Welcome to the alternate universe that was in my ears in the late 80s/early 90s.

The 22nd edition of my Beats, Jazz, & Soul mixtapes was a nod to the influence of the sounds that I found in the import bins while record shopping early on in my DJ career. Artists like Soul II Soul, Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies, Sweetback (a band consisting of members of Sade's musicians/producers), and Loose Ends showed me that the jazzy soul groove sound, I thought, at the time, exclusive to black america went way beyond barriers of color and nationality.

When I called this London Soul Classics, it was because when I made this, these kinds of songs were not that well received in a U.S. mainstream club environment, but were the jams in the 'underground' scenes...parties thrown by Giant Step in NYC or King Britt & friends in Philly, which usually had internationals in the audience. I'd heard, seen, read that people would dance to these kinds of songs in clubs in the UK that were as large as mainstream clubs in the U.S. - giving me hope that this music wasn't just for head nodding to in headphones or home listening, but for dancing as well.

I learned that it took really free spirits to be able to let go to these kinds of sounds and those spirits are the spirits that I love and play to.

In a way, this tape was positive and wishful thinking that someone from overseas would hear that I understood worldwide groove and extend an invitation to me to play there.

The simple dreams of a DJ trying to make a mark.

As you see in the photo, like the Brand New Heavies song Dream Come True http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH5lEIhjOHY&feature=fvw - that dream DID come true. That's me on a curb and on a poster in London.

Omar - Music For The Pipe
Peter Brown - For Your Love
Sweetback feat. Amel Larrieux - You Will Rise
Sade - Keep Looking
Sade - Siempre Hay Esperanza
Loose Ends - A Little Spice
The Brand New Heavies - Never Stop
Soul II Soul - Back To Life
Soul II Soul - Jazzy's Groove
Deee-lite - Deee-lite Theme
Him - BaDoPa
Family Stand - You Don't Have To Worry
Him - Starfruit & Green Tea
Jamiroquai - When You Gonna Learn
Soul II Soul - Dream's A Dream (A Night At The Opera)
Loose Ends - Slow Down
Soul II Soul - Fairplay
Terence Trent Darby - Wishing Well
Diana Brown & Barry K Sharpe - Masterplan
D-Influence - Good Life
D-Influence - Good Lover
The Chimes - Heaven
Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy
Omar - Fallin