Rating:
Genre: Easy Listening
Release Date: 08/02/2005

Back in Arthur Murray's heyday there was a major market for formal dance records, but today they are much fewer in number. Ballroom Blitz is a contemporary example -- a utilitarian collection of music for "social and competitive dancing," as the subtitle says, with information provided for each track regarding the dance style and number of beats per minute. The dances represented include the cha cha, rhumba, mambo, salsa, foxtrot, tango, merengue, hustle, waltz, East and West Coast swing, Carolina shag, and country two-step. The selections are mostly vocal recordings by obscure and unknown artists with a few exceptions: two songs are from Cali Aleman's 2005 album, La Victoria, "Bringin' Me Back Home" appeared on Lou Pride's 2002 album, Words of Caution, and "Too Late to Turn Back Now" is from Tad Robinson's 2004 album, Did You Ever Wonder. Marc Fisher, a DJ at Florida's Goldcoast Ballroom, compiled Ballroom Blitz "for the discriminating ballroom dancer," but must not have had free rein in selecting the tracks, because none is licensed from a major label or represents the work of a major artist. Also, many dancers would prefer music with which they are familiar, and the only well-known song on the collection is a cover of T. Rex's 1972 glam rock hit "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" by Carey Ziegler, which enjoyed some currency among dancers when released on the EP Beach Bag Designer Series, Vol. 1. Shortcomings aside, Ballroom Blitz serves as a convenient collection of music for dance instructors and students.

~Greg Adams, All Music Guide

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Paul Klein - Producer
Rudy Sanchez - Editing
Sean Weeks - Art Direction
Sean Weeks - Design
Roger Kash - Project Coordinator
Roger Kash - Liner Design

Swing Back to the 40s
    Ray Anthony Orchestra / CD / 1991
Let's Dance: The Best of Ballroom Foxtrots & Waltzes
    Various Artists / CD / 1997
More Fabulous Ballroom
    Various Artists / CD / 1999

Release Date: 08/02/2005
Genre: easy