Annual 2005 CD

Wasting absolutely no time in compiling progressive house's finest moments of the past year, this annual starts off with Eric Prydz's smash European hit "Call on Me." This track not only brilliantly samples Steve Winwood's '80s pop hit "Valerie," but it sets the tone for the remainder of the two-disc set. Lots of percussive buildups and breakdowns, filtered and washed samples from pop music over the past two decades all placed over a hypnotic and relentless kick drum that is unforgiving at times. Those seeking exactly what Ministry of Sound has to offer year in and year out won't be disappointed, but those with a more discriminating palette may find this annual cumbersome after the first disc. As with many of Ministry's mix sets, this could have been parsed down to one outstanding disc rather than two good ones. Regardless, with all of the dance compilations out there, the Ministry of Sound still offers the best bang for the buck. It's almost like being right in front of the speaker stacks, minus the whistle blowing, glow-stick chucking club kids. ~ Rob Theakston

Audio Remixer: Tom Neville.

Recording information: Deep Dish Studios, Washington DC; Hot House Recordings, New York, NY; International Studios, New York, NY; Sarm west; Stonebridge Productions, Stockholm, Sweden.

Arrangers: Jan Loechel; Murat Arslan; Eric Prydz; Stonebridge.

Personnel: Shena, Despina Vandi, Miss Motif, Elliot John, Lara McAllen, Evi Goffin (vocals); John Raf Allen (guitar); Max Reich, Michael Gray (keyboards, drums); Mark Summers (keyboards, sampler); Eric Kupper (keyboards); David Morales (drums, percussion); Sharam Tayebi, Ali Shirazinia (programming); Natasha James, Xavier Barnet, Sally Still, Karen Ann Poole, Sylvia Mason James (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Eric Prydz; Kevin Kennedy; Konrad Carelli; Michael Gray; Stonebridge; Cevin Fisher.