DMB Feat. Mica Paris [2023] - Luv U 2nite [ESOP]

Spot the sample time! A new single out today from DMB featuring Mica Paris which has been titled "Luv U 2nite" (a nod to her "If I Luv U 2 Nite" track from her 1990 album "Contribution"). 

It has been 'mashed up' with The O'Jay's "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" (1976). The Mica Paris song was also released as a single with a "Nellee's Club U 2 Nite Mix" which is more than likely the version used. 

An intriguing combination, but it seems to work! I've no idea who DMB is/are but they only have three tracks available, all released today. The other two appear to be original songs.

UPDATE: The song was written by Prince and Leigh 'The Flava' Taylor informs us that a Prince demo version was mistakenly pressed on one of the Mica Paris UK promos which isn't listed on Discogs ... so perhaps worth a few bob? Prince's version was released posthumously on "Blast From The Past 5.0" in 2017 (and perhaps others) now included below.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Mashup
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	ESOP
Cat No:	None
Date:	24/02/2023
Key/BPM:	8B/100
Price:	£1

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What's Going On?

After having a peek at the latest UK Soul Chart, I noticed that Devon Gilfillian has done a re-recording of Marvin Gaye's seminal album What's Going On.  The soulful female vocals on the title track are from Jasmine Cephas-Jones .There is an interview with Devon here.

On 22nd September 2020 Rolling Stone published The 500 Greatest Albums  Of All Time and top of the list is What's Going On.

This led me to start wondering how many cover versions there are of the title track.  I checked out Second Hand Songs and it lists 202, but I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of others not listed!  It is hard to believe that this legendary song is now over 50 years old as it was first recorded in June 1970, but not actually released until Jan 1971!

I explored as many as I could find and bring you the highlights here.  Some of the versions are pretty bad it has to be said - which begs the question why?  If you're going to attempt to cover such an iconic song then at least do it differently or at least do a good job otherwise you've opened yourself up to criticism.

The Funk Brothers Feat. Chaka Khan

For me the undeniable best version (which, dare I even suggest, may even be better than Gaye's original) has to be The Funk Brothers Feat. Chaka Khan from the 2002 Standing In The Shadows Of Motown CD, especially as this is a one-take live version. 

Joe Longthorne

It may surprise many (in UK especially) that my next favourite version is by none other than Joe Longthorne (a UK TV personality).  It came out on Especially For You LP in 1989 and was also on a budget Music For Pleasure LP, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, in 1994 (from which this clip is taken).  He does a pretty good job of Jackie Wilson's Sweetest Feeling too which I don't think he ever recorded (the link is a live version performed on his TV show - it doesn't give a date but from his clothes I'd say late 80s/early 90s!)

David T. Walker with Bernard Pretty Purdie

David T. Walker with Bernard Pretty Purdie did a beautiful 9 minute live guitar instrumental version in Shibuya, Tokyo 1993 - I defy you to keep your feet still to this rendition with the incessant and hypnotic beat of Purdie.  He released a shorter version on his self-titled 1973 album on Ode.

Donny Hathaway

Yet another live version makes the cut, and how could I leave out the late great Donny Hathaway's version recorded in 1972.

GQ

In 1999 GQ released The GQ Tribute Album consisting of covers of Billy Stewart & Marvin Gaye songs. It includes a great version of What's Going On. GQ are best known for their late 70s/early 80s Arista releases: Disco Nights(Rock Freak) and Make My Dreams A Reality and their covers of Billy Stewart's Sitting In The Park and I Do Love You.

C-Nario

There is a nice 'steppers' version by a female trio C-Nario (Terri, Nicole & Iona) who I'd not come across until I uncovered their version.  I presume that they are from Chicago as the 2001 album ('Turn Around') it is taken from was produced by Clarence Johnson and Eugene Record and released on Chi-City.  This was their second and last album (the first, self-titled, album was also released on Chi-City in 1997). Only 2 albums and an EP (which features 2 versions of What's Going on and a cover of the Jones Girls  - Your'e Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else) were released on the label, all by C-Nario, although it is also credited with re-issuing The Lovelites superb compilation The Lovelite years.  If any reader knows further information about C-Nario or Chi-City then please get in touch as I can find no further info..

Anthony David

A later version by Anthony David which only appeared on a 3 CD compilation, Song Of America, in 2007

Next up are a couple of British versions.  Mica Paris and Seal both recorded albums full of covers. 

Mica Paris

Mica Paris did it on Soul Classics in 2005

Seal

Seal recorded a 'faithful' version  on Seal Soul 2 in 2011.

Salomé Pieris

The next is 'probably' an obscure version to most unless you are Dutch as it is from Salomé Pieris, a Voice of Holland contestant in 2012 reaching the quarter finals.  This has a nice 'stepping' vibe to it.

Nicholas David

Now the next one is a pleasant surprise. Nicholas David was also a Voice contestant, this time from the US show in 2012.  He sang What's Going On to reach the top 6 and ultimately came 3rd in the competition.  This is a silky smooth version.  He is the most unlikely looking blue-eyed soul singer resembling more of a heavy rocker (see his live performance here)!  Since 2004, he has recorded 6 studio albums and 2 EPs, none have charted.  He was 'chosen' by CeeLo Green and did a duet with Smokey Robinson singing Cruisin' in the final stages of the show.

Playing For Change Feat. Sarah Bareilles

An eclectic version from Playing For Change Feat. Sarah Bareilles from Songs Around The World released in 2013.

Profyle

Another version which seems to only appear on a compilation is Profyle who had a hit with Liar in 2000. Their version appeared on Marvin Gaye is 60 - A Tribute Album released in 1999. 

Tommy Blaize

Finally, I'll leave you with someone you probably know (if you're UK based) ... but perhaps don't know it. Tommy Blaize is a singer on UK TV show Strictly Come Dancing. He recorded a version on his debut solo album 'Life And Soul' in 2017.

Reel People Feat. Mica Paris [2018] - I Want To Thank You

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

From the album Retroflection (Oct 2018), which is essentially an album of 80s cover versions, this is a cover of Alicia Myers' (One Way) I Want To Thank You (a long time fav. of mine) featuring Mica Paris who's always had such a great voice but material has let her down otherwise she'd be a much bigger artist.  

She never managed to top her initial 1988 hit My One Temptation which reached #7 UK Pop only having two more UK Top 20 hits: a duet with Will Downing on a cover of Where Is The Love 1989 #19 and I Never Felt Like This Before 1993 #15.  A further 6 Top 40 and 6 Top 75.  Her last chart appearance being with Black Angel in 1998.

The whole album is recommended and includes updated covers of classics from the likes of Teena Marie, Maze, Evelyn King, Carl Anderson, Skipworth & Turner, Geraldine Hunt.

I'm pretty sure many of these will feature in later postings.

Alicia Myers [1982] - I Want To Thank You [MCA #52107]

As an added bonus here's the original from Alicia Myers: