Machine Soul: An Odyssey Into Electronic Dance Music-2CD Set Mint Import

CD's in Mint Condition. 

The dance compilation that boasts its definitiveness, its freshness, or, God forbid, its phatness or dopeness, is, as they say, a dime a dozen. But when a label like Rhino calls their new release an odyssey, chances seem good they're going to deliver just that. Insert your favorite quote about reputation and disappointment here. This 28 track, 2-CD set is indeed an amusing sampling of the genre, featuring bands of historical value (Kraftwerk, Throbbing Gristle, Cybotron) and slightly more modern tried-and-true acts (Underworld, the Orb, the Prodigy, the ubiquitous Chemical Brothers), as well as the occasional guilty pleasure (M/A/R/R/S's "Pump up the Volume" and L.A. Style's "James Brown Is Dead"). Where the collection falls short, however, is on its "odyssey" claim. The cutting edge of the genre is completely ignored in favor of songs that don't necessarily need to appear on more compilations (Gary Numan's "Cars," New Order's "Blue Monday"). Finally, the cuts boom, but they don't flow, missing opportunities to make the most of history or influence (e.g., "Trans-Europe Express" would have made a more interesting Kraftwerk selection, if only so that it could be cozied up with the song that owes it everything, Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock"). All in all, it's a fun trip, just not a mindblower. --Bob Michaels

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1 The Robots - Kraftwerk

2 Warm Leatherette - The Normal

3 I Feel Love - Donna Summer

4 The Number One Song In Heaven - Sparks

5 Electricity - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

6 Cars - Gary Numan

7 Adrenalin - Throbbing Gristle

8 Yashar - Cabaret Voltaire

9 Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force

10 Jam On Revenge - Newcleus

11 Clear - Cybotron

12 Blue Monday - New Order

13 Strings Of Life - Rythim Is Rythim

Disc: 2

1 Pump Up The Volume (Radio Edit) - M/A/R/R/S

2 Big Fun - Inner City

3 Enjoy The Silence (Single Mix) - Depeche Mode

4 What Time Is Love? (Live At The Trancentral Mix) - The KLF

5 Little Fluffy Clouds (Dance Mix MK I Edit) - The Orb

6 Go - Moby

7 Move Any Mountain (I.R.P. In The Land Of Oz Remix) - The Shamen

8 James Brown Is Dead (7in Version) - L.A. Style

9 Charly (Alley Cat Mix) - The Prodigy

10 Rez - Underworld

11 Life Is Sweet - The Chemical Brothers

12 Absurd (Mighty Dub Katz Vox Mix) - Fluke

13 2Kool4Skool (Short) - Uberzone

14 For An Angel (PVD Angel In Heaven Radio Mix) - Paul Van Dyk

15 Godspeed (BT Edit Mix) - BT