Incognito - Out Of The Storm 1996

Talkin' Loud Records TLCD 14

A good song by incognito with some great Def Mix remixes by David Morales who uses the full potential of the song on the Sleaze Mix with trademark piano & drums and some nice string arrangements. The Instrumental Mix is a great addition too. Carl Craig's 10 minute epic Planet E Mix however has left no trace of the song whatsoever but it has a great vibe about it with freestyle drums and a cool synth and heavy bassline, this is certainly more than just a remix. Turn on, tune in and chill out. Bluey's Club Mix is another fine jazzy dancer, as expected, that ties this selection up neatly.

• Morales Radio Edit
• Morales Sleaze Mix
• Morales Instrumental Mix
• C's Planet E Special Mix
• Bluey's Club Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Out Of The Storm CDS.rar Filesize: 56.61 MB

Frankie Knuckles - It's Hard Sometimes 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 52

Produced by Frankie Knuckles & John Poppo. Written and performed by Frankie along with Danny Madden & Satoshi Tomiie and featuring the wonderful vocal talent of Shelton Becton. It's Hard Sometimes, if I remember correctly, was the introduction to Frankie Knuckles forthcoming album, Beyond The Mix, and boy, did it get a fond welcome. I personally thought it was his best for awhile, until he released Rain Falls.

The beauty of the David Morales Classic Club Mix is in the speed. Slow and soulful with a painfully slow but irresistible House groove. It also features the most gorgeous piano solo, probably played bt Satoshi Tomiie although Eric Kupper, Terry Burrus & Peter 'Ski' Schwartz are also credited but not 'who done what'? The Alternate 12" Mix is more what you would expect, riding on a mid tempo groove but leaving out the piano. I have no idea why it fades with only a minute left. It seems totally pointless but doesn't spoil the listening experience much. If you like to mix with long overlaps then you'll want the 8:02, no fade, version.

• D.M. Classic Radio
• D.M. Classic Club Mix
• Alternate 12" Mix (Fade)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Hard Sometimes CDS.rar Filesize: 26.56 MB

Frankie Knuckles - Rain Falls 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 60

Frankie Knuckles other productions from this period seem to get much more attention but Rain Falls is one of his best for me. Taken from the album Beyond The Mix, this is a classic that got lost in the shadows cast by it's siblings. It features vocals by Lisa Michaelis and music by Satoshi Tomiie and the cherry on top is backing vocals provided by Danny Madden (on the Morales Mix) and Moisture. This is more than just another Def Mix Classic.

As the 90's settled in so the record companies urged and manipulated the market to encourage the record buying public to become the CD buying public. If we ignore the vinyl sycophants and look at it logically, it was a good idea. Unfortunately there were many downsides, one of which was the time restrictions to qualify for pop chart inclusion. This led to the major labels insisting that radio edits be included and leaving out the full length versions? In this instance I was deprived of some great mixes including David Morales awesome 10 minute epic, the Soakin' Wet Mix. If anybody has it, I would love a copy. In their place, we are provided with Workout featuring the vocal talents of Roberta Gilliam. Ms. Gilliam sang a slow groove classic back in the 80's called All I Want Is My Baby and she has a fine voice. You would imagine that the combination of a House Music Legend and a Voice from the heavens would result in the stuff that anthems are made of but.... not this time?

• Rain Falls (Wet Radio Mix)
• Rain Falls (Frankie's Original Version)
• Workout (1992 Vocal Mix)
• Workout (Eric Kupper Vocal Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Rain Falls CDS.rar Filesize: 32.55MB

Pride 'n Politix - Hold On 1991

East West Records A8707T

Pride 'n Politix released an album Changes in 1991, written and performed by multi-talented Robyn Smith and vocalist Nikki Romillie (a.k.a. Colnel Red) along with saxophonist Carlton Romillie. The album was produced by Smith and overseen by Merlin Bobb & Sylvia Rhone, recorded in both London and LA and released on East West America and casting doubt on the groups origin. It's pretty damn good but didn't really get the recognition it deserved.

The opening track, Hold On was released as a single prior to the albums release and was handed to the Def Mix Production crew for remix treatment. David Morales turned out this splendid piece of work, engineered by John Poppo, which set tongues wagging on the club scene but possibly let the album down when it came out as a straight soul set. Either way, this release is most excellent. The LP Version gives an insight into the album but the Extended Remix transforms the track into something uplifting and totally awesome. The Bonus Mix is really just an Instrumental version of the remix.

• Extended Remix
• Bonus Mix
• LP Version

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Pride N Politix.rar Filesize: 38.65 MB

Miles Jaye - Heaven 1989

Fourth & Broadway Records BRW 133

I almost left this off. I considered not mentioning it and hoping nobody noticed also but, major embarassment, I only have the 7". I do however, have the 12" Club Mix and with the tracks on the 7" that leaves Bonus Beats & a Dub missing I think?

I have to post it though because this track is a legend. Remixed by the Def Mix Productions dynamic duo, Frankie Knuckles and David Morales, this awesome bubbler is Miles Jaye's finest dancefloor moment. Riding into a new decade, the Remix and Ed's Edit make for a superb single release but the Celestial Club Mix was the bright star from the 80's, the light from which can still be seen in many a good club today.

• Heaven (Remix)
• Heaven (Original Version Ed's Edit)
• Heaven (Celestial Club Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Miles Jaye - Heaven.rar Filesize: 22.53 MB