Ultra Flava Explained

Ultra Flava
Cover:Ultra_Flava_(Heller_and_Farley_Project_song).jpg
Type:single
Artist:Heller and Farley Project
Released:12 February 1996[1]
Genre:
Label:AM:PM
Producer:
  • Terry Farley
  • Pete Heller
  • Wilkinson
Prev Title:From the Dat Vol. 1
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:From the Dat Vol. 2
Next Year:1998

"Ultra Flava" is a house song by British duo Heller and Farley Project (Pete Heller and Terry Farley). After the wide renown with their remix of Ultra Naté's "How Long" in 1994 and M People's "Open Your Heart" in 1995, they released it as a single in 1996. It is a slightly re-worked version of their mix of "How Long", without Naté's vocals. They entitled it "Ultra Flava" as a nod to the track's origins.[2] It was a huge club hit and peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] while reaching number-one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In the US, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. A black-and-white music video was also produced to promote the single.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard declared "Ultra Flava" as a "diamond-hard house gem".[4] On the single review, he wrote, "Mega-hot U.K. production/songwriting team is primed to enjoy matching stateside success with this, a rousing instrumental anthem influenced by legendary disco bands like the SalSoul Orchestra. Partners Pete Heller and Terry Farley prove adept at crafting taut pop hooks while maintaining a credible deep-house edge. A summertime club favorite on import, the domestic pressing of "Ultra Flava" boasts refreshing new interpretations by Mousse T., Ralphi Rosario, Boris Dlugosch, and DJ Sneak. A snug radio edit could easily result in a pop/crossover smash à la Robert Miles' "Children".[5] James Hamilton from Music Weeks RM Dance Update described it as an "infectious Robin S-ishly plopped progressive wriggly percussion groove".[6]

Impact and legacy

Mixmag ranked "Ultra Flava" number 33 in its list of the best singles of 1995, "Mixmag End of Year Lists: 1995".[7]

DJ Mag ranked it number 85 in their list of the "Top 100 Club Tunes" in 1998,[8] and in 2016 ranked the song number-one in their list of the "Top 50 Tracks of 1996".[9]

Tomorrowland featured it in their official list of "The Ibiza 500" in 2020.[10]

Track listing

  1. "Ultra Flava" (Original Flava)
  2. "Ultra Flava" (Grant Nelson's 3 Tier Experience)
  3. "Ultra Flava" (Vox Version)
  4. "Ultra Flava" (Pete's Dub)
  1. "Ultra Flava" (Rhythm Masters Club Mix)
  2. "Ultra Flava" (Rhythm Masters Trans Disco Mix)
  3. "Ultra Flava" (Melody Flava)
  4. "Ultra Flava" (Bass Flava)
  5. "Ultra Flava" (Just a Groove)
  1. "Ultra Flava" (Vox Edit) – 3:14
  2. "Ultra Flava" (Original Edit) – 3:55
  3. "Ultra Flava" (Original Flava) – 7:03
  4. "Ultra Flava" (Grant Nelson's 3 Tier Experience) – 6:17
  5. "Ultra Flava" (Vox Version) – 6:43
  6. "Ultra Flava" (Pete's Dub) – 7:10
  1. "Ultra Flava" (Vox Edit) – 3:45
  2. "Ultra Flava" (Original Edit) – 3:56
  3. "Ultra Flava" (Original Flava) – 7:03
  4. "Ultra Flava" (Grant Nelson's 3tier Experience) – 6:16
  5. "Ultra Flava" (Vox Version) – 6:43
  6. "Ultra Flava" (Pete's Dub) – 7:10

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 77
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[12] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Single Tip)[13] 12
Scotland (OCC)[14] 39
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 52
Sweden (Swedish Dance Chart)[16] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 22
UK Dance (OCC)[18] 1
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[19] 1
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)3

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
Sweden (Swedish Dance Chart)[20] 24
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[21] 8

Notes and References

  1. Heller & Farley Project – Ultra Flava . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . 1996-02-17 . 9 . 2021-05-26 .
  2. Web site: Classic House Series Episode #18 – Ultra Flava – Farley & Heller Project. thekeytothehouse.wordpress.com. 28 July 2016. 2017-03-13.
  3. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 249.
  4. Larry. Flick. Dance Trax: Rejuvenating With Dick Clark; Our House On Film. Billboard. 1996-01-20. 23. 2022-11-16. Larry Flick.
  5. Larry. Flick. New & Noteworthy. Billboard. 1996-11-30. 2018-01-23. Larry Flick.
  6. James . Hamilton . Dj directory . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . 1996-02-17 . 15 . 2021-05-27 . James Hamilton (DJ and journalist).
  7. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mixmag.html#singles
  8. Web site: DJ Magazine Top 100 Club Tunes (1998). discogs.com. 2017-03-04.
  9. Web site: Top 50 Tracks of 1996 According to DJ Mag's Hype Chart. DJ Mag. 2016-11-29. 2021-08-23.
  10. Web site: 2020. Tomorrowland Ibiza Top 500 (2020). Spotify. 2022-04-27.
  11. Eurochart Hot 100. 1996-03-02. 2018-05-02. Music & Media.
  12. Web site: Heller & Farley Project - Ultra Flava. Dutch. top40.nl. 2018-06-06.
  13. Web site: Heller 'N Farley Project - Ultra Flava. Dutch. dutchcharts.nl. 2018-05-02.
  14. Web site: Scottish Singles Chart 18 February 1996 - 24 February 1996. Official Charts Company. 2018-01-16.
  15. Web site: HELLER 'N FARLEY PROJECT - ULTRA FLAVA (SONG). March 4, 2017. swedishcharts.com.
  16. Årslistor > Year End Charts > Swedish Dance Chart 1996. Music & Media. 1997-03-15. 30 (see appendix to the magazine). 2020-12-08.
  17. Web site: Heller & Farley. 2018-01-18. Official Charts Company.
  18. Web site: Official UK Dance Singles Chart (22 December 1996-28 December 1996). Official Charts Company. 2018-02-09.
  19. The RM Club Chart . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . 1996-11-30 . 6 . 2021-10-05.
  20. Årslistor > Year End Charts > Swedish Dance Chart 1996. Music & Media. 1997-03-15. 30 (see appendix to the magazine). 2020-12-08.
  21. The RM Club Chart of the Year 96. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 1997-01-11. 8. 2022-05-04.

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