ThriveMix01 is the first release in the ThriveMix series from Thrive Records, although when looking at the artwork, one immediately thinks of Ultra Records as it mirrors any number of their recent dance releases.
The music itself provides only some consolation. With the mighty Mike Rizzo at the helm, I was quite excited to get my hands on this CD as it has been two years since he released his last, 'NYC Dance Party,' and my mouth was watering at the thought of all the exclusive and rare Rizzo remixes that was surely going to be on there. There are none – in fact, there isn't a single Mike Rizzo remix anywhere on this two-disc set.
In the midst of music that is already out on numerous compilations, i.e. Kelly Clarkson 'Since U Been Gone (Jason Nevins Edit)' or Alicia Keys 'Diary (Hani Remix)', the listener is treated to a few bits of ear candy, a la Sun 'End Of The Earth (Eric Kupper Club Mix),' Nina Sky 'Turning' Me On (Lenny B Remix),' the slammin' Steve Angelo Mix of Fantasia 'It's All Good,' Jennifer Green 'We're Not Alone (Josh Harris Club Mix)' and Ryan Cabrera 'True (Ford Mix).'
With the bad comes the good and Mike Rizzo shows why, in addition to being a highly successful remixer, he is an excellent DJ – the mixing on his disc is stellar and gives the listener a serious rush.
Moving onto Disc Two, mixed by St. John, I found myself losing interest quickly. Again, there are a few noteworthy mixes – like Fischerspooner 'Never Win (Benny Benassi Mix)' and Plummet '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (CJ Jay Club Mix),' but the length of the mixes often continue to displease, with the aforementioned Fischerspooner mix clocking in at a whopping 3:01. When listening to one song, Deep Dish 'Say Hello (Paul Van Dyk Remix)' it actually sounded like the remix it was touted as, as it lasted a tad over 10-minutes.
At times, the art of mixing was as different on Disc One from Disc Two as is night and day. Where as Mike Rizzo spun his tracks flawlessly into each other, on Disc Two it seemed that some mixing attempts were just too 'busy' and didn't work well and too often did one song go from a slamming bassline into the beginning break of the next track. Once on a CD this might be OK, but several times? The momentum can be quickly lost and the CD turned off and put away.
When I started this review, I commented on how excited I was – looking forward to rarities from Mike Rizzo's vault. It is my hope that Thrive Records follows the examples of other labels and the great DJs/Remixers they work with and the exciting releases they put out together. All you have to do is look at the tracklistings of recent compilations by Tony Moran, Abel, Giuseppe D. and Tracy Young to see each CD full of their private mixes and productions, while including lengthy rare remixes by fellow musicians. Next time, Thrive?
