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