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Renaissance - The Classics Part 2
(Renaissance)
Release Date: July 0th, 2006
Reviewed: 8/10
With the first installment selling in excess of 200,000 copies it comes as little surprise that July sees Renaissance launch the second of their ‘The Classics’ series. Expertly mixed by Anthony Pappa (now we know what he has been doing for the past couple of years) the release features 3 CDs of eclectic music from the early days of dance. CD 1 begins with something of a mega-mix, incorporating Candi Staton’s timeless ‘You Got The Love’, Paul Simpson’s ‘Musical Freedom’ and the oft-used ‘Free At Last’ vocal. Ce Ce Rogers and FPI-Project provide some soulful lyrics before Dee-Lite’s funk-infused ‘Groove Is In The Heart’ offers some more mainstream fare. Italian piano house gives way to more acidy sounds with Stevie V ‘Dirty Cash’ before Roger Sanchez’s middle-of-the-road but undeniably catchy ‘Another Chance’ brings the CD to a close. The early part of CD 2 continues in a similar vein to the first disc with Clivilles & Cole ‘A Deeper Love’ and D:Ream’s ‘U Are The Best Thing’ providing the party-fodder. ‘Perfect Motion’ from Sunscreem remains as epic and emotionally charged as ever, while thankfully it is the original of Billie Ray Martin’s ‘Your Lovin’ Arms’ that gets the nod ahead of the rather weak cover released in recent weeks. The rest of the CD is full of tracks that retain a timeless air to them and would no doubt cause a massive reaction in a club if they were played today, including True Faith ‘Take Me Away’, Rhythm On The Loose ‘Break of Dawn’ and Sasha’s remix of The Reese Project’s ‘Direct Me’. I nearly made the mistake of writing that the CD closes on a more recent track – Way Out West’s ‘The Gift’ – but checking the label copy it was in fact released in 1996; proof of its enduring quality. CD3 is a blend of old school numbers such as The Beloved’s superb ‘Sweet Harmony’ and the Stone Roses’ ‘Fools Gold’ with instantly recognisable house party tracks like ‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Rufus & Chaka Khan. A handful of deeper, downtempo numbers, mostly notably Talk Talk’s ‘Life’s What You Make It’ with its enormous guitar riff, and St Etienne’s ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, also make an appearance to give the mix some directional variation. Acid synths, staccato percussion and some incredibly catchy vocals bring the disc to a close in the form of Shannon’s appropriately titled ‘Let The Music Play’. Everyone has their own ‘classics’ – tracks that provided the soundtrack to a part of their life; tracks that never fail to make them smile - and it would be unfair to elevate some of the tracks above others, as no doubt each one of the fifty tracks on offer here counts as one of somebody’s favourites. These are some of Renaissance’s favourite tracks; and you are bound to find at least a few that bring memories flooding back.
Simon Ross [26-Jun-2006]
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