Short description
Arguably the most established and well-respected dance label, Ministry of Sound's latest compilation cherry-picks the best tracks from 15 years of their hugely popular Annual Series, featuring everything from grime (Wiley, DJ Fresh) and Euro-dance (Alice Deejay, Sash) to garage (Lovestation, Double 99) and anthemic trance (Chicane, Paul van Dyk). Highlights from the more contemporary first disc include Alex Gaudino's uplifting “I'm in Love,” Kid Cudi vs. Crookers' dubstep-influenced “Day 'n' Nite,” and Eric Prydz's “Valerie”-sampling number one “Call on Me”; Olive's atmospheric “You're Not Alone,” Freemasons' string-led “Love on My Mind,” and Jinny's Italo-house anthem “Keep Warm” provide the standouts from the second disc; and Deepest Blue's self-titled New Order-style debut, Les Rhythms Digitales' hypnotic “Jacques Your Body,” and the Prodigy's ferocious dance/rock hybrid “Breathe” are the choice cuts from disc three. With huge number ones from Dizzee Rascal, ATB, and Madison Avenue as well as lesser-known future hits from Wynter Gordon, Fake Blood, and Mark Knight, Annual 15 Years is an impressive who's who of dance music past, present, and future. ~ Jon O'Brien