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Music Pour la Danse presents Collected #1, a definitive collection of classic Belgian club anthems produced by new beat legend Rembert de Smet and the first volume in the label's series dedicated to preserving valuable works by key dance producers from the past. New beat was a short-lived movement local to Belgium, and, along with Italo-disco, a forerunner of European techno. It was mainly influenced by new wave and industrial music, particularly Throbbing Gristle, The Neon Judgement, and Front 242. Its signature slowed-down tempo prefigured DJ Screw's slowed rap remixes and the later slow house craze, and it was a sensation at the time. New beat took the charts by storm without any radio play, and ruled the Belgian dancefloors during its short existence. Rembert de Smet had enjoyed some popular success with his group 2 Belgen, but became part of the new beat scene early, and rapidly produced a staggering collection of tracks in 1988 and '89. Whether working solo as Ro Maron and Agaric or in collaboration with artists like Ferre Baelen (TC Matic) and Maurice Engelen (Praga Khan), he produced records ceaselessly, week after week, knowing that the rich new beat era wouldn't last forever. Mostly released on now-defunct labels like Kaos Dance Records, Antler-Subway, Dance Opera, and MG Records, the best of it and beyond is compiled here, including classic new beat mainstays of Belgium's club Boccaccio, as well as earlier, more primitive works, lazier rhythms, ambient house tracks, and hardcore rave sounds. Includes tracks by Agaric, Edwards + Armani, Phantasia, Reject 707, Kaos 007, Miss Nude, Mr. White, S.M., Air of Gloom, Trance Trax, Le Mystère, Sleepwalker, Beat Beat Beat, Alpha Beta, Little Little, Believe It or Not, Zsa Zsa La Boum, Rhythm Kings, 2 Body's, and Agaric-Bhab.
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