Promised Land

Here is a wonderful song that has put me in a good mood after watching all the sad news of the world lately.  Specially what's going on in Lybia.  I hope this people find their freedom from dictatorship so they can enjoy their "promised land".  I consider the Style Council to be the quintessential '80s group.  Style Council was basically the brainchild of Paul Weller and Mick Talbot.  With a wide diversity of styles, the band released some of the most memorable songs that clearly reflect and defined that fabulous yet fickle decade.    "Promised Land" was actually a cover version of Joe Smooth amazing house classic.  The song defined  their desire to move to a more house sound at that time when they released the hard to find and last record titled Modernist: A New Decade which was never released officially and it was dropped by Polydor records causing the band to split.  I have heard the album in bits and pieces all I can say is that is pure house bliss. I am diligently searching for a copy of this rare gem.  In the meantime I'm enjoying and settling for this one and I must say that  Drop Out Orchestra has done a brilliant work to this '80s house classic.  Enjoy!

Promised Land (Drop Out Orchestra Re-Edit) - The Style Council        Download

Running Away

Here is a song from the late '80s that I always enjoy listening.  Lately, I have been noticing a re-hash of a sort of post New Romantic/London preppy look in terms of fashion.  Naturally, I must imagine that some re-birth of this music that went along with this "look" should have new consideration as well.  Think Spandau Ballet, Haircut 100, The Style Council and Echo & The Bunnyman.  All great bands that deserve their own posting for their great contributions to dance music.  Recently, I posted a song by Fun Boy Three and it awoke renewed enthusiasm for this era of dance music.  The Colourfield was a British band formed in 1984 in Manchester by former Specials and Fun Boy Three front man Terry Hall with ex-Swingin Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale.  "Running Away" was from their 1987 album Deception and it was remake by Sly & The Family Stone and here it gets the Arthur Baker treatment to stunning effects .   I vividly recalled hearing and dancing to this song for the first time at a great New Wave club in Baton Rouge called Xantus.  Enjoy!

Running Away (Arthur Baker Remix) - The Colourfield - Chrystalis