Reviews (1)

A must buy!
I'm a big fan of Hi-NRG music. Today it's hard to find all the tracks from the early 80s. This CD has so many big hits from those years that you can't stop dancing. Only original artists with the original versions, no remixes. Although you find only 7'' versions this CD is absolutely great. I highly recommend it, also (if you don't have them) buy the series Gay Classics Vol. 1 - 12 (Hot Productions), where you find the 12'' versions. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Much like the '80s house-music scene, where DJs were spinning vinyl in Chicago hot spots like the Warehouse, the Respect nightclub is fueling a dance culture that reigns in Paris. Respect Is Burning, Volume 2 is another grand compilation of the club's late-'90s dance anthems. With artists like Deejay Punk-Roc and Avalanche providing inventive tracks and underground DJs like Motorbass contributing exciting remixes, this collection includes several dance-floor classics. Including music by DJs from America and England, the French dance scene has a true international perspective. Mixing contemporary tunes like "Music Sounds Better with You" by Stardust (that's Thomas Bangalter from Daft Punk) with a retro-dub version of the dance classic "I.O.U.," volume 2 celebrates diversity without ever relinquishing the essential good-time vibe. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (12)

French disco for when you need a glitter rush
Here we go with the second "Frenchy" - their term - dance compilation paying honors to the Respect club night, and featuring exclusively French house artists. The main reason for picking this baby up hasn't changed since it's release; Stardust's 1998 anthem "Music Sounds Better With You," the scrumptious disco mover with that Daft Punk sound (as well it should with 1/3 of Stardust being ½ Punk - got it?) still sounds as potent as ever, here served in extended form on perhaps the only domestic release comp to have it.

But there are other songs here that cater to the house fans: "Penthouse" is a simple but effective floor-shaker, and "Where Does Your Mind Go" drops the pace while adding strong vocals to the mix. Included is some filler, yet only "I'm the Baddest" is truly skippable amongst the near-dozen tunes. And I have to mention the notable "My Beatbox" remix by Les Rhymes Digitales, perhaps the most loveable piece of cheese to hit disc in years thanks to an absurd voice box, electro beats, and 80's style keyboards. A fabulous example off all the wrong elements coming together in just the right way.

This isn't the deepest album around, and the oft-disposable nature of disco hurts the long-term value, but sometimes you just want a sugar rush. Grade: B-

The beat goes on...
A truly excellent compilation that hits all the right notes and puts French House on the map. Standouts include Mysterious People's "Love Revolution," the playfully sassy "I'm the Baddest..." by Norma Jean Bell, and "Music Sounds Better With You" by Stardust. Not a dull moment. There will be uneducated consumers who will purchase such drivel as "Totally Dance" and there are sophisticated listeners who will pick up a classy collection like "Respect is Sleeping." Which group would you rather belong to?

Real good!
There is nothing more to say. It is already mentioned in the other reviews. A real cool variated cd!!

Awesome French House
Ever since I went to Paris last year, I have been hooked on French house music. It is a unique blend of Euro-disco, trance and big beat, which is perfect for dancing. This album is awesome because it features some of the biggest tunes from the last 2 years. Stardust's "Music sounds better with you" is here, as well as DJ Punk Roc's "My beatbox". Mysterious people is also represented, with a swinging mix of "Love Revolution". If you like Cassius, Les Rhymes Digitales, Basement Jaxx or Daft Punk, you definitely need to get this CD. You won't regret it.

French disco for when you want that glitter rush
Here we go with the second "Frenchy" - their term - dance compilation paying honors to the Respect club night, and featuring exclusively French house artists. The main reason for picking this baby up hasn't changed since it's release; Stardust's 1998 anthem "Music Sounds Better With You," the scrumptious disco mover with that Daft Punk sound (as well it should with 1/3 of Stardust being ½ Punk - got it?) still sounds as potent as ever, here served in extended form on perhaps the only domestic release comp to have it.

But there are other songs here that cater to the house fans: "Penthouse" is a simple but effective floor-shaker, and "Where Does Your Mind Go" drops the pace while adding strong vocals to the mix. Included is some filler, yet only "I'm the Baddest B***h" is truly skippable amongst the near-dozen tunes. And I have to mention the notable "My Beatbox" remix by Les Rhymes Digitales, perhaps the most loveable piece of cheese to hit disc in years thanks to an absurd voice box, electro beats, and 80's style keyboards. A fabulous example off all the wrong elements coming together in just the right way.

This isn't the deepest album around, and the oft-disposable nature of disco hurts the long-term value, but sometimes you just want a sugar rush. Grade: B- ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Treats Galore!
This cd is chock full o' dance floor smashes from the 70's and 80's. Timeless treats such as "Shame" and the 1982 Patrice Rushen hit "Forget Me Nots" (sample background to "Men In Black" theme) abound. Not to be missed! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

great grouping of top hits
this box set reflexs great effort into gathering the best of this time period. fantastic selection of artists giving us fine enjoyment. for those that love flash backs to great songs this is it.

This is GREAT For ANYONE who likes 70's Music!
The 70's had a broad array of music... from Soft Hits that we all laugh about now, to Disco hits we all love to dance to. In Between we had some stiffs from Elton John, and songs some artists would probably rather forget about (England Dan and John Ford Coley). This box set is a must have for anyone who likes the whole 70's era!

Another "Hits" album - destined to be heavily discounted
Another in the saturated "hits" of an era album. One can find a similar offering at the bottom of the discount bins at your CD outlet. Wait a while and this will be found there too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Legend has it that there is a coffeehouse in Japan where people go solely to sit and listen to jazz records on the Blue Note label. DJ Krush brings this kind of obsessively curatorial (and sometimes a bit too laboratory coated) approach to hip-hop derived turntablism. Code 4109 is his fourth full-length release. This continuous 68-minute mix is the first devoted to capturing the effect of his live DJ sets as opposed to his own music in the studio, although he includes some of his own pieces (which are among the most weirdly interesting on the CD). The title of his second LP may have been Strictly Turntablized, but he doesn't lean too heavily on the wildly cut-up, gymnastic style of the North American turntablists such as Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Kid Koala, or Qbert. The first 15 to 20 minutes of the set contain a fairly downtempo blend that includes segments from France's DJ Cam, a bit of Eminem, the vocals from the Beats International/S.O.S. Band "Just Be Good to Me" and a couple of borrowings from jazz-lite pioneer John Klemmer. Tracks from Jazzanova, who hails from Berlin's easy-listening electronic scene, and Canada's Portishead-influenced Esthero continue the laid-back feel, although the latter third of the CD gets a little denser and stranger. --Bob Bannister ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Ultimate Trip-Hop Album
I'd like to start by saying that I own (either burned or purchased) every single Krush CD and this is altogether his greatest release. DJ Krush is a mastermind and this fact is the most apparent in this semi-continous session. Code 4109 undoubtedly has a distinctly hip-hop beat throughout, but the music categories he spins range from everything from JAZZ to "off-the-wall" female vocals (suprisingly effective) to traditional Japanese instumentals to current Japanese Rap (ie: THA BLUE HERB). If I could choose my favorite track it would have to be #18, "Beatalholic Reformatory" without a doubt the trippiest trip-hop track ever recorded. Code 4109 is a masterpiece that is a VITAL part of any hip-hop or trip-hop afficionados collection. (...)

A MASTERPIECE...
After playing through Code 4109, one thing should become very clear to any attentive listener, DJ Krush is a musical genius of our time. Don't be fooled by it's subdued and somewhat melancholy introductory songs, this CD is a 68-minute powerhouse of an album. Personally, Code 4109 is my favorite record from Krush. It has a more hard-lined hip-hop beat throughout compared to some of his other works, but where it's shines most is in Krush's selection of vinyl and odd samples... It can include everything from: rap tidbits, to off-the-wall female vocals, to full-on Japanese rap, to wildlife sounds, to Jazz, to traditional Japanese instrumentals, to dark samples of noises whose origins are unknown. Though it's extremely hard to choose, I would say that my favorite track is #18, "Beataholic Reformatory." This is one of the most creative and crazy tracks that Krush has ever conceived. If there has ever been an album that I'm able to play again and again and still hear new things, then Code 4109 is it. If some wierd circumstances forced me to buy this again, even if the price were in the 100 dollar range, I would still purchase it. (...)ESSENTIAL LISTENING FOR ANY HIP-HOP OR TRIP-HOP HEAD(...) buy this album at any cost.

ridiculous
I can't believe I'm the first person to review this album! Truly one of the great mixes overall, and nearly the best by the venerable Krush... Keep 'em coming!

Out of this world.
This album is quite simply the most breathtaking piece of art, in general, i have ever encountered. The soundscape of each track is unbelievable, each track always seems to blow me away EVERY SINGLE TIME. The impeccable production by this man, mixed with some brilliant track from other fantastic tracks, such as Jazzanova's 'Coffee Talk', make this album my all time favourite.
The darkness, and incredible emotion emitted by this album never ceases to amaze me. Try it. Listen to 'No More' in the dark by yourself, no distractions. It really is an amazing experience. I swear by this album, i listen to it at least once daily, and along with most other Krush works, it is a true masterpiece by a genius of our time. Simply incredible.

Who rocks the house?
I'm one of those folks who think that Krush is at his best when he's strictly working the turns. That said, I think that the readily available 'Back in the Base' and the tantalizingly hard to find 'Strictly Turntablized' are his best albums, naturally. But this is a close third. As a fan of the work that DJs do, but not so much that I want to sit around listening to hour-long displays of virtuoso juggling and scratching, this fits the bill. It's filled with dark, heavy and very urban beats, features some great vocal samples (the appearance of Japanese rap stars 'Tha Blue Herb' is a big plus-- and take my word for it, if you speak Japanese you know how good these guys are), and keeps moving at a great pace. But it doesn't get bogged down with guest vocalists that interrupt the flow of the music and force the painfully talented Krush to take a backseat while they dispense fair-to-middlin' rhymes. This album will please hipsters and skratchaholics even though it's accessible enough for folks who just want to enjoy some kickin' beats. It's tough to go wrong with this one.

For a couple more examples of non-stop, incredibly catchy and too-hip-for-words DJ mixes, check out the 'Live at the Future Primitive Sound Sessions' discs, volumes one and two. You'll be fighting off the ladies with a stick. And yes, they still sound amazing three years after the fact. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Re-review...
I first reviewed this CD half-a-year ago, which is when I got it; at that time my interest in Trance/Techno music was rather new. All this time I have been actively listening to Trance, and my knowledge of this genre is now quite good. I can now say that is STILL the ABSOLUTE BEST mixed Trance/Dance/Techno CD I have ever heard, both in terms of track selection and mixing. The first 7 tracks on this CD (inclusive) are spectacular. They will blow you away -- especially 'Communication' (3), 'Exodus' (6) and 'Unlovable' (7). The last 4 tracks are good, though not as astounding. The style represented here is Epic Trance. This variety of techno features gorgeous, swirling synths, fantastic build-ups and moments of emotional tension and release, and an excellent fast beat. As one of the reviewers said, Kimball never crosses the "cheese" line that some uplifting-trance DJ's like Ferry Corsten do. If you still haven't listened to this CD, get it NOW! This is the only CD I can recommend without any reservations whatsoever, to EVERYONE.

A Trance CD Worth Getting
I recently got "ICU Generation: Trance 2000 Episode 01" mixed by Kimball Collins. There are some good points and some bad points. I'll start with the good points: Kimball does a great job mixing through the eleven tracks. Hats off for including "Communication" by Armin van Buuren, arguably one of the best songs of this entire genre. I thought the beginning tracks of the CD are gold, and definitely gives the mix a good start. Also, Kimball knows when to switch songs and leave it running till the end. The bad points: I believe Kimball's mix towards the end stagnates, and he loses creativity. The songs all sound the same, and although that is the point of being a great DJ, a more diverse playlist would have been appreciated. Take for example Paul Oakenfold's masterpiece "Tranceport vol. 1." There were several progressions throughout the album. The best mixes are those that change pace and push back with energy.

As a whole, I think this CD is worth getting. However, I have heard better. If you haven't already, get Oakenfold's "Tranceport," any of Ferry Corsten's "Trance Nation" series, or Paul van Dyk's epic "Vorsprung Dyk Technik," to name a few.

Best Trance Album ever made
For five years now, this has been my favorite trance album. Almost every song on it is perfect in balance, taste and intensity, and it is beautifully mixed by Kimball as well.

Cheesy but good
Trance music is by far my favorite sub-genre of dance music. It is also the most misunderstood and overlooked genre in the dance scene. A lot of professional djs view it as the pop music of underground music (i.e Armand Van Helden). To a certain extent, I can see why, at least with this particular compilation. Of all the trance music I have listened to over the years, IMO Kimball Collins is the one dj who puts out the cheesiest trance music that I have heard. Not that his work is terrible but I think his music borders on the velveeta side of trance music when you compare him to the forefathers of trance music like Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, and BT. I bought "Trance 2000 Episode 1" after hearing a sample of the cd at my local Sam Goody a few years ago and was immediately hooked. Besides this cd, I also bought Kimball Collin's other mixed cd "International Club Union: Session 1". Between the two cds, I think "Trance 2000 Episode 1" is slightly better. I found myself liking the songs on this cd slightly more than the other mixed cd. Kimball does a solid mixing job. He may not be Oakey, Van Dyk, or BT but he does a fairly competent job at mixing. Like I said earlier, the songs borders on the cheesy side of dance music but they are still good songs to listen to while getting ready to hit the town on a Saturday night.

Kimball's best CD
Without a doubt, Kimball's best CD.
Filled w/ emotion & energy. Great for listening too w/ your girlfriend.
Coming on Strong & Exodus - best tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Electronic at it's finest
First let me say this - The artists and tracks that Urb magazine has pulled together on this compilation are definitely good music. But I would not call this a definitive guide to electronic music. There are definitely other bands that put out good electronic music at the time. But I guess you can only fit so much good music on an 80 minute CD (76:43 to be exact). That being said, let me give a short run down of the awesome tracks on this CD:
1. The Prodigy - Poison: gets better with age - Prodigy is definitely an essential - powerful lead in track for this CD
2. DJ Icey - Big Ditch: Icey is nice and dicey on this track
3. The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin Beats: might have been played one too many times but it rocks every time you here it
4. Future Sound of London - We Have Explosive: the original is a good track and this remix is even better
5. Rabbit in the Moon - O.B.E.: This is how down tempo is done
6. Wink - Higher State of Consciousness: I would call it the anthem of acid funk - my favorite track
7. Keoki - Caterpillar: the driving beat and guitar sounds make it worth listening to twice
8. Underworld - Born Slippery: a sticky tune with a beat that makes you move to the music
9. CJ Bolland - Sugar is Sweeter: a very surprising track with some nice lyrics
10. Orbital - The Saint: shows the best side of Orbital with airy flute sounds and a nice bass line
11. The Orb - Toxygene: the comeback of the orb - a good ambient dub
12. Goldie - Inner City Life: good ambience - nice vocals
13. Reprazent - Share The Fall: the airy flute at the beginning leads to a good beat
14. Portishead - Sour Times: another good ambient dub
15. Everything But The Girl - Before Today: the best vocals on the CD with a hint of drum and bass
16. Crystal Method - Busy Child: one of the most played by the crystal method, but makes for a good driving last track

Hope this helps in making your choice to add this CD to your electronic collection. Now that I own Urbal Beats Vol. 1, 2, & 3, I can say that Vol. 1 is probably the best.

It opens the door to more!
The CD was great, not only do I listen to it but it opened up the door for me. I went out a bought the CD's of the Artist that where on it. I am new to this music but it is great! I love it! Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Rabbit in the Moon, The Orb, Goldie, Ronie Size, and Crystal Method are real good CD's to look into if you like this too.

Electronica 101?
Obviously these 16 songs aren't all you need to know about electronica. I could think of another 16 right off the top of my head. BUT, this all good, and one of the better collections to come out of 1997. You got your big names like "Chemical Brothers", "Prodigy", and "Crystal Method", along side some more unknowns which is nice. Three of my favorites are the tracks by "DJ Keoki", "Underworld", and "CJ Bolland". All are excellent. I could have dropped a few of these myself, but I'll let you decide which ones. Though no compilation is gonna be perfect, I would say this is almost there. By not having it, you might find yourself in "Sour Times".

Tecno Heaven
This CD is a mixture of songs from various artists. If you just started listening to techno, you'll really be hooked after hearing this one. Out of the three urbal beat CD's, This one is the best. Because of all the different artists. Highly reccomended. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent Introduction To Techno/Ambient
This CD contains some of my favorite tracks of the genre, including 'Block Rockin Beats', 'Rabbit In The Moon', 'Sour Times' and 'Busy Child'. Probably the best overall mix that I have encountered. A very few of the tracks are a bit grating/overly repetitive, so it doesn't quite deserve five stars (maybe 4 1/2). If you like the samples, you will like the rest of the disc! ... Read more

Album Description

From the label the brought you the red-hot gay dance compilation series Let’s Hear It For The Boy, comes the highly-anticipated Vol. 2 of its top-selling companion series Let’s Hear It For The 80s!Imported from S.A.I.F.A.M. Italy’s Atlantis label by Megahit Records, Let’s Hear It For The 80s Vol. 2’s non-stop mix features dance versions of the most massive gay-friendly hits from the decade of big hair and skinny ties, including "I Heard A Rumour," "Kiss," "Body Rock," "This Time I Know It’s For Real," "Open Your Heart" and many more.Other highlights include high energy Factory Team remixes of smash hit 80s ballads "Against All Odds," "The Power Of Love," "Crazy For You" and the decade’s biggest hit "Every Breath You Take."Best of all, Let’s Hear It For The 80s Vol. 2 features yet another attractive "cover boy" in a seductive pose.Let’s Hear It For The 80s Vol. 2 is the perfect gay party album! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Euro-NRG Flashback!
I'm a big fan of the Euro NRG sound and it's great to see that Mauro Farina & Factory Team (one of the top Euro-NRG production teams ever) are back for another volume of 80s classics done NRG style. My favorites this time around are "Kiss," "I Heard A Rumour," "Jump For My Love," "This Time I Know It's For Real" and the epic version of "Power Of Love" (originally by Frankie Goes To Hollywood). Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Great CD
I think this is a great CD to listen to while in the car. You'll be singing along with 1983's top hits whether at an ice cream place or at a store. Let's go through it track by track. (...) I absolutely love 80's music.

1.Down Under-A gteat summer theme song. Love the flute. I think this is a great awesome song. 4 out of 5.

2.Africa-One of my top favorite songs. I even know the chorus. ''It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you, there's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do, I bless the rains down in Africa, it's gonna take some time to do the things we never haaaaad.'' 5 out of 5.

3.Stray Cat Strut-Uhhhhh! Too rockabilly for me. I am not a big fan of 50's music. Sorry! 3 out of 5.

4.Maniac - I saw the Blockbuster commercial with hamsters dancing to this song we all know from Flashdance. The ultimate 80's theme. 4 out of 5.

5.Electric Avenue-Another summer song. Though it gets repetitive, I still like the song. 4 out of 5.

6.True-This is a song that is by a band that is similar to Culture Club. I know part of the words to this song. ''I bought a ticket to the world, but now I've come back again, why do you find it hard to write the next line, I want the truth to be said. Huh-huh-huh, huh-huh, I know that's my chance, true.'' A great wedding song. 5 out of 5.

7.Total Eclipse of the Heart-This is a very dark and drippy ballad, kind of like Culture Club's ''Victims.'' I know the words to this song also. It hit #1 and one of the most breakup songs of all time. I prefer the long version better. ''I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight, forever's gonna start tonight, once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart, nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart.'' 5 out of 5.

8.Jeopardy-My mom had the 45 to this song, and also had the LP. ''I'm lost in jeopardy, baby, oooooh.'' My mom would dance to this song. 5 out of 5.

9.Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?-OMG!!!! My favorite 80's band of all time, Culture Club!!!!!!!!! Boy George!!!!!!!! I know all the words to this song and I listen to Culture Club's CD's in the car and I listen to it every day while in Muskegon at the race track!!!!!!!!!! Awesome song!!!!! Goooooooooo Boy George!!!!!!!!!!! Euan Morton sang it so good at the Royal Albert hall with his hat, makeup and BG costumes!!!!!!!! 1,0000 out of 5.

10.Making Love Out of Nothing at All-Awesome Air Supply tune. I know part of the words to this song. ''I don't want to live without you, I'll never let you fall, I'm never gonna make it like you do, making love out of nothing at all, making love, out of nothing at all.'' 5 out of 5.

A Very Enjoyable Listen, Yet Big Hits Are Missing
The BILLBOARD TOP HITS: 1983 collection has often been considered a favorite of the entire series among consumers. And anybody who knows the slightest thing about 1983 can see why- the year was filled with artists who did not perform "absolutely timeless" classics; instead, they generally performed slick, hooky songs that were designed to become immediate hits. This is why 1983 is largely considered to be a year for one-hit wonders, since for a number of artists that had hits over the year, lightning did not strike twice.

However, 1983 was not all about one-hit wonders- in fact, some of the biggest hits of the year were from seasoned artists, and these types of hits can still be heard on radio today. Those particular hits include "Every Breath You Take" (the number one song of the year); "Billie Jean"; "Say Say Say"; "Flashdance (What a Feeling)"; "All Night Long (All Night)"; and "Beat It." Unfortunately, most likely due to licensing restrictions, none of those songs made it to this collection! And 1983 can not be fully represented without the likes of Michael Jackson and the Police, the year's two biggest headlining artists!

But other than those (decidedly major) flaws, the 1983 volume in this series actually works very well with what it can get its hands on. It still has the share of the good hits of one-hit wonders, including "Electric Avenue"; "Maniac" (which gives the movie FLASHDANCE representation; a definite plus); "True"; and "Jeopardy." And it's not like any of the songs here weren't big hits- there are still classics in the forms of "Total Eclipse of the Heart"; "Down Under"; "Africa"; and "Making Love Out of Nothing At All." With these eight songs, plus "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" and "Stray Cat Strut," the BILLBOARD TOP HITS: 1983 volume works quite fashionably as a very enjoyable listen, even if it is not definitive as it could have been. But sometimes, an enjoyable collection is preferable over a definitive collection, and that may just be the case here.

1983 isn't great, but not bad
1983 was a great year and some worthwhile songs are here. The first 2 songs are holdovers from artists the prior year. The dancable "Down Under" by Men At Work is humorous and irresistable. The cool groovy pop/rock beat of Toto's "Africa" are welcome, as they are better than the initial hits from '82's collection. Also, interestingly both of these songs have aged well and are still somewhat popular and well liked today.

If there's any one song that really screams 'I came from the '80's!' it's "Maniac." Frantic but classic dance tune which, funnily enough was written about a psychotic serial killer. One hit wonder Eddy Grant's catchy reggae-pop "Electric Avenue" is nice. The retro rocker "Stray Cat Strut" manages to be '50s and '80s at the same time. Humorous story seen through the eyes of an alley cat.

The second side starts to get a little boring. Spandau Ballet's slow, emotional, but catchy synth pop of "True" is another classic one-hit wonder. The same for Greg Kihn's slight New Wave tinged rocking "Jeopardy." For those who don't know, he's now a morning DJ here in the SF Bay Area. Bonnie Tyler's dramatic ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is pretty, yet I have to be in a certain mood for it. However Air Supply's "Making Love out of Nothing at all" sounds too similar to that song. Normally I can't take their music. I'm into love songs, but they're just too sappy. However because of the more theatrical, poppy production it's actually the one song by them I like. Culture Club's "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" gets annoying fast, I wonder if that title should be taken literally.

Some of the great Top Hits
Billboard Top Hits 1983 has some great songs on it and it is well balanced. The first half of it is good rock 'n roll hits and it has one of my favorites of all time: "Africa" by Toto. The second half of the album are all love songs and most of them are pretty good. "True" and "Total Eclipse of The Heart" are two songs that definitely belong on this album and make it shine.

The only drawback I saw to it was one that might just be me. I wasn't crazy about the songs, "Stray Cat Strut" or "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me." But you might like those songs, that's just my opinion. The other 8 songs are great and this album is worth buying any day of the year. It's one of the best of the Billboard's Top Hits series from the 80's.

Excellent!!
I graduated high school in 1983 and this CD really brings back the memories! All original songs, and high quality recordings. I had all 10 of these songs on 45s and it's great to hear them like new again! You will love it, and if you are in your 30's, I guarantee it'll bring back all the great memories of the 80's! Buy it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The least good of the '80s billboard series
I agree with Kristen. In many ways 1980 was a dull time for pop music because it was before MTV but after all the '70s phenomenons (Disco, early Metal etc) had passed. That being said, there's still a few good songs.

One of Blondie's (probably the first and most original New-Waver) biggest hits, the upbeat electronic "Call Me" is here. The Spinners "Working my Way Back to You" is a nice mid tempo melodic love song. Elton John's "Little Jeanie" is a pretty ballad, and the Pointer Sisters' "He's So Shy" is an underrated, happy pop song.

"Funkytown" is more of a laugh than an enjoyable listen. It's one of Homer Simpson's favorite songs. It has exactly one real lyric. It's more of something I'd record at the end of a tape, to take up blank space. The rest are total clunkers. Dull, unmelodic stuff either holding onto Disco's dying sound, or attempts at heartfelt love songs which come off annoyingly sappy. Strangely absent is Christopher Cross. Some tend to lump him in with the latter's music, but he's better and more varied. "Sailing" was probably the one good soft pop/rock ballad that year.

Anyway, this is worth it though for the first 4 songs I mentioned in one place. All these songs came out a year before I was born, yet a few manage to hold up today. Get some others in the series first though.

1980
This shows why MTV came into being. This is the cheesiest music you will ever hear and why Disco died in the first place. Please don't buy this. The '70s disco era was the worst in the century and really shows it on this collection of billboard hits. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awesome party music!
Let me tell you...I work in a very diverse office building....a place where everyone likes their own music and not yours. I popped this CD in my disc drive one Saturday morning and people from nearby departments were dancing and singing along with the music! Everyone came together and had such a great time...they recognized the song from the first couple of beats and we danced and sang along....then I popped in Rhino Instant Party Mix - Extra Strength....and WOW....it was more of a party than work. Someone pass the chips and dip! Great CD!!!

Great Selection!
I bought both this CD and the Extra Strength CD and played them at one of my DJ gigs and they were both a huge success. Could have gotten away with playing them from beginning to end since there is a great variety. I recommend this CD to all! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

goa trance at it's best
well, does goa trance come any way except great? this box set is awesome... the first 2 cds really have the usual goa stuff that's so awesome, but the last cd really kicks some ass. it's also know as the album "optimystic" by psygone, which alone makes the box set worth buying. check out the reviews on optimystic - it kicks serious ass.

if you can find it, pick it up. it's a great set of psytrance and goa. the last cd is worth the money alone, plus you get 20 other tracks of hard trance tunes. ... Read more

Album Description

From the label that brought you the smash hit double CD gay dance mix series Let’s Hear It For The Boy and Let’s Hear It For The 80s comes the highly-anticipated Let’s Hear It For The 70s Vol. 2!Imported from SAIFAM Italy’s Atlantis label by Megahit Records, Let’s Hear It For The 70s Vol. 2 once again celebrates the decade of disco and bell-bottoms with a non-stop mix featuring dance versions of the 70s most massive gay-friendly hits, including "Young Hearts Run Free," "Dancing Queen," "MacArthur Park," "Take Me Home," "Disco Inferno" and many more.Other highlights include dance mixes of 70s classics "You’re So Vain," "Long Train Running," "Superstar," Go Your Own Way" and many more. Best of all, Let’s Hear It For The 70s Vol. 2 features another attractive "cover boy" in a revealing pose.Let’s Hear It For The 70s Vol. 2 is the perfect gay party album! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Best collection of all major disco singles!
Rhino has put together a classic collection of pure disco. All the songs were top radio and club hits. Sound quality is great. All songs are the radio edits, but that suits me just fine.

Great Collection!
This is an exceptional collection that most people would find enjoyable. I bought this album (along with the 6 other volumes) years ago, but I still play it a few times a year. The well-known hit songs during this time period are here: "The Hustle", "Disco Inferno", and "Love Hangover".

This is my suggestion: You must buy the other six volumes. Sure, even if you buy those there are still LOTS of notable songs missing. What Rhino tried to do was gather the well-known songs instead of "rare, hard-to-find". The packaging is superb: nice liner notes, pictures, and song credits.

All the clasics.
Yep, they're all here. Well, almost all of them. No Donna Summer, the queen of disco. But with the vast , even radio ready playlist available, especially on the always excellent Rhino Records, there are no problems. Try to get as many of these anthologies as possible, since one CD can't hold it all. You just don't hear this stuff on the radio much anymore.

I see your point Mr. NY Club DJ (I'm form PA) but I like dated ditties. Good easy on the ears, yet up beat, light and lively music one can hum along to and be happy is getting rarer and rarer, Along with classic Doo Wopp, There just ain't stuff like that any more.

Bring back the good old days. Yes, they were really that good.

Missing the point - again
Rhino has assembled a good collection of commercially popular disco tunes, but the real reason for disco's popularity - the extended mixes that created the backbone of club culture and enabled people to dance for hours - has eluded them. All the tracks featured in this collection are radio edits. Consequently, the listener is faced with a collection of dated ditties rather than hearing the tunes as they were meant to be heard: dancefloor epics that sweep you up. Significant misdemeanours include Love Hangover, Don't Leave Me This Way, and You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), all of which rely on extended intros and breaks for the desired impact. If you have fond memories of these tracks as radio highlights then you'll enjoy this collection; If, however, you want to groove to the roots of today's dance music culture, look elsewhere.

This is the one that started the retro revival
The popularity of this CD and its companion forced a reevaluation of disco music that has rescued it from the ashbin of music. .... The eighties gave us music and "culture" that was decidedly anti-disco: ....Generation X realized three things:
1.) Anything can be enjoyable with heavy doses of irony
2.) Anything yuppies didn't like can't be all bad.
3.) it's got a good beat and you can dance to it, what else do you need? Now let's get a beer and boogie!
This was great, well-produced music. Don't over analyze it! Just get down! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

One of my favorite soundtracks
"Hackers" may have been a not-so entertaining movie (to me) but the music that went along with the film was and still is awesome. I only have the first two volumes. I like the original soundtrack slightly more but the second volume is quite good. Either way, "Hackers" has some of the hottest techno acts today, from Prodigy to the legendary Orbital. A former roommate owned "Hackers 2" and I immediately fell in love with it. Gotta love the Emirion Mix of Prodigy's "Firestarter". I wasn't big on the original version of "Firestarter" but I thought the Empirion Mix gave the song a much added energy that the original version was lacking. Plus the remix is a lot more danceable than the original version. "Hackers 2" was my first introduction to Brian Transeau (aka BT). The same can be said about Chicane. I just loved Luce Drayton's "To Be Loved" (Disco Citizens R+D Edit). Luce reminds me quite a bit like dance diva Jan Johnston. I wasn't really wild about the intro to Orb's "Toxygene" but once I got passed the samples, I got into the actual song. I just could have lived without the cluttered noises in the beginning. I think Leftfield's "Original" is one of the sexiest songs around thanks in part to Curve's Toni Halliday. "Original" certainly has a trip hoppy element to the song. I wasn't really crazy with the original version of David Bowie's "Little Wonder" however I thought the Danny Saber Dance Mix made the song much more interesting (just like the Empirion Mix of "Firestarter"). I wasn't too big on Scooter's "Fire". It just wasn't one of my favorite songs on the cd. Overall "Hackers 2" certainly is one of my favorite soundtracks that uses today's hottest techno acts around.

Now here's a great cd. . .
The Second Hackers Soundtrack (Review)

Artist Name: Multiple Artists
CD Title: Hackers: The Soundtrack 2
Description: If someone asks me what techno is about, and what the best cds are to get, I tell them to get this one. Without a doubt, this cd is the BEST electronica album all time, encompassing (almost) all the best trance/house/dance/techno artists around, utterly blowing away the other two Hackers cds.

Note: My burnt version of the cd does not have "Go", by Moby, which is a great song, and only adds to the greatness of the soundtrack.

Songs:

Firestarter (Empirion Mix) - Prodigy

My Comments: The first song on the cd is a hard-hitting, eight minute mind-blower that every other cd revolves around. Although nothing like the original Firestarter, the Empirion mix is no less, if not more, incredible. I can't say much about this song, except that you have to listen to it In all aspects, it is flawless, if not perfect.

Rating: 10/10

Toxygene - Orb

My Comments: A great song, by one of the most well known techno artists in the industry! This song has heavy bass is one of the most original electronic songs I've ever heard. It's could almost be considered a "classic" Notice: just because you like this song, don't go buying Orb's other cd's! Their other cds are nothing like this song (mostly), and you may (or may not) like their other albums.

Rating: 9/10

Little Wonder (Danny Saber Dance Remix) - David Bowie

My Comments: One of the best dance songs on the cd! Hell, it IS the best dance song, even though I don't like it too much. I never thought anything with David Bowie in it could be cool, and except for this one song, nothing can, anyway.

Rating: 9/10

Fire - Scooter

My Comments: One of Scooter's best songs OF ALL TIME! Even though every one of the Hacker's songs are great party tracks, this is the one that IS THE BEST. If the Bowie remix doesn't get people dancing, this'll get them jumping, and if they don't in any way positively respond to this song, they're dead. Notice: If you like this song, go get all of Scooter cds.

Rating: 10/10

Narcotic Influence 2 - Empirion

My Comments: Incredible. Possibly my favorite song on the cd. This has a cool, smooth lasting appeal that truly does border on the edge of having a narcotic effect on one. Although not EVERYONE will like this song, many will, but some may find it a bit boring. My friend said,"It's like a boring version of the Firestarter remix, except without any climaxes." Well, both songs are done by the same artist, Empirion (The Firestarter remix is really nothing like the original song!), and admittedly, although it is nothing bad, alot of his songs are alike

Rating: 10/10

Remember - BT

My Comments: I guess every song on this cd wins one sort of award or another, and this wins for MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG. It is entrancing, heart-felt and driven by incredible female lyrics. Some, (only those with immature music tastes) may find this unnappealing and mellow, (I even did at first!) but I beg to differ! This song is fast paced with tons of electronic elements in it, and BT is (in my opinion) the best electronic artist to blend female vocals with electronica. This is a perfect song.

Rating: 10/10

Go - Moby

My Comments: What can I say? It's a great dance song, nothing spectacular or remarkable, but nothing bad about the song, either. I'm not the biggest Moby fan, and I enjoy a lot of his music, and this is one of the party tracks that he's most well known for. (Next to. . . Bodyrock, perhaps.)

Rating: 9/10

Inspection (Check One) - Leftfield

My Comments: This wins the coolest song on the cd award. Combining heavy bass and head-nodding rythm with brilliant electronic aspects, something which Leftfield does best. This is, IMO, Leftfield's best song they have ever made. In FACT, this is my second favorite hip hop sort of techno that I've ever listened to (Smartbomb, by BT, my number #1)

Rating: 9.5

Cherry Pie - Underworld

My Comments: What can I say? It's Underworld, and this is the only place (I think) where you can get this masterpiece. It doesn't, in any way, change or redefine Underworld's image, only refines it, definetely one of my favorite songs by them. Not everyone will like this song, as many don't prefer Underworld's kind of electronica.

Rating: 9.5

To Be Loved (Disco Citizens R-D Edit) - Luce Drayton

My Comments: I don't know who the hell Drayon is, but it's still a pretty good song (I'd hate to hear the original version!!). Actually, it still gets a really high rating, but is probaly the least best song on the cd, the female vocals and entire song being enshadowed by BT's massive Remember track. If you like this song, you'll like Remember alot more. That's all I can say.

Rating: 8.5/10

Speed Freak (Moby Remix) - Orbital

My Comments: Definetely the fastest, wildest song on the soundtrack. There is no other techno song like this, by anyone. (Except, of course, for the original song. If you like this, you'll like Moby, but you still might not like much of Orbital's stuff. (I didn't like In Sides, although Middle of Nowhere was one of my favorites). My friend thinks this song is freaking awesome, and it is.

Rating: 10/10

Get Ready To Bounce(Radio Attack) - Brooklyn Bounce

My Comments: What the hell is a "radio attack"? I guess they mean "radio edit", but anyway, it's still a great song, keeping up the pace near the end of the cd. My friend and I call it the "Kool-aid" song, because it sounds like the song off a koolaid commercial. (Although this song came out, like four years before the commercial, so we should be calling the koolaid commercial the brooklyn bounce commerical!)

Rating: 9/10

Offshore (Disco Citizens Edit) - Chicane

My Comments: An entrancing, soothing song which was smartly left for the near-end of the cd. Incredibly beautiful, almost as beautiful as Remember. (Even though the two songs are NOTHING alike!) Although surprisingly short, even shorter than most pop songs, which I thought was odd, I still loved it, and still do love it, although I not crazy over it like most of the other songs.

Rating: 10/10

Original - Leftfield

My Comments: At once haunting and beautiful, with the dreary, smooth female lyrics making the song a definite legend. That's about all I can say about this brilliant track. Listen to it yourself, and you'll find out why it's so good. Maybe that is because no other electronic sounds anything like it. . .

Rating: 10/10

Overall/Average Rating: 9.5

The Best Songs: Firestarter Mix, Fire, Narcotic Influence 2, Remember, Original
The Worst Songs: To Be Loved

Best Song: Firestarter (Empirion Mix) - Prodigy
Worst Song: To Be Loved (Disco Citizens R-D Edit) - Luce Drayton

Highest Score: 10/10
Lowest Score: 8.5/10

Great Soundtrack - if you like Techno
I love techno, so I really got into this Album. The mix is excellent, and it makes great music for a party. But if you don't like hard-core techno like Prodigy, you probably won't enjoy this album. Warning: if you play this in the car, you're likely to drive 15 miles over the speed limit! :)

It's all good
Even if you didn't like the movie (which i thought rocked) get this sound track, it is the heart and soul of what techno is, or should be. With mdern techno gods like leftfield, org & orbital, you will not be disapointed. upbeat and in theme with the hackers movie you'll find yourself wanting to dance through most tracks on the album. The best track on the album in my opinion being track no. 2 Toxygene by Orb, which is twisted and powerful. GET IT! GET IT! GET IT! is all i can really say i personally believe you will not be disapointed regardless of your musical tastes anyone can appreciate it. cheers all

the reason I'm hooked on techno
my brother gave this CD to me because he thought it was a crummy gift that he didn't want. so did I, until I actually listened to it. now both of us are scouring the stores for anything new in the world of techno. anytime someone asks me what the heck I'm doing listening to "that junk" I lend them this CD. it shows them the brilliant variety that's out there. the only downside of converting my friends to techno is that I have to hassle them to death to ever get this CD back! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

old scoll break beat album
This is one of florida's best old school break beat cd's ever made.If you like funky breaks, then you'll go crazy if if you buy this cd!It has all the best artists ever:FRICTION AND SPICE, TONY FALINE, FUNKLAB A.K. MIKE AND CHARLIE. just listen to the samples and you'll be hooked! ... Read more

Album Description

Thievery Corporation, David Byrne, Zap Mama and Le Tigre are some of the artists remixed by DJ Madson on this eclectic soundtrack album for the movie "The God Who Wasn't There."

Brian Flemming's controversial film provokes strong emotions in the viewer with its no-holds-barred exploration of faith. "Jesus didn't exist" is just a beginning for this groundbreaking, sacred-cow-exploding movie, which is sure to leave many viewers shaken and reaching for what's left of the tethers of their religious belief.

And they shouldn't look to this soundtrack for much comfort. The chilling "I Don't Wanna Wait" evokes the paranoia of the "Rapture-ready" crowd that is memorably lampooned in Flemming's movie. David Byrne's refrain in "Is This The Real Thing?" only reminds one of the doubt the movie so effectively plants in the viewer. But there are some humorous breaks. Ritualistic percussion and verbal nonsense propel "A Way Cuddy Dis 3000" (which remixes Thievery Corporation and Zap Mama). And just try to keep a straight face while listening to "The God Who Wasn't There"--a techno re-imagining of the saccharine "Footprints" story found in Christian bathrooms everywhere.

As compelling, stirring and fun as the movie on which it is based, "The God Who Wasn't There" is that rare soundtrack that both stands on its own and extends the experience of the film. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Think while you work
I sat there wondering how I could be relaxed by music at the same time it was making me think. It allows me to enter a mystical trance world while I kept focusing on the work in front of me. Hearing David Byrne brought back memories of the good ol' eighties. As does the bass riff from Another Bites the dust on Ten Turntables and a Slide Trombone - always a favourite with a die hard Queen fan. The remixing is brilliant. It takes you on a journey from historical times (Blood Sacrifice Ritual) to the heart of Africa (A Way Cuddy Dis 3000) to modern fundamentalist raving (I Don't Wanna Wait) out to Sagan's Cosmos (A Cosmic Error) and all the way to the brief history of our Universe (The God Who Wasn't There).
A great compliment to the film.

Fantastic Soundtrack from a Fantastic Film!
Just saw this movie at its premiere in San Francisco, and I have to say I was blown away! Easily the best film of 2005.
A "Bowling for Columbine" for Christianity -one of the bravest, most mind-blowing, outrageous and funniest films I have ever seen. Run, don't walk, to see it, and bring your Christian friends with you! And the soundtrack is every bit as amazing, too: David Byrne, Thievery Corp., Zap Mama, and many more. DJ Madson has done a kick-ass job on this debut album.

Thought Provoking...
I'm not really what you would call a techno fan, but this has to be one of the finest CDs I've listened to in quite some time! Not only is the music first-class, but also the message behind each song is extremely thought provoking (expecially - "The God Who Wasn't There"). I can't wait until the release of the forthcoming DVD! Highly recommended, definitely worth the money.

Wouldn't Know It's a Soundtrack...
This CD is exceptional. I put it on yesterday, and started some schoolwork, and I was still at the same place in my studies when the CD finished playing. The lyrics are extremely thought provoking, and they refuse to let your mind wonder from the speakers. Most soundtracks are boring and have little in common with the movies, but this is great, and follows exactly like the trailer. I can't wait untill June sixth!

Nice blend of techo and new age
Crossing the borders of pure techno and pure new age, this music has the best of both. The spiritual component is also faintly visible but the music when imagine with the movie trailer makes a effect of where the story is leading us. In short, the sound track creates a visual perception of how the film would be. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One word: ESSENTIAL
If you are a "Househead", in particular, a person partial to the New York, electic style of house, this CD is one of the best things since sliced bread. Even if you aren't a househead, this CD just might make you one. :)

I have four volumes of the Body and Soul Mixes and none of them have let me down.

Highly recommended. Francois K. Joe Clausell and others bring their best. Absolutely fabulous.

Takes me back to Club Vinyl and Body & Soul.
I just want to say that I'm a true NY househead out of my element in Florida. When I saw the Body and Soul Vol. 1 CD, I snatched it up so quickly that the case got whiplash! This cd had me on fire when I first heard it and I haven't put it down since. For those familiar with Francois K., Danny Krivit and Joe Clausell of New Yorks club Vinyl and Body & Soul, this CD takes you there! I sing the praises of "Escravos De Jo" because you can just about pull any cultural dance step to the beginning sequence and when the beat drops.......a whole wave of emotions travels through your body like a Florida wildfire! You cannot sit and listen to "Desire" without feeling as though you gotta sing it with the same ferocity! That gets you open while "The Prayer" simply releases you. I can actually bounce the lyrics off my tongue as if I wrote the prayer myself.

There is nothing like being at Body & Soul or Vinyl in NYC and since I can't get there readily, Body and Soul Vol. 1 takes me there spiritually! If you are a true househead, this has to be in your collection. I can compare the feeling that this cd generates with that of Byron Stingily's "the Purist" and Joe Clausell's CD (forgot the name). I'm digging it! I'm feeling it! You gotta get it. Truly Vibin'!

Look out for Vol. 2!!!!!!

Simply incredible house music mix
Without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite house mixes. Legendary DJ/producer Francois K and the rest of the NYC Body & Soul crew replicate their Sunday afternoon parties with this mix. Deep, deep, tracks highlighted by: Fonda Rae's vocals in the funky "Living in Ecstasy"; Mood II Swing's treatment of "Being Single"; Roy Ayer's vibraphonic improvisation in "Dangerous Vibes"; Masters at Work incredible production of "Desire"; and the awesome gospel-house stylings on the Kenny Bobien and Voices (K.O.T. remix) tracks. Personal experience: I had the chance to hear one of the Body & Soul DJ's live at Atlanta's Nomenclature Musuem in May of '98. It was close to 100 degrees in the club and the crowd was in a dancing frenzy all night long -- clapping, yelling, whistling, sweating, pumping, singing, and simply getting down. You could almost see the happy vibe shimmering from people's faces and the euphoric energy from the dancefloor hit like a wave. In my mind, that night is what house music is all about. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This compilation draws together musicians who incorporate traditional Indian music into modern styles. The emphasis is heavy on the U.K.-based Asian Underground scene, which is oriented towards electronic dance music, and many of the familiar names are here, often remixing one another--Fun-Da-Mental, Transglobal Underground, Kingsuk Biswas (a.k.a. Bedouin Ascent), Talvin Singh, Banco de Gaia, and DJ Cheb i Sabbah. Most of the music from that camp is excellent and a nice introduction to their style. By contrast, Fila Brazillia and Bob Holroyd wobble the line between ambient and dull. One real eye-opener is State of Bengal's remix of the track "Delerium" by Toronto-based Ken Ramm's Euphoria.Euphoria's approach is studio-crafted music in the contemporary electronic style, but acoustic slide guitar is the primary sonic material. The other contributors from outside the U.K. dance scene are more of a mixed bag. Qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan appears in a piece from a collaboration with Michael Brook, but his forays into modern sounds always conveyed a lot less of the ecstatic qualities of music than his more traditional records. Shankar's trademark Indian jazz fusion closes the CD and should appeal to fans of his style. --Bob Bannister ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Warning! This CD is Hypnotic!!
Do not attempt to listen to while operating heavy machinery. This music will [take] you in and make you forget about anything else you might be doing. ... Every track will catch your ear and make you wanna dance or just float away. Try listening to Track #1 (Fun-Da-Mental) and not move some or all parts of your body. It's impossible. The singer sounds like David Byrne in another language and it's completely addictive. Elsewhere, the Fila Brazilia track goes on for 10 minutes and doesn't become monotonous or allow you to lose interest. A great song for drifting off to sleep with (you'll be lucky to still be awake by the end of it). The great thing about this compilation is that now I want to get all the other great ones (Latin, Arabian, African, etc.).

decent NewAge/World Music collection....HOS fans will enjoy.
I checked this CD out from my local library and have
enjoyed listening to it very much...you feel especially
transformed listening to this CD in a darkened room
with only candles for illumination and with a waft
of incense in the air...sort of a Postmodern update on
the Indian influences that slipped into
60s-era Western popular music and culture.

I think the title is a little misleading, since most of the music seems to be Indian/Pakistani-derived...to rightfully claim all Asia for itself, the CD would need more contributions from
the musical traditions of other Asian countries...China,
Japan, Thailand, etc. But still, the CD is a worthy addition
to the collection of any World-Music fan or NewAge listener.

It's reminiscent of a lot of the things you will hear on
radio programs like the nationally syndicated "Hearts of Space"
or the Houston-produced show "Currents". I'm more of a Celtic music listener myself, but this was a pleasant diversion.

Essential World Fusion Sampler
Very few Americans are aware of the emerging genre of music called "world fusion." A quick primer: world fusion is the blending of traditional "third world" music with modern Western music. The genre is gaining considerable popularity in Europe but is still almost unknown in the USA. However, one American record label, Six Degress, has devoted itself to bringing world fusion to this country. Releasing albums from many of the world's greatest world fusion artists, Six Degrees also releases what it calls its Travel Series - compilation CDs of those world fusion artists.

Asian Travels is one of the best of the Travel Series. It is an all-star compilation of some incredible talent. It serves as a wonderful introduction to the world fusion genre, giving you sample songs from ten different artists. Most of the songs are off of Six Degrees releases.

The opening track is an extremely interesting song. "Ja Sha Taan" was originally recorded by Qawwali great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, then remixed by Fun Da Mental and in this album is further remixed by Transglobal Underground. So here we have a multi-layered song where too many cooks produce a better soup. Underneath it is a typical Qawwali song with vocals, handclaps and harmonium. But the remixers play with the vocals, add backbeats, speed up the tempo, add marvelous background vocals, and restructure the song making it a very effective high energy dance track.

"Kese Kese" is by DJ Cheb I Sabbah, a San Francisco club DJ who has fully embraced Indian music and incorporated it into his techno-trance music. Kese Kese is a melodic Indian song, beautifully sung with sitars ad tablas but with a distinctive Western club beat.

Kingsuk Biswas is from the Asian Underground movement in the London club scene and has worked with Talvin Singh. "Currents" is an ambient track with dreamy trance wails and synthesizers that provide a backdrop for an Indian-styled melody carried by drums. It is a wonderful example of how Indian percussion can blend with modern electronics. This is a `great song on the headphones in a darkened room - very trippy.

Najma is an Indian born singer who emigrated as a child to England where she has released some very beautiful albums of Indian classical and pop music. Here, her song "Ghoom Charakhana" is remixed by Talvin Singh. Singh adds a funked up tabla beat and synthpop electronics to Najma's exquisite vocals. There is an incredible breakbeat interlude in the last half of the song. One of Singh's best songs.

"Sweet Pain" is off of the acclaimed Real World release Star Rise, a compilation of remixes of Nurat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook's Night Song CD. Bangladeshi techno masters Joi turn the ballad Sweet Pain into a very nice dance tune, adding a hard beat without distorting the original feel of the song.

Euphoria's "Delerium" song is wonderfully remixed by State of Bengal. "Delerium" is a unique blend of ambient and slide guitar that sounds neuvo-Western. (Definitely check out the original Delerium CD) State of Bengal adds a marvelously constructed Indian beat to support Euphoria's electronics and guitar. A very pleasant remix.

Banco de Gaia is a British artist employing Spanish and other international themes to create some fabulous ambient and techno music. "Harvey and the Old Ones" begins softly with a heartbeat-like electronic hook. It adds musical themes one by one, drums, strings, then Indian vocal percussion. After a few minutes, a Spanish vocal begins that plays back in forth with the vocal percussion. The result is a happy, upbeat catchy tune.

True to its title, "Soft Music Under Stars" by Fila Brazilla is an extended ambient song. Very dreamy, like soft breezes, electronics and bass guitar lay down a bed of sound which is joined by sitar, bells, some interesting electronic beeps and peeps and eventually a maraca and snare drum. It is as exotic as it sounds but a very relaxing and uplifting tune. At ten minutes long, it fully explores its musical themes and interplay of the diverse instruments.

Bob Holroyd is creating a new synthesis of light jazz and space music. "A Different Space" is the title track form his latest album. Organ and lyra are joined by a tabla while a man recites Indian poetry interspersed with a mellow vocal chorus. It's beatnik space jazz and beautiful and jazzy. The songs concludes with a beautiful English-language poem praying that love and beauty will triumph over pain and sorrow.

Concluding the journey is "All for You" by Shankar - the same Shankar who once collaborated with Frank Zappa. The song is a soothing blend of jazz horns with guitar, 10-string violin and sax. Jeff Garbarek blows an inspired mournful sax solo that dialogues with the violin, A very beautiful way to conclude a marvelous album.

I think listening to Asian Travels will give you a new appreciation for new forms of music. I hope you give it a chance.

Great for Indian and Techno/Trance music lovers!
I picked up this CD at a sale, not expecting much and was thrilled by an entirely new peice of art! I'd never heard classical Indian music set to techno/trance beats before and loved it. Six Degrees did a great job of picking a range of styles for this new style of fusion. As both a Bharata Natyam dancer, and a lover of trance dancing and trance music, I found this CD to be a great mix of two things I love!!

lovin all over it
this was lent to me by a great friend - Ted, who has generously introduced me to the whole Six Degrees Collection. Looking forward to the rest of the smorgasboard of earful-orgasms Unfortunately.. I think i ruined the CD - could i have played it too much?.. so I had to buy two more....so I can return it to Ted in it's proper form.. ... Read more