7 dance tracks to get you moving

It’s been a while since I put anything up on here. A combination of work, a lack of motivation to actually do anything, and putting my mind into writing various pieces and realising halfway through that they were going nowhere, had me not bothering for a few weeks.

After all, this isn’t my full-time job, it’s something I enjoy doing in my spare time, so there was no way I was going to get stressed over it.

I’ve decided to write about my current favourite dance tunes, and ones that were not necessarily released this year, and also different genres. Ones that give me a wave of positive energy and a few minutes of escapism. (I thought I’d be pretty used to living in a pandemic by now, but clearly, looking for tiny doses of escapism through the power of music, I’m not).

I’m gonna post more songs and fewer words about them, because, from personal experience, a paragraph is more than enough for me to get the gist of a song, and the more songs that are recommended, the better. I'll curate you all a little playlist that’ll get you up and awake in the morning or through that dreaded 5k.

1. Us3 - Tukka Yoot’s Riddim

This one was released in 1993 and sampled a track from the ’70s, which is also very easy listening. Us3 took it, jazzed it up with lyrics, a heavier baseline, variety of woodwind solos and the odd intricate guitar riff. 5 minutes of guaranteed grooving.

2. Freddy Fresh, Fatboy Slim - Badder Badder Schwing

It wouldn’t be a dance music writeup if this fella wasn’t involved, would it? No lyrics in this one, and a series of repetitiveness, but that doesn’t matter, because we all know, if Fatboy Slim is involved, then it’s inevitable that it’s bound to be good.

The fact it constantly goes over and over the same loop means it’s pretty easy to lose track of where on earth the song is and where it’s up to, which, for me, is exactly what we all need at the moment. You’ve lost yourself for 3 and a half minutes. Enjoy yourself.

3. Laurence Guy - Your Good Times Will Come

Arguably my favourite song that’s ever featured on my blog, let alone this post.

It’s got everything. The funky bass line, the varying tempos, the distorted effects, the fading out, and back in, and again, that simple yet so effective repeating of the same loop, to enable yourself to get lost for a bit. The lack of lyrics to concentrate solely on the music also helps massively.

4. Nu Guinea - Disco Sole

You can feel the 80’s nightclub vibe as soon as this track begins. A combination of past and present really gives this one a bit of everything. Considering Nu Guinea are from Berlin, which is the capital of electronic dance music, you just know that they know exactly what they’re doing, and I can confidently confirm that they do.

Good background music if on a low volume, but a great one for a house party, or a night out if on max. This is a must.

5. Roy Davies Jr., Preven Everett - Gabriel (Live Garage Mix)

Taking it down a notch, here. Simply put, the smoothest dance track I’ve ever heard. The smoothest song I hear you ask? Just wait until the trumpet riffs draw you back in, and mixes in with the keyboard. You’ll sit and admire what a glorious piece of art this genre-crossing house, soul and garage this record really is.

What isn’t very smooth, is the dispute between the two artists involved in making the track. Roy Davies Jr. has claimed all the rights to it and has put his name on everything. However, Everett is adamant that the song is his. Whoever’s the song, thanks for making it.

6. Cos-Ber-Zam Ne Noya - Daphni Mix - Daphni

Only recently have I found out that this is a remix of Togolese band Cos-Ber-Zam’s only known release ‘Ne Noya’.

Dan Snaith, aka Caribou, aka Manitoba, has another stage name, Daphni. Some of the stuff he’s produced is pretty unsurprising, considering his production prowess, and this remix is no exception.

5 and a half minutes of a journey through a song with lyrics (this time) but with absolutely no idea what it’s on about. The groovy drum beats are accompanied with an enigmatic yet funky bassline, and the trippy, random synthesisers turn this song into a pilgrimage.

Make sure you listen to ‘Just’, which is just as good as this one. Also listen out for the key change halfway through, because it’s genius (2.26 to be exact).

7. 45 Roller, SHY FX - Rain

Sampled from Ann Peebles’ ‘I can’t stand the rain’ and remixed to perfection. The synth sounds at the very start of the track are quite relaxing, and in a way, signify raindrops (go with me on this) but the juxtaposition between the start and a few seconds later couldn’t be any bigger.

The tempo is high, and the vocals are only accompanied by a beat and a deep house bassline. Who’d have thought doing this to a 1974 track from a female soul singer would’ve worked out so well?

This one needs to be loud, because when the volume is high, the spirits are high, and no matter what the lyrics are about, it doesn’t change the positive mood it gets you in.

Hope I’ve not gone on too much for you to get bored by this point, but these are just a few of my collection that injects me with positivity, so to ensure that you’ll listen to them, I’ll leave a link at the bottom of a playlist with all the songs in, so all you’ve got to do is follow it, download it, and enjoy it.

Feel free to add a comment at the bottom of a song that makes you feel on top of the world.

Nice one for reading.

Wear your mask!

Link to the playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6hH0Q00ixn8B7Jwxpilrks?si=KkuKu3ThQuG5Qh0QXmnx7g