Joe Smooth Inc.* Featuring Anthony Thomas - The Promised Land

Almost 20 years after its initial impact, this record is still serving its life sentence in my record crate, all chances of parole out the window. Unlike many of its conteporaries, it will never see what that room in the back of my garage called "The Archives" looks like. 'The Promised Land' is one of those increasingly rare moments you'd look forward to at 8:00am when you're once again level with the physical universe and dreading the sound of chirping birds. Somehow - some way or another - Joe Smooth makes it all... smooth again...

... of course, those angels that come down and spread their wings like doves help him out with the feat.

I use to prefer having originals, but I have to say that this french press of "Promised Land" is quality ! First you get some wicked 80's style artwork which takes you back in the 80's at first sight. Then, and most important point, the loud press on this vynil !!! way above the original !! As a bonus you get the Freestyle Mix which originally appears on the DJ International 12" Remix only.. I think they've mixed up things a bit though, on my copy, The Freestyle Mix being named The Radio Version & vice versa.

How classic can you go? Do you remember the first time you fell in love? In 1987 I was 11 years old and when I heard this record I knew instantly for sure "I am in love with house music".

Now almost 20 years later this record has not lost any of its vibes and lyrics. Warm sounds are complemented with true vocals that still are meaningfull in many ways.

How many records in this genre deal with social issues? Besides "Joe Smooth's Promised Land" I can also think about the work of "Inner City" and "Rise from the Grave" composed by "Phuture aka DJ Pierre".

This record is one for my funeral.

Complete sacrilege!! I am a firm believer of the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". The original of this is the don of all vocal house tracks and should never be messed with. If you weren’t about when the original was released hunt one down and you'll see what I mean!

Sundaymorning, 7 am. You have been dancing and jumping around at this beach party since 11 pm last night, meeting new people and having a good time in general. The place is still packed. You look at the sea, you know the sun is about to rise. And at that exact point in time and space, with the sun rising, the DJ drops "The Promised Land" by Joe Smooth, the ultimate housemusic celebration and sing-along anthem. You get overwhelmed by feelings of joy, get tears in your eyes and you hug people you have never met before. This is the true house feeling. Welcome to the family.