Dance albums you really should own #1

I got a "list 10 albums you love" invite on Facebook recently and it made me think how many amazing albums and compilations I've loved over the years. I thought I'd share a couple with you every month.

Nuyorican Soul - Nuyorican Soul (1996)
The number of people into funky/vocal house who don't know this album is astounding considering it could make an argument to be in the top 10 electronic albums since 1990. Masters At Work aka 'Little' Louie Vega and Kenny Dope brought live elements on-board and some A-league contributors for this Nuyorican Soul album - Jocelyn Brown, India, Roy Ayers and George Benson. It is a masterpiece, one which MAW haven't been able to top since. 

Key moments: 'I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun', 'It's Alright, I Feel It' 

Youtube: It's Alright, I Feel It

Jeff Mills - Live At The Liquid Room, Tokyo (1996)

At the opposite end of the spectrum is this - one of the nastiest, grittiest mixes you'll ever hear. It represents exactly what Detroit techno legend Jeff Mills is like live - because it was recorded live. It may be a little sloppy by the perfect protools mix standards of today but the energy which comes out of this mix is beyond compare. Crowd noises are audible in the segues as Mills doubles-up on tracks, flanging and crossfading them to raise the tension about as high as it can go. Covering a massive 38 tracks in 67 minutes and for much of the time playing on three decks Mills' mix was the mix which introduced many people to the Detroit style of DJing. Features: The Advent, DJ Funk, Surgeon, Claude Young etc.

Put simply, this should be required listening for all DJs before they're allowed to set foot in a club booth. 

Key Moments: The whole thing.

Youtube: Live At The Liquid Room (Part 1)