Album Review

"Summer Dance Party" (various artists)
Sony Music Special Products A26911 © 1996 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Purchased at Sam Goody.

A great album for a picnic or a pool party! Most of these songs are instantly recognizable, which adds to their appeal. Scores 13 out of 20.

Track Listing:

1 (Y) "Electric Boogie" - Marcia Griffiths
The Electric Slide. What can I say but EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

2 (Y) "Hot, Hot, Hot" - Buster Poindexter & His Banshees Of Blue
Lively, island sound. Makes you want to run out and buy a Toyota!

3 (Y) "Dance To The Music" - Sly & The Family Stone
The title says it all.

4 (?) "Montego Bay" - Bobby Bloom
Nice island sound, but slightly alcoholic lyrics.

5 (?) "Tequila" - The Champs
A great song, except for the 'lyric'. I might play it for a non-Christian group.

6 (Y) "The Chicken Dance" - Bob Kames
Another party classic! If you won't get up & dance to this one, there's no hope for you!

7 (Y) "Shout (parts 1&2)" - The Isley Brothers
Just as good as the Otis Day & The Knights ("The Blues Brothers" movie) version.

8 (y) "Hands Up! (Give Me Your Heart) - Ottawan
A lesser-known 'classic'. Not a bad song.

9 (Y) "Limbo Rock" - Chubby Checker
Get out the broomstick and HAVE FUN! (2 or 3 times!)

10 (?) "Break My Stride" - Matthew Wilder
More light island sound.

11 (N) "Reggae Night" - Jimmy Cliff
OK sound, but somewhat suggestive lyrics.

12 (Y) "I Can See Clearly Now" - Johnny Nash
Mellow; light island sound. "Sunshiny day."

13 (y) "Summer Breeze" - Seals & Crofts
Light & mellow. Not a huge hit, but still a good song.

14 (y) "Do You Wanna Dance" - Beach Boys
A classic dance tune. Makes a good lead-in to "Dance To The Music".

15 (N) "I'll Take You There" - General Public
Not a really great song, and questionable lyrics as well.

16 (?) "See You In September" - The Happenings
A classic, but sort of a downer.

17 (N) "Down In The Boondocks" - Billy Joe Royal
A real downer! Not my idea of a party song.

18 (Y) "C'mon And Swim" - Bobby Freeman
Another classic "do this dance" tune.

19 (n) "Gimme Some Lovin'" - Spencer Davis Group
A great sound, but the lyrics put it in the discard pile.

20 (y) "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" - Jerry Lee Lewis
Lively! Not on the 'A' list either, but still playable.