Life is a Dance - The Remix Project
Encyclopedia
Life is a Dance: The Remix Project is a remix album of recordings by American
R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan
released by the Warner Bros. Records
label in 1989. The compilation takes its title from a track included on Khan's 1978 solo debut album Chaka
.
The album which was released as a double-record set, on CD and as a limited cassette edition with one bonus track comprises remixes made in the styles of late eighties dance music genres like house music
, hip hop
and acid house
of tracks originally recorded between the years 1978 and 1984, including two from Rufus & Chaka Khan's final album Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
: "Ain't Nobody" and "One Million Kisses".
Life is a Dance - The Remix Project resulted in three single releases; "I'm Every Woman" ('89 Remix), "Ain't Nobody" ('89 Remix) and "I Feel For You" ('89 Remix). The 1989 remix of "I'm Every Woman" became a #8 hit on the UK singles chart while Paul Simpson
's take on "I Feel for You" peaked at #45. The Life is a Dance - The Remix Project album itself reached #14 on the UK albums chart, making it the best-selling Chaka Khan album in the U.K. since 1984's I Feel for You. All cuts from the album, peaked at number one on the American, dance play charts, for one week. "Life is a Dance" would mark the final time all cuts from an LP would make the top spot on the dance play charts.
The Dancin' Danny D. and Frankie Knuckles remixes of "I'm Every Woman" and "Ain't Nobody" were in fact both originally released on the B-side of the US 12" single "´Soul Talkin'", taken from the 1988 album CK.
The 1989 remixes of "This Is My Night" and "Eye to Eye" also appear on Warner
's 2006 greatest hits compilation The Platinum Collection
.
Note: the remixes of the tracks "I Feel for You", "This Is My Night" and "Eye to Eye" appearing on this album should not be confused with the original 12" remixes made in 1984 by the original producers Arif Mardin
and Russ Titelman
, all of which remain unreleased on CD in both the United States and Europe.
Prince
's 1979 original track of "I Feel for You" is sampled shortly in Paul Simpson's remix.
The Life is a Dance - The Remix Project was transferred from vinyl to CD in 1989 and remains in print.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
released by the Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
label in 1989. The compilation takes its title from a track included on Khan's 1978 solo debut album Chaka
Chaka (1978 album)
Chaka is the debut solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1978.- Overview :Two singles were released from Chaka, the first being her anthemic solo debut "I'm Every Woman", one of Khan's signature tunes alongside "Ain't Nobody" and "I Feel...
.
The album which was released as a double-record set, on CD and as a limited cassette edition with one bonus track comprises remixes made in the styles of late eighties dance music genres like house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and acid house
Acid house
Acid house is a sub-genre of house music that emphasizes a repetitive, hypnotic and trance-like style, often with samples or spoken lines rather than sung lyrics. Acid house's core electronic squelch sounds were developed around the mid-1980s, particularly by DJs from Chicago who experimented with...
of tracks originally recorded between the years 1978 and 1984, including two from Rufus & Chaka Khan's final album Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy – Live is an album by American R&B/funk band Rufus, , released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1983....
: "Ain't Nobody" and "One Million Kisses".
Life is a Dance - The Remix Project resulted in three single releases; "I'm Every Woman" ('89 Remix), "Ain't Nobody" ('89 Remix) and "I Feel For You" ('89 Remix). The 1989 remix of "I'm Every Woman" became a #8 hit on the UK singles chart while Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson is a musician, vocalist, lyricist and writer from Liverpool, England. His vocal and lyrical styles have been described as "haunting" and "doomed romantic", respectively. Musically, his contributions have crossed the genres of Synthpop, Post-punk, Neo-psychedelia, New Wave and Ambient...
's take on "I Feel for You" peaked at #45. The Life is a Dance - The Remix Project album itself reached #14 on the UK albums chart, making it the best-selling Chaka Khan album in the U.K. since 1984's I Feel for You. All cuts from the album, peaked at number one on the American, dance play charts, for one week. "Life is a Dance" would mark the final time all cuts from an LP would make the top spot on the dance play charts.
The Dancin' Danny D. and Frankie Knuckles remixes of "I'm Every Woman" and "Ain't Nobody" were in fact both originally released on the B-side of the US 12" single "´Soul Talkin'", taken from the 1988 album CK.
The 1989 remixes of "This Is My Night" and "Eye to Eye" also appear on Warner
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
's 2006 greatest hits compilation The Platinum Collection
The Platinum Collection (Chaka Khan)
The Platinum Collection is a compilation album of recordings by American funk/R&B singer Chaka Khan, released by the Warner label in 2006.The Platinum Collection was the second career retrospective of Khan's work to be released, and also the second one-disc set, following 1996's Epiphany: The Best...
.
Note: the remixes of the tracks "I Feel for You", "This Is My Night" and "Eye to Eye" appearing on this album should not be confused with the original 12" remixes made in 1984 by the original producers Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
and Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
, all of which remain unreleased on CD in both the United States and Europe.
Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's 1979 original track of "I Feel for You" is sampled shortly in Paul Simpson's remix.
The Life is a Dance - The Remix Project was transferred from vinyl to CD in 1989 and remains in print.
Track listing
- "Life Is a Dance" (David MoralesDavid MoralesDavid Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
Remix) (Christopher) - 6:38- Original version appears on 1978 album ChakaChaka (1978 album)Chaka is the debut solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1978.- Overview :Two singles were released from Chaka, the first being her anthemic solo debut "I'm Every Woman", one of Khan's signature tunes alongside "Ain't Nobody" and "I Feel...
- Original version appears on 1978 album Chaka
- "I Know You, I Live You" (Tony HumphriesTony HumphriesTony Humphries is a former Administrator of the British Indian Ocean Territory , a British overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Humphries was Administrator from February 2005 to December 2007.-References:...
Remix) (Khan, Mardin) - 7:46- Original version appears on 1981 album What Cha' Gonna Do For MeWhat Cha' Gonna Do for Me (Chaka Khan album)What Cha' Gonna Do for Me is the Gold certified third solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1981.-Overview:...
- Original version appears on 1981 album What Cha' Gonna Do For Me
- "This Is My Night" (Marley MarlMarley MarlMarlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
Remix) (Frank, Murphy) - 5:37- Original version appears on 1984 album I Feel for YouI Feel for You (album)I Feel for You is the Platinum certified fifth solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1984.-Overview:...
- Original version appears on 1984 album I Feel for You
- "Eye to Eye" (Paul SimpsonPaul SimpsonPaul Simpson is a musician, vocalist, lyricist and writer from Liverpool, England. His vocal and lyrical styles have been described as "haunting" and "doomed romantic", respectively. Musically, his contributions have crossed the genres of Synthpop, Post-punk, Neo-psychedelia, New Wave and Ambient...
Remix) (Freeman, Sembello, Sembello, Sembello) - 8:32- Original version appears on 1984 album I Feel for You
- "Slow Dancin'" by Chaka Khan and Rick JamesRick JamesJames Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
(Eric Sadler & Hank Shocklee Remix) (Netto) - 5:55- Original version appears on 1982 album Chaka KhanChaka Khan (1982 album)Chaka Khan is the eponymous fourth solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1982.- Overview :...
- Original version appears on 1982 album Chaka Khan
- "Fate" (David Shaw & Winston Jones Remix) (Bugatti, Musker) - 5:38
- Original version appears on 1981 album What Cha' Gonna Do For Me
- "I'm Every Woman" (Remix Version By Dancin' Danny DD MobD Mob is one of the stage names used by British house music producer Dancin' Danny D .The 1988 UK hit "We Call It Acieed" hit #3 in the UK Singles Chart, and was one of a wave of acid house singles to enjoy success that year. The video was directed by Marek Budzynski...
) (Ashford, Simpson) - 8:24- Original version appears on 1978 album Chaka
- "One Million Kisses" (David Shaw & Winston Jones Remix) (Murphy, Osborne) - 5:59
- Original version appears on Rufus & Chaka KhanRufus (band)Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
's 1983 album Stompin' at the Savoy - LiveStompin' at the Savoy - LiveStompin' at the Savoy – Live is an album by American R&B/funk band Rufus, , released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1983....
- Original version appears on Rufus & Chaka Khan
- "Ain't Nobody" by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (LP Remix Version By Frankie KnucklesFrankie KnucklesFrankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
) (Wolinski) - 4:42- Original version appears on Rufus & Chaka Khan's 1983 album Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
- "Clouds" (C+C Remix) (Ashford, Simpson) - 7:49
- Original version appears on 1980 album NaughtyNaughty (Chaka Khan album)Naughty is the second solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1980.- Biography :Three singles were released from Naughty: the club hit "Clouds" , "Get Ready, Get Set" and the big hit "Papillon "...
- Original version appears on 1980 album Naughty
- "I Feel for You" (Paul SimpsonPaul SimpsonPaul Simpson is a musician, vocalist, lyricist and writer from Liverpool, England. His vocal and lyrical styles have been described as "haunting" and "doomed romantic", respectively. Musically, his contributions have crossed the genres of Synthpop, Post-punk, Neo-psychedelia, New Wave and Ambient...
Remix) (Prince) - 8:51- Original version appears on 1984 album I Feel for You (album)|I Feel for You
- "Clouds" (6:12) (Classic Trax Version) (Ashford, Simpson) - 6:12
- Bonus track cassette edition
Production
- Arif MardinArif MardinArif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
- original producer tracks: 1-3, 5-7, 10-11 - Russ TitelmanRuss TitelmanRuss Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
- original producer tracks: 4, 8, 9
External links
- Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...