Gap Band, etc.).

Also featured are the uncredited vocals of Omar Lye Fook of 'There's Nothing Like This' fame and doesn't it show. The floaty, atmospheric, jazzy vibe and Misty's vocals, all kind of sensuous in a somewhat, ethereal way.

How bloody silly of me to peel the contact label off the back.
Where did she go, where's the album?

• 7" Version
• 12" Version: Misty's Magic Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: XPCD 316.rar Size: 14.48 MB

Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince - A Touch Of Jazz 1987

Champion Records CHAMP 12-47

Around 1985 a new fun tune hit the rap scene. Girls Ain't Nothin' But Trouble featured a cheeky young lad with a great style and charisma. With his DJ creating some catchy music as a foundation, he told his amusing tale like a comedy routine. I wonder what happened to him?

Word had it, the DJ Jazzy Jeff was something special and there was even talk about him taking part in the DMC Championships but it never happened. Then in 1987, they released an album 'Rock The House' which immediately got tongues wagging. Their product had matured into a more confident style but more importantly, hidden amongst the rap was a groove of great importance!

The album version of A Touch Of Jazz was a major player at a time when the world was learning to embrace Jazz Music. This track was created from some of the soul worlds finest grooves. Built on the hook of 'T Plays It Cool' from the Marvin Gaye Troubleman OST, Jeff Townes layers refrains from songs like Donald Byrd's 'Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)' and also 'Places & Spaces', Bob James 'Westchester Lady' is also in there?

The Extended Re-Touch is good although it's clear that Jazzy didn't create it. On the flip, Fresh Prince raps over it..... whoops! This one wasn't about you mate, sorry. It also has a Chic sample in it which works well but is straying from the quality jazz theme?

• Extended Re-Touch
• Original Album Version
• Collapsed In The Street Mix
• Collapsed In The Street Edit

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Touch of Jazz.rar Filesize: 37.11 MB