Mood II Swing - Strictly Mood II Swing (2016)

Given the upsurge in interest in Mood II Swing's distinctively tough take on 1990s US garage, it was probably only a matter of time before someone put together a proper career retrospective. Fittingly, it is re-born '90s New York house imprint Strictly Rhythm that does the honours. The three-disc, originals-and-remixes format is similar in style and tone to Defected's House Masters series, and the results are similarly enjoyable. What shines through most is the quality of John Ciafone and Lem Springsteen's grooves, which while rooted in the organ-heavy shuffle of US garage were often notably tougher and darker. While there is some repetition (vocal and dub versions of some tracks are included on different discs), there's no denying the quality of the material.

Tracks:

CD1
01. Mood II Swing - Do It Your Way (9:28)
02. Fonda Rae - Living In Ecstacy (Mood II Swing NY Mix) (5:27)
03. Mood II Swing Feat. Carol Sylvan - Closer (King Street Moody Club Mix) (6:17)
04. Lucy Pearl - Don't Mess With My Man (Mood II Swing Main Vocal Dub) (7:28)
05. Nuyorican Soul Feat. Jocelyn Brown - It's Alright, I Feel It! (Mood II Swing Remix) (8:11)
06. Everything But The Girl - Wrong (Mood II Swing Dub) (8:52)
07. Leee John - Mighty Power Of Love (Mood II Swing Vox Mix) (9:13)
08. BT - Remember (Mood II Swing Remix) (7:37)
09. Eric Gadd - The Right Way (Mood II Swing Club Mix) (5:58)
10. Kim English - Learn 2 Luv (Mood II Swing Mix) (8:18)
11. Ultra Nate - Free (Mood II Swing Dub Mix) (8:51)

CD2
01. Mood II Swing Feat. Caron Sylvan - Closer (Swing II Mood Dub) (5:50)
02. Mood II Swing - All Night Long (8:14)
03. Eric Gadd - The Right Way (Mood II Swing Dub) (6:10)
04. Wall Of Sound Feat. Gerald Lethan - Critical (If You Only Knew) (Club Mix) (6:52)
05. Stephanie Cook - Holding Onto Your Love (Mood II Swing Dub) (8:29)
06. Rachid - Pride (Mood II Swing Club Mix) (7:21)
07. Sarah Washington - Everything (Mood II Swing Club Mix) (8:32)
08. Mood II Swing - Can't Get Away From You (Original Mix) (7:17)
09. Loni Clark - Rushing (Mood II Swing Mix) (7:54)
10. Loni Clark - Love's Got Me (On A Trip So High) (Mood II Swing Mix) (7:37)
11. Mood II Swing Pres. Loni Clark - Searchin' (Vocal Mix) (10:50)

CD3
01. Mood II Swing Productions Pres. Wall Of Sound - I Need Your Luv (Right Now) (Lem's Church Mix) (5:45)
02. BT - Remember (Mood II Swing Dub) (6:19)
03. Loni Clark - U (Mood II Swing Dub) (8:26)
04. The Club Kidds - During Peak Hours (Mood II Swing Dub) (8:51)
05. Doubleplusgood - Conga T (Mood II Swing 12'' Mix) (6:14)
06. Mood II Swing Feat. John Ciafone - Ohh (7:25)
07. Mood II Swing Feat. John Ciafone - Slippery Track (7:38)
08. Mood II Swing - Nafara (7:42)
09. Mood II Swing - Chicago Blues (5:38)
10. Mood II Swing Productions Pres. Wall Of Sound - 8 Ways To Knock Down A Wall (8:10)
11. Mood II Swing Feat. John Ciafone - I See U Dancing (Remix) (8:41)