Hustle: the Westie's Bal

[Spin Doctor]

I have come to the conclusion that Hustle is to Westies like Balboa is to Lindy Hoppers. And since my local scene is populated by about 1/3 Westies, I am getting complaints at my dances that I don't play (enough) Hustle. (I actually found a few Hustle tunes on some Westie comps in my collection.)

Honestly, I never thought the day would come when I would be looking for Hustle music. But here I am... in an effort to keep the dancers happy and coming back for more (and since they love it as much as we love Bal)...

Anyone have recommendations for good Hustle music?

[CafeSavoy]

i'm not sure i get the lindy-bal wcs-hustle analogy.

[kbuxton]

I had someone ask for a hustle song last night. Fortunately I was able to just say "Go upstairs" since there's a wcs/hustle dance upstairs from the lindy one.

[Lawrence]

i'm not sure i get the lindy-bal wcs-hustle analogy.

I suspect it's a tempo thing: Hustle is more up-tempo.

But they both bleed cheese.

[CafeSavoy]

i'm not sure i get the lindy-bal wcs-hustle analogy.

I suspect it's a tempo thing: Hustle is more up-tempo.

But they both bleed cheese.

what does that mean?

[Lawrence]

So cheesy that the cheese is in their blood....

I'm kidding, of course... somewhat.

[CafeSavoy]

So cheesy that the cheese is in their blood....

I'm kidding, of course... somewhat.

Ah, i didn't know you could hustle. Do you do NY style?

[Spin Doctor]

i'm not sure i get the lindy-bal wcs-hustle analogy.

They're both sort of "I also like..." dances. Another example: Argentine Tango dancers "also like Salsa". That's not to say that Hustle, Balboa and Salsa are only second rate dances (except, of course, in the case of Hustle ). Each of those dance styles has a strong to very strong following. But from a Westie's perspective, Hustle is a 'second interest' ('strong' second interest for some).

So... does anyone here want to admit to knowing any good Hustle tunes? Don't say "I Will Survive", I already have that one (and "Finally" and "Don't Leave Me This Way"). Let's see... cheezy with strings, kinda like NC2 music (which Abbie says is "awful, with strings") but faster.

My descriptors are all in fun of course, but I would seriously like to find some decent Hustle music that I wouldn't be embarrassed to play for the Westies who hang at our dances.

[gatorgal]

I have come to the conclusion that Hustle is to Westies like Balboa is to Lindy Hoppers.

Since South Florida is quickly becoming the Salsa/Hustle capital of the world, I so get the analogy. And you're right. I actually took a Hustle and Salsa lesson last week and I liked the Hustle.

I don't think I personally have that much Hustle in my collection, but there are a couple of Hustle dancers I could call later this week and get their thoughts. Will post later.

Tina

[Doug]

hustle music is 120 bpm thump thump thump.

since hustle is a 3 count dance, you do not want the music to phrase, but just to thump at 110-120. A lot of the club music works great.

For more classic (??!) stuff, try:

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Relax, 120 bpm
Bananarama, Venus, 124 bpm
Animotion, Obsession, 124 bpm

Although I have never seen anyone else do it, we also dance hustle to waltzes at the correct tempo. There, I admitted it. WE DANCE HUSTLE. If you drop the cheesy gestures, it is actually rather fun.

[Zak]

here's a decent mix of older and contemporary music that i play for hustle.
the dance scene in my area does a mix of west coast, east coast, lindy, & hustle.

Best of My Love, The Emotions
Vogue, Madonna
Brick House, Commodores
Jungle Boogie, Kool & the Gang
Bust a Move, Young MC
Play that Funky Music White Boy, Wild Cherry
Groove is in the Heart, Deee-Lite
Get Jiggy With It, Will Smith
Sugar Town, M People
Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
Back In Love Again, LTD
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
She's A Bad Mama Jama, Carl Carlton
Crush, Jennifer Page
Take the Rain Away, Debelah Morgan
Red Alert, Basement Jaxx
Come On Over, Christine Aguilera
Neighborhood, Drizabone
One More Time, Daft Punk
100% Pure Love, Crystal Waters
Real Love, Drizabone
Last Time, Drizabone
I Want, Chaka khan
Whatever Turns You On, Devin
I'm Outta Love, Anastacia
Boogie Shoes, KC & The Sunshine Band
More, More, More, Andrea True Connection
Heart Of Glass, Blondie
Never Miss The Water, Chaka Khan
Got To Give It Up, Marvin Gaye
Missing, Everything But The Girl
Ooh La La, Coolio
Breathe, Telepopmusik
Ain't No Stopping Us Now, Commodores
Fast Love, George Michael
Who's Makin Love To Your Old Lady, Johnnie Taylor
Celebration, Kool & the Gang
Get Down On It, Kool & the Gang
Thief Of Hearts, Madonna
Got to be Real, Cheryl Lynn
No Parking On The Dance Floor, Midnight Star
I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince
Jungle Bass (disciples of funk), Bootsy Collins
Ladies Night, Kool and the Gang
8-3-1, Lisa Stansfield
Tout Est Bleu, Ame Strong
Shadows of ourselves, Thievery Corporation
Picture of You, Boyzone
Don't Stop Moving, S Club 7
Bad Girls, Donna Summers
Just A Touch, Keith Sweat
Rock Your Body (Oakenfold Mix), Justin Timberlake
Right Here, Right Now, Sonja Grier
Long Way From Brooklyn, Bad to the Bone
Love In Motion, Al Green
Game of Love, Santana/Branch

[wheresmygravy]

When I think of hustle, I think of THE MAN!

BARRY WHITE!

"You're the First, The Last, My Everything"

[Matthew]

I got a request for hustle music, tonight (and tango, and cha cha, and rock and roll, and "Wade in the #%$!!! Water," and Prince, and classic swing, and the Grease soundtrack, and Daniel Bedingfield). I wasn't sure of exactly what sort of hustle song the person wanted. I played "Too Hot Ta Trot," by the Commodores, and that seemed to make her happy. Anybody know if that would be a song other hustle dancers would like?

[lipi]

I played "Too Hot Ta Trot," by the Commodores, and that seemed to make her happy. Anybody know if that would be a song other hustle dancers would like?

yup. i'd hustle to that and enjoy it.

[GemZombie]

I play a prince song as my last song all the time.

(Musicology and It's about that Walk are among a few)

No hustle though, so no late 70's early 80's prince for me.