Favorite two-step tracks/artists?

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Martin S 330]

 

@Blackpoolsoul

Sorry to have to tell you but none of your last 4 titles, as good as they are, are two step tracks, especially P Jacques and 52nd Street. You're still running approx 10 to 15 BPM too fast too often. Here's the approx BPM's: Teddy P 98.0, Gene Chandler 100.5, Peter Jacques 101.6, 52nd Street 105.6. Are a crowd likely to boogie, or treat Peter Jacques and 52nd Street as a chance to engage in romance? If the answer is boogie, then they're not two step tracks.

Edited December 23, 2018 by Martin S
Felt I was being over critical

[Martin S 330]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s082qlstM1g Stephanie Mills - Don't Stop 74.5 Approx BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyv1Awrlf2Q  Jaki Graham - Let's get Blue 79.3 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MWbYfP-qo  Herbie - Give It All Your Heart 75.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmFOyUO9QBY  Herbie - Satisfied With Love 79.5 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYlWClavgS4 Herbie - Tonight's The Night 78.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3amZK9jh-Z8  Herbie - Making Love With You 88.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgWycYwEEBg  Dramatics - Treat Me Right 78.3 BPM [Superb LP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjVRJrz6-6I  Dramatics - I Don't Want To Lose Your Love 66.7 BPM [Superb LP]

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av7n3VpFLDQ  Chilites - Heavenly Body 76.6 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MlZ8VhhClI  Deon Estus - Spell 76.4 BPM

Edited December 23, 2018 by Martin S

[Steveh73 80]

Martin S - here's the Ruth Copeland tune - a duet with Daryl Hall, very nice to my ears but music is a subjective thing!!

 

[Steveh73 80]

8 hours ago, Martin S said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s082qlstM1g Stephanie Mills - Don't Stop 74.5 Approx BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyv1Awrlf2Q  Jaki Graham - Let's get Blue 79.3 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MWbYfP-qo  Herbie - Give It All Your Heart 75.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmFOyUO9QBY  Herbie - Satisfied With Love 79.5 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYlWClavgS4 Herbie - Tonight's The Night 78.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3amZK9jh-Z8  Herbie - Making Love With You 88.8 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgWycYwEEBg  Dramatics - Treat Me Right 78.3 BPM [Superb LP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjVRJrz6-6I  Dramatics - I Don't Want To Lose Your Love 66.7 BPM [Superb LP]

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av7n3VpFLDQ  Chilites - Heavenly Body 76.6 BPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MlZ8VhhClI  Deon Estus - Spell 76.4 BPM

Now that is a nice list of tunes, especially the Herbie Hancock selections!!

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Steveh73 80]

Thinking of that stellar Gina Breedlove tune, a few slightly more contemporary tunes that might have 2 step appeal are:-

Adriana Evans - Love Is All Around

Earth Wind and Fire feat. Raphael Saadiq - Show Me The Way

Nu Colours - Do You Wanna Go Back To When

Sleepys Theme - Choked Out Saturday Night

Sinclair - I Want You Back

Happy Christmas!!

Steve...….

[surfcity 192]

10 hours ago, Martin S said:

 

 Are a crowd likely to boogie, or treat Peter Jacques and 52nd Street as a chance to engage in romance? If the answer is boogie, then they're not two step tracks.

This is very important . They were not tracks to be throwing yourself around on the dance floor to . They were chosen originally to fit in with reggae / lovers rock rock tunes at house party's / functions beacause of their tempo. I remember Louisa Marks / I caught you in lie being a massive revival tune in the 80's and as rule of thumb - the 2 step tracks would have to fit in with this type of lovers rock 45 and others similar . The more uptempo boogie tunes would have just jarred [ as good as they are ]

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

1 hour ago, surfcity said:

This is very important . They were not tracks to be throwing yourself around on the dance floor to . They were chosen originally to fit in with reggae / lovers rock rock tunes at house party's / functions beacause of their tempo. I remember Louisa Marks / I caught you in lie being a massive revival tune in the 80's and as rule of thumb - the 2 step tracks would have to fit in with this type of lovers rock 45 and others similar . The more uptempo boogie tunes would have just jarred [ as good as they are ]

Please remember that the "original ask" on this thread as not just about the two step sub genres that keep coming up, but "smooth, laidback and funky sound I'm looking for"

I don't think it's just about BPM's, it's about "Scenes". The scenes as far as I know (but I am old and can just about manage 2 steps) are the Two Step (morphed from the jazz funk) "scene" that appeared in the late 70's and early 80's (In the UK and particularly in the Midlands, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham to name a few, but Colin Curtis would fill you in more and he's even older than me!!!) The London "Scene" in the mid 80's +, that has been often referred to on this thread and the "Steppers Scene" in the USA. There of course is the Two Step "Scene" on the "Northern Soul Scene", which consists of 60's to present day tunes of a slower beat

[Martin S 330]

On 24/12/2018 at 10:44, Blackpoolsoul said:

Please remember that the "original ask" on this thread was not just about the two step sub genres that keep coming up, but "smooth, laidback and funky sound I'm looking for." / I don't think it's just about BPM's

Some good points there. Firstly let's not forget why most of us were originally attracted to this thread, the title and content of the orig post:

Favorite two-step tracks/artists?

As somewhat of a soul newbie I'm still struggling a bit with soul sub genre classification, but apparently I love what's referred to as two step soul or "steppers". I'm not really a dancer but I guess it's that smooth, laidback and funky sound I'm looking for. Anyways, feel free to share one or a couple of your favorite tracks/45s or if there are any specific artists. Examples I dig are Jeffree Love's gonna last, Paris I choose you, Keni Burke Risin.

 

For me, the importance lay on those three titles I've highlighted in bold, all of them are two step classics which suggested Bab's was already in the desired zone and was asking for tracks that had the same ingredients. However, @Blackpoolsoul has brought something to our attention which might suggest why some of his uploads have been of faster tempo than the classic two step groove, it's because Bab's does mention the word "funky" and this does somewhat go against the two step criteria. Granted some of the two steppers have an element of funk in them, I mean you only have to check those 4 of Herbie's I uploaded last night, but I guess it's how controlled the funk is and the tempo of it that will matter.

At no point have any of us said it's just about BPM's, however it comes as no coincidence that almost every track I've questioned has been over the general threshold of a two step track, sometimes well over. Like many things in life, it's an area that you have to apply "the balance of probability" to. Cardiff City had lost 10 of their 11 matches v teams in the top half of the table prior to meeting Man U on Saturday. On the balance of probability it comes as no surprise they lost again. If we have 11 guaranteed two step tracks in front of us and only one has a BPM higher that 96.0, it represents only 9%. Therefore the probability of a track of 100 BPM qualifying sometime in the future is going to be very low and if so, it's likely to need ingredients that have a general feel that subconsciously drives it under 100 BPM for the listener. I'm not trying to convert this in to science, but I am merely quoting overwhelmingly general statistics.  

Last night I left out several titles from my uploads that were in the 75-76 BPM range because I felt they were "too bouncy" to classify as two step, including this one of 76.6 BPM. If anyone would classify this as a two stepper please let me know though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFlIPBrmgZwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFlIPBrmgZw

The 3 from @Blackpoolsoul this morning are in the right zone although I'm not sure I needed reminding that Toast is one of the only Crown Heights Affair related records [c/o Smithcox Horns] that I don't own from the early 80's!

 

 

Edited December 25, 2018 by Martin S

[Steveh73 80]

One of my favourite two-steppers, sadly elusive for the past 30 years - I've yet to even see a copy!!

 

[Martin S 330]

Pretty sure my friend Gary had Breeze as I recall it was he who played it to me. 

Edit: Part of earlier message deleted as I actually have the Breeze "Replenish My Love" same both sides Promo. I shall play this later and post a report on it as it's not on Youtube.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Martin S

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

6 hours ago, surfcity said:

This is very important . They were not tracks to be throwing yourself around on the dance floor to . They were chosen originally to fit in with reggae / lovers rock rock tunes at house party's / functions beacause of their tempo. I remember Louisa Marks / I caught you in lie being a massive revival tune in the 80's and as rule of thumb - the 2 step tracks would have to fit in with this type of lovers rock 45 and others similar . The more uptempo boogie tunes would have just jarred [ as good as they are ]

 

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Martin S 330]

10 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

 

 

Come on, you cannot be serious? Within 8 beats clearly this isn't remotely two step tempo, it has a political theme, and yet again too fast at exactly 100 BPM. Surely it's a wind up?

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

13 minutes ago, Martin S said:

Come on, you cannot be serious? Within 8 beats clearly this isn't remotely two step tempo, it has a political theme, and yet again too fast at exactly 100 BPM. Surely it's a wind up?

It's a USA "Stepper" as per the beginning of this thread

Edited December 24, 2018 by Blackpoolsoul

[Martin S 330]

5 more. The first one, as steve and surf will confirm, was one of THE most important two steps tracks down here, MASSIVE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAUOvoPvfo Joanna Gardner Pick Up Pieces 78.9-78.5 BPM [From an otherwise disappointing LP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV_gRMtjBAs Champaign I'm On Fire 78.0-79.0 BPM [IMO absolute perfection yet no matter how many people I've tipped this off to in the past, no one has previously known it, yet it's a must have LP] 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKx_ukA3CkY Crackin You Know Where I Am 77.0-78.0 BPM [Another widely undiscovered gem]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpR8r0D2EyY Hall & Oates She's Gone [Orig by H&O 1973, covered by Lou Rawls and Tavares both 1974]  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM-KqJYJ3pU Evelyn King Kisses Don't Lie 78.6 BPM

 

 

Edited December 24, 2018 by Martin S

[Martin S 330]

2 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

It's a USA "Stepper" as per the beginning of this thread

I think it's now quite obvious you're not taking this as seriously as everyone else is, which is a shame because some of your recommendations are spot on whilst others are way off, despite them being good tracks.  

I'd be very interested to hear what the criteria for a USA stepper is from someone in....Blackpool. Please enlighten us.

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

Merry Christmas for this thread to everyone

Edited December 24, 2018 by Blackpoolsoul

[Martin S 330]

Merry Xmas everyone. Dedicating this one to @steveh73 and @surfcity What a tune 10/10 for me from a great LP inc the Minder theme

 

 

Edited December 24, 2018 by Martin S

[surfcity 192]

19 hours ago, Martin S said:

5 more. The first one, as steve and surf will confirm, was one of THE most important two steps tracks down here, MASSIVE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAUOvoPvfo Joanna Gardner Pick Up Pieces 78.9-78.5 BPM [From an otherwise disappointing LP]

 

 

 

It was and I am surprised it has not been posted up until now - so cheers for that .

Good to see Hall & Oates on that list - remember R & J Stone getting a reissue on Soul City  ?

[surfcity 192]

16 hours ago, Martin S said:

Merry Xmas everyone. Dedicating this one to @steveh73 and @surfcity What a tune 10/10 for me from a great LP inc the Minder theme

 

 

Thank you and a Merry Christmas to yourself as well . 

[Martin S 330]

I'd forgotten about R&J Stone, which prompted me to do some research into them. In brief, Russell Stone English, Joanne American Newark New Jersey. They met in 1973 whilst singing in James Last's band. http://russelloliverstone.co.uk/music/rj-stone/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%26J_Stone 

I see they released 2 LP's in the late 70's https://www.discogs.com/artist/1339604-R-amp-J-Stone using UK musicians inc one of my favourite but largely unknown bass players, Les Hurdle. Check out his fretless work on the Eastbound Expressway LP. Once I saw that I guessed correctly that Barry Morgan was the drummer. I had a girlfriend in the early 2000's who said she knew a drummer called Barry and his wife, who lived in the road behind me. She didn't tell me what level of playing he was at as I guess she never realised how prolific he was. When you look at his credits you can clearly see he was one of the most important British session drummers ever, and right back to the 60's https://www.discogs.com/artist/96035-Barry-Morgan It saddens me that I never met him. He died in 2007. Getting back to the 2 R&J LP's, I notice both are arranged by Richard Hewson [Rah Band]. Some of the tracks are on Youtube, but if anyone has the LP's and thinks there are any tracks of note, please post the details. Thanks

Edited December 25, 2018 by Martin S

[Modernsoulsucks 2,044]

We used to sell a lot of two-step [and rare groove] albums from our stall in Manchester back in late 80's and the 90's. A London guy called Victor [and his mate Stanley] used to come up to Manchester and kinda told us what to look for style-wise.

In the USA at the time these albums were easily available and so a trip to US looking for Northern was financially cushioned if you knew what to look for in those other styles. I remember the first warehouse I went into in Atlanta in '88 I must have come out with 1000+ albums at $1 each.

Did the London fairs regularly. They'd sell like hot cakes. One time the table went over there was such a crush to buy. Reminded me of Wigan record bar at times.

This track was a popular cheapie [nice little riff at the beginning and repeated toward the end]

 

 

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

3 minutes ago, modernsoulsucks said:

We used to sell a lot of two-step [and rare groove] albums from our stall in Manchester back in late 80's and the 90's. A London guy called Victor [and his mate Stanley] used to come up to Manchester and kinda told us what to look for style-wise.

In the USA at the time these albums were easily available and so a trip to US looking for Northern was financially cushioned if you knew what to look for in those other styles. I remember the first warehouse I went into in Atlanta in '88 I must have come out with 1000+ albums at $1 each.

Did the London fairs regularly. They'd sell like hot cakes. One time the table went over there was such a crush to buy. Reminded me of Wigan record bar at times.

This track was a popular cheapie [nice little riff at the beginning and repeated toward the end]

 

 

 

Where you behind the Arndale Centre, cos I used to dig at that stall and in Yanks

[Modernsoulsucks 2,044]

We were in Affleck's Palace. Out of the Past.

[Martin S 330]

5 minutes ago, modernsoulsucks said:

A London guy called Victor [and his mate Stanley] used to come up to Manchester and kinda told us what to look for style-wise. Did the London fairs regularly. They'd sell like hot cakes. One time the table went over there was such a crush to buy. Reminded me of Wigan record bar at times.

Victor and Stan, great guys. They must be on here, surely?

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

3 minutes ago, modernsoulsucks said:

We were in Affleck's Palace. Out of the Past.

I loved that place as well and they had great clothes as well in there

I bet you had a few of these

 

 

Edited December 25, 2018 by Blackpoolsoul

[surfcity 192]

14 minutes ago, modernsoulsucks said:

We used to sell a lot of two-step [and rare groove] albums from our stall in Manchester back in late 80's and the 90's. A London guy called Victor [and his mate Stanley] used to come up to Manchester and kinda told us what to look for style-wise.

In the USA at the time these albums were easily available and so a trip to US looking for Northern was financially cushioned if you knew what to look for in those other styles. I remember the first warehouse I went into in Atlanta in '88 I must have come out with 1000+ albums at $1 each.

Did the London fairs regularly. They'd sell like hot cakes. One time the table went over there was such a crush to buy. Reminded me of Wigan record bar at times.

This track was a popular cheapie [nice little riff at the beginning and repeated toward the end]

 

 

 

Love it - the intro is the absolute epitome of the 2 step 'sound' that was looked for . Sparse , slow but with just enough pace for a head nod . I could listen to just the intro looped over again and again on it's own .

[Martin S 330]

I continue to be astounded by the volume of work some UK session musicians performed on and the variety in music styles of such from one project to another. I was expecting the previously mentioned Barry Morgan to appear as the drummer on the James Wells LP as he was on a number of AVI releases, he doesn't, it's Clem Cattini a name I will now have to watch with interest. Just looking down Clem's credits they are once again phenomenal, in 1972 for example, he worked with Lou Reed, Brian Auger, and The Goodies just to name a few. And who should turn up on bass on the Lou Reed LP? Les Hurdle.

[Modernsoulsucks 2,044]

19 minutes ago, surfcity said:

Love it - the intro is the absolute epitome of the 2 step 'sound' that was looked for . Sparse , slow but with just enough pace for a head nod . I could listen to just the intro looped over again and again on it's own .

It's the riff 37 seconds in which makes it for me.

[Modernsoulsucks 2,044]

29 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I loved that place as well and they had great clothes as well in there

I bet you had a few of these

 

 

TBH never heard that before. Vocals a bit weak.

And being primarily Northern fans we'd kinda steer clear of IL things.

[Modernsoulsucks 2,044]

40 minutes ago, Martin S said:

Victor and Stan, great guys. They must be on here, surely?

I don't think so.

Didn't see much of Victor after '91 but Stan kept coming. Stan got more into I guess what's called crossover now. I heard Victor on the radio not that long ago but can't remember what it was. Must have been him as introduced as one of innovators and playlist was two-step and mellow rare groove like Jean Carn, Jones Girls etc.

If you know 'em say hello from me.

[surfcity 192]

3 hours ago, modernsoulsucks said:

It's the riff 37 seconds in which makes it for me.

It's the subtle things that you mention that for me define the 2 step 'sound' . The drum bass intro with light 'scratchy' guitar riff or in the case of the Chuck Mangione mellow wind instrument . 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

 

Edited December 25, 2018 by Blackpoolsoul
2 for the price of one LP

[Josep Manuel Concernau Robles 518]

Since this thread was created I think on this pop - "soul" track immediately but I keep having the doubt if it's too fast or not:

 

 

[surfcity 192]

8 minutes ago, josep manuel concernau robles said:

Since this thread was created I think on this pop - "soul" track immediately but I keep having the doubt if it's too fast or not:

 

 

Reminds me of Passion's 'Midnight Lovers' in parts . 

[Roburt 2,402]

This was booted to meet demand from the London 2-Step scene  ... 

 

[Martin S 330]

2 hours ago, josep manuel concernau robles said:

Since this thread was created I think on this pop - "soul" track immediately but I keep having the doubt if it's too fast or not:

 

This is the first time I've ever heard anyone else refer to this LP from 1982. It's one I've had on my wants list for some years but only if I happen to pick it up very cheap for reasons I state further on. It didn't come to the UK as a new release. I wouldn't call it pop myself, this track sounds soulful enough and is 87 BPM which is in two step territory, admittedly it sounds a bit faster than 87 but it is.

The reason I'm not too worried about obtaining this is because in my opinion I already have the best two tracks as they were released previously by other artists and better versions at that. Although this LP is on MCA, it's a joint venture with the label Sweet City, on which Wild Cherry recorded. That group wrote and released "Hold On" in 1976, and then again in 1977 with a much improved version, the one I have uploaded. The other track I refer to was by another Sweet City artist, La Flavour. They released "Only the lonely" on their 1980 LP.

The most amazing thing about this Cooper & Ross LP, is considering it was an MCA release, I can't see a single musician on it whose name I recognise! Only the producers Teddy Randazzo and Phil Hurtt are familiar names to me. Both tracks are very much two steppers so enjoy:

 

 

Edited December 25, 2018 by Martin S

[Neiljon31 144]

Nice one on Jewel there from Blackpoolsoul. I just gave the LP a spin and it’s one of those “never realised it was this good” moments. And I know that’s one thing that we can all agree on as being a good moment. 

Final track side 1 “Rhythms of Hope” is floating my boat especially.

 

[Martin S 330]

The version of the P-Funk style track "Jewel's Groove" on the LP has vocals, however the 12" has none whatsoever but this is a two step thread so I am only adding the link for those who might be interested, rather than taking up space with a video image. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJeQ9aIQDx0

 

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

And  this where Jazz funk crossed into 2 step 1978

[Blackpoolsoul 615]

 

Serious stuff

[Josep Manuel Concernau Robles 518]

Some one posted a track by Kindred The Family Soul that seems they used as sampling or imitation:

 

[Martin S 330]

I finally had to break my discipline as I couldn't resist uploading this once I saw the name Breakwater above. I accept this track is not a two stepper but it's not too far off, 104 BPM approx. Tune!

 

Edited December 25, 2018 by Martin S

[Martin S 330]