Album Description

Tabla goddess, artist, composer, producer Suphala's debut is modern, otherworldly, sensual, cinematic, high-tech, and timeless. Her sound has been sought after by several prominent artists and has led to collaborations with Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Lady Ms. Kier (Dee-Lite), 4Hero, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Sean Lennon, Joan Osbourne, DJ Logic, Norah Jones, and many more. "The Now" features Niladri Kumar, Norah Jones, Vernon Reid, Vikter Duplaix, Carol C, Dana Leong, Mazz Swift, Salim Merchant, Marvin Swell, DJ Kiva, Vijay Prakash. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Like riding the subway...
It's taken me some time to warm up to this.I'm used to the other big names in techno which has kind of caused me to limit my thinking.Rather than a whip smart ride through the electronic universe, this one takes its time.

It's kind of like riding the subway.When you first get on, you're kind of anxious, in a hurry, can't wait to get where you're going.Then you ease into the ride, the rumble of the rails hypnotizing you, lulling you into the ride.Once in the groove, you begin to notice the sounds.You hear the screeching of the rails, the people talking (when they talk) and the obvious sounds.Then you begin to notice the little sounds; the newspapers ruffling, the music from someone's headphones, the shuffling of feet.You are present, you are aware and you cease the anxiety of hurrying.

This mix is like that.It's a steady trip through some low rumbling bass lines and some subtle sounds arising from within.There is no hurry and it is so nice.Instead of the trance anthems and the building crescendo to a predictable, albeit nice, climax, this mix just carries you along.There are some pleasant surprises along the way but nothing that derails the ride.It's a great mix.Over time, I may give it five stars.

Dramatic & melodic -chunky & progressive..just excellent
OK - I 'll keep this short - but if you dig your house with slices of melody, basslines that make you move, and overall outstanding production values - then just stop reading this, add it to your cart, and checkout. The mixing is flawless as well and I can't wait to see him when he comes around here. I had always heard about this guy and finally picked up this newest compilation of his. I've been addicted to this one ever since.
GET IT

Best Progressive Compilation of the Year
The first melodic, spacey, trance journey compilation I've experienced in quite some time. Awesome stuff. The perfect mix of white label unknown gems and standout (Quivver) production magic. Great flow, great mixing, just a few mediocre tracks. Have been disappointed with recent releases (GU:027 Miami) but was presently surprised with this set. Orders of magnitued better than Hernan Cattaneo's first Renaissance: The Masters Series release. This made my Thursday night!
- B

THIS S IT!
THIS IS THE MOST PROGESSIVE SOUND GOING THE DAVE SEAMAN OF SOUTH AMERICA HERNAN MIXES LIKE NO OTHER FORGET ALL THESE TRANCE GUYS !
THIS MUSIC ROCKS YOU TO FEET ! ITS AWESOME ! PITY I MIISSED HIM AT WMC MIAMI AS I LIVE HERE EX UK TO MANY PEOPLE TO MANY PARTIES !
HERNAN PLEASE COME BACK GRACIAS

The Electronic Enlightenment Grows Brighter
Most of you may know of Hernan Cattaneo from the set he performed in Mooonpark in 2002 with Sasha.Many people hadn't heard of him then, and were awed with his technical proficiency and dark, progressive Latin tribal.He immediately vaulted onto the international stage, and became recognized as one of the premier House and tribal DJ's.

If you haven't heard any of Cattaneo's sets yet, his primary influences of set construction and effectual tonality would be: GU's Danny Tenaglia, Godfather: Juan Atkins, and even Underworld's Darren Emerson.Modern Artists to compare him to would be Matthew Dekay, Chris Micali, Satoshi Tomeii, Sander Kleidenberg, Deepdish, and Jon Digweed.Odds are if you dig their sets, you'll really get into Cattaneo.

Now, this collection is phenomenal.It's the best straight house set I've ever heard, by far; even though I really like some of the Balance contributions (more progressive), and some of the Nubreed projects from GU...

Anyway, Hernan really goes Underground with CD 1.Pole Folder is a strong opener, but other than that, the rest of the artists (Azad Rizvi and Tom Middleton excluded) were fairly unknown to me.I love that.Very little things make me more happy than the presence of white labels and unknowns mixed with cream into a set.Track 2 is a great neo disco move, with pleasing new millennia threads woven into the aural tapestry.Real interesting tempo and mood transition from the darker first track.Hernan glides into the 3rd track with beat matching precision, and picks up the bpm with a funky tribal tone.
Then something happens that really flies me back to my home city.Deep Chicago house.Precursed with shadowed-pounding bass, a mournful, elegiac saxophone speaks, its appearance like a mythological Greek ship floating from wispy synthesized echoes.
The rest of CD 1 keeps true to its foundations and holds a dark/funk/disco tone with plenty of creative quirks and seamless mixing.

CD 2, however is what will flip you like a flapjack in a pan.

1st track.Say hello to your old friend Quivver, and a newer friend, Space Manouvers.Beat picks up from song one, and keeps a deep house bass line with constant high shakes.
2nd track.Enter Graham and Blades.Funky punches of bass and snare, complimentary high snips and sweeping synth; you're suddenly in a four seater plane flying over rugged Cuba.
3rd & 4th tracks.Jeff Bennet emerged with his 'Swapping' vinyl in 2003, and Avantages, Direction Changes, Untertaken, and doubting faces E.P.s in 2004, punching into the house fans hearts with authentic beats and quirky use of engineering equip.Cattaneo uses his vinyl here with respect and potentcy.

It's about dam time Snake Sedrick got recognized and used in a major set.His dark tribal and 2004 vinyl works with Andro, i.e. "She is my Destiny", "Solid & Liquid State", and his other lone works have gone severely unnoticed.Here, "Fields" gets an overhaul by Blue Haze, a darker more monotonous polish from the original.

Dousk and Micah have strong shows here, the John Dalagelis unreleased vocal vinyl being a gem for me.Hernan showcases here serious international talent and connections.For you that are deep in the scene, you know that the Greeks with Dousk, Nikola Gala, Kosmas Epsilon, G-Pal, The Greek, and many others, are just dominating the progressive house scene.Hernan, a native to Argentina, I believe, expands previously held ethnic boundaries and pushes the limits of house into a gloriously appetizing multi-hemisphere aural brew.

On the topic of mixing styles, Cattaneo bit ch slaps the listener with breaks around 59 minutes in.I love, love, love progressive breaks, and I love them even more with haunting female vocals.
The second CD closes out with powerful reminisces of Dave Seaman's Therapy sessions and a heavy pulsing undertow that is the heart of evolving progressive electronica.

This is a phenomenal mix, worth every penny you can spend on any commercial house purchased on Amazon.Cattaneo provides four or five different genres of house, breakbeat, and progressive trance/tribal in this masterful compilation.I truly feel that he is one of the fathers that is going to push electronica to where it should go, and consequently should be heard by every person who is serious about the music.

Highest Recommendation ... Read more

Amazon.co.uk

Hip-hop confabulations don't come much more forward-thinking than this. Working from solid atomic principles, Deltron 3030 takes one producer, one MC, and one DJ and throws them beyond Futurama. Dan the Automator (one of the founders of the Handsome Boy Modeling School and administrator of Dr. Octagon's porno hospital) reinvents himself as the Cantankerous Captain Aptos and teams up with Deltron Zero (a.k.a. Hieroglyphics crew member Del tha Funky Homosapien) and Skiznod the Boy Wonder (bucky turntablist Kid Koala). Between the radio ads for future-funked, rap jams, and camouflaged cameos (by the likes of Prince Paul, a castrato Damon Albarn, MC Paul Barman and his Upper West Side doppelgänger Sean Lennon), the Deltron crew advise you to upgrade your brain to avoid getting sucked into the time virus. ("Ugrade your gray matter," they chant, "'cause one day it may matter.") The thematic opener, "3030," sounds like a beat-driven David Lean movie that slipped into the DJ's fingers with 31st-century rhythm stutters and scratches. Automator ping-pongs loops as rousing choral parts swell with space pride. "Things You Can Do" riffs off mod rock while a harpsichord hack and Sean Lennon drops feature on the sickly sweet mental apocalypse of "Memory Loss." Over its 21 tracks, Deltron 3030 erases the errors of this rap era in favor of hip-hop's future fathers. --Chris Campion ... Read more

Reviews (154)

Amazing.
This is an amazing CD. Just about everything works. Del's lyricism and delivery are the best he's ever spit to us (not to disrespect the other stuff now), Kid K.'s work is slightly outta sight, and Automator is just plain always brilliant. And this is deep stuff here, not easy hip hop listening. I was challenged by this CD right off and still am every time I listen to it (which is five or six times a week). And that's the way I like it. But your results may vary.

Still, I personally think that everyone who listens to hip hop should give this disc a spin and join the party. Now I know that's not how it will be, though, cause lots of people will think there are too many skits, some will think that the words are no good, and other folks won't like the way Deltron Z (or Del tha Funkee Homo Sapien, whatever) rhymes. Maybe some folks won't like the "positive conTACT!" overdub on Positive Contact. (Well, actually, I don't like that particular element myself.) But I think that anyone who comes to this looking at it as, album-oriented hip hop, will be pretty impressed. I sure was.

All in all, this is the best thing I heard in 2000 and I look forward to listening to it in 2001, 2002, 2003...

3030: A hip hop
I've always been impressed by Dan The Automator's work. From his lounge hip hop concept album with Prince Paul(Handsome Boy Modeling School)to his tinkering with make out music(Lovage), to finally his most comercially successful project yet(Gorilliaz). However, I can't think there is an album that shows off the producing prowless like Deltron 3030.

Its soundscapes and lush atmosphere rival that of Doves and Massive Attack(no small feat) layered with Del's complex, smooth as silk delievery. The combination works like no other I've ever heard. The tracks themselves are layered perfectly, showing off the production skills of the former classical musician, Nakamura himself. Combine all these things with Kid Koala virtuoso scratching and sampling skills, and you have hip hop super group.

Another great aspect of this CD is its balance. For variety, there is a balance were the music is the central focus with Del complmenting the music, and then vice versa. Then sometimes, they just come together as one to form on eccstacy inducing musical pleasure(the title track is the perfect example of this). This is something that most hip hop lacks but Automator and co. pull of perfectly.

Fact of the matter is, everyone should get a kick out of this. Quality transends genre and Deltron 3030 is the perfect example of this. Fans of music should check this one out.

Welcome to the Future of Hip Hop
'Deltron 3030' is an innovative undertaking by rapper Del the Funky Homosapien, producer Dan the Automator, and DJ Kid Koala. With futuristic production and skillful lyricism, 'Deltron 3030' tells of a post-apocalyptic world in the year 3030. This CD is by no means commercial with its lack of hooks (most verses are met with simple repeated samples and/or scratching) and its offbeat lyrical content. There are some great tracks like 'Mastermind', 'Madness', '3030', and 'Madness'. However this CD is weighted down by a whopping nine skits that follow the futuristic theme of the CD. Personally, I never find skits groundbreaking or even necessary to a project so it definitely prevents me from putting this in my CD player and listening from cover to cover without skipping. Nothing profound is said by Del, and I am more attracted to how he says it (he flows very well with the beats) rather than what he says. However, I would recommend 'Deltron 3030' for any hip hop fan who is looking for something different because this is definitely a memorable album.

(4/5 mics)

Good. Not necessarily a classic, though
I liked the style that Del used in the hit "Clint Eastwood" on the Gorillaz album, so I looked for more of his work. Among several solo works, as well as other collaborations with Dan The Automator, I found this.
Deltron 3030 is a pretty good album with great lyricism and wordplay, as well as interesting production. However, when I say "interesting", I don't always mean in a good way. There are some slip-ups - "Virus" and "Battlesong" aren't very good songs. Also, in many of the songs, there aren't great choruses. Some don't have choruses, at all.
Also, for a concept album, this album isn't very conceptual. Many of the tracks merely have Del bragging about what a good rapper he is, replacing talk of guns and such with talk of laser pistols and other futuristic gadgets.
Still, despite it's flaws, it's a good album. The opening track (the one after the intro) is great, and really reminds you of authentic sci-fi, which I assume is what they were trying for. The best song on the is (in my opinion) "Time Keeps On Slipping", featuring Damon Albarn, the singer from Blur, as well as a collaborator on the Gorillaz album.
So, summarizing it all up, this is a good album, but it may not be the epic that they were trying for. Worth a listen.

A Gift From The Future
In all honesty, I have not heard a better hip hop album than Deltron 3030. The more and more I listen to it, the more and more I fall in love with it. What sets this one apart from the rest is the production. Koala and Automator shine together, created rhythms and beats that sound like no other. The album kicks off with a bang with the hip hop symphony, 3030. The rest progresses perfectly, with not one track out of place. There is not a slouch in the bunch, but I do have my favorites. 3030 and Mastermind, oh wait, also Madness, oh wait, there's also Virus, oh wait.... just buy the album, you won't be sorry!

And Del The Funky Homosapien kills it, as usual. Were there any doubts in your mind? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Adding pop savvy to their soul-disco mix, Jamiroquai grabbed the attention of MTV and Top 40 radio and won a Grammy with this platinum-selling album, their third. It's a fine record, with warm keyboards, sweet strings, and irrepressible grooves grounding Jay Kay's sublime vocals and fueling the hits ("Virtual Insanity," "Cosmic Girl," the title track). That voice--elastic, jazzy--is the fire of the band, but immaculate guitar sounds, snappy backup vocals, and clever old-school soul samples (Eddie Harris on "Alright," Esther Phillips on "High Times") are the details that create perfection. Balancing the dance-ready, radio-friendly tracks are the ballads "Everyday" and "Spend a Lifetime," the reggae-styled "Drifting Along," and a couple of didjeridoo instrumentals. --Suzanne McElfresh ... Read more

Reviews (105)

Manifest Destiny: Jamiroquai show their true colors
Just when you thought there was a single band in the world not fueled by greed. On "Travelling Without Moving", Jamiroquai take their music to a new level: "Commercial". Meaning you've probably scene the video for "Virtual Insanity" countless times. Forget the sincerety and quality of the previous albums and prepare for cars, women and all the excesses that have preserved the longevity of bands like the Rolling Stones.

This effort encorporates one song from nearly every genre of black music. Disco, Reggae, Jungle to whiny "Boyz II Men" type ballads and a bit of rock-ish influence but very, very little in the way of Funk, Soul or Jazz from which the band won critical acclaim. The almost non-existant range of Jason Kay's songwriting and lyrical structure seems to remain.

Make no mistake, the album does have it's funky moments. "Do you Know Where You're Coming From?", the bonus track on the US lp, is a worthy drum n' bass tune. But if you suffer from insomnia let "Virtual Insanity", "Alright" and "Spend a Lifetime" be your cure. Several issues to which Jay would previously object are executed quite easily. It makes one wonder if Sony was the driving force behind this record.

This is not a fake plastic pop version of the band. In fact, it's a revelation. Jay Kay no longer parades as an eco-friendly man with a mission, but rather as himself. It shows us also the future of Jamiroquai's music as being less interesting as time goes. Thus, "Travelling" is deep in a shallow sort of way.

My Favorite of Jamiroquai's Work!
In my opinion, "Travelling Without Moving" is the best of jazz/funk/pop band, Jamiroquai's, work! Who can forget the infamous video for "Virtual Insanity" and the way you and your friends tried to figure out how they filmed it (even I was surprised by how simple the technique was)?!?

I was very impressed with Jamiroquai's music from the second I heard it. Having been a fan of similar music from the Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai was a pleasant and welcomed surprise. It's unfortunate that it took three albums (along with a quirky video and lead singer) for the United States to take notice of this incredible band. Jay Kay's vocal abilities are wonderful. His voice can go from fun to loving to sensual very smoothly and effortlessly.

Needless to say, I quite enjoy this album!!!

Stand-out tracks:
Virtual Insanity
Cosmic Girl
Everyday
Alright
You Are My Love

If you want to hear some seriously good music and have a lot of fun while doing it, buy this CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The turning point
For us Jamiroquai fans who love the instrumental and creative side to the band, Travelling Without Moving is the album that begins a total descent into 'jazz-pop', that Jamiroquai, by the two latest albums have turned into. The album does deserve 3 stars due to its' obvious merits in terms of accessability. Virtual Insanity is the best song on the album, and one expects the album to develop depth and innovation wise, but it simply never occurs. One of the main reasons seems to be in the bands increased use of strings and guitars, rather than a greater range of horns and synths, which makes Jamiroquai's music less challenging and gives it an easy cuddly feel.
Overall the album is a collection of catchy songs, but with little experimentation, sadly unlike Space Cowboy and Emergency.

the best imitation of someone else's album
Ok, so Jamiroquai has a strong similarity to mid-seventies Stevie Wonder. I dont see anything wrong with that, Stevie Wonder has influenced many bands. I wont say Jamiroquai is very original like some reviewers say, but they are good at what they're doing. It was refreshing to have some uplifting sounds emerge out of mid-nineties Britain due to an array of good but dark and melancholic music like Tricky, Portishead, etc.

One could say that Jamiroquai's lead vocalist not only imitates Stevie Wonder's voice but his lyrical character, this is true. But hey, if you're going to imitate someone, Stevie is a great choice. Differences from Jamiroquai and Stevie is that the music more dance orientated, otherwise it would sound like a perfect follow up to Songs in the Key of Life (except that Jay Kay's voice is no match for Stevie's).

I admit, imitations are not good, but Jamiroquai has altered enough for me to excuse it and to realize it's just good music.

The poor man's Stevie Wonder!
Forget this guy and get the real Stevie Wonder. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

I have a new favorite artist
The first time I heard "Right Now" on the radio,I stopped and thought, "What is this?This is cool."It seemed to be a blend of blues/jazz/techno.I'd never call myself a techno fan, but with the blues/jazz stylings, this just WORKED.I immediately went out to buy the CD, but no one had it.So, I ordered it and waited.The whole time I was waiting, I was thinking, "Man, I hope the rest of the CD is as cool as 'Right Now'."When I was finally able to pick it up, I immediately threw it in the CD player and smiled.It was.As with most albums, there are a some tracks I like better than others, but one thing I can say is that they're all different.This isn't bubblegum pop where every song sounds the same.Some tracks are fast, some are slow, but they're all interesting.I highly recommend this album, if you can find it.

Smoothjazz.com + SmoothLounge.com Review
Adam Dorn is Mocean Worker, but you may call him MoWo. The son of legendary producer Joel Dorn (Roberta Flack, John Coltrane, Leon Redbone), MoWo began his career as an assistant to bassist/producer Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn). His credits also include remixing work for Tenacious D (Jack Black), contributions to BIRD UP: THE CHARLIE PARKER REMIX PROJECT, scoring the Sundance pick, The Doe Boy as well as two documentaries for HBO. ENTER THE MOWO! is the debut release for MoWo! Inc., but the fourth genre-defying project from the dude who knows how to blenderize jolts of jazz, chunks of funk and electronic music into a lively, refreshing, sophisticated sound. This new project is already generating a lot of interest and it has been featured on Queer Eye, The O.C, Six Feet Under and on commercials for Bailey's Irish Crème and Kia. Super clever and cool, ENTER THE MOWO! is a hip-shaker with songs like the infectious and jazzy, "Chick A Boom Boom Boom," featuring David 'Fathead' Newman; the burnin' "Right Now," and the retro chilled, "Shamma Lamma Ding Dong" featuring Rahsaan Roland Kirk. MoWo recasts a classic Nina Simone vocal over a bed of rippling piano and atmospheric beats on "Blackbird" and employs a lovely vocalist by the name of Ambrosia Parsley (Shivaree) to sing the spectacularly broody "I'll Take The Woods." Enter the MoWo now, the door's wide open. ~Sandy Shore

Mocean Worker is indeed in Motion...
...his musical style continues its evolution.Starting off as a DnB producer at the turn of the century (how weird that seems!), he's firmly in the jazz camp now.Although he swings and bops with awesome tracks like "Chick a Boom Boom Boom" and "That's What's Happenin' Tonight", he still can't rest in one style.Toward the end of the album, he segues into a slower, more trip-hoppy style, starting with his rework of Nina Simone's Classic "Blackbird" and then it's down to "Float" which would be at home on any old trip hop compilation (not in a bad way).Adam Dorn continues to evolve, never worried about being pigeonholed because he seems to constantly be moving.Mocean Worker indeed.Highly recommended!

Acid Jazz
Some call it Neo Soul, others call it acid jazz, I call it great music that sets a mood and gets people to groove. This is the next phase of Jazz music that has been appealing to folks all over the world. With up-tempo beats and downbeat grooves that keeps the mind open and fresh , this is a cool project features Jazz styles that can make anyone happy. Revamped and reworked and released as a ENTER THE MOWO! The mixtureof Jazz greats like LES MC CANN, NINA SIMONE and DAVID "Fat Head" NEWMAN and the injection of the modern modes of an old jazz groove is incredible. Intellectual, Intelligent, Impressive. Now imagine the setting is a smoky dark lounge and the people there are dressed to a "T". The men are cool and the women are hot,The music is like a Neo Soul and Jazz with hints of D&B and that's what MOCERN WORKERgives you so "Enter The Mowo". It's a ever increasing number of projects that have taken original recordings and injected new life into it by remixing it and reproducing it with new sounds, drops and cool dubs. The release is being called a Jazzy Drum & Bass and is in the mind of ADAM DORN who studied at Berklee Collage of Music in Boston. His father JOEL DORN the famous record producer must me very proud of ADAM's accomplishment, especially when the peeps in the joint seem to get carried away the natural and sometimes funky grooves. This is a CD that any club that has a after work crowd,for people looking for a after hours joint, or just entertaining friends in the home. Many tempos of music on this CD but it keeps it in line of jazz rhythms and chill grooves, making it a versatile collection that features NINA SIMONE, LES Mc CANN DAVID "Fat Head" NEWMAN and many other jazz greats.

This album is funky and smart all at once!!!!
Once again everything connected to this artist has changed! And, once again I'm digging it big time. I cant say enough about how funky this album is but not at the expense of having a brainy side at the same time. My favorite track is "Right Now" other highlights include "chick a boom boom boom" and "blackbird" (which is actually a nina simone track remixed). The guests on this album fit in so naturally. Sometimes when an artist has this many guests on an album it feels forced and weird.Not in this case at all.

To make this review a little simpler for music fans out there think about this album as a perfect companion to say VERVE REMIXED 2 or anything by MR Scruff or St Germaine. It's perfectly suited to fans of those artists.

Just get this album. If you are a real fan of Mocean Worker and expect the unexpected.THIS IS THE ALBUM TO GET WITHOUT A DOUBT. It's his best to date. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland started distributing homemade singles around Los Angeles at the beginning of the '90s, their bass-fortified, hard-rolling techno concoctions perked up the ears of industry impresarios and local scenesters alike. Vegas, their affectionately-titled major label debut, refines the formula. Thick with layers of pounding beats and rock dynamics, it takes the typical club fare and beefs it up with a uniquely western slant. The detectable influences range from the power chords of AC/DC to old school hip-hop patterns to the smooth melodies of Stevie Wonder. On blistering tracks like "Trip Like I Do" and "Keep Hope Alive," the Crystal Method confirm that America has become a force of contention in the electronica field. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Own this CD at all costs
This album by the crystal method is one of the smartest pieces of techno that I have encountered. From the deep, growling "trip like I do"to the wickedly electric "busy child", this CD will leave you breathless and reeling. Whether it be at home on the headphones, driving fast through a big city at night, or a full scale aural assault at a nightclub, the sheer quality of these tunes will make your hair tingle as your favourite bassline drops in. My personal favourite has got to be the phenomenal "keep hope alive" which features at the beginning of the film replacement killers, and was my original inspiration for tracking down the album. Since I first got this CD, everyone who has heard it has bought a copy, and if you truly love dance music you should too. In Britain we hardly ever hear the crystal method, only on certain videos, and certainly never on the radio or TV. When it is heard unexpectedly, those in the know exchange a knowing look, and the grinning begins.

excellent
I bought this cd thinking I may get one, maybe two good cuts. I was happy to find that ALL the cuts are good. "trip like I do" starts off the album and eases into a electro-funk beat then just explodes into a "kick you in the face" jam that totally kicks."busy child" is next and is everything a techno song should be as is "cherry twist" My personal favorite on the cd is "high roller" this song is absolutely amazing. buy this cd just for it alone my one complaint is that I wish I lasted a bit longer. "comin' back" is good but unfortunately they decided to go to the stock techno formula and throw in the cookie cutter female vocals. but who cares, the track is solid despite this. they get right back on track with "keep hope alive" this track just sweeps in and freakin' rocks! the energy stays up for "vapor trail" then "she's My pusher" hits you with some of the most interesting progams on the entire album. "jaded" more stock female vocal (more annoying than 'comin'back' I might add)but once again they wrap the song with excellent beats and programs so you dont mind the little girl voice. the whole thing wraps up with "bad stone" which for me is the next best track on the cd. if you like chemical bros., propellerheads ,delerium, sounds from the ground, etc. you will like .. I like ...dance pool boy!

Four Stars
I know very little about this kind of music, but I do know this, this is awesome! There are a couple of songs here that I skip, but this one is in my cd player at least once a month. Read some of the reviews below for more helpful info on this, like I said, I'm not all that familiar with this style. P.S. if you like this, you'll love "decksanddrumsandrockandroll" by Propellerheads, that disc is truly out of this world!

The transcendental electronic album.
The Crystal Method's debut album Vegas is without a doubt their strongest. It's also arguably the best electronica ever to be made in the USA, and undeniably one of the top electronic albums of all time. Tracks like Trip Like I Do and Keep Hope Alive have become classics, the former softly guiding you towards its frantic climax, the latter a bass-heavy, almost epic, breakbeat anthem. But don't think buying Vegas only gives you two 5 star cuts. The entire album is top-notch, remarkably diverse, and unflinching. It's an intense but artistic journey in "techno," and one of those few great CDs that makes up for all the crap electronica that gives the genre its awful reputation. From the opening Trip Like I Do to the closing Bad Stone, Vegas is a fast-paced, flashy, and kinetic masterpiece, and one of the few "must own" CDs for any electronic music fan. If you don't love this album, you need new ears, or at least better taste in techno. It's really that simple.

The ONE!
This is the ONE TCM cd to own. This is one of my favorite electronica CDs of all time, along with mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession". From the opening track, to the close, "Vegas" delivers the beats in massive amounts! "Trip Like I Do" should be considered a blueprint for all big-beat dance tracks to follow, it's just a perfect song that will shake the foundations as you play it in your car. "Busy Child", "Cherry Twist", these are classics. Unfortunately all the Crystal Method CDs since have been a downhill journey when compared to "Vegas". So there's no reason to gamble on another TCM CD, this is the one to own...let it ride. ... Read more

Album Description

Asian exclusive limited edition pressing of her sophomorealbum includes one bonus track, 'Catch 22', along with abonus CD sized spiral bound 40 page 'Dear Diary' note padthat's housed together with the CD in a special slipcase.Enhanced with photo ogallery and lyrics page. 15 tracks inall. 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (489)

It's not just about the pink hair anymore.
Sure, she may have caught your eye with her pink hair and fresh lyrics, but this CD offers something even more. Missundaztood is Pink's clear departure from typical music today. As she stated in an interview, she's really laying herself out on a line here. It's dangerous, but sometimes that's what it takes to succeed. Well, Pink, lucky for you - it worked!!!

Pink comes clean on tracks like "Missundaztood" (self-explicable) and the heart-wrenching "Family Portrait", about kids stuck in the middle of a divorce. This is Pink's real life story - when she wrote the song she played it to each of her parents and broke their hearts *sigh*. Other highlights are the determined "18 Wheeler", the sassy "Respect", and the rockin' number "Numb". By singling these ones out I am by no means putting down the rest of the CD - notice I haven't even included tracks 3, 4, and 5, which are all singles.

This multi-faceted album starts out fast and mellows out to allow Pink's honesty some leeway, and the CD ends just as great as it started. It's clear-cut and rockin' smooth, with a little less edge than her debut "Can't Take Me Home". That's not a bad thing, just notes the direction in which her style is leaning as she matures. Her image has also changed a little - but while her name no longer applies to her hair (pink, white, purple, black - whatever) it doesn't seem to matter anymore, Pink is all about the music. Just buy this CD and you'll see what I mean, then maybe you'll understand her. Great CD for Pink fans, or curious converts-in-the-making. For lack of a better word - THIS CD ROCKS!!!

Pink's BEST Album!
I was really amazed when I listened to
this cd. None of the songs are similar! There are songs from
rocking numb to the blues of Misery. I have listened to this cd
for a year and I haven't got bored! And here are ratings for each song (1-10).

Get the party started: 9.5/10 Awesome Party song, good lyrics, makes u wanna move...
18 wheeler: 10/10 one of my favorites, bridge is great
missundaztood: 10/10 soft and simple and... just soo Great!
dear diary: 9.5/10: this is quite nice and catchy!
Eventually 10-/10 best slow song, far, far, far away from boring!
Numb: 9/10 Í didn't like this at firs, but it's quite nice and ROCKING!
Just like a pill: 10+/10 perfect! Best pink song! Tough lyrics, really catchy!
Family portrait: 9/10 good ballad, P!nk gets emotional...
Misery: 9.5/10 Steven Tyler is soo good in this! ...and P!nk of course. Nice blues...
Respect: 8/10 Fast, powerful, but not my favorite from the cd.
Don't let me get me 10/10 Really, really good, quite rocking, I never get bored on this!
Gone to California 7.5/10 It's nice, but too slow for me.
Lonely girl 10/10 One of my favs, great duet with Linda Perry, great chorus, great everything..
My vietnam 9/10 I like this one, nice guitarr solo in the end
Catch 22 (bonus) 9.5/10 and nice end...

...not bad...4 sum1 who disses pop & is herself a pop artist
i love this CD. I bought it mainly for Just Like A Pill and found that most of the songs on her appeal to me. The beats and sounds of this make for great party music.

i dont get why she's classified as a pop artist tho...some of the music sounds poppy, but not completely...shes more alt/punk or pop/punk...

good CD....that wraps it up

this is the sound for her!
The first album was cute but this one is better. The sound she had for this album seems to fit her better. My favorite is "My Vietnam" and "Family Portrait". "Don't Let me get me" is close to home for me. This is my anthem. Her future albums should sound a lot like this one.

Pretty good.
This album is 100% better than her first one. This one has better tracks such as 'family Portrait' that is personal and lovely. 'Get the party started' is incredibly catchy and a great dance song. 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T' is a really cool song that has a good beat about it. I love all the songs on P!nk's albuma nd think that she is an talented singer that just does not care about what other people think about her!!! I think that her voice is.... fab!!! I am so happy she was discovered as a artist because i would hate to think of her as a undiscovered talent that only sings at talent shows and in her bedroom!! ... Read more

Album Description

Here's another ultra-high quality collection from Eric, the first to venture into the SEVENTIES.Seventeen of these songs made the Billboard Top 20!As usual all recordings have been digitally re-mastered from the best available sources in true stereo. Includes detailed 8-page booklet with notes on each song by Paul Grein (who wrote the notes for Rhino’s "Have A Nice Day" series). ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Some rare hits, "Hard To Find"?, On one cd, yes,
I think they did a great job, This is called "Hard To Find 45's"Not hard to find CD's. And Hard to find doesn't always mean, "Hard To Find", does it?couldn't it mean, a long forgotten hit song or "Remember this hit from 1972"? Ok, I admit, the first 5 CD's in the series did have some VERY hard to find 45's, but, you have to account for copyright laws, etc. Right? I'm not a expert on copyright laws, but, that just seems like some problems that comes with this job. I'll say, maybe they couldnt get the VERY "hard to find 45's", and got some that were not heard often on radio like other over play'd songs. So, I think they did a great job in finding these. I don't believe you'll be hearing some of these song's on the radio very often, they're not played enough, Thats one of the big reasons CDs like this sell good.Just buy this and enjoy, put it in, relax and enjoy the trip to the 70s. You want it, buy this CD.

Most of these are easy to find
While there is a wealth of great 70's songs on this set, only Chris Rea's "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" is really a difficult find, and even that one can be had with moderate effort. For a better sampler of hard to find hits, try "Lost Hits Of The 70's" on EMI-Capitol Music or the Barry Scott "Lost 45's" series (although Vol. 1 of that series is hard to find itself, and doesn't come cheap used).

Nevertheless, there are a lot of good memories here, so it's a decent value. Just don't kid yourself into thinking you're getting rare songs on this CD, because most of these songs are all over the place.

More classics than hard-to-find
The key here, in Eric Records latest collection of 45's on CD, is that while many of these songs have been available elsewhere on CD, the versions found here are the original singles. All of the 20 tracks here were top-30 so even the casual listener will be humming along with just about every tune. The hard-to-find aspect comes into play here with the appearance of the likes of Prelude's "After The Goldrush" and domestically at least, Boney M's "Rivers Of Babylon". While there are only a few such uncommon tracks in this collection, there are finds here such as the original version of Chris Rea's "Fool If You Think It's Over", a song often encountered in its rerecorded version in other compilation CDs. While the hard-to-find nature of this collection is thinner then other Eric CD's, the quality of the production is everything that we have come to expect from this small independent label. Sound quality is excellent with all tracks in stereo and interesting backround is provided on each of the included tracks in the liner notes booklet. While not quite as interesting from the collectors' standpoint as previous ones, this volume in the "Hard To Find On 45..." series does offer an excellent tour of the mainstream pop music of the 70's done to Eric's usual high standards.

An even harder to find 45 of the 70s
A good collection but some of them arent all that hard to find. I am impressed that they included "After the Goldrush" by Prelude. I had forgotten all about that one. I hope they do a second collection of these hard to find 45s of the 70s and include "Once you understand" by Think. You cannot find this song on a CD and are hard pressed to find it on a 45.

How hard could they be to find?
Of all the tracks on the album, only 3 haven't already been released by Rhino on one or another of their Have A Nice Day series. So how "Hard-to-Find" could they have been?

Those 3 are McCoo & Davis, Prelude, and Boney M. And at least in Canada, every CD store has a bargain Boney M's greatest hits collection around.

Nonetheless, the songs themselves are great, but I'd like to find some of the REALLY hard to find hits of the 70's.

Like the following:
Song of Joy - Miguel Rios
Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games with Me - Crow
Go Back - Crabby Appleton
God Love Rock & Roll - Teegarden & VanWinkle
House of the Rising Sun - Frijid Pink
My Baby Loves Lovin' - White Plains
Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - Mac & Katie Kissoon
Only You Know & I Know - Delaney & Bonnie
Resurrection Shuffle - Ashton Gardner & Dyke
Timothy - The Buoys

... and that only covers 1970-71. So how about some REALLY hard to get tracks, please? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Normally, an artist such as Bjork with a mass audience across the globe steadily eases off as the back-catalog starts to grow. However, Medulla, the fifth proper studio album from Bjork is without a doubt the most challenging collection of music she has ever released.

Amazon.com Special Content

An Interview with Björk
Björk shared her thoughts about the directions she is taking with Medulla in our Amazon.com interview.

... Read more

Reviews (12)

Kool and Funky Wins The Race On This Greatest Hits CD
THE greatest hits CD to own from one of the 80s top hitmakers. Never as groundbreaking as Michael Jackson or Prince, or as flamboyant as George Clinton or Earth, Wind, & Fire, Kool & The Gang earned a steady stream of Top 10 hits throughout the decade that, heard together, indicates how quietly prevalent their sound was.

Never as popular as the comparable Ohio Players at their mid-70s peak, Kool & The Gang with producer Eumir Deodato crafted a funk/R&B/pop formula that clicked literally as the clock struck midnight to begin the 80s. They hit equally with funkier tunes and lush ballads, many with one-word titles: "Fresh," "Misled," "Cherish," "Joanna," "Tonight," and the cliched #1 hit "Celebration" (refreshed little by a house remix).

You also hear the group's bass-heavy, influential and heavily rap-sampled early hits like "Funky Stuff," "Hollywood Swinging," and the "Pulp Fiction"-featured "Jungle Boogie." Together, these songs form nearly 15 years of hitmaking that, despite personnel changes that ultimately sunk the group, stands with the best in modern classic R&B. Recommended.

All the Hits!!!
I knew Kool and the Gang was an awesome band. I grew up listening to them. But I never realize the impact that they had on modern music until I got this collection. Just hearing the songs (hits) back to back, made me respect their work even more. In a time, where R&B artists actually wrote, produced, and played their own music, what set Kool and the Gang apart from others is they had alot of crossover hits. But they never lost their funkness or koolness. Get this collection and learn to love Kool and the Gang all over again.

You're Right...ALMOST the Greatest Hits
This thumping, soulful collection of one of the greatest pop/dance and R&B/Rock bands that exploded out of Harlem and took the disco craze by storm in the 70s' and 80s' is almost complete. It includes all of their songs from the funk intro era of the late 70s' to the more pop/rock mixed and synthesized dance hits they made in the 80s'...except for 'Stone Love'! How could they leave that out? There are other collections made by tons of companies that feature all of these songs plus 'Stone Love' and others that are missing, plus several remixes and liner notes. If this is your collection though, its perfect sounding and a good edition.

Almost "The Very Best of...
Overall, this is a very good compilation that should satisfy most listeners. However, if they really want to hear just how diverse and talented this band was, they should have included the classic, "Summer Madness" It was (and still is) a mind trip of massive Jazz/Funk/and R&B proportions. Any true Funk Aficionado should hunt for this song and give it a listen.
Also, Where is the disco era's "Open Sesame" ? The horns on this cut are ree-diculous, The nasty bass line propels this song like a freight train, and the soaring vocal harmonies are not to be missed.

A full tilt boggie ride!
This collection by Cool and the Gang will turn your everyday living room into a funky disco tech. Immediately, as my wife and I were jamming out to tracks like Fresh, Misled, and Take It To the Top,we both were transported back to the time when roller skating on Saturday nights was so cool and so fun. This collection of hits by Cool and the Gang is a full tilt boggie ride for those of us who still love the way disco makes us move and feel. Treat yourself and buy this funky collection of hits. You won't be sorry. Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Where Off the Wall was pretty much straight good times, Thriller introduced dread into Michael Jackson's solo work. By 1995's HIStory, this element curdled into overwhelming self-regard and out-of-touchness, but here it's bracing. While Thriller offers its share of cute ("The Girl Is Mine," a duet with Paul McCartney that was the album's first single; "P.Y.T."), the most memorable cuts remain "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," all of which meld musical imagination and worried-mind lyrics.

There's also the title track, which takes a cue from Parliament's concept pieces in employing Vincent Price to warn that nonfunky forces will "terrorize y'all's neighborhood." Thriller, of course, continues to battle with the Eagles' first greatest-hits package for the title of biggest-selling U.S. long-player ever. Bonus material on this edition includes "Someone in the Dark," from Jackson's E.T. children's album, and a Quincy Jones interview in which the producer cites "My Sharona" as the inspiration for "Beat It"--and, even better, the real-life Billie Jean's claim that Michael was "the father of one of her twins." --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (126)

5++ stars...
I give Michael Jackson's Thriller FIVE stars and I don't care for the title track, Billie Jean or Beat It (all which were world-wide hits). The album really opened the door for Michael's solo career thanks to, in part, the 25th Anniversary of Motown and the video for Thriller. At that time very innovated!!

I enjoy this album in large part because of The Girl Is Mine, Human Nature, P.Y.T and the Lady in My Life...all very R&B soulful tracks.

On the remastered versions includes behind the scenes (so to speak) with Quincy interview and a home demo for Billie Jean. As a fan of Michael Jackson-and I assure many fans agree...that this was a wonderful move by Michael and Sony. Rare tracks without going underground! :-)

Included tracks on the remastered version of Thriller are...
Someone in the Dark...track for the ET Storybook...really rare to hear. Nice slow track.

Billie Jean home demo...what can we say? a work in progress...a real treat, even for those of us who are not a fan of the track!! :-)

Voice over session from Thriller-including the never heard before 2nd verse. With Vincent Price...another wonderful treat.

and a song called Carousel...a pleasant song but I am glad that if a song had to been omitted the first time around, this song was a good choice to leave out compared to the other tracks on the album. It's another rare track if you don't get bootlegs from the underground

All in all, you can't go wrong with this cd, even if you have the first version cd because the extras and the remastered version of the original songs are well worth the money!!

What A Thrill
Thriller has been a household word for almost twenty years now. The mere mention of it conjures up images of invisible footprints, Michael and gang dancing to Beat It, the huge Thriller video, and Michael's showstopping performance on the Motown 25 television special. With no less than seven hit singles, this has become the biggest seller of all time, so much so that this album has been mentioned on the cover of the Guinness Book Of World Records. With this release, Michael Jackson and Thriller have become a phenomenon.

However, you when you take away all of the awards, music videos, and tabloid stories, you are left with the music. The special edition release is a chance to listen to the music with fresh ears. The remastering is a quantum leap over the original CD release, possibly because the original CD release was rushed out. Everything sounds a lot crisper, particularly the percussion and horns. Beat It sounds absolutely majestic in this new version and the most improved song of all.

The bonus tracks are a major treat. Someone In The Dark from the ET storybook is one of the lovliest songs he's ever done. The Billie Jean demo is obviously a work in progress but is interesting. The Billie Jean demo raises the question of whether or not there are other demos and outtakes around. They would be fascinating to listen to. The Vincent Price Thriller rap is hilarious and includes the missing 2nd verse (can you dig it?). Carousel, a Michael Sambello cut is okay but having it on the original album might have disrupted the impact of the original.

The front cover of the CD package sports a stunning cover of Michael with a baby tiger. With all of Michael's subsequent appearance changes, this photo's impact is particularly striking. It's almost as if the Michael that came out with Thriller doesn't exist anymore. With this album, he was not yet named "the King of Pop" but he was probably one of the most recognized and beloved person on this planet.

Buy this CD and rediscover the Thrill.

Genius!
Theres no question that this was overhyped. It doesn't matter. It deserves to be. One thing though I would like to say is that, even though this is a perfect album, I find albums like Dangerous, Bad, History and Blood On The Dancefloor to be better.

I do think this was a better follow up to Off The Wall.

Michael Jackson, the biggest selling recording artist in history, proves himself with the biggest selling album in history.

The best tracks are Wanna Be Startin Somethin, Baby Be Mine, Girl Is Mine, Billie Jean, Beat It, Human Nature and PYT!

Songs like Lady In My Life shows that he can sing beautiful ballads. The title song, "thriller" gets annoying so i skip that track often.

Michael Jackson is 100% innocent!

Visit my site: www.mjacksononline.tripod.com

Thriller [Bonus Tracks] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [EXT
Thriller [Bonus Tracks] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [EXTRA TRACKS]~ Michael Jackson is simply put it stupendous with many memorable tracks, i.e., beat it, thriller to name a few. It is the best selling album of all time and when one listens to it one knows quickly why.

60 million copies sold, the biggest selling album of all tim
60X platinum. Need we say more? ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the path of enormously popular collections of number one singles by Elvis and the Beatles comes this crammed (seconds shy of the 80-minute mark) disc from another pop-culture icon, Diana Ross & the Supremes. 14 Diana Ross/Supremes tracks appear in some of their most vivid sound ever, while the post-Ross Supremes get their due with "Stoned Love." Ross’ Hollywood years make for the weakest music here ("Touch Me in the Morning," "Endless Love"), but disco smashes "Upside Down," "I’m Coming Out," and "The Boss" prove as smart, canny, and enduring as Supremes 45s like "You Keep Me Hangin’ On" and "Reflections." The contemporary, yet already dated, remix of "Hangin’ On" at album’s end suggests, in fact, that Ross might make one more dance-floor comeback if paired with the right behind-the-scenes team. Basement Jaxx, anyone? --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Supremely Amazing, Supremely Different
Looking to start your Diana Ross and The Supremes collection? This is THE CD to do it with. Already got the hits? Well, you need this too, because the versions are different, and better than ever!

This collection is amazing and worth every penny. Unlike other compilations that have been remastered, the first 15 songs on this compilation have been REMIXED from their original 3, 8, and 16 multi-track session tapes! For those who don't know, remastering and remixing are very different. Now the songs are crystal clear, have longer fades, and the mixes are a vast improvement. They sound like they were recorded yesterday!

Another reviewer inaccurately wrote that the versions between older compilations are indistinguishable, but he is so wrong. The differences are like night and day. I guarantee it!

Harry Weinger, Andrew Skurow, Jeff Moskow and Suha Gur did an incredible job on this compilation. They must be fans because the proof is in the results. I like their past compilations on Diana Ross (The Motown Anthology, diana - Deluxe Edition, To Love Again), and the Supremes (DR&S Anthology, The '70s Anthology, Rodgers And Hart), but this time, they've outdone themselves. Thank you guys, and keep up the great work!

This collection is wonderful! It includes the best #1 hits, and a few that were #1 on dance charts, AC charts, R&B charts, and regional charts. They even mention other number ones that wouldn't fit on the single disc and TELL YOU where you can find them!

Finally, the Almighty remix is incredible. It has club hit written all over it. These guys have done the best remixes on Cher, Elton John and JLo.

Again, this is the perfect set to to have. You won't be disappointed! Buy it now!

NEW AND OLD, YET STILL A CLASSIC
This collection is fabulous, and here's why:
1. This collection is strictly the number ones (Pop, R&B, AC and Dance). If you want just one collection in a neat package, this is it.

2. The songs are newly mixed for clarity and many songs have extended fades. The songs actually sound better than any other collection out there, and not slightly, the differences are truly amazing. One cannot hear the difference on a streaming download, the proof is in the purchase.

3. For those purists who want original mixes, or perhaps more hits than exist here, there are MANY Supremes collections currently available: The Ultimate Collection (Mono masters), Anthology (Stereo masters on 2 CD sets for DR&S, 70s Supremes and Diana solo), a box set, and countless others.

4. Some people are giving this CD less than 5 stars because they want the original albums (there are over 30). I don't think this CD deserves to be penalized this way. Besides, Motown's new Hip-O select line will surely re-introduce several of these albums in the near future, I look forward to it.

Bottom line: Buy this CD, it's well worth every penny...and what a great price!

The New Motown Is To Blame
First of all, let me say that if nothing else the cover is beautiful and the pictures were enjoyable. I'm a young woman, however the songs that were released on this album are the same songs that I have always indenifed with the Supremes and have therefore been on compilation after compilation. Where are the previously unreleased tracks? As a buyer, this is the last time I will be sucker to nice packaging & promotion by the likes of Motown. Give us the gems that haven't seen the light of day and it would be nice to keep the ones that are already known in tact! Some of this material was downright butchered.

The new mixes are Supreme! BUT --
Tracks 1 thru 14 on this CD are amazing. Track 15 is not as good as the original. Track 24 is fantastic (the new dance remix!)

BUTT - What about tracks 16 thru 23 - the Diana solo #1's???

These are unfortunately BADLY REMASTERED. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is not the wonderful mono single mix that appears on "The Motown Anthology" or even the stereo single mix from "Motown Year-By-Year: 1970". It is a murky, muddled mess that sounds like it was culled from one of the old 80s CDs.

"Touch Me In The Morning" is - criminally - the early fade rather than the sublime long fade (3:52) that first appeared on "All The Great Hits" and was mixed and remastered by Paul Elmore.

"I'm Coming Out" is slightly SPED UP! It is actually noticeable upon listening. The best mix of the single mix is to be found on the "Disco Years: Vol. 4", remastered by the guru Bill Inglot. And for the best remastered single mix of "Upside Down", you must get "Billboard #1 Dance Hits: 1980", also remastered by Bill Inglot!

Ultimately, while most of the new 1960s Supremes mixes are exciting and pleasing on the ear, the Diana Ross solo mixes on this CD are shoddy. The Diva deserves better!

Diana Ross and the Supremes the #1's
I buy every every Diana Ross and the Supremes Package because Holland Dozier Holland produced the greatest songs of the 1960s.The Supremese remain tyhe best charting group in American history. 19 top ten hits including 12 number one hits in just eight years.The HDH team is the greatest American-born composers of the Rock Era., and maybe their race is the cause of them never getting grammys. All together HDH produced and wrote 12 number 1 and 27 top ten hits in four years. Only Lennon and McCartney surpass them. Each song is memorable and delicious. The remix of "You Keep Me Hangin'On" is worth buying the disc by itself. I liked some of the new re-mixes of the other songs. Diana's music was an addied bonus. Imagine what could be done with other songs by the Supremes if remixed with some verve and nerve? Each song is good,it is too bad that there were not more re-mixes. They are Supreme angels of 1960s and 1970s Rock and Soul. They just keep me and all their other loyal fans hanging on for the next re-issue. These sisters were aand are the paragons of glamour and good taste. Nobody will be unhappy with this package. The Diana Ross song are classy anbd remind us that before BET African Americans could be romantic and funky and en vogue without looking, dressing, and singing like self-hating stereotypes of demimondain in black-face. The showman ship and dedication to excellence with always made new fans for these girls from the Brewster Projects. They will never be replaced given the current crop of performers with no respect for themselve or their race. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Back behind the decks after 2003's self-produced 76, Armin Van Buuren's 2-disc A State of Trance 2004 jumps back into giant thumps and epic dance textures. 76 had a relatively soft touch, in tune with the DJ's often-stated admiration for the music of Jean-Michel Jarre, but this mix is peak-heavy, designed to leave a dance floor light-headed and dreamy. Set loose with a crate full of wax once again, he lets the high end do the work, then judiciously drops massive beats to rattle your sub-woofers. Disc 1's "Signs From The Universe" uses the strategy especially well, with a swarming keyboard build that gets swallowed by a dark, rumbling rhythm. Van Buuren goes velvety smooth on disc 2, but doesn't forget the need for contrast; "Totally Fascinated" is darkly subterranean in parts, yet balanced by the song's sensual keyboard lift. While there's nothing groundbreaking here by any means, Van Buuren's approach makes for perfect sunny day music before nightfall brings out the heavier, more sinister spinners. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A truly amazing trance compilation!
This is without a doubt one of my favorite trance CDs. I have
always liked Armin's mixes, and he really does a wonderful
coherent mix, especially in the first disc.

The mixing is simply superb! I always turn up the bass
on my music system a notch especially when "Under the Sun"
starts, the beginning of the song is just amazing. Of-course,
my favorite Oceanlab is there with Justine Suissa at the vocals.
Satellite is such a beautiful song, I just love it. I also
love Fictivision's Escape... which follows another of my
favorites, Velvet Morning.

This is truly a great trance album, I personally think Armin
deserves a pat on the back for his effort. I keep this CD right
next to my other 3 favorites, "A Trip in Trance", volumes 1-3.
Nicely done, Armin, can't wait for your next release!

Outstanding Collection Of Trance Mixed Flawlessly!
Dutch DJ/Artist Armin Van Buuren's "State Of Trance 2004" cd is one of the best mixed cd's this reviewer owns. His mixing talents can best be shown on this collection with transistions so smooth you'll be astounded when one song blends into the other, this is the way all trance cd's should be mixed! The songs speak for themselves as Van Buuren picks out popular songs such as his own "Burned With Desire", Kyau Vs. Albert's "Velvet Morning", Three Drive's "Signs From The Universe", Whirlpool's "Under The Sun", Oceanlab's "Satellite", Solar Stone Vs. Scott Bond's "Naked Angel", Mono's "Rise" and Valentino's "Flying" to name a few. This is pure trance, not cheesey pop trance stuff. These are the type of songs you'll find on the popular Trancemaster 2-cd collections (on the Vision Soundcarriers Label) from Germany. If there's one trance collection you buy, this should be it. Highly Recommended!

The reason why Armin is my #1 DJ.
Armin van Buuren has lived in a very fast-paced ride to fame since his 1995 trance blueprint Blue Fear, which demonstrated a new direction in trance and even a broad effect on the entire electronic dance music genre. With this mix record, Armin takes tracks that have done the very same thing to EDM and presented them in a very coherent, smooth and very dance-able album. He re-exposes artists like Envio, Phynn, Oceanlab and M.I.K.E. in a way that makes them (and the tracks that Armin uses) completely fresh once again. Expert in track selection, mixing and presentation, this album is just a single piece of evidence in a long line of proof that Armin deserves his spot at the top.

Good, but Armin has so much more to offer.
This album is good, but I feel that Armin's radio mix on the "Essential Mix" is more representative of what he can do. If you get a chance to hear that, you will be amazed at how Armin can take some really hard-hitting tracks and still manage to keep the energy building.

This CD is still very, very good; and the reviewer who only gave this the one star is way out of order. Oceanlab is one of the weaker/fluffy tracks IMHO for what is otherwise a solid trance mix. You gotta listen to these albums many times before you really start to get into them. But when you do, you'll be hooked.

Excellent Mixing, Van Buuren's Album Is Superb!
This two disc set of Armin Van Buuren's "A State Of Trance 2004" is likely to be one of my favorite albums of the year. The mixing on this album is great! Armin's sure talented. He's also a very nice guy. I've met Van Buuren in Boston when he was doing an interview with XY-TV. I even have this album signed! How cool is that? And there's many good trance songs on this album.

Disc one includes songs like Perpetuous Dreamer's "Future Funland". Without even knowing it, I've always wanted to hear a song like that. There's also the Three Drives' "Signs From The Universe". May not beat their "Greece 2000" single, but it's still a nice anthem. "Tranquility" by Mark Otten is on here as well, and so is Solid Globe's "Sahara". But my two favorites on disc one are "Burned With Desire" by Van Buuren himself with Justine Suissa, and Oceanlab's "Satellite". "Satellite" is one of the most lyrical tracks you'll find in "A State Of Trance". I'm so addicted to "Satellite". There's also Airwave's "Lady Blue", Super 8's "Alba", "Under The Sun" by Whirlpool, and more.

Disc two has trance anthems like Mono's "Rise". I remember hearing that song somewhere before I got this album. It must have been at Boston's Avalon. It's one of the best songs on here. I like the bass in "Totally Fascinated" by M.I.K.E. To me, it seems like the most noticeable part of the track. I also liked Perry O'Neil's "Kubik", Artic Quest's "Offbeat", and St. John vs. Locust's "Mind Circles". Other songs include Peter Martin's "Perfect Wave", Michael Burns' "The Ambience", "Time To Say Goodbye" by Envio, "Introspection" by Terry Bones vs. Fred Baker, and more.

This is such a great trance album. I wish he did a live spinning at the Virgin Megastore when he was there. That would have been so cool. Next time Van Buuren releases an album, I'm sure to buy it. There's a good possibility it'll be another classic. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You get the feeling Mike Patton did his time with major label bands like Faith No More and Mr. Bungle merely as a way to fund the stuff he's really into. He's got a solo project called Peeping Tom that includes collaborations with Massive Attack and Amon Tobin; the fourth album from his experimental instrumental outfit, Fantomas; and guest spots on Björk's Medulla and Handsome Boy Modeling School's White People. At the front of the pack is this collaboration with Oakland, California turntable crew the X-ecutioners. Using the group's punctuated scratches and samples as raw material, Patton builds a symphony of cut-and-paste chaos over which he applies his trademark shrieks and growls. It's clearly not for everyone, but those who found Jay-Z and Linkin Park's Collision Course a little too sterile will definitely find something to gape over. -- Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (17)

One of a kind Hip-hop . . .
. . . from Mike Patton and the great X-ecutioners.Lots of commentary on the album that I won't go into here. (Suffice it to say, it's both entertaining and subtle while being not-so-subtle.)
Patton sings his heart out on some tracks, in a very polished, poppy way we've not heard in a while, and the X-ecutioners are as impeccable as ever throughout.

Pick it up, put it on and enjoy. It's delicious.

Rap-a-tap-a-tap-a-Jazz
Causa efecto, reacción! Se subentiende quien gana en esta batalla de scratch, samples y trastornados ruidos vocales en esta guerra entre Mike Patton y The E xecutioners
General Patton :10
The E Xecutioners:01
La mayoria de los ritmos latinos, étnicos y el swing, ya se están convirtiendo en una característica reconocible para los seguidores de este vocalista compositor solista, lo que transforma a este disco en uno mas de su coleccion particular, pero sin restar meritos al trio de scratch, quienes aportan una gran técnica y dominio en la tornamesa, dándole características impresindible para la realización de este disco.
La utilización de ritmos hip-hop, podrían hacerte creer que se trata de un disco de rap, pero mas bien parece ser una composición de "Avant Rap", ya que no encontrarás un vocalista freestyle, sinó a Patton.
Con cierta similitud al proyecto "Moonracker" (sin discos editados), este disco juego con los cambios de ritmo inesperados, ruidos indecifrables y tecnología en demasía, pero con un nivel muy superior por sobre una improvisación en vivo.
Si te gusta "Naked City" en su epoca "Torture Garden" este disco te vá a gustar, pero si esperas escuchar un rap de "Doctor Alban" este disco no es para ti.
"Get Up, Punk", "Fire In The Hole" y "L.O.L" son los track mas Pop y orejas (con una composición convencional) listos para la fiesta (o para escucharlos con tu nena, ya que Patton que no olvidó su lado sensual de "Lovage"), el resto son temas de no mas de 1:30 minutos con cambios de ritmos constantes y saturantes cada 3 segs. Y otros temas de 3:00 minutos mas atmosfericos y constantes, lo que lo transforma en un disco que no se formará en una tortura musical, pero recuerda, estás en medio de una batalla y estos tipos se dan con todo.

A Collaboration of Legends
Simply amazing.Those are the two words that went through my mind after I listened to this album two times through.Being a fan of both sides of this collaboration, I had very high hopes.The entire 3 months before this arrived on the shelves I had contemplated and considered the idea that my hopes may be too high, that I was only setting myself up for disappointment.Not only did this meet my expectations, it managed to exceed them.The X-ecutioners are as sharp as ever, reminding me of their absolutely stellar preformance and Bonnaroo last year.No other ensemble can work those turntables quite like DJ Rob Swift, Grandmaster Roc Raida, and DJ Total Eclipse.Their albums most always involve guests, but they always outshine said guests.Not here, but then again, this is no ordinary guest.Mike Patton has always pushed the envelope, challenged us to question what we know as music, and brought us what is truly music.From absolutely stellar groups such as Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantomas, Mr. Patton has very rarely let me down.If you enjoy Fantomas's first album or Mr. Bungle's "Disco Volante" you should enjoy this.If you are an X-ecutioners guy, give this a shot.If you dig it, and you are open to experience truly challenging music, I'd give the two afformentioned albums a good listen.If this is your first time with both sides, I'd recommend the X-Men's "Genocide in Sudan" and Faith No More's "Angel Dust" as starter albums.

Genre bending jump cut hip hop.
This one is really intriguing--vocal acrobat Mike Patton goes to war, sometimes literally, with turntable army The X-ecutioners.I'm a big proponent of turntablism, and I enjoy the fusion of Patton's avant-garde and rock sensibilities with the the X-ecutioners.

Much of this is scratches, screams, yelps, effects, noises, etc. interspersed with bizarre commentary about war, there's precious little in the way of songs.Its more often genre bending/blending, "Precision Guided Needle-Dropping and Larynx Mutations" in less than two minutes manages to bounce between California-esque pop music, organ drones, swing, and scratches before fading into a bizarre banjo piece that ends with a hip hop take on a marching drill.All this is followed up with "Battle Hymn of the Technics Republic", which is roughly what its title sounds like, scratches over a dark march.Some of the jump-cut pieces also bring Patton's singing (rather than vocalizing) to the forefront, including the rather familiar rhythms of "Take a Piece of Me", it never ceases to amaze how he can sing in the most pop-oriented styles over the most dense hip hop and somehow make it work, and we even get a straight lounge style croon (if only for 20 seconds before it cuts styles again) in "We'll Paint This Town".In many ways, its like Zorn's Naked City filtered through Patton and hip hop, some tracks, like "Modified Combined Obsticle Overlay", bounce through half a dozen genres in the first 45 seconds before settling into a funky groove, only to switch gears altogether and start bouncing through genres again.It can be frustrating at times, because just as you start to really enjoy something, it switches gears, but somehow in the end, it all fits together.

The structured songs that are there are of remarkable quality-- "Get Up, Punk!" is a good example of this early on in the record, with a droning synth line, hip-hop beats, and Patton's growled vocals, its superb.Perhaps even better is the mighty "Fire in the Hole", more turntablism and hip hop beats, with a crooned vocal courtesy of Patton.Also a more concrete song form is the near-alternative/industrial "Loser on Line", probably the closest thing to a commercial song on the record (which is to say its only moderately bizarre).

I suspect this is a first listen thing for most people, either you get what they're trying to do and you think it works, or you think its a mess.I personally loved it.

Suspended Varia