Ministry Of Sound: Piano House Classics / Various

This is the first decent compilation Ministry of Sound have put out in about three or four years, the label seemingly having run out of ideas.What we have here is a pretty much definitive compilation of popular house music from its golden age of (mainly) the 1990s. Most of the big tunes of the day are included, plus a few less commercially successful but no less influential songs, for example Soft House Company's "What U Need". Although this album could hardly be described as underground, over the course of 60 tracks it does involve such inspirational figures as Marshall Jefferson, Derrick May and even Mike Banks of Underground Resistance; the latter featuring in an unlikely collaboration with Pete Waterman's son Paul (RIP) for Loveland's "Let the Music (Lift You Up)". The focus and quality is maintained right up to the end - arguably saving the best until last by closing with Rhythim is Rhythim's "Strings of Life".There are surprisingly few glaring omissions on this expertly put together collection although I think Seven Grand Housing Authority's "The Question" (from the Godfather of Detroit piano house, Terrence Parker) should have been on here. Inner City would also have fitted in well. As for unwanted inclusions - well Robert Miles (RIP) "Children" never ever did it for me, although it was highly rated by others, so fair do's I suppose.This music is in my blood so its difficult to offer any objective criticism other than to say I love it. I won't make the mistake of saying that 90s music is better than what's around today because that's what older people always (wrongly) say, and some listeners will find this collection sounds dated in places. What I would suggest is, bang this on on long car journeys with your kids in the back, and they will thank you for it: if not now, then in 20 years' time. In much the same way as I had to "endure" the Pickwick Records "Original Hits of the 60s" compilation in the back of my parents' Renault 12 - which in fact turned out to be an education. Equally, so will "Piano House Classics".

There is no indication that this is a compilation of mixed tracks until you open the seal and the CDs marked MIX 1, MIX 2 and MIX 3 are self-evident. I bought this on the strength that it was a good selection of tracks based on the subject matter. Many of them are what I'd call classics from the House genre with piano featured prominently as the main accompaniment. I do have several Ministry CDs (some mixed, some not) so am aware of the high production values and reputation that the Ministry brand represents. However, I was disappointed in the poor mixing techniques used to integrate Byron Stingly's 'Get Up' House Classic (Mix One, Track 15. Its inclusion ruins the tracks it follows and precedes; its position in the lineup being about as subtle as a 10 ton truck on a country lane. What a shame that such a rookie error should detract from an otherwise pretty seamless bit of mixing...

I'm so glad I bought the CD's to play in my car, it's been a pleasure listening to it. I really appreciate some of the old classics like DJ's Take Control, Sweet Harmony and Break 4 Love.If you read the track listing you can see that everyone is a classic and it's well named because I think there is a piano on every one of them. They're all mixed and you get most of the track so it's not intrusive.At £8.99 you can't beat the value and if you like these tracks and maybe you remember a lot of them then you won't regret buying this compilation, 5 stars.

Excellent! Bought this for my partner for his birthday he absolutely loves it! Great songs!

this was a terrible CD it was faulty and I wrote to the seller three times with no response had a refund in the end very disappointing !!