3 comments about Special Fan Box.

1. It is a great collection of a phenomenal singer! Just get it.



2. This is so disappointing. This Special fan box contains the Gremany versions Aaliyah's last 3 albums : "One In A Millon", "Aaliyah" and "I care 4 U" (And they are also sold separately) stuffed into a box. "1.I.A.M." And "Aaliyah" contain one bouns track each but they appear on "I care 4 U". Just Like the original US pressing of "I.C.4.U.", a bonus dvd is included (This one is region free/0 PAL). With this set you'll get one Plus and one Minus when comparing these to The American editions (Keep in mind this is if you have the "I.C.4.U." CD/DVD US edition). PLUS : The "Miss You" Video is on the dvd. MINUS : On "Aaliyah", The hidden track "Messed Up" is replaced with "Try Again". That is "Messed Up". My biggest problem with it is that Amazon's description said "All Aaliyah videos on dvd". That is not true. There are only 10 and Aaliyah did more than 10. But Amazon is not to fault on that. The box the cds are in says that. That is false advertising. If the packaging is going to say "All Aaliyah videos on dvd", then I expect to see every one she's ever made. Another false advertisement is that the box and "1.I.A.M." And Aaliyah state the cds are copy protected. They are not. They are just trying to scare you out out of music piracy. Anyways, if you have the US Prints of her last 3 albums, then this is a complete waste of money.
   
   Video Track list
   1. One in a Million 2. Are You That Somebody 3. Try Again 4. We Need a Resolution 5. More Than a Woman 6. Come Back in One Piece 7. 4 Page Letter 8. Got to Give It Up [Remix] 9. Rock The Boat 10. Miss You 11. Japanimation Commercial 12. Aaliyah behind the scenes.



3. Oh it's great. 59 songs . 2 cds. it's so cool. one of the best cds out of "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number,One In A Million,Aaliyah and I Care For U".Boy its the best .

1 comments about Bomb Anniversary Collection.

1. Bomb records. most people haven't heard of this label unless they hail from the bay area or they are a fan of the fine art of dj'ing, by listening to the return of the dj albums. in this collection, some of the most innovative dj's you've never heard take center stage and show some skills. in this compilation, you should find some names that might be known, like the invisble skrch piklz (mixmaster mike, dj q-bert), peanut butter wolf, j-live and dilated peoples. to those that have picked this up, now look deeper to tracks by faust and shortee and dj z-trip. these cats are elevating the game and bringing true freshness to the game of hip hop. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT think that this is a techno album. the dj's in this set are dj's. they are the backbone of hip hop. anyone who thinks that a dj with a beat machine is a producer, think again. check out bomb anniversary collection and learn what the lost art of turtablism is all about.

   although this is a solid effort from beginning to end, the presence of the track fascination by morganics is throwaway. this is simply a bad beat box impression with a british emcee who just doesn't undersdtand what he is saying. this is the only reason that this gem didnt' get five stars. check it out. if you call yourself a hip hop fan, you'll like it...unless you think that swizz beatz or mannie fresh (ruff ryders, cash money) are talented.

1 comments about Acid Jazz Story: Old Testament 1988-1996.

1. The most notable music movement of the late 80's and 90's, the AJ Old Testament it is. From Galiano and BNH to Corduroy and JTQ, this has got all the 'hits' from 88 to 96. Yea, sure, you've heard half of this stuff, maybe more, but when was the last time you heard any of it? Living in the states and not being a self-made millionare, I wasn't able to buy EVERY disc put out by this illustrious label, so this rounds out my collection. A must-buy if you know what acid jazz is.

5 comments about Back To The Old School - Rapper's Delights.

1. fact is that the shugarhill gang is simply a dressed up representation of what rap was and instead of trying to make something real, they tried to make something that everyone could relate to. The fact is that that isn't what rap is about. Rap is about being true to who you are and being willing to make light of it by singing about it. This isn't a rap album, it's a funk album, and the fact is that there are many better early rap albums that don't get their due because they came after this one.



2. As one of the first rap songs , Rapper's Delight(1979) has a very definite place in music history. to say it was a trendsetter is an understatement. If you think of it subsequent rap was a crib on this song. It is one of the very few rap songs that I like.
   And unlike so much of today's rap it has nothing dirty or violent in it , just a lot of funky fun. It brings back so many memories to lovers of the early 80's disco period. Just hearing the cool beat makes you want to get down and jam :
   "see i am wonder mike and i like to say hello
   to the black, to the white, the red, and the brown, the purple and yellow".
   Some parts of the long rap song are really humorous and make you laugh ,others are just mellow and make you groove. But you will love every minute of it. I love it for the nostalgia value. Bring back 1979 NOW!



3. Sugarhill Gang, the ultimate in the "roots of Rap and Hip-Hop" take us back to when it all begin with this exhilerating anthology of their songs. From the traditional "Rapper's Delight" to other classics such as "Apache", to collaborations featuring the groups of the day, such as the Sequence, this album combines it all. No other anthology can take us through the roots of such a relatively new genre in music. This album will entertain even the most hardcore rap enthusiast, for it is the core of their dogma.



4. can't say enough about this song&it's impact.til this day it can rock any place.it's so free&fun.hearing this song is like magic to your ears&mind.a must have jam.



5. I have never really been a big fan of Rap, but in this case, it's the best. Back in 1980, I was working at a roller skating rink as a floor guard, the first time I heard Rappers Delight. When the song started, everyone went out on the floor and just started jamming. My sincere opinion of the song is, "IT'S A MUST HAVE ALBUM" in everyones music library.**********************

5 comments about The Ultimate Grammy Box: From the Recording Academy's Collection.

1. One of the better compilations of music and well worth the price. It has something for everyone from hits of the 40's right through today. I enjoyed the random mix of country, pop, rock, big-band, etc. and the varied song selection on each disk - you never know what's coming next. Great - simply great!



2. I got this for Christmas and was really impressed. I mean getting all these huge names together on one compilation is a feat in itself. But I think they overlooked a few things.

   Ok, how do you get off not putting Barbra Streisand on a GRAMMY CD ? She has won (if my memory serves me right) more then 9 GRAMMIES and has been nominated for tons more. And Toni Braxton. "Another Sad Love Song" Won best song and she got best new artist.

   they also didn't include U2 or Phil Collins. I'm sure thy've won something. I cannot believe (but i am thankful) they didn't put any of Britney Spears'GRAMMY winners on there. And I think they could have waited for a couple of years and put of killer tracks like "Fallin" by ALicia Keys and "Don't Know why" by Norah Jones.

   But I kinda think that the focus of this CD was on the "GRAMMY Hall of famers." Ella Fitzgerald. Louis Armstrong. Duke Ellington. Peggy Lee. Among others, serve up a nice classy feel amidst the modern pop and rock beats.

   All and ALL, if they had put "All the best" on here we would have had a ten CD pack people !! and who knows how much that would have cost. this one is already a little steep. But I think its worth every penny.

   I really think this is great. Its defines the term something for everybody and may help bridge gaps between Teens and parents. It definataly expanded my musical horizon.

   Now all I need to do is write GRAMMY and request "GRAMMY:MUSIC FROM THE NEW MILLENIUM." They might need to wait a few years before they have all the material necesarry for a stellar project like that !!




3. I just bought this boxed set yesterday, and i'm listening to it now as I write this review. It's great and has a very diverse and eclectic song list. It pretty much has "something for everyone". It also only costs around fifty dollars or so, which is a very good deal for a four cd set. Definitely recommended.



4. This Box Set is full of some of the greatest recordings of all time. Be prepared for everything from Louis Armstrong to Mariah Carey to Vladmir Horowitz to Bruce Springsteen, and on and on. It is superb. I find it hard to believe that one would ever tire of it.



5. The Grammy Box is filled with great songs from the past to the present. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about The Ice Opinion/Cassettes.

1. Hard, raw and unapologetic musings by a man obviously much smarter than his birthrights. Ice-T was a criminal in some of the worst environments ever survived in the US of A, "The Hood" of Los Angeles. He's also mellow, thoughtful and insightful; and worth listening to. He went from street thug to rapper to movie and TV star without selling out and without giving in. Good for him, good for us.



2. If you want to know, listen...
   Ice T speaks, for over three hours, on everything from race and racism, rap, and religion!
   The only other person who has anything near to the quality, scope, and thought provoking opinions set forth on this album, is the original instigator himself, Jello Biafra.
   Do yourself a favor; get it while it's here to be got.



3. If you want to know, listen...
   Ice T speaks, for over three hours, on everything from race and racism, rap, and religion!
   The only other person who has anything near to the quality, scope, and thought provoking opinions set forth on this album, is the original instigator himself, Jello Biafra.
   Do yourself a favor; get it while it's here to be got.



4. If you want to know, listen...
   Ice T speaks, for over three hours, on everything from race and racism, rap, and religion!
   The only other person who has anything near to the quality, scope, and thought provoking opinions set forth on this album, is the original instigator himself, Jello Biafra.
   Do yourself a favor; get it while it's here to be got.



5. This album is Good! I suggest it for collector....

1 comments about DJ Mix '99.

1. Are you tired of seeing all those television ads and store billboards proclaiming "The greatest compilation of dance hits all on one CD?" Upon stepping foot into the store, you are faced with a whole aisle of dance compilations. Like any other year, 1999's selection is very large. I decided to assume the burden of reviewing this year's crop of compilations to choose one which I feel is your overall best bet. This has a total of three CD's (there is a bonus third CD which features "Stars of Tomorrow"). 1998 will probably most be remembered, as 1997 was, as a year where R&B and rap singles topped the charts. These genres have virtually taken over album sales and have monopolized airplay. The short-lived industry success appears to be ending as far as mainstream success is concerned. Today, a turn of the radio knob brings to the ear Master P, Usher, Lord Tariq and Mase among others. Dance music as it was once known has disappeared in the mainstream. R&B and rap have evolved to fill this void. Remakes of hits from other genres are prevalent in today's club music. It is not uncommon to hear such artists as Madonna, Mariah Carey or Celine Dion taking advantage of this newer phenomenon. As one can hear on D.J. Mix '99, Club music has changed; but not necessarily for the worse. The first of the three discs is filled with hits. Wyclef Jean's "Gone 'til November" (The Makin'' Runs Remix) leads the entourage. It's a gem, both in its original version and in this jazzier club remix, which features Canibus. The song transitions easily into Destiny's Child's "No, No, No." This song ruled airwaves awhile back, so it is no surprise to see it here. Songs like "No Tengo Dinero" by Los Umbrellos and "This is how we party" by S.O.A.P were not as successful in the mainstream, but both are fairly nice additions to this compilation. Jermaine Dupri's "The Party Continues," which features both Da Brat and Usher, is also an R&B/rap song that keeps appearing at the top of the charts. This is the kind of song you can play anywhere. It is kind of slow, and the vocals are backed with a of mellow sample. Make sure the lights are dim when this one is popped in! Sylk-E. Fyne and Chill's "Romeo and Juliet" is another slow jam that should be played later in the night when everyone is feeling a little romantic. It's a more downbeat rap with sexy lyrics to boot. "Can't Keep My Hands Off You" by React is a rollback to '96. It has that faster sort of dance beat that reminds you of being at parties a few years back. The only other song on this first disc really worth mentioning is Blackstreet's "Don't Leave Me." I question whether this song actually came out in 1998, but it is nice to have it on the compilation. Although the background beat to this song has been overused (i.e. 2 Pac among others), Blackstreet uses it best. This is one love song I actually like hearing time and time again. Disc two is another 50 minutes of dance music. It is always nice to have the a good first CD track, and I wasn't disappointed. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz's "Deja vu" is a necessary addition to this compilation. This is a very smooth cut which gives the ears some good rapping, but sadly, many of the lyrics have been edited for cleanliness. Thankfully, the editing was done in a way that does not really hurt the song. Jimmy Ray's self titled track, "Are you Jimmy Ray," is very corny, but surprisingly enough, the song is not boring. It's actually catchy. LFO's "Sex U UP-The Way You Like It" sounds at first like it is following in the footsteps of fellow teeny-bop sensations Backstreet Boys and N-Sync. It's another one of those catchy songs sung by guys (thank you) that's easy to dance to. So guys, don't be afraid to dance to this one. It's not Backstreet Boys. The next track is a bit of Euro with Daze's "Superhero." This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. If you are interested in a song with energy and pop, this is the one. It is a guaranteed hit. Like all Euro, the lyrics are corny, but it works. Link's "Whatcha Gonna Do" is a thankful departure from his corny "Raise the Roof" anthem. This jutty rap is both more creative and easier on the ears. Natalie Browne's "Torn" (The Definitive Radio Edit), is a song that nearly all will enjoy. A remake of Natalie Imbrugglia's pop chart topper, this version is a lot better. While the vocals sound virtually the same, this one features an ingenious mix of Hi-NRG beats to back it up. It is a quicker version of the song and is a guaranteed party starter. The compilation officially ends with Voice's of Theory's ballad "Say It." This is far and away the best slow jam on the compilation. Women will love it, and men will too when they find out how the song affects the women. The third disc in the set is the most diverse. Featuring instrumentals and various types of music, it is a CD full of "The Stars of Tomorrow." Today, however, they are not that bright. Obviously, the record company thought the same way, because the artists are not even listed on the back cover of the CD. It remains a mystery until you purchase the CD and read the included booklet. While there are a few songs worth a listen and perhaps even worthy enough to play at your next party, I really do not have anything constructive to say about them. So when you head down the aisle looking to pick up the latest mix compilation, I highly recommend D. J. Mix '99. You will not be disappointed. The nearly two hours of diverse dance music will keep both you and your fellow party-goers hopping and thirsting for more. D.J. MIX '99 Sony Music ***1/2 out of **** stars

No comments about This Is Swing.

4 comments about Everybody Dance! Remixed Dance Classics.

1. I bought this because their are some extended mixes that were not previously available, but this is an awful mess. It seems that they tried to add a hip-hop flavor to these songs, but what they did was mess up great songs. This is a good example of where DJ Mixers think they have more talent than the original artists. The mixes are boring, overblown, and very hard to listen to. Don't waste your money; go out to sites such as GEMM or MusicMatch and buy the original 12" of these songs.



2. I don't know what the other reviewers were hearing/thinking/ingesting, but these remixes are an object lesson in late 90s sacrilege. The originals are mashed and distorted with little sense nor respect for their flow. In every instance these remixes sound worse (and are less danceable) than the originals, which surely defeats the purpose of a compilation such as this. I was sucked in by the fancy packaging of the limited edition 3 disc set, but even that was littered with duds; the only exception being the straightforward Joey Negro mix of Thinking Of You, but even that is marred by a very poor vinyl transfer. And some of the tracks are simply not "classic disco" by any known definition of the term: what is Sometimes by Max Q? Yes's Owner of a Lonely Heart, anyone? And what the remixers have done with productions by Chic (esp. Sister Sledge) is mind-bogglingly bad. Avoid avoid avoid!



3. If you are a DJ - just getting started or a veteran of the clubs - this is a must have. Remixes may be an aquired taste for the average listener, but a DJ has to have these in his/her collection to move a crowd. Play these in your car on the way to the club and you'll be pumped. I hope the folks at Rhino keep the faith. This is one superb collcetion.



4. Remixes are like postmodern opera productions; they assume you already know the song in question, and in detail. If you do have these songs engraved on your memory -- and you should -- most of the remixes are excellent. Just check out what Masters at Work do with "Funky sensation" using selective samples, without wrecking the groove or throwing away the tune. Both versions of the Rogers-Edwards groove from "Good times" omit the most famous bassline in hiphop, just to throw it in your face. There are some problems though: Most of the tunes are sped up: no one seems to have thought of using an old, slow groove as foundation for a drum&bass extravaganza. And who thought of throwing in the moldy Yes tune "Owner of a lonely heart"? But well worth the money.

No comments about Essential '80s Masters.