Hed Kandi - The Mix Summer 2007 review

Album of the week - Hed Kandi are back with centre-piece compilation The Mix Summer 2007, but will the record label’s latest offering prove to be the ensemble of summer anthems everyone’s be holding out for?

Need to know

UK record label Hed Kandi has become a daddy of the house music scene since its inception in 1999, throwing big parties in the globe’s top superclubs, hosting its own radio show and releasing a successful stream of compilations featuring tracks and mixes from some of the world’s most acclaimed artists and DJs.

The latest release, The Mix Summer 2007, boasts the now iconic ‘Kandi Girl’ artwork from London-born Jason Brooks, and includes a whopping three CDs jam-packed with club classics which promise to more than fill the boots of last year’s summer instalment.

Best track

With more disco vibes, twisted grooves and classic Ibiza cuts than you can shake a stick at, picking out just one choice track isn’t easy. But if clubbing forms a central part of your social calendar then the M’s Smooth edit of ‘Shine’ on CD one; Armand Van Helden’s ‘New York City Beat’ on CD two; and the legendary ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ from the Mighty Dub Katz on CD three are all top anthems guaranteed to get you on the dancefloor.

Worst track

Despite being spread across three CDs, Hed Kandi’s seasonal collection does a sound job of avoiding the filler tracks you find on a lot of dance compilations nowadays. If it was a live or die decision, however, we’d say ditch the first two CDs and stick with the third instalment in the collection – which is a firm favourite thanks to its nostalgic offering of classic dance tracks spanning the ages.

One for the collection?

Hed Kandi’s latest release successful captures all the magic of the label’s El Divino residency, and once again is the perfect warm-up to a dazzling night out on the tiles.

James Fryer
13 August 2007