What a hack!
Sean McDonald | amsterdam | 08/29/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Being a Pete Tong Hater is not always easy, but it always enjoyable. It is like people that hate the BackStreet Boys, or Brittany Spears. We hate them becasue of what they represent. They are the hacks that tap into the highest peaks of cultural popularity and try to make it their own. On 2000, Tong has struck again.Like the old Ronco Greatest hits that we used to buy at Kmart when we were kids (remember all the best songs, no hidden gems) Tong does the exact same here, taking the life away from some great songs. His track listing is a Greatist Techno Hits (as he has always done) and peices them together for our listening enjoyment. To make matters even worse his mixing is not the least bit inspiring. Such current house hits like (well every track) Koochy, Time is Now, Tell me Why are throw together just so Pete can make a quick buck. Do yourself a favor, just say no, and find some techno that will challenge you, but also move you...unless N'sync really are your hero's."
The History of Disco, part 2
Andrew M. Schirmer | 07/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Perhaps the most genious House mix ever released, Pete Tong mixes together three beautiful disks of music, beginning with the throbbing History of Disco, to the beautiful Flowerz/I'm Lonely, evolving into two more mellow and beautiful disks. If you're looking for an introduction to London Vocal House, start right here!"
Good tunes...mediocre compilation.
Andrew M. Schirmer | Seattle, WA USA | 10/13/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The other reviewer here is referring to the 1999 Essential Spring Collection...I think that one is better. Tong comes up short here. The tunes are great ("Woman Trouble," "Koochy," "Must Be the Music"....) but it's like he's trying to cover too much ground. So many styles to capture...garage, trance, house...Following tradition, Disc One is house, and disc two is more trancey. Pete Tong's always been more of a cultural mover/shaker than a DJ. The man's got skills, but his compilations don't always show it. Check out the 1999 Essential Spring Collection - it follows more of a groove with the soul-house-thing going on. Tongey just played a show here in Seattle as well...will club culture ever catch on in America? Only time will tell."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
