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".

No comments about Mega Techno, Vol. 3.

5 comments about Volume 1-2-3-4.

1. This is the 1st comment that I have EVER placed on a merchant's site!!

   I believe the CD is probably a good product; however, I never had a chance to find out for myself. My comment does not concern the quality of the CD; but rather I feel compelled to comment the poor quality of Amazon.com's service. This is the 3rd time in a few months that I have ordered something from Amazon (in this case the Party Time cd) that was critical to be delivered, yet it was not delivered or available for whatever reason. In the future, I will make every effort to direct my business towards other online merchants who deliver the merchandise they promise.




2. I had ordered this box set and to my surprise, volume 5 was included for free!! I was thrilled with just about all of the music, and what a bargain! All original artists! My co-workers now want to buy these CDs for themselves. The best part was the shipping was free! I wish I could give this set 6 stars!



3. A 5 CD set that will become one of your favorites...

   All by the original artists, the hits cover the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's...

   I never leave home without it! It was probably the bet $30 I ever spent! BUY IT. You won't regret it.




4. This 5 cd set has such a wonderful array of hits, you'll definitely get your money's worth!

   All by the original artists, the songs bring back the best of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's for your listening pleasure!

   I never leave home without it! It was the best 30 bucks I've ever spent! BUY IT. You'll be glad you did.




5. I'm getting ready for a big party and I bought a bunch of dance mixes on Amazon. Hands down this one takes the cake. I'd say the ratio of songs I like is 4 out of 5, which is amazing for a compilation. I've never seen a complilation this large that is this good. Sadly, several of the other compilations I bought at the same time were dogs. I wish they could all be this good.

2 comments about Dream Roots Collection.

1. Subtitled "The Tangerine Dream pink-blue Box set" this 5-CD collection is a rather bizarre survey of TD's recorded works from two periods of their history. The so-called Pink Years (1970-73) were the years before the band's signing with Virgin Records. The five albums of this period are covered here by a total of 11 tracks, comprising some 55 minutes of music, taking up the first of the CDs in the set. These tracks are not simply extracts from the original discs, however, but are mostly "recomposed" versions based only loosely on the originals. Some snippets of the original material are detectable underneath the drifts of thick new synthesiser textures that have been laid over them but sometimes only just.

   I suspect that most fans of TD's early music will absolutely hate this disc. Certainly, much of the new material seems to have been added with little sensitivity to the original and gives the impression that it has been produced in order to appeal to those who only know Tangerine Dream's later music. I suppose one almost acceptable way to approach this disc is to view it as a new retrospective meditation, merely based upon ideas from the older works. Even then, though, the whole exercise feels to make about as much sense (and is as sacrilegious) as taking coloured felt-tip pens to beautiful old pencil sketches: it may "update" the medium, but the original message is mostly lost in the process!

   This first disc is horribly unbalanced, too. Over half of it is given over to just one of the five albums from the associated period ("Green Desert") and oddly-considering that the music from that album is the most in need of being reworked-this all remains pretty much as previously issued. All told, then, this is indeed a strange piece of work. I just hope Edgar Froese managed to achieve some sort of karmic closure from this revisiting of his roots and that he can now get on with new things!

   The remaining four discs in the set are given over to TD's later, so called, Blue Years - the time during which they were signed to New Age label, Jive-Electro (1983-87). This period is regarded by many as marking the very peak of Tangerine Dream's creativity. The albums included in this period are the studio albums "Le Parc", "Tyger" and "Underwater Sunlight", plus the live sets "Poland" and "Livemiles". All five of these are represented to some degree or other in the central 3 CDs of the set. The booklet notes suggest that the tracks included here are also studio reworkings of the originals but most sound (to me at least) like live concert versions of the originals. Sometimes, they are more or less identical to their earlier releases but mostly, the instrumentation may be subtly different, or the tempo a little altered, or else the music may feature some other slight re-arrangement. All of this music remains faithful to the original, though, and I don't believe anyone who knows any of the previous releases will be at all dissatisfied with the treatment they receive here. Indeed, many of the tracks are considerable improvements on the originals-quite an achievement, in some cases.

   The least reworked material comes from "Le Parc", with seven of the original nine tracks being included almost unaltered ('Tiergarten' is a little shorter; 'Zen Garden' a touch longer). "Tyger" is represented almost in its entirety too, although generally in much richer form than on the original release. We are also treated to two versions of 'London': one is entirely instrumental, while the other features a longer reworking, preserving Jocelyn Bernadette Smith's original vocal part (complete with her horrendous mispronunciation of 'Thames'!) Both of these are a treat to have and point up just how good the much-undervalued "Tyger" really is.

   The remaining three albums are represented to a lesser degree than the two just mentioned. About half of the music from "Underwater Sunlight" and "Livemiles" is here, little altered from the original, together with just over 30 of the original 80 minutes of the double album "Poland". Again, these all sound like recordings of the same material presented at different concerts from those of the original releases. Collectors may find the differences interesting and will possibly not begrudge buying these duplicates of works already in their collection. (After all, the bootleg market has been cashing in on this attitude for years!) I should add, by the way, that the extracts from these five albums are mixed freely CDs 2, 3 and 4 of this set. This arrangement works better than one might expect-testimony indeed to the uniform brilliance of Tangerine Dream's work at this time. The final disc in this set presents some 45 minutes of previously unreleased Tangerine Dream music from the Blue Years period. 'Valley of the sun' is the longest track on this disc: a 15-minute meditation of the string-wash-and-sequencer-pulse variety. 'Beach bay bunker' (9:36) is another classic TD orchestral-type ballad, strongly suggestive (to my ears at any rate) of much of Christoph Franke's later TV music. The similar length 'Vanishing Blue' starts out as a gentle synthesiser meditation but slowly builds into something more substantial, with a powerful percussion line and sweet synthesiser tune, before winding down again to a peaceful conclusion. The closing 'Red morpho' (another substantial track of 11:34 duration) is a drum-machine, stringy guitar and singing organ number, typical of much of the music contained on the other discs. I don't think that any of this material is as strong as the rest of the music presented in the set (ignoring CD1, of course!) but it is all certainly worth having. Collectors will insist upon it, of course! An interesting little booklet with lots of archive photographs of the band and an essay by TD expert, Mark Prendergast, is included in the set too.

   In summary then, this collection is excellent value for anyone already considering buying copies of both "Tyger" and "Le Parc" (and "Green Desert", if there be any such strange souls) or with an interest in complete collections or rarer Tangerine Dream releases. It also provides a satisfying sample of music from three other albums (although there is so much great music missing from both "Poland" and "Livemiles" that the real enthusiasts will still need to buy separate copies of these, at the very least). My only reservation concering these CDs is that more could have been squeezed onto them. (The total playing time is 4 hours 24 mins.) Or am I just being greedy? I doubt, too, whether CD1 will ever make it into my play-tray again, but that's just me. I suggest you try it: you may like it!




2. This is a beatiful journey with Tangerine Dream through one of their more creative periods. Box omits any of the records TD made with Virgin Records, thus giving a rare and amazing look at "other side of Tangents". Disk 1 covers The Pink Years (69/73). Disks 2-4 cover The Blue Years (83/87). Disk 5 consists of 4 completely new songs. All recordings are remixes from original compositions. Most are shortened. But this this not necessary a bad sign. Remix (made by Edgar Froeze himself) provides united background to unfold songs from very different periods, thus giving listener more consistent view of the band.

   If you want to start your TD collection and not sure whether you'll like them enough to justify more then one-two CDs, buy one of their original albums (Rubycon and Sorcerer come to mind) and decide then. But if you are already sold on TD and their moody electronic music, this set is a must. Enjoy,

   P.S. Total 44 songs, 4 hours 25 minutes long.

No comments about Dance Hits Supermix Collectors Edition.

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.

1 comments about Casey Kasem: America's Top 10 Through the Years.

1. LOVE THE ANGELS! MY FAVORITE SONG IS ON THIS CD......WOW! I SCREAMED WHEN I HEARD IT.........hehe

4 comments about Ultimate Dance '98.

1. Really bad mixes. Absolutely not DJ friendly. And if you're not a DJ, the actual tracks are not even originals. They're perfomed by some other vocalists! Yuk! Yuk! Yuk!



2. THIS IS A AWESOME CD AT A VERY COOL PRICE BUY IT TRY IT YOULL LOVE IT, SO COM ON GET THIS GHETTO CD AND BE A 'GHETTO SUPERSTAR THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE....



3. Only two songs are maybe by the actual artist. The rest..good god their bad. Save your money.



4. I bought this CD thinking I was getting a deal, when in fact, I was buying the names of popular songs which are performed by 'THE COUNTDOWN DANCE MASTERS.' This CD is a big disappointment and big waste of time and money.

2 comments about God's Kitchen, Vol. 2.

1. By far my favorite trance compilation. Disc 1 is a more housy/progressive mix, while disc 2 is a movemnt of uplifting melodic trance, Disc 3 Hits hard with a more techie/hard trance sound. This compilation definately represents much of the sounds that I have in my own vinyl crates. You won't be sorry with this cd.



2. If you like Oakenfold (or Trance for this matter) check out this 3 CD set. John "00" Fleming does a wonderful job on this compliation including songs from Novacane vs. No One Driving - Playa Sol, along with PPK - Resurection, seriously has some of the greatest tune of 2001.

   Cheers

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.