Track: Turn Up The Music (Pumpin' Stockin' Mix)

Artist: Dr. Baker

Year: 1991

Label: Coma Records

Assisted by sisters Charlotte and Camilla Wisøfeldt, Denmark producer/DJ Kenneth Bager created the Dr. Baker alias in the late 80s.  Known for establishing the house scene in Denmark and his legendary parties, Bager remains an active participant in the industry.  Fellow Dane and eventual international super-producer Joe Belmaati dropped a handful of mixes, including the Pumpin' Stockin' Mix which was released as a white label promo.  While this version was never widely distributed or played, I love how the intro draws out the beautiful organ groove.

By the way, here's the radio version in music video form.  Regrettably, the rap parts are pure cheese; lots to like about Eurodance, but the rap verses just never aged well.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Dr-Baker-Turn-Up-The-Music/release/158896

Track: Burning (Vibe Mix)

Artist: M.K. (ft. Alana)

Year: 1991

Label: Area 10

My sincere apologies for the lack of updates - I've been busy with work the last 1.5 months, but am expecting to get back to more regular postings shortly.  Without further ado, Burning was MK's breakthrough track, the song that put him on the map (his later Nightcrawlers work just took him to the next level).  Musically, Burning contains an unforgettable "off-key" bell patch which shapes a hypnotizing melody and provides the framework for Alana's haunting vocals.  The track's impeccably timed bass bottoms underscore the excellent production and enhance the timeless essence of the tune.  Always a floor-filler and frequently a favorite of big MK fans.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/MK-Burning/release/58098

Track: Gettin' Out (Justin Robertson's Most Excellent Mix)

Artist: S.L.D.

Year: 1991

Label: Creed Records

British DJ Justin Robertson masterfully remixed this piano-driven anthem from Italian Luigi Stanga.  The vocals are lifted from Gwen Guthrie's 1982 song, Getting Hot.  Solid track.  Hat tip to Twitter user neone4jon for the reco. 

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/SLD-Gettin-Out-Remix/release/44026

Track: Deeper (Deeper Than Deep Mix)

Artist: Susan Clark (ft. Stimulation)

Year: 1991

Label: FFRR

Give James Bratton credit for the original production, but the best mix of Deeper was an unreleased version from a Benji Candelario and Wayne Rollins promo.  The Deeper Than Deep Mix is a hard hitting number with strong synth stabs and a rolling bassline reminiscent of Straight Up House (Rave Mix).  Clark's soulful vocals are stripped down and heavily filtered, creating a haunting effect that underscores this track's dark and dirty ambiance.

Another excellent mix is the 111 East House Mix, courtesy of legendary deep house producer Kerri Chandler:

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Susan-Clark-Deeper/master/132654

Track: Shock The Beat (Piano Mix)

Artist: Electric Choc

Year: 1991

Label: Hi Tech Music

Produced by Italian DJ Eddy Milani under the Electric Choc alias, Shock The Beat remains one of the greatest piano-driven anthems in house music history.  The track starts with an acid buildup before a signature piano breakdown drops, setting the tone for the remainder of the song.  With the exception of a few soulful vocal teases, this is just a feel-good instrumental that still sounds fresh 20 years on.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Electric-Choc-Shock-The-Beat-The-Remixes/master/171412

Track: What U Want (Another One)

Artist: Chocolate Fudge

Year: 1991

Label: Azuli Records

Since we're on our way to 1,000 classic house tracks, there's plenty of room for more obscure titles that have largely been forgotten as time moves on.  One such track is What U Want, from the UK duo of Sean Casey and Miles Morgan.  It's not going to get people out of their seats, but it has a killer bassline and some ambient jungle sounds to keep things interesting.  

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Chocolate-Fudge-Locomotion/release/48899?ev=rr

Track: Got A Love For You (Hurley's House Mix)

Artist: Jomanda

Year: 1991

Label: Big Beat

One of Steve Hurley's legendary remixes is his house treatment of Got A Love For You from Jomanda, arguably the best R&B crossover group from the late 80s/early 90s era.  From the three-note piano riff to the chopped vocal patterns to the fake-but-irresistible horns to the bongo drums to the rich vocals of Joanna Yavahan Thomas, Hurley perfected all musical elements and created an immortal club classic in the process.  The sound of the drum build-up dropping out and the horns dropping in never gets old.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Jomanda-Got-A-Love-For-You/release/58696

Track: I Got It (Groove Mix)

Artist: YO! BOTS

Year: 1991

Label: RCA

I Got It is a forgotten track by the one and done collective known as YO! BOTS.  It starts with a catchy organ groove before a rolling bassline + piano kicks in.  No crazy effects, just a wind-down track that still sounds fresh nearly two decades on.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/YOBOTS-I-Got-It/release/105949

Track: I'm Doing Fine Now (Silky Soul Mix)

Artist: The Pasadenas

Year: 1991

Label: Columbia

The Pasadenas were an R&B group from the UK, peaking in popularity in the late 80s/early 90s.  Steve "Silk" Hurley put his signature stamp on their hit song I'm Doing Fine Now with this gem of a remix.  It's definitely got a downtempo vibe, but deserves to be showcased here since it's been so underappreciated.  For my money, no producer/remixer had a higher batting average than Steve Hurley, almost anything with his name on it (and that's a lot of music!) is solid.  The guy just had an incredible Midas touch and I'll be spotlighting many more of his mixes here in the months ahead.

Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/Pasadenas-Im-Doing-Fine-Now/master/167056