Excuse me if I over use the word "classic" in this review, but
to be honest, from reading the back of the compilation it looks like
exactly what it says on the tin.. "Classics In The House".
Disc one kicks off with Ultra Nate's "Free", and yes, while
this is a classic, there is only so many times you can hear this song - but despite this hiccup at the start, Patrice Rushden begins
improvements with his track "Haven't You Heard", the strings and horn
stabs taking the listener right back to the Saturday Night Fever
dancefloor. From this to tracks from Jamiroquai and En Vogue will keep
the listener dancing away. And I dare you not to start rapping the first
few bars of Rappers Delight when you hear THAT Chic - "Good Times"
bassline. The pace continues up to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" which
has been given a Big Beat treatment with a One Rascal remix. The end of
the mix begins with Kim Syms classic "Too Blind To See It" which will
bring one of the biggest grins to your face.
Starting off in a different vein to disc one, we start off with
Bob Sinclair's "Rock This Remix", the thick bassline bouncing through
the speakers, mixing into Paul Johnson's classic "Get Get Down. Next,
the mix goes back to the soulful, disco sounds of Chaka Khan, one for
the ladies (and maybe some of the men) to dance around their handbags,
"I'm Every Woman" guaranteed floor filler! The cd moves on to a more
deep sound from this including tracks from DJ Gomi, Ruffneck &
Yavahn and Todd Terry before we get hit, once again, with the
classics.. Armand Van Helden, New Order (Blue Monday Original 12" Mix,
there is no other choice!) and Deee-Lite. With Deee-Lite setting the
pace, we get funky basslines, full string workouts and electro blips
and beeps from Martin Solveig, Funkerman and the mighty Soul Central to
name a few which brings the mix out on a high.
The final mix of the compilation see Moloko opening with that
classic of the summer of 1999 "The Time is now" followed by Everything
But The Girls "Missing". Great start. This disc has more of straight up
house feel to it with tracks from Kings of Tomorrow, Blaze and Praise
Cats. Robin S changes things up for a hands in the air moments with
"Show Me Love", this track will have you copying that opening note when
singing in the shower no bets taken. And it doesn't stop there with
ATFC's "Bad Habit" and Gwen McRae's "Keep the Fire Burning". Then out
of nowhere, the pace changes with the daisy age hip hop sounds of De La
Soul and The Jungle Brothers. The mix closes on a much enjoyed latin
tip, taking you straight to Brazil with Michel Cleis, Junior Jack, and
The Heartists, perfect finish.
A compilation, though not for nor aimed at the die hard
clubber, where all dance music fans will be able to find something to
enjoy.
4.5/5
MrShed