Influences: Eurodance with Raphael Schon

Music

Next week marks the release of a new EP from German producer Raphael Schön, an artist who isn’t afraid to express himself and speak honestly about some of the music which has influenced and inspired him over the years.

For some the term ‘eurodance’ is a dirty word – for others it’s a celebration of all things fun, free and euphoric. His new EP on Freeride Millenium isn’t ‘eurodance’ as such but there’s defintely a nod to some of those pop inspired, dance infused tracks of the late 80’s and 90’s which remain as popular and powerful on the dancefloor in the present. Who says dance music or electronic music should take itself so seriously anyway?

“Sometimes it’s very hard to decide whether a track is eurodance, progressive trance or another modification of this style. I have picked 5 tunes which give me this typical nostalgic dance vibe with bouncy basslines, concise synths and cheesy, catchy melodies. So don’t judge me if there aren’t any specific “Eurodance” genre references on Beatport.”

Buy the new EP HERE.

LISTEN

Gala - Freed From Desire

This is an absolute dancefloor killer, a true classic. I don’t play this track that often, but when you recognise it’s the right vibe for this tune it always hits really hard. I really like the message, the way her voice performs and of course the interaction between drums, bassline and this organ+piano harmony. If there’s a crash on the kick, I’m here. In my opinion this tune is more house than euro dance but it’s mostly listed between other famous euro dance hits.

Gala - Freed From Desire

This is an absolute dancefloor killer, a true classic. I don’t play this track that often, but when you recognise it’s the right vibe for this tune it always hits really hard. I really like the message, the way her voice performs and of course the interaction between drums, bassline and this organ+piano harmony. If there’s a crash on the kick, I’m here. In my opinion this tune is more house than euro dance but it’s mostly listed between other famous euro dance hits.
Haddaway - What Is Love

Okay, everyone knows that track. But I absolutely have to mention this one, because it’s probably the best euro dance track ever?! You might hear it on the radio everyday, but did you ever listen closely to that bassline? Sooo smooth and sexy – gives me goosebumps. It’s from 1993 when I was 2 years old and maybe my parents left me in the car in front the supermarket with the radio on at 90db whilst buying me some nappies – somehow the song has burned itself in my brain. It’s an absolute peaktime track and funny to see the mixed facial expressions. But the ones feeling it, almost implode.
Redeye - Contrex Ville

This one I’ve found in the deepest depths of Bandcamp on a compilation called “The history of trance part 1″ from 1996. The synth-game is very strong, a little bit acid and sixteenth kick and snare patterns. There’s a break which you didn’t see coming in the middle of the track, where I at first was like “wtf!”, but now I really like this complete contrast and when the synth lines comes – bye! I can’t tell you much about the artist, but when you read the comment section on Youtube there are some old school ravers which fold their hands in prayer to this masterpiece.
Gigi D'Agostino - L'Amour Toujours ( L'Amour Toujours )

I”m a Big, Big, Big Gigi fan. Especially these first (official) steps in music which are very rare, like the EP with Daniele Gas “Experiments Vol. 1” from 1994. For most people Gigi is trash but I really feel the melancholic mood in his tracks and he’s a hitmaker which also inspires and motivates me. He’s always got those bouncy melodic basslines in combination with proper kicks, open hi-hats and catchy lead-synth-lines on the top. That’s so minimalistic but always on point. And I think his glasses inspired the new US rap generation 😉
Luca Lozano - Atmosphere

I hope Luca will never see, that I mentioned him here in this euro dance section, cause tbh this is not an euro dance track – but there are some elements in this tune which give me the same feelings. Luckily my studio neighbour showed me this tune at a house party, where I was running through to him, through the whole house to get the track id. It’s a very special tune I think, and everytime I listen to it, it feels like I’m caught in a low resolution old school racing video game, driving too fast on drugs and trying to throw bananas on my opponents. For me this is the typical euro dance kick in this track and I also like the melody which starts at 02:12 – sounds very unique. The whole album “boss moves“ is hot!