(Sony BMG)

It is customary as a reviewer when receiving a new triple mix CD of house – electric and eclectic (or any style for that matter) – to open up the album inset or sleeve to search for info or notes to give you a better idea as to the background of what you’re about to hear. So, dutifully, I did so.

Page 1: People drinking, smiling, licking each other, giving the cameraman the finger, throwing up their hands, grinding their jaws and staring out into space. I flicked further through the booklet. More of the same… with a definite emphasis on half naked blonde girls with eyes like dinner plates grabbing at their own (or their friends) breasts. Actually that’s not entirely accurate: some of them are brunettes. Long story short – this was set to be a selection of party mixes designed to capture the spirit of the Onelove bashes held in Melbourne and all around. And in that sense, it is most certainly a success.

The Freemasons kick things off with a waste no time funky house treat of a mix. It is beautifully structured, layered and thought out from beginning to end, with smooth transitions keeping the energy of the mix tight throughout. An ideal mix to play on the way to the club with tracks from all the usual big room suspects, this will convert even sometime listeners of house within minutes.

The ‘3am’ mix by Grant Smilie (currently getting attention for his part in the group TV Rock) starts out with his track ‘Flaunt It’ which is currently spreading over the airwaves and moves on from there. It’s a neat selection of deep and dirty electro trash which is well suited for a dark club and a big system, but overall the mixing lacks the transference of energy needed to make it a good listening experience. By about halfway through the mix those who aren’t in love with the style will probably find their attentions start to wane and drift off, as the mix as a whole really does have trouble maintaining your attention past the more obvious numbers (Mylo’s mix of No More Conversations, Tiga’s mix of Washing Up).

The final ‘Back Room’ mix is an absolute delight. Electro, hip hop, techy breaks and house all live together with a decent splash of acid for good measure. Put together with the mash up style of “these tracks really shouldn’t fit together, but damn it they sound great”, the mix as a whole is a really great experience, ideal for those who want to be introduced to something a little bit outside of the box. Oh, and the mix finishing off with the retro cool of Ray Parker Jr’s Ghostbusters Theme to finish is truly inspired: a perfect end.

All in all, a solid package for those who enjoy all styles of house – good for both pre and post club grooving.