late 80s/early 90s uk streetsoul (bass and breakbeats and r&b vocals)

through the wonder of Youtube and its recommendations algorithm this is all I seem to ever listen to these days. Everybody knows Soul II Soul and Massive Attack but it was this recent reissue of Bovel's "Check 4 U" that really switched me on to this stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyi2pqXDp30

there's a whole ocean out there of stuff like this: thick house basslines, slowed-down breakbeat grooves, unpolished soul divas with the sweetness of lovers rock reggae. Some of it is cheap and easy to find through the usual channels, some of it seems rare and prohibitively expensive. It's the story of Smith & Mighty and The Wild Bunch, but also all the anonymous and forgotten 12" singles and overpriced Discogs compilations that were bigger in Manchester than in London. This stuff was being released when I was barely a toddler so I have no sense of it as a "scene" or how it figured in club culture but I know that I like a lot of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhETbyU8wo0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzsrBaRoiL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgPkq1780vo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWqp3C0hFg0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppKK42zKRo0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVfenMeCTR0

thinking of it as a reaction to US r&b, not so much an imitation but a distinctly British take on styles, and seemingly undergoing a resurgence if you're reading the same articles and listening to the same radio shows as I am

so, this is a thread to post your own recommendations and so forth

garden of life is GOAT

Hard to find 12"s in this genre have been getting reissued a lot lately, which is likely where the chatter / airplay is coming from. Be With records maybe?

This has a big overlap with what was labeled ‘acid jazz’, no?

Yeah, does Jhelisa count? Friendly Pressure sounds like these songs to me.

https://youtu.be/YAMtlnvJeo4

Deluxe - I've got a feeling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHBPpDfojg0

I love this sound. Check:

Alison Williams - I Need Your Lovin'

Fresh Four - Wishing on a Star

The Chimes - 1-2-3 (UK Raw Mix) / Heaven / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Beats International - Dub Be Good To Me (Smith & Mighty Remix)

Diana Brown & Barrie K Sharpe – Blind Faith (Brixton Bass Mix)

There's also a lot of stuff that feels like it fits even though it's not from the UK, such as The Family Stand's "Ghetto Heaven" (which also and appropriately got an amazing remix from Soul II Soul).

i like this stuff too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUpP_a8vAjA

i guess i know more about the acid jazzier end of the spectrum, which tends toward a more polished sound

i'd never heard that bovel track, it is pretty incredible and i'd love to hear more stripped down tracks like that

Innocence - Natural thing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHSPzry7cH8

Fresh 4 feat. Lizz-E • Wishing On A Star

Smith & Mighty DJ Kicks is U&K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCIxA2qpKg

Ah, Tim F already mentioned the Fresh 4 track. (Alyson Williams was/is a US singer, btw)

Love the Bô’vel track, don’t remember ever having heard it before. Is there an actual Dennis Bovell connection or is the name a homage to “Silly Games”/UK lovers rock?

Yeah I should have specified with the Williams that I meant the extended version produced by Soul II Soul.

I manage to seperate this stuff from acid jazz in my mind purely by how this stuff uses minimalism and bottom-end - to me, acid jazz is radio-friendly and home-listening whereas this is much more club-functioning. There is a lot of crossover and I can imagine this stuff was played alongside acid jazz and post-disco 80s boogie but there's a distinct sonic framework to this stuff that excites me more.

I have no idea about who Bovel is or where the name comes from, I'm not sure I even want or need to, really

Loafs of good recs here though! I didnt know S&M had done a DJ Kicks.

In terms of US stuff that fits I have a huge soft spot for Chante Moore's "Love's Taken Over"

https://youtu.be/wH39-zajFtE

A lot of this stuff, other than the obvious, seems to have been written out of history a bit, perhaps because there was so much else going on at the time, so this is a real blind spot for me. Looking forward to digging through this thread.

People quickly realized the instrumentals were better than the vocals and Trip Hop got the fame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG8BVCCjTOw

Jill Francis - Make Love To Me (Gangster Mix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1-GrHZSCbo

Irini ‎– 24/7 Love

Love that Jill Francis!

People quickly realized the instrumentals were better than the vocals and Trip Hop got the fame

This is probably true except for me the vocals are what take a lot of this stuff from enjoyable to excellent.

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Choice-FMs-UK-Pressure-Vol-1/master/359554

This compilation I snagged for cheap recently is good, has both of NickB's selections, but everything on it has been edited down from a full-length mix.

oh i didn't know about that comp, looks like a good launchpad for further investigations

i knew about the bovel cos they've been hammering it on nts

sorry that the sound on that irini YT is so fucked, it's a good one though

maybe a precursor for this sort of thing is mantronix's productions for joyce sims?

that stuff was 1987-ish i think

or Sly & Robbie producing Gwen Guthrie with Seventh Heaven, which came up in a mix I was listening to earlier, would be another good precursor

just an excuse to post that fantastic track really

ok lol turns out the one i posted is american too

I would be remiss in not mentioning Carlton's album 'The Call Is Strong' from 1990, produced by Smith & Mighty, which I consider the overlooked pinnacle of this sound. One of my great music tragedies is losing my copy of this.

Also "Any Love", the early Massive Attack single with Carlton on vocals and S&M on co-production, fits in this thread in a way their subsequent work doesn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDZM4xXy17I

Rosaline Joyce - I Will Never Be Your Lover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcQTOQIlKHY

Fresh Cut ft Ann Cain - Don't Rush (Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=yiWghyFnasU

FM Inc. Call Me Anytime .. Dub is good too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCngWcH0GAg

Joanna Law / Soul 2 Soul connection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzftzlfi36U

... meant to post another Sarah Winton but the whole LP is top notch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh2tFYgiIuU

Dazzle - Dazzle You. (Haul & Pull Up mix) 1989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPMyV7SOgxk

Fifth Of Heaven - Just A Little More

https://youtu.be/KaA7kt5DLLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zGXKBRT1gk

Carla Thomas - Things Ya Make Me Do (Summer Remix) (1994)

big tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVBTrudXcs8

Rick Clarke - Perfect Lady

don't think the importance of these guys can be overstated...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKdnCSeJwQ
Loose Ends - Slow Down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5rqP8QTAbU
Loose Ends - Don't Be A Fool

^ when I saw this thread Loose Ends came to mind immediately but I couldn't remember any of their songs so wasn't sure if I was on the right track

I've got a Fresh Four 12", not mentioned yet it's this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIF7HFEYYXY

(nearly, the 12" I've got is the Smith & Mighty remix, not the version in the youtube)

Diane Charlemagne should get a mention. Cool Down Zone ‎– Lonely Hearts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgIZJnMSjqY

when I saw this thread Loose Ends came to mind immediately but I couldn't remember any of their songs so wasn't sure if I was on the right track

Hanging On A String is the obvious one and that exact same drum pattern appears in about half the clips i posted above tbh

thanks for posting these Herb. I started buying UK Soul 12's and comps from 1992 onwards so missed some of the earlier ones. Occaisional trips to Unity and Blackmarket records armed with lists from Blues and Soul magazines and scraps from Kiss FM.

Bygraves - Do the Right Thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lwt1qzypBQ

When I first saw this thread the first thing that came to mind was Sweet Harmony by Liquid, but the more I listen to these the more I feel like it marks the end of this subgengre, so not what you're looking for at all. Is that right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo4B8uo55nU

Everis - Love Has Arrived

Sweet Harmony was 1992 so I think was concurrent with the early 90s UK soul scene. It was one of the UK Hardcore chart hits so v. popular whereas I think the UK Soul wasn't covered on most commercial radio stations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX86JQGz7Dc

Projection - Lovestruck

Can this one go in here.. SUAD / heavy on the breaks.. Nicolette - Waking Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Tu14joqyqP4

? and then Peter Bouncer - Love is All We Need

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjouEiwgKI

NickB doing sterling work in this thread, that Everis is divine and he is practically giving away the track in the comments too

https://soundcloud.com/soft-rocks/piers-soft-rocks-promises-high-notes

a mix of this stuff posted at Test Pressing a few days ago, includes some stuff posted here already

really enjoying the new Smith & Mighty compilation of unreleased material, even if one of the tracks is a bass-heavy take on the funeral march

i'm listening to an old Mike Woods Legends warmup mix and it fits this thread to a t!!

Link us up please?

here you go, it was posted on the now defunct cosmicdisco.co.uk blog

https://www.mediafire.com/file/9h2u9nbzjcixzbz/mike_woods_legends_tape_1_classics_march_2011.mp3/file

ty

also ty boxedjoy for the soft rocks mix, missed it first time round

yes this Mike Woods mix is exactly the thing, Pleasure's "Please" near the start is another favourite

Latest Trushmix has definite 90s UK street soul vibes, good times!

https://soundcloud.com/trushmix/trushmix-135-amichay-matyas

this beauty was on nts this morning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrl7wD4gojk

Wildcat & Denise Lee - Personal Reasons (Urban Recycle Mix)

also i just remembered that i saved all this from the nts chat cos it looked interesting but i was too busy to read it at the time:

Wed Mar 27, 12:35:19pm

rufdug: this goes out to discogs user "SpareGrooves" who said "Crazy priced obscurity, this would not fill the floor or even warm it up - Many better grooves out there for £2 !"

Wed Mar 27, 12:36:17pm

rufdug: Bô'vel - Check 4 U

Wed Mar 27, 12:36:33pm

rufdug: yeah get on the reissue, heavy remaster and nice price

Wed Mar 27, 12:36:37pm

anon8597: on Be With Records

Wed Mar 27, 12:36:52pm

anon8597: Now someone reissue the Harlem Gem stuff please

Wed Mar 27, 12:36:53pm

xJolo: mix

Wed Mar 27, 12:37:09pm

rufdug: I can't lie I did it in ableton this morning eating an omelette

Wed Mar 27, 12:37:19pm

rufdug: dont hate me

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:11pm

dburch: what omelette

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:16pm

rufdug: 2 eggs

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:26pm

rufdug: salt, pepper, chilli oil

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:45pm

dburch: chilli oil with an omelette, might try that

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:49pm

rufdug: yeah u got to

Wed Mar 27, 12:38:53pm

rufdug: sriracha is banging too

Wed Mar 27, 12:39:41pm

bramsan: great

Wed Mar 27, 12:41:34pm

lobotomyweekend: define "street soul"

Wed Mar 27, 12:41:44pm

rufdug: oh mate

Wed Mar 27, 12:42:03pm

rufdug: can I define balearic instead?

Wed Mar 27, 12:42:13pm

lobotomyweekend: i can't fathom it out u just feel it

Wed Mar 27, 12:42:20pm

rufdug: yeah u know

Wed Mar 27, 12:42:35pm

rufdug: well to me it's cheaply made UK RnB from early 90s

Wed Mar 27, 12:42:43pm

bramsan: Relatively cheep instruments?

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:06pm

rufdug: like producers in the UK were hearing early house, hiphop, beginnings of new jack swing and contemporary RnB from the US

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:09pm

rufdug: Boogie and Soul

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:16pm

rufdug: and they were DJing them at parties in the UK

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:17pm

lobotomyweekend: kinda bass driven

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:20pm

thisismyjames: @rufdug can we have the ruf dug definition of balearic too please?

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:31pm

lobotomyweekend: rare helps

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:31pm

rufdug: and so then its inevitable that they're gonna try and make their own tunes

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:33pm

joonis: i need somebody too !

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:38pm

bramsan: Using the rytm composer

Wed Mar 27, 12:43:52pm

rufdug: but maybe they can only afford a drum machine and a sampler and a DAT machine and a microphone

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:06pm

rufdug: but also what you have in the UK sound is the influence of sound sytem culture

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:12pm

rufdug: so big reggae basslines

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:18pm

rufdug: and DJ culture

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:37pm

rufdug: this is like the primordial ooze of streetsoul here:

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:38pm

rufdug:

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:45pm

rufdug: a live recording from moss side in the 90s

Wed Mar 27, 12:44:47pm

rufdug: it's all in here

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:09pm

rufdug: dub sirens, rewinds, echo box, MCs, toasting

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:14pm

joonis: oh nice chat in here ruf

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:15pm

rufdug: over soul music

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:30pm

lobotomyweekend: primordial ooze i luv it

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:52pm

rufdug: don't buy into the rarity though

Wed Mar 27, 12:45:59pm

rufdug: the biggest tunes weren't the rarest

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:07pm

rufdug: PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:18pm

rufdug: Madonna - Justify My Love

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:23pm

rufdug: these were MASSIVE broadway tunes

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:38pm

rufdug: and if you ever pay more than 10p for either of them u have been robbed

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:49pm

anon6220: love this one

Wed Mar 27, 12:46:56pm

anon8597: those are some cracly rips on this mix
@rufdug

Wed Mar 27, 12:47:07pm

rufdug: u bet they are

Wed Mar 27, 12:47:32pm

anon6220: whats the name again? have it somewhere

Wed Mar 27, 12:47:38pm

rufdug: Mary Pearce - Love Away

Wed Mar 27, 12:47:40pm

anon8597: @anon6220 mary pearce, i think?

Wed Mar 27, 12:47:42pm

anon8597: yes

anon8597: toyin agbetu

rufdug: one of the DONS

rufdug: everyone bang his name into discogs and go hunting, its all gold

rufdug: intrigue records

Wed Mar 27, 12:49:03pm

rufdug: OK gotta dash now, time for the rest of the committee to go for it

rufdug: good times

anon8597: thx for the mix, rug

anon8597: *ruf

anon8597: keepin the street soul alive

Ruf Dug is >>>>

sometimes "Joy And Heartbreak" is the greatest song in the world

"Street Soul Brasil (1987-1995)" is probably my compilation of the year

keep coming back to this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ZxWskYzrM

Ashaye - Dreaming (Jungle Mix)

big up all the champagne crew! big up all the deejays tooooo! *oh gosh*

dreeeeeeaaaaamiiiiiiinnnnn'!

SO FUCKING GOOD!

i'm ded!

That one is proper lovely

i am a bit tipsy, but i've playing it loud on my headphones for about half an hour now and it sounds like heaven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG3x2cvdsrI

Elaine Vassell - Never Give Up

text + content => context

http://testpressing.org/2019/09/i-d-street-soul-august-1989/

NickB are you just always listening to NTS or are these coming into your orbit through other means?

mostly discogs digging and youtube deep dives

this is a good start point, then just explore the different labels and producers:

https://www.discogs.com/search/?style_exact=UK+Street+Soul

last couple i found through this channel, worth checking all that user's videos cos there there is some solid gold there (quite varied genres though):

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0Ol3buLFzzUijWsDwoOCA/videos

also lots of physical digging too btw, i've had some lucky finds along the way

This was alluded to up thread but not this specific track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXlmG4EMf5Y

He sounds like Horace Andy.

Also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9nJEqSGSb0

Sorry, they were 1 World - Down on Love (Blissful Expansion Mix) and Carlton - Come On Back.

Ooof, that Carlton track moves some molecules

Innit. It's like a proto Rhythm and Sound w/artists.

just stumbled on this - guess it must be the thing that ruffy was calling 'the primordial ooze of streetsoul'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kY2fUxBQ-E

oh christ this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gWLX-BDCKU

Marcelle Moncrieffe - Take Me There (Mix 2)

the sales history of that one is making me v. glum

https://www.discogs.com/sell/history/445680

this bygraves record is worth picking up for the odd instrumental version on the flip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyPwyQ596IM

The Bygraves - Destiny (Ambient Future)

been enjoying this one too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OQ2mQRB9E4

Off Peak - Baby It's You

super classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWsXv713jZg

Perfect Taste - It's Over

this too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzrc0W6PFhs

Julie Stapleton - Where's Your Love Gone (Remix)

huddersfield's finest as featured on the 'beautiful swimmers' comp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCcZgtdJuho

Harlem Gem - More Than You Can Wish

this is a bit rough tbh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ji4ce19zQ

Raw To The Core - See It In Your Eyes (Junglist Mix)

and i can't figure out whether this is genius or a complete travesty (someone's just added a drum track to an Inner Life a cappella)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLJgUY0y2VQ

HMD - Your Love

always a joy to see NickB bump this thread!

Off Peak - Baby It's You
this one is an absolute joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig8oc02Enp8

here's another one from Raw To The Core

some other bits I've been enjoying recently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwf0qRlcTrk

Nu-Vizion - What You Won't Do For Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YEz-SfvDRg

Fyza - Poetical Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMi-9Zg61rc

Gary Taylor - Don't Be So Distant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVCYsJWRlGE

Soul Connection - In And Out Of Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zyZp2Cd2HY

Maureen Mason - If This Is A Dream

a few more -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mM4Kaa43r4

Love & Laughter - I Surrender

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDPe7tZ1qCg

The Chimes - Stronger Together (Red Zone Mix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oqrwqfPNNI

Caron Wheeler - I Adore You (Dance Hall Remix)

excellent - will check those later! love that soul connection one though

some more toyin agbetu in his nemisis guise which was more of a house-leaning thing than soul connection:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUmr_RFPzg
nemisis - the way love is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmBYhPeEJms
nemisis ft rosaline joyce - heartbreaker

i do have a soft spot for his dodgy vocals, always makes me think of ar kane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmeqYDWaPTY

that's truncated by about two minutes, worth seeking out the full track

Nice thread

Here's one I just put up

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H_xsxSCqviY"; frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H_xsxSCqviY"; width="480"></iframe>

<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">STREET SOUL 1 - JOY & HEARTBREAK BY THE ENERGIZER</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Tracklist</u></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">01. LA RUE - WISH I COULD FIND ANOTHER</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">02. EMMA HAYWOODE - DON'T POISON ME</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">03. EVERIS - LOVE HAS ARRIVED</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">04. COOL DOWN ZONE - LONELY HEARTS FT. CHARLEMAGNE</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">05. ARETHA DAYE - NO MORE MAKING LOVE (MIX 1)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">06. NU COLOURS - GREATER LOVE</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">07. MARVA HICKS - I GOT YOU WHERE I WANT</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">08. GEMS FOR JEM - TIME FOR LOVE</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">09. JOANNA LAW - FIRST TIME EVER</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">10. LOVE & LAUGHTER - I SURRENDER(CLUB MIX)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">11. AFTER 7 - CAN'T STOP</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">12. WESTERN BLOCK FT. TERRI SYMON - RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">13. MOVEMENT 98 FT. CARROLL THOMPSON - JOY & HEARTBREAK (FUTURE MIX)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">14. J.T. TAYLOR - LONG HOT SUMMER NIGHT</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">15. YBU FT. JONELL - SOUL MAGIC</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b style="background-color: #ededed; color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">DOWNLOAD IS A ZIP FILE WITH ALL THE TUNES AND THE TRACKLIST SLEEVE </b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">STRICTLY GOOD QUALITY VINYL AND CD RIPS, NO DODGY DOWNLOADS AND YOUTUBE RIPS. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">FULL TUNES, NO MIXING, NO SOUND FX/JINGLES.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a data-bg-color-hover="5cc052" data-bg-color="469d3d" data-button-size="dpd-large" data-dpd-type="button" data-lightbox="1" data-pr-bg-color="ffffff" data-pr-color="000000" data-text-color="ffffff" data-text="BUY NOW" data-variant="price-right" href="https://underground-music.dpdcart.com/cart/add?product_id=191032&;method_id=206993">BUY NOW</a><script src="https://underground-music.dpdcart.com/dpd.js";></script>

Admins please delete last 2 posts..I can't seem to embed a video!??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_xsxSCqviY

You just need to post the YouTube link without any code and it should auto embed

Xp ah you got it!

Ok, sussed it

Few more..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hP_ELZoEzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6zE6dTSU4A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llrYY44f5jU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcQI4AsT_pU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2nvFlrc4-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j_EZolf-_w

One of my all time faves next...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhC0Cs5d94U

Thanks@Nick B

The Street Soul scene is similar to the Northern Soul Scene in that it was pretty low key at the time but has since had many revivals and grows in popularity. My Mum used to talk about the Northern Soul scene and I'm glad I was around when street soul was peaking. The blues dances and pirates back then were something else. Never really appreciated them fully at the time as with most things but now can look back and see how special it was.

Nice work - thank you! Randomly listening to the Love & Laughter track, sounds good

0kay that Mike Anthony is terrific, but I went straight to discogs for it and it turns out i already have that record, just never played side two before - duh! Big thanks for posting though!

Don't know if people heard this one - came out just last year with a massive Fifth of Heaven / Just a Little More sample:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ZDZH03iQM

Lynda Dawn - Move

@NickB
kay that Mike Anthony is terrific, but I went straight to discogs for it and it turns out i already have that record, just never played side two before - duh! Big thanks for posting though!

I had the reggae version of that tune on a complilation but was searching for the soul version for years until I realized it was on the B side and got it for pennies..
That epitomizes Street Soul for me...it was usually the B sides or the different mixes to the popular ones that got played.

That Linda Dawn version is nice....I heard it on DJ Swings show a while back..if you haven't heard it yet then tune in Sunday night 8-11pm on tunein https://tunein.com/radio/Legacy-901-FM-s252429/
One of Manchester's finest DJs playing a selection of tune old & new that you don't hear everyday..and sometimes never!

Couple more..

End to End - Are you gonna be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUxPXYYCifM

Princess Ivori - Wanted (Club It 90 Version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VeTM66fi1E

Ninjaman & Flourgon - Zig It Up (Main Attraction Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X60T9dtnR7g

MC Cinderella - Loneliness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmAZK9TFUKA

EN TO END - Money Talks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPxWZxT-Veo

This album was pure gold! Hardcastle at his best for me...
Kiss The Sky You Don't Have To Change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02609fUIzjA

Kym Sims - Too Blind To See It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuXNWI_fYSY

Another one of my faves
Gwen Guthrie - Eyes (You Never Really Cared)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAb6Ub4KD8

Another Linda Dawn tune...not street soul..more Rare Groove style..another genre I love
Lynda Dawn - Any Way You Want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ljBHvK8v0c

Reminds me a bit of Erykah Badu

This girl's realy doing for me right now..sorry to take it off track
Lynda Dawn - Arise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9uHBlnrRzE

The thing with Broadway was that you could hear all those new underground mixes/tunes and then they'd drop a classic like this..
Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Me Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om4cMbFTDvk

or this...
BENNY GOLSON I'M ALWAYS DANCING TO THE MUSIC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPo3ZFOmxxI

That's why Broadway were the best sound for me...they introduced me to a lot of music. For me that's what being a good DJ/Sound is all about...the music should take first place. When you have a passion for the music then boundaries get broken.
Ha..I'll stop wafflin now!!

Been on the Brandy...

For those who don't know about Broadway..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYuDeNZIOnA

Couldn't find this one but sure it must have been posted as it's one of THE biggest tunes of it's time...even guys in London knew this one
Tammy Payne - Free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQNzV7NnYQQ

Can't play that one without this one
Lalah Hathaway - Baby Don't Cry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJQTcX18P64

Haha going turbo there! Thanks for sharing, will go through those later

that Mike Anthony one is incredible!

really goes for it on the vocal, i did a little out-loud whoop! noise when i played that

@boxedjoy....yeah one of my all time faves

More big tunes from that era...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-CoGVw54es

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frI51oRHaB8

The amazing Joanna Law..produced by her brother Funky Ginger Simon Law..great EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_z337Kkyr0&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC1HGtK_qPQ

this is the one that didn't post above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_z337Kkyr0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6M4PB2tkVU

Massive tune!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMOrHhbMDL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51f2l_XR28g

Sorry if some have been posted

Another one of my faves...it was all about thsi mix on the 12"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD2WxSUM0FE

<3 Mr energizer! :)

Still haven't had the chance to catch up with these but keep em coming. I do know dark Knight though - that's one of toyin agbetu's alias yes?

@NickB
Yeah that's right.. One of the originators of the sound

Speaking of Toyin Agbetu...

https://invisiblecityeditions.com/products/soul-connection-ice-016-test-pressing

Invisible City Editions reissues a selection of classic street soul tunes from the legendary duo Toyin Agetbu and Earl Myers. A mix of well loved tracks from Soul Connection's 1988 "Rough & Ready" and 1990 "Raw Street Soul". Remastered from the Master Reels!  This one has been a long time in the making and we are really excited to finally put it out! Full release to come in the next 2-3 months, so get your test pressing now.

Nice one @boxedjoy

Another one from the vaults!
Manchester's own Sylvia Tella..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IstKjsK44XQ

oh i know sylvia tella! i picked up a fantastic lovers version of 'you might need somebody' that she did in '82:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXeik-BFAD0

picked up this recently for a couple of quid. new to me, pretty good too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhC85yxa558

Part II - You Lose Again (Soul Mix)

great news about the Soul Connection btw boxedjoy!

Was overcome by the urge to pull the trigger on a £40 copy of Nemesis' 'The Way Love Is' and then I remembered to check the tracklisting on the Soul Connection comp - close shave that!

Is this floating points that's selling it btw? it's gotta be surely:

https://www.discogs.com/seller/theonlysam/profile

I love the idea of Floating Points looking at his signed copy of Skream's "In For The Kill" remix and deciding he doesn't need it any more

Also how wild is it that you can pick up a compilation of Brazilian street soul fairly easily yet none of the major archival labels have managed to put together one based on the Manchester sound?

I was going to say, is this scene completely unarchived as it is?

Also how did this stuff fit in with the whole mid-80s Soul II Soul/Wild Bunch sound system thing? I don't know a lot about this stuff, whether they were broadly playing the same records or whether it was way more localised than that.

It's odd - you can be on Discogs and some of this stuff is easily available for small change and then there's some stuff that's triple figures for a twelve-inch single. There's compilations from when this stuff was "fresh" but in my experience they're always mastered very quietly and there's always at least one ropey sax solo waiting to spoil the mood.

I'm guessing this mix might be a decent dive in?

https://thevinylfactory.com/features/vf-mix-147-street-soul-by-ruffy-and-randy/

https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Milo-The-Wild-Bunch-Story-Of-A-Sound-System/release/123867

This mix uses live crowd noise from Soul II Soul doing a set at New Year in the late 80s and sets out where this stuff is coming from - 80s vocal post-disco and r&b, the birth of house and hip-hop - but it's kinda a different thing.

Oh yeah I've got that one, way more hip-hop than I was expecting but it's terrific nonetheless.

My impression is that this stuff was aligned more with Soul II Soul and Smith & Mighty than, say, Massive Attack. But I wasn't clubbing in the late 80s on account of only just having been born so I can only base that on comments on Youtubes and how the music actually sounds

I don't know a lot about this stuff, whether they were broadly playing the same records or whether it was way more localised than that.

good question - i think a lot of it was very localised around parties/clubs/radio stations/labels so whether they were playing the manchester stuff in london or not is interesting. i definitely see way more of the london stuff around when i'm looking for records (mostly on the south coast) so i don't think the distribution side of things was particularly brilliant. guessing there are major parallels with a scene like grime in it's early days

its

a bit more toyin agbetu from his later period:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qWkRrABXQ

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2007/apr/03/features11.g2

(hero)

That Part II was a massive underground hit

Soul II Soul were the first to play what's now called streetsoul in London and in Manchester you had a sound called Soul Control..it was mainly underground clubs, blues, parties, pirate stations that played the music. Very few street soul big tunes made the charts or if they did we probably played a different mix.A lot of the UK tunes came through older regae or sound system heads and so had that reggae vibe with deep basslines dodgy vocals and bad production but just worked and sounded raw. Some of the smoother stuff came from the US although usually the B sides or different mixes were played

Also how wild is it that you can pick up a compilation of Brazilian street soul fairly easily yet none of the major archival labels have managed to put together one based on the Manchester sound?
I think cos it wasn't what you could call a 'Manchester' sound. It was played in the underground circuit in most of the Black communities but Manchester and the North seemed to push it more at the time.
I've made some compilations here if anyones interested.

https://streetsoulmusic.blogspot.com/2020/01/street-soul-compilation-1.html

Wow! Look like Toyins lost the plot a bit!

If any of you guys are near Manchester then check out King Bee Records in Chorlton..you can get a lot of Street Soul 12"s for 2.50 -5 quid...or you could last time I was in there. The best place for Street Soul in MCR

Nice Street Soul mix
https://soundcloud.com/the-trilogy-tapes/duster-valentine-uk-street-soul-mix/comment-869641822

Sylvia Tella's Spell album is nice if you like lovers

Different version of YOU LOSE AGAIN
https://youtu.be/mv69mPbSUvI

That video of Agbetu and his explanation of how his actions came about makes me adore him even more. Imagine having a hand in so many amazing singles and then being able to just walk away from that into a career in activism. Most people would be lucky to accomplish half of what he has in either field never mind both!

@boxedjoy... Where's the vid explaining his actions? Can you send a link please?

NickB posted a link right under his video :)

Thanks, missed it...it's from 2007!

Harlem Gem....another UK group

https://youtu.be/MiTnZ0Qdh_0
https://youtu.be/sMh4WbrNuRY

Toyin is still very much the activist, currently very much involved in the campaign for justice for the victims of Grenfell. Not sure he posts much about music these days, but here's his twitter: https://twitter.com/LigaliOrg

Harlem Gem are fantastic, just magic music. Was kind of amazed to find out they were from Huddersfield. Would love to see a comp of their stuff, prices for the records seem to have gone a bit daft since 'More Than You Can Wish' was included on the Beautiful Swimmers comp last year.

Thanks for the playlist link btw MrE! Will check that out in a bit

This would be a really good theme for a Bob Stanley compilation

Annoyingly the vocal version of this one isn't on Youtube but this is kind of interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGqsY2LBUak

Massonix - Just A Little Bit More (1990)

Massonix were Graham Massey's side project outside of 808 State. Vocals on the record are by Denise Johnson who was previously in A Certain Ratio (was she Donald Johnson's sister?) and then ofc Fifth Of Heaven

xp someone needs to do one! surely gonna happen soon

that Massonix one costs a whole 90p on the cogs right now btw

wow..forgot about that massonix tune with the Barry White sample

@wuhan..this is the mix that used to get rinsed
https://youtu.be/5JKqQ8tLqJQ

https://youtu.be/kTCEiZrUpt0

https://youtu.be/c2BBtwnfySQ

https://youtu.be/2VtP9twT7ZY

https://youtu.be/qDZM4xXy17I

https://youtu.be/Ap9FcQ6tg8U

https://youtu.be/oTSV6k6Ye18

Thank you for posting all this great stuff, but please be aware that if and when these YT links get broken there’s nothing to go on if you don’t also provide the track info in your post, which would be a shame.

#threadiquette

@beastcrawl. Thanks for the tip.. Will do from now on.

That Flair tune is really one of the best things, I love that one!

Rick Clarke is always good, an actual great singer but also an incredible band - think it's basically Light Of The World playing on a lot of his tunes? Love their guitar player, always sliding in with the slinkiest little fills

I have that September record. The one I really want of theirs is 'Are You Free Tonight?' which is more of a straight up boogie cut from 84

@nick b
Yeah agree about LOTW. Never heard that'Are you free...' time before.. Nice one

Tune

Mica Paris - I wanna hold on to you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWSGPKwCMC4

Mica paris - should've known better
My fave of hers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaA7kt5DLLE

The Project - Don't Be So Cruel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYX37n0MGxo

Julianne - Visions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sMCVnT0eoQ&t=76s

Nazlyn Your Love My Way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d7KprN5Nds

Lorraine Cato - How Can You Tell Me It's Over?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSkUa_VAfw

Eternity - I Belong To You
One of those white labels I picked up by chance and was glad for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9x_zOhZ0p0

HISTORY FEAT Q TEE AFRICA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYU6AZ1tN5c

EN TO END - Money Talks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPxWZxT-Veo

D'Swing - Love Times Love
Anything I saw on the heaven Records label I saw back in the dy got snatched up
https://youtu.be/30nhML0QRN4

I love that History one! She ended up as the voice on the UK Eurovision entry at one point

D'Swing Featuring Diane Charlemagne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urW9g6qy1sI

D'SWING - IF I KNEW (Humper Bumper Mix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTgDHA1eNd0

Sovereign - I Luv U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRvH-kydx_Q

GEMS FOR JEM TIME FOR LOVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5cSEhg-Wi8

GEMS FOR JEM EVEN WHEN YOU'RE GONE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbCkF1Mhym8

Dark Knights Feat. Mary Pearce ‎– 2 Be A Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUV8eYxYmHQ

MARY PEARCE STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaLU8O1RvcU

Mary Pearce - Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y-agTtbnAE

Mary Pearce - Over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8K9OzVqEEo

Pretty much everything Mary did back then was firing!

Mary Pearce - Love Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d5WPanSzdg

@boxed joy..ha forgot about that!

ahh yes more goodies! know and love those mary pearce ones already, 'love away' is just gorgeous

Yeah, Mary Pearce had some serious tunes back then and love away was one of the best. That whole album was a killer tbh.

Got this 12" given to me by a friend..big up Lee B..I missed it first time round
Doctor Woos Soul In Paradise
https://youtu.be/ECAJsonLV_U

Doctor Woos Soul In Paradise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECAJsonLV_U

Another undercover one
Diane Gray - It's Closer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qppcrAAo5qI

Ruby Turner - It's Gonna Be Alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmLrb0ufmI

Maxeen The Last Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5kgKR69ZDc

sindecut slow down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SySWkOLKvdc

Reason Featuring Leanne Golding - Try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wyMrdQOn4

Reason Feat Leanne Golding Heartache
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVnQrDBZ2kw

One of those decade defining tunes for me, got rinsed on LUV NRG
MK featuring Alana - Love Changes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNSC8XhyJb0

A bit after the Street soul time but Manchester artist and brought it back to the streets when everything was about R&B
Diane Marsh - Private Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzQ1oRIpzUU

MASSIVE!!!
Anna Mwale - Get Free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1MNAE3Q_E8

Took me years to hunt this one down..only ever heard Broadway play this tune. Not sure if this was originally a dubplate mix for Animal from BW..
Claudia Patrice - Forever
https://youtu.be/b-CoGVw54es

Carla Thomas - Things Ya Make Me Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-nZ0fGK8Gk

One of my faves
Gwen Guthrie - Eyes (You Never Really Cared)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAb6Ub4KD8

Rose Windross - Living Life Your Own Way
Nice Jazzy tune that BW used to feature

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8diLkNcOgE

U Touch - Don't Let Love Get You Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGYtbkgyjd4

Dream Frequency - Love, Peace And Harmony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jv8Bd9_8LI

Higher Ground Somebody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKmQnw9v7C4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogMf9GYHgFI

Classic @Bstep. One of the best bands to ever come out of Manchester. My mates wife used to sing with them, then Diane took over and they got successful.

https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/3733

Toyin Agbetu interview! Those stories about getting his baseball bat are excellent.

https://youtu.be/cWqp3C0hFg0

Re-issue coming on Isle Of Jura for this one, ideal

^ oh shit that's great news!

I would be remiss in not mentioning Carlton's album 'The Call Is Strong' from 1990, produced by Smith & Mighty, which I consider the overlooked pinnacle of this sound. One of my great music tragedies is losing my copy of this.

finally found a copy of this out in the wild yesterday, best pound I've spent in ages! had the singles for a while but they never really convinced. album is a different beast though, phenomenal stuff

Great interview Boxedjoy..one of the originators

Yeah that Carlton album was a classic...took me years to get a copy! Everis had a big album about that time too

Shades Of Black ‎– Make U Mine (Nemesis Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1hifWVab48

Tracy Jones - Promise Me, Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBuBYTgWh-E

Stirling McLean - Midnight Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zjwavc-P4I

Trichelle - Midnight lover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enMc6Oqwyxo

Azizi - Midnight Lover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEiezuJdVM4

https://www.mrbongo.com/blogs/news/digging-deeper-an-interview-with-heels-souls-recordings

this interview with Heels & Souls on the re-issue of Special Touch "Garden Of Life" (!) comes with a really good streetsoul mix too

well, would you just look at that :D

picked up the special touch reissue last week, great stuff - meant to bump the thread!

Numero Group have made a playlist...

Lover’s Walk: The Numero Guide to UK Street Soul

The convergence of reggae basslines, the shuffled drum machine rhythms of New Jack Swing, & a concretely British approach to lyrics centered on love. Walk with us through the intersections of Street Soul.https://t.co/CDuMDwp3MC pic.twitter.com/s8UMx4JWFQ

— numerogroup (@numerogroup) January 12, 2021

In the meantime, Bassline's 'You've Gone' is just about to get reissued by Isle of Jura:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJShyWNgkGL/

i'm sure it's already been posted on here, but huge tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWqp3C0hFg0

^ guy who produced that (Tony Henry) was also one of the brains behind 52nd Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUmx-zqoB4U

^ incredible video btw

thanks for the playlist!

just spotted they're reissuing Ashaye's "Dreaming", excellent, BIG UP ALL THE CHAMPAGNE CREW

Holy shit! Jungle mix? Link plz!

http://numerogroup.com/products/ashaye-dreaming

TRACK LIST

AshayDreaming (Jungle Mix)
AshayDreaming (Original Mix)

sweet jesus, yesssssss! :D

I would not be surprised if there's someone lurking here from Numero Group picking up on your enthusiasm for this one!

this thread's still on the first page of results for "uk streetsoul" on google! but that record is also right up there in the "most wanted" street soul releases on discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/search/?sort=want%2Cdesc&style_exact=UK+Street+Soul

lol @ boxedjoy...you know!!

Love the musical journeys...just went from Numero .... https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2H9z1716keB60f8vG031Kw
Lovers Walk: The Numero Guide to Street Soul

and ended up at 24-Carat Black who I'd never heard of but loving the sounds!
https://www.discogs.com/24-Carat-Black-Gone-The-Promises-Of-Yesterday/master/177734

keep dropping those posts

Oh wow...just listening to Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth, not heard for years, forgot about this band!!! Classic and sampled by Rakim, Jill Scott and the rest...

Oh man '24-Carat Black theme' ..I love when I find music I'd forgotten about and still get the same joy from it! It was 80s Hip hop that introduced me to those samples and got me crate diggin...keep the music alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ktMKilWYOA

heard this one a few days ago, I love it

A Joanna Law I don't think I've heard before !!!

Joanna Law - Love is not enough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCngWcH0GAg

Her big tune was Forever.. First time I heard it was by Broadway and I always thought the intro was saying Animal (Wayne - one of BW's DJ's nickname). I thought it was a special (dubplate).

Here's an undercover 12

Claudia Patrice ‎– Unknown Title
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf_AHXHQlcQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5MjHpig-Fs

Massive tune from back in the day

Alisha Warren - Discover Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSTufxJPTvo

Mica's sister!

Oh hello, V4 Visions double LP comp just announced with sleevenotes by Simon Reynolds:

https://v4visions.bandcamp.com/album/v4-visions-of-love-androids

I love both the Maureen Mason tracks on that

THIS SONG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2oERW0Hq1E

i love that space ghost has been zoning in on this sound recently - check out eg 'emotional healer (back room mix)' from last year's album. new track on the ON LOOP comp is mega: https://onloop.bandcamp.com/track/space-ghost-used-to-it

i dunno why i briefly went all caps there btw, i don't have a shouty bone in my body tight now

right now not tight now jfc my brane

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread over the years. I know nothing about this stuff, but whenever I see it revived, I end up playing songs posted in here for an hour or more every single time. Solid jams all around, cheers.

:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdJlJh6zWOs

^ Did this ever get posted here? Probably not, because it really isn't very street at all tbh, but it is an absolute jam. Classic late 80s wine bar vibe, should be on a million comps but i've never even been able to find a decent rip of it. what a song though

I love when NickB bumps this thread <3

this bangs and is only buttons on the cogs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0_iA97Asps

Angels And Images – Hold Me Tight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi10mI0RTqc

Shades of Rhythm going streetsoul in 1988

This is one of my best finds, but the video here seems pitched down a little compared to my 12"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWJZ87gzdVU

Or maybe this more boogie? Too early?

nice find, sounds a bit like 52nd Street

tbh it was the similarity with 52nd st that led me to post that one, but playing much of the other videos here it's a little out of sync

Oddly, the b side is Lovers Rock and it seems from discogs that their earlier single is too

yeah was looking at their discogs, they do seem to be coming from a lovers/reggae background. producer was mark lusardi (linda's brother!) who worked on loads of reggae things and was also in jah wobble's band for a while. you can actually hear kind of a reggae bassline in the tune you posted, wonder if they tried it out as a straight reggae number first and then thought fuck it, lets get the synths in!

If I ever start a cult our mission statement will be "fuck it, let's get the synths in"

not exactly sure where to put this Mr. Ho track I’ve been obsessed with recently. The beat seems really streetsoul-y to me and it’s got reggae vocal samples so idk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg2repuHhOo

it's such a good track. the beat is of course the soul ii soul beat aka the ashley's roachclip break.

Gold In The Shade reissue coming out on Heels & Souls:

https://heelsandsouls.bandcamp.com/album/over-you-shining-through-hsrec004

cheers for the heels and souls link — lot of other great stuff to look into there!

nothing to add, just another quick thank you for this thread. feel like i owe you guys money or something for all the jams. also lol "simple solution" is tagged with artist name J DILLA on spotify. even with my novice experience, that makes my inner librarian feel physical pain.

Ashaye - Dreaming (Jungle Mix)

― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, September 27, 2019 3:50 PM

according to my last.fm-
first listen was 1 april 2022 11:33pm and have registered 62 plays total. probably one of my favorite song discoveries of the past several years.

thread delivers once again.

big up all the sunshine crew

amazing song, no doubt about it

hardly on the same level, but have been enjoying this one a lot, even though the bass sounds like pure mud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAiqInbHmJI

Yolanda Warrington - Is This Love

this is pure beauty:

https://deathisnot.bandcamp.com/album/all-bad-boy-all-good-girl-manchester-street-soul-soundtapes-1988-1996

this is fantastic. thank you. DINTE always hits

That label totally rules

flair's "chasin' the rain" getting a reissue via heels & souls:

https://www.phonicarecords.com/product/view/189158?mc_cid=987253cda0&mc_eid=f1ee688a08

fantastic news! absolute bliss tune

did i ever post this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LzotzSlNFk
Julianne - I've Been There

(there is a remix with a breakbeat but it's a bit on the busy side imo)

New comp coming out on AOTN:

https://aotns.bandcamp.com/album/just-a-touch-pre-order

tracklist:

Bovel - "Coming Back"
Sam - "Life" (club mix)
Marcelle Moncrieffe - "Take Me There"
Kofi - "Step By Step"
Pure Silk - "What You Do For Me"
Jenny B - "Sexy Eyes"
Sonja Ryshard - "Step Back"
Cavalier - "Don't Touch"
Purely Fizzycal - "Straight To The Top"
Dennis Planter - "I Still Dream Of You"
Taffy - "Passion"
Weekend In Paris - "Hold Your Head Up"

...which handily crosses off a whole bunch of things on my wantlist.

The Taffy one is great (and yes, it's *that* Taffy!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFiOrrjB68Q

AOTN killing it as per

hi.💙

thank you to nick and bj and donna and everyone who posts in here. i lurk frequently and sometimes feel like a spongey poseur type for just taking all this wisdom and smiling to myself for hours on end. threads like this are a public service and we are indebted. this is me bowing down.

i wanted to make a post with some sidebar relevance to the main theme here. am sorry if this is not a good place for this post. please redirect if so.

lately, we've been digging into what i would relate as a kind of contemporary equivalent to the main topic of discussion here... kind of dub/step beats with r+b vocals. i am a novice when it comes to this stuff, but i wanted to share some examples of what i'm referring to (because i may not even be using these terms and labels correctly; again- novice). here's some big favorites recently—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naB3CgNpGdI
von d+phephe — "show me" (2009 — i think?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIRzAWk8nwA
geoim feat. marita — "reminissin'" (2008)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJPdQaX7Xsw
andreya triana — "a town called obsolete (mount kimbie remix)" (2010)

i stumbled onto these just by wandering around playlists and threads like this but i can't get enough lately. is there a compilation or something where i have more? please?

Those are cool I like them! Do you know this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlw_edzvCS0
Nat Home ft Ms Ray - Witching Hour

(bit more recent, bit more housey)

nope, don't know this! it's kind of... acid-y??!?! very cool stuff. thank you!

that andreya triana mount kimbie rmx is the prototype i'm looking for right now; lowkey wonky beats and pensive crooning. fuck yeah.

smokin' hottt...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ButOd7iZQbI
Sisters On The Groove - Weekend Love

quite a strong freestyle influence there, sweet tune

bit of pricey one though :(

Ruf Dug has taken the gig of being Roisin Murphy's 2024 EU tour DJ :/

yeah i saw that, very disappointing ruffy mate

Doesn’t surprise me. Is Ruff Dug on the street soul bandwagon now?

How have I never seen this thread before?!? I'm utterly unfamiliar with this genre but I'm completely obsessed with this era of pop music (been contemplating a thread dedicated to the hundreds of freestyle and freestyle-inspired songs churned out over this handful of years) and this is like a huge missing chunk that I didn't even realize was missing. Gonna need some time to properly digest.

hi sorry if lame newb question, but in terms of revival, do you guys know ms ray? some other things on streaming, but the wow is now ep from a few years back is pure money. highly recommended.

here's a highlight-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iibXbmYemGU
ms ray - "how they shine" (2020)

her most recent thing from last summer-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB2wS3rGR6c
ms ray - "broken heart still beats" (2023)

I only know her from the vocal she did on 'Witching Hour' which is upthread a few tunes ago. Hadn't thought there might be other stuff so thanks for that!