5 comments about Hitsville USA, Vol. 2: The Motown Singles Collection 1972-1992.

1. After the first flawless Motown box set finished up with 1971, it was inevitable that there was going to be a drop in quality on the second volume. When Stevie Wonder's contribution to disc two is the masterful "Sir Duke" and just one disc later we're hit with the wretched-without-bounds "I Just Called to Say I Love You," it's virtually impossible to wonder where it all went wrong. Closing out the set with the hilariously mawkish "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men is the sadly appropriate death knell for a once proud label that lost its way. It's hard to connect most of this music to the label that once released 'Innervisions' or 'What's Going On' or 'Cloud Nine'.



2. I have loved the Motown sound ever since I was a little kid. So many of those songs have added pleasure to my life. A few years ago I bought the first box set and voraciously consumed it. Every song there was a classic. I only wished it included a lot more music.
   
   I recently saw that there was a second installment to Hitsville USA. I bought it immediately, and I was encouraged by the generally good reviews here on Amazon. But, wow, I regretfully must report to you that this set does not have the Motown Sound that I know and love. Perhaps a quarter of these songs are very good, but the other three-quarters I do not like at all. They are campy, disco-like atrocities which in my mind are the antithesis of the earthy, passionate, natural sound of real Motown. I do like soul music outside of Motown, but these songs do not come close to even good, authentic soul music. Most of these are bad disco songs which have the second-generation Motown label affixed for prestige. Please don't get this expecting the classic Motown sound, because you won't find it here. Even the small percentage of good songs here don't sound like Motown; I'm not sure exactly how you would categorize them.
   
   The remaining 75% of the music on these discs is of that category of "Music that I Affirmatively Try to Avoid." If Motown was one of the pinnacles of modern music, many of these songs are the valleys. Real Motown was silk; this is a plastic tarp. Again, I emphasize the synthetic, synthesizer-intensive foundation, with the pre-pubescent, screechy, annoying vocals. Motown is all about a thumping, plodding deep bass, with a great guitar groove, and supernaturally beatiful lyrics and voices. Even most of Smokey's stuff here doesn't do much for me, and I love Smokey. The amazing documentary film "In the Shadow of Motown" might have discussed this period in Motown's history, if it did, I'm sure it is characterized as the (steep, almost vertical) decline. The folks who were the subject matter of that film were REAL MUSICIANS, the best musicians the world has ever known; they weren't a bunch of beeping, buzzing computers and polyester-wearing prancing disco-dancers.
   
   I will never listen to these discs straight-through again. I'll just skip over to the few good tracks. The preponderance of these songs were downright painful, they represent the worst of the 70's and 80's. I wish they had merely augmented the collection of real Motown, rather than used the songs which rode on the coat-tails of the real (and legendary) Motown.



3. In the past years I have ordered from individuals via Amazon as opposed to Amazon.com directly. This time, this particular item was offered through Amazon at basically the same cost and I received the item faster than I ever had before. From now on if Amazon offers any item I wish to purchase, I'll order it through Amazon directly.



4. Not quite as strong as the first Motown boxed set but then again I'm partial to the earlier songs during the illustrious Motown of the '60s. 4.5 stars.



5. ALL I CAN SAY IS IF YOU LIKE THE MOTOWN SOUND THEN YOU WOULD LIKE THIS CD. I LIKE IT AND ENJOY IT AND I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND ANYONE WHO LIKES THE MOTOWN SOUND OF YESTERYEAR TO BUY THIS ALBUM BECAUSE YOU WOULD DEFINITELY ENJOY IT.

No comments about Old School Jams 4 Cd Box Set.

1 comments about Hotel St. Tropez.

1. "discerning social gathering wants & expects to hear..." "the sophisticated private domain for the well-heeled, uber cool society..."
   Please don't buy it... The music contains full of pretentious French lyrics and the beat is flat. It runs on and on again ...It is really boring music. I think the dj tried so hard to be in the scene and he impresses no one at the end.

2 comments about 12"/'80s/2.

1. Not only is the music market currently flooded with dud bands offering sad pastiches of 1980s synth rockers, there's also a glut of bad compilations that habitually gather together the decade's worst sonic offenders. Praises to the compilers of 12"/80s/2 are in order, since this three disc set gathers together over 30 remixed cuts only vinyl conneiseurs will have heard before. Generally drawing from the UK's best in New Wave and New Romantic, highlights over the three hour compendium include obvious 12" mixes from New Order, Duran Duran and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Less obvious tracks that offer flavour include Echo & The Bunnymen's The Killing Moon (Up All Night Mix) and the forgotten Belouis Some's Imagination (12" Mix), although Spandau Ballet's Chant Number 1 and Yello's The Race are truly awful. Both seen as touchstones to the later hip hop renaissance, Tom Tom Club and Malcolm McLaren each present tidy and uncomplicated beats, while moody old friends The Cure and Siouxsie & The Banshees prove Goths aren't afraid of a solid dance overhaul thanks to the excellent sounds of The Walk (Extended Mix) and Peek A Boo (Silver Dollar Mix) respectively. Neatly providing an aural history of the remix phenomenon in its infancy, 12"/80s/2's more than three hours of massive hits and glorious misfires from the era of denim skirts, E.T. and Cabbage Patch Kids.



2. These collections are becoming more and more popular, and now, we're getting to that point where there are a lot of repeats, a lot of songs you've never heard of before, and a lot of mess ups in actually bringing the true 12". This collection is a perfect case in point. Amongst the problems I noted were: 10 seconds shaved off the opening of Love Comes Quickly by the Pet Shop Boys; 2 minutes chopped off Siouxsie's Peek-a-Boo; The edit of Love on Your Side used on the Thompson Twin's greatest 12" collection ages ago rather than the full 12"; a minute missing from Tears for Fears Pale Shelter; a horrible mix of INXS with a slow house feel; the BBG remix of Life's What you Make It from the Talk Talk History the Remixes CD rather than the original 12". At the same time, there are some treasures here. The 12" of Visage's Night Train, the real US 12" version of Axel F, and some others. But where are so many other new wave tracks that still haven't made it onto any compilations? For instance, Love Tempo by Quando Quango. This is Not a Love Song by PIL. Some People by Belouise Some rather than the usual Imagination. What You Need 12" by INXS. The Detroit mix of When Smokey Sings instead of the Miami mix, which is available on ABC's original CD. Horror Movies by the Bollock Bros. And I could keep going with a huge list of vinyl I'm still holding onto in hopes these 12" mixes will some day find their way onto one of these compilations. Anyway, here is a track listing with times:
   
   CD1:
   
   1. new gold dream (6:49)
   2. penthouse and pavement (6:20)
   3. sound of the crowd (6:25)
   4. labour of love (4:25)
   5. papa's got a brand new pigbag (5:55)
   6. party fears two (5:09)
   7. when smokey sings (7:03)
   8. need you tonight (liebrand mix) (7:14)
   9. imagination (5:27)
   10. brand new friend (5:31)
   11. life's what you make it (6:12)
   12. night train (6:08)
   
   CD2:
   
   1. love comes quickly (6:40)
   2. the reflex (6:16)
   3. two tribes (9:06)
   4. chant no 1 (5:42)
   5. love on your side (5:34)
   6. bedsitter (7:49)
   7. don't talk to me about love (6:51)
   8. peek a boo (8:11)
   9. trampoline (5:41)
   10. pale shelter (5:56)
   11. bid decision (4:37)
   12. the killing moon (7:12)
   
   CD3:
   
   1. oblivious (3:50)
   2. favourite shirts (6:53)
   3. I'll tumble 4 ya (4:36)
   4. long hot summer (6:58)
   5. soul train (6:31)
   6. boops (5:21)
   7. genius of love (5:34)
   8. annie I'm not your daddy (6:24)
   9. mr solitaire (5:55)
   10. axel f (7:10)
   11. the race (13:23)

No comments about Flamenco Lounge.

No comments about Deca Dance Latin House Sessions.

2 comments about Club Island Cream Summer 2003.

1. This is a pretty well put together compliation. The chill out cd kind of lacks, but it's nice that they included the genre. The House cd is definitely the best. Pretty much every track is good, it will have you coming back for more. The Trance cd is enjoyable too, but I've kind of lost my desire to hear a lot of trance these days. Again all the top picks for 2003 are here.



2. the 1st CD was the best out of all 3 because of all the biggest house music hits of 2003. Best tracks: Eric Prydz-Slammin, M Factor-Come Together, Morjac-Stars, and Shake It. The 2nd cd- trance was awesome. Well mixed. I bought this cd over at Tesco while I lived at england for about $21. I don't know why it cost $50 on this site. Might wanna try www.hmv.co.uk.

5 comments about Pandemonium (Spec Ed) (Bonus DVD).

1. how more one could request? The Special edition of pandemonium with a news songs and a DVD. Incredible
   A great DVD, and good quality and the best music



2. B2K re-released Pandemonium in a special edition about three months after the oringal verisonw as released. Pandemonium Special Edition was included with a crappt bonus DVD a few new tracks. Two of the tracks written by R.Kelly are the strongest on the album which are Girlfriend & What A Girl Wants. While both these tracks are cool there really was no need for a re-lease hence my low rating. Another compliant on the CD is Why I Love You is repeated from B2K's debut release once again,



3. I looooooooooooooove it. Really really really really worth buying.And i mean REALLY!!!!!!!!!
   You guys will forever be the best boy band and yall need to get ur senses together and get back togher already!!!!!!! lol .Im serous though.
   And im not no damn kind im 15 years old lol
   
   Love u guys
   -Antonia



4. This album has everything that you're looking for in an R&B group. These boys are more than just hot and I would give anything for them to get back together again and make another allbum. Here's my opinion of how the songs were off of this album.
   
   1. "Intro"- I really hated the intro (Although I hate everyone's intro). It took a whole recording studio staff to write this and it wasn't even good.
   
   2. "Bump, Bump, Bump"- This is a great song featuring Diddy and I love the beat and lyrics to this song. The music video is great(and it's on the DVD!). I love the way B2K dances and I love that they dance in most of their music videos. I especially love their music video "Uh-Huh" but it is not on the DVD included with the album.
   
   3."Girlfriend"- This song is good to listen to. I love Lil' Fizz's rap and I like the beat.
   
   4."You Can Get It"- This song is one of the best songs on this album. It has a great beat, great lyrics, and their vocals are very sexy.
   
   5."One Kiss"- This song isn't ne of my favorites but it's okay to listen to when you're in the mood for something slow and steady.
   
   6."Bump That"- A really upbeat song. I love the Lil' Fizz rap.
   
   7. "My Girl"- Great song but the lyrics are a little simple. It's fast but you won't feel the song as much as you feel the other songs.
   
   8. "What A Girl Wants"- Slow and very long. Good to listen to when you're in the mood for something slow.
   
   9. Sleepin'"- Slow and emotional. Great vocals and good to listen to.
   
   10.- "Would You Be Here"- Good song about whether you're with them for the money or for the love. Slow but satisfying.I would be with Lil'Fizz whether he has a million or is living out on the streets.
   
   11. "Everything"- Bets lyrics and vocals on their whole album. Slow and heartfelt.
   
   12. "Tease"- Good but not as good as the other songs.
   
   13. "Back It Up"- Good song, not so great lyrics, but okay.
   
   14. "Where Did We Go Wrong"- Fast and long.
   
   15. "Pretty Young Thing"- Have you ever heard a song where the first verse is the second verse too? It happens in this song, but it's good to dance and listen to.
   
   16. "I Beat You To It (Turn This Party Out)"- Great beat and everything. Lil' Fizz raps every verse in this song. I love him!
   
   17. "The Other Guy"- Slow and great.
   
   18. "Why I Love You"- I like the dancing in the director's cut of this video but I don't really care for this song.
   
   19. "Boys 4 Life"- Great song sbout how they came along.
   
   20. "Girlfriend (Ron G Remix)"- Same lyrics as the original but a kind of like 50 Cent's song "It's Your Birthday".
   
   21. "Dog"- This song is by Jhene. It's okay but kind of ameteur.
   Jhene's songs are stupid. Did they give her the reject songs?(Listen to clips from her album.)
   
   I love this CD and I hope you will too. If you like B2K then you'll like my 2nd best group B5.
   
   Holla At Ya Girl Leah!
   Look for more music reviews from me!



5. This is a very sexy and mature side of B2K and I love it. The songs on here are touching to the ladies and men could relate to it. One of my favourite songs has got to be "Why I Love You" because the melody is great, the vocals and production are hot and the lyrics are beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to get away from all those horrible sounding music of rock, country and some rap, and listen to some true, introspective and authentic R&B, like this CD. If you are into Usher, Pretty Ricky, Mario and B5, then this is the CD for you. I just hope they reunite in the future.

5 comments about GU, Vol. 10.

1. It's simple, take a trip back to those classic tracks where GU all began. I still remember the striped pants and wild hair and the girls grinding in bikinis.
   
   Tracks are brilliant. CD 3 is a bit too old for my liking but love the progressive classics of CD 1 and 2. Nice big velvet box to put on the shelf with booklet of the same size with pictures and info. about the past GU series.
   
   CD 4 the GUmusic (unmixed) is fantastic and I loved using the tracks within my mixes.
   
   A 5 out of 5 for any avid GU fan such as me and so cheap for a great collectors item. JBhifi is selling it for over $100Aus cause it looks expensive, so buy it from here. Is a feature of the bookshelf and even a non-GU fans will want to take a look and have a feel of the velvet and say 'ooo nice box'.



2. I ordered this a few months ago and my discs arrived loose and somewhat scratched, especially disc 2. I didn't care much for the bonus disc but liked the first disc best. I imagine there is some kind of licensing issue but there is no Paul Oakenfold mixes on this set. That is surprising since Oakenfold had so many GU sets. My first GU purchases were two of the Oakenfold sets. I can't really recommend this limited set because of the damaged discs and lack of Oakenfold.



3. When I bought this item right away I knew it was good. Every time GU comes out with the new CD release it comes out to be nearly perfect. So when I saw the description of it saying mixes of all GU's grated releases. Each CD offers you something different. From Decades to compilations you will always have something good to pick from. Because the box is 10" in size you virtually get a book not just a small cover that usually comes with CD's. The book is like a magazine each page has an article form different DJ's about their memories and events when their GU albums released.
   Get it and you will not be disappointed. But if you probably reading this by now, you don't need me to tell you that. I know you already made up your mind.



4. This review is only on the packaging. The packaging looks very nice, it is a 10" size red velvet box, a bit smaller than a LP. The big problem is that inside the CDs are placed next to each other (two in the top, two in the bottom). As a result, the chances that they get dislodged during transport are high: I got two copies of it and in both cases, all four CDs were dislodged and consequently scratched.
   
   The difference between this edition and the non-limited edition (ASIN: B000F5GKP4) is the fourth disc with unmixed songs. If this is the reason you plan on buying this edition, you can find most of the songs in their unmixed full length versions either on the GU 10 (unmixed) version (ASIN: B000GPI3BC) or on the artists' albums.
   
   I do not recommend this item, the rating of 1 star is based on the state in which it is unfortunately likely to be received, that is, damaged.



5. Quality AND Quantity in this set! Sure it's a compilation of compilations, but it works and the 'extra's' discs make it even more worth while. Especially the 87-95 mix. Some of those tracks are awesome. Enjoy it while it lasts.

1 comments about Tangents: 1973-1983.

1. A must get for anyone who wants a 3 CD overview of the best of TD, a CD of their best movie music and a full CD of unreleased music (decent in its own right). Six hours of pure TD with some slight remixing by Edgar Froese.