THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The legendary UK acid-jazz innovators Brand New Heavies dropped many a classic sounds and none more so than their iconic album 'Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. More than three decades after first release it remains an influential work that blends UK club jazz with US hip-hop. Featuring collaborations with artists like Main Source, The Pharcyde, Gang Starr, and Black Sheep, the album marked a groundbreaking fusion of genres back in its heyday and now two standout tracks from the album, 'Soul Flower' featuring The Pharcyde and 'It's Gettin' Hectic' featuring Gang Starr make their way to 7" for the first time and sounds as good as ever.

Review: Brand New Heavies have long had their legacy assured. They played a vital role in establishing the Brit-funk sounds of the 80s and 90s and are one of the most enduring acts on Acid Jazz. Now, their standout album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 has two of its finest cuts singled out and pressed up to this Bonafied Funk reissue on P-Vine Japan. The tunes are a blend of their signature sounds with some top-level featured guests including hip hop royalty Main Source and the one and only Grand Puba. Timeless dance floor delights, for sure.

Review: The Brand New Heavies celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark 1994 album, Brother Sister. Known for its groove-driven, horn-laden funk and N'Dea Davenport's powerhouse vocals, the album delves into deep jazz grooves. Released after their debut and the Hip-Hop collaboration Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1, Brother Sister carved out its own unique space. Debuting at number four on the UK charts, it achieved global success, solidifying the band's Acid Jazz dominance. This newly remastered edition comes as a 2CD version that includes two newly discovered demos, 'Pocketful of Bass' and an alternate version of 'Put Yourself In My Shoes'.

Review: Surely one of the most iconic of all the British funk bands of the 90s, The Brand New Heavies split the difference between the heads-down seriousness of the rare groove scene with a sharp pop instinct which found them great success. This best of collection gives you hit after hit, and as soon as the irresistible groove of 'Never Stop' kicks in you'll be taken right back to that era. There's a house sensibility to some of the tunes which speaks to their proximity to Soul II Soul, but this is a funk band first and foremost, and their dynamic flow as a group is what resulted in such evergreen hits as 'Shelter' and 'Apparently Nothing'.

Review: The UK has had many distinct and hugely influential different musical scenes and acid jazz back in the late 80s and early 90s was one of them. Brand New Heavies were right at the heart of it. Their Original Flat album from 1994 very much captures the best of that time - coming of course on Acid Jazz Records - and to this day is a superb fusion of energetic jazz and retro funk with big hooks and great vocals. This reissue comes on limited white vinyl and includes material from before their seminal, self-titled 1990 debut.