52nd Street - I Can't Let You Go 1986

Ten Records TEN D 114-12

In 1986 52nd Street released the sublime I Can't Let You Go in it's Extended format. The Nick Martinelli production is first class, as always, and Diane Charlemagne's exquisite voice does the track proud. The Jazz Version on the flip is simply an instrumental but still a great addition because the music on this release is so good on its own. It is slightly marred by an early fade out, I personally would have used the extended instrumental but that is just me being picky. This is a beautiful piece of music people, have no doubt BUT I didn't know that when I purchased this 12"?

52nd Street were initially on Factory records and consisted of Beverly McDonald, Derek Johnson, John Dennison, Tony Henry & Tony Thompson. There was much array and disorganisation and the band fell apart. Diane Charlemagne joined in late '84 and they signed to Virgin Records and were handed over to Martinelli at Watchout for production. Charlemagne, even in 1984, was one of the strongest female soul voices in the UK.

"Diane Charlemagne is one of those rare sparkling talents to stem from the great British Isles. Her voice has been described as a soulful, sensual, swooping energy to flow through an eclectic collection of music. Her songwriting claims an innocent beauty with her use of pseudonyms.

Her roots began in Manchester's Moss Side in the early 80s scene. Starting off in a battle of the bands scenario Diane soon became an associated member of legendary R'n'B group 52nd Street. Picked up by Factory Records (New Order) and later managed by ex wife of legendary Tony Wilson (Hacienda), Diane continued her early successes with the band to include 'Tell Me How It Feels' which went on to tear up the US Billboard Charts reaching number 15."
Diane Charlemagne

In 1985, this awesome bass and beats groove thundered through speakers across the UK and Tell Me (How It Feels) had arrived. The superb Extended version just rumbles and sweeps through your speakers. Sitting here listening while I type, Diane's vocals are sending shivers down my spine, although I guess I could try turning the heating on?

On the flip we find the fantastic M+M Style remix of Tell Me which takes everything that is great about this track and manages to distill it into under four minutes without leaving the listener feeling cheated. It also has a great accapella intro and outro. Two excellent mixes of one of the best tunes to come out of the 80's Groove UK scene.

Yes Sir, this was a great double pack!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 52nd Street.rar File size: 58.4 MB






Trivia:

Diane Charlemagne went on to sing vocals on many projects in the 90's. She is the voice on Nomad Soul's Candy Mountain and Goldie's Inner City Life.

Derek Johnson went on to produce and write on Caron Wheeler's albums.

Nomad Soul - Candy Mountain 1991

Island Records CID 505

Diane Charlemagne is one of those rare UK sparkling talents. Her voice has been described as a soulful, sensual, swooping energy to flow through an eclectic collection of music. Her songwriting claims an innocent beauty with her use of pseudonyms. Achieving stand-out in the musical genres of drum and bass, jazz, dance and pop cannot be claimed by many artists.

Diane has an exceptional flair for songwriting, and so it comes as no surprise the majority of the material she appears on has in fact been both arranged lyrically and melodically by herself. She writes carefully crafted lyrics and beautifully balanced melodies - often shaded by the twinkling stars of leading artists.

Her roots began in Manchester's Moss Side in the early 80s scene. Starting off in a battle of the bands scenario Diane soon became an associated member of legendary R'n'B group 52nd Street. Diane continued her early successes with the band to include Tell Me How It Feels (coming soon) which went on to tear up the US Billboard Charts reaching number 15.

The early nineties saw Diane working with Howie B and Dobie (Soul II Soul), Howie B & Dobie were offered a deal with Island Records. Along with Charlemagne they, allegedly, recorded an album as Nomad Soul. After only one single, Candy Mountain, Dobie apparently left because he wasn't happy with where things were heading.

I was also under the impression she was the vocalist with Cool Down Zone but she doesn't record it in her discography? Then came the monumental breakthrough of Inner City Life by Goldie.

The mid Nineties engaged Diane's voice with Urban Cookie Collective, releases include The Key, The Secret. Since then Charlemagne has progressed on the dance scene and moved into house and garage. Working and writing with artists such as K-Klass, Satoshi Tomiie, Mutiny UK, Santos and Judge Jules, prior to being invited to tour as a singer with Moby. Touring for over 3 years, Diane gained worldwide recognition.

Recent years have seen the soulful diva signed with Chrysalis Music and continuing to work with respected acts such as, collaborations with London Electricity, 2020Soundsystem and Prayer Box. Diane was part of The Gospel Choir performance of Cry Of Innocence - the opera in respect of the tragic death of 19 year old Stephen Lawrence.

OK, so this is a request and I found it in the crates. The SIIS boys get a little quirky on this oddball leftfielder. Using that guitar sample that I know so well but can't put a name too, this avoids a pigeonhole by standing firmly astride the Jazz & Soul division. Hard to choose between the Radio Mix and the Nellee Hooper Mix but both work well.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Nomad Soul.rar Filesize: 27.31 MB

Cool Down Zone - Heaven Knows 1990

10 Records TEN X 309


1990 saw the arrival of Cool Down Zone featuring the gorgeous vocals of Charlemagne. At this time she wasn't getting a special mention. The Remix 12" has exactly the same B-Side and one track on the A-Side which is a Steve 'Disco Mix Club' Anderson remix that in no way competes with the original, therefore I've simply added the track.

• Heaven Knows
• Come Be My Lover
• I Always Seem To Cry

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: CDZ 1990 Heaven Knows.rar Filesize: 52.09 MB




Heaven Knows (Remix)
10 Records TEN X 309

• Heaven Knows (Remix)
• Come Be My Lover
• I Always Seem To Cry
  

Cool Down Zone - Lonely Hearts 1992

Maranza Recording Corporation SOBO5

The Cool Down Zone featuring Charlemagne first came to my attention via the gorgeous Heaven Knows (watch this space) released on 10 Records. Two years later this was released on an independent label, Maranza, which I guess means they didn't fare to well. Life sucks, I guess popular doesn't mean good?

My apologies for the 'eggs and bacon' on this one. I've tried to clean up as best I can without disturbing the original recording. You'll notice that despite there being four versions, only one is titled as a specific mix. A1 is credited as mixed by C.D.Z. and AA1 is titled the Uptown Mix but no credit (unless the names are the remixers?).

Trivia: The record is labeled 45RPM but plays at 33RPM.

• Mix 1
• Mix 2
• Uptown Mix
• Mix 4

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 1992 Lonely Hearts.rar Filesize: 30.62 MB