I've always been a sucker for a steel drum and used effectively it can add a great vibe to a track a la Dario G - Sunchyme.
This is such a vibey, cheery, sing-along-anthem type track which can help to leave a smile on your face and uplift even the dourest of spirits.
We all just want some.....
Better days than tomorrow's
Purple Disco Machine Feat. Moss Kena & The Knocks – Fireworks
(Original)
However, in recent years I've also incorporated lots of new tracks and the odd track which are probably not quite of a clubland vibe, but with a little imagine could be used to open or close a set.
This is one such example. I'll loosely tag it as Balearic which is a great catch all for all things eclectic and in the true spirit of the original Ibiza, Alfredo - Amnesia vibe.
I've listened to this track hundreds of time and it never fails to touch those raw emotions which only truly fantastic tracks can.
It is a masterpiece of beauty with absolutely stunning piano chords and Yebba's vocals are just on another level and the backing singers are right on point.
A pure Balearic masterpiece, just imagine this being dropped last track at 7am in morning at the end of an amazing rave/clubbing night in the late 80's/early 90's.
Heavenly!
Tell me if this love is a lie?
Mark Ronson featuring Yebba - Don't Leave Me Lonely
(Acoustic session at Glastonbury 2019)
I'm surprised I haven't posted this before now, as it was a really popular track back int' day.
It just epitomises that Italian piano house "hands in the air" style which we all loved at the time, now commonly referred to as old skool.
Velvet - Hold Me
(Vocal Version)
Lots of there tracks shamelessly pulled samples and snippets from many different tracks and also created some of the earliest mash-ups.
However, house music is built on the use and sharing of samples, beats, recreating, remixing, restyling, so that should never be derided.
This one is another old skool banger, with some great piano.
How can I love you more?
Rock on!
Trotters Independent Traders - Love So Pure
The name originated from the fantastic TV programme Only Fools and Horses which was a staple part of everybody's live in the UK in the 80's and 90's.
The humour in it was first class and the acronym of the name T.I.T was also a major factor and part of the script.
A lot of the Trotters Independent Traders tracks are great old skool bangers, a tad on the cheesy side, but very lively and upbeat all the same.
More to come.
"After all that we've been through"
Trotters Independent Traders - The Finest
It was a track which epitomises the brilliant trance sound of that era.
Bangin' pumpin' drivin' energetic and euphoric all at the same time,
A cracking track which has stood the test of time.
Get on it!
Transa - Enervate
(Original Mix)
Despite, my love for The Stones, I'd go as far as saying that this version is actually better.
This brings back fantastic memories of when this was released at the start of the 90's.
The Madchester vibe was in full swing and this was at the centre of it.
The Terry Farley remix gives a little bit of extra kick drum to make it more dancefloor friendly and epitomises the "Indie Dance" sound of that era.
I say love me, hold me!
The Soup Dragons - I'm Free
(Terry Farley Boy's Own Remix)
IMHO one of the greatest Rock 'N' Roll tracks of all time, by the greatest Rock 'N' Roll band of all time (The Beatles - aside).
My love of The Stones knows no bounds and this is an absolute masterpiece.
Both remixes are great as they fully allow the classic track to play out and shine through, in essence just provide a little bit of dance beat.
However, I'm certain they would raise the roof in any club dropped on cue at the opportune moment.
Show no sympathy!
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
(Fatboy Slim Full Length Remix)
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
(Neptunes Full Length Remix)
Piano-tastic from start to finish, it is a great piece of raw house music.
Simple, repetitive, but so hypnotic and compelling.
When that second layer of piano kicks in, it really flies.
Terence Parker created some great tracks and this is most definitely a stand out.
Terrence Parker - Now Is The Time
I used to love this track and it was pretty widely played by most of the top jocks in most of the top clubs back in '91.
A great house groove which still sounds great, 30 odd years on.
TAO - Love Potion
(Lost In Space Mix)
This is absolutely banging.
Superb remix and the build up and then subsequent breakdown is just off the scale.
The piano just takes it to another level.
One of PDM's very best remixes and an absolute corker of a track.
"Feel it controlling you!"
Muse - Compliance
(Purple Disco Machine Remix) (Extended Mix)
Don't know too much about it other than it is rockin'.
I've always had a huge affinity to Luvdup and think it is great that Adrian and Mark are still going strong and still playing music which is cutting edge, yet retaining their original hedonistic and eclectic vibe.
They will always be up with in my all time fave DJs and Remixers - Legends of the scene!
About the track, very lively, very bouncy and lots of great piano.
What's not to love?
Get on the train!
SM - Royal Train
(Original Mix)
It was played to death and was very commercial.
However, this remix is sensational and gives it a completely different edge.
Sophie's vocals are as always truly glorious, but it is the amazing remix work that just takes it to another level.
PDM is an absolute Disco marvel!
"Why does it feel so good" - simple because it it!
Spiller ft. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Groovejet
[Purple Disco Machine & Lorenz Rhode Extended Remix]
The SPS produced some great tracks, very club orientated and very good on the dancefloor.
Ain't nothin' but tutti-frutti. Get on the floor if you've got that booty
The Self-Preservation Society - The Whoop
(Dr Slinky McVelvet's Anadin Prescription)
As you can imagine from it's title, it's piano-laden.
Tracks like this always went down superbly well on the dancefloor at anytime of the night.
Enjoy!
Mind Abuse - The Piano
Using the same - hoo-hoo chants as Brothers Love Dubs - The Mighty Ming, it also contains some lush piano and is a great track, which even thirty odd years on still sounds great.
"Everybody reach"
Medicine Man - Reach
Beautiful gospel vocals, it was one of those tracks which always went down whatever time of night it was played.
Great production and lots of remixes to choose from, I think the Greed remix just edged it for me.
Hey-ah-eh-hey-ah!
Joe T. Vannelli Project - Sweetest Day Of May
(Greed's Euphorik Vocal Mix)
They were right at the forefront of the progressive house movement and their tracks from that time were awesome.
However, it was a bit of an eyeopener when they teamed up with John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten former lead singer and front man of the notorious punk rockers The Sex Pistols.
Fear not the collaboration was just amazing and created a real top notch club track.
This one went down a treat on the dancefloor and brings back great memories of Back To Basics in Leeds in 1993.
Burn, Hollywood, Burn!
Leftfield & Lydon - Open Up
(Full Vocal Mix)
However, that was an almost impossible act to follow as "Last Rhythm" was and still is one of the all time great club tracks.
This is from 1992 and is good with a similar vibe and is still a cracking club track worthy of PCC status.
Enjoy!
Last Rhythm - Open Your Mind
(Original Extended Mix)
Be prepared to be blown away!
This is spellbinding and absolutely stunning.
13 minutes of total aural pleasure.
Grab a cup of tea, sit back, relax and enjoy.
This is very emotive, almost operatic in parts, but oh so luxurious and endearing.
The vocals from Hannah Reid are exquisite and the strings from The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra are just heavenly.
Underpinned by a superb remix from Danish remix guru Rune Reilly Kølsch.
This track is one of a kind.
Enjoy!
London Grammar - Hell to the Liars
(Kölsch Remix)
Much of her success has been through association with amazing producers like Steve Anderson (aka the other half of Brothers in Rhythm with Dave Seaman).
Anything Steve produces totally encapsulates me, the guy is a complete supremo.
Is this too commercial to be a PCC?
Probably not one for your purist house clubs, but definitely one that would have been great in many of the edgy/glam clubs.
I think it's a glorious example of a great commercial dance track.
Viva forever Kylie!
Enjoy!
Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
(Steve Anderson's Pacha Extended Mix)
It's a bit laden with cheese, but also very endearing.
I think it's just meandering along and then that drop comes in and it grabs me.
"I still don't think they've got it!"
"Let's tell them one more time"
Krystal Club - One More Time
(Technical Time Mix)
House music doesn't have to be complex, this is a very simple arrangement, but very effective.
It cuts deep and provide warmth, emotion and appeal.
This track has it in abundance.
Enjoy!
Kolsch - Der Alte
I didn't realise at the time that Ten City were behind this.
Glorious vocals from Kim English and the obligatory superb remix from the legend Morales.
This brings back great memories of Hard Times.
Kim English - Time For Love
(Morales Club Mix)
Cleveland City was a boss label and pretty much everything that came from it was quality.
This is a cracking piece of progressive house with a great piano breakdown which kicks in to give it PCC status.
Not one of the most widely played, but a cracker all the same.
Enjoy!
Rama 1 - C'est La Vie
(Hard Mix)
It was maybe because his music didn't work on the dancefloor, however hold that thought as this is pure class.
Prince making his debut on the PCC Blog with Dmitiri doing what he does best transforming a mediocre track into a disco delight.
Love the piano introduced into this.
The Sgt Slick remix is also very good (as is pretty much all his stuff), hence also included.
Didn't want to pressure you baby!
Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover
(Dimitri From Paris Re-Edit)
(Sgt Slick's Discotizer ReCut)
Yes a touch (more than a touch?) on the cheesey side, but still very endearing in that old skool Italian piano vibe.
Probably not one for the house purists, but still very credible and just sneaks in under PCC status.
Enjoy!
Pagany - Don't Wanna Hurt You
(Extended Mix)
Love this track which still sounds amazing all these years on.
More epicness from the legend that is Steve Proctor.
You will no doubt recognise the key riff which was later used by Together on their epic "Hardcore Uproar"
Just love the raw sound of this track and also the fact that it inspired "Hardcore Uproar" which was without a doubt a pivotal track in the 90's Northern race culture.
Enjoy!
Precint 13 - Listen To Your Heartbeat
(Club Mix)
Gorgeous piano riffs and balearic chords.
A foot in the past and a foot in the future.
Further evidence that great house music is still being created.
Enjoy!
Fasme - Acid Party
I first came across his stuff via Keinemusik and have to say the whole Keinemusik phenonoman is the first dance music since the golden era of 1988 to 2000 that has really excited me.
It's haunting, hugely atmposheric and cuts deep and is a massive welcome relief that great dance music still exists.
That said, there are some great house tracks via the Big Speaker Music label, Glitterbox, PDM, Dave Lee's continual stream of remixes, as well as several others still doing a great job.
So keep the faith.
This a great track, a bit Moby-esque, hope you enjoy!
Oh my lord!
Fahlberg - Crossroads
(Original Mix)
This is another cracker combined with a fantastic remix by the Freemasons from 2008.
Some of the Freemasons tracks and remixes from that era were on another level, also epic, closing bordering that line between commercial and underground, but always just keeping it (importantly) on the underground side.
This is one such track.
Pure class!
Great vocals by Shayna Steele also.
Enjoy!
Moby - Disco Lies
(Freemasons Club Mix)
Great vocals, great remix, great track, but I think I prefer the Haska version if I'm honest
What do you reckon?
Angie Stone - Wish I Didn't Miss You
(Hex Hector & Mac Quayle Club Mix)
Has a very Keinemusik feel to it and I'm pretty sure it would be featured in their sets.
It's got a great vibe, some sumptious vocals, alovely chilled vibe and some glorious piano chords.
Just lovely.
I can't eat, I can't sleep anymore!
Haska - Wish I Didn't Miss You
(Extended Mix)
This would have been the track of the summer if we'd ever had one.
Beautiful vocals from Erin Buku who has a gorgeous voice.
Love the piano in this also.
A slice of Balearic.
We were meant to be!
Sofa Talk feat. Erin Buku - Two Hearts
(Original Mix)
Definitely one of the tracks of 2024 todate.
PDM is pretty much always on it and this track has everything.
Lots of different tempo changes builds, crescendos, and some beautiful melodic atmposheric parts.
The voiced Germanic vocals just add to it's appeal.
A really fantastic track which I've been playing to death recently.
Get on it!.
Purple Disco Machine, Friedrich Liechtenstein - Die Maschine
(Extended Mix)
Serene, yet uplifting and totally compelling filled with heavenly woo-woo's and some of the most lush piano you could imagine.
An absolutely stunning track.
Dancing with you!
Do you feel it?
Rae & Christian feat Jake Emyln - Favourite Game
(Mang Dynasty Vocal Remix)
Just love everything about this track.
The production is superb, the vocals are superb and the lyrics have been used in many tracks.
However, the real beauty of these old disco classics is the use of proper instruments and the amazing studio production.
Simply stunning!
Enjoy!
Coffee - Casanova
It was one of my favourite tracks of 2020 and one I played over and over again.
It's just pure gold.
I love everything about this track, it's just so damn infectious.
The vocals are glorious and the production is absolutely top notch.
A true work of art and one of the bet tracks of the 20's era to date.
You better believe it.
I've even included the lyrics so you can sing along.
Feel buried alive, this city is airtight
Suffocated and lonely in the crowds
I'm surrounded by all the screens of their lies
Screamin' into space to drown them out
I fell down so low, found nowhere to go
But I know you wait for me, you wait for me
So far out of sight, sucked into the white
But I know you wait for me
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
'Cause I've been hypnotized by the lights
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
Yeah, it's taken time to realize
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
So hold me tight, I just wanna fade out
Somewhere we can shut the world away
I'm ready to hide, far from the fallout
They won't find us in the paradise we'll make
I fell down so low, found nowhere to go
But I know you wait for me, you wait for me
So far out of sight, sucked into the white
But I know you wait for me
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
'Cause I've been hypnotized by the lights
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
Yeah, it's taken time to realize
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
Freefalling from the high
I'm following the voice I know
Freefalling from the high
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
'Cause I've been hypnotized by the lights
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
Yeah, it's taken time to realize
But I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' back down tonight
Enjoy!
Purple Disco Machine, Sophie And The Giants - Hypnotized
(Extended Mix)
He always seems to effectively navigate the edge of underground and too commercial very well and always drops into the underground box which is great for dancefloor and clubbing fans which this blog is dedicated to.
This one has some catchy vocals, a great pumping bassline throughout and of course some lush piano chords.
10 years old now and it still sounds great.
Spot on.
Enjoy!
Blonde (feat. Charli Taft) - Higher Ground
(Purple Disco Machine Remix)
Her greatness will never be emulated.
Love this remix of one of her classic tracks.
Peter R was an true master at creating delicious progressive epics and this one doesn't disappoint.
You always left me!
Madonna - Miles Away
(Peter Rauhofer Part 3 Final Mix)
This one is less well known, but definitely a hidden little gem.
It contains all the right ingredients, lots of snappy samples, a great groove, a little rap and of course that delicious Italian house piano in abundance.
I'm gonna get you, yes I am!
N.Y. Energy - Yes....I Am
Nush were always on the ball with both their own productions and also their numerous remixes.
You could be guaranteed a "Nush remix" would hit the spot.
Groove on!
Can you feel it!
Naked Music NYC - I'll Take You To Love
(Nush Club Vocal Mix)
It combines superb melodic piano with those oh so familiar and exciting Roland TB 303 squelchy acids sounds.
Close to trance perfection.
Get on it!
PJ - Elysian Fields
Lush vocals coupled with a glorious dreamy deep trance vibe combine majestically.
A fantastic remix by Maceo Plex.
For a while it all made sense!
Enjoy!
Röyksopp - Sordid Affair
(Maceo Plex Remix)
This is sensational and retains all the great bits of the original but throws in more piano and just reworks and repeats all the best bits to perfection.
So good!
Shelia & B. Devotion - Your Love Is Good
(Dimitri From Paris Remix)
There were then a milion different remixes again most of them tosh.
Howerver, this version is pure class, as you'd expect from Mr Morales.
The piano in this is just tops.
Tell you what I need!
Enjoy.
David Morales Feat. Blondewearingblack - Hideaway
(Original Mix)
They were probably one of the most consistent dance acts producing a series of quality tracks especially courtesy of great remixes to further enhance.
Followers of the PCC blog will also recognise my huge appreciation for pretty much anything K-Klass touched. They always turned good tracks into great tracks and this one is right on the money.
This one is from 1995 and Lucia's vocal sound top notch especially when combined with K-Klass's renowned piano chords.
Quality indeed!
Sunscreem - When
(K Klassix Mix)
Sgt Slick is also a master at remixing classic (typically non-dance) tracks and this one is a cracker.
Stevie's vocal is just quality and the remix uses the synths so effectively.
Hard to believe this track is over 40 years old and still sounds amazing.
Pure class!
"Why don't you take me home?"
Stevie Nicks - Stand Back
(Sgt Slick's Multitrack ReCut)
I'm not usually a big fan of remixes of absolute classics, because 90% of the time they fail to improve the already "classic status" of the original.
However, this adds new fizz, new verve and new excitement while retaining lots of the elements which made the original great.
A totally superb remix.
Get on it!.
Black Box Featuring Loleatta Holloway – Ride On Time 20th
(Zeronine Remix)
