The Beat Takes a Slow, Soulful Turn

All-night raves, those notorious underground dances motored by drugs and electronic stutters, are currently spreading the gospel of techno from coast to coast. Just about every dance single released today contains at least one remix that sounds like a wired-up construction site, and many releases speed on pure electronic fury alone.

While this techno craze throbs on, more mature ravers are growing impatient with the shenanigans of their younger party fellows. The post-20-year-old set has abandoned the rave scene and returned to relatively subdued basics: house music infused with a power dose of soul. It’s not surprising: Mixers have been hedging their bets all along by spinning their various tricks off the steady center of a soul belter.

Whether it’s called new soul, old soul or rare groove, recent Billboard dance charts clearly reflect this growing taste for soul’s slow molasses grooves and aching emotion, readied for today’s party with an inexhaustible house beat.

Of the entries on the following list of current chart entries (and a couple of wild cards), Sabrina Johnston’s “Friendship,” Sounds of Blackness’ “Testify” and Chic’s new and improved dance formula are all eloquent sonic evidence that some dancers want to rock to their soul foundations. Singles are rated on a scale of 0-100.

Clivilles & Cole’s “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (Columbia). The team behind C+C Music Factory are the Deans of Mixology University. Starting with last year’s megablast “Gonna Make You Sweat,” Robert Clivilles and David Cole have displayed unfettered musical imaginations and commercial savvy. On this remix of U2’s anthem (from their “Greatest Remixes Vol. 1” album), a disaffected la-di-da-la-di-da chorus reminiscent of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner,” buoyant soul singing, jazzy scatting and cybernetic riffs ride a funky, overstuffed bass beat. 85

P.M. Dawn’s “Paper Doll” (Gee St./Island). Flower power meets hip-hop for an old-time be-in on a dance floor somewhere in the Motherland of our minds. “Imagine yourself . . .” is the melodious-voiced Prince Be’s favorite lyric opening, and his ability to stoke fantasies along with bodies is part of this duo’s wide appeal. They are genuine vibeologists, able to flow and funk it up without every resorting to huffing and puffing on the beat. 83

Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free (to Feel Good)” (BUZZ import). This party-happy import from Italy hasn’t hit the charts yet, but it’s living large in L.A. clubs. The mixes lean heavily toward melody instruments and sweet chugging rhythms. Rozalla’s soaring vocals, amplified and extended with utmost discretion, deliver the lyrics’ message of brotherhood for an infectious sense of communal well-being. 82

Dominator Human Remix’s “The Joke” (2B Free). Once the butt of Europe’s version of Polish jokes, Belgium is having the last laugh these days, thanks to its special twist on techno. This single is still uncharted, but it’s melting a lot of club turntables nationwide with its unique marriage of funk and factory. “We’re gonna lead you to disaster / We’re gonna make you party real faster . . . “ a robotic homeboy slow-chants in flat, ponderous tones over a core-of-the-earth bass-drum and a fuzzed-to-the-limits synthesizer. “Ah wanna kiss mahself,” he moans in his sole moment of overt emotion. The total effect: inexorable and irresistible. 81

Chic’s “Chic Mystique” (Warner Bros.). The venerable duo of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards match dance wits with two deliciously feverish lady singers. Rodgers and Edwards work their own production magic, layering impeccably timed hooks and dramatically suspenseful rhythmic change-ups into a classic, deep-pumping house groove. 80

The Shamen’s “Make It Mine” (Epic). Cast from the same mold as their recent dance-quake “Move Any Mountain,” this one jumps off the turntable and keeps going. The nasty Cockney rap cuts through a nervy mix, built from every board trick known to man and jacked up with the rebel fire of rock ‘n’ roll. (See interview, Page 69.) 80

The KLF’s “Justified and Ancient” (Arista) Anyone who ever whooped it up on the playground in a kid’s notion of an Indian or African war dance has to get off on this single, a brilliantly realized production of a zany concept by Bill Drummond and Jim Cauty, who as the KLF produce and write music and videos. Tammy Wynette delivers a throbbing-voiced plaint for the “justified and ancient” peoples over the KLF’s disco-tribal stomp, featuring a heart-stopping bass and powerful, loamy guitar. 79

Sabrina Johnston’s “Friendship” (Turnstyle/Atlantic). This chart-climber streams with old-fashioned soul. All five mixes, particularly the “Band of Gypsies Edit,” could serve as primers at Mixology U.: They’re that subtle, seamless and balanced. A hip-shaking rhythm track propels Johnston’s tart, sinewy gospel shout, which gets needed smoothing from the euphoric background choruses--swoonier replications of her vocal inflections. 78

Sounds of Blackness’ “Testify” (Perspective/A&M;). Saturday night in the clubs bleeds into Sunday morning at church with this look back at spirit-starching ‘70s soul, or, as they more descriptively term it in England, rare groove . Heavily influenced by the late Marvin Gaye, particularly “What’s Going On,” this gusher rocks the house by keeping a firm seat on the right rhythm. 75

Paula Abdul’s “Vibeology” (Virgin). Not even Steve (Silk) Hurley’s considerable mixing-board prowess and a fine, wailing sax can offset the aural irritation caused by Abdul’s rodent-like squeals and her soulless ooo ‘s, ow ‘s, and aii ‘s. “I’m in a funky way,” she coos. We wish. 55

Jomanda’s “The True Meaning of Love” (Big Beat/Atlantic). The brisk mix punctuated by snappy drum rolls is fine, but the vocals are a case of hip dissatisfaction--the “I-can’t-be-bothered-to-stay-on-key” syndrome--carried too far. A thick, strangulated lead makes you want to clear your throat; an equally tone-deaf chorus aims for jazzy nonchalance but clean misses. 50

* DANCE AS THERAPY: The Shamen promote their grooves as drum-rhythm therapy and a cure for violence. Page 69.