Search - Ernest Kohl :: Hits!

Just Great Dance Music

prettymusic | new york, ny | 03/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Impeccable vocals and gorgeous presence shimmer and shine on every track. Don't know how Kohl keeps improving both material and delivery, but he does, and with real star quality. Something for everyone here - a feast for the ears, and easy on the eyes, too!"

THE BEST DANCE ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!

JASON | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"




"Hits!" ERNEST KOHL Benz Street-EMG / USA CD Album



For those who may just get to know ERNEST KOHL through this excellent, precise

greatest hits collection will likely fall into the realm of major fan. Long

a HiNRG hero, as he is an American singer; his career has spanned since

the 80's with some of the most gorgeous, orchestrally produced dance music

we have ever seen from the "ole" USA. Vocally he has been called North America's

FANCY, BAD BOYS BLUE (John McInerney of course!), Thomas Anders (solo, and

MODERN TALKING) or JASON DONOVAN (PWL). A velvet voice with a penchant for

euro base NRG music. Over the years this man has had many BILLBOARD and

specialty chart toppers, which are included on this massive album. The 2004

smash "All I Know" is included in it's gorgeous "UK Extended Mix" (8:55),

produced by none other than Mike "Big Bird" Coppock (I never did, and won't

ask what that means) and Tony Spalding. YAZOO had an early 80's #1 with

"Only You" (8:45), which ERNEST KOHL released in the mid-90's UK market.

Mildly successful here in North America at the time, and huge in Europe;

this is as fine as the nu-NRG sound can get. Inspired vocals, richly textured

synthesizer arrangements and gracious percussion highlighted by stunning

ambient big room trance synthesizers. We do not even see production this

grand on more celebrated mainstream EU dance acts like LASGO and MILK INC.,

that have become odd staples in some clubs. Again, this mix is by those

very talented crown jewels of dance in the UK, Mike and Tony. I will review

the 2005 remix pack that is currently topping most charts in the USA at

time of writing this review, and there are 5 club mixes (including this

one!). "You Make Me Weak" (7:17), is an original, non cover track and a

cult NRG masterpiece. For fans of the new smash Swedish group, BODIES WITHOUT

ORGANS (although not as campy); you adore the electro NRG feel of this

originally DJ only mix by the USA company "X-MIX". It is extremely rare,

and finally available to the consumer. Again, frothy vocals with a distinct

NRG nod are the flavor of the mix, but strong euro influences abound with

a slightly HEX HECTOR feel to the percussion. The "euro house" sounds of

BLACK BOX/C&C MUSIC FACTORY/CAPPELLA get the nod on "Don't You Want My Love?",

and will be a treasure to you if you liked that era of early 90's magic.

I heard many excellent tracks on MEDIA and ITALIAN STYLE records, respectively;

in Italy that had this clunky house style set to a duet vocal, and big strings

and strong piano accents. A style that made it's mark in the 1990-1993 years.

Still sounds fresh today on this single, remixed for this album. The next

single "Stomp" is again very much the same in style; catering to the mid-90's

handbag house sound described above, again remixed foe this album. ERNEST

KOHL's biggest hit came in the very early 90's PWL/SAW days with the utterly

brilliant "Follow Your Heart"(8:38) and garnished him massive club and media

attention and ultimately a very loyal fan base that live on today strongly

in the UK, Germany and USA. Soaring strings, and melancholy vocals make

this a true masterpiece of HiNRG dance music. The only thing missing from

the album, sadly; is his 80's smash "To Save The Love" which I assume for

legalities was not available to include here. If you like this one, sell

your soul to find it on a compilation or vinyl : it is worth a fortune on

vinyl today. "Follow Your Heart" is the closest thing you'll ever find to

a non-PWL produced/penned track and to fans of that polished NRG style,

the album is price is worth it just to get this 12" mix securely and digitally

re-mastered on this collection. Truly brilliant dance music! Next up, is

the rare 12" mix of "I Think I Love You" (5:58), that sounds very electro

in a good "PET SHOP BOYS" way, and sizzles. It is a cover of a 70's hit

by, your won't believe this, "THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY"; but it works brilliantly.

Co-produced by SARAH BRIGHTMAN's pal and dance remixer Chris Lord Alge along

with Ernest Kohl and Steve Skinner (the later two producing most of the

tracks on the album). "Our Love Is Here To Stay" (Last Laugh Mix) (7:54)

finds ERNEST KOHL doing a stunning 1996 styled NRG based song I'd of expected

from LOVE TO INFINITY in that era, and I had never heard it before. String

arrangements to die for and the lyrics are very, very self empowering in

it's message. If you normally don't bother with those silly lyrics (some

people don't, oddly!) this is a strong to bring strength to ones self when

you are down, hate the "ex" or just the world in general. Been there, done

that; but these songs when done so very well are timeless and I just love

it. This one again sounds like a hybrid between PWL/SAW and at times BLACK

BOX; but full male vocals that are center stage on the mix. Obviously, a

great deal went into the lyrical content of this song, and I believe people

who have not heard it before will treasure it along with everything from

"I Will Survive" (GLORIA GAYNOR) to "If I Have To Stand Alone" (LONNIE GORDON).

Yes, this means YOU too. In the quad of ERNEST KOHL's four biggest club

hits, stands this magical track called "Sooner Or Later 2005". The "Extended

Later Club Remix" (7:22) is a new version of a previous TOP 10 smash, remixed

in a more fluid euro-energy fueled version for this collection. The basic

message here is don't try to avoid love, it will find you. It's true, it

does; just when you are not expecting it. I guess that is why love is special

in that way. The bridges in the remix are very electro and NRG to the max,

and I adore it as do many of my friends I have allowed into my home. Again,

fans of the best of PWL/SAW compositions should really take note on this

one. I believe PWL International should be heading this way, instead of

the more "safe" songs that the group POP! had very mild success? with last

year, and have now disbanded. Finally someone has put out a great New Years

Eve track for 12:01am, with "Happy New Year!" (Pop Yer Cork Club Mix) (6:31).

It has all the festive chimes and upbeat glow of a Christmas carol, with

a galloping euro/HiNRG bass line; and poignant lyrics for the occasion.

Quite frankly, I am tired with ABBA's 1980 "Happy New Year" (this is NOT

a cover of that) by digitally changing the lyrics. I believe this one is

the finest New Years Eve dance track I have ever heard, and is flawless.

Guest vocals from house diva MISS PEPPER MASHAY on background vocals make

this even more essential. No DJ in his/her right mind into NRG/euro or circuit

house music should be caught dead programming next year with out this mix!!!!!

A true classic is born, and a seasonal "must play" track. Speaking of must

play, this album is a blast all the way round. Pristine vocals, brilliantly

penned songs and a couple of great covers; all to various yet great productions

focusing mostly on the NRG arenas. As a listening album, it can't be beat

for it's "feel good" qualities; and this is the best "greatest hits" album

I have heard in years.





Rating : 5 Stars



Reviewer : Jason Davis







5 Stars







JASON E. DAVIS

EURODANCEHITS.COM (EuroNRG Division)

SUITE 3303

100 MAIN STREET EAST

HAMILTON ONTARIO

CANADA

L8N 3W4



"