Intelligent Hoodlum - Back To Reality (CJ Mackintosh Mixes) - (1990)

A&M Records, AMCD 598

Not so sunny here in North London today, but I thought I'd post another BBQ classic regardless.

I'm not sure really how well you'll receive this one, as it's not soul as such, but a nice, chilled out slice of Hip-hop, reminiscing about simpler times.

Intelligent Hoodlum (born Percy Chapman, although he would later switch to the monicker "Tragedy Khadafi") is an extremely eloquent rapper from Queens, New York. His first, self-titled album was a politically charged affair featuring the excellent Arrest the President, and a whirl of other contentious tracks.

However, amongst the anger and social commentary on his debut there lurked a rather good party jam, the Soul II Soul sampling Back To Reality - no surprises for guessing what sample was used there, huh? ;)

On its release in the UK, Back To Reality was given a suite of remixes by one CJ Mackintosh. The pick of which for me is CJ's Drum And Bass Mix (nah, not THAT kind of Drum & Bass), which cranked up the Soul II Soul elements, added nice piano chords and strings stabs, and made a great summer vibe kinda tune out of it. The Ragamuffin Version is also pretty dope (love the strings), but for me, it's all about the Drum And Bass Mix.

Hope you dig this as much as I do. If you don't know it, give it a try and tell us whatcha think.

- Kymba :)

• Back To Reality (Drum And Bass Mix)
• Back To Reality (Back To Basics)
• Back To Reality (Ragamuffin Version)
• Back To Reality (Ragadub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Back To Reality (Maxi-Single).zip File size: 28 MB

Aaron Hall featuring Redman - Curiosity - (1995)

MCA Records, MCADM-55143

It's the 7th of April, and that can only mean ONE thing.... it's Aaron Hall Day today on Soul Vendor, and here's my first offering:

Aaron Hall was the silky-voiced lead singer of uber-producer Teddy Riley's New Jack Swing trailblazers Guy. He also sounded more than a little like Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band - no bad thing at all.

Anyway, post-Guy, Aaron had a few solo hits like the superb Don't Be Afraid (which I'll be posting on here later today - I told you it was Aaron Hall Day today!) from the excellent Juice OST, and this track, Curiosity, taken from the Dangerous Minds OST - yes, that's the film that *THAT* Coolio song came from.

It's a nice, funky slice of street-soul, produced and writted by Mr. Dalvin of Jodeci and Missy Elliott, but the Marley Marl Remix is the one you'll want. It's much, MUCH funkier, and features Redman, one of my favourite rappers, doing a couple of verses that again help lift it above the original.

There's also a nice instrumental for you mixologists out there - something I always look for in a release, although no acapella.

- Kymba :)

• Curiosity (Marley Marl Remix - Radio Version)
• Curiosity (Misdemeanor)
• Curiosity (LP Version)
• Curiosity (Marley Marl Remix - Instrumental)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Curiosity.zip File size: 24.7 MB