Watch as the amazing Oakenfold transforms right before your eyes

Trance and House music are finally getting a bit of respect here in the United States. They've been around for years, but for whatever reason, electronic music is really picking up steam all of the sudden. High visibility displays
at Sam Goody that were once filled with rock and rap are now bursting with DJ compilations.

Paul Oakenfold is probably *THE* highest profile DJ around these days. Guiness even lists him as the "World's Most Successful Club DJ". I've seen Oakey live and he truly can lay down a set that keeps the crowd going. Unfortunately, this set isn't one of his best. In fact, this CD is compiled from tracks released on his Perfecto label and saw the light of day way back in 1995. Now, I'm not saying that everything old is bad, but it seems odd that this CD is being pushed in the record shops all of the sudden. Seems like someone is trying to cash in on Oakenfold's recent success. Let me tell you a little bit about this disc and then later on I'll make some suggestions that might be a little more worthy of your limited cash flow.

The first 3 tracks are very disco house. If you like swirly diva vocals and boring house, then these tracks are for you :) Be warned, I like my house a little more Timo Maas and a little less La Bouche.

Things finally pick up a bit in Track 4, Quivver's "Believe in Me". This track has stood up a little better over the years. It's got an early progressive feel mixed with a minimal set of vocals.

Now, I hope I'm not coming off as hating this disc. That's not the case, in fact, I still sing along to track 6, Zee's "Dreamtime", every time I hear it. Sing along? Yeah, I know, it sounds corny, but here it and you'll know why I do it. This track contains an interesting warble effected vocal, piano backing, and steady driving beat.

On track 7, you'll find Grace. If you listen to many Oakey sets, you'll notice that he like to play a lot of Grace. I don't know if he likes her that much or if he is just trying to sell a few more records. The mix included on this disc (Orange Mix) really doesn't sound much like a Grace track. Her vocals are there,
but the track is much faster and "tranceier" than normal.

Tilt's "I Dream (Casa De Angeles Mix)" is a progressive fan's dream. Spacey elements, switch up bass lines, and a bucketful of original backing sounds to keep things rollin. I'd say this is one of the best tracks on the disc.

If you buy this disc, buy it for track 9. BT, who happens to sit in my top 5 favorite artists, was one of the pioneers of what is referred to today as "progressive" music. "Loving you More (Oakenfold & Osborne Mix)" has to be heard over and over to be fully appreciated. There is just so much going on in the original song and that flavor holds over well in the remix. If only Oakenfold would have left off the first 3 tracks and included a few more BT pieces.

Track 10. Man does this track get on your nerves after a while. Throughout the song is a mind numbing voice talking about painting a picture with colors, shapes, and lines. If they left that out, I'd probably like the track. You might actually wake up in a cold sweat thinking the ColorsShapes&Lines boogey man is out to get you after you hear this spooky vocal.

I hate to say it, but I am NOT recommending this disc. There are just so many other Oakenfold mixes out there that are more deserving. If you want to get a good Paul Oakenfold set, look for his releases in the Global Underground series and recent Essential mix releases. Even better, if you have access to any of the music sharing technologies today, search for Oakenfold's Essential mixes that were broadcast on Radio1. You should be able to find hours and hours of good stuff that will give you a taste of Oakey's style.

Check out these
Global Underground 2 - Paul Oakenfold [New York], thrive/boxed:
Essential Millennium - Oakenfold, Tong, Fatboy Slim, ffrr
Perfecto Presents Another World - Paul Oakenfold, Perfecto