Do any dj's still play Hi-NRG in clubs?

[nrgbeat]

I was wondering if any dj's still played Hi-NRG either in US or Europe?

I don't necessarily mean oldies, but even new/recent stuff that may fall in the Hi-NRG category.

[discokicks]

That's a good question....one that's a bit difficult to answer because of the transition that Hi-Nrg has taken over the past few years.

I have been a part-time DJ for over 20 years...starting at the time when the term 'high energy' first came to light. There has always been that energetic quality to my song selection and for years, I've always sought out the most energetic, straightforward mixes of current dance releases.

Throughout the 90s, I felt quite alone as most big name DJs (American) dabbled with deeper house and tribal beats. The big hits on dance charts reflected more of this sound (best example I can think of is the song 'Fired Up' by Funky Green Dogs....huge huge hit that I found repulsive and utterly boring) but I fit some of this into my sets knowing that this was the more popular sound of today.

Then I discovered Julian Marsh, a disc jockey from New York. His music was definitely on the more energetic, melodic side and it renewed my confidence in higher energy dance music. Wayne G, who played at Heaven in the UK for years and who is currently in Australia I believe, also incorporates a lot of energy into his mixes and is very popular. I have heard that Hi-Nrg is currently today's underground sound. Let's hope we see it become more prevalent.

There is this undying stigma with Hi-Nrg....very similar to the stigma that disco had back in it's heyday....that it's on the cheesy side, too happy :-? (WTF?) and vapid. My thinking is that clubs today need a big shot of fun put back into them.

[nrgbeat]

DK, what are some of the newer songs that you are playing?

Just wondering if I am familiar with any of the songs.

[discokicks]

DK, what are some of the newer songs that you are playing?

Just wondering if I am familiar with any of the songs.

Any pure hi-nrg that I'm playing currently would have to be from the Almighty label. They have recently covered the big UK hit That's My Goal with their group Obsession...very nice!

As well, right now I'm having success with Voodoo Magic by Bodies Without Organs, reminiscent of those great Modern Talking and Bad Boy Blue classics. There is also the Pet Shop Boys mix of Madonna's Sorry which gives this song a needed Euro-energy boost.

Over this past year or so, we had a run of energetic mixes a la Benny Benassi...most notably California Dreamin' and Sounds of San Francisco....both with that nice four-on-the-floor pounding rhythm we like to hear. DJ Wayne G, that I mentioned earlier in my other post, has put out some great energy in the past few years. His mix from last year of Kylie Minogue's I Believe In You was pure heaven!

Another standout, at least in my club, was the song Hypnotic Erotic Games by Soulshaka...pounding 130bpm Euro rhythm with a catchy chorus and great vocals. I didn't see this appear on too many charts and the only reason has to be that DJs just totally missed it. When The Brokenhearted Love Again by Danielle Bolinger is fantastic and is still very popular in a lot of clubs...more on the circuit-energy side of things but, again, outstanding.

What I notice too, at least on the UK and Europe side of things is the Bobby O and Patrick Cowley sounds happening in pop mixes which is so refreshing. I really think that, at least in gay clubs, dancers are starting to want that energy put back in their nightly music. I'm hearing that they're getting tired of that 'pots and pans' tribal sound. :)

[Energyguy]

Many of the clubs/bars in Manchester, UK play 80s + 90s Hinrg -Some of the clubs have "theme" nights that play 80s electro/disco + Hinrg. the msuic released by Almighty records gets played quite often in the various bars in and around the gay village.