Deee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart

Deee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart

Released in 1990 on Elektra Records, Groove Is In The Heart is one of the most recognisable and infectious dance records of the early 1990s. A joyous collision of house, disco, funk, hip-hop and psychedelic pop, it perfectly captures the colourful, anything-goes spirit of the emerging New York club scene while becoming an international crossover hit.

Deee-Lite were a New York-based trio consisting of vocalist Lady Miss Kier, Japanese DJ and producer Towa Tei, and Russian-born DJ Dmitry Brill, better known as Super DJ Dmitry. Their distinctive combination of eclectic musical influences, flamboyant visual identity and playful approach to dance music made them one of the most original acts to emerge from the late-1980s club underground.

Built around a memorable bassline, infectious rhythm and an irresistible funk groove, 'Groove Is In The Heart' draws heavily on classic funk and soul while incorporating the contemporary house sounds that were transforming dancefloors at the time. The recording famously samples Herbie Hancock's 'Bring Down The Birds', alongside elements of Vernon Burch's 'Get Up' and Ray Barretto's 'Pastime Paradise'. Its distinctive combination of sampled instrumentation, electronic production and exuberant vocals gives the track its timeless dancefloor appeal.

The original recording also features some particularly notable guest contributions. Funk legend Bootsy Collins provides bass and vocals, bringing his unmistakable P-Funk personality to the track, while A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip delivers a memorable rap performance. These collaborations help connect the worlds of classic funk, hip-hop and emerging house music.

This four-track release offers two different treatments of the hit on the A-side. The 'Meeting Of The Minds Mix' provides an extended, club-focused version, while the 'Peanut Butter Mix' offers a shorter alternative. The flip features two inventive remixes of 'What Is Love?', with the 'Holographic Goatee Mix' and 'Rainbow Beard Mix' extending the playful, experimental character of Deee-Lite's sound.

'Groove Is In The Heart' became a major international success, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It remains closely associated with the colourful club culture of the early 1990s and the crossover between house, hip-hop, disco and alternative dance music.

An essential dancefloor classic for collectors of house, disco, funk and early-1990s club music. With its infectious grooves, distinctive production and unforgettable guest appearances, Groove Is In The Heart remains one of the defining singles of its era.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Groove Is In The Heart (Meeting Of The Minds Mix) (5:10)

2. Groove Is In The Heart (Peanut Butter Mix) (3:29)

Side B

1. What Is Love? (Holographic Goatee Mix) (4:10)

2. What Is Love? (Rainbow Beard Mix) (4:02)