There’s a certain timeless element to great pop songs, especially the type that make you want to get up off your chair and dance.
This banger was a hit in 1993. More than 30 years ago, FFS!
Sub Sub were an English dance act trio consisting of Jimi Goodwin and twin brothers Andy and Jez Williams. The 1991 release of their debut 12″ single Space Face had caught the attention of Rob Gretton, manager of New Order and one-quarter owner of The Hacienda nightclub, and he signed them to his own label, to Rob’s Records, issuing the instrumental Coast EP to little fanfare outside of the clubs in 1992.
Out of the blue, the trio came up with the tune that became Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use). Jimi Goodwin knew Melanie Williams, the singer with the little-known English soul/dance duo Temper Temper and thought her vocal style would be perfect for the song. Melanie gave the demo a listen and agreed to come on board, while offering up a few suggestions for additional lyrics within a verse, which ultimately led to her getting a well-merited writing credit on the single.
The reviews were almost universally positive, but more importantly, it was picked up early by the dance shows on BBC Radio 1, especially by DJ Pete Tong, who played a white label copy weeks in advance of its actual release on 29 March 1993. It very quickly made the crossover onto the more mainstream shows, and entered the singles chart at #10, a superb achievement for an unknown dance act on a tiny independent label/
It would eventually peak at #3, spending eight weeks in the Top 20.
mp3 : Sub Sub (feat. Melanie Williams) – Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use) (original edit)
mp3 : Sub Sub (feat. Melanie Williams) – Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use) (Parkside Mix)
Sub Sub wouldn’t experience any further commercial success, thus earning them a place in the category of ‘one-hit-wonders’. Goodwin and the Williams brothers would, however, change direction and focus a few years later and as Doves would enjoy two #1 albums in the 00’s and another which reached #2.
Rob’s Records never again had as big a hit single, albeit the music on the label always had credibility with dance enthusiasts. The label ceased operations shorty after Gretton’s death, of a heart attack at the age of 46, in May 1999.
JC
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