Vibealite @ Venue 44, Mansfield 01/12/1995

 

Brisk

Another rave and another end of an era coming up. This was the penultimate Vibealite event to be held at Venue 44 with the final one coming on Boxing Day. It had been the home of Vibealite since they began in 1993 and they had held at least one rave every month there since except for in January.

In an era where DJs sets were getting shorter in order to get as many names on the line up, Vibealite made a point with this event to buck that trend by giving the DJs 2 hours each.

I've posted the Brisk set which follows his usual first half Scottish/Dutch followed by the 2nd half of English records, just more time of each.

These are the new for 1995 hardcore records:

Wedlock - Reactor

Phoenix - Now (Who's In Control?)

General Noise - Dance Till I Drop

General Noise - Pump This Groove

Damage Inc. - I Feel Like Dancing

Re-Charge - Bumrush

Technotrance - D.E.A.

T3 - Gimme The Night

DJ Quicksilver - What Is A Beat?

Eko - Rush 'n' Roulette

Paul Elstak - Dont Leave Me  Alone

Anabaptists Of Munster - Singer Of Tales

Cut & Run - Lets Go

Temptation & Innersense - Hi N.R.G.

4 The Floor - Vol.11A

Unknown Artist - Beasty Peaks

DJ Gozzy - Vol.1B

DJ Seduction - Step To The Side

On this list, "Bumrush" by Re-Charge appears on the Brisk tape which is part of the reason I've posted it as it's a record I knew at the time but have only just discovered what it actually is. Didn't help by the fact I thought it was saying "pump up the sound".

Also something to note is that DJ Quicksilver in this list isn't the same DJ who had a hit with "Belissima" a couple of years later, it was an alias of Brisk himself. 

We also have "Don't Leave Me Alone" which was Paul Elstak's next big hit in Holland.

There's also plenty of new for 1995 drum & bass tunes:

Just Jungle - Listen Tune

Maldini - Daze

DJ Rap - Hardstep

Tribe of Issachar Feat Pete Bouncer - Junglist

Rude Bwoy Monty - Bastard

Bonafide - Superbad

Elementz of Noize ft. MC Det - Stick Up!

Cool Breeze & Steelie I - Finger On The Trigger

Paul Z - Yeah

No Questions - What Must I Do

Deependance - Broke My Heart

T.Power - Amber Light

Dope Skillz - Yo' Son

B Jam - Show Me

Sub Sub - Mo' Bass

Unknown Artist - Promo #7

With just 4 weekends of the year left it's safe to see each event featured from now on will be the last time it features this year, so it's farewell to Vibealite and Venue 44.

The Top 40 Leaderboard: November 2022

After being knocked off the top of the leaderboard last month, Drake is back on top this month with a further 3 Top 40 hits giving him a 2 point lead. He brings his collaborator on all 3 of those records, 21 Savage, onto the leaderboard.

It's hard to see Drake not winning it again this year, but you never know. 

Rap wise we're up to 93 of the 208 records this year coming from that genre or 45%. Will it reach 100 by the end of the year?

25 Years Since....November 1997

It's getting dark earlier, a bit like it was this time in 1997. These were the tunes helping me through it:

Fatboy Slim - Everybody Needs A 303

In 1997 Fatboy Slim was just one of several names Norman Cook was using to put out music. He'd had a hit that summer as Da Mighty Dub Katz with "Magic Carpet Ride" whilst he wasn't done with the names Pizzaman and Freak Power yet.

As Fatboy Slim this was his first Top 40 hit which was taken from his debut album "Better Living Through Chemistry" which had came out over a year prior to this.

The mainstream public were still yet to really notice Fatboy Slim at this point, though it wouldn't be too long until they would.

Sundance - Sundance

1997 was the year of speed garage, but there were actually more trance Top 40 hits that year. Most of these got to the lower reaches of the Top 40 and this was one of them which reached 33.

It was their biggest of 3 Top 40 hits, though the second was "Sundance 98" which was basically a remix of this. As far as commercial trance records of the time went, this was amongst the best.

187 Lockdown - Gunman

When it comes to speed garage, it doesn't get much bigger than 187 Lockdown. They scored 3 Top 40 hits and were the only act from the speed garage era to achieve that. This was the first of those.

Like with a lot of garage acts, it's members weren't new to the music scene. Danny Harrison had previous had Top 40 hits as part of Congress and Nush, Julian Jonah had a Top 40 hit as part of East 57th Street shortly before this.

They would have a further Top 40 hit post-187 Lockdown in 2002 as M Factor.

Roni Size/Reprazent - Brown Paper Bag

In the days before internet forums a good outlet to hearing people moaning about the rave scene was via the letters in Dream Magazine. Someone who got much of the criticism was Roni Size for making drum & bass commercial.

To be honest I was inclined to agree, I didn't want to see the music I listened to in the Top 40. Crucially though it annoyed me because it was music I listened to and therefore liked.

Faithless - Don't Leave

When I first heard this, presented as the new single from Faithless my reaction was are you sure? Not only was this nothing like "Insomnia" but also Maxi Jazz was nowhere to be seen.

I was aware of them being experimental though. Initially I thought this was too different and too slow. After hearing it enough times though it grew on me.

UK Number 40s: Edie Brickell - Good Times (1994)

 

The 8.8m views on YouTube at the time of writing shows this isn't exactly an obscure record. It's also a sign that it's likely it was big in America. Although it only reached number 60 over there it was big there for a UK number 40 being only the 5th of the 90s to this point to reach the Billboard 100.

It was the only solo Top 40 hit for Edie Brickell who had a solitary Top 40 hit in 1989 as part of Edie Brickell and the Bohemians with "What I Am" which despite being pretty well known only made number 31.

This song features uncredited vocals from Barry White who was enjoying a resurgence around this time. That said, his UK comeback hadn't quite happened yet. 

One theory as to why it got no higher than number 40 is that it appeared on the Windows 95 companion CD. Given the popularity of Windows 95, maybe lots of people had this so didn't feel the need to buy the single. Except this was 1994, so that wasn't the case.

She continues to perform to this day both solo and as part of Edie Brickell and the Bohemians. She is also the wife of Paul Simon.

Top 30 in 1992 Reviewed: Week 48

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1992 with my verdict on each record:

30. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite

I recall a few years ago watching a "Forgotten Gems of the 90s" show on one of the music channels. It was a welcome change to the usual anthem bashing you get on retro channels. If memory serves me correctly this was number one. My initial thought was is this really forgotten, but then I guess I've not heard it much since the 90s. That may be a reason why I still like it.

Verdict - Good

29. Manic Street Preachers - Little Baby Nothing (New)

I find this record a bit frustrating. It sounds promising but doesn't really go anywhere. I quite enjoy the verses so on that basis I'll give it half marks

Verdict - OK

28. Faith No More - Everything's Ruined (New)

This record has a bit of everything in it and I suppose it proves that it's the same person singing on all the Faith No More hits. It's difficult to pick a favourite Faith No More record but this one is definitely up there. I particularly like the 2nd half of the chorus, but the rest of it is a great build up to it.

Verdict - Good

27. Diana Ross - If We Hold On Together (New)

This was already 4 years old by the time it came out having featured in the film "The Land Before Time". I do find that fact a little off putting as songs from animated films tend to be a bit crap. Oddly I think I took a liking to this before I realised it was from an animated film. The fact it's not a male/female duet probably helps too.

Verdict - Good

26. Jason Donovan - As Time Goes By (New)

We've finally reached the end of Jason Donovan's Top 40 career with this forgettable cover being his last Top 40 hit to date. The next thing I heard about his music career following this was that he was doing a gig at a pub in Luton.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Bizarre Inc ft Angie Brown - I'm Gonna Get You

This is a tune which reminds me of the beginning of a school year. I loved this tune at the time and still do. It was the 3rd Top 40 hit for Bizarre Inc but it was a change in direction compared to it's predecessors. The story is that the record label wanted them to make more of a pop record and this was the result. 

Verdict - Good

24. Cathy Dennis - Irresistible

Cathy Dennis has some great pop songs early on in her career and wrote some crap ones for other people later on. By the time of this record her best days as a pop singer were behind her and I find this effort pretty poor. It almost sounds like she's trying to do her own version of "Baby Baby" by Amy Grant and it doesn't really work.

Verdict - Rubbish

23. EMF - It's You (New)

The way he sings the chorus here is like he's sneezing. I'm sure that was intentional. It doesn't really have enough about it for me to truly like it though. 

Verdict - OK

22. The Pasadenas - Let's Stay Together

This is the final Top 40 hit to date for The Pasadenas. 1992 was the year they basically became a covers group. I loved "I'm Doing Fine Now" because that was the first version I'd heard. I don't recall hearing this one at the time though and I'm familiar with the Al Green record and I'm afraid this just sounds like a karaoke version.

Verdict - Rubbish

21. Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - The Impossible Dream (New)

Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine were at the peak of their popularity in 1992 and this was their attempt at a Christmas number one. It was never really a contender though and it was said to be the record that killed their career. They weren't finished with the Top 40 yet though. This is a pretty poor effort.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Kylie Minogue - Celebration (New)

We've now reached the end of the Stock Aitken & Waterman era of Kylie Minogue's career, though this particular record wasn't produced by them and it was a cover but was on PWL records. It's just as poor as your typical Stock Aitken & Waterman output though.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. Brian May - Back To The Light (New)

I owned the album of the same name at the time. At the same time my music tastes quickly moved on so I never really got into it. As it's long forgotten I've not heard this for 30 years but do remember how it goes. I'm finding it a bit cringeworthy to be honest, it's a bit like those American 80s soft rock songs that only really work in America.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Ambassadors Of Funk ft MC Mario - Supermarioland

Simon Harris was one of the first DJs to bring Hip House to the charts in the late 80s. It was more or less dead as a genre in the charts by 1992 and instead Simon Harris was doing this. Why you would turns computer game music into an actual tune I don't know, in the days when I played computer games I'd often turn the sound off because the music irritated me so much.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Shabba Ranks ft Johnny Gill - Slow And Sexy (New)

I remember Shabba Ranks being around and having more hits than "Mr. Loverman" without remembering specifically what they were. This must have been one of those records but it's not ringing any bells. It could grow on me, but hasn't had an instant impact.

Verdict - OK

16. En Vogue - Free Your Mind / Giving Him Something He Can Feel

I'm surprised this record only got to number 16. It's hard to pin point one record as being the one En Vogue are best know for but "Free Your Mind" is definitely a candidate. Both tunes are from the "Funky Divas" album and influenced my decision to buy that album.

Verdict - Good / Good

15. Erma Franklin - (Take A Little) Piece Of My Heart

A record from 1967 which was given a new lease of life in 1992 when it featured on the Levi's advert. Erma Franklin was the sister of Aretha and had more or less retired from the music business long before this. It's the only record of hers I've ever heard so my impression of her as a singer is a positive one.

Verdict - Good

14. Deacon Blue - Your Town (New)

Although Deacon Blue are known as an 80s band they actually had more Top 40 hits in the 90s. This particular record has a 90s sound to it as well and has more of a rock sounds that their previous efforts. It's good though.

Verdict - Good

13. Rage - Run To You

When I first heard people talking about Rage Against the Machine in 1993 I thought surely they can't be talking about the group who had a hit with "Run to You" not so long ago. They weren't as this group were simply called Rage. It's a eurodance cover of the Bryan Adams record which on paper should be dreadful. It's actually not bad though.

Verdict - OK

12. Vanessa Paradis - Be My Baby

I'd pretty much forgot about this record until I watched a Classic Chart Show episode which this appeared on. I don't know if I ever know who did it at the time, but when I saw it was Vanessa Paradis I was quite surprised. I was also surprised to learn this was written by Lenny Kravitz. It certain has that 90s nostalgia to it.

Verdict - Good

11. Simply Red - The Montreux EP

The lead song on this EP is "Lady Godiva's Room". Given their "Stars" album was the biggest selling album of both 1991 and 1992 I guess it didn't make sense to release any more singles from it given how many people would have owned the album. I find this record quite soothing.

Verdict - Good

10. Genesis - Invisible Touch (Live)

When this record was first released in 1986 it reached number 15. This live version 6 years later reached number 7. It was the penultimate Top 40 hit to date of the Phil Collins era of Genesis with their final one only making number 40. If you asked me to name one Genesis record then this one would probably be it. Quite appropriately for a record with Phil Collins on it, the best thing about this record is the drumming.

Verdict - Good

9. The Shamen - Boss Drum

I mentioned in the "Ebeneezer Goode" review the the person who gave me a lift to school would always turn off the radio when that tune came on. When this one appeared on the radio that person said they actually liked this record. So did I.

Verdict - Good

8. Guns N' Roses - Yesterdays

This was the 6th single to be released from the "Use Your Illusion" albums which had been out for over a year by this point. I'm pretty sure Guns N' Roses were my favourite band by this point so I liked pretty much everything they did. 

Verdict - Good

7. Arrested Development - People Everyday

In 1992 there were just 2 rap records which made the Top 10, "Jump" by Kris Kross and this record. It was the Top 40 debut for Arrested Development. It was the weird noises that I always liked about this record at the time.

Verdict - Good

6. The Prodigy - Out Of Space / Ruff In The Jungle Bizness

I would say "Out Of Space" is the record The Prodigy are best remembered for from this particular era. The beats in this tune are really something, which is easy to forget when you hear it so much. "Ruff In The Jungle Bizness" is one of those tunes that just goes to another level once the piano kicks in. 

Verdict - Good / Good

5. Undercover - Never Let Her Slip Away

When this came out I was yet to hear the original so this was the first version I heard. I loved this record at the time and I was was very pro modern music I probably would have still loved it had I heard the original. Because of these fond memories I still like it today.

Verdict - Good

4. Heaven 17 - Temptation (Brothers In Rhythm Remix)

This was the first time I'd heard Heaven 17 and I had no idea this was a remix of an 80s record. One stand out memory about this record is it being the first one they played at a school disco and everyone was singing along so loudly that I couldn't hear myself singing along. When I finally heard the original I found it a bit of a disappointed because I like this remix so much.

Verdict - Good

3. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road

When it comes to Boyz II Men I can't look past the comparison that's often made between them and Jodeci which is basically Jodeci were the bad boys of R&B whereas Boyz II Men were the clean cut group. Behind the scenes though Babyface was one of the writers and he has also written for K-Ci & Jojo of Jodeci. That doesn't mean this song is good though.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

You couldn't escape this record at the time, it was everywhere. I recall "The Bodyguard" film which this was taken from being massive as well. Let's just say the film was much better than the song.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Charles And Eddie - Would I Lie To You?

Literally everyone I knew at the time loved this record. Some even went as far as saying Charles & Eddie were their favourite band based on this record alone. I was no exception, I loved this record too. 

Verdict - Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 19/30, or 63%. Unusually it's the ones at the top end keeping the score up.

Dance Paradise @ Great Yarmouth Seafront, Great Yarmouth 25/11/1995

 

Druid

One of the eye openers of 1995 which I'm sure I've mentioned before is how often we come to the end of an era, or the end of the era is in sight. In the case of this particular event it's the penultimate Dance Paradise event as we knew it.

There would be another Dance Paradise in early 1996 before it would disappear until the end of 1997. At the end of 1997 they would make a brief return which lasted into 1998, but had changed their music policy to club music with a dress code to match.

One thing I did read about this event was that police search a large number of people which in turn lead to a large number of arrests and was covered by BBC and ITV TV crews. This may have influenced their decision to change their direction, obviously people would be just as likely to do drugs at these future events but raves had bigger reputations for that sort of thing than clubs.

There were multiple arenas at this event, but just the hardcore sets that made it onto tape. Not the first time this had happened at an event but I understand there was more pressure to pay royalties to drum & bass producers who's tunes appeared on tapes so some promoters thought it wasn't worth the hassle.

I've gone with the Druid set for the simple fact it was the first tape I listened to and deemed it good enough to post plus the fact I don't think I've posted a Druid set yet.

The 2nd half of the set is very much geared towards Dutch and Scottish tunes, but interestingly around half way through the set he opts for "Juicy Cuts Vol.1" by Juicy Cuts rather than "Love U More" by Paul Elstak i.e. the English version which is more or less the same.

These are the new for 1995 tunes:

D.J. Mix It - Just Take Your Time

Uranus - Flowed On A Vibe

DJ Ham - Is Anybody Out There

Scott Brown with Bass-D & King Matthew - The People Love It

DJ Force & The Evolution - Simply Electric

Sonicdriver - Standing On Top

2 Left Feet - Reggy's Nightmare

Billy "Daniel" Bunter - Voyage

The Vampire - Clap 2 This

Juicy Cuts - Vol.2

I don't ever recall hearing "Flowed On A Vibe" by Uranus before. It's a Dutch record on the Druid set and I like it. Another record of note is "Simply Electric" by Force & the Evolution. To my knowledge it was the final Force & the Evolution record and there was a new mix in 1996 which was credited to Force & Styles.

Elsewhere we have HMS and Clarkee playing back to back which is as mad as it sounds. Also a Dougal and Vibes back to back set which would no doubt have been the first set I would have listened to back in the day. 

Also a Mastervibe set where he features a few drum & bass tunes. I would say proof the 2 genres could still mix together at the time, but I've read in an interview that Mastervibe always wanted to play drum & bass but resorted to hardcore sets because he struggled to get drum & bass bookings so this was clearly a statement of intent.

UK Number 40s: Ace Of Base - Happy Nation (1994)

In 1993 Ace of Base came from out of nowhere to top the charts with their debut hit "All That She Wants". Their less remembered follow up "Wheel Of Fortune" only managed to get to number 20. Then came this which didn't even make the Top 40. One may have thought that was them finished and largely remembered for one song.

Then in 1994 they reached number 2 with "The Sign" and followed this up with the number 5 "Don't Turn Around". They were back in business it seemed, so this record was re-released. It fared better than the original release, but only by 2 places.

Why this only made number 40 is a mystery. It certainly got its fair share of radio play. It also came from a chart topping album of the same name. Maybe that's why, people bought the album instead.

All of their hits to that point had come from the "Happy Nation" album and they had a further one in early 1995 with "Living In Danger".

They had several more hits with the last to date coming in 1999. The most successful of these was the number 5 "Life Is A Flower" in 1998.