(May 12, 2022) Happy Birthday to Dome Records, now celebrating bringing 30 years of joyful soul, R&B, jazz and all that dance to the world. One of the Dome’s steady contributors to this prestigious label is Full Flava, the U.K. production/musician duo of Rob Derbyshire and Paul ‘Solomon’ Mullings, who manage to sustain integrity within a remix – sometimes a tricky feat.
Full Flava’s keen sense of dancefloor lightly spruced up a 2019 remix of “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me” from the Quincy Jones songbook. And on a SoulTracks Album of the Month in 2021, Full Flava’s most recent project, the 2-disc Refreshed, captured effortless grooving soundtracks featuring Full Flava regulars CeCe Peniston, Carleen Anderson alongside remix contributions from Incognito and others.
(May 12, 2022) Happy Birthday to Dome Records, now celebrating bringing 30 years of joyful soul, R&B, jazz and all that dance to the world. One of the Dome’s steady contributors to this prestigious label is Full Flava, the U.K. production/musician duo of Rob Derbyshire and Paul ‘Solomon’ Mullings, who manage to sustain integrity within a remix – sometimes a tricky feat.
Full Flava’s keen sense of dancefloor lightly spruced up a 2019 remix of “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me” from the Quincy Jones songbook. And on a SoulTracks Album of the Month in 2021, Full Flava’s most recent project, the 2-disc Refreshed, captured effortless grooving soundtracks featuring Full Flava regulars CeCe Peniston, Carleen Anderson alongside remix contributions from Incognito and others.
Now our attention turns to a 2022 reconstruction via Full Flava’s 2nd release in 2003, Colour of My Soul, that emphasize softer beats in highlighting more precious melodies. The spotlight focuses on a pop and jazz treasure in the Nat King Cole smash hit “Nature Boy,” taken in a new direction in this the Michele Chiavarini Lounge Mix. In yet another remix genius moment, the Italian keyboardist/producer (Simply Red, Christina Aguilera), pulls out all the proper chill ingredients and then some.
What makes this track soar is the beauty encompassing the 2003 version that remains intact - injected with Chiavarini’s contemporary jazz colored soundtrack, Full Flava team vocalist Hazel Fernandes’ soulful frosting and the compelling hooks of “to be loved in return” echoing George Benson’s 1977 remake. This cherished collaboration of Full Flava, Chiavarini and Fernandes is yet another reason why Dome maintains its soulful dance prominence to this day. Check it out!
By Peggy Oliver