Flashback

Heading back to 1993 and a track from New Order that benefited from a stellar remix. Pete Heller and Terry Farley in their Fire Island completely transformed what was previously a relatively sombre affair. 33 years later, this (along with a couple of others from that year), instantly transports me back to those heady days of the early 90s. The keyboards get me going every single time!!!

Back In THE Day

The first of a series of Spotify playlists for 26' revisiting the golden era of the 90s.

Flashback 1996

Robert Owens - Ordinary People [Musical Directions]

Posessing one of the most immediately recognisable voices, Robert Owens truly is one of the few who has been around the house scene from the beginning. His early work, both solo and as part of Fingers Inc continues to conjure the most magical memories and his name in the credits is almost certain to prick the interest of most DJs when browsing for new music. "Ordinary People" was something of a comeback track for him back in 1996 after a few quieter years spent mainly away from the music business. There are a myriad of mixes to consider including several from Robert himself plus interpretations from Booker T and Tik Tax. It is however, the Fire Island interpretations by Pete Heller & Terry Farley, that I've always been drawn to the most. Thankfully we're not restricted to listening via YouTube as Defected re-issued a package of 13 mixes on their 4 To The Floor imprint in 2019. The Traxsource links are included below.

Flashback

Juliet Roberts - Caught In The Middle [Cooltempo]

Back in the heady days of the early to mid 90s there were a stream of excellent releases featuring the sublime vocals of the former Working Week vocalist Juliet Roberts. "Caught In The Middle" is produced by D-Mob's Danny D and there were a number of remixes that each proved equally effective on the floor. This video features David Morales' "Def Classic 12" Mix" which is one of the very finest examples of old school piano led house music. The original 1993 release featured mixes from Danny D himself, Pete Heller & Terry Farley under their Fire Island moniker and Roger Sanchez while the 1994 remixes included new interpretations from David Morales & K Klass. Over the years I found myself using nearly all of the vocal remixes, always to a favourable reaction given the uplifting nature of the track.

Reviewed by Dean Serafini

Flashback

Heading back to 1993, has it really been 25 years already? This time I've picked out a remix that Pete Heller and Terry Farley produced under their Fire Island moniker. They take a fairly dreary release from New Order and transform it into a club classic that worked for me time after time back in the day.