DANCETONES

Rip It Up, Issue 168, 1 July 1991, Page 30

DANCETONES

Welcome to a new Rip It Up column, concentrating on the latest in dancefloor releases both locally and internationally. FAVOURITES OF THE MONTH First up is the new single from the current darlings of the British music scene, MASSIVE ATTACK. Having reverted to their former name (being the "sensitive" group that they are they changed simply to Massive whilst Bush and Hussein had their litle tiff in the gulf) the heroes from Bristol have come up with a scorching follow up to Unfinished Sympathy in the form of the soulfully wailed 'Safe From Harm' (83bpm). Available in its original 12" and a tasteful remix by Paul Oakenfold and Steve osborne, this may be too slow to dance to but deserves to be in any discerning soul music fans collection. If you haven't already got the album you're missing out on one of the best this year. (Massive Attack's Blue Lines is available on LP, cassette and CD through Virgin). Once upon a time there was a man called HERB ALPERT who used to play with a band called the Tijuana Brass (you may have seen some of this group's vinyl gems in your parent's record collections). Well, it's now become quite hip to listen to Herb so you should all get out and listen to his new single 'Jump Street' (112 bpm). Remixed by DJ Streets Ahead, this heavily jazz influenced dancefloor chugger features samples from the JUNGLE BROTHERS and some dreamy vocals from newcomer Yvonne de la Vega. Available on 12" single as well as his locally released album North On South Street this single is a refreshing change from some of the drab dancefloor releases out at the moment. Well done Herb... one of the best soul tracks last year was 'Release Me' by FATMAN & STELLA MAE on the FFRR label, and this month sees the return of FATMAN with a new single 'I Found Grooving' (118 bpm). This female rapped house stamper features some fierce drum programming and is already appearing in some of the finest UK DJ's top ten songs of the month. THE HIPHOUSE TIP Hudderfield's PLUS ONE return with the instantly likeable The Song Will Always Be The Same' (121 bpm). Much more commercial than their previous hit 'lt's Happening', this single contains a wicked rap, lovely female chorus and some great samples from DEREK B and ROB BASE for good measure. Highly recommended and appearing soon in a niteclub near you... Belgium's one man production team TECHNOTRONIC just won't go away, even after losing both YA KID K and MC ERIC as vocalists. Anyway, this time he's recruited some shocking rapper named Reggie and come up with the crap single of the month 'Move That Body' (122 bpm). Available on ARS through SONY MUSIC, this sounds like BETTY 800 but ten times worse and

seems like a waste of good vinyl... looking Statesides, the latest project from studio wizards MUSTO & BONES bears the dody name PCP or People Can Party. Sounding very similar to their dancefloor smash 'Dangerous On The Dancefloor' this latest effort 'Keep It Up Dance' (123 bpm) appears in six mixes on the US 12" with the Musto & Bones Club Mix being of most use. RAP & SWINGBEAT European producer NUF-EL-TEE's new double A side 12" stands out from the rest for its AA side 'Nuf-EI-Tee's Jam' (11 2 bpm). Using the all too familiar funky drummer breakbeat, samples from Grease and SNAP's 'The Power', this instrumental track is a monster and will have you hooked from the first listen. Anyone who enjoyed 'Swing' by the DEFF BOYZ should check this one out. For the purists, the soulful 'Look What Love Did' (88bpm) on the A side may be more to your liking, featuring the great vocal talents of Noel McCalla... READY FOR THE WORLD on US black urban label MCA break a one year silence with their new single 'Straight Down To Business' (107 bpm). Produced by MCA stalwart Louil Silas Jr, this Teddy Riley influenced swingbeat jogger has pleasant harmonies and a great vocal hook. The 12" contains Radio Edit, Extended instrumental and Hip Hop versions with the latter containing samples from COLOR ME BADD's 'I Wanna Sex You Up'. Turntable chores are handled by Chris "The Glove" Taylor who some will remember from the Streetsounds LP days. Highly recommended ... STETSASONIC the hop hop band release the third single from their Blood, Sweat And No Tears LP 'So Let The Fun Being' (100 bpm). Produced by band member Daddy O, this is their most accessible single for quite some time with its swing influenced drum patterns and abundance of samples (including Massove Attack's 'Unfinished Sympathy'!). British duo PM DAWN and their second vinyl effort 'A Watchers' Point Of View' (123 bpm). Out on GEE ST records, this is far superior to their debut outing, with its confident laid back rap and catchy chorus. This could be huge, especially if the wonderful video ever makes it to our tired TV music shows. Available now through Island records in its original 12" version and "trip" prodded remix. IF YOU BUY ANY RECORD THIS MONTH MAKE SURE IT IS: The scorching new single from none other than LISA LISA & CULT JAM. Produced by the US hit making dueo Cole & Clivilies (better known as C&C MUSIC FACTORY), 'Let The Beat Hit Em' (115 bpm) contains more samples than you could recognise plus the trademark C&C tough drum programming. Out locally soon on SONY MUSIC, this sounds massive in the clubs and must have a show at airplay on NZ's more progressive, upmarket FM stations. (Don't bother about 89FM, they don't play "superficial" dance music). Until next month, keep grooving. GRANT "SAMPLE GEE" KEARNEY