Customer Reviews

Essential Mix

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I rarely buy mix cds due to the fact that they tend to come off cheesy but once in a blue moon I will find a mix cd that totally charms the pants off me. Paul Oakenfold is one dj whose mix cds I have bought and wasn't disappointed, and now the other dj whose mix cd has pleased my ears is Pete Tong. Mostly a progressive house mix cd, there are moments when the cd verges on the borderline of trance music. As I am listening to this cd, I can hear why the reviews for this cd has been positive. Pete's talents as a dj gives this cd a club feel to it. Rarely I sense that in most mix cds. I rank "Essential Mix" mixed by Pete Tong as one of the best mix cds I've heard all time, next to Paul Oakenfold's "Another World.

Is Pete Tong the most powerful man in British dance? As an air jock for Radio One, DJ, and music label honcho he certainly plays a hand in exposing or signing the biggest tunes of each year, often compiling them on his Essential Mix CD's way before other spinners can grab hold of the vital vinyl. This blatant commercialism into the mainstream draws heat (and birthed the quip "It's all gone Pete Tong") but also resonates with several hundred thousand buyers each release.

His American debut follows that formula, rounding up the hits to be this season and squeezing it all into a single disc. No time to waste, the certifiable smash `Touch Me' by Rui Da Silva thumps to a moody disco beat and sultry vocals, which the equally exquisite Jakatta `American Dream,' sampling the score from American Beauty, manages to follow.

Other selections prove he can pump the funk (The Girl Next Door `Salsoul Nugget') pack epic grandeur (Cass `Genesis') and blast off when appropriate (Stylus Trouble's humungous builder `Sputnik.') Too much of a good thing, perhaps? Choppy flow and tight editing allow no room to breathe - by no means is this a proper DJ set. Tong also breaks some rules: Stephen Hawking voice boxes are not cool (`Always Just like This') and pure club numbers don't work outside the glitter halls (`My Beat'.) So consider Essential Mix the radio station you wish was on the airwaves, all top tracks attuned to the beat of the night. If darker, more progressive house music is indeed the now sound of adult dance, Pete Tong's compilation shows off the elements of success.

When Mike Bindra booked Pete Tong to play Twilo, he went out and bought some of his "Essential Selection" CDs. Upon listening to these ultra-commercial, choon-filled discs, he ventured to ask: "Does this guy play like this?" The answer is no.

This American release of Pete Tong's "Essential Mix" (already released as a double disc in the UK last November) is a real stormer, chock full of goodies. Rui Da Silva's "Touch Me," Photek's (yes, it's the drum 'n bass guy) "Mine To Give," and the two Futureshock tracks ("Sparc" and "The Question") are just some of the highlights! Remixes come courtesy of progressive darlings of the moment Timo Maas and Sander Kleinenberg. Add all of these ingredients...it makes a delicious pie. Tong's mixing isn't as clever as say, Sasha, but who cares! Pete has an ear for amazing tunes, and this is truly the sound of the moment.

Some people label Pete Tong as Britain's answer to Carson Daly, a truly unfortunate comparison. While he does occasionally promote some of the most commercial, banal crap around (take a look at many of the "Essential Selection" CDs), he always has had one foot in the underground, and this set proves that. You sure don't see Carson Daly releasing mix albums and touring the world!

"Essential Mix" is the just latest missile launched in the full scale British dance music invasion. Last spring, we had Paul Oakenfold/Fatboy Slim's double disc affair. Then it was DJ Icey. Now we have Pete himself. Starting last fall, Pete's "Essential Mix" radio programme is now broadcasted weekly to something like 500 college radio stations across the fruited plain. Tong's "Essential" imprint is fast making waves over the country sponsoring raves (like last month's "Crescent" in Seattle), and Pete himself is playing gigs all over the United States.

A worthwhile compilation from a man who truly has an ear for music. Thanks, Pete!

Pete Tong is my favourite dj....since i bought his first cd in 1998 i collect every essential mix that he does...His music is so exiting and always gives you tha change to chill out and fill the bit!come to Greece Pete!

London DJ Pete Tong I first heard about five years ago. It was around the same time I first heard about the trance movement. This is an excellent mix of progressive house and trance arrangements! Heart pounding and soul awakening music for people who love to dance.

You will want to dance to the rythms, melodies and cross samplings produced by Tong on this CD. Among my faves are track #2 where he even uses the soundtrack from "American Beauty," track #10 and the soulful track #14 with Sister Bliss and John Martyn. If you want to pump up some irresistable grooves for a dance party -- this release is a sure hit!

I'm not a long time fan of this kind of music but it has been growing on me over the last few months....mostly I listen to the Ministry of Sound through the computer at work because the shows like "Hard House Nation" with their driving beats make the workday zoom by and keep my fingers flying over the computer keyboard. I fell in love with Jakatta's "American Dream" over time of listening to the Ministry's weekly "Vital Vinyl" chart show, and bought this Pete Tong CD because I knew it had that song. I have to say that I love the CD and it has become my workout soundtrack, I listen to it just about every day. I'm sure a lot of serious connisseurs of this genre think Pete Tong is a bit too mainstream, but for new afficianados of this kind of music, I think this album provides a great introduction. And "American Dream" is now officially one of my favorite songs ever.

My first and probably last review on the Godfather's first of possibly 4 albums for this year, but that's only because his resume is so huge I don't know where to begin in the first place. I share the same basic opinion with reviewers before me, and it is this guy is really too influential for his own good. Mr. Tong churned out an average of 4 albums per year before 2000, not mentioning the numerous radio mixes he did night in, night out. I myself sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, logging in to listen to his programme on BBC Radio 1. I personally think he has an eccentric taste concerning track selection, heh heh. You see, fans at one time were grumbling about John Digweed releasing 1 GU, 1 Bedrock and 1 Communicate within a 'short' period (though I just shrug my shoulders). So how is Mr. Tong gonna rack up his own sales when he already saturates the market? Where's the financial profit coming from? I have to scratch my head. I may be wrong, but I suspect most selected GU singles were not played on radio e.g. not radio-friendly, freshly released or never heard before, that's why GU cannot be possibly rendered a label failure. On the contrary, this guy sticks by his guns and releases a whole glut of his already-broadcasted radio archives on his baby Essential label month in, month out. Furthermore, he has to compete with friends on the MOS label like Judge Jules (he is another one...). Where on earth is the artistic sense of originality? But give the godfather his credits. His mixing and studio production skills are not only polished, but seasoned. He is a very old hand in this sort of thing. Considering his decade-long experience, his mix style is definitely more consistent than some other MOS DJs (maybe on par with the 'Night Sessions' DJs). He can surely qualify as a GU guest. The only problem I have is his erratic track selection which is constrained into being up-to-date...like radio, the 'best hits' approach. He will mix ANYTHING! I also don't think he's the type of guy to prolong a track-to-track transition period, the essential part of mix (and a GU hallmark) where a DJ shows off his skills, but I'm sure he can do it if more effort is put in. Too many mixes/albums cannot make an unique identity. So while I continue to scratch my head, it should suffice to say that regardless of how good or bad their albums are as they flood in endlessly (think Pokemon invasion, ha ha!), we all know where Pete Tong (And Friends) stands in the dance scene. After all, he's the godfather. Just compare him to the chameleon John Digweed. By the way, this album happens to be good. What a brush from accident!

I came across this cd, randomly, in a public library far away from home. I had my laptop with me, and had some time to kill, so I ripped it right there.

Amazing how such a fortuituous event gave me one of my favorite CD ever. As far a electronic music, this is right up there with the avalanches, or dj shadow, blockhead, cut chemist, etc. On a whim, I looked it up on amazon just now and realized it's been discontinued! And iTunes doesn't sell it anymore!

It's really a shame. This is one of the best mix CD i've ever heard. You can't go wrong.

I don't even have to review a CD of his, or listen to it online - because they are all great. He is not at all predictable on any of his CD's but always has outstanding track selection. He chooses beautiful vocals and mixes seamlessly as usual. If you are a fan of Pete Tong, this CD is a must in your collection. My husband and I fight over who gets which of his CDs in the car! The Rui da Silva and American Dream tracks are amazing. I could listen to this over and over, and I have! This is an outstanding work from a great DJ. I'm counting down 'til his latest is released. Once you hear Pete, you want more.

When I bought this CD I was firing a complete shot in the dark. I read some of these reviews but had no idea what really to expect, because I don't always agree with the reviews I read. In this case, that shot in the dark turned out to be a bullseye! Great house mix. Track 4 alone is worth the purchase price. Listen to it & be prepared to move.