Groovin’ to the Greatest Hits
By Reviewed by Fadhal A Ghani
GROOVE COVERAGE 2008
The Definite Greatest Hits Videos (EQ Music)
This is a Euro-dance album, with edgy synthesiser and production which make Greatest Hits a perfect collection.
The multi-platinum Eurodance specialists Groove Coverage presents a collection of the best from DJ Novus and female vocalist Mell.
Eurodance at its grandest with high speed is different from American dance music.
An excellent collection of their best hits such as She, Runaway and The End.
Their version of Alice Cooper’s Poison, which was a metal hit, was turned into a trance chart-topper.The duo are fans of groups such as Milk Inc and Ian Van Dahl. The album has ballads and emotions set to some wild synths. The album gives a sort of euphoric melody that draws listeners into a musical trance, hence the name. This album comes packaged in two CDs and a DVD which includes 34 songs and 11 video clips. Satisfaction guaranteed for Eurodance lovers.
Selected tracks: Because I Love You, Nothing Lasts Forever, Living On A Prayer, On The Radio, Moonlight Shadow, She and Summer Rain
Performance: **
PITBULL
The Boatlift (EQ Music)
Pitbull released his fourth album titled The Boatlift. Pitbull may still be an unknown entity but after listening to Shake, many will take note of this Cuban. The album starts with A Little Story, an acappella about how Pitbull chose rap. There’s also Go Girl, an up-tempo tune and Dukey Love, which is dedicated to a woman’s posterior. Other tunes include Midnight, Ying & the Yang, a straight club song with an awful lyrics, The Anthem, The Truth, Candyman, which shows Pitbull’s versatility and Sticky Icky.
Taking it slow is My Life where Pitbull talks about his sacrifices getting where he is today. Secret Admirer is a nice change from all that murder/drug/stunting that is happening now.
Get Up/Levantate is one of those songs that encourages everyone to dance while Fuego (DJ Buddha Remix) is a remake of an earlier song.
Stripper Pole (Remix), which is about strippers, isn’t all that hot. Next is Un Poquito followed by Tell Me (Remix), a slow number.
The album closes with Mr. 305, an cappella in which Pitbull explains how he got the name Mr. 305. Overall this album represents all the different cultures.
Selected track: Dukey Love
Performance: *
THE HYPERCUBES
Out Of The Cube (Ad Lib Records)
The Hypercubes, which was formed in 2000, is from Kuala Lumpur. This is the second CD release from the band whose members are from five countries, including Malaysia. An interesting and unique combination.
There’s local boy Spacie on drum programming, NV Kyle (Japan) on keyboard and piano, Frenchman Jack on sequencing and bass synth. The percussion ensemble is by Var (Mauritius) and Vj Hoor (Britain) the guitarist.
This is an instrumental electronic dance album. A bit of instrumental, lounge, trance and hype, all grooving in a delectable CD. The band manages to merge these different genres of music. Several of the tracks in this album do not sound right, due to each sound doing its own thing but somehow it comes together.
Most of the tracks are repetitive, dull and slows the pace. but the house-style My Funk is danceable. Whoop starts with a pulsating baseline accompanied by a deep house beat followed by the percussionled Rollercoaster.
Selected tracks: Chinatown
Performance: *
BOSSA JAZZ NIGHTS
VOL 2 Various (EQ Music)
The follow-up album to the first volume in the “Bossa Jazz Nights” series. This compilation is a warm blend of jazz vocals and sweet, modern dance floor grooving.
This volume contains another 14 exquisite selections of world beat, jazz, exotic vocals and Latin rhythms amalgamated with European grooves where sexy female voices indulge in Electro- Lounge.
This collection is a refreshing change from the usual jazz compilation albums. A cool album which provides sexy, smooth and upbeat music. It also features bossa nova and samba. From virtually unknown artistes, this CD is quite impressive. Sing A Lullaby by singer and songwriter Pauline London whose music brings together nu- jazz, lounge and soul with subtle electronics.
London’s vocal has a clear jazz influence with soulful delivery and the instrumentation is filled with nicely processed acoustic touches.
Other artistes set the tone for a hot sensuous summer night under the stars. They include Panaphonic, Alacran, Bungalove and more.
This is recommended to anyone who would like to branch out and spread their wings musically. The compilation is not great but the jazzy licks and funky guitars are enough to get any stylish bar grooving away.
Selected tracks: Sing A Lullaby-Pauline London, Reflejo De Luna- Alacran, Samba Natural-Bungalove, Evil Ways-Cuban Jazz Combo, Ait Benhaddou Chill-Alacran
Performance: **
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