Ultra-hip dance label Hed Kandi celebrate their 50th compilation release by bringing together three discs – Disco Heaven, Twisted Disco and Back To Love – mixed by Phil Faversham and Andy Norman. As label boss Horace McDonald puts it “It’s all on one package… This is the definitive album of Hed Kandi and it’s as good as it gets”.  
Which means?
A mix of the latest cool trance/house ‘choons’ (and a few older classics) for all the clubbers out there. To be honest, I can’t really tell the difference between discs one and two, both certainly have a vocal and slightly funky late 90s feel to them. Disc three is the purposely more retro – as in predominantly early 90s – though aside from Adamski’s ‘Killer’ none seemed that recognisable to me.
Is it much cop?
The first two discs are generally of a consistently high quality; I didn’t find the third quite as appealing, but perhaps it’d be more so for those in their late 20s/30s who’d probably remember more of the songs first time round.
How many good tracks?
Well, when it comes to mixed dance compilations, it’s not so much about individual tracks as the flow of the set, and that’s generally good over the first two discs. If you mean ‘real standout’ stuff, then the likes of Kings Of Tomorrow, Mylo, Junior Jack, Late Night Alumni, Timo Maas and Adamski all put in acknowledged classics that are pretty hard to argue with.
And the worst?
Well other than the third disc, I’d say Basement Jaxx’s ‘Fly-Life’ is well below their usual standards and a few songs seem a bit cheesy and/or repetitive – but not compared to something like Ian Van Dahl, who wouldn’t be seen within a mile of Hed Kandi.
Biggest disappointment?
Despite the label – ‘consume in spaces suitable for dancing’ – I suppose it has to be the fact this will never sound as good in your living room as a club, though it’d be a good warm up if you were getting ready to go out.
Verdict:
Whereas most people would be pretty embarrassing in a club at 50, Hed Kandi’s still cool. The third disc did grow on me, but at a reasonable price for the set it’s still good even if you see it as two good CDs and a free coaster!

(4/5)

Hed Kandi 50