The track I always play to rescue a dancefloor
Cheryl Lynn: Got to Be Real
I have, on occasion, switched off the music for a moment then restarted again with this. Just hearing the intro always elicits the broadest of smiles.
The track that currently gets the most rewinds
Bob Marley: Jamming
I love rewinds. It’s a cultural thing among us DJ selectors. A moment to savour when the crowd and music are one.
The track I wish I’d signed to my label
Jamiroquai: When You Gonna Learn
Ever heard of Dick Rowe? Legend has it he famously turned down the chance to sign the Beatles for Decca records. It reminds me of my A&R tenure at Talkin’ Loud records back in the day when we tried to sign Jamiroquai and my then-boss said a big fat no.
The track that got me out of bed this morning
Stanley Myers: Cavatina (theme from The Deer Hunter)
Bed?! Chance would be a fine thing! But when I do wake up after nodding off at some crazy after-gig party, I sometimes find myself humming along to this; breathtakingly beautiful and great to stroll home to.
The track I wish I’d never played
The Clash: White Riot
Never ask your ex-punk wife to bring along her Clash CD to your gig. I had forgotten my copy from which I would normally play London Calling. Unbeknown to me, her copy contained a different track running order to mine. And so, in front of thousands of mainly black Notting Hill carnival-goers, I played White Riot by mistake. The entire crowd stood silent in utter disbelief as I styled it out for the duration of the track.
The track that should have been a crossover hit
Goldie vs Ulterior Motive ft Natalie Duncan: I Adore You
I really can’t understand why this beautifully crafted piece of abstract drum’n’bass hasn’t done much better out there. Goldie is the Picasso of our contemporary dance music scene.
Norman Jay plays Night Thing at The Jazz Cafe, NW1, 18 August; his compilation Mister Good Times is out on 25 August
