Saturday 28 November 2009

Come Into My House


Date: Friday 27th November 2009
Found: Music and Goods Exchange, Notting Hill, London
Price: £1

Queen Latifah - Come Into My House

Tommy Boy Records, 1990

A
1. Come Into My House (LP Version)
2. Come Into My House (Julian "Jumpin" Perez Mix)
3. Latifah's Law (Remix)

B
1. Come Into My House (Zanzibar Mix)
2. Come Into My House (Fast Eddie Mix)
3. Come Into My House (DJ Mark / Queen Latifah Mix)

I have been after this record for absolutely ages... and what should be the first thing I pick up when I start going through vinyl at Soul & Dance Exchange? And at an absolute bargain price of one quid too!!! As if the original wasn't brilliant enough the remixes on this Maxi are astounding (if you ignore Latifah's Law). I think my favourite remix has to be the Zanzibar Mix, really wasn't expecting anything like this to be on the record - a much more hous-ier (is that a word?) version of the original complete with piano. Both mine and Pac's jaws dropped whilst listening to it for the first time! That's how good it is!

If you wanna see the Video for Come Into My House, click here or if you're feeling lazy then watch the live video (not so great):

Live Video:

Monie Love


Date: Friday 27th November 2009
Found: Music and Goods Exchange, Notting Hill, London
Price: £2

Monie Love - Down To Earth (LP)

Cooltempo / Chrysalis Records, 1990

A.
1. Monie In The Middle
2. It's A Shame (My Sister)
3. Don't Funk Wid The Mo
4. Ring My Bell
5. R U Single
6. Just Don't Give A Damn
7. What I'm Supposed 2 B
8. Dettrimentally Stable

B.
1. Down 2 Earth
2. I Do As I Please
3. Pups Lickin' Bone
4. Read Between The Lines
5. Race Against Reality
6. Swiney Swiney
7. I'm Driving You Crazy
8. Grandpa's Party (Love II Love Remix)

I bought this Monie Love album because it features one of my all time favourites: Grandpa's Party. I was a bit sceptical about buying this LP at first, I was hoping the 12" might turn up but it never did and I wasn't even sure it was going to be the same version.
Luckily it was... and remixed by none other than Jazzie B and Nellee Cooper (are you noticing the trend yet???)

Anyway... this was Monie's first album and a great one at that, the highlights include Monie in The Middle, It's a Shame (My Sister), Down 2 Earth and of course Grandpa's Party. Watch the videos below...

Monie Love was born in London, she was a key figure in the Native Tongues Movement after being mentored by Queen Latifah.


(N.B not the love II love remix!)



Ghetto Heaven


Date: Friday 27th November 2009
Found: Music and Goods Exchange, Notting Hill, London
Price: £2

The Family Stand - Ghetto Heaven (Remixed by Jazzie B & Nelle Hooper)

Atlantic, 1990

A
1. The Remix

B
1. The Original
2. The Dub

On our first trip to the Music and Goods Exchange (Soul and Dance) Shop in Notting Hill, we uncovered some real gems, albeit mainly from the bargain R&B section! The first of these gems is Ghetton Heaven by The Family Stand. I got quite excited when I uncovered this record as I had totally forgotten about this song. The best thing about it, however, is that it's got the remix, although it does feature the original, the Jazzie B and Nellee Hooper remix is sooooo much better.

Check out the video below (featuring the remixed version) -

CREEP


Date: Friday 27th November 2009
Found: Music and Goods Exchange, Notting Hill, London
Price: £3

TLC - Creep
LaFace Records, 1994

A
1. Album Version
2. Jermaine's 'Jeep' Mix

B
1. Instrumental
2. Jermaine's Acappella Mix

This is an absolute classic from probably my favourite R&B girl group ever (at age 10). The Jermaine's 'Jeep' Mix wasn't worth a listen, as I said before most R&B remixes are rubbish. Quite handy having both the instrumental and the acappella though, when I eventually learn to DJ I could have a play about with those. Three quid well spent!

Watch the video here

Friday 20 November 2009

My Fantasy


Date: Tuesday 17th November 2009
Found: Cancer Research Charity shop, West Ealing, London
Price: £1

Teddy Riley featuring Guy - My Fantasy
(Extended Version - Music from "Do the Right Thing")
MCA Records, 1989

A
1. My Fantasy (Extended Version)

B
1. Rap
2. Bonus Beats

Another New Jack Swing classic. Afterall Teddy Riley is said to have invented New Jack Swing - clever man. I bought this based on the fact that it was featured in one of my favourite films ever: Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, and I was not disappointed! Despite the outward appearance of this record's sleeve, the vinyl inside was undamaged and played smoothly after cleaning. This is a great song and I think I prefer this extended version to all the other versions out there. I also enjoyed the Rap version on the B Side that features Wreckx N Effect.


So You Like What You See...


Date: Tuesday 17th November 2009
Found: British Heart Foundation Charity shop, West Ealing, London
Price: £1

Samuelle - So You Like What You See
WEA Records, 1990

A
1. So You Like What You See (Extended LP Mix)
2. So You Like What You See (12" Remix)

B
1. So You Like What You See (Club Remix)

This song is a New Jack Swing classic! I love this song. The funk inspired horn samples are great however I do think it could do with less of that repetitive "hit you with the programme" phrase running throughout the whole song, it's gets annoying after a while! Anyway check out the sexy video (complete with trumpet-playing models). Don't you think that Samuelle looks like an older Carlton from Fresh Prince??? I like that he has matched his blazer to his skin tone, great style!!!

Doug E. Fresh & MC. Ricky D


Date: Friday 7th November 2009
Found: Cancer Research Shop, West Ealing, London
Price: £1

Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew - The Show & La Di Da Di
(The Full American Version Featuring "La Di Da Di")
Chrysalis Records, 1985

A
1. The Show (Full Version)
2. The Show

B
1. La Di Da Di (Doug E. Fresh & MC. Ricky D)
2. The Show Instrumental

A couple of old school hip hop classics here featuring Doug E Fresh and MC. Ricky D - otherwise known as Slick Rick tha Ruler. Both tracks feature beatboxing, in the place of drums, provided by Doug E. Fresh "One of the earliest recorded beat boxers, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, teeth, and gums."
I'm not a massive fan of either of these tracks (I think definately prefer The Show out of the two) However Pac assures me they are "well good".

The Show



La Di Da Di

Thursday 5 November 2009

House Nation


Date: Wednesday 4th November 2009
Found: Music & Goods Exchange, Greenwich
Price: 50p

The Housemaster Boyz and The Rude Boy of House - House Nation

Magnetic Dance, 1987

A
1. House Nation (Extended Remix)

B
1. House Nation (Full Remix)

I should have looked at the label on this one, as they are actually remixes, although, they are pretty decent in their own right. Not as dark and repetitive as the original version, the bassline is slightly more electro funk, and they have been some breaks with some funky keys chucked into the mix too.

Here's the original:

Git On Up


Date: Wednesday 4th November 2009
Found: Music & Goods Exchange in Greenwich
Price: £1

Fast Eddie - Git On Up

DJ International, 1989

A
1. Git On Up (The Fast Eddie Mix)
2. Git On Up (The Julian 'Jumpin' Perez Mix)

B
1. Git On Up (The Rocky Jones Mix)
2. Git On Up (The Tyree Cooper Mix)

MEGA. This is a hip house cornerstone, absolute beast of tune - and although I've said this before, finding this vinyl is a good example of why I still buy vinyl. The remixes. As a DJ who plays out regularly, having decent remixes of classic tunes can really define your sets and will set you apart from all your peers who download from blogs and the like. To be fair though, all are basically re-edits, apart from the Tyree mix which has some classic deep house sounding rhodes as the bassline, and more subtle, less jump up drums.



Two Covers For Your Party


Date: Wednesday 4th November 2009
Found: Music & Goods Exchange in Greenwich
Price: 50p

Who Made Who - Two Covers For Your Party

Gomma, 2004

A
1. Satisfaction

AA
1. Flat Beat

Classic covers by Who Made Who, the satisfaction one, was mega when it first came out, but weirdly I never picked up on the Flat Beat Cover till about 6 months ago - and apparently I like to call myself a DJ? Anyway I now have both for the bargain price of 50p! Also below is a live video from when they played at our friends, the Filthy Dukes' night at Kill 'Em All @ Fabric in 2007.

Thursday 29 October 2009

Doin' Our Own Dang'



Date: Thursday 29th October 2009
Found: eBay
Price: 50p

Jungle Brothers feat. Native Tongues - Doin' Our Own Dang'

Warner Music, 1990


A
1. Doin' Our Own Dang' (Do It To The JB's Remix)

B
1. Doin' Our Own Dang' (Norman Cook Remix)
2. Doin' Our Own Dang' (Richie Fermie Remix)

I finally got my hands on this record after letting it slip away in a charity shop before I knew how good this song was!!! Featuring all the Native Tongues together on one track, this is an iconic hip hop track.

I like the hip house vibe of the A side edit, it was the main factor behind me buying the record... as good as the original version is. On the B side there is a Norman Cook (of Fat Boy Slim fame) remix with a funky guitar bassline and a Richie Fermie Remix which is far more Afrocentric.

Watch the video below for the Do It To The JB's Remix version below.


Thursday 15 October 2009

All And All

Date: Wednesday 6th October 2009
Found: In
Cat's Protection League charity shop in Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Joyce Sims - All And All (12")

London Recordings, 1986

A
1. Club Version (Take Twelve)
2. Radio Edit

B
1. Dub
2. Take Twenty-Three

808 Kicks. Cowbells. Heavy Synth Bass. Mantronik Production. Okay, admittedly it's a cheesy 80s electro pop cut, but listen to that dub first a few times and then listen to the vocal versions. This is crying out for a re-edit, I might just have to put aside an afternoon with ableton and this record. I think one of the synth leads was also sampled/recreated for one of my favourite releases of last year, Silencer by Dorothy's Fortress.

Listen to this first.....


.....and now this one.

I gotta funky rhyme with a funky style


Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Nice & Smooth - Hip Hop Junkies

Columbia, 1991

A
1. Hip Hop Junkies (LP Version)
2. Hip Hop Junkies (Spanish Fly Mix)
3. Hip Hop Junkies (Bedford Park Mix)

B
1. Hip Hop Junkies (Remix Instrumental)
2. Hip Hop Junkies (A Capella)
3. Hip Hop Junkies (Lunchroom Table Mix)

Why are 90% of Hip Hop remixes crap? And then why give me the bloody remix instrumental and not the original. Bastards. At least I've got the acapella, which softens the blow. Anyway - LP version = TUNE.


Janet


Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Janet Jackson - What Have You Done For Me Lately (12")

A&M Records, 1986

A
1. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Extended Mix)

B
1. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Dub Version)
2. Young Love

This is a typical example of why I still buy vinyl when I DJ from Traktor Scratch or CDJs - the Dub mix. Usually a re-edited version of the original with only some vocal snippets, usually the main hooks. Ideal for dancefloors, and creating re-edits and for samples for my own productions. A bit of a cheesy song, but who gives a shit, the dub really shows how good the production behind her is.

Queen Latifah

Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Queen Latifah - Fly Girl/Nature of a Sista' 12"

Tommy Boy, 1991

A
1. Fly Girl (Vocal)
2. Fly Girl (Instrumental)

B
1. Nature of a Sista' (Vocal)
2. Nature of a Sista' (Instrumental)

Pretty chuffed with this find really, not so much for the R 'n B rhode chord stylings of Fly Girl, more so for the Nature of a Sista' side complete with saxophones (like the last post), and an instrumental (unlike the last post). Queen Latifah at her best - up tempo get up and shake yo ass Hip Hop.

Big Daddy

Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Big Daddy Kane - Raw '91 (Maxi Single)

Reprise Records, 1990

A
1. Ohh, Ahh, Nah-Nah-Nah (Master Mix)
2. Raw '91
3. Ohh, Ahh, Nah-Nah-Nah (Instrumental)

B
1. It's Hard Being Kane (Remix Radio Version)
2. Taste Of Chocolate (Remix)
3. It's Hard Being Kane (Album Version)

When I first bought this I thought this was the original single but it was only when I got home I realised it was a Maxi Single. Shame it doesn't have the Raw '91 instrumental which is what I bought it for, but it makes up for it with It's 'Hard Being Kane' with it's jazzy saxophone sample. Note - I LOVE saxophones.



Bizarre Inc.


Date: Friday 9th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Bizarre Inc (featuring Angie Brown) - Took My Love

Vinyl Solution, 1993

A
1. Original Flavour Mix
2. MK H. Remix

B
1. Room 101 Mix
2. Knew Family Club mix

I bought this record because I am a big fan of Playing With Knives but I hadn't really heard anything else by them, except I'm Gonna Get You which featured on a tape cassette my mum got from saving up nescafé tokens. I had to listen to that song every morning on the car ride to school.

Childhood traumas aside, I really do like this record now, the song has grown on me a lot. You can listen the original version here. However it's not that version I am most interested in. The MK H. Remix is amazing - it's kind of early garage / deep house.



I did a little bit of research on MK (Marc Kinchen) to see what other remixes he had done and I discovered that he is now producing this and this. Shame.

I hate to admit it but another motive for me buying this record was the artwork. It epitomises style in the early 90s UK dance music scene in that it looks as if it was designed by Moschino! From the heart shaped doll face to the bold typographic styles all over it.

Wednesday 14 October 2009

HOUSE PARTYYYY!!!


Date: Friday 9th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Kid 'N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody

Select Records, 1992


A
Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody
1. Quicksilver's Radio Remix
2. Quicksilver's Hip Hop Remix

B
1. Fred & Clark's R&B Joint Mix
2. Clark's 2 Hype Supermix

I definately prefer this video version below to all the mixes on the record I have, it's something I will probably bore of quickly as it's just not as good as their other stuff. It didn't stick in my mind, I can't really even remember what it sounds like after having played it 5 minutes ago!



I can't believe Kid's not rocking the sky hi-top in the video, what's with those little tarantula legs on his head?!
*



Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Today - Why You Get Funky On Me
From The Motion Picture "House Party"

Motown, 1990


A
1. Why You Get Funky On Me (12" Mix)
2. Why You Get Funky On Me (Radio Edit)

B
1. Why You Get Funky On Me (Dub Mix)
2. Why You Get Funky On Me (Radio Edit)

This is a great record, a New Jack Swing classic. I would say the dub mix was my favourite version on the vinyl, however I was put off the 12" mix as despite seeming mint the record skips just as it breaks down. Rubbish!



Aaliyah


Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Found: In PDSA charity shop, West Ealing, London.
Price: £1

Aaliyah - Back & Forth

Jive / Zomba Recordings, 1994

A.
Back & Forth
1. LP Version
2. Mr. Lee & R. Kelly's Remix
3. Ms. Mello Remix

B.
1. UK Flavour
2. Mr. Lee's Club Mix




I love this song but the only edit worth listening to is the LP Version. The remixes just aren't interesting at all.

BONUS. This record came with a poster sleeve, which I thought was awesome anyway. Having an Aaliyah full length poster would bring me one step closer to creating the perfect teenage girl's bedroom of the 1990s. However, I unfolded the poster and who do you think she's posing with, none other than her husband R. Kelly who also produced this record (see previous post). Just casually cupping his baldhead. So so good.





Dungarees are a big look, I have a couple of pairs I should probably dig out.

Friday 9 October 2009

R. Kelly



Date: Friday 9th October 2009
Found: In Cancer Research charity shop in West Ealing, London.
Price: £1 each

R. Kelly - She's Got that Vibe


Jive / Tavdash Records, 1993


A
She's Got That Vibe
1. Up All Night, No Sleep Till Bed Time Mix (Sad Excuse)
2. LP Version

B
1. Summer Bunnies (Lover Man's Picnic Mix 1)
2. Freak Dat Body

What I liked most about this record was the names of the remixes, especially the fact that we have Lover Man's Picnic Mix 1, I'd love to hear Lover Man's Picnic Mix 2 as well.
There wasn't much distinction between the two versions of She's Got That Vibe except one was longer. The B Sides are nothing to write home about either.

Click here to watch the video, it's amazing, especially the retro computer typing "Robert Kelly".



R. Kelly - Your Body's Callin'

Zomba Recordings, 1994

A
1. Prelude
2. His & Hers Extended Mix
3. LP Version

B
1. Alternative Flavour Extended Mix
2. UK Flavour Remix

I really like the fact that this record has a Prelude, very nice. I didn't think much of the B Side Remixes on this one either... R. Kelly your B Sides disappoint!



BUT The thing I liked most about this record was that when I got it home and removed it from the plastic sleeve it unfolded into a HUGE double sided R. Kelly poster. SEXY! No doubt the first picture is him in some sort of kinky sex dungeon, doesn't he look sinister?! Also note that R. Kelly has a favourite waistcoat. Appearing on both the cover of She's Got That Vibe and on the Your Body's Callin' poster!

You can watch the video for this song here if you want but it's sort of boring and a really poor quality version.

Thursday 8 October 2009

Ooh, I Love It


Date: Friday 2nd October 2009
Found: In The Junk Shop opposite Greenwich Station, London.
Price: £1

The Salsoul Orchestra - Ooh, I Love It


Salsoul Records, 1975


A
1. Ooh I love It (Love Break)

B
1. Ooh, I love It (Love Break Groove)

2. Ooh, I love It (Love Break Version)

Below I have posted the Love Break Groove edit, I think this is my favourite!



Random Fact: This record was sampled in 50 Cent's Candyshop and Vogue by Madonna.