I actually think I'd prefer an instrumental version of It's a Fine Day.

The KLF - America: What Time Is Love?

 

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/TheMagicPosition86/rsz_the_klf_zpsytscrnj9.png

 

Date 8th March 1992

2 Weeks

Official Chart Run 9-4-4-14-30-49-74 (7 weeks)

*Positions in red are the weeks when the track would be number 1 if just dance music was chart eligible.

 

The song that effectively bookended their emphatic but all-too-brief hit machine status as ‘The KLF’ is the one song that they just could not leave alone. In total “What Time Is Love?” was remixed four times, from its pure trance original in 1988 to this, their final single “America: What Time Is Love?”. The single immediately followed their infamous 1992 BRIT awards performance with Extreme Noise Terror, where Drummond fired machine gun blanks into the audience and dumped a dead sheep (with the words ‘I died for ewe - bon appetite’ sprayed on it) at the after-show party. Having achieved everything that they had wanted to, and now quickly becoming accepted and a part of the serious mainstream music industry that they had so tirelessly worked at deriding.. they had nowhere left to go as an entity - and it was decided that it was time to end it. After quietly being advised that ‘drenching the industry audience in sheep’s blood’ and ‘having a motorcycle courier collect their award for Best British Group on their behalf’ were not the best of ideas, Drummond and Cauty ended their career as the KLF that night. They did it simply with the words Ladies and gentlemen, the KLF have now left the music business echoing through the Hammersmith Odeon around the stunned audience as they walked off stage - having just performed a thrash metal rendition of their only #1 single (as the KLF) “3A.M. Eternal”.

 

The track itself removes much of the hypnotic synth line that drives the original and 1990 versions, and replaces this with the riff from Motörhead's “Ace of Spades” which gives it a much heavier and guitar-driven sound. The inspiration for the single's theme (discovering America) was because 1992 was the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ ‘discovery of America’ - however back referencing the groups Illuminatus! Trilogy fascination (and perhaps seeking to mock the Americans celebration of Columbus), the narration at the start of the track talks of The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu's odyssey of the year 992 to discover America - and this single celebrating the 1000th anniversary of said expedition! It seemed to work, and went 1 place better than the 1990 version - Isaac Bello returned once again to provide a fast-paced rap to match the pulsating beat, and was joined by Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, who belted out the main refrain of 'What Time Is Love?' in a manner not unlike Meat Loaf.

 

In May 1992 they deleted their entire back catalogue after abandoning their work on follow-up album The Black Room; which remains unreleased.

 

They did come back briefly in 1997, as '2K' dressed in pyjamas and riding around in wheelchairs with yet another remixed version of “What Time Is Love?”, in a remarkably accurate parody that (post-2000) would predict the seemingly endless roster of artists and groups - long since disbanded - rejecting any principals and dignity they once had to reform for a bit of fast money. “Fuck the Millennium” flopped in at #28. How apt.

 

 

The '88 and '91 versions of What Time Is Love were better.

I'm not a fan of bands re-hashing their songs but America: What Time is Love? works for me!

Been away for a while...

 

Prodigy - Everybody in the Place. Arguably their finest moment I would say apart from, possibly, one from later in 1992.

2 Unlimited - Twilight Zone. Not much to write home about. At least it had a bit more beef than their tinny breakthrough hit.

KLF - America - Utterly mad with a fantastic video. I would agree that it's the weakest version of WTIL by a long way.

Opus III - It's a Fine Day - Good to see you got the Alan Hawkshaw references in and Orbital's subsequent usage. A strong, beefy track.

Ce Ce Peniston - Finally

 

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/TheMagicPosition86/rsz_cece_peniston_zpsxaxdjod0.png

 

Date 22nd March 1992

3 Weeks

Official Chart Run 6-2-5-6-8-15-31-50 (8 weeks) [also peaked at #29 in Nov ’91]

*Positions in red are the weeks when the track would be number 1 if just dance music was chart eligible.

 

Remembered as a one-hit wonder, Arizona’s CeCe Peniston actually managed to chalk up 3 consecutive Top 10 hits in 1992. However it is of course the second in this cannon “Finally” that overshadows them all and is easily the most recognised. Despite her big voice CeCe was not a natural dance vocalist by any means, she felt more suited to soulful R&B, but whilst laying down backing vocals on a dance track by Overweight Pooch she impressed A&M record executives enough to be recruited to record her own material. Her debut single “Finally” was released in 1991 and started out as a poem that CeCe wrote in Chemistry class whilst dreaming of ‘meeting Mr. Right’, the uplifting lyrics capturing and conveying the euphoria of that moment when you meet the guy or girl of your dreams.

 

Though some may recognise the original mix, it was the Choice mix (see below) masterminded by David Morales which spurred the massive success of the single. Based upon the melodic bassline of deep house classic “Someday” by CeCe Rogers, “Finally” was transformed into an addictive mix of perfect piano house, pulled along by Eric Kupper's staggering piano, and guttural vocal acrobatics from CeCe Peniston - making it a feel-good club anthem and floor filler. Despite topping the club charts in 1991, the track initially stalled at a disappointing #29. Convinced it could do so much better, PolyGram decided to re-release the single following Ce Ce’s Top 10 success with her second single “We Got A Love Thang” (#6) during early ’92. “Finally” subsequently took off in a big way (narrowly missing out on deposing “Stay” by Shakespear's Sister) and became the massive hit it was always destined to be.

 

Peniston continued to have minor success with a further five Top 40 hits through until the late 1990s.

 

Still love the song, even though it's very cliché these days. And the song is still played frequently on Heart & Radio 2 very frequently so I can either imagine a remake or remix to hit the charts soon. :lol:

*.* omg what a fabulous start to 1992 ~ prodigy :music:, 2 unlimited :cheer:, klf *_*, opus iii :wub: & cece peniston :dance: all classics~

Still love the song, even though it's very cliché these days. And the song is still played frequently on Heart & Radio 2 very frequently so I can either imagine a remake or remix to hit the charts soon. :lol:

it wasn't that long ago when Mr Belt & Wezol did a future house remix of Finally! Was hoping that would be a hit but it wasn't

Wasn't a huge fan of Ce Ce Peniston but it was pretty inoffensive stuff. I wonder if the CeCe Rogers lift was because someone saw "Ce Ce" and thought, "Hmm, I wonder?"

I did like Finally from when I heard it first in 1991.

Altern 8 - E-Vapor-8

 

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/TheMagicPosition86/rsz_altern_8_zpsuliamhoc.png

 

Date 12th April 1992

1 Week

Official Chart Run 10-6-11-22-37-51 (6 weeks)

*Positions in red are the weeks when the track would be number 1 if just dance music was chart eligible.

 

With their trademark look of bright colours, face masks, and industrial boiler suits, Altern 8 served the mainstream media as convenient shorthand for the rave scene of the early 1990s. As already mentioned in this thread the band had strong connections to Stafford, in particular nearby Stoke nightclub ‘Shelleys’ which became - albeit briefly - the epicentre for the rave scene, hosting early performances from The Prodigy and fellow local lads Bizarre Inc. Armed with just a sampler and some Vicks VapoRub, Mark Archer and Chris Peat consistently courted controversy in the press, with talk of ‘disco biscuits’, and scams like standing for election in Stafford for the Hardcore - U Know The Score! party, much to the delight of the tabloid media.

 

For their fourth single, and 2nd Top 10 hit “E-Vapor-8” (that's two drug references in one kids!) the main attraction was sampling one of the Detroit house scene’s most influential cuts, Rhythim is Rhythim’s “Strings Of Life” which arrives about a minute in and goes on to dominate the track. The band’s distinctive style of stabby synths, heavy and somewhat shameless sampling were on full show here; as was their capacity to not take things too seriously - hence the hiring of Hong Kong police riot tanks for the otherwise budget video below. They even used the ‘They're going mad!!’ sample from commentary recorded at an impromptu gig they performed in the car park of ‘Shelleys’ at 3 in the morning, where they recorded the video for “Active-8 (Come With Me)”. To give the track a more accessible feel, they hired the vocal talents of American soul singer P.P. Arnold to lay some smooth vocals over a simple but effective breakbeat. The winning formula gave them another Top 10 hit, however the success was to be fleeting, and the group disbanded in 1993 citing money troubles after just once more hitting the Top 40 with “Hypnotic St-8” (#16) in July ’92.

 

Soul Central would return the “Strings Of Life” sample to the UK Top 10 in January 2005 when Kathy Brown teamed up with them on “Strings Of Life (Stronger On My Own)” which peaked at #6.

 

Fabulous track. Sonically so different sounding even for its' genre! :music:

Love that they shamelessly ripped off other dance music. :D

Opus III - It’s A Fine Day

 

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/TheMagicPosition86/rsz_opus_iii_zpsugvs1bjs.png

 

I actually have a softpsot for

that charted at #62.

SL2 - On A Ragga Tip

 

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/TheMagicPosition86/rsz_sl2_zpsyk2pzfbz.png

 

Date 19th April 1992

2 Weeks

Official Chart Run 7-3-2-2-2-3-7-7-15-29-43 (11 weeks)

*Positions in red are the weeks when the track would be number 1 if just dance music was chart eligible.

 

Ragga, a sub genre of Jamaican reggae, had been growing in popularity in the previous decade - mainly through the tower block pirate radio movement in London during the 1980s - and would eventually become ensconced within the Jungle music scene that would peak in popularity during 1994. SL2 (sadly not named after the Slough postcode, but a brand of Technics turntable) were Londoners Matt Nelson, John Fernandez and Jason ‘Jay-J’ James. The group were heavily influenced by the growth of hip-hop and ragga in London and indeed ran their own pirate radio in the late 1980s (Awesome FM and Raw FM), however also embraced the rave culture that dominated the same period. This juxtaposition of genres can be heard on their first double A-side single, which scored them a minor Top 20 hit (#11) in Autumn 1991. The lead on the double A was “DJs Take Control”, a hardcore rave track that sounded very much part of the rave explosion on the UK singles chart in November ’91 - the other, “Way In My Brain” had its roots firmly in reggae, having sampled heavily from influential Jamaican singer Wayne Smith and his seminal classic “Under Mi Sleng Teng”. The latter on this double A would be the foundation on which they would build their defining hit “On A Ragga Tip”.

 

Sounding like nothing else in the Top 40 at the time, “On A Ragga Tip” takes a relatively unknown and unremarkable ragga track from 1984 - Jah Screechie’s “Walk And Skank” - and transforms it into an unbelievable catchy and unique guaranteed dance floor filler with enough momentum to win over the ravers, and a memorable hook (complete with incomprehensible and fun lyrics) that could win over the mainstream... Launching into the chart at number 7, a feat reserved for only the biggest artists/records, “On A Ragga Tip” soon found itself battling for the number 1 spot. Initially it was way behind Right Said Fred, however in their fourth week they very nearly gave independent label XL Recordings their first #1, however it was very narrowly pipped to the post by a group who brought ‘fake version’ to the UK Top 10 long before the iconic Precision Tunes managed it.

 

Edited August 15, 20159 yr by Doctor Blind

Please Don't Go (the 1992 version by that band) is awful, but I'm surprised at its exclusion! Still can't believe that band won a BRIT award as well. :wacko:

Please Don't Go (the 1992 version by that band) is awful, but I'm surprised at its exclusion! Still can't believe that band won a BRIT award as well. :wacko:

 

If you're talking about K.W.S. - it hasn't been excluded sadly! The weeks that SL2 were at number 2 it was climbing from 30-9.

'on a ragga tip' is a bonafide classic :wub: ~ still relevant to this very day :dance:

Soul Central would return the “Strings Of Life” sample to the UK Top 10 in January 2005 when Kathy Brown teamed up with them on “Strings Of Life (Stronger On My Own)” which peaked at #6.

 

Best not mentioned really!