Fridae

I was expecting something totally different when I picked up this CD. Essential Mix sounded to me like a collection of remixes of the Boy George of yesteryear's Culture Club or his solo reincarnation that gave us The Crying Game.

I didn't really recognize the list of tracks though. There was nothing instantly recognizable like Do You Really Want to Hurt Me or Karma Chameleon. Ignoring that, I presumed that they might have been B-sides or unreleased tracks that were given a new treatment.

I realized I was wrong when I popped the CD in the player; the remixed version of Boogie Macs' Girl From Ipanema was the first sign that I had stumbled upon a new and undiscovered side of Boy George. Apparently, the album is a collection of not-so-worthy tracks mixed by not "Boy George the singer", but "Boy George the DJ". Who would have known? At least I didn't.

The album shows characteristics reflective of George, with its non-stop amalgamation of beats from various genres and across decades like reggae (Richie Dan's Call It Fate) to house (Dark Globe's Future Sound Of Retro that doesn't sound out of place at all played back to back, thanks to his graceful transition of tracks.

You'll find the most variety in the first ten tracks of the CD, which has a serving of vocal-driven mixes from the likes of Aldo Vanucci, Cultural Diversion, Baby D vs. Trick Or Treat, and Kinky Roland. The other half, which I find more listenable, has remixes from Dark Globe, Bassdubs, and Amanda Ghost. Yeah, I have no idea who these people are either.

Be forewarned that this is not your typical dance hits compilation. Nothing in the CD you'd hear playing in the fag bar on a Saturday night. Rather, it's something you might play in your car on the way to the party.