Ultimate Dance

Description

Ultimate Dance is a multi-artist compilation released on StarSong Records in 1989, distributed by Sparrow/Star Song Distribution.

Ultimate – rock / metal / dance / rap

Remember the time you were watching late night TV and the K-Tel like offer came on – you know, “wouldn’t it be great to have this fabulous collection of (fill in the blank – hits, slow dance songs, classic rock) in your own home? They’re great for parties” – and you thought, “Yeah, I can have all this fabulous (remember, it’s late) music in my own home for one low price. It’d be great for parties.” Well, evidently Dan Hickling (one of the great unsung heros behind the scenes of Christian rock) has had insomnia of late, and the result are these collections of Christian music so you can have all this fabulous (fill in the blank – rock, dance, metal and rap) music in your own home. It’ll be great for parties.

Actually, inspite of some problem with the word “ultimate,” and some occasional arguments with the choices in some of the categories – Petra actually has a song on three of these collections, thank God Bob Hartman doesn’t rap; and who decided the fossilized ones and Mylon & Brokenfoot should be on a dance album?! – this turns out to be a good investment, especially if you’re a relative newcomer to Christian music, or are interested in hearing a good sampling of what’s happening in metal or rap or. . . , but don’t want to buy albums by a half dozen artists without first a look see.

The ‘Ultimate Rock’ and ‘Ultimate Metal’ collections fare best, but we’ve been intentional about both of these forms for some time. ‘Rock’ works the way Christian radio ought to, in fact, in leu of the absence of any substantial Christian rock programming keep the tape near your car stereo and be grateful no stupid dj keeps interrupting the jams. I was especially grateful to see Dave Perkins and Undercover included here, and generally the selections are perfect. It’s great that StarSong didn’t feel a need to deliver a collection from their own label, but went after strong songs, no matter who owned them. Maybe here Geoff Moore and Steve Taylor’s «Jim Morrison’s Grave» will get the exposure they deserve.

‘Metal’ features a previously unreleased track from Messiah Prophet, and here as with Neon Cross, Scarlet Red, Vengeance and Rage of Angels, the choices present these relative newcomers in there best possible selections. Someone did their homework. Consistent from start to finish, perhaps because we all know what “metal” is, but we have more trouble defining “rock,” it’s the best package of the four.

‘Rap’ and ‘Dance’ would have been all but impossible even two years ago, and thus without a broad range of material to choose from are spotty and less than focused. With ‘Rap’ it’s more an issue of quality, and thanks to P.I.D, E.T.W. and J.C. and the Boyz’ recent endeavors things here sound a lot better. It’s also nice to see Stephen Wiley’s 1985 and ’86 efforts given exposure, that was early for Christian music. On the other hand, who ever picked the tracks for ‘Dance’, probably doesn’t. While the remix of Steve Taylor’s «This Disco» works, as do tunes by Adam Again, Bebe and Cece Winans, (surprisingly) Bryan Duncan, and Tim Miner, the rest require a good remixing or elimination.

Now, shouldn’t we save the word “ultimate” for something a little classier than this? [Brian Q. Newcomb, Harvest Rock Syndicate, No. 4, 1989 (Volume 4)]

CD tracklist:

01. Steve Taylor – This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral) – 5:20 (from the album Trans-Atlantic Remixes, Sparrow 1985)
02. Bash’n The Code – Now – 3:57 (from the album More Than Enough, StarSong 1989)
03. Bebe & Cece Winans – I Don’t Know Why – 3:48 (from the album BeBe & CeCe Winans, Sparrow 1987)
04. Bryan Duncan – Every Heart Has An Open Door – 5:07 (from the album Whistlin’ in the Dark, Modern Art 1987)
05. Kim Boyce – Say It – 3:34 (from the album Time and Again, Myrrh 1988)
06. Petra – Somebody’s Gonna Praise His Name – 3:59 (from the album On Fire!, StarSong 1988)
07. Mylon & Broken Heart – Let Love Conquer – 4:17 (from the album Big World, StarSong 1989)
08. Rap Sure – David And Goliath – 3:03 (from the album O.T. Rap, StarSong 1987)
09. Tim Miner – Smarter Than Crack – 4:27 (from the album I Know You Think You Know, Sparrow 1988)
10. Farrell And Farrell – People In A Box – 3:34 (from the album Jump to Conclusions, StarSong 1985)
11. Adam Again – Tree House – 6:49 (from the album Ten Songs by Adam Again, Broken 1988)
12. Deniece Williams – What You Do For Me – 3:53 (from the album So Glad I Know, Sparrow 1986)

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.