Nu Colours - Desire - (1996)

Polydor/Wildcard, LC0309

Well, Nu Colours have been well and truly covered on The Soul Vendor more than once. Mick's already put up Power, and only the other day I put up What In The World/Greater Love; Greater Love being one of my all-time favourite songs.

So that gets me out of having to write anything about the UK's premier gospel outfit.

Onto this track, then.

It's a decent track, second only to Greater Love in their repertoire (in my humble opinion)... but there was only one reason why I bought this CD single, and that was the excellent Linslee's Extended Mix - re-listening now it still stands out as much the best version.

The Ethnic Boyz version isn't bad, but it lacks the power-funk of Linslee's mix. The house mixes are... not my cup of tea. The Gospel Truth According to Mindspell mix is pretty nice, and takes the tune back to a live, stripped-down, purely gospel vibe - it's probably the best mix after Linslee's.

Peace and luvizm,

- Kymba :)

• Desire (7")
• Desire (Ethnic Boyz Main Mix)
• Desire (Linslee Extended Mix)
• Desire (Full Chorus London)
• Desire (Mindspell Classic Club Experience)
• Desire (The Gospel Truth According To Mindspell)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Desire.zip File size: 46.2 MB

Nu Colours - What In The World / Greater Love - (1993)

Polydor/Wildcard, CARDD 4

I'm going to start this off with a complaint:

WHAT THE HELL WERE POLYDOR THINKING MAKING GREATER LOVE A B-SIDE????!?!?!?

It's got classic stamped all over it, and, if only it had been supported and marketed it could well have made a decent splash on the pop charts, and seen the band get a bit more recognition than they did. It's an incredibly strong song, it's got beautifully sung vocals, and a nice, slinky, urban groove to it courtesy of producers par excellence Ethnic Boyz.

I honestly believe it is one of the UK's finest soul moments.

Not that there's anything wrong with the main track, What In the World. It's a really good guitar driven piece of soul, produced by a certain Robert Howard. I'm guessing it's the same Robert Howard (or "Dr. Robert") from The Blow Monkeys fame. Can anyone confirm? (edit: it IS Dr Robert - thanks, Frank!!)

There's a third track (fourth, if you count the Greater Love Remix - more on that in a moment) called Want Your Love 2 B Mine, which is a perfectly decent backup track, but with such a good main track in What In The World, and an even better one as the "B-Side", if you will, in the shape of Greater Love, it's easily forgotten.

As mentioned, there's also an Ethnic Boyz remix of Greater Love, which is odd really, as they produced the original version, and it's fairly similar, just a touch more dubby. I much prefer the original, but it's nice to have for completions sake.

So there you have it, one of my all-time favourite tracks, as a bloody B-Side! Amazing.

- Kymba :)

• What In the World
• Greater Love
• Greater Love (Ethnic Boyz Remix)
• Want Your Love 2 B Mine

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: What In The World.zip File size: 25.1 MB

Soul II Soul - Get A Life (1989)

Ten Records, TEN CD 284

“So there it is, work it out for yourself. Be subjective, be objective… be an asset to the collective…”

Wise words there, our Jazzie!

So, after dominating UK airplay, as well as a very impressive showing worldwide, most notably the States, with tracks such as Back To Life and the sublime Keep On Movin’, Soul II Soul found themselves in “difficult second album” territory. However, from the lead single, you wouldn’t know it.

Jazzie B really got his flow on and gave us a more hiphop Soul II Soul song than we’d previously seen. Okay, so he isn’t the most gifted rapper, but the dude has a great voice, rich in bass tones, and sounds fab on this track.

Get A Life isn’t their finest moment, but it’s still a tidy little number espousing the values of positivity, a real cornerstone of the Soul II Soul ethic, and, while I was typing this and re-listening to it, I was surprised how fresh it still sounds. In fact, I caught myself singing along to it a couple of times (got an odd look from a work colleague just now) which really shouldn't be allowed, as I can't sing! Still, it's a mark of how catchy the hook is.

However, the real gem on this mini CD Single (remember them? Whatever happened to them?) is the Teddy Riley remix of Keep On Movin’ – which is worth the admission price alone. I mean, c’mon, he’s put that wicked JB’s “The Grunt” screeching horns sample in there, as popularised by the mighty Public Enemy the year before. Beefed up drums and that “Riddim a full a culture y’aaaal” sample (that I can’t place right at this minute) also play their part in giving us a much more “street” version of Keep On Movin’, without detracting from it’s classy flava.

The mini CD Single is rounded off by a remixed version of Jazzie’s Groove, which is probably the best version I’ve heard of that particular track. Nice extra sax added to it, and cheeky use of a sample from Bob James’ brilliant “Nautilus”.

Anyway, enjoy!

-Kymba :)

• Get A Life 7" Version
• Get A Life (Club mix)
• Keep On movin' (Teddy Riley Remix)
• Jazzie's Groove (New Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Get A Life (Single).zip File size: 21.6 MB

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,

Opaz - One On One 1992

Opaz Records OP003/SRH

A leading UK producer, songwriter, and artist, Ray Hayden was born in Dublin, Ireland, He moved to England at 4 years old, where he was raised in East London's multiracial borough of Hackney... where he still lives and works. Hayden began his successful jazz/funk DJ life playing with sound systems when he was a teenager, later establishing legendary status working at Dalston's Cubies Nightclub.

An integral part of the UK R&B scene, Hayden and his partners began Opaz Studios in 1996. It can be found on Mare Street between the Hackney Empire and Tops Caribbean Foods. He has also established his own label called Opaz Records. Featuring artists on Opaz Records include Martine Girault, Natasha Campbell and urban gospel vocalist Patrick Jean Paul Denis.

Ray Hayden teamed up with the sublime voice that is Mica Paris to make the most of her gospel background and romanticism. They recorded three tracks: the ballad Waiting For The Morning, the haunting gospel Bless The Day and this blistering duet One on One. Hayden's appreciation is engraved into the vinyl between track 1 and track 2 where "THANKS MICA" can clearly be seen, although a scan is hard to capture.

Also etched into the run out groove of the same side, is

"IN MEMORY OF MAX"

The spine on this sleeve states OPAZ ONE ON ONE OP003 so I take that as confirmation that the artist name is Opaz.

Mica Paris does not feature on the epic B-side. The vocals are performed by Hayden himself. This epic soul anthem first came to my attention via Essex FM, courtesy of Denise Lasalle who released it as a 45 in 1992. When We're Making Love was written by Ray Hayden but I had moved out of London and was trusting John Leech for my soul sounds. He was good but not focused on the London thing.

I caught the Opaz version that same year, when I picked up the Inside! album. Four minutes 50 seconds of absolute heaven. Imagine how I felt when I was lucky enough to find a copy of this 12" up a few years later. Ten minutes plus guys! Ok, admittedly there's a break at the 7:11 and then 4 minutes of instrumental but who cares. It reminds me of the Lowrell - Mellow, Mellow (Right On) 12" where it changed from the Vocal Version to the Instrumental and you didn't bother taking it off.... or was I just lazy?

One On One
One On One (Brief Encounter Instrumental)
When We're Makin Love (Original Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Opaz - One On One.rar Filesize: 54.81 MB

"I wanna say a special thanks to Mica Paris for helping me finish this song and for Julian Palmer for his encouragement. The result is its own reward."
Ray Hayden

When We're Makin' Love
(Ray Hayden)

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

I Like It When You Tease Me
When We're Makin' Love,
All Through The Night
You Know How To Please Me
Make Me Feel Right

I'll Wait Till You
You Couldn't Make It That Much Better
Even If You Tried, You Know
It Doesn't Matter What You Do
You Always Make The Right Move, On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love
Stay With Me Baby,
A Natural High, So High
When We Make Love

I Think 'Bout Taking Over
When I'm Feeling Down
Your Always There For Me
You Know What I'm Needing
Your The Light
That Brightens My Day

When We're Alone
Nothing Else Really Matters
About The World Outside, We Say,
It Doesn't Matter What They Know
They Never Gonna Get Through
When We're Making Love

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
(With You)

Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me
Sweet As Sweet Can Be
A Natural High, So High
Raining Down On Me

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You
Am I Dreaming
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You

Am I Dreaming, Am I
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
Am I Dreaming
With You
When We're Makin' Love, Yeah,
With You

Penny Ford - Daydreaming 1993

Columbia Records 659059 2

In 1986, Pennye Ford replaced Lorena Shelby as the lead singer of Klymaxx. After a year on the road she joined the SOS Band for a six-month stint before working as the principal background singer with Chaka Khan, and session work, including two albums for George Clinton. It was through her work with Chaka Khan that Ford wound up joining Snap! late 1989.

Based on the runaway success of Snap!, Ford did a one-year tour with the group. As the co-writer of four Snap singles, The Power, Oops Up, Mary Had a Little Boy and the Euro hit Cult of Snap, which collectively sold nine million copies. Upon leaving Snap, Ford was the object of a major-label bidding war that resulted in her signing to Columbia/Sony in June 1991.

In 1993, Pennye having dropped the 'e' from her christian name and released the album 'Penny Ford', which was produced by Randy Jackson. The album contained her version of the Aretha Franklin penned and performed Daydreamin'. She enlisted the services of producer and bassist Randy D. Jackson, who had worked with Narada Michael Walden. It features guitar by John Mitchell, piano by Greg Phillanganes and a tight sax solo by Gerald Albright.

Good mixes all around but the Full Day 12" got a lot of play, as I recall. It's a shame the LP Version is edited for the single though?

• Single Edit
• Love Deacons Of Soul Mix
• Full Day 12" Mix
• Tabanca/Dance Hall

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Penny Ford.rar Filesize: 27.61 MB



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

Nu Colours - Power 1992

Wild Card Records CARDD 3

Nu Colours were the gospel group and looked likely to make a cross over into the mainstream. The Gospel group comprising Lain Gray (Lain provided some great vocals for Jason Chue a.k.a. Wookie on 'Battle' amongst many others), Lawrence Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Patricia Knight and the legendary Fay Simpson.

Fay is one of the most experienced singers on the UK gospel scene. She honed her craft growing up in the Church of God of Prophecy in Harlesden, north west London, and at 19 joined Nu Colours, who had a deal with a secular label. She left the group in 1995 and began song writing and vocal arranging.

After singing on the UK gospel circuit, Lain Gray was asked to join premier gospel outfit Nu Colours in 1991, Lawrence Johnson, founder member of the group, was calling Lain for auditions saying he was putting some band together. Later he said, 'Oh, in case you don't get this, would you be interested in being involved with Nu Colours?'

Power is written by producer Ian Green and group vocalists Lawrence Johnson & Fay Simpson with Monie Love writing and performing the rap. The Evergreen Mix is the Ian Green single release while the Garage Mix and Underground Dub are remixed by Paul Gotel, the dub is a Well Hung Parliament mix along with his sidekick, Spencer Williams.

Tears is the Frankie Knuckles Instrumental which is somewhat odd as it was originally a Frankie Knuckles & Satoshi Tomiie song and without Nu Colours vocals it still is, even though its produced by V Outfit.

• Power (Evergreen Mix)
• Power (Garage Mix)
• Tears (FK Instrumental)
• Power (Underground Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nu Colours.rar Filesize: 31.89 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

Kicking Back - Everything 1990

Ten Records TENCD 307

Featuring Taxman, Kicking Back debuted in 1990 with the single Devotion. It was quickly followed up with this release, Everything, both of which failed to make much of an impact. The only other recording I'm aware of is All I Want, which features on the flipside of the Devotion single.

Everything is a jaunty little soulful tune built on a reggae foundation. Taxman raps in a reggae style (which doesn't appeal to me personally) but the song is soulful, the melody catchy and the female vocal is gorgeous. It's worth a listen guys, it's just a shame nobody done a tax-deductable mix?

• Everything (Original 7")
• Everything (Kickin' Mix)
• Devotion

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Kicking Back.rar

Filesize: 22.21 MB

Description: Kicking Back

Filesize: 22.21 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

Walter Beasley - I'm So Happy 1987

Urban Records URBX 14 DJ

Another wonderful piece of jazz based Soul from the heart of the UK Rare Groove scene. Jump On It is a Lionel Job produced instrumental by saxophonist Walter Beasley. It sits nicely alongside 3 mixes of I'm So Happy, produced by Job & Beasley. Walter Beasley’s musical journey began in the early 1970s in his hometown of el Centro, California. When his aunt gave him his first Grover Washington, Jr. record at age nine. By his early teens, Beasley was playing saxophone in various bands around Southern California. One of the top five best-selling African-American saxophonists in the world since the late 90’s, Beasley has performed with contemporary jazz and R&B icons Brian McKnight, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Norman Brown, George Howard, Art Porter, Stephanie Mills, Vanessa Williams and Rachelle Ferrell.

Considered by most as “the heir to Grover Washington Jr.’s throne,” the Boston-based musician has been one of the ten highest selling saxmen in the world since 1998 while working as a full professor of music at The Berklee School of Music, where he began teaching in the mid-80s.

• I'm So Happy (12" Remix)
• I'm So Happy (Dub)
• I'm So Happy (7" Version)
• Jump On It

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Walter Beasley.rar Filesize: 30.64 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

Pennye Ford - Dangerous 1985

Total Experience Records FT 49976

Penny (with or without an 'e') Ford's musical roots run deep, daughter of record exec. Gene Redd Sr. (King Records) and singer Carolyn Ford and sister of Sharon Redd ('Beat the Street'), She was exposed to a lot of music as a result of Dad's work with James Brown and Kool & the Gang. She got into music at five years old, when she started piano lessons and she eventually became an in-demand session vocalist. Ford can rightfully make claim to being "Ms. New Jill" before there was New Jack Swing. She signed with Total Experience Records, home of the Gap Band and can be heard on their hit single I Found My Baby. The New Jack sound owes a lot to the artists of Total Experience.

Ford debuted as a recording artist in her own right on the 1984 album Pennye, which yielded two R&B charters, Change Your Wicked Ways and the slammin' Dangerous (this 12" is a must for dance fans). With production by Jonah Ellis, Oliver Scott, Jimmy Hamilton and Maurice Hayes (Have Myself a Good Time), and Yarborough & Peoples (Don't Stop the Music) Pennye was loaded with sassy soulfulness and is a good precursor of the new jack sound. Remix duty is carried out by Lonnie Simmons, the legendary Total Experience producer that made the Gap Band a success.

Ed Hogan, All Music Guide

• Dangerous (Remix)
• Change Your Wicked Ways (Remix No. 1)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pennye Ford.rar Filesize: 40.86 MB

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