Various Artists - Ultimate Dance Party 1999 (1998)

This CD was recently gifted to me. I recognize only a few of the tunes by title, so let's give this a spin and 1) see which songs I remember when I hear them, and 2) remind me of how out of touch I was with popular music when I was in my early 30s. Hint: I was not partying like it was 1999.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #69

Tracks:

1. Too Close - Next (#1 pop)
   I vaguely remember this one but I dig the laid-back Chicago-style R&B groove although I wish they'd changed it up every now and then.
2. Walkin' On the Sun - Smash Mouth (#2 pop)
   Remember this, like it, bought the CD.
3. Feel It (Blunt Edit) - The Tamperer (feat. Maya) (#4 dance)
   Never heard this that I can recall. Bad vocals over the baking track from Can You Feel It by The Jacksons. Stick with the latter.
4. Free (Mood II Swing Radio Mix) - Ultra Naté (#75 pop)
   No memory of this one. Not a bad dance tune but I'll have forgotten it by this afternoon. Very typical dance beat of the time.
5. I Say A Little Prayer (Love To Infinity's Classic Radio Mix) - Diana King (#38 pop, #8 dance)
   A dance version of the classic Bacharach tune re-popularized by the 1997 movie, My Best Friend's Wedding. Not bad for what it is. I think my buddy Scott sent me this one on a mixtape that I wish I still had.
6. Nobody's Supposed To Be Here (Hex Hector Dance Mix) - Deborah Cox (#1 dance)
   No memory of this one. Then again, there's nothing much memorable about it. Complete waste of a powerhouse voice.
7. It's Like That - Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins (#14 dance)
   Heard the 1983 original but not this ill-advised redo.
8. Cruel Summer (Blazin' Rhythm Remix) - Ace of Base (#10 pop, #10 dance)
   I had forgotten all about this cover. And for good reason. I'm getting a headache.
9. Kiss The Rain (TP2K Remix) - Billie Myers (#15 pop)
   Remember it, but not a fan. Sounds like Tracy Chapman to these ears. Bad remix to boot.
10. One More Night (Hani Radio Edit) - Amber (#58 pop, #9 dance)
    Remember this, like it, bought the CD. Headache gone.
11. The First Night (Razor-N-Guido Club Edit) - Monica (#1 pop, #1 dance)
    Don't remember it, but I kinda dig it.
12. I'm Leavin' (NYC Rough Club Edit) - Lisa Stansfield (#1 dance)
    No memory of this one. I've always liked Stansfield sultry voice and this tune is doing nothing to change my mind about that. I'm digging this one, too.
13. A Rose Is Still A Rose (Rhythm Mix) - Aretha Franklin (#26 pop, #1 dance)
    I vaguely remember this tune. The Queen of Soul is bringing it plus it's written and produced by Lauryn Hill. Winner.
14. Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys (#4 pop)
    <puns>Even though I wanted it that way, the group does not got it goin' on so they need to quit playing games with this compilation. </puns> Remember it. Pass.
15. Still Not A Player - Big Punisher (Feat. Joe) (#24 pop)
    Don't remember this one. Nobody's ever accused me of being a hip hop aficionado and rightfully so. Nonetheless, I dig the backing tracks here which I can only assume were sampled from a '70s R&B tune.
16. Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See (Radio Edit) - Busta Rhymes
    Don't remember this one. It isn't doing much for me, but then again I'm not the target audience.
17. Shorty (You Keep Playin' With My Mind) - Imajin (Feat. Keith Murray) (#25 pop)
    Don't remember this one but I immediately recognized the Dance With Me sample.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: In 1998-99, I was working as middle school band director and trying to raise an infant and a 5 year-old. Walkin' On The Sun reminds of that school. I remember listening to a lot of Dave Matthews Band and Ben Folds Five around that time while my friend Scott was inundating me with mixtapes of import dance mixes (mainly Australian) much like these.