Dancetones

Rip It Up, Issue 177, 1 April 1992, Page 29

Dancetones

'Frankie Cutlass presents the Uptown Boys — Hot 7 (US Mascot 12") a big New York groove thing from a new Brooklyn label, sampling the same title piece that Pal Joey used in Soho's 'Hot Music 7 .

Bas Noir 'Superficial Love 7 (US Atlantic 12")

Steve Hurley offsider Maurice must have been raking it in recently with all those remixes. This is a sort of

unoriginal rap thing over that, by now, cliched Hurley sound, the real goodie on this being the great Hurley dub mix featuring some cool scat vocals and a real dirty spoken bit. 'Shut Up and Dance' The Green Man (UK SUADI2")

Hackney's finest, and one of the best and most original groups on the planet, come up with another weird and wonderful track, coupling hardcore techno with an orchestral piece that could be Mantovani or Mozart (what's the difference). Also, essential listening is the great 'Fuck Off and Die' label compilation. Kathy Sledge — Take Me Back To Love Again'(US Epic 12") Two years ago Kathy would've been making swingbeat records but in 92 ' the former We Are Family 7 vocalist has enlisted Roger "Underground Solution' Sanchez for a gorgeous contemporary garage track in six mixes. Check out the piano mix, we could almost forgive her for 'Frankie'. - Shawn Christopher—'Don't Lose The Magic' (UK Arista 12") This record, from a Chicago House pioneer, almost defines catchy. The perfect pop dance record with a ■ < superb DJ-friendly mix from David ‘ Morales; should be huge. Liquid — 'Sweet Harmony' (UK XL 12") - A well groovy techno track that utilizes the classic piano break from De Ce Roger's 1987 anthem ’ 'Someday 7 . Number one in the UK dance chart for ages. The latest hit : from this reliable label. Mass Order —Take Me Away 7 (UK Columbia 12") An absolute monster from the Basement Boys, this record reached number one in the UK and NY club charts a year ago as a bootleg. It uses Loleatta Halloway samples without sounding embarrassing. Get the UK version as the B side mixes are the ‘ best.

Urban Soul — 'He's Always' (UK Cooltempo 12") / : Roland Clarke's follow up to the big hit 'Alright', this single really is the goods, especially in the New Jersey mixes version (which are much

superior to the dodgy UK Sasha mixes). Moody and infectious you also get the previous single on the flip.

Nice and Smooth — 'Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (US RALI2") . Wicked old-school hip-hop with a great mellow vocal, this single also features the Partridge Family sampling 'Funky Hip Hop'. 'Positive K' — Nightshift (US 4th & Broadway 12") Big Daddy Kane produced single which, while it has slightly dodgy lyrics (not the first time for him) has a really funky groove of the sort you used to hear lots a few years back. Juice (Soundtrack) Released locally, and absolutely essential. These rap movie compilations really are getting very good. Great tracks from Eric B & Rakim, Aaron Hall, Brand New 3 .- Heavies and others, the only real dog coming from Salt n' Pepa. ; ;/. SIMON GRIGG GROOVE YARD Once known as Red Tapes and run by local music impressario Matthew Tetley Jones, Groove Yard is a music mail order business now run by Peter of the Hellelujah Picassos. Peter's been releasing cassettes for years, from his earliest bands like Smarts Legless and the Worst. Groove Yard is linking up with the folks at Frisbee Studios and will be carrying tapes, CDs and all sorts of music related stuff. They'll be . .■ publishing a newsletter catalogue every couple of months featuring new releases, collector's comer, gossip etc. Send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Freepost 3254 Groove Yard, PO Box 1869, Auckland, if you want a copy. They'll also be promoting Frisbee's coloured 7-inch single series, starting with the Psycho Dairies, Gestalt and SMAK. Look out for a release from a couple of 'ragga crazy techno heads' called Two Thieves and a Liar rumoured to include a couple of Picassos. .