by Retro_NRG » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:03 am
I definitely have a love / hate thing with 12" remixes given that many were so poorly done with endless loops, dubs and otherwise hackneyed reworking of the original track.
But let's face it, they were originally intended to get people out on the dancefloor rather than having you listen to them at home, in your car or on your portable.
In retrospect, I must give props to the airstaff of WLIR/DRE (many who were active club DJ's) for choosing specific 12" club versions of playlisted tracks.
That, without a doubt, has forever imprinted the '92.7 version' of these particular songs into my memory.
That being said, and there have been many great ones listed already
Here are some more of my faves:
[b]Big Audio Dynamite - The Bottom Line (Remix)[/b] A totally stripped down synth-less version features lends a fresh, funky, cowbell infused take on the original.
[b]Blondie - Rapture (Special Disco Mix)[/b] I always fancied this shamelessly disco'd out version replete with polyrhythmic beats, cowbells, noisemakers and whistles.
[b]Chaz Jankel - Number One (12'' ver)[/b] It's all about the synth baybee!
[b]Cabaret Voltaire - Hypnotised (Dan Miller Remix)[/b] Some very subtle yet distinct vocal & synth / beat tweaks make this a more soulful and danceable version
[b]Danielle Dax - Whistling for His Love (remix)[/b] Love the extended Sitar solo on this exotic middle eastern flavored track.
[b]Depeche Mode - Dream On (Pink Noise Club Mix)[/b] This one hails from the early 00's and is a TOTALLY tricked up ambient redo of the understated 90's acoustic original
[b]Erasure - Who Needs Love Like That (Legend Mix)[/b] One of my favorite Erasure trax
[b]Figures On A Beach - Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria) (remix)[/b] Some chimelike synth notes preface the vocal strains of Ah.. Ah.. Oh..Oh.. as a driving infectious drum synth kicks this soaring dance track into high gear.
[b]Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy (US Mix)[/b] A very funky reworking of the otherwise overplayed top 40 original
[b]Gang of Four - Is It Love (Extended Version)[/b] Replaces the awkward sounding original disco synth flourishes with a simple drum & hi hat intro accompanied by the soulful refrain: ..Is It?... Loooove?
[b]General Public - Tenderness (Extended Version)[/b] This version gives extra time for the infectious intro to take hold while adding some extra lyrics, hand claps, guitar and bass licks. Excellent Track
[b]Go West - We Close Our Eyes (Complete Underhang Mix)[/b] The one with the extended lush synth intro is the best version IMO.
[b]Heaven 17 - Let Me Go (Extended 12" Maxi Version)[/b] A dreamy atmospheric synth instrumental intro takes you through the 1st 2:45 of this classic tune.
[b]Icehouse - Great Southern Land (Byrralku Dhangudha Mix)[/b] Incidentally, I never heard this Aboriginal version until MSKremember posted it here a while back- Thanx Mario!
[b]Killing Joke - Love Like Blood (12' version)[/b] Another great extended track featuring an airy but dark synth that hovers over a driving syncopated drum / hi hat beats highlighted by searing guitar licks.
[b]KTP - Certain Things Are Likely (garage mix)[/b] A hypnotic bass laden synth riff gives this version legs for the dance crowd. Turn IT UP!
[b]Madness - Uncle Sam (Ext ~6:52 Remix)[/b] This masterfully reworked version takes the gimpy ska paced original and turns it into a rousing dancefloor number replete with the oddly appropriate sounds of automatic weapons fire midway through the track!
[b]Malcolm McLaren - Madame Butterfly(12 Inch Mix)[/b]- Only the full length version does justice to the atmospheric blend of Opera and Soul vocalizations.
[b]Marc Almond - Tears Run Rings (The Just Rite Mix)[/b] Is similarly reworked beatwise as was the Alphaville DWM 12" yet adds these deftly timed synth flourishes that lend an added sense of urgency to Almond's vocals.
[b]Nik Kershaw - When A Heart Beats [Extended Mix][/b] Adds some great synth work and an over the top, syncopated, tango inspired beat to the track.
[b]Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party (Party Til You're Dead Mix)[/b] What an amazingly intricate and infectiously arranged piece of polyphonics- Bravo Danny Elfman!
[b]Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done to Deserve This (Shep Pettibone remix)[/b] My favorite PSB remix
[b]Pete Shelley - On Your Own (New York Mix)[/b] Something about these 'New York' Mixes that makes them so evocative and memorable. Love the brooding dark synth mood of this version.
[b]Quando Quango - Love Tempo (Mark Kamins Mix)[/b] One of the very best dance records out there, PERIOD.. Years ago, I remember getting a sincere on-air acknowledgment from WLIR's Malibu Sue for requesting this song which is one of her personal faves.
[b]Scarlet Fantastic - No Memory (Extra Sensory Mix)[/b] This song was one of my favorite Malibu dance club trax.
[b]Secession - The Magician (Pecky Plus Mix)[/b] A haunting, wistful synth driven mix which is just as listenable outside the club as on the dancefloor.
[b]Simply Red - Money's Too Tight To Mention (The Cutback Mix)[/b] More an R&B track that nevertheless got airplay in the clubs and WLIR. A great mid 80's lyrical commentary that strangely echoes our current state of affairs.
[b]The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary(ext ver)[/b] Takes an already kick ass tune and gives it some more time to build up at the beginning (Ayy.. haay.. haay..) while giving you more time to revel in its glory at midpoint.
[b]The Cure - Close To Me (Extended 12'' Mix)[/b]- A playful intro featuring an infectious syncopated bassline hand claps and a smattering of muted horns.
[b]The Danse Society - Say It Again (Extended 7:10 Danse Mix)[/b] This one ALWAYS gets a volume boost especially at the beginning where one must take note of the stark drum and hi hat hits accompanied by a taut thumping bassline, guitar licks, synth flourishes and the chorus of 'Put Your Hand.., Put Your Hand.., Put Your Hand..' (Love It!!)
[b]The Lover Speaks - Every Lovers Sign (New York Mix)[/b] A TOTALLY superior version that features a crisp driving bongo, drum, hi hat, synth combination which reworked the original turgid ballad into an infectious hip grinding dance groove.
[b]U2 - Two Hearts Beat As One (Kevorkian Lillywhite Remix)[/b] Takes my fave U2 track up to the next level by starting out with a refrain of 'Heart-Heart-Heart ...Beat As Onnne' which echoes into the Edges' ripping staccato guitar riff as it is joined by Larry Mullen's crashing drum beat underscored by Clayton's taut bassline. All of this is a perfect build for Bono's 'I Can't Stop The Dance' refrain. The whole track is a showcase of U2's raw yet unfettered musicianship.
What a great dance track..
<MARQUEE><h5>Moving @The Speed of Life</h5></MARQUEE>