Club Classics, Vol. 1: 10th Anniversary Edition

Performer: Soul II Soul
Artist: Caron Wheeler; Rose Windross; Do 'Reen
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Originally released in the U.S. as KEEP ON MOVIN'. The 10th Anniversary Edition contains six remixes previously unreleased on CD. Personnel: Shikisha, Carol Wheeler, Rose Windross (vocals); Jazzie B. (rap vocals); Kushite (flute); Simon "The Funky Ginger" Law (piano, keyboards); Crispin (percussion); Aitch B. (background vocals). Where previous British translations of classic US black music styles had been hit and miss affairs, Jazzie B revolutionised contemporary soul music on both sides of the channel with the sublime (and occasionally ridiculous) Club Classics. Caron Wheeler's emotive performance on the opening track, 'Keep On Movin'' (the album's title in the US) set the tone of the album. It's not flawless - Jazzie B, genius producer and all-round music man, may be many things, but a rapper he is not. And a second great single, 'Back To Life', is included here only in 'a cappella' form. When Jazzie and Nellee Hooper's ideas and musical instincts coalesce the results boast a feel-good factor and warmth absent from recent soul music.

Q (6/00, p.70) - Ranked #49 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...A good UK soul record....Melding reggae, hip hop and soul, CLUB CLASSICS unveiled that since-oft-imitated laid-back bassline, strewn with sweeping strings, flutes, and melodic vocals..." Muzik (6/99, p.85) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...The singles...remain their lasting testament - a statement of British black musical intent that is now bearing fruit everywhere....Club classics indeed."

U.K. R&B collective Soul II Soul sprang from the same burgeoning sound-system scene of the 1980s that also spawned Massive Attack. Blending classic funk and R&B grooves with a hip-hop production sensibility and an ear to the acid-jazz explosion sweeping the UK, Soul II Soul scored several hits in both the U.S. and the U.K. and were a dancefloor staple during their heyday.

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