More seriously groundbreaking stuff on the New Jack Swing tip from 1985. Here with the remixes by Shep Pettibone and original collaborators Full Force. The Pettibone mix is the pick of the two with some added weirdness. (Posted this from Phone and realised half the write up was missing!!)
From the main man Simon Harris who was at the time releasing a beats and break albums for DJs. This was a huge hit back in the day. All the mixes are gathered together on this Canadian twelve. A bit of a classic from 1988 ! The B-side “The Playback” swings along at a lower tempo, a funky alternative!
That very distinct synth/funk groove of Imagination from 1982. With that tight production from Tony Swain And Steve Jolley. I think these are the full, 12 inch versions. That trademark bass sound is there. The B- side, “So Good So Right” doesn’t half sound great pumped up on the stereo. Enjoy!
Diva 3 and 4 from two massive, world famous Diva’s, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston (Aretha’s Godmother) joining forces on this 1989 release. Mixes are provided by Teddy Riley with Gene Griffin giving it that late 80’s swing beat. It was off Franklin’s “Through The Storm” album that contained a number of duets with James Brown, Elton John and The Four Tops. Backed by a rerecording of “Think” with an almost synthpop backing.
Diva Number 2 and the slightly rockier pop dance of Jaki Graham. Here at the height of her popular she teams up with Heatwaves, Derek Bramble on the funky, “The Closest One.”
The Megamix brings the two together with previous hit, “Set Me Free” and was done by Les “Mix Doctor” Adams in a typical “cut and paste” style but with nice, “extras” thrown in. There is a definite feel of Level 42 here.
Re-recorded early stuff was released in 1987 to fuel the renewed interest in the band, which had been around since the late 70’s. Utilizing the latest musical tech the founding members, Clay Ostwald, Emilio Estefan, Jr (with wife Gloria) and Jorge Casas, teamed up with production trio, The Jerks. (Joe Galdo, Lawrence Dermer and Rafael Vigil) Lively Latin Dance with quite a lot of synth going on, all these special versions are on the best-selling album, “Let It Loose.”
More Cheese and Crackles (!) with this value 12″ from 1985 featuring the funksters, Kool And The Gang. All huge hits with the 1980 disco classic “Celebration” here in the full version, a Mark Berry remix of “Fresh” and the slow ballad “Cherish” summing up this difficult day perfectly. Goodnight!!
From 1984 and the constantly smiling Phil Fearon and this Summery funk sundae mixed to a classic 80’s twelve inch froth by the legendary duo of John Morales & Sergio Munzibai. Phil had hooked up with his brother Lenny Fearon, who was a trumpet player and percussionist. They were joined by Claudio Galdez who played keys and wind synths and backing singers Dorothy Galdez (who formed dance duo Baby D with brother Claudio in the 90’s) and Julie Gore. The B-side is a long semi instrumental version.
I’ve left the tracks in their raw, static state (the B-side is worse) and also in a treated state for your listening pleasure.
I’m a little numb at the moment. Manchester is in mourning. I knew the Arena very well and knew exactly where the crowd was targeted. The main exit out would have been already crowded and people near would of had no chance at all.
So I’m going to envelope you into typical 80’s CHEESE. So much fromage that you will beg for more. Hold tight this is going to be cheesy.
Actually this came out in 1982 and got remixed in 1986 via Arthur Baker and The Latin Rascals. A lovely mucked around dub updates the beats, cutting it back and forth. The most radical mix is the “GoGo – Vocal Mix” slowing it down and adding a real bass to it, dare to be different!