Quentin Bell

A gently propulsive track from Wild!, Blue Savannah makes for a pleasant if not a completely stunning single for Erasure; the band itself once amusingly claimed it was "Erasure meets the Eagles!" The pleasure in this single lies in the various remixes and extra tracks that come scattered throughout. The title track itself benefits from two complementary remixes, "Der Deutsche Mix I and II", the latter of which adds a reasonable enough breakbeat and some fun synth soloing to create a low-key, Manchester-tinged dancefloor filler. There's one further remix from Mark Saunders that combines his usual fun beats and upbeat feeling to the original, not to mention adding a bit of twangy country guitar. Also on the disc is an okay enough original B-side, "Runaround in the Underground"…

The crusaders' dilemma is clearly exemplified in the song Seigneur, saichies by Thibaut de Champagne. "He who does not leave at once for the land where Christ loved and died, and takes the cross … will hardly go to paradise" and yet in the words of another song by Thibaut "God, why did you create foreign countries? It has parted many lovers who have lost comfort of love and forgotten its joy." There was, though, a joy greater than this: "It is good to be God's servant, and not to be touched by danger or chance; Serve well and be rewarded well." (Conon de Bethune). It is still, even at a distance of 800 years very touching to read these words and to hear these songs; they retain a strong quality, which, in these performances, is captured very well.

Mega Dance Top 100 Best Of 2013 (5CD)
MP3 VBR 238-263 kbps | Tracks: 100 | 05:28:55 | 580 mb
Genre:Club, Dance | Label: Rodeo Media

The very best dance tracks 2013!! Unmissable! Featuring Hardwell, Avicii, Fedde le Grand, Showtek, Eelke Kleijn, Sander van Doorn, Tiesto & Dyro and many more!!

A battle of the bands? Not quite – more like a mutual admiration society, with the orchestras of both jazz titans playing together. (The Duke is heard on the right side of your stereo/headphones, the Count on the left.) Ellington's elegance and unique voicings meet Basie's rollicking, blues-based Kansas City swing, and it works gloriously. There's no clutter, each band is focused, and they sound great together. This is not the thoughtful, reflective composer side of Ellington (listeners should check out Far East Suite or Black, Brown & Beige for that). The Duke and his band accentuate their swinging dance band side, while Basie and company have never sounded as suave and exotic as when playing Billy Strayhorn arrangements. Everyone has a good time, and that joy infuses this album from start to finish.