Gems For Jem - Time For Love 1993

E-Zee Records EZY 1204

• Time For Love
• Even When You're Gone

Gems For Jem is another project from Darren Pearce & Steve McCutcheon (Massivo) who both wrote, performed and produced this pair of gems. Daft name for a quality soul act but then it takes all sorts to make up a playlist. Even When You're Gone has been posted before as part of the Inside! collection but Time For Love is new here and what an inclusion it is. Enjoy!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Gems For Jem.rar Filesize: 21.2 MB




90's, British, Dance, Funk, Groove, Nineties, Soul, UK, Urban,

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Eating Me Alive 1993

ffrr Records FCD 190

I wanted to post Blind Faith for Zenn but I'm fairly sure that I loaned it out and never got it back, many years ago. I know I don't have Love Or Nothing but while I was looking for something else I came across this CDS. I have to say, I couldn't remember it until I gave it a spin. Check the credits for the list of players.

The Undisputed Mix is the commercial take. It has more hooks than a fishing tackle box, you'll be hard taxed trying to get it out of your head. Part 2 is the instrumental version and the Groundbeat House Ensemble doesn't really do it for me. Diana Brown doesn't sound right over a commercial house groove. The Original Version has it all going on, yeah baby, this is more like it but why bother when you have the Funky, Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix to hand. Holy Cow, listen to that funky-arsed guitar drop. Seven and a half minutes of boombastic funk, this mix Rocks like a MF!

• Undisputed Mix Part 1
• Funky Funky Super Heavy Groundbeat Mix
• Groundbeat House Ensemble
• Original Groundbeat
• Undisputed Mix Part 2

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Diana Brown - Eating Me.rar Filesize: 40.24 MB

Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe - Sun Worshippers 1990

ffrr Records FCD 144

One for the Groundbeat lovers, Sun Worshippers is basically Masterplan part 2 so you'll probably like it but it aggravates. I find myself shouting out "Can You Dig That." without thinking. Produced and written in conjunction with Tim Lever & Mike Percy, better known as One World Productions, with a shout out to Acid Jazz poet/rapper, Rob Galliano, for inspiration. It makes a change from Masterplan in the playlist though, without sounding lame too. Hardly essential but certainly worth having in the collection.

Do That Funky Thing is straight out of the James Brown school of funk. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they got sued but having said that, it's a great little number. Four and a half minutes of groovy 60's soul. Written (well, the lyrics are...) and produced by Di & Baz for Brothers International.

• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) 7-Inch
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 1
• Sun Worshippers (Positive Thinking) Part 2
• Do That Funky Thing

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: DB & BKS.rar Filesize: 27.58 MB

Street Sounds Edition 7 1983

Street Sounds STSND 007

Another great release on the Street Sounds label. Michael Jackson's Billie Jean was phenomenal at the time and Lydia Murdock grabbed a whole heap of limelight with Superstar with a few surprises, first it ripped off Billie Jean's groove, secondly it was an 'answer back' song and finally it consists of a female rap. Extraordinary at the time but oh so dated now. Instant Funk & Billy Griffin were popular here but for me it was all about side one. Dayton's Sound Of Music, Tom Browne and The Jones Girls in particular but Curtis and Lillo also high on the list.

• Dayton - Sound Of Music
• Curtis Hairston - I Want You
• Tom Browne - Brighter Tomorrow
• The Jones Girls - Knockin'
• Lillo Thomas - I Love It
• Lydia Murdock - Superstar
• Second Image - Don't You
• Instant Funk - You'll Be Mine
• Billy Griffin - Respect
• Lew Kirton - Talk To Me

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds.rar Filesize: 78.31 MB

Everis - Back To Basics 1990

Soul Town Records SOUL 009

In 1989 Everis joined up with Soul Town Records, where he released several singles including a cover of Closer I Get To You with the cult underground artiste Maxeen. In 1990, he released his debut album Back To Basics. During his time at Soul Town he had some success with hits such as Summer Time, Stay and Better Love.

In 1992 Everis supported The Jones Girls comeback and first ever London gigs at the Dominion Theatre and has appeared on the same bill as Kym Mazelle, Don-E, Kenny Thomas, The Escoffereys, Omar, Mica Paris, Gabrielle and many more.

My apologies for the quality of this post but I was only able to find a second hand copy of this album with no cover (homemade art above). There is a bit of 'vinyl grind' at the beginning of each side and some 'pop and crackle' throughout but not too much that it spoils the listening experience. I would, however, welcome a clean copy and proper artwork?

• Get Your Love
• Say
• Hooked On You
• Don't Stop The Love
• Sweetest Love
• Looking For A Lover
• Staying Awake All Night
• My Latin Experience
• Better Love
• Girl

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Everis.rar Filesize: 57.97 MB

Maxeen - Never Been In Love 1990

Soultown Records SOUL 007

In 1990 Maxeen released Never Been In Love (Like This Before) on the highly credible Soultown Records label. She released several singles including a duet cover of Closer I Get To You with the cult underground artiste Everis. Everis released his own Back To Basics album in 1990 and Maxeen was supposed to have her album Emotions released soon. I've never seen any evidence that it was released, let alone available to buy?

Never Been In Love is written by Maxeen herself and produced by Maxeen & E. Pellins. I would gamble a fair sum on a spelling mistake there. Everis now goes under the name of Everis Pellius. The track is engineered by Wayne 'Bustin' Brown who has worked with many British artists such as D Influence. It's extremely frustrating how little information there is about these people, it's about time the likes of Blues & Soul Magazine started a Brit Soul database. They certainly have the information and so would I if I hadn't lost all my B&S mags half a decade back. :-(

• Never Been In Love (Like This Before) Queen Bee Mix
• In Love (Killer B 18 Cert) Bass Line Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 1990 Never Been.rar Filesize: 20.89 MB

Street Sounds Edition 15 1985

Street Sounds STSND 15

The most memorable Street Sounds Edition for me. Not because of the choice of tracks but because of the climate at the time it was released. Aleem's awesome Get Loose was so overplayed by this time that I always skipped the track when playing this album. Packed full of goodies, as usual and the longevity on this selection is as good as the day it was released. Caprice, 100% still sounds fresh to my ears, as does Evelyn 'Champagne' King's, Your Personal Touch in it's short but efficient Dance Mix format. The beautiful ballad, Mated by David Grant & Jaki Graham is here in it's Extended Version but my favourite tracks are Mr DJ by The Concept, simple but effective, and the track I bought the album for, Princess, After The Love Has Gone the Chief Inspector Remix, which is based on the Wally Badarou classic, Chief Inspector, which was huge at the time.

• The Concept - Mr DJ
• Aleem - Get Loose
• Colonel Abrams - Music Is The Answer
• Brass Construction - Give & Take
• David Grant & Jaki Graham - Mated
• Princess - After The Love Has Gone
• Evelyn King - Personal Touch
• B.T. Express - Uptown Express
• Caprice - 100%
• Masquerade - One Nation

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds Edition 15.rar Filesize: 110.98 MB

TRUCE - TRUCE EP 1995

Big Life Records BLRD112

T.R.U.C.E. ('To Reach Universal Cultures Effectively') were one of the original UK R&B girl groups tipped for stardom in the mid ˜90s. Prolific producer Paul Waller took them to the brink on his independent Relevant label before a short-lived contract with Big Life. On this EP they work with a wealth of talent including Ian Green, Don-E & The Ethnic Boyz.

Michelle Escoffery was a member of girl R'n'B trio Truce, who were known for great tracks like 'The Finest' (1995) on Big Life records. She has since decided to devote herself to her songwriting and vocal production talents and has had many of the top producers and singers in London approach her for her scribe skills.

The singer and songwriter, who grew up in Streatham and spent her teenage years in South Norwood and won an Ivor Novello award in 2002. The songwriter, who has written for All Saints, Tina Turner and Beverly Knight and once sang with Stevie Wonder, began singing with her three sisters in her local Seventh Day Adventist church. They became The Escofferys and spent school holidays touring churches across Europe and the UK until they were signed by American label Atlantic. In 1993, Michelle was headhunted to join R&B girl group Truce. Her writing for the group attracted industry attention and she began writing for other artists including Hinda Hicks, Damage, Fierce and she enjoyed huge success with The Artful Dodger album 'It's All About The Stragglers'.

• Treat U Right (7" Edit)
• Celebration Of Life (7" Edit)
• Better Days
• Come Go Away
• Don't Give Up
• Treat U Right (Full Length Mix)
• Celebration Of Life (Full Length Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Truce.rar Filesize: 47.73 MB

The Brand New Heavies - Back To Love 1994

FFRR Records BNHCD4

BNH developed a sophisticated sound that screamed classic soul in an era dominated by Hip Hop. Formed in 1985 by London school friends, Jan Kincaid, Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy the instrumental group were inspired by James Brown, The Meters and other records its members heard while clubbing the rare groove scene in vogue at the moment.

From the 1994 album Brother, Sister, this is The Brand New Heavies with N'Dea Davenport, who then left to complete her solo album (which she had put on hold to join the group). This great track is turned into an absolute monster by Mr. Ray Hayden on the Opaz Club Version. A stunning remix from the master himself. Baby Don't Use Me is an original track, only available on this release (to my knowledge) and certainly worth having if you like the Heavies.

• Back To Love
• Back To Love (Opaz Radio Version)
• Back To Love (Opaz Club Version)
• Baby Don't Use Me

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: BNH - Back To Love CDS.rar Filesize: 28.99 MB

"It seem to me that we don't always get along
If we are trying now dont seem to try too long
Watching your neighbour seems to fill you with alarm
Just coz hes different now
Dont mean he means you harm
City living has got us all pent up inside
When we have problems it seems we all just run and hide
Time to discover why we are feeling this way
Lets let love have its say

Chorus:
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
were all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
Thats why Im here to say, gotta get back get back to love
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
were all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
Thats why Im here to say, gotta get back get back to it now

Trouble started when we dont communicate
Well build our future now or we can seal our fate
Wasted energy on promises we break
Weve wasted chance now, but still it aint too late
There is a common goal we must all realize
Its time to make a change, in how we live our lives
Time to discover why, we are feeling this way
Lets let love save the day"

Inside! 1992

Step Two Records lptep1

Celebrating the best in British Soul. A superb line-up here, some of the best tunes of the moment and they are timeless classics. I missed off McKoy - Fight because it's available as a single and the double LP rip didn't fit on a CD. OK, fair enough, I've also posted the Act Of Faith 12" but hey, I made an executive decision.

For me personally, the jewel in this particular crown is the opening track. Opaz - When We're Making Love is one of the finest soul songs ever made (in my humble opinion of course, excuse me if I blush...). Other favourites are Michelle French, Middle 8 featuring Chris Ballin, Gems For Jem (Steve McCutcheon & Darren Pearce), D-Swing, Mary Pearce and Metropolis but trust me, nothing is bad on this compilation.

• Opaz - When We're Makin' Love
  
• Michelle French - Be Still (Funky Lick)
  
• Middle 8 - Me O My
  
• Ria Caitaine - Been Fooled
  
• Act Of Faith - The Whole Thing
  
• Gems For Jem - Even When You're Gone
  
• Tee Green - Mystery Girl
  
• D-Swing - If I Knew (Two Step)
  
• Circle Of Life - Hold Me Closer
  
• Mary Pearce - Love Away
  
• Feel - Coming Closer
  
• Jay Dee - Simple Solution
  
• Ipso Facto - Running To My Baby's Arms
  
• Metropolis - Slow Down
  
• Perfect Taste - Through All Times (Remix)
  

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Inside! Vol 1.rar Filesize: 111.6 MB

British Soul Hits

Sure Delight Records SDCD 6

I'll apologise for this post because it's a very 'budget' release with poor packaging and no sleeve notes etc. The front cover isn't badly scanned, it is like this?

Anyway, I have posted it because it is a very good representation of the 'London Thing' that was happening in the 90's. I have posted a few of these 12" but this puts a few more in reach, tracks like The Enforcers which I don't have on 12".

Jet Star were all about getting the product heard, they wanted the UK on the International Talent Map. The music on this album, was for me the sound of South London in the early 90's.

• McKoy - Family
• Michael Kay - Missing You
• The Enforcers - Calm Down
• Trichelle - Midnight Lover
• Everis - You Turn Me On
• Maxeen - Everything I Want
• D Fex - You Lose Again
  
• Cool Down Zone - Lonely Hearts
• Emma Haywoode - Don't Poison Me
• Aretha Daye - No More (Making Love)
• Melissa Bell - Reconsider
• Kim Edwards - Stand Tall
• Freddie McGreggor - Push Come To Shove
• Mr Magic - Dreaming A Dream

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: British Soul Hits.rar Size: 61.29 MB

Beggar & Co. - (Somebody) Help Me Out 1981

Ensign Records ENYT 201

It was in 1981 when Jazz Funk Group Light Of the World (originally including Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick) left the stage of Hammersmith Apollo and returned as Beggar and Co. They went on to some success with top ten hits like (Somebody) Help Me Out and Mule Chant No. 2 with help from Spandau Ballet. The members, Breeze McKrieth, Kenny Wellington and David Baptiste, (formerly the horn section of Light Of the World) Gee Bello and Nat Augustin. This track can be found on their album Monument but on this release it is edited and remixed by Barry Blue.

• (Somebody) Help Me Out
• Rising Sun

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Beggar & Co .rar Filesize: 19.49 MB

Sandals - Nothing E.P. 1992

FFRR Records FCD 199

The Sandals were Will Blanchard, John Harris, Derek Delves & Ian Simmonds. Acid Jazz owner, Eddie Piller was the Sandals' manager for their one album history. This release is produced and remixed by Paul Daley and Neil Barnes (Leftfield) who could do no wrong at the time.

• Nothing
• Nothing (Extended Version)
• Nothing (Dub)
• Nothing (Hard Hands Ritual)
• Nothing (Distant Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Sandals - Nothing EP.rar Filesize: 44.99 MB

Street Sounds Edition 14 1985

Street Sounds STSND 14

Another iconic release from the Street Sounds stable. Packed full of goodies, as usual, although some of the big tracks are not so cool now, Five Star - Love Take Over, Ready For The World - Oh Sheila and pretend the Three Degrees - The Heaven I Need (it's not a bad track!) is not a Stock, Aitken & Waterman production. Starpoint - What You Been Missin' and Tramaine - Fall Down (Spirit Of Love) are good songs but for me Frankie Kelly - Ain't That The Truth, Collage - Romeo Where's Juliet, Gardenia - Chiquita Linda and Jeff Tyzik - Sweet Surrender still sound more than just good and Bernard Wright - Who Do You Love simply rules. What a tune, now that's the cherry, that's what it's all about!

• Ready For The World
• The Three Degrees
• Frankie Kelly
• Bernard Wright
• Jeff Tyzik
• Starpoint
• Five Star
• Collage
• Tramaine
• Gardenia

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds Edition 14.rar Filesize: 103.38 MB

Street Sounds Edition 13 1985

Street Sounds STSND 13

Another iconic release from the Street Sounds stable. Packed full of goodies, as usual, although the big tracks Steve Arrington - Dancing In The Key Of Life, Atlantic Starr - Silver Shadow, Colnel Abrams - Trapped, Cool Notes - In Your Car and BB & Q - Genie are all fairly common place nowadays, I think Cheryl Lynn - It's Gonna Be Alright (yeah, I know?), Skool Boyz - Superfine (From Behind), One Way - Let's Talk and Rodney Franklin - Fiesta are not heard enough and Billy Griffin's Electrified still sounds so fresh!

• Steve Arrington
• Atlantic Starr
• Cheryl Lynn
• Billy Griffin
• Change
• Colnel Abrams
• The Cool Notes
• Skool Boyz
• Brooklyn Bronx & Queens
• One Way
• Rodney Franklin

...and Oh My Gosh!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Street Sounds Edition 13.rar Filesize: 105.54 MB