Classic Trance Nation [Box set]

The title of this review really sums up my views about it. Any of the three CD's are great to stick on when your in a trance mood, and if you're a fan of the 90's (and early 00's) trance scene then you will never tire of the classic tracks that appear on these cd's.
If, however, you appreciated trance for what it was in the 90's, then you may find this compilation a pointless purchase - mainly because you probably already have all of the songs. For example, I had every single song on cd1 but few on cd2 or 3; it was still worth the purchase due to the latter. Unfortunately I didn't get into trance until about 2001, which is why I really enjoyed acquiring some classic songs that I never had. But those of you who loved trance 'back in the day' may only wish to buy this cd for a sense of nostalgia... a rather too expensive one when you can burn your own cd's today.
The only other criticism I will make is the use of 'other versions' of classic songs (remixes or slightly altered originals) which kind of contradict the use of the term 'classic.' For example, the Riva remix of IIO's 'Rapture' is a stormer, but the original a) wasn't trance, and b) it therefore can't be classed as a 'classic trance' song. But I am being very pedantic I realise.
Basically, buy this album if you are short of trance songs, because it is quite good.

How many classics albums would you say have been released over the past 3 years? Obviously not enough, because now Ministry of Sound, a brand name more than a club to be seen at, has felt the need to release yet another one.
With the Euphoria series already releasing about 4, cream released just a couple, Gatercrasher released 2 (and this tracklisting looks almost identical to that of GC Classics 2!) and many other non-recognised labels cashing in, does anyone know where the market is for these albums? Anyone who lived to hear these tracks back in the day (late 90's/early noughties) will already have the original albums - DJ mixed with some inspiration, and younger buyers already have a glut of choice from over the past 3 years. I don't think anyone will disagree if I said the following tracks have been on at least 15 albums over the past 2 years alone...
9PM - ATB, Beautiful - Matt Darey, and of course, Saltwater - Chicane.

Their is nothing wrong with the tracks on the album. The problem is that labels have the cheek to ask us fifteen quid to hear the same songs over and over again, and newcomer's honestly don't understand the difference between a modern box set album - computer mixed, and a leather-book cased Ministry of Sound album from the 90's. If you were to listen to Boy George's 'juggling' (switching between tracks to create a back and forth effect) between Firestarter and Born Slippy on The Annual vol.2, you'd never go back to any of these album's. Their are countless more examples or true quality - Gatecrasher Wet, which had the amazing fresh, liquid theme running through it. Renaissance The Mix Collection 2, which is undoubtedly, the finest dance album ever created. Or Northern Exposure?...
And what about songs like Born Slippy, which to many 'vetrans' is considered one of the best songs of the 90's? It just doesn't make sense to include it on an album like this. The lyrics in the song sum a time from 'the baggy' days when clubbing was a venue for anybody - now its a place to be seen. If your going to listen to it, it would make more sense to listen to it on an original album (The Annual vol.2), rather than releasing it for a current generation on clubbing that's absolutely flooded with money, whether its wages, or ticket prices. Clubbing is unfortunately, no longer an innocent place to go.
The only true artist of dance albums is the DJ himself, who chooses the songs, and uses his own inspiration to mix it (not PC software). So your probably wondering 'Why don't they just hire a DJ?' Its simple really - the cost. Pete Tong, for example, now wants (get ready) 20 thousand pounds to play 'a set' in Ibiza. One set. So can you imagine his wages, with the earnings from sales, with an album? This is why record labels should bring in younger, newer DJ's. Remember, when Judge Jules started mixing the Ministry of Sound albums, even he was quite young and innocent!
So, when you look at 'another' classics album on the shelve in a shop, ask yourself... would you rather buy a souless mix of radio edits on an album with no character? Or pay a little bit more for a real album from the 90's where you can hear ever vinyl crackle, every distortion, and have the knowledge of owning something truly special?
If your still looking for a new album however, that at least reatains some quality, Cream Summer 2007 and Ministry of Sounds Session's 2007 look pretty tasty - whats more, the latest Session's album is mixed by some newcomers. Joy!

Thumbs Up: Well, there are 2 brilliant tracks that thankfully have yet to be hammered - Arms of Loren is a feel good track from 1996 (used on The Annual vol.2 - need I say more?) and Lizard by Mauro Picotto was a good'un from 1999.

Thumbs Down: Need I say? This is hardly worth buying for the only 2/3 dusty tracks.

Summary: You may or may not agree with what I've just said. But, as a vetran clubber, someone who has countless dance albums from the 90's, and knows what real dance music is, I can only try to tell you how much music and attitudes have changed. This album is just 'another' complimation....

Ministry of Sound are really milking the old trance songs for every penny they can get.

Back in the summer of 2005 we were greeted with the first of 3 Gatecrasher CD's charting the clubs history: Classics, Classics 2 and Forever, which incidently they chucked a few of the dance hits of summer 2006 like Supermodes Tell me Why to hide the fact it was really Gatecrasher Classics 3. That is fair enough though, 3 CD's with the classics of trance on. Great for me and others just getting into trance and some older trance fans may have brought them to have a "facelifted" version of the songs they have i.e. stronger beat, clearer sound due to modern CD production or beacuse they have worn out, lost, broken their CD's that first had these songs on.

Ministry of Sound (MOS) however thought there was still some money to be made from older trance. So, as Gatecrasher Forever was released they decided to release Classic Euphoria followed by Classic Euphoria Level 2. Although having quite a few of the songs that appeared on the 3 Gatecrasher's there were many more on the Classic Euphoria's that hadnt. Once again, fair enough- great for those like me who dont own the songs, and for those who do own them or remember them from there original release and want the CD's for the reasons stated above. MOS had collected every classic trance song onto 5 CD's for everyone.

Back to the present! Here we are in the summer of 2007 with the trance wagon of old fully extorted and emptied, and im waiting for a trance release from MOS with new trance on it. But wait what is this??? Classic Trance Nation!!!!!!!!!! A round up from Ministry's own trance label. All but 8, yes 8! (not even half a CD) songs appeared on the previous 5 albums talked about. So much for a CD with new trance on it! This CD is just an excuse to make more money for MOS and doesnt even stand out from the rest of classics after classics albums that have and still are being released. The back of the box with the tracklisting even has the same layout and style to the Classic Euphorias! Even an argument for producing the album like: "its for the people getting into trance now" doesnt stand up. How many people can get into trance in the space of 1 year??? and its not as if they cant get hold of Gatecrasher Classics 1/2 and Forever or Classic Euphoria 1/2 because they are still readily available on the net and in some shops, so not only is it an excuss to make money, the CD also has no point or purpose.

This said, the songs on it are absolutely amazing and are some of the greatest dance tracks ever released and some are still much better than many of the new dance released today. The tracks are the only reason im giving this 2 stars insted of one.

Dave Pearce's Delerium is a step in the right direction by MOS- a new trance series with whats happening in trance now. They should drop the past now an focus on the future. MOS need to start putting effort back into what they produce like they used to when the music was the most important thing to them, not the money. Tip for MOS: insted of releasing Classic Trance Nation 2 as you are probably planning, try and produce something new and original.

In conclusion, the songs are 5 star but the concept of this pointless, money making album unfortunately makes this an average to poor album that is just like so many other releases out there at the moment.