Reviews (page 7 of 8)
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.
this is like eating a very sweet donut, the first few bites are pretty good, but then you realize there’s not much substance here and you’re still hungry for something more filling when you’re done. Lots of remixes and re-treads of the same ideas here. But I’ll bump it up one extra star for nostalgic reasons.
Relaxing sound.
Not my cup of tea; I hope 3 Feet High and Rising is on the list!
Superb mixing. Surprised to see this is from 1989. Sounds very ahead of its time, or maybe I am just very out of touch with soul music.
Did not like this one. Not my cuppa tea at all. I had to push through to the end.
I couldn't....
I really like the vibe/sound in \"Feel Free\" very smooth.
Ugghhh no
Just boring. Nothing of any substance other a few tracks I could see being sample by rappers. More like Elevator Classics than Club Classics.
This album is not really my thing. Favorite was the first track.
Bon album de soul des 90s! Comme l’impression de revivre ma jeunesse du début des 00s et les DJ qui passaient que des bangers comme ceux-la. J’ai bougé mon corps et ma tête mais sans plus lors de son écoute.
there's nothing good about this
3.5
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.
Empty and soulless - the music they play in the waiting room.
Most of this album was boring or not great. The last bit of the album was better, but it was too little too late.
Apparently, these guys just created all the best beats over the last 20 years.
Album 190 of 1001 Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol. One Rating : 3 / 5 I enjoyed it. Was good music as I drove around. Had listened on the playlist a couple of weeks ago. There isn't anything to really complain about but there wasn't any one thing that stood out more than the other.
It definitely has the sound of Club Classics. The sound is a little dated, but overall pretty enjoyable jams.
Great to have on in the background. Halfway through you think it all sounds the same. At the end you look and realise that each song is actually on there three times.
Quite like the distinctive sound, in moderation. Bit too soft for me. Housey piano is cool but not much dynamic range and I get bored. Hint of Gil Scott Heron i'd not noticed before?
"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.
Loves the classics. I knew most of the songs. I didn’t like every mix/version.
Soul II Soul's Club Classics Vol. One is pretty much a meh album, the R&B sound doesn't really get into my soul, but functioned ok as a background music listen. Best: Back To Life Worst: Feelin' Free
não ruim per si, mas meio eterno? chatinho?
I remember Back2Life being all over the radio when it was released. But a hit single does not make an album a must listen. Unless…(checks notes) the album was UK in origin and suits the author(s) UK bias. 3/5/
The thing about this album is that it has some really good iconic songs…. which aren’t on the main track listing. “Back To Life” as on the album is a drab, a capella boring draft version of their actual hit, which was only included on the 10th anniversary edition bonus tracks. Which is perplexing to me but is reflected by both Spotify and Wikipedia’s information. I usually never consider bonus tracks in an album review, but in this case that is taking away their biggest hit from this album. So I’m confused. Anyway there are three good songs on this album (if we consider the popular version of Back To Life to be the “real” version): Back To Life (However Do You Want Me), Keep On Movin’, and Jazzie’s Groove. The rest is dull filler.
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.
I appreciate that this is a cultural stepping stone that helps to make sense of the the UK DNA entwined within hip hop and R&B. One US single that I recognize from the radio of the time, Back to Life. Still a bop. While the whole thing is musically competent, it's not my jam. Certainly not an entire album's worth.
i feel so bad but i didn’t like this one
Lots of classics and a showcase of few different genres from the 90s
I was expecting basic simple 80s dance music. I was blown away by this album. It was very good.
It's okay. Nellee Hooper's production is great, but Jazzie B is not much cop as a rapper, and the songs, while often good, tend to outstay their welcome. It clearly set a template that was improved upon by later artists though, so I get why it's here.
Pretty good. For ifs time groundbreaking
44/100
If you asked me what I think of this album I would say it's not very good, but whenever my focus was distracted I found my heading nodding and my foot tapping. So I'm rating this higher than my conscious would but lower than my subconscious would.
I enjoyed this album quite a bit! If I could give half stars, I'd easily rate it at 3.5/5.
damm clubers
This seems like something I'd like on paper, but in reality I didn't care for it. The original album didn't even include the good version of "Back to Life," although it looks like subsequent releases have included it. Smart move. Rounding up from 1.5.
I forgot how much I used to like this. This was very much my thing in the late 80s. Soulful electronic house. Good stuff.
Some decent songs, but a lot just seemed to blend together. Found myself tapping my foot, pretty groovy stuff (when heard)
This is ok, just ok. And by that, I mean it's ok as background music only. It doesn't really have much substance. It has that kind of 'nothing' feeling to it that a lot of 80's music does. It's not offensive.
I was ready to give this 1 star, but it's not truly terrible. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd probably give it a 5. The big hit, "Back to Life" is not as bad as I recall. Converting to a 5-star scale gives me 2.5, and I'm rounding down.
New to me. It's fun, danceable stuff.
2 stars for the hits... the rest has dated, even if it was ahead of it's time back then.
Not made for my brain I would say, probably good but I just think it's a bit boring gn Favorite Tracks: Fairplay, Feeling Free, Ambition (Rap)
Soul. Hip hop.
1/5. Wasn't terrible to listen to just very forgettable. Would rather listen to better versions of the same genre. It's club music but if the club was occupied by 3 people who all don't really want to be there.
Groovy 3/5
I was ready to give this a 2 star review after the first few songs, but then I had this playing while doing chores around the house and it was nice. I’ll probably never listen again, but it grew on me. It was good hearing Back to Life again- it must be 20 years since I’ve heard that song.
Kind of fun. Good Background music to work to.
Back to Life is a bop
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.
Not really feeling this one too much. African Dance is the first song that really got me going. There are some pretty cool beats and rhythms in here, especially Happiness. The beat in Back to Life was definitely a headbopper. Not necessarily bad, but not quite my taste and a bit boring. There are a couple good patches, but I would not want to be in a club that was playing these classics for very long.
Pretty good but repetitive beats. Also very good singing in the first 2 songs. Holdin on goes pretty hard and funky. African dance is a great instrumental. Back to life was a surprise that I knew Overall a cool album with some nice beats and singing. I also like the transitions between a few songs. While the songs sound unique to each other they are pretty repetitive themselves
Few songs in and this is really not my jam. I can get behind some of the instrumentals. Only some. I honestly hate some of them. I have it on in the background whilst working so might not be the best representation but still not my jam and that's OK. I dig tf out of the flute and looping in African Dance though.
A few catchy tracks. Empty Spaces without direction,
Snilld með smá kjánahrolli inn á milli.
Funky club / disco music, with some hip hop moments, and maybe some African vibes?
one good song stretched out over an entire album 2.8
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 ⭐
The beats were very repetitive after a while but there were some interesting moments here and there - the flute lead of African Dance and the skittering kick drum of Feel Free were both highlights. Never got into Keep On Movin, and the only truly great song is a bonus track (the a capella version of Back To Life is not that good guys)
Wasn't hugely impressed with this, but I guess it introduced RnB to clubs. Keep on Movin' is OK.
Getting that vinyl
enjoyable but like kinda unmemorable. background
Good background music
I was sort of dreading this as not, "my sort of music", but turned out to be pretty enjoyable, even if a little soporific at times.
Enjoyed as background music
HL: "Holdin' On", "Back to Life", "African Dance" not bad at all, strikes a balance between danceable/peppy & laidback/chill.
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.
This was dreadful garbage. Generally, the U.S. does a pretty good job exporting its crap to other countries, not sure who was working the customs office when they allowed this one in.
Best of lists are so funny. In 2004, British music magazine Q placed “Club Classics Vol. One” at number 28 in its list of the 50 Greatest British Albums Ever, but two years later, the magazine put it at number 34 in its list of 40 Best Albums of the 1980s. Number 28 all-time for British albums is hilarious to begin with, but the editorial opinion of the magazine must have changed quite a bit in the next two years. Or the lists were put together by completely different people. Because everyone has wildly different opinions about what the greatest albums are. For instance, I wouldn’t put this on the 1001. It’s fairly commonplace late 80s/early 90s R&B, which while probably underrepresented on the list this doesn’t feel like the album to remedy that. Then Soul II Soul mix in some very underwhelming hip-hop, an “African Dance” interlude, and some world music-influenced dance tracks, and “Club Classics Vol. One” never finds an identity. “Back to Reality” is the most interesting thing on the album, and feels familiar either from a bit of American radio play or from one of the many songs that sampled it. But it’s not enough to save this mediocre album.
Don't think I ever heard any of these "classics" in the club, but they were fine for background music. Back to Life is the clear standout and the only track that made me stop what I was doing and listen.
Nice grooves for background music.
massa o soulzao (sonzao), bem agradável pra se curtir
Background music. A bit boring, honestly. Doesn't belong on the list in my opinion. Nothing really bad here, though. The title, Club Classics Vol. One is a strange choice. It sounds like a various artist compilation. By the way, where is the version of "Back to Life" everyone knows from the radio? Best track: Fairplay
A fusion of soul and the rising house movement with some jazz, funk, hip hop, and afrobeat elements in many songs. Can definitely hear the influence of bands like Massive Attack, and looks like it's influenced by the soul-disco combo of Chic a decade prior. It's consistent with strong hits and diverse styles interdispersed, although I did find the house production effects and samples to be incredibly repetitive albeit well polished. Some tracks go on a bit too long. I didn't find many of the tracks to be musically interesting enough to keep me engaged (which is kinda the point of early house music but I guess that's why it's more dated than Madchester), many tracks relying on the singer's talents. Favorites: Keep on Moving, Feelin Free, African Dance, Happiness, Back to Life
Soul muy animado. Un megahit. Vinilo.
Canciones conocidas como Back To Life. Pero menudo rollazo.
Here's an album that completely failed the test of time. Not that it ever managed to achieve mediocrity.
Actually own a cd copy of this album and its successor, but hardly listen to it. It is all done very tastefully but it is also quite boring music.
Back to Life was and is still a good song, and is the only reason I'm not giving this a one star rating.
Not much here that is of interest. And Back to Life is unfortunately less appealing than the single version.
I'm listening to the album and reading a lot of the reviews that this album among others heavily influenced the sound of 90s (and beyond) soul/R 'n B, dance and hip hop, especially in the UK. That this album still stands like a house. That it's very dance-able and excellently produced. That this was very innovative music for its time. That this brought a very useful broadening to dance music. But all I'm genuinely hearing a simplistic electro beat, and music that has neither soul nor funk and falls flat in every song. I'm probably really missing something.
Lot of slick, funky production going on here. Keep On Moving was great stuff, and the transition between the acappella Back to Life into Jazzie's Groove was the best thing on the record. It honestly felt more like a funk/R&B hybrid type record than anything. However, a lot of the tracks did kind of blend together in a way.
first listen a really weak collection of marginally interesting late 80s club hits
I thought it started out in a good way with the first 2 or 3 tracks, but then it deteriorated quite a bit. ‘African Dance’ and ‘Dance’ were quite yawny for example. Not sure I understand why this deserves to be on the list to be honest.
Feels like background music. I heard quite a few samples used in other songs. As a part in learning where music was going it might be interesting but as an album it was kind of boring.
Two amazing songs and a lot of filler. I think I would have felt cheated if I'd bought this at the time. This format doesn't really work for singles bands.
mediocre dance record with a messiah complex
No
Ritmos tranquilos y suaves. Honor (por soul) al nombre del grupo. Con ritmo pausado en ciertas ocasiones. No despierta un interés muy alto
BL: heard the name Soul II Soul before but don't think ive ever listened to a track. AL: I liked a lot of the tracks on the album but the problem is to me a lot of them are too repetitive, which I get from dance music is kinda the M.O., but I can appreciate there are a lot of highs on here. FT: “African dance” “back to life” “keep on Movin (big beat acapella)” 3/5
Oh yass, I'd have shook my booty to this in the 80's.
Jams
Dancyyy
Groovy, sometimes jazzy, but R&B over anything album.
Fuk em
This is a pretty strange album, in that I found listening to a lot of it to be pretty dull, but it seems really obviously significant in terms of the shape of R&B and hip-hop during the early 90s. When I listen to this, I hear a lot of little elements that would show up in the club music of the 90s. Also Back II Life is a fucking jam 3/5
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.
Was fun!!
Lit jams
I expected to not like this one. I was wrong. Great and varied sound. Really happy I gave this a proper listen.
Interesting
Some very groovy and soulful beats indeed. I especially like the ones you can clearly hear the p-funk and Philly/Motown influence.
Fine. Groovy beats
Not quite as magical as I remember, but still a belter with a couple of stand out tracks.
It's perfectly fine, but not a lot more than that. An album of it's time
Every note. Every second. Every vocal trill. Every electric piano. Every fake internment. Everything in this record pisses me off. I don't just hate this record. It activity makes me angry.
Has aged ok
3.2 - I love the hits “Keep on Movin’” and “Back to Life…” (including the surprisingly good a cappella version). The rest is watery house beats with that black dude with dreadlocks continually making declarations about “one race” that’s “united” around some 90’s-sounding uplifting shit.
A pleasant, well produced funky, and groovy album. The songs blend together really well. It was fun!
Vond het een beetje saai om naar te luisteren
3, nice messages
Inget skit att ha
Alright, I can see why this was included in the list. Arguably, it does deserve to be here. I love dance music but I didn't particularly enjoy this outside of "Back to Life." I preferred the male singer over the female. Kinda boring overall, though.
Easiest 5/5 ever ?
"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.
Very nice to add in a different genre and style (as mentioned by b and e). Back to life is the only one I knew. All the others were a bit droning for me. Those drum beats are set early and don't really change. It's much much more about the words and their play while the instrumentation just lays a base. That being said, no real hits for me.
Of its time, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That cool jazzy dance sound has endured for a reason.
Lots of this hasn't endured. Sounds of its time, not always in a good way. There are a handful of tracks that have tho... I understand why it's on this list. If it had any kind of nostalgic quality for me it would probably rate higher
Overly ambitious to a fault. At times it plays like, "Here are different versions of the 3 songs you like". I can't tell if that's intended to be a feature or a benefit. Probably both. But the result is you just want to hear the 3 songs you already know and love.
bland
Back to Life is just a brilliant song There’s some other bits which work but plenty that out stay their welcome (you’re on much safer ground whenever Jazzie B is not on the mic) Call it a generous 3 because with Back to Life doing the heavy lifting
It is a bit dull, but an ok kind of dull. However, was a bit surprised that the album version for Back To Life was mostly accapella. Rated that album after listening to the single version of back to life!
It is good dance music with particularly excellent production. Very good songs with the female vocals, but I don't really like Jazzy B's talking. His commentary/poetry might work if sung or rapped with rhythm. Talking doesn't do it for me.
Nice groove but I don't think it really holds up.
Okay I kind of loved this more than I thought I would?! Super fun!
It’s nothing special, but it’s decent. The opener is the best one due to the great singer, but while the vocals are good, some of these songs lack substance.
This was hit and miss but still had a classic feel. And "Back to Life" would be nothing if not for the remix.
Jamming album! Will be in heavy rotation for the next couple weeks.
This was lame even when it came out in the late 80's.
Remember this well. Don’t really enjoy listening to it but appreciate how important it was to the UK black music scene at the time.
Generic club beats
I guess, everyone, somewhere in their life must've heard these songs. Far from great songs, I'm not even sure why this album is in the book to be frank.. The hits have a nice vibe, but the rest is just, there and filling the album. I could've done without this one and wouldn't be bothered if there was another better album in place. Key tracks: Keep On Movin', Fairplay, Back To Life, Jazzie's Groove, Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) 4 of 10
Back to Life and Keep On Movin were staples of my mid 90s pop adolescence. They were on the hit KISS FM station in my city. The rest of the album leaves a little bit to be desired.
Damn those some club classics
Dull, dated, yuppie wine bar vibe.
Hm
Eh.
How can someone like Nellee Hooper produce wonders such as Massive Attack's *Blue Lines* or Björk's *Post* and then have the same role for such a bland record? Beats me. Obviously this album has not aged well at all, minus one or two... well, "moments"--like the acappella version of "Back To Life", for instance, far more elegant than the single version. Plus, that male singer's vocals are jarring, especially compared to the women on the record, "technically" flawless, and saving those "Club Classics Vol, One" from a minimum grade To put it in a nutshell, it's a very, very MIXED bag. I don't think I've heard of "Club Classics *Vol. TWO*". Probably good news for all of us. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: approximately a half so far Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter (including this one)
Title says the truth, classics are here
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.
Quite backgroundy. Jazz flute. Was going to say 90s beatz, but it would be more accurate to say 80s beatz...
The album release year on spotify shows as 1995 but it was in '89. Not super useful other than to explain why this is considered groundbreaking because it was for '89.
cool
All over the place, hast some catchy (and known) hooks but generally too diverse in the Genre for my taste
I was hoping for more tbh, the overall feel is there but doesn't hit the mark I wanted. Loved Ambition though
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
II stars
Started well, then faded and faded and faded.. right I'm bored now.
Not really into this. Weird club/soul music that is pretty boring.
Album radio slapped, but the actual album did not.
90's house soul. I didn't think I would hate it, but I do.
Different strokes and all that, but 28th Greatest British Album Ever, Q magazine?! I really don’t get what’s so special about this album, even if you like this kind of music. Which I don’t. I thought Back To Life was going to redeem it somewhat, but the album version, it turns out, takes an age to get going. 1.5
Liked it
Smoothe jams with a nice retro 80's vibe. Good background soundtrack for your next party.
This collection of so-called "club classics" proved to be perfect ambience for a long session of graphic design work. The repetitive structure of the songs served as a fine frame for my focus. Nevertheless, I didn't love any bit of it.
Erg saai maar daarom fijn om op te werken.
PA$$
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
Aw fuck no. This was gross. Dated, flash over feel, and corny as FUCK.
Decent little album
Pretty decent nostalgic dance music
Pleasant and soulful
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
Bar Muzak from the 90s - not sure this is essential?
Back to Life. Back to Reality.
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.
Oh que j’étais pas sûr avec les premières pièces (le conga est tellement pas cool dans la 2e pièce). Finalement à partir de Feeling Free, ça se place, mais ce n’est pas égal comme album. La vibe de African Dance est bien, mais c’est bizarre de tout de suite enchaîner avec la même pièce avec paroles. C’est également étrange d’entendre la version de Back to life a capella avant la version plus connue. On connaît tellement plus la version Back to life (however do you want me). Pour ceux qui reprochent le manque de profondeur dans les paroles, on s’en fou un peu dans le style ici. Le but est de faire bouger notre popotin (utilisation du mot « popotin » Check) et ça fonctionne. Ce n’est pas mon bag habituel et oui certaines sonorités ont mal vieillis, mais c’est moins pire que je pensais.
I just can't stand bland R&B. It's just dull. I remember my sister listening to this when I was a teenager. I hated it then and I hate it now. Best Tracks: Keep On Movin'; Back To Life; Jazzie's Groove
Its not bad at all, it has a solid enough sound to it. But it was a bit boring and I wasnt really able to vibe with it
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.
Sounds very dated now
Meh. A bit of a misc album for me. Neither nout nor something. If this is your cuppa tea I think you’d love it, but apart from the mad flute and the Back to Life remix, it did nothing for me.
Not for me, very repetitive
Not really my thing at all. Started off incredibly blandly. Was going to give one star, but enjoyed the flute solo on African Dance, and Back to Life is a club banger. Two will do!
Not really my kind of music. Didn't like any song, sounded very repetitive.
Enjoyed this. Good background music. Recognised a few songs too. Not generally my thing. Apparently "keep on movin" is so good they put it on the album twice!
Feels like there's one or two good songs on here that get rehashed over and over again. I think African Dance and Jazzie's Groove are standouts for me,
Listening to early house music, like early hip-hop, is mainly interesting only in an academic sense. Fortunately I'm a massive frickin' nerd and that's fine with me. 🤓 I enjoyed the way the tracks flowed into each other. The vocals from the women at least are still excellent, though the raps from the men are very dated. Fave track - "Back to Life" obviously - that tune still holds up really well!
Was just waiting for the album to end. Couldn’t really enjoy or get into a single track. The whole thing felt offbeat and disjointed. The lyrics were subpar and even the beats became repetitive by the halfway point. Probably good for it’s time in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, but does not hold up. 2/5
Fun but mostly forgettable early 90s club R&B. Very much of its time. Generally enjoyed it, but it's not one I'm likely to go back to. Fave Songs: Keep on Movin', Happiness, Holdin' On, Fairplay, Back to Life
The sound of overpriced drinks. Still good, though.
The instrumental bits were pretty cool, why do you feel the need to talk over it?
Keep on Movin' didn't start me moving. Fairplay sounds OK.... for about 15 seconds, then it descends into depressing lameness. The women have good voices but the songs are so uniformly awful that I just kept skipping. Back To Life is a step above the rest but not enough to save this borefest from a 1 start rating. If Jazzie's Groove was on a 5-star it would drag it down to 1 star. That is the worst assault on my ears ever. Although Ambition goes close. Worst rapping ever! No competition! Whatever drugs they were on are a danger to humanity.
Nice vibe but not something I’d listen to again
Eventually infectious beats and positivity
Lekker album. Prima nummers, maar niet allemaal even swingend als "Keep On Movin'". ***
Groovy!
2.5
Simply put, not for me. Dated production, struggle to see what this brought even for its time. The string sample from Chic is pretty great but the best track wasn’t even released on the original LP so I won’t be counting it.
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
Just based on the name I was bracing myself for the worst. But this CD is awesome. I'm not sure the singers they get on are officially part of the band or not (there's several of them, always listed with separate names) but they're all very good, like A-level talent. This CD is a testament to how far you can get with just a stable of incredible vocal talent and not much in the way of good material. The songs are basically just open-ended templates for the singers to solo over - little more than drum beats with a little bit of light harmony (typically hanging on one chord for the entire song). "Back to Life" is the highlight, and while it eventually does add in drums, the first few minutes are straight a capella and it works perfectly well that way. "Feel Free" and "Holdin' On" are other high points. I'm probably not putting this in my regular CD rotation - for one thing, the songs without vocals like "Feelin' Free" and the two "Dance" songs are in my opinion just total duds - but I liked listening to it.
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?"
Vraiment pas mon genre
A grand fusion of house/dance beats, hip-hop breaks, and jazz/R&B instrumentation, all with an undertone and influence of African roots. When it all comes together, as in the hit songs like 'Keep On Movin'' and 'Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)' as well as lesser-known songs like 'Happiness Dub' and 'Jazzie's Groove - Piano Version', it really hits.
A pivotal moment in British dance music, bringing a sound system vibe to the mainstream. Improbably, the album features an a Capella version of Back to Life and not the smash hit single club version which was everywhere, all the time. Either way, Caron Wheeler’s vocals are sublime. The album doesn’t hold up all that well - too many limp tracks that fail to excite and sketches for songs not fleshed out - but the impact and influence of Soul II Soul was huge.
I liked the first track. It sounded like something that could be released today. The charm wears off very quicky, though. The rest of the album is unfortunately pretty boring.
Some good parts but very repetitive.
It’s ok. I remember one of the songs from back in the 90s that got a lot of airplay. I’m not a dance music fan though.
Basic hiphop beats on a basic soul track. That's exactly what you would hear in a typical jeepney with music here in the Philippines. That's what this album basically is, a groovy background music. Tip for future listeners: once you hear a male vocal, SKIP THAT TRACK.
Eipä oikeastaan yksikään biisi kolahtanut ja edes taustamusana ei oikein meinannut toimia. Joutava levy ja olisin voinut kuolla kuulematta tätä.
Ihan chilli albumi. Toki paljon parempia saman genren levyjä löytyy, joten ei kovin erottunu
Un album injustement décrié par la communauté d'idiots que vous formez et dont eltrapeze semble être le chef.
Je pense qu'un nom de scène plus approprié pour ce gloubi-boulga musical aurait été Soul te saoûl. J'expliquerai ce jeu de mot brillant ainsi que la signification du mot gloubi-boulga pour mes lecteurs américains dans un prochain review, restez connectés.
"women produce" - ben babiro or bordan beterson, probably 3
Yaaaaawn, booooring
Nice soul music, I Recognized a sample on Kanye’s Jesus walks album.
Fun and easy, awesome as party background music or just feeling good.
Starts well, then falls off
Actually a very approachable album.
Certainly an important album because of what it kick-started, and those singles, but not as sure it's an essential album in and of itself. This production sound is almost as era-defining as the Stock, Aitken and Waterman sound was for the couple of years before it. And, well, despite anything else I say here I know which one I prefer. Erm, why is African Dance followed by the same song with less flute and more talking? Just don't stop, carry on. Kind of responsible for the explosion of artists I wasn't into, like, I dunno, the Brand New Heavies and stuff. It's aged in a way that Bjork's Debut hasn't (though nowhere near as much as some here are making out imho), although they both remain extremely transportative listens to their times.
Danstónlist sem á ekki endilega við heimachill
It’s fun
Party album from back when I was watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air and dancing on fun beats.
Solid
Not as good as I expected based on my limited previous exposure to the band. Two OK tracks both of which I knew prior to listening. The acapella version of Back to Life was mildly interesting.
The tracks that are bangers make this album worthwhile, but overall it’s pretty lackluster and sounds a bit dated. Keep On Movin’, Back To Life, and Jazzie’s Groove are decent though!
Meritable barreja de soul, reggae i r&b amb ritmes de club. Més com a banda sonora de nit o de fons que per escoltar i fruir. No em va impressionar al seu moment, i no ho ha fet ara
Interesting...most of the songs sounded way to similar though. 1.5/5
interesting. kinda liked it. felt like I was in a martini bar
Compilation? Ok funky stuff, but very much the same song repeated many times. So not that excited after all
Some decent boom bap/chill club beats
Lot of funk. Lot of soul. Heard it on the way to the airport. Didn't suit the vibe. Might go back to it
Very pleasant listen.
Eh, it's just generic club beats.
The album was ok. A couple of songs were familiar, but I am not sure why there were several versions of the same song. It was a little repetitive and a little long because of it. It is better than a 2 ans not quite a 3. I will roundup.
The first great British album of the 1990s. (Yes, I know that it came out in 89. But rave changed everything, innit?)
To quote a younger generation "I just can't.....". I tried to listen through this, and although I can't say I hate it, I just kept reaching for "skip" for so many songs, just nothing grabbed me.
The epitome of 90's shabby albums underpinning a couple of club bangers. 2 club classics, everything else is dreck - it was better owning the 12 inch, or CD single with the best tunes and a couple of remixes
Probably not a 1 but man I was really not feeling this one today.
Didn’t really listen to it all the way through because a Uni friend played it constantly when it came out. Middle of the road, easily listening soul in my opinion. Not something I want to listen to.
3/5
Boldly if not preposterously titled, this is nothing if not the sound of 1989. Think I'll stick with the singles, to be honest.
This sounds like one of those nameless demo CDs you got in the 90s when you bought a Sound Blaster ('member when PCs didn't come factory with a sound card?). It's good enough, but in a bad way. 3/5.
Hell yeah. This was great. Lots of great sampling.
Now that's delicious
Well I see it was originally 10 tracks which is good. The Spotify version has 16 and a mixed order so sorry if my impresión on the album is distorted by this but the album is looooong and overstated, I like the mixing but would like some more organic drums
They're definitely club classics, just not ones I know! Interesting beats abound, not my thing though.
Great collection
more like "90s dance tutorial background music" classics
It was ok. Lots of good rhythms and drum loops to it, but it also sounded really dated. Some fun songs too, especially Back To Life and African Dance- but overall pretty forgettable. Theirs just not enough variation in the songs “sound” to warrant a higher rating- maybe I’ll look back at it later with different eyes
nope
I wanted to turn it off after 2 songs but I'm glad i stuck with it 3
I really enjoyed this! Super fun, funky jams
Great album. A bit patchy and dated in places but I remember how good it was when it came out
fine
Ok 2 The whole album sucks, and then the remix of "Keep On Movin'" comes and brings the best beat I've ever heard. A 1 though, because the remix doesen't count.
Black British confidence
alright, liked the overall sound/energy of the album but the tracklist began to drag towards the end, 6/10
Started strong, took a bad turn
Way too long an album but it's funky and very 90s type sound. 6/10
Not my thing. I don't enjoy the genre too much and the album is quite tedious. Feels very repetitive and quite soulless.
Some good bops. Some of the tracks get a little repetitive though
4.25
A bit boring. Impressive if some of the samples are original though.
This was... not very good. Holdin' On was out of tune. Some of these were palatable, but I mostly did not enjoy.
Pretty good, remember a lot of these tracks from middle school
A fine definition of British 90s cross over dance music . Enjoyed the nostalgia and positive vibes .
This one wasn’t quite for me, I might have liked a couple of the songs when I was a teenager in the early 90s but not so much now.
Nothing special.
Bof au début mais en fait cool.
ni trop chiant ni vraiment mémorable
was great when it was released. I remember it well. Over time, I've lost interest in most of the songs... but there are a few classics. 3/5
Best Song: Back to Life. Angelic singers serenading you with soul. Worst Song: Feeling Free. Feels like a dude just talking over a beat in front of a captive audience. Overall: The music grooves, the backup singers are killing it, it's honestly just the main male vocals that drag the album down. The male vocals sound really dated, and are delivered with a sort of impassivity that doesn't jive with the rest of the output.
Fun album albeit not my genre. It sounds specifically dated - so much so it feels cool again.
dont like
Club Classics Vol. One by Soul II Soul (1989) With mindlessly repetitive but appropriately pounding computer-generated beats, directionless melodic lines, far-too-infrequent chord changes, faux orchestral flourishes, shallow cookie cutter lyrics, primitive production gimmicks, and with a male lead vocalist who simply cannot sing, this seemingly random collection of wildly popular British club ‘music’ is suitable only for atmospheric distraction while one’s brain and soul are otherwise occupied with more important matters like scoring, drinking, posing, leering, snorting, checking one’s watch, counting one’s cash, making sure the exits aren’t obstructed, or trying to get the attention of the waitress. 1/5
Good album but a bit confusing Wich tracks were bonus
Claaaasic
Groovy. Would likely tear up the club to these tunes
bruh bassics
Ci sono canzoni belle tipo 'Keep on Movin' e canzoni un po' più noiose, un bel mood comunque. Mi piacciono le due feat. Caron Wheeler. Salvano l'album.
Old school
House-y.
this type of music has just never been something interesting to me. i liked maybe one or two songs but other than that it just dragged on and was background noise.
Dance music is most definitely not my thing but overall... this is pretty good. At its best it's soulful with great production especially for the 80s - I mean...you know it's the 80s but also kind of not? :P I remember "Back to Life" being the big hit and I like it far better now than in my mullet days. Other highlights for me are "Fairplay" - smooth yet with a fantastic groove - and the instrumental "African Dance" with flute solo throughout works even if the electronic percussion does get repetitive. But the parts of this album that I don't love aren't necessarily bad by any means (e.g. "Holdin' On") they're just more of a standard club/dance beat that don't hold my interest as songs and that's my overall feel here... Overall it's not really something I feel like is or would be an "active listen" for me; good party music perhaps. My rating is totally a personal thing - if you're more into dance/r&b this is probably like a 9/10 4 or 5 star. 5/10 2 stars
swinging, confident, summertime sounds
To be completed
Repetitive and cloying, mainly thanks to bargain-bin beats and the most British vocals you can find. Some tracks on the back half manage to eke their way into mildly catchy territory, but after the absolute slog of the first half the LP needs a lot more than a few bangers to atone for its sins.
DIdn't age well, and wasn't that great to start of with.
Very much an 80-90s sound. Smooth and easy listening with a couple of 'classics' intermixed. At some point I'm expecting Paula Abdul to start singing....
Não chega a ser envolvente para ser lembrado.
Nothing too special to my liking with this one. Some of the songs are catchy and upbeat but it doesn’t really grow past that. It felt mainly like background noise as I was listening. 3.7/10
nice. One Mega hot and the rest are not less good. early 90's pop/
Okay but really feels a bit like hotel music on more than a couple of tracks
-"Keep on Movin'" is quite catchy -"African Dance" has a great beat and someone is jamming on some wind instrument -"Feel Free" has some chunky bass stuff -"Jazzie's Groove" is grooving with a big bassline and drum beat
Didn't enjoy
Meh i dunno
Absolute classic in back 2 life, rest so so
Ballsy move, naming your album that. Glad it worked out.
Not a fan. The songs were rather boring.
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!
Pleasant album. Very danceable. Nice grooves.
I didn’t enjoy this. Didn’t hate it but it’s just not doing anything for me.
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.
Yep, sounds like the 90s
Weird "club" music, sounds like it's older than it is