The year is 1993. I am only 9 or 10 years old, still living in the Netherlands. I had not been to the UK yet, nor did the name Ministry Of Sound enter my head, as I wasn't into anything but pop music. And too young to go clubbing. I only just discovered Gabber music, so that became my main focus. It would only be years later when I would discover this London located club, which eventually I would visit. Winter Wonderland, anyone?
I would eventually listen to MoS CDs and visit the club, but that would be years later. 1993 was indeed a fantastic year for House music. But only at a later age would I rediscover this lost side of House music. Over the years, my local CD stores would make a fortune out of me, asking those British CDs to be shipped to the Netherlands. And one of those brands which I would follow, was MoS. So many discs were in my possession, but obviously it had to start somewhere. Where it happened for the club in 1991, for their label and their releases it would start with the CD you are about to listen to.
They started with a series called 'The Sessions'. And Tony Humphries started it all. And what a way to start a series with! For nearly 2 decades did it spawn many albums, but the rise of the internet did kill another fantastic series. I've only discovered this at a later stage in life, but the first one in this series would only be discovered in 2025! Many years after its initial release.
It has been on Soundcloud for a while now, but only this year did I find it. Many have already listened to it, and have left positive comments. And I do agree with them. What a fantastic album! Now you are questioning me "what's on the album?"...
Mother - All Funked Up (Mother's Pride Mix)
Brother Love Dubs - Ming's Incredible Disco Machine (Geeeetaar & Peeeeeanno Mix)
Mr. Peach - Let's Dance (Original Peach Mix)
Roach Motel - Movin' On (Correct House Mix)
Club 69 - Take A Ride (Extended Disco Mix)
Gabrielle - Dreams (Red Underground Mix)
The New Dance Republic - Take It To The Top (Epstein's Massive Bongo Mix)
X Press 2 - London X-Press (The Journey Continues)
Shakespears Sister - Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza Part II)
The Seven Grand Housing Authority - The Question
Arizona feat Zeitia - Slide On The Rhythm
Chubby Chunks - Testament One
This is a short but very sexy tracklist.
Obviously over the years I have heard these songs on other albums. And I've heard other Tony mixes. I think there's even a reference to Tony on a Joost van Bellen album, if I'm not mistaken?
This is sexy house music. Come on, how can you disagree with this CD? It's a solid start to a solid mix series, and I've been listening to this over and over. The tracks are dope as fuck, and the feeling each record generate, is tremendously cool. I really like and adore the early 90s House music. There was more deepness in each record, more groove, more soul. And the song were just better.
Did you buy this album when it came out? Do you still have it? And did you play it over and over, or wasn't this your cup of tea?
This is certainly my cup of tea. And especially 'Ming's Incredible Disco Machine'. That song just rocks. Heard it on many other compilations, but that's only because it's a solid record. Brilliant record.
Always wondered what happened to each artist, what has happened to them? Did they know back then that they were making timeless House anthems? Probably not...
Tony has made a splendid mix. What a way to start the MoS CD series with. And not just this series, but basically all MoS CDs which would follow. This one was the first, and certainly not the last...
The only sad thing about this album, is the fact that you don't hear these songs a lot anymore. They were everywhere in the 90s, and now nowhere. Bring back the 90s, and bring them back RIGHT NOW!
DJ: Tony Humphries
Genre/Style: House
CD Info: Tony Humphries – Ministry Of Sound (The Sessions Volume One)
CDs: 1 (one)
Length CD: 01:18:19
Tracks: 12 (twelve)
Label: Ministry Of Sound
Product Number: MINST CD001
More Information: Ministry Of Sound - Official Website
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