Various Artists - Pacha Classics, mixed by Andy Van, Mobin Master & Johnny Gleeson

Ibiza’s most iconic club Pacha celebrates more than three decades of success with a new classics album, a 3-CD compilation mixed by a trio of Australia’s top DJ/producers. Veteran Andy Van (part of production heavyweight Vandalism), Mobin Master and Sydney’s own Godfather of house and Pacha resident Johnny Gleeson all get the chance to strut there prowess behind the decks, with outstanding results.

This deluxe compilation brings you the true sound of Pacha, who have opened up their back catalogue to create the perfect soundtrack for the upcoming summer season. This tasty three-disc release is in part, a reminder of some of dance music’s classics from the past 20 years but it’s fused perfectly with sublime remixed versions of other anthems, as well as a showcase of some definitive future club favorites. With each disc covering a different aspect of this theme, it really makes for some entertaining listening that will bring back many memories for some listeners, while opening up the minds of the younger generation as to where dance music came from, as well as where it’s headed.

Andy Van gets the duty of mixing the classics disc, and who better than this legend of Australian dance culture, a man who has been lighting up dance floors across the globe for over 15 years with both his production skills as well as his undeniable talent behind the decks. With tunes ranging from Cece Peniston’s Finally thru to De’lacy’s Hideaway and Underworld’s Born Slippy, there really isn’t a track on this first disc that doesn’t warrant the title of classic.

Disc 2 is mixed by relative newcomer to the scene but still very talented producer/remixer Mobin Master who was the perfect choice for the remixed classics disc as his version of the tune Show Me Love has been tearing up clubs since last year and is of course featured on this disc. Also featured are some absolute gems from the likes of Laidback Luke and his remix of Paul Johnson’s tune Get Get Down, Wez Clarke’s version of Fragma’s vintage track Toca’s Miracle and Sgt Slick’s latest big-room stomper Right In The Night.

Johnny Gleeson finishes off with disc three, titled ‘Current Classics’, with style and flare as he proves just why he is deserving of being a Pacha resident DJ. He also shows that he is a gifted producer in his own right, with his tune Poindexta showcasing his production skills as being on par with some of the best in the business. Other artists featured on this disc are some of the biggest names of the dance music scene with Moby, Chicane and Deadmau5 all getting a spin, but for me the highlight track was Mark Knight & Funkagenda’s remix of Man With A Red Face, with it’s smooth groove and sexy sax line sure to have booties shaking for years to come.

This collection of past and future classics will bring the memories of those dance music veterans flooding back, and for those that are only new to the scene, it will show you just what you’ve been missing out on for all these years. Though this album is all about the classics, there is still plenty of new and remixed material to bring freshness to this release that really sets it apart from other such compilations.