Reviews (29)

disco's best cd
this cd is a genius mix of great disco songs. its hard not to like it. to understand why, just look at whats on it: celebration by kool & the gang (classic), funkytown by lipps inc, dancing queen by abba, ymca by the village people, and many more. i mean, who doesnt know YMCA? also on this cd are less popular songs, such as knock on wood and hot stuff, but they were still popular and you will most likely know them as soon as you listen to the cd. at the end is the awesome grease megamix that anyone who likes the movie grease will know all the words to. on the megamix are grease lightning, you better shape up, you're the one that i want, and summer nights. this cd is great for parties along with personal listening because once you turn it on, everyone will want to get up and dance. Pure disco is the best disco mix around.

Disco is making a come back.
Well maybe Disco isn't really coming back, but at least this compilation sounds better than ever. Plus, when thinking about it, when did it ever actually end? There's not much that really separates the music of twenty-five to thirty years ago with today. Disco was the generic term for dance music of the 70s and maybe 1980 and 81 up until MTV came into the scene. Today dance music still is around, even if several of these artists are not. But it is fun hearing the roots of clubbing and rave. Look at what you will get with this CD:Funkytown by Lipps Inc., which featured members of the Prince's Revolution Band famous for his Purple Rain disc, Abba's Dancing Queen which inspired a Broadway play Mamma Mia, Celebration by funk-disco band Kool and the Gang, a classic. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor which is one of the most covered tunes and a top dance song of all time. The Gap Band is here and they are an eighties favorite. Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and Barry White are legends and they're here. My favorite song is Amii Stewart's Knock on Wood from this collection. Plus among other's the famous mix of Grease tunes from the movie not found elsewhere. Give it a try and buy the other two as well. I am sure you will dance all night.

Great collection of Classic Disco
Yea, we all love to dance- but this collection of music
are classics and they always get people young and old up to
dance. Disco is NOT dead!

What a great series!
Let me first go on record saying that my favorite artists of all time (at this point) are Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. In that vein, you wouldn't really expect a guy with a taste for that sort of music to dig disco. But I really do. Disco music defines "good times." If you've ever been to any sort of party in your life (hosted by a professional DJ, that is), the odds are you've heard a number of the songs on this compilation. And they're all great.

Some are better than others, of course, but each song is catchy and the bass lines are funky. Not to mention cheesy. If you're looking for a cool collection of disco music and don't want to splurge the cash for expensive box sets or individual artists' albums, the "Pure Disco" series is a great investment. Throw in the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack and you've got enough great disco songs to blister your feet up.

Why only four stars instead of five? That's easy. Barry White's "the First, the Last, My Everything" isn't the REAL version. Polygram omitted the spoken introduction and the phrasing is just a bit different from the original version. Must be some sort of radio edit.

Despite this, great compilation. Two other recommendations: "the Bee Gee's Greatest Hits: the Record" and "Barry White: the Ultimate Collection."

PURE DISCO / VOL . 1, 2 & 3
This is the best disco set available!!! Although,disco music
was short lived,it was an era that no one will forget.To some it
was a fashion statement.To others,a threat of,the downfall of
rock & roll music,as we knew it.No matter how you felt about it you must agree that some of best feel good music came from that
generation.I also feel that the word: "CHEESY" came from this time period.I,myself,liked it because I could sleep in my clothes
without the fear of wrinkling them... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bathroom escapades aside, there's no denying that George Michael has been responsible for some of the biggest party jams of the '80s and '90s. Have you ever noticed what happens to a room when "Faith" erupts from the speakers? Aside from the funk-fueled "Fastlove," the material from his most recent album, Older, is well and truly overshadowed here by the megahits from days gone by. The first disc starts off slow, with "Careless Whisper" and his remake of "I Can't Make You Love Me" the only real high points among otherwise bland ballads. It's disc 2 that exudes the essence of Michael, with "Fastlove," "Too Funky," and "Freedom 90" providing a nonstop dance-athon, and "I Want Your Sex" and "Faith" picking up the slack. The package also includes his rather unexciting (but hugely popular) duets with Queen and Elton John, his perfect pop pairing with Aretha Franklin, and two new tracks. Set aside some serious time for this one, folks. The hits don't stop. --Rebecca Wallwork ... Read more

Reviews (194)

Awesome 2 CD Collection of Hits and New Songs
'Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael' is an awesome 2 CD collection of hits and new songs. The 1st CD - FOR THE HEART - is dedicated to his late mother Lesley. George Michael reveals his soul with honest lyrics of love, relationships, hope and despair. Among the tracks are a new song, 'A Moment With You' and the lush 'Desafinado' with Astrud Gilberto, taken from the aids awareness charity CD 'RED HOT AND RIO.' The 2nd CD - FOR THE FEET - is a collection of up tempo and dance tracks. (Gotta Get Up to Get Down!) Unfortunately, only the international version features the fantastic cover of the Stevie Wonder song 'As' with Mary J. Blige. (I purchased the import.) Each CD has it's own lyric and photo book filled with 26 wonderful photographs spanning George Michael's career. Like his influences, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Queen, Michael truly has the gift of writing lyrics and delivering vocals that evoke incredible emotion from the listener. This compilation is a must-have for George Michael fans and lovers of music alike.

Stunning collection showcases an amazing talent
Recipe for a must-have CD: Start off with classic pop hits like "Careless Whisper," "Faith," "Father Figure," and "Freedom 90." Add a handful of great material that SHOULD have been hits, like "Hard Day," "Heal the Pain," "Waiting for That Day" and "Spinning the Wheel." Add a couple of tasty remixes for "Monkey" and "Star People." Sprinkle a dash of rarely-heard treats like "Desafinado" with Astrud Gilberto and a fine rendition of the otherwise overdone "I Can't Make You Love Me." Toss in a flawless pair of new tunes in the form of the sultry ballad "A Moment With You" and the disco-happy "Outside." Throw it all together with gorgeous pictures, give it a pricetag under $20, and Presto! The perfect Christmas gift for fans of soulful pop, not to mention the perfect impulse buy for yourself. Pop either entertaining disc into your CD player and listen to it cook for over an hour. It confirms that George Michael is one of the most talented and endearing pop performers of our times. WARNING: Discs will inspire multiple listenings.

OK CD
Sorry after the first 4 songs the album is a waste of money. All the rest are just boring copies of each other.

Pure Genius
If you are a fan...you must have this collection. He is a true talent on just about any genre his vocals touch.

His best, and then some.
When it comes to pop, "George Michael" is one of my favorites, and even though these 2 discs are great, I think 1 disc would have been excellent. I mean, up to this point, he did have only 3 albums out. It could have been a flawless 18 track disc. Anyway, more is better right. Disc 1 has the ballads like "Jesus To A Child", "Careless Whisper", "Father Figure", and "Praying For Time". Disc 2 has the upbeat tracks "Too Funky", "Freedom 90", "Monkey", and "Outside". Plus there's numerous covers and duets, and all pretty good. My only complaints, there's no "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", and the version of "I Want Your Sex" isn't the single version. Otherwise, this should be all the "George" the casual fan could want. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ben Watt (of Everything But The Girl fame) delivers another superb selection of melodic and lush house on Buzzin’ Fly Volume 2: Replenishing Music For The Modern Soul. Though the slight detour through electro halfway through is unexpected, it actually works really well, and doesn’t come across as a trendy afterthought or worse. The sequel to 2004’s deep house compendium Buzzin' Fly Volume One may not be as invigorating and absolutely essential as his Lazy Dog albums, it’s also not as repetitive. Consider this concept album either a solid party starter or as solid grist for your own mixes. Very few of these artists (some of them on Watt’s label) are established yet, so if you’re looking for fresh house that’s not from the Akufen school--solid groovy, Afro-inflected four on the floor stuff--look no further.--Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Simply perfect. Thank you Mr. Ben Watt!
I know there is at least one other person out there like me.You bought an amazing house compilation years ago (Cafe Del Mar: Chill House Vol 1) that got you hooked on the sound of downtempo, lounge, and house and you've been buying compilations for years hoping that you'd find another one as good as that first taste but all of them have fallen flat.Well, thanks to the ever so talented Mr. Ben Watt I have found my own personal Holy Grail.Buzzin' Fly 2 is simply superb and transcends description. Every second of this CD oozes with smooth house beats that just melt your soul.As soon as this CD hit my player I punched repeat and let it spin three times in a row.Amazing.HIGHLY recommended to any fan of smooth chill house music, to fans of the later dance oriented Everything But the Girl material, to fans of Ben's Lazy Dog series, and anyone that was ever disappointed by a house music compilation with the word "Ibiza" on it.Ben Watt has an ear for this genre like no other. This is perfection.

Awesome
Better than the first.If you are a fan of Lazy Dog or Ben Watt, this is a must have.

Incredible!
What an impressive CD.Such catchy stuff that It took me a full month to get the lyrics out of my head.Deep house but not too jazzy.It you liked Buzzin Fly 1 you will love this one.

house music of the future
this is the best house cd in years! , for the true house music fan , it does not miss a beat ,ben watt has started his distintive sound for house music that will last forever , if you liked vol 1 of this series , you will love vol2 , recently saw him at the winter music conference here in sunny miami beach , and it was a blast , buzzin fly vol 2 is the way that true house music should sound for decades to come ....
reyhousegrullon

keepin' it deep
I've been anticipating this album for months and I am certainly not disappointed.The beats ebb and flow from this sweet sweet CD.Anyone who loves San Fran Deep House sound will love this disc. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hailing originally from Chicago but long associated with San Francisco's jazz-house scene, Mark Farina returns to his bread-and-butter mix series Mushroom Jazz after 2003's eclectic artist record Air Farina. Less laid-back than Thievery Corporation but not quite as deep as Om label mates like Marques Wyatt, the Mushroom records often delve into hip-hop, and Jazz 5 is no exception. But while rhymes and raps jump out alongside snappy beats to startle the listener from chill tune-induced hypnosis, large chunks of the record, especially in the last half, are completely instrumental. Some of Air Farina's electro-funk adventurousness is here as well; check out the dazed and hazy original track "Cali Spaces." Consistently clever and packed with urban energy, it's an ideal Sunday evening record for those not quite ready to let the weekend end. –Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (7)

It's cool, but I expected better
Mushroom Jazz vol 5 is an interesting mix of never heard of Hip-Hop songs. Farina does a good job blending as every good DJ should do. His choices of songs are decent. I really like Track 6 "Flow" and Track 15 "Like my style", but other than that, nothing really stands out to me. Those two tracks have down tempo Hip-Hop down pat. Overall it's cool, but other than the two mentioned above, it really lacks the special quality that I was looking for.

He's done it again!
I'm ashamed to admit that I discovered Mark Farina a few years ago by happenstance while browsing, and bought vol. 4. and subsequently purchased vol. 3. Love em'!Vol. 5 - oh my goodness I didn't think it could get any better. It did! I purchased this earlier today and after several times through I'm still tryin' to dissect it. It can't be done - Farina's got a gift.The way he blends, locates rhythms, and takes risks is still unprecedented. Two of my very early favorites are 9 & 15 (the beat on 15 is ridiculous) and quite frankly everything else makes you feel good as well.For those who ushered in hip-hop in the 80's - us 40 somethings - and still thirst for beats with an inordinate amount of sophistication, this is it. 5+!

Better than any other Mushroom Jazz
I bought this, and listened to it on a long bus ride back home late at night.Usually on such a long bus ride I would just fall asleep, but after putting this on I had to stay awake to listen to it in it's entirety!This is simply one of Mark Farina's best offerings.I'm a huge fan of all the other Mushroom Jazz albums, but this one puts the rest to shame!

This album ise a bit more uptempo than the past Mushroom Jazz albums, and the fact that there seems to be new life breathed into the series is refreshing.You should go buy this album!!

Incredible
DJ Mark Farina, without doubt synonymous with "quality", has put out yet another astounding release. The sound on this one is not as hardcore as on IV, not as cloying as on III, not quite as hip as on II and not entirely so silky smooth as on the original. It's absolutely beautiful to hear 10 years of evolution passed off as just another release. Farina's quiet thunderstorm had better not be overlooked, though. This release packs a trendy and substantial punch.
My first major complain is that no track really enjoys enough time to develop. I guess that is a problem on a release 70 minutes and 21 tracks long. At best that's 3 minutes per track, nearly a radio vibe passed off as a deep setting. The moods also change drastically, from chill vibes to pensive anticipation of the next song while in repetitive limbo. However, these minor, although nagging, setbacks don't even for a second detract from the mind-blowing content of the disc.
The opening by J Boogie is infectious and sets the nocturnal tone for the rest of the disc. Charlie Tate's Colossus alias does him no justice in the slightly lackluster "The Tribute." Soundproviders' beautiful "Autumn Evening Breeze" thankfully saves the mix from becoming transfixed on entirely simplistic rhythms. With a quick introduction to Chali 2na, the track transitions into DJ Numark's "Chali 2na Comin Thru". Great rhymes, great beat, but however not really fitting on this disc after heard a few times. Red Astaire's "Come Down" is a good chillout track, really nothing much else. Zion I's "Flow" instrumental is great at finally shedding rowdiness and replacing it with a flowing aesthetic. DJ Spinna's "Nostalgia" possesses his signature sound and comes off strong just like all his other work, a muscular, perplexed track. The next track, Farina's own "Cali Spaces" is not only undeniably unforgettable, it also holds its own against the other great artists on the disc (Farina's entirely original project, Air Farina, lacked tremendously in places). Blu Bizness's "Funky For You", reminiscent of Deadbeats' Funky For You (whose work strangely was absent from this release, unless they're under a different alias) holds its own and is catchy. We Bee Foolish's "Puttin in Work" is not too great. DJ Dez's "Hollywood" is also not the best track on the CD, it packs no punch and appears like a party favor more than anything else. Jazz Liberatorz' track comes in saving the disc and setting it up for a few moments of bliss. For one of the shortest cuts in the mix, The Strange Fruit Project's "Maintain" easily wins me over any other track on the disc. It's almost a throwback to the old chill-out days, though rudely interrupted with the upbeat "Back in 92". Shortie No Mass's track is surprisingly good, sandwiched inbetween stellar male MCs. The Earl really confused me with his all-over-the-place track, not quite focused anywhere, but rather standard Mushroom Jazz fare. Johnny Alpha's track is great, although by this time in the mix, fashionably late. Starving Artists Crew's song is alright, even if only a minute long and layered inbetween other samples. Pete Rock's track is strange and unfitting for this kind of mix, but then again, it is Pete Rock. The great Thes One really pulls the mix out of its drag with "The Yacht Club", a super track with quick, clever rhymes. The worldwide collaboration Foreign Exchange finishes off with the mellow "Nic's Groove."
Overall, a great disc, with some dull tracks, some entirely blinding tracks, unmatched mixing, and moods only Mark Farina can evoke. At a sturdy 21 tracks, it packs more music in than most CDs and it feels like a solid, thought-out, although sometimes just a tad abstract project. 5/5.

Yes!He did it again...
Just wanted to add my two cents to reassure everyone out there that this is an amazing mix!If you know Farina, then you know what I'm talking about.If you don't, just go ahead and place your order.You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The manipulation of classic jazz tracks has been part of DJ club culturesince the '80s, as artists have continually scratched, looped, and sampled beatsand phrases. Verve Remixed has been in the planning stages for years,with in-house producers inviting an international cast of remix artists toselect songs from the label's vaults. The results are often tremendouslysuccessful, as the remix artists have picked up and expanded upon elementsalready present in the original. The funky Latin beat ofWillie Bobo's "SpanishGrease" gets new life fromRichard Dorfmeister,along with a prominent new bass line. Similarly, King Britt pumps up the Indianelements of Tony Scott's"Hare Krishna."dZihan and Kamien'strance remix (with tabla drums) ofBillie Holiday's "Don'tExplain" is among the most arresting tracks, creating psychodrama betweenHoliday's original vocal and the new environment.Nina Simone's voiceseems tailor-made for this approach, as if it has always cried out for thelayered rhythmic emphasis.Masters at Work's takeon her "See-Line Woman" is electric in its intensity--cool flute sonorities andmetallic percussion embrace and catapult the original vocal into a new presence.--Stuart Broomer ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Nueva Verve
After listeninig and comparing this dj project to the original recording on the Verve Unmixed LP--- I've got to absolutely declare... Verve Remixed is Amazing!! This astonishing dj project takes some of the hottest house producers and victoriously salutes the art of verve culture! The first and most amazing track has got to be the opening track--- the Willie Bobo remix is incredible. This track is completely uplifting! Mj Cole gives the How Long Has This Been Going On classic a new theme with his poppy almost playful beat. This is no longer a sad song-- but it is still the voice and the notes you have grown to love from this soulful singer. You get the picture. Verve Remixed continues... If you are a jazz lover, a deep house, or lounge music lover --- you have to check this cd. You will love it! Verve Remixed is a CD for the new breed of jazz lovers. Once you bring the legendary voices of coveted jazz singers Astrud Gilberto, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and others into your cypher you wont want their voices to leave! You'll be off curiously buying the Verve Unmixed and then you'll be in search of other Desert Island Discs. This upbeat CD puts a new swing on the classic jazz style. A Must Buy-No Doubt!

A Cosmopolitan, a few friends and just kick back
Loving most of these tracks in the original form I approached this CD with anticipation but at the same time with trepidation. Too often we hear the classics remixed but to what purpose. However, this CD seems to add a layer to the tracks that not only maintains the purity of the original but lifts them into a different sphere.

Nina Simone's See-Line Woman (remixed by Masters at Work) and Dinah Washington's Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby (remixed by Rae & Christian) enter a whole new dimension of electronica and beats whilst maintaining the integrity of the diva's vocals and nuances. The amazing pair of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton from Thievery Corporation have always defined cool for me and with their remix of Astrud Gilberto they don't disappoint. Joe Clausell's remix of Nina Simone singing Feelin' Good would have to be the funkiest chilled track of the year. That haunting piano remains with a backing of electonic funk. This is a great album for chill out Sunday's, friends for brunch, coming down from Saturday night or just you at home alone with a Cosmopolitan. A must have for fans of Verve and some of todays masters of remix.

Balance
It seems that there are three types of people who purchased this CD.

1. The Jazz fanatic who ends up hating it because the work is not in tack or the artist vocals where rewroked.

2. The uneducated "Techno" (Its a genre of edm not a generalization of edm folks) fan who doesn't get or appreciate the beauty of the classic jazz tracks.

3. The heads who get jazz and understand the mantra like qualities of EDM.

The remixes on this album are mostly fantastic, some are creative and dont hold to a pop format which makes them more uncomfortable than the standard "song"

If you are someone who read Kerouac in high school or university, dug nina and ella and monk and davis and mingus and then discovered the New Jazz (EDM and IDM) then buy this CD. If you are in either of the 2 catagories of uneducated techno fan or old school jazz purist you may have to open you mind to get the beauty of this piece.

Awesome
This is a great album. House meets old jazz. Great energy but also mellow. Get it, it's great!!!

JAMMIN @$$ CD!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Verve Remixed Volume 1 is the BOMB!!! I bought Volume 2 first and thought it was the shiz-nit, but Volume 1 is just as good if not better. I absolutely love the the blend of [nice] vocals from the legendary Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone with the electronica (if you will) of today's contemps like MJ Cole, The Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation, De-Phazz, Rae and Christian, Tricky, Joe Clausell and others. This is a very ambitious series that I doubt will end soon, and may even generate other compilations of its ilk. Well done mixing from all involved! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Given a five-decade career that's been one long series of critical write-offs and subsequent comeback triumphs, it's tempting to argue that the natural elements are actually earth, wind, fire, water--and Cher. Anchored by her 1998 international mega-success "Believe" (the song that made Cher the oldest woman to score a chart topper) and its equally club-savvy contemporary collaborations with producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawlings, "Song for the Lonely" and "A Different Kind of Love Song," this 21-track anthology is indeed the first to contain all her No. 1 hits, stretching back to her epochal 1965 duet with Sonny Bono on the faux-Dylan "I Got You Babe." And if it shortchanges her Phil Spector-rooted origins and a true perspective on her '60s and '70s career (though kitsch classic chart toppers "Dark Lady," "Half-Breed," and "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" are all here) to focus on her string of '80s and '90s pop successes in service of writers like Diane Warren ("If I Could Turn Back Time") and Desmond Child ("Just Like Jesse James"), it's good to remember that, according to the pop soothsayers, none of them were even supposed to happen, let alone make her an icon for a whole new generation. It's a tribute to sheer, fashion-defying willpower--and as unlikely an argument for the notion of "the singer, not the song" as one is likely to find. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (147)

Cher and Cher Alike.
I realize that confessing a love for Cher is credibility suicide in many circles, but I couldn't resist reviewing her latest greatest hits CD, which has been selling rather well. Whether you like Cher or not, you have to admit that her ability to endure five decades is hardly a result of mere blind luck. As we all know, the media and public can be ruthless to divas who are past their sell-by date, but Cher has been able to outlive them all. You can credit that to tenacity, a strong will, and the ability to market yourself as shrewdly as Madonna. On "The Very Best of Cher," we witness the singer formerly known as Ms. LaPierre embrace the good, the bad, and the tacky in pop music. There are the predictable songs from her days with Sonny Bono ("I Got You, Babe"), her remarkably solid solo work from the 1970s ("Half Breed" and "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves"), her affair with adult contemporary pop rock schlock ("If I Could Turn Back Time," "I Found Someone"), and glittery neo disco ("Believe," her biggest single to date). At 21 tracks, the collection captures all eras of her career impressively, but it does have flaws. It omits "We All Sleep Alone," and Rodney Jerkins' remix of "Different Kind of Love Song" is inferior to the original album version. But "The Very Best of Cher" gets bonus points from me for including the fantastic discocentric "All Or Nothing," an underrated and overlooked flop single that's just as good as "Believe." Cher is hardly a critics darling, and many will turn their nose and laugh contemptuously. Who cares? "The Very Best of Cher" makes for a qualified guilty pleasure from one of the most resilient female entertainers around.

Cher's Most Accurate Overview...as of 2003
Cher has had quite a winding career over the past 40 years, as her songs have touched various genres like folk, girl group, soft rock, disco, arena rock, adult contemporary, and house. She has also had the fortune of producing hits in each of these genres, so a career like hers should result in a rich, sprawling greatest hits compilation. Unfortunately, over that same period of time, she has worked with three different major labels, and thus her collections have generally resulted as incomplete introspectives.

And, all things considered, the 2003 issue THE VERY BEST OF CHER follows that trend, but it's actually Cher's most complete collection to date. The reason for that it contains more of her big hits than any prior collection from the infamous "I Got You Babe" with Sonny Bono in 1965 to the insistent "Believe" in 1999, while taking in other essential tracks like "All I Really Want to Do"; "The Beat Goes On"; "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"; "Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves"; "Half-Breed"; "Dark Lady"; "Take Me Home"; "I Found Someone"; "After All"; "If I Could Turn Back Time"; and "The Shoop Shoop Song."

But the biggest problems with this collection do not really consider that some big songs are still missing. First off, there are too many tracks from BELIEVE and LIVING PROOF; "Believe" was the only top 40 hit Cher had in those two albums, and the rest of the material was pretty generic. The sequencing of this collection also does not work very well (even if it does roughly work from the present to the beginning) largely because those particular tracks from the last two albums, plus the new mix of "A Different Kind of Love Song," slow down the collection's pace considerably. It is because of these flaws that the collection only emphasizes what's missing: "You Better Sit Down Kids"; "Where Do You Go"; "Alfie"; "Living in a House Divided"; "The Way of Love"; "All I Ever Need Is You"; "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done"; "Train of Thought"; "We All Sleep Alone"; and "Love and Understanding" could have been possible candidates.

But yet, if you're trying to look for that one definitive Cher collection, THE VERY BEST OF CHER is the closest record to that title. And even if the overall listen is a little tiring because of the unnecessary tracks, it is still nice to have a concise collection that gives consideration to all of the styles Cher has achieved fame with over the years.

despise it
please get rid of this cd and this old woman who should call it a day.it is a shame to call this package of 21 terrible songs as best of collection as to me it sounds more like lousy hits.trash this immediately.avoid.

really awful
i would request that this is one album which you should avoid at all costs.this awful cd is bad beyond description and i really wonder when this old woman will call it a day and stop harrasing us.she only became famous because of her short lived association with the great greg allman.avoid.rating 1/2 out of 10.get rust in peace from megadeth instead.

This album would convert anyone...
1. Believe: awesome dance song 5 stars
2. If I could turn back time: ditto
3. Heart of Stone: nice, 4 stars
4. Just like jesse james: the best rock song of all time 5 stars
5. Save up all your tears, catchy, 4 stars
6. After All: ok one of the greatest love songs/duets of all time, instantly likeable, will make you cry, 5 stars
7. I found someone: i actually love the verses more than the chorus, 5 stars
8. one by one, um i don't know about this one, not modern ear friendly, 3 stars
9. stong enough, great dance song again, 5 stars
10. all or nothing, ditto
11. song for the lonely, ditto
12. take me home, not my fav, 2 stars
13. it's in his kiss: classic 4 stars
14. all i really want to do, not my fav again, 1 star
15. bang bang, much better live, 1 star
16. Half-breed: so original, tribal but pop sound at same time, 5 stars
17. gypsies, tramps and thieves - i love this one, 5 stars
18. dark lady - i like these creepy mystical songs, we need more of them, very catchy, 5 stars
19 and 20, classics
21. a different kind of love song - this remix is great for this song, 4 stars ... Read more

Reviews (7)

OK, so it's a bit eclectic...
I think that was the whole idea behind this collection. Country, folk, stadium rock, R & B, pop, Motown, funk, disco, and a little jazz; it's all there. Sure you could argue that some really great songs from the 70's have not been included, but this is a compilation of Sony owned music; some of these records I remember as being on ABC Records and Epic. I grew up in the 70's and I would recommend this collection just for the cheap trip down memory lane!

Great compilation CD!
This CD series has a bunch of really great songs from the 70's - early to late. It is a winner for the value ratio too! Check it out and you'll love what you hear.

This is a slack compilation
I think the seventies have many more representative hits than the offered in this compilation. A good compilation needs at least 10 cd's to bring together the highlights of "golden era of music production" This is not a good stuff to buy. I recomend AM Gold Collection, Superhits of the 70's (have a nice day) - rated by myself as the best - , a year of your life, and others.

Garden Variety Compilation
The sound is good, and that earns my three stars. What some call eclectic, I call incoherent. There's no theme. It's a random post-mortem of 70s pop that includes one of the most hated tunes of that era: "Arizona", by Mark Lindsey. Where's the masterpieces? There are none. The 70s deserves much better recognition than is offered here. This is not testimony, it's nearly slander.

Must Have Multi-Set
so many Great songs here.this really captures the 70's&it's full range of styles&Artists that represented the time period.this was the Era of Songwriters&story-telling.I have all of these songs be it on the Artists Albums or on other sets this 3 Disc Set is a Must have. ... Read more

Album Description

You could say it's been a long wait for Tiësto's rabid fans to get their hands on a new mix compilation.

His last mix, was Nyana, released in May 2003 and in between, Tiesto was voted the World’s Number One DJ by readers of both DJ (UK) and BPM Culture (USA); released his artist album Just Be and the soundtrack to his performance at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, entitled Parade Of The Athletes as well as the hit singles 'Traffic', 'Just Be', and 'Love Comes Again' (featuring BT); and two acclaimed live DVD's from the Tiësto In Concert events in 2003 and 2004.

In Search Of Sunrise 4 is Tiësto's tribute to sun and sand, open air venues and long summer nights, inspired by his tours through Latin America in 2004 and 2005, where he visited Brasil, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and many many more.

His travels through these countries, especially the party atmosphere and the warmth of the people made such a deep impression that they would form the main inspiration for this new release. Tiësto has selected some of the finest tracks from his playlists, and has signed tracks especially and exclusively for this compilation. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's fair to assume that if you're a Seal fan, you prefer your pop shot through with substance. Using that as a guiding principle, you'll want to glide right into Best: 1991-2004 where you will encounter, throughout two discs and 27 songs, scarcely a second of musical fluff. All the expected goosebump-raisers come on disc one--"Don't Cry" follows "Prayer for the Dying" follows "Kiss from a Rose" follows "Crazy"--and they're interspersed with deeper cuts from Seal IV such as "Get It Together" and "Loves Divine" as well as a couple of covers that, in a lesser vocalist's hands, might have been catastrophic. Seal plays it subtle and sweet and Burt Bacharach's "Walk on By," sidestepping any instinct to belt, and the help he gets from Mikey Dread on Echo & the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar" settles the song into a snazzified reggae-pop celebration. (Also included is Seal's soaring cover of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle," which proved his prowess as a cover artist with its chart success). Though "best" collections aren't normally upheld for their surprise elements--nobody likes a package that challenges with armloads of new stuff--disc two pulls off a neat stunt. It's a complete acoustic album, again encompassing the major radio hits but stretching to include tracks like the impossibly tender "Touch" and the meltingly gorgeous "Colour." Their unplugged presentation, with the artist on guitar, sets an up-close-and-personal tone that suits Seal. More to the point, it suits his fans, who'll take all the intimacy with the singer-slash-heartthrob they can get. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Amazon.com

Blame Tricky and Portishead. They started this whole Bristol sound thing, with sleepy techno beats overshadowed by the chirrupy vocals of some slumberland chanteuse. And--just when you think the approach has lost all its steam, all its relevance--along comes a new outfit to make the music a few degrees sleepier, the singing a tad more dreamy. And singers don't come any dreamier than Skye Edwards, whose lissome trill infuses every track on this sophomore outing with a tranquil ennui. You don't jump around to Morcheeba numbers like "The Sea." You sit back and let them creep up on you, as steady as the tides. --Tom Lanham ... Read more

Reviews (115)

Chill and smooth.
I've never been a techno fan. I was bred on 90s grunge and took to the gangly arty-rock like the Pumpkins and Tool. After randomly downloading some tracks from Luscious Jackson's first EP (In Search of Manny) the other day I started digging light female-driven hip-hop flavored stuff.. For some reason I then randomly found this album and "The Sea" instantly enthralled me, easily drawing me into the rest of the album. I think I found a new music genre to explore, which always kicks. From hearing a little Portishead years ago, I didn't really get a full feel for trip-hop. You can be chill without being depressing, as expertly evidenced on this disc.

Great, solid album, start to finish. Smooth musicianship with a nice breadth of everything from strings to mellow guitars to slow beats. The singer's voice is what truly makes this CD for me, though. Highly recommended.

Best album of 1998 by far!
This album and this band never stop to amaze me! Ross is a guitar god. Paul is a modern day Mozart and Skye is the most sweetest most amazing singer in decades! There is a track for everyone. Let Me See is kind of a jazzy melodie. Bulletproof is one of the best electronic instrumental songs I've heard since the Chemical Brothers. The title track is a gritty rap song. Friction is the best work of reggae I've heard a non-reggae band atempt...ever. Morcheeba has such an understanding of all music. All three of them are musicians at the top of their class. The lyrical themes stay true to the vibe Morcheeba produced on Who Can You Trust. Mostly greed and trust/mistrust relationships. But Big Calm portrays them in a sunnier light. A lot like the lyrics from Dave Matthews Band's Under the Table and Dreaming. It's a good turn for them. I you are the kind of person who is in love with all music, then buy Big Calm. By the way...I have a 2-tape set of remixes and b-sides of Morcheeba's. 31 songs. I'll make a copy for anyone who will send me blank tapes and postage to send them back.

One to Listen...Over and Over...
A better effort than Morcheeba`s debut "You Can You Trust?", "Big Calm" offers a smooth and hypnotic set of chill-out/trip-hop songs that provide a solid and compelling listen. Skye Edwards` vocals are one of the strong elements here, but the lush and sophisticated electronic landscapes are also gripping and delightful. Highlights include the superb ballad "Blinfold", the dreamy "Over and Over" and the contemplative opener "The Sea". "Big Calm" is a subtle, well-crafted and convincing pop record, and a pleasant example of late-nineties electronica. An album that deserves a place in CD shelves alongside Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, Gus Gus and Lamb.

Worthwile music.

BIG CALM. its makes u calm
This album is just very chill. When i have to do some designing or art, i pop this ceedee in and it creates that "atmosphere" for me. The vocal is great and overall, most songs on the album are nice to listen to. Its that ceedee where no song is realli a big STANDOUT but you dont ever get tired of the songs. Its an album you can pop in...and just....just listen to.

Trip Hop/Downtempo done correctly
After picking up the excellent "Charango" I was curious about the previous offerings of Morcheeba and so I decided to pick this CD up. I must say that it is a very pleasant surprise. Though the first track is undeniably the best, the other tracks offer similar delights. Even though they have been compared to Portishead, I don't really see the connection. Whereas Portishead is consistantly darker and understated, Morcheeba are rather uplifting and more aggressive. To me, this is the way downtemp should sound. The vocals are Morcheeba's strongest point. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Much has happened since 2002, when Fischerspooner released their breakout record #1. If that album’s computerized fine art was a trip back to the '80s, another time warp might be necessary to sustain any momentum for Odyssey. The dance music muse, always in motion, has backed off on the electro/new wave sound that Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner used as a platform for their experimental live shows. Upon first listen, it sounds like the duo has chosen to ignore this; if Odyssey isn’t a clone of #1, it’s at least a close relation. There are, however, crucial and clever differences. The record is much friendlier for one thing, a result of warmer sonics and an unclenched pop sense that was only hinted at previously. "Just Let Go" starts off with a familiar Human League keyboard, but right in the middle of the chorus a jagged, garage band guitar riff smears the song’s makeup. Suddenly you don’t recognize them anymore. Where’s that sexy, but vacuous pose Fischer and Spooner used to lean on? There’s no pretension in a song like "A Kick in the Teeth," with its layered and lovely vocal line. Our cheese is now served straight up. The result? Tasty. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Definitely not "#1"
I loved #1, unfortunately this album is kind of flat.It's kind of interesting when you listen to it, but it isn't great. The live instruments that are laced through don't seem to make the punch they could, and the synth is very low key.None of the interruptions of sound or breaks in melody that jarred you like the last album.

Like an itch that you can't scratch or the destination you never quite make it to.It's worth having to keep your Fischerspooner collection up to date, but you will find it doesn't get the repeat play in your car or ipod like #1 did.

The New Wave is finally making a comeback!
I really, really love New Wave. Everything about the 80's (Except for the whole 1986-1987 Powerhouse rock, which never really appealed to me) was a joy for me to listen to. There were artsy bands, like Arcadia. There were metal bands, like Guns And Roses. There were electronic bands, like Howard Jones. And it seems like they are making comebacks.

The Killers is one great band that's style is truly 80's. Another one of those bands is Fischerspooner. Hearing "Emerge" on SSX3 wanted me to buy #1. I didn't. Now, Odyssey is out, and at first I was skeptical. Luckily, Mp3.com had a full stream of the album. Just for fun, I took a listen. By the second track, I was mezmerized.

They've done everything right. "Just Let Go" sounds like a hyper Human League after sucking on too many pixie sticks. This of course, results in a happy, fast song filled with nostalgia. "Cloud" is a nice song that will definitely leave your head in the clouds. I love this song so much because the vocals are just perfect. Casey Spooner's voice is fantastic, and Warren Fischer's beats and synths are great. "Never Win" really reminds me of 'Da Funk' by Daft Punk. The beat and vocals just makes my mind picture the dog-boy. "A Kick In The Teeth" started off with just a synth, so I wasn't sure what to expect of it. Thankfully, I kept listening. It was great, complete with a cheesy drum machine. Another great song is "We Need A War".

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this CD and I'll let you know it will stay in my basic CD rotation for quite a while. Warren and Casey are musical geniuses, and I hope that their third album doesn't pull a 'Pop Trash'. Great job, guys!

Mediocre
Unfortunately this album doesn't compare to #1. It's very amateurish and sounds like they were trying to sound like something that they shouldn't sound like. Do you understand?? Anyway it's just mediocre with only a small handful of tracks worth listening to. Just Let Go, Never Win, We Need A War, Get Confused and Happy being the only good tracks on here. What were they thinking of? Fischerspooner had such a wonderful album with #1 and they have totally sold out and lost it in Major label world! Get this album used if you must have it.

SJ
www.bestplaylists.com

a huge improvement over #1
Now this is a shock. A sophomore album that is leaps and bounds better than a strong debut.#1 is a fairly good album, although it delivers more potential than anything else.A listener could tell fischerspooner was a bit unsure which way they were going, but on Odyssey they arrange their electronics and live instruments into a breathtaking display.Its a dancy, lush, and rock inclined sonic trip.To be honest the first single "Just Let Go" scared me off a bit from buying this album right away.But after hearing how much better the music was in an instrumental sense and disregarding the repetitive and ingratiating chorus I caved and bought the album.And I'm glad I did.For all the experimentation and expansion done this album is not filled with, well, any filler.My personal fave is the bass driven David Byrne lyric donated "Get Confused." But every track on here is offers an interesting take on the new electro sound.Don't take my work for it. Take a listen.

Dark, Moody ElectroPop
Unlike most of the reviews on this site, I haven't had the chance to experience Fischerspooner's debut album and thus cannot make the comparisons that most other reviewer's have made to their previous work.All I can say is that this is a fabulous and engaging album.While this music can easily be categorized as electronic pop, there is a certain dark, delicious quality to this music that strips away the sickly sweet quality that often pollutes the genre.This is very, very moody music.The moods vary song to song, but there is everything from intense sarcasm, to manic joy, to a sense of sweet melancholy contained in pure unadultured form on this album. (Case in point Ritz 107 has such a melancholic rainy day quality to it that I can almost feel drizzle spraying across my face as I listen to it)While the lyrics certainly help propel and set the mood, it is actually the wonderfully imagined melodies themselves that truly express the emotion.

One of the things I think make this album so delicious and yet so disconcerting at times is the clinically clean production.This is an absolutely flawless offering.Every vocal has been smoothed to perfection, every hitch and hum sanded down and timed to perfection.This quality, which I find fascinating could also be a serious turnoff to others.

This is great dancing music, should you be so inclined.There are some great solid beats, weird, glittery guitar riffs, and the catchy vocals, which all work well together to produce an extremely danceable experience.Conversely, this album is great for relaxing.It contains a great deal of energy, but it is easy to get drawn in and taken on a journey by this album.

I would definitely recommend getting a copy of this CD.It's a great addition to any eclectic or electronic CD collection. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

The Best of the Series
This is the best of the "Pure Disco" series. It contains all the best songs. It kicks off with a decent remix of Gloria Gaynor's disco standard "I Will Survive" and the album takes off after that. My favorite track would probably be "Turn the Beat Around," an explosive purscussion-based track. You also get "What A Feeling" from the movie Flashdance which was which hit long after disco's hey-day and "Rock the Boat" which was is considered by some the first disco song. Abba are included with "Gimme Gimme Gimme" which was not one of their bigger songs, but a great disco track anyways and the Weather Girls are a great addition with "It's Raining Men." This is an awesome CD for a party. It'll be sure to have everyone up and dancing to these great disco classics!

Wow! A Fun Disco Compilation!
Who knew a disco compilation could be so fun? This is actually one of the best (And funnest) CDs I have ever listened to. The album starts out with the fantastic I Will Survive Remix, which is followed by the classic Shake Your Booty by KC & The Sunshine Band. Vicki Sue Robinson's song Turn The Beat Around combines catchy hooks and great vocals to make one of the biggest dance anthems ever. Then the CD gets corny for just a little bit to include Macho Man and We Are Family. Irene Cara was a huge star after the songs from Fame and Flashdance, and she shows she has some killer vocals on the uplifting Flashdance (What A Feeling). The next few songs are sort of medium until you hit Rock The Boat by The Hues Corporation, which was recently featured on a Pepsi commercial. Then comes Love Rollercoaster, which was definately one of Disco's biggest hits. The rest of the highlights are Abba's haunting and catchy Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! (A Man After Midnight), Anita Ward's unique vocals on Ring My Bell, the two classic hits Last Dance by Donna Summer and It's Raining Men by the Weather Girls, and then finally the Diva Megamix. If you are a fan of disco, or are just looking for a fun party CD, this is definately the one for you!

The best of the Pure Disco series.
This is a great compilation album! It starts off with a remix of "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. I prefer the original, found on Pure Disco #1. The second track is the KC and the Sunshine Band Hit, "Shake Your Booty", which I doubt anyone doesn't know at least one line of. Then is one of my favorite disco songs, Vicki Sue Robinson's "Turn the Beat Around". It is a song with so much going on you almost get lost! After that is "Macho Man" by the Village People, which is definitely not one of my favorites, but some people like it. Next is Sister Sledge's "We Are Family", which is just a bit repetitious. After that is the famous "What a Feeling" by Irene Cara. It may not technically be disco, but it's a nice inclusion. Next is Andy Gibb's "I Just Want to Be Your Everything", which I like the beat and melody, but not Andy Gibb's vocals. After that is "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton, a quite unappreciated song. Then you'll hear "Can't Get Enough of Your Love", a Barry White song I'm not too fond of. After that is The Hues Corporation's "Rock the Boat", which annoys me for some crazy reason. Then you'll get "Love Rollercoaster" by the Ohio players, the most annoying disco song of all time. The only songs after that worth mentioning are "Upside Down", a fun song by the Motown/Disco legend Diana Ross. "Gimme Gimme Gimme", one of my favorite ABBA songs, "It's Raining Men", a song with about 3 other versions floating around, and "Last Dance", the most energetic disco song I've heard. The best songs on here are "Last Dance", "Turn the Beat Around", and "What a Feeling". I reccomend this to any disco fans.

My kids Love This Collection!
I do too...Listening, i forget how long it has been since these
songs were popular! Few of these artsts had great albums,but if you are looking for a collection of good disco music from a fun
era...when you could still escape with music...this is a must-have! My kids love it too...and they are very young!
Regina

Flash Back in Time
Great selection of favorite listening and dance hits from the 70's. Although some of the songs I really wouldn't classify as disco, every one on the cd brought back many memories. ... Read more

Album Description

Taken from the Euro-dance act's 2004 album 'Disco-Zone'. The Original Romanian Version is backed with 4 non album versions - Original Italina, DJ Ross Radio Mix, DJ Ross Extended Remix & Unu In The Dub Mix. 'Dragostea Din Tei' has hit #1 on the pop charts of several European countries. BMG. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Great Product!!!!
Salut, I know i'm only 11, but I know romanian and this song ROCKS! You don't even have to know romanian to hear the great sounds of this song(s). There are 4 or 5 mixes of the same song, but they are great. BUY THIS ITEM!! You'll like it!

Its About Time
These guys have been popular in Romania for a while now and it is absolutely FANTASTIC that the rest of the world is discovering them.They are one of the cleanest, most positive and just plain fun bands you're ever going to come across.Listen, sing along even if you dont know what you're saying.But most of all: dance.If you like Dragostea Din Tei (numa numa) you'll also love Despre Tine which was actually their first giant hit in Romania and won several awards from MTV Romania.

Oh... and just for those of you who were wondering: Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma (nu ma) iei means you want to leave but you wont take me.

Enjoy this music.There is a lot of great music in Romania.Anyone interested in learning more about Romania's music should visit www.transsylvania-phoenix.de

Dragostea Din Tei~ O-Zone
I have no idea what the guy is singing but Romanian is very beautifull language. The track has nice sounds, a tacky cover with the guys looking like 80's lounge lizards and like they had gigs at some cheap US hotel. I love the vocals and I find them to be quite accomplished vocalists even though as stated I have no idea what they are singing. This is an amazing track to dance to and should be obligatory for parties as it will pack the dance floor.

Not my style, but...
Just like everyone else, I spent two weeks in Europe this summer. This was the third most played song (next to "This Love" and "This is the World we Live in" which both suck). Actually, I can't stand pop music. I listen to punk and the occasional emo. For some reason though, I couldn't get this song unstuck from my head. It's the first pop song I've liked in about five years. It is definitely the catchiest song I've ever heard, even when compared to GOB's "I've Been up These Steps" and Motion City Soundtrack's "The Future Freaks Me Out." I can't believe I actually found it; I'm thankfully for the lip-syncher. I didn't even know what language it was in when I got back, I thought I'd never figure out what this song was. In conclusion, I have no idea why, but "Dragostea din tei" is a cool song.

BTW, Since it's in Romanian, I can ignore corny pop lyrics, whatever they may be.

Dragostea Din Tei - one of the catchiest tunes ever!
I first heard this song on a local dance radio station (Energy Arizona FM!!!) not having a clue what language it was in. All I remember was thinking that it was one of the cleverest songs ever written. The lyrics are interesing, and it wasn't until recently that I discovered the song was by a Romanian band called O-Zone. This song (along with the remixes) seems to be in a state of perfection. You can't improve this song. It simply does NOTget any better than this. "Dragostea Din Tei" is sort of like the "Kind of Blue" of dance music. It's great music or the feet, the heart, and the soul. it's a wonderful song to get pumped up about, and I wish it would be more commercialized in the U.S., since all the great stuff is in Europe. Apparently, it's been out a lot longer in Eastern Europe than it has in the United States. Never mind. Still, it's an awesome song, and the tune itself, is masterfully orchestrated. This song is highly addictive, and when I got the CD, I didn't stop listening to it for a week. I'm surprised the CD still works. Anyway, it's well worth your money, and a definite must for all dance music fans out there! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Nice departure from the mainstream crap
If you're sick of the mainstream trite crap, check this out.Walking Dead with Chester Bennington is a dope track along with the stellar effort from Chuck D and a few other less know MC's that add their talent to several tracks accompanied by Z-Trip's renowned skills on the wheels of steel.

Average cd from a great DJ
"Shifting Gears" is a decent, good, not great, release from the extremely talented DJ Z-Trip.Z-Trip was the king of the mashup before it became the trendy hip, cool thing to do."Uneasy Listening" is a classic, if you can somehow locate it.

"Shifting Gears" is more of a regular producer album with a bunch of guest MC's.It's very similar to DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples cd.It's very up and down: some MC's are good, some not so good.I guess it depends on which rappers you like/dislike; that may affect your opinion a lot.

Luckily, the last song Revolution features his classic mashup mixing.His ability to blend two completely irrelevant records together into something tight is amazing.

I think it's too bad the whole album wasn't mostly instrumentals with a few vocalists scattered throughout.Instead it's a mostly average guest-MC-vocal album with a few fantastic instrumentals thrown about.Three stars.It's reasonably priced too, which is great!

Goddamm that DJ made my day !!
Having followed Mr Z since about 98, he finally releases a mainstream CD, which is something of a departure, believe me, trying to get hold of anything from this elusive DJ is a result.So has he sold out ??No, he definitely has not, although this is not Uneasy Listening Vol 2, its not a mix CD, although all tracks blend into each other effortlessly.The tracks are so diverse, you never know what to expect next, soul, funk, rock, hip hop and that is Z-Trip`s trade mark, never a dull moment throughout.Some purists might persist that this is a confused CD, trust me he has hit the mark, when listening to this CD you're feelings are taken for a journey of bends, you just cant see what's coming !!Drill Sergeants, Breakfast Cereal's, ambient wave sounds lapping on a beach, yes really !!Suffice to say at the prices I have seen this CD for, you really cant go wrong, the only catch being that you will want more and more of this maestro of the decks, and as you will soon find out, that is not such an easy journey :>)

On a personal note, the outstanding track for me is "Shock and Awe" such power and emotion from a song, listen to the lyric's,Z-Trip and Chuck D it really doesn't get deeper or nastier !!

Good, but not THAT good
Being from AZ I've seen this dude live and own some of his underground cd's.So I know how sick this guy is. This cd is good, but it's not sick.Z is very capable of making some sick sounds, but his full talent isn't really present on this cd.One of the other reviewers said that Z couldn't get a lot of his samples cleared, and I think that hurt him.This is a very solid cd, but lacks in something that doesn't make it a five star.the song with murs and super nat is my fav on the cd.If you're looking for a good "mixed tape" cd check out Prefuse 73's Surrounded by Silence, which is pure butter.

Classic
Seriously, if you want some music that not only stands out but that will stand the test of time, this is it. one listen and already i can feel how much energy went into this. this album is exactly what i wanted. Buy this now and you will not regret it

Peace ... Read more

Amazon.com

Where would the '80s have been without the Pet Shop Boys? Discography makes a compelling case for the notion of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe as pioneers, if not geniuses. Mixing the cold feel of Euro-techno beats with the Boys' quest for something warm between the sheets, "What Have I Done to Deserve This" and "Suburbia" sound almost soulful.Although they seemed to be suffering from a terminal case of boredom, they managed to alchemize their ennui into touching sentimentality in "Love Comes Quickly," "Rent," and, especially, the AIDS-oriented "Being Boring." Discography begins with the Pet Shop Boys' beginning, "West End Girls," traveling past "Domino Dancing" and including their covers "Always on My Mind," and the medley "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.)" --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Still impossible to match
This album compiles all the hits the Pet Shop Boys had since their beggining until 1991. All of the tracks here are spotless pieces of pure pop magic: "West End Girls" is the first and, I'm happy to differ with most reviewers, decidedly not the pinnacle of the PSBs career. Tracks like "It's A Sin", "Suburbia", "Heart", "Being Boring", "Domino Dancing", "It's Alright" and "So Hard" truly portrait the utter brilliance and artistry that this group invested in its work. It's no wonder that they are still one of the most reveered pop acts of all times, truly up there with the likes of Abba and Depeche Mode. A new compilation has been released including all of their 1990s hits, but this one still remains unshadowed and an gem of pure 80s pop. You can do absolutely no wrong here... every track is delicious. Please do buy it... or else, get "PopArt" instead. That one has everything on here but "Was It Worth It?".

An album of classics....
This album, along with New Order's Substance 1987, form what is to me the soundtrack of the 80's.

This album literally lives up to its title as a discography, collecting the 7" versions of all of the boy's first 18 singles on one disc in chronological order. As such, it makes a terrific CD to buy as your first Pet Shop Boys disc as its a terrific overview of their material.

The Pet Shop Boys wit and irony, along with Neal Tennant's excellent voice combined to make some of the best pop songs of the 80's. Included are lot of well known hits like West End Girls, Suburbia, Always On My Mind, and What Have I Done To Deserve This?. There are also a lot of songs here that are virtually unknown in the U.S. but every bit as good as the afformentioned titles, such as "Love Comes Quickly" - a beautiful ballad - and "Heart", a song that they had considered giving to Madonna. Just as important, these songs have held up well to the test of time, even though some were recorded as early as 1984. Through these singles, the boy's take shots at capitalism (Opportunities), cover Elvis Presley and U2 (Always On My Mind and Where the Streets Have No Name), sing about the Gulf War (DJ Culture), urban decay (Suburbia), and 'rent boys' (Rent). The music always holds up and the lyrics display a level of intellegence unmatched by nearly every other group - for instance, in DJ Culture Neal quips "Like Liz [Taylor] before Betty [as in the Betty Ford Clinic], She [madonna] before Sean [Penn], suddenly you're missing, then you're reborn" - and in Left To My Own Devices, they invoke references to classical composers - "Che Guvara and Debussy to a disco beat" are just a few examples.

Also, carrying the discography theme further, this album scores bonus points as the CD booklet that comes with the album folds out to show a chart that includes information about all the songs, including a picture of the single cover of each, its peak UK chart position, and a brief blurb from the boys about each song. I wish more compilation albums would follow the Boy's lead in this regard.

It is a shame that
the real kings of pop music are so overlooked these days. But it doesn't matter: We, the ones who understand how good they are are having lots of fund and sheer quality. This is the first greatest hits from this unique band preceding their other golden item Popart. While it collects the entire catalogue of the Boys this is only up to 1991 and it has the wonderful Was It Worth it? I discovered them by chance when I heard their song I don't Know what you want but..from the Nightlife era and I have been collecting their items since then. Discography is a must for anyone having a good taste in music. These guys are simply geniuses no matter what the overproud Amazon.com reviewer says.

Boys, you are always on my mind!

Deserves millions of stars
Well, well maybe PopArt is released but Discography is something special. It collects the best pop songs ever by one of the best groups that this world has ever seen and will ever see. The ride in this album is a pure joy from the very start (West End Girls) to the very end (Was It Worth It). 1980s were the best years of pop songs and these guys are the responsible culprits. Never lyrics felt so effective; never music was so captivating...never melancholy, infinite sadness and a childish yearn for goodness and pureness blended as good as in this compilation. IMHO PSB are the real kings of music world...but because they are a synth band...they are not physically attractive...and they are gays oh how easy to overlook them ...but you never know what you are missing...

Discography is a zenith from a band that is always at the zenith. An album including jaw-dropping songs like Always On My Mind, Opportunities and well yes Left to My Own Devices deserve every bit of praise.

God bless these guys. They are the protective shields of true music lovers against the nonsense called Britney Spears, Eminem, 25 Cent and several more.

definatly a must-have
I found this is a pawn shop for $2.00 and of course, snatched it up.It's worth spending full-price on if only for "west end girls","surburbia","being boring" and "jealousy".but you get heaps of other wonderful songs.The only songs I don't like (but they may grow on me) are "it's alright and "dj culture" the rest is pure gold. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

Her father may be the legendary Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto, but in 2000 daughter Bebel proved that she understands the bossa nova, too. There's a subtlety throughout this recording that makes Bebel's voice entrancing, as she re-creates the sensual essence of bossa nova before running with it into electronic territory toward the album's end. Tanto Tempo is an even-tempered statement that manages to showcase Bebel's own sexy voice while gracefully remembering the past. --Karen K. Hugg ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Close your eyes
I bought "Tanto Tempo" a couple of years ago because I was looking to expand my musical horizons. At the time I was curious to hear what bossa nova was all about so I bought the Bebel Gilberto cd online. I haven't listened to the cd in eons since my musical tastes is constantly changing. On a whim I decided to listen to "Tanto Tempo" recently. For some odd reason, Bebel Gilberto reminds me of last year's break out artist Norah Jones. Her voice is very subtle and never overwhelming (see Celine Dion). The music is very mellow and relaxing to listen to, the perfect soundtrack to hot summer day when all you want to do is lay in the shade and relax with a tall glass of iced tea. Obviously Bebel had to have some influence from her famous father Joao Gilberto, a well known Brazilian guitarist (another similarity to Norah Jones, both h