Flashback 1994

Sounds of Blackness - The Harder They Are The Bigger They Fall (E-Smoove Mixes) [A&M PM]

As we reach another weekend, I find myself casting my mind back to the mid 90s again. Today's pick finds Eric (E-Smoove) Miller at the helm, housing up a classic slab of R'n'B from Sounds of Blackness. Starting off with a tough tribal style dubby intro, the mix morphs into the gospel house monster tune with wonderful keys and sublime vocals. This was a staple in my sets at BTW for several years after its release in 1994 and still sounds amazing to this day.

Flashback

Sounds of Blackness - The Pressure [Perspective Records]

Heading back to 1992 and a track that's one of the finest examples of spiritually charged house music ever recorded. The original track was decent but the remixes from Frankie Knuckles and CJ Mackintosh elevated the track to new levels of awesomeness. Featuring the unmistakable vocals of Ann Nesby who has subsequently worked with the good and the great within the scene, this is a proper old school hands in the air slice of soulful house. The conventional wisdom is that Frankie's mix is the weapon of choice although I've always had a preference for CJ's interpretations which I found a little livelier. Whichever way you turn though, you'll find endearing keyboard arrangements and the most uplifting of vocals.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Flashback

There haven't been many tracks released that have featured a remix by Frankie Knuckles where his version hasn't been my weapon of choice. This is one of the very few exceptions; CJ Mackintosh absolutely nailed it, delivering a supremely soulful vibe that over the years has never failed to deliver. There's also the small matter of Ann Nesby on vocals!