Review by Damon Mudgway

Great band, but this is a seriously obscene way to milk cash out of fans wanting the full PV. Still, I'm sure that won't dissuade loyal fans from forking out the bucks.

Loved the first Place Vendome album, but nothing could have prepared me for this stunning release from Kiske and Co'. This is absolutley pitch perfect AOR of the finest order, showcasing Kiske's versatile range. Super heavy crunchy guitars , sprinkled over a good dose of swirling synths, and topped off with hook-laden choruses. Fans of Journey, Night Ranger, Frontline, Wrabit et al. should check out the samples pronto.

Wow, Mario Castro Neves may not be getting any younger, but boy can he play that piano. The Latin answer to Ruben Gonzales. His piano dominates this record, but not at the expense of the other musicians, or the angelic vocalists. I had heard Neves was a bit of a legendary muso in the bossa scene, he and Samba S.A. released their only other album way back in 1967, but it's a crime we haven't seen more releases from the maestro and his band. Apparently this title sold extremely well when originally released in Japan, but I have only just (2009) discovered it. The album is recorded so well you could swear the band was playing right next to you. Like a fine wine, this is best served up at dinner parties or cocktail evenings. Packaged in a heavy card-stock digipak, no OBI.

Excellent compilation of best hits from Trance Rave Best, Hard Trance Rave, Speed Trance, Summer Trance, Men's Egg Night and others, on the Victor label up to 2004. Initial pressings came in a nice slipcase, but in 2005 this was re-released in standard jewel case packaging. Nevertheless, a great set, and a great price. 30 tracks, non-stop mixed.

Scorching melodic rock release from Swedish AOR band H.E.A.T. Think of a mixture of Europe, Treat, Da Vinci etc etc and you'll get the picture. Every Scandi melodic rock cliche is displayed here to great effect, and H.E.A.T are one of the few bands around today playing in this way. But don't fall for the hype too much, as some of the songs just don't gel, as the band veers off into early Whitesnake/Deep Purple territory. I've had this record for some time now, and to be honest, I dont feel it's quite the melodic masterpiece I did when I first got it. Certainly not in the same league as Treat's-Dreamhunter, Glory's-Danger In This Game or Alien's-S/T debut.

I was so looking forward to receiving this release after falling in love with Mondo Candido's debut. To be brutally frank, this album just doesn't hit the mark, and comes nowhere near the previous releases high standard. The quirkiness is still present, but this time around it doesn't seem to 'gel' properly. It's a cool album, especially since not many artits are operating in this retro-modern style, but it's not great either. Hopefully Mondo's next release will see them back on form.

Absolutley groovey Italo-Jazz release from this very hip trio. Dipped in a fondue of 60's and 70's synth sounds, and melted into a funky lounge beat, this set is pure modern nostalgia. If you love acid jazz, or bossa, then this is utterly essential. Can't recommend this enough. Bellisimo.

Havaianas. Super comfy flip-flops, thongs, jandals, whatever you want to call them. They are cheap, buttery soft to wear, and the brand is becoming a huge global phenomenon. This selection of laidback Brazilian beats is compiled in Japan on the stellar Rambling Records label. Any release they do is just pure class, and this one is no exception. Not too different from many other Latin chillout releases, but (jewel case) packaged in a slipcase featuring different colored Havaianas. This is the third compilation in the series, and I feel the best so far. If you're a fan of the footwear, or indeed anything Brazilian, this CD is a must.

Interesting compilation of jazzy numbers performed by a new collection of Italian artists. Songs are sung in English, which I find slightly dissapointing, but the quality of the selection more than makes up for this. A good dose of 60's and 70's lounge flash is thrown into the mix, and it is clear the compiler Paolo Scotti has great taste. The cover art is the same as for the very first issue of the magazine 'amarena', an Italian lifestyle magazine published in Japan. I for one will be collecting future releases based on the standard of this set. Released in standard jewel case with OBI, recorded using the DSD process.

From the Jazz Kitchen series of releases comes this superb compilation of latter day jazz numbers, given a downtempo lounge beat. The packaging is very sparse for a Japan release, being standard jewel case with no OBI strip, and a single fold out insert with minimal liner notes. But considering the low price, the purchase of this should be a no-brainer for modern jazz lovers.

Fans of Within Temptation and Nightwish should check out this band pronto. I believe they are actually better than Within Temptation, and operate in a similar goth-pop-symphonic-metal approach to latter day Nightwish (Annette vocals). Very melodic, riff laden, with tons of swirling strings/synths, giving the music the symphonic slant. Charlotte is a very capable vocalist, and she is rather nice looking to boot! Mark my words, Delain will be 'HUGE'.

Already bonafide stars in their native homeland, the Netherlands, Delain return with an even better album than their previous masterpiece Lucidity. Production this time round is more crisp, composition more exquisite, and Charlotte sounding better than ever. I believe the band to now be on a par with the exemplars Nightwish. Bold statement I know. This is a super commercial goth-metal record that should have massive crossover appeal. Oh, and Charlotte looks rather sexy on the cover shot. And all the music critics believed true metal died in the 90's. With bands like Delain leading the charge I think melodic metal is going to be around for a long time yet. Bravo.

I love Japanese major label compilations. They just ooze class. Of course having the cream of the crop of artists to choose from helps. As for artists recording the modern Bossa sound, this selection is a pretty good representation of the best of the best. Equally suitable for lazy sunny days, and for snuggling up in front of a cozy fire in the winter months. Packaging is just beautiful. Digipack in heavy card stock, with deluxe booklet included. Of note is the artwork which is very reminiscent of 'Havaianas' footwear. Incidentally enough there is a connection here, as the Victor 'Misto' campaign runs in conjunction with the 'Havaianas' brand. I hope Victor Japan keeps this series running.

I love Japanese major label compilations. They just ooze class. Of course having the cream of the crop of artists to choose from helps. As for artists recording the modern Bossa sound, this selection, the second in the series, is a good representation of the best of the best. Equally suitable for lazy sunny days, and for snuggling up in front of a cozy fire in the winter months. Packaging is just beautiful. Digipack in heavy card stock, with deluxe booklet included. Of note is the artwork which is very reminiscent of 'Havaianas' footwear. Incidentally enough there is a connection here, as the Victor 'Misto' campaign runs in conjunction with the 'Havaianas' brand. I hope Victor Japan keeps this series running.

I am still trying to figure out if the Cafe Aperitivo CD series is based on the cafe of the same name (in Japan), or just the label itself. Anyway, this is a gorgeous collection of the best down-tempo lounge tracks culled from the previous four volumes of the series. For my part this is the 'best' choice, as the track selection is superb. Stand out cut for me is Elmio's remix of Cloudberry Jam's stellar ' Thinking OF You', all 7+ minutes of it. The packaging is very classy, sporting a heavy card stock 'hard-box' slipcase, silver foil embossed title, and a simple design for the standard size jewel case enclosed. Nice.

One of the better bossa compilations to come out in 2008, this one concentrating more on artists operating today rather than the classics. Standard jewel case, but with classy cover art/OBI strip. Great weekend music.

Easily the best album released by Praying Mantis. Absolutely stunning hyper melodic HR/AOR featuring a superb vocal performance by Tony O'hara. Epic tracks bathed in glorious twin-lead guitar and swirling keyboards. I have always been impressed with this Troy brothers vehicle, and this album represents a culmination of years of hard work and dedication to a particular type of music, that in some parts of the world has become unpopular. Beautiful cover art, and now available again on the HQCD format. Great that you can listen to samples now too. Don't miss it.

I guess this specially designed limited edition box-set must be constructed of solid gold. How else could VAP/Oshii justify this ridiculous retail price. I love Oshii's works, but this is just an insult.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written, no matter language it's sung in. Penned after Gackt was moved by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This box set is simply gorgeous. Super thick card stock box covered in beautiful metallic paper with pictures depicting love at various stages in life. The box is wrapped in a beautiful red silk ribbon with the title in different languages written in white. The top lifts off to reveal the contents. The aroma lamp is inscribed with a simple peace message from Gackt, and is actually quite classy (of course). Concertina Xmas cards in both silver and gold metallic cardboard are included, with the cover images, and the same but with Gackt himself in the photos. I missed this from CDJapan, but managed to secure one off Ebay. Just bite the bullet and try and find one before it's gone for good.

Another great compilation from Avex trax featuring Eurobeat tracks on the first disc and tranced up cover songs on the second. Probably not as good as S&P Style 2008, and certainly not up there with S&P Style Best, but a great collection all the same. I for one would have preferred a little more variety on the first disc, as (is the case with Eurobeat) the songs are all very similar. Still, you can't go wrong if what you're looking for is music to demo your car sound system.