A handy guide from Liverpool Audio Network to the tracks behind artworks No. 26-50 in Neil Keating’s 100 Collective - History of House live art project.
#26 Let the Music Use You / The Nightwriters / 1987
"It has to be The Nightwriters - Let the Music Use You ...... An evergreen early house tune that was huge in Liverpool and many other places from the early house scene” Track selected by Andy Carrol
#27 Acid Tracks / Phuture / 1987
Phuture's "Acid Tracks," released in 1987, is a pioneering track in the history of electronic music, credited with giving birth to the subgenre known as "acid house." Its use of the iconic Roland TB-303 synthesizer helped define the distinctive squelchy and hypnotic sound associated with acid house, influencing countless artists and subgenres within electronic music.
#28 Carino / T-Coy / 1987
T-Coy's "Carino," released in 1987, is a classic in the Manchester and UK dance music scene, often considered one of the early "Madchester" anthems. Its blend of house and electronic elements had a lasting impact on the evolution of British dance music, paving the way for the burgeoning rave culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
#29 Strings of Life (Rhythmn is Rhythmn) / Derrick May / 1987
Derrick May's "Strings of Life" (released under the alias Rhythim Is Rhythim) is a seminal track from 1987 that played a pivotal role in the development of techno music. It's known for its soulful and emotive use of synthesizers, demonstrating the artistic potential of electronic music and influencing the melodic and expressive aspects of modern techno.
#30 We are Phuture / DJ Pierre / 1987
DJ Pierre's "We Are Phuture," released in 1987 as part of the group Phuture, further solidified the sound of acid house and helped propel it into the mainstream. The track's influence is evident in the continued popularity of acid-style synths and rhythms in contemporary electronic dance music.
#31 Weekend / Todd Terry / 1988
Todd Terry's "Weekend," which gained prominence in the late 1980s, is a quintessential house track that played a significant role in shaping the sound of New York and Chicago house music. Its influence can be seen in the fusion of house and hip-hop elements, paving the way for the development of genres like hip-house.
#32 Big Fun / Inner City / 1988
Inner City's "Big Fun," released in 1988, is a classic Detroit techno and house track that showcased the soulful vocals of Paris Grey. It helped bridge the gap between underground electronic music and mainstream audiences, contributing to the globalization of electronic dance music and the development of vocal-driven house music.
#33 Reachin' - Brotherhood Mix / Phase II / 1988
"It’s one of those songs people know but don’t know how. Was never a hit but never really went away either.” Track selected by Dave Lee
#34 Can You Feel It (1988 vocal version) / Fingers Inc / 1988
Fingers Inc's "Can You Feel It" (1988 vocal version) is an iconic track that combines soulful house music with gospel-inspired vocals. It had a significant impact on the development of deep house and the use of emotive and spiritual themes in electronic music, setting the stage for the genre's continued evolution and popularity today.
#35 Voodoo Ray / Guy Called Gerald / 1988
"Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald, released in 1988, is a pioneering track in the history of acid house and electronic dance music. Its hypnotic 303 bassline and rhythmic beats helped define the acid house genre and contributed to the development of techno, serving as a blueprint for countless electronic music productions.
#36 This Is Acid / Maurice Joshua / 1988
Maurice Joshua's "This Is Acid," released in 1988, is a classic track that played a crucial role in the popularization of the acid house genre in Chicago and beyond. Its raw and energetic sound influenced the evolution of house music, contributing to the emergence of different subgenres and solidifying the 303 bassline as an iconic element in electronic music.
#37 That's The Way Love Is / Ten City / 1989
Ten City's "That's the Way Love Is," released in 1989, is a quintessential house track with soulful vocals and a timeless message of love and acceptance. It exemplified the fusion of house music with R&B and gospel elements, shaping the development of vocal-driven house music and showcasing the genre's capacity to convey emotional depth.
#38 French Kiss / Lil Louis / 1989
Lil Louis' "French Kiss," released in 1989, is a groundbreaking track that pushed the boundaries of house and techno music. Its sensuous and hypnotic sound, along with its explicit themes, challenged the norms of electronic music and helped pave the way for the exploration of sexuality and sensuality in dance music, leaving a lasting impact on the electronic music landscape.
#39 I Thank You / Adeva / 1989
"So the Song, or, the artist is Adeva - Adeva to me is the epitome of ‘queen of house music’ - her stage shows were amazing - her powerful voice was amazing - her statuesque when she stood on a stage was amazing - when I listen, even now to her music she brings warmth to my soul and she makes me smile - I really love her! The song I want to put in is 'I Thank You’ - there are so many so what is a tapestry in house music what makes me think of house is Adeva - This is when house was really soulful, y’all know back in the day when it was out in the late 80’s early and the early 90’s how strong and powerful it was - you now, everybody felt good! It was real ‘feel good’ music, so it’s Adeva - I Thank You! “ Track selected by Barbara Tucker
#40 Salsa House / Richie Rich / 1989
"It's the sparse, raw heaviness that does it for me, and the way it draws on house music’s Latinx influences. It was one of the few UK tunes to make waves in Chicago too. Richie Rich is an understated legend who extended what house music could be; and who could make it.” Track selected by Emma Warren
#41 Work that Mutha Fuker / Steve Poindexter / 1989
Steve Poindexter's "Work That Mutha Fuker," released in 1989, is an iconic track in the history of Chicago house music, known for its infectious groove and raw energy. It helped define the genre's aggressive and percussive side, leaving a lasting impact on the development of techno and other subgenres within electronic music.
#42 Chime / Orbital / 1989
Orbital's "Chime," released in 1989, is a landmark track in the British electronic music scene, particularly the emerging rave and techno movements. Its blend of melodic, trance-inducing synth lines and driving beats set the stage for the rise of the UK's electronic dance music culture and established Orbital as influential pioneers in the genre.
#43 Pacific State / 808 State / 1989
808 State's "Pacific State," released in 1989, is a seminal track that exemplified the fusion of electronic music and ambient sounds, contributing to the development of the ambient house subgenre. Its influence can still be heard in contemporary electronic music, where artists continue to experiment with blending genres and textures.
#44 Step On / Happy Mondays / 1990
Happy Mondays' "Step On," released in 1990, is an iconic Madchester track that blended elements of indie rock and dance music. It reflected the cultural fusion of the Manchester music scene and influenced the development of alternative dance and crossover genres.
#45 You've Got The Love / Candi Staton Ft The Source / 1986
You've Got the Love" is a timeless dance anthem originally recorded by The Source featuring Candi Staton in 1986. The track beautifully combines elements of gospel and house music, with Candi Staton's soulful vocals and The Source's electronic production, making it an enduring classic that has been remixed and covered by numerous artists, leaving an indelible impact on dance music and pop culture.
#46 Show me love / Robin S / 1990
Robin S's "Show Me Love," released in 1990, is a timeless dance anthem that bridged the gap between house and R&B, showcasing the influence of soulful vocals in electronic music. The track's impact is seen in its enduring popularity and its role in shaping the direction of vocal house and dance-pop music.
#47 Gypsy Woman / Crystal Waters / 1991
Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" is a house music classic released by American singer Crystal Waters in 1991. The track is known for its infectious melody, catchy lyrics, and innovative use of looped samples, becoming a crossover hit and a seminal song in the history of house music, paving the way for dance music's mainstream success in the 1990s.
#48 Percolator / Cajmere / 1992
Cajmere (Green Velvet) - "Percolator" is an iconic house track released in 1992 by the American producer Curtis Jones, known as Cajmere (also Green Velvet). With its distinctive and repetitive vocal sample, catchy beat, and minimalist production style, "Percolator" became a classic of the Chicago house music scene, leaving a lasting impact on electronic dance music and influencing generations of DJs and producers worldwide.
#49 Rythmn is a Mystery / K-Klass / 1991
"Rhythm Is a Mystery" by K-Klass is a seminal dance track released in 1991, characterized by its catchy piano riff and soulful vocals. The song played a pivotal role in the UK's burgeoning house and dance music scene of the early '90s, and it's remembered as a classic of the era. Interestingly, the track was initially released with an unauthorized sample from the song "I'm Caught Up (In a One-Night Love Affair)" by Inner Life, which led to legal issues. Subsequent versions of the song had to be re-recorded, but "Rhythm Is a Mystery" continued to be a beloved hit and a significant contribution to the dance music canon.
#50 For An Angel / Paul Van Dyke / 1994
Paul van Dyk - For an Angel" is an iconic trance track released in 1994 by the German DJ and producer Paul van Dyk. With its euphoric melodies and uplifting energy, the song helped define the trance genre and catapulted van Dyk to international stardom, becoming a timeless anthem in the electronic dance music scene.
Interestingly, "For an Angel" received several remixes and re-releases over the years, including the "E-Werk Remix," which played a significant role in its popularity. The track's enduring influence is evident in its continued presence in DJ sets, festivals, and electronic music culture, solidifying its status as a classic of the genre and an integral part of the 1990s trance movement.
Listen to the playlist on Spotify here.
Follow Neil Keating on Instagram here & Liverpool Audio Network here