Incognito - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - (1992)

Talkin Loud, TALKCD 21

The sun is shining here in North London, so I thought I'd post something with a Summery vibe to match the weather outside.

What better, then, than a Talkin Loud track? One that's a remake of a Stevie Wonder classic?

I'm a huge Stevie Wonder fan, I know most of his songs backwards, and can't get enough of his 70's period albums. That boy had the funk down to a T. I would normally consider anyone covering one of his songs as utter blasphemy, but Incognito did a brilliant job with this tune, and, dare I say it, made it a little more dance-friendly, with a more pronounced groove.

Just listening to it now takes me back to summers gone by where I had it on a playlist, along with various other acid jazz type tracks, playing loud during barbeque's with family and friends, the rosé wine flowing, the smell of cooking burgers and spliffs* being passed round...

I better stop now, as I'll be boring you.

There's a Frankie Foncett mix, as well as another track, a remix of Colibri, which sounds, for all the world, like a latin-tinged Roy Ayers/George Benson collaboration.

However, what you'll really want are the Edit and LP Versions (the LP Version being my personal pick). Essential summertime listening.

Enjoy the sun, y'all!

- Kymba :)

• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Edit)
• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (LP Version)
• Colibri (Remix)
• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Frankie Foncett Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing.zip File size: 27.8 MB

* can't do that now, my boyfriend's a cop and doesn't approve!

Incognito - Out Of The Storm 1996

Talkin' Loud Records TLCD 14

A good song by incognito with some great Def Mix remixes by David Morales who uses the full potential of the song on the Sleaze Mix with trademark piano & drums and some nice string arrangements. The Instrumental Mix is a great addition too. Carl Craig's 10 minute epic Planet E Mix however has left no trace of the song whatsoever but it has a great vibe about it with freestyle drums and a cool synth and heavy bassline, this is certainly more than just a remix. Turn on, tune in and chill out. Bluey's Club Mix is another fine jazzy dancer, as expected, that ties this selection up neatly.

• Morales Radio Edit
• Morales Sleaze Mix
• Morales Instrumental Mix
• C's Planet E Special Mix
• Bluey's Club Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Out Of The Storm CDS.rar Filesize: 56.61 MB

Pride 'n Politix - Hold On 1991

East West Records A8707T

Pride 'n Politix released an album Changes in 1991, written and performed by multi-talented Robyn Smith and vocalist Nikki Romillie (a.k.a. Colnel Red) along with saxophonist Carlton Romillie. The album was produced by Smith and overseen by Merlin Bobb & Sylvia Rhone, recorded in both London and LA and released on East West America and casting doubt on the groups origin. It's pretty damn good but didn't really get the recognition it deserved.

The opening track, Hold On was released as a single prior to the albums release and was handed to the Def Mix Production crew for remix treatment. David Morales turned out this splendid piece of work, engineered by John Poppo, which set tongues wagging on the club scene but possibly let the album down when it came out as a straight soul set. Either way, this release is most excellent. The LP Version gives an insight into the album but the Extended Remix transforms the track into something uplifting and totally awesome. The Bonus Mix is really just an Instrumental version of the remix.

• Extended Remix
• Bonus Mix
• LP Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pride N Politix.rar Filesize: 38.65 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

Paradise Orchestra - Colour Me 1991

Pulse 8 Records 12 LOSE 10

Italian DJ's and disco pioneers, Corrado Rizza and Gino 'Woody' Bianchi who set up Wax Productions with Dominico Scuteri, a very talented musician. Colour Me by Paradise Orchestra, one of the best Euro House tracks ever released, was their first creation, released by Alvaro Ugolini and Dario Raimondi's Rome label, X-Energy. The record charted (briefly thank God) in the UK on the highly credible Pulse 8 label establishing for them, an excellent reputation on the dance scene.

For my money, the 70's Classic Mix says it all but a song of this calibre works anyway you want it. The hook is in the string section and The Theme is like a Stringapella, listen and it will catch you like a box of fishing hooks. THIS is why it works and yet it sounds so simple?

• 70's Classic Mix
• The Theme
• Heavenly Mix
• Dominic Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Paradise Orchestra.rar Filesize: 30.33 MB

Culture Beat - (Cherrylips) Der Erdbeermund 1989

Epic Records 655633 2

Long before they recorded Mr Vain, (well, three years, that's a lifetime in the music world....) Culture Beat were way cool! We're still in the 2nd Summer Of Love and anything goes. Smiley is on everything, the 808 rules and Bass, Breaks & Bleeps are on the horizon. Suddenly, from Germany of all places, the most beautiful instrumental piece of music slips from my radio and reminds me that all is well with the world!

Culture Beat was formed in 1989 by Torsten Fenslau, who had been working as a deejay at the Frankfurt nightclub Dorian Gray. His first single, the ambient house track Der Erdbeermund, with a spoken vocal in German by Jo van Nelson, peaked at number 11 in the German singles chart. It was also released in English and French titled Cherry Lips & Les Lèvres Cerises. The Instrumental Magic version was a club hit in the UK.

• Instrumental Magic
• Get Into Magic Vocal Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Culture Beat.rar Filesize: 42.54 MB

Du, Du, ich bin so wild nach Deinem Erdbeermund
Ich schrie mir schon die Lungen wund
Nach Deinem Leib - Du Weib

Im Klee da hat der Mai ein Bett gemacht
Da blüht ein süsser Zeitvertreib
Mit Deinem Leib - Die lange Nacht
Da will ich sein im tiefen Tal
Dein Nachtgebet und auch Dein Sterngemahl

Im tiefen Erdbeertal im schwarzen Haar
Da schlief ich manchen Sommer lang bei Dir
Und schlief doch nie zuviel
Komm - komm - komm her
Ich weiss ein schönes Spiel
Im dunklen Tal im Muschelgrund,

Ach, ach, ach Du, ach Du, Du
Ach ich bin so wild nach Deinem Erdbeermund

Ach, ach...
Die graue Welt macht keine Freude mehr
Ich gab den schönsten Sommer her
Und Dir hat's auch kein Glück gebracht nicht war
Hast nur den roten Mund noch aufgespart

Für mich, für mich, für mich,
So tief im Haar verwahrt
Ich such ihn schon die lange Nacht
Im Wintertal im Aschengrund
Ich bin so wild nach Deinem Erdbeermund

Im Wintertal im schwarzen Erdbeerkraut
Da hat der Schnee ein Nest gebaut
Und fragt nicht wo die Liebe sei
Ich habe doch das rote Tier so tief erfahren
Als ich bei Dir schlief
Ach oh wär der Winter erst vorbei
Und wieder grün der Wiesengrund

Und Du, Du ach Du
Ich bin so wild nach Deinem Erdbeermund

McKoy - Family 1994

RighTrack Records CD TUM 8

1990-92 was busy timer for Noel McKoy. At the same time as he fronted the acid jazz cult band The James Taylor Quartet, he also had some success with Snowboy (doing a cover of Leroy Hudson's Lucky Fellow and Leo's Sunship's Give Me The Sunshine) and his family as McKoy. The album 'Full Circle - Within A Spiritual Social Soul' was released in 1993 (If you like this then you need a copy) and that prompted a re-release of the highly rated but underexposed Family.

The Original Version is a beautiful slice of soul but this release called in Ray Hayden of Opaz Studios. Hayden, knowing a good song when he hears one, done the right thing and left it virtually as it was but in true Opaz style, he gives it a great big helping of schmoove. You can't fault this guy, he's a master. Walter Turbitt turns out a short but sweet Live Band Mix which is a joy to hear. Personally, I'm not keen on the Gussie P. Reggae Mix but different strokes and all that?

• Ray Hayden's Extended Mix
• Original Version
• Gussie P. Reggae Mix
• Live Band Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: McKoy - Family.rar Filesize: 27.18 MB

'For those who know Soul is what you feel not what you hear.'

Noel McKoy

McKoy - Fight 1993

RighTrack Records CD TUM 1

McKoy features Noel McKoy on lead vocals with Junette, Cornelle and Robin McKoy on backing vocals. Noel is one of the unsung heros of British Soulmusic. Not just a singer, not just a songwriter, but also someone striving to promote new artists. He has performed with several U.K. acts including Nu Colours, The Pasadena's, the James Taylor Quartet, Snowboy, Sounds of Blackness, Steve Williamson and Linton 'Kwesi' Johnson. Noel came to prominence in 1989 when McKoy (the collective) released the songs I'm Lucky and Family.

The next single, Fight, almost broke through. It was successful enough to get a release on a major label. This release, on his own Rightrack Records, features the Original Mix, produced by Noel McKoy and remixed by Henry Holder, the most soulful version by far although it is jazzy. The City Lick Mix by Dodge & IG Culture for City Lick Productions (as opposed to Dodge City Productions), features Steffan Brown on Bass, Henry Holder, this time on Keyboards and it's engineered by Leo Grant and Giles Robinson. It's the version with the most balls and although it's into hip-hop territory it should not be missed. Paul Gotel's Belvedere Mix, I initially ignored thinking it would be some kind of trancey dance job. Big mistake, it's another soulful R&B mix with a good feel. All good people, it's all good.

• 7" Mix
• City Lick Mix
• Paul Gotel Belvedere Mix
• Original Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: McKoy - Fight.rar Filesize: 31.21 MB

Tony! Toni! Toné! - The Blues 1990

Wing Records WINCD 8

Tony! Toni! Toné! helped to take New Jack Swing to the masses. This R'n'B outfit from Oakland, California emerged in the late 1980s. Dwayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Wiggins (a.k.a. Raphael Saadiq) on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy Christian on drums.

The Revival was released in 1990 and this sophomore set hit platinum. The album spawned several #1 R&B hits with It Never Rains In Southern California, Feels Good, The Blues. Feels Good was their first Top 10 hit. The Greezy Drums Mix is mixed by Ken 'Dr. Shaft' Kessie 1418 (I have no idea but that's what it says on the bloody cover!). Their name is said to be a play on Tora! Tora! Tora! but why Tony?

• The Blues (The Mix)
• Jo Jo
• The Blues (Greezy Drums Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Tonies Blues.rar Filesize: 23.17 MB

Lance Ellington - Love Scared 1990

A&M Records AMY 585

The son of English bandleader Ray Ellington, Lance has been a successful session vocalist working with many of the big names, including Al Green, Johnny Gill and Tina Turner. Although his own 1990 album, Pleasure And Pain, didn't create waves on either side of the Atlantic, those in the know valued the 12" dancefloor mixes with good reason.

Treat Me Right was remixed by Def Mix Productions but it's predecessor remained in-house. In fact, Love Scared is the album track, referred to on the sticker as Love Scared Part I, the rest of this 12" comprises new recordings, untouched by Flyte Tyme and remixed by Lance himself. Going by the wordy title of, Love Scared Part II (Let's Talk It Over), this knocks spots off of Part I. Losing the sugarey 80's dance of the Steve Hodge production, this track features one seriously bad-ass bassline. The Original and the Mellow Version are both killer dancefloor tracks whilst the Piano Version is an off-kilter, leftfield jazz track.

• Love Scared
• Love Scared PT II (Let's Talk It Over)
• Love Scared PT II (Mellow Version)
• Love Scared PT II (Piano Version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Lance Ellington.rar Filesize: 37.29 MB

Gene Rice - You're A Victim 1991

RCA Records GENE 2


Another Bob Jones masterpiece, check the flipside 'Surgery Mix' and note the small print. Roy Hayden, I think not ladies & gentlemen. Mr. Ray Hayden from Opaz Records once again!

• You're A Victim (Sound Of Urban London Mix)
• You're A Victim (Surgery 12" Mix)
• Love Is Calling You

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Gene Rice.rar Filesize: 25.66 MB

gmt - Feel So Good 1992

MCA Records MCSTD 1674

This strange bit of easy listening muzak got commissioned for the mighty Bob Jones remix treatment. Trust me, that (and the nice cover art by Robert Longo) is the only reason it's here. For contrast, try listening to the GMT 12" before playing the Bob Jones 12". The erratic and meaningless instrumentation and the ineffectual (unknown) vocal are, at the least, lacklustre. Doctor Bob weaves his magic and turns this sugar sweet vocal into a breath of fresh air. It's not a must have but it does make a nice change in your playlist.

• 7" Version
• Q 12"
• Bob Jones 12"
• GMT 12"
• Bob Jones 12" Instrumental
  

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: gmt 1992.rar Filesize: 37.47 MB

Lance Ellington - Treat Me Right 1990

A&M Records USAT 683

The opening track from his 1990 debut album Pleasure and Pain, this is Lance Ellington. Lance is British but the album was produced by Steve Hodge at Flyte Tyme Studios.

This 12" features remixes by Def Mix Productions' David Morales who, I believe, at this time was still Frankie Knuckles protégè.

• Club Mix
• The Right Dub
• 7" Radio Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Treat Me Right.rar Filesize: 34.87 MB

The Underground Crew - Feel The Melody 1990

Clubhouse Records CHR 104

Novelty value I guess but I love it. This one from Da Posse, K. Fingers & Hula (Craig Simpkins and Lamar Mahone to their Mums), will have your neighbours convinced you are The Stud, the Missus beating you with a big stick and the kids thinking you're a perv. It's worth it though. Feel The Melody and Orgasm are slow starters that then turn into four on the floor house'rs, tink Lil Louis 'French Kiss' with a filthy mouth and a girlfriend called Lassie. Feel The Melody (Slow Mix) is the way to go (Pinky solo), Slow Mix if you fancy menage a trois. Nasty Mix is absolute garbage but then one of them had to be?

Despite appearances, this is 5 versions of the same song. It's a nice bit of music with an excited female groaning over it and a guy talking dirty to her. Apologies for the crackles and grind but it's a poor pressing with limited availability. Funny enough, the run out is inscribed "Session Masters MJR", someone was obviously having a laugh. I took it back and was offered my cash back but chose to keep the platter with first dibs on the next one in. The shop no longer exists but I'm still first on the list.

• Feel The Melody (Slow Mix)
• Feel The Melody
• Orgasm
• Nasty Mix
• Slow Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Underground Crew.rar Filesize: 52.06 MB