Soul Train - Various Artists

Advantages: High consistency of both soulful and heavy tracks
Disadvantages: Pretty similar with "Plastic Surgeries", etc.

...OK, this is Hospital again. Never ever has this label released a low quality CD compilation of tracks by various artists. If they select the finest, they always do the solid job. This one is no exception. First CD is a selection of tracks by both label's resident and outsiders, with the soulfulness of tunes being a criteria. Also some new people are included with tracks proving that they can become huge in some time. Laroque's "Goldfinger" and SKC's "Heart of Love" in the beginning are a good examples of that. Danny Byrd's famous "Planet Music" and Suncopix's "Happy Happy Joy Joy" continue on the vibe. Some tunes of scene's regulars follow, with tracks like "without You" by John B, "Fast Soul Music" by London Electricity, "Replay" by Logistics and "Quiet Star" by Syantific. Second CD is a mix by London Electricity and it does it's job... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: All the best R'n'B anthems from '04 & '05
Disadvantages: A little dated now

...This is an excellent round up of all the R'n'B smashes of 2004 and 2005 with a few nostalgic classics thrown in for good measure. It covers the slow jams, the dancefloor joints and everything in between from artists as diverse as Wayne Wonder, Lucy Pearl, Kelis and Usher. CD2 also takes us back with classic gems from the likes of D'Angelo (whose 'Brown Sugar' pretty much defined and kick started the neo soul scene), Janet Jackson (with her undeniable classic 'That's The Way Love Goes') and Blackstreet (with club hit 'No Diggity' featuring Dr Dre) This album is the perfect party album and although it avoids raritites, its sound understanding of R'n'B past and present make it a must have for any music lover.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: 154 minutes of pure class music
Disadvantages: NONE, none none none none none

...What a cool cd. There isn’t much traditional jazz- as the CD explains – it’s a compilation of what jazz created – acid jazz, breakbeat, hip-hop and soul. All the songs on the 2 CDs (which both last 77mins – there is good value for money) are classics – some which you will instantly recognise , and some which you will recognise covers of. There are all sorts of artists on the double cd – you have modern artists like Jamiroquai and Brand New Heavies, and some really cool old artists – Bill Wyman’s there – singing “Just the Two of Us” (gorgeous), and Herbie Hancock with Chameleon. There are also 2 themes – Bob James - Angela (from Taxi) and James Taylor Quartet – theme from Starsky & Hutch (a damn cool theme tune). The blurb says “it’s jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop rolled into one. What you have here is a collection of its finest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful