Reviews (1)

Apparently the pickings were pretty slim for hits in 1978
Obviously even the good people at Billboard do not have access to all of the songs that came out in a given year and I certainly do not know the rhyme or reason behind their choices, but the Billboard Top Hits: 1978 is definitely a below average collection. The album starts off strong with Queen's "We Are The Champions" and there are pretty good tracks from Bonnie Tyler, Abba and Eric Clapton. But my rule of thumb has always been that a collection is worth having if it can add five new songs to your music library and even if I pretend I do not already have those four particular tracks, I cannot really come up with a fifth one. Actually, there are four songs I do not remember at all on this album. Of course, these Billboard albums are inherently limited because they always stop at 10 tracks. Maybe the numbers will work out better for you when you do the math. Good luck. ... Read more

Album Description

Megahit Records proudly presents Let’s Hear It For The Boy Vol. 2—the second in its highly successful double CD gay dance mix series imported from S.A.I.F.A.M. Italy’s Atlantis label.Vol. 2’s non-stop mix features dance versions of this year’s most massive hits ("Can’t Get You Out Of My Head," "Get The Party Started," "Heaven," "Whenever Wherever" and more), plus gay classics ("You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," "Turn The Beat Around," "You’re The First, The Last, My Everything" and more).Energetic versions of gay circuit hits "Crying At The Discoteque," "A Song For The Lonely" and "I’m A Slave 4 U"make this collection simply irresistible.Best of all, Let’s Hear It For The Boy Vol. 2 features another attractive "cover boy" in a revealing pose.Let’s Hear It For The Boy Vol. 2 is the perfect gay party album! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

GREAT dance recording that is consistent!!
I'm so glad I took a bit of risk by paying $23.99 for this double-disc set. It's great! The song-to-song mixes are excellent as well as excellent dance song material. When I heard the mix of Cher's "Song For The Lonely", the girl sounds like Cher - I was almost scared!!

Based on prior dance albums I've purchased, this is definitely in the top 5%. It's consistent, it's fun and it makes you want to move. Mission accomplished!! ... Read more

Album Description

First Time on CD inlcudes Easy Going classic Fear and Savage Lover by The Ring and the long version of Com On And DO It.Also features the 12" version of Ring My Bell and many more.Also available volume 2 with more classics that have not been available on CD before.This label has also reissued the Poussez (with bonus tracks) album and Debbie Jacobs Undercover Lover album. All remastered from the original master tapes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Blast from the Past
Agree about that rrip down memeory lane. I don't have this album, but am familiar with all the songs. Even seen many of the movies several times.

I'm sure there are more artist's classics that fit this specific niche that may be included. Did I see Car Wash? And what about the Andrea Ture Connection. (well if you know her other claim to fame, you'll know what I mean). Seen her movies advertised, but never (of course) watched, so I can't say if she sung in her movies. I guess that reminds me of Grace Jones, as well. And Vanessa Williams. No wonder certain groups didn't like disco. Not me, I love it--can't hear enough of it.Classic from the 70's that is. None of this Hip Hop garbage.

Disco Nights, Vol. 10: Disco's Greatest Movie Hits
Listening to this album brings back memories of the real Disco clubs in 1979-1980. The whole collection brings back the popular songs without having to buy them individually. Sit back relax close your eyes and go back through memory lane :) ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An Enjoyable Collection, But the Series Was Drying Up
If there was a time when licensing began to catch up to Rhino's BILLBOARD TOP HITS series, it was in the 1987 volume. First off, 1987 was a year where the big hits, ranging from Latin pop to pop-metal, were pretty much in the middle of the road, trying to reach the mainstream audience. So it's not necessarily a problem that the selections for this particular volume sound lightweight. What does hurt this collection, however, is the lack of strong songs. Not that any of the songs here are bad, it's just that some of them sound a bit too much like products of their time, like Chris De Burgh's overplayed "The Lady in Red"; Belinda Carlisle's catchy but fluffy "Heaven is a Place on Earth"; or forgettable songs like Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" and (especially) Robbie Nevil's "C'Est la Vie." Also, it makes sense why U2's "With or Without You" and George Michael's "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"- a duet with Aretha Franklin- both made the cut here, as both were big hits, but both artists still had equally big hits in better songs that year ("I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "Faith," respectively).

It also hurts that this volume gives too much of a focus to adult contemporary tunes this time around, after the lack of them in the 1986 edition. And considering how light most of these tunes are here, this volume really needed some more shaking up in the songs, as Kim Wilde's dance cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and Bananarama's "I Heard a Rumour" are not enough to fully provide that needed boost. So in this case, tunes like, say, Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer"; Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died in Your Arms"; Los Lobos' updating of "La Bamba"; or anything from Madonna, Michael Jackson, or Whitney Houston would have been great inclusions in this set, as well as the aforementioned "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "Faith."

But, in terms of a collection that, probably unintentionally, focuses on tunes adult contemporary radio would have played in 1987, this volume still works as a nice listen, especially since most of these songs here still get radio airplay. It's just not the same listen that came in previous volumes.

1987 is getting a little stale
Though '87 was another excellent year, this is where it started to lack variety and where some of the big hitmakers from earlier in the decade (Laura Branigan, Loverboy, Cars) were either in a lull or were fading altogether. This is mostly sufficient for its one-hit wonder songs.

Kim Wilde's "You Keep me Hangin' On" is an underplayed radio song, seems like an older Debbie Gibson. Starship's last big one "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us", Billy Vera's soulful "At This Moment", Bananarama's happy "I Heard A Rumor" (one of their 3 hits) and Crowded House's perfect pop of "Don't Dream It's Over" are the high points.

Ex Go-Go Belinda Carlisle's best solo song, the laid-back but confident "Heaven is A Place On Earth" and U2's "With or Without You" are also worth buying this for. Aretha Franklin's last big hit "I Knew You were Waiting" is fair, but the others are throwaways. Robbie Nevil's "C La Vie" sounds like unintelligible dance music and Chris DeBurgh's wimpy "Lady In Red" is a headache.

1987
I don't think this is a good collection of 1987 music because it is missing George Michael, Tiffany, and many other top songs of 1987. I like a few songs on here such as 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and "C'Est la Vie" but the rest is just rubbish and easily disposable music just skip this Cd in the series and go to 1988.

It's About The Biggest Sellers, Folks...
I've noticed in one review here that someone was complaining about what's NOT on here. See, Billboard is about sales/airplay, so if your favorite hair band or rap group didn't have one of the 10 or 20 biggest hits of that particular year, they ain't going to be on this collection. Having said that, this is pretty representative of what was big on the pop charts that year. If you're looking for hard rock or rap, this wouldn't be where you should look for it in the first place.

A Good Compilation for any 80s Fan!
Well, this may not be the best among all the Billboard albums, but this one features some pretty nice songs. If you like slow music, I think track 10 is good. Track 2 has some pretty good lyrics, tracks 4 and 9 may be classics you may have been looking for for a long time. Personally, some of the songs aren't that great and they should add more songs, but this is a pretty good compilation. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not bad at all, but not the best.....
Listening to this album recently, after it collecting dust on my shelf of c.d.s', I realized this isn't the best compliation album I own. Yet, I had fun singing along with and grooving in the driver's seat to the few songs that I actually like on it.
"Don't go Breaking My heart" -- Now there is a great 70's song from the musical genuis of Elton John along with that cutesy overall wearing chick, KiKi Dee(whatever happened to her?) I know all the words to this upbeat tune.
"Dream Weaver" -- All I can think of when I hear this song is the movie, "Wayne's World". A classic smooth one hit wonder.
"Love Machine" -- In all honesty, this song could've been left off this record. I think it is a lousy song, and I am sure there are other songs out there from the year that could've put on here.
"Let your Love Flow" --Another one I know all the words, too. This was played a lot on the radio back in the mid to late 70's. It's a country rock ditty I love hearing again.
"Play that Funky music" -- A DEEMED CLASSIC ...One of the best songs I have ever danced to.It's funky, it's cool, it's very hip to this day.
"Saturday Night" -- I was never a fan of the Bay City Rollers, but I always loved this song, especially after it was used in a Mike Myers' movie, "So I married an ax murderer". Very fun, and again, another one I know by heart.
"Fooled around and fell in love" -- I'm not crazy about this song. There is nothing special about as far as I am concerned.
"I really want to see you tonight" -- Reminds me of my past boyfriends. Again, I know this word for word..I don't know why. I was 7 in 1976, but as the 70's progressed this was one song I still heard a lot and well, i didn't get it, but I liked it anyway.
"All By Myself" -- I never really liked this song, but when Nicole Kidman plays it at the funeral of her husband that she's just had murdered in "TOO DIE FOR", I couldn't help but laugh. That is all I can identify this with now.
"Theme from SWAT" __ HUH? What is this? I never listen to this, I always fast forward back to Elton John & Kiki Dee.

This is a totally mixed bag as far as compliations go. I have very few of Billboards albums in my album collection. I highly recommend the year 1979 over this one as I loved every song on that. I like most of the songs on this record, but having to skip anything to get on the next best thing doesn't make me want to recommend it.

A decent sampling of AM Radio airplay circa 1976
Listening to this hits collection reminded me that in 1976 I was NOT listening to AM radio, because this is the first Billboard album I have come across where I have only ONE of the songs ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart," courtesy of an Elton John Greatest Hits album) in my CD collection (over 1,200 albums and growing). I think I was into Progressive Rock (Yes, Jethro Tull, Strawbs) in 1976, but that does not mean I do not remember hearing every one of these songs way back when. This album certainly serves up a diverse collection of songs, usually one of the strengths of the Billboard series, with a little bit of pop (Elton John/Kiki Dee and Eric Carmen), a dash of puppy rock (Bay City Rollers), and some serious R&B (Wild Cherry and The Bellamy Brothers). I always liked the cosmic organ on Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver" and the profound sentiments of Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around And Fell In Love." Just do not ask me to explain the national fascination with "The Theme from 'S.W.A.T.'" Bottom line: this album meets my criteria, adding five new songs to my music collection, although admittedly some of them are out of a sense of nostalgia for my youth than because they are truly great songs that have stood the test of time. This album grades out at a 4.5 in Billboard Series and gets rounded up because it personally meets my criteria for hit collections.

Dynomite!!!
1976 was a great year for America. Our bicentennial brought us together as a nation in a way we hadn't seen since the early '60s. There was a lot of great top 40 hits along for the celebration too! This CD has 10 of the best from this year in sparkling, remastered sound. Several of the cuts are the single edits of the songs (Love Machine, Dream Weaver, Fooled Around and Fell in Love, All By Myself) but they keep the sound fresh, the way you remember hearing them on the radio. Two tracks are just slightly different from their vinyl 45 counterparts: "Play That Funky Music" is an edit of the LP version that is the same length as the 45, it's just that the edit is in a different place. It's hardly noticeable. And "Theme From SWAT" is the LP version. Strangely enough, the 45 of this tune had the full length version and the LP contained the radio edit. The shorter version is preferable in my opinion because the other version is just too repetitive and too long. At any rate, "SWAT" sounds great on this disc and should be played LOUD!!

FANTASTIC MUSIC
ONE OF THE BEST CD AVALIABL

So-So Selections
Poor edits of "Theme From S.W.A.T." and "Dream Weaver" make this CD less important, even though some big pop hits appear. All original versions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Great Disco CD; don't let the other reviews deter you...
Some of these other reviews miss the point. You don't need another compilation with all the overplayed pop hits--the disco superhighway is paved with billions of lost classics, and this particular volume collected some of my favorites. Edwin Starr is one of the few soul survivors who had really good disco-era hits. The other one is "Contact"; here, "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" is a chugger from the summer of '79, soon before the bottom dropped out and we all had to listen to Christopher Cross for a while. (Sorry CC fans, like you're reading this anyway.) With hindsight, I guess no one could afford to be that H.A.P.P.Y. for too long. And don't deny yourself Claudja Barry's dreamy vocals as she sings about the magic "Boogie Woogie Dancin'" shoes that turned her into a Saturday night Cinderella. By the way, this song is an example of Eurodisco, which was usually chilly and much less fun...like, for example, Donna Summer's early, personality-free hit "I Feel Love," right before Claudja on this disc and possibly my least favorite of Donna's Top Tens.

Only when I bought this CD did I realize that "Boogie Motion", by faceless act Beautiful Bend, was the theme to "Dance Fever," the Denny Terrio show that had hapless celebrities rate "real" disco couples yanked from the dance floors of America. (The liner notes omitted this crucial detail, yet somehow Rhino still won't let me write for them.) It's also great. Along with Evelyn `Champagne' King's awesome "Shame," Heatwave's "Boogie Nights," and strong songs from Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, and Cheryl Lynn, Volume 5 is one of the best of this series. It's true that Nu Shooz' "I Can't Wait" and a couple of the other '80's hits don't quite fit, but some say disco never really died, and they have a good beat and you can dance to them, etc., etc.

As with the rest of this series, these are the single (7") versions, so some of the longer breaks you may remember from disco radio stations may be missing. But the first ten songs here are one smooth disco ride. (After this, maybe put on some Def Leppard just to ground yourself...)

P.S.: I dedicate this review to my sister, whom I tortured with several of these 45's back in the day...

It's good...lots of synthetic sounding songs...
"The Disco Years, Volume 5: Must Be The Music" is a good album, with a selection of very rhythmic songs, but some of them shouldn't even be on this album, considering that disco lasted from the early 70's to about 1981-82. Take for instance, Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait", released in 1986, and also Wish's version of "Touch Me (All Night Long)", released in 1984, but both of them are part of the best songs on this album. We also have the fitting disco of Diana Ross and Heatwave, but some of the other artists I never heard of before (Secret Weapon, High Fashion, Wish, Edwin Starr). This 5th album in "The Disco Years" series stands well with it's predecessors and is an enjoyable album for anyone who loves disco or 80's music.

Not bad
This album isn't that bad, considering that some songs on here don't even sound like disco-era songs (i.e. Nu Shooz's "I Can't Wait", which was released in 1986), but this is an enjoyable album to listen to, my favorite song off the album is "Touch Me (All Night Long)", performed by Wish, featuring Fonda Rae, this version is much better than Cathy Dennis' version that was released in 1991.

Too Much Filler
Only hardcore disco collectors will enjoy this filler-laden CD. As with volume four, buyers should investigate greatest hits CDs of the big artists (Donna Summer, Diana Ross, etc) before looking into this. And how did 1986's "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz end up here??? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent Summary of the Year's Defining Hits
1984 was a year that produced a lot of classics- songs that not only stood out in their time, but songs that still get radio airplay today in one format or another. With that in mind, ten tracks cannot necessarily sum up one of rock and roll's best hitmaking years. But, more or less, the BILLBOARD TOP HITS: 1984 collection does that job very well.

People who grew up in 1984 could quibble about this volume because they are bound to find something important missing here. And yes, it is reasonable to complain when songs like "Against All Odds"; "Jump"; "Footloose"; "Time After Time"; or anything from Prince or Bruce Springsteen is not on a collection representing 1984. But this collection works because it incorporates many of the musical styles that were popular during the time it represents. It also helps, of course, that all of the songs featured here are pretty good- especially classics like "What's Love Got to Do With It"; "Caribbean Queen"; "Owner of a Lonely Heart"; "Ghostbusters"; "Karma Chameleon"; and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." When these six tunes are paired with the very good second-tier tunes "Hold Me Now"; "Let's Hear It For the Boy"; "Talking in Your Sleep"; and "Jump (For My Love)", they make up a collection that can be considered both definitive and enjoyable.

1984 is the best in the series
In many ways 1984 was the perfect year. All kinds of pop music were acceptable. Being flashy was cool and still had a few years to grow old, as did Hair Metal (which I still love). I actually think a box set of just '84 hits would do it better justice.

These collections don't have alot of Hard Rock, so Yes' "Owner of A Lonely Heart" is welcome, but it's in a slightly shorter version. Sure it's total pop, but it's harder than most similar stuff. Punk/New Wavers the Romantics mellow out a little with the still rocking "Talking In Your Sleep." Ray Parker's "Ghostbusters" theme was an instance where both the song and the movie were excellent. Denise Williams was a one hit wonder whose infectious dance hit "Let's Hear it for the Boy" can be found here, as well as on the "Footloose" soundtrack. The Pointer Sisters' "Jump for My Love" is close in style. The 3rd female slot here is Tina Turner with her comeback. The somewhat serious "What's love Got to do With It" is another great song. Billy Ocean also has his first hit with the tropical "Caribbean Queen" in a much edited version. The Thompson Twins "Hold Me Now" is a slower pop hit, this album is worth it just for that song.

One nice thing is 2 bands I usually hate have the one song I do like on here. The than seemingly straight George Michael with Wham performed "Wake Me up Before you Go-Go." I feel ridiculous for ever liking it, so it's nice to have it without going through the embarrassment of buying a Wham album. The same can be said for Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon." One of those songs you just kind of sing without even wanting to.

All in all, there's a few missing artists (Cyndi Lauper, Van Halen, Huey Lewis, Springsteen, etc) but what IS here is worth it!

Is Orwell spinning in his grave over the music of 1984?
When George Orwell wrote his dystopian classic "1984" (in 1948, of course), I wonder if he ever envisioned Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters"? Just an idle thought. True, you have to put up with Wham!, Culture Club and The Thompson Twins, but you also have Tina Turner asking one of the great musical questions of all time: "What's Love Got to Do With It?" As always, the question is simple: Are there five or more songs on this album you would like to add to your music collection? If so, then you would want to pick this one up. Besides, since this is "Billboard Top Hits: 1984" the math is a lot easier. After all, 2+2=5, War is Peace and Big Brother is Watching.

An all around great 80's album!
To me, 80's rock is the best music in the world. Billboard Top Hits: 1984 is the third Billboard Top Hits album that I've bought. I also have the 1983 and the 1985 albums and I rank this one second right behind the BTH: 1985 one.

This album has it all! It has upbeat rockers ("Owner of A Lonely Heart"), good ballads ("Hold Me Now"), and some songs that are downright catchy ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"). If you like rock 'n roll from the 80's, I definitely recommend picking up this gem.

great CD....but where is Cyndi Lauper???
I loved all of the songs on this CD because they bring back great memories from my childhood. My favorite song of that year was "Lets Hear It For The Boy" by Deniece Williams. I also loved Karma Chameleon back then.

My only problem with this CD is that "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was not included! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nothing but the Hits!
Every song is a hit. Not one bad apple in the bunch.

Great collection
Five stars just for the rare Jackie Moore track 'This time baby'...
a song of despair, hope, and foreshadowed betrayal. Hoo baby!
Amazingly, this was left off Rhino's Disco Box set. A shame.
Add the layered horn charts and super-funky bass of Chic's
'I want your love' and you have an excellent anthology.
Everything else is icing on the cake.

The good the bad the irratic
All the cuts are good, they don,t belong together. A DJ didn,t put this together. More thought needs to go in a series like this. A little musical ear needs to set the music. Can,t cultivate a farm if you don,t have a hoe. Needs professional imput. Have a DJ (a club DJ from that era) set the stage for formatting. Better picks make for better sales aslong as there formatted together. Get the picture. Cuts are good, just not the way they were selected.

Some Hits, Some Misses
Too much filler hampers this collection of late-70s disco. Good sound and liner notes, all original versions. ... Read more

Album Description

With many thousands sold over the past ten years, Gay Happening has proved to be one of the most popular gay dance CD series ever.Now, Dance Street Germany proudly presents Gay Happening Vol. 12.Brought to you on import courtesy of Megahit Records, this hit-packed collection features 16 of today’s hottest gay dance tracks, including Eric Prydz’ "Call On Me" (a recent #1 UK hit), Shapeshifters’ "Lola’s Theme,""Benassi Bros. feat. Sandy’s "Illusion," Rozalla’s "You’ll Never Love The Same Way Twice 2005," Alyson’s Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart hit "Feel You," as well as BRAND NEW tracks from Ru Paul, Weather Girls, Irene Cara, Jimmy Sommerville, Gloria Gaynor and more!Also included is an enhanced video clip of Weather Girls’ "Wild Thang" complete with a bevy of shirtless male dancers.Gay Happening Vol. 12 provides the perfect soundtrack for any party! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

vol 12 is the bomb!!!!
usually i have to skip over certain selections in a cd compilation of this nature, but this one does not lack in continuity!it is the bomb of my dance collection with current dance hits from likes of weather girls, irene cara and jimmy sommerville.buy now, definitely the best dance cd out there today. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Sample of What Radio "Remembers" Today From 1985
1985 was a year when veteran artists were coming to terms with synth productions of the time, while many artists from the punk and new wave genres were crumbling and/or disbanding because they simply could not change with the times effectively. This is one reason why music from 1985 usually sounds like its time- the veterans were making music that has, for the most part, become quite dated over the years. But yet, the songs that did become hits have, more often than not, still been able to provide a pleasant yet nostalgic listen.

And that listen, which infects most of BILLBOARD TOP HITS: 1985, is part of this collection's charm. Of course, most of the songs here defined the year pretty well, especially "Can't Fight This Feeling"; "Shout"; "The Power of Love"; "Broken Wings"; "The Heat Is On"; and the "Miami Vice Theme." Even though all of the songs here are pretty good, pop-culture freaks could complain about any missing songs that had potential on this collection- it would have been nice to hear songs like "Money For Nothing"; "I Want to Know What Love Is"; or "Heaven" here- but the only songs that are arguably truly missing are USA for Africa's "We Are the World" (the actual number one song of 1985, too!) and any of the year's hits from Phil Collins- particularly, "One More Night" or "Sussudio."

At this point of the BILLBOARD TOP HITS series, however, that type of complaint had become irrelevant, since the series could only cross-license so many songs. Unfortunately, limitations like that would take its toll on further editions of the series as they gradually became less accurate, but volumes like BILLBOARD TOP HITS: 1985 still defined their year pretty well. It's a good yet enjoyable collection to pick up.

1985 was just about pefrect
1985 was one of the best years for music and that's still saying alot, seeing as I like stuff from plenty different eras. The silly, Prince-like "Oh Sheila," is a good one hit wonder. Billy Ocean's shortened R&B pop/rocker "Loverboy" and Mr. Mister's chilled out pop ballad "Broken Wings" are good to have here too.

This collection is great, for one, because it's largely filled with rock songs. Glenn Frey was good in the Eagles as well as solo, but half of his hits weren't on studio albums (like Kenny Loggins), so the rough-edged pop of "The Heat is On" is a huge plus, as is Starship's upbeat, fun rocker "We Built this City". I'll always love it partly because of the DJ's Golden Gate Bridge reference. I lived in Sausalto (just north of San Francisco) when it came out.

REO Speedwagon's light, emotional keyboard drenched power ballad "Can't Fight this Feeling" is another wonderful addition. John Parr's one hit wonder song, the passionate mid tempo rocker "St Elmo's Fire" is another lost hit. No music collection can be complete, though, without Huey Lewis' anthemic arena rock hit "Power Of Love". Besides, this song comes from "Back To The Future", who can forget Marty Mcfly, or that movie at all? The instrumental "Miami Vice" theme is the only one I don't care as much for. I won't complain though, this is a better collection than many.

1985
This is a great collection of 1985's hits. My favorite song on this album is the "Miami Vice Theme" because I like how it is just music. Reo Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" is great too, "We Built This City" and "Broken Wings" are fantastic. This is the last great installment of the Billboard series. The reason for the late 1980's disappointments is that copyright laws got in the way of putting the big songs on the compilations up until 1995. This is the best of the 1980's billboard collections if you are looking for later 1980's music try the billboard series and Rock On.

A new wave of artists rock the Billboard charts in 1985
When we get to 1985 in the Billboard Top Hits series, we are reaching the point where these were songs we probably started buying on CD instead of cassettes or records. The very first CD I ever bought was by "Tears For Fears" with "Shout." In fact, I already have most of these songs on the original CDs. What makes this album a particularly good is that it is a good mix of and recycled super groups like Jefferson Starship, singers trying to go it solo like Glenn Frey, groups coming into their own like REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis & The News, and one hit wonders such as Jan Hammer and John Parr (Mr. Mister qualifies as a one album wonder, since they had three good songs on that one. I think you can probably meet the litmus test and find five songs on this album you really like, but the problem is going to be that there is a good chance you already own them.

Great way to get great songs
Getting one of the Billboard's Top Hits albums, or any of the Billboard albums is a great way to get some of the best songs from different artists all on one cd. I only collect some of the Billboard Top Hits of the 80's and I have to say without a doubt, this one is the best. In my opinion, any 80's enthusiasts should enjoy this album because how can you go wrong with an album that has such songs as "St. Elmo's Fire," "The Heat Is On," and even the "Miami Vice Theme"?

Out of the 80's Billboard Top Hits albums, I think the '85 and '83 ones are the best. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A Masterpiece
What can i say but, Bad Boy Bill performs to his peak once again. The cd never stops pumping and always makes me want to hit the dance floor and get some foot action. I would have to say that this is one of his better works and always improves with time given. This is a must buy for anyone who appreciates a good house mix!!!!!!!

This album is extremely tight, and deserves much respect
Congrats to Bad Boy Bill on this one. If you like house you'll love this one. Go see him spin it'll be worth the trip. Have fun kiddies

P.L.U.R.R

Super-Happy-Fun C.D.
I liked Bad Boy Bill before, but when I heard this c.d. I really got hooked. This is a fun and uptempo house c.d. and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a top notch D.J. to listen too. He plays excellent tracks and it'll keep you dancing until it's done. This c.d. must be heard to appreciate!!!!

Bad Boy Bill at his best
This is a good CD mixed by a lousy DJ. The anthem house tracks selected get old quickly, but I like the way several tracks are used during a single build on this CD. It has no flavor of Chicago and it is generic. It reminds me of a cheap plastic toy that's extremely fun for a day or two, but then gets forgotten. I recomend borrowing a friend's copy of this because it's a good listen 4 or 5 times, but that's about it. I did see Bad Boy Bill live, just to give him a chance to impress me. He failed. He simply cannot mix tracks as quickly as he does on this CD anywhere outside the studio. For real house music look in the direction of DJ Dan or Donald Glaude.

Bangin` the box
This album keeps you moving and grooving all night lone, i gave it 5 stars. get this cd. -Peace ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of the best Freestyle CDs!!!
If you are someone that loves to dance, then this CD is for you. It includes everything from "Let The Music Play" by shannon to "One Way Love" by TKA. There are so many great songs on this CD. My favorite song on the whole CD is "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz.

This CD is hot!
I love this CD. It has so many of my favorites on it. This whole collection is good, but this is my favorite. A must have!

GET READY TO SHAKE IT!
This is in deed the best type of music ever! It reminds me ofbeautiful times in my life and I feel that I live them all over again!...I got my sisters hooked on this too, and they are in CT.!

Get ready to dance...
80's freestyle dance music at its best. The late 80's mega-huge dance hits DIAMOND GIRL, CATCH ME I'M FALLING, LET THE MUSIC PLAY, TAKE IT WHILE IT'S HOT and POINT OF NO RETURN alone are worth the price of the album, but you also get I CAN'T WAIT, LOVE LETTER, ONE WAY LOVE, SENDING ALL MY LOVE, FASCINATED, and FOR TONIGHT. The other songs are not very good, but so what. Be sure to check out Volumes 2, 3, and 4. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Truly Freestyle's Greatest hits
love the whole album from beginning to end..track 1 and 8 are my fav songs...too bad they don't make music like this anymore

One word "sweet"
It's been along a while since i listened to freestyle! I listened to it all the time in Chicago....then i got tis cd, this wont be my last...!!
Peace...

Classic Freesytle
One of the best freestyle compilations available. If you make this purchase you will not be disappointed.

Freestyle's Best
If the price of collecting all ten volumes of the excellent "Freestyle's Greatest Beats" is cost-prohibitive, then this is an excellent alternative. Paired with "Freestyle's Greatest Hits Volume 2", this CD covers a majority of the best artists of the genre, and indeed contains some of the biggest hits. It includes Sweet Sensation ("Sincerely Yours"), Shannon ("Give Me Tonight"), Company B ("Fascinated") and Nice N Wild ("Diamond Girl"). In addition, it also includes harder-to-find classics like Tiana ("First True Love"), Pajama Party ("Over and Over"), Sandee ("You're the One") and Safire ("Don't Break My Heart"). For the price, this collection can't be beat. Get both volumes, and for an added bonus, check out the "Best of Freestyle" CD which contains additional classic jams. With these three CDs, you'll cover a great deal of the greatest hits of freestyle! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though laden with its share of period kitsch both in songselection and packaging, Suddenly '70s is an almost alwayslistenable collection of some of that decade's biggest AM hits.Individual listeners may reasonably disagree--even violentlyargue--when it comes to the merits of "Afternoon Delight" or "Billy Don't Be aHero." But when enduringly meaty singles like the Raspberries' "GoAll the Way," Stories' cover ofHot Chocolate's"Brother Louie," and the Hues Corporation's"Rock the Boat" blast out of the speakers, they hold their own withcounterparts from the previous decade. Sometimes goofily sincere (John Travolta'spre-Saturday Night Fever ballad "Let Her In"), sometimessincerely hopeful (Helen Reddy's odeto middle-class feminism, "I Am Woman"), the more lightweight momentshere undeniably evoke their confusing cultural era. However cloaked inmemories of bad fashion choices, though, most of these tracks stand ontheir own various musical strengths. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Music Memories of the 70s
This compilation of hits from the 70s is a must have for anyone who fondly remembers the music of that era. You will be amazed at how the words to these songs come back to you. From Saturday Night by the Bay City Rollers to King Tut by Steve Martin, you will be transported back to a time when music and bubblegum went hand in hand! ... Read more

Album Description

The greatest hits of the Disco era. Where it all began mixed for non-stop dancing and listening! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

First & worst possible online experience I could ever have!
I ordered Disco Heat, Volume 2 for a rare track by Bryan Adams that I could not find anywhere else (Let Me Take You Dancing). Yes, the same Bryan Adams who sings Cuts Like A Knife, This Time, Heaven, Summer of '69, Straight From The Heart, etc. I looked everywhere locally, so that I could avoid ordering online if possible, but with no success. My birthday was in March so I finally decided to purchase the CD for a present to myself. Amazon.com was about the only place (besides Buy.com) I could find this disc. When I received the order, the jewel case was factory shrink-wrapped, but to my shock and surprise, no CD was inside. Amazon.com sent a replacement in a timely manner, but when this second delivery arrived, I was further disappointed. The jewel case was cracked in two places, plus the CD reminded me of somebody's "Bargain Basement Burn," as it wouldn't even cue up in one of my two RCA CD players, which are identical models. The bottom player did finally recognize the digital media, but tracked it with 22 cuts, instead of the 21 listed on the liner insert. I thought it strange, but attempted to listen to discover where the discrepancy had developed. The first cut was double tracked, which caused all subsequent songs on the CD to be off sync with the playlist description by one numerical value. The overall quality was extremely poor...the audio was muddy, not crisp and sharp like one would expect from a brand new CD. The cuts sloppily segued from one to another, without interruption; most of the "mixes" were subpar, to be polite. I was also very disappointed by the time I reached cuts #19 and 20. There was pronounced "chirping" that became so prominent that the laser could not read the information, thus continual skipping resulted. I contacted Amazon.com again and explained my situation. They agreed to replace the defective disc. I was praying three times, and more than a month later, would be the charm to remedy this online horror story. Unfortunately, when the final CD came, to my utter amazement, it was packaged just like the others, shrink-wrapped and actually even contained a disc. This CD however, was a totally different mix entirely. It contained Born To Be Alive (and a badly cropped two minute version with an unnatural fade to boot), Funkytown, I Love The Nightlife, It's A Love Thing, and other original artists that were not on the liner note playlist for Volume 2 that I was expecting. I do NOT fault Amazon.com with this unpleasant first time online buying experience, as they attempted to earnestly correct this trio of tragedies timely and professionally, before cheerfully refunding the purchase price after three replacement tries. DiscoBox Records (the manufacturer) likely uses Amazon.com as an economical distribution and marketing arm for their products and drop-ships the merchandise once an order has been placed, with Amazon getting a percentage of the profits for their involvement. From a customer's perspective, the three possible things that could go wrong with a transaction, no disc included in factory wrapped jewel case, compact disc that is multidefective, and audio material on disc that is completely different than what is expected and advertised on packaging, all happened when purchasing this particular compact disc. So if you want this CD for some reason like I did, please cautiously beware of high percentage problems with this item, and recall my related experience that I considerately shared with you as a forewarning. Happy shopping! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

BBOys Everywhere
Full Froce Crew is in the HOus ... Read more

Amazon.com

"You want bowel-churning mega-bass that shakes the room, demolishes the ceiling, and freaks out the cat?" ask the compilers of this grade-A U.K. techno disc. The curious should answer with an unequivocal, "Hell, yes." Sonic slabs from Orbital, the Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Prodigy, Leftfield and the Future Sound of London, among others, add up to a definitive appetizer tray of drum & bass flavors. --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Overall, it's worth buying
ACTUALLY, it's a 3.5 on a 5 Scale (but I felt generous, and gave it 4 stars).

This CD has several 'straight' (not remixed) techno/dance/electronica singles which are just great listening, and a few other cuts that simply grate on your ears. This was recorded a few years back, when techno/big beat was more daring and experimental (before it started to sound stupid: like old-ladies "jazz" with a beat added)

The 2 versions of "We Have Explosive" by The Future Sound Of London might seem excessive, but the two versions are different enough that they enhance, rather than detract from the overall musical quality. Besides, that song is so good here, you WANT to hear it 2 or 3 times.

"Atom Bomb", by Fluke and a better-than-the original version of Chemical Brothers' "Loops of Fury" are good enough to make you want to play them each again, and again. "Firestarter" by Prodigy, also sounds better here.

Buried surprises (good ones), include tracks from Orbital, and Leftfield.

What's really mind-blowing is: this is a soundtrack from a video game! Just a bit of warning may be in order: don't listen to this and drive at the same time if there are any traffic police in the area.

BTW: This sounded terrific through my new Klipschorns! Thanks to Paul W. Klipsch for his pioneering work in audio engineering over teh past 6 decades.

Not as good as the REAL soundtrack
This soundtrack is a good disc, but it might surprise you to find out that it is very different from the actual PlayStation CD. If you like this disc at all, or if you think the songs are a little grating, I would suggest getting your hands on the real PSX WOXL, which you can play like any other CD if you skip past the first data track.

Let me point out the differences. The above soundtrack has 14 tracks, the following of which are not on the actual PlayStation game:

02 Fluke - Atom Bomb
06 Chemical Brothers - Leave Home (Underworld MX1)
07 FSOL - We Have Explosive (Herd Killing)
10 Daft Punk - Musique
11 Source Direct - 2097
12 Photek - Titan
13 Orbital - Petrol
14 Leftfield - Afro Ride

Besides that, FSOL's We Have Explosive lasts 6:14, while the PlayStation version stops a little abruptly at 5:53, and Underworld's Tin There stops at 5:00, while the PlayStation version is 6:08.

The PlayStation disc has 11 audio tracks, the following of which are missing from the above soundtrack CD:

03 FSOL - Landmass
04 Fluke - Atom Bomb (instrumental, shorter/faster than CD)
06 Chemical Brothers - Dust Up Beats
11 Cold Storage - Canada
12 Cold Storage - Body In Motion

The PlayStation selection is much less harsh than the soundtrack CD. The soundtrack-only "herd killing" version of We Have Explosive is a pretty good track, but other than that, the PlayStation CD is much better. The PlayStation-only tracks are all good, especially Dust Up Beats and Canada. Dust Up Beats is something Chemical Brothers have played live, but I haven't seen it on any CD besides the PlayStation WOXL.

Another odd thing about the WOXL soundtrack is that the version of Petrol it has is the same as the version on Orbital's In-Sides CD, except the WOXL version fades out at 5:49, while the real one is 6:20.

1999's Wipeout 3 also has 13 songs, but it's only available for PlayStation. It has six great original Sasha tracks, a 4:03 version of Paul Van Dyk's Avenue (showed up later on his Out There And Back CD), a 3:06 version of Underworld's Kittens (from Beaucoup Fish), the album version of Chem Bros' Under the Influence (from Surrender), two MKL tracks, and Orbital - Know Where to Run & Propellerheads - Lethal Cut, which I don't think are on any other CD's.

Not as good as the original
Basicaly the only decent stuff I see here are tracks 1,4,7 and 8. Seven is the coolest theme ever - the one from the WipeoutXL game intro video(the whole reason I got this CD) and the first track is also mixed in there somewhere. Number 4 is just a more or less decent techno track, while 8 is Prodigy's "Firestarter" without the vocals. Track 2 was a dissapointing dulled-down version of Fluke's "Atom Bomb"(I'd give the CD 4 stars if they just put the excellent original one). So there you have it, unless you desperatly want the WipeoutXL intro flick music which wasn't included on the game CD - don't bother. Better get the WipeoutXL game itself - it's out for PSX and PC and has the great game and music all in one(skip the first data track). You can also play the PSX version with an emulator and get the same resolution. But the PC version is the best.

State-of-the-art electronica
To call this a "techno" CD is misleading. Sure there's some of that, but this is really a genuine electronica CD with the likes of Photek, Source Direct, et al making an appearance with some, shall we say, unique tracks.

Electronica today (2003) isn't quite what it used to be back when it was new and clearly still experimental and at the top of its form. This 78:18 CD offers up some classic tracks that will last forever. I have a lot of CDs from various electronica artists that have songs on this compilation (Fluke, FSOL, Orbital, Chemical Brothers, Prodigy) and others that don't (namely Crystal Method) and they're all great but none quite capture the diverse essence of what electronica can encompass. This is that CD!

The version of Atom Bomb on here is a cleaned-up AND remixed version of the original on Fluke's own Risotto CD. None of the other reviews really pointed that out.

Ha ha ha ha... WIPEOUT!
When I bought this however many years ago, nobody bothered to point out to me that it was the soundtrack to a game. But perhaps that's the greatest compliment anybody could give it--that the music stands on its own without any hard-sell.

Maybe you bought 'Exit Planet Dust' but if you missed out on the Chemical Brothers' (in my opinion) best single "Loops of Fury", you could atone buy picking up this disc. The instrumental version of "Firestarter" is better than the original, and "PETROL" is not representative of the Orbital album ('In Sides') it comes from, but still kicks.

The whole 'Electronica' wave was over-done and rightfully put in its proper place on the musical scheme of things, but in retrospect, there were some singles you had to own, and this is a superb compilation of them.

Made to be booming out of your convertible, even if it's a k-car. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dig a little deeper
So-so effort of late 80's 'rolling' music. Some gems. Some not-so-great cuts. Buy it if you can't find certain songs elsewhere. ... Read more

Album Details

Mixed Live in Brazil. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

An aural soundscape for the ages....
The first disc of this set I found to be a bit repetitive and boring.

The second disc, however - I don't think I've ever heard a CD as good as this one. Warren takes us on a journey from the first beat of the first track right up until the end, and along the way we hear everything from eastern sounding instruments on Madagascar's "Your Beautiful" to exotic chanting on Voices of Khawan's "Ya Yea Yo Yo Ma" to hard sounding synths in Forth's "Reality Detached" and gorgeous vocals in Tekara's "Breath In You". This disc has it all, the perfect build up and peaks that can make listening to this disc while driving a near hazardous experience :)

Bottom line here is that your paying for a 2CD set even though there's only one disc here that's really worth bothering with - but its sooooo unbelievably good that it makes the price very well worth it. The only thing I've heard that even comes close is Sasha's Global Underground Ibiza album.

Somewhat of a disparity in the CDs but....
CD2 is Outstanding. CD1 is mediocre at best. This said, I really appreciate Nick Warren's style. Ive been on the Oakenfold bandwagon for a while and I decided to try out Warren and I immediately noticed some differences. His mixing is somewhat more aggresive than Oakie and somewhat quicker. You dont hear the beginning of the next song like 2 minutes from the end of the prior song. I have no idea why Cafe Del Mar (or why its ALSO ON live in pargue) is on this album but the rest of the songs on CD2 are great: exciting music but not overdone. This is certainly one of my favorites in the Global Underground Set: Warren is an accessible DJ, he stays away from the really dark trance that has made, in my opinion, Sasha and Digweed somewhat unpalatable anymore. 5 stars for CD2 (Random Comment: Your Beautiful is a really fun fun song) 3for CD1. A decent album. Get it!

A Classic Trancer With Balls...
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This album is dripping with high energy, funk, bass and near flawless mixing. It is by no means for the faint of heart, and not for those who are looking for clubby, cheese-filled tracks. This is pure, unadulterated house trance devoid of anthems and cheese vocals.

CD1 immediately grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Each track is packed with energy and has a degree of raw grit to it. Those worth noting are "Marching Powder", "Lose It" (my favourite), "India", "Tequila Flange", and "New Sunset".

CD2 lets the listener breathe a little easier, as it isn't as intense as disc one. "Psychout (Thing)" rocks. "Your Beautiful" and "Kill City" are relatively mellow. "Reality Detached" is a favourite with its quick, heavy drum beats and gritty synths. "Ya Yae Ya Yo Yo Yo", is, as one can draw from its title, weird. O.K., who pulled Café del Mar off the shelf?! Tekara's "Breathe In You" makes up for it, though. Pink Bomb's "Indica" and POB's "Boiler" are two remaining tracks worth noting on this disc.

This Global Underground compilation is a great starter for those who want to become acquainted with Nick Warren. Sure, it's over four years old, but it still manages to sound as fresh and as different from everything else that's out there these days. Classic trance at its best.
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Energy, Style, Quality.
Global Underground has been a label known for its quality releases, and GU008 is one of the releases that helped build that reputation.

Nick Warren spins house, trance and some early progressive house tracks into a wonderful mix. CD1 starts out with a harder edge, and picks up the melodies around track 6 and never lets you down again. CD2 starts off beautifully and never stops, with the most energy featured on a GU release (IMO). There are a few tiny flaws in the mixing between a few songs, but its nothing noticeable if you're completely lost in the mix as I typically am when I have this set going.

To sum up this mix in a few words: This is a timeless mix. It still sounds good today, several years after its release. Great tracks, no cheese, no filler; Its Nick Warren. What else would you expect?

Quit my job because of Nick Warren
I was working in the visual effects industry and paid well blah blah .... Somewhere in between purchasing the Budapest & Amsterdam GU CD's (which I had to compulsively buy after hearing new Way Out West CD), I decided to leave the industry and pursue making music. Nick Warrens music fills me with inspiration and desire to want to surpass his standard which will take more than a hefty amound of work i'll tell you that no matter who you are as a muso. I purschased this CD with expectations of the standards I usually expect from Mr Warren. CD1, I havent gotten into that yet, but Im sure I will. However, CD2 is going to keep me up for the next week.

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. ... Read more