Customer Reviews

Thrivemix 1: Mixed By Mike Rizzo & St John

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

 

 

Packaged EXACTLY like the Ultra Dance series, this new series seems to be released by an entirely different label, and it suffers from the same problem earlier volumes of Ultra Dance did--it has a great amount of mixes that are rare on CD, but instead of giving us a large dose of the rare tracks, most last no longer than 3-5 minutes! The lenny b mix of Nina Sky--less than 3 minutes? The Hani mix of Alicia Keys' "Diary"--only 5 minutes? If this series is trying to bring the club experience home, they seem to be ignorant to the fact that in real clubs, songs don't mix out after only 3 minutes--with the vocals of each basically right on top of each other with no instrumental breaks! Not to mention, the discs don't even run a full 60 minutes! Serious collectors of these elusive mixes would be better off turning to the Masterbeat series, the Party Groove series, and the Global Groove series--and with later editions, even the Ultra Dance series. Having said that, there are some excellent tracks on this disc. The remix of Fantasia is awesome, as is Sherrie Lea's moody cover of Sade. And the Ford mix of Ryan Cabrera's "True" is a slice of pop trance heaven. Disc 2 starts of with an excellent 80s retro feel with tracks by Basement Jaxx and Dirty Vegas. Strong, darker progressive tracks dominate this second disc. The Benassi mix of the song "Never Win" is incredible-and should be longer than 3 minutes! The cover of Paul Simon's "50 ways to Leave your Lover" works incredibly well as a hard trance stomper with female vocals. And the disc ends off with some popular commerial female vocal trance tracks. I'll definitely be hunting down the full length versions of a number of these tracks on what I consider to be a "sampler" compilation. Track times:

CD1

1. the wonder of it all (3:25)
2. Since you been gone (nevins mix) (4:33)
3. End of the earth (eric kupper mix) (4:49)
4. Diary (hani mix) (5:01)
5. Turning me on (lenny b) (2:52)
6. It's all good (steve augello mix) (5:40)
7. No ordinary love (blacksky mix) (5:03)
8. Technologic (4:21)
9. True(ford mix) (4:52)
10. Heartbeat (6:20)
11. we're not alone (josh harris mix) (5:58)
12. Why (5:36)

CD2
1. oh my gosh (4:43)
2. Walk into the sun (6:29)
3. Inspiration (5:09)
4. Never win (benny benassi mix) (3:01)
5. walkin & talkin (3:08)
6. Breathe (5:21)
7. sand in my shoes (above & beyond mix) (6:40)
8. 50 ways to leave your lover (4:05)
9. just be (10:11)
10. Say hello (paul van dyke mix) (7:29)
11. Only if I (5:20)
12. listen to your heart (4:02)

I don't buy CDs to play them in clubs. I buy them to listen to. So, this review is for those like me who just want the music. I don't like mixed-in songs more than songs by themself (unmixed), but I don't mind it. "ThriveMix01" is an amazing CD with mostly amazing songs.

CD1: MIKE RIZZO

1. Kristine W - "The Wonder of It All (Remix Radio Edit)" (3:25) A-
You may remember this great vocalist from the 90's with her massive hit "One More Try" and her duet with Patti LaBelle "Land of the Living". Her latest, "The Wonder of it All" is not a remake. It's her own song, unlike what I first thought. It's really, really good. Kristine W can really sing well, as you will soon see after listening to this. I also like the music on this track.
2. Kelly Clarkson - "Since U Been Gone (Jason Nevins Da Rock Edit)" (4:33) B+
I really liked Jason Nevins' more synthy remix, but this is still good. It's a lot like the original, which you've definitely heard. Kelly Clarkson won American Idol for a reason. This song is really good.
3. Sun - "End of the Earth (Eric Kupper Club Mix)" (4:49) B+
Nice house song. Decent vocals. Good music.
4. Alicia Keys - "Diary (Hani Mix)" (5:01) A-
Great remix of an original song I haven't heard before this. Alicia Keys is known for her amazing vocals. This isn't quite her best vocalwise, but it's still fun to listen to.
5. Nina Sky - "Turnin' Me On (Lenny B Mix)" (2:52) B
It's reminiscent of "Move Ya Body", but that was better. This song is pretty catchy after a while, but it takes time to get used to.
6. Fantasia - "It's All Good (Steve Augello Mix)" (5:40) A-
Fantasia, another American Idol winner, is an amazing singer. Going that I voted for her, of course I was excited for her first few songs. This is my favorite so far, mostly because I'm biased for dance music =] Well, anyway, since she didn't write the lyrics, I can't blame her for how unsensible they are. But the music is great, and her vocals rock.
7. Sherrie Lea - "No Ordinary Love (Blacksky Mix)" (5:03) B+
I love the music. The vocals and lyrics aren't standing out for me, but they sound fine with the music. Good song overall.
8. Daft Punk - "Technologic" (4:21) B+
Hamsters-on-the-internet song. At first, it's really annoying, but when the background vocal sounds come in, the song begins to rock.
9. Ryan Cabrera - "True (Ford Mix)" (4:52) A-
Since I downright hated the original song, it would take a lot for the song to achieve A- status. Well, just to say, this remix revives my hope in the song. I just hated the original because it was brutally murdered by radio replay. This remix really gives the song justice-and-beyond. Good beat, great music. And the vocals are even OK.
10. Annie - "Heartbeat (Scumfrog Mix)" (6:50) B+
I don't care about anything but the beat, but that beat is too catchy to describe. I guess the rest of the song is fine too.
11. Jennifer Green - "We're Not Alone (John Harris Club Mix)" (5:58) B+
Pretty good song. Nice vocals and rock-house genre fusions.
12. DJ Sammy - "Why (Club Remix)" (5:36) A+
An amazing cover of Annie Lennox's hit. THE highlight of the first CD. Trust me, there's more songs like this to go crazy over. Amazing music, amazing vocals. There isn't anything to dislike on this song.

CD2 - ST JOHN

1. Basement Jaxx - "Oh My Gosh! (Jaxx Club Edit)" (4:43) A
Oh my gosh I love this song! Really funny. The vocalists' British accents really add to the song well. This is definitely Basement Jaxx's best hit, in front of "Romeo". This song is pumpin' and an amazing way to start the amazing second cd of ThriveMix01.
2. Dirty Vegas - "Walk Into the Sun (King Unique Sunstroke Vocal Mix)" (6:29) A
Amazing music here. Really catchy. The vocals also are pretty good. You'll get hooked most by the music, though. Great song to listen to. It's one of my faves.
3. Ian Van Dahl - "Inspiration (Peter Luts Mix)" (5:09) A-
I love this song. Especially the remix, because of the traditional Ian Van Dahl synths which are present at the beginning of the song. As always, her vocals are pretty good and work really well with the music. GOOD SONG.
4. Fischerspooner - "Never Win (Benny Benassi Mix)" (3:01) A-
At first I didn't like this song but I got used to it. One of Benassi's better remixes. I love that electric sound! It works very well with Fischerspooner's song.
5. Ray Charles - "Walkin' & Talkin' (Dio Remix Edit)" (3:08) B-
It's kind of strange that my least favorite song from this album is by Ray Charles, because he was such a legendary, amazing singer. But you've gotta admit, this song is pretty bad. Not even house music can save this song. At least remix a GOOD SONG BY RAY CHARLES if you want to tribute him!!!!
6. Erasure - "Breathe (LMC Extended Club Mix)" (5:21) A++
BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM. This is also the best remix of Erasure's amazing new hit "Breathe". This dance classic is one of my favorite songs of all time. Beautiful song with amazing vocals and outstanding music. Unless if Limewire is your preference (unlike me), this song is one of THE reasons to buy this album.
7. Dido - "Sand in my Shoes (Above & Beyond Mix)" (6:40) A
This pumping trance mix of a great Dido song extends above and beyond (haha) from the original with great synths and a great feel. This song reminds me of summer, which could add to why I believe this song to be so great.
8. Plummet - "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (CS Jay Mix)" (4:05) A-
Great cover of Paul Simon's original classic. Of course it doesn't quite live up to the original, but it's still great. The beginning part is somewhat pointless as in the song drops that house section for a pumping trance beat. The song is still great.
9. DJ Tiesto Feat. Kirsty Hawkshaw - "Just Be (Antillas Club Mix)" (10:11) A+
One of my other favorites from this album. Bonafide trance music with soulsearching lyrics and an awesome vocalist. DJ Tiesto's best hit. Antillas' remix of his original song is much, much better than the original in nearly every way. SO GOOD. Definitely give this one a listen.
10. Deep Dish - "Say Hello (Paul van Dyk Mix)" (7:29) A-
I love trance, but on first listen this remix can be kind of boring. But then you must realize that this is one of those songs that you need to listen to in the background when doing something else. If you do that, then this song will stand out much more. I liked the original song better, but this remix is pretty good.
11. Kate Ryan - "Only If I (Hiver & Hammer Mix)" (5:20) A+
The third of my album favorites. Another song which reminds me of summer. Kate Ryan is an amazing vocalist who also shows her talents on her French hit "Desenchantee". The original of "Only If I" is pretty straightforward, but this remix really adds another variety layer to the song enhancing it greatly. I love this song and highly suggest you to listen to it!
12. D.H.T. - "Listen to Your Heart (Furious F.EZ Extended Mix)" (4:02) A-
It would be a sin to not include the most popular recent dance song on this album. D.H.T's amazing remake of the 80's hit deserves its popularity. Furious F.EZ's synth-adorned trance mix turns a cheesy pop song into a pumping trance club track. A really good song.

So, overall, this album definitely earns an A-/A. There are some of the best songs out today on this album, plus a few rare, amazing remixes of pop songs and dance songs alike. It may not be material to be played in clubs because of (as other Amazon reviewers pointed out) the shortness of some of the tracks, but to listen to alone, this album rocks. I definitely suggest it for those who love dance music to listen to at home. BUY IT.

Okay im always giving 5 stars to all the cds i purchase off of amazon or cds i i have bought and showing my view on them. But for this cd i had to give it a 4!!!
First off the tracklist is frickin good! You get a collection of great talented artists like Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Nina Sky etc. There was a couple problems on this purchase. I had received a copy without the slipcase. What difference does it make? Well it kinda makes my collection of dance comps and my competitive Ultra albums look bad without it. Idk why ive actually seen a copy with the slipcase. Whatever. Hmm second alot of the tracks are short like Nina Sky's hit is like frickin 2:52 and Fischerspooners track (a good one) is 3:00. I hate short tracks unless there are more than 12 tracks on the c.d. Idk thats just how i am. Oh and there was a major major problem. Frickin Daft Punk's Technologic (ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRACKS OF ALL TIME) was like badly mixed beginning and ending, and had some weird edit at the 3rd 16 counts which made the song short. Why not just put the whole thing?!! I remember in Ultra Electro by David Waxman had exclusively featured the track and had some wicked dramatic mix!! Idk why all the over songs and mixes were alright. At least Thrivemix brought out it's first electro dance track on here. Everthing else is fine such as the 10 minute track by Tiesto. I own several other mixes by thrive such as the Trance Anthems 1-2 and Electro 1-2 comps. Thrivemix2 & 3. Great cover by the way. (My sis always has loved the models bathing suits they show off!!)

Overall not a bad mix. I've heard better and by better I mean Ultra's CD's but this one still has some gems. I hate Tiesto but Just Be is a 10 minute long anthem. Probably best on the CD. Ends of the Earth is amazing also.

Benny Benassi puts down a great track Never Win. Obviously Heartbeat and Technologic are great additions. But I also liked True and I hate Ryan Cabrerra.

I think sometimes the music goes too far into the funky house realm for me which I am not a fan of. I like very trancy music and some styles of dirty house. Def a great CD and I would pick it up for some songs but Ultra is the real winner.

This is definately NOT a club album, but more of a prepping to go out mix. I really like this album because to me it is a compromise. I like harder house and trance, but my wife hates it, but likes dance grooves with vocals, or vocal trance if you will. So this album is kind of a compromise in our house. There are enough 'noted artists' that are mixed to make her happy, and enough 'rarer' mixes to make me happy. So again, it just depends. Sample it and see what you think.

As far as comparing it to the Ultra titles, I'd have to lean on this album being slightly better than most of them.

I like End of the Earth, Technologic, as well as the Van Dahl, Basement Jaxx, and Dirty Vegas tracks, but sadly, my favorite is Dido's Sand in my Shoes...I love this remix!

THIS CD SHOULD HAVE A LABEL SAYIN "WARNING NOT A REAL DJ, AND NOT GOOD MUSIC" ALL OF THIS SO CALLED CLUB MUSIC IS OLD ALREADY AND ALL THIS GUY DOES IS PUT IN A CD AND LET IT PLAY. SO, THIS MAY BE ONE NIGHT IN NYC FOR HIM, BUT OBVIOULSY SITTING AT HOME DOWNLOADING MUSIC AND NOT IN A REAL NYC CLUB. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM WRITING THIS BUT THE WORLD MUST KNOW NYC HOUSE IS NOT PLAYED BY GUYS LIKE THIS MAN AND HIS RADIO STATION. SO ON BEHALF OF NYC AND THE REAL CLUBBER "WE ARE SORRY THAT YOU HAD TO EVEN LOOK AT THIS CD, OR MIKE RIZZO'S. YOU ARE BETTER OFF BUYING THE WILLIAM HUNG'S CD.