House Rendezvous: 2019 Retrospect djreflexion

The summer of 2021 was the summer of the redux - which is fine with me! Some really creative nu-disco cuts this go around (who would ever think to use lyrics from a 1977 Steely Dan song "Peg" - see "Love You Better"). Wonder why disco classics keep being remixed over and over and over again? It's because nothing compares to the pure soul and emotion that the music from that era produced. I'm all in for current baselines on top of classics by First Choice and Manual Grandi's take on "Young Hearts Run Free". I'm not a huge fan of current 4 minute "Top 40" remixes, but the three included here are quite good. "Heartbreak Anthem" is indeed the 2021 summer anthem. Wrapping up the set are stellar harder mixes of the classic "Insomnia" by Faithless, a new Suzanne Palmer which is always a treat, and just because I can, one of Peter Rauhofer's last releases before is untimely death in 2013, "The Real Thing Bitch" - I mean who doesn't love a good old bitch track!Disco Inferno - Tim Glaser / Love You Better - Alex Preston / The Whistle Song '21 (Cinthie Remix) - Frankie Knuckles Presents Director's Cut / Let No Man Put Asunder '21 (Dam Swindle Remix) - First Choice / Young Hearts Run Free '21 - Manual Grandi / Stupidisco '21 (David Penn Extended Remix) - Junior Jack / Don't Go '21 (Disaia Extended Remix) - Julie McDermott / Work That (Extended Mix) - Black Box Featuring Bad Intentions / Up All Night - OFFAIAH / Heartbreak Anthem - Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix / OUT OUT - Joel Corry, Jax Jones Feat Charli XCX & Saweetie / Friday (Dopamine Re-edit) - Riton, Nightcrawlers, Mufasa & Hypeman / Menergy '21 (Purple Disco Machine Extended Remix) - Patrick Cowley Feat Sylvester / Romeo '21 (Wh0 Festival Remix) - Basement Jaxx / Insomnia '21 (Epic Mix) - Maceo Plex vs Faithless / You Used To Hold Me '21 (Saliva Commandos Reboot Mix) - Ralphi Rosario Featuring Samantha Blanchard / Heaven In You (Tom Stephan's Devilish Dub) - Jackinsky Featuring Suzanne Palmer / Dirtylicious (Original Mix - Dirty) - Sicario / The Real Thing Bitch - Peter Rauhofer

Winter 2020 definitely did not have a shortage of ditties to keep the chill away. Alan Fitzpatrick's take on the classic Patrice Rushen disco jam "Haven't You Heard" is by far the stand out for me. This set includes many modern nods to disco staples from ABBA, and Earth Wind & Fire. Joe Stone gives us his current take on a very familiar Janet Jackson favorite, and the legends Above & Beyond slayed the New Order classic "Blue Monday". This Winter Madge broke a Billboard all-time record scoring her 50th number one Dance Club hit with "I Don't Search I Find". The Dirty Disco treatment here is top-notch. With comebacks from Melanie C, Debbie Gibson (yes THAT Debbie Gibson - remixed by now Grammy-Award winner Tracy Young) and current hit-maker Dua Lipa, hopefully there should be something for everyone's house desires.

1. In My Arms - Purple Disco Machine
2. Nothing Else (When I Think Of You) - Joe Stone
3. Haven't You Heard (Fitzy's Fully Charged Mix) - Alan Fitzpatrick Featuring Patrice Rushen
4. Gimme Gimme Featuring Bleech - Lee Cabrera & Kevin McKay
5. Voulez Vous - Jacker's Revenge Featuring Lissat
6. September - Richard Grey & Lissat
7. Put A Record On - Matt Sassari
8. I Don't Search I Find (Dirty Disco Private Mix) - Madonna
9. Girl's Night Out (Tracy Young Extended #Vegasvibe Remix) - Debbie Gibson
10. High Heels (Moto Blanco Club Mix) - Melanie C.
11. Physical (Country Club Martini Crew Extended Mix) - Dua Lipa
12. Scandalous - Andrea Laddo
13. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - Moreno Pezzolato -
14. Hypnotic (1,2 Step) - ItsBilly & Monoky
15. 212 - Joshua (UK)
16. High - Dennis Cruz
17. Anything For You (Rosabel's Big Room Mix) - Rosabel Featuring Tamara Wallace
18. 2,000 Freaks Come Out - Jack Black Vs. Cevin Fisher
19. You & Me - KC Lights
20. Take Me Away - Dombresky & Wh0
21. Smiley Face - Armand Van Helden, A-Trak & Duck Sauce
22. Blue Monday - Above and Beyond

The old adage of "Everything old is new again" definitely applies to this set. Modern takes on Heather Small (from M-People fame) and Madison Avenue, to smart enhancements to timeless remixes from Happy Clappers, house diva Barbara Tucker, and Pete Heller's infinite classic "Big Love" will make those of us that grew up in 90's club a bit misty eyed. Another inspiration for this set came from Dirty Disco's mix of Faith from Galantis and Dolly Parton. Something about hearing Mrs. Parton in a remix is magical to me. One my favorite songs of 2019 was by far Kygo and Whitney's "Higher Love". I included Barry Harris' stellar mix here as it reminded me of those majestic Thunderpuss days! Closing out the set are two very forward-thinking remixes of De'Lacy's Hideway from Luis Rumor and yes...another remix of Jaydee's Plastic Dreams from Nicole Moudaber - Dark and Delicious! So get your glow sticks and always dance like everyone's watching!
Track Goodness
 

Sweetest Day Of May 2019 (Full Intention Remix) - Joe T Vannelli Project


Most Precious Love 2019 (Marco Anzalone Remix) - Blaze & Udaufl, Barbara Tucker


Don't Call Me Baby 2019 (Mousse T Extended Remix) - Madison Avenue


Moving On Up 2019 (Dirty Disco Mainroom Remix) - Heather Small


Big Love (David Penn Extended Remix) - Pete Heller's Big Love


Joys (Todd Terry Extended mix) - Roberto Surace


Shined On Me (Extended Club mix) - Cassimm


I Believe 2019 (The Cube Guys Remix (David Penn Re-Edit) - Happy Clappers


Let Me Show You 2019 (Extended Mix) - K-Klass Featuring Anton Powers


Stand Up (Extended Mix) - David Penn Featuring Ramona Renea


Higher Love (Barry Harris Remix) - Kygo Featuring Whitney Houston


Just A Lie (Tony Moran & Erick Ibiza Epic Club Mix) - Kristine W


Faith Featuring Mr.Probz (Dirty Disco Mainroom Mix) - Galantis & Dolly Parton


All Day And Night (eSquire Remix) - Europa Featuring Jax Jones, Martin Solveig, Madison Beer;


Don't Start Now (Purple Disco Machine Remix) - Dua Lipa


Losing It (Extended Mix) - Fisher


Plastic Dreams 2019 (Nicole Moudaber Renaissance Remix) - Jaydee


Hideaway (Luis Rumor's 6am remix) - De'Lacy X Rainie