Quiet Storm

Quiet Storm is slow, lovey dovey soul ballads. Baby-making music, music to make love to. So, basically this is a few albums that I put the best tracks together from.

Azizi released Trouble on BMG Arista in 1991 to little acclaim. Midnight Lover was a reasonable single for the time but Don't Say It's Over (produced by Phil Bodger for Slam Jam) was my fav from the album.

Barabra Weathers released her self titled album on Reprise in 1990. Fav tracks from the Ex Atlantic Starr vocalist's album were Barbi Doll, Our Love Will Last Forever, The Master Key & this track. Anywhere produced by Maurice White for Kalimba (EW&F)

Billy Always released Watch Out on CBS Epic back in 1988. The album contains the immortal sleevenote "A very warm and special thanks to... Aretha Franklin (Thanks for the sandwiches!)" Apparently, they're related? Two particularly fine songs from this album made it onto my CD but Emergency Love is my very favourite!

Dee Dee Wilde released No Way Out on 4th & B'way in 1988. It had 4 tracks that I liked all of which made it onto the CD. I guess the title track is my fav.

Robbie Mychals arrived in 1990 on Alpha International, he didn't stay long and the album sleeve notes give no clues as to where he came from except "James L. Dabney 1910-1985 The builder of my foundation" One Mile From Paradise had a hint of New Jack Swing but enough substance to also stand on its own.

Betty Wright released 4U2NJOY onto an unsuspecting public in 1989 via Jet Star and herewithin are the 4 standout tracks for me with the title track once again, being my fav. Probably because it appeals to my filthy mind?

The other tracks here are just as important,
Firestarter by Tease is a classic, Don't Say No by the Manhattans is from Too Hot To Stop. Heaven by Keith Patrick is the best track from his self titled album that spawned A Night To Remember. Night Games is from Bobby 'Blue' Bland's 'Come Fly With Me' album and To Be Immortal by Oran "Juice" Jones is a bit of a wildcard. Incorporating that wicked bassline from Donald Byrd's Dominoes to deliver a few words of wisdom, 'Juice' manages, for me anyway, to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

It's more like a sampler album really but.... It's good. Download, burn & press play!

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Size: MB

The 80's Groove Mastermiks Dance Party Volume 2

OK, so you get the idea then, I take a full measure of good quality 80's Groove, add a big pinch of cheesey 80's chart soul, stick it through my virtual 'blender' and end up with a 80's Groove 'Smoothie'

Don't worry about the 'lumpy bits' though, just swallow them, It's all good.... even when it's bad?

So here's Volume 2, more of the same. Not as smooth as Vol. 1 but more inspired at times. Check out New York Eyes, Trapped & Big Mouth (Tom Browne has not yet threatened legal action although one of his fans threatened physical violence).

Anybody wishing to hear the original tracks used in this mix, let me know and I'll dig them out.

• Princess - After The Love Has Gone (Chief Inspector Mix)
• Wally Badarou - Chief Inspector (Precinct 13 Dub)
• Nuance - Love Ride (Latin Rascals)
• Masterdon Committee - Funk Box Party (Pt 1 & 2)
• DSM - Destiny (Instrumental)
• Midnight Star - Curious
• Grandmaster Flash - Larry's Theme
  
• Harlequin 4's - Set It Off (Beats)
• Colnel Abrams - Trapped (Dub)
• Sherrick - Just Call (M&M)
• Aurra - You & Me Tonight
• Sybil Thomas - Rescue Me
• Kremicle - No News (Club)
• Aleem - Get Loose (Dub)
• Nicole & Timmy Thomas - NY Eyes
• Whodini - Big Mouth (Acc)
• Tom Browne - Funkin' For Jamaica (NY)
• Viola Wills - Dare To Dream (London)
• Mtume - Juicy Fruit

The download link is here: Download
Filename is: Mastermiks Dance Party Vol 2.mp3 Filesize: 72.58 MB

Blues & Soul Top 100

In 1984 Blues & Soul Magazine held a poll with their readers to determine what the best ever Soul & Dance songs were. Although the chart is now a quarter of a century out of date, I think most people with an interest in real Soul music would agree, not much here that needs changing?

Click the chart for a larger readable pic, it'll open in a new window.

Here to start you off, the All Time Top 12.

No. 12 The Fatback Band - I Found Lovin' 1984
No. 11 Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing 1982
No. 10 Luther VanDross - Never Too Much 1981
No. 9 Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody 1983
No. 8 Lamont Dozier - Why Can't We Be Lovers 1973
No. 7 The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze 1974
No. 6 Marlena Shaw - Yu Ma / Go Away Little Boy 1969
No. 5 Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On 1973
No. 4 Teena Marie - Portugese Love 1981
No. 3 Alexander O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight 1983
No. 2 Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Joy & Pain (Live) 1981
No. 1 Marvin Gaye - What's Goin' On 1971

The download link is here: Download
Filename: BS Top 12.rar Size: 80.57 MB

The 80's Groove Mastermiks Dance Party

This is an 80's Soul & Dance mix that I made myself that you'll either love or hate.

As a DJ, I can't mix and I'm not about to pretend that I can however... I have Sound Forge! It also helps that this is an 80's Groove mix. Back in the day it wasn't about perfect seamless mixing, it was about being adventurous and different?

I lived in South London in the 80's and Pirate's ruled the airwaves. My favourite station featured the 'Mastermix Dance Party' hosted by a guy called Barry B. He wasn't the greatest mix DJ in the world but he sure as hell knew how to make a mix interesting. (I always suspected he used a studio to pre-record his mixes so maybe I'm not cheating?)

Please stick with the first track for the first listen (at least) coz it sets the scene for the mix. It's impossible to comprehend how important that song was back in the day, kinda like the Pussycat Dolls of 1986. Played everywhere by everyone for soooo long. Here, I've recreated the 'Good Groove' remix done by Derek B on LWR (probably in 1985).

So, here we go... ripped off from LWR 92.5 fm, in the mid 80's.

featuring

• Full Force - Alice (I Want You Just For Me)
• Bernard Wright - Who Do You Love
• Sahara - Love So Fine
• 52nd Street - Tell Me
• Lillo Thomas - Settle Down
• Aleem - Get Loose/Release Yourself
• Force MD's - Forgive Me Girl
• BB&Q - Dreamer
• Dante - Freak In Me
• Kleer - Never Cry Again
• Krystol - After The Dance
• Royalle Delite - I'll Be A Freak (For You)
• Rochelle - My Magic Man
• Tenita Jordan - You Got Me Dreaming
• Surface - Falling In Love
• Trussell - Love Injection

The Download Link is: Download
Filename: Mastermiks Dance Party Vol 1.mp3 Size: 90.22 MB