2 comments about Eighties Complete, Vol. 2.

1. with a great mix of 80s hits, many US hits plus some that were only hits in Australia, this boxed set is a nice way to start your 80s collection. But for collectors who are trying to replace their old vinyl 12" singles on CD, there are two unexpected treats here. You get the full 6 minute Steve Thompson 12" verison of "Too Late for Goodbyes" by Julian Lennon AND the 5 minute and 35 second 12" version of "Neutron Dance" by the Pointer Sisters! Totally awesome!



2. Some really great songs but some one hit wonders that make you wonder why they were even wonders.

2 comments about Ambient Boxed: A Guide by Instinct.

1. None of the mono-thump-thump here. Disc 3 has the earthiest depth, reminding me of Biosphere or Robert Rich, and equally varied. Other disks can be what people tend to call experimental, but then all real music is experimental. Maybe it's not even music, but atmospherics or (I'll say it) "ambient." I keep coming back to this, just as I keep going back to "Substrata" for my fix of strange inner goings on. This four-disc set is worth every penny at twice the price. This is not just a good place to start; it's a great place to revisit regularly.



2. ah, Instinct. one of the premier ambient labels, on the same level with FAX, WARP, and several others. the type of label where you can feel confident buying any release because you know they don't put out crap...

   the new 4 CD box set covers a lot of ground, and provides a great primer for the new ambient lover, or especially for those of us who don't want to pay outrageous prices for the out of print Instinct stuff on ebay.

   most of the artists that have released ambient music on Instinct are represented here in this set. great intro essay as well in the booklet that comes with the set.

   highly, highly recommended. 21st century thinking music.

5 comments about Sony Music 100 Years: Soundtrack for a Century.

1. This is an impressive collection-- a century's worth of great music. 26 discs, covering many different genres.
   
   And while there is plenty of variety here, it is very much weighted to the modern era. Only eight of the 26 discs contain pre-1950 material, and of those eight, most contain only about half-a-disc's worth of pre-1950 material. It is certainly true that fewer recordings were made in the early days of the technology, but to call it a "Soundtrack for a Century" and ignore half the century seems very misguided.
   
   What would have made a much more interesting collection would have been a set that looked at the most popular recordings of each era and genre. Since there are six discs of "pop" music here, why not divide the discs into roughly equal spans of time (1900-1915, 1915-1930, 1930-1945, etc.) and include the top-selling records of that era? The same with classical, jazz, r&b, and so on. This would make for a much more balanced collection.
   
   I recommend this set only if you find it for an incredibly good price. There is a lot of fascinating music here, but the collection is not good enough to warrant the extremely high price tag.



2. When it comes to box sets it is really hit or miss. And any box set that is over $100 has a bigger chance of sitting on the shelf for years than a cheaper one. Sony should have sold the disks individually. I think they would have made A LOT more revenue off this unit. I ended up getting a lot of the songs I wanted (20s, 30s, 40s) from iTunes. Just because selling it as a box set makes it convenient doesn't mean it will set. There are 5 or 6 discs that I would buy. But I can't afford nor want it ALL. Check it out on iTunes before you buy. It was a great idea and effort on Sony's part. I wish more studios would do these kinds of compilations!



3. The sample tracks are actually the first five tracks on disc 25 (even though they are next to the first 5 tracks of disc 1. There are over 400 hundred tracks- but only 5 sample tracks we can listen to- doesn't seem right.
   Many good songs- but the collection is way to pricey. If you don't have any of these songs, or not too many, maybe it is a good deal, but most people already have a fair amount of these songs.



4. Yes, there is some great music on this set. That is undeniable. No, I wouldn't even dream of buying it. Basically, to sum it up, anything set that places work by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong next to the "work" of Will Smith or Mariah Carrey is an abomination that must be scorned at all costs. By placing art beside garbage, the attempt is to elevate the garbage, but the result is that it defames the art. The existence of this set insults me. I could just see the vapid Sony Music suits pieceing together this monstrosity--- This set, in a word, disgusts me. By placing the sublime beside the profane, Sony has insulted serious music fans everywhere. At best, this could serve as a thesis about the Kamikaze-decline of popular music over the years. Revolting. Go build your own record collection, don't let some dim-wit corporate tool do it for you.



5. I was happy to see Bob Dylans work on the albums so many times. His work is truly brilliant but i don't know why they put The Byrds version of Mr.Tambourine man instead of his.

5 comments about Chicago Trax: Ultimate House Collection.

1. I wanted to reinforce that this is an excellent compilation of early Chicago House. Anyone who dismisses this compilation just doesn't know what they're talking about.
   
   This compilation is a great way to acquire many of the classic Chicago tracks from the Trax label in one swoop, including many that have yet to see re-release on other CDs. Many of these tracks may end up on other compilations in the futur, but in the meantime this would be a great addition to your collection.
   
   The sound quality may seem flawed, but this is not the fault of the CDs so much as the original recordings which were frequently done on low budgets in makeshift studios with makeshift equipment. Far from being a deficit, this captures much of the DIY spirit of original Chicago house, and did a lot to inspire and influence others that they could create this music, too.
   
   Don't knock it, you need to know it!



2. As everyone else has said on here, this is a compilation of ORIGINAL HOUSE MUSIC (aka Chicago House). This is what all current House music was built from - this is the foundation. Another reviewer states that Little Louie Vega, MAW, Pete Tong are CLASSIC HOUSE artists/music. He is correct, but this is the stuff that influenced them, as well as sooo many other artists... TODD TERRY, PAUL VAN DYKE, DERRICK MAY, KEVIN SAUNDERSON, GREEN VELVET, OAKENFOLD, SASHA, DIGWEED, MADONNA, MOBY, take your pick and you ask them what influenced them, 99.9% of them will credit 95% of the artists and tracks on this compilation. Little Louie Vega got his big break when he began DJing back in 86/87 at a place called HEARTHROBs (later home to TWILO), and THIS IS THE STUFF he spun.

   So before you critize this compilation for it's simplicity of the tracks, you must remember, this is the beginning of house music. No one used samplers or drum machines back then for dance music. The only ones who did were of the European variety (Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Faust) and it was considered NEW AGE music. Very few DJs, when all this started, could even beat match. Disco was all created with live instruments so it was hard to beat match, and no one really thought of it. With the craze of the Technics SL1200MK2 turntable, the synths, and midi, all came about, everything changed. These artists were the few to begin using the stuff to create dance music. Influenced by these HOUSE MUSIC artists, as well as the European New Age scene, Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson created TECHNO. Techno and House music grew side by side, but TECHNO was born out of CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC. Every dance track you hear now, was born out of CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC. So appreciate these tracks for their simplicity as well as their historical contribution to all things 'DANCEABLE'!

   - OPTIC




3. How can anyone say that this isn't house music? It's obvious that whoever ripped this compilation is 12 years old, and truly ignorant to the orgins of dance music, and the impact that Chicago house had on today's so called music.

   Sure these traxs may sound dated by today's standard - but for those in the know - these gems are timeless.Without these, today's dance music wouldnt be where it is.

   These sounds layed the groundwork for others to build on. House music was invented in Chicago, and adopted all over the world.

   It's a shame that the ignorant would rip these truly historic musical gems. Love live Chicago house music! House nation!




4. First,Let me say that I have'nt heard the CD as of yet...I'm in the process of ordering these classic hits...I'm a former Paradise Garage head and just the titles alone on this CD is remarkable and artist like Fingers,Liz Torres, 2 puerto ricans etc...is eye watering.Just reading the artist names is taking me back to the Garage days where Larry Levan use to make your body jack. If you like true house this collection is the one to get.



5. I first of all want to comment on the negative feedback this CD has recieved by some people that are "MISINFORMED" about the "ROOTS,THE GENESIS,OF CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC" this label here is responsible for the"HOUSE"music movement in the world baby!! this label originally know as PRECISION records started the careers of JESSE SAUNDERS ,FARLEY,MARSHALL"THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD"JEFFERSON and many others ! this BOX set is the best thing to happen to the house music category! true "OLD SCHOOL"original composed music done with skill creation and heart and love .! this is one of a kind music all together !youcant compare this CD(box ) set with anything out there ! is 1000% original! all these are all cherry picked classics that are mostly requested here in CHICAGO there all awsme especially that DR.DERLICT track! man some of these TRAXs you cant find at all! I have grown up listening to TRAX MUSIC! I own the box set .."I also dig for the other goodies they have not put on CD yet on VINYL! LARRY SHERMAN "keep up the good work" and thank you for providing the world with a taste of the ROOTS of house music through your lable.. L.SHERMAN is the producer of this fine CD..."you wont be disappointed" long live "CHICAGO HOUSE" long live the true GODFATHER of house "LARRY SHERMAN" for taking a chance that noone else would take and giving the names of "JESSE SAUNDERS/FARLEY,MARSHALL JEFFERSON,ADONIS a chance to give the HOUSE MUSIC LOVERS ......FOREVER with thier music!!!...seen a JESSE SAUNDERS "FUNK YOU UP" LATLEY..? please trax Im pleading release this trax on CD!! TRAX RULES AND RUNS THE CHICAGO HOUSE MOVEMENT! BUY IT BEFORE ITS GONE!

3 comments about Soul Train: Hall of Fame, 20th Anniversary.

1. This is a great CD set. So great that the first copy I purchased during it's originally released was recently stolen. So I was thrilled to find that I could repurchase it on Amazon, since it is hard to find in stores. I'll never let this one out of my sight and I advice current owners to do the same. If you buy it, you will love it. Just be sure you tell your friends that they have to get their own and preferably not by stealing yours.



2. This cd set is for anyone who loves good old r :& b. This is the only cd i have listened to for months...



3. I have been watching Soul Train since I was a little girl. I have watched it change to fit today's generation, sadly. These CD's took me back to the days of my childhood in the 80's. I loved the music. It was all the same, nothing had changed. I long for the 80's, which really were the good old days. If you like Soul Train, then get this set. It is well worth the money.

2 comments about Strictly Dancing.

1. Here are the details broken down BY DISC. Please see my individual review of each disc (and more than fifty others) if you need more information.
   
   Disc One: Three stars. Decent Paso Doble for practice.
   Surprisingly good for a few dollars. None of these will really grip you and make you have to dance. But they will help educate you about the range of music included in paso doble. All tracks are played by the Manuelo Montez Orchestra. These are not "strict tempo." They range in tempo from 55 -64 beats per measure. (This is only available in this boxed set.)
   
   Disc Two: One Star. Synthesized mambo and poorly done.
   Enrico Domingo and his big band? Ouch! It sounds like a cheap keyboard to me. There isn't a single big band track on this entire disk. And there really isn't a single useful track either.
   
   Disc Three: Two Stars. A poor choice for practicing cha cha.
   El Gato's Rhythm Orchestra is very hit and miss. Some of this is fun. Except for the first track, I like much of this as music. But this is NOT a good disc for most dancers, and a terrible disc for beginners. Many of the tracks have radical tempo changes in the middle of the song. Tracks 9-12 are faster than competition tempos, and so better as slow mambos for beginners.
   
   Disc Four: Three stars. Okay foxtrots for the money.
   Bertone's Ballroom Orchestra is pretty decent. This disc is better for listening than for dancing. Current competition standards encourage a range of about 28-33 bpm for foxtrot, and none of this falls into a useful practice range.
   If you have a big floor, and people don't mind a faster tempo, this could be fun for parties. The ninth track is a fast and very danceable recording of "Its delovely."
   
   Disc Five: Three Stars. Decent rumbas for the money
   These have a clearly heard bass line, and so they are good for beginners as they struggle to hear the "slow, quick, quick" beat of the rumba. The last two tracks are too fast according to current competition standards.
   All tracks are played by the Peres Blanca Band. Judged for musicality, these rate two and a half to three stars, with the exception of the second track. This is a very danceable recording of "Strangers in Paradise."
   
   For the money, I would suggest the Solid Gold Collection: Strictly Ballroom Dancing (2005). This has 41 well played instrumental tracks, and it is only $12. Hmmm. Something to think about.



2. A decent collection of strict timing dance music at a good price. Music is unglamorous but clean. Not good for show dancing, more for quiet social dancing. Fox Trot CD is mostly fast, better for Quick Step. Rhumbas are slow, more like Bolero.

5 comments about Disco Dance.

1. One thing you learn in business is you can't please everybody. Being an ex-DJ from late 70's and early 80's, and listener there after, I actually didn't mind this collection. In fact, I embraced it for its uniqueness at not becoming a same ol run of the mill collection that is out there on disco collection levels. If I hear one more track of FLY ROBIN FLY or GET OFF I'll burst.
   I liked this collection for it's taking a chance at a whole new presentation of disco planet Starting the show with Babyface and then a hip hop version of a cool RING MY BELL? COOL!!
   It quickly lands back to disco with Gary's Gang KEEP ON DANCIN, which is in itself, a unique song to collect not on most collections.
   This 3-DISC also included the 12" version of THIS TIME BABY by Jackie Moore, and IVE GOT THE NEXT DANCE by Denise Williams-both excellant songs and not easy to come by in lengths.
   I look at this CD as mood disco, and the minor complaint of RELIGHT MY FIRE shortened by 44 seconds is trivial. Being an ex-Jock, I know firsthand, that even the full length long versions of most songs grow tiresome, not only in mixing, but in time itself.
   The new versions of IM GONNA GET YOU, LET THE MUSIC PLAY, and even the redone (listen carefully) YOU STEPPED INTO MY LIFE, are breathers for me because I have the original cuts in stock at home. This could have been a bogged down sounding track if all the cuts contained were of the same era, and all were the "same ol, same ol." You cant win for losing.
   The real ripoff is when they take away by edit, a much beloved break in a disco song for packaging purposes. Thats when you really feel the pinch!
   Please note, that from an experianced DJ, you are extremely lucky to find a total package of hits, whether you buy a collection or whatever. Your best collection will always be the one you make at home by your own editing and gathering of multi songs to make "the best disco tracks in town."



2. On paper, this looks like a good compilation. But I bought it and was very disappointed. Basically they acquired the rights to the worst, B-side, obscure versions of the songs on the discs. For example, "Let The Music Play" by Shannon is nowhere near the version that I've heard for years and heard on the radio. Not only is it a different version, it actually sounds really bad; it grates on you ears. Same thing with "I'm Gonna Get You" by Bizarre Inc. The version on these discs is an off-brand mix you've never heard before. I wanted the genuine version which I fondly remember from clubbing in the 90's. The version they have here sounds awful. You get the idea, any of the well-known songs that you would consider buying this for are not here in there "real" versions. Not only are they off-brand, 3rd rate versions, they sound down-right awful. I bought this, listened to it was and got rid of it. Big disappointment; don't waste your money, it's not worth it.



3. I have many disco compilation CDs the tracks of which overlap almost all the ones in this CD-box, except for Nicole's ''Don't You Want My Love,'' a very nice rare song from the 80s. But It turned out that the very song included here is a dub version, not a normal extended version. I was disappointed. It should have been a normal version as all the other tracks in this box are so.



4. This is a strange compilation but well worth my $8.69 at Costco! It's entitled "Disco Dance" yet it incorporates songs from 90's R&B and Pop/Rock artists. Babyface's rendition of "This Is For The Lover In You" (with a temporarily-reunited Shalamar) is even nicer than the original; it's the Track Masters remix. I purchased this mainly because it contains the full 12" mix of Shannon's "Let The Music Play", a gem since her music is out of print. I was also surprised to find the extended dance mix of Jackie Moore's "This Time Baby", a true disco classic. Also included is the mellow "Georgy Porgy" by Toto featuring the incomparable Cheryl Lynn. I just recently heard of Romeo Void when they were featured on VH1's segment "Bands Reunited" and really love their cut "A Girl In Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)." Even if you aren't a disco buff, I'm sure you'll find a song or two that you enjoy on this 3-disc set.



5. Vertigo/Relight My Fire cuts out about 9:00, leaving off the final climax -- the original 12" is 9:44. So look elsewhere if that's the cut you want.

5 comments about Underworld Singles Box Set.

1. I thought this Single Box from Underworld was worth buying only paying a total of $21.50 for it. I thought the Push Upstairs single was the best single out of all three of them (I would give it --***1/2-- stars). The Adam Beyer Remix and the Roger S. Blue Plastic People Mix were the two bests mixes out of the Push Upstairs selection. Please Help Me is one of the most beautiful tunes I've heard coming from Underworld. It starts off with pretty music and melody in the beginning with echoing voices and progresis into a nice upbeat tune. Bruce Lee was kind of a strange song when I heard it on Beaucoup Fish but after hearing the different versions on the Push Upstairs single, I have different thoughts of it now. The Micronauts Remix was very impressive with the beginning beat as it gradually progressed a minute later (I had headphones on the first time I heard it and the sort of buzzing sounds in the beginning were a bit painful to the ears having the volume loud enough) and the Dobropet version of Bruce Lee I did not get at all...felt like there was no beat or anything to it. The King Of Snake single was yet another impressive single after hearing it on Beaucoup Fish and 1992-2002 (I would give it --***-- stars). The Straight (Mate) Mix, Barking Mix, and the Fatboy Slim Remix are my favorites out of it all (Fatboy Slim is a GENIOUS). Lastly, the Jumbo single (I would give it --**1/2-- stars). Jumbo was never one of my favorites on Beaucoup Fish but the different remixes were quite good. The Future Shock World's Apart Remix was my only real favorite for it's pretty background melodies and easy beat. The rest of them sounded the same to me except for the two Jedis versions of the songs. Cups (Salt City Orchestra's Vertical Bacon Vocal) was another beautiful tune adding in the lyrics from the orignal version of Cups on Beaucoup Fish (also Everything, Everything; LIVE even though that was more dance). Cups could've been a bit shorter but overall it was great.

   That's my REVIEW on Undrworld's Singles Box. Hope it helped you out if you are thinking of purchasing it somewhere wherever you live ^_^




2. This set includes some pretty impressive remixes. I would highly recommend this to the die-hard Underworld fan just to hear what other people can do to their already amazing songs.

   The spin on the songs as usual create impressive sounds and break the mad beats, like fred flinstone jumpin around with bald feet!

   Get it while you can!

   -Grandad Girolamo




3. Fans must have it. Obviously there is some filler here and a lot of stand out mixes of already amazing singles. It is really fun to put these in your CD changer and hit "random play".



4. I bought this quite a while ago and STILL am stuck on the remixes of King of Snake!!!! Fatboy Slim's is astonishing. Most everything's wearing lovely new costumes. All the big fans should have these tracks. Even some of the basic edits are awesome (notably KOS & BL -- but Jumbo does sound gutted). This is NOT a complete collection - I believe atleast five remixes are missing (King of Snake-2 missing, Push Upstairs-2 missing, Bruce Lee-1 missing). If you're diehard and wealthy, just buy all the singles/EPs; otherwise, this is an excellent purchase for the price! "Please Help Me" is sooooo beautiful!!!!!!

   hyperbolic_squiggly




5. I'm breaking rank with the rest of the reviews. Is it because I think it's an awful collection. No, it's just that it is so unlike the rest of the CD's they have put put out. It is like being in a club hearing the same song over and over again. If I was on a budget I would buy the DVD "Everything, Everything". That is an experience which it is impossible to watch sitting still- ya gotta dance! But let's say you're a DJ, this box set is a MUST for the beats.

No comments about This Is Big Beat.

3 comments about Amberdelic Space II: Angel Of Ecstasy [4 Disc Box Set].

1. Please. Do not waste you money on this garbage. It is a collection of second hand tracks by absolute nobodys. I stupidly bought this a year ago on a whim. Old, stale beats and sounds. Very amaturish. It also sounds like some of the CD have the same artist recording under different name just to fill up space. I cannot stress how bad these CD are.



2. Out of all four discs, this collection has only one or two moderately interesting songs on it. The rest are poorly mixed with weak themes and bad instrumentation.



3. This is an excellent set, a perfect selection of tracks that are not *too* ambient and not *too* trancy. Beats are mellow, but there is a beat! I just ordered the second volume on the strength of the first, as one indication of how good it is.

   Second indication is this; I don't have my set! I have, in a misguided gesture of comradship, lent it to someone else, and now they won't give it back! "Its too good! I won't give it back until I get one myself".