Customer Reviews

Shakedown 2

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I bought the first double cd from Freemasons, titled Shakedown, and listened to each CD start to finish over and over for a year. Now that shakedown 2 is out, I'm starting the cycle over again. This time, the freemasons have included a few new mash-ups that sound unbelievable. Simply put, best mixed dance music cd - ever!

Seeing as this is still only available as an import, it's safe to say the Freemasons haven't been properly exposed in the US, or perhaps their British/European sound doesn't translate well to American audiences. Shakedown 2 is their second installment of continuous mixes, and is the better of the two. These guys rejuvenated Beyoncé's B'day album with their innovative disco mixes, and Ring the Alarm makes the cut on the second disc of this album. Believe me, you have not experienced this song until you've heard the Freemasons remix!

Other key cuts include the opener Sandcastle Disco, Don't Give Hate a Chance, the remixed version of the Freemasons' original Watchin', Disco Revenge and the amazing Sophie Ellis-Bextor track Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer).

Just a side note: I do believe this is probably cheaper to purchase on Amazon.co.uk. I purchased both Shakedown and Shakedown 2 for only $20 after shipping and currency conversion. Do yourself a favor, this album is perfect for summer.

Dance music remains popular and a resurgence has been helped along especially by David Guetta and his collaborations with hip hop artists, (smart move, keep dance music 'cool' by joining up with hip hop's standout artists)but for true dance mania without the rap element I thoroughly recommend Freemansons and the stunning Shakedown 2. Yes the typical thudding dance beat is there but the almost symphonic, anthemic flavour sets the songs apart - songs are not just reinvented - they are ignited.....check out Heard It Through The Grapevine which becomes current. The Eurythmics Here Comes That Rain Again gets a reworking, as does Kelly Rowland's Work. Kylie is there with her much underrated The One. But for true magical mayhem head straight to Beyonce's Ring The Alarm and Sophie Ellis Bextor's Heartbreak is a Dancer. This truly is knocking on Heaven's Door. The vocal styles differ (Beyonce is insistent, Sophie more tentative) and match the driving beat but what sets these two songs apart especially is, come to think of it, what seems to be a Freemasons trademark - passages within a song that consist of musical "layering" that steadily builds and leads up to a dizzying, hypnotic, almost transcendental,crescendo. Building block bliss! However... if you're looking for something a little more grounded, go no further than the first four tracks on CD1. Perfect for the gym treadmill; the tracks blend effortlessly into each other and become 'earworms' long after you have hopped off the machine and headed out the door....

Superb album. I usually avoid DJ albums but this one is great. All of the songs blend together, so it's perfect for a party. In fact, I bet a lot of DJ's throw this one when they need a break!

Standouts are Blue Monday, Don't Give Hate a Chance, Work, Heartbreak and Grapevine.

What a fantastic piece of work these guys have produced. They can take a somewhat played out U.S mainsteam song and make musically amazing and solid. BUY IT!...Do you guys remember the Hustlers Convention?..:-)