STREET DANCE 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2012)

Eighty two minutes – that’s how much music you’d get on this very generous album. Holding the record for a single soundtrack with the longest runtime we’ve seen so far, the collection of dance tracks on this disc will delight fans of the genre, or anyone who is planning a dance party but is too lazy to compile music for the occasion.

Things get off on a good start with the household tune “We Will Rock You” by British rock band Queen. English rapper Wretch 32 brings on the infectious party track “Go In, Go Hard” next, a cue which will have your guests gyrating to the catchy melody. Not wanting to be outdone, English singer songwriter Jessie J and British solo pop singer Sunday Girl bring on some girl power with “Domino” and “High and Low”, two tracks which will send hands waving in the air. Things become mellower with British rapper Dappy and soul singer songwriter Dionne Bromfield’s “Rockstar” and “Who Says You Can’t Have It All”, two radio friendly tunes which are equally pleasing to party goers.

Elsewhere, British hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks brings on “Mama Do The Hump”, a tune we feel has some country influence. Canadian recording artiste Drake and American rapper Lil Wayne come together to rap the too cool to be true “The Motto”. Taio Cruz shows listeners what he’s made of in the crowd pleaser “Troublemaker”, while English songwriter Pixie Lott and Tinchy Stryer show off their vocals in “Bright Lights”.

The last third of the album has English Grime MC Skepta displays his soulful side in the heart thumping “Hold On (Original Mix)”, and Lloyd Perrin & Jordan Crisp performing two very different cues “Baudelaires Tango No Vox” and “Catacombs Dance Off (Remix)”. Things get festive with Latin Formation’s “Cuba 2012 (DJ Rebel Streetdance 2 Remix)”, before the album closes with Polluted Mindz’s “Ride My Beat”, a tune with attitude.

If there is one qualm we had to pick on about this otherwise value for money soundtrack, it would be how the tunes begin to sound similar by the 20 minute mark. But hey, if you are unable to employ a deejay to spin at your party, this album would do just fine.

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (13) Troublemaker – Taio Cruz

Review by John Li