(Central Station/MRA)

“Pump up the jam, pump it up, while your feet are stompin’, and the jam is pumpin’, lookie here the crowd is jumpin’, pump it up a little more, get the party going on the dance floor”... Ahh the immortal words of Technotronic’s classic Pump Up The Jam. Long time dance music enthusiasts may fondly remember dancing to this or seeing the amusing video clip and racing out to buy the single on tape (most of us not owning CD players back at the beginning of the nineties!)

What was destined to remain simply a happy memory grew into something more when three months ago a David Piccioni mixtape arrived in my mailbox from a friend who was living it large in the Balearic region. The tape contained a driving set of deep and rocking house tunes, one of which was the smashing D.O.N.S. version of Pump Up The Jam!

This re-work first blew up at the Miami Winter Music Conference, where movers and shakers alike were powerless to resist the charms of this revivalist classic. Since then, a slew of remixes has been keeping the feet a stompin’ and the crowds a jumpin’ in sunny Ibiza. Support has come from the leaders of the danceratti and their dancefloor disciples (the S-Man even labelled it the biggest tune of the year.)

Oliver Goedicke & Nils Karsten make up the German D.O.N.S duo and those with an unhealthy interest in dance culture may recognise Ol as one half of the Warp Brothers.  This time around the production is easier on the ears, with a far funkier vibe than the driving synth by numbers that typify Warp Brothers productions.

The D.O.N.S vs Kurd Maverick Radio Mix gets straight to the business, with the signature rollicking b-line and sing-a-long vocals in full effect. With the first track over in a flash of two and a half enjoyable minutes, the good times continue with a remix from the relative unknown Moto Blanco twosome. Their sun soked version features big keys, a charming repeating vocal and lime-time Latin flavour that resonates with good vibrations.

Halfway through and the Maverick Club Mix appears as a refreshing change from every other tired club mix under the sun. It’s a simple pleasure and will definitely get the party people moving. The best has been saved for last, with the tune that has been destroying dancefloors across the globe, the Kurd Maverick aka Gian’s Crowd Is Jumpin’ Mix. Complemented by bleepy bits and blonky beats, the deep tribal vibes and lashings of funked out bass are addictive and infinitely danceable. The infectiously strong buildup is set to keep rocking dancefloors for years to come.

With broad appeal for the house and electro massives, Jam is a tune with a very strong crate-life. These stellar remixes will ensure it will enjoy a place in every discerning collectors library. This beat is Technotronic!