Celebration – A Soulful House Journey

Selected and Mixed by Blaze to commemorate East Street’s 20^th Anniversary which is no mean achievement.

Superbly mixed as one would expect and features many of the key tracks in ESR History, such as Ma Foom Bey and Adeva, De’Lacy right through to the latest stuff like Asaph Womack. A good deal of the tracks are already written or produced or mixed by Kevin and Josh and they have been key players in ESR success.

I particularly like Keisha Jenkins Going through the Motions, and Cassio’s Baby Love still sounds fresh. Kathy Brown’s Happy People is ever soulful and I have a soft spot for Asaph (because he’s a gent and a friend). Also still sounding good is World Premiere’ share the night and Alyson Williams. Over the years Esr have encompassed some great artists and covered some great styles within dance but maintaining the essential soulfulness.

Maybe there are some different tracks that I would have chosen but nonetheless this is a pretty good a fair reflection of the quality of ESR output.

Following a meeting with Mike Gusick at Easy Street offices in New York on Monday 17th February 2002 I have put all Easy Street product reviewed on this site onto a separate page. Some of the reviews have already appeared elsewhere but there is now more to see - most of it is back catalogue and the reviews are short, but it will be updated with new product as it is received over the year. I found that Mike and I were on the same wavelength as far as soulful vocals were concerned and Easy Street releases will very much have this in mind.

Mike advised me that there is downright pessimism and label retrenchment as far as this type of product is concerned, therefore it is great to see Easy Street continuing to put out product. There will be new releases throughout the year though maybe not as many as previously. There will be quality Easy Street Soulful product in due course.

CD's and LP vinyl

Pure Blaze 2 - Limited Edition DJ Double Pack

Blaze - Kevin Hedge & Josh Milan - are consistently good and whenever you see one of their songs or remixes you cannot do much wrong. Soulful vocals abound and melodic songs. This album runs from 1993 to 2001. We have here - reviewed below - Black Masses, Kathy Brown, Tyke, Nicci, plus the following:

Two more from De'Lacy - the big hit 'Hideaway' and 'All I need is love'. The former being a favourite and excellent cut. We have 'Movin' On' by Debbie Pender, from 1997, excellent vocal and harmonies over a distant beat. 'Deeper' Toni Martin jazzy with deep hypnotic vocal mix.

An exceptional album of all the best in soulful house over the past few years.

Pure Blaze - Limited Edition DJ Double Pack

Covering the years 1987 with the In Sync 'Sometimes Love' to 1996 and the bouncy diva cut 'Getaway' by Amina. The former being the first cut brought to the attention of Easy Street. Apparently this is also David Morales first ever remix.

'Baby Love' by Cassio still sounding good, as does 'Never thought I'd see you again'. Also we have 'Saturdays' and 'Let the music take you' by Alexander Hope which like some of the other tracks are starting to sound a bit dated. 'U can't hide it' by De'Lacy, probably one of Easy Street biggest artists stands the test of time. 'Going through the motions' Keisha Jenkins is melodic, tuneful and soulful being my cut of the album. 'Underground' System VIII is also included but not too keen on this.

As a perspective with Volume 2 above this is excellent although I did find some of it feeling a bit dated.

12" singles

Count on Me - Nicci feat Omega - 7627 - 2001

Vocal production Islam Shabazz, produced by Dennis Ferrer Vocals - Omega Nunnaly & Nicci. Following on from 'When your free' a beautiful relaxing vocal over a mellow-ish house beat. The Ferrer mix has horns prominent. The second mix seems even more mellow and harmonic. This, while not earth shattering, is pleasant enough.

One Man - Tyke - 7625 - 2001

Vocal production Islam Shabazz, produced by Blaze. Smooth groovin, lovely Blaze mix - all the essential ingredients for a great track. Nice vocal and builds well. Like this one build the Blaze crew rarely do wrong for me as they are so slick and intelligent in their mixes. Organ led mix on the Shelter version.

My heavenly stars - Black Masses - 7623 - 2001

Vocal production Curt Stewart - Paul & Cleveland Anderson, remix & produced by Blaze Vocals - Angie Brown. Gospel flavoured and soulful vocals over a hard mix. One of the top tunes of 2K1 for me.

Love Me - De'Lacy - 7622 - 2001

Vocal production Rainee Lassiter, remix production by DJ Shield & Pagany. The Black Masses extended remix is fine indeed - diva vocal and the mix doesn't interfere with the song. The sparser Anthemic 2001 mix is also good.

No more lies - De'Lacy - 7621 - 2000

Vocal production Mad Moses, re produced by MATE. Marginally less preferable to the later 'Love Me', I found the mix 'bitty', it's amazing that only a couple of years old it sounds dated.

Just to be with you - Darryl D'Bonneau - 2000

This was one of my big plays in 2000- the Black Masses Philadelphia Mix - this still sounds good and unlike De'Lacy hasn't dated. Top vocal top mix, made in big in the upfront Soul Clubs as well as 'House'

Freedom - IPO feat Emily Davis - 7620 - 2000

Vocal production Mad Moses, re produced by MATE. Again a soulful vocal over a struttin beat, not a strong persistent house beat but a throbbin bass line. Pleading vocals. You can see why a funk mix works on this. Jon's Distant vocal mix is also very nice, more melodic and more prominent vocals. Jon, of course, being Jon Cutler.

Happy People - Kathy Brown - 7614 - 1999

Blaze production. Once again it's the Blaze mix that does it for me - it allows the powerful vocals to come through, whereas fpr example Knee Deep is concerned with other things.

Stand up - Mad Moses feat Lisa Hunt - 7612 - 1998

Vocal production Mad Moses, re produced by MATE. Paramour Le Taime mix gives this distinctly a more Euro feel. Not one for me this.

In and out of my life - Adeva - 7604 - 1988

Production Mick Cameron - Back in time now for a couple of 'Easy Street Anthems'. The strong diva voice of Adeva still sounding good. This was and is a massive 'chooon'.

Ma Foom Bey - Cultural Vibe - 7525 - 1986

Produced by MATE - Another anthem and 'wow' over 15 years old. Electro, afrobeat, old house groove. Fun sound that whips it up and still sounds good.

Previously reviewed is:-

Nicci - When your free - EZS7624

This is excellent vocal garage, his first on Easy Street one of the premier outfits of this genre. If I've got the mixes right the Soulkatz one is slightly harder and probably the one that will get played. The Blaze mixes I think I marginally prefer though. The Dub mix is also not very 'Dub -by'! and will also appeal with little more than vocals over rhythm. 4 great mixes - can't be bad and unusual.

Soulful meaningful vocals, backing by Omega. Don't know Nicci but he's apparently worked with Total and Faith and is working with Puffy. Get the Soul before he goes R'n'B.

Uplifting and one to watch. A cracking cut in my view.

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