Amazon.com

Does the world really need the glorious pop gems of Abba to be slavishly rerecorded by a bunch of Swedish teenagers? The answer in this case is no. The A*Teens alter the near-perfect disco anthems with only hints of more modern, high-tech tweaks. By staying true to the tunes, the A*Teens are really just a tribute band, lacking in any imagination, irony, or insight into how to introduce such songs as "Mamma Mia" and "Dancing Queen" to the next generation. Those familiar with Bjorn, Agnetha, Frida, and Benny, after all, are probably already familiar with Gold, which showcases most of these tracks and renders The Abba Generation redundant. And those who can't stomach the sugar-coated sprightliness of "Take a Chance on Me" wouldn't touch this tribute with an old platform shoe, anyway. Skip the substitutes and go for the original. --Heidi Sherman ... Read more

Reviews (121)

Awesome sugar- coated candy pop!
Yes A-Teens did not write these songs. Yes they are covers of Abba disco anthemns. So? The girls sing very well indeed and if you ask me the songs sound much better with their euro-dance sounds! Highly infectious dancefloor material here boys & gurls!

If you were Abba would'nt you be thrilled to bits to see your songs alive and well and given new life? I should think so! Of course the original Abba songs were great but they are a bit "soft" in this day and age. A-Teens hypes them up very well and brings these great songs in line with modern dance-music.

For those of you who sing in your cars, for those of you who like shameless candy-pop and for those of you who love to dance - get this CD and watch the sugar pour out of your speakers! You will not regret it!

Tracks like "Take a Chance on Me" will have you moving in no time! Enjoy. :)

awesome cd
The person who wrote the amazon review obviously does not know what he is talking about. Are you like me? I am 24 and i do not know any Abbba songs but Dancing QUeen. If you buy this album you will think they are all new songs. When i bought the Dancing Queens single i was kinda dissappointed cause it sounded the same. But after going to Spain this summer I heard other hits. Song of Abba that were new to me. And as a matter of fact they were great. The album is full of energy. SOunds like Ace of Base. They are really good and the songs sound new to me. so if you like dance music buy this cd, Songs like Mamma mia, gimme gimme gimme and take a chance on me are awesome. DO not pay that reviewer any mind. He is talking that they lack imagination... HELLO they are teenagers, they probably just tried out in auditiuon and got lucky, they obviously can sing and dance and they are making money do you go ateens

Nice breezy techno-renderings of Abba classics
Some people roll their eyes at any cover album, but this one manages to pull off the subject matter spectacularly, and in its own way.
Songs like "Mama Mia" and "Take A Chance On Me" are given a rousing turbo-treatment, while others like "One Of Us" and "Our Last Summer" are turned into fun Ace Of Base like tracks that bounce and flow in a carefree way.
The only track I did not care for was "Dancing Queen", which I feel was not quite up to par with the high standard set by the original version.
Please note that in no way am I saying this is better than the original brilliance of Abba, but that it is extremely fun in its own right.
Abba fans should really enjoy this.

Best Debut Ever!
The Abba Generation is the Cd that got to me to LOVE the A*TEENS. Before A*Teens, I was obsessed with Britney Spears. But after hearing Dancing Queen on MTV one day, it instantly became my favorite song. I went and bought their CD right away. And loved every single song on the CD.

I was never even close to being born when ABBA was around, but I have listened to some of their stuff and (being a huge fan of oldies) think the A*Teens rendition of these fabulaous pop songs are much better.

Amit, Marie, Dhani and Sara bring soemthing special to these songs that just make you want to listen to them over and over.

This Cd is perfect for a party, a dance or just to hang out in your bedroom and listen to. Every song is so perfect and infectuous. the A*Teens voices are spectacular. they definetley are perfect definiton to " a perfect group".

1. Mamma Mia: 5/5
2. Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie: 4/5
3. Super Trouper: 2/5 (only song Im not to fond of)
4. One Of Us: 5/5
5. Voulez Vouz: 5/5
6. S.O.S: 5/5
7. Dancing Queen: 5/5
8. Take A Chance On Me: 3/5
9. Lay All Your Love On Me: 5/5 (my fave song, tho not much people like this song)
10. Name Of The Game: 4/5
11: Our Last Summer: 5/5

I would definetley give this album two thumbs up and five stars. Great for little children, teenagers, adults trying to find their inner child, or just adults in general. If you want soemthing fun and leasy to listen to. Pick up the A*Teens : The Abba Generation. Or check out Teen Spirit, Pop Til You Drop, or the Imported New Arrival.

ABBA for the 21st Century.....
While no one can top ABBA, the A*Teens pay them great homage...and their first CD is pretty good! VOULEZ-VOUS is absoultely awesome....along with DANCING QUEEN and other songs....this CD is very enjoyable...and great to play as you are riding down the road on a nice summer day! I am glad, though, that the A*Teens did do some of their own songs on the CDs that follow this one. If you like how these Swedes sounds here, then definitely check out TEEN SPIRIT and POP 'TIL YOU DROP! You won't be disappointed. These guys (and girls) are very talented...and I am really looking forward to the next CD. Hope it comes soon! ... Read more

Album Description

Welsh trance DJ's 1999 offering. 26 tracks on 2 CDs, including 6 previously unreleased tracks, Medway- 'Ressurection EP', 'Sneaky Alien-'Bluestream',Narcotik -'Blue', Jark Prong-'Movin' Thru Your System', Lumin atus-'Hope' & Tilt-'I Dream'. Slimline double jewel case housed in a slipcase. 16 page booklet. ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Sasha amazes the listener with one of the best sets ever
I bought GU013: IBIZA by Sasha before I heard this San Francisco retrospective and believed wholeheartedly that nothing could approach the divine mixing and superb track selection of IBIZA. Boy was I wrong. Sasha's SAN FRANCISCO Global Underground retrospective is every bit as good as IBIZA, and it tends to reflect a live club performance better than the for-the-headphones design of IBIZA.

Opening with a sampled conversation with some half-insane street bums, the first disc moves into the quiet, sly groove that is stereotypical for the first CD of any GU release. Here, however, Sasha's mood-creation is so effective that I cannot pick out highlights, because he brings you into his world with his enchanting track selection.

Disc Two, however, is nothing short of explosive. Opening with another conversation with street bums, Sasha pounds the bass with Narcotik's "Blue" and lifts the listener to a new level of awareness with Illuminatus' "Hope." The highest point of the album is tracks 8-10, Paraglider's "Change Me" sandwiched between two Breeder tracks, the screaming "The Chain" and the epitome of trance "Twilo Thunder." When the bass suddenly falls away about 1/3 of the way through "Twilo Thunder" and there is nothing by spacey sounds in an immediate emotional blow, I'm always can appreciate why trance and progressive house form the best music on Earth. And why Sasha is without a doubt the best DJ on Earth.

GU009: SAN FRANCISCO. Sasha shines again. Get it now!

Sasha is God!
I'll tell you straight off, this is probably my favourite CD of all time! Although now over a year old, this CD still sounds as fresh and exciting as the day I bought it. Virtually every tune on this album was unheard of before its release, but each one has slowly become a classic over the last year or so. Sasha not only displays his awe-inspiring mixing talents but also sets a precedent by which all mix compilations should be judged. He shows that a great track needn't be an obvious one and this way of thinking has really pioneered the deep trance sound which is going to dominate the next 12 months. The highlight for me has to be the track 'Hale Bopp' by Der Dritte Raum, closely followed by the mind-blowing mix into Stoneproof's 'Everything's Not You'. If you enjoy this, check out all other Global Underground compilations. They really are the world's greatest series of mix CDs. Other DJs to look out for include John Digweed, Lee Burridge and Danny Howells.

It is 2004 and I still listen to it
Years later, and a fairly large House music collection built up with me since then, Sasha's GU San Fran is one of the compilations I still love listening to every now and then. Just love everything about it, what else can I say?

Incredible. A must-own.
Quite often, you see loads of hype around GU CDs (or, heck, almost any series of DJ mixes) because, for the most part, if the CD rocks, maintains it's pace, and is danceable, people will enjoy. I tend to think of myself as a more discerning dance music fan in that I prefer mixes and overall DJ performances to showcase more than just a repetitive beat but also a sense of passion for electronic music itself. I want to feel power and passion in the mix and a sense of stream-of-conciousness. Not just "here's another dance song hit played loudly." GU's San Francisco was heard by my ears just as I was about ready to never listen to another DJ mix ever again, having tired from the scene and loads of mediocre CDs. Sasha has done some hit-and-miss things, and I can't say I really enjoy a lot of his self-made material, but this particular mix is astounding, I don't give a crap if it WAS mixed by computer or what. (for the record, GU DJs always have input into the final CD..it isn't just randomly put together by some nobody) It restored my faith in good DJ compilations (and since then I've gone on to find some of the real gems in the GU series) and techno/dance music in general; that when you're in the mood for something very dancy and rhythmic, there IS stuff out there that's both visceral yet artistic and pays attention to the music itself, and not just a relentless beat. Hold this CD set on a pedestal for it is one of the best out there.

i'm a bit biased but....
i have to say, (as i was entering new preferences for my amazon account) i was looking through the recommendations that amazon pulled up for my friend sasha and the GU09 came up. it brings back such happy memories as this cd was a landmark and cornerstone all in one, as i am MANA (not the latin group, and i no longer produce under this name) and this comp. was a huge thing for me. i love the way sash has put each and every track together as a whole. i had seen him several times while he was working out the track listing in the clubs he played and when i heard the final edit i cried. i knew this was going to be a timeless classic, and almost 5 years later i still listen to this every now and again and it's like the first time i heard it, even if it must be the millionth time! i highly recommend this as a totally essential cd to get if you love any of the electronica genres, as this is how good music - no matter what its classed as - should sound like. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the moment Florida-raised, New York-based Jimmy Van M kicks off this superlative release with Mo Shic and Zeidan's "Night Stalker," the quality of this CD never dips. It's no surprise that John Digweed wanted Van M on the Bedrock project roster: no one else has this man's sense of spatial trance awareness. He brings a variety of flavors (not the least of which are some great core house elements) to the party, yet keeps things first class with a steady, smooth, and intoxicating ascent. For example, his own "Love Like Sleep (Dub)," which soaks house music in trance, glistens with retro electro as well. And when JVM wants to turn the mix all melancholy, he does so with the sweetness and light of Minimalistix's "Struggle for Pleasure," a pounding backbone that keeps things brisk and active as the emotions open up all around. It's obvious by the middle of the second disc that Van M is a huge fan of Underworld's approach to sound and arrangement. John Johnson's "London" has the mood and movement of a Dub No Bass with My Head Man classic, while Mandisco hits the autobahn at Underworldian speed with the smoky trance-pherics of "Mandisco (Original Mix)." Jimmy then throws in the relentless bouncing energy of Junkie XL's "Bon Voyage." Does it end on a fadeout or an ambient slow note? Not a chance, matey! Thermodee & Stratosphere's descriptively titled "Diminished Responsibility" makes one question why this wasn't a three-disc blessing. Indeed, Jimmy Van M has created a benchmark trance release. Novices and newbies will be instantly spoiled by the caliber of this collection while veterans will find it hard to disengage once the first track is spinning. This is the closest anyone has come to bringing the trance floor to living rooms worldwide. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Hypnotic Gem
JVM is one of the few DJ's that very often come to Mexico City and I've been a follower of his sets ever since he opened for Sasha back in 1999 (my first time). I remember his music mixing being amazing and that prompted me to attend his every gig... so far I have not been disappointed. This latest mix CD, a worthy successor to his Ministry of Sound disc (a really underrated gem), is a truly hypnotic progressive gem that doesn't let you down. Disc 1 is the best of the two: its subtle rhythm changes and hidden melodies make it a night out clubbing right into your living room... Prototype's "Control of sound" simply explodes right out your speakers switching the sound gear into progressive overdrive without the madness of cheesy trance... simply pulsating sounds and cascades of ambience that won't let you down. By the time you reach JVM's own "Love like sleep" your body asks for a dance floor. Disc 2 is also very good but I believe that the combination of two mixes of the INCREDIBLE "Janeiro" is a little too much; anyway, this disc is a little faster but it builds a little less on the fabulous ambience built on disc 1. HIghligths of this disc are Brancaccio & Asher's "Music don't stop" and Junkie XL's "Bon voyage". Overall the whole flow of this 2 disc resembles by 98% JVM's June 9th's presentation in Mexico City... that means it is a truly wonderful and must-get cd from the always-excellent Bedrock recordings. Put it on, relax, turn off the light and let JVM take you somewhere else...

jimmy crack corn and we sure do care
short version:

buy it right now.

listen to it, enshrine it, & make little animal sacrifices to it.

long version:

no doubt one of the best, if not the very best compilation of 01. jimmy van m, perhaps best known as squire and partner in crime to the dynamic duo of sasha & digweed, has long championed a style of dark, borderline tribal trance that sways between beat-ladden minimalism and melodic excess. much of the popularity he has acquired so far has been by proxy--most folks naturally associate him with his bedrock seniors. worse, his trance nation america effort in cooperation with another of east-coast's best djs, taylor, failed to garner and huge hubbub.

what pity.

i'm the last person in the world to deride digweed's impeccable beatmatching or sasha's subtlety, but van mulligam's unobstrusive mixing and splendid selection makes him my favorite of the three. yes, really. that good--and once we get to talking about the track selection, it gets even better.

cd 1 is a masterful exercise in subtle musical progression, from brooding and tribal to percussion-driven, chord-ladden funk and back to rolling, dark & dirty beats.

israel's hottest producing team, moshic & zeidan, open with a slow building, eerie gem--nightstalker--which blends into the echoing whispers of 'late night,' by floppy sounds. remixers du jour john creamer & stephane k contribute an appropriately dark remix of ecvm's 'circuit breaker,' and then we're off to funkbeatland: yum-yum's william borroughs-inspired 'heavy fluid' and prototype's 'control of sound' wind their way around splendid chords, aggressive percussion and vocal samples.

the disk peaks with blackwatch's incredible, deep and dreamy re-dub of barotek, steve porter's irresistibly kinetic remix of 'mothership' and tocharian's 'lacuna,' a melodic masterpiece with vocals sampled from the next track, a dub of jimmy van m's latest effort, 'love like sleep.' a much slowed-down version of minimalistix' 'struggle for pleasure' provides closer to one of the most gorgeous stretches of music ever to be mixed.

cd 2 deserves less analysis since it's not nearly as beautiful, or as innovative. john johnson's london is a forgettable introduction, sadly, but van m perks things up by prudently paying tribute to the most popular track of early 01, solid sessions' 'janiero,' featuring both the original and the saffron mix. the next track--the best of the cd, frankly, is MISLISTED as brancaccio & aisher's 'music don't stop'--i haven't the information on what it actually is, but i am quite familiar with work done by london's busiest producers and remixers, and this is not one of them.

from there on, only a scintillating dub of quivver's 'one last time' and junkie xl's 'bon voyage' offer reprieve from an otherwise standard progressive-fodder fare.

conclusion: though cd 2 slacks up in selection (though not mixing; the cd is obviously pro-tooled, not turntable mixed) bedrock 02 is a serious contender to the title of 01's best compilation. hurrah to jimmy and the good guys from the balance promotion group from providing us with another stunner.

Excellent first disc
This is a terrific double-disc which is very dark and might take a little getting used to. All the better, if it can touch a part of your ear which other DJ's have missed! This is too menacing to dance to and is better suited to late-night driving and relaxing. The first disc is definately stronger than the second, as other reviewers have noted. Don't expect any trancey highs - Jimmy's style is very dense jungle/house and less accessible.

Good Trance
This CD is veeeerrrry trancy. By that I mean, the selections are not meant for dancing, don't have highs and lows, and transitions are very smooth (the strongest aspect of this CD). At times you can't even tell when the current song ends and next song begins, which I think is talent that Jimmy Van M has mastered. The song selections are good and their genre falls somewhere between the 'dark' (downtempo) trance and progressive (electronic) trance. If you like this genre (like I do), then you'll enjoy this CD. Highly recommended!

Progressive, hypnotic and amazingly cool
I saw Jimmy Van M open up for Sasha and Digweed and was absolutely blown away with his set. It was one of, if not the best trance performances I've ever had the priveledge of listening to.

I bought this CD immediately afterwards and am happy to say that it captures what I saw live to a large extent. If you like progressive trance and want a good mix to groove to or just chill to, this one is highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Traces of trance's trippy trails can be found on Deep Dish's mix CD Yoshiesque, albeit slowed down to a more manageable BPM. The Washington, D.C.-based duo Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia and Sharam Yayebi display their distinctive sound (an odd amalgamation of trance, techno, and poppy house that is truly weird) on this two-disc set, featuring tracks from artists as diverse as Underworld (Rob Rives and Francois Kevorkian mix), Lo Fidelity Allstars, and N'Dea Davenport. Hints of the duo's early collaborations with epic house producer BT, a.k.a. Brian Transeau, are many--tracks extend themselves, stretching out their symphonic limbs over bumpy bass lines and pleasant, willowy vocals. But the key to Deep Dish is their overriding funky feel--something that is often sterilized out of typical trance or mainstream house. --Tricia Romano ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The future of House music
If you've never heard anything by Deep Dish before you really must buy this. If you have you've probably already got it.

It's sheer quality all the way through, deep driving basslines, thumping beats but never getting too hard and always keeping a continous groove throughout. This is how house music is meant to sound, tough but funky and it's what Deep Dish do best.

The mixing is faultless, the tunes are all classy but what really makes it a winner is the way Deep Dish structure it. It really is a "set" rather than a selection of tracks chucked together like some mix compilations and the more you listen to it the more it grows on you. To really appreciate it you have to listen to each CD in its entirity.

I've had this since last summer when I bought it in Ibiza after seing Deep Dish play at Pacha, and I can honestly say it's the best CD I own. Everyone I've played it to has gone out and bought it and I've yet to find someone who's heard it and hasn't thought it's amazing.

If you like quality house music this really is as good as it gets.

Big Bang for the buck euro style.
For the money you can't beat this nice, two, thick cd combo from Deep Dish. Both of these cd's are over 78 minutes each so you get a lot of music. Trust me, it's good music too. The sound of this double cd set is very euro, in fact if I weren't looking at the label right now, I'd swear this was a "Plastic City" cd. Both sets are very nice house mixes with a touch of trance. The house here is very synthetic and spacey sounding a lot like a cross between The Timewriter and BT. This isn't my first choice in house style but it makes for a very unique house sound that rocks pretty much from the beginning of cd 1 to the end of cd 2. The mixing and music selection is good, ranging from deep house to disco to trance, all the while maintaining a smooth house tempo. Cuts of choice are "Dep Lounge 2", "Here I Am", "Listen", and "Tall Stories" from CD1. "The N.Y. Experience", "Slid", and "Slippin' Into Darkness", rounds out CD2. Wanna rock to some psychedelic house beats for over two hours? Take these two cds and call me in the morning.

WOW!!!
This is like one of the best sets i have ever heard after hearing this set I wanted to say that Deep Dish could be the world's best but then again maybe its just me! I really dont know what to say but this is my kind of music! This cd is my best its up there with Hong Kong by Digweed even though the music is a bit different! I end up listening to the first disc more then second cause i guess it is more laid back and that is how i am laid back! The second disc is more hyped I lisin to it when i am in a very good mood thats when it works the best! I would recomend this set to anyone that likes house and pro house! So just lisin to the samples and buy the sets its a special one!!!

very smooth and very nice
Hi all!! Well I was at the record store the other day and I picked this bad boy up thinking I've gotta give this a try. I'm impressed. If you like house music you will like this. Compared with Tenaglia, Deep Dish tend to be more accessible with less of a tribal sound and more vocals. At first, I wasn't sure how much I would like this album because this clearly flashes back to some oldies such as Fluke 'Slid' and Culture Club's 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?' However, the mix does come off well.

Disc one starts of with Atmosfear and continues on with a great and eclectic set of classy house with a good measure of vocals done just right. For me, I like this best, because I feel that it takes the groove that has been built and extends it to new highs with the vocals. The only exception, is the 'Mohammad is Jesus' song which I philisophically disagree with as I am Christian. Mohammad is not Jesus. Jesus is God! Overall the disc is excellent and I give it 4.5 stars.

Disc two starts off great with the Lo-Fidelity All Stars but then stutters with track 2, 5, and 9. Overall, this disc doesn't flow as well as the first because it adds elements of the progressive house and old school trance that don't blend as well. After repeated listening, though, the effect is to really highlight the truly sensational tracks captured here. Overall 4.0 stars.

So if you like Deep Dish this is a true classic circa 1999 that won't dissapoint. Cheers and happy listening!! rock the vote;}

Beautifully mixed progressive house; with a dash of cheese
Look, this is really very classy progressive, upbeat, house, and they boys do it wonderfully. On the whole they manage to keep the mix fresh and lively, break it down, use vocals judiciously, and build it up and generally keep it interesting, compared to most house mixes. Deep Dish have a habit of emphasizing something completley hookey in the mix and pulling you in, rather than trying to keep it all there. In parts they get trancy on you too, particularly the last five tracks of CD 2, the parts I personally find most satisfying.

Disc one is actually quite soul musicish and vocal, even chill-outy in parts, CD 2 is the house and trance thump and thus quite different in feel.

Its all done expertly well, but vaguely unsatisfying, like going to a restaurant with a great reputation when the cook has an off night; or worse, ill Part of the problem is that the Dish can't help veering off into cluby cheesiness, nay, even disco stylings, as in track 1, CDI--right off the bat. It may sell well, but it prevents this CD rising to something more.

Another problem is the evennness of tempo, something that can plague house--in the interest of smooth beat transitons, the mix gets stuck in the same tempo, track after track. See, for example, tracks 2 through 6 on disc two, at low volume they merge together. Still when they do it well, they do it well, tracks 6-8 of CD-2 are classic mixes.

Still, the boys manage to freshen the tempo better than most, albetit not surpass the problem. Perhaps the Dish are trying to cover too many bases, and please too many people: some trance, some house, some techno pop, a little trash glam and even gay disco thrown in. The shifts in style can be annoying, deep and dark one minute, glam house the next.

But it still gets 3.5 for the sheer style in which they attempt it. A tip: this might work as background music for your party, as its suitably upbeat and varied. Sadly, Deep Dish Moscow went further into "Club Fromage" albeit on a beautifylly displayed cheese plate, is it were. The best to date remains Yoshiesque 2, go buy that first. ... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Another entry in the dance crossover race, ATB's (otherwise known as DJ Andre Tanneberger) music has always run on the easy-to-swallow side of the dance-music spectrum. Still, this double CD (especially the first disc) occasionally veers into easy-listening boredom or outright dance-pop cheese. While his best-known songs have been energetic and fiery (such as the 1999 party-starter 9 P.M.), this album only sporadically finds the trance-like wash of beats and melody that truly compel the masses to take the dance floor with gusto. Not that it's all like that, of course. The amazing "Hypnotic Beach" swirls twisting, mesmerizing, happy hardcore glitter around trance techno beat structures with gleeful abandon. ATB also explores a memorable downbeat vibe on the second disc. On "Timeless" he trots out drum & bass rhythms and a shadier mood that deepen the sound just right. Too often, though, the melodies and beats blur together as ATB pieces identical samples together throughout the record to a point beyond dance-floor continuity. Heavy on collaborations with the likes of Heather Nova, Enigma, and the Canadian rock band Wild Strawberries, this record is clearly ATB's attempt at a mass-market breakthrough. Let's hope that his supporting tour will feature a riskier mix amidst the candy-coated beats and samples. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (33)

ATB ----All the Better
I never heard of Andre Taneberger (until I purchased this cd on a curious whim) but was more interested in the collaborations on this effort with more well known artists such as Enigma and Heather Nova...It's Just a shame that he did not collaborate more with Michael Cretu of Enigma !

But what I did get for my money is a second disc that contains some pretty heavy ethereal and catchy ambiance or "mood" music. Just listen to the dream like and laxed beauty of Enigmatic Encounter (with Enigma);it's a beautifully haunting piece !The rest of the tracks for disc 2 follow much in the same vein (either slow to mid dance tempos).

As for the first disc, many reviewers have touted it as a let down and citing that the whole thing is just one big boring blend of trance and techno mush music...Well, for one thing, that's the whole idea for a trance-dance projecet like this if it is going to be used properly for dee-jaying purposes and dancing at a club;All tracks have to flow smoothly into one another so the dancing at a techno club is non-stop ! That is what probably gives the first disc the impression that there is not that much variety or variation. There really is, though...

ATB's music is somewhat of an acquired taste for 2 reasons. 1. is that this is a German export artist where the Germans are known for being or rather creating some of the most mesmerizing "electronic music" at the forefront (Kraftwerk, Enigma, Sandra). 2. If you are not a club going faithful or just not into electronica you will not like this type or genre unless you open your mind and want to venture into something different !

Better and better!
First of all, I want to notice, that this second album - "Two Worlds" consists of 2CD, that speaks on Andre's talent and grown professionalism. First CD features mostly trance, dance trakcs. Some of them are really superb, such as "The Summer" or "See U Again". What am I saying, - all of them! But more I like his second CD, which features mellow, calming, slowly tracks. That's great! I love these trakcs for their trance and calming effect. It is worthed to listen, especially "The Summer (Ibiza Influence Version)" and "First Love" - they're really wonderful! I know and heard of almost all of ATB works: from his SQ-1 and remixes till his last album. I assure you will not be dissapointed by listening these last traks, which continue to reveal Andre's talent. In conclusion want to say, that I adore and admire ATB music, the guy, who makes an excellent tracks, sounds and remixes, who made the revolution in the international dance scene. I wish him more success and luck...

Two Worlds
Two Worlds~ Atb is one good euro dance album. The text is a bit stupid but then again good vocals and beat are more important for this kind of music.

Another world andother sound
First of all i would like to comment on all those that has been saying that this is a weak and boring album that it's not. ATB do sound diffrent from his first, here the majority of the songs are slow and not like "9PM" but they are less commercial too. Most songs are passioned with beautiful melodies, there surely are way to many songs included but there are loads of wonderful songs there. "The fields of love" "Engrossing Moments" and "The summer" are exellent and his "Let you go" with Wild Strawberries is not bad either, they are all superb relax songs. The great Heather Nova (2 songs) and Enigma are also feautured here, the result is a sensual and beautuful dance album. "Klagwent" is more of a electro song, "Timeless" is a mix of drums&bass and dance, like "Cabana Moon" on "Addicted to music" and the songs with Heathee Nova includes vocals obviously, so all songs are not slow relax songs but occasional fans that only liked the commercial "9pm" and simular songs should stay away from this cause it's diffrent from "Movin Melodies" that's not a bad thing though.

ATB'S SSSSSIIIIIIIIIICCCCCKKKKKK
This tape, along with all of ATB's other tapes are sick!!! You can't stop this guy!! COME TO THE 808 STATE SOON PLEASE!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

IT"S OK.....................
I wasn't really impressed with CD. I may have been expecting something else. The redo of "REACHING FOR THE SKY" although good but did not go with the theme of the album, but most compilation CDs are that way.
The beats will hold your attention and the music flow is good, in spite of the track that I have forementioned.

Soulful Gospel Stomp
I play it to work, I play it at home,I play it to church and I even played one track in church between services just to see the 'so called saved" stomp their feet and shake their heads.... reminicing... Hallelujah It is uplifting and groovy. I can Priase God everywhere with this CD. No complains just SATISFACTION!

As Good as the first one.
An excellent compilation, in my opinion, that is. The tracks are very appropriate and the music is simply uplifting. Get this album. ... Read more

Album Description

System Recordings is proud to present Renaissance’s brand new 2xCD mix compilation ‘ALiVE’, from fast-rising UK DJ/producer, James Zabiela.

James’ career has been meteoric to say the least. After winning Muzik Magazine’s Bedroom Bedlam competition in 2000, he went on to win the award for Best Bedroom Bedlam DJ at The Muzik Awards one year later. Quickly snapped up by Sasha’s Excession booking agency a few weeks later, James has spent the last several years traveling the world performing to sold-out crowds alongside the likes of Sasha and John Digweed, Deep Dish and Danny Tenaglia.

Teaming up with Renaissance and System to deliver ‘ALiVE’, the latest mix compilation from the UK’s premiere clubbing authority, James Zabiela proves why this young stars’ accolades have been well deserved. Knowing what a great track should sound like and the places it can be taken by manipulating and working it for maximum dancefloor impact is James Zabiela’s forte. Layering different sounds with the aid of two Pioneer CDJ1000s, an FX unit and a pair of trusty Technics 1210 Turntables, James’ hands and ears don’t let up for a second, leading the listener on a breathtaking musical journey over the course of ‘ALiVE’s’ two discs.

Renaissance is synonymous with groundbreaking artwork and top-flight music, and ‘ALiVE’ carries on in the fine tradition with cutting edge music and rich graphics. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the scene's best-known trance DJs, along with fellow Brit DJ Sasha, John Digweed continues his winning streak with this collection of sleek, beat-driven beauty. Working off a diverse set of obscure originals, Digweed burrows his way into one's subconscious, slipping in subdued rhythms and day-dreamy thematic elements with skillful grace. He has a patient ear for incorporating transitions between songs, and an uncommonly light touch. Even when the melodies drift away and the drum machines start to overwhelm, there's always a compelling pulse. Disc 2's "CC16," for example, is mercilessly danceable, yet Digweed cleverly employs a simple, sustained note that offsets the tension, offering friendly reassurance as it hangs delicately over the dance floor. Often working with Sasha on such standout trance collections as Global Underground 003: San Francisco, this record establishes Digweed as the light to Sasha's darker musical colorings. There's an almost obsessive insistence on flow, with mellow, languid phrases morphing into fleshed-out songs, then suddenly pulling back again in a barely noticed evolution. The album starts the process early on the Underworld-like opening track, "Listen," pulling off the trick with a silky progression into Tiny Trendies' "The Sky Is Not Crying." From there, the entire CD unfolds with a lazy elegance, like a cat stretching after a long nap, giving further nuance to Digweed's reputation as a stellar mixologist. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (70)

a lot better than others say
i've seen a couple of other people putting this record down and saying that it doesn't live up to their expectations after digger's GU's and Northern Exposure sets, but i get the feeling they're missing the point of this set.

this record is one that attempts to capture the mood and vibe of digweed's decade-old "bedrock" night at the london club heaven. what digger's trying to do here is evoke the mood of a wednesday nite party in merry old england. disc 1 is a house vocal mix, highlighted with a screaming remix of bpt's "moody", two great dub mixes of morel's stomping "true", and even gets a bit into that early 90's techno feel with jondi & spesh's "we are connected".

disc 2 finds digger journeying into more familiar landscapes, spinning a great mix of progressive trance. while the mood and tempo of this are a little slower than one would expect, it still makes a great statement with pob & taylor's "ba ba" and of course sandra collin's anthem "flutterby". voyager contributes a pounding with "time travel", and slacker really is as hot a group as word on the streets says.

the point is, you can't listen to this set with comparisons in mind. you have to just put yourself into that moment, imagining yourself on the dancefloor surrounded by hundreds of other writhing bodies. that's why this mix was made, and that's how it should be listened to.

So good it hurts
I'm not the first person who has said this but let it be known that John Digweed is a genius. Very few DJ's have the ability to seamlessly fuse unique sounds into one compulsive mix, yet he has done this to perfection on the album "Bedrock". Blending sensuous vocals with pulsing break-beats on a variety of tracks, the sound is both wide-ranging and hypnotic. On this disc you will find grooves that not only move the body but never tire after repeated listens. Disc One builds the momentum using alluring mid-tempo beats and progressions starting with Raff n' Freddy's "Listen" and flowing into Tiny Trendies "The Sky is not Crying". Things start to pick up with C12's wacky drug anthem "Judy" (One of the best tracks on the disc). CD Two intensifies the pace with the jumping "Salina" by Escape and Slacker's incredible "Flying". The disc closes with Bedrock's banging "Heaven Scent". This is a very special album that can be played during the day or at night. It will make you realize that beautiful music can come from the most unexpected places.

Where did John go?
Before I say what I am sad to say, I love John Digweed. There's this thing he does with crowds that no other dj I know of, does. He has this way of manipulating you into a progressive oceanic state, but with unexpected and insanely welcome punches!! One moment you're traveling fast and steady, thinking he could wind everyone down (and that would be ok), but right then he hits you hard over the head with crashing energy that sends you to the moon and back... you know you're back on the ground when you hear the whole place cheering. This CD set is not that. There are one or two places that make your head bob, but overall it lacks energy. It's also creepy, dark, and depressing. I've tried listening to it several times, hoping it was just my mood, but each time I ended up feeling like I had PMS. This is definitely not one of my favorites.

great compilation!!!
This is yet another example as to why Digweed is considered one of the best. this cd flows great with a great selection of songs. It also includes "Heaven scent", the club anthem made by Digweed himself with his friend Nick Muir. To me I like the second CD better it's alittle more dark. This CD is a great selection to add to your collection if you enjoy trance, and if you like Digweed it's a must have!! Enjoy

dated dance beats
I notice most of the 5-star reviewers posted in 2000. I don't think these sets have aged very well, unlike, say GU Sydney or Expeditions done with Sasha. This is a bit too dancey and not enough trancey for my taste, if that makes any sense. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ultimate Dance?
There are several items about this CD that I wish to praise: 1) It is chock-full of Dance Remixes that were previously unavailable to a Dance Deprived U.S. public. 2) The cover does not indicate that the mixes contained herein are not the played-out radio versions, but rather vastly superior club remixes; thus "tricking" unsuspecting tasteless masses into purchasing some very good music! 3) The track selection is pretty good, with two noteable exceptions... Missy's "Get Ur Freak On" and Busta's "Pass The Courvoisier" are two songs that are hopelessly worthless. Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama" and Janet's "All For You" are two of Thunderpuss' best remixes of late, Enrique Iglesias' "Escape" gets the royal treatment from His Dance Highness Giorgio Moroder, and Angie Stone and Deborah Cox have their songs kicked up a notch by remix god Hex Hector. Perhaps the most pleasant suprise is the stunningly beautiful Metro Remix of Luther Vandross' "I'd Rather." All in all, I'm pleased with my $$$ investment.

Great for a Good Workout
This is a FUN CD. I love dance music but rarely get to go out to clubs. With this CD I can bring the club to my car, my gym, my house...you get the picture. While I wasn't crazy about all the mixes (Enrique Iglesias, Janet Jackson), the majority were very good to excellent. I even discovered some new songs! My faves: Mary J, Alicia Keys, Lamya, Andrea Brown.
I'm always looking for good dance compilations with good mixes of recognizable songs. This one delivers!

This CD is Hot!
I love this CD -- every song is fun & oh so dance worthy! I highly recommend it. This CD is great because the people who made it took the best songs from 2001 & 2002 & added a funky dance vibe to each song.

Ewww! This is a disaster!
Now that singles are virtually unavailable in the American market, labels are spewing out hits compilations at a speed that is absolutely startling. Some of these discs are better than others, but this one is amongst the worst offenders. I can close my eyes and imagine the focus group that came up with this album at their weekly meeting: "Let's round up some of the tackiest, most overplayed mainstream dance hits and cram them into an album. Sure, these songs have appeared on other compilations, but since we're marketing to 14-year-old suburban teens, they'll still lap this one up!" The biggest misfire is the housed-up "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy Elliot. Memo to DJs: you can't remix this single! This version here basically siphons the raw sexiness that made the original so appealing. Big mistake. Likewise with their version of Busta Rhymes. Elsewhere, we see countless other singles that we've heard a zillion times before: "Absolutely Not" by Deborah Cox, "All for You" by Janet Jackson, and we're treated to "One More Time" by Daft Punk. There's nothing wrong with these singles. In fact I love all of them. The problem is that this collection doesn't dig deep enough for gems that may have slipped past the radar screen. Instead, they shoot for the obvious. Fans who don't get out much and want a cheat-sheet to dance may be pleased with this. But the discriminating dance music lover won't help but cringe.

Because!
This Is Ultimate Dance is cool beacause George W.Bush said so! ... Read more

Album Details

Includes all her Hits and More... ... Read more

Reviews (39)

a stunning debut, a classic album
a brief but detailed review of "land of the living" by kristine w:

a truly classic album in every sense of the word, kristine's voice simply shines...but never goes into hideous histrionics (a la mariah). the production (led by rollo from faithless) is flawless and progressive, combining elements of jazz, trip hop and trance but keeping it all very club worthy, in fact this kind of music transcends the dancefloor...its a great driving record, an upbeat exercise album, and just an all around excellent collection of songs that flow seamlessly together.

01 breathe : the best track on an amazing album...starting slowly and dramatic and eventually exploding into a short lived beat fest...this song sets the tone for the entire album...dark, jazzy and moody dance electronic soul.

02 land of the living : the first anthem of this album, the title track works as a brisk and tight dance track, with kristine unfolding a delicate and somber story of alienation, but with a ultimately happy heart. moving.

03 love song : picture kristine w in a futuristic strip club...not a sleazy affair but very slick and slow grinding. a great track.

04 let me in : disco reborn. subtle latin rhythms and percussion move this track along a brisk pace and kristine evolves into a modern day donna summer.

05 feel what you want : a true highlight and the climax of the album. starts off with a trancey opening of chord progression and then moves into strictly dancefloor fun.

06 prairie day : an interlude into the next track it's a brief and slower version of one more try.

07 one more try : probably the worst track on the album, but still light years ahead of the pack. it just sounds too damn formulaic, too much like everyday dance anthems for this album. not that thats a horrible thing, but it just doesnt seem as intelligent as the rest of the album.

08 sweet mercy me : back into the groove of "love song" . kristine, tells a pretty tale of loving someone no matter what...imagine motown meets tricky through faithless, a highlight of the album.

09 don't wanna think : starts off with a run of the mill dance beat as kritine's voice literally stops the show...moves progressively into above average production for a dance number. excellent.

10 jazzin : worth it alone to hear kristine belt out "and a little cocaine" a song about the decadence of celebrity, it's a great end to a remarkable album.

a few things stand out as you listen to the album...warm strings, real, rich pianos, and kristines ever brilliant soulful voice.

short and sweet, Land of the Living is a testament to intelligent dance music. i highly recommend this album to everyone. period. a modern day classic.

Simply Put--A Classic
Kristine Weitz's debut LAND OF THE LIVING not only secured her a string of huge club hits, but announced her as not only the finest vocalist to ever(yes, I said EVER) come out of the dance arena, but also one of the strongest vocalist of any popular genre to emerge in the last decade. Club denizens who loved such house anthems as 'Feel What You Want' and 'One More Try' got more where that came from here, expertly working not only house stompers('Let Me In','Don't Wanna Think')and electronic ballads('Love Song','Sweet Mercy Me') but throwing in a jazz-inspired club jam('Jazzin'). Vocally, she's simply in a league all by her lonesome--I enjoy Celine and Whitney(histrionics and all)as much as the next person, but this woman digs down DEEP for every single verse that she throws out--comparisons to such soul-drenched divas as Aretha or Chaka Khan would not be hypocritical or sacreligious here. This record, and the artist herself, is simply one of the finest things of any musical genre to come out of the nineties.

Atmospheric Dance
In 1996 producers Rob D and Rollo with vocal talent Kristine W reminded everyone, in the music business, what dance music should be. I don't mind listening to inane dance music, say if I were in a club and had a couple of drinks....but Kristine adds a whole new element to dance.

Words that come to my head when listening to this album:
Heart
Soul
Emotion
Strength
Pride
Faith
Affection
Longing
Deep
Blue

Good enough to re-purchase!
I originally bought the cd back when it first came out, and fell in love with the cd. I love Kristine. I also bought her second cd and just purchased her newest cd. I went back through my collection to play Land of The Living because it is my favorite of all three... "what? ... where the $&#(*$&#n is it?" I lost the friggin cd!!! so what did i do? I bought another copy. It is one of my favorite cd's of all time.... i couldnt go without my Kristine W!!.... well worth the money. A must have for anyones collection.

Amazing
Kristine W's Land Of The Living is by far the most amazing album I have ever purchased. Kristine is one of those amazing white singers that could easily be mistaken for a black woman if you only heard her voice and never saw her face (a la Lisa Stansfield). Standout tracks for me include:

"Land Of The Living" - the song starts off like that in a cabaret bar and then proceeds into full-on house, and her throaty vocals are amazing.

"Love Song" - one of the very few love songs where love and sex are both present.

"Let Me In" - again her vocals blew me away. I love the latin percussion on this track.

"Feel What You Want" - it starts off with eerie trance chord progression and then shfts into a house song

"Prairie Day" - the prelude to "One More Try". It was so beautiful, it should have been its own song.

"Don't Wanna Think" - as soon as the beat comes in, you can tell that the song is going to rock. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A smoother, steamier slice of house techno, this installment of the Northern Exposure series is a soft and sexy continuous mix that cruises comfortably in the fast lane without offering any standout moments of delirious excitement. Centering themselves firmly in the desert-trance arena, Sasha and Digweed opt for dreamy over direct every time. LSG's "Netherworld," Taucher's "Waters," and the William Orbit and Spooky mix of Sven Vath's "An Accident in Paradise" are all choice moments to get lost in, while Humate's "3.2" is a warm and cozy chunk of ambient techno. Overall, this edition of Northern Exposure is not the most essential member of the collection, but it does provide more than enough fluid trance-techno moments to satisfy dedicated fans. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Deep, soulful, and still stylish, one of the best NE's.
While NORTHERN EXPOSURE II: West Coast Edition may not have the instant thrill and "gee-whiz" factor of the nature-sounding, vocal-heavy East Coast Edition, in the long haul it is one of the best Northern Exposure releases.

Opening slowly with a meandering track by Cyngus, West Coast Edition wanders for a bit over an eclectic array of deep trance. With Humate's "3.2", however, the album shifts into high gear, driving through Sven Vath's "An Accident in Paradise" and The Light's "Panfried" with no sign of easing on the funk. The climax of the album is LSG's "Netherworld (Jules Verne mix)", an epic track that gives one pause to reflect on the sadness of trance's demise.

What is most remarkable about West Coast Edition is how little it has dated in the four (!) years since its release. Although the East Coast Edition's eco-beats and trippy synths sound incredibly passe, West Coast Edition's deep and heavy soundscapes are not too far from today's progressive house. In fact, there are many parts of West Coast Edition which sound like they were mixed recently, especially Sven Vath's track.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE II: West Coast Edition, after the first NORTHERN EXPOSURE, is perhaps Sasha and Digweed's most recommendable collaboration. Check it out.

Please, Mr. Digweed, get to the point!
The smooth, calm, but most of all somnolent sound of this CD can easily put ANYONE to sleep! Although I am used to hearing trance music without lyrics, this amassment of songs makes up possibly one of the most boring CDs I own. Every song seems to have a build up to the next, and once the music ends, there is a big void. Many people do not like lyrics in any dance song, however, with words not in play, the CD lacks a hook that keeps the listener attentive - thus, peaceful sleep if listening at night. Many of the songs also feel dated with a pinch of tedium ... perhaps instead of this CD, a Sasha + John Digweed fan may enjoy Communicate, a CD with more distinct songs.

Simply amazing
They are incredible artists. I find this mix to be similar to a live set I heard in '98 or '99. It is vintage Sasha and Digweed. It builds up so beautifully and hits "Netherworld" by LSG, which is the climax track. Although, the remainder is great. Very tight mixing where you don't know where one track ends and one begins. They are masters at slowly introducing one to another. I haven't found an electronic artist with their style and this mix is indicative of that uniqueness. I am definitely going to buy the others after listening to this one.

Amazing
Way back when mixing was still mixing. thank god that this art is coming back!!!

great & deep mix from the masters
One of the best mixes from S&D. The only one that's better is probably the East Coast mix. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

BEST DANCE CD IN THE WORLD!!
I bought this album because a friend of mine is a huge dance fan and plays Louie Devito CDs all the time. I only got it for the one song (L'Italiano) that they play all the time on the radio but the rest of the CD is amazing. It is not like a regular dance mix where the songs are so obscure that you don't even know them. It is 2 CDs worth of cool songs that are playing in the clubs and are remixed so that everyone will want to own it. I definitely recommend this CD to dance fans but also people who aren't fans of dance music will enjoy this CD too. If I had to sum up this Cd in one phrase: "IT IS A FUNKY, SEXY CD THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO OWN!!!"

Louie Devito Doesn't Dissapoint with his latest Mix!
This latest double cd is the fifth installment of Louie Devito's popular "N.Y.C. Underground Party" series. First off, the mixing is excellent and Louie cranks up the bpm's on a number of songs to give them that extra punch. Disc One consists of house, progressive and tribal oriented tracks. The first five songs are the best of the bunch with Reina's latest "No One's Gonna Change You", and Narcotic Thrust's "Safe From Harm" being my favorites. The rest of disc one focuses on tribal and progressive songs, such as "Wonderland" by The Psychedelic Waltons, "The Crowd Song" by Rhythm Gangsta and "Goin' Thru It" by Jonathan Peters which are excellent. Track fourteen which isn't listed (at least on my copy) is a short "NYC Underground Party Vol. 5 Megamix" of songs contained on disc one . Disc Two starts out with some popular trance songs such as Lasgo's "Alone", Marc Et Claude's smash "Tremble", 4 Strings "Take Me Away (Into The Night)"and DJ Encore featuring Engelica's "Walking In The Sky", etc. More great songs on the second disc are "Trippin'" by Oris Jay Presents Delsena, and "Addicted To Bass" by Puretone. Again as in the first disc there's another short megamix of all the songs contained on disc 2 courtesy of Bad Boy Bill. Louie Devito doesn't dissapoint with his latest mix. Highly recommended!

The only cd you will ever need
This has to be one of the best dance mixes ever put out. It has a great variety from my favorite track "It just won't do" from Tim deluxe to the hard core "goin thru'it" from Johnny P. This set was all it took to turn my girlfriend from a nasty country fan to a big dance lover. Of course im not saying louie devito is a genious but he has awesome taste and comes up with the best mixes I've ever listened to.

4.5/5 AINT SO BAD EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO LOUIE
I admit, this cd is not Louie's best, but this cd is definitely not as awful as everyone makes it seem. You read the reviews on here and you would think this is Bob Denver's greatest hits remixed into club anthems. From my experience, the more you listen to this voulme, the more it grows on you. I at first thought disc 2 sucked, but then I listened to the whole thing when I was stuck in major traffic after work, and it's not that bad. It has a good mix of decent songs, some that you actually find yourself moving too as they go on. Disc 1 is pretty good, especially with the songs "In Your Eyes", "No One is Gonna Change You", "At the End", and my sleeper pick "Wonderland". I would recommend this cd to anyone who wants a club fix for songs that were out in late 2002.

Those who can't produce - license.
Louie Devito [stinks]. He can't produce his own music so he has to make money licensing and compiling others. As far as his mixes go, let's hope those software manufacturers keep those auto-beat mixing programs in good supply! ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the success of Erik Truffaz, Nils Petter Molvaer, and St. Germain, the epicenter of the acid jazz/funk scene moves fluidly between the European continent and London, home of Incognito. The genre's roots are inextricably linked to Incognito, a huge amalgamation of musicians led by composer and guitarist Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick. The band's rabid devotees will no doubt use this 13-song compilation as an Incognito primer for potential converts, particularly pointing to the back-to-back inclusion of their three biggest hits--"Everyday," "Deep Waters," and "Spellbound and Speechless"--which convey perfectly their layers of funk, jazz, and r&b vocal harmonies to the uninitiated. Several special remixes make this best-of important to the knowledgeable hard core who can't get enough of Incognito's vocalists--Maysa, Jocelyn Brown, and Pamela Anderson--including one with Stevie Wonder playing harmonica on Bluey's punched-up version of "Change," and mix-master David Morales's take on Ronnie Laws's "Always There." Much more important to Bluey's army of American fans is the very last track--a rowdy version of "Talkin' Loud." Finally, there is a live Incognito album, Last Night in Tokyo: Incognito Live, available as an import. --Mark Ruffin ... Read more

Reviews (8)

maysa
I wanted to know the name and cd for a song that has some of these words. GOING OUT OF MY HEAD. and where I can get it in detroit.

Should get 6 stars
Fantastic, both vocal and backing. We run a guest house in Australia and play a lot of great music but the one we get the most enquiries as to what we are playing and can I give them details so they can get a copy is "Best of Incognito" great music and those girls sure sing up a storm.

The Best Record They Never Made!
I have always been a big fan of Incognito. I love the horn, funk, soul sound and this band was always a cool mixture of old and newer more cutting edge sounds. My only problem always was that each individual album wasn't strong from start to finish. The band's musicianship always outpaced the songwriting I guess.

Here is a best case example of why labels should put out the "greatest" hits packages. This is the best album Incognito never made :) get it - you won't be disappointed here

DEFINITELY!!
Have always been a HUGE Incognito fan. This collection is simply fabulous, even though i think they should've added more tracks from their releases between 1992-1996. But then again, i still think this compilation is worth every penny.

it can't get better then this!
real great sounds, perfect harmony, hard to get better

Congratulations to that band ... Read more

Amazon.com

A thriving band of experienced groove tradesman led by Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams, Liquid Soul meld hardcore funk, hip-hop, R&B, and what was once called acid-jazz into a steaming potpourri of modern dance music. The band consistently embrace new, turntable-infested rhythm collisions and old bop classics with equal enthusiasm. A guest scat by fellow Chicago bohemian Kurt Elling on "Salt Peanuts" works well and leaves the door open for further jazz expansions. Using sanctioned samples of elder musical statesman as well as sweet soul ballads to pace their wet-and-wild house party, Liquid Soul unite bebop and hip-hop for a vigorous, butt-shaking affair. This band goes beyond acid-jazz and gets back to the old-school funk at the same time. Fun. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Smoking Jazz
Although this album has been out for 4 years now, I had to write a review. This is one of the best acid jazz albums around. Rarely is an album able to capture the energy of a band that "hits" live. But this album is as close to seeing Liquid Soul is concert as you can get without seeing them at the Double Door on Sundays. These guys deserve all of the accolades they get. They work hard at what they do and it shows in every note.

MAD HARDCORE COOLNESS. Not often does a band sound SO good.
This CD by Liquid Soul IS exactly aas Acid Jazz should sound, for those of you who have never heard of Acid Jazz, it is a style of Jazz deeply rooted in improvisation, while giving a more dancable, funky grove. This second offering by Liquid Soul is even better than the first.

Salt Peanuts, Salt Peanuts!
I have had the pleasure of watching and meeting Liquid Soul at the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO. They put on one of the best shows and really kept the crowd hyped. Excellent versitility in fusing Jazz, Funk and Rap. The horns section would do the Horny Horns proud. If you ever get the chance to see the Liquid Soul in concert, make it priority! You won't be disappointed.

This CD will really get a PARTY STARTED
This band will spice up a party with a lot of funk. It makes people want to get up and dance. I am telling you, it's a lot of FUN!!

Excellent, Funky, Danceable Acid Jazz
I happily discovered this album by accident at the Borders in Chicago back in the summer of '98 and it has since become one of the more favorite offbeat albums in my collection. The music is at once funky, energetic, bouncy, and plain out fun. "Salty Peanuts/Chocolate Covered Nut" and "Cabbage Roll" are both upbeat and fun songs that show that rhyming (adequately handled by the Dirty MF on MC duty) can go quite well with a jazzy beat. There are also some great slowed down R&Bish tracks like "I Want You To Want Me", which is probably the best track on the album. Overall, this is a unique sound that any jazz fan should enjoy. ... Read more

Album Description

Aussie edition of the electronica/dance star's 2003 albumfeatures exclusive artwork. 13 tracks including 'SimplyBeing Loved (Somnambulist)'. Festival/Mushroom Records. ... Read more

Reviews (319)

Sonically Astounding
as a longtime BT fan, its been quite interesting to watch his evolution from decent trance artist to full blown production superstar. this cd marks a true crossroads for him, and while those who are looking for a hard trance album will certainly be disappointed, i think anybody else will be pleasantly surprised.

the one trademark of BT that i like the most is his absolutely meticulous approach to music. that has never been as apparent as on this cd. he builds every synth and atmosphere from scratch (one synth line in this album took him 3 days!), and every nuance contributes something to the whole of the piece. the guests on this disc are a little surprising (rose mcgowan, some dude from nsync) but their contributions are a little generic and neither add nor subtract from the sound. this album is very textually based, with lots of acoustic instruments to pair with BTs electronic experimentation. i could see how the hyper futuristic production could not be for everyone...its still very dance-oriented, but more in a popsong format than trance. those fans that liked BT's "satellite" will love this album. finally, you've got to love the guy for thanking in his liner notes the thugs who threw him in his friend's trunk at gunpoint and robbed his studio during the making of this album.
buy it you wont be disappointed

Another Multi-Genre Masterpiece!
BT once again has brought us something that chooses to expand our horizon and expectations with current electronic music. In this album, as with MISL, BT writes many songs that just can't be pinned down into a single subgenre - some containing either an eclectic sound or others just inventing new genres in themselves. However, if that doesn't do it for you, I guess the best way to describe the stuff you'll encounter would be a mix of trance (since, after all, BT was one of the pioneers of that particular subgenre), breakbeat, 80's rock, progressive, and acoustic rock songs. Yeah - it is quite the variety and you wonder how in the hell it will come together, oh, but it does come together EXTREMELY well due to BT's long history of classical music training (since the age of 4) and his expertise in programming and digital audio. My song recommendations would be Knowledge of Self (very similiar to MISL's Mad Skillz Mic-Chekka), Paris (a semi-trippy progressive style track), Last Moment of Clarity (Has a lot of roots in BT's ESCM days), and Dark Heart is Dawning (Similiar to MISL's satellite, but more emotional). This is a great CD and I would recommend it to anyone!

Emotional Technology
Every electronic fan knows that BT is almost indisputably the finest producer in electronic music today. It is his love and his obsession and that comes across in every thing that he does. On the original UK version of Movement in Still Life, BT unleashed a truly incredible track in Satellite as an outro to the album. It featured tricked out guitar, electronics, organic percussion, and BT's very own singing. Now... after an amazing album exploding with deep trance, house, sick new school breakbeats, and some of the best production ever recorded, Satellite's eclecticism was like a breeze of fresh air.

Enter Emotional Technology, or as I like to call it Satellite 2. Sure he has the breakbeat/rap number and the dance tracks (a few of which are decent), but any listener can plainly tell BT's focus on this album is on these disgusting regurgitations of Satellite. He croons and he woos the ladies with his deep thoughtfulness and obscure rants. However, he is not Justin Timberlake or John Mayer and the result is... well frankly, embarassing. Throw all of these songs away and we are left with a handful of dance tracks and a breakz diddy.

Knowledge of Self is a pretty phat song to throw on in the car and drive fast to. I was ecstatic when I saw that Guru was being featured on the track, but was expecting him to spit a verse, which he never really does. I couldn't help but think this was a less exciting rehash of Smartbomb. As for the trance tracks, the music would be extremely impressive minus the vocals (which render nearly every track on here unlistenable.) The exception and the highlight of the album is The Great Escape. The vocals grate a bit on the nerves after repeated listens, but are used sparsely. BT really goes to town on this track and occasionally you will find yourself actually wondering if what you just heard actually happened and how anyone could produce such sounds. This is the BT I know and love, sappy love songs are not.

BT should follow this album with an "Ooops" and get back to a sound that he helped invent instead of trying to run with the 'poppers'.

emotional tranceology
i don't see what the negative fuss is about. no doubt BT is still the mastermind in his genre of music. though he has become more experimental from his earlier works of Ima and ESCM, he is getting better and more composed with his sounds. although i would like to hear more trance instrumentals, i still think that this cd is good. i have been a long time fan of BT and got hooked to all other trance artists since then. his music just brings you into a realm of relaxation and comfort from all your troubles. Force of Gravity is a song that really stands out on this record. really great loops and effects and overall really well sung by JC Chasez. i absolutely dislike boy bands but his vocals really set a deep mood for the song. anyway, don't doubt this record, if you are a long time fan of BT or you just heard about BT from scores or some random commercial, i suggest you dish out a few bucks to listen to this cd. put it in relax and enjoy. if you are new to his sound also definently check out his older collections from Ima Escm and also the R&R and 10 Years in the Life.

Another masterpiece...
Artist like BT come into the world with such understanding of what music is, it's kind of scary. BT has never been shy towards his production techniques or abilities and in Emotional Technology he let loose. This record is filled with those excellent glitches and bumps he has made so famous, rounded out by an all-star team of collaborators. Rose McGowan, JC Chasez and Jan Johnston make an appearance in Emotional Technology. Almost all the songs in the record are a downtown club's dream. Songs like "Superfabulous", "Somnambulist" and "Knowledge of Self" deliver steady and energetic sounds that fill up the air, while the more chilled-out tracks like "Dark Heart Dawning" and "Animals" show a different side of Brian Transeau. With Emotional Technology BT has created an effective, polished, fun and engaging record that lives up to the artist we have come to know as BT. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wallpaper music let down by the stars
Modern lounge, sonic wallpaper, downtempo, middle tempo music (according to the CD) whatever you want to call it, OM Records excels at releasing it. A quick look at the artists on this comp- Thievery Corporation, Jazzanova, Mark Farina, Julius Papp, to name a few - should make it a no-brainer pick-up. But not so, they actually have the mediocre songs that clog up the disc.

Most the tracks use a similar formula: lazy beats, vocal snippets, strings, and dashes of funk on top. When the artists add to this with clever sounds and more intricate production it works. Freakniks' "Slow Roll 77" is what you are hoping to hear, an autumn-cool track of layered percussion, stereo samples, catchy loops and effects. "Nothing Can Pull Us Apart" dips into the vinyl vault for gentle pieces of rhythm and a powdery beat, the sound of stargazing. J Boogie's Dubtronic Science's "Oceanic Lullaby" takes strings, a Japanese koto (?), and even some Rakim samples for another winner.

But it's the bigger names that let this down. Reliable Thievery Corporation are disappointingly bland, and like Jazzanova's contribution, use an annoying vocal to mar the tune. Mark Farina and Julius Papp are decent, but they've done better. The remaining tracks range from decent filler to low blood sugar funk jamming.

This is respectable, with a few sublime tracks, but those looking to see what OM has to offer should get OM Lounge 2, a more varied and exciting collection.

AMAZING COMPILATION
I could listen to this CD a thousand times (getting there) and not be tired of it. A perfect mix of mid-tempo tunes. The whole damn OM Lounge series in amazing (vols. I - III). This is coming from someone who owns about twenty "chill out" type CDs. The OM lounge series tops my list, but Serve Chilled from Hed Kandi is great, too, as are the Cafe Del Mars. Happy hunting!

Relaxing and yet sexy...
I'm ordering this CD today after hearing it only once, that's how impressed I was. A bunch of very talented jazz artists got together and set a groove that reminds me of Erykah Badu.

A must have....
Damn near the greatest compilation cd ever! OM Lounge is a must have ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Music Sounds Better with You," with its infectious horn samples, groove-laden bass hooks, and a lusty Benjamin Diamond vocal slowed to a crawl, quickly went from a 1998 Winter Music Conference hit in Miami to a prime mover of dance floors everywhere, becoming one of the biggest selling house singles of all time. Masterminded by Thomas Bangalter, one half of Daft Punk, the song's a sinful pleasure. Repetition rules the record, with no verse or bridge, only a chorus ("Ooooh, baby, I feel like music sounds better with you," sung by Diamond) to propel the song. Sprinkle a little Stardust and voilà, you have a dance-music classic. --Tricia Romano ... Read more

Reviews (58)

This is what good music is made of
Ok folks. Most singles you buy, you listen to them for, say, 1-2 weeks tops, then they go on the shelf for awhile. And after listening to them 3 times in a row, you are sick of them. Not Stardust. This song simply kicks @$$. There's so much music and so many subtle changes in the tunes that I have yet to put it in my rack. I've had it about a month and a half and still listen to it for extended periods of time on a regular basis. And even though it's the same song over and over, it don't matter. It's just one of those songs you can't get tired of. Any if you've had good experiences with it on the dance floor, more power to ya. If you go to clubs, you know it, if you don't, check it out -- it's a genuine rarity

By far, the best House - filter disco track ever made
A note to those who have heard this song: I am disappointed that this CD is not more widely available to us that are eager to buy it. Funny that the label doesn't stock more. as it would sell like crazy don't you think?

I was reading a UK magazine called MUZIK that had an article called "The 10 most Influential Dance Tracks Ever" and they cited Daft Punk's "Da Funk" as spawning the whole filter disco movement within House music (disco is the founder of House like it or not).

MUZIK also listed 3 tunes that wouldn't exist without "Da Funk" and at the top of the list was Stardust "Music Sounds Better With You". I have been a long time fan of House, and Daft Punk so I found the song and immediately fell in love with it. I was singing it over and over at work and at home and driving my friends nuts making them listen to it!

So, like everyone said here in their reviews of the tune, it completely rocks no matter how you slice it and there are lot's of other re-mixes available in the form of Stardust Vs. category if you look hard enough (like Madonna's Holiday, Modjo's Lady, Armand Van Helden's You Don't Even Know Me, and a Nightcrawlers Push The Feeling On.

Also a DJ asked "Why isn't it available on wax"? Well, it is. Just look a little harder. I wish that the reviewers would site more songs that have an infectious groove like this song does, as I have been completely obsessed with finding similar artists & songs, but as one review said, it was the House song of the Millennium, so not much can compare with it.

I definitely recommend Armand Van Helden's "You Don't Even Know Me" and "10 Min of Funk" (a cool spin on Daft Punk's "Da Funk").
Also check out the Stardust vs Madonna's Holiday.

There is NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD NOT OWN THIS SONG IF YOU LIKE HOUSE MUSIC! Just do it, and enjoy!

Great
This isnt my favourite song but it is one of my favs. I am obsessed with Daft Punk and the first time I heard this song I new it was one of Thomas Bangalter masterful tunes. I highly recomend getting your hands on this CD it is great, you would be able to really get into this CD if u can highly respect and appreciate Toms work like I do also Mr Braxe and Mr Diamond do an excellent job in this CD, So just buy it.

LOVE this song!
I first heard this song while dancing at a nightclub a while back and immediately fell in love with its vibe. I then wondered what the name of the song was, and it sure stayed on my mind for the longest time. I would always hope to hear it again so that I could catch on to the lyrics and buy it. I love Benjamin's voice, it sounds so sexy and seductive. Everytime I dance to it, it makes me feel like I am at a happenin' disco in Las Vegas or something, maybe Studio 54. This song is a must on everyone's A-list!

Pure Listening Pleasure!!!
Imaging yourself, right there on Ibiza, dancing on the sand and the warm water touching your feets...This is what this song is about and no matter how old this trully masterpiece is, everytime that you'll listen to this "you're going to dance", believe me. It just get better and better. The best French House disco filtered song. Mr Bangalter + Mr Diamond + Mr Braxe , what else could you expect from this electronic genious?. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Featuring the A-list talents of Derrick Carter and Mark Farina, Live at Om is just what you'd expect; premium house music mixed with skill and infused with party-driving momentum. Both DJs have been given room to display their talents, with each getting a full disc's worth of live mixes recorded on Valentine's Day, 2004. Farina shelves the Mushroom Jazz he's known for as well as the lighter, more ambient textures of his Air Farina, and goes straight for bread-and-butter Chicago beats. Carter's set is dirtier; you can feel the sweat start dripping from the ceiling the minute his needle drops. If there's anything wrong with this collection, it's an absence of surprises. Carter and Farina are adventurous veterans, capable of taking their crowds pretty much anywhere, but they seem content not to stretch. Having said that, if you can't get enough of that famously funky house from the shores of Lake Michigan, you'll have a tough time finding it served up with this much style and confidence anywhere else. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more