Track: The Haunted House of Rock

Artist: Whodini

Year: 1983

Label: Jive

My favorite Halloween track isn't house music - it's this old school rap joint from Brooklyn's own Whodini. 

My favorite part was when the song is winding down and Jalil and Ecstasy discuss their plot to break out from The Haunted House of Rock: 

Ecstasy: Jalil, where you goin'?

Jalil: Be quiet man! Can't you see I'm tryin' to sneak out of here!

Ecstasy: Word man, let's break out, this place is crazy!

Jalil: Go have to see which way you gonna run man, this way or that way

Ecstasy: Yo man let's just get outta here, don't make no difference which way we run!

Jalil: Yes it do!

Ecstasy: Why?

Jalil: Because I don't wanna run over you!

If you want to see a couple minutes of the original music video, here ya go.  And a video review of the record!

Discogs:  http://www.discogs.com/Whodini-The-Haunted-House-Of-Rock/master/42803

BONUS:  Jive Electro released a New School vs. Old School album in 1999 featuring remixes of classic Jive artists songs.  It's not on YouTube, but I uploaded Westbam's mix of The Haunted House of Rock for your listening pleasure.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Various-Old-School-Vs-New-School/release/612598

Track: You Can't Hide From Your Bud

Artist: DJ Sneak

Year: 1997

Label: Classic Music Company

You Can't Hide From Your Bud is my favorite cut from legendary sampler, DJ Sneak.  If there was an award for "Most Trusted Producer to Bring Respect to a Classic Record" DJ Sneak would win (take notes Mr. Combs).  A lot of people that don't get house music will find this track repetitive to the point of insanity, but there is genius in the Sneak style -  There's enough filtering, modulation, and Teddy Pendergrass "wells" to keep things interesting, even if the track seems like it's looping for 9 minutes.

First, here's the original Teddy Pendergrass song, You Can't Hide From Yourself, from 1977, epic in its own right:

And this is DJ Sneak:

Discogs:  http://www.discogs.com/DJ-Sneak-You-Cant-Hide-From-Your-Bud/release/2953

Track: Closer (Club Mix)

Artist: Mr. Fingers

Year: 1992

Label: MCA 

 With an infectious sax riff, smooth female vocals (Sade?), and Larry Heard production, Closer is a undoubtedly a classic and quintessentially house.  There's a bunch of mixes, but the plain ol' club version gets the nod from me.

Discogs:  http://www.discogs.com/Mr-Fingers-Closer/release/35669

If you're a fan of the sax riff, check out Kerry 'Kaoz" Chandler's remix of Basil's City Streets, around the 3:15 mark:

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Basil-City-Streets-Kerri-Chandler-Remixes/release/201951

Track: Dream Drums (Junior Vasquez's All Over The Sound Factory Mix)

Artist: Lectroluv

Year: 1999

Label: Eightball Records

Fred Jorio (aka Lectroluv) is a NY-based producer who helped define tribal house in the early 90s.  Junior Vasquez constructed an epic remix to Dream Drums, instantly creating a club classic that popularized the tribal genre.

Discogs:  http://www.discogs.com/Lectroluv-Dream-Drums/master/135727

Track: Hold On (Tighter To Love) (Hurley's House Mix)

Artist: Clubland

Year: 1991

Label: Pulse-8 Records

Steve "Silk" Hurley had the best remix of this gem.  The slower BPM, horns and Zemya Hamilton vocals give this track mainstream appeal, you can call it dance music with a jazzy house twist.  This is just a beautiful song with perfect production.  E-Smoove's Late Night Mix is also a winner.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Clubland-Hold-On-Tighter-To-Love/release/83602

Although I'll give the nod to the Hurley mix, the Late Night Mix is an absolute must-have as well.  With a bumpin' silky smooth bassline, it's deep house at it's best.