Remix Best Album - Shakatak

Advantages: A few really good tracks, some De La Soul tunes you have never heard before
Disadvantages: The album has no flow, a few weak remixes

...some of De La Soul's more successful tracks, remixes, and live performances. Rhino is giving you a chance to relive the classics and get a fresh impression with some tight remixes. De La Mix Tape is probably not the best disk for a first time listener of De La Soul. There is no ebb and flow to the album. This release is aimed more for the established fan but heck; a new listener might dig it too. What do I know, I am just a critic. DJ, spin that record! Stakes is High (Remixed) 4:49~ Mos Def (fun fact #2) and Truth Enola works with Detroit producer Jay Dee to rework the 1996 release. This version is more rugged than the original with Mos and Enola laying vocals over Dee's samplings. I am not going to tell you this one is better than that one but both are outstanding on their own. Dee put together a wicked remix and Mos and Enola... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: You want more Bloc Party - You got it!
Disadvantages: You initially think "Oh no, not a remixes album" but dont!!!

...So did I, and how mistaken I was. Expecting it to be another money spinning excercise by the bands record label, I was sceptical about buying the album, but having found it online in a sale I decided to go for it, and boy have I not regretted it. Its simply sublime, and i think having already heard the original runs of all these thumping hits just makes the remixes sound so much better. Everything is with a twist....the once heavily drummed and pounded numbers now become subtle chill out anthems, and vice versa as silent slow buring tracks thump there way into your ears. A lot of these remixed tracks are actually better than the original [if you can imagine that?] and as I mention above, if you actually loved the 1st album, then it makes this so much more enjoyable. This is because you know where the foundations of these tracks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Production, Guest Stars, Beats
Disadvantages: Same songs different spin

...: Lights Camera Action is not a good song. Mr Cheeks does not do a good job with hitting his lyrics and the timing seems slightly off. Also I am not a big Missy Elliot fan so this made for a bad combination for me. Again the beats are tight but the lyrics and style of rapping on the track is just not good enough. Other Good Songs to note: "Special delivery" brilliant start to the album, Ghostface Killah, G dep and the return of Craig Mack makes this song really bounce. "Dance with Me" 112 song remixed with classic Luda's lyrics. Makes a brilliant song and the two styles really gel well although I would have preferred it is 112 had actually gone back to record instead of uda just coming in, in the breaks. "Unfoolish" The return of Biggie onto this song and a few others is a great ploy by Diddy. he knows that anything with this man... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful