Pure Sugar
Artist: Pure Sugar

Pure Sugar is an unabashed, unashamed group. They're not ashamed that they make infectious dance music and lead singer Jennifer Starr is not ashamed about her love of sex, either. Those two factors are the reason why Pure Sugar's eponymous debut album is such a trashy delight. It's lightweight, to be sure, but that's the point -- it's silly and... Read More

Essential Murk & Funky Green Dog Mixes
Artist: Murk

A stellar compilation of remixes by various solo and group Falcon/Gaetan aliases, including several for themselves as well as outside productions like Donna Summer, Olive, JayDee, Tin Tin Out and Boris Dlugosch, among others. ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide Read More

MAW Records: The Compilation, Vol. 1
Artist: Masters at Work

A more diverse collection than Masterworks (though both include MAW-related hits "Moonshine" and "The Bounce"), MAW Records: The Compilation, Vol. 1 collects essential tracks from the two-year history of Vega and Gonzalez' own label. It alternates genre workouts like the Latin-tinged "MAW War" and "India con Lavoe" with more mainstream... Read More

Sound Museum
Artist: Towa Tei

Not many producers could juggle vocal tracks by Kylie Minogue and Biz Markie, plus a bossa nova cover of Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes," but Towa Tei does an excellent job of uniting a disparate mix of club-centric grooves. There are several highlights, but none better than Biz Markie's sprightly, infectious "BMT." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide Read More

Masterworks: Essential KenLou House Mixes
Artist: Masters at Work

Covering the history of house according to Masters at Work, Masterworks is the place for all of MAW's best club remixes, from the early reworking of St. Etienne's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" to diva workouts like Kathy Brown's "Can't Play Around," Neneh Cherry's "Buddy X" and Barbara Tucker's "Beautiful People." Gonzalez and Vega's decision... Read More

Far from the Maddening Crowds
Artist: Chicane
Community Score: 9.00

Chicane's debut album, Far From the Maddening Crowds, is an impressive tour de force of contemporary dance styles, proving that Nick Bracegirdle -- the man that, for all intents and purposes, is Chicane -- has mastered not only house-styled thumpers, but also spacious, near-ambient soundscapes. The album follows the loose concept of being... Read More

Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk
Artist: Dimitri from Paris

Dimitri from Paris' 2001 release, Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk, is a joint release from Mixer magazine, Razor and Tie, and DMC World. Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk is a funky and lustful mix CD consisting of all kinds of tracks from all kinds of different artists, from Björk to the Brand New Heavies and from UFO to Sir... Read More