Dancetones

Rip It Up, Issue 178, 1 May 1992, Page 31

Dancetones

GROOVE COMMITTEE II — Dirty Games (US Nu Groove 12")

, Brooklyn's Victor Simonelli has made what must be the popiest Nu Groove record in years. This' irregistable garage groove uses a mutation of the chorus from Vince ? Montana's 'Who Needs Enemies' from 'B3 (the same record that LA Mix based 'Don't Stop' around) as one of its main hooks. JUS' FRIENDS —As One (US Massive B 12") - - A fantastic collaboration between vocalist Robert Owens and New York radio DJ Bobby Konders. Bobby's last record was the ragga-hop 'Mack Daddy 7 , this is a classic deep house ft style. Compulsive, hypnotic stuff. If Marvin Gaye started making records in 1992, this is probably what they would sounded like. , TODD TERRY—The Unreleased Project (US unlabelled mini LP) The most prolific and one of the most inventive producers follows up his recent double mini-LP with another. Essential for anyone ’ vaguely interested in New York . dance, my favourite tracks being the Latin freestyle 'When You Hold Me' and 'l'll Do Anything'. Epic and on ft the cutting edge. ,-. \ SL2 — On A Ragga Trip (UK XL 12")

DJs Slipmat and Lime have made an innovative ragga-house record that, lucky for them, has turned into a pop smash. A crashing, frantic dubwise groove based on an old record by a guy called Jah Screechie, 'Walk nd Skank'. Unfortunately they haven't seen fit to give him a composers credit, so I hope the guy gets paid. A big record. ERIC B AND RAKIM — Juice (US Soul 12") The verdict overseas seems to be that rap committed suicide sometime in the late 80s, but this fine record, taken from the movie of the same name, shows there's life in the old beast yet. Personally, I regard Eric B and Rakim as the greatest hip hop group of the last 10 years, maybe all time, and this is probably their best since 'Paid in Full', it's that good. Slinky, but tuff, and best of all, it's on local release.

PARTNERS INC — Hustle Ain't Over <ft (US PI 12") This monster groove is on the flip side of an indie NY 12" and naturally enough revives the 70s Hustle style (remember Van McCoy?) with a killer bassline and some great percussion. Good fun. QUEEN LATIFAH — How Do I Love Thee ■ A ''-X':ft7: -Xft<>/':'-? - (US Tommy Boy 12") Based on an idea by DJ Mark the 45 King, this is closer to Deee-Lite than the traditional Latifah sound (and it was starting to get a bit dull). A ; throbbing mid-pace deep house track with some sensual talking from the . Queen over the top and some great piano bits. '' ISOTONIK— The Isotonik EP (UK FFrreedom 12") DJs Grooverider, Hype and Chris Paul (who's been around for years) . have followed up the club hit 'Different Strokes' with this neat four tracker. The lead track 'Everywhere I Go' is in two mixes, the second being the harder and best. Pop music for . the 90s, and that's okay by me. D.O.P. — Groovy Beat . ' L (UK Guerilla 12") This label is becoming famous for its hypnotic, almost Balearic-styled . singles, this being probably the best to date. I like the way that this sorta loops and builds dropping in things from time to time. The kind of record that really comes to life on a big dub system at 2am. . • > FIRE ISLAND — In Your Bones (Junior Boys Own 12") More DJs, this time Pete Heller and Terry Farley with an almost totally instrumental track, apart from the 7 hook samples, which might just cross over (in the UK). A great funky bassline and a club hit. UNITY DEEP—Got Me Grooving (US Kaleidoscope 12") Finally, a really soulful track in the currently fashionable gospel-garage style, with a soaring vocal from somebody called Sharon. Massive in London I'm told and originally from New Jersey (of course). Every now and then it's nice to get a real song.

SIMON GRIGG