The Essential 80’s Dance Mix vol. 5 - a podcast by Keith a.k.a. K j A M

Party Favorz is finally releasing volume 5 of the The Essential 80's Dance Mix that I've been teasing for forever and a year. This particular set focuses on the sub-genre Hi-Energy (NRG), which was the precursor to Hard Dance in the 90's and early millennium. As usual, I take license and mix in a few tracks that don't fit this category only because they work. So, don't let something like Rick James' "Super Freak" throw you off.



I have to admit that if I had the time — I'd redo this entire series. For the most part, I'm pleased with volumes 2 - 5 but volume 1 sounds a bit thin to me and I thought some of the transitions or tracks didn't fit in with the songs surrounding them.



After listening to what Barry Harris did with the really old disco tracks that were featured in Thank God It's Disco — it's hard not to compare the sound quality and how he modernized them for today's compressed technology (i.e. mp3). I was always afraid to do that with such frail recordings but gave it a shot on this set and I'm really quite pleased. Granted, I don't have Pro Tools or whatever high-end plugins he uses and so I work with what I've got but it worked out well. I'd like to go back and remaster this whole series but I just don't have the time.



I have a slew of odds and ends that didn't make any of the sets posted so far and will scour them to see if I can muster up a final volume. If I do, it will be posted in a few days. If not, it won't. These sets take a massive amount of time with editing and mastering to get them whittled down to their essence. If I can pull off one more volume great. If not - so be it.



Just keep in mind that this is not the "ultimate" 80's dance series nor was it intended to be as their is way more for hard core enthusiasts to dive into. The 80's was the first decade where music became very fragmented into sub-genres and that practice continued to the point where it's out of control.



Putting all that aside — I think all you 80's kids are really going to enjoy this set. Some of the songs were massive club hits but never transitioned to radio. You may not be familiar with some of them but since I was the kid hitting the clubs when I was underage — I am intimately familiar with them.



I'll be back next week with something. Maybe the final volume in this series or the next Legacy edition. Either way — I'll let it be a surprise. Until then...ENJOY!

Album: The Essential 80’s Dance Mix vol. 5

Genre: 80’s Dance

Year: 2019

Total Time: 02:34:32

1. The Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye (Select Mix)



2. Lisa - Rocket To Your Heart (Almighty 12'' Definitive Mix)



3. Pamela Stanley - Coming Out Of Hiding (Matt Pop Club Mix)



4. Evelyn Thomas - High Energy (Almighty 12'' Definitive Mix)



5. Stacy Q - Two Of Hearts (Ultimix)



6. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (Edge Remix)



7. Hazell Dean - Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man) (Almighty Definitive Mix)



8. The Communards - Don't Leave Me This Way (Ultimix)



9. Q Feel - Dancing in Heaven (Edge Remix)



10. Eddie Murphy - Party All The Time (Ultimix Extended)



11. Madonna - Burning Up (Hot Tracks Remix)



12. Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money (Hot Tracks Mix)



13. Sheena Easton - Sugar Walls (Ultimix)



14. Sheila E - The Glamorous Life (Hot Classics Remix)



15. Gino Vannelli - Black Cars (Hot Tracks Mix)



16. Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf (Select Mix Part 2)



17. Rick James - Super Freak (Ultimix)

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