Here is a fresh thread for all those who appreciate this specific art form.
It all kicked off in the mid-70s. This format really burst onto the scene right as disco was hitting its stride, spearheaded by the legendary 12" single, Donna Summer Love to Love You Baby.
Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby (1975) (the original extended 16:50 version)
Things really heated up in the early 80s, though. That’s when the new wave of romantics, synth-pop enthusiasts, electronic pioneers, and anyone else looking to find their crowd on the dance floors of major US clubs realized this format was the perfect canvas for expression.
We started seeing extended single versions and remixes that breathed entirely new life into existing tracks. Back then, it was common practice to use the B-side for instrumentals or deep, dubby versions.
Names like Arthur Baker, Shep Pettibone, and Razormaid (
a list of standout remixes) are just a few of the heavy hitters who ensured these weren't just recycled singles. Instead, they infused them with a creative energy that still resonates on vinyl today.
Some artists who truly mastered this craft during the first half of the 80s include Depeche Mode and New Order (who actually released most of their catalog in this very format).
On the label side, we have to give a nod to the legendary ZTT, founded back in 1983 by the renowned music journalist Paul Morley and producer Trevor Horn.
They actually released a compilation recently that perfectly captures their pioneering spirit, titled The art of the 12" (Volume One & Two).
Take FGTH, for instance. They were responsible for some of the most inventive 12" releases ever made:
FGTH - rage hard (A Young Person's Guide Into The 12" Mix) (1986)FGTH - Two Tribes (Annihilation mix) (1984)For a different flavor of high-quality "conventional" mixing, look at this:
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Murder Mix) (1984)And here is a hybrid that does a fantastic job of bridging the gap between dance music's past and its more modern iterations:
Dannii Minogue vs Dead or Alive - Begin to Spin me Round (Extended Video Mix)Here is another great example of how a standard mid-tempo track can be transformed into a floor-filler once it lands in the hands of a master:
Cornershop - Brimful of Ash (1997) (original version)Cornershop - Brimful of Ash (Norman Cook Mix) (1997)That’s enough for an introduction.
This thread isn't strictly limited to the 12" single as a vehicle for various mixes from the 70s to now. It also encompasses the "extended" single format—the EP—which frequently serves as an exclusive way to release certain musical works.
