Choons from Down Under: the Original Hitz volume 2

After the fantastic success of Hitz FM’s first CD – the Original Hitz volume 2 was sure to follow. But what people didn’t expect, was an all-Aussie one lineup!

It’s packed with rare remixes – very few of which are on Spotify. But NOW, we’ve got them ALL here for you to enjoy

There’s some really interesting stuff on this disc. Not just a mix of genres but some rather unexpected remixes. Let’s check out each individual track… stream and enjoy!

Track 1: Thunderchild– Thunderchild (Original 7″ Mix)

This was the second ever track released by Hitz FM announcer James Ash. I was lucky enough to hear a preview of it, in his bedroom before release. The second time I heard it was at Melbourne’s legendary 75th Squadron nightclub. Needless to say, the crowd went nuts.

A brilliant opener to this album.

Track 2: Bass Culture– Love Will Find A Way

Great party track. And one of very few from this album on Spotify. Really good vibe to this song; I recall Paul Dowsley was a big fan when it was released. Bass Culture released a couple more singles in the mid 90s, working with Aussie vocalists Gina G and Lisa Maxwell.

Track 3: Good– Genocide & Joy (Tasty Raid Remix)

Thirty years ago most of us were far less familiar with the word ‘genocide’. I can’t imagine anyone using it for an EDM track in 2025. Name aside, it is an unusual bit of history. G&J was released on Vicious Vinyl (home to James Ash, Sgt Slick, Madison Avenue, etc).

The remix name references Melbourne’s Tasty gay nightclub which was controversially raided by police in 1994. Patrons were detained and mistreated for over 7 hours. The event caused uproar and led to a huge successful class action against the Victorian Police.

Track 4: Christine Anu– Party (Handbag Mix)

A huge song at the time, and a deliberate choice to showcase pop as well as house tracks. Christine Anu went on to have another huge hit – My Island Home. That song she performed in the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Interestingly, there’s actually a mastering error on the CD. The ‘answering machine message’ at the start of the song is momentarily repeated at the very end.

Track 5 – Our House – Our House

Thanks to great friend-of-the-blog Matthew Robottom for another of these “not on Spotify” tracks or remixes.

Our House was Sean Quinn (Ministry of Sound annuals, co-producer of the iconic Dreams by Quench) and Kasey Taylor (Vapour Recordings, VapouRise)

Track 6: Past To Present– Crazy (Video Mix)

This R&B/pop group were born in New Zealand moved to Australia. This song hit the top 50 in the ARIA chart in 1995. A year later they teamed up with Peter Andre for Get Down On It… hitting number 5 in Australia – and number 1 back in New Zealand.

They’re the only artist/group to have TWO songs on this CD – more of that later.

Track 7: Kylie Minogue– Where Is The Feeling (BIR Bish Bosh Mix)

I can assure you – there was a LOT of excitement in the Hitz building when we got a KYLIE track approved. This track wasn’t one of her big hits. But this remix – by legends Brothers in Rhythm – was great.

While the original version was a rather mystifying sexy romp with breathy lyrics – this remix takes into full on handbag-house territory.

Track 8: Pendulum– Awesome Party (Ivan Gough Remix)

I was a huge fan of this track when I first heard it. And when I discovered the main sample was from Waynes World 2 – well, that sealed the deal. I have fantastic memories of playing this at an all-ages gig at Doncaster (Melbourne) – and the kids went absolutely, positively nuts.

As usual, Ivan Gough (Vicious Vinyl) has done a stellar remix.

Track 9: 6th Sense – Heaven (Thunderchild Remix)

OK, interesting track.

“Heaven” was released on DanceNet which had a HUGE number of brilliant releases in the mid to late 90s. The vocalist is Melinda Richards who went on to be the lyricist for the Rogue Traders.

James Ash also did the production. And I suspect he’s responsible for EVERY mix being named after a type of cheese.

Track 10: Past To Present– Sexuality (Dance’N’et Up Mix)

Another surprise here.

The Hitz crew steered around the more traditional 90s R&B Boyband radio edit – and went for something completely different.

An 8 minute haunting housey epic!
And it’s just perfect for that 3am slowjam smokemachine moment.

Track 11: Peter Andre– Mysterious Girl (Extended Mix)

Peter Andre was a great friend of Hitz FM and we happily included his latest release on this CD. The mid 90s were a great time for dancehall/reggae tracks (hello Shaggy, Maxi Priest, etc) so this song did well. Top 10 in Australia.

And strangely, ten years later in the UK, it hit No. 1 after his appearance on a reality TV show.

Track 12: Deluxe – On A Feeling

Geez, that CJ Dolan used to get around in the mid 90s. When we wasn’t DJing, he was releasing iconic tracks like Dreams (Quench was his project) – and this one too.

You can definitely hear a bit of the ‘Dreams DNA’ in this one, though I think the more well-known track is much better.

Track 13: Swoop– Rock Dog (Nordy By Nature Remix)

OK, a true left-field track this one. The original version was a strutting alternative rock track… and this monster 7 minute remix… was not.

Remixed by Groove Terminator (Ministry of Sound, ‘One More Time/The Sunshine song’, etc) it’s a crazy house trip that retains the distorted vocals of the radio edit… and that’s about it.

Time to talk about ‘artwork’.

The front cover The Original Hitz volume 2 continues the ‘watery’ theme of the first Hitz FM CD, but adds a new feature – a mixing panel. And the ‘firey’ insert in the Hitz logo really makes it stand out.

But why’s there a mixing panel on the front cover? It’s not just a ‘radio’ thing. No, it’s even smarter.

Now that’s a bit of clever design.

The CD has dark grooves on it, like a record. And once you remove the disc you see a turntable underneath, complete with a ‘Hitz FM’ slipmat. (they’re the foam discs that vinyl DJs use, so they can slow/speed/stop a record smoothly).

Looking back, 30 years later…

October 1995. October 2025. It’s hard to believe 3 decades have passed since this release.

The Original Hitz volume 2: Australian Moves & Grooves was a CD that did a number of things well. Firstly, it showed that a themed radio station compilation CD could be high quality – and successful. It was also an up yours to Hitz FM’s critics who suggested the station didn’t support Australian talent.

The CD covered a reasonable number of musical bases – from handbag house to pop, to a number of other dance music genres. It often strayed away from predictable radio edits or over-used club mixes; there were some great versions chosen.

It was a worthy successor to the first Hitz FM disc, and its sequel CD a year later still included a few Aussies (Peter Andre, Deni Hines & Swoop).

So, which were your Top 3 from the tracks above?
I’d love to hear, in the comments.

Author: Gabe McGrath

Gabe McGrath is a radio creative and freelance writer. He helped set up 89.9 Hitz FM Melbourne in the 90s. This youth radio station caused a sensation and 30 years later many a 90s kid will smile when 'Hitz' is mentioned. Gabe is working on a book about that era and now blogs about Hitz Melbourne. GabeMcGrath.com includes tonnes of streaming audio recordings, photos, stories and behind-the-scenes info. View all posts by Gabe McGrath