Freestyle comes with it again - presenting the first officially licensed reissue for a previously white label-only slice of fantastic 1982 UK boogie funk, featuring the vocal talents of a then 19 year-old Caron Wheeler!
La Famille were a group put together at the turn of the 1980s by seasoned reggae & jazz guitarist (and later band-member with the award-winning Jazz Jamaica) Alan Weekes. The band's main line-up consisted not only of a young Wheeler, but also a young Cleveland Watkiss - as well as the late Claudia Fontaine (who would go on to pair with Caron as Afrodiziak) & Roy Hamilton - with guitar, arrangement and production provided by Weekes.
While the group was short-lived - recording only this 12" alongside a couple of singles for Leonard "Santic" Chin's Sanity label (a stellar cover of the Mary Jane Girl's classic All Night Long) and Alan's later Bpop label (the down-tempo groover Lost in Paradise, co-arranged alongside Watkiss) - there is no denying the talent on display here, as the years and decades that followed can surely attest.
Suche:caron wheeler
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RE:VERSAL is a home for pioneering dance and electronic music, featuring classics, gems, and rarities from the world’s largest music archive.
The label's first release features an assortment of big hitters who shaped the dance music scene, such as Soul II Soul, The Orb, Masters At Work, and those like Kruder and Dorfmeister, who elegantly brought dance tracks into the world of downtempo. This release is the first of its kind, combining multiple major labels, genres, and artists under one roof.
A strictly limited one-time pressing on high-quality 12" 180g heavyweight vinyl.
Roots in the past, fruits in the present.
a A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) Masters At Work House Remix - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
a A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) Masters At Work House Remix - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
a A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) Masters At Work House Remix - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
a A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) Masters At Work House Remix - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
[a] A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) [Masters At Work House Remix] - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
[a] A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) [Masters At Work House Remix] - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
[a] A1: Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) [Masters At Work House Remix] - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
[a] A1 | Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) [Masters At Work House Remix] - Soul II Soul, Caron Wheeler
- A1: Brothers In Rhythm - Such A Good Feeling
- A2: Black Box – Ride On Time
- A3: C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- A4: Inner City - Good Life
- A5: Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash (Money Talks)
- A6: Grace – Not Over Yet
- A7: Billie Ray Martin – Your Loving Arms
- B1: S'express - Theme From S-Express
- B2: Kenny “Dope” Presents The Bucketheads - The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)
- B3: Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On
- B4: Coldcut And Lisa Stansfield - People Hold On (Single Version)
- B5: Bomb The Bass - Beat Dis
- B6: Tony Di Bart - The Real Thing
- B7: Saint Etienne - He's On The Phone
- B8: D Ream – U R The Best Thing
- C1: Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer
- C2: Corona – The Rhythm Of The Night
- C3: Real Mccoy - Another Night
- C4: Dr. Alban - It’s My Life
- C5: Haddaway - What Is Love
- C6: K.w.s. - Please Don’t Go
- C7: Cappella - U Got 2 Let The Music
- C8: Opus Iii – It’s A Fine Day
- D1: Deee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart
- D4: Urban Cookie Collective - The Key, The Secret
- D5: Oceanic - Insanity - Dream Tripper (Old Skool Radio Edit)
- D6: N-Trance – Set You Free
- D7: Felix - Don't You Want Me
- D8: Utah Saints - Something Good
- E1: Yazz & The Plastic Population - The Only Way Is Up
- E2: 49Ers - Touch Me
- E3: Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy
- E4: Rozalla – Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)
- E5: Strike - U Sure Do
- E6: Jx – Son Of A Gun
- E7: Blue Pearl - Naked In The Rain
- E8: Adamski & Seal - Killer
- F1: Soul Ii Soul, Caron Wheeler - Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)
- F2: Beats International - Dub Be Good To Me
- F3: Freak Power - Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out
- F4: The Prodigy – Charly
- F5: Guru Josh - Infinity
- F6: 808 State - Pacific - 707
- F7: The Beloved - The Sun Rising
- D2: Livin' Joy - Dreamer
- D3: Cece Peniston - Finally
NOW Music proudly presents the next release in our “NOW That’s What I Call An Era” series - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 – a euphoric celebration of a truly transformative time in music.
This stunning 3LP set pressed on blue, white and yellow vinyl showcases 46 essential tracks that soundtracked the dancefloors, charts, and airwaves from the late ’80s through the ’90s — an era when dance culture reshaped the mainstream, soundtracked a generation, and lit up the charts across the UK and beyond
LP1 – Side A opens in style with ‘Such A Good Feeling’ from Brothers In Rhythm, this collection’s inspiring title…followed by Black Box with ‘Ride On Time’ — the best-selling UK single of ’89, and one of dance music’s defining tracks. Massive club classics continue with C+C Music Factory’s ‘Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)’, house anthems from Inner City with ‘Good Life’, and ‘Dirty Cash (Money Talks)’ from Adventures Of Stevie V, plus dance-pop gems ‘Not Over Yet’ from Grace, and Billie Ray Martin with ‘Your Loving Arms’…Flip the LP over for the pioneering ‘Theme From S-Express’, a chart-topper from 1988, before dancefloor earworms from Kenny “Dope” Presents The Bucketheads with ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)’, Nightcrawlers with ‘Push The Feeling On’ and ‘People Hold On’ from Coldcut and Lisa Stansfield. The influential ‘Beat Dis’ from Bomb The Bass is up next ahead of Tony Di Bart’s #1 ‘The Real Thing’, Saint Etienne’s sophisticated dance-pop nugget ‘He’s On The Phone’, and LP1’s closer from D:Ream with the Perfecto radio remix of ‘U R The Best Thing’.
LP2 – kicks off with a run of electrifying Eurodance – all massive club anthems. ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer’ from SNAP! leads off; a UK No. 1 and another defining track of the decade – followed by smashes from Corona, Real McCoy, Dr. Alban, Haddaway, KWS and Cappella, before the side closes with the techno-pop of Opus III with ‘It’s A Fine Day’… The party continues on Side B with an irresistible lineup led by Deee-Lite with ‘Groove Is In The Heart’, their brilliant fusion of funk, house and pop that continues to be a massive floor-filler… as is ‘Dreamer’ from Livin’ Joy, a 1995 No. 1 smash, and vocal house classic ‘Finally’ from CeCe Peniston. Urban Cookie Collective scored a huge hit with ‘The Key, The Secret’, which is followed by the rave energy of Oceanic, N-Trance, Felix – and Utah Saints who sign-off LP2 with the epic ‘Something Good’.
Kicking off the final LP, Side A explodes into life with massive feel-good tunes:- Yazz & The Plastic Population’s ‘The Only Way Is Up’ – a 1988 No. 1 and landmark UK house hit ahead of 49ers with ‘Touch Me’ and Baby D with their #1 ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’. Another run of floor-fillers from Rozalla with ‘Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)’, JX with ‘Son Of A Gun’, Blue Pearl’s ‘Naked In The Rain’ and ‘U Sure Do’ from Strike follows and the side closes with the electronic acid house of ‘Killer’ from Adamski that hit the top of the charts and introduced Seal… and over on the final side, the collection moves toward it's close with stunning and enduring tracks of the era – opening with Soul II Soul & Caron Wheeler’s #1 ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’ blending soul, R&B and club rhythms to perfection, while Beats International’s fusion of dub reggae and house: ‘Dub Be Good To Me’ (another chart-topper) follows with its iconic bassline and leads us into the stylish and smooth ‘Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out’ from Freak Power. The journey through this incredible era is completed with genre pioneers The Prodigy with ‘Charly’, ‘Infinity’ from Guru Josh, and closing with ambient house, ‘Pacific - 707’ from 808 State, and the timeless ‘The Sun Rising’ from The Beloved.
An unforgettable journey through the sounds that defined an era:- NOW That’s What I Call An Era - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 — the definitive celebration of a golden age of dance music.
- A1: La Famille & Caron Wheeler - Dancer (Vocal Mix)
- A2: Clarity - The Way U Make Me Feel
- A3: Distance - Just One More Kiss (Feat Janey Hallett)
- B1: Pause - It's Just Amazing
- B2: Roy Hamilton & Capiche - Turn Up The Music
- B3: Rick Clarke - Gonna Make You Happy (Feat Jill Francis)
- C1: Candy Mckenzie - Remind Me
- C2: Eddie Capone's Treatment - I Won't Give You Up (Feat Diane Jones)
- C3: T J. Johnson Band - I Can Make It (Good For You)
- D1: Private Funk-Shun - All That I Wanted Was You
- D2: Purely Fizzycal - Make A Move
- D3: Gold In The Shade - I Really Love You So
- A1: Queen - "I Want It All
- A2: Simple Minds - "Belfast Child
- A3: Tears For Fears - "Sowing The Seeds Of Love" (7" Version)
- A4: Holly Johnson - "Love Train
- A5: Fine Young Cannibals - "She Drives Me Crazy
- A6: Lisa Stansfield - "All Around The World
- B1: Black Box - "Ride On Time
- B2: Kym Mazelle & Robert Howard - "Wait
- B3: Neneh Cherry - "Buffalo Stance" (7" Mix)
- B4: Soul Ii Soul & Caron Wheeler - "Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)
- B5: Paula Abdul - "Straight Up" (Single Version)
- B6: Donna Summer - "This Time I Know It's For Real
- B7: Sonia - "You;Ll Never Stop Me Loving You
- B8: Jason Donovan - "Too Many Broken Hearts
- C1: Tina Turner - "The Best" (Edit)
- C2: Cher - "If I Could Turn Back Time
- C3: Belinda Carlisle - "Leave A Light On
- C4: Martika - "Toy Soldiers" (Single Version)
- C5: Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start The Fire
- C6: Chris Rea - "The Road To Hell" (Part 2)
- C7: Gladys Knight - "Licence To Kill
- D1: The Cure - "Lullaby
- D2: Electronic - "Getting Away With It" (7" Edit)
- D3: Yello - "Of Course I'm Lying" (Single Version)
- D6: Shakespears Sister - "You're History
- D7: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - "What I Am" (Album Version)
- E1: Mar Almond & Gene Pitney - "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart
- E2: Jimmy Somerville - "Comment Te Dire Adieu" (Feat June Miles Kingston)
- E3: London Boys - "Requiem
- E4: Liza Minnelli - "Losing My Mind
- E5: Kon Kan - "I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You A Rose Garden)
- E6: New Order - "Round & Round" (7" Version)
- E7: Malcolm Mclaren & The Bootzilla Orchestra - "Waltz Darling
- F1: Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan - "Especially For You
- F2: Pet Shop Boys - "It's Alright" (7" Version)
- F3: Duran Duran - "All She Wants Is" (Single Mix)
- F4: Deborah Harry - "I Want That Man
- F5: The Bangles - "Eternal Flame
- F6: Sam Brown - "Stop" (7" Edit)
- F7: Mile & The Mechanics - "The Living Years
- D4: Rem - "Orange Crush
- D5: The Stone Roses - "Fools Gold
NOW is proud to present the next instalment in our ongoing ‘Yearbook’ series, and the final one representing an individual year from the 1980s: NOW – Yearbook 1989. 78 tracks across 4CDs – celebrating a magnificent and eclectic year in pop! This release is available as a standard 4-CD set, and as a special edition 4-CD set in ‘hardback book’ packaging, which includes a 28-page booklet packed with notes about all of the 78 featured tracks. Also available as 42 tracks across 3LPs, pressed in stunning pink vinyl…celebrating a magnificent and eclectic year in pop!
Christine McNabb's UK Lovers' soul rarity originally self-released in 1981, featuring backing from Caron Wheeler, Black Slate's rhythm section and the in-house musicians at Eve Studios in Brockley, South London. Features ‘Love You’ vocal, coupled with the heavyweight ’Combination’ dub version.
‘Black Pride’ is the seminal Lovers Rock tune from Brown Sugar pressed loud for the first ever time on this new one-off press limited-edition (just 1,000 copies worldwide) 12” on Soul Jazz Records!
Brown Sugar formed in London in 1976 made up of teenagers Pauline Catlin, Caron Wheeler and Carol Simms. After Brown Sugar Caron Wheeler became known worldwide as the vocalist in Soul II Soul and Carol Simms launched a successful solo career under the name ‘Kofi'. “Black Pride” was originally released on the Lovers Rock label, a fledgling reggae label formed by musicians Dennis Bovell and John Kpiaye and producer Dennis Harris. Brown Sugar were unique – not only were they one of the most important of the first wave of lovers rock groups, they were the only group who managed to successfully blend together a reggae roots consciousness with a lovers rock sensibility. The classic ‘Black Pride’ perfectly reflects this unique sound.
- A1: There's Nothing Like This
- A2: Last Request
- A3: Who Chooses The Seasons (Feat Carleen Anderson)
- A4: Best By Far
- A5: Winner
- A6: Be Thankful (Feat Erykah Badu)
- B1: Tell Me
- B2: Syleste (Lounge Lizzard Mix)
- B3: Feeling You (Feat Stevie Wonder)
- B4: It's So
- B5: Come On (Feat Kele Leroc)
- B6: Treat You (Feat Caron Wheeler)
- C1: The Man
- C2: Fuck War, Make Love
- C3: Bully (Feat The Scratch Professer)
- C4: I Love Being With You
- C5: Simplify
- C6: Gave My Heart (Feat Leon Ware)
- C7: Doobie Doobie Doo
- D1: Insatiable (Feat Natasha Watts)
- D2: De Ja Vu (Feat Mayra Andrade)
- D3: I Want It To Be
- D4: This Is Not A Love Song
- D5: Outside
Long Awaited Double Gatefold Release!
Omar Lyefook MBE is without doubt, one of the greatest soul music talents the United Kingdom has produced in the last 40 years. If anyone has doubts about that, then they might want to consider the list of legendary artists who happily line up to collaborate with him musically, or simply sing his praises - from Stevie Wonder, the late Leon Ware, Erykah Badu, Common, through to Carleen Anderson, D'Angelo, and Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler, Angie Stone and U.K. artists Courtney Pine, Rodney P, Kele LeRoc, Natasha Watts and Estelle, all appreciate his truly original and unique voice, musicianship and songwriting talent.
When asked to reflect on his long, successful, critically acclaimed and deeply influential career that shows no signs of slowing up, Omar said "I feel blessed. I try to keep things moving and evolving, and when I finish an album, I always put my heart and soul into it. I'm looking at it from an outsider's point of view, because I never really see myself making the music. It's like I'm the vessel and somebody's controlling what I do, I just happen to be the one that gets the praise for it".
That modest statement just re-enforces the fact that Omar is simply a one off, a genuinely unique artist. That is a bold claim, but his sound is so immediately identifiable, that you will know you are hearing an Omar track within seconds - and that is the stamp of true originality.
This collection features many of his classic collaborations, from his evergreen worldwide anthem There's Nothing Like This, It's So, the dancefloor destroying banger inspired by the amalgam of sounds Omar heard at The Notting Hill Carnival.
First Word Records are very proud to present an EP by Manchester's finest Hip Hop and Soul exports, Children of Zeus. This is 'The Story So Far...'
Konny Kon & Tyler Daley met back in 2005, after both performing a show near Paris in their respective crews, Broke'N'£nglish and Body Roq. The duo met up back home in Manchester, spurred on initially by a mutual admiration of each others music, and produced their first track together, aptly entitled 'Coming Home To You'.
A few years later, Tyler approached Konny about producing a full EP together. These sessions included the creation of a track called 'Still Standing', which ultimately saw the light of day last Summer on First Word. Still a highlight in their live sets, the Lenzman rub won "Best Remix" at the 2016 Drum & Bass Awards. The original has become somewhat of a British Soul anthem since its release, with people that missed it first time round still clamouring for it on wax. So we've included it on this EP.
As they've grown within the family of Manchester's music scene, they've provided a tonic to the city's bass-orientated club scene, breathing Soul back into the city, whilst maintaining their heritage of Hip Hop swagger. As an MC, Konny takes no prisoners, whilst Tyler (a prolific MC in his own right) has gained a rep as one of the UK's strongest Soul voices. Both artists have been blessed with the talent of beat-making. A combined craftsmanship upon the boards and in the booth.
From building a grassroots following of fans, they've since travelled the globe, sharing stages with giants and catching the ear of peers far and wide, from Pete Rock to Zed Bias. As well as hosting their own monthly radio show on NTS, they've collaborated with numerous Hip Hop acts, both sides of the Atlantic, as well as Soul royalty in the form of Caron Wheeler and Drum'n'Bass legends, such as Goldie (Tyler featuring heavily across his latest album).
Children of Zeus have finally begun the process of crafting together their debut album. This EP is a compilation of the creations the duo have produced themselves over the past decade, put together to appease their loyal followers thus far, and as an introduction to those yet to discover their talents. A snapshot of what has been, and a mere taster of what's to come. It features brand new tracks such as 'Smoke With Me' and (vinyl-only cut) 'Tonight', the anthemic 'Crown' (featured on First Word's 'Two Syllables' compilation previously) and fan favourites such as 'No Sunshine Tomorrow' and 'Push On'. A collection of raw, gritty, Hip Hop Soul music.
The debut album will drop in 2018.
This collection signals the end of the first chapter. A prologue even.
Get on board now. The time is right. This is the story so far...
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