FALCON - OUT OF CONTROL 12 SINGLE

I fucken love this record. I saw this girl once at some teen club and man did she tear it up. Don't remember her real name, but I do remember she said she was the sister of Lazaro Mendez from Power 96, also known as the famous DJ Laz. She was so sexy with her white knee high boots, short shorts, and beautiful long hair. The girl had a lot of star quality, plus she also sounded great live.

"Out of control" was one of those songs that should have been a big hit. In my opinion it sounded a little different from the rest of the freestyle that was coming out of Miami during this time. It's such a great song with a lot of energy, and slammin' production. Although It only got a few spins on Power 96, I gave it tons of spins in my bedroom, and even sent Falcon a letter telling her how much I loved her song (I was such a nerd). She sent me back a long letter with an autograhed picture which I can't seem find for this post. Wonder what ever became of her, I don't think she ever released another record. The song was produced by Joe Bersellino and Marc Pomeroy, and mixed by Jimmy Starr. It released in 1989 on Southside Records.

UPDATE: I recently found out that Falcon whoes real name is Maria Mendez performed with Will To Power for some of their shows back in the day. Wow!

OUT OF CONTROL(OUT OF MY MIND) (CLUB MIX)

THE BEAT CLUB - SECURITY 12 SINGLE

The Beat Club started off in Miami as a studio project for producer Ony Rodriguez, with his girlfriend and future wife Mireya Valls. Ony had began his career as guitarist and producer for his Group The Voice in Fashion, who had the freestyle hits, "Only in the night", and "Give me your love". He soon decided to pursue his style music more and started The Beat Club. Their track "Security" was produced by Ony and another Miami legend Avy Gonzalez (Genuine parts,Merci-Mercy) and originally released on his Pizazz Record label in 1988. The track drew influences from the Miami Bass & Freestyle sound that was happening in Florida and was successful enough to gain them a major label deal with Atlantic Records.

After their run with Atlantic, The Beat Club was then offered the opportunity to become the first recording act to be signed to New Order manager and Manchester's Factory Record mogul, the late Rob Gretton's own personal label Robsrecord. The group went on to release several recordings in the UK, including the "Security" remix featuring New Order's Bernard Summer on vocals. "Security" was one of the biggest songs at Manchsters legendary club Hacienda.

Back in the states, "Security" was a huge hit all over South Florida. I Remember driving through Coconut Grove in Miami and blasting this track in my friend's lowrider car(then getting fined by the cops for blasting it too loud ). The bass in this track sounded sooo crisp. I also remember catching The Beat Club performing at Hot Wheels Skating Center. Good times....The song peaked at #30 on Billboards Dance Sales Charts, and number #14 on the Hot Dance Club Chart. The Beat Club went on to start Electrobeat Records out of Miami, Fl, and has released quite a few electronic recordings through the years, but has remained a faceless project. "Security" was also recently covered by The Freestylers on their album "Adventures in Freestyle."

P.S. A shout out to Vinyl Vault Rob for sending me the rest of the versions of this record.

SECURITY(CLUB MIX)

SECURITY (BEATS)

SECURITY (CHANTS)

SECURITY (CHANTS II)

SECURITY (INSTRUMENTS)

LOVE & LUST F AISHA - LOVE & LUST 12 SINGLE

Electro bass label Debonaire Records which was responsible for some of Florida's classic Miami Bass records from Dynamix II to Breezy Beat M.C., released this banger in 1990 with a very similiar sound to that of The Beat Club's "Security"(posted below). The record samples two of Dynamix II classic beats from "Bass Generator," and "Just Give The DJ a Break." The song "Love & Lust" rose to the top of the charts on power 96 when released in 1990. I must have seen these guy's perform at every teen club down in Miami. first got to see Love & Lust at the Hialeah Spring Festival show (Anyone remember those events?). The group came out wearing some crazy egyptian outfits with gold chains and put on a hot show. Check out their picture below which I Found on some site. The song was written, arranged, mixed, and produced by Claudio Barella, with co-production from Jimmy Star.

LOVE & LUST (CLUB OF CAIRO)

LOVE & LUST (LOVE BEATS 1)

LOVE & LUST (LOVE BEATS 2)

LOVE & LUST (NOUSE OF PYRAMIDS)

MERCI MERCY - IF THERE'S A CHANCE 12 SINGLE

Mercy-Merci was a hot little group out of Miami who had a few local hits. The group consisted of lead singer Marilyn "Mimi" Diaz, who also used to be part of the group Bi-Chance, the lovely Patricia mario, and Dawn Rix, plus Roly Garcia. This group always put on a great show. They would first come out on stage wearing these black spooky hooded capes for the shows intro, then take them off to reveal their sexy outfits with these tiny mini skirts and bustiers.

This song reminds me so much of this little stalker I had in Junior High who would call my house at all hours of the night. She would leave me these crazy "I love U" messages on my voicemail, and would follow me everywhere I hung out. Yamile this song is dedicated to you, wherever you are.

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"If I had a chance" was Mercy-Merci's first hit. it ended up snatching the top spot on Power 96 in 1989. The record was produced by Avy Gonzalez, with edits by the Whiz Kids and released on Runaway Records. The group would go on to release two more singles before splitting up. Some of the guys from Mercy-Merci would later form the group About Face, and would release their 1991 Power hit "I don't wanna sleep alone tonight".

P.S. A BIG SHOUT TO JEAN OVER AT FREESTYLE REBIRTH FOR THIS MERCY TRACK*

IF THERE'S A CHANCE (MERCI POWER MIX)

IF THERE'S A CHANCE (DJ BACK EXTENDED)

IF THERE'S A CHANCE (DOC'S DUB)

IF THERE'S A CHANCE (BONUS MERCO-O-BEATS MIX)

TEAZ 2 PLEAZ - I WANT U 12 SINGLE

As I continue with the Miami series, I bring you to a popular South Florida trio which had 9 different girls throughout the years. The ones I remember were the original Cuban girls who went by their stage name of bambi, Yasmin & Monique. Their real names were actually Mary, Betty & Nora, and they released this Ten-Lion Records classic jam in 1988, which was huge hit in Miami. Betty & Nora were actually twin sisters who had a prior underground Freestyle record titled "let me know" under the group name Precious.

Teaz-2-Pleaz went on to release many singles through the years, and a greatest hits compilation. "I Want U" was their biggest hit which peaked at #50 on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play in early 1989. The original Teaz-2 Pleaz was another act I saw perform at Hot Wheels (How many Hot Wheels heads are out there?). The track was produced by Power 96's DJ "Jammin" Johnny Caride & Vic Ten.

I WANT U (EXTENDED MIX)

I WANT YOU (JAMMIN' IN THE NIGHT MIX)

R.A.H.N - GIVE YOUR LOVE TO ME 12 SINGLE

During the years of 1987 & 88 it seemed like Tolga ruled the airwaves in Miami. Any track he produced was quickly added to radio, and was a banger in the clubs.This record was no exception. Rahn's first, and only single, "Give your love to me" was a smash hit. Always on the top spot of Power's nightly countdown. Got to see Rahn perform, along with Stevie B, Trinere, and Stephanie at a Bayside "back to school" concert. Great show! I recently found Rahn on his myspace, and he is now living in Georgia, working on some R&B/Gospel music. Stop by and give him a shout at http://www.myspace.com/rahnanthoni. "Give your love to me" was released in 1988 on Beware Records.

*A BIG THANK YOU TO SETH POLITANO FOR SENDING ME THIS TRACK*

GIVE YOUR LOVE TO ME (EXTENDED DANCE)

GIVE YOUR LOVE TO ME (VOCAL DUB)

GIVE YOUR LOVE TO ME (DUB)

RAY GUELL - JUST ANOTHER LOVER 12 SINGLE

Here is another Tolga Katas production I love. The Miami born Cubano, Ray Guell made his debut with this song in 1989. His second single, "You took my heart" was supposed to be his first release, but when Ray & Tolga got together to lay down the background vocals, Ray thought of an idea for another song. the guys started messing around the studio with it, and the song turned out to be "Just another lover."

The song was a smash hit down in Miami, taking Ray to the top of the charts. In Brazil where Freestyle music was referred to as "Funky Melody", the track hit the top 10 establishing Ray as a major dance artist through out Brazil, especially in Rio Janeiro, Brasilia and Sao Paolo. Ray Guell became one of Brazil's most recognized "Funky Melody" artist.

Ray recalls the first time he heard his song play on Miami's Power 96. "It was very surreal. I was alone in my car and I remember I started to cry like a baby. That particular experience I only shared with God." Ray is still touring and making new music, his recent release "In your eyes," with hot electro remixes by Jorge Ojeda is available now on www.beatport.com. Check it out!

JUST ANOTHER LOVER (CLUB MIX)

JUST ANOTHER LOVER (EXTENDED)

JUST ANOTHER LOVER (FLANGER DUB)