Various Artists
Choice FM presents 'Carnival Classics'
Universal Music Cat # 530939
UK Release date: 20th August 2007

After a dreadful start to the summer of 2007 with flash floods affecting parts of the UK especially Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, and parts of Wales it seems that nothing could lift the spirits of the UK public, and what we all needed was a bit of good old party summer music to lift us out of the depression. As we enter August its not long now until the famous Notting Hill carnival held annually in West London which is home to almost a million party goer's over the August bank holiday weekend.

Carnival floats, steel bands, rap and street artists, flamboyant costumes, soul food and MUSIC makes up this three day event was has now become legendary. Universal Music who are never far from where the action is are releasing a double CD in conjunction with radio station Choice FM of Carnival Classics reflecting just a small selection of what you could expect if you were there in person. The one nice thing about this multi cultural event is the wide range of music on offer. From Soul, funk, reggae, lovers rock, rap, hip hop, hispanic, calypso and Afro Caribbean there's something for everyone and this new double CD is an absolute 'must have' for this summer.

OK so the songs are familiar but who cares as we are treated to the likes of Arrow's famous 'Hot, Hot, Hot' who open disc one before moving onto some real serious funk classics including 'Cross The Tracks' from Maceo and the Gang, as well as Tom Brown's funk anthem 'Funkin' For Jamaica', Slave's 1979 Cotillion 45 'Just A Touch Of Love' , and not forgetting some classic 70's Motown from Lionel Ritchie's former outfit The Commodores with 'Brick House'

Reggae and Lover's Rock have always played a major part of the festivals music programme and here we have the likes of the legendary Bob Marley, Third World, Junior Murvin, and Jimmy Cliff on offer where his 'The Harder They Come' classic still sounds as fresh today as it was back in the 1970's. I particularly like the late 60's - early 70's reggae hits by Harry J & the All Stars (The Liquidator) Dave & Ansell Collins' (Double Barrell) and the fabulous Return Of Django by the Upsetters.

If your bag is more slanted towards disco and funk you'll find some fabulous titles slipped into the playlist for good measure including EWF (Boogie Wonderland) James Brown (Sex Machine pt. 1 & 2) Soul to Soul's 80's favourite 'Get A Life' and Cheryl Lynn's popular 'Encore' from the same period.

Here you will find thirty four of the hottest tracks this summer and will guarantee to get you moving whether your partying in your favourite nightspot of enjoying the atmosphere of Europe's largest street festival.

Something for everyone here - enjoy.

Rating 8/10