Things dip back into the vaults a little bit for the middle section of this disc. "Another Way" is a classic PVD track - presented here as the club mix - that still sounds as strong as it did when released. As does "Forbidden Fruit," which keeps the retro feel going, before moving into the lush swell of "Together We Will Conquer." These first two segments of the disc present an excellent cross-sample of Paul's blend of simple, direct melodies with a solid command of dancefloor polish.
The only misstep is the inclusion of "A Magical Moment" from his debut release, 45 RPM. Although long-time fans may enjoy this nostalgia, it is noticably weaker than the rest of the set, and seems to serve only as a token representation from his earliest period (the new reworking of "For An Angel" notwithstanding).
Things pick up steam quickly to close things out, with the extended original mix of "The Other Side," which was originally a single featured on his DJ release The Politics Of Dancing 2, but also a well-traveled club hit in its own right. Closing things out are two of Paul's best vocal collaborations: "We Are Alive" featuring Jennifer Brown, and the previously mentioned "Time Of Our Lives" with Vega 4.
Disc Two displays Paul's turns at reworking hits by other high profile artists, in everyone from Justin Timberlake and Britney, to music for the new Batman movies. It's a bit more of a mixed bag; not just because you're dealing with some fairly varied source material, but mainly because Paul's primary strength isn't necessarily as a remixer. Granted, his prominence within the Electronic music scene puts him on the short-list of people who would get these calls; but his actual skill at remixing is probably the weakest tool in his tool chest.
Things start off strong with a good re-imagining of Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around... Comes Around." His music lends itself to lighting up a dancefloor, so it feels like a natural fit. And although Paul's own music leans towards the trance end of the electronic scene, the craft of a DJ is to hit the pulse of a crowd, and finding the groove of other styles set before you. And this is one of the better examples Paul gives, as the dance-funk of Timberlake's music meets the deep German precision that Van Dyk specializes in.
Things are a bit less positive beginning with U2's "Elevation." Although it does work as a club mix, it forces a more far-reaching style to become "club-tastic," which is not always a successful, or particularly even desired, proposition. Following that are remixes of Depeche Mode's "Martyr," Timo Maas's "Pictures" and New Order's "Spooky." Although all would lend themselves to being likely remix fodder, here they take on an edge that is often too dark and plodding. Although an older remix, the New Order one is the strongest of the three, and on its own has some strengths that give its own unique twist to the track. But in amongst the rest, it's not enough to raise its comrades and provide much interest beyond your standard four-on-the-floor filler.
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