The Best Compilation Series of All-Time

Before the days when dance-music fans could experience unlimited recorded sets on SoundCloud, Mixify and YouTube— the mix CD reigned supreme. From the late 80s through the 90s, dance junkies heard what the top DJs spun and loved either in-person or on a mix compilation. These CDs became a defining aspect of dance music culture and the industry at large.

Fans across the world had their favorite compilation series, each of which reflected a certain genre, location, or style of playing. The mixes would not only showcase what your favorite DJs were playing in their sets, but how they were doing it. Compilation CDs were almost always released in a "mixed" format, presenting the collection of tracks as a seamless and carefully curated playlist that would replicate the blissful experience of spending your night dancing under the lights to your favorite DJ.

Since the demise of the CD, this once beloved cornerstone of dance music culture has steadily shifted to the interwebs. Still, the importance of mix CDs is vital to the history of dance music. We went digging through the vaults of mix comp history to expertly craft a rundown of the most important mix CDs of all time.

Renaissance & Renaissance Live (born 1994)

notable mixers: Sasha & Digweed, Francois K, Steve Lawler, Danny Tenaglia

Sasha and John Digweed were like the Steve Jobs and Wozniak of the mix CD. Together, the two UK DJs are credited for creating one of the first commercially successful mix compilations in 1994 for the Renaissance nightclub, where they held the iconic residency that jump-started their careers. This debut edition would go on to establish Renaissance Live as one of the most successful mix comps ever with future career-defining releases from heavyweights like James Zabiela and Hernan Cattaneo.

During these early days in progressive house music, mix CDs were not yet widely respected by the industry but through the success of the Renaissance Live series this tag-team would prove that compilations could generate a unique experience that transported listeners to the buzzing dancefloors of UK super-clubs while at the same time proving promotionally and commercially beneficial.

Ministry of Sound – Sessions (born 1993)

notable mixers: Paul Oakenfold, David Morales, DJ Harvey and Frankie Knuckles

Founded in 1991, London-based nightclub and music label Ministry of Sound remains one of the most widely respected brands in dance music. Early on, this British institution helped popularize and promote the opening of their club and then-new record label with their mix album series,

Sessions

.

Sessions was one of the first mixes that featured different DJs on each release, a roster of which included some of dance music's most high-profile artists of the time like trance DJ Paul Oakenfold (who released his first DJ mix ever with the series), NYC duo Masters at Work and the late house-music innovator, Frankie Knuckles, all of whom lent a unique personal touch to each edition. Ever-evolving, this compilation lives on, now with multiple spin-offs including a collaboration with fellow UK label Defected Records. Today, Ministry of Sound now focuses on releasing digital compilations in an unmixed form, putting an emphasis on the hottest individual tracks being put out by the world-renowned label.

Jock Jams (1995-2001)

notable mixers: DJ Riddler

If you came near a middle school dance, an NBA playoff game, or even late night commercials on MTV in the 90s, then you remember

Jock Jams

. Released by Tommy Boy Records in conjunction with ESPN, these sports-themed albums consistently featured a continuous mix of "pump-up tracks" from genres ranging from house music to popular hip-hop. Many of the tracks featured on

Jock Jams

albums would go on to be the classic anthems still heard today at sporting events (or even in the club, if the DJ is feeling nostalgic). The 1995 debut edition featured unmistakable sing-a-longs like "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" and "Whoomp! There It Is," tracks that both would eventually be included in "The Jock Jam," a mega-mix that featured a rapid-fire three-minute medley of many of the series' most popular songs. The

Jock Jams

albums were an iconic aspect of 90s dance music culture and are often remembered today by the sexy cheerleaders that graced the album covers.

Fabric/FabricLive (born 2001)

notable mixers: Diplo, Claude VonStroke, Maya Jane Coles, Jacques Lu Cont.

Similar to

Ministry of Sound

and

Renaissance

,

Fabric

is another series inspired by a London nightclub of the same name as well as a label and dance-music brand that established its global presence with an esteemed compilation series. Starting in 2001, years after many of its competitors, the clubbing juggernaut began releasing their compilation albums

Fabric

and

FabricLive

to international acclaim. These two mix CDs still appear separately every other month, showcasing the skills of established and up-and-coming respected DJs alike.

In the year 2005, current EDM kingpin Diplo mixed one of the most revered FabricLive editions, impressively blurring the lines between hip-hop, electro and house in the span of 80 minutes. With tracks ranging from Ciara to The Cure, Outkast and Cajmere, Diplo is just one example of how Fabric excels at being both witness to current trends and tastemakers of the future.

DJ-Kicks innovated in the ways that compilations featured licensed tracks with the savvy !K7 label heads navigating major label red-tape to feature music usually off-limits to low-income-earning compilations. Today, DJ-Kicks continues with approximately two new mixes a year, offered in both a digital and physical form. The series is widely regarded as an opportunity for DJs to showcase their eclectic tastes in music you wouldn't ordinarily hear in their live sets.