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Keep On Jumpin'

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Keep On Jumpin'

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Keep On Jumpin'

"Keep On Jumpin'" is a song written by musician Patrick Adams and Ken Morris. This track has been remade, remixed, and sampled numerous times, but only the 1978 original by Adams's group Musique and Todd Terry's 1996 updated version with Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown (who was also a member of Musique) reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Musicians on the tracks include Rich Tannenbaum on drums, Ken Mazur on guitar, and Norbert Sloley on bass. Listed here are the most notable versions.

The original version was recorded in late-1977 by the American disco act Musique, who took it to number one on the US Billboard Hot Disco Songs chart as the double-side to "In the Bush", the latter being the act's more popular single. The song crossed over to the urban market and peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. At the time the single was released, there were questions about its lyrics, which made references to drug use even though it was about having a good time partying the night away. The original is still considered a disco classic to this day and was featured on the ABC TV series Family in the 1979 episode "Disco Queen."

In 1991, Roger S and Frank Jefferson (AKA Sinister Frank J), under the project name Beatboxx, recorded a techno/house/rave version. This featured a heavy piano beat and fierce female vocals by Chazzie and Paula Brion, over a sampling of Musique's "Keep On Jumpin'" chorus.

In 1996, Todd Terry featuring Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown's version also reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. This version was house oriented and the more popular of the "Keep On Jumpin'" versions, based on strength and vocal ability of Wash and Brown alone. This was the first of two back-to-back number ones on Dance Club Play chart for this collaboration between the three artists; their follow-up, "Something Goin' On (In Your Soul)", reached number one in 1997. The single was released in June 1996 by Logic and RCA Records, and was also featured on Terry's 1997 album Ready for a New Day. It was ranked number ten in a list of "The Top 10 Dance Tunes of the '90s" for Attitude in 2016. In 2017, Wash told about recording the song:

"Yes, Todd Terry was very popular at the time. The funny thing about recording "Keep on Jumpin'" was Jocelyn was in London at the time, and I was in New York. We recorded in two different studios and countries, but I guess there was still good chemistry. That's really not that unusual when it comes to recording duets, especially today."

Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote that here, "three titans of dance music gather for a positively electric rendition of Musique's disco-era chestnut." He added that Terry "has deftly crafted an arrangement that is sweet enough for popsters but tough enough to keep his longtime club supporters happy. And what can be said of Wash and Brown? These clubland legends don't disappoint in a pairing that shows 'em doing what they do best: vamping and belting with gospel-like vigor. Jump on it." William Stevenson from Entertainment Weekly stated that "Keep On Jumpin'" was "nearly as catchy as the 'Macarena'" and added that "this confection is certainly bouncy enough to become a staple of aerobics classes."

Music Week gave it a score of three out of five, noting the "sizzling production from Terry", and Wash's "richer-than-treacle vocals". Music Week editor Alan Jones commented, "Terry opts for vocal attack, pairing two of the most popular and enduring disco divas — Martha Wash and Jocelyn Brown — with impressive results." Dave Fowler from Muzik gave it four and a half out of five, describing the song as a "oh-so-perfectly produced package of classic house" that "is sure to keep it pumpin' for lovers of deep Americana on both sides of the pond." DJ Freshy-D from Smash Hits also gave it three out of five, calling it "wicked, but [it] deserve a place on your deck."

In late 1995, the UK electronic/house duo The Lisa Marie Experience (a male duo consisting of DJs Neil Hinde & Dean Marriott) recorded a version, which after success in the clubs was officially released in early 1996 and was a number seven hit in the UK. For the white label they sampled Musique's original recording from 1977, but could not get clearance for the sample so had to recreate it. "Keep On Jumpin'" was released on the FFRR record label and was the only top-10 hit for the Lisa Marie Experience in the UK. In the US, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

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