Feel the Sunshine

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"Feel the Sunshine"
Feel the Sunshine.jpg
Single by Alex Reece
from the album So Far
B-side"Remix"
Released1995
Genre
Length
  • 6:18 (Vocal Mix)
  • 5:42 (Original Mix)
Label
  • Blunted
  • Island Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Alex Reece

"Feel the Sunshine" is a 1995 song by British drum and bass producer Alex Reece featuring vocals by singer Deborah Anderson, who also co-wrote the lyrics. It was included on Reece's debutalbum, So Far, which was released in September 1996 and peaked at number 69 on the UK Singles Chart in 1995. But in May 1996, the remixes-single peaked at number 26.[1] On the UK Dance Singles Chart, it was more successful, peaking at number 4. It is now widely regarded as one of the most classic drum 'n' bass songs.

Critical reception[]

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "with the drum'n'bass/electronic revolution raging to mainstream heights, the time is right for Reece to break out of the underground. This is one of numerous highlights on the U.K. producer/composer's sterling stateside debut." He added that his "ambient keyboards and staccato beats are warmed by the presence of guest vocalist Deborah Anderson, who has a quality not unlike Bjork, but smoother and far more mainstream-friendly."[2] Tim Haslett from CMJ called the song "blissful".[3] Music Week gave it three out of five, saying, "There have been some varying takes on jungle recently and Reece's understated, melodic drum and bass excursions with a jazz tinge will find him a wider audience in the near future."[4]

Brad Beatnik from the magazine's RM Dance Update rated it four out of five, adding that the producer "makes his Blunted debut with a rich, atmospheric tune. The remix makes the most of the strings and organ feel, the original uses less of the Bjork-like vocal over more minimal drum and bass beats."[5] Calvin Bush from Muzik commented, "YES, he really is worth all the purple prose and exaggerated metaphors! After what seems like eons, Reece finally delivers his major label debut and the phrases "bloody essential" and "stick this in your jazz pipe and smoke it, son" spring to mind."[6] John Perry from NME noted "the divine summer breeze" of the song, stating that Reece "breakbeats his insistently over low-rent electro squiggles and honey-dripping vocals drape like velvet over a chaise longue. Reece has rubbed all the dirt from the surface of harcore and polished it until it reflects the sun."[7]

Music video[]

The music video for the song takes place at an underground party. Singer Deborah Anderson sings as she makes her way through dark passages in the underground. She wears dark make up on her eyelids and has feathers in her hair. A DJ spins records and people dances around her. Towards the end, Anderson reaches the surface and comes out into the daylight.

Track listing[]

12" single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Feel The Sunshine" (Vocal Mix) 
2."Feel The Sunshine" (Original Mix) 
3."Jazz Master" (Alex's Funky Mix) 
CD single (1995)
No.TitleLength
1."Feel The Sunshine" (Vocal Mix)6:18
2."Feel The Sunshine" (Original Mix)5:42
3."Jazz Master" (Original Mix)5:36
4."Jazz Master" (Alex's Funky Mix)4:49
12" single (Remixes) (1996)
No.TitleLength
1."Feel The Sunshine" (DJ Pulse Remix)5:44
2."Jazz Master" (DJ Krust Remix)6:50
3."Jazz Master" (Kruder & Dorfmeister Remix)8:23
CD single (Remixes) (1996)
No.TitleLength
1."Feel The Sunshine" (Original Radio Edit)3:53
2."Feel The Sunshine" (DJ Pulse Remix)5:46
3."Jazz Master" (DJ Krust Remix)6:51
4."Jazz Master" (Kruder And Dorfmeister Remix)8:24

Charts[]

Chart (1995) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 69
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[8] 2
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[9] 100
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[10] 37
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 26
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[11] 4

References[]

  1. ^ "Feel the Sunshine". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 8 March 1997. p. 56. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Dance". CMJ. 1 September 1996. p. 50. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 November 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  5. ^ Beatnik, Brad (7 October 1995). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 10. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Singles" (PDF). Muzik. 1 January 1996. p. 83. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  7. ^ Perry, John. "ALEX REECE – So Far". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Official UK Dance Singles Chart (10 December 1995-16 December 1995)". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 05 May 1996 - 11 May 1996". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 05 May 1996 - 11 May 1996". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
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