The first sequel to my '80s Mid-Tempo Pop Mix.

As before, we have nine mid-tempo tracks in their extended club mix forms blended together in the best sequence as I saw fit for a killer mix. These tracks cover 1984-1987. A perfect '80s adventure!

1. "Right on Track" [Midtown Mix]—Breakfast Club (1987)
2. "Into the Groove" [Extended Remix]—Madonna (1985/'87)
3. "Cross My Broken Heart" [Extended Version]—The Jets (1987)
4. "Lucky Star" [New Mix]—Madonna (1984)
5. "Dr. Beat" [Long Version]—Miami Sound Machine (1984)
6. "Sweet Freedom” (Theme from the Motion Picture ‘Running Scared’)—Michael McDonald (1986)
7. "Open Your Heart" [Extended Version]—Madonna (1986)
8. "When I Think of You" [Dance Remix]—Janet Jackson (1986)
9. "Miami Vice Theme" [Extended Remix]—Jan Hammer (1985)

'80s Mixes

'80s Mid-Tempo Pop Mix 2

Young man born in 1982 who loves reliving the ‘80s and ‘70s Disco music I was raised on.

Aside from family party D.J.s, was introduced to the concept of mixes via flea market tapes. Dabbled in it myself with equipment my father got me at age 10. With the advent of mp3s, got to do things I couldn’t with vinyl and CDs: precisely match up beats to the millisecond and use longer tracks as space is unlimited. Always wanted to present entire extended 12” dance remix versions as intended, not edited fragments. Means fewer songs per mix but whole work of the artist, producer and remixer can be appreciated.

This may be an uncommon approach, but this is my chosen style; it's different. The songs were extended in the remixes for a reason, and I wish to present not only the entire work, but the entire arc of the song from beginning to climax—something you can't do if you mix out in the middle of the song. Plus, I wish to surprise the dancer with the build-up of suspense and sudden intro of the next track if the preceeding track has an extended outro. Dancing is all about fun and excitement after all.

I decided early on that each mix would follow a common beat style for consistency. I will not mix a four-on-the-floor Disco/dance beat with a standard two/four rock beat, or freestyle beat, and so on. It sounds sloppy and jarring. And tempos must be as consistent as possible as well. Songs will smoothly transition from one to the next as best I can make them—beats will be matched to the millisecond when possible; this also includes the groove, or the "feel" of each song. I won’t blend two songs that don’t sound complimentary or harmonious together if I can help it. Sometimes, though, it's unavoidable, but it seems to work in the end.

For each mix series, I try to adhere to a common thread, which includes length. I made arbitrary choices from the first mixes. Though everything is relative, I like structure, routine, and consistency. For example, the ‘80s Hi-NRG Megamixes will run around 90 minutes, give or take a few; ‘80s Mid-Tempo Pop Mixes will be a minimum of 60 minutes; and Disco mixes will always be a minimum of two hours—and so on.

One problem I have is haste; I always seem to throw together the mixes in such a hasty fashion in order to upload them that I later remember songs that would have fit well in them. Either I forgot them because I didn’t have the files, didn’t take note of them ahead of time, or because of my hyper creative mood, so I constantly update the uploaded mixes. Keep vigil over them because they are always being changed.

I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoy making them. Nothing brings me more joy than knowing people are enjoying them with me. I would give anything for club D.J.s to play them so I can dance to my own mixes in the clubs in which they were intended to be heard!

One last thing: I decided, out of safety concerns, not to allow my files to be downloadable. There are options for you listeners, however, such as using Audacity to record them at your preference. Or there are plenty of online apps searchable from Google that will convert the links into mp3 files for you, including soundcloudmp3.org, sclouddownloader.net, soundcloudtomp3.app. So do what you wish!

Let's dance!

'80s Mid-Tempo Pop Mix 2

FrankieMusicMan