YOUR LOVING ARMS is definitely a high point in mid-90s dance music. Combining actual lyrics with actual lyrical style (with instrumental support from the Grid), Billie Ray Martin manages to plumb the depths of emotion while still getting down. Junior Vasquez does more of his typical semi-tribal house that makes you wonder why the Tunnel was so popular in the first place (that’s right—the drugs); he does keep the lyrics intact. Roger Sanchez, on the other hand, eliminates most of the vocals in his groovy interpretation. But my favorite is the “Padapella” mix, attributed to Junior Sanchez, but I think that’s a misprint, considering the “Padapella” version of IMITATION OF LIFE was done by the Brothers in Rhythm. Whoever the remixer is, this mix merges the emotion of the original with perfect house-friendly rhythms (though the beats don’t kick in until two minutes in). It’s how dance music should be.

For me, this is considered to be one of the essential dance tracks of the 1990s - Billie Ray's unmistakable vocal paired with killer Eurodance stylings from The Grid make for one infectious tune. I don't really care much for Junior's mixes on this one. For me, it's all about some fantastic work by the S-Man at the high level of his garage-house period. Nice one, Rog!