Dear Fellow Dance Music Lovers,
This blog brings you the best in Dance Music and Club Classics; from early 87 (back in the daze) through to the present day.
For all those who rocked it all night until the early hours, to those that lived for clubbing and couldn't wait for the weekend to arrive. Enjoy and leave any comments on the blog or contact direct by email at pureclubclassics@live.co.uk
Re-posting this (no, the track not the picture), simply because it is one of the all time great club tracks.
It is such a good track that it simply had to go back on the blog.
Absolutely hammered in the day by all the top DJ's, notably Sasha and it was a huge Hacienda classic and that is where I remember it best. A true classic!!
It's the tune, the rhythm, the vocals, the lyrics, the piano - all simply awesome.
From those first opening lines;
"I can feel you staring, your eyes undressing me, every time I'm near you boy, my heart skips a beat"
"Stop anticipating don't play hide and seek, my love's for the taking, if you're playing for keeps"
-
"Turn around make your move, wait too long and you might lose , don't you wanna be mine, don't wanna be mine"
Sheer quality!!
What better way to celebrate my 200th Post!!! With many more to come!!
Here's two absolute classic old skool tracks, both very similar in vibe and anthemic proportions and believe it or not both called Brothers and Sisters.
So which is best the 2 Funky 2 track or the XL Rhythm track??
I bet you could make a good mash up of these two tracks.
The 2 Funky 2 version has already been posted on the blog some time ago, but here are both tracks. Have a listen and let me know which you think is best?
Even though the scene had moved more into the progressive house and trance genre in 1994, there were still some little gems coming out that were more akin with the tunes of 1990/1991 era.
This is a great little piano tune whch came out in 1994, but still sounds good today.
Really catchy vocals, with some quality piano throughout. A nice little tune worthy of PCC status.
Enjoy!!!
Bit Machine feat. Daisy Dee & Karen Jones - Somebody Real
Catch a load of this, a really kickin' track and the pefect way to kick start your Bank Holiday.
This is one of those tracks that had amazing effect on the dancefloor and really had everyone giving it their all. Very driving, very pumping, perfect club music.
Get this on your stereo, get this on you ipod, turn up loud and rock out!!
Does anyone remember being at the Warehouse in Leeds, when they played this??
It would have been about June 1991.
It has to be one of the most amazing tracks I've ever heard dropped in a club!!
When it came on it frightened the life out of me, it came on so loud and literally made me jump out of my skin.
It really was an amazing moment and one I've never forgotten. I don't think I ever heard it dropped anywhere else? Anyone else ever heard it out?
Those of you who haven't ever heard it in a club, just imagine the scene, you're absolutely rocking to some of the finest old skools tunes, in a hot sweaty dancefloor and then comes on out of nowhere completely knocks you for six.
It is of course a very popular piece of classical music, some may also know it from The Doors movie and it featured on The Doors soundtrack.
"Get on the floor you sexy dancer, you sexy dancer"(No I don't think she's saying it to Mr Cappello).
Another track which uses the Outrage - Tall N' Handsome piano break to great effect.
A really great track with an instant uplifting feel. Rockin'!!
It's good to see our England Manager appreciates the finer things in life!!
Now I know I talk about Balearic Brilliance quite a bit on the blog and have explained my terminolgy of this several times, but I have to say that this track fits perfectly into that mode.
This is one of my favourite BiR remixes. It's a fantastic laid back, yet unbelieveably uplifting piece of music. The piano in this is absolutely epic.
I'd defy anyone to say that they don't like this track. It is simply amazing from start to finish.
As mentioned I think this is one of BiR's best remixes.
Just when you thought it was safe to come out, here comes another fantastic remix although despite sounding very like BiR it is not actually a BiR remix, moreover a soundalike.
In my mind this was one of MJ's best tracks, hence given a cracking remix it and you have a "pure club classic".
A big Jeremy Healy track back int'day!
It has a great teasing intro with the usual Jacko "ow", then in kick the police sirens, then it builds and brings in the vocals to great effect, whilst always maintaining the integrity of the song.
Well there's been plenty of BiR remixes posted on the blog, so why not some of their original productions.
This has to be one of the great club tracks of all time, it was so unique at the time and was hammered by every DJ in Clubland.
I distinctly remember a night at the Corn Exchange in Leeds in 1992 when Sasha dropped it. I was dancing on the stairs and looked up to the roof and saw the aeroplane that was suspended from the ceiling(anyone remember that) and it felt like I was flying in it.
It's just the way the track builds and builds, then builds some more before it explodes.
It is simply one of the most uplifting tracks ever made.
It just further confirmed the BiR team's talent, if it was ever in doubt (which it wasn't).
I've also added the Mighty Ming - Forever and a Day mash up which was also popular and also great.
In my mind though you can't beat the original version.
I've mentioned on this blog before my definition of Balearic, which to me are tunes which are not really dance tunes, probably slighty commercial, may be a left field, but none the less, perfect for dropping in the middle of a set in club (or even last song).
Just think about all those nights you've been out and what are the tracks you remember most from great nights, it's tracks like REM - Shiny Happy People, Chris Rea - Jospehine, Talking Heads - Once in a lifetime, The Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen (a huge Back to Basics fave), Edie Brickell - Circles, Carly Simon - Why, Brue Hornsby - The Way It is, A-Ha - The Sun Always Shines on TV, Duran Duran - Save a Prayer, Kylie Minogue - Shocked by the Power, Stone Roses - Fools Gold, Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Healy's end of night fave), Spin Doctors - 2 Princes and lots of others. These are all non dance tracks which I heard out in clubs over the years and which dropped at the right time had the most amazing effect. These in my mind are truly balearic.
Here's another which fits perfect in this Balearic category. A true Balearic classic.
Anyone who ever went to any of the Ark nights in Leeds and Bradford circa 1991 and 1992, will remember this being played. It was usually played last song of the night by Gary Norman.
The version he played was without the rap in it and it is that version I prefer. However, I've not been able to track it down, so here is the next best thing.
It's an absolute classic and was the perfect end of the night track. Very similar in style to Edie Brickell - Circles - one of my faves and another perfect end of night track.
Very Sweet indeed!!
Funnily enough for such a great track, I never heard it played anywhere else other than those Ark nights.
If anyone can find the "non rap" version, please let me know.
This is another one which comes under the category of impossible not to love!!
Loaded with a piano breakdown to die for, just check the piano out when it kicks in.
If you didn't rock to this when it was dropped then you didn't have a dancing bone in your body.
Another simply awesome track - which almost 20 years later still sounds as good as it did in the days when it was dropped on a regular basis in the country's finest clubs.
Every time I hear it I still can't help but throw a few shapes to it.
In a nutshell - one of the finest old skool tracks ever!!
I get some great feedback on all the Old Skool posts, all the Balearic posts and also all the BiR posts, but very little on the Oakey posts.
Yes Oakey's stuff was a bit harder edged, a bit trancier, but equally as good, if not better at sending the floor "delirious". His sets took you on a journey like no other DJ.
Come on lets feel a little love and show your appreciation for the Greatest DJ ever - bar none.
This one is an absolute monster. If you've not heard it before, then I strongly advise you to download it and have a listen, as I'm sure you'll love it, then you'll be converted.
It's probably one you may not know by title, but you'll know it once you hear it.
The beat basically stops mid track and the piano tinkles, then it kicks back in. Awesome!!
For me it brings back fantastic memories of Oakey rocking the gaffe at Cream.
It's simply immense. Enjoy
For those who need more convincing get yourself a copy of;
Oakenfold Anthems (The Classic Perfecto Mix By Paul Oakenfold) - Various Artists.
Or if you really want it, let me know and I'll post it.
There are some old skool tracks that were great, remain great and will always be great.
There are others which although sounded great at the time, then became overplayed, overhyped, crossed over into the main stream and then lost their appeal.
On this blog I try to avoid posting the latter and try to post the former.
Then there are some tracks like this one, which is an absolute old skool classic, is still relatively unknown, but every time you hear it, it still sounds absolutely amazing.
Every time I listen to this track, it sends shivers down my spine. It is simply awesome.
If you've never heard it before, download it and let me know what you think, if you have heard it before, just rejoice in it's quality once more.
For those train spotters out there it samples both "Ralph Rosario - You Used To Hold Me" and "Kariya - Let Me Love You for Tonight"
This is simply a "Top Choon". Possibly one of the greatest old skool tracks ever!!!
"Got a message for your mind, got a message you must find"
"Can you here me, please hear me, cos I know you don't understand"
"Get away, get away I got to get away, from all the trouble that comes my way from day to day"
"Get away, get away I need a holiday, so baby lets get away, yeah, yeah"
A really great catchy little number which brings back some good memories of clubbing in Manchester. I particularly remember this in an after hours club, after a rather heavy night clubbing!!
Anyone frequenting Back to Basics in Leeds during 1992 and 1994 will certainly remember this track. A real funky little number. With a great little catchy chorus and not one you'd likely forget the words to!!!
It was the only club that I ever used to hear it played, but every time it was dropped it went down a real treat.
A truly great track that builds and builds then takes off when the "horn" comes in at the end.
This track brings back great memories of Back To Basics in Leeds, it was constantly played as the Progressive House scene was reaching it's peak back in 1992.
Good times indeed. It's amazing that this was 17 years ago, it feels like yesterday!!
Lots of great mixes of this track, but this was the one!
Now I'm not normally a fan of mash ups, but if they are done well as in this case, then so be it.
This one is different class!! It keeps the classic BiR piano track in tact, but adds Whitney's fantastic vocals. "Peace and Harmony" meets "Love Will Save The Day"
Whoever created this one, certainly pulled it off.
I've had some really amazing feedback on the BiR remixes posted recently notably Xanadu, Uninvited, Souvenir etc.
Hence as it seems that there are many of you out there, who like me love what BiR do to songs, that is transform them into epic club monsters, then here we are with another.
This time BiR take a really dodgy ABC track, tinkle with it as only they can do and create another great track. Not as instant as many of their others but still worthy of club classic status.
If you haven't heard this before, then you really need to check this out.
This is a really great track.
It's starts off really slow and melodic with whispery vocals, then mid song it kicks in; seriously raises the tempo and raises the roof with it. In kicks "Klatch - God Save The Queer" sample, which in itself is a fantastic track and is already uploaded on this blog.
This track used to absolutely rock in clubs.
Shout out to Tom who suggested it - definitley a Pure Club Claasic.
Lets go back, way back, back into time.
Now this is a club classic in the truest sense. This one dates back to 1989 and still sounds just as fresh now as it did back then. Hard to imagine that this is 20 years old.
A truly fantastic track, produced by no other than DJ legend Todd "The God" Terry, under one of his many aliases.
I really like this track. The Cure were a fantastic band and made some fabulous songs, even though Robert Smith was a bit weird and wore some terribly dodgy clothes and even dodgier make up.
This is a classic Cure track - remixed by the BiR guru's to excellent effect, accompanied by some great vocals.
BiR display there brilliance yet again by transforming a good OMD song into a great club track.
OMD made some fantastic pop songs and here BiR retain the essence of the original, but of course spread a little of their magic remix dust.
A much gentler paced track than usual BiR stuff, just a nice little vibe, perfect for winding down the night or dropping in a bit of balearic brilliance - mid set.
This is a fairly well known track (commercialised by Loveland) and one which was widely played out in clubs.
However, in my opinion this is by far the best version and remix of this track, which turns it into a huge piano epic. It's that bit when the piano kicks in on the key change - awesome.
Turn it up loud.
This track really rocked the dancefloors and brings back some excellent memories of nights at Cream.
This is sure to lift you up!!
Big shout to Mark S for providing this, his blog is top notch, so give it a visit;
Here's another belter from the remix maestro that is Jimmy Gomez.
It's not quite as instant as some of his stuff on this blog, but it is none the less worthy of Club Classic status. It is one that really grows on you, hence give it a few listens, before drawing any conclusions. Also check out the ending as it provides a great hands in the air finale.
Big respect to Goff for supplying this track to me and check his blog out as it is real quality;
I've been searching for this for ages, another great track which BiR turn into a club monster.
Take one of the funniest, cheesiest 80's tracks from Kid Creole and his Coconuts give it to BiR and they transform it into a club classic as only they can do.
It's all a bit tongue in cheek, but brilliant all the same.
I'm sure you'll love it.
"Take a look at me see I couldn't look no better"
"Girl I'm at my peak"
Simply classic.
P.S. Hope you like the coconuts!!
Kid Creole and the Coconuts - I'm a Wonderful Thing Baby
This brings back some brilliant memories of the Hacienda and is yet another simply fantastic mix from the BiR team (well just Steve Anderson this time).
Paul McCartney is probably one of the greatest recording artists that ever lived, so great that he gets a feature on a club classics blog. Also glad he got rid of that silly cow, Heather, she was only ever after his wedge.
The track is (as expected from BiR) beautifully produced with some amazing piano and a really great feel, that went down a storm in the Hac (there's very little Macca in it though!!).
Surprise, Surprise, yet another fantastic BiR remix.
This time they turn an Alanis Morissette track into a club monster.
I've always thought Alanis was a great singer and extremely talented, so team her with the greatest remixers on earth and you're bound to get a monster.
Apparently this was a huge classic at Renaissance and was frequently played as last track of the night by Sasha and John Digweed. Enough said!!
Just as the last post here is a track which samples the piano riff from another club classic.
Again thanks to Graham P for sharing this.
After a few listens this track really grows on you and is a great adaption on the Outrage classic.
However, Tall and Handsome was one of the great Club Classics created by the legend that is Fabi Paras and in my opinion is head and shoulders the better of the two tracks.
The Nush remix is also pretty tasty, as is the Dex & Jonesey Club Mix.
A really great club track, great lyrics, vocals, rhythm, piano. This one has the lot.
I really like most of Bottom Dollar's stuff whether it's production or remixing, they have made some corkers over the years and more will feature on this blog in the future.
"You can't turn around and throw away the love I've found"
For those who follow this blog, my love of Brothers in Rhythm remixes has been widely noted.
And yes you got it, here's another one.
This time just Steve Anderson (and not Dave S), but as usual it is the same extremely high BiR quality.
Some may think of the track as cheesy and possibly a bit like something "Steps" might make.
However, play it a couple of times and you will love it.
This is what I'd classify as "Pure Balearic Brilliance", the sort of track that could be dropped mid-set and the crowd would simply go wild.
It would have been brilliant at clubs like Vague or Paradise Factory, clubs where there was no ego, pretence and anything went, where anything was dropped as long as it was rockin'.
Balearic Brilliance or Pure Cheese??
You know my thoughts!!
Olivia Newton John & ELO - Xanadu
(Re-Glittered by Steve Anderson and His Merry Mirrorball Men 12'' Mix)
Those "Boys" TWA (Trannies With Attitude) sure knew how to rock the place. They were the resident DJs at Vague in Leeds and used to play some fantastic tunes back in 1993. Vague was one of those clubs that you had to see to believe. Very gay, very camp, but the girls in there were fantastic and most importantly the music and atmosphere was simply amazing. Being strictly hetero lads (and girls) it was always a challenge to get in as Madam JoJo would scrutinise and question you on the way in. Madam JoJo also features on the track and can now be heard hosting on Galaxy 105. I remember being there when this track was played live for the very first time. It was put on last track of the night with the first acetate pressing, as you can imagine the place absolutely erupted and this went on to be the Vague anthem. Turn up the volume loud and go crazy to this one. Oh yeah the disco bicuits helped too!! Disco!! Disco!! Disco!! Disco!! Disco!!
A great track that brings back some fantastic memories. I particularly remember it being played last tune of the night at Vague in Leeds in 1993.
There are loads of versions of this track and most of them are horrible Euro gabba/hardcore nonsense, with a ridiculous fast beat and dreadful cheesy nature.
This mix is absolutely rocking though and accompanied by some banging piano and of course not forgetting the wonderful "Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria" sing-a-long.
A truly great track.
P.S. No prizes for guessing the picture of the E-Type!!
This is a perfect example of why the art of remixing is so powerful.
You take a track that was once a classic back in the day, but got massively overplayed and hence lost it's appeal, so you give it a complete face lift, to bring it back to life.
Way Out West turn in a monster remix, retaining the key aspect of the old classic, but also creating something really new and in my opinion totally rockin'.
A really good remix, with some great piano and of course the classic "Sweet Harmony" piano chords.