V/A - Cream Ibiza (Paul Van Dyke)

The latest product from global clubbing super-brand Cream is designed to show why its resident DJ Paul Van Dyke has been recognised as one of the greatest in the world, and on the whole it does the job well. Spread over two CDs, it’s easy to see how this eclectic mix of most, if not all, genres of dance, would suit a club atmosphere well. Spanning dark trance, minimalism and tech-house via everything in between, it's a cohesive picture of all genres. Tracks flow and bend seamlessly, recreating the energy of a live set from a DJ of this calibre. However, the track selection isn’t as exciting: the first CD starts off well before slowly descending into monotony, with joyously pounding drums and synth bass sitting next to some annoyingly grating scrapes and cuts. A more euphoric second half rounds off the package and it’s better than the first segment, with its more electronic and melodic beats, which create a more uplifting atmosphere. There’s still nothing particularly memorable on either side, however. This compilation is crafted well, technically, but is let down by monotonous and unmemorable tracks. How much pleasure you derive from this depends on how many prolonged repetitive sounds you can stand in one listen. Strictly one for the dancefloor hardcore. [Michael Slevin]