Last year I found a mix made by Dr Packer on Soundcloud, and I reviewed it. And I loved the mix a lot. It was the second instalment of a mix series focussed on 80s Soul music, but it not being the originals but edits of all time classics. Where the second one had about 24k plays, the one you are about to listen to (if you haven't already), has a staggering amount of plays: 182k! But those were gained in 9 years of being on Soundcloud. And for good reason though!
I've been listening to this mix for a couple of years now. It has made it's way into my own playlist, which is personal, but it's music the wife and I listen to. It is music we both appreciate. Most music genres we don't have in common, whereas I listen to the harder styles, and she's more into Pop, Rock, Ska, and more, and I'm not. So this is our safe mix.
Dr Packer is an Australian producer/DJ, and he's very successful on Soundcloud. Just check out his Soundcloud page, and you'll follow him straight away. Tons of excellent songs and mixes, and this being one of the best out there. It's got the best reviews/comments, and I have to join the bandwagon. As said, I've listened to this for a few years now, and it's always a blessing to hear those familiar songs, be it edits of the original, coming at you through your speakers.
Most of the songs selected for this mix were edited by Dr Packer himself, and that's a good thing. He didn't chop them up too much, and they do the original songs justice. Some artists do chop up a song too much, and it ruins the song, but not Dr Packer. Sometimes the edits are so small, you could even believe you are listening to the original, but you aren't.
Let's check out the tracks selected for this mix:
Change - Change Of Heart (Dr Packers Epic Voyage)
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (Derek Kaye Mix)
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop The Music (Candy Dealers Mix)
Jocelyn Brown - Somebody Else's Guy (Dr Packer Mix )
Sister Sledge - Thinking Of You (DJ 'S' Mix)
Keni Burke - Keep Rising To The Top (Dr Packer Mix)
Maze feat Franky Beverly - Joy & Pain (Dr Packer Mix)
George Benson - Turn Your Love Around (LNTG Mix)
Fatback Band - I Found Lovin' (Dr Packer Disco Dub)
Stephanie Mills - You're Putting A Little Rush On Me (Dr Packer Mix)
Loose Ends - Hanging On A String (Dr Packer Mix)
Raw Silk - Do It To The Music (Dr Packer Mix)
Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (Dave Gerrard Mix)
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That (80s Child Mix)
George Benson - Give Me The Night (Dr Packer Mix)
Change - A Lovers Holiday (LNTG Mix)
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (Fingerman Mix)
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (DJ 'S' Mix)
Fonda Rae - Touch Me (Dr Packer Mix)
Imagination - Flashback (Dr Packer Mix)
Cherrelle & Alexander O'Neal - Saturday Love (Elias Tzikas Mix)
Michael Jackson - Billy Jean (Fatneck Mix)
This is a fantastic mix. One that will certain set the mood for the rest of the day, or even the weekend. You cannot escape this mix: once you press the magical play button, it will be on for hours! And yes, I do mean it goes on repeat, because the mix is tight, very tight!
I grew up in the 80s, being born in 1983, but I was too young to understand the music. To me, music was just music. I never paid too much attention to the power of the songs, but only when I grew older, did I understand the importance of the songs, music, and genre. And Soul is just so damn gorgeous! It has become timeless music, still appreciates decades after the songs initial release.
Dr Packer's mix isn't in your face. It is perfect. The songs are picture perfect, and right when you need them. Maybe to unwind a bit, or just to chill a bit, but when you need it, it is there.
The other great thing about this mix is the fact that it's 2 hours and 6 minutes long, and you only have 22 records in it. So it's not a megamix, where all these are crammed in. The opposite happened here: you get full versions of songs you would never hear on the radio, and that is a blessing in disguise. Long versions are always better.
This has got some amazing records in it, especially 'I Can't Go For That'. Love that record a lot!
A fantastic mix, one that will set the tone for my weekend! And as I'm typing it, it goes back to the beginning. Repeat after repeat, and I don't care. I love this mix!
Other mixes might take longer to compose a review for, but as I've heard this mix a thousand times already, there's no need to think too hard about it: I can dream this mix!
Ps. the download function didn't work. Maybe it's just me, or maybe it was once available to download, but the link doesn't work anymore?
DJ: Dr Packer
Genre/Style: Soul
Mix Info: 80's Soul Classics (Remixed)
Length Mix: 02:05:51
Tracks: 22 (twenty-two)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): STREAM HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown
Release Year: 2014
More Information: Dr Packer - Soundcloud Channel