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
― boxedjoy, Monday, 15 October 2018 21:49 (three months ago) Permalink
garden of life is GOAT
― brimstead, Monday, 15 October 2018 21:54 (three months ago) Permalink
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?
― brotherlovesdub, Monday, 15 October 2018 22:36 (three months ago) Permalink
This has a big overlap with what was labeled ‘acid jazz’, no?
― Siegbran, Monday, 15 October 2018 23:28 (three months ago) Permalink
Yeah, does Jhelisa count? Friendly Pressure sounds like these songs to me. https://youtu.be/YAMtlnvJeo4
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 02:14 (three months ago) Permalink
Deluxe - I've got a feelinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHBPpDfojg0
― Tib, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 02:20 (three months ago) Permalink
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).
― Tim F, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 02:45 (three months ago) Permalink
i like this stuff too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUpP_a8vAjA
― the late great, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 03:47 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― the late great, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 03:49 (three months ago) Permalink
Innocence - Natural thing?
― Tib, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 04:51 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHSPzry7cH8Fresh 4 feat. Lizz-E • Wishing On A Star
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 07:11 (three months ago) Permalink
Smith & Mighty DJ Kicks is U&K
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCIxA2qpKg
― Neil S, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 07:27 (three months ago) Permalink
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?
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 07:35 (three months ago) Permalink
Yeah I should have specified with the Williams that I meant the extended version produced by Soul II Soul.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 08:23 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― boxedjoy, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 11:49 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― boxedjoy, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 11:51 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 11:51 (three months ago) Permalink
People quickly realized the instrumentals were better than the vocals and Trip Hop got the fame.
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 15:31 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG8BVCCjTOw
Jill Francis - Make Love To Me (Gangster Mix)
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 15:45 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1-GrHZSCbo
Irini – 24/7 Love
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:00 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― boxedjoy, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:04 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― boxedjoy, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:06 (three months ago) Permalink
oh i didn't know about that comp, looks like a good launchpad for further investigations
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:15 (three months ago) Permalink
i knew about the bovel cos they've been hammering it on nts
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:17 (three months ago) Permalink
sorry that the sound on that irini YT is so fucked, it's a good one though
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:18 (three months ago) Permalink
maybe a precursor for this sort of thing is mantronix's productions for joyce sims?
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:20 (three months ago) Permalink
that stuff was 1987-ish i think
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:22 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― Neil S, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:42 (three months ago) Permalink
just an excuse to post that fantastic track really
― Neil S, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 16:43 (three months ago) Permalink
ok lol turns out the one i posted is american too
― the late great, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 19:29 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 20:15 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDZM4xXy17I
Rosaline Joyce - I Will Never Be Your Lover
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 20:20 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcQTOQIlKHY
Fresh Cut ft Ann Cain - Don't Rush (Remix)
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:04 (three months ago) Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=yiWghyFnasU
FM Inc. Call Me Anytime .. Dub is good too
― mmmm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:14 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCngWcH0GAg
Joanna Law / Soul 2 Soul connection
― mmmm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:17 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzftzlfi36U
― mmmm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:18 (three months ago) Permalink
... meant to post another Sarah Winton but the whole LP is top notch
― mmmm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:19 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh2tFYgiIuU
Dazzle - Dazzle You. (Haul & Pull Up mix) 1989
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:36 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPMyV7SOgxk
Fifth Of Heaven - Just A Little More
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:41 (three months ago) Permalink
https://youtu.be/KaA7kt5DLLE
― mmmm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:48 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zGXKBRT1gk
Carla Thomas - Things Ya Make Me Do (Summer Remix) (1994)
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 21:49 (three months ago) Permalink
big tune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVBTrudXcs8
Rick Clarke - Perfect Lady
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 05:44 (three months ago) Permalink
don't think the importance of these guys can be overstated...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKdnCSeJwQLoose Ends - Slow Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5rqP8QTAbULoose Ends - Don't Be A Fool
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 11:48 (three months ago) Permalink
^ 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)
― Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 11:58 (three months ago) Permalink
Diane Charlemagne should get a mention. Cool Down Zone – Lonely Hearts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgIZJnMSjqY
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:01 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:10 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:11 (three months ago) Permalink
Bygraves - Do the Right Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lwt1qzypBQ
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:13 (three months ago) Permalink
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?
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:18 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo4B8uo55nU
Everis - Love Has Arrived
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:31 (three months ago) Permalink
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.
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:34 (three months ago) Permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX86JQGz7Dc
Projection - Lovestruck
― Herb Achelors (NickB), Wednesday, 17 October 2018 12:40 (three months ago) Permalink
Can this one go in here.. SUAD / heavy on the breaks.. Nicolette - Waking Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Tu14joqyqP4
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 13:46 (three months ago) Permalink
? and then Peter Bouncer - Love is All We Need
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjouEiwgKI
― mmmm, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 13:48 (three months ago) Permalink
NickB doing sterling work in this thread, that Everis is divine and he is practically giving away the track in the comments too
― boxedjoy, Friday, 19 October 2018 14:49 (three months ago) Permalink
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
― boxedjoy, Thursday, 8 November 2018 20:06 (two months ago) Permalink
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
― boxedjoy, Tuesday, 8 January 2019 22:40 (one week ago) Permalink
i'm listening to an old Mike Woods Legends warmup mix and it fits this thread to a t!!
― brimstead, Thursday, 10 January 2019 03:04 (one week ago) Permalink
Link us up please?
― boxedjoy, Thursday, 10 January 2019 09:11 (one week ago) Permalink
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
― brimstead, Thursday, 10 January 2019 19:05 (one week ago) Permalink
ty
also ty boxedjoy for the soft rocks mix, missed it first time round
― the late great, Thursday, 10 January 2019 19:40 (one week ago) Permalink
yes this Mike Woods mix is exactly the thing, Pleasure's "Please" near the start is another favourite
― boxedjoy, Friday, 11 January 2019 10:57 (one week ago) Permalink