Tue Oct 20 2020
2
Sounds like what I would hear in a hotel lobby
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
1989
- Album Summary
Club Classics Vol. One (USA title: Keep On Movin') is the debut album by the British group Soul II Soul. Released in 1989, the album featured the group's hit singles "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)", the latter of which was a UK number-one hit and the fifth best-selling single in the UK that year. The album also reached number one and was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 900,000 copies.In the United States, the album reached the Top 20. The single "Back to Life" was also a Top 10 hit in the US and was certified Platinum. It found stronger success with R&B music listeners in the US, as the album went to No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart, and the title track and "Back to Life" were number-one R&B hit singles.
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Date
Mon Apr 05 2021
3
Like the female vocals. When the dude starts singing on the third track I had the urge to skip but held on. The general sound is fairly nostalgic for me. Goes down easy but not my favorite.
Fri Jun 18 2021
2
I’m a little upset by this album. I have very few 1 star albums, and almost this whole work was so dreadfully boring that I thought I’d finally found another super-dud. But then Back to Life just had to go and be a bop, so this album earns its second star.
Wed May 19 2021
2
hasn't aged well
Fri Jan 22 2021
4
so far it's pretty good. I can see this is an influential album. There are several songs I recognized and several beats that I can tell have been sampled by some of my favorite artists years down the line. This is a cool record.
Wed Oct 20 2021
1
"Club Classics Vol. 1" is the Fruity Pebbles of music. It's technically breakfast but is utterly devoid of nutritional value. It's just bright colors and empty calories. Soul II Soul managed to put out an album that's technically music but utterly devoid of musical value. It's just bright colors and empty lyrics.
Mon Oct 26 2020
4
Production is very clean and sounds like it could have been produced today. Tends to blend together pleasantly, and the vocals are really beautiful! "Back to Life" was a huge hit for a reason - it's hypnotizing, catchy, and very well produced. Overall early house music isn't much to my taste, but I understand why it was so popular and innovative for its time. 4/5.
Fri Apr 16 2021
1
It's dreadful and I hate it. Without the singles, it's a 1. Some songs sound like sung by drunk uncle, self-congratulatory throughout. Lame beats. Awful lyrics. Bad.
Wed Jul 28 2021
5
Memories of being in the dance clubs come flooding back!
Mon May 03 2021
4
Some bloat but a really great album. Jazzie B acting as the master of ceremonies conducting his hip-hop, jazz, soul leaning in whichever way he sees fit.
Tue May 18 2021
4
Seminal dance music album that melded soul and R&B with house and reggae. It's legacy and influence is such that it still sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday.
Wed Aug 11 2021
4
I have not listened to these guys in ages. Great combo of simple beats and electric vocals. The lyrics are simple and unspectacular, but the solos and harmonies are infectious. Well, at least when the women (Caron, Rose, Do'Reen) are the focal point (less enamored when the men are front and center). Both the band and album are so appropriately named - funky soul and you could fill up a night at a club playing these tracks. Everybody knows Keep on Movin and Back to Life (a definite classic) but spend some time with Feel Free, Fairplay, Happiness or African Dance.
Mon Nov 22 2021
4
A record that I own, but don't spin nearly as much as I should. Smooth, funky, and beautifully orchestrated. Caron Wheeler's vocals (unsurprisingly on the big singles) are a real stand out. String arrangements are lush and sophisticated. This really is a precursor of Massive Attack a few years later, although perhaps with a little less grit and less depressive/gloomy. I really enjoyed listening to this. If this had been made even two years later, it would have been based on grainy loops rather than drum machines, but this really is an album a few years ahead of its time.
Fri Oct 07 2022
4
The best part of doing this is dicovering artists from my younger days that I woud never have given a chance then are actually worthy of my time. This is just such an example. Some great, funky soul here along with some seeds of trip hop. I am reminded often of Massive Attack (is the female singer the same as on Safe From Harm or other MA classics?) A really enjoyable listen this album was. I was only familiar with one song but found the whole album quite engaging. 4 stars
Wed Aug 09 2023
4
Late 80s R&B is a place I really haven't spent any time; I'll do my best to keep an open mind. Album opens with Keep On Movin', which is R&B on the groovier side of the spectrum. Complete with sterilized electronic drum beat and simple bass line. Instrumental is flourished with some piano meandering and sweeping strings ebbing and flowing behind the vocals. Sounds like something I would hear in a hair salon if I had hair to warrant the experience. Fairplay is a substantially more interesting song. The backing bassline walks throughout, referencing the same progression but modulating to keep things interesting. It along with a tight drum beat propel the track with some soulful vocals. Favorite song so far. Three songs in, three very different sounds. I'm into the variety. Holdin' On is driven by a more classic drum and bass high-hat beat with some disco-like elements. Not a great song, but its not bad either. Feeling Free finds Soul II Soul in hip-hop territory with an instrumental of drums and scratching with backing horns. Surprisingly effective, like proto-ATCQ jazz-rap. African Dance is an instrumental dance track putting the yazz-flute front and center. Great energy with an improv feel. Particularly enjoy the mixing effects thrown in around the 3 minute mark that send the backing rhythm through an inverter of sorts. Dance gives over to the exact same backing rhythm sans flute soloing. In place of the flute we instead find spoken-word vocals. Unsure why they decided to do this. Surely 6 minutes of jazzy instrumental dance were good enough that we did not need 4 additional? Feel Free jams right out of the gate with a sick double-bass drum line and some tight string accompaniment. Song also features a damned fat bassline, which I'm admittedly a sucker for. Second favorite song thus far. Happiness is a fine enough jam that I found myself bobbing along to. I could easily see this embedded in a DJ set to keep the crowd moving in transition. I've only heard the remix of Back To Life. The A Capella arrangement that forms the first 3 minutes of the song are damned impressive on a technical front -- credit where it is due. Hands over to a hip-hop beat that then bleeds seamlessly into the original album closer Jazzie's Groove. And what a groove it is. Stopping my review here because it is where the original album ends. I will say that I am thoroughly surprised by this album. It jams front to back and is filled to the brim with different styles, textures, and personnel. Standouts from my memory are Fairplay, Feel Free, African Dance, and Jazzie's Groove. I also do love the remix of Back To Life that is included in the 10th anniversary edition; classic jam. This is nearing a 5 IMO, but is held back by a few questionable choices. Strong 4 / 5.
Sun Aug 29 2021
3
Pretty average. The man's voice kept sounding like Monster Mash which threw me
Thu Jun 24 2021
2
Some good songs, Back to Life and Jazzie's Groove were bangers. Other tracks were filler to me. Rapping with a heavy London accent has always seemed a little off to my American ears; nothing wrong with it, just not what I'm used to. Decent album, but definitely a product of its time and it hasn't aged well in my opinion. 2.5/5.
Thu May 27 2021
2
Pretty much sounded like a typical 80s/90s club album to me. Nothing special.
Wed May 25 2022
2
more like "90s dance tutorial background music" classics
Fri Apr 16 2021
1
1*. Hated it. Smug, lazy raps, all about themselves. Really weak production. Getting drunk uncles to sing is not a vibe. Bad. 'Back to Life' is a belter though.
Wed Sep 23 2020
5
Very groovy, reminds me of GTA SA for some reason.
Thu Jul 01 2021
5
very groovy and very nice sounding!
Thu Oct 07 2021
5
Soul muy animado. Un megahit.
Thu May 26 2022
5
Great collection
Fri Sep 09 2022
5
Actually a very approachable album.
Sun Jan 29 2023
5
cool
Wed Feb 08 2023
5
Title says the truth, classics are here
Wed Mar 15 2023
5
Okay I kind of loved this more than I thought I would?! Super fun!
Fri Mar 31 2023
5
Easiest 5/5 ever ?
Wed May 31 2023
5
Dancyyy
Wed May 31 2023
5
Jams
Thu Jul 06 2023
5
Soul muy animado. Un megahit. Vinilo.
Wed Jul 19 2023
5
Getting that vinyl
Sun Oct 29 2023
5
Maybe I should recuse myself, since I have many fond memories of my co-judge and I arriving in Toronto in ’89, going to restaurants, clubs, bars and record stores and hearing this all the time. It was the sort of thing I would have never listened to a couple of years earlier. It’s a very urban sound, smoove soul with hints of reggae and African rhythms. Caron Wheeler is dynamite and Jazzy B is a great songwriter and producer, but I’m not as smitten when he grabs the microphone. Between a 4 and a 5 for me.
Thu Nov 02 2023
5
Transported immediately back to late 80s/early 90s. This is a certified banger for anyone who loves jazz, dance, and Living Single.
Sun Nov 05 2023
5
4.9
Sun Nov 05 2023
5
Que álbum sensacional! Vontade de ouvir o dia todo ahahaha
Sun Jan 03 2021
4
этот альбом - очень хороший пример клубной музыки, который в свое время создал немало шума, причем не на пустом месте. минималистичный бит драм-машин заставляет самопроизвольно качать головой, фанковые сэмплы добавляют мелодичности, а вокал, клавиши и бас заканчивают микс изумительным, во многом соуловым грувом, что вместе заставит резвиться в танце даже самого заплесневелого задрота. в итоге мы получаем совершенно нестыдный, культовый и влиятельный хаус презент, треки которого даже спустя 30 лет без презрения окружающих можно ставить и на домашних вечеринках, и в больших клубах.
Sun Jan 03 2021
4
It's 9/10, beatiful vocal and instrumental, but it's not masterpiece
Sun Feb 14 2021
4
Production: 13/20 Songwriting: 9/20 Innovation: 11/20 Bangers: 15/20 Emotional response: 15/20 =63 Banging
Thu Feb 18 2021
4
Très bon album de funk, les chansons instrumentales sont incroyables!
Mon May 24 2021
4
If there's an album that defines 1989 musically, this is it.
Fri Mar 05 2021
4
Nothing remarkable, but overall it was enjoyable to listen to, found myself nodding my head, tapping my foot, and enjoying it in the background. Great vocals and production.
Sat Apr 24 2021
4
Some really great stuff here, but it’s too repetitive
Sun Jun 13 2021
4
Great rhythms and beats throughout. Nice vocals, some interesting lyrics. Holdin on, keep on movin, happiness, jazzies groove
Wed Jun 16 2021
4
Liked It not my usual listen
Sun Aug 29 2021
4
I like the beats, and would listen to it again. 8/10
Sun Aug 29 2021
4
7/10.
Mon Oct 25 2021
4
Back to life and Jazzie's groove were my favorite tracks
Sun Nov 28 2021
4
Very influential, on a wide variety of bands and singers. Must have seemed like it was from the future, cos it doesn't sound dated at all!
Fri Dec 17 2021
4
Absolute classic in back 2 life, rest so so
Wed Mar 30 2022
4
A fine definition of British 90s cross over dance music . Enjoyed the nostalgia and positive vibes .
Thu Apr 07 2022
4
4.25
Thu Apr 28 2022
4
Black British confidence
Wed May 04 2022
4
I really enjoyed this! Super fun, funky jams
Wed Jun 01 2022
4
Now that's delicious
Wed Jun 01 2022
4
Hell yeah. This was great. Lots of great sampling.
Wed Jul 20 2022
4
The first great British album of the 1990s. (Yes, I know that it came out in 89. But rave changed everything, innit?)
Mon Jul 25 2022
4
Very pleasant listen.
Thu Sep 15 2022
4
Nice soul music, I Recognized a sample on Kanye’s Jesus walks album.
Wed Sep 21 2022
4
Un album injustement décrié par la communauté d'idiots que vous formez et dont eltrapeze semble être le chef.
Wed Oct 05 2022
4
Listened Before? N I believe this could have been one of the greatest albums of the late 80's/early 90's dance wave... had there been more material on it. There's 3 versions of every song it seems. I understand that that's probably what they were going for but it gets old by the 4th rendition of "However do you Want Me". Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: One of the "However do you Want Me's?"
Fri Oct 14 2022
4
Groovy!
Fri Oct 28 2022
4
Nice vibe but not something I’d listen to again
Tue Nov 22 2022
4
A milestone of an album, including one of the dance anthems of the late 80s. Keep on Moving is brilliant and still sounds great, and there are other good tracks such as Fairplay, Feel Free and Back to Life (the precursor to the later single). Some of the other tracks don't stack up quite so well, particularly those with a spoken Jazzy B accompaniment. Nevertheless, a landmark album.
Thu Dec 01 2022
4
J’aime bien ça. C’est une autre époque, mais pour la plupart, ça s’écoute encore super bien. Est-ce que ça a été une influence sur certains ? Certainnement. Est-ce que c’est bien fait ? Certainnement. Est-ce que c’était novateur ? difficile à dire.
Thu Dec 08 2022
4
Great album! Really enjoy this era. Just puts you in a place. Solid 4. T3B 1. Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) 2. Dance 3. Feeling Free
Thu Dec 15 2022
4
Pleasant surprise seeing as I've never heard of this album before and the only track I knew was Back To Life. Really loved listening to this album
Wed Dec 21 2022
4
Smoothe jams with a nice retro 80's vibe. Good background soundtrack for your next party.
Thu Jan 19 2023
4
I was hoping for more tbh, the overall feel is there but doesn't hit the mark I wanted. Loved Ambition though
Wed Feb 08 2023
4
Soul II Soul is a rather appropriate name for this enticing collection of equally appropriately titled Club Classics. Fusing hip-hop with house, R&B and the soundsystem culture of their homeland, Soul II Soul galvanized those varying genres and came away with songs that, many years later, still defines the core outline of who they were. Favorites: Keep On Movin', Fairplay, Holdin' On, African Dance, Feel Free, Back to Life.
Fri Mar 10 2023
4
Jamming album! Will be in heavy rotation for the next couple weeks.
Mon Mar 27 2023
4
Of its time, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That cool jazzy dance sound has endured for a reason.
Fri Mar 31 2023
4
"Keep on Movin'" New-Wave and The Boss! Bahahaha (jk jk, it all has it's place) Some new music up in this Club. I love that they knew that this album was going to be "Club Classics" from it's release. Front to back "Bangers" Fuck it, own it. I wanna be Euro-trash partying with this shit. Peek 90's partying and lights and dance music. This is an album that obviously is playing at Bud's smoke shop anytime you walk in.
Mon Apr 24 2023
4
A pleasant, well produced funky, and groovy album. The songs blend together really well. It was fun!
Wed May 03 2023
4
Not quite as magical as I remember, but still a belter with a couple of stand out tracks.
Fri May 12 2023
4
I expected to not like this one. I was wrong. Great and varied sound. Really happy I gave this a proper listen.
Sat May 20 2023
4
So SAULT has clear antecedent. Reductive, sure: There's plenty more disco flair here, most evident in the female vocals establishing the record. It's the contrast with that beginning which suggests the real strength of the club classics: The live recording and other vocals switch the sound up, but leave the (rather low-fidelity) production, but maintain flow. Thus, the record is dated by quirks but presents a complete package. With a little bit of everything, it helps if you like dub.
Thu Jun 01 2023
4
Oh yass, I'd have shook my booty to this in the 80's.
Mon Jul 17 2023
4
It's 1991 and we ride to the Blue Elephant in a noisy Bajaj all the way down Galle Road. The man at the door looks doubtful-- we're 13, but after presenting our diplomatic ID's and a little coaxing from a local friend on the inside, we are in with big Lion Lagers and hitting the floor. Soul II Soul is on and the party is bumping and we are dancing close in the room with the AC blasting. Objectively, it's not the greatest album of all times, but we were rocked by it and it has a place inside me.
Wed Jul 19 2023
4
Good background music
Tue Aug 01 2023
4
Very influential, on a wide variety of bands and singers. Must have seemed like it was from the future, cos it doesn't sound dated at all! 4 ⭐
Thu Aug 10 2023
4
Back to Life is a bop
Fri Sep 01 2023
4
I forgot how much I used to like this. This was very much my thing in the late 80s. Soulful electronic house. Good stuff.
Sat Sep 09 2023
4
I was expecting basic simple 80s dance music. I was blown away by this album. It was very good.
Sun Sep 10 2023
4
Lots of classics and a showcase of few different genres from the 90s
Mon Sep 18 2023
4
Admirable diversity and prominence of vocal performance for a dance album. Didn't all land for me, but deserves an extra point fornthe audacity of the title for a debut album.
Tue Sep 26 2023
4
Loves the classics. I knew most of the songs. I didn’t like every mix/version.
Wed Sep 27 2023
4
"Club Classics Vol. One" by Soul II Soul is a groundbreaking album that played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of dance and R&B music. Released in 1989, it's a fusion of soul, funk, and electronic elements that define the late '80s and early '90s club scene. Tracks like "Back to Life" and "Keep On Movin'" are iconic and showcase Jazzie B's innovative production and Caron Wheeler's soulful vocals. The album's production is a standout, featuring richly layered arrangements and innovative sampling. While "Club Classics Vol. One" doesn't stray too far from its genre's conventions, its cultural impact and enduring grooves earn it a solid 4/5 rating. It's a timeless classic that continues to be celebrated in the world of dance and electronic music.
Thu Oct 12 2023
4
I think most tracks are a bit too lyrical to work as upbeat dance music. But the fusion of R&B and soul with electronica works well.
Mon Oct 23 2023
4
I really like the vibe/sound in \"Feel Free\" very smooth.
Sun Oct 29 2023
4
Fun and fun it beats. This was enjoyable.
Sun Oct 29 2023
4
Really fun album with great vibes
Sun Oct 29 2023
4
Good beats and vocals. Solid album, nothing wrong.
Thu Nov 02 2023
4
Legit
Fri Nov 10 2023
4
This felt very 90s, in a good way.
Tue Nov 21 2023
4
Pretty big album when it came out. Still holds up well. Standouts: Back to Life, Keep on Movin', Jazzie's Groove 3.5
Sat Dec 02 2023
4
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Holdin’ on, African dance, Dance, Back to life
Sun Dec 03 2023
4
Oh, Back to Life just blew me away. Couldn´t stop listening to that one. Overall, the vibe of this album was incredible and I enjoyed it. This R&B /soul album was awesome.
Wed Sep 16 2020
3
"Back to Life" - forever a classic. "Dance" was my discovered gem, a bop.