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Various Artists - Ministry of Sound: The 2008 Annual, mixed by John Course and Goodwill
Created On November 5th, 2007 by saad
Whenever a new Ministry of Sound ‘Annual’ compilation is released, it’s usually accompanied by words like ‘summer’, ‘new year’, ‘hottest club tracks’, and so forth. I’ll spare you the clichés this year, but suffice to say, these are the songs that you’ll be hearing on dance radio stations and clubs across the country over the summer. Personally I found the last release that we got from the Ministry, the Sessions 4 compilation, very disappointing and although there were a few absolute gem tracks, there wasn’t enough of a distinction between the different mixes from John Course and Dirty South. While the latter’s contribution was slightly edgier, they both basically screamed ‘electro house’. So what of the latest Annual release, Australia’s biggest selling dance music compilation?
In the past, there has always been a very clear divide between the two different discs of the Annual releases. John Course delivered the funky house, the big mainroom tunes with diva vocals, whereas Mark Dynamix provided us with the chunky, mean electro tunes that weren’t quite as friendly to newcomers, but offering a lot more depth. But this year, with the long-serving Dynamix passing the torch onto Goodwill, there’s a lot less of a distinction. All the songs that everyone knew would present (including a few of my own predictions) are on there, and most of these tracks individually are very good. John Course opens with Let Me Think About It, a tune full of class and sophistication. A few of the surprises include Heater by Samim, one of the biggest tracks in Ibiza this year courtesy of Get Physical Records. There was always a high probability this tune was going to make it onto the new Annual, but I just wasn’t expected on Course’s disc so big props go out to him there. Dirty South’s new monster Let It Go also features, and I’m glad to say, he has discovered a new sound. The disc closes with a bang with Umbrella from Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso (not Rihanna, mind you!).
All is not well however. I counted no less than FIVE Vandalism mixes and originals, meaning they made up just under a quarter of the tracks on the first disc. It’s questionable as to whether their tracks are really that good in rhe first place. Also, I’m gonna put it out there that The Creeps is arguably the worst song ever; there was no need for it here. And finally, although there are some gems, 90 per cent of the tracks sound exactly the same with only the occasional exception.
Onto disc 2, then. Another great list of tracks, featuring the likes of Chris Lake, the Aston Shuffle, Tommy Trash, Stanton Warriors, Digitalism and more. Goodwill’s disc doesn’t have one bad track on it, and that is saying
something. The biggest surprise for me was For Everyone, the new tune from Aston Shuffle. This track will leave you screaming for more, and then suddenly it’s all over. Like the first disc, most of the tracks do
sound very similar to each other, but perhaps not as formulaic and dare I say, as ‘cliched’. So as to be expected, overall it’s harsher, a little more raw and a touch edgier than disc one, with the kind of track listing that would may be played after 3am in a club.
I’ve seen both DJs play live in the clubs on a number of occasions: John Course definitely sounds a lot better in a live setting, with better track selection, flow and control of the energy. And Goodwill is equally as good a club DJ, maybe even a touch better live. But looking at this year’s Annual, while the track selection is fine (don’t get me wrong), the problem is that the whole release SCREAMS AT YOU IN CAPITAL LETTERS, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO LISTEN TO FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. That was painful wasn’t it? The capitals and all that? Well, that’s what listening to the Annual is like. There are no pauses, nor rests, just constant bombardment.
I may be rambling now, but this year the mixing wasn’t exactly impressive either. Mark Dynamix apparently used to mix his CDs live, editing and mastering them in the studio afterwards. But with this instalment, neither disc seems like it’s been mixed by a DJ, but rather by a soulless computer that doesn’t really have much of a clue. There are no smooth, undetectable transitions, but instead we’ve got 3-5 second abrupt changes where the next track comes in full blast with no subtlety or finesse. And there are a lot more ‘dropped in’ mixes than usual, which was disappointing because a lot of the time, the mixing is very skilfully executed on these releases. In this case, it’s not quite up to the usual standard.
The Ministry of House CDs have a purpose, and they fulfil it admirably. These are the tunes that DJs will be playing over the next few months; they will sell, girls will request them and DJs will feel like a god when they play them. But really, it’s not anything really more than what selectors across Australia have been puttin together as demos over the past year. This CD will sell in the thousands, and in spite of all that’s been said, I still love my copy too and admittedly, it’ll probably be stuck in my car stereo for the next 3 months at least. But unfortunately, The Annual 2008 is never gonna get as much lovin’ from me as it has in years gone by.
Elliot G says...
well said......
champagneKate says...
Here here, although I often lament at the demise of the annual - it's true. I'll probably still have this baby on high rotation... sad but true
kone says...
agreed. i found it perfectly captured almost all the tracks that have been hammered over the last year, but i really didnt need to hear them again all at once. The lack of proper mixing is not fun, may as well have just put it out without being "mixed"
golfr says...
Pity the cd is not a good as the review. Well written Saad !
saad says...
They should release an unmixed version for download or something, with the unedited versions, for a discount, for DJ use. Save money for DJ's who need them, but who wont play them 6 months from now. Thanks golfr :)
penelope_j says...
HERE HERE!!!! I WANT NEW AND EXCITING! COME ON I NO U CAN DO IT! I DONT WANT TO BUY THE SAME OLD TRACKS IVE BEEN LISTENING TO, I WANT THEM PUMPED UP!
gleesona says...
I noticed that with Maximum Bass 4 - the smooth transitions are gone. Bad. I loved those, one of the reasons I bought Ministry CD's was so I could listen to them with no stops, just flowing music. I guess thats gone now. Oh well, I'll buy it anyway.
park_shredder says...
I am extremely disappointed with this year's annual, I feel it was put together at the last minute, could have been a rush job perhaps....? overall to sum it up in one word - CRAP! It has NOTHING on the 07 annual which was in my opinion, one of the best ever....perhaps we were just lucky and a bit spoilt with a lot of good music coming out in the last 12 and a bit months....hmmm Anyone else very disappointed ?
djbricksta says...
I hope when Mark Dynamix returns to mix the annual he will fix up the format it is now. and saad, i agree with you 100% there should be an unmixed version, i know i need it
djbricksta says...
I hope when Mark Dynamix returns to mix the annual he will fix up the format it is now. and saad, i agree with you 100% there should be an unmixed version, i know i need it