This is a special page concentrating on those nice Summer Grooves. Here you'll find reviews of Soul, R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop kinda stuff which is perfect for your listening pleasure on the beach or at home (even in bed - you know what I mean, don't you?). This is the kinda stuff you hear on Hot97 or KissFM in New York City all day long - unfortunately, there isn't such a radio station over here in Switzerland.

September 21, 1997

India "Sobre el fuego" (RMM Records CD, Tropical/Salsa)

This CD shows us a totally different side of India than we're used to listen to. She's singing in spanish on this ten tropical and salsa songs. Check out for yourself if you like tropical and salsa - personally I do.

 

September 14, 1997

Classic Soul Volume 1 - The Jazzie B Selection (MasterCuts/Beechwood Music Records CD, Soul)

MasterCuts is a compilation series and have already released 38 CDs, all concentrating on classic stuff. Among them, there are compilations of classic house, jazz-funk, hip hop, mellow, rare grooves and more.

This one is the first compilation concentrating on soul and it is compiled by Jazzie B. (of Soul II Soul). It includes such gems as 'When love calls' by Cameo, 'To each his own' by Patrice Rushen, 'My sensitivity' by Luther Vandross, 'Much too much' by Marcus Miller and many more. If you want to get a collection of quality music, the MasterCuts series is a good beginning.

The whole series is available on double vinyl albums, too.

 

August 31, 1997

Mariah Carey "Honey" (R&B Mixes)(Columbia Records 2x12", R&B)

Among the house mixes, there are some really fine R&B mixes. Produced by Sean 'Puffy' Combs and Mariah Carey, on the remixes you'll find guest stars like The Lox and Da Brat. This track is taken from Mariah's forthcoming album 'Butterfly'.

By the way, don't miss to check out the pictures on the cover - what do you think? (Since she left Tommy Mottola, she might be looking for a new love, or is it true that she's having an affair with Q-Tip?)

 

August 10, 1997

Will Smith "Men in black" (Columbia Records 12", HipHop)

Taken from the soundtrack to "Men in Black", Will Smith (the main actor in the movie) hops to follow the success of "Summertimes" (under the name of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince in 1991 - also a big sitcom). Sampling the main part of Patrice Rushen "Forget me nots", this might well be a summer hit. Coming in a variety of mixes (including instrumentals and an Acappella), the original version still is the choose.

August 3, 1997

Marvin Gaye "Vulnerable" (Motowon CD, Soul)

Only about 30 minutes of music, but this 7 songs (three of them in two variations) are classic soul ballads from the late 60's, but not released until this year. Something truly special by Marvin, it's sad he has been passing by to early (he died in 1984), and most of us will remember him just because of 'Sexual healing', but this shows much more of Marvin, one of the 'jazz baladeers of the first order'.

 

July 27, 1997

Sounds like Paris (Pan Records CD, French House - see below)

"A Gourmet's Guide to Gallic Grooves, Nouveau Beats and Left Bank Funkateers" - this is the subtitle of this CD sampler including material by Motorbass, St. Germain, Dirty Jesus, Elegia and Dimitri from Tokio, to name just a few. This CD represents the 'french house' which has been so big over here in Europe for a year now.

 

July 20, 1997

K-Ci & Jo Jo "Love always" (MCA Records CD, R&B)

This two are from Jodeci, and what an album they deliever as debut. Lots of super ballads and R&B songs, they've already landed a big hit with 'You bring me up'. The perfect sound for listening in your car or just enjoying at home.

 

July 13, 1997

Adina Howard "(Freak) And you know it" (East West Records 12", R&B)

Taken from her brand new album 'Welcome to fantasy island', this is another summer smash for Adina and a big follow up to her 1995 summer hit 'Freak like me'. Adina is singing over a nice groovy beat. All kinda versions (radio, club, instrumental and accapella) are available.

Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G (Bad Boy Records 12", Hip Hop)

I'm sure all of you know the tragedy behind this record (Notorious B.I.G. has been shot earlier this year), this is a tribute by some of his fellas. The first song 'I'll be missing you' by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans (feat. 112) is based on the Polices 'Every breath you take'. The second song 'We'll always love you Big Poppa' by The Lox is true hip hop with a nice refrain sung by children and some smooth strings. Finally, there is 'Cry on' by 112, a true ballad.