MP3 320 kbps / FLAC (tracks,cue,log) | Soul, Disco, Synth-pop, Funk, Freestyle, House | 352 MB / 1.05 GB

As Billboard magazine's dance music columnist, Brian Chin had a ringside seat for the dance scene of the '80s, an era when the word "disco" fell into disrepute, but producers and artists just kept on making music with a steady, loping beat that clubgoers could dance to. Chin compiled and annotated this collection, part of Hip-O Records' discount-priced Gold series of two-disc compilations. In his liner notes, Chin provides a history of the decade in dance that properly mentions plenty of artists -- among them stars like Michael Jackson and George Michael, and dance favorites like Tom Tom Club and the Weather Girls -- not included on the album. Hip-O is the reissue arm of the major label Universal, and while licensing agreements have resulted in a track list about a third of which consists of recordings made for other companies, still this is not to be considered a collection of the '80s' greatest hits in dance. In fact, only one track that ranks in Billboard's list of the 20 biggest dance hits of the decade is included: Shannon's "Let the Music Play." That said, there are plenty of tracks that hit number one on the dance/disco chart. But Chin has focused less on creating a hits compilation than on assembling a collection with a good flow and a variety of styles, from R&B to rock, and from early rap to Euro-disco. And he's largely succeeded. Dance music fans will hear many old favorites and may make some new discoveries. Paradoxically, some of those discoveries may be numbered among the old favorites, since every track is a special mix of one kind or another, and somes they are mixes that previously only appeared on a promotional disc or the B-side of a British 12" single. At more than two-and-a-half hours, this is a generous, modestly priced album that will enable listeners to dance like it's 1985.
Disc: 1
1. I Can't Wait [Long Dutch Mix] - Nu Shooz
2. She Works Hard for the Money [LP Mix] - Donna Summer
3. Venus [Extended Version] - Bananarama
4. Steppin' Out [Promo 12 Inch/LP Mix] - Joe Jackson
5. Two of Hearts [European Dance Mix] - Stacey Q
6. Maniac - Michael Sembello
7. Relax [New York Mix] - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
8. You're My One and Only (True Love) [Club Mix]
9. Pump Up the Volume [US Remix] - M/A/R/R/S,
10. Freeway of Love [Extended Remix] - Aretha Franklin
11. Higher Love [U.K. Extended Mix] - Steve Winwood
12. Don't Make Me Over [The King-Dom Come Mix Radio Version] - Sybil
Disc: 2
1. Let the Music Play [Original 12-Inch Mix] - Shannon
2. Come Go with Me [Extended Mix] - Exposé
3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World [Extended Version] - Tears for Fears
4. Breakout [A New Rockin' Version] - Swing Out Sister
5. Poison Arrow [US Remix] - ABC
6. Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me [Special Extended Version] - Patti Austin, Quincy Jones
7. Don't Look Any Further [Original 12-Inch Remix] - Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett
8. Starchild [LP Mix] - Level 42
9. Don't You Want Me [LP Mix] - Jody Watley
10. Fresh [Dance Mix] - Kool & the Gang
11. Mama Used to Say [British Party Mix] - Junior
12. Safety Dance [Extended Club Mix] - Men Without Hats
13. Don't Stop the Music [Long Version] - Yarbrough & Peoples



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