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
Now there is a fair argument as this track in it's original version is so iconic and untouchable that any remix would not quite be worthy but this remix certainly challenges that.
Rob Dougan and Rollo have been behind so many amazing dance productions that their credibility is one of the strongest out there.
Coming together under their Our Tribe co-lab they produce a stunning remix with so beautiful piano and there familiar Our Tribe vibe.
It doesn't quite have the emotional conection of the Original Mix, but it is nonetheless a really great remix and another very fine production under the Our Tribe moniker.
Cracking feel good anthem from 1995, with some amazing vocals from Sabrina Johnston.
The Sphinx was of course yet another alias for Rollo.
There are lots of versions and remixes of this track, but this is my favourite mix which contains the spuerb vocals in their splendour in addition to some great piano.
It was also released as "Romero - What Hope Have I" which is pretty unusual, but stick with this version which is as good as it gets.
Big history on this track originally a country & western song performed by Sammi Smith in 1970 and written by the uber talented Kris Kristofferson who wrote many hundreds of masterpieces.
It has fantastic and very well known lyrics.
It was then covered by Gladys Knight in 1971 - which is a truly amazing version with the most delightful vocals (and is pure Balearic brilliance).
It then got a re-working for clubland as we know it in 1996 by Huff & Puff, followed by some excellent Rollo and Sister Bliss remixes in 1997.
All very notable tracks and great versions, but you'll never beat the Gladys Knight version IMHO (although probably not the most club friendly version - in that case plump for the Huff & Puff - Deep Mix).
All great tracks and a great example of the evolution of dance music and it's reliance on the past!
Roxy Music's 'Love is the Drug' was re-released in Spring 1996 in conjunction with a remix of the track commissioned of Rollo & Sister Bliss.
Executed in their sublimely singular style, this is a shunting, hypnotic track rendered distinct by dint of Brian Ferry's rather non-sequitur vocals; it just builds and builds and the drum rolls are unparalleled. Despite moderate interest this remix seemed to slip under the radar, yet in my opinion it remains one of the finest remixes Rollo & Bliss ever produced.
As much as I like Moby, I could never abide his far-too-frequent forays into thrash metal.
The awful 'Animal Rights' album is the foremost example of this ill-advised genre-bending, and it was that opus from which 'That's When I Reach For My Revolver' was culled.
Barely listenable in its original form - unless you are a fan of Slipknott - the track has been completely deconstructed and remade by those stalwarts of the dance music scene, Rollo & Sister Bliss.
A building, hypnotic epic wrought in their own singular style, Rollo & Bliss' production values perfectly complement Moby's introspective vocal.
If ever there was an instance of a turd being successfully polished, then this remix is proof of that concept.
'Constantly Waiting' was released on Cheeky in the summer of '96. A lilting, downtempo number in its original guise, the track was overhauled by Cheeky stablemates Rollo & Sister Bliss, who inject an almost unhealthy dose of epic into proceedings. By incorporating a Spanish guitar into the immense breakdown, they imbue the track with a Mediterranean feel, the mood of which perfectly complements Taylor's characteristically insightful vocals. This record was everywhere for several months, then seemed almost to disappear without trace, rendering it something of an overlooked classic.
This is a kitchen sink of a tune. ie its got a bit of everything in it. A proper party tune this was a favourite of Tall Paul amongst others. I used to hammer this. Still sounds good today. Came out on FFRR in 1995.
Rollo gets off his high horse, comes back from Camping and goes Mystic!!!
Another fantastic track from that man Rollo, who was responsible for some superb tracks and some great remixes. He was also part of Faithless which people may be aware of, but probably fewer people are aware that he is Dido's older brother and produced many of her tracks.
Enough said the man's a bit of a ledge!!
About this track, well it's typical Rollo production, very simple, but very pounding and energetic and very very good.
Be patient as it builds, but prepare yourself for one of the great piano breakdowns in club music.
Simply awesome - I love this one and I'm sure you will too!!!
Plus you can't beat lyrics like "I do you, you do me"!!!
Rollo Goes Mystic - Love, Love, Love - Here I Come
Now there are some tracks which are a victim of their own success and this is certainly one of them.
You may know this track, but probably remember the horrible vocal version which was probably ome of the most annoying club tracks ever and ended up on every crappy dance compilation going.
However, this was the mix which rocked the clubs back in 1994 and still sounds great today.
So don't be put off by remembering that horrible vocal version.
You may recognise that it's Rollo behind it and is typical of his style - very pumping!!
The chords and build up in this are different class and then it lifts a level and kicks in again - Top Drawer this one matey!! You'd better believe it!!
The OT Quartet - Hold That Sucker Down (Builds Like A Skyscraper Mix)