Ten midtempo David Morales classics

We dig into ten of David Morales’ finest midtempo remixes, where the BPMs drop but the Def Mix magic still shines.

Words by Mark Limb • Feb 8, 2026

Whycliffe - Whatever It Is (Def Mix)

Label: Island Records

Released: 1992

This remix of Nottingham’s R&B prodigy Whycliffe was a huge Haçienda anthem during the summer of 92. Opening with slightly menacing but instantly recognisable Def Mix synths, Morales builds the tension before the bass drops, giving way to Whycliffe’s soulful vocal and Eric Kupper’s always superb keys, lifting the track into a full blown garage classic.

Drizabone – Brightest Star (The Morales Mixes)

Label: 4th & Broadway

Released: 1994

Gorgeous downtempo remix with that unmistakable Def Mix sound that Frankie Knuckles, Eric Kupper and David Morales perfected. At a time when dancefloors were getting moodier and BPMs relentlessly faster, this remix felt like a breath of fresh air and still sounds perfect today.

Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round (Morales Mix)

Label: Island Records

Released: 1992

All the essential ingredients for another classic from back in 1992. Built around a gently swung beat with just enough kick to keep the club moving, Morales’ mix brings Don E’s incredible vocals together with a killer piano arrangement and some truly heavenly strings to once again deliver pure dancefloor ecstasy.

Jody Watley - I'm The One You Need (Dead Zone Mix)

Label: MCA Records

Released: 1992

Morales produced and mixed the original version of this Jody Watley classic, but it was this midtempo Dead Zone mix that really set dancefloors alight. With its moody synth intro, (similar to his mix of Shabba Ranks), it stood in stark contrast to the euphoric Def Mix productions and revealed a darker edge to his sound.

The Brand New Heavies - Stay This Way (The Morales Mix)

Label: Delicious Vinyl

Released: 1991

For a while, 1991 truly felt like an endless summer, and the sound of acid jazz, particularly The Brand New Heavies, provided the perfect soundtrack to those heady nights. Every mix on this 12" is outstanding and the Lunar Dub is a lesson in perfection, but the full Morales mix, featuring the glorious vocals of N’Dea Davenport, remains untouchable. End of night, hands in the air euphoria every time.

Clive Griffin - I'll Be Waiting (Red Zone Mix)

Label: Mercury

Released: May 1991

Another mix from the darker side of Morales’ palette that used to destroy the Haçienda back in the day. With its slamming percussion and an ominously dark looping synth line, even with the slightly slower tempo, dancefloors would descend into a full on trance whenever this was dropped.

Frankie Knuckles - It's Hard Sometime (D.M. Red Zone)

Label: Virgin America

Released: 1991

The Frankie Knuckles, Eric Kupper, David Morales and Satoshi Tomiie powerhouse all come together for this EP, so there’s no surprise that it’s such a classic. There isn’t a bad mix amongst them, but again it’s the simplicity of the Red Zone dub that really hits the spot, with its deep rolling bass, perfectly placed percussion, and those unmistakable early 90s keys and vibes, all building towards a soaring string crescendo.

The Chimes - Heaven (Physical Mix)

Label: Columbia

Released: 1990

Back in 1990, dancefloors were truly eclectic and DJs, possibly fresh back from Ibiza, could be heard mixing acid house, Detroit techno and hip house alongside the more laid back sounds of artists like Soul II Soul, BBG and Scottish acid jazzers The Chimes. Here, their track Heaven is given the Morales treatment across two mixes. The Special Mix takes things in a slightly deeper direction, but it’s the Physical Mix that stays closer to the original, injecting just enough Def Mix magic to turn out yet another clubland classic.

Eve Gallagher - Love Come Down (Def Mix)

Label: More Protein

Released: 1991

Eve Gallagher’s stunning debut single Love Come Down was originally released on Boy George’s More Protein label back in 1990. The Def Mix, released the following summer, is an uplifting trip back to the sun drenched downtempo sounds of the early 90s. Clocking in at just over 100 BPM, it’s a production masterclass, with blissful keys and strings perfectly complementing Eve Gallagher’s incredible vocals.

Shabba Ranks - Mr. Loverman (New World Mix)

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Released: 1992

Prior to his career ending interview on The Word in late 1992, this remix of Shabba Ranks was a staple of many house DJs’ sets over the summer, becoming one of Shabba’s most successful releases and one of Morales’ favourite remixes. Dark synths and sinister string stabs, sounding more techno than dancehall, sit over a heavy beat as Shabba’s ragga toasting looms ominously over this infectious head nodder.

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