Beverley Knight - Made It Back 1999

Parlophone Records CDRHYTHS 18

Finally, the second of Alifunk's Beverley Knight's Made It Back CD singles. Released in April 1999, this was the first single taken from her re-packaged album. Made It Back '99 features a more commercial production provided by TNT and Mike Spencer, who introduce a sample of 's Good Times by Chic into the song. The Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards groove with its bitchin' bassline, has been used more times than a 2 Bit hooker but Boy, does it feel at home on this number. Not much left of the Soul Inside production of course, but what the hey, it still includes Redman & Specialist. I guess you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs?

The single became Knight's first top 20 single in the UK when it peaked at #19 upon its release. It was supported by a re-released version of Prodigal Sista, which contained this and two other remixed tracks. A new video was also created, but was not included on the CDS but I've included it here. As with the original, it uses the TNT 7" Mix which does not feature Redman. The Booker T Night Time Dub is typical 4x4 Garage fodder although it does retain much of the vocal.

• TNT Good Times 12" Mix
• TNT Good Times 7" Mix
• Booker T Night Time Dub
• Original Album Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Beverley Knight.rar Filesize: 58.6 MB

D'Angelo - Brown Sugar 1995

Cooltempo Records 12COOLDJ 307

D'Angelo was a breath of fresh air in 1995. Known to his Mum as Michael Eugene Archer, he was hailed as America's R&B Jesus. His first two studio albums, Brown Sugar and Voodoo, have both been held in high esteem by artists and listeners alike. Singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter D'Angelo is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities.

Brown Sugar (the album) was released in June of 1995. The album crept up on an unsuspecting public finally breaking with Lady in 1996. By that time the title track debut solo single from the debut solo album of the same name, and the follow up single, Cruisin', had both been played to death by the more discerning soulies in the know.

On this UK 12" it's between the Soul Inside 808 Mix and the Dime Bag Mix and as much as I want Carl McIntosh to be the best, I think the Dodge Soul Inside mix just takes it. I love Dodge City Productions but I expect a Loose Ends connection to be more soulful, either way there not much in it.

• Brown Sugar (Soul Inside 808 Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Dime Bag Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Dollar Bag Mix)
• Brown Sugar

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: D'Angelo 12.rar Filesize: 59.63 MB






Courtesy of Kymba and featuring an extra track but you still need the 12" for the Dime Bag Mix.

• Brown Sugar (Radio Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Soul Inside 808 Mix)
• Brown Sugar (Dollar Bag Mix)
• When We Get By
  

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: D'Angelo - Brown Sugar CDS.rar Filesize: 24.22 MB

Don-E - Fakin' The Funk 1995

4th & Broadway BRCD 290

After the hype, the success and the mistake, Don-E slipped away to produce his sophomore set. His return was greeted with a lot less fuss, many people have likely not heard of Changing Seasons, the album was certainly nowhere near as successful as Unbreakable. This was, I believe, the first single released before the album was released (but don't quote me) and Dodge from Dodge City Producctions was called in for remix duty. The Soul Inside Mix gives a different slant to what is already a fair track but it don't raise it to essential. It is still a release worth having though and a promise of better to come.

• Fakin' The Funk (Album Edit)
• Fakin' The Funk (Soul Inside Mix)
• Fakin' The Funk (Fakin' It Mix)
• Tonight

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Don-E FTF.rar Filesize: 31.23 MB

Master Wel - Henny-Penny-I-tis 1995

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 323

I bought this on the strength of the Dodge Remixes, Dodge City Productions rule. I also love Carla Cook's vocals. All in all, a nice bit of contemporary Acid Jazz. Now for the boring stuff.

Master Wel is an alias for the late Weldon Irvine (27/10/43 - 9/4/02) Known in Jazz and poetry circles simply as Weldon and within the world of Hip Hop as Master Wel, Irvine's skills as a musician and lyricist are well documented. With well over 500 compositions to his credit, he was the producer, arranger and conductor for many concerts, festival presentations, and staged musicals. He has worked with such Jazz notables as Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Stanley Turrentine, Bill Jacobs, with Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway, as well as with poets Louis Reyes Rivera, George Edward Tait, Rich Bartee and the Griot Trio, and with such Rappers and Spoken Word Artists as KRS-One, Grand Master Flash, Gang Starr, Big Daddy Kane, Ice Cube & Black Star, to name just a few.

As he became involved with Hip Hop, many of the rappers, including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip, sought him out as teacher and mentor. Irvine championed hip-hop from the beginning. He compares groundbreaking MC's such as Rakim to jazz titans like Charlie Parker.

"I've always been a big fan, just like any kid with gold teeth and pants hanging off his behind," he says. "The beats that these guys were producing blew my mind.... I've always accepted it as music."

Irvine was so inspired that he began rhyming himself. Using the name Master Wel, a reference to his aristocratic upbringing, he released 1997's Spoken Melodies (featuring Saul Williams and others) and 1999's The Price of Freedom featuring cameos by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip. Irvine honed his skills by hanging out with rappers half his age. He vividly remembered signing up for open mic nights and talent shows. Within earshot, people snickered, "Hey, grandpa's gonna rap." He persevered...

"I see the reaction of real hip-hop heads when they see me pick up the mic and start to rhyme. They're shocked that I'm doing it, but when they start bopping and responding to my call and response, that tells me I have the capabilities."

He gave piano lessons to Q-Tip and Common. "As these hip-hoppers get more proficient with jazz.... they are going to blow a lot of people's minds." he said. They'll be following in Irvine's footsteps.

"I often just sit and listen to him because he teaches truth. He's my mentor."

Q-Tip

"When I grow up, I want to be like Weldon."

Mos Def

• Soul Inside Mix
• Soul Walk Mix
• Single Version
• Soul Inside Instrumental
• Soul Walk Instrumental
• Jazz Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Master Wel.rar Filesize: 58.81 MB




Almost impossible to read, it says:

Track 1 contains portions of 'We Getting Down' and 'Walk The Walk' by Weldon Irvine. Lead vocal: Carla Cook. Backing Vocal: Hilda Aja Richbow & Walter Mason. Sax Solo: Roger Byam. Drum track: Harold 'Doo' West & Weldon Irvine. All other instruments by Weldon Irvine. Recorded and mixed at: Lis Rascals Studio. Tracks 1 & 2 Additional Production and Remix by: Dodge for Soul Inside Productions. Additional Keys: Rico 'Sick Note' Ellis. Mix Engineer: Paul Motion. Track 1 Bass: John Thompson.