Description
Ice MC – Take Away The Colour – Compact Disc
Ice MC’s “Take Away the Colour” is a hallmark of the Eurodance genre, blending infectious rhythms with themes of unity, joy, and self-expression that resonated deeply in the early 1990s club scene. Released in 1993, the song was produced by Roberto Zanetti, better known as Robyx, who was a significant figure in Eurodance production and also collaborated with artists like Corona and Double You. This track, infused with Robyx’s signature mix of high-energy beats and synthesized sounds, became a foundational track on Ice MC’s Ice’n’Green album in 1994, which also featured other hits like “It’s a Rainy Day” and “Think About the Way.”
Ice MC (Ian Campbell) brought a unique blend of reggae-inspired rap to the Eurodance scene, marking a departure from the mostly melodic or purely electronic-driven vocals of the genre at the time. His rapping style was rhythmic and percussive, setting him apart from other Eurodance acts, while Simona Zanini’s featured vocals added a contrasting melodic layer, enhancing the song’s appeal with her soaring and emotive delivery. This fusion of styles—the reggae rap verses and Eurodance choruses—allowed “Take Away the Colour” to appeal to a broad audience, crossing into the mainstream and topping dance charts in several European countries, including Austria, Belgium, and Sweden.
The song’s structure includes multiple remixes, each offering a different take on the original’s dancefloor feel. The “HF Mix” and “VCF Mix” bring variations in tempo and layering, highlighting different elements of the song’s dynamic rhythm and synth harmonies. The 1995 “Reconstruction” version reimagined the track with an updated beat structure and a crisper production style, which refreshed the song’s presence in the mid-90s dance scene and charted in various markets once again. In addition, remixes like the “Rob X Remix,” “Uannanatu Remix,” and “Trance Dub” allowed DJs to incorporate different versions of the track into a variety of club settings, further broadening its influence across dance floors.
Lyrically, “Take Away the Colour” conveys a message of inclusivity and celebration. The lyrics call for breaking down barriers and removing “colour,” both metaphorically and literally, to embrace a universal human connection. This theme struck a chord with the Eurodance audience, who were drawn to the genre’s often uplifting and optimistic lyrics set against high-energy, danceable beats. Ice MC’s vocal style and lyrical approach combined with Zanini’s polished production to create a track that was both catchy and resonant, aligning with the spirit of the times where music was increasingly seen as a medium for unity and positive expression.
“Ice’n’Green” and “Take Away the Colour” played a part in defining the Eurodance sound internationally, influencing artists within the genre and popularizing the rap-meets-melody format that became more prominent in dance music throughout the decade. Today, the song endures as a nostalgic throwback for Eurodance enthusiasts and remains a notable example of the genre’s fusion of electronic, rap, and pop elements, celebrating both the vibrancy and energy that made Eurodance a global phenomenon in the ‘90s.
ZYX Records
German Import
Track Listing
1. Take Away The Colour (Original LP Version)
2. Take Away The Colour (95 Reconstruction)
3. Megamix (Extended Mix)
4. Take Away The Colour (95 Reconstruction Short)
5. Megamix (Short Version)
6. Take Away The Colour (Rob X Remix)
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