2008 CD Reviews
Aaron Ross, Simon Dunmore, and ATFC - Defected In The House: Miami 08
Aaron Ross, Simon Dunmore, and ATFC - Defected In The House: Miami 08
Alpha - The Sky is Mine
Alpha - The Sky is Mine
Alphabeat - This is Alphabeat
Alphabeat - This is Alphabeat
Alyson - Hey You!
Alyson - Hey You!
Amp Fiddler and Sly & Robbie's 'Inspiration Information'
Ok, I’m not always the brightest bulb on the tree; I didn’t even know that Amp Fiddler was not the name of this new album by veteran rhythm section Rasta men Sly & Robbie, but instead a musical recording artist in his own right whose resume includes being part of George Clinton’s Parfliament/Funkadelic! (How would I know that, anyway?)
Ananda Project - Night Blossom (Fire Flower Revisited)
Ananda Project - Night Blossom (Fire Flower Revisited)
Anane - "Shake It"
Anane - "Shake It"
Andy Hunter - 'Colour' (Take 2)
Andy Hunter - Colour (Take 2)
Andy Hunter - Colour
Andy Hunter - Colour
Angie Stone - Baby (Remixes)
Angie Stone - Baby (Remixes)
Anthiliawaters – The Miles Without You
It's an outstanding debut. Anthiliawaters create a soundtrack which
they call a "breakfast theme tune," but to me it sounds more like
something to slow down to at night. Having said that, the clock
ticking sound in the first track might generate a few open eyes!!
Argy - Focus On: Argy
Argy - Focus On: Argy
Ari Gold - Where The Music Takes You
Ari Gold - Where The Music Takes You
Armin Van Buuren - Imagine
Armin Van Buuren - Imagine
Armin Van Buuren - Universal Religion 2008
Armin Van Buuren - Universal Religion 2008
Ashley Tisdale - He Said, She Said
Ashley Tisdale - He Said, She Said
Audioscape - Tranceform
Audioscape - Tranceform
Benny Benassi – 'Rock N' Rave'
Electro-house guru Benny Benassi (whose real name is Marco
Benassi) releases his solo follow-up to 2003's Hypnotica. His debut
was a commercial dance breakthrough success due to his overwhelmingly
popular and nigh-iconic vocoder-voice summer hit, "Satisfaction." Who
*doesn't* love that song? (Don't get back to me on that one). His
work continued with cousin Alle Benassi on both Benassi Bros. albums,
Pumphonia, and …Phobia.
Billie Ray Martin - Undisco Me
Billie Ray Martin - Undisco Me
Bimbo Jones - And I Try
Bimbo Jones - And I Try
Bimbo Jones - Harlem 1 Stop
Bimbo Jones - Harlem 1 Stop
Blue Man Group - Canta Conmigo
Known more for their shiny bald blue heads than for being staples of
the dance floor, Blue Man Group have been intriguing concertgoers all
over the world for many years now with their unique musical stylings.
They are dipping their collective toes back in the waters of the club
scene with remixes of their song "Canta Conmigo." The group actually
had a hit on the charts a couple of years back with a stellar remake
of the disco classic "I Feel Love."
Bob Sinclar – Live at the Playboy Mansion
Bob Sinclar – Live at the Playboy Mansion
Bomb the Bass - Future Chaos
Bomb the Bass - Future Chaos
Booty Luv - Boogie 2 Nite
Booty Luv - Boogie 2 Nite
Booty Luv - Shine
Booty Luv - Shine
Britney Spears - 'Circus'
Britney Spears has a decade of musical debauchery behind her.
From her simple beginnings as the class slut ("...Baby One More Time")
to submissive video maven ("I'm A Slave 4 U") to Madonna's bitch ("Me
Against the Music") to psychotic paparazzi favorite ("Piece of Me"),
Ms. Spears has led a humble legacy.
Calvin Harris - "The Girls" (Remixes)
Calvin Harris - "The Girls" (Remixes)
Carl Craig - Sessions
Carl Craig - Sessions
Cascada - Perfect Day
Cascada - Perfect Day
Caspa & Rusko - FabricLive 37
Caspa & Rusko - FabricLive 37
Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood
Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood
Colton Ford - Tug of War
Colton Ford - Tug of War
Cyndi Lauper - "Same Ol' Story"
Cyndi Lauper - Same Ol' Story
Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya to the Brink
This album is practically littered with radio-friendly,
dancefloor-friendly, and headphone-friendly tracks that are not only
eager but willing to invade your mind at every stop. "High & Mighty,"
produced by dubster The Scumfrog, starts us off with a track that
sneaks up on you. The production is subtle electro with a hint of
folk rock, all the while with Lauper cooing and whispering some
interesting lyrics overtop.
D1 Music Presents Club Christmas 2 - Album review of D1 Music Presents Club Chr
D1 Music Presents Club Christmas 2 - Album review of D1 Music Presents Club Christmas 2
David Rodigan and Sting International - Kings of Reggae
David Rodigan and Sting International - Kings of Reggae
Defected In The House: Miami 08 (Take 2)
Defected In The House: Miami 08 (Take 2)
Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan - "Silence 2008"
Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan - Silence 2008
Dennis Ferrer - 'My World As They Remixed It'
Dennis Ferrer - My World As They Remixed It
Dimitri From Paris - The Return to The Playboy Mansion
Dimitri From Paris - The Return to The Playboy Mansion
DJ David Knapp and DJ Escape - Global Groove Live 3
DJ David Knapp and DJ Escape - Global Groove Live 3
DJ Jose - Turn the Lights Off
DJ Jose - Turn the Lights Off
DJ Rekha - Basement Bhangra
DJ Rekha - Basement Bhangra
DJ Russ Harris – Unsealed
DJ Russ Harris – Unsealed
Donna Summer - Crayons
Donna Summer - Crayons
Eddie Thoneick - "I Wanna Freak You"
Eddie Thoneick - I Wanna Freak You
Ella - Missing
Ella - Missing
Emilia Sosa - Rhythm of Life (Remixes)
Emilia Sosa - Rhythm of Life (Remixes)
Enur - 'Raggatronic'
If you don’t know where one of the most slammin’ anthems of the year 2007, “Calabria”, came from, well these guys are it. The brother-duo of Johannes Torpe and Rune “RK” Reilly Kolsch (how can they be “brothers” with such different stage names?) are Enur, and “Raggatronic”, their recently released first feature-length album, [Sequence/ARTI FARTI Records] is what we’re talkin’ bout, and this album IS a party so, “Let’s get things started/Now that you got me here/Lets go and act re-tarded/What’s it gonna be, gonna be?”
Erika Jayne - Stars
Erika Jayne - Stars
Evelyn DeMille - "All I Want For Christmas is You"
Evelyn DeMille's All I Want For Christmas is You - Review of All I Want For Christmas is You by Evelyn DeMillie
Ewan Pearson - Piece Work / Fabric 35
Ewan Pearson - Piece Work / Fabric 35
Fannypack - 'Ghetto Bootleg'
When I used to DJ a lot of parties, at some point during the night either I or my assistant would say into the mic (and I actually heard it on this album), “All the UGLY people in da house – make some Noiiise!” At which time the room would go mostly silent except for the music and the cadence of the bodies to the beat.
Fans of Jimmy Century - "Hot Sahara" / "Blonde Ambition" (Remixes)
Fans of Jimmy Century - Hot Sahara / Blonde Ambition (Remixes)
Fans of Jimmy Century - Twist of the Banshees
Fans of Jimmy Century - Twist of the Banshees
Fedde Le Grand - "Get This Feeling"
Fedde Le Grand - Get This Feeling
Fragma - "Toca's Miracle 2008"
Fragma - "Toca's Miracle 2008"
Fredrick Ford - Out Of The Dark
Fredrick Ford - Out Of The Dark
Funky Nassau – The Compass Point Story 1980-86
Funky Nassau – The Compass Point Story 1980-86
Gabriel & Dresden - Toolroom Knights
Gabriel & Dresden - Toolroom Knights
General Midi - Milton
General Midi - Milton
Goldfish - Perceptions of Pacha
Goldfish - Perceptions of Pacha
Goldfrapp - A&E (Remixes)
Goldfrapp - A&E (Remixes)
Groove Armada – Soundboy Rock
Groove Armada – Soundboy Rock
Groove State - Groove State
Groove State - Groove State
Guy J - 'Esperanza'
Put your thinking cap on for the pensive particulars of this electronic album that features a robot emcee. “Esperanza” by Tel Aviv’s own Guy J [Bedrock Records BEDGJ01], hopefully will allow positive ponderous gratification if nothing else.
Hector Fonseca – New York Club Anthems, Volume 3
Hector Fonseca – New York Club Anthems, Volume 3 - Album Review of New York Club Anthems by Hector Fonseca
Herbaliser - Same As It Never Was
Herbaliser - Same As It Never Was
Holiday and Christmas Music Wrapup
Are you ready to share the holidays with your loved ones but not sure which holiday music is right for you? Rather than relying on the old standards, why don't you mix it up a bit with electronic/dance versions of holiday music. We here at dancemusic.about.com have compiled the following wrapup of the different electronic holiday CDs that are in...
Holiday and Christmas Music Wrapup
Are you ready to share the holidays with your loved ones but not sure which holiday music is right for you? Rather than relying on the old standards, why don't you mix it up a bit with electronic/dance versions of holiday music. We here at dancemusic.about.com have compiled the following wrapup of the different electronic holiday CDs that are in stores and online now!
Ida Corr - One
Ida Corr - One
IIO – Rapture Reconstruction Platinum Edition
IIO – Rapture Reconstruction Platinum Edition
Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem
Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem
Jason Walker - Flexible
Jason Walker - Flexible
Jazzanova's 'Of All the Things'
There is not so much traditional Jazz in this nova as there is channeling Marvin Gaye. We write about Of All Things by the aggregation Jazzanova. “Look What You’re Doin’ To Me” opens this story of an album on a musical mission of enlightenment. It’s the first of two tracks that cast Phonte in the role of lead vocal.
Jesse Saunders - Feelin Me / Luv 2 Luv U
Jesse Saunders - Feelin Me / Luv 2 Luv U
Jessica Vale - Brand New Disease
Jessica Vale - Brand New Disease
John Bigbooty - The John Bigbooty EP
John Bigbooty - The John Bigbooty EP
Jonathan Peters featuring Katreese Barnes - "Alright"
Jonathan Peters featuring Katreese Barnes - Alright
Junkie XL featuring Lauren Rocket - "Cities in Dust" EP
Junkie XL featuring Lauren Rocket - Cities in Dust EP
Junkie XL – Booming Back At You
Junkie XL – Booming Back At You
Juvelen - 1
Juvelen - 1
Kamera - Lies
Kamera - Lies
Kandystand - Watch Out Here I Come
Kandystand - Watch Out Here I Come
Karen Danzig - China in Your Hands
Karen Danzig - China in Your Hands
Kaskade - 'Strobelite Seduction'
Kaskade - Strobelite Seduction
Kate Ryan - Alive
Kate Ryan - Alive
Kerli - 'Love is Dead'
She's from Estonia! E-S-T-O-N-I-A! And don't you forget it. This
makes her creepy, unpredictable, and prone to fits of musical
spontaneity. Despite her uncanny physical similarities to fellow
blonde rocker Avril Lavigne, newcomer Kerli has an earnest and raw
vulnerability to the truth of her music.
Kimberley Locke - Band of Gold (Take 2)
Kimberley Locke - Band of Gold (Take 2)
Kimberley Locke - Band of Gold
Kimberley Locke - Band of Gold
King Street Records - 15 Years of Paradise: 15 DJs Recap 15 Years
King Street Records - 15 Years of Paradise: 15 DJs Recap 15 Years
Klute - The Emperor's New Clothes
This D & B release makes for an excellent album that never gets
boring. Although there are hardly any vocals or crossover-styled
expeditions, Klute's newest release "The Emperor's New Clothes" finds
many ways to entertain. It features a broad array of sounds, beats,
and surprisingly well-crafted melodies. He definitely succeeded in
keeping up the high quality standard he set in his former "No One's
Listening Anymore."
KMFDM - Tohuvabohu
KMFDM - Tohuvabohu
Kool and the Gang - Number Ones
Kool and the Gang - Number Ones
Kraak & Smaak - 'Plastic People'
The Netherlands have bestowed upon us yet another creative gift in the musical personas of the band Kraak & Smaak and their recently released second album entitled Plastic People. They are not two people as their name implies, but at least a trio consisting of Mark Kneppers, Oscar De Jong and Wim Plug who have concocted a blend of soulful electronica and beats – some of which would fit nicely back in the mid-1980s break dance craze.
Kristine W - Hey Mr. Christmas
Kristine W's Hey Mr. Christmas - Review of Hey Mr. Christmas by Kristine W
Kristine W - The Boss
Kristine W - The Boss
Kylie Minogue - X
Kylie Minogue - X
Lady Gaga - 'The Fame'
Lady Gaga crept up on the modern music scene much like a stealthy
predator, sure of its prey's inability to sense or to predict it. She
let herself be seen a few times as an unassuming and docile beast,
something to be comfortable around. She even let herself be heard,
her calls and cries as far from threatening as possible.
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Layo & Bushwacka! - GU33: Rio de Janerio
Layo & Bushwacka! - GU33: Rio de Janerio
Leana - Feel Me
Leana - Feel Me
Louie Devito - Pacha New York
Louie Devito - Pacha New York
Lula - The Underground Sound of Portugal and Me
Lula - The Underground Sound of Portugal and Me
Madonna - Hard Candy
Madonna - Hard Candy
Manny Lehman - Move: Atlantis Dance 2008
Manny Lehman - Move: Atlantis Dance 2008
Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather – Stop Me
Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather – Stop Me
Michelle Williams - "We Break the Dawn" (Remixes)
Michelle Williams - "We Break the Dawn" (Remixes)
Michelle Williams - 'Unexpected'
Michelle Williams began her mainstream career as the single body
replacement of two members of Destiny's Child, becoming the third face
of the girl group that would embody chart-topping R&B for this
century. Williams' grainy voice provided a counterpoint to the honey
vocals of Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, and as such typically shone only
on the bridges. Then Destiny's Child went on hiatus, and all three
ladies went on to release solo albums.
Michelle Williams - 'Unexpected'
Michelle Williams began her mainstream career as the single body
replacement of two members of Destiny's Child, becoming the third face
of the girl group that would embody chart-topping R&B for this
century. Williams' grainy voice provided a counterpoint to the honey
vocals of Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, and as such typically shone only
on the bridges. Then Destiny's Child went on hiatus, and all three
ladies went on to release solo albums.
MightyREAL: Showstoppers
MightyREAL: Showstoppers
Mobbing – Rock the Dog
Mobbing – Rock the Dog
Moby - Last Night
Moby - Last Night
Morcheeba - Dive Deep
Morcheeba - Dive Deep
Naommon - Allnighter
Naommon - Allnighter
Natalie Walker - With You
Natalie Walker - With You
New Emissions of Light and Sound DVD
New Emissions of Light and Sound DVD
Nick Fiorucci - 11:11
Nick Fiorucci - 11:11
Nikka Costa 'Pebble to a Pearl'
What happens when an energetic, creative recording artist feels constricted by being a part of one of today’s dying major record labels? Well there usually is some kind of epiphany that emancipates said artist, and if they are lucky, the musical juices are still flowing once they have broken free.
Nikobella - Sunset Project
Nikobella - Sunset Project
OM: Miami 08
OM: Miami 08
Oscar G - Innov8
Oscar G - Innov8
Paul Manchin - Truth
Paul Manchin - Truth
Paul Oakenfold - Greatest Hits & Remixes
Paul Oakenfold - Greatest Hits & Remixes
Paul Van Dyk - Cream Ibiza
Paul Van Dyk - Cream Ibiza
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Remixes) Take 2
Paula Abdul's triumphant return to clubland is a welcome event, after
well over a decade of waiting by eager fans. Her new song "Dance Like
There's No Tomorrow" is the leading single from Randy Jackson's album
Music Club Vol 1 released on Concord Records, in association with
his own label Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment.
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Remixes)
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Remixes)
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Remixes)
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Remixes)
Peter Bailey & Richie Santana - Mind Control
Peter Bailey & Richie Santana - Mind Control
Plan B - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Plan B - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
Planet Soul - Set U Free (2008 Remixes)
Planet Soul - Set U Free (2008 Remixes)
Pleasure Center - Love's a Basic Freedom
Pleasure Center - Love's a Basic Freedom
Pushmipulyu – 133 Thursdays
If there is such a thing as Jazz in the neo-traditional tip, then this is it. How about throwing around a few other genre descriptions like “dub electro” or “fusion-esque”? Bottom line is that the story of “133 Thursdays” by Pushmipulyu [Interchill Records – ICHILLD028CD] is more fascinating than trying to pigeon-hole their style of music. In fact the latter can be summed-up thusly: if you are over 35 years old, they sound like a throwback to fusion jazz, and if you are under 35, they’re an education of jazz alchemy.
Quentin Harris - Mix the Vibe: Timeless Re-Collection
Quentin Harris - Mix the Vibe: Timeless Re-Collection
Quiet Village - Silent Movie
Quiet Village - Silent Movie
Robyn - Robyn
Robyn - Robyn
Robyn - The Rakamonie EP
Robyn - The Rakamonie EP
Sam Taylor-Wood - “I’m in Love With a German Film Star”
Sam Taylor-Wood I’m in Love With a German Film Star – Review of Sam Taylor-Wood’s I’m in Love With a German Film Star
Samantha James - Rise
Samantha James - Rise
Sasha - Invol2ver
Sasha - Invol2ver
Sasha - The EmFire Collection: Mixed, Unmixed & Remixed
Sasha - The EmFire Collection: Mixed, Unmixed & Remixed
Seal - The Right Life (Remixes)
Seal - The Right Life (Remixes)
September - September
September - September
Sergio Mendes - encanto
Sergio Mendes - encanto
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
Lots of great artists tour the musical universe as satellites to
mainstream success, flirting with accomplishments that give them the
credentials to "stick around" but never really a right to "land" on
Planet Pop. Occasionally something happens in a career that will
bring one of thee singing satellites down to earth, and the whole
world suddenly wants to take credit for having "known them back then."
Solange - Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams
Solange - Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams
Steve Aoki - Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles
Steve Aoki - Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles
Sunshine Jones - Seven Tracks In Seven Days
Sunshine Jones - Seven Tracks In Seven Days
Supreme Beings of Leisure - '11i' (Take 2)
Supreme Beings of Leisure - 11i (Take 2)
Supreme Beings of Leisure - 11i
Supreme Beings of Leisure - 11i
Sylver - Crossroads
Sylver - Crossroads
Taylor Dayne - Beautiful (Remixes)
Taylor Dayne - Beautiful (Remixes)
Taylor Dayne – Satisfied
Taylor Dayne – Satisfied
The B-52's - Funplex
The B-52's - Funplex
The Crystal Method - Vegas (Deluxe Edition)
The Crystal Method - Vegas (Deluxe Edition)
The Cut Up Boys - The Mash Up Mix 2008
The Cut Up Boys - The Mash Up Mix 2008
The Faint - Fasciination
The Faint - Fasciination
The Jacksons Story: Number 1’s
The Jacksons Story: Number 1’s
The Kings of Electro: Mixed by Playgroup and Alter Ego
The Kings of Electro: Mixed by Playgroup and Alter Ego
The Ones - The Ones
The Ones - The Ones
The Presets – Apocalypso
The Presets – Apocalypso
The Ting Tings - "Shut Up & Let Me Go"
The Ting Tings - Shut Up & Let Me Go
The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
We Started Nothing is the debut album from Katie White and
Jules De Martino, otherwise known as The Ting Tings. And what a debut
it is. Rapidly climbing the charts and charming nations, White and De
Martino swing in full swagger with a collection of amped rock tunes
aimed at your feet, your pulse, and your mind. You cannot escape, so
indulge. Dive in. Embrace the experience.
The Veronicas – Hook Me Up
The Veronicas – Hook Me Up
The Verve 'Forth'
Like so many people in 1997, I was mesmerized by the release of Urban
Hymns by The Verve which was a beautiful example of modern psychedelic
rock which was led by the massive hit single "Bittersweet Symphony"
which permeated through the music scene and many commercials including
the famous Nike ones. Not only did they lure such companies like Nike
with their unique sound but they also were endeared by critics and
fans who embraced them as a new direction of music.
Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 7: Asia
Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 7: Asia
Tittsworth - Twelve Steps
"It's fresh, it's exciting, it's the Titts," taken from Tittsworth…
Jesse Tittsworth's bio via his website. Alright, so James Bond-panache
it's not, but with a name like "Tittsworth," what's not to like,
right? On the Washington, D.C. native's CD, "Twelve Steps" forget
about the dude's name and remember that his CD is definitely worth
your time for it has a wealth of bumpin' beats coupled with some dirty
Rap vocals, layered and further infused with additional funky dance
and Hip-Hop beats.
Trafik - Trafikana
Trafik - Trafikana
Trevor Simpson & Cato K - Ultra 2008
Trevor Simpson & Cato K - Ultra 2008
Uberzone - Satisfaction / Fubar
Uberzone - Satisfaction / Fubar
Ultimate Dance Radio Hits Volume 1
Ultimate Dance Radio Hits Volume 1
Various Artists - 'Verve Remixed 4'
Various Artists - Verve Remixed 4
Various Artists - Bargrooves: Members Only (US Limited Edition)
Various Artists - Bargrooves: Members Only (US Limited Edition)
Various Artists - Bliminal: An Interchill Compilation
One of the first things I encountered here is what is this title and how do you pronounce it? Then I realized it is the word subliminal with out the “su”. Okay, then maybe we have a theme here as orchestrated by one Andrew Ross Collins, apparently the atelier curator of this display of electronic instrumental tracks known, in today’s vernacular as “chill sounds”.
Various Artists - Boys Will Be Boys, Volume 4
Various Artists - Boys Will Be Boys, Volume 4
Various Artists - Future Sounds of Jazz Volume 11
Various Artists - Future Sounds of Jazz Volume 11
Various Artists - Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered
Various Artists - Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered
Various Artists – Let's Hear It For Broadway Volume 1
Various Artists – Let's Hear It For Broadway Volume 1
Various Artists – Let's Hear it for the 80s Volume 4
Various Artists – Let's Hear it for the 80s Volume 4
Walter Meego - Voyager
Walter Meego - Voyager