Alternative Rock Compilations music reviews

The first Swing This Baby compilation of the best neo-swing bands. The best are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra, Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra, Steve Lucky And The Rhumba Bums and of course The Brian Setzer Orchestra. What is good on this compilation is that not only hits are featured here but selections are great. I can not decide which song is the best.
So play it loud and dance the night away.

A great CD that will make you wish for a momentary time-warp to go back to the days when "swing was king." Not every song is 5 star, which is why I rated it as an overall 4- but the majority of the songs are fantastic

Man, what's with all the 4 and 3 star reviews, cats? When you're looking for good RETRO SWING, you have to wade through a lot of mediocre albums. This is one of the best RETRO SWING samplers you can find. Perfect for a swing party because every cut just smokes. THIS IS FIVE STARS, TRUST ME.

Buy it used from an Amazon Seller.

What happened to most of these guys? BRING BACK RETRO SWING!! This craze died out way too soon.

When VH-1 did their popular Divas Live concert in 1998, it became a household name for all ages. Nevertheless, it had so many cheers at the live concert, but a few flaws with the record, by accounts of performances that were performed live on the concert, but not released on the album itself. For the sequel, there were more divas than the last time on the bill. They included such legends as Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Cher to name a few. Still, it became a powerhouse to watch. The concert also became a little more thrilling with other people coming in like Elton John, and Faith Hill entering the crowd.

The Divas Live 1999, is a sampler of the successful concert that came out in April 1999. Still, like its previous concert, Divas Live lacked a few performances that were actually on the live performance, but not on the album. Last time, the album lacked performance from Aretha Franklin. This time, the record lacks performances from almost every performer, accept Tina Turner and Brandy. Their were so many showstoppers that weren't on the record including: two songs that Whitney Houston performed that evening, My Love Is Your Love and It's Not Right But It's Okay, Elton John and Leann Rimes performing Written In The Stars from Aida and Like Father Like Son (Elton performed solo), and Cher's comeback hit Believe. Still, the live album does have some dynamic performances including Whitney's I Will Always Love You, The Best by Tina Turner, and Faith Hill's This Kiss.

It is just a shame that when VH-1 makes these live records, they really don't consider using all the songs on there. Still, just like last time, the Divas Live '99, is a magnificent concert, but it could've been a lot better as a live record. Still, if you haven't experienced any of the Divas Live performances, don't have VH-1, or haven't heard some of these performers before, I suggest you get this record and try the diva experience.

This collection is fantastic. Elton John, Cher, Tina Turner, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Brandy & Mary J Blige were all great, but the reason that anybody buys this disc is because of Whitney Houston.

Whitney is phenominal in every sense of the word, performing her greatest rendition of "I Will Always Love You" in her incredibe history. The only reason that I gave this 4 stars instead of a deserved 5 is because VH1 cut a lot of the performances from the night and didn't put them on this cd.

This is a bad thing because all of Whitney's performances from that night (which were basically her singles from My Love is Your Love) were great, and thats the last time that I can remember Whitney sounding so good live.

Pick this album up for Whitney alone its 110% worth it!!!

I enjoyed the show, and from what I understand it was for a good cause. This CD pretty much highlights the show. In ways I wish they would have included LeAnn & Elton's duet "Written In The Stars". There's 2 incredible voices together. In my opinion though...Brandy doesn't really seem to fit in as a "Diva" if Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes are only the Divas in training for the show.

Sorry, this CD just isn't the exact genre that I was thinking. Buying the wrong kind of compilation was my mistake, but with the Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, i thought maybe it was going to be a little heavier than what it was. Turned out to be the light alt-pop bands from the 90's.

This would have gotten three stars, but the song by Pavement that was dissing R.E.M. just threw me over the edge.
I would recommend Sub Pop 200, or maybe DGC Rarities instead of this, but if you like 90's alt-pop, this is for you. If you want heavier, more like Nirvana, get Sub Pop 200.

The only place that you can find an official release of the excellent Nirvana track 'Verse Chorus Verse'. From memory the song had been hanging around since the 'Bleach' days (1980s) yet, because Kurt was never satisfied with the way the song turned out during recording sessions, it never made it on any of the albums. The version included here is taken from the 'In Utero' sessions and easily better than many of the songs that wound up on that album, Cobain's opinion notwithstanding.

Another note of trivia for those interested; often it has been said that the Nirvana track was 'hidden' because the band provided the song after all the booklets etc had been printed. But if you actually read the booklet, it refers to 19 tracks rather than 18, suggesting the the person who wrote the inlay was aware of 19 tracks before printing, and perhaps that the Nirvana track was hidden intentionally. WHo knows?

In closing, the Nirvana completest will be satisfied, but apart from the Mathew Sweet opener and the live Beastie Boys track, most of the other songs are just throwaways you'll never listen to again.

No Alternative is one of those CDs that you listen to on your way to work for a month straight, finally tire of, forget for a few years, and then remember all over again, listening to it on your way to work for a month straight. The beauty of compilations and soundtracks is that, when they're done right, they're diverse enough to keep your interest far longer than an album by a single artist ever could.

Yet, what makes No Alternative excel as a compilation is the fact that it does manage to maintain some commonality amongst the diversity; enough to keep things fresh and interesting with each successive track, but all while weaving them together with an emotional thread. Urge Overkill's "Take a Walk" and American Music Club's "All Your Jeans Were Too Tight" sound nothing alike, yet somewhere, in the deep emotional core of these songs, there's some commonality. Virtually every song on this album somehow deals with loss at its center. Some are uplifting, some despairing, some jaded, and some treat it with black humor. No two can be confused for one another; no two feel like they're consciously working for this effect. Yet, on a tribute album for an AIDS foundation, each of these songs seem to have taken the underlying cause to heart in a way that makes song transitions often seamless, even when the tone, beat, and volume change abruptly. The one exception to this is Nirvana's hidden track at the end, which (while worthy of inclusion on a Nirvana's Greatest Hits album) seems to have been contributed arbitrarily.

To provide some background (I guess I should have done this first), No Alternative was compiled in 1993, at the height of the Alternative/Independent movement. As the liner notes explain, the duel purpose of the album was to raise money for AIDS research ("there's no alternative") and to dispel the myth that Alternative could be considered a single style of music with distinguishable characteristics ("there's no such thing as Alternative"). This second notion accurately reflects the variety of talent signed on for this album.

No Alternative incorperates the works of nineteen independent artists, most still on the fringe of public awareness at the time of its release. Perhaps this was a gamble by its producers to inexpensively sign artists that had a chance of making it big right before the album hit stores. However, it's more likely that this was simply an attempt to catch a glimpse at the "true" alternative, occuring right outside the music mainstream, in all its diversity. Smashing Pumpkins, Soul Asylum, and The Breeders were already Alternative brand names by the time of NA's release, Sarah McLachlan and Soundgarden's mainstream breakthroughs were still a few years away, and Urge Overkill and Matthew Sweet continued to remain on the fringe of public awareness, even while attracting large fan bases. Patti Smith and The Beastie Boys aside, I've never heard of the rest of the artists that compile this album, and I don't suspect that I ever will.

There are no bad songs on this album, but the truly best and most memorable songs are the intensely introspective "Take a Walk" (Urge Overkill), the dream-weaving, soul affirming "Glynis" (Smashing Pumpkins), and the desperate lament of "Hold On" (tremendously different alternative version by Sarah McLachlan). Nirvana's hidden "Verse Chorus Verse" is among their best work but, as previously stated, does not match the tone of the album. Fans of Patti Smith will be haunted and touched by how her "Memorial Song" differs from anything they've heard from her previously, but non-fans will be likely to scoff at the song (as I once did).

You don't need to be a fan of Alternative to appreciate No Alternative. After all, there is no Alternative. All you need is an open ear, willing to engage and appreciate various distinctive styles. But even if you approach No Alternative without that open ear, some of these songs will open it for you. There's a passion on this album that simply cannot be missed. You may not immediately hear it in Soul Asylum's cover of "Sexual Healing", but, sooner or later, one of the tracks on this album is going to catch you and, if it treats you the way it treated me, it may never let you go.

Holly and Sarah are great. Many of the artists are edgy and mature. But "Kiss Me" by Sixpence is an example of the sappy shallowness that this CD gets stuck in. Two stars is generous. Reissue this without the Sixpence track.

While all of the songs on this record are outstanding and fun to hear live, Liz Phair's "Never Said" is a radio classic. Her first real recognition came from this song which helped make her an indie princess. An awesome buy.

I got this CD last night and have listened to it 6 times since, it is that good!!!! Luka is a depressingly excellent song, and Get Out The Map is cute and country-ish. It is so ecclectic and broad. My favorite songs are probably Luka, Get Out the Map, Naked Eye, and Never Said. If you are a fan of female music, buy this, you won't be dissapointed!

I saw this CD at a friends house and noticed that it was mixed by Ferry Corsten, so I immediately asked if I could borrow it. It turned out that he had several other Trance Nation CDs mixed by Ferry Corsten. I borrowed them all from him and gave them a listen when I got home. To my surprise, all the CDs sucked enourmously!!! I can't believe Ferry Corsten agreed to mix all this poppy garbage!!! If you want to see what Ferry Corsten is capable of achieving, then get Global Trancemissions 01 & 02, and Right of Way instead than this piece of crap.

Why oh why does a brilliant master of the trance genre feel he has to keep churning out turgid Ministry of Sound compilations?. These mixes are great for those just getting to grips with the sound but true fans look elsewhere. The MOS comilations seem have that 60s thing about the 3minute sound bite ie the mixes are way too short, the tracks used are usually old and found elsewhere months before release by MOS and lastly there are always too many fillers on anything they release. Ferry has done much much better and will do again, This album gets 3 stars for nothing more than the brilliant Armin Van Buuren mix of the best thing released in 2001- 'Rapture' by Iio.

This is CD does not really dissapoint me, but all these vocal type songs are starting to get out of hand. I loved "Catch" by Kosheen and "I feel so fine." These songs actually made me move and made me "relaxed", but unfortunalty, they are not Trance. Lets call this alblum Vocal Nation 2002 instead because I also don't see why Ferry has to make a title 6 times. Anyways, it's not that bad because there were still some Trance songs and the Vocals were good. But comparing to Trance Nation 1-5 (Trance Nation 5 is also called Trance Nation 2001) this is bad, I would suggest you buy those and you will be proud you did. So this alblum gets a four star for these excellent songs, but remember, next time, Trance!!!

Well, I have many, many CDs and few from Hed Kandi. Most are good, some not but none have burned me more than this compilation of crap. I spent $30 and I wish I could return it. I amazed by the reviews for this, I actually went by them to decide to purchase it. In my opinion, these people don't know good Chill when they hear or they are completely tone deaf.
Don't, don't waste your money on this unless you like to listen to B-side style music.

Being a fan of the other compilations from Hed Kandi, I decided to give Winter Chill a try, and I'm glad I did. Hed Kandi compilations usually contain songs that are otherwise unavailable on other cds, and this is no exception. With the amount of chill cd's out there, it's nice to see a label distinguish themselves by including lesser known artists, instead of taking the easy way and putting songs that were previously available on other cds.

This is a nice CD to just put on as background music, to just relax, or maybe at a party to set the mood, whatever you want. I find a lot of the tracks are hypnotic. Some favorites include a cover of Prince's "Sometimes It Snows In April" by Amar, Afterlife's "Deeper - Into Places", Fac 15 feat. Cathi Ogden on "Rainy Days and Mondays", Depeche Mode's "When The Body Speaks", Goldfrapp's "Lovely Head" and more. Overall a nice chill CD.

Hed Kandi is a label that prides itself in providing excellent chill/house/dance msuic by artists that are less popular or perhaps even unknown. Now, this might frighten you at first. I mean, if these artists and songs are unpopular or have never been heard of, surely they aren't very good right? WRONG.

Chill out cds are everywhere nowadays, but most of them aren't very good, or have trackfulls of songs that you already have on a past Chill CD. Not Hed Kandi. The tracks on this cd are mostly unknown (or at least to me, and I consider myself pretty up-to-date with music) except for the opening songs of Faithless and Depeche Mode, but what's great is, the unknown artists are what steal the show! On CD2 Rainy Days And Mondays by Fac 15 is absolutely amazing. The vocals are sensational, the beats are hypnotic. Blow It All Away by Sia is catchy, has heavenly synths and singing.

This 3rd volume is probably the Darkest of the Winter Chill series (V2 was pretty dark, but I didn't like it very much) it's hard to explain the Darkness but, I guess most of the songs just sound a little more moody? or deeper, more bassy, more Alto than Soprano. Whereas 06 03 and 06 02 were more happy, and chipper (They are also the best in the series IMO)

If I was forced to rank the Winter Chill series in order of greatest to least, it would be:

1. (best) 06.03
2. 06.02
3. Volume 3
4. Volume 1
5. Volume 2

So, it's not the Greatest.. I think there's a higher number of awesome songs in the 06's but, there are songs on these CDs that are so good, it's really worth it just for them. Plus, since the artists are kinda 'rare' you can ooh and aah your friends with something other than your worn out Pure Moods and Enya CDs

This CD is a compilation of pop hits that may be a few years old, but still can be heard on the Top 40 radio stations today, you know, the ones they play over and over again. It is all here on one CD for your convenience!

I know it doesn't have any hard rock bands, but I otherwise find this CD enjoyable. This is the kind of rock and pop that is good for just hanging out, but not banging your head to.

The thing is, there were many songs I didn't know about before, but that made the CD more exciting to purchase.

If you haven't gotten any of the songs on other compilation CDs yet, this one's worth a few bucks. It beats all the other CDs that have the same songs on them(Jesus Jones, for example).

I love the cd I think the first 7 songs are the best

I don't like any of the Totally Hit series cause they suck!
Totally Hits 2004 really sucks! I Only The Hip Hop Song's it
has. One Thing that i'd notice is that they never have any Latin singers. That's One Thing i hate of this series. This series comes out every 5 Months! So they Have 2 CD'S evry year.Always the song's they put are play'd out whet their cd come out.
Now That's What I call Music the series comes out with 3 cd's a year! They have Latin artist.
That why Now That's What I call Music the series is better!
so don't recomand u buy any of the totally hits cd series
cause they suck! Insted buy The Now series!!!

Why won't people give Totally Hits a chance? Totally Hits 2004 vol.1 is just as good as any NOW album, even better than some!
Good Tracks:
Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Harder To Breathe
Milkshake
Salt Shaker
Rubber Band Man
You Don't Know My Name
The Voice Within
Perfect
All the rest aren't so good.

1. Are You Gonna Be My Girl-Jet 8/10
2. Harder To Breathe-Maroon 5 9/10
3. You And I Both-Jason Mraz 9/10
4. Milkshake-Kelis 5/10
5. I'm Still In Love With You-Sean Paul featuring Sasha 9/10
6. Salt Shaker-Yina Yang Twins featuring Lil' Jon and the East Side Boyz 10/10
7. Tipsy-J-Kwon 7/10
8. T.I.-Rubber Band Man 8/10
9. You Don't Know My Name-Alicia Keys 8/10
10. The Voice Within-Christina Aguilera 10/10
11. Sorry 2004-Ruben Studdard 8.5/10
12. I'm Lovin' It-Justin Timberlake 4/10
13. The Trouble With Love Is-Kelly Clarkson 10/10
14. White flag-Dido 10/10
15. Invisible-Clay Aiken 6.5/10
16. Perfect-Simple Plan 8/10
17. Breathe-Michelle Branch 10/10
18. Step In The Name Of Love (Remix) 8/10
19. More & More-Joe 7/10
20. Pass That Dutch-Missy Elliott 10/10

DON'T LET ME GET ME- Great song, but not as explosive as "Get The Party Started." Still, heartfelt lyrics, and great symbolism. (5/5)
ALL YOU WANTED- Awesome song, very catchy.....this girl has a mysterious talent for mind-blowingly infectious hooks. (5/5)
I NEED A GIRL PART I- This song could be a little more catchy, but it is sweet, soulful and sexy. Usher's warm vocals and Loon's rap are just awesome.....I love it when guys do true love songs instead of sex-driven romps, it is SO SEXY!!!! (4/5)
JUST A FRIEND- Not bad-cute, fun, catchy. (4/5)
U DON'T HAVE TO CALL- Usher is incredible, but this song honestly doesn't impress me.....but OMG the video was so frickin' SEXY it should be a crime....(drooling over shower scene). I love u, Usher, baby, but this is not one of ur best songs. (2/5)
HEAVEN (CANDLELIGHT MIX)- ...........What were they SMOKING not including the original dance version?! This song is still beautifully sung and catchy, but the techno dance version is addictive. Still good, but I'm pretty sure the original dance version was a bigger hit, and, well, it's a better song. (4/5)
FULL MOON- Brandy's best song, in my opinion, is "Afrodisiac," but this is a fun, mid-tempo club groove. (4/5)
AWNAW- ....Not good at all. (1/5)
IF I COULD GO- ...Okay. I prefer the "Not Tonight" remix with Lil' Kim and them. (2/5)
SATELLITE- ...Not my thing. (1/5)
HERE IS GONE- Typical pop-rock....more rock than pop. I just don't like this one that much. (3/5)
GET HERE- My problem with Totally Hits is that it includes far too many minimal and underground hits (I guess because Now claims all the really big smashes)......has ANYONE EVER heard this AI reject on radio....? Yeah, me neither. I would have killed myself if this whiny loser had beaten the great Kelly Clarkson. (0/5)
OUT OF MY HEART- Pretty. Not too bad. (3/5)
ALL EYEZ ON ME- ..Not....too...bad, I guess. She's had better, and Brandy will always be better. (3/5)
The rest of the CD sucks. The first half is great, but the second half is awful. I don't know if this is a worthwhile buy.

For some reason, the "Totally Hits" series doesn't have luck in releasing more than one album a year (Totally Hits 3 being an exception). The first album is always a terrific summation of great singles, while the second albums are filled with second tier ones. "Totally Hits 2002: More Platinum Hits" does not come anywhere near the claim of it's title. Despite a few good tracks, most of the songs seen like filler.
(1) P!NK "Don't Let Me Get Me" A-. It lacks the stormin' beat of "Get The Party Started", but makes up for it with alot of attitude and a real message. By making songs about HER life, listeners can see some parallels to their own. Celebrity or not.
(2) Michelle Branch "All You Wanted" A. A deep and touching pop/rock song that finds the right impact from the lyrics and guitar chords. Another song that starts with simple material, yet rise far above it.
(3) P.Diddy feat. Usher & Loon "I Need A Girl Part I". A-. For a change from most music, Parts I & II are actually different! Part II may be the more involving one, but this part still has a whole lot of charisma and likability to it. Another entry in for the era of positive hip-hop (almost R&B).
(4) Mario "I Need A Girl 2002" C. A minor hit that pales in comparison to the original 1989 Biz Markie classic. When Mario decided to remake a hip-hop classic, he had certain requiements to live up to. Shame he doesn't, hopefully his "original" work is better.
(5) Usher "U Don't Have To Call" C+. The 3rd single off "8701", and also the weakest one. A good effort that lacks the impact and fun of Usher's other singles. You also expect a bit more from a song Pharrell was attached to. Not nessecary, but still listenable.
(6) DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. Do "Heaven" B. Decent dance tune, but the song was a hit "limited" to dance fans and never really expanded further. The song has a wonderful beat, but none of the depth that makes artists like Cher and Kylie Minouge so great.
(7) Brandy "Full Moon" C. "What About Us?" was one of the best R&B songs of 2002, while this is below usual Brandy quality. The title promises an interesting song, but the song is everything we've heard before. Is it any wonder this song NEVER became a hit?
(8) Nappy Roots "Awnaw" D. The Nappy Roots take southern rap to an almost redeneck extent, and the result is just not very likeable. This track is standard material with a awful beat and tone to it that appeals to just about no one. Their "shotgun marrige" of country and rap does not work.*
(9) Angie Martinez "If I Could Go" C-. Hip-Hop has many females who are worth a listen (i.e. Eve, Lauryn Hill, Lil' Kim), and Angie Martinez is not i that league. This track tries so hard to be about something that it looses all meaning. Big Pun nearly invented "Latino Hip-Hop", and nothing since then has equaled his masterful body of work.
(10) P.O.D. "Satellite" B. As with most work by P.O.D., the song really is about something with it's worthy material. It just doesn't have the haunting impact that made "Youth Of The Nation" so powerful. There's also the fact that it never charted either; "Alive" was a huge hit and alot more entertaining.
(11) Goo Goo Dolls "Here Is Gone" B+. It may not be "top form Goo Goo Dolls", but is still a worthy return to the charts for the group. The song is laced a polished beat and effective lyrics to make it a terrific rock listen. It's a shame this song didn't catch more attention.
(12) Justin Guarini "Get Here" D+. Of all the "American Idol" winners and runners-up, Justin is the least talented. The original was very good, but this version never has any depth or conviction. Guarini has made a lifeless, stale piece of work that fades from memory within seconds.
(13) BBMAK "Out Of My Heart" B. Even during the "teen pop wave", BBMAK was always shadowed by 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees. They still lack the skills to define themselves, but this is an enjoyable pop/rock track with a nice beat and lyrics. It's good for what it is, but could have been more.
(14) Monica "All Eyez On Me" C+. Same as #7. Monica has had many successful songs, both before and after this. Not bad, but average and lack-luster.
(15) Clipse "Grindin'" C+. Catchy standard material that became a fairly big hit. Atleast the skill of the artists keep it from being a total waste and offer some talent. Clipse just doesn't have what it takes to stand on their own.
(16) The Hives "Hate To Say I Told You So" B-. The Hives don't break any boundaries, but atleast have some style and attitude. The other problem is that this song will not appeal to everyone because the music is very genre defined. Still, the song is alright for what it is.
(17) The Calling "Adrienne" C+. "Wherever You Will Go" was so powerful, that a follow up was bound to pale in comparison. This is an earnest and honest attempt that doesn't go far enough. In the end, we have a good effort that fails to rise above average.
(18) Donnell Jones "You Know That I Love You" C. Despite some critical praise, Donnell Jones just doesn't do it for me. His material never distinguishes itself and generates very little emotion. This track really needs some of the zest that the best modern R&B songs have.
(19) Boyz II Men "The Color Of Love" B+. Not spectacular R&B, but a beautiful ballad with alot of depth. This track also stands as a testament of why Boyz II Men have been around for over a decade. Their patented sound has inspired many R&B groups from All-4-One to Jagged Edge.
(20) Ian Van Dahl "Castles In The Sky" C-. For starters, this song was NEVER a hit in the U.S., just in England. The other issue is the fact that it goes in circles with the same redundant lyrics. This is a song with no clear purpose and no real message.
Bottom Line: *1/2. I found this album to be a complete disappointment; 2002 was a great year for music, but you couldn't tell it from this album. "Totally Hits 2002" worked very well because it contained the biggest and best tracks, there was hardly anything to quibble over. This album feels like a rough draft: has the right idea, but needs alot of revision.
*NOTE: In the Fall of 2004, Nelly and Tim McGraw did successfully combine rap with country. The song is called "Over and Over" (from Nelly's "Suit" LP) and it is definetly worth a listen.

This is yet another good compliation, and, an excelent follow-up to TH2002! On with the tracks:

1. Pink- Don't Let Me Get Me (4/5) OK song by Pink. I didnt like at 1st, but, its grown on me lots.
2. Michelle Branch- All You Wanted (4/5) Decent Michelle song, but, one of the most overplayed songs of 2002.
3. P. Diddy featuring Usher and Loon- I Need A Girl (Part 1) (5/5) I love this song, but, they couldve used Part 2. Both are awsome!!
4. Mario- Just A Friend 2002 (4/5) A completely different version of Biz Markie's Just a Friend. Cool anywayz. I wonder what happend to Mario, tho. He was good.
5. Usher- You Don't Have To Call (5/5) Another awsome song by Usher! Overplayed in 2002, but, whatever.
6. DJ Sammy & Yanou featuring Do- Heaven (Candlelight Remix) (4/5) A beautiful remix, but, it sounds sadder, and, I like the orignal remake better. I still like this tho.
7. Brandy- Full Moon (5/5) I Love This Song! YOU GO BRANDY! Look for her new album this June.
8. Nappy Roots featuring Jaze Pha- Awnaw (3/5) OK. Not bad, tho. Jaze Pha kinda sounds like hes on 3 different drugs, tho. They couldve put Po Folks with Nappy Roots and Anthony Hamilton instead!
9. Angie Martienaz featuring Lil' Mo and Sacario- If I Could Go (5/5) Awsome. Overplayed in 2002 and 2003, also, but, still love it. Lil Mo does one of the best choruses ever, and, Saciario sounds Jay-Zish, but, he still sounds awsome.
10. P.O.D.- Sattelite (5/5) Not a hit from these guys, VERY sadly, but, an awsome song by POD. They couldve used Alive instead, even if it was old, cuz, it was much more of a hit.
11. Goo Goo Dolls- Here Is Gone (5/5) AWSOME GOO GOO DOLLS SONG!!!!!!!!!!! THEIR 2nd best. Jonny Resnick sounds kinda different at first, but, so what.
12. Justin Guarini- Get Here (3/5) OK. Justin Guarini is pretty good, but, not as good as Kelly Clarkson or Clay Aiken. They couldve used Kelly Clarkson's A Moment Like This instead.
13. BBMak- Out Of My Heart (Into Your Head) (4/5) Good song from these guys, but, kind of a minor hit. Whyd they switch them from the Now side tho?
14. Monica- All Eyes On Me (5/5) Awsome Monica song. A very minor hit, and, the album All Eyez On Me was canceled, but, luckily, she renamed it After The Storm. Sadly, no All Eyez On Me, tho.
15. Clipse- Grindin (5/5) One of the best on da album. Dope beat. I hope these guys come back soon.
16. Hives- Hate To Say I Told You So (4/5) Hives are ok. Not as good as The Vines, tho. Good song, anyway.
17. Calling- Adrienne (4/5) Pretty good effort by the Calling, but, not as good as Wherever You Will Go. A minor hit.
18. Donnel Jones- You Know That I Love You (5/5) I love slow jams alot, and, this is one of them!
19. Boyz II Men- The Color Of Love (3/5) A very minor hit by these guys. Not that good.
20. Ian Van Dahl- Castles In the Sky (1/5) WHY WAS THIS ON HERE?!! ITS WAY TOO OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE OF THE WORST SONGS EVER PUT ON A COMPLIATION!!!!!!!!!! F YOU TOTALLY HITS!!

This disc really didn't do too much for me. Keep in mind that doesn't mean that you shouldn't buy this because this is very much going to be an individual preference type thing. It just wasn't my cup of tea, that's all. So my rating is solely based on my personal experience and should not deter those who feel they would be interested in this.

There have been some flames thrown between reviewers on this album so let me just say this: I think it is great that these guys got together and decided to do a tribute to Charlie Parker. I would also hope that people would purchase Bird's original recordings as well so they can get an idea of what his music was really like and hopefully get an idea of how much of a true genius the man was. There have been complaints of snobbery by other reviewers and an unwillingness of older generations to accept the music of younger generations. I will say this: I am a musician and in my mid twenties and I will freely admit that when it comes to snobbery in music my generation and the ones younger than me tend to be the snobs most of the time. There are so many younger people nowadays who have no knowledge (and don't care to learn about) the musicains that came before them. That truly is a shame because we must always keep in mind that if it wasn't for those who came before us, we wouldn't be here. And I do agree with the statement that music today is way too much about image and not about making good music. I also agree with the statement that house and hip hop have their roots in jazz. Now here's another question for you: Before you go ripping on older people for not realizing that house and hip hop came out of jazz, how many younger people today know that those musical forms have their roots in jazz and could name any of those great jazz musicians that came first and paved the way for the house/hip hop guys out there today?

Finally, there's been the question of whether or not Bird would have liked this recording. Would Bird have approved of this recording? Who can say? He's not here to give his opinion and I'm not going to go putting words into the man's mouth.

When I got this, I thought the basic concept seemed interesting. This album, however, has left me totally underwhelmed. Some of the cuts are nice, but most of it is uninteresting. Here is an example complaint: On "Cheers," the X-excutioners are skilled at their turntables, but they don't show any imagination because all they do is mimic the original melodic lines. So, the result of this album is no good. Also the liner notes really suck. The writer, Tour�, uses an absurd amount of hyperboles, mixed metaphors, and braggadocio.

I suppose you could look elsewhere for remixed jazz. Although I suggest a few orignal Parker albums instead.

I am very disappointed at the pervasive negativity here. It's a real shame there are so many narrow-minded snobs (namely one "Jay from Chicago") who are so foolishly set in their ways, that they think anything new, modern, or part of a "younger generation" is automatically inferior to the one or two styles of music they so foolishly limit themselves to. Styles like hip hop and electronica evolved from jazz, and only the most ignorant of "music fans" would claim there's no talent or creativity within these styles.

Anyone who is willing to stop shouting "Blasphemy!" long enough to actually LISTEN to the damn thing should be able to see that this is a reverent, and very well-made tribute. With artists like Dan the Automator, Serj Tankian, El-P, RZA, and Hubert Laws, there's a wide variety of interesting sounds here. Hal Willner's Whoops I'm an Indian (cool name, isn't it?) make some particularly noteworthy contributions as well.

So, all of you who possess an open mind, and aren't hopelessly lost in the past, I urge you to give this a chance. Hell, I bet even Charlie himself would approve of this work, despite what the old-timers may want to believe. After all, the true essence of jazz was all about looking to the future, not the past.