Loose Ends - Don't Be A Fool 1990

Ten Records TENX312


Well, this one's for 'Our Kymba' and I certainly don't need to tell you about this, do I. What, I do? Oh..... OK then?

Loose Ends formed in London in 1980, initially comprising vocalist and guitarist Carl McIntosh, vocalist Jane Eugene, and keyboard player, writer and founder Steve Nichol. The latter two left the group in 1989, bringing an end to a legend.

In 1990 McIntosh wanted to move forward, leading the way for the 90's. Eugene and Nichol decided to leave, and were replaced by Linda Carriere and Sunay Suleyman. Look How Long was the only studio album released by this line up, and featured this, their final hit single, Don't Be A Fool.

While the rest of the music world was sticking Whoo and Yeah samples into everything from Bananarama to Timmy Mallet, Carl McIntosh utilised the technology in a far more classy and soulful way. The awesome bubbly bass line works it's magic on the feet while Carriere voice weaves into your consciousness. Five minutes and fifty seconds of highly infectious groove, Resistance is futile, dance mutha!

On the flip the Instrumental is worth checking out. There's more to this than just a plain backing track. It has a life of it's own. Let's Wax A Fatty, on the other hand, is a strange affair.

"Buy this record! You heard me..."

It's an advert? Fair enough, it's an advert with a bitchin' groove but I think it's a shame that such a good backing track gone to waste.

McIntosh himself went on to work behind the recording desk following the group's peak popularity, he has produced and remixed for many artists, most notably Caron Wheeler.

• Don't Be A Fool (Extended Version)
• Don't Be A Fool (Instrumental)
• Let's Wax A Fatty

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Loose Ends.rar Filesize: 31.32 MB

D'Angelo - Lady 1996

Cooltempo Records 7243 8 82914 2

OK Family, major props to the lovely Kymba who has provided not only both parts of this 2 CD release but also, all of the artwork, scanned full size so all the dodgy small print can be read. Great work Honey, looking forward to the YD 12".

The Brown Sugar album finally got some recognition when Lady made the charts a year later in 1996. Although Cruisin' and Brown Sugar were superb releases, Lady was always lauded as a great album track, way before it's single release.

The first CD features a superb Live rendition which proves that D'Angelo is no studio creation. The musicians and backing are all top notch (assuming the band is live too, of course). Track 3 is subtitled Just Tha Beat Mix and features a rap from AZ. It is a straight up street mix. For a short while in the early 90's, this sparse production style was referred to as Drum & Bass, anyone else remember that?

The last track on this CD is what the fuss is about really, Carl McIntosh, no relation to CJ, provides his own remix of Cruisin' and a great job he makes of it. This would have been an essential track had the Wet Mix wasn't already perfect. It doesn't matter though because, what the Wet Mix does in the bedroom, this will do on the dancefloor. Try not to get arrested guys.

• CJ Mackintosh Radio Edit
• Live Version
• Just Tha Beat Mix
• Cruisin' (Carl McIntosh Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: D'Angelo - Lady (CD1).rar Filesize: 26.71 MB



Cooltempo Records 7243 8 82913 2 3

The second part of the single release features the full length CJ Mackintosh Mix but also has the Radio Edit which always annoys me. Why put the edit on both releases? For those who are unaware of the UK's ridiculous guidelines, a single release was only allowed to have a certain amount of minutes on it otherwise it would not be counted for chart inclusion. To further complicate matters the release was only allowed to be made in three (I think?) formats. This was a serious problem for awhile (pre-CD ghettoblasters) because, the emergence of CD Single made the format choice awkward. The 7", the 12", the Cassette Single & the CDS were all important for a few years. The missing format could affect sales and kill a release. By the mid 90's though, it was all a marketing ploy to enable the record companies to bleed the record buying public dry.

The Clean Street Version is remixed by DJ Premier and features a rap from AZ. Premier is not credited on the Just Tha Beat Mix which is strange because that what this is, with a bit of extra production. I think maybe he laid a bit of extra atmosphere over it and they added him to the credits, his name pulled in extra sales. The mix works though, so who cares.

Track 3 is remixed by 2B3 who had a quirky style that was popular for a couple of years. Anybody know what happened to them? The Shake Dat Ass Mix works for me but it takes a bit of getting used to.

• CJ Mackintosh Radio Edit
• Clean Street Version
• 2B3 Shake Dat Ass Mix
• Album Version
• CJ Mackintosh Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: D'Angelo - Lady (CD2).rar Filesize: 32.58 MB

Lady
(Wiggins, Rapael, Archer & Michael)

You're my lady
You're my lady
You're my lady
You're my lady

Don't think I don't see them looking at ya
All of them wishing they could have ya
And as a matter of fact, uh
A bunch of them are itchin'for you to scratch'em
I'm tired of hiding what we feel
I'm trying to get with the real
And I'm-a gonna make it known
'Cause I want them to know

[CHORUS]

You're my little baby, my darling baby
I swear you're the talk of the town
And everybody wants to know what's going down
Babe, I know they've seen us before
Maybe at the liquor store, or maybe at the health food stand
They don't know that I'm your man

[CHORUS]

I can tell they're looking at us
I pick you up everyday from your job
And every guy in the parking lot wants to rob me of my girl
And my heart and soul, and everybody wants to treat me so cold
But I know I love you and you love me
There's no other lover for you or me
You're my lady

[BRIDGE (AD LIB)]

You're my lady
My divine lady
You're my lady
Such a wonderful lady
I can tell they're looking at us.

A great post and maximum respect to Kymba for making it possible.

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

Wop Bop - Something Special 1991

Ten Records TENX 375 DJ

Wop Bop Torledo are Maryanne Morgan and Gary Stoner. Morgan provides Keyboards & Vocals while Stoner plays Bass, Guitar & Drum Programming, Both write, produce and arrange. Other musicians involved on their album include Michael Ruff (Keyboards), Jess Bailey (Keyboards), Gary Barnacle (Saxophone), Chris "Snake" Davies (Saxophone), Ron Asprey (Saxophone), John Thirkell (Trumpet), Louis Jardim (Percussion) and Mick Talbot (Style Council) plays Piano on Kissaway. The self titled album, Wop Bop Torledo, produced and engineered by Curtis Schwartz, was released in 1990 on Atlantic Records as was the original Kissaway 12" and previous releases. Something Special is released under Wop Bop. Still Something Special is included on the album and Kissaway is included on this 12". I suspect the 12" A - part of the remix title refers to the original Kissaway 12" placing. You can see from this here White Label Promo, that my information is zero?

Something Special is remixed by Carl McIntosh of Loose Ends fame and his Bubbler Extended Version is easily the better mix. The Kissaway (Soulamuffin Mix) was crafted by Femi Fem of the Young Disciples and is definitely the track that makes this release worth having. The Accapella Mix of Something Special may come in handy for the mixes though. Enjoy Nitro. ;-)

• Something Special (Carl McIntosh Bubbler Extended Version)
• Something Special (Wop Bop Extended Version)
• Kissaway(12" A-Soulamuffin Mix)
• Something Special (Accapella Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Wop Bop.rar Filesize: 32.23 MB

Danny Madden - Facts Of Life 1990

WEA Records YZ473T

Danny Madden has worked with the Basement Boys on Ultra Naté's early work, and he was the background singer and vocal arranger on many of the Def Mix productions.




This track was produced by Danny and Carl McIntosh (Loose Ends) with some Dancin' Danny D remix activity. Is it soulful I hear you ask. Look at the cover, see how it pays homage to Marvin, with this kind of pedigree you don't need to ask, just check the acappella and stop worrying.

There was also an album 'These Are The Facts Of Life' but I never got to hear it. This track was featured in the Mario Van Peebles' movie "New Jack City". It's a beautiful thing people!

• Dancin' Danny D's Accapella Intro Edit
• Instrumental
• Dancin' Danny D's 12" Mix
• Accapella

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Danny Madden.rar Filesize: 34.05 MB

Loose Ends - Magic Touch 1985

Virgin Records VS761 13

Not much to see on this one but that just adds to the audio sensation, less to detract. This white label (OK, mauve label then) came from nowhere and spread like chinese whispers for a short time. The only info is on the sticker, the serial stamped in the run out on both sides with A-1 & B-1 to tell them apart.

The reason for this Virgin Promo is the addition of the legendary Roy Ayers playing vibraphone on Loose Ends latest single (at the time, of course) and although they have noted that his appearance is courtesy of CBS Records, they then go and spell his name wrong. The 'Vibes Version' is even more beautiful than the classic original and for the Roy Ayers fans, the B-side is an instrumental.

• Magic Touch Vibes Version
• Magic Touch Vibes Instrumental

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Loose Ends Vibes.rar Filesize: 19.9 MB

Loose Ends - Tell Me What You Want 1984

Virgin Records VS 658-12

The fourth release by Loose Ends was the first release from their first album 'A Little Spice' and it was also the first of their releases to make an impact on the UK Chart. In late February 1984 it entered at #74 and the next week it was gone. This however, as we all know, has no bearing on the quality of the music, despite the fact that Loose Ends would spend quite a bit of time in said chart for the next decade. 'Tell Me What You Want' is a superb bit of bouncy Brit Funk that has Jazz Funk influences all over it. It is also very representative of Loose Ends and is a shining example of what they would become. Class!

• Extended Version
• Extended Dub Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Loose Ends - Tell Me.rar Filesize: 21.25 MB

Loose Ends - Choose Me (Rescue Me) 1984

Virgin Records VS 697-12






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Released in 1984, this Nick Martinelli production was available in a Limited Edition Double Pack. Choose Me is a beautiful piece of 80's Brit Soul that should be in every serious soul collection. The second 12" (same serial no but -C and D carved in the run out) features the essential In The Sky (Remix) backed with the not so essential, Mastermind Turntable Mix.

• Choose Me (Rescue Me) (Extended Remix)
• Choose Me (Rescue Me) (Dub Mix)
• In The Sky (Remix)
• Mastermind Turntable Mix: Features Tell Me What You Want & Emergency (Dial 999) mixed by Mastermind.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Loose Ends - Choose Me.rar Filesize: 40.45 MB