DANCE FLOOR

Rip It Up, Issue 182, 1 September 1992, Page 21

DANCE FLOOR

Some of these guys are so bloody prolific. Look at Todd Terry (who is referred to in the latest DJ Magazine as the “Godlike TT”). I meana, 38 singles, three mini albums and two double albums in the last nine months. One of his most recent records is the mini album Sound Design which pretty much sums him up; aural landscapes in dance which continue to astound me. His remixes of the Grid single ‘Figure of Eight’ (UK Virgin 12”) on the second single in a two package set, are just awesome trancey stuff that should fill any dancefloor if the DJ is adventurous enough to play it. Kevin Saunderson is another prolific guy. The Reese Project’s ‘The Colour of Love’ (UK Network 12") is a gorgeous chanting modern sould track that has sat at the top of the UK club chart for weeks. Check out the slower hypnotic Groove Corporation mixes on side two. Saunderson is also the mainman behind Inner City, and their new single ‘Praise’ is a wonder in its 15 minute Future Sound of London mix, which kind of grows and grow and looks likely to knock the Reese single off the top in Britain. Also around in the soul/ garage feel are Akema’s joyful ‘So In Love’ (US Nervous 12"), best in its Jungle Dub mix with a ragga bassline; Tammy Payne’s Roger Sanchez mixed ‘Do You Feel It’, in slower slinky mixes and faster piano based dubwise mix; the CJ Mackintosh mixed ‘Ain’t No Man’ (UK A&M 12") from former Quartz singer Dina Carroll, enormously catchy retro soul, with almost a Philly feel; Ten City’s magnificently moody and cool ‘My Piece of Heaven’ (US East West 12") with an organ solo to die for, as good as anything they’ve ever done; and Photon Inc’s follow-up to their massive ‘Generate Power’, the pure disco ‘Give A Little Love’ (US Strictly Rhythm/ UK FFRR), best in its US 15 minute mix which combines the best elements of all the UK ones, except the nostalgic Acid House mix. It’s already number one in New York and LA.

The first single from MC Serch since Third Bass split ‘Here It Comes’ (US Def Jam 12") is pure pop with credibility and is gonna be huge. But the one that really deserves to be a monster is former Brand Nubian rapper, Grand Puba, whose ‘360 Degrees’ (US Elektra 12") is based around a Gladys Knight sample and some Stax thing I can’t place. An essential purchase.

Grand Puba also features on one of the two albums that deserve mention, that being the Brand New Heavies hip-hop collaboration Heavy Rhyme Experience Vo//(UK Acid Jazz), which also features Main Source, Gang Starr, Black Sheep and a host of others in an almost sample free record. Very cool and very good. Also, the EPMD album, Business Never Personal (US Def Jam) is a major return to form and comes highly recommended with all the usual trademarks and the killer Roger Troutman sampling single ‘Crossover’. Finally two records that don’t really fit in anywhere else but are real large are Joint Venture’s DJ Pierre and label owner George Morel’s created ‘Master Blaster’ (US Strictly Rhythm 12"), a churning, pure hous track that needs to be heard very loud for effect; and Rachel Wallace’s awesome rave/ soul cross ‘Tell Me Why’ on Suburban Bass, a label better kown for its kiddi-pop (eg Sesame Street) rather than innovative grooves like this. SIMON GRIGG