Dance albums you really should own #3

Part 3 of dance albums you really should own. One direct from Manchester and the other a world away from New York's iconic Sound Factory nightclub at the peak of its popularity.

M People - Northern Soul (1991)

Though M-People's cool was tarnished somewhat by their more poptastic material on the albums which followed this one, they started out with the best intentions and struck gold with some quality music. It was mostly a meshing of live-element funk/soul inspired music and club grooves created under the direction of Mike Pickering (the "M"). Famous for being resident DJ at the Haçienda nightclub in Manchester and A&R guy at Deconstruction Recs (responsible for signing Black Box) he hit gold almost immediately with the epic 'How Can I Love You More?'. It featured the vocals of Heather Small who soon became the centrepiece of M-People. 'Someday' and 'Colour My Life' were also popular singles from the album and which were given the big-name DJ remix treatment which earned them tons of club play. At the other end of the spectrum was 'Kiss it Better', a standout track from the album - a melding of peppy guitars, a slow 4/4 groove and Small's amazing vocals which resulted in a summer vibe which still sounds great 20 years on.

Key moments > Youtube: How Can I Love You More (live on TOTP, 1991) and 'Someday' (Sasha's Master Mix) - A feelgood remix of the era.

Junior Vasquez - This Is The Sound Of Tribal UK - Live at the Sound Factory (1994)

Straight up, this is the mix that sealed my fate as a tribal house lover! To me it is one of the finest mix CDs of all time and evidence of the brilliance of Junior Vasquez in the mid 90s when he was probably the most revered DJ on the planet. Released during his legendary residency at the Sound Factory, NYC it covers the ethnic side of house (tribal doh!) from the darkest to the most camp - all of which were on the Tribal America/UK label. The greatness of the mix is down to the dozens of amazing records which came out on the label and Vasquez's skilled use of fades, delays and juxtaposition. Danny Tenaglia's 'Bottom Heavy' and the Fire Island remix of Junior's own global gay anthem 'Get Your Hands Off My Man' were on show for the first time anywhere on this mix, making the limited edition vinyl pack extremely sought-after. Also making a showing was The Daou with Vanessa Daou's infamous haunting vocals, Eric Kupper as K-Scope, Pato Banton remixed by The Orb and Roger Sanchez and more. When someone mentions "tribal house" this is the benchmark.

Key moments > Youtube: The Daou 'Are You Satisfied' - the unmistakable vocals of Vanessa Daou made this a dance floor bomb. Kiwi Dreams 'Y?' - hilariously camp and quirky.

Tribal Records Release Their Back Catalog

Select releases from the Tribal Records back-catalog have become available digitally for the first time ever.

I never thought the day would come but one of the most influential record labels from the 1990s, the legendary Tribal America, has arrived in the digital era at Beatport.com through Twisted Records. If you are a fan of classy house music from the golden era of house music then make sure you check them out.

The past couple of days have seen the addition of some of the most loved of all Tribal Records releases. Check out the early Deep Dish for some quality deep house at the new Tribal Records at Beatport.

Tribal back catalog items added in the last week include:

Deep Dish pres Cass De X "Elastic Reality" ("Deep Dish Does X" is possibly one of the finest house records ever made)
The Daou "Are You Satisfied" (Vanessa Daou's sultry vocals never sounded so good before)
The Absolute "There Will Come A Day" (check out the Black Lozenge mix - WOW!)
Deep Dish pres Prana "The Dream"
Deep Dish pres Quench "High Frequency"

In addition to these they've also got rare material available including:

Danny Tenaglia "Bottom Heavy" and "Hard & Soul" LP
Kiwi Dreams "Y" and "Eye 2 Eye"
Eric Kupper "From the Deep" LP
Undergound Sound of Lisbon "So Get Up"

Many more are in the list for re-issue in the near future. Finally you can own these classics without having to record your worn-out old vinyl.

Check out the Tribal Records myspace for more info.