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
Thinking of all the great songs which could be dropped at midnight tonight on NYE to bring in the New Year and there are few which could be as dramatic and effective as this.
Yes, I've posted it on the PCC blog before and it is undoubtedly one of the greatest house tracks of all time.
Everything about it is sheer perfection and Jamie's vocals are just heavenly as are the delightful female background vocals.
I can't let go!
It was also a huge Alfredo track, so here is another tribute to the legend who passed away recently.
R.I.P. to both Frankie and Alfredo - quite possibly the two most influential dance music pioneers to have ever touched our worlds and now re-united in heaven.
Respect and gratitude to you both and Happy New Year to one and all.
Frankie Knuckles featuring Jamie Principle - Your Love
A complete and utter masterpiece from the legend that was Frankie and one that he regularly played in his sets.
The Directors Cut combo of Frankie and Eric Kupper produced some amazing tracks and remixes.
They were truly absolute masters of their craft.
This tracks takes a simple hook from an 80's disco track and loops it, combined with some great percussion and of course that wonderful signature Frankie piano.
Fantastic piece for classic house music from 1990.
This is such a great track and it still feels very current despite being 34 years old.
It has great production, great vocals, with a superb mix of male and female vocals, a bit of rap and some glorious piano.
The compilation of artists on this track is incredible and although titled as Quincy Jones, it was more of a tribute to him as he was not directly involved.
The Rolling Stones are so iconic and their tracks are not easy to remix in a dancefloor friendly manner, but that man we know as The PDM produces an absolute gem.
This is a truly sensational remix which retains the great Stones vibe, but creates a brilliant piece of club music.
The piano in this is immense and it is a quite superb remix.
I always loved the Primals and have seen them live many times.
They are always chaotic, yet superb and Bobby G is a great front man.
Screamadelica was one of the great albums of our generation and one I played to death.
Whilst their tracks were more indie-dance than pure club, dropped at the right time in a set they could still be devastating.
This was one of my faves from Screamadelica.
I just love everything about it, the guitars, the piano, the sitar, the oriental feel, the sleazy Bobby G vocals and of course Mr Weatherall's fantastic remix/production.
Does anyone else thing Bobby sings, "Trip, Trip, Trip inside?"
There was a period in the mid-2000s when the Freemasons totally ruled the roost for converting not so great commercial tracks into dancefloor delights.
Anyone who knows the PCC blog will be well aware of my huge admiration for James Wiltshire's aka Jimmy Gomez remix work.
This is a corking track with clever use of the Kariya sample, a catchy vocal hook and a spanking bit of piano.
Intoxicated, accelerated!
Right on!
Herd & Fitz featuring Abigail Bailey - I Just Can't Get Enough
7th Heaven were the absolute masters at remixing tracks which were very commercial but just giving them that necessary quality to turn them into bonafide PCC's.
Yes, they are still borderline overground, but credible enough (just).
This one is a touch Eurovision, but I can't help like it and hence consider it worthy of a post.
Initially the main focus of the PCC blog back in 2009 when I first started was to hunt out and share all the great tracks which we knew and loved from our clubland experiences.
At that time in 2009 blogs were the "in thing" and youtube was still in it's infancy and hence many tracks were very hard to find and hence we had a great network of dance music blogs ripping vinyl and sharing all our hidden gems.
As time has passed pretty much everything is now on youtube so everything is freely available.
In the early years of the blog I'd purposely avoided posting tracks which were mainstream and easy to find. However, as time has passed to still very relevant to post some of these more overground (but still underground) classics.
Here's one such track from 1991, it'll need no introduction, but it still sounds great and that piano break will always hit the spot.
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of the legend that was DJ Alfredo on Christmas eve.
It is not too far to say that Acid House and dance music as we have experienced for over 35 years wouldn't have happened without the inspiration and genius of Alfredo.
It was Alfredo and his legendary sets at Amnesia in 1987 which ignited the passion of Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway (and many others) that lead to the development of the Acid House scene in the UK, which then exploded into the rave scene and the rest is dance music history.
After being entranced by his totally eclectic Balearic sets in Amnesia, they all returned to the UK and tried to recreate the same vibe and scene.
Oakey created the Project club, Spectrum and then Land of Oz, Danny created Shoom and Nicky created, Sin and Trip and Acid House was well and truly born.
All down to the inspiration created by Alfredo.
A huge part of Alfredo's DJing philosophy was playing a massive variety of different types of tracks many of which weren't strictly dance tracks put played at the right time mixed in the right way were just pure gold.
How do I pick a single track to honour the passing of the great legend?
Well having thought about it some what, I thought of a track which was not strictly dance, but just perfect and fully epitomised the tracks which Alfredo dropped at Amnesia.
So here it is a wonderful piece of Balearic artistry frequently dropped by Alfredo at Amnesia.
Rest In Peace legend Alfredo - we will always be indebted for the inspiration you provided which created the scene which we all took so much pleasure from.
Staying on the overground/underground vibe, this was certainly a track which divided opinion.
In my opinion certainly overground, but it was very good and very catchy and although it rarely got played out in the country's most discerning clubs it is still a great track and worthy of PCC status.
Tim and Jez were both great contributors to the dance music scene for many years and both were omnipresent on the scene in Leeds which was playground of many of my clubbing years in the early 90's.
The track uses the amazing Kate Bush vocals to great effect, contains some great piano and is just a great catchy, sing-a-long track.
Like all PCC's is still sounds great today and that is testament to it's quality.
A classic track from 1995 which although it went overground, is still very much underground.
Immortalised by the line "what's she gonna look like with a chimney on her".
I remember the first time I heard it was on a Allister Whitehead mix tape, which I played to death as it was also the first time I'd heard the Jimmy Gomez remix of Anthony White - Love Me Tonight, which became one of my all time favourite tracks.
Boy did that mix tape get some stick, I must have rewound the Anthony White track hundreds of times.
Lots of remixes of this, but it was the Junior remix which I first heard and to me is still the best version out there.
Quality house music which has stood the test of time, despite the Chimney reference.
Another amazing track brought to my attention by the wonderful Keinemusik set from Burning Warrior.
This has such a great vibe, filled with afro chants and a slow chilled build up, then the bass drops and the pace increases and it just continues to build.
Just lovely.
The Keinemusik vibe has certainly relighted my passion for dance music and restored my faith that there is good new original music being produced of the highest quality.
I've already posted the Ferry Corsten remix of this track, but felt it more than worthy to post this sensational remix also.
There's less of George in this one, but the remix is just superb and right up there with one of Lange's best, which is no faint praise as they he always super consistent.
It's a thumping, pumping trance monster, but laden with some beautiful chilled piano chords which just elevates it's appeal.
Don't go, please stay, it always happens, this way.
I could pretty much post Blue Amazon's entire back catalogue such was the quality of their remix and production work.
Much like Above & Beyond, Trouser Enthusiasts, Gabriel & Dresden and other they appear on the PCC blog multiple times because they created and recreated some many great tracks.
This one is an epic 15 minute journey with lots of superb build up, lush piano and some delightful vocals from Jayn Hanna.
I'm reliably informed that this track went down well in Ibiza this year.
On the subject of Kidz, my own children were only very young when I first started this blog in 2009.
Fast forward 15 years and it was in fact my daughter that alerted me to this track with a "Dad you'll love this, it was brilliant when dropped in Ibiza this year".
A little about the track well it's just awesome very "Keinemusik" in style and I'm very surprised that they haven't any involvement in it. There's lush piano, epic build up, afro chants and just an incredible atmosphere throughout the track.
It's great to know they are still playing top notch, fresh new tracks in clubs.
While I do think that Bicep have been massively overhyped, I do have to confess that this track is stunning and very powerful.
In our day we were spoilt with the likes of FSOL, Sabre's, Underworld, not to mention A&B, Trouser Enthusiasts and may others who were far better than Bicep.
I think it's more that there is so little good quality original music produced these days and hence Bicep do stand out.
Glue is very well known and highly popular (possibly overplayed), but it is nonetheless a very piece of progressive trance and certainly worthy of PCC status!
A lot of the new tracks which I post are either featured on Graeme Park's radio show which I listen to every week or via known legends in the field like Luvdup and to be honest any of numerous music sources which I listen to when I have chance.
This one was via Parky's show.
It's a fantastic upbeat piece of bubblegum type pop but with such charm and also dancefloor credibility.
Very 80's and with a real Italian Hi-NRG vibe.
Beautiful lush vocals, some great lyrics and some delightful Spanish guitar.
Just love all Dave Lee's work, such a prolific and fantastic remixer/producer.
This is a huge anthem and just never loses it's appeal.
Totally piano-licious!
There was once a time when I thought I'd run out of PCCs to post, but I don't think this will ever happen, especially with posting the odd new track in with the old classics.
Whitney's legendary status was underpinned by the recognition that she was one of best vocalists of our generation.
Junior's status was sometimes tainted by his desire to chase the money, which resulted in more quantity than quality and many remixes which were a bit bland and same-ish.
This however, is one of his better ones, which combines with Whitney's amazing vocals produces a cracking club track. Just the way we like them.
Wham on the PCC blog, who'd of thought it, but the PCC mantra has always been about quality and not musical snobbery.
This is a great remix and Sgt Slick (aka Andrew Ramanauskas) is an absolute master at converting pop tracks into very credible dance floor smashes, this is one such example.
I could well imagine this being dropped by some of the more eclectic DJs, it would also be a great end of night track to finish a set.
Imagine this coming on after a night of intense clubbing and the lights coming on.
This is much later than the halcyon trance days of the late 90's early 00's, but it still has that same energetic pumping feel.
Anything that Oakey was involved in whether remixes, his own production or just the tracks he played were always gold and that is why he right achieved iconic status.
This has it all big build ups, big drops, pumping energy and ehteral vocals.
Steve Anderson is without a shadow of a doubt one of the very best remixers, music producers of all time.
The quality and breadth of his work over several decades is phenonamal.
His work with Dave Seaman will for me always be his true high point, but his work with Kylie and all his solo remix work is always of such fantastic quality.
Love this track and great funky house track made so much better by Mr Anderson's amazing production work.
Probably less well known and probably not quite as good as the other two Gary Clail tracks posted on the blog, but an excellent piece of Indie Dance from 1990 all the same.
Great remix by Oakey and Osborne, very typical of many of their Indie Dance remixes of that era, laced with just enough piano to give that extra bit of kick.
Definitely a track for the Vegans out there.
Beef; how low can you go, hear the cattle cry; death row!
Enjoying this at the moment, which is pretty splendid.
I heard it on Graeme Park's Radio Show recently - which is quite often the source for many of the new tracks which I post.
It's great to see that the legend that is Parky is still at the forefront of the house scene as he always was in the halcyon days of the Hacienda in the early 80's.
About the track, lush piano, lush vocals and overall a really nice vibe about it.
Although I never DJ'd I always think about tracks I'd play if I had my own club night and a dedicated audience.
This would have certainly been a last track of the night selection.
After 2 hours of pumping house music, I'd gradually wind the night down - on go the lights and then I'd drop this.
Perfect Balearic bliss.
I first came across this track as a 9 year old and still have the original vinyl 7" single and yes, it still sends the same shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
The vocals, the piano, the saxophone, the guitar, the amazing lyrics, the pause mid-song, the emotions, this will always be an eternal classic.
"You drink your coffee and I sip my tea"
Enjoy! (And maybe be brave enough to play it last track of the night!)
The original thesis of this blog was to showcase some of the many, many fantastic tracks which have rocked clubland throughout the decades, but with a specific focus around the halcyon days of 1987 to 2000.
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
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.
A quality and very much underplayed progressive house classic from 1993.
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.
There was a period in the early 90's when everything Leftfield touched was pure gold.
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.
