Search - Various Artists :: Disco Queens: 90's

Great Collection of Early 90's Dance Music

Ryan A. Rigg | 03/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection mixes several different styles of early 90's dance music (euro-disco, freestyle, house). Here is a track by track review:



1. "Strike it Up" by Black Box. You can call this "studio" group whatever you want, but we know it is Martha Wash supplying those powerful vocals. A classic.



2. "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" by Crystal Waters. I like Crystal, even though here droning voice can get a little tiresome at times. Much preferable to this track is her other big hit, "100% Pure Love".



3. "Set U Free" by Planet Soul. Great song to dance to in a club in the early hours of the morning.



4. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Nicki French. Nicki took out all of the drama and passion that Bonnie Tyler put into this song. Still fun to dance to even though the original is much better.



5. "Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap!. There are 2 versions of this song that I know of. The one here that just features the female vocal and another version that also includes a male rap vocal. I like both, but I suppose for this "Disco Queens" CD they chose the version without the male rap vocal.



6. "I'm Gonna Get You" by Bizarre Inc. A fun, lively dance tune. If you were in clubs in the early 90's, you should remember this tune.



7. "Back to Life" by Soul II Soul. This act got all kinds of critical praise with their first album. I was never that impressed.



8. "Justified and Ancient" by The KLF featuring Tammy Wynette. This track is the #1 reason I bought this CD. I love it when new artists take older singers and give them a 2nd shot at Pop stardom (like the Pet Shop Boys did with both Dusty Springfield and Liza Minnelli or like Jack White recently did with Loretta Lynn). The late, great Tammy delivers a fun, campy performance, and you gotta see the video. Fun, fun, fun!



9. "Together Forever" by Lisette Melendez. This track is the #2 reason I bought this CD. I loved freestyle, and this tune is an excellent example. Too bad it's time came and went.



10. "Take me in Your Arms" by Lil Suzy. Another freestyle tune, but not as good as the previous track.



11. "Move This" by Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K. Ya Kid K was a great rapper, but I hardly consider her a "disco diva". A great dance tune, nonetheless.



12. "More and More" by Captain Hollywood Project. Great tune, great vocal.



13. "Got a Love for You" by Jomanda. This track is the #3 reason I bought this CD. Loved it back in the day, should have been a much bigger hit in my opinion.



14. "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" by Taylor Dayne. Taylor had an amazing voice. She was definitely one of my favorite singers during that period and her cover of this Barry White tune is better than the original.



15. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. By the time this song came out, Lisa's chart success was winding down, and therefore it did not do as well on the charts as some of her earlier hits. A shame, since it is a great song.



16. "What's Up" by DJ Miko. The orginal was by 4 Non Blondes, who seemed to be one of those very serious, feminist groups. That version, as sung by lead singer Linda Perry, seemed to sum of the feelings of ennui of the X generation during that time. This dance version takes a somewhat depressing song and turns it into a dance tune with a driving beat. Curiously, it works.



The liner notes for this CD are great and I highly recommend this CD."