Underdog Edits (Unreleased)

Here's another one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog vinyl series. I must admit that I have a thing for soulful gospel. And nothing says soulful gospel like The Mighty Clouds of Joy. A career that spans over 50 years, they have always pushed the boundaries between gospel & popular music with timeless singing and solid grooves. Though I've done quite a few Mighty Clouds re-edits (Time is available on Underdog Edits Vol. 13), this one is one of my favorites. 
Taken off of the Kickin' album, this track was produced by the late great Dave Crawford, with a little help from Philly Soul legends Earl Young (drums) and the late Larry Washington (congas). Some slight extensions and an inspiration vocal from an unknown "deep" brotha', this one will have you boogying down the aisles come Sunday morning! 
Enjoy this exclusive edit! 

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Everything Is Love (Underdog Edit)

Yes, here's another one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog vinyl series. Someone recently asked me why I'm dropping some of my unreleased edits here on Soundcloud. Well, for the most part, why not share them with the World? I've heard so many talented cats doing edits & re-works here. That gives me inspiration to continue what has been a passion and a great love of mine. And if someone out there gets inspired from what I've done, well.... that's the gravy, baby! ;)
That said, what more appropriate track to offer than Jackie Moore's classic boogiefest, produced by Philly legend Bobby Eli (of MFSB). Slight extensions made on the drums, to make it more DJ friendly. Always been a staple in my DJ sets, I hope that you enjoy it and maybe get.... Inspired! 
Enjoy this exclusive edit!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Jackie Moore - Can You Tell Me Why (Underdog Edit)

I have so many memories of being a club kid in Chicago.
Experiencing great music on a superb sound system in a dark tribal-like setting with people of all ways of life were the nights that I lived for (and still do)!
This tune from the great Lenny Williams (of Tower Of Power fame) brings back those sweaty and crazy nights of hardcore dancing.
This Underdog Edit pays homage to that time of flashing lights, throbbing bass bottoms, and dj's taking risks of breaking new and interesting sounds & grooves on the dance floor.
Enjoy this exclusive Underdog Edit!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Lenny Williams - I Still Reach Out To You (Underdog's Breakdown Edit)

It's not often that you get a hold of a multitrack of a classic dance song. No less doing a remix of it.
I was blessed to get that rare opportunity.
A few years ago, West End Records did a remix contest for Sparque's classic & influential Let's Go Dancin'.
I was so excited, not only to enter but to get to remix a song that was such a big inspiration in my musical life.
I remember my turntable homies, Terry Hunter and Dimitri From Paris, were pressing me hard to finish the mix before the deadline.
I was so nervous working on it because I wanted it perfect and respectful to the original song.
Plus it was a tribute to my remixing heroes, Larry Levan & Francois Kerkorian, who originally remixed this song.
I didn't win the contest(that honor went to the late, great Ethan White of Tortured Soul who did a fantastic remix).
But, I thought that I would still share it with the world and hope it would be enjoyed.
So, straight from the Underdog archives, here's my remix!
And I dedicate it to the memory of Ethan, who's talent and brief friendship I will always cherish!
Please enjoy!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Sparque - Let's Go Dancin' (Underdog's Paradise Revival Remix)

James Brown!
What more can you say?
I've always been a fan since I could walk. I'm no stranger to doing JB edits, especially my re-edit of "I'm Satisfied" (on Underdog Edits Vol. 5), which is on a many dj's playlist!
This joint, from the underrated album "Look At Those Cakes", is a true Chicago classic, in every sense of the word.
I remember countless Music Box nights when Ron Hardy would work the crossover knobs to this cut! You had to be there....
As with most JB cuts, it was never club or dj friendly.
This re-edit pays the respect to The Godfather and maintains its raw and funky groove with slight extensions and some additional percussion in the right places.
Enjoy this exclusive Underdog Edit.... and may the Funk always be with you!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

James Brown - Spring (Underdog Edit)

It's funny how music reflect the times we live in. Sylvia St. James has worked with everyone from George Duke and Lenny White (who produced this classic heater from the album, Magic)to being a member of legendary Side Effect. Full of hope and inspiration, this early morning boogie jam now as been given the Underdog touch. Enjoy this vintage groove and.... as we move forward, let use the power of music to heal the bitter wounds that divide us and move closer to understanding one another and bringing unity to us all. 
One love!!!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Sylvia St. James - Better Things (Underdog Edit)

Probably one of the most sampled records ever! I was commissioned by Ten12 Records to do a re-edit of this classic joint in 2006. Though this is my favorite version, it was never released on the final 12-inch. I was happy to know that the surviving members of the group enjoyed this re-work. I hope you do, too!  

Buy on Discogs

The Skull Snaps - It's A New Day (Underdog Alt. Redux)

This is one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog series. An previously unreleased joint by Ms. Ross, it kinda grew on me the first few times I heard it. Since it wasn't a very disco friendly song, I gave it some slight extensions and a touch of dub, too. I hope that I made it a bit more tastier. 
Enjoy this exclusive edit!!!!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Diana Ross - Sweet Summertime Lovin' (Underdog Edit)

Here's another one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog vinyl series. In fact, I released it some time ago as an exclusive download on the great blog site, Dilated Choonz (http://dilate.choonz.com). This being one of my favorite cuts, growing up in clublife in Chicago, I wanted to give it a slight twist. As my man from Dilated Choonz, Kevvy K said, "Leonard has wisely treated this with a great deal of respect and chosen not to take away from the original production.. instead drawing it out to make it even more haunting and hypnotic." Couldn't have said it any better! 
Enjoy another exclusive edit!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Timmy Thomas - Why Can't We Live Together (Underdog Rework)

Here's another one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog vinyl series. Kool And The Gang's Open Sesame is an unadulterated disco classic. So why do an re-edit of it, you may ask? I, actually, did it on a dare. DJ Wayne Williams of the legendary DJ collective, The Chosen Few (http://www.chosenfewdjs.com) asked me to do a re-edit set of songs that he selected, for him to debut at their now-famous House Music Festival. To be honest, I wasn't too crazy about the choices, including this one. I loved the song as it was, but he dared me to do a edit of it. So, after a more focused listening, I noticed that even though there was a 12'' version of the song, the mix wasn't that DJ friendly. And sometimes with edits, you add your own vision of the song. So, I gave it a more dubby intro and a new drum outro. I think it didn't turn out too bad! Well, you be the judge! 
Enjoy another exclusive edit!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame (Underdog Edit)

Here's another one of my personal edits that I've never planned on releasing in the Underdog vinyl series. When you think of the 80's and Jazz-Funk, Tom Browne is for sure one name that comes to mind. From dancefloor classics like Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.) and Thighs High (Grip Your Hips And Move) to slow-jam standards like Midnight Interlude, he raised the bar for the R&B/Jazz hybrid that now a part of black music.
This cut, from the underrated album Rockin' Radio, was one of those joints that, I thought, could have stand alongside his other classics, if given the proper opportunity.
Plus, it was a stone groove, man! So, an edit was in order!
With the great Carol Woods on vocals, enjoy this exclusive edit!

Now featured in Underdog Edits' Doggie Bag! https://underdogedits.bandcamp.com/album/underdog-edits-doggie-bag?from=com-nr

Tom Browne - Brighter Tomorrow (Underdog Edit)

As a tribute to my good friend, Dimitri From Paris (dfp), here's something that few have heard in its entirety and many would like! A few years ago, I gave a copy of this great cut from disco legends Gary's Gang to Dim (Dim &amp; I have been trading music with each other for many years). Little that I knew that he would like the edit so much, that he featured it on his great mix compilation, Return To The Playboy Mansion. To say that it was an honor to have my edit on the compilation was an understatement! There was some talk about releasing the edit, but it never materialized.
And at that time, the great Danny Krivit had released his edit of the song. So, alone it sat in the Underdog Edit archives, hoping one day it will be heard. Well, today's the day! Enjoy!
And to Dim, thank you for all the great music over the years and the great friendship that I will always cherish. Bonne Journée!
P.S.: If you would like a copy, check out Juno Download (http://www.junodownload.com/labels/Underdog+Edits/).
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Gary's Gang - Let's Lovedance Tonight (Underdog's Breakdown Edit)

Engineer.... remixer.... re-editor.... disco nerd.... Underdog Edits (you might have heard of them) !

Underdog Edits (Unreleased)

Leonard Part Sixx