Flashback 1993

Rodeo Jones - Shades Of Summer [A&M PM]

It's fitting that after a long overdue spell of warm sunny weather this track popped into my head again. Released back in the heady days of the early 90s when house music was regularly crossing over into the mainstream here in the UK, it was difficult to resist adding numerous new 12" singles to my collection each week ahead of my weekend gigs. While this particular track didn't make that crossover into the charts, it was one I played frequently, always getting a favorable reaction. "Shades of Summer" is a beautifully constructed gem with a soulful strings, gentle keys (courtesy of Mick Talbot, formerly from Style Council), and Jayne Tretton's classy vocals. CJ Mackintosh's remix is sheer perfection, demonstrating why he was comissioned to remix global superstars for so many years. The track is aptly named and my 12" copy is highly treasured among what remains of my collection.

Flashback 1994

Sounds of Blackness - The Harder They Are The Bigger They Fall (E-Smoove Mixes) [A&M PM]

As we reach another weekend, I find myself casting my mind back to the mid 90s again. Today's pick finds Eric (E-Smoove) Miller at the helm, housing up a classic slab of R'n'B from Sounds of Blackness. Starting off with a tough tribal style dubby intro, the mix morphs into the gospel house monster tune with wonderful keys and sublime vocals. This was a staple in my sets at BTW for several years after its release in 1994 and still sounds amazing to this day.

Flashback 1991

Vesta - Do Ya [A&M PM]

Today's classic cut finds us back in 1991 savouring the vocals of Vesta Williams and an awesome remix from Frankie Knuckles. The Classic Club Mix of "Do Ya" has all the hallmarks of Frankie's signature sound from the eary 90s. Gorgeous keys, lush synth strings, rumbling bass and a captivating mid-tempo house groove. It landed at a time when numerous labels were comissioning house remixes for their mainstream and R&B acts with Frankie leading the way bringing the sound to a wider audience and an array of dancefloors. Sadly both Vesta and Frankie are no longer with us but the music lives on. Frankie's legacy is almost impossible to overstate.

Flashback 1996

The Absolute ft Suzanne Palmer - I Believe (K Klass Remix) [A&M PM]

Dating back to 1995 and an original release on Tribal, "I Believe" is an uplifting gospel infused monster of a track that when dropped at the right moment never fails to create one of those hands in the air moments. Typing this I'm slightly torn over which of the numerous amazing mixes to include but have settled on the K Klass interpretation that featured regularly in my BTW sets in the second half of the 90s. Awesome vocals, bounding keys, booming bass and chugging rhythms are all very much in evidence. 25 years on it's every bit as wonderful as it was back in the day!