Soul II Soul ft. Caron Wheeler - Back To Life (Club Mix) (12") [2013] Vinyl

Originally released in 1989, "Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)" became Soul II Soul's defining moment — a landmark single that fused house rhythms, reggae-influenced bass, and Caron Wheeler's soaring vocals into one of the most recognisable tracks of the era. This limited 12" reissue, pressed at 45 RPM on the UMC/Virgin label, was part of Virgin Records' 40th Anniversary celebrations and presents the track across three cuts including the sought-after Club Mix.

The Music

Produced by Jazzie B and Nellee Hooper, "Back To Life" drew from the sound system culture of North London and channelled it through a production style that would influence dance music for decades. The Club Mix extends the arrangement, giving the bassline and string samples room to breathe across the full side of a 12" single. The B-side features "Back To The Beats", an instrumental-leaning version that strips back Wheeler's vocal to foreground the rhythmic and production elements.

The Release

This 12" single is a reissue under Universal Music Catalogue as part of the Virgin 40th Anniversary series. Pressed on standard-weight black vinyl at 45 RPM for optimal audio quality from the 12" format, it collects three versions of the track on a single disc.