Yes, I was one of those late 1970s adolescents who, upon discovering cool artists like Elvis Costello and Tom Waits, thought himself just way too hep for music that made the rounds in discos. And every now and then, I come across an artist or band that fit that discotech mode, and I learn that I missed out on some great music because my pride got in the way.

Boney M is one of those groups. After hearing "Rasputin" blaring on somebody else's stereo, I hit the nearest music store and took a chance on this greatest hits CD. After spinning the entire CD, I found that a greatest hits compilation is not enough Boney M for my collection. Boney M explodes style, music and kinetic energy all it's own!

Seriously, this music perked me up from track #1 and did not let up. As this group was a creation by a man named Frank Farian,I have read several groups comparing Boney M to Milli Vanilli. NOT EVEN CLOSE! There is no guise of down-to-earthiness here, this music just makes you want to move. When I find photos of Boney M on the web, when I listen to their music, I drink in a creation meant to be loud, over-the-top, bright and as kitschy as neon! The singers' voices are passionate, and even the lyrics voicing concern (Belfast) are empowering. This is pure unapologetic dance music!

Boney M, and Boney M specifically, makes me confess what I have resisted confessing for over twenty years: I want to dance to "Rasputin" and "Daddy Cool" in the loudest and gaudiest disco I can find!

Best wake-up song: Daddy Cool... Best Workout Song: Rasputin... Best "In the Present Moment" Song: Sunny

Years later, Frank Farian is still cashing in on Boney M collections. This is not the best one. "Baby Do You Wanna Bump" is a Disco classic, and is absolutely necessary in any Boney M collection.

Do yourself a favor and check out the other collection instead.

Regarding the music...what could I possibly say that hasn't already been said by others? The 1970's would not have been the same without this band. I'm delighted that this music continues to endure and that it remains as influential as it is.

This is what Milli Vanilli could have become, Mr. Farian.

This collection contains the pop-disco group Boney M's greatest hits from their heyday in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The styles include hardcore disco (Daddy Cool, Sunny) and bouncy reggae like Rivers of Babylon (a remake of a Melodians hit) and Brown Girl In The Ring. As a 2-sided seven single, this was one of the biggest hits in the UK in 1978 and stayed on the charts for ages. More buoyant reggae can be found on Hooray Hooray, No Woman No Cry and their lovely Christmas song Mary's Boy Child. There's also pure pop like Rasputin, Painter Man and El Lute. Besides the aforementioned songs, other great numbers include of course the brilliant Ma Baker (which tells the story of Chicago gangster Ma Barker) and the deceptively airy Belfast which commented upon the troubles in Ulster. (Disco music wasn't meant to be serious). The Daddy Cool Remix 2001 updates the beat to the new century and the Mega Mix is ideal to get a party going. This is really superb pop music, all the songs have aged well and it's good to hear dance music with personality again. A great collection, well worth the price.

I don't usually have any time or regard for 1970's Disco Music but this album is an exception.This album contains the single "Rasputin" which STILL make me want to get up and boogie and the track "Nightflight To Venus" is almost hypnotic in it's rythmn.There is even some good rocking guitar work on the single "Painter Man".As an added bonus this band uses a REAL DRUMMER instead of an electronic Drum Machine. This band was and is great!!!

I spent a lot of time in Europe in the late 70's. I saw Boney M once and I was impressed they were real good. I am a metal-head by choice, but I think for the time it was "Cool". My girlfriend almost spazzed she liked them so much. We are still married and this is one of the only bands we can agree on!