CLASSIC: Funkstar De Luxe vs. Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining

The majority of the northern hemisphere enjoyed a scorcher of a day today and if a song couldn't be more fitting, this is it. Based on the reggae legend's original masterpiece this remix hit the airwaves back in 1999 and catapulted strait to number one in the UK. According to his website, Martin Ottesen (Funkstar De Luxe) has been busy working on new material. We'll let you know when it emerges.


Funkstar's Website

CLASSIC: A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray

One of the biggest tunes of the acid movement, Voodoo Ray is a far cry from the type of house music we hear today. Things just aren't quite the same, as ravers from the late 80's will tell you. Released in 1988 under Manchester DJ, Gerald Simpson's alias, this tune reached #12 in the UK singles chart and became a house anthem. Apparently the title sample was actually recorded as 'voodoo rage', but was cut short due to memory limitations. Now you know.


Official MySpace / Buy

CLASSIC: Roger Sanchez - Another Chance

It's been a while, but the Classic is back! 2001 saw Roger Sanchez release this fantastic feel-good anthem, based around a sample of Toto's 'I Won't Hold You Back'. Also worth a look is the cracking Afterlife remix. You've gotta love those snare hits!


Official MySpace / Buy

CLASSIC: Armand van Helden feat. Duane Harden - U Don't Know Me

It's that time again already, and this week it's Boston-born DJ and producer Armand van Helden that provides the classic. U Don't Know Me is a frenzy of cut-up samples from Carrie Lucas' Dance With U (a disco classic in its own right) mixed with the slick vocals of Duane Harden. Reaching #1 in the UK, this is a true house classic!

CLASSIC: Alison Limerick - Where Love Lives

In short, Where Love Lives is one of the definitive house classics of the 90s. Its unmistakeable piano melody combined with Alison Limerick's soulful voice is a perfect combination. If this doesn't at least get your feet tapping or your head bobbing then there might be something wrong with you!



(Due to embedding troubles this isn't the proper music video, but you can find it here.)

CLASSIC: Moby - Go

There was mention of last week's Classic, Papua New Guinea, possibly holding the record for being the most re-released track ever. Moby's Go could easily be a contender for that crown. Based around the a sample of the strings section from Laura Palmer's Theme from Twin Peaks, Go has more remixes (a lot of them by Moby himself) than you ever could name in one sitting. The track featured here is an edit of the Woodtick Mix, probably the best known version.

CLASSIC: Future Sound Of London - Papua New Guinea

1991 was a good year, namely because of this track. FSOL, currently working under the name Amorphous Androygnous (amongst others), released Papua New Guinea as their debut single and it later appeared on the album Accelerator. It could quite probably hold the record for the most re-releases of any single track, and has featured on numerous dance compilations in one form or another.

CLASSIC: 808 State - Pacific State

Time for a new weekly post on Best Of House. the Classic, where we'll bring you anthems from times gone by, tunes that made your summers and forgotten gems of yesteryear.
First up is 808 State's Pacific State, from 1989. 808 State was the brainchild of Graham Massey, joined by Gerald Simpson and Martin Price (who both later departed the group), and their first single earned them a Top Ten hit. Check out the soaring saxophone work on this one, there's never been a track like it since that could quite match its brilliance.


Official MySpace / Buy

CLASSIC: Frankie Knuckles - Your Love

Way back in 1987 House music was barely heard of in the UK. In Chicago however, the clubbing scene was booming. It needed it's first true anthem and this was it. This blog won't focus on 'old-skool' house music, but today we start a new chapter online, just as Frankie did in the clubs all those years ago!

Official MySpace / Buy