As mentioned in the book High Fidelity, there is a certain art to making a great mix tape or CD as we refer to it these days – actually I’m still outta date, but let’s avoid the dirty great pink elephant in the room called mp3! So, back to the art of what makes the perfect compilation. What songs you choose, and how you choose them, will largely affect how much your efforts will be appreciated. And in the chase of this quartet from master compiler Ian Dewhirst, knowledge is king, but familiarity adds a smile and a reason to buy. What I love about this series of CDs is even if you owe a handful of the tunes on each 20-track double albums, chances are the majority will still be unknown, and that’s what makes it all the better; a voyage of discovery. Gems from the late-’70s and early-’80s from the New York sound of boogie to rare Italo disco cuts, with cheesy gay disco and funk laced jams running deep make up the four sets. For DJs, aficionados and record collectors alike this series offers value for money and an education into how we arrived at where we are today. As to the music take your pick from such essential sides as Tantra’s Euro-stomper ‘Hills Of Katmandu’, Mick Jackson’s feel-good ‘Weekend’, Q with an electro essential ‘The Voice Of Q’, Al McCall’s highly apt ‘Hard Times’, Sharon Redd’s still essential-sounding ‘Love How You Feel’, Deodato’s much sampled ‘Night Cruiser’, or dozens more. A great series from an even greater era in dance music’s evolution.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Lewis Dene
