Where are the songs in dance music?

[soulfulvibes]

After the discussion about the lack of musicianship in modern dance music, I thought I'd raise this question in its own thread.

Where are the song-writers in dance music?
What was the last real 'song' in dance music?
Some stand-out songs of the last few years are KOT's 'Finally' and Solu Music's 'Fade'.
Oh, and this year's beautiful 'Your Love', sung by Leroy Burgess.

Why have all the good dance songs got to be remixes of R&B tracks?
I have loved many of these remixes - some of the DFA reworks have been sensational but surely this is can not be the future for real music in dance :roll:

[johnny.boy(2)]

After the discussion about the lack of musicianship in modern dance music, I thought I'd raise this question in its own thread.

Where are the song-writers in dance music?
What was the last real 'song' in dance music?
Some stand-out songs of the last few years are KOT's 'Finally' and Solu Music's 'Fade'.
Oh, and this year's beautiful 'Your Love', sung by Leroy Burgess.

Why have all the good dance songs got to be remixes of R&B tracks?
I have loved many of these remixes - some of the DFA reworks have been sensational but surely this is can not be the future for real music in dance :roll:

1. Blaze
2. Happen every day
3. Found Love, Back together, Baddist Bitch etc

Trends - R&B is the dominent music in the world because its the most stimulating.

[loz]

check hospital records. nu:tone doing some soulful dnb. also makoto from good lookin records. plenty of stuff about.

[Magik]

Ive written a huge thing about this but then thought this could lead into a huge debate. So illl just blame lazy bastards who cant be arsed to do owt but cut n paste or sample.
The future of dance music is in our own hands.If you dont like whats out there.Pick up a guitar,get a singer in,jam some tunes down THEN get an engineer and "produce"it !
You cant get better writing than stripping it right down,improvisation and most of all talent!
Thats where the soul comes from not from what software they use. 8)
I propose some of us get together for a huge jam session!

[Magik]

makoto

He does some really nice music.i like.

[philcharnock]

KOT 'Finally' is a superb piece of songwriting. The Jill Scott album is a superb slice of songwriting. And check the broken scene, those cats can all write and arrange dancemusic better than most.

Recent examples of good songwriting in house is Foremost Poets 'Open Season' and 'Man Like Me'. Both are awesome.

Have faith!

We out...

[johnny.boy(2)]

Let's not forget Georg Levan & Clara Hill "I got (somebody new)" or vice versa

Need to swap tunes Gavin!

[soulfulvibes]

1. Blaze
2. Happen every day
3. Found Love, Back together, Baddist Bitch etc
Blaze's song-writing is superb - Found Love is one of my favourite records of the year.
Check it in my Moruda001 (http://www.soulfulvibes.co.uk/gavinmoruda.ram) mix show from March, I'm still rocking this cut today.


Trends - R&B is the dominent music in the world because its the most stimulating.
Dance music is uptempo R&B, it's a shame that many of this year's memorable songs have been 'housed up' from their slower originals.
This is not always negative though, there have been some great songs that have undergone this treatment; one that always springs to mind is Syleena Johnson - I Believe In Love. The original was a bland, formulaic, downtempo disappointment but the DFA's remix unleashed the power of her voice.
A problem with this 'housing up' technique is that the vocals are often poorly time-stretched, giving that 'chipmunk' vocal effect, why can't these singers re-sing their songs for the up-tempo producers?

And check the broken scene, those cats can all write and arrange dancemusic better than most.
I do check the latest broken-beat releases every week and there is some great song-writing and productions being released - often from the UK which is great.
As much as I love broken-beat, a lot of releases are plagued by electronic sound-effects that just don't work musically and this detracts from the song - I prefer my music to sound 'live'. I enjoyed Bugz In The Attic at Leftfoot - I haven't danced that hard in Liverpool all year but a lot of their instrumentation is just too electronically 'cold' for my tastes.

Let's not forget Georg Levin & Clara Hill "I got (somebody new)"
This song has often brought me to tears. The emotion in Levin and Hill's voices and that bassline always takes me to that higher place.


Have faith!
My faith in this music is unshakable. Keep on keepin' on!

Thanks for the input guys 8)

[johnny.boy(2)]

A year ago (roughly)

"Nothing will ever make me reminisce
Cannot think of one thing that I will miss.

The thought has been before,
Right outside my door.

I've met somebody new.

I got somebody new, who's forever (refrain)."

- - - -

2o years earlier (roughly)

"As you cycle by,
There began all my dreams,
The saddest thing I've ever seen.
And you never knew,
How much I really liked you,
Because I never even told you,
Oh but I meant to.

Are you still there,
Or have you moved away?"

Damon Harris "Feel the music, It's music" Time unkown, track 2 disk 1 Larry Levan "Live at the Paradise Garage", the best mix compilation ever.

[johnny.boy(2)]

KOT 'Finally' is a superb piece of songwriting. The Jill Scott album is a superb slice of songwriting. And check the broken scene, those cats can all write and arrange dancemusic better than most.

Recent examples of good songwriting in house is Foremost Poets 'Open Season' and 'Man Like Me'. Both are awesome.

Have faith!

We out...

The original mix of KOT Finally was a plodder. Remix gold dust brought it to the masses. The wonder of the considered remix never ceases to amaze. Erro's "Change for me" before Negro or Escoffreys "Days like this" before Spinna???? Great tunes but not magical.

If you have not already, pass me on Foremost Poets next meeting (Wednesday). I'll be wearing my usual ecclectic ensemble.

[soulfulvibes]

Damon Harris "Feel the music, It's music" Time unkown, track 2 disk 1 Larry Levan "Live at the Paradise Garage", the best mix compilation ever.
I'm listening right now. Timeless music.

[philcharnock]

No way! Joey Negro ruined that Erro track! He gave it a banging beat when Osunlade's subtle kick sounded so deep and good. And he added a cliche'd diva speech that made it sound like poor old Eric Robertson was asking her to change, when he was saying quite the opposite, he was saying DONT change. And thats also my final criticism of that rubbish-fest, Joey Negro changed the name of the song from 'Dont Change' to 'Change For Me' because he quite clearly thought that the original title wasnt appropriate. What a twerp, the original title was clearly far more relevant as it is a plea NOT to change. Cheeky ba$tard. He only made that change so the title sounds like what Erro sings so thick folk will know the title easily to go and buy it in the shops.

Sorry, the original is magic and while I have nuff respect for Dave Lee that was not one of his finer moments. Rant over. Go back to your buisness people.

[johnny.boy(2)]

I have often ranted about how pointless and superfluous the woman part is.

I ldo ike the original but it would not have been a clubland smash without the big chorus and verse. Whether that's a good thing or not is another argument entirely....

[azzerellis]

I know I am going on about it but check the MKL vs Soy Sos 'Seven times' on Lion1music, it has a bit of Beth Orton about it and John Martyn stand up bass with afro percussion, timeless.

[johnny.boy(2)]

Phil - props on the avatar!

[soulfulvibes]

The original mix of KOT Finally was a plodder. Remix gold dust brought it to the masses. The wonder of the considered remix never ceases to amaze. Erro's "Change for me" before Negro or Escoffreys "Days like this" before Spinna???? Great tunes but not magical.
The original of 'Finally' is a timeless, special piece of music. The remixes were totally unnecessary.
I'm with you on Days Like This though, the first time I heard this was when Spinna dropped it at the Manor in Sedgefield - "I lurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrve days like this!"

[soulfulvibes]

Phil - props on the avatar!
And, yes, that is a great avatar 8)

[johnny.boy(2)]

The original mix of KOT Finally was a plodder. Remix gold dust brought it to the masses. The wonder of the considered remix never ceases to amaze. Erro's "Change for me" before Negro or Escoffreys "Days like this" before Spinna???? Great tunes but not magical.
The original of 'Finally' is a timeless, special piece of music. The remixes were totally unnecessary.
I'm with you on Days Like This though, the first time I heard this was when Spinna dropped it at the Manor in Sedgefield - "I lurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrve days like this!"

Agree to disagree on Finally. Great vocal does not make a great song. Hooks are needed to engage the masses.

I think in some regards this emphasises why the underground stays niche. The trainspotter types (of which I am one) like to think we are in on a big secret, anything to take something to a wider market is seen as vulgar.

Thoughts?

[DJ Danny C]

I think in some regards this emphasises why the underground stays niche. The trainspotter types (of which I am one) like to think we are in on a big secret, anything to take something to a wider market is seen as vulgar.

Thoughts?The thing that most annoys me is when you get an awesome tune which is a big clubland hit, and then some major label goes and signs it up and sticks some insipid, inane vocal over the top, just so it'll get radio play on McPlod FM.

DC

[johnny.boy(2)]

Yep, that Strings of Life abomination I heard passing through town does spring to ming rather too readily.

[johnny.boy(2)]

:roll: NB not the Krivit edit, I hasten to add.

[soulfulvibes]

Agree to disagree on Finally. Great vocal does not make a great song. Hooks are needed to engage the masses.
We'll have to 8)
It's not just the vocal for me, the drum kick, the bass line, the chords.
Although I do agree it's a little mellow for the masses, which brings me to my next point:
An issue of constant irritation is when I play people a song I'm particularly feeling, I'm often given a response along the lines of, "It's nice; a good warm-up track." http://deephousepage.com/smilies/pullhair.gif
Why must something be up-tempo or have tough beats or be considered a 'peak-time' track? When Ian Blevins played Donnie's 'Cloud Nine' at the last Spirit party, people were shouting, jumping around, one lad was on his knees, eyes closed, lost in the moment. For anybody not familiar with this recent underground smash, it's a 'mellow' house track in terms of tempo and production but the energy is in the feeling of the song. And the energy in Cloud Nine is special. I wish more DJs would alter the tempo of their sets as the mood of the music changes, I've heard Spinna do this with aplomb and how could I not mention Theo Parrish's performance at Southport?!

I think in some regards this emphasises why the underground stays niche. The trainspotter types (of which I am one) like to think we are in on a big secret, anything to take something to a wider market is seen as vulgar.
I don't necessarily agree.
I actively spread underground music and expose many people to the sounds that shape my life - I'd love more real soul artists to achieve commercial success. My problem with tracks like 'Strings of Life' is that they are 'vocalised' for one reason only - commercial gain. There is always the argument that I don't have to buy it, listen to it, play it etc. but I think it's fundamentally wrong to exploit good soul music for financial benefit. The Soul Central cover version was an interesting take on a classic piece of music, in a similar way to 'A Hundred Birds' live cover of 'Knights of the Jaguar'. Krivit's edit gave the track more exposure although I'm sceptical as to how much input he actually had in the track.

I can relate some of Moodymann's ideas to this scenario. He was infamously slated by British press for condemning white artists covering black music. I interpret this attitude, not as a racist notion but as a criticism of the exploitation of original soul recordings for heartless, capital gain. 'Lola's Theme' butchered Johnnie Taylor's beautiful record in a similar way Soul Central's 'vocalist' will bastardise 'Strings of Life'. I've said it before, a screaming black 'diva' on a track doesn't make it soul.

[Pedro]

I've said it before, a screaming black 'diva' on a track doesn't make it soul.

Don't forget they are premenstrual too. :wink: :lol:

[johnny.boy(2)]

> 'Lola's Theme' butchered Johnnie Taylor's beautiful record in a similar way Soul Central's 'vocalist' will bastardise 'Strings of Life'.

Completely agreed. But who (other than the trainspotters) would ever have heard the Johnnie Taylor original if the Lola lash had not happened?

While its easy to sneer at those who rinse tunes and make them more accessable to a different audience, who would have heard Street Player had The Bomb not liberated its build?

Answers on a postcard to :D

[soulfulvibes]

who (other than the trainspotters) would ever have heard the Johnnie Taylor original if the Lola lash had not happened?
You're right - that is the positive side of sampling.

[sik80]

WTF? Has everybody forgotten... Pretty Green Eyes by Ultrabeat

[soulfulvibes]

WTF? Has everybody forgotten... Pretty Green Eyes by Ultrabeat
http://deephousepage.com/ubb/graemlins/sleep2.gif

[emmma]

Abacus - When I Fall in Love what a fucking beauty of a record 8)

When I fall in love it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love

In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun

And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you.

one of the best cds in the world - Axus Guidance collection

[Terser]

Donnie's 'Cloud Nine' :D
Hasnt left my box in a whole year.

[jam the box]

I'm quite taken by Jeremy "Ayro" Ellis' "Lotus" - virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and songwriting talent. Takes the fresh sound of broken beat and fits in one of the catchiest choruses i've heard all year.

[johnny.boy(2)]

Abacus - When I Fall in Love what a fucking beauty of a record 8)

When I fall in love it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love

In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun

And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you.

one of the best cds in the world - Axus Guidance collection

Bad news - GUIDANCE RECORDS are financially in a bad way. A crying shame.

[johnny.boy(2)]

And what about Fertile Ground's "You take me higher". Always makes me a little-teary eyed.

[soulizm]

Abacus - When I Fall in Love what a fucking beauty of a record 8)

When I fall in love it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love

In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun

And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you.

one of the best cds in the world - Axus Guidance collection

Bad news - GUIDANCE RECORDS are financially in a bad way. A crying shame.

that abacus record is dope.

guidance fell off a few years imo.

theres a bunch of good vocal records out there, y'all just need to seek them out. off the top of the dome, some i enjoyed this year:
busted trees - directions (carl craig mix)
pitch black city - runaway
rsl - welsey music
beanfield -tides (carl craig mix)
DKD - future rage
mathew dear - dog days
bakura -thinkin about (domu mix)
amongst many many more

[soulfulvibes]

pitch black city - runaway
One of my favourites from last year, I still play this every week.
The album version is splendid too with its jazz-tinged intro...

[Ben.Morgan]

Fred Everything. 2020 album.

Brett Johnson. Temptation and Lies

Blakkat. U Came 2 Me.

That's just off the top of my head. There's loads of garagey stuff that's "proper songs"

[soulfulvibes]

Fred Everything. 2020 album.

Brett Johnson. Temptation and Lies

Blakkat. U Came 2 Me.

That's just off the top of my head. There's loads of garagey stuff that's "proper songs"
Haven't heard any of these, can you post any stand-out lyrics?

[Webb]

busted trees - directions (carl craig mix)
mathew dear - dog days

Both these are brilliant examples of songs in todays beat driven climate

[witweew]

If you're interested in dance songs, and you're running itunes (much safer than limewire or those russian sites, and it supports the artists who make the music)

check this link -- the "euro club hits" series:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/advancedSearchResults?albumTerm=Euro+Club+Hits+Vol +

This series the "Euro Club Hits" I think has some real winners on it.....

[Dom Chung]

cant be bothered to read all the posts but quiet village and mountain of one are both great albums made by dance music producers.

[elvis]

This thread was a good read, for once a spammer doing a good job by bumping it! :D

[BobRoss]

In terms of songs in dance music look no further than Tom Middleton - Lifetracks.
There is some really beautiful songs on it (e.g. St Ives Bay and Moonbathing).

I would also say Ben WestBeech - Welcome To The Best Years Of Your Life has some good songs on it too.

[emmma]

lol at the spam doing a good thing!!!

great thread, Finally, Wesley Music, Days Like This cold hard classics

recent fave songs were Brand New Love the Irfan mix on Rainy Music, and Raw Artistic Soul - The Light feat Ursula Rucker. gorgeous.

[absolutemoron]

Good thread, probably even more relevant now things have moved more towards techno, it's getting harder to find good house/techno records with good vocals, a real shame as I am a massive sucker for them!

[andy a]

How about Theo Parrish - Second Chances or any of the Peven Everett stuff thats all good! Also a lot of really good stuff from the Shelter crew, quite a lot of it is remixes but you do get the odd really great house track/song thts original!

[Dom Chung]

stating the obvious but hercules and love affair...

[emmma]

i cant stand blind, hate the guys wibbly voice, dont think it suits a dance track at all.

classics: Cassio Ware - Fantasy, Peven Everett - Stuck, Watch Them Come, Lil Louis - Rain

stil loads around (if someone asks me my mind just goes blank tho), you just need to know where to look. check out Karizma Coast to Coast from a few months ago. lovely schtuff.

[berthabutt]

Maybe I've just heard to much music, but I havent heard any sincere, moving lyrics in house music for years. We are living in dark times and I think a lot of people scrape the barrell for genuine lyrics..... Most of the tracks mentioned are what 4/5 years old. I think there will be a renaissance of decent lyrics, but there's not a lot left to write about. Blaze will always do it for me, because the have spirituality at the core. 4Hero always deliver beautiful, soulful songs. The new Ralf Gum album is sounding nice that said.
I dont say this lightly, I was queen of vocals. I feel like I'm tapping my fingers waiting for people to get back onto it.

Cynic out.

[fixmysink]

this is nearly 10 years old now! but still some ace deep vocals on here.

http://www.plong.com/MusicCatalog%5CP%5CPresence%20-%20All%20System%20Gone%5CPresence%20-%20All%20Systems%20Gone.jpg

Pete Heller mix of 'Future Love' is Killer....

[absolutemoron]

Pete Heller mix of 'Future Love' is Killer....

Is right...

[Dom Chung]

dubtribe soundsystem - do it now

[emmma]

The Rurals are good for vocals/deep house bizniz.

[nocturne]

Patchworks - Brothers on the Side (brooklyn mix)
I know it's over a year old but I still love droppingthis Cymande cover. Sweet voiced vocal that deceived you into thinking it's an old Curtis Mayfield solo.

Mr White - Rock Me (Mr Fingers..... say no more)

Donnie - Cloud 9 (Quentin Harris shelter dub)

I don't have any problems finding stuff in dance music like that. Why not just listen to a bit more old disco funk or something as you'll find the gems in there?

[bommynite]

there are loads of tunes with good vocals, you just ain't digging in the creates deep enough.......... for instance last year, Studio Apartment and they will be at Southport Weekender in May as well. And talking about Southport, what a freakin' line up..

[emmma]

ah just cannit wait for southport like! me and the belchetz in full effect, hopefully the damo too

[the quoon]

the shamen.

[bommynite]

defo see you on the dancefloor or in a chalet... belchetz and damo as well. em, you should give Ayro - Bounce a listen.

[badman]

anything by bioground....charles webster....theo parrish....mr fingers...

im really happy with the state of deep house at the moment, its getting pumped out left right and center and is majority wise...very VERY good! :)

[witweew]

yeah, for dance music, basically you've got to get the hottest stuff from :-Dthe
:rolleyes:
euro-zone, everything else pretty much sucks... for example THIS stuff pretty
:eek:
much rocks..... (direct itunes link)
:mrgreen:
http://www.futurelectrohouse.com/tracks

[Kieran]

Eiffel 65 - Blue

Anne Lee - Two Times

Wamdue Project - King of my Castle

The Tamperer - Feel It (And "If you buy this record your life will be better")

[nocturne]

Mousse T feat. Tom Jones - Sexbomb

[emmma]

Mousse T feat. Tom Jones - Sexbomb


Come now, Horny is much better, it changed everything. Twas a great man who penned the infamous line: Im Horny, horny horny horny, im horny horny horny tonight.

[witweew]

...followup to that post -- if that itunes link didn't work for u -- here's another on to try:
http://electricnation2010.com/

or a direct Amazon.com link.....

http://tinyurl.com/5bt9qo

[soulfulvibes]

Interesting to see this thread dredged up from the archives - almost four years ago!

Good songs in dance music right now?
Kuniyuki - All These Things (Theo Parrish Remix)
Amp Fiddler - I'm Doin' Fine (Live)
Sade - Couldn't Love You More (Boyd Jarvis Remix / Danny Krivit Edit)