Skalpel - Polish Jazz EP (1999 promo CD-R)

No need to introduce Skalpel, the polish DJ couple that helped Ninja Tune to maintain the rest of the real Ninja sound with their 3 albums of dark breaks and samples from Polskie Nagrania series Polish Jazz, obscure to the world outside Poland until then. I'm not sure about the dating, Discogs say 2000, the felt tip on the disc says 1999. Given to me in May 2000 by DJ Vadim's tour manager, he had a box full of them, so it's no surprise that one of those found its way on Ninja Tune's A&R desk. I've added my favourite Sculpture videoclip for your viewing pleasure.

mp3 I 320kbps I 21 minutes I 49mb I link in comments

Jamie Myerson - The Lonely World EP (1997 Sm:)e Communications)

Jamie Myerson released this double-sided single on Arista owned electronic label Sm:)e Communications in 1997. I found it while I was digging for his second album Sky City Lift Me Up (not mentioned on Discogs, wow!), recorded after his departure from Columbia. Contains four tracks of smooth drum'n'bass and breakbeats acceptable at any time.

mp3 I 320kbps I 23 minutes I 52mb I link in comments

Dadamnphreaknoizphunk - Volume 2 EP (1997 Harthouse)

You see, Dadamnphreaknoizphunk started as a downtempo side project of acid techno freaks Oliver Bondzio and Ramon Zenker AKA Hardfloor. That's why the first results sound like Hardfloor track played on wrong speed. Can someone shift the pitch back please?

mp3 I 320kbps I 34 minutes I 78mb I link in comments

The Starseeds - Timequakes EP (1997 Millennium Records)

When I was writing a text for The Starseeds second album There Is Enough For Everyone, I simply couldn't resist to browse into their past for this great remix EP of their trancey jazzy song Timequakes. I remember once driving in the dark through falling autumn leaves with my friend Adam while Timequakes was booming from the car stereo. Man, we were so high we felt like flying through space.

mp3 I 320kbps I 25 minutes I 57mb I link in comments

St Germain-en-Laye - Mezzotinto EP (1994 F Communication)

Let's conclude the last days' inches galore with this batch of titles I couldn't find a good companion for. St Germain-en-Laye is of course Ludovic Navarre AKA St Germain and Mezzotinto EP is his first F Com release from 1994. Those who know his unforgettable debut album Boulevard will surely feel its roots in those six fine tracks with storming big band drums, nasty TB basslines and strong vocal samples.

mp3 I 320kbps I 29 minutes I 66mb I link in comments

Dreadzone - Captain Dread EP (1995 Virgin)

Second Light, the second and commercially most successful album of Dread Zone (now Dreadzone and on Virgin), gave birth to five singles, Captain Dread being the most dancefloor oriented. This remix EP contains 4 different versions by a band's friend Mark Stephen Davies AKA Pylon King and one by X-Press 2 (that Ashley Beedle again).

mp3 I 320kbps I 30 minutes I 70mb I link in comments

Renegade Soundwave - Positive Dub Mixes (1995 Mute)

Back in 1988, Renegade Soundwave didn't appear to be more than just another grebo crew doomed to perrish after first album. Somehow they persisted that period and became an icon of british club sound, call it house, big beat, dancehall or whatever you like. This remix EP contains six versions of the single Positive ID from their second eponymous album. Three of them produced RSW themselves (Positive Mindscape was also released on their final release The Next Chapter Of Dub), two were treated by Ashley Beedle, who delivered really laid-back versions, and one by french producer Bertrand Burgalat.

mp3 I 320kbps I 31 minutes I 72mb I link in comments

African Head Charge - Touch I EP (1994 On-U Sound)

Let's continue the short-players excursion, today in a rub-a-dub style. We've already had African Head Charge on Acid Jazz, so let's start with their full blooded On-U Sound release. This EP followed their seventh (and IMHO their best) On-U Sound album In Pursuit Of Shashamane Land and contains relaxed remix of Somebody Touch I, two extra tracks and, as a surprise, remixed version of Hymn from their 1990 album Songs Of Praise. No cover art again, please don't complain. If there will be some donations, I promise I'll consider buying a scanner again.

mp3 I 320kbps I 24 minutes I 57mb I link in comments

Neneh Chérie - Remixes (100% French Mixes) EP (1997 Delabel)

This 7-track french remix collection followed the success of the classic album Man by Neneh Chérie, oops, Cherry. Contains (as anticipated) good versions by Air, Doctor L and La Funk Mob, as well as some weak house and dance remixes by Christophe Monier and Emmanuel Top. As it seems, it was released in fancy foil pack, while my promo copy came in plane paper sleeve.
mp3 I 320kbps I 41 minutes I 95mb I link in comments

Llorca - The End EP (1999 F Communications)

This EP by another great F Com artist Ludovic Llorca followed the success of Little Computer People EP and contains the downtempo hit The End and jazzy house track Lemonade, both in two versions.

mp3 I 320kbps I 26 minutes I 59mb I link in comments

Alexkid - Castlesmadeofsand Volume 2 EP (1998 F Communication)

Alexkid was always my fav F Com artists and I'm sorry not to have more of his pre-Bienvenida EPs. Castlesmadeofsand contains three great tracks ranging from atmospheric disco house to chilled drum'n'bass. No remixes though.

mp3 I 320kbps I 26 minutes I 61mb I link in comments

Alex Gopher - Gordini Mix EP (1997 Disques Solid)

Do you remember those Gordini-tuned Renaults, all blue with a white stripe? Oh how I wished to have one when I was 10. This great remix EP brings the title track by Alex Gopher tuned by Daphreephunkateerz, Air, Bang Bang, Etienne De Crécy and less known Mr. Learn and Extra Lucid. Pedal to the metal!

mp3 I 320kbps I 33 minutes I 139mb I link in comments

Air - Casanova 70 EP (1996 Source Lab)

Another evening of short-players ahead, this time in a French manner. Casanova 70 was the second EP by brilliant duo Air. Contains the tracks Casanova 70 and Les Professionnels already known to you from Premiers Symptômes collection, accompanied by two bouncy remixes by Brendan Lynch. Nice collector's item, just for the cover art.

mp3 I 320kbps I 22 minutes I 51mb I link in comments

Hefner - An Evening With Hefner EP (1998 Inertia)

On his second platter Hefner delivers three tracks of smart breakbeats, upright bass and sampled epic strings. Listen to it at least twice because. this guy can be a complicated fellow. This crisp vinyl rip was donated by kind reader whose name I cannot recall because I've deleted it while cleaning old unpublished posts. Named, tagged and cover added by me. If you're reading this, stand up and take your credit.

And once again: If anybody has the two volumes of Sounds Like Inertia label compilation or Victor Malloy's debut album The Musings Of Monsieur Malloy (320 or lossless) please share with us. Thanks.

mp3 I 320kbps I 18 minutes I 42mb I link in comments

Mr. Scruff - Large Pies EP (1997 Cup Of Tea)

One of the first releases of my favourite beatmaker Andrew Carthy AKA Mr. Scruff confirms that years he had spent at studio mixing desks producing and remixing other artists were worth the wait. Large Pies has that characteristic minimalistic crunchy pre-Ninja sound similar to his self-released unnamed debut album (we may get to it later). For some reason the dicogs offer only white cover with black drawing (by Mr. Scruff himself of course) while my copy is black with white drawing.

mp3 I 320kbps I 28 minutes I 64mb I link in comments

Rockers Hi-Fi Meets Kruder & Dorfmeister - Going Under EP (1997 Different Drummer)

Rockers Hi-Fi and their label Different Drummer are my favourite sources of electronic dub breaks. Going Under comes from their last album Overproof and this EP contains nothing but three Kruder & Dorfmeister Sessions™. Twenty minutes of dark soundscapes and Farda P's suggestive narrative and you'll swear you'll never touch cocaine again.

mp3 I 320kbps I 20 minutes I 46mb I link in comments

Primal Scream - Jailbird EP (1994 Creation)

Time for some classic inches today. Jailbird was the third single from Primals' long awaited and then critically murdered fourth album Give Out But Don't Give Up and first to really catch up thanks to this great EP of remixes by The Dust Brothers, Kris Needs and The Sabres Of Paradise. While the first two gained Jailbird a place on every good big beat compilation, my fav is the slowly rising atmospheric organ in Andy Weatherall's stripped down Sweeney 2 remix. For fans of The Black Crows there's also the original version, for whatever reason..

mp3 I 320kbps I 38 minutes I 89mb I link in comments

Where were you in 9/11?

Where were you when JFK was shot? Where were you when man walked on the Moon? These were the questions of my parents' generation. The question of mine definitely is: Where were you in 9/11?
I remember clearly watching those CNN pictures with my friends, our slack-jawed faces in the blinking TV light. Being fairly trained by catastrophic movies of all kinds, we would accept the alien invasion rather than the picture of the Twins going down.
Sure, there were victims, thousands on that September morning and thousands more in wars that followed, righteous or not. But I'm writing this to commemorate one more victim, perhaps not bloody or cruel, but important nevertheless - the Nation Records.

VA ...And Still No Hits - The Story So Far (1997 Nation Records)

Back in the 90s, the world was a lovely place to be. People believed in multi-culti and exotic influences in music were always welcome. The success of Transglobal Underground helped to establish London's Nation Records as the major stable for Middle East inspired artists in the UK and worldwide. Although many of Nation artists had prety radical views, both political and religious (Asian Dub Foundation, Fun-Da-Mental), their music was the sound of any good tea room and coffee shop on both sides of Atlantic. However, after 9/11 the demand for anything from Middle East dropped drastically (except for oil, of course) and Nation Records experienced deep decline. Actually only two albums and two compilations were released after 2001.
...And Still No Hits is a 2CD compilation showcasing Nation Records at it's peak, a label with many commercially successful artists and great distribution deals. No matter if you're drum'n'bass, dub or techno fan, I'm sure you will find some tracks that will make you happy.

101 TransGlobal Underground-Temple Head
102 Natacha Atlas-Yalla Chant
103 Lunar Drive-Crying Looking For You
104 Xangbetos-Clicksong
105 Yam Yam-The Spectacle
106 TJ Rehmi-The Fusionist
107 Joi-E.S.Y. (Spring Heel Jack remix)
108 Asian Dub Foundation-Change a Gonna Come
109 Fun-Da-Mental-Dog Tribe
110 Prophets Of Da City-Muthaland Funk (Fun-Da-Mental mix)
111 Permanent Revolution-Cowboys and Indians (Logical mix)
112 Hustlers HC-Big Troubles in Little Asia
113 Schizoid Man-Break Voucher
114 Prophets Of Da City-Planet Capetown (Mitchells Plain mix)

201 TransGlobal Underground-International Times (Lionrock edit)
202 Natacha Atlas-Duden (Spooky Day Trip To Sousse)
203 Fun-Da-Mental-Race2War
204 Asian Dub Foundation-Jericho (Capa D.Dub)
205 Uzma-Yab Yum (Sabres Of Paradise Remix)
206 Phluide-Temple Of Hibiscus
207 Blue Bommer-Blue Bommer Dub
208 Loop Guru-Aphrodite's Shoe
209 Fun-Da-Mental-Mother India (Moody Boyz Strollin' Version)
210 Ambisonic-Helicopter Kinda Girl (Baby Fox To the End Of The Kingdom Mix)
211 TransGlobal Underground-Dopi
212 Natacha Atlas-Dub Yalil

mp3 I 320kbps I 147 minutes I 330mb I link in comments

Transglobal Underground - Interplanetary Meltdown (1995 Nation Records)

I've never been much of a fan to Transglobal Underground. Their crafty fusion of drum machine breaks, colourful soundscapes and vocals in exotic languages had little to do with real middle-eastern music. That's why I've picked this collection containing remixes of TGU hits by Lionrock, Dreadzone, Kris Needs, The Sabres Of Paradise, Drum Club, Youth as well as some TGU remixes and rarities.

mp3 I 320kbps I 75 minutes I 173mb I link in comments

Loop Guru - Duniya (The Intrinsic Passion Of Mysterious Joy) (1994 Nation Records)

Loop Guru were a crew led by world music expert Dave Muddyman. Duniya was their first album on Nation. While Loop Guru used the same creative process and resources as TGU, the results are much more convincing and their albums are pretty acceptable until today.

mp3 I 320kbps I 68 minutes I 157mb I link in comments

Natacha Atlas - Diaspora (1995 Nation Records)

The belgian singer Natacha Atlas was an important figure in the rise of Nation Records and her talent was often exploited by variety of non-Nation artists including Jah Wobble, Mick Karn, Jean-Michel Jarre, David Arnold, Danny Elfman, Nigel Kennedy, Nitin Sawhney and even Juno Reactor. The TGU-produced Diaspora was her first solo album and IMHO the best.

mp3 I 320kbps I 72 minutes I 165mb I link in comments

The Quiet Boys - Dazzle (1996 2 Kool) Ultra Edition (1998 Thin Air)

The Quiet Boys debuted with the gorgeous Can't Hold The Vibe on Acid Jazz in 1992, then Mick Talbot decided he's got better things to do (like recording another tiresome album with another ex-Counciler Steve White) and their second JAZID Bosh! wasn't half as good. For The Quiet Boys second coming on 2 Kool, Bangs picked young keyboard player Neil Cowley (later he played all the great keys on Zero 7 first album and I recommend his solo instrumental projects Pretz or Fragile State). Dazzle could have been an acid jazz classic - if it was released in 1993. In 1996 it was hardly more than cannon fodder for smooth jazz radios. This Ultra Edition was re-issued on Bangs' own label Thin Air in 1998 and "enhanced" with the drum'n'bass version of Everybody Loves The Sunshine and The 13th Sign bangin' remix of Bosh Tres Bien.

mp3 I 320kbps I 70 minutes I 161mb I link in comments

Yada Yada - Subculture (1996 2 Kool)

The roots of the first Yada Yada album Subculture are in sessions with Mick Talbot, recorded after their initial project The Quiet Boys finally departed from Acid Jazz in 1996. Some of those mellow funky jazz tracks were released under the name Soundscape UK in the US (we'll get to it later), some on Yada Yada's Subculture. Anyhow, the tempo is relaxed and Mick Talbot's rhodes and wurly remind the days of The Style Council. Post acid jazz?

mp3 I 320kbps I 46 minutes I 106mb I link in comments

Mr. Electric Triangle - Kosmosis In Dub (1996 2 Kool)

A collection of remixes Kosmosis In Dub followed the relative success of Mr. Electric Triangle a year later. In fact I suspect that most of the tracks were remixed by Mr. Bangs himself as I couldn't find any reliable info on the remixers (Red Rum, Mr. E.T., Beaverheadz, Misters At Work, Clickman) except for his label-mates James Bong.

mp3 I 320kbps I 73 minutes I 167mb I link in comments

Mr. Electric Triangle - Kosmosis Of The Heart (1995 2 Kool)

2 Kool albums evening! If we exclude the sadly lost album C'ést Trés Bong by scandinavian trip hop junkies James Bong, all that's left is a material produced by a single person, certain Mr. Christopher Bangs.
Chris Bangs is a notorious figure of early acid jazz scene, having taken part in foundation of both Acid Jazz and Talkin' Loud labels. Since the late 80s Bangs produced and remixed loads of artists, including the groundbreaking In Pursuit Of The 13th Note album by Galliano. Later he started releasing his own tracks as Bangs The Bongo until he was introduced to Mick Talbot, the guy who taught Paul Weller to love jazz. Together they formed a production duo known under the monickers of The Quiet Boys, Soundscape and Yada Yada.
Bangs first release on 2 Kool though was his solo trip hop project Mr. Electric Triangle and its sole album Kosmosis Of The Heart. The sound of Mr. Electric Triangle is intrumental hip hop with some acid jazz echoes, sweet vocals (Anthea Clarke known from another Bangs project The 13th Sign) and rapper Fabian, a collaborator of many early Ninja Tune artists. My fav is A-L'uomo with helter-skelter drums and spacey moog solo.

mp3 I 320kbps I 55 minutes I 127mb I link in comments

VA Experience In Kool -2° (1996 2 Kool)

And one more, the last for today. Good night and stay tuned!

01 Pure Instinct-Skyline (Slo' Blo' Mix)
02 Deep Freeze Production-Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
03 Kruder & Dorfmeister-Original Bedroom Rockers
04 Mr Electric Triangle-Falling Down (James Bong Don't Trip Mix)
05 Dig Alliance-Inhale (Master Kush Mix)
06 Redeye Knights-Strange Noise
07 Fresh Lab-Ombre
08 Marden Hill-Psycho Clown
09 Freakniks-Scaramangas Revenge
10 The Jung Collective-Flamingo Down
11 Static Sound System-Revolutionary Pilot
12 Resonator-Lament
13 The Experimental Pop Band-Instrumental James

mp3 I 320kbps I 77 minutes I 178mb I link in comments

VA Chomp! (1995 2 Kool)

Another 2 Kool style guide.

01 The Egg-Fuzz
02 Gota & The Heart Of Gold-All Alone (Gratifying Dub Mix)
03 Jaziac Sunflowers-Eyes Of Love
04 Beach Flea-F For Fake
05 Howie B-Birth
06 9 Lazy 9-Electric Lazyland
07 Up, Bustle & Out-Avoir Le Coup (In Dub)
08 PD3-Stop (I Beg You London)
09 DJ Cam Quartet-Bloonaute
10 The 13th Sign-Take Me To A Distant Bass
11 Slowly-Nimble
12 The Jazz Vandall's-The Law Of Creativity

mp3 I 320kbps I 75 minutes I 171mb I link in comments

VA Koolness Purr-sonified (1994 2 Kool)

2 Kool is another great acid jazz / downtempo label I love, mostly for their enchanting compilations. Although only six of them were released during the label's three years existence, they serve well as style guides until today. There's also a handful of albums by various interesting projects which I'm going to share sometimes soon. If you happen to have James Bong album C'ést Trés Bong, which I have lost, do not hesitate to share with us.

01 Index-Made In Voyage
02 Up, Bustle & Out-Y Ahora Tu
03 Tuttle & Dynamo Laboratory-Grasshopper
04 Naked Funk-Husband To Be Present
05 Marden Hill-Into The Future
06 Red Snapper-Cortina
07 Vacuum Productions-Dekalb Av.
08 The Groove Embassy-Always On My Mind (Instrumental)
09 Heavy Shift-90° In the Shade
10 DJ Food-Centre Of The Earth
11 Ramuntcho Matta-Viens Dormir Avec Moi (Dee Mix)
12 Bonjour Monsieur Basie-Sally 19 (Dreams Of Narnia Mix)
13 Blue Train-Mekon Mambo

mp3 I 320kbps I 75 minutes I 173mb I link in comments

VA Sounds Like Paris (A Gournet's Guide To Gallic Grooves Nouveau Beats And Left Bank Funkateers) (1997 PAN)

One more French electronica compilation and then we'll move on to London. Sounds Like Paris truly sounds like Paris on the peak of "french house" fever and contains some of my favs from that era, including Dirty Jesus' Cut A Rug and La Funk Mob's 357 Magnum Force.

01 Zend Avesta-South Of Heaven (Daphreephunkateerz Remix)
02 Daphreephunkateerz vs. Aleph-Psykotic Phunk Reaction (Ltd 10'' Remix)
03 Motorbass-Flying Fingers
04 Melaaz-Non Non Non
05 St. Germain-Soul Salsa Soul (Short Version)
06 Dirty Jesus-Cut A Rug (Jazz Dat Ride Mix)
07 Elegia-My Family
08 The Mighty Bop-Le Voyage
09 La Funk Mob-357 Magnum Force
10 La Chatte Rouge-Affaires A Faire
11 Dimitri From Tokyo-Toujours L'Amore

mp3 I 320kbps I 67 minutes I 159mb I link in comments

The Mighty Bop - Spin My Hits (2000 Yellow Productions)

As the title suggests, Spin My Hits is a compilation of singles and tracks selected from four previously released albums by the great French downtempo project The Mighty Bop.

mp3 I 320kbps I 61 minutes I 140mb I link in comments

I:Cube - Picnic Attack (1997 Versatile Records)

When DJ Gilb'R started releasing the finest French house and electronica on his legendary label Versatile in 1996, Nicolas Chaix AKA I:Cube was one of the first signed artists. His debut album Picnic Attack is full of restless, playful, funky and jazzy house music. IMHO the best of his three studio albums.

mp3 I 320kbps I 75 minutes I 173mb I link in comments

Telex - I Don't Like Music (1998 SSR)

Marc Moulin was one of Europe's best jazz players and I deeply admire all his 1970s fusion jazz works either with Placebo or solo. Unfortunately I can't say the same about his reincarnation into Giorgio Moroder-style disco producer with his project Telex. From today's point of view, Telex spearheaded the dance music avandgarde, no doubt about it, but (I just can't help it) where others have fun, I see a talent lost to jazz music. That's the reason why I've got no Telex albums except this remix collection, where Telex hits get treated by today's electronic artists including Carl Craig, Ian O'Brien, Dr. Rockit, Glenn Underground and many others.

mp3 I 320kbps I 64 minutes I 170mb I link in comments

Reminiscence Quartet - Ritmo Brasileiro (1994 Yellow Productions)

Let's start the French evening with this meeting of relaxed drum loops and live jazz with Brazil flavour on a debut album by Desmond K AKA Reminiscence Quartet. Ritmo Brasileiro was conceived as an instrumental session and makes a great prequel to more juicy Psycodelico. Those who like the first two albums by The Ballistic Brothers may easily fall in love with this French classic.

mp3 I 320kbps I 37 minutes I 85mb I link in comments

Future Loop Foundation - Conditions For Living (1998 Planet Dog)

Mark Barrott is really cool dude and I suspect that the one summer evening we spent smoking our heads off on my terrace has something to do with Praha, the best track on Conditions For Living, the second album of his project Future Loop Foundation. Although I like his debut Time And Bass much more, there are some cool tracks of dark and atmospheric d'n'b waiting for your attention.

mp3 I 320kbps I 72 minutes I 165mb I link in comments

Jamie Myerson - The Listen Project (1998 S3)

The fact that Jamie Myerson was signed to Columbia at the age of 17 should not interfere with the fact that his debut album The Listen Project is quite interesting stuff. The songs vary from melodic electronica to atmospheric drum'n'bass to kitschy ambient, and serve well as a harmless musical wallpaper. Expect no wonders but.. listen.

mp3 I 320kbps I 69 minutes I 158mb I link in comments

Aquasky - Orange Dust (1997 Passenger)

I have to admit that Aquasky were my d'n'b heroes, I had to have all of their early Moving Shadow platters and their radical style shift on the debut album Bodyshock was actually Mindshock to me. Orange Dust is a bit schizophrenic mini-album put together from material recorded during their year-long stint on Polydor-owned label Passenger. There's some cool atmospheric d'n'b (Opaque, Orange Dust, Plane Invaders), some fine uptempo trip-hop (Universe) and also some dubious hip hop experiments with weak rap and excellent turntablism. This edition also includes remixes from the single Raw Skillz/Opaque.

mp3 I 320kbps I 62 minutes I 144mb I link in comments

TDF - Retail Therapy (1997)

Retail Therapy is a collection of mostly dull drum'n'bass, breakbeat and downtempo tracks with lots of guitars of all kinds, sometimes sweetened by some r'n'b vocals. By any means another ordinary late 90s product - until you start digging who's behind that stupid project name, and you find it's certain Simon Climie (yes, of Climie-Fisher fame) and Eric Slowhand Clapton under X-Sample moniker. This information swept my mind clean except for one question: why? But anyway, DJ Pulse's remix of Rip Stop is still one of my fav d'n'b tracks.
mp3 I 320kbps I 53 minutes I 122mb I link in comments

The Whole Thing - The Whole Thing (1993 Acid Jazz)

In the early 90s, Mike Smith was one of the good souls of acid jazz scene, having played sax and flute with almost everyone, including The James Taylor Quartet, Brand New Heavies, Corduroy, Mother Earth and Jamiroquai. His solo album as The Whole Thing was one of my first JAZIDs, I bought it the same day as Corduroy's High Havoc (lost or never returned, how I miss it..) so it somehow represents the essence of Acid Jazz Records to me.

mp3 I 320kbps I 41 minutes I 95mb I link in comments

Peace Bureau - Inner City Booms (1997 Lightyear Entertainment)

The name of Washington DC based producer Eric Hilton should raise some attention just for him being half of the styleseting duo Thievery Corporation. Peace Bureau was the most interesting of the projects he's been involved before. Released in 1997, Inner City Booms contains mostly material recorded in 1994 and 1995. While some tracks already have that distinctive Eighteenth Street Lounge sound (Missions For The Money, Kali, Away), the rest can't hide their roots in that typical US hip hop jazz. If you're fan to bands like The Jazzhole or early Guru's Jazzmatazz, Peace Bureau is your choice.

mp3 I 320kbps I 57 minutes I 130mb I link in comments

Spiritual Vibes - Spiritual Vibes (1994 Bellisima)

Spiritual Vibes were japanese casio jazz crew led by Nobukazu Takemura before he went all electric. Their eponymous debut album, later licensed to Toy's Factory, is a mixture of live club jazz, tender girlie vocals by a singer called Kiku (Kikuko Nonaka), and those casios. Although Takemura produced their second album Kotoba No Mae (or Before The Words in english version), they went almost all accoustic and the magic of their debut was somehow lost.


mp3 I 320kbps I 51 minutes I 117mb I link in comments

disJam Phuturing The Poetry Of Lemn Sissay (1994 Yo Mama)

How about a small acid jazz soiree to make a smooth transition to tomorrow's batch of drum'n'bass breaks? The german live acid jazz crew disJam on their debut album delivers some fine jazz vibrations from smooth to fusion accompanied by singer/crooner Lemn Sissay. Check the 13 minutes long acid jazz fusion opus Denmark.


mp3 I 320kbps I 53 minutes I 123mb I link in comments

VA Soultown 1 (1994 Marlboro Music)

Quite harmless compilation of modern club soul mostly of UK provenience contains some quite well known groups (Watergates, The Diplomats) as well as a bucket of almost anonymous one hit singles scattered on small labels like Bump 'n' Hustle, Fourth Floor or Intimate. In case you're wondering about the label, be sure that afer some of these tracks you'll want a cigarette badly :-)


mp3 I 320kbps I 57 minutes I 131mb I link in comments

Groove Theory - Groove Theory (1995)

Everytime I hear their debut album, I try to guess what makes Groove Theory more interesting than the rest of numerous downtown NYC r'n'b swing groups. Groove Theory were a duo of singer Amel Larrieux and skilled studio producer Bryce Wilson, an ex-member of the electro breaks supergroup Mantronix and a cousin of certain LL Cool J. Their only album is full of really catchy tunes and Amel's voice is most of the time the only melodic element here. Take it away and you'll get that pounding raw and minimalistic fat beat typical for East Coast hip hop sound. Give it a chance, you won't regret.


mp3 I 320kbps I 64 minutes I 148mb I link in comments

Bryan Powell - I.T.O.Y. The Album (1993 Talkin' Loud)

Another early Talkin' Loud soul release was this only album by Bryan Powell which will please those who like that fat US R'n'B sound of Soul II Soul or worse. The cover says it all. IMHO the worst album released on Talkin' Loud, which definitely makes it a must-hear.

mp3 I 320kbps I 58 minutes I 134mb I link in comments

Omar - There's Nothing Like This (1991 Talkin' Loud)

I've found myself listening to soul music of all kinds on this hot weekend. That's just to explain today's batch. No need to introduce Omar because his notorious There's Nothing Like This is definitely one of modern soul classics. This collection of midtempo UK soul grooves was also the first album released on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label and it's commercial success kickstarted the avalanche of acid jazz bands like Galliano, Young Disciples and Incognito.

mp3 I 320kbps I 52 minutes I 121mb I link in comments

The Starseeds - There Is Enough For Everyone (2000 Millennium Records)

Regina Dannhoff & Alex McGowan AKA The Starseeds debuted in 1997 with the wonderful Parallel Life and the breathtaking single Timequakes. Their second and last album There Is Enough For Everyone sounds in very much the same vein, deep hypnotic downtempo dub with (sometimes too) dominant effected guitar and haunting vocals reminding me of Curve's Toni Halliday. If you enjoyed the intrumental version of Gobi Underwater on this Planet Dog compilation, you know you can't go wrong.

mp3 I 320kbps I 69 minutes I 158mb I link in comments

Tom Tyler - Asleep At The Switch (2000 DC Recordings)

Although the DC in DC Recordings stands for Depth Charge, unlike the label's owner J. Saul Kane, Tom Tyler is no nihilistic breakbeat terrorist. I first noticed his name when he remixed The Cinematic Orchestra's Channel One Suite and kept my eye on him since then. His debut Asleep At The Switch is jazzy breakbeat trip through twisted soundcapes. A must-hear for those who miss that classic Ninja Tune sound because Tom Tyler picked it up where they lost it. Future Vintage at it's best.

mp3 I 320kbps I 49 minutes I 112mb I link in comments

Muki - Cabin Fever (1998 Mantra)

Another great but forgotten album is Cabin Fever by keyboard player Luke Mullen and drummer Jules Evans AKA Muki. Cabin Fever is a sweet collection of playful downtempo and bedroom drum'n'bass with many shifts and turns. Those who like, say, the production of Howie B's label Pussyfoot, won't be disappointed.

mp3 I 320kbps I 65 minutes I 149mb I link in comments