14/02/2025
Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone—50 years since Ian Levine released his first song, Reaching for the Best by The Exciters, on Valentine’s Day 1975. What started as a passion for Northern Soul became the foundation of Levine’s prolific career in music production, spanning disco, Hi-NRG, and beyond. That first single, recorded against all odds in New York, marked the beginning of a legacy that would shape dance floors and redefine genres.
Since then, Ian Levine has become an unstoppable force, producing countless soul, disco, and Hi-NRG classics, working with legends like Evelyn Thomas, L.J. Johnson, and Barbara Pennington. His influence reached far beyond the clubs, pioneering the sound of British dance music and even leaving his mark on pop culture through his contributions to Doctor Who. From Blackpool to the world, his dedication to music remains unparalleled. Today, we honour his journey, his passion, and the track that started it all.
Join in on the celebrations by watching the official music video for Reaching for the Best here: https://youtu.be/H-86ybRjSmI?feature=shared
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This is the first song which I ever wrote and produced, almost forty eight years ago, in February 1975 in a cold wintry New York recording studio. The Excite...