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British Black Music List 2005

BMC Campaigns: Brit On The Bill & June Is BBM Month

British Black Music List 2001

 

THE ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF
BRITISH BLACK MUSIC SINGLES AND ALBUM TRACKS

AS TABULATED FROM A POLL OF BRITISH BLACK MUSIC FANS, ARTISTS AND MUSIC BUSINESS PERSONNEL*

* A brief analysis can be found in the space separating the singles from albums listings

ACT

TRACK/SINGLE

LABEL

GENRE

COMMENTARY

4 Hero

Loveless

     

57th Dynasty

Break Free Remix

Fasfwd

Rap

Brixton’s rap collective had a few promos of this making the rounds, but its official release has been pushed back to Feb. 2002 when it will preceed the release of their eagerly awaited sophomore album ‘DIY Eithic’.

A Guy Called Gerald

Voodoo Ray

Rham

Techno

First hitting no. 55, it finally made no. 12 in the summer of 1989. It was simple yet hypnotic early UK techno crossover.

Absolute

Intoduce Me To Love

     

Albians

Princess I Love You

 

Reggae/Lovers Rock

 

Artful Dodger

Think About Me

Ffrr/WEA

UK garage

They, or as it is now, he, has the midas touch when it comes to crossing over garage-tinged cuts.

Aswad

African Children

     

Aswad

Back To Africa

Island

Reggae

You’ll have to dip into Aswad’s debut album to hear this gem. This was when they truly were the ‘young lions of British reggae’. A delicious track, as was the whole Rasta and socio-conscious tipped self-titled debut album

Aswad

Don’t Turn Around

Island

Reggae/Lovers Rock

From being the hard boys of UK reggae with two previous very modest hit singles, Aswad flipped the script by scoring a surprising chart-topper with this poppy lovers rocker ion early 1988.

Aswad

On & On

Mango/Island

Reggae/Lovers Rock

A 1989 top 30 hit, it follows their adopted easy listening radio-friendly style.

Aswad

Roots Rocking

 

Reggae

 

Aswad

Warrior Charge

Island

Reggae

This 1980 instrumental track was an inspired and rocking brass-charged underground fave taken from the soundtrack of the Brinsley Forde-starring movie ‘Babylon’.

Atmosfear

Dancing In Outer Space

Elite/MCA

Brit-funk

1986 top 50 crossover

Average White Band

Pick Up The Pieces

Atlantic

R&B/soul

Their self-deprecate name notwithstanding, you couldn’t help accepting upon hearing this cut that this was one of the funkiest R&B records ever! Not only was it British, it was by a white group! Got the album – remixes were not standard marketing practice in 1975 when this hit the top 10 (it made no. 1 in the US!) – good as it was, this track just stood out.

Beggar & Co.

(Somebody) Help Me Out

Ensign

Jazz-funk

Label-mates of Light Of The world, and fellow Brit-funksters, they score a no.15 with this track in early 1981. However, later in the same year, the funky, brassy followup, ‘Mule (Chant No.2)’ only made no. 37 . Incidentally, a few months prior, Spandau Ballet, for whom Beggars had supplied some brass, made no. 3 with ‘Chant No. 1’!

Beshara

Men Cry Too

 

Reggae

 

Beverley Knight

Flavour Of The Old School

Dome

   

Billy Ocean

Caribbean Queen

     

Billy Ocean

Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)

GTO

R&B

A 1980 UK fave and a US R&B big hit.

Billy Ocean

Red Light Spells Danger

GTO

Pop/R&B

One of our greatest commercial success stories, starting out in 1976 with the no. 2 hit ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’, Billy had a very fruitful dozen years through the late 1970s-1980s. This single was a no. 2 hit in 1977.

Brand New Heavies

Got to Give

Ffrr/London

   

Brand New Heavies

Never Stop

Ffrr

R&B

It’s amazingly 10 years since BNH, fronted by N’dea Davenport, started their long run of hits.

Brown Sugar

Black Skin Boy

Lovers Rock

Reggae/Lovers Rock

Pioneers of the lovers rock genre, the group included later Soul II Soul cohort Caron Wheeler, and the mum of Aaron Soul.

Carol Thompson

Hopelessly in Love

 

Reggae/Lovers Rock

One of the classic 1980s old-school lovers rock – the single and album sold very well, but strictly on the underground tip.

Central Line

Lovely Day Soca

Mercury

   

Chimes

Heaven

CBS

Pop/R&B

This pop/R&B cut bubbled at the bottom reaches of the charts in 1989/1990 before finally making no. 24 late 1990. Best remembered for their blinding cover of ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, which squares up magnificently to U2’s original.

Chukki Starr

Evillous System

     

Coldcut

Say Kids…

Ahead Of Our Time

   

Cookie Crew

Females

Rhythm King

Rap

 

Courtney Pine

I’ve Known Rivers (4 Hero mix)

Talkin Loud

   

Craig David

Fill Me In

Wildstar

R&B/UK garage

UK’s R&B golden boy bagged his his first solo chart-topper with this splendid R&B/UK garage fusion.

Cymande

The Message

Alaska

R&B/funk

A UK group that was far more successful in the US during the 1970s. This track, which has a vintage Fatback feel, as well as several others like ‘Bra’ and ‘The Dove’, have been sampled by numerous American rap acts. Two former members of the band are now highly placed lawyers in the Caribbean.

D’Influence

Falling

     

D’Influence

Good Lover

East West

R&B

The band’s first hit, it bubbled around the lowerly end of the charts twice, once in June 1992 and March 1993. One of their many live favourites.

David Joseph

You Can’t Hide Your Love

Island

R&B

After Hi-Tension folded, its ex-lead vocalist put together this electro-funker. A well-deserved top 15 hit in 1983, I bought the 12-inch single but don’t remember a solo album ever being released. The track is sampled on Turntablerockers’ debut album.

Deluxe

You Make Me Feel So Happy

     

Derek B

Get Down

Music Of Life

Rap

Before he hit with ‘Goodgroove’ and ‘Bad Young Brother’, Derek B (is it for Bowland as popularly noted, or Bottoms, as reported by The Sun?) made noise on the emerging UK rap underground circuit of the mid-1980s with this track.

Des’ree

Feel So High

Dusted Sound

Pop-soul

I still remember the first time I heard this. It was on Gordon Mac’s Saturday programme on the newly legal Kiss FM. He said, he wasn’t sure how people would take this folky track, but he nvertheless wanted to play it even though it wasn’t an obvious Kiss track. It just sounded special and so different. A mild hit in the summer of 1991, it made the top 15 the following year when it was re-issued. Des’ree’s one of the most beguiling live performers!

Des’ree

You Gotta Be

Dusted Sound/Sony

Pop/soul

Very interesting trajectory: The self-empowering song first hit no. 20 in 1994. A remixed version hit no. 14 the following year. Then after much use in a TV commercial, it landed at no. 10 in 1999.

Don-e

Unbreakable

Fourth & Broadway

Soul

An early contemporary of Omar, this fine album title track was I think disqualified from the charts for some breach. A superb ballad. After one album, Don-e didn’t seem to pursue a career as an artist. He occasionally writes and produces other artists.

Drizabone

Real Love

4th & Broadway

Soul

A much loved, genuine British soul classic!

Eddy Grant

Living On The Frontline

Ensign

Reggae/dance fusion

This track launched Eddy’s crossover solo career in the summer of 1979.

Eddy Grant

Walking On

     

FBI

Talkin’ ‘bout Love

Kongo

R&B

 

Five Star

All Fall Down

RCA

   

Five Star

Can’t Wait Another Minute

Tent/RCA

Pop-R&B

UK’s somewhat answer to the Jackson Five, had many chart-bursting hits, including this 1986 top tenner. Last heard of ensconced in the US. A comeback single a few years ago didn’t seem to make much impression outside of their G.A.Y. audience.

Foundations

Build Me Up Buttercup

Pye

Pop/soul

Multi-racial group delivered several pop/soul edge hits, including this, which made no. 2 in 1968.

Freeez

Southern Freeez

Beggars Banquet

Jazz-funk

This was such a huge record, it couldn’t be contained just on the jazz-funk circuit. It crossed over into the top 10 in 1981. I wasn’t buying buying singles then. I however remember gettinmg the album from a tiny shop in Finchley and wonderedwhat a label better known for Gary Numan hits was doing with black music. .

Funk Masters

It’s Over

Funk Masters

R&B

1983 top 10 hit

Gabrielle

Dreams

Go Beat

Pop-R&B

There was a huge buzz on the original version which illicitly sampled Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’. It was canned by the newish Kiss FM. Quite frankly, I thought it lost much of its attractiveness when the un-clearable sample was removed, so it was surprising to see her jump up to no. 1 when it finally came out and adorn the cover of Mixmag, I think. And, little did I realise that she’d end up such a solid and illustrious career as a singer-songwriter.

Galaxy

Dancing Tight

Ensign

Pop-R&B

Ex-Kandidate member Phil Fearon’s combo’s debut single hit the top 5 in early 1983. Seeing that the two girls looked good but didn’t offer much musically, he later switch the act’s name to Phil Fearon featuring Galaxy. Anyone remember that back-flip Phil did on Top Of The Pops which nearly went wrong?!

General Levi

Wicked

Fashion

Reggae

With his hiccup vocal gimmick and a charming delivery, he found his Fashion album, ‘The Wickeder General’ picked up by ffrr/London who re-issued with a new packaging as ‘Wickedness Increase’.

Glamma Kid

Moschino

Clarkey & Blakey

Reggae/Dancehall

This 1997 ode to name brand mentality was a massive seller on the reggae underground. It’s reputed to have sold fivee-figure units and onky didn’t make the pop charts because it went through non-chart reggae specialist shops. It certainly led to the young north London DJ being signed to WEA

Goldie

Inner City Life

Ffrr/London

Drum & Bass

This is when terms like ‘intelligent drum & bass’ and the move from jungle to drum & bass begun in the mid-1990s, because the likes of Goldie were going outside the confines of what was then jungle. This track had delicious vocals and a rich textured and mood changing orchestration. Best enjoyed in its full album version.

Heatwave

Always & forever

GTO

Pop-soul

I’m surprised to discover that this exquisite, radio-friendly pop-soul ballad only got to no. 9 in 1978. It seems like it was the only ballad around at that time.

Heatwave

Boogie Nights

GTO

R&B

Better known now as the former band of writer-producer Rod ‘Thriller’ Temperton. I remember a college mate raving about this band playing in some clyb in Carnaby Street. Next thing I know you can’t escape this track, which rose to no.2 in early 1977. I naturally waited for the parent album, ‘Too Hot To Handle’. A favourite of mine for yonks, it had solid funky cuts and sweet ballads.

Heatwave

Mind Blowing Decisions

GTO

Pop-soul

Another sweet, mid-tempo ballad well-primed for late 1970s radio and clubs.

Hi Tension

Peace On Earth

Island

Jazz-funk/R&B

One of the Brit-funk pioneers who brought another dimension during the late 1970s disco era. This was flipside to the double A ‘British Hustle’, a top 10 hit in 1978.

Hindsight

Heaven’s Just A Breath Away

Circa

   

Horseman

Horse Move

     

Hot Chocolate

Brother Louie

RAK

   

Hot Chocolate

So You Win Again

RAK

Pop-R&B

After seven years and numerous hit singles, they finally hit the top of the charts with this splendid single in the summer of 1977.

Hot Chocolate

You Could Have Been A Lady

RAK

   

Hot Chocolate

It Started With A Kiss

RAK

Pop/R&B

One of UK’s most commercially consistent acts – they scored at least one hit single each year between 1970-1984. This was a no. 5 hit in the summer of 1982. A late 1980s remixed version was a small hit. It then entered the top 20 in 1998 following Errol Brown’s post-The Full Monty success with ‘You Sexy Thing’ the previous year.

Hot Chocolate

You Sexy Thing

RAK

Pop/R&B

One of UK’s top hit machines, it was fronted by the image, vocals and clever lyricism of Errol Brown. Originally a no. 2 hit during the mid-1970s disco era, it made the top 10 during the late 1980s remixing bandwagon days, and again in 1997, this time due to its use in The Full Monty film.

I-Level

In The Sand

     

Imagination

Body Talk

R&B

Pop/soul

Lead singer Leee John was as camp as … Still remember him wearing that nappy outfit on Top Of The Pops. One of the first tracks I heard using that heavy electronic b-line and kick drum. I think I first heard it in Blue Bird records near Edgware Road, just a few yards from the group’s Red Bus record company. Their debut single easily made the top 5 in May 1981.

Imagination

Just An Illusion

R&B

Pop/soul

More on the poppy side,it not surprisingly made no. 2; it’s been used by the likes of Destiny’s Child and PM Dawn.

Incognito

Always There

Talkin Loud

Jazz-funk/soul

Great track, made greater by the blinding and powerful Jocelyn Brown vocal. Very interesting, considering it was originally a Ronnie Laws instrumental.

Incognito

Parisienne Girls

Ensign

Jazz-funk

This, their first hit, just breached the bottom reaches of the chart in 1990. Little did anyone know that they’d still be going strong ten years later, while all their contemporaries have given up.

Incognito

Still A Friend Of Mine

Talkin Loud

Soul

Band leader Bluey knows how to pick ‘em – where song, or singers, in this case the soulful toned Maysa Leak.

Jamiroquai

Blow Your Mind

Sony S2

   

Janet Kay

Silly Games

Arawak/Scope

Reggae/Lovers Rock

Dennis Bovell’s lovers rock classic was first released on Arawak. Lightning’s Scope picked it up and hit no. 2 in the summer of 1979. Can anyone forget those high notes young Janet with this. In Aug. 1990 the remix got to no. 62, whilst a version by Lindy Layton featuring Janet reached no. 22.

Janet Lee Davis

Two Timing Lover

Fashion

   

Jill Francis

Make Love To Me

Glady Wax

Soul

This was such a massive hit on the underground street-soul/2-step soul scene it even managed to briefly breach the bottom reaches of the national pop charts. An impressive achievement for an indie release aimed at a niche market!

Junior

Mama Used To Say

Mercury

R&B

It didn’t do much on its initial release. However, after the stonking US remix made no. 30 in America, the new version made the UK top 10 in early 1982.

Junior

Too Late

Mercury

R&B

The follow-up to ‘Mama Used To Say’ hit no. 20 in the summer of 1982.

Junior Giscombe

Morning Will Come

MCA

R&B/soul

The ‘Mama Used To Say’ man dropped this cut that much appeal to the soul connoisseurs. I seem to think Simon Law was involved because it’s got his trademark beats used with his Soul II Soul and other early 1990s productions.

Kamakazie

Life Ain’t A Game

 

Rap

 

Kandidate

Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight

RAK

Pop-soul

Whilst disco and jazz-funk raged, these north-west London combo were moulded into a poppy, soulful act by Micky Most and his bubble gum pop RAK label. They’d score a bigger hit with another ballad, ‘I Don’t Wanna Lose You’.

Kandidate

I Don’t Wanna Lose You

RAK

Pop/soul

Best known as the group from which spung the likes of Phil Fearon, and producer Tambi, this was a pop-tinged slowie which narrowly missed delivering the group with a top 10. It stalled at no. 11 in 1979.

Keni Stevens

Night Moves

Elite

   

L.A. Mix

We Shouldn’t Hold Hands In The Dark

A&M

R&B

DJ/remixer Les Adams got more soulful with subsequent releases. This 1991 record was his last and poorest chart performer.

Labi Siffre

Something Inside (So Strong)

China

Pop/soul

In the early 1970s, there were few black acts, particularly British, on Top Of The Pops. Labi was one of the more regular black faces on that show, so it’s surprising to discover that his only top 10/5 hit is this nice1987 anti-apartheid/discrimination song.

Level 42

Living It Up

Polydor

Jazz-funk/R&B

 

Light Of The World

No. 1 Girl

     

Light Of The Wotld

London Town

Ensign

Jazz-funk

Not b

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Sonny’s Letter

LKJ

Reggae/Rap

Another set of pointed couplets dropped by the ‘dub poet’. If my memory serves me right, this is based on a letter written by some guy in prison?

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Waan Fe Go Rave

     

Linx

You’re Lying

Chrysalis

R&B

This first came out on a promo backed by City Sounds. Picked up by Chrysalis, it made no. 15 in 1980. I remember grooving to it in a club, then buying the album only to find out that the album version didn’t have the same potency as the 12 version. I felt slightly robbed!  Singer David is now big on the gospel/Church circles, whilst bassist Stretch plies his wares with experimentalists Skidoo 23.

Loose Ends

Choose Me

Virgin

   

Loose Ends

Gonna Make You Mine

Virgin

   

Loose Ends

Hangin’ On A String

Virgin

R&B

The most highlighted record in this listing. Funky, funky, funky. It’s been sampled quite a few times by American rap and R&B artist. Not surprising – I recently met a Yank who informed me that he had all the Loose Ends albums because they were one UK R&B act that just were so credible on that side of the pond. Considering much of their earlier work was done with American producer Nick Martinelli, it’s not suprising it had such a Stateside appeal.

Louisa Mark

Six Sixth Street

Bushays

Reggae/Lovers Rock

Connoisseurs may opt for this, but it doesn’t better the ground-breaking mid-1970s debut lovers/rub-a-dub anthem ‘Caught You In A Lie’!

LTJ Bukem

Demon’s Theme

Good Looking

   

LTJ Bukem

Horizons

Good Looking

   

Lyden David Hall

Sexy Cinderella

Cooltempo

R&B/soul

A minor hit late 1998, this sexy and groovy song deservedly became a top 20 exactly a year later!

Lynden David Hall

Do I Qualify

Cooltempo

R&B/soul

Another sexy, R&B/soulster, it made the top 30.

M Beat

Rumble

     

M Beat featuring General Levy

Incredible

Renk

Jungle

In the summer of 1994, this was the sound of jungle. It eventually crossed over, lodging in the top 10. However, some feel this crossover success spelt the beginning of the end for the UK genre, which later mutated into drum & bass!

Macka B

Wet Look Crazy

     

Mark Morrison

Return Of The Mack

WEA

R&B

Mark had a huge ego, but then he created one of the most exciting and big-selling genuine UK R&B hits ever with this. Even the Yankies couldn’t have enough of it. It sold over 1 million copies Stateside and stalled at no.2 only because Hanson’s ‘Mmmbop’ was getting more airplay (the Billboard Hot 100 chart has a high element of airplay, unlike the UK charts which is purely sales-based).

Martine Girault

Revival

Opaz/Ffrr/RCA                 

Soul

The early 1990s was indeed a time of revival of British soul and R&B. Labels likes Soultown were happening, as were delicious cuts such as Vivienne McKone’s ‘Fly’ and Martine’s ‘Revival’. The later first came out on Opaz, it got licensed to ffrr/London, who hit no. 53 with it in 1992 and no. 37 in Jan. 1993. A remodelled version on RCA made no. 41 in 1997. Sadly not much was heard from Martine after parting from producer Ray ‘Opaz’ Hayden.

Massive Attack

Unfinished Sympathy

Wild Bunch

R&B/Dance

Long before they got given the trip-hop tag, these West Country folks showed off their commercial and creative potential with this exquisitely orchestrated and Shara Nelson-sung track. It launched the latter’s career. It was funny how radio DJs would often announce the record as ‘Unfinished Symphony’. This record was proof, if it ever was needed, that non-musicians could create fine music using modern technology. Oh, and it had a great video which ws like one continous shot!

Matumbi

After Tonight

Trojan/Safari

Reggae/Lovers Rock

This 1976 single was a favourite on the mid-1970s reggae/lovers scene. The Trojan version coupled the even more popular ‘Man In Me’.

Maxeen

Is It Meant To Feel This Way

     

Maxi Priest

Who’s Gonna Ease The Pain

10/Virgin

   

McKoy

Family

Righttrack

R&B/soul

I always used to describe lead vocalist Noel McKoy as our bobby Womack. A very soulful societal and familial song.

Mica Paris

My One Temptation

Fourth & Broadway

R&B/soul

Mica introduced herself with this top 10 debut single in 1988. Before the year was out, she had two more hit singles, of which my favourite is ‘Breathe Life Into Mine’. A really soulful song.

Mica Paris

Where Are The Children

     

Mica Paris

Should Have Known Better

Island

R&B/soul

Massive! Choon! Classic! Get the idea? Nuff Said! Oh, and to think this track featuring Omar was only a b-side on a single!

Monie Love

It’s A Shame (My Sister)

Cooltempo

Rap

Monie sounded good – she had a nice, American sound, evenif she came from south London. However, even though she had a few hits including this top 15 1990 cut, which roped in sounds of The Spinners, people felt she was roo poppy to be taken serious. Shame. Currently a Stateside radio personality. She had a small hit last year via Relentless.

Musical Youth

Never Gonna Give You Up

MCA

Pop-reggae

Another top 10 for the Brummie teen band.

Musical Youth

Pass The Dutchie

MCA

Pop-reggae

Apparently they’d been playing live for years before this band made up of teenagers playing musical instruments burst upon the nation’s consciousness with their 1982 chart-topping MCA debut hit. It was based on a sanitised version of Mighty Diamonds’ ‘Pass The Kouchie’ – a song about pot of the drug kind, rather than the cooking pot reference made by the boys. According to their A&R handler Pete Waterman’s biography, theirs was the first video by a black act to be played on the then nascent and not so non-white music friendly MTV!

Musical Youth

Sixteen

MCA

Pop-reggae

How soon it all fizzled out for the teen band. This was their last hit, which reached no. 23 in the beginning of 1984. During their two years of fame, they had been been darlings of the American showbiz circles, where they hung around with and recorded a track with the likes of Donna Summer. The band recently won substantial back royalties from MCA, and former lead singer Dennis Seaton has high hopes for his XMY band.

Neresa Maye

Ultimate Love

Sledge

R&B/Gospel

Much under-rated singer-songwriter caused quite a buzz on the gospel and street soul underground with this tuff R&B gospeller.

Nu Colours

Greater Love

Wild Card

Soul

Coming straight outta of the church, they sure had the vocals covered. This is one act which had their record company genuinely trying out ways to best market them, but despite great product, seldom sold well. This track for instance didn’t even breach the top 75.

Omar

I Don’t Mind The Waiting

Kongo

R&B/soul

For underground heads who like his vintage stuff cos I guess it’s more ‘authentic’ than his better known singles.

Omar

Little Boy

Kongo

   

Omar

There’s Nothing Like This

Kongo/Talkin Loud

Soul

Unlike Omar’s debut album, of which this is the title track, this impressive ballad generated a lot of  buzz but the Kongo version didn’t cross over. Licensed to Talkin Loud, it finally made the top 15 in the summer of 1991. One of UK soul’s favourite tracks, it was the second most highlighted track on this listing.

Opaz

When We’re Making Love

Opaz

Soul

East London producer/singer pleased the ondie soul underground with this sexy, street-soulster.

Out 4 Just-iz featuring JJC and Lynx

Let’s Do It

Lifeline/RMG

Rap

First appeared on south London producers Big Brovaz’s ‘Big Brovaz Watchin’ U’ compilation. The track, interestingly adds Yoruba to the rap audioscape.

Papa Levi

Mi God Mi King

Saxon

Reggae/Dancehall

Coming out of the Saxon sound system stable of fast-chatting DJs, this mid-1980s record is reputed to be the first UK reggae to top the Jamaican reggae chart!

Pasadenas

Tribute (Right On)

CBS

R&B

This was a top R&B tune with fine vocals and real brass which could well have stayed within the R&B/soul niche. It however crossed over into the top 5 in 1988. Problems with record company was one of the reasons for such a fine group fading from the scene. Recently tried a come-back with small indie release that made no noise.

Pato Banton

Gwarn

 

Reggae/Dancehall

 

Paul Johnson

You’re No Good

CBS

Pop/soul

An impressive voice schooled in the Church, he hit in the late 1980s with cuts like ‘When Love Comes Calling’. Last heard of dismembered on some dance hit. He had some late 1990s choice Dodge-produced R&B cuts.

Phillip Leo

Hypnotic Love

 

Reggae/Lovers Rock

Phillip Leo was a gifted singer-songwriter who effortlessly straddled between soul and lovers rock. This was one of his best loved tracks before he re-invented himself as a soul/R&B man during his tenure on EMI.

Photek

Into The Nineties

     

Princess

Say I’m Your Number One

Supreme

Pop-R&B

This 1985 top tenner was one of Stock Aiken Waterman’s early hits. She showed great promise, but soon disappeared.

Reggae Regular

Where Is Jah

     

Reggie Styles featuring Robbie Williams

Spiller Melody

 

Rap

 

Richie Rich

Salsa House

Ffrr/London

   

Roni Size

Brown Paper Bag

Talkin Loud

   

Ruby Turner

I’d Rather Go Blind

     

Sade

No Ordinary Love

Epic

Pop-R&B

Cool, soulful vocals, with cool, not so muso jazzy musical sensibilities.

Sade

Your Love Is King

Epic

Pop/soul

Sade’s debut single set her aside as a classy, jazz-inflected act. I think I used to hear this on Tony soul show on Radio London. These days he seems ensconced in ‘Radio Crapital’, which is how he used to call his former rival station.

Second Image

Special Lady

Polydor

Jazz-funk

 

Sinclair

I Want You Back

Kongo

Soul

A Brit-soul classic. An impressive singer, Michael Sinclair enjoyed some pop-tinged crossover hits on Dome before fading from the scene by the mid-1990s.

Skitz

Twilight Of The Gods

Ronin

   

Smiley Culture

Cockney Translator

Fashion

Reggae

After hitting the top 20 with ‘Police Officer’, the humourous DJ got into some lingo translation which surprisingly only made the lowerly reaches of the charts in early 1985. Smiley has now given up performing. He can be seen around music do’s looking well turned out, and seems to be on good business terms with some of the industry’s top execs.

Smith & Mighty

Anyone (Who Had A Heart)

Ffrr/London

R&B/soul

 

So Solid Crew

Oh No (Sentimental Things)

Relentless

UK garage

I remember my class of music biz students arguing with me when I told them this record did not make the ‘official’ singles charts because it breached the chart rules. Instead, it was placed high up the budget albums charts that people seldom check out. Of course, they came back strongly with the chart-topping ’21 Seconds’.

Soul II Soul

Back To Life

10/Virgin

R&B/soul

SIIS’s biggie. Their Caron Wheeler-sung chart-topping single that ruled in the summer of 1989.

Soul II Soul

Fairplay

10/Virgin

R&B

SIIS’s debut hit is still quite a favourite track. The dancefloor-primed track is a co-second most highlighted track in this listing.

Soul II Soul

Keep On  Moving

10/Virgin

R&B

The record that really signified SIIS’s mighty entry into the nation’s, no, the world’s consciousness. Not since the 1970s stuff by the likes of Barry White, had strings sounded so funky. And of course Caron Wheeler sounded divine. The break of this record launched literally a million other records! This classic got to no. 3 in March 1989.

Specials

Ghost Town

2 Tone

Pop-reggae

I believe this chart-topping hit in the summer of 1981 was the swan song by the original line-up. Remember the creepy, echo-ey ‘this town is becoming like a ghost town?’ chorus?

Specials

Message To Ruddy

2 Tone

Reggae/ska

The top-side of their ska-based second single, it was a top 10 hit late Oct.

Steel Pulse

Bodyguard

     

Steel Pulse

Roller Skates

     

Tammy Payne

Take Me Now

Talkin Loud

Soul/dance

Her great potential was unrealised on TL. Last heard guesting on Smith & Mighty albums.

T-Coy

Carino

Deconstruction

House

Rocking early UK house track. Managed to get to the bottom reaxhes of the chart as part of a multi-artist EP in early 1990.

The Real Thing

You To Me Are Everything

Pye

Pop/R&B

I remember seeing them on ‘Opportunity Knocks’ in the early 1970s. They won several few weeks running, I think. However, record-wise, nothing happened until they finally signed to Pye and two hot writer-producers, delivering this chart-toper in 1976. They stalled at no. 2 with the follow-up, ‘Can’t Get By Without You’. Apparently, they’re the biggest-selling British black group of the 19970s.

Tippa Irie

The Best

     

Tricky

Hell’s Round The Corner

Fourth & Broadway

Trip-hop

One of the boy Tricky’s dark ditties from his critical and commercially success debut album ‘Maxinquaye’, and the top 15 1995 ‘The Hell’ E.P.

UK Apachi/Shy FX

Original Nuttah

SOUR

Jungle

Another 1994 crossover hit that helped expose jungle and its soon thereafter demise. A ruff record, when I first received a copy of the white label I never dreamt that such an underground record could cross over.

Vannessa Simon

Revelation

Kongo

Soul

 

Wayne Marshall

Ooh Ahh (G-Spot)

Soultown

R&B

When Wayne finally managed to hit the top 30 in late 1994, this sweet soul track had been doing the business and causing controversy for several months on the underground. It’s a testament to the strength of the track and the tenacity of the label and its owner that this indie track managed to hit the pop charts!

Wookie featuring Lain

Battle

Soul 2 Soul

UK garage

UK garage producer Wookie teamed up with ex-Nu Colours vocalist to drop one of the most inpired and uplifting soul-edged UK garage tracks around!

Yo Yo Honey

Groove On

     

Young Disciples

Apparently Nothing

Talkin Loud

R&B/soul

Everybody’s Young Disciples and TL favourite cut, this third most highlighted record was a perfect blend of Carleen Anderson’s soulful and delicate vocals with jazzy and clubby beats produced by the likes of Femi (Williams) Femi. Another classic, for sure!

MOST HIGHLIGHTED SINGLE (a)

MOST REPRESENTED ACT (b)

1.     Hangin’ On A String (Loose Ends)

1.    Soul II Soul (3)

2.=   There’s Nothing Like This (Omar)

2.    Loose Ends (3)

2.=   Fairplay (Soul II Soul)

3.=  Omar (3)

3.     Apparently Nothing (Young Disciples)

3.=  Aswad (6)

4.=   Gonna Make You Mine (Loose Ends)

4.          Hot Chocolate (5)

4.=   Revival (Martine Girault)

5.=   Young Disciples (1)

4.=   Keep On Moving (Soul II Soul)

5.=    Mica Paris (3)

5.=   Warrior Charge (Aswad)

5.=    Musical Youth (5)

5.=    Real Love (Drizabone)

 

5.=    Silly Games (Janet Kay)

a)      is based on the number of mentions each single received

b)      is based on a) plus the number of the act’s tracks highlighted (shown in brackets)

Of the 16 tracks in a), 12 were R&B or soul; the 4 reggae tracks were joint 5th.

The top two acts in b) show that 10 and parent company Virgin were the top UK artist development labels.

© 2001 BritishBlackMusic.com

5.=    Mama Used To Say (Junior)

5.=    Sexy Cinderella (Lynden David Hall)

5.=    After Tonight (Matumbi)

5.=    Should Have Known Better (Mica Paris)

5.=    Pass The Dutchie (Musical Youth)

5.=    Back To Life (Soul II Soul)

THE ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF BRITISH BLACK MUSIC ALBUMS

AS TABULATED FROM A POLL OF BRITISH BLACK MUSIC FANS, ARTISTS

AND MUSIC BUSINESS PERSONNEL*

* No analysis has been made from the results as the original questionaire requested singles or album tracks only. Hence this list is from a few respondents who decided to list some of their favourite albums.

ACT

TRACK/SINGLE

LABEL

GENRE

COMMENTARY

4 Hero

Creating Patterns

Talkin Loud

   

Aswad

Live And Direct

Island

Reggae

Incredibly, this first Island album spent 16 weeks in the charts besting at no. 57

Beverley Knight

Prodigal Sister

Rhythm Series/Parlophone

R&B/soul

An impressive album, as should be expected of the mature singer-songwriter. Despite being well set up by the ‘Made It Back’ single, this 1998 album didn’t initially do much outside of the R&B market. EMI re-promoted with extra tracks and a new cover, and it finally went on to sell silver-plus.

Blak Twang

Dettwork South-East

Sound Of Money/Avex

Rap

Very interesting that this is highlighted, as it was promoed but never commercially released due to record company politics with Avex, which licensed the impressive and eagerly awaited album from the shoe-string SOM label. BT reworked some of the tracks on his ’19 Long Time’ album years later.

Brand New Heavies

Brand New Heavies

Acid Jazz/ffrr

   

Ciyo

Natural Mystic

Ciyo Groove

Reggae/Jazz

Jazz-tipped guitarist gets down to his reggae roots with covers, such as Bob Marley’s title track which mixes a skanking reggae rhythm with fine jazz guitar and piano licks, topped by the soulful and engaging vocals of Stephanie Benson.

Courtney Pine

Journey To The Urge Within

Island

Jazz

His 1986 debut

Courtney Pine

Modern Day Jazz Stories

Talkin Loud

   

D’Influence

Good 4 We

EastWest

   

Dennis McClurkin

Live In London And More…

Verity

Gospel

It’s greatto hear an American gospel album partly recorded live in Wembley! Highlights include the reggae-ish ‘Carribbean Medley’.

Denys Baptiste

Be Where You Are

Dune

   

Drizabone

Conspiracy

4th & Broadway

Soul

Someone called this 1994 album ‘a classic’. I certainly have no reason to argue with him. ‘Real Love’ is not the only choice cuts on this album.

Hil St. Soul

Soul Organic

Dome

   

Imagination

Body Talk

R&B

R&B/soul

The 1981 top 20 album that contained the massive title traxk and other Jolley-Harris-Jolley phat-sounding productions.

Incognito

Inside Life

Talkin Loud

Jazz-funk/R&B

The second of their several chart albums. This 1991 album contained their massive hit ‘Always There’.

Jason Rebello

Keeping Time

RCA

   

J-Life

J-Life

Dune

   

Joe Harriot

Indo-Jazz Fusions

     

London Posse

Gangster Chronicle

Mango/Island

Rap

Trail-blazing group made using British black accents ok in rap. Their only album, first released in 1990, and again in 2001, contains many of their underground gems.

Loose Ends

So Where Are You?

Virgin

R&B

1985

Loose Ends

Zagora

Virgin

R&B

Loose Ends’ third album, a top 15 hit in 1986.

LTJ Bukem

Jouney Inwards

Good Looking

Drum & Bass

 

Lynden David Hall

Medicine 4 My Pain

Cooltempo

R&B/soul

Classy singer-songwriter and a good live performer, he just didn’t build enough of a viable fan-base to sustain him quality releases.

Massive Attack

Blue Lines

Virgin

   

Massive Attack

Mezzanine

Virgin

   

Massive Attack

Protection

Virgin

   

MC Mell’o’

Thoughts Released

Republic

Rap

A conscious and well-respected rapper, he got to drop this album in the late 1990s, however albums set for release on Soul II Soul’s Funki Dred and Stereo MCs’ Natural Response labels never materialised.

Mica Paris

Give A Little Love

Island

R&B/soul

After scoring three top 30 hits, including a top 10 with her 1988 debut, ‘So Good’, this album which was partly produced by Stateside heavyweight producers failed to chart

MJ Cole

Sincere

Talkin Loud

   

Omar

Best By Far

Oyster

R&B/soul

This 2000 set was quite accessible. It contained a Erykah Badu duet cover of ‘Be Thankful’. A re-marketed version was supposed to contained the chunky Dodge remixed Angie Stone duetted version, which should also have been a massive single.

Omar

For Pleasure

RCA

R&B/soul

Omar’s debut for RCA managed to just make the lower end of the charts.

Omar

Music

Talkin Loud

R&B/soul

Omar’s last album for TL just made the top 40 in 1992. The title track happens to be one of my most favourite Omar songs.

Omar

There's Nothing Like This

Kongo/Talkin Loud

R&B/soul

In 1990 Kong managed to lodge it at no. 54, the first  truly UK independent to put a British black product into the album chart. Licensed to TL, it made the top 20 in 1991. There was nothing like that, indeed!

Omar

This Is Not A Love Song

RCA

R&B/soul

Just when it looked like things were gonna go boom for Omar with this 1997 set, things just didn’t materialise despite good press coverage, some clever songs, and compromises, like covering The Stranglers’ ‘Golden Brown’!.

Rebel MC

Black Meaning Good

Desire

Reggae/ska/dance

Fusing dance and hip-hoppy beats with reggae and ska, Rebel MC and his Double Trouble production crew reaped up several chart successes such as ‘Street Tuff’ and ‘Keep On Rocking’. However, his socio-politicism could only be discovered among the tracks of this 1989 album.

Roni Size

New Forms

Talkin Loud

Drum & Bass/hip-hop

This eclectic mixture of UK club sounds went on to win a Mercury Music Prize.

Roots Manuva

Brand New Second Hand

Big Dada

Rap

Much respected because he rhymes about whatever he wants to; very British sounding; and he uses a multiplicity of musical backing, including reggae. A maverick piece of work

Roots Manuva

Run Come Save Me

Big Dada

Hip-hop

Much lauded follow-up continues in the debut’s vein. Still keeping his maverick streak. A surprise top 40 entrant in 2001!

Sade

Promise

CBS

R&B/soul

1985 hit album.

Sade

Stronger Than Pride

Epic

R&B/soul

 

Silent Eclipse

Psycholoigical Enslavement

Island

Rap

Incendiary socio-political and pro-black lyricism; a fiery rhyming style, I thought this rapper (a.k.a MC D) was going to blow up with this creditable mid-1990s album as a UK version of an Ice Cube! Unfortunately he parted from Island within weeks of this receiving a muted release. Now makingsome form of come-back guesting on Ronin releases.

Soul II Soul

Club Classics Vol. I

10/Virgin

R&B/soul

Soul II Soul could do no wrong in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I remember this 1989 album as the first chart-topping album by a British black group (discounting Sade). I also remember this album yo-yoing up and down the upper echeleons of the chart. It ended yp staying in the charts for over one year!

Soul II Soul

Club Classics Vol. II

10/Virgin

R&B/soul/dance

Many people seem to think  SIIS released just one ‘Classic’ album. Indeed, this 1990 follow-up was another chart-topper, delivering hits such as ‘Missing You’.

Steel Pulse

Handswoth Revolution

Island

Reggae

In 1978 punk and reggae were friendly musical bed-fellows. Birmingham’s Steel Pulse were hot on the reggae, punk and college circuit. Their debut album with cuts like the socio-political ‘Ku Klux Klan’.

Talvin Singh

O.K.

Island

Drum & Bass/Dance fusion

South Asian soundscapes, real musicianship mixed with programmed breakbeats, d&b and club-friendly grooves of urban multi-cultural London led to its winning the 1999 Mercury Music Prize.

The Specials

The Specials

2 Tone/Chrysalis

   

Tricky

Maxinquaye

Island

   

Young Disciples

Road To Freedom

Talkin Loud

R&B/soul/funk

The 1991 debut which introduced us to the delicious vocals of Carleen Anderson and the production of Femi (Williams) Femi. Contains the classic ‘Apparently Nothing’

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