Various Artists - Star 69 Extended Mixes Volume 5

If only other record companies would follow Star 69’s lead and release more stuff like this. The fifth in a series of unmixed, extended tracks from their catalog, Peter Rauhofer and his team come out swinging with this one. While some of the mixes where more widely available than from previous volumes, the tracklisting is nonetheless something to be respected. It’s just the right mix of vocal-less tribal and hot, diva stompers.

Two mixes of Sizequeen’s Tribal Madness are included. The original Airmale mix is the definite standout from the two, with it’s fierce drum line-style loops and bottomless bass. It’s a pitty that the Tribal Tarante Mix sounds like a very, very early rough draft of the same mix.

For the vocal lovers, DJ Ohzee & da Butcha’s mix of Offer Nissim’s Searching is included and while not as instantly great as the original, it provides for a wonderful alternate. Suzanne Palmer’s Luv to Luv is here as well, in the form of a Javith Mix. True to his sound, Javith never lets up with a drum and synth-heavy remix of Palmer’s hot single. It’s Decibel’s remix to Heartattack, though, that will have most fans in a glorious uproar. Some have been waiting for a full mix of this since early 2004.

In today’s digital age, labels like this that easily adapt to the ever-changing needs of it’s consumers gets an A plus in my book. There aren’t many DJs left that spin exclusively vinyl so compilations such as these are needed for our sound to stay fresh. Like I said earlier, I only wish others would follow in Star 69’s footsteps.