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Album: Winter Edition 2021 

Genre: Circuit, Tribal, House

Year: 2021

Total Time: 02:53:00

1. Spice Girls - Viva Forever (Rafael Barreto 2k21 Intro)

2. Ranny feat. D'Layna - Dance All Night (Erick Ibiza Old School Of Tribal Mix)

3. Justin Bieber - Anyone (Dario Xavier Club Remix)

4. Nacho Chapado & Ivan Gomez - I Want A Man (Tonight) (2k21 Mix)

5. Stephen Jusko & DJ Blacklow feat. Audrey Callahan - The Warrior (Toy Armada Remix)

6. Sia - Courage To Change (Thiago Antony Club Mix)

7. Esteban Lopez & Binomio feat. Alicia Nilsson - Holding Out For A Hero (Original Mix)

8. Saara Aalto - Monsters (Rafael Barreto Anthem Mix)

9. Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License (Dario Xavier Remix)

10. Illyus & Barrientos feat. Karen Harding - Let's Get Together (Club Mix)

11. Guy Scheiman & Marcos Adam - Rise Up (Brian Cua Tribal Rave Remix)

12. Leo Blanco - Megan Thee Stallion - Body (Leo Blanco & Dan Slater Remix)

13. Black Eyed Peas feat. Shakira - Girl Like Me (Tony Deluca Remix)

14. Rihanna - Where Have You Been (Jace M & Toy Armada Remix)

15. September - Cry For You (Aurelio Mendes Remix)

16. Qveen Harby - Sugar Daddy (Nick Stracener Remix)

17. Nina Flowers, Rafael Dutra & Junior Senna - Queer Universe (Original Mix)

18. Karen Harding - Undo My Heart (Alex Ramox Remix)

19. Nick Harvey - Your Body (Nick Harvey RETribal Mix)

20. Pedro Pons - The Dancer (Extended Mix)

21. Da Buzz - Something About You (Barry Harris Tribal Mix)

22. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff (The Lordss 2021 Club Remix)

23. Nacho Chapado & Ivan Gomez feat. Brian Forrest - All 4 Now (Original Mix)

24. Meduza feat. Dermot Kennedy & Junior Senna - Paradise (Dani Brasil SaxMash!)

25. Edson Pride - Get Up On Dance 2K21 (Johnny Bass Remix)

26. Miley Cyrus & Dua Lipa - Prisoner (Nick Stracener Remix)

27. Daphne Guinness - Heaven (Hector Fonseca & Thiago Dukky Extended Big Room Mix)

28. Giangi Cappai & Ralphi Rosario - Bring Your Soul Back (Erick Ibiza Unreleased Intro Mix)

29. Big Kid - Afterhour (Original Mix)

30. The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha (Dario Xavier 2K21 Remix)

31. Micky Friedmann feat. Ann Christine - Babaji (Toy Armada Remix)

32. Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin (Barry Harris 2021 Remix)

Hell must have frozen over because Party Favorz has been on a roll pushing out the latest beats that fuel your winter! Next up is the annual Winter Edition in which the 2021 version does not disappoint.

This set is packed with the latest circuit anthems and tribal beats a mile high and is the perfect replacement for the 2020 Holiday Edition, which has likely worn itself out in your workout regimen.

After spending half the day in Atlanta on Thursday to get our second vaccination or as you call it in the UK "jab," Rick and I were sent home because the state hadn't delivered the treatment until later in the day forcing the doctor's office to cancel all the appointments. They couldn't open up a vile just for us and waste the rest.

So, we're heading back to Atlanta shortly to get the second jab and I'm expecting this is the one that knocks me on my ass as the immune system kicks into high gear — or so I'm told.

I'm working on some belated Legacy editions that are bound to please and should be dropping those this next week. Until then...ENJOY!

I want to give a BIG shoutout to Glenn A. and Joe S. for their generous donations. Joe and Glenn sent me a nice email about their experiences seeing Sylvester in concert. I like those stories so always feel free to share. Let's hold off on any other donations because I'm going to be asking for them shortly to cover hosting costs that expire at the end of March. More on that later. 

Album: Winter Edition 2021 

Genre: Circuit, Tribal, House

Year: 2021

Total Time: 02:53:00

1. Spice Girls - Viva Forever (Rafael Barreto 2k21 Intro)

2. Ranny feat. D'Layna - Dance All Night (Erick Ibiza Old School Of Tribal Mix)

3. Justin Bieber - Anyone (Dario Xavier Club Remix)

4. Nacho Chapado & Ivan Gomez - I Want A Man (Tonight) (2k21 Mix)

5. Stephen Jusko & DJ Blacklow feat. Audrey Callahan - The Warrior (Toy Armada Remix)

6. Sia - Courage To Change (Thiago Antony Club Mix)

7. Esteban Lopez & Binomio feat. Alicia Nilsson - Holding Out For A Hero (Original Mix)

8. Saara Aalto - Monsters (Rafael Barreto Anthem Mix)

9. Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License (Dario Xavier Remix)

10. Illyus & Barrientos feat. Karen Harding - Let's Get Together (Club Mix)

11. Guy Scheiman & Marcos Adam - Rise Up (Brian Cua Tribal Rave Remix)

12. Leo Blanco - Megan Thee Stallion - Body (Leo Blanco & Dan Slater Remix)

13. Black Eyed Peas feat. Shakira - Girl Like Me (Tony Deluca Remix)

14. Rihanna - Where Have You Been (Jace M & Toy Armada Remix)

15. September - Cry For You (Aurelio Mendes Remix)

16. Qveen Harby - Sugar Daddy (Nick Stracener Remix)

17. Nina Flowers, Rafael Dutra & Junior Senna - Queer Universe (Original Mix)

18. Karen Harding - Undo My Heart (Alex Ramox Remix)

19. Nick Harvey - Your Body (Nick Harvey RETribal Mix)

20. Pedro Pons - The Dancer (Extended Mix)

21. Da Buzz - Something About You (Barry Harris Tribal Mix)

22. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff (The Lordss 2021 Club Remix)

23. Nacho Chapado & Ivan Gomez feat. Brian Forrest - All 4 Now (Original Mix)

24. Meduza feat. Dermot Kennedy & Junior Senna - Paradise (Dani Brasil SaxMash!)

25. Edson Pride - Get Up On Dance 2K21 (Johnny Bass Remix)

26. Miley Cyrus & Dua Lipa - Prisoner (Nick Stracener Remix)

27. Daphne Guinness - Heaven (Hector Fonseca & Thiago Dukky Extended Big Room Mix)

Party Favorz is back with a Peak Hour set to get you over the mid-week doldrums. Yet again, I worked this motherfucker out and it's bound to please our late night dancefloor dwellers. Nothing to explain here because it speaks for itself. If I had one bit of advice — that would be to TURN UP THE VOLUME! Enjoy.

Album: Peak Hour [February 2021]

Artists: Various

Genre: Tech House, Electro House, EDM, Bass House

Length: 02:30:44

1. Scotty Boy & Lizzie Curious - Loneliness (No Hopes & Pushkarev Remix)

2. Sllash & Doppe - Pepper Shaker (Original Mix)

3. Alex O'Neill - Synthesizer (Extended Mix)

4. GUZ - Set U Free (Extended Mix)

5. Alaia & Gallo feat. PabloRita - Get Down (Original Mix)

6. Bingo Players, Felguk & Fafaq - Devotion (Will Sparks Remix)

7. Teknova - Push The Feeling On 2k19 (Melbourne Bounce Mix)

8. CJ - Whoopty (James Hype VIP Remix)

9. Icona Pop & Sofi Tukker - Spa (James Hype Remix)

10. Laidback Luke feat. David Goncalves - Rolling Stone (DJs From Mars Remix)

11. Travis Scott & HVME - Goosebumps (DJ Intro - DJ Outro 1 Dirty)

12. Billie Eilish vs. Oxia - Therefore I Am Domino (DJs From Mars Bootleg)

13. Bingo Players & Bonxo vs. Flo Rida & T-Pain - When I Dip Low (HayaT & Mukonda Mashup)

14. Panjabi - Beware Of The Boys (Hypelezz Mashup)

15. Sikdope x Gentlemens Club feat. Tima Dee - Ballin (Original Mix)

16. Beki M - I Feel That Love (Original Mix)

17. Block & Crown x Paul Parsons - Tricky Love (Original Mix)

18. Space Motion - Feel My Body (Extended Mix)

19. London Grammar - Strong (PAGANO 2021 Remix)

20. Charles D (USA) - You (Original Mix)

21. Chris Lake & Armand Van Helden - Work (Extended Mix)

22. DONT BLINK - Vibration (Original Mix)

23. 2Lovers - It's Like That (Original Mix)

24. Andruss & Juarez - Pump Up The Volume (Extended Mix)

25. Dino Brown & Paky Francavilla - Make The World Go Round (Pussy Dub Foundation 2K17 Remix)

26. Johan S & HP Vince - Touch Me (Extended Mix)

27. Miane - Who Are You (Chris Lake Extended Remix)

28. CID - No! (BYOR Extended Remix)

29. Gene Farris - Keep Pushing (Extended Mix)

30. Merk & Kremont x Buzz Low - Do It (Extended Mix)

31. DJ Kuba & Neitan x Bounce Inc. - Cream (Extended Mix)

32. Pitbull x Lil Jon Vs. DJ Kuba x Neitan - Krazy Cream (PeteDown 2021 Bootleg)

33. David Guetta & MORTEN feat. Lanie Gardner - Dreams (Extended Mix)

34. Triple888 - Groove (Roger Sanchez Dirty 90s Mix)

35. Ellis Moss - The Shake (Original Mix)

36. Max Esposito - Deep (Original Mix)

37. KC Lights - Girl (Tribal Edit Extended Mix)

38. Freejak x Josh Hunter - Keep This Thing Rolling (Original Mix)

Party Favorz is back with our first Disco House set of 2021 and this one is packed with familiar riffs and samples that are bound to have you asking "where is that beat from?"

Frankly, there are so many samples tightly woven in these tracks (often more than one used in a single song) that it's hard to keep up. There are obvious ones like "When Love Is Over," which samples "Holding On (When Love Is Over}" by L.T.D.

"I Wanna Feel" is a clear lift of "He's the Greatest Dancer" by the Nile Rogers produced Sister Sledge while "The Groove Cycle" could by any song by Roger's own disco band Chic with its familiar guitar work. DJ Mark Brickman's "Got Myself Together" is a reworking of the Brass Construction classic "Movin" from 1976.

Then you have the obvious remakes such as the 90's Adeva house classic "In & Out Of My Life," Soul Avengerz and Krysten Cummings re-work the Aretha Franklin classic "R-E-S-P-E-CT" and Block & Crown remake the Al Green soul classic "Let's Stay Together" with Jeff Roberts performing the vocal duties. The latter begs the question as to why no one has reworked the Tina Turner version of this song. It's practically begging for a soulful house rework.

Another obvious rework here is the Gino Soccio #1 disco classic "Dancer" by DJ Mark Brickman and Venessa Jackson.

Then you have the combos like Crazibiza's "My Lips," which mashes "Don't Call Me Baby" by Madison Avenue with Aretha Franklin and C + C Music Factory gay anthem "Pride (A Deeper Love)" an unlikely pairing that just works. Block & Crown gets in on this game by mashing "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic featuring Felly with "Stomp" by Brothers Johnson..

Indeed, there are so many samples contained here some are barely recognizable while others don't bother hiding their appreciation for the originals. It does prove that today's DJs are not just appropriating long lost works (some of these samples are really rare) but honoring all those that came before. It also shows that mom and dad's (in many cases grandma's) music was actually pretty damn good.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Jason Walker has honored us with two fantastic new songs "All To You," which has fabulous remixes by the legendary David Morales and Georgia Porgie as well as "Stronger" with DJ extraordinaire Quentin Harris that has two sets of remixes accompanying its release. These songs are some of Jason's strongest work and I'm happy to see that he's continuing to gift us with his amazing voice.

I'll let y'all figure out the rest of the sampling contained within this set or instead of racking your brain — just sit back, get down to the funky sound and ENJOY!

Album: Disco House [February 2021]

Genre: House, Jackin’ House, NuDisco, Disco House

Year: 2021

Total Time: 02:38:15

1. Adri Block & Paul Parsons - Disco Jewels Vol 1 (Club Mix)

2. Adeva - In & Out Of My Life (Michael Gray Remix)

3. Nu Port 62 - When Love Is Over (Original Mix)

4. Mattei & Omich feat. Ella - I Remember (Babert Extended Remix)

5. DJ Mark Brickman feat. Venessa Jackson - Dancer (Original Mix)

6. Sugarstarr - The Groovy Cycle (12 inch Disco Mix)

7. House Of Prayers & Crazibiza - Around Me (Original Mix)

8. Incognito - Feel The Real (Micky More & Andy Tee Classic Mix)

9. Jason Walker - All To You (David Morales Classic Mix)

10. Soul Avengerz feat. Krysten Cummings - Respect (Wayne Soul Avengerz & Odyssey Inc. Remix)

11. Crazibiza - My Lips (Cheesecake Boys Deeper Mix)

12.

After working this set from three different angles and editing out 30 minutes of tracks in the final product — the Dance Club set for February 2021 has finally landed.

Jam packed with the biggest dance hits, this set is the one y'all have been waiting for.

I'm not going to go into too much detail here but I will discuss the inevitable remix for Olivia Rodrigo's massive "Drivers License." Unless you've been living under a rock — this song escaped all the other noise in pop music to top the charts for several weeks and rightfully so. With it's driving 80's synth and personal lyrics — Miss Rodrigo has become an overnight sensation.

While there are no official remixes for this song — there are several stellar bootleg remixes. My choice for this set was unusual in that it doesn't fit neatly into the commercial Future House fair we see for this type of song. In stead, I went with newcomer (?) David Michael's "Late Night Drive" remix, which doesn't follow the conventional rule of short but sweet.

His remix is an epic 8+ minutes long set to a simple house beat but the riff he uses will sound very familiar to most of you. It took me awhile to figure out that this was actually "The Promise" by When In Rome that was stripped of the synths in favor of the aforementioned house beat with a delicate touch of piano that's familiar to the When In Rome classic. Come to think of it, the original relies on an 80's synth to drive the emotional track and a modernized version of the instrumental version of "The Promise" would likely mash well together.

The length of the song doesn't bother me at all. If anything, the build-up is well worth the wait. I'm certain that more conventional remixes for this song will appear in future versions of this series so no worries if this isn't what you're expecting.

Another worthy entry is the closing Tears For Fears classic remake "Mad World" by Timmy Trumpet & Gabry Ponte. This is kinda of a New Trance/Bass House hybrid that stays true to the beauty of the original while modernizing the song in such a chaotic time. It really is quite spectacular and deserves more attention than it's currently receiving.

The rest of the set speaks for itself as I painstakingly poured through countless promos to put this all together.

I'm am currently on a roll and just finished the next Disco House installment set to drop Saturday. I'll be starting on the next Peak Hour set today. Until then...ENJOY!

Album: Dance Club [February 2021]

Genre: EDM, House, Dance, Club

Year: 2021

Total Time: 02:58:50

1. Solomun feat. ÄTNA - Tuk Tuk (Original Mix)

2. NOTD & Catello - Nobody (dEVOLVE Remix Extended)

3. Vintage Culture feat. Elise LeGrow - It Is What It Is (Club Mix)

4. Icona Pop & Sofi Tukker - Spa (Lee Foss Extended Mix)

5. Miley Cyrus &. Dua Lipa - Prisoner (Cosmic Dawn Mixshow Edit)

6. Meduza feat. Dermot Kennedy - Paradise (Jay-Ree Remix)

7. Tiesto & Ty Dolla $ign - The Business, Pt. II (Ligotti Remix Intro Dirty)

8. Alok & Daniel Blume - Rapture (Original Mix)

9. Travis Scott & HVME - Goosebumps (DJ Intro - DJ Outro 1 Dirty)

10. David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi - Memories 2021 (Extended Mix)

11. Lotus & Charming Horses - In Da Club (Extended Mix)

12. Anton Powers x Joe Stone - Do Me Right (Extended Mix)

13. Imanbek & Goodboys - Goodbye (Extended Mix)

14. Jason Derulo feat. Adam Levine - Lifestyle (DeToto House ReMiX)

15. Talyor Swift - Evermore (Russ Rich & Andy Allder Evermore Dance Floor Remix)

16.

I realize this feels like a Netflix series that seems to drag on and on but I promise to take a break from the Ultimate 90's House Classics [1994 - 1995] series after this final set. It's not that I don't enjoy revisiting these classics but even for me — it's time to hear something else for a change.

That being said, pay close attention to how House Music has been evolving (especially in volume 3 and 4). There's a reason that Giorgio Moroder is considered the godfather of Techno and frankly House Music. It's because his work as a solo artist and production work with Donna Summer was some of the most advanced electronic dance music and was way ahead of it's time in the seventies.

As technology improves — much of his work is fully realized by mid-decade. This allowed House Music to branch off into a multitude of sub-genres, which has all culminated into the familiar sounds we hear today. Undoubtedly, the 90's produced some groundbreaking dance music and many of the DJs and producers you see in the credits are still churning out dancefloor hits today.

While the essence of House Music remains strong, the technology that fueled it has given rise to more experimentation, sampling and the recreation of sounds that were never possible even during Moroder's heyday. The 90's were truly a magically period for House Music. Once we get into the latter part of the decade — things really begin to evolve and a whole new sound slowly takes over.

I'm not going into the details because that's going to require a spin-off series (other than Trance), which won't come out until later this year but you get a feel for it in the Top Dance Club Songs of the Year starting around 1998 through 2005 before Electro House takes over. I've got plans to revisit all these periods but don't want to get too ahead of myself.

I've finished compiling the set list for the next Circuit & Anthems and Dance Club. I've started on Peak Hour and should finish compiling that and the next installment of Disco House today. Afterwards, I'll dig in and start mixing everything for release over the next couple of weeks starting with a fresh Dance Club set. Until then...ENJOY!

The skip at the beginning of M People "One Night In Heaven" has been fixed.

Album : The Ultimate 90’s House Classics [1994 – 1995] Vol. 4

Genre : 90’s Classic House

Year : 2021

Total Time : 2:33:02

1. Gloria Estefan - Turn The Beat Around (Def Classic Mix)

2. CeCe Peniston - Hit By Love (Def Classic 12" Mix)

3. Spirits - Don't Bring Me Down (Fire Island Vocal Mix)

4. C+C Music Factory - I'll Always Be Around (Ministry Of Sound House Mix)

5. Size 9 - I'm Ready (Remix Version)

6. Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life (Dancing Divaz Club Mix)

7. Corona - The Rhythm Of The Night (Rapino Brothers "Let's Get Fizzical" Piano Mix)

8. Sound Factory - Good Time (Pure) (Extended Mix)

9. Diana Ross - Take Me Higher (T-empo's Club Adventure)

10. Crystal Waters - What I Need (Erick 'More' Club Mix)

11. M People - Open Your Heart (Fire Island Mix)

12. Jimmy Somerville - Heartbeat (E-Smoove 12" Mix)

13. Deee-Lite - Bring Me Your Love (Johnny Vicious Mix)

14. DJ Duke - Turn It Up (Say Yeah) (Eurotech Groove)

15. The Fog - Been A Long Time (Full Intention 12" Mix)

16.

It turns out there were more songs left in this block than I thought so there will be one more volume of the Ultimate 90's House Classics [1994 - 1995] set dropping tomorrow or the day after.

Even though we're having great spring weather here in Georgia while the rest of the country is in a deep freeze, I'm in a pissy mood. We lost Katherine our 20 year old cat earlier this year and now Karl Jr. our Betta who's not even 6 months old is dying of unknown causes. I've spent a shit ton of money trying to get him healthy again but nothing is working and it breaks my heart to see him in distress.

So, here's the set and I'll just let it speak for itself.

Album : The Ultimate 90’s House Classics [1994 – 1995] Vol. 3

Genre : 90’s Classic House

Year : 2021

Total Time : 2:32:28

1. Billie Ray Martin - Running Around Town (BT's Jacobs Ladder Mix)

2. Blondie - Heart Of Glass (Richie Jones Club Mix)

3. Staxx - You (Matthews Love Power Mix)

4. Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman - Can You Feel It (Roger's Bass Hit Mix)

5. M People - Moving On Up (Select Mix Remix)

6. Patra - Worker Man (Phat And Insane)

7. Wink - Higher State of Consciousness (DJ Wink's Hardhouse Mix)

8. Donna Summer - I Feel Love '95 (Rollo & Sister Bliss Monster Mix)

9. 20 Fingers - Short Dick Man (J.J. Energy Mix)

10. Our Tribe - Love Come Home (Dignity Piano Mix)

11. Sphinx feat. Sabrina Johnston - What Hope Have I (The Big Mix)

12. Saundra Williams - I Want It , I Need It (Real Love) (MK Real Dub)

13. MK feat. Alana - Love Changes (MK Mix)

14. Crystal Waters - 100% Pure Love (Club Mix)

15. Barbara Tucker - Stay Together (Frankie Feliciano Broken 'Edit' Mix)

16. Celine Dion - Misled (Richie Jones Club Mix)

17. River Ocean feat. India - Love & Happiness (Yemaya Y Ochun) (Morales Club Mix)

18. Rozalla - I Love Music (Stone's Club Mix)

19. Londonbeat - Come Back (Morales Club Mix)

20. Deep Forest - Deep Forest (Flying Away Mix)

21. Ultra Nate - Show Me (Masters At Work Club Mix)

22. Sound Of Blackness - I Believe (Classic Gospel Mix)

23. K.D. Lang - Lifted By Love (Elevate Your Love Mix)

24. Donna Summer - Melody Of Love (Wanna Be Loved) (Junior Vasquez DMC Remix)

Moving along with volume 2 of the Ultimate 90's House Classics [1994 - 1995] — we find ourselves in familiar territory with some of the most iconic House Music tracks of the decade. I'm a huge fan of N'Dea Davenport and her work with the Brand New Heavies, which is represented here as well as her solo offerings in the coming years. In my book, she's fairly equal in status along with Adeva and Barbara Tucker as these ladies ruled with their soulful offerings.

One of my minor nitpicks is with David Morales and to a lesser extent C + C Music Factory and Junior Vasquez. Whether it was from friendship, loyalty, or upon the insistence of Columbia Records, Mariah Carey frequently went back into the studio to re-record the vocals for Morales turning her songs into a take me to church revival that lost the meaning of the original song. Nowhere is this more obvious than on "Anytime You Need a Friend." I was in hibernation during this period but I find it difficult to believe that that remix wouldn't have cleared any floor. It's just too long, laborious, and frankly tiring. I felt compelled to edit down the 11+ minute behemoth to a manageable 8 minutes but still...

Generally, these DJs would drop the groove in between the gospel but on this song... it just never materializes. At least on "Pride (A Deeper Love)" by Aretha Franklin, Clivillés and Cole worked a deep groove throughout the track that kept the song moving along. Not so on AYNAF. Thankfully, Morales manages to work it all out by the time he gets a shot at the epic "My All," which oddly enough — only reaches #3 on the dance charts. Go figure.

Of course, no compilation would be complete without the Bucketheads (Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez) "The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)" and "Magic Carpet Ride" by the Might Dub Katz (Norman Cook and GMoney), which were massive crossover hits from the dancefloor to radio.

I'm currently working on the final volume for the two-year series where some of the house music begins to get harder and more progressive and the beginnings of Trance start coming into view without diving head-on. Though, there were already underground tracks that were leading the movement at this time. Nevertheless, these songs remain grounded firmly in the House Music sphere much like Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" remained in the Discosphere at the time of its release. Speaking of which...

You can expect volume three of the Ultimate 90s House Classics 1994 - 1995 to drop early next week before we get into our current sets. Until then...ENJOY!

Album : The Ultimate 90’s House Classics [1994 – 1995] Vol. 2

Genre : 90’s Classic House

Year : 2021

Total Time : 2:43:17

1. Juliet Roberts - I Want You (Rollo & Sister Bliss Monster Club Mix)

2. Patti LaBelle - The Right Kinda Lover (Stone & Nick Full Delight Mix)

3. The Brand New Heavies - Dream On Dreamer (Heavies Motion Mix)

4. CeCe Peniston - I'm In The Mood (Bad Yard Club)

5. Whitney Houston - Queen Of The Night (CJ Mackintosh Mix)

6. Love Happy - Message Of Love (CJ's Original Mix)

7. Seal - Newborn Friend (David Morales Extended Voc...

We've moved into the mid-nineties with the Ultimate 90's House Classics series which focuses on the years 1994 through 1995.

One of the things you'll notice is that the infusion of Hip Hop with House Music drops off significantly as each genre goes its own way. However, we start to see the emergence of Trance into the mainstream move from its infancy into the mainstream but isn't quite there yet. Tracks by Opus III, Deep Forest, and Josh Wink give us a hint as to what's to come while still incorporating all the elements of House. Oakenfold and Rollo & Sister Bliss are still knocking out big room House tracks before changing directions that elevate them to household status. While these tracks are included in this series — the full-on Trance classics will be preserved for a refresh later this year.

At this point, Soulful House (think MAW, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales C + C Music Factory) and more commercial House music (Love To Infinity, Stone(Bridge), Brothers In Rhythm, Roger Sanchez) along with underground big room tracks (Junior Vasquez, Tony Moran, Armand Van Helden) dominate this period. In the coming years, Big Room goes even BIGGER and takes over the clubs.

I really enjoy putting together these time capsules because it gives me the opportunity to showcase tracks that were massive back in the day but for whatever reason — have fallen into a black hole of people's memories.

While this series is not the last word on House Music during this period — it's likely the closest anyone has ever attempted at curating and compiling this awesome era of music from which everything you listen to today has sprung.

I'll be back later this weekend with volume two of the Ultimate 90s House Classics 1994 - 1995. Until then...ENJOY!

Album : The Ultimate 90’s House Classics [1994 – 1995] Vol. 1

Genre : 90’s Classic House

Year : 2021

Total Time : 2:50:00

1. Barbara Tucker - Beautiful People (C.J.'s Club Mix)

2. Michael Watford - So Into You (Classic Club Mix)

3. Gloria Estefan - Don't Stop (Tony Moran Stress Test Mix)

4. M People - Excited (M People Master Mix)

5. Lil' Mo' Yin Yang - Reach (Little More Mix)

6. Aretha Franklin - A Deeper Love (C + C Music Factory Mix)

7. Judy Cheeks - As Long As You're Good To Me (Love To Infinity's Classic Paradise Club Mix)

8. Mariah Carey - Fantasy (Def Club Mix)

9. Judy Cheeks - Reach (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix)

10. Frankie Knuckles feat. Adeva - Whadda U Want (From Me) (K-Klass Mix)

11. Barbara Tucker - I Get Lifted (Underground Network)

12. Moné - We Can Make It (Jazz 'n' Groove 12" Album Mix)

13. Ruffneck feat. Yavahn - Everybody Be Somebody (MAW Style Mix)

14. Opus III - When You Made the Mountain (Paul Gotel Club Mix)

15. Blondie - Atomic (Diddy's 12" Mix)

16. Billie Ray Martin - Your Loving Arms (Junior Vasquez Soundfactory Mix)

17. Kristine W - Feel What You Want (Junior's NY Xtended Vocal)

18. Shades Of Love - Keep In Touch (Body To Body) (10.31 Mix)

19.

¹ Sylvester James Jr., known simply as Sylvester, was an American singer-songwriter. Primarily active in the genres of disco, rhythm and blues, and soul, he was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance, falsetto singing voice, and hit disco singles in the late 1970s and 1980s.

After releasing his self-titled debut album in 1977, he had moderate success on the Disco charts with "Over and Over," which is represented here by DJ Meme's exceptional tribute mix. Sylvester followed up in 1978 with "Step II," which generated the monumental hits "Dance (Disco Heat)" and "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" featuring backup singers Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes as Two Tons O' Fun.

Several years later, the ladies went on to their gay icon status with the iconic "It's Raining Men" as the Weather Girls after Barbra Streisand passed on the track for her water-themed album "Wet."

It should also be noted that Patrick Cowley was invited to join this session and became instrumental in the synthesized arrangements of his biggest hits. He would later play an even more important role in Sylvester's success.

The subsequent album "Stars" did moderately well and generated the fabulous "I (Who Have Nothing)" but failed to generate the excitement of the previous album. Subsequent albums faired poorly as Sylvester moved away from his disco roots after the backlash of the "disco sucks" movement.

After leaving his label and taking more control over his music, he partnered with Patrick Cowley again on his small imprint Megatone Records out of San Francisco. By this time, NRG music was exploding in the gay clubs and Cowley was at the forefront of the new dance sound. The lead single "Do Ya Wanna Funk" was a massive success and is considered to be one of the all-time gay anthems. During this tour in the UK, Sylvester got news of Cowley's death from AIDS.

Sylvester would go on to release a couple of more albums with uneven success until his final album "Mutual Attraction" with Megatone was distributed through Warner Brothers (though I thought it was Columbia) and found great success on the dance charts with "Someone Like You," "Living For the City" and the title track. His next album was never finished nor released as his health began to deteriorate.

Creating this tribute set was hands down the most difficult I've ever completed. The music spans five decades including originals with remixes from the 90s to the present day. Tempos ranged from 147 to 106 bpm. The decision as to what to include and what to drop was torturous and taming some of the older material into a more cohesive DJ-friendly environment was a challenge. Ultimately, I believe I did the man proud or so I hope.

Sylvester is an American icon and an openly gay man who not only embraced his sexuality but paved the way for the transgendered and the letter "Q" at the end of our representation (likely unintentionally because he was neither — just Sylvester).  There's no doubt that his presentation of queerness was shocking to middle America but he ignited the fire that paved the way for society to become more accepting of those that just want to be themselves. There's no doubt that the world is better for having him in it.

Album : Sylvester | The Diva Series

Genre : Disco, NRG, House

Year : 2021

Total Time : 2:31:16

1. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (David Morales Def 2005 Mix)

2.