Review
The Original 1989 Dancefloor Hits Volume 1 was a qualified success, mixing the hits and the obscure numbers in a smooth blend of clubby goodness. The sequel sees more of the same from the Virgin label and its associated subsidiaries. The t-shirts are still being pushed too. How loud can you go?
We start with a smash: Soul II Soul’s Back To Life (However Do You Want Me). Simultaneously laidback and super-groovy. The ultimate urban jam. Naming your debut album Club Classics Volume 1 was an ambitious move. In this case it was the right choice. Wendy and Lisa’s hit rate of deep funkiness continues with the Prince-sprinkled Satisfaction. The world just wasn’t ready. I think I, think I love Tone Loc’s Funky Cold Medina. One of the meanest hip hop riffs ever. It’s followed by Neneh Cherry’s soul-searching Manchild; a beach anthem for the scorched summer of ’89. Elsewhere Redhead Kingpin and The FBI’s crucial Do The Right Thing should have made the Spike Lee joint.
Amnesia, Ibiza and its open rooftop. Working Week’s Fire In The Mountain LP begat the Balearic groover Eldorado. The 7″ mix is compiled here; a distilled short of wicked samples, pummeling beats and wild sax. This slides into the jazzy house of Be Big. Guilty was their first single with the remix by Depth Charge aka Jonathan Saul Kane aka Octagon Man but never Dr Octagon. You’re Mine Alle Mine is a rather aimless pop 45 from the big-quiffed Chaz Gazu. He didn’t make another record. Meanwhile Paula Abdul’s Forever Your Girl is sweet and timeless R&B while Sydney Youngblood’s If Only I Could plunders Raze’s Break For Love and creates a rather special house anthem.
Ziggy Marley plays for time on Look Who’s Dancing, jiving us that we were voodoo. As on Volume 1’s Don’t Take My Mind On A Trip, Teddy Riley works his spell on Boy George’s defiant Whether They Like It Or Not. However Inner City hit a rare misstep with the Saunderson-by-numbers Do You Love What You Feel. There’s some nu groove from Burrell and the punchy Put Your Trust In The Music. Signing off are De La Soul with Me, Myself And I. Funkadelic’s (Not Just) Knee Deep is the sample. The freak of the week and when she dances she never misses a beat.
Favourite tracks
Working Week – Eldorado (7″ Ortega Mix)
Be Big – Guilty (Depth Charge Edit)
Lest we forget
Wendy and Lisa – Satisfaction (Remix)
A Pop Fan's Dream 