Luv' : The Art of Remix

On February 2nd, the Official LUV' fan page on Facebook (in association with Hans van Hemert productions and the YesterMix's YouTube channel) presented the 2021 Uptempo Remix of Luv's classic hit Ooh, Yes I Do by DJ WR (Wouter Reinders) and DJ BarFeet (Maarten Bervoets). The original version (released in November 1979 by CNR/Carrere) was an international hit. It reached the Top 5 in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium, the Top 10 in France, the Top 20 in Austria and the Top 30 in Germany. The icing on the cake: it went gold in Mexico!!!

 

 Ooh, Yes I Do (2021 Uptempo Remix)

It's not the first time that a Luv' song was remixed. Here's a recap of all the official remixes of the group:

Luv' Hitpack (1989)

Luv's very first remix came out in December 1989 as a single and was entitled Luv' Hitpack. It was released by Mercury Records/Phonogram Records. This megamix conceived by Peter Slaghuis was a medley of remixed Luv' songs: Casanova, Life Is On My Side, U.O.Me, You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse and Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway. Slaghuis was known for the 1985 hit Woodpeckers from Space by Video Kids, the 1988 hit Jack To the Sound of the Underground by Hithouse and the numerous remixes he did for world-famous acts: Nu Shooz, Madonna, Petula Clark, Technotronic, Mel & Kim...He died tragically in a car crash in 1991. 

Peter Slaghuis

Luv' Hitpack appeared on the compilation Greatest Hits (1990) and the German anthology You're the Greatest LUVer (1998). The long version of this medley was included as a bonus track on the Completely In Luv' box set (2006). 

Luv' Hitpack came out in a special context. At the time, Marga Scheide (as the only original member of the trio) reformed Luv' with two singers Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold who replaced respectively José Hoebee and Patty Brard. Luv's 1989 line-up promoted new material released by Dureco/High Fashion Music. Meanwhile, Philips/Phonogram Records and its sister label (Mercury Records) decided to reissue Luv's old repertoire. That's why a "Greatest Hits" album was released, including Luv' Hitpack. The strategy of Mercury Records was inspired by the example of Boney M. whose megamix and remixes conquered the European charts. Unfortunately, Luv' Hitpack was not a success due to a lack of promotion of the ladies. 

Luv' Hitpack

Click here to read information about Luv' Hitpack on the Discogs database.

Test file by PolyGram Hannover for the release of the German 12" single of Luv' Hitpack (click on the images to enlarge them):

Test of the A side

Test of the B side

Megamix '93 and You're the Greatest Lover 1993

Three years later, as the original Luv' singers reunited, a Megamix '93 was released as a single by Arcade Records and was included on the CD compilation entitled Luv' Gold. The long version of this medley was included as a bonus track on the Completely In Luv' box set (2006). This megamix was produced by Dancability (a project involving Martin Boer (of the famous Dutch Dance act 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor). It was a non-stop dance mix of Luv's greatest hits: U.O.Me, Trojan Horse, You're the Greatest Lover and Ooh, Yes I Do. The Luv' ladies performed Megamix '93 on television. It premiered on De Staatsloterijshow on RTL 4 on April 20th, 1993. Luv' also sang it on the Flemish TV show Tien Om Te Zien on VTM, on Nederland Muziekland on Veronica and on the German program  Heino - die Show on SAT 1. Megamix '93 peaked at #23 on the Dutch Top 40 and #17 on the Single Top 100 in the Netherlands. It was also performed on stage during Luv's live shows including the latest comebacks with Ria Thielsch and Chimène van Oosterhout (2016-2019). 

Megamix '93 on "Heino - die Show" (SAT 1),  Germany

The Megamix '93 Maxi CD single included another remix of Luv's signature song You're the Greatest Lover by Dancability. Luv' lip-synced this remix on Veronica TV special Discover the world with Luv' broadcast on July 6th, 1993. You're the Greatest Lover 1993 also appeared on the Completely In Luv' box set.

Discover The World With Luv' (Veronica TV special - You're the Greatest Lover 1993 appears at 11:02)

Click here to read information about Megamix '93 on the Discogs database. 

LUV' Dance-Medley (1993)

While the original Luv' members were busy promoting the Gold compilation and the Megamix '93 single, German label Ultrapop-Edel Music released the Maxi-CD single LUV' Dance-Medley, a remixed version of a Hit-medley recorded by Luv's 1989 lineup (Marga, Diana & Michelle). German producers duo Prophecy (Arn Schlürmann and Tom Gee) supervised this remix. The Maxi-CD single also included a remix of No Cure No Pay produced by Jay Fortune. It was only available in German-speaking countries and as an import record in Benelux. It didn't enter the charts due to a lack of involvement by the original Luv' trio. 

Click here to read information about LUV Dance-Medley on the Discogs database. 

Trojan Horse (2006 remix)

In 2006, when Luv' made another comeback, Universal Music put out the Completely In Luv' CD box including the remastered version of four studio albums: With Luv' (1978), Lots of Luv' (1979), True Luv' (1979) and Forever Yours (1980) on CD.  It featured a 2006 remix of Trojan Horse by J.R Beltman and F.M Endenburg. 

In 2012, Cloud 9 Music released the compilation entitled "The Best of LUV" which was only available on iTunes. It included an Extended Mix of Trojan Horse 2006 that was previously unreleased. 

Trojan Horse (2006 remix - extended mix)

Trojan Horse and Life Is On My Side (Matt Pop 2015 Remix)

In 2015, Luv' fan Peter Boonstra published the biography The Story Of Luv' (including exclusive pictures of the ladies). The highly acclaimed DJ/remixer/producer Matt Pop remixed two tracks: Trojan Horse and Life Is On My Side for the CD compilation included in the book. Matt previously remixed tracks for many artists including Lonnie Gordon, Same Difference, Andy Bell, Sonia Evans, Nicki French, RuPaul, Cilla Black, Hazell Dean, Peter Wilson, Mai Tai and Tight Fit. His non-official ABBA remixes were very appreciated by the fans. Patty Brard was opposed to the publication of The Story Of Luv'. Due to her manoeuvres, the book was eventually banned due to copyright issues.

Trojan Horse (2015 Matt Pop Remix)

Life Is On My Side (2015 Matt Pop Remix)

Source: Luv' weblog archives, YouTube, Discogs.com, Facebook (Official Luv')