Mark Alsop

DJ Mark Alsop gives us his top five dance tracks at the moment. He plays at Manacle on Friday and Saturday nights, plus Monday mornings, and at the Civic Hotel on Saturday nights. You can also catch him on Beat FM Sundays from 4pm.

DUSK TILL DAWN
Danny Howells and Dick Trevor

This track successfully blends house and disco with a relentless funky bass line and a delirious diva-esque female vocal by Erire that spreads across the floor quicker than an infection. The Original Mix is brilliant, while the tougher-sounding chunky bass in the Hoxton Whores Mix is delicious.

THINK ABOUT IT
Gianni Coletti vs. Lynn Collins

Zooming out of Italy is the brilliant re-working of the classic James Brown track Think, with excellent production from Gianni which is disco-influenced and reeks of the 1970s. The powerful soul-laden vocal treatment is delivered by seasoned R&B singer Lynn Collins. The 12 suffers from its messy structure but the point is made solidly that you’d better think!

LOVE IS THE ANSWER
Harlem Hustlers

The vocal mix is a dream come true with a truly angelic yet emotive delivery by Taka Boom (Chaka Khan’s sister). Expect a soaring emotional plea backed with a richly laden string arrangement and a dreamy production that begs for attention. Please treat this track with respect and do not download this as a polyphonic ringtone.

A DEFINITE STRANGENESS (2004)
Full Intention

Full Intention’s Mike Gray and Jon Pearn have worked with so many artists since 1989 their biography looks like a Who’s Who of dance music. Originally released a few years ago, this is a reworking driven by a powerful deep, funky and hypnotic bass, clanking production effects plus a perfectly mesmerising vocal delivery by Kat Blu.

FREAK ON
Stonebridge

Ultra Nat?one of the world’s best dance vocalists of the last decade, teams with powerful producers Stonebridge to give us a 70s raunchy disco chic house groove with none other than Lenny Kravitz on guitar.