If you hate Europop and think that the frothy sounds of DJ Encore, Lasgo, just to name a couple are the worst thing that has ever happened to music, there is nothing in this CD that will change your mind as I respect that some musical genres are not for everyone.

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 clichéd 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.

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

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 !!

DJ Sammy's two celestial "Heaven" hits are the only songs on the "Heaven" CD with any real celestial magic. The rest of the CD is a disappointing revelation of DJ Sammy's lack of inspiration beyond the earthly bounds of standard euro-sounds. Remakes are the name of his game, and his own original creations are euro-bland. He tries to recycle several other classics like "California Dreamin'", but the magic is gone. Besides "Heaven", the CD's most redeeming sounds come from his remake of "Boys of Summer", which is still far from heaven. The "El Condor Pasa" remake at times sounds like the type of Asian muzak you would hear in a Chinese restaurant. If you love the sound of "Heaven", buy the single; if you want to slip the surly bonds of one-hit-wonderdom, try CDs like ATB's Movin' Melodies or DJ Encore's Intuition.

While DJ Sammy's remake of the Bryan Adams power ballad 'Heaven' is the cheesiest guilty pleasure of the summer, the same cannot be said of the accompanying album. Soulless eurodisco production and equally banal singing suck the life out of even the album's most tolerable tracks('Take Me Back To Heaven','Unbreakable'), with several of the tracks sounding so identical in nature that he could sue himself for copyright infringement. And those who think the kewpie-doll singing of Do on the title track make Paula Abdul seem like a natural born diva need only listen to vocalist Loona on tracks like 'Sunlight' and a very misguided remake of 'California Dreamin' to realize she's as good as it gets here. Those who love 'Heaven' would best be served by seeking out the maxi-single. Otherwise, this HEAVEN feels alot more like hell.