Progression 2, well what can I say except LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!

This is Ministry of Sound's second instalment of an album that is an emotive mix of Progressive, Trance and House. Two of the scene’s most prominent figures, Adam K and Hook N Sling are at the helm of the decks to mix this double disc album and what a great job they have done. Normally with Ministry of Sound albums, there is one stand out disc and the other you use as a drink coaster. Progression 2 is the exception to this, with both DJ’s creating 2 discs equally as addictive to listen to.

Adam K is known for his blending of Progressive, Electro, Techno and Tech House. He has remixed for numerous world artists including Deadmau5 and Tiesto and he brings with him his unique approach to mixing, inspired by his time spent immersed in all aspects of dance music. Hook N Sling has a trademarked sound that is recognised as richly layered and is known for being an unpredictable, genre-blending producer. He has remixed for artists such as Stanton Warriors and Bass Kleph and has the awards and accolades to match.

I have quietly started appreciating Progressive more and more as a genre lately. It started with reviewing Sasha’s Invol2ver album, then I bought Deadmau5’s “Not Exactly” on vinyl…when not even a year ago I was agreeing with a comment made by the one and only El Hornet, “Progressive is like a series of 30 second roots that never end”. Maybe I enjoy being frustrated?

In a way, each disk represents a progressive track in itself, by slowly building then backing off by throwing in the mix a “quieter” track, only to start the building again. Quite poetic really!  Stand out tracks that got my foot tapping on Disc 1 were Oliver Twizt, “You’re not Alone”, Mark Trophy, “Shake it” and Morten Breum, “On It”. Where as Disc 2, my favourites were, Dataworx, “Control” and Reflekt feat. Delline Bass, “Need to Feel Loved”. I am just a sucker for soothing vocals or techy beat.

The only criticism I have of this album is that the start of Disc 2 is a bit cheesy with a radio voiceover type grab as the introduction to Adam K’s mix.

Both disks are finished off with soothing and relaxing tracks which I think perfectly signals the end to a beautifully mixed album.

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Tracklisting

CD1: Mixed by Hook N Sling
01. Oliver Twizt - You're Not Alone (Bingo Players Remix)
02. Hook N Sling - Another Night (Vocal Mix)
03. Juan Kidd & Felix Baumgartner feat. Lisa Millett - Now You're Gone (Club Mix)
04. Cunnie Williams feat. Monie Love - Saturday 2009 (Fedde Le Grand Dub Remix)
05. MDX - Hot & Spicy (Bass Kleph Remix)
06. Neon Stereo - Feel This Real (Trophy & Wharton Remix)
07. F.L.G. - Pink Bird (Original Club Mix)
08. Morten Breum - On It! (Original Mix)
09. Cookie Monsterz & Tyree Cooper - Hip Housin' (Kid Massive Mix)
10. Mark Trophy - Shake It (Original Mix)
11. DADA, Obernik & Harris - Stereo Flo (The Drill Remix)
12. Laidback Luke & A-Trak - Shake It Down
13. deadmau5 - Slip
14. Style Of Eye feat. Stephen Simmonds - Galore (Hook N Sling Remix)
15. Mark Brown & Steve Mac - The Fly (DJ Wady & Patrick M Mosca Remix)
16. Martin Solveig - One 2.3 Four (Popof Remix)
17. Hook N Sling - Highball
18. Bertie Blackman - Town of Sorrow (Mic Newman Remix)

CD2: Mixed by Adam K
01. Dr. Kucho! - Patricia Never Leaves The House (Dr. Kucho! Remix)
02. Underworld - Holding The Moth (Audiojack Remix)
03. Dataworx - Control (Original Mix)
04. Kohlbecker & Eilmes - Tabasco (Moguai Remix)
05. Tony Senghore & Baron Bane - Love.Cure.All (Full Vocal)
06. Kurd Maverick - Blue Monday (Vandalism Remix)
07. Adam K & Soha - Question
08. Reflekt Featuring Delline Bass - Need To Feel Loved (Adam K & Soha Vocal Mix)
09. Adam K - You're Not Alone
10. Chris Lake featuring Nastala - If You Knew (Feed Me Remix)
11. Adam K & Jelo - Choose Your Weapon
12. Adam K & Soha - Twilight
13. Shakedown - At Night (Shiny Remix)
14. JELO, Me & John Feat. Kevin Drew - Due To Love
15. Gat Décor - Passion
16. Gui Boratto - Beautiful Life
17. Roel H. - Dancing Bears (Phil Kieran Remix)