Sunday, November 6, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Mental Cube - So This Is Love - 1991
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnnCAurgM7g
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tavares - More Than A Woman- 1977
One of my favorite 'cheesy disco' hits - from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Some (most) people probably know the Bee Gees version better , they wrote the song and Adult Contemporary radio seems to play their version more. But this Tavares version brings back many great memories to me ,....i was 14 and going to discoteques illegally , this is/was such a happy song. Reminds me of quite a few early in life girlfriends too. Those day will never be re-created. As much as life seemed so much fun and music seemed so so good in the late 1960's , ditto for the late 1970's , when people were more into having fun then worrying about what their friends thought of their taste in music. Fuck the corporate rock fans of the early 1980-'s that worshipped the burning of the disco records at Wrigley Field , and were proud of it. They are /were the music tea party people of the pre house age. Tired , and simply following trends. Shame on them for not understanding , or appreciating disco. But then again , thats why underground house sounded so good in the mid to late 1980's. So i guess its a wash.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQcCRo2b-ZE&feature=related
Culture Beat - No Deeper Meaning - 1991
Classic Culture Beat , my favorite songs by the group. I initially played this as an album cut , loving it's Tears For Fears ' Change' sample that rides through it. And i was always into that hip house sound, i thought it bridged the huge rap sound of mainstream America with house music. I was into anything that brought more people into the house music fold. So to speak. This crossed even more genres , adding a euro pop flair to the mix.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZt9K6LhqIk
The Sleeping Pills - Aquarius - 1991
I have to admit I am in love with this song , still. Not only the song , but this version of it. Very high energy and very underground , pre-trance house is the only way to describe it. The piano is amazing. Its very uptempo, almost 140. But this is a very undergound slammin good time of a song. Its not hard, just fast and smooth and ....ell...trancey. And dancey. Quality from Hangman Records.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7fASIIq5c8
Ser - War (No Mas) - 1990
Serious high energy - sample heavy track , sampling Ronald Reagon among others. Highly sought after among collectors, this is a pretty rare and valuable record. Didn't do much when it was out , but today it sounds pretty good with the current electro sound. Is it high energy , rock , alternative , house , electro ? Who could tell. Fantastic synthesisers though.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmv1udNQjE
Chris Rea- I Can Feel Your Heartbeat - 1983
High energy / euro pop classic , this was a few years after his huge international smash ' Fool If You Think Its Over' . Big in the gay clubs in the USA and pop clubs in Europe, the song peaked at # 60 on the UK pop charts , # 16 in Ireland, and # 7 in Sweden. It may sound ' tame ' by todays standards , but so is a truckload of other dance classics. Just enjoy it , preferably sipping on white wine on a sidewalk cafe in Montreal, or better yet Paris.
video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-LnR_ziN0
Vision - Touch Me - 1990
A 1990 JuanAtkins Detroit tecno classic , this record fetches a goosd amount of cash on the record buying circuit , and no wonder. Smooth as hell with very sexy seductive vocals, this record exudes class and sophistication. They dont make records like this anymore thats for sure , if they did chances are high it would be ignored. A Detroit classic for all times, better than any Motown or Eminem record thats for sure.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nhcbYOE3D8
The Luna Project - I Wanna Be Free - 1993
Bigger today than when it first came out , huge in the UK , try to buy a copy. Its expensive as hell my friend. Serious bassline here , wasn't a huge hit for me when it came out but then again , it sounds so so so much better today then way way back then.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5z1ptjeKV8
Patrick Cowley - Sea Hunt - 1982
I have to admit , as huge a fan i was of Patrick Cowley and that incredible Megatron LP, this particular track didnt stand out to me, i prefered 'Get A Little' and 'Lift Off' and even the title cut "Megatron Man ' ...though the whole LP is flawless. Thirty years later , this song actually stands out. Way WAY ahead of its time , its soothing yet energetic. Just an LP cut , you cannot deny its appeal --- reminds me of a 1950's outer space movie or Captain Nemo or similar.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNO1bCA9Klc
Paul Parker - Right On Target - 1982
Patrick Cowley was amazing for his time , spearheading that San Fran'disco' sound made huge by Sylvester , Cowley himself , Loverde, and countless others. This Metronome gay high energy classic was huge for that energy crowd, it really didnt cross over , but was still an early electro/pop sneak peak into the future.
video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKqtVhcRZwU&feature=related
Kano - It's A War - 1980
Hot off the heels of the huge international smash ' I'm Ready ' , this second release , classic early electro, sounds better today than it did in 1980. Itaalian disco at its best , they really created the electro sound twenty years before it became dancefloor mainstream.audio link
Phyllis Hyman - You Know How To Love Me - 1979
"You Know How to Love Me" is a song by Reggie Lucas and James Mtume , most notably recorded b Phyllis Hyman and released on Hyman's LP You Know How To Love Me , released in 1979. The single released towards the end of the disco era, was one of Phyllis Hyman's most successful releases. "You Know How to Love Me" peaked at number six on the disco chart, becoming her biggest hit on that chart. While the single did not place on the Hot 100 , it peaked at number twelve on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Lisa Stansfield covered this on her 1997 self titled album.
audio link
Lisa Stansfield - This Is The Right Time - 1989
This Is the Right Time was released during the summer of 1989 from her first album, Affection. The song became her first single to reach the UK singles chart, where it reached #13 and remained on the chart for eight weeks. In the U.S., the single was released in the fall of 1990, where it peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also reached #1 on the American dance chart , her second song to top this chart 'All Around The World" had gone to #1 on the dance chart earlier in 1990).
video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNptuPsq6AY
TC Crew - I Can't Do It Alone - 1992
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFC7Rt4X88w
Zhana - Sanctuary Of Love - 1991
This one has actually sounded better over the years , and seems to be highly sought after and worth some $ on vinyl. Female vocals drive this pop sounding garage vocal track. Originally released on Power Traxx Records.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWiNMYjUXlw
Louie "Balo" Guzman - Don't Shut Me Out - 1994
Hot New York house music from Louie Balo , deep yet full of energy. This was actually pretty big in the clubs in and around New York City when it came out, released on Empire State Records , a division of Eight Ball Records. Off the Boogiebalo EP.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYVrj6KTp2Y
The Prince Of Dance Music - This Dream Is Real - 1988
You dont get much more underground than this super rare 12". If your into Madonna of Gaga or anything that seems commercial, this aint for you. Produced by LB Bad , it wicked early house music, the way it was intended. Raw , sparse , deep , simple.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aorLZDFszMI
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Product G&B featuring Carlos Santana - Dirty Dancin' - 2001
This Robbie Rivera mixed Carlos Santana house jam is amazing , vastly under-rated. It was a hit when it was out, released in the US on J Records as a double pack. Robbie Rivera turned this out. Easily one of his - if not his best remix. Hard to imagine its not even a house record in its original form.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-OjtHS_llk
Zoo Experience - Loves Got A Hold On Me - 1992
Fantastic garage deep house vocal track from the UK , released in 1992. Never seeing stateside release, this smooth male vocal Jersey-London style record was massive for me for almost three years.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ3JBEPufh8
K.I.D. - Don't Stop - 1981
Classic funk soul disco from Sam Records USA , this crossed over and was played at most discos in 1981. I wasnt legal age to go out , but i did, and whenever I did this jam packed the floors. Still sounds great , it aged very well. Now 30 years ols this tune.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3QbeamwjdQ
Monday, September 5, 2011
R-Tyme - Use Me - 1993
Classic Detroit techno , with MK dropping a seriously slamming deep mix similar to Nightcrawlers and all his other huge hits. Carl Craig drops a stellar mix as well, this was huge in 1993.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20LhmHnNOn4
The Federation - Beat Of The Heart - 1988
Very uptempo vocal acid house classic from somewhere in Europe , reminds me of Annette Dream 17....seductive Lisa Stansfield style vocals , very underground vocal track. Not many people know this tune.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONfCCyxc-6w
Virginity - Daddy - 1989
Simple New Beat - early Detroit techno sounding classic. Very simple, limited vocals. New Beat was hitting big by now , as was Kevin Saunderson Detroit techno. This was a fusion of the two sounds. Still though , simple as all New Beat records were. Released on Who's That Beat Brussles.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h4tooIQRSY
Urban Chase feat. Carrie Cain - Waiting For An Answer - 1989
Another hugely under-rated deep house label, almost every track from this early 1990's Canadian label was fantastic. The beats were extremely underground as a rule , very jazzy and classy , sophisticated house music. This particular release was the first on the label, though the follow up single from the group (Living Strong) stands out as one of my favorite all time tunes. Nonetheless, 'Waiting OnAn Answer ' in itself is superb. Check out the organ solo halfway thru. Its too bad most clubs cant get away with playing such intelligent music today , but back in 1989 this worked extremely well on my dancefloors.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3SfHyh-1R0
Fast Wheels - I Never Dreamed It Could Be Like This - 1991
Sample driven deep house track produced by Ed 'The Red' Goltsman and Nancy Goltsman for Bottom Line Records , a seriously under-rated deep house label from the early 1990s. This track was huge for me , especially in New York City.audio link
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Loftis III - Dont Want To Be Right - 1990
Hot 1990 release on DJ International , with seriously slammin' vocals by Andrea (from Clazzique) , this super smooth Chicago garage deep track worked my dance floors over big time in 1990 and years after that. Very underground, yet very accesable. audio link
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Altered Images - Love To Stay - 1983
Altered Images were an early 1980s Scottish New Wave post punk band. Led by lead singer Clare Grogan., the band branched into mainstream pop music , and had a string of chart hits between 1981 and 1983.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeaYrNupn3I
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mandalay - Beautiful - 2001
Mandalay was a trip hop duo from the United Kingdom , composed of multi-instrumentalist Saul Freeman (formerly of Thieves ) and singer Nicola Hitchcock. They released two albums (plus one America-only compilation disc) and were briefly tagged as "Madonna's favourite band.
The third single from their second LP, Empathy - "Beautiful" - appeared on a number of chillout albums of the time including Cafe Del Mar Vol 6 and Hed kandi's Serve Chilled. As a result Mandalay were invited to headline at the Cafe Del Mar 20th anniversary celebrations in Ibiza in 2000. A sunset remix of "Beautiful" was recorded and mixed by Lenny Ibizarre, the leading chillout DJ/musician on the island. The song went on to be used in a major advertising campaign by Estee Lauder and was chosen for the title track of German film Der Eisbar. In 2003 "Beautiful" was covered by Sarah Brightman and released as the lead single for her hit album Harem. The Victor calderone mix was the club mix to play in the states, however, bringing the band huge amount of new fans.
video link
Calderone Mix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VWQubv6Lg.
The English Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom - 1980
The Beat (known in North America as The English Beat) are a 2 tone ska revival band founded in England in 1978 Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae, and dance. Mirror in The Bathroom was released in 1980, and peaked at # 4 on the UK pop charts.
video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTNpaaPHENE&feature=related
Menace - Sound Of The Floor - 2002
As much as I miis music from the late 1980s as far as house is concerned, the house music from the early 2000's was actually very good. I was by this time buying my records from Sattelitte Records in New York City, and going to dance clubs Twilo and Sound Factory. And I was resident at a couple clubs that gave me full reign to play whatever i wanted, which was deep progressive house. this track stands out. Not in its hot Superchumbo remix, but in its original form.
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audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFF4ltx2YG8
Cormano - Mangamania - 2000
Nothing but drums and beats and Spanish (Portugese?) samples on this pure tribal - big dancefloor track. No weepy vocals. No melody. Not a lot to grab, unless drums and bongos appeal to you. Well my amigo, they certainly appeal to me, and this bongo driven drum track ruled my dancefloors in 2000. released in the US on 4Play Records, mixes by Eric Pier O'Neil .
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fSXE3s9O3c
Sia - Drink To Get Drunk - 2000
Fantastic Different Gear mix made this hot Sia track stand out as one of the first classic dance tracks from the new Millenium. That incredible voice, the DF Gear mix matched it . Remix perfection.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zci1P_BAADg
DJ Dero - The Train - 1997
With that hot Faithless sound and fantastic progressive house/pseudo trance beats, DJ Dero racked up a slew of hits through the late 1990's early 2000's. This one was one of his biggest and best hits, creating dancefloor mayhem in the clubs I spun. audio link
Made By Monkeys - I Try - 2003
Serious assortment of mixes on this club banger. the original itself was hot. There were mixes by Rauhofer, Gabriel & Dresden, Stephan Grondin , Javith, Piliavin & Zimbardo , and other bootlegs.I prefer that Gabriel & Dresden mix, such a wicked hot beat, at the peak of their fame. I had many copies of this single on all sorts of white labels, it always worked for me on most dancefloors. Hot in 2003 thats for sure. Released in the US on * 69 Records.
Gabriel and Dresden audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn9khLb3NBM
Shamen - Make It Mine - 1992
Shamen had a string of hits in the early 1990's, Move Any Mountain was a huge hit. The Moby mixes of Make It Mine did some serious dancefloor damage in 1992, right when both Moby and Shamen were at their peak. My deep progressive crowd ate this up, was a def. number one for me.
audio link to moby edit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZN5Uz3_p0Y&feature=related
A Bitch Named Johanna - I'm A Bitch - 1990
Fierce classic house from NYC , Project X Records in the house. This is a much sampled record, since it had that accapella. Johanna used to come to hear me DJ in New York City at Riot, she was very sweet, not a bitch at all. She had a massive follow up with the tune 'Freak It' as well. This shit is true house underground.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tNLIiGZvek&feature=related
Happy Mondays - Stinkin' Thinkin' - 1992
Hot house mix on these promo remixes by Junior Boys Farley and Heller from the UK , released on Elektra Records. Sounding nothing like the Mad-Chester original track , Farley and Heller turned it into a bona-fide club smash.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V7gEE2ug8Y&feature=related
Coldcut feat Robert Owens - Walk A Mile In My Shoes - 2006
This may not even be considered a dance record. Its very mellow, at least the version i really like and what put it on this list/blog for me. Produced by Coldcut, its the Henrik Schwarz remix that i really dig. Super mellow, it really wouldnt work well on dancefloors, the beat doesnt even kick in till about 2/3 of the way in. Still, it is a moving record to say the least , and the beat does eventually kick in. Originally sung by Elvis.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqJ6D5woJXk
Blakk Society - Just Another Lonely Day - 1989
Classic deep Chicago house produced by Larry Heard, this Fingers Inc. sounding smooth house gem worked fantastic with sophisticated club crowds, as with most Larry Heard projects. Fantastic vocals by David Hollister , this was released on AlleviatedMusicout of Chicago, a division of Gherkin Records.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grDpQSeYY54
Boyz In Shock - Give Me Back The Love - 1988
Classic deep Chicago house, released on Jack Trax Records UK with super Marshall Jefferson mixes. This was one hot record, I used to mix two copies back and forth for thirty minutes. While the original mixes were superb, the Marshall Jefferson mix worked the best for me. Dont confuse this with On The House's Give Me Back The Love , another hot Marshall Jefferson production, which was also HOT.
audio link
original mix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g_fKnSvKmk
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - 1976
"You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (written by Kenny gamble and Leon Huff 0 is a song performed by R&B singer Lou Rawls on his 1976 album All Things In Time. The song proved to be Rawls' breakthrough hit, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B and Easy Listening and charts. The single also reached number four on the dance chart. It was the only Rawls' record to reach Billboard's pop top ten. It was the first big hit for Philadelphia International to feature the reformulated MFSB, after many of the original members left Gamble and Huff for better opportunities. The song started Rawls' live shows from 1977 on.
The single went on to sell over a million copies and was certified gold by the RIAA.
"You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" has been covered by singers Michael Buble' , Laura Pausini , reggae legend John Holt , and most recently the The Dub Pistols (who use a sample of John Holt's version) on their Speakers and Tweeters album.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2ijL2tljdI
FFWD - Baby Don't Go (House Mix) - 1987
Released in 1987 on Criminal Records New York, and mixed by Gail Sky King, this freestyle jam remixed house style did serious damage to urban NYC metro dancefloors during 1987. At the time there were a lot of new house sounds and styles coming out, Cole & Clivilles (C&C Music Factory) were
hitting big with their new sound, Sandee Notice Me was an example. Masters At Work (Louie Vega and Kenny Dope Gonzales) were making noise, and Todd Terry and Marshall Jefferson were on top of the world. My club was infatuated with all these sounds, but also hitting big were the crossover records, records like Cynthia Change On Me on MicMac , and Vanilla Mix Easier Said Than Done . And this vocal tune, big not in its original mix but remixed house style. Pretty mainstream back in 1987 , nearly 25 years ago. Somewhat obscure today.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0U52Xr41h4
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Liz Torres - Mama's Boy - 1987
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd-BHNunZ80
Phyllis Nelson - I Like You - 1985
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I0ML2KAcIA&feature=related
Donna Summer - I Will Go With You (Con Te Partiro) -1999
Serious high energy classic, again, a genre I am not the biggest fan of, being a true house head. But I love all kinds of good dance music. This is a classic. Great beats, it has both Italian and english vocals, its really an amazing dance record if you let your guard down and enjoy it. NRG and Donna Summer fans know, but mainstream audiences dont. It was a moderate hit for her though. The Hex Hector version was the best, the same one that was in the video edit. Between this, and This Time I know Its For real , and other hits, she has proven she is not just a 70's disco artist time and time again.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8U7cEDLyU4&feature=related
Musique - Keep On Jumpin' - 1978
Serious disco classic here, released on Prelude Records in 1978. The band had a huge follow up with In The Bush , but this song, remade years later by house legend Todd Terry as Jumping (also on this blog/list) still sounds like it did in 1978. (LOL . duh.) Fantastic pre house disco classic. If you like bongos (I DO) this is for you. Love the LP cover, disco images are so cool. You can hear a lot of house samples in this if you are a house freak. Its been sampled to death.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s__bCBAgwbQ&feature=related
Tantra - Su-ku-leu/Mother Africa - 1980
Very under-rated track(s) off the brilliant Italian Tantra album, which produced two huge dance hits, Hills Of Katmandu and Wishbone. These album tracks, very tribal and Village People sounding , were what initially brought the group to my attention. Running back to back on the LP, i wouldnt have discovered Hills Of Katmandu, nor Wishbone, if it wasnt for these two songs. A fantastic LP, one of my first. Both Su-ku-leu and Mother Africa are ripe for remixing or sampling, very house sounding at 130 BPM. And obscure. Ah disco.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MBNN_XoOuA
Tracy Weber - Sure Shot - 1981
1981 classic funk - garage classic, mixed by Larry Levan. This song reminds me of Oz nightclub in Sauget, IL , east of St Louis. I went there in the late 1970's early 1980's , along with faces in East St. Louis, these clubs played music much better than any club in St Louis. Faces was gay, but thats where I first heard Abba Lay All Your Love On Me , Human league Dont You Want Me, GoGos Our Lips Are Sealed ,B52s Planet Claire , the list is long. Oz was straight, I took dates there. Thats where I first heard Debra DeJean Goosebumps, Shades of Love - Keep In Touch (Body To Body) and Karen Silver Set Me Free. And this. Released on Quality Canada, this was THE jam
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLMaOEHr-cs
E.G. Daily - Love In The Shadows - 1985
E.G. Daily reached the top of the Hot Dance Music/Club Play Billboard charts with "Say It, Say It" reaching #1, "Love In The Shadows" #6, "Mind Over Matter" #7 and "Some People" #33. While Say It Say It (very Madonna sounding) was her biggest hit and a fantastic song, this hi energy classic was moving at the least. If nothing else, it was moving dancefloors geared towards hi-nrg fans. When I heard this at The Saint in New York City in 1986 it sounded amazing. I wasn't a high energy music fan , but this song was brilliant for that genre. The song was also was featured in the films 'Theif Of Hearts'
and 'Circuit'.
audio link
Disconet Mix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzzYiKFBc_8
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