"Keep on Jumpin'" is the name of a popular 1970s disco song that was written by musician Patrick Adams and Ken Morris. This track has been remade, remixed, and sampled numerous times, but only the 1978 original by Adams's group Musique and Todd Terry's 1996 updated version with Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown reached number one on Billboard'sHot Dance Club Play charts. Musicians on the tracks include Rich Tannenbaum on drums, Ken Mazur on guitar, and Norbert Sloley on bass. Listed here are the most notable versions.
Original recording by Musique
The original version was recorded in late-1977 by the American disco act Musique, who took it to number one on Billboard's Hot Disco Songs chart as the double-side to "In the Bush", the latter being the act's more popular single. The song crossed over to the urban market and peaked at #81 on the Hot Soul Songs chart. At the time the single was released, there were questions about its lyrics, which made references to drug use even though it was about having a good time partying the night away. The original is still considered a disco classic to this day and was featured on the ABCTV seriesFamily in the 1979 episode "Disco Queen."
In 1991, Roger S and Frank Jefferson, under the project name Beatboxx, recorded a techno/house/rave version. This featured a heavy piano beat and fierce female vocals by Chazzie and Paula Brion, over a sampling of Musique's "Keep on Jumpin'" chorus.
Track listing
;12' single
A1 Keep On Jumpin'
A2 Keep On Jumpin'
B1 Keep On Jumpin'
B2 Keep On Jumpin'
Todd Terry/Martha Wash/Jocelyn Brown version
In 1996, Todd Terry featuring Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown's version also reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Play. This version was house oriented and the more popular of the "Keep on Jumpin'" versions, based on strength and vocal ability of Wash and Brown alone. This was the first of two back-to-back number ones on Dance Club Play chart for this collaboration between the three artists; their follow-up, "Something Goin' On ", reached number one in 1997.
Critical reception
from Billboard commented that "three titans of dance music gather for a positively electric rendition of Musique's disco-era chestnut." He added that Terry "has deftly crafted an arrangement that is sweet enough for popsters but tough enough to keep his longtime club supporters happy. And what can be said of Wash and Brown? These clubland legends don't disappoint in a pairing that shows 'em doing what they do best: vamping and belting with gospel-like vigor. Jump on it." William Stevenson from Entertainment Weekly said it was "nearly as catchy as the "Macarena"" and added that "this confection is certainly bouncy enough to become a staple of aerobics classes." Muzik called it a "oh-so-perfectly produced package of classic house."
In late 1995, the UK electronica/house duo The Lisa Marie Experience recorded a version, which after success in the clubs was officially released in early '96 and was a number 7 hit in the UK. For this, they sampled Musique's original recording from 1977. "Keep on Jumpin’" was released on the FFRR record label and was the only top 10 hit for the Lisa Marie Experience in the UK. In the US it peaked at number 3 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Critical reception
Music & Media wrote about the song: "The Lisa Marie Experience Going back to Lipps Inc's Funky Town but without that unforgettable rhythm guitar, that's the feeling you get from this updated "disco-inferno" with cheeky girls and wild strings."
Charts
Track listing
;CD Maxi-single
1 Keep On Jumpin'
2 Keep On Jumpin'
3 Keep On Jumpin'
4 Keep On Jumpin'
5 Keep On Jumpin'
Corenell version
In 2007, German electronica/house remixer Corenell remixed The Lisa Marie Experience's version, which became a top 20 UK hit under the credited "Corenell vs Lisa Marie Experience". The success of the 2007 track may have been fueled by its accompanying video, which featured rival women teams playing soccer in the mud, the women become more sexually explicit as they played. The uncensored video is included in the CD maxi-single.
