Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 11/02/2004
Wasting absolutely no time in compiling
progressive house's finest moments of the past year, this annual starts off with
Eric Prydz's smash European hit
"Call on Me." This track not only brilliantly samples
Steve Winwood's '80s
pop hit
"Valerie," but it sets the tone for the remainder of the two-disc set. Lots of percussive buildups and breakdowns, filtered and washed samples from
pop music over the past two decades all placed over a hypnotic and relentless kick drum that is unforgiving at times. Those seeking exactly what
Ministry of Sound has to offer year in and year out won't be disappointed, but those with a more discriminating palette may find this annual cumbersome after the first disc. As with many of
Ministry's mix sets, this could have been parsed down to one outstanding disc rather than two good ones. Regardless, with all of the
dance compilations out there, the
Ministry of Sound still offers the best bang for the buck. It's almost like being right in front of the speaker stacks, minus the whistle blowing, glow-stick chucking club kids.
~Rob Theakston, All Music Guide