Needle Time

  John Stuart & Heavenly Music Corporation - Summer Breeze [FON T11 UK 1987 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] A little curio from the archives of Sheffield's industrial funk past, and likely the most soulful thing to come from the period until Fon Records started to release pop records. John Stuart was the second voice from Chakk, he had an amazing vocal range and recorded this credible cover of the soul classic with members of Chakk, Floy Joy and Clock DVA as his backing band.  A1 Summer Breeze (Full Version) B1 Black & Blue (Parts 1 & 2)

  Chakk - Big Hot Blues [FON T 3 UK 1986 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] The return of the 'mighty' Chakk, in reality not so mighty as Big Hot Blues was to be their last single for MCA Records before the major label cut free the Sheffield industrial-funk troupe from corporate shackles, leaving the band with a nice shiny studio of their own. Fon Studios was to become a small time hit factory in it's own right ...but that's another story. Funky Worm anybody? Big Hot Blues is a very complex arrangement around Mark Brydon's splendid bass work, tricky percussion and stabbing keyboards in two mixes. You do also get a new cut of one of he band's finest and earliest works Cut The Dust on the flip. A1 Big Hot Blues (Extended Mix) B1 Big Blue Mix B2 Cut The Dust

  Chakk - 10 Days In An Elevator [MCG 6006 UK 1986 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] I promised a new rip of the only album by Sheffield indie-funksters Chakk many, many years ago. I have the tools now to produce a decent rip, so following a good clean and with a decent cart/phono combination, here it is ....Chakk in 176.4kHz.  After enjoying the band's first two singles, I remember the great anticipation of this album back in the mid-80s. This was quickly followed by disappointment as signing to a major (MCA) had cost Chakk their edge. On stage, they were youthful, distinct, powerful and energetic, but the American giant had polished them and added even more gloss with the final production - they even roped in Sly & Robbie to assist on studio duties.  Now 36 years later, I've been giving the album another listen. Yes, the production does polish off the band's edge but listen closely (helped by a higher spec moving coil cartridge) and the experimentation is still there from the ...

  Chakk - Imagination (Who Needs A Better Life) [FONT 2 UK 1986 24-Bit FLAC] Much hyped indie-funk specialists, Chakk managed to survive an album and two singles on MCA Records before the label decided the Sheffield six-piece were a little too complex for the mainstream. The band came out of the deal with their own Fon studio which was to spawn a number of late-eighties dance hits. They eventually disbanded before bass player Mark Brydon found his fortune as the other half of Moloko.  For penguinflight . A1 Imagination (Extended Mix) B1 Imagination (Dub Mix) B2 Imagination (Instrumental)

  Chakk - Brain [CHAKK 1 UK 1988 24-Bit FLAC] More Chakk ...and another rarity. Hard hitting instrumental indie-funk from the Sheffield posse who were clearly considering this instrumental work out for their debut MCA long player. It was eventually released as a 12" single after the label and band parted company, therefore becoming the final release by Chakk. It's backed by a very different (and superior) vocal version of the clever and moody Years I Worked . A1 Brain B1 Years I Worked

  Chakk - White Label [FONL 001 UK 1985 24-Bit FLAC] Prior to their deal with MCA Records, Sheffield's Chakk snuck this single-sided two track promo out on their own Fon Records label. Featured is an unreleased instrumental version of their second single, You however what is most worthwhile is the earlier & harder (and therefore better) version of Lovetrip featuring the soulful vocals of part-time member John Stuart, powered along by a heavy funk slap bassline from original member Mark Brydon. I am not sure how many copies of this Chakk rarity were circulated, however this Chakk completist is most pleased to own a copy. A1 You (Version) A2 Lovetrip (Version)

Chakk - You / They Say [FON-T001 UK 1985 24-Bit FLAC] Once upon a time, Sheffield's Chakk were the great new indie hope, after a Peel Session and a debut single on the Cab's Doublevision label, they formed their own Fon Records label and released the powerful hybrid-funk of You . Driven by Mark Brydon's sharp slap bass, elaborate electronics and the soulful voice of second singer John Stuart, their second single won praise from most quarters and secured a deal with MCA Records. The rest was history! I bought this single on release at Rough Trade Records in Ladbroke Grove, London and it has seen a lot of play. After a great deal of cleaning, I am pleased to present an almost flawless rip. The chosen sacrificial virgin dances herself to death.... A1  You (Mix 1) A2  You (Mix 2) B1  They Say (Mix 1) B2  They Say (Mix 2)