Search - Various Artists :: Hed Kandi: Back to Love 3

I've Got Nothing but "Love" for This CD.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 12/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Back to Love" is a double CD that affectionately looks back to the old school (1980's to early 90s) and delivers a generous serving of delectable early club hits. For a lot of labels, it's a great concept, but the execution sometimes results in advestised-on-TV compilations that have "K-tel" cheese written all over them. Fortunately, the selections on this disc are tasteful and will bring a smile to the face of any serious clubhead. Adeva's powerful house re-working of Aretha's "Respect" sounds even better today, and it's a reminder of the glory years when house was truly rooted in soul. Sterling Void's "It's Alright" (which Pet Shop Boys would later cover) appears, and the tragically out-of-print "Too Blind To See It" from Kym Sims (produced by Chicago's Steve "Silk" Hurley) is another highlight that stands out on the 70+ minute Disc 1. On the second disc, the tempo changes a bit, still offering a few disco jams but also flirting with r&b and hip-hop. Detroit's Inner City serves up a discocentric remake of Stephanie Mills' "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'," and Shannon's still slammin' 1980s "Let The Music Play" appears in its full length. For hip hop lovers, the classic "White Lines" will satisfy their crave, and Dan Hartman's "Relight My Fire" still holds up as a disco stomper. As with virtually all Hed Kandi releases, the songs here aren't mixed, and many of them appear in their 12-inch extended versions. If you want a great collection of what great dance music used to sound like, you can't go wrong with these two CDs."