Jodeci - Let's Go Through The Motions - (1993)

Uptown/MCA Records, UPTDM-54636

Jodeci were the heirs apparent to the New Jack throne vacated by the disbanding of Guy. A little tougher, perhaps. A little more street, definitely. A little more gospel tinged, too. They'd already enjoyed good success with their 1991 debut album, Forever My Lady, which more or less passed me by thanks to the awesomeness of Guy's The Future, released the same year, which stole all the limelight, as far as I was concerned... but that's another story (and another selection of posts).

However, forward on two years to '93 and Guy had gone their separate ways. Good timing then for Jodeci to drop their much harder, more "gangsta" 2nd album Diary Of A Mad Band, which (deservedly) blew up in a huge way. There were no filler tracks, save for Jodecidal Hotline, which was a skit anyway, and only three ballads, and then, a gradual slide into dirtier, and funkier territory with each track after that. It was a real tour de force.

The album served as a launching platform for such greats as Timbaland (who was an understudy of Devante), Missy Elliott (heard rapping on two of the tracks) and Ginuwine - they were all members of DeVante's Swing Mob team at this point.

And what do you know? Before the year was out, from H-Town to Kreuz, every R&B band and their dog were sounding like Jodeci.

That same year, Jodeci contributed an upbeat party jam to the excellent Who's The Man soundtrack album (I've still never seen that film, but I always loved Ed Lover and Dr Dre on "Yo! MTV Raps") called Let's Go Through the Motions. It wasn't one of their bigger hits, but remains a club smasher. It was a new track, not culled from Diary..., although later editions of that album would include Let's Go Through The Motions, and their cover of the Stevie Wonder classic Lately as extra tracks.

I love this track, hope you do too.

Enjoy!

- Kymba :)

• Let's Go Through the Motions (radio)
• Let's Go Through the Motions (instrumental)
• Let's Go Through the Motions (intro radio)

• Bonus - Let's Go Through the Motions (album version)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Let's Go Through The Motions.zip File size: 22.5 MB

PS - I've also included the original full-length track from the Who's The Man album, in addition to the three tracks on this CD single.

Marva Hicks - I Got You Where I Want 1991

Polydor Records WINCD 11

Marva Hicks was one of the Eighties Ladies, committed on plastic back in '81. Cutting her teeth as a gospel singer in Petersburg, Virginia, she later worked in theatre as an actress in Washington, D.C. After the Eighties Ladies split, she recorded 'Looking Over My Shoulder' for Infinity Records which folded. Marva wound up singing in Lena Horne's Broadway show which was how she met Stevie Wonder in London. She toured with him and sang background vocals on his 'Characters' album.

She signed with Polydor in the late '80's and released her debut album 'Marva Hicks' in 1991. 'I Got You Where I Want' was the first single from the album. A lovely shuffling, SIIS style beat over strings, with the Extended Club Mix sporting a nice acappella intro and a funky drummer breakdown. A beautiful slice of early nineties street soul.

• Seven Inch Version
• Extended Club Version
• Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Marva Hicks.rar Filesize: 20.68 MB

Howard Huntsberry - Sleepless Weekend 1988

MCA Records MCA-23856

Howard Stafford Huntsberry was the lead singer of the group Klique from '81 - '85 which included his sister Deborah Hunter and Isaac Suthers. He then went solo and produced two singles, one of which was Sleepless Weekend. Featuring exec. production from Louil Silas jnr. Steve Beltran involved in the remix and jazz session muso, Jeff Lorber on keys, this is a real 'Swing Yo Pants' New Jack bomb that never really got the exposure it deserved.

Howard is also a fair actor who starred as Jackie Wilson in the movie La Bamba. He obviously likes Jackie Wilson because he also performed Higher and Higher in Ghostbusters 2.

• Sleepless Weekend
• Sleepless Weekend (Radio Edit)
• Sleepless Weekend (Dub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Howard Huntsberry.rar Filesize: 37.18 MB

SWV - Anything 1994

RCA Records 74321-21221-2

With their 1992 debut, It's About Time, SWV scored a string of Top Ten R&B hits that established them as one of the most popular urban R&B groups of the '90s. SWV (Sisters With Voices) is comprised of three school friends:

Cheryl "Coko" Gamble-Clemons
Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George
Leanne "Lelee" Lyons

All three learnt their skills through singing in church as children. A demo tape caught the attention of Teddy Riley (Guy), who had already helped establish the careers of Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. SWV's album went double platinum within its first year of release.

Anything was their contribution to the OST for the movie Above the Rim and became a Top Ten R&B hit in the spring of 1994. The Old Skool Mix features members of Wu Tang Clan.

• Old Skool Mix
• Album Mix
• Old Skool Party Mix
• Album Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: SWV Anything.rar Filesize: 31.38 MB

After 7 - Can't Stop 1990

Virgin Records America VUST 31

Originating from Indiana in 1988, After 7 have LA Face roots with Kevon and Melvin Edmonds, who are brothers of Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds and Keith Mitchell, who is Antonio 'L.A.' Reid's cousin. They were huge in the US, very polished and soulful, with great vocal range. They were not as well known in the UK but still managed to make a dent.

Can't Stop was probably their most successful release, produced and mixed by L.A. & Face but here remixed by Tim Lever & Mike Percy for One World Productions. Lever and Percy originated in the British pop group Dead Or Alive but managed to later garner credibility as a production team on the UK soul scene between '89-'94. After working with some of the UK's finest soul talent they then returned to their roots writing and producing for acts such as S Club 7 under the name of Steelworks. Strange but true?

• One World 12"
• L.A.'s 7" Edit
• One World Instrumental
• Clap-A-Pella

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: After 7.rar Filesize: 38.83 MB

Chuckii Booker - Turned Away 1989

Atlantic Records DMD 1316


Singer, songwriter and musician, Chuckii Booker was signed by Barry White in 1984, He played keys with the group Tease before going solo. This track was the first single taken from his first album CHUCKII, produced by Mr. Booker himself for Big Dog Productions and remixed by Ray Burbidge.

After two albums he moved into production and musical direction. Amongst many others, he has been heavily involved with musical arrangement for Janet Jackson, TLC, New Edition, Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige. He has produced many reknowned artists including Lalah Hathaway, Angela Winbush & Anastacia.

• Radio Mix
• Edit
• Dub Version
• Extended Version
• Instrumental
• Acapella Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Chuckii Booker.rar Filesize: 53.5 MB

Rainy Davis - Sweetheart 1987

Columbia Records AL 40635

• Sweetheart
• 4-Ever
• Love-At-Last
• Still Waiting
• Lowdown So & So
• Kiss & Make Up
• Come Back
• Do-U-Remember
• Sweetheart (Reprise)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Rainy Davis.rar Filesize: 80.62 MB