Deep Dance ½

The Early Years - The Real Magic Sound Of Deep - The Real Deep Magic Dance ½

Series: Deep Dance

deepdance.dk

1. Hit Mix 1987 (1.15.43)

This mix is a vibrant snapshot of 1987's pop landscape, opening powerfully with Starship's anthemic "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and immediately pivoting to the hip-hop sophistication of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid In Full" in its legendary Coldcut remix. The mix captures the year's rich diversity from Errol Brown's soulful "Personal Touch" and LeVert's smooth R&B groove on "Casanova" to the Stock, Aitken & Waterman production machine firing on all cylinders with "Roadblock" and "Packjammed." John Farnham's powerful "You're The Voice" and Bananarama's sleek "Mr. Sleaze" add further texture to the opening section.

The mix continues through 1987's many flavours, with George Michael's provocative "I Want Your Sex" and Madonna making two appearances the sun-drenched "La Isla Bonita" and the cinematic "Who's That Girl." Standout moments include Jan Hammer's iconic "Crockett's Theme" (immortalised by Miami Vice), the funky drive of Sly and Robbie's "Boops (Here To Go)," and the electronic cool of William Pitt's "City Lights." Hot Chocolate receive a lavish triple tribute with "You Sexy Thing," "No Doubt About It," and "Every 1's A Winner."

The closing stretch digs into soul and dance grooves with Oran' Juice Jones, Donna Allen, Jody Watley, and Samantha Fox, before signing off with Shalamar's nostalgic "A Night To Remember 87." Overall, the mix brilliantly captures 1987 as a year of contrasts glossy pop production sitting comfortably alongside hip-hop innovation and R&B sophistication.

Track listing for Hit Mix 1987

1

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Starship

Rock Synth-pop

Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (1987), co-written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, is an iconic power ballad featuring Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas. Featured as the theme for the movie Mannequin, it became a global hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and charts in the UK, Canada, and Ireland. The song also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
2

Paid In Full (Coldcut Remix)

Eric B. & Rakim

Hip hop

Eric B. & Rakim's Paid in Full (1987) is a landmark hip-hop track from their debut album of the same name. Known for Rakim's intricate lyricism and innovative sampling, the song became a classic of the genre. The "Seven Minutes of Madness" remix by Coldcut brought it international acclaim, further cementing its legacy.
3

Personal Touch

Errol Brown

Errol Brown's Personal Touch (1987) marked his solo debut after the breakup of Hot Chocolate. Featuring soulful melodies and his signature smooth vocals, the track reached #25 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing his transition to a successful solo career.
4

Casanova

LeVert

New Jack Swing Funk R&B

LeVert's Casanova (1987), from their album The Big Throwdown, is a defining new jack swing track written and produced by Reggie Calloway. Featuring smooth vocals and infectious melodies, the song became LeVert's biggest hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the UK Singles Chart.
Notably, it was the first new jack swing track to top the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, holding the #1 spot for two weeks. Casanova also gained cultural significance, becoming a staple for New Orleans brass bands, popularized by the Rebirth Brass Band.
5

Roadblock

Stock, Aitken, Waterman

Funk Soul

Stock Aitken Waterman's Roadblock (1987) is a funk-driven instrumental that marked the trio's debut as recording artists. Created to counter critics who dismissed their work as formulaic, the track was initially released anonymously, allowing it to be judged on its merits. The strategy paid off, earning praise from skeptics and proving their versatility.
Featuring standout alto saxophone contributions by Gary Barnacle, Roadblock reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing the production team's skill beyond their usual pop hits.
6

Packjammed (With The Party Posse)

Stock, Aitken, Waterman

Funk Instrumental

Stock Aitken Waterman's Packjammed (With the Party Posse), released in December 1987, is an instrumental track that showcases the trio's production prowess. Following their earlier release, Roadblock, this song further established their presence as recording artists. The track achieved moderate success, peaking at #41 on the UK Singles Chart and spending six weeks on the chart.
7

You're The Voice

John Farnham

Pop Rock

John Farnham's You're the Voice (1986) is a timeless pop-rock anthem that became a career-defining hit. Written by Andy Qunta, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder, and Chris Thompson, the song delivers an inspiring message about individual empowerment and standing up against societal challenges.
The track topped the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart and achieved top ten positions in several European countries, including the UK and Ireland. Its music video features Farnham and his band interwoven with imagery of people from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing its universal call for unity and action.
A staple in Farnham's live performances, You're the Voice remains a symbol of collective strength and resilience.
8

Mr. Sleaze

Bananarama

Funk Eurohouse

Bananarama's Mr. Sleaze (1987) is a dance-pop track co-written with Stock Aitken Waterman. Originally released as the B-side to Love in the First Degree, it was later included in the 2013 reissue of their Wow! album. The song captures Bananarama's signature upbeat energy and infectious melodies.
The Rare Groove Remix of Mr. Sleaze featured in The Greatest Hits Collection video compilation, paired with a montage of highlights from the group's iconic music videos, offering fans a nostalgic look at their earlier works.
9

Scream

Mantronix

Hip hop Electro

Mantronix's Scream, from their 1986 album Music Madness, is a groundbreaking blend of hip-hop and electro-funk. Driven by Kurtis Mantronik's innovative production, the track merges electronic beats with hip-hop rhythms, showcasing the duo's experimental approach to sound.
The energetic beats and intricate arrangements solidify Scream as a defining moment in the electro-funk genre, illustrating Mantronix's influence on the evolution of hip-hop and electronic music.
10

I Want Your Sex

George Michael

Synth-pop Pop Funk

George Michael's I Want Your Sex (1987) is a bold dance-pop and funk-pop single from his debut solo album, Faith. Also featured on the Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack, the song's provocative lyrics promoting monogamy sparked controversy, leading to restricted airplay on outlets like the BBC.
Despite the controversy, the track was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the UK Singles Chart. The Andy Morahan-directed music video, starring Michael's then-girlfriend Kathy Jeung, emphasized themes of love and commitment, with the phrase "explore monogamy" written on Jeung's back as a key visual.
11

Crockett's Theme

Jan Hammer

Synth-pop

Jan Hammer's Crockett's Theme (1986) is an iconic instrumental piece created for the hit TV series Miami Vice. Composed for the character Detective James "Sonny" Crockett, it first appeared in the episode "Calderone's Return: Part 1 – The Hit List" in 1984 and became a signature motif throughout the series.
The track saw widespread success in Europe, reaching #1 in Belgium and the Netherlands and peaking at #2 in the UK and Ireland. Its timeless appeal extends beyond television, featuring in media like the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the in-game radio station Emotion 98.3.
12

La Isla Bonita

Madonna

Synth-pop Latin Pop

Madonna's La Isla Bonita (1987), from her album True Blue, is a Latin pop classic and her first exploration of Latin-inspired music. Co-written with Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch, the song features flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, and Spanish lyrics. It became a global hit, topping charts in countries like the UK, France, and Germany, and reaching the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video, directed by Mary Lambert, showcases Madonna as both a devout Catholic and a vibrant flamenco dancer, adding to the song's iconic status.
13

I Love To Love

Tina Charles

Pop House Disco

Tina Charles' I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance) (1976) is a disco classic from her debut album I Love to Love. Written by Jack Robinson and James Bolden, the track became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart and topping charts across Europe.
The song’s infectious rhythm and Charles’ soulful voice made it a signature track of the disco era, emphasizing themes of romantic frustration over a partner’s obsession with dancing rather than love.
14

Boops (Here To Go)

Sly And Robbie

Dub Electro Breaks

Sly and Robbie's Boops (Here to Go) (1987), from their album Rhythm Killers, is a unique fusion of electronic, reggae, and funk elements. Featuring a rap by Shinehead and an interpolation of Rossini's The Barber of Seville, the track became a standout hit, peaking at #12 on the UK Singles Chart and #13 in New Zealand.
The song's enduring appeal saw it referenced in Robbie Williams' 2006 track "Rudebox," introducing its distinctive sound to a new audience.
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18

You Sexy Thing

Hot Chocolate
19
20
21
22

You Sexy Thing

Hot Chocolate
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

deepdance.dk

2. Hit Mix 1988 (1.18.00)

This epic mix is a breathtaking tour through one of pop music's most eclectic years, running over 78 minutes and packing in an extraordinary range of sounds and styles. It opens with Midnight Star's funky "Don't Rock That Boat" and quickly establishes 1988's remarkable breadth from Phil Collins's moody "In The Air Tonight (Remix)" and Climie Fisher's polished pop to the emerging new jack swing of Joyce Sims's "Come Into My Life" and the hip-hop swagger of Eric B. & Rakim's "I Know You Got Soul." Early highlights include the acid house energy of Bomb The Bass's "Beat Dis" and the ethereal beauty of Enya's breakthrough "Orinoco Flow."

The mid-section is particularly rich, showcasing dance music's explosion with S-Express's "Theme From S-Express," Hithouse's "Jack To The Sound Of The Underground," and the early house anthems of Inner City ("Big Fund" and "Good Life") and Royal House's "Can You Party." Rick Astley appears three times, confirming his dominance of the era, while Michael Jackson contributes "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," and "Dirty Diana." The mix also captures the Balearic and world-music influences sweeping the clubs Gipsy Kings' "Bamboleo," Ofra Haza's "Im Nin Alu," and Mory Kante's "Yeke Yeke" all make their mark.

The final stretch brings together the year's biggest anthems in an unstoppable finale: D-Mob's "We Call It Acid," Yazz's jubilant "The Only Way Is Up," Salt 'N' Pepa's "Push It!," Womack & Womack's soulful "Teardrops," and Bobby McFerrin's irresistibly carefree "Don't Worry Be Happy." It's a comprehensive and lovingly assembled portrait of a year when pop, hip-hop, house, and soul were all rewriting the rules simultaneously.

Track listing for Hit Mix 1988

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63

Who's Gonna Ease That Pressure

Mac Thormhill

A late 1980s soul and R&B track reflecting the polished urban contemporary sound that was popular in both the UK and US during the era. The song's smooth production and soulful vocal delivery are characteristic of the sophisticated R&B style that thrived alongside the more pop-oriented sounds of the late 80s.
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65
66
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68
69
70
71
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74

The Only Way Is Up

Yazz

A 1988 UK number one single featuring the powerful vocals of Yazz over a propulsive sampled loop. The energetic, euphoric track topped the UK charts for five weeks, becoming one of the biggest hits of the year and embodying the optimistic, upward-looking spirit of late 80s British pop music.
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