Help me create a 1989 NYC House/Club Music Playlist

June 18, 2009 12:54 PM

Let's pretend it's 1989 and I'm putting together a playlist of classic NYC Limelight-style club anthems. I want piano drops, I want (not-too-cheezy) diva vocals, I want sweet (read: UNmonotonous) House Music.

First of all, I want to thank everyone that participated in my last massive playlist project (http://ask.metafilter.com/121944/In-which-you-help-me-to-compile-the-greatest-Sunny-70s-AM-Radio-Playlist-The-World-Has-Ever-Known) and hope that I can find similar success here.

So then, let's pretend it's 1989 and I'm putting together a playlist of classic NYC Limelight-style club anthems. I want piano drops, I want (not-too-cheezy) diva vocals, I want sweet (read: UNmonotonous) House Music in a Masters at Work kind of vein.

Here's a few tracks to guide the way:
Black Box - Everybody, Everybody (really any Black Box actually)
Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Robin S - Show Me Love (yes its '93, but this aint a Civil War re-enactment. Im looking for a VIBE)
Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam
Soul II Soul - Back to Life
Deee Lite - Power of Love

I'll even take some 1991 New Jack flavored stuff like Tara Kemp.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of the feel Im going for.
I was in school in Nebraska at the time, so god knows I probably fudged some genres and descriptors and such, but I think you get the idea.

So lay it on me kids. 88,89,90,91,92,93. It's all good.
I just wanna make a mix that makes me feel like Im dancing on a speaker stack in an oversized BOY London shirt wearing a cycling cap and blowing a whistle to the beat in the late 80s/early 90s.
I know Ive listed the most "pop" stuff, but Im also down for some early rave (think Zoo Rave/Rave til Dawn) tracks as well. Like Army of Lovers, Opus III.


Can anyone help with this?
And as with the last time, links to the mix(es) WILL be made available at the end of this. ;)

posted by Senor Cardgage to media & arts (32 answers total)

1980s? At the Limelight? Well, you would have seen my aunt, Kristi Rose, performing "Only Makebelieve."
posted by ocherdraco at 1:12 PM on June 18, 2009

Maybe a little after your target dates, but there are several 'Superstar DJ Keoki' mixes from the mid 90s, and he was the resident at the lIMELIGHT, at least on Disco 2000 night. All Mixed Up is still on my playlist.
posted by overhauser at 1:21 PM on June 18, 2009

twin hype - do it to the crowd
posted by gyusan at 1:43 PM on June 18, 2009

Makes me think of Danny Tenaglia or Junior Vasquez. Maybe a looksee through thier discographies?
posted by cestmoi15 at 1:50 PM on June 18, 2009

You might enjoy this WKTU mix CD tracklist, which includes: Show Me - The Cover Girls, 100% Pure Love - Crystal Waters
(and don't forget: Gypsy Woman), 2 Unlimited, etc etc.
posted by NikitaNikita at 1:55 PM on June 18, 2009

Crystal Waters is what you're looking for. This came out in '91, but you couldn't go to a club without hearing it (actually, I just heard it at a club a few weeks ago, too).
posted by The World Famous at 1:57 PM on June 18, 2009

Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It
posted by everichon at 1:59 PM on June 18, 2009

KLF: (3AM Eternal, and others)
posted by NikitaNikita at 2:00 PM on June 18, 2009

Hooo boy this is right up my alley. I was a freshman in 1989 with fond memories of cheesy high school dances! You definitely need some:

C&C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat
Snap - Rhythm is a Dancer and I've Got the Power
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations
CeCe Peniston - Finally
Madonna - Vogue
Cathy Dennis - the name of her songs are escaping me right now
Lisa Stansfield - Been Around the World
Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You
Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman
The KLF - 3 a.m. Eternal

More will come to me, I'm sure.
posted by yawper at 2:01 PM on June 18, 2009

On the poppier side of things:
1988 - Two Men a Drum Machine and a Trumpet - Tired of Getting Pushed Around
1988 - Erasure - A Little Respect
1989 - S'Express - Theme from S'Express
1989 - Technotronic - Move This
1990 - Snap - I've Got the Power
1991 - 2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This
1992 - Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
1992 - Haddaway - What Is Love
1992 - Bizarre Inc. - I'm Gonna Get You
1992 - Snap - Rhythm Is a Dancer
1993 - Twenty 4 Seven - Slave To The Music
1993 - Culture Beat - Mr. Vain
1993 - Cut n' Move - Give It Up (KC & The Sunshine Band cover)
1993 - Corona - Rhythm of the Night
posted by Askr at 2:02 PM on June 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Err, a better link for KLF's 3AM Eternal.
posted by NikitaNikita at 2:02 PM on June 18, 2009

You guys are doing great.
Totes nailin' it.

Keep em comin!
posted by Senor Cardgage at 2:03 PM on June 18, 2009

Oh and LOOOOOOK what I just found too....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKcah7GHO4g
posted by Senor Cardgage at 2:10 PM on June 18, 2009

Thought of another one: Your Love Takes Me Higher by Beloved
posted by yawper at 2:27 PM on June 18, 2009

How could you ignore Groove Is In The Heart? SHEESH!

Also yeah... you want to look at really old Tenaglia and Vasquez sets.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:46 PM on June 18, 2009

Oh that song, I can't remember who by.. "Joy, unspeakable joy that you cannot give and they cannot take it away, joy." Something like that anyway.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:50 PM on June 18, 2009

Most everything I was going to suggest is already here. Here are 2 more, though.
LaBouche is a little later (94/95), but they're great
2Unlimited- No Limit
posted by ishotjr at 2:56 PM on June 18, 2009

Dirthynumbangelboy may be thinking about 2Unlimited's "Jump for Joy," but I could be totally wrong.
posted by ishotjr at 2:58 PM on June 18, 2009

Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
posted by applemeat at 4:02 PM on June 18, 2009

Add some Inner City to Askr's list and you have a night I spent at the Limelight in 1989. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omfiVkkJ1OU
posted by hworth at 4:43 PM on June 18, 2009

Great question!
CeCe Rogers - Someday. Massively underrated.
Isaac Hayes - Can't Turn Around (Ron Hardy Edit)
Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk - Dub Can't Turn Around
Groove Patrol - I Can Feel It
Reese Project - Colour of Love
Mr. Lee - Get Busy

And if you want more of an acid tip:
Fast Eddie - Acid Thunder
(loads more too...via Chicago :)
posted by mike_bling at 7:00 PM on June 18, 2009

Definition of Sound - Now Is Tomorrow
Jungle Brothers - Girl I'll House You
posted by Bobby Bittman at 7:48 PM on June 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Krush - Don't Follow Me
Kraze - The Party, which I can't find a good version of
posted by mike_bling at 8:17 PM on June 18, 2009

Oh and as with the last time we did this, PM me to get on the list for links to the final collection ;)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 8:55 PM on June 18, 2009

Sometimes I feel like throwin' my hands up in theee a-a-air...
posted by creeky at 1:22 AM on June 19, 2009

Section 25 - Looking from a Hilltop
A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray
808 State - Pacific State (total cheat - this mix is from 1991 but the original was released in 89)
VIM - Maggie's Last Party
Voodoo Doll - Women Beat Their Men
Joe Smooth - Promised Land
Frankie Knuckles - Your Love
The Todd Terry Project - Bango
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:17 AM on June 19, 2009

My favorite Opus III: When you made the mountain, you made me. I used to blast this from my tape deck in my Probe.

I think I just dated myself a little.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:19 AM on June 19, 2009

You might also like my friend Tim's web site, ezeskankin. It's strictly digitized mix tapes from 1999 and earlier. A LOT of the stuff you're looking for can be found on the old tape uploads here. Hope you love it!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:22 AM on June 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

THIS Is why I love The Hive :)
Well, one of many reasons anyway.
Thanks everyone! I'm compiling tracks even as we speak!

But hey, if you've got any more keep em flowing :)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:57 AM on June 19, 2009

i was also going to say good life by inner city.
posted by snofoam at 5:19 PM on June 19, 2009

there was also a piano house remix of regret by New Order that would have been early '93 i guess, but sounded like it should have been a couple years older - the fire island mix, i'm pretty sure. also, primal scream had "don't fight it, feel it" which would probably really fit in, plus a few other songs from that era that are close.
posted by snofoam at 5:26 PM on June 19, 2009

also, probably not helpful, but blowfly did parodies of many of these songs on his album 2001: A Sex Odyssey.
posted by snofoam at 5:34 PM on June 19, 2009