I for one need a little Europop in my diet, and this release is one of my favorites. Is it a masterpiece? Certainly not, but within its own universe it's one of the best, not counting Chicane, which is in my opinion a cut above the rest. Out of the first 5 songs, 4 are remakes. The biggest hit, and my favorite of the bunch, is a remake of Bryan Adam's "Heaven." DJ Sammy has changed the song into an optimistic dance opus with soothing lead vocals that take the song in a totally new direction. There is also a remake of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," which took some time to grow on me but I now like as much as "Heaven." "California Dreaming" is yet another remake, and unlike the first two this one sounds a little too light and high school chorus-like to make an impact. "El Condor Pasa" is a change of pace as it's a little more aggressive (one could even say tribal), and although it's impossible to compare it to Simon & Garfunkel's version, I think that it's cheesy and fun. Again, if you hate this sound, you'll find the vocals to be cliched and without imagination, but the song just makes me smile.

Other highlights include "Sunshine," "Beautiful Smile," which are original compositions and makes me feel like I am chilling by the ocean. One could argue that many of these songs are interchangeable, and although I could not discount said perspective, I simply like this sound and it makes me feel good. I also liked "Paradise Of Love" (which shamelessly rips off Sash!'s biggest hits), but since I am not a copyright lawyer, I'll continue to enjoy it. I love the vocals on "Unbreakable," although the musical accompaniment needs a little oomph as the harder edge does not work as well here as it does in "El Condor Pasa." I also liked the vocals on "Take Me Back To Heaven" as they are quite muscular and make this song a little different than some of the more soothing ones. "Sunchild" is an instrumental which grabs the basic formula and twists it with a mysterious Eastern countercurrent which is pretty good.

There are two extras on this CD, which are slowed down versions of "Sunlight" and "Heaven" and they are both phenomenal and serve as a soothing end to music that is light and fun.

There is nothing intellectual or innovative about DJ Sammy, but just like I like Etta James, Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and Peter Gabriel, there is room for DJ Sammy. Some highbrow reviewers don't give themselves the opportunity to experience music that is beneath the critical radar. Is this release a MUST HAVE? Not really as you would do as well with Lasgo and even better with Chicane, but if you like Europop you can't go wrong with this purchase. I give it 3 very well earned stars.


It is OK   May 13, 2003
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

I fell in love with DJ Sammy's remake of the classic song "Heaven" by Bryan Adams. I loved when it would come on the radio, when they played it at school dances, or even heard it in the store. I then bought the CD, and I think it is decent... and could have been a little better.

1. -California Dreamin'- 4/5
I felt this song was a pretty good remake, and a pretty good song to start the CD off.

2. -Heaven- 5/5
This song is by far the best song on the album. Very awesome remake of a classic, and Do's voice is beautiful! I really love the Music Video too!

3. -Sunlight- 4/5
This song is really nice and relaxing, and I enjoy listening to it!

4. -The Boys Of Summer- 4/5
This song took a little for me to get use to, I really did not like it at first. I still hear the original on the radio all the time, and think it was a pretty nice remake.

5. -El Condor Pasa- 3/5
This song kind of has a "tribal" feel to it. I like some of the beats... but a lot of it is a little to... uh... "primitive" in a way.

6. -Beautiful Smile- 2/5
I really did not enjoy this song. Many of the verses remind me of a fairy tail my parents use to read to me when I was younger.

7. -Unbreakable- 3/5
This is really just a normal trance/dance song you find in the club.

8. -Paradise Of Love- 3/5
This song does have a nice paradise/ocean feel to it, and is soothing.

9. -Vive El Presente- 3/5
I totaly do not like the lyrics in this song, nor the person singing it. The voice kind of scares me, and its just... scary. Once you get past that however, there are some nice beats.

10. -Take Me Back To Heaven- 3/5
I think this song kind of has an early 80's maybe 90's feel to it... especially with the singing. Some of the beats are okay.

11. -Sunchild- 2/5
I do not like this song, and it makes me think of masked people running around a fire, preforming voo-doo.

12. -Sunlight (Bossa Nova Vibes)- 1/5
This is a horrible remix, the whole jaz
z theme is just horrible. I can not even make it through the entire song.

13. -Heaven (Candlelight Mix)- 5/5
This is a beautiful slow version of Heaven, sang by Do. She really makes it beautiful, and it is perfect for someone special, and even at a Wedding.

Overall, this CD was okay. I would however recommend DJ Encore Feat. Engelina "Intuition" either in addition to, or instead of DJ Sammy's CD. I loved almost every single track on DJ Encore's CD, and Engelina has a very beautiful voice, and doesn't make it sound warped/weird as Yanou does. I would def. give it a listen.

Total Score: 42/65


Heavenly delightful !!   August 13, 2002
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Obviously the most well-known hit single here is "Heaven" (the cover version of Bryan Adams's old song). But rest assured that the other songs in this album are surprisingly well-done. Some other remixes are "California Dreamin'" and "The Boys Of Summer. DJ Sammy himselves collaborated with other song writers to come up with beautiful songs such as:"Beautiful Smile" & "Vive El Presente" (which I find to be very similar to an old hit single by Gazebo).

You will also find a nice slow-tempo version of "Heaven" played with only piano in the background. What a delightful tune !!

So, if you're a fan of dance-oriented music. You should pick up this album. All the songs in this album are well-done. You won't be disappointed. Peace !!


let us get things right, shall we?   December 7, 2005
Chris Buescher (indy, KS)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Ok, it seems that this cd has recieved a great many negative reviews. This would make most people believe that this is a mediocre cd at best. But let me asure you that this is anything but simply mediocre. By reading the negative reviews, it seems that those reviews have only listened to the songs that have been overplayed on the radio. They are probably also the kind of people who hate anything that will get played on the radio. This seems to make the review a little untrustworthy, now dosn't it? Now I myself hate the current radio stations, at least those that I get, they play music that is repetiouse, uninspired, and very often just plain bad. But that dosn't mean everything put on the radio is horrid.

My opinion of the cd, as reflected by my rating of five stars, is that this cd is quite a good listen. While the tracks that have had radio play have been played far too often, and if you listen to the radio constantly, I can understand how that could make you dislike those tracks. But, basing your entire review on that fact alone, or just upon hearing those tracks is not a very good, or even well informed review.

While I myself generally skip over "Heaven" (which was the track I origionally bought the cd for) because of hearing it far too often back when I did listen to the radio, the others are still rather enjoyable. First you have the tracks that seem to be the only ones the reviewers who gave the cd a bad rating for. These are those that are more along the style of lighter trance (sometimes called bubblegum trance, usually as a derogatory term), but that does not make them bad. The female vocals on these are very good, and the synth lines are actually well thought out and tend to give one the urge to dance a little.

Now you get to the tracks that most of the reviewers have never heard. These are slower and do not include any female vocals, sometimes little or no vocals at all. They have DJ Sammy (I believe) doing the vocals himself. Much of these are in languages other then English. They seem to be based on native folk songs or just more native tunes. While they are in no way native or folk songs, they simply have influences from them (including a small peice of Simon & Garfunkle's for those of you who pay close enough attention). These tracks are where the album truly shines. They convey a grand level of emotion and many are truly beautifull. They are the kind of tracks that you listen to and you find yourself floating away with the song.

So as you can see, there is much more to this album then most of the reviewers seem to think there is. Even the parts that the negative reviewers were aware and most critical of, are actually quite a bit better then they give them credit for.

In general, my sugestion for reviewers is, 1: Don't review music without an open mind, 2: If you are going to review something, don't base your review on a couple songs you heard on the radio or at a club, 3: If you don't like the genre of music you are reviewing to begin with, don't waste your, and everyone elses time with a review(I.E. a strict metalhead should not review a synth album, or a teeny bopper should not review a goth album).

In the end, I hope this has helped describe the album in a way that might help influence your desision to purchase or not to purchase this album. But remember, in the end, it dosn't matter what I, or anyone else thinks. Listen to the samples and make a desision for yourself. You will be the one listening to the album, and you won't have any of the reviewers coming over to your house and praising or insulting you for your choice of purchase. I also hope this puts into persepective some (but not nessisarily all) of the negative (and quite possibly positive) reviews. Remember this is music, it's not something that is limited to one culture, sub-culture, nationality, or race; it is something for everyone to enjoy. It is one of the only things in this world that truly spans the many borders we all experiance in our lives.


I'm starting to feel guilty for not liking trance sooner   May 31, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

DJ Sammy's album "Heaven" is second only to 4 Strings' "Believe" (because you can't beat 4 Strings' vocalist). The songs on this disc are very elaborate and upbeat (don't get me wrong, I love dark techno like Ralph Falcon's "Dark Beat", so this is a pretty big deviation for me). The standout tracks are, of course, "Heaven", "Sunlight", "The Boys of Summer", and the updated "California Dreamin'", which I am tempted to say is better than the Royal Gigolos' recent attempt at bringing the Mamas and the Papas to the dancefloor. All in all, I'm a little startled by the harsh reviews I've seen; though I'm a lightweight when it comes to trance, I have to say this is much better and more comprehensive than, say, Tiesto. I'd suggest listening to the samples; if you like those, you'll simply love the album.