Search - Jive Bunny, Mastermixers :: Biggest Party on Planet

Celebrate a century of hits with Jive Bunny

Jon | Scotland | 03/21/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Some may see this as a shameless attempt to cash in on the new millennium (it was originally released in November '99), and it probably is! Still, it was the best Jive Bunny album released for some time so it deserves a mention. This 3xCD set features seven megamixes devoted to a particular musical decade (except the first track) and samples no less than 76 songs. "The Biggest Party On The Planet" may not be to everyone's liking. Even so, if you're into nostalgia and like to party, then you'd be well-advised to purchase this CD set. And so to the review...Track One (1900-1940s Mix): If the Master Mixers (and this is the original mixing team) intended the album to be sold world wide, I find the insertion of this megamix somewhat baffling. Confusing, in the sense that unless you're familiar with pre-WWII London (England) culture, this megamix won't mean much to you as it features all those infamous 'drinking songs' from a bygone era. These are the songs you'd no doubt hear being played on a piano while everyone sung along. An early version of karaoke, I guess! In all fairness, this megamix is quite mediocre. And it does sound as if it was recorded in one take! (Track Rating: 2/5)Track Two (50s Mix): One of three megamixes on the CD set that really stands out for me. This homeage to rock n' roll sees Jive Bunny return to their roots, and even if the megamix can't compare to the smash hit, "Swing The Mood", it's one of the Master Mixers best efforts for a very long time. Of course, fans of Jive Bunny already know they use sound-a-likes to re-create these classic songs. Still, when the tracks used are by such legends as Elvis, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everley Brothers and Bill Haley (to name but a few), you know you're guaranteed an excellent dance track. And that's what this is. (Track Rating: 5/5)Track Three (60s Mix): Inconsistency is a word I tend to use when I review a Jive Bunny album, and this track proves my point. Without being too harsh, this tribute to the 1960s is absolutely awful. That particular decade produced some of the best songs ever recorded, yet Jive Bunny seemed to have chosen the ones most people tend to forget. Even samples from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Roy Orbison (again, to name but a few) can't save this megamix from being the worst track on the CD. (Track Rating: 1/5)Track Four (70s Mix): At least the Master Mixers have the knack of bouncing back with excellent mixes, and this is the second on the album. Journeying back in time to the decade taste forgot, this megamix emphasizes on the BIG pop hits of the Disco era. And if you want to play this at a party, what better way to get people on the dance floor than this megamix featuring such 70s greats as ABBA, The Bee Gees, Frankie Valli and Hot Chocolate. It's not the Master Mixers best 70s megamix - the one found on "Hop Around The Clock" entitled "Pop Back To The 70s" is far superior to this. But it sure beats a lot of what they've done recently. (Track Rating: 5/5)Track Five (80s Mix): With the exception of several songs sampled on this 15 track megamix, this tribute to the 1980s actually focuses on British Pop Music. Even so, you've probably heard of each and every track used here. Everyone from Wham! to Duran Duran, Madness to Adam And The Ants, Spandau Ballet to Kim Wilde and The Communards to The Housemartins are sampled on this megamix. The US influence comes from Madonna, Kenny Loggins and Billy Idol. Incidentally, if this is supposed to be a tribute to 80s (British) music, why has Frankie Goes To Hollywood been ignored?? Also, this 80s Mix is actually the extended version of "Mix Up The 80s" which can be found on the "Hop Around The Clock" CD. (Track Rating: 5/5)Track Six (90s Mix): I'll never get used to Jive Bunny mixing recent tracks, and this collection from the latter part of the 90s (again, mainly UK hits) is something of an oddity. And to be perfectly honest, the tracks used leave a lot to be desired. Still, younger listeners will be able to recognise these samples more than they will the ones found on the 1900-1940s Mix, proving there really is something here for everyone. Unfortunately, I found this megamix rather lame. (Track Rating: 2/5)CD3: The Millennium Party Mix is actually just a CD single which was meant to be Jive Bunny's first single release in eight years. It didn't happen, and it isn't difficult to understand why. This is awful....no other words can describe it. Based on the equally bad "Crazy Dances" from the "Hop Around The Clock" CD, the Master Mixers have the nerve to sample "Swing The Mood" and "That's What I Like" amongst these terrible sampled tracks. This is definitely a CD to avoid! (Disc Rating: 0/5)Overall, this is a worthwhile addition to your CD collection, but there's a few of these mixes you'll no doubt want to forget. I did..."