Editorial Reviews

This best-of edition in the long-running Ultimate Dance Party compiles a variety of the most popular songs from previous editions along with a few surprises. The surprises include Exposé's "Point of No Return" and Taylor Dayne's "Tell It to My Heart." Unlike the other 17 songs on this collection, these two date from the late '80s rather than the late '90s, long before BMG began the Ultimate Dance Party series. Yet these two songs fit in surprisingly well despite their age, sounding very modern yet heavily infused with nostalgia for a time when dance music was still evolving. Elsewhere, this collection rounds up few surprises: gigantic hits like Snap!'s "Rhythm Is a Dancer," Haddaway's "What Is Love," Ace of Base's "Beautiful Life," the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems," Next's "Too Close," and many, many more without throwing in novelty hits like "Macarena." Each of these featured songs carry substantial history with them, infused with as much nostalgia as the two late-'80s songs. It's hard not to remember random nights long ago when you were dancing carelessly to these songs with youthful abandon. These were anthems to many dance parties, for sure, and though they probably best belong in the past -- they make you feel kinda old! -- it's incredible fun listening to them on special occasions. And because of that, it's certainly nice to have them compiled onto one disc. Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

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