'Dancing With Time' is a courageous project as
Ross Mitchell introduces seven original titles with music composed by David Burley and
lyrics by Michael Wilson and Ross. The dance industry and danceworld should be grateful to
Ross for daring to take this step, because without such 'innovations' one fears that our
current dancing activities could fade away some day if we allow ourselves to be inspired
solely by old 'standards'. These uplifting and inspiring new tunes and songs could easily
become standards themselves.
I am not ashamed to admit that I feel like a 'Dancin' Fool' when
the jive 'Jump Jive an' Wail' from the show 'Burn The Floor' carries me over the moon.
To close I repeat the words of the comperes of the International
Championships at The Royal Albert Hall who say before the start of each dance THANK
YOU ROSS.
Borge Jensen, Denmark.
Honorary Member of the WD&DSC
World Dance and Dance Sport Council
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Please
scroll down for further reviews by Bryan Allen and Charles Scott
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'Dance News' preview by Bryan Allen
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 Ross Mitchell, His Band And
Singers have a well earned reputation within our world of competitive
dance. This is not only for the continuous release of music tailor made for our
dancing but also because he is so involved with us that nothing is too much
trouble. He will listen to suggestions, responds to tempo changes immediately,
will fit in with timetable requirements.
He is a really helpful and involved person.
To offer us
something new Dance And Listen Limited are about to release a new CD album with the
title 'DANCING WITH TIME' (DLD 1093). This is a sure fire winner for a
number of reasons. Firstly there are all ten dances included. Secondly the sound quality
is excellent. Thirdly there is a big band sound on some of the tracks, responding to
current interest. Fourthly there are some tunes that have become incredibly popular in
recent times, and fifthly there are some brand new tunes to enjoy. Some of these tracks
were especially written for last year's World Amateur Ballroom Championships at London's
Royal Albert Hall where the Ross Mitchell Orchestra was entrusted with the music for this
premier televised event. |
Starting with Dancin' Fool as the
Quickstep opener I enjoyed every single offering. It was also very nice to note that the
tempo of the dances were all correct, including the recent changes made by the British
Dance Council that came into force at the start of this year. Having said that,one of the
two jives is at 38 bpm but personally I found 'Rock N' Roll Medley' to be perfectly
acceptable. This was born out of using the recording for both social and competitive
dances. Seven of the seventeen tracks were written by Ross Mitchell and his arranger
David Burley.
It was a privilege
to hear this new CD in advance of its release date Mid-May, and to know that it is assured
of success. After all, isn’t the title just what we are all about.
'DANCING WITH TIME'. |
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'Dance News' review by Charles Scott
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 Ross
Mitchell mentioned to me that there was a new CD in the pipeline and AT LAST I RECEIVED AN ADVANCE COPY....It's Title "Dancing
With Time" Catalogue No. DLD 1093 on the Dance And Listen Label. Many of the
tracks are new being written by Ross, David Burley (his arranger) and Michael Wilson
(producer of the CFD series). Dancers may have heard some of these tracks before as
they were played for the first time at the recent World Amateur Ballroom Dance
Championships broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall on EuroSport and many other television
stations world wide.
I like both the Quicksteps with spot on tempo and
plenty of lift, 'Dancin' Fool' from Copacabana, together with an original 'Time To Dance'.
I mentioned to Ross that this latter tune would make a lovely signature for his
band and singers.
The next two tracks are nice and easy on the ear played in Waltz tempo (both
originals) 'Telling Everybody' and 'Pictures Of Summer'. A tune I have always heard
as a Quickstep BUT NEVER AS A FOXTROT 'I Got Rhythm' but thanks to an excellent
arrangement it's played on this CD as a super Foxtrot. Moving to the second Foxtrot
(original) 'In London Town' ...Nice One. Both the next two tracks once again are
original, the Tango 'Tres Hombres Paraglidos' and the Viennese Waltz 'Les Bouffons De
Montmartre'.....both very good.
Moving to the Latin-American tempos with an old Tom
Jones hit 'She's A Lady', the singer on this track sounds a little like Tom Jones belting
out a very good Cha Cha Cha. The same can be said for the next Cha Cha Cha, a number
that is in the charts (No. 5) at the moment from Santana 'Smooth'. The next track is
a really golden oldie, all I can say is I Like It 'Begin The Beguine' in Samba tempo,
together with the second Samba 'Calypso Caribe' (original). 'Never My Love' goes way back
to the 70s recorded by an American Band called "The Association" played as a
Rumba, also in the same tempo 'Groovin' recorded around the same time by a group called
"The Young Rascals". 'El Conquistador' is a first class Paso-Doble with
the correct phrasing, this was originally on a Dance And Listen CD in the CFD series but
this time with the full band (no vocals). If you are into old rock and roll then I
am sure you will enjoy a medley of three tunes entitled 'Rock N' Roll Medley' played at a
slower tempo of 38 bpm. If you prefer a jive a little more up tempo at regulation 44 bpm
then try the last number 'Jump Jive An' Wail' .... it will have your feet tapping.
To sum up this CD, a lot of thought has gone into the
arrangements .... I like it and I am sure you will. Once again Ross has recorded music for
our style of dancing with a modern touch.
KEEP FIT KEEP DANCING
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'Ballroom Dancing Times'
review by Bryan Allen
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 Ross
Mitchell, His Band And Singers have released in time for the Blackpool
Dance Festival and the visit of so many hundreds of overseas dance enthusiasts, their
latest album 'DANCING WITH TIME' (Catalogue No. DLD 1093). This is
a great CD, all ten dances included and is a mixture of old and new tracks including some
originals especially written for the World Amateur Ballroom Championships broadcast world
wide from the Royal Albert Hall last December.
Starting with 'Dancin' Fool', a great Quickstep to
carry you along, there are three of the original World Championship tracks, followed by by
an excellent recording of 'I Got Rhythm', the first of the Foxtrots. Both Cha Cha
Cha recordings are very strong and the Rumba 'Groovin' was very well received.
Dancers loved the two jives, 'Rock N' Roll Medley' (38 bpm) and 'Jump Jive An' Wail'.
Ross has introduced a more Big Band sound and he has
incorporated the latest tempo changes. Always up to the minute with our tempo
requirements and always listening and searching to give us what we want. A
very good CD is the result
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