説明
Lewin姉妹とMarvin Jamesによる3つの際立ったヴァージョンが、初めて12インチEPとして収録された。John KpiayeとAdrian Joseph（DJ Smokey Joe）のプロデュースによる、クラシックなソウルをレゲエグルーヴに変換した珠玉のトラックだ。
80年代半ばに録音されたこれらの曲は、UKラヴァーズ・ロックの初期登場から10年後、重低音が際立つサウンドシステムでの再生に最適なものとして制作された。Christine LewinによるTyrone Davisの「In The Mood」のカヴァーは、オリジナルの官能的なソウルを女性リードのヒットに変え、当時から今に至るまでラヴァーズ・プレイリストの定番となっている。
Echoes誌の1987年の記事で、Christineは「In The Mood」と以前のヒット「Juicy Fruit」のカヴァーを「レゲエ・フュージョン」と呼び、「強いレゲエのドライブを持ちながらも、ソウルに寄った曲」と説明している。同様に、Tricia DeanによるJean Carnのソウル名曲「Don’t Let It Go To Your Head」のカヴァーも、KpiayeとSmokeyによる時代に沿ったシンセ主導のリズムで、ロンドンのシーンに深く根ざしている。
また、Marvin JamesのThe Spinners「I'll Be Around」のヴォーカル・カヴァーは、Kpiayeによるインストゥルメンタル「Dub mix by Surgeon McEdit」と共に、初めて再発される。これらの曲は、ロンドンを拠点とする著名なDJであり、Smokey JoeがHot VinylやTJ Recordsのレーベルでリリースしていた。
Smokeyは80年代からヨーロッパ最大のソカ・カタログを有する一方で、彼自身はソウルDJとしてのキャリアをスタート。WillesdenのApollo Clubで最初のレジデンシーを務め、West EndのQ Clubでも活躍した。
A1. Christine Lewin - In The Mood
A2. Marvin James - I'll Be Around
A3. Tricia Dean - Don't Let It Go To Your Head
B1. In The Mood Instrumental
B2. I'll Be Around Instrumental
B3. Don't Let It Go To Your Head Instrumental
Three standout versions from the Lewin sisters and Marvin James, now available back-to-back on 12" EP for the first time. Classic soul turned reggae grooves produced by guitarist John Kpiaye and Adrian Joseph aka DJ Smokey Joe.
Recorded in the mid-80s, a decade after the first advent of UK lovers rock and tailor-made for bass-heavy sound system playback, Christine Lewin’s cover of Tyrone Davis’s ‘In The Mood’ transformed his sensual after-hours classic into a female-led hit that became a staple on Lovers playlists both then and now.
In an Echoes article in 1987, Christine describes both ‘In The Mood’ and her earlier cover hit of Mtume’s ‘Juicy Fruit’ as ‘reggae fusion’ “because it has a strong reggae drive to it but is also soul-orientated.”
Similarly, Tricia Dean’s sought-after cover of Jean Carn’s soul favourite ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Head’ follows the same formula from Kpiaye and Smokey, synth-led rhythms reflecting the times rooted firmly in a local London scene.
Marvin James's under the radar vocal cover of The Spinners' 'I'll Be Around' gets a reissue on vinyl for the first time backed up by the sought-after Kpiaye instrumental mix aka 'Dub mix by Surgeon McEdit'.
Renowned London-based broadcaster and DJ, Smokey Joe originally released the songs on his labels, Hot Vinyl and TJ Records. Whilst his various labels housed the largest soca catalogue in Europe since the 80s, Smokey Joe started out as a disc jockey playing soul music. His first residency was at the Pama brothers Apollo Club in Willesden in the early 70s before moving on to Count Suckle’s Q Club in the West End. Known for being open all weekend with a music policy that was dominated by soul and R&B, the club was an epicentre for an international clientele including the likes of Chaka Khan, Muhammed Ali, Bob Marley, The Jacksons, Dennis Brown, The Commodores, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger.
Smokey’s DJ residency lasted the best part of the decade. “It was a full-time job six days a week. I loved it, we played everything that was popular and would play whatever soul and funk imports were hot at the time. Heatwave performed regularly before they were known. They sang ‘Always And Forever’ before it came out. Johnnie (Wilder) was a lovely guy. One time he handed me a record with a message on the sleeve, ’To Smokey, don’t forget the name... Heatwave, from Johnnie’, it was their first single.”
Through his industry network, Smokey started producing and releasing various bands that performed at the Q Club such as the funk outfit, Reality band on Galactic Records, recorded at Eddy Grant’s Coach House studios. Under Smokey Joe Productions, he’s since released hundreds of titles. Amongst an output dominated by soca, collectors and DJs have long sought after a handful of funk, soul and reggae titles with S.J.P. behind the boards.
