-THE AMIGA CLUB CHART

Here we go again then, the Club Chart compiled each issue by me
Dan Wood for the leading Amiga diskmags, just for you wonderful people out
there, awwww.  I decided, since this is the first one of 1998, we'd
look back over the last year, and see what I think were the top ten
tunes of 1997.  Of course this chart is only my personal opinion, but
what I say goes, alright?!  All of the tunes here should be released
by the time you read this, so you can actually buy them, if you can still
find some of them (which you can, some are still very new) better than
going for promos I thought, so with out further adu...erm, aduo.. erm,
auio, um.. pissing about, here is 1997's top 10 tunes!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. RIPGROOVE - DOUBLE 99

Yes, still in the chart, and the second release of this song.  Classic
dance tune, and apparently the most requested dance song of the year!
Which says a lot.  The release CD contains four tracks, track one
is the radio edit of the new mix of Ripgroove, with..vocals!  Top Cat singing
some crap over it, but it works well.  Track 2 is the original instru-dub,
track 3 is the Top Cat extended mix, and track 3 is the special TUFF JAM's
groove Dub, from the Tuff-Jam Underground Frequencies Vol 1 compilation.
Top dance tune, with samples from CJ Bolland's Sugar Is Sweeter (The Armand
Van Helden Mix), and a sample ripped from "Never Gonna Let You Go" by
Tina Moore.  Look out for their new tune "The Chant" which is AWESOME!
Due soon on Sattelite Records.

9. PLASTIC DREAMS - JAYDEE

Been around a while, but still massive in the clubs, been out since about
September time.  There are two releases of this song.  The original song
came out back in 1992, at the start of the entire dance revolution,
so they decided it needed re-releasing.  Plastic Dreams revisited is
a 5 track single featuring the Radio Edit 1997, the extended Club Mix,
the Funky Green Dub, by those Funky Green Dogs from Murk Productions
(check out their cool album Get Fired Up! by the way, it's cool), track
4 is Angel's Dream by none other than Angel Moraes, and track 5 is the
original 1992 version.  The second CD in the series "Plastic Dreams
re-revisited - THE REMIXES" (the one with the yellow cover) also features 5
tracks, track one is the same Radio Edit 1997, track 2 is the Peshay remix,
track 3 is Hohner Retro Mix which is great, track 5 is Mr YT's remix, and
track 5 is the awesome Boom Boom Satellites Remix.  Check this one out
one of the biggest songs of 1997!

8. CIRCLES - ADAM F

THE big Drum 'N Bass song of the year.  I'm not usually a big fan
of Drum 'n bass, but this song is brilliant.  One of the more
dreamy songs of the year.  The CD is a four tracker, track one is
the 7" or the Radio edit, track two is the average Andy C Mix which
isn't too hot actually, sorry Andy!, but track 3 is the best of them
all, mixed by the master of drum 'n' bass, Roni Size!  And track 4
is the original extended mix, definately a song to check out.

7. JUST GETS BETTER - TJR FEAT. XAVIER

Odd disc this one.  Although it's the same song, essentially, it is more
like two completely different songs with similar lyrics one on CD.
Firstly there is the TJR Dub radio edit on track 1, and the full dub
on Track 6, which is a fast speed-garage song, and is the popular
song of this disc, and definately the best.  Tracks 2-5 are a more
vocal song, supposed to be the same tune, but completely different, not
too bad, but not a patch on the TJR edit.  The TJR dub though it
great, this song is still around.

6. PARTAY FEELING - B-CREW

One of the massive songs in the summer, featuring Ultra-Nate.  A big anthem
in Ibiza, and top speed garage music at its best.  Don't let the rather
average radio edit fool you into thinking it's crap, check out the "Colour
Systems Inc" mix which is grrreeaat, and there's Moore's Instrudub on here,
which doesn't sadly include the mix with the vocals over it, which is great,
but the intrumental is still a thumping song.  Highly recommended!

5. THE MIGHTY HIGH - REVIVAL 3000

Disco is back, it's official!  With the recent re-introduction of disco
being a "cool" thing, Revival 3000 finally release a song that they have had
lying around for a few years!  And it's instantly become a hit!  The
original of course was "Mighty High" by "The Mighty Clouds of Joy" back in
1975, but Revival have managed to revive the song in true 1990s dance style,
giving it a great back beat and some cool looping.

4. TURN ME OUT (TURN TO SUGAR) - KATHY BROWN VS ARMAND VAN HELDEN

Originally written by Kevin (or Cevin, what ever he's going by today :)
Fisher a few years ago, and snapped up by Kathy Brown, singing over the
instrumental of "Sugar is sweeter" by Armand Van Helden (CJ Bolland did the
original, Armand's mix is used here).  Very cool song, still going massive
in the clubs, and available to buy if you know where to look.   Available on
FFRR.

3. BURNIN' - DAFT PUNK

A song which I first got my hands on last year, off the top selling album
"Homework" by Daft punk, and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not.  It's a
simple tune, but it works, and people either love it or hate it, I've
decided I love it.  Simple stuff, thumping Daft Punk beat with a series of
tones that get higher and higher and higher, then drop right back down, and
then build up again, etc.

2. OFFSHORE 97 - CHICANE

Chicane are one of my all time favourite bands, so obviously this was going
to get a mention.  I don't care what any other DJs say, this song is made
even better by the vocalisation (is there such an expression?... there is
now, make a note of it!).  Offshore was a big hit in 1996, and in the summer
this year it was re-released with words added to it, and did well again.  A
great "chill out song", just reminds me of my holiday, listening to that
song on my discman in the warm sea on my air-bed (yes silly to bring an £80
CD player in the sea, but it's still ok), really suits it, get the image,
the bright light shining through your closed eyes, the warm sun shining on
your damp body, and gently being rocked by the gentle waves, with your hand
dipped in the warm water... Offshore indeed.   If you're a fan of Chicane,
then also check out the new album "Far from the maddening crowds", which
included the EXCELLENT hit "Sunstroke", remember, don't get sunburn, get
Sunstroke!

And in true chart style, let's look back from numbers 10-2!

10. RIPGROOVE - Double 99
9.  PLASTIC DREAMS - Jaydee
8.  CIRCLES - Adam F
7.  JUST GETS BETTER - TJR FEAT. XAVIER
6.  PARTAY FEELING - B-Crew
5.  THE MIGHTY HIGH - Revival 3000
4.  TURN ME OUT (Turn to Sugar) - Kathy Brown VS Armand Van Helden
3.  BURNIN' - Daft Punk
2.  OFFSHORE 97 - Chicane

Roll those drums...the top tune of 1997...... the song that made the year
worth living was.....oooh, so exciting....

Number one....

1. IT'S LIKE THAT - RUN DMS VS JASON NEVINS

Yep, that TOTALLY awesome remake of Run DMCs 1983 hit, makes number one in
the 1997 chart, and it's a new tune, should hopefully be released by the
time you read this.  Currently (November) quite big in the clubs, for those
who can manage to get their hands on a copy, only available on promo vinyl
right now, but CDs and release tapes/vinyls are due soon, if you miss this,
then there's something wrong with you, you clown, get it!!

As an extra addition, here's a few songs to look out for that are out over the
November-December period:

1. DANCE - Blackmagic
2. SO GOOD - Juliet Roberts
3. THOUGHT IT WAS YOU - Sex-o-sonique
4. ENTER THE SCENE - Rythm Masters VS DJ Supreme
5. THE CHANT (WE R) - R.I.P Productions

So 1997 turned out to be one HELL of a year in the dance music scene.
Join us again next ish when we go back to our usual section and check
out some new current tunes.

Dan Wood

+RIPMAG+