A well done hits compilation, spread across two discs and including some interesting rarities and new songs. The songs are divided up in non-chronological order, with ballads on one disc and dance tracks on the other. I personally would have preferred the tracks to have been sequenced chronologically, but the current sequencing is satisfactory, and isolating the dance tracks leaves you with a great party disc. Just for the record, no songs with Wham are included ("Careless Whisper" and "A Different Corner" were released as solo songs), the UK hit "Older" is missing, and the hit version of "I Want Your Sex" has been replaced with the "Part II" reprise of the song. The remainder of the songs are all presented in their original single versions, which makes it a great buy even if you have all of Michael's proper albums.

The US and UK versions of the compilation have slightly different track listings. The newly-recorded dance single "Outside" (#2 UK) is present on both version, but the stirring cover of Stevie Wonder's "As" (#4 UK), with Mary J. Blige) is only found of the UK issue. The UK version also includes a 1997 remix of "The Strangest Thing" and the killer B-side "Fantasy," but inexplicably omits the smash hit "Monkey," which is on the US version. Both versions included two generous booklets with lyrics and many beautiful photos of Michael. Given the inclusion of the few rare tracks, I suggest listeners pick up the UK version (after all, "Monkey" is easily found on the Faith album). Either way you go, however, this is a great compilation that includes some of the best pop singles of the eighties and nineties.

Where in the world is George Michael nowadays? Who knows? His last album, the cover CD "Songs from the Last Century" tanked mightily and his last proper album before that, "Older", is by now 6 years old... So while we wait for George to wake up and smell the coffee, we have this 1998 sprawling (2 CDs, 140 min) "Best of" to remember what George was/is capable of.

The compilation is divided in "From the Heart" (CD1, read: the ballads) and "For the Feet" (CD2, read: the dance tunes). Nobody is going to question his genius for writing great songs, and they are all here: Careless Whisper, Freedom, Too Funky, Kissing a Fool, Faith, Heal the Pain, Cowboys and Angels, Monkey, Waiting for that Day, and go on and on. Marvelous!

Here is the problem: there are simply too many filler songs on this compliation (such as Desafinado, You Have Been Loved, A Moment with You, Spinning the Wheel, etc.) What would have worked better is a single CD, compiling all his greatest hits, no more, no less. Another beef I have is that one of his greatest hits, "I Want Your Sex", appears here as "Part 2", which is radically different from the song we all know and remember. What is up with that? So what could've, should've been a compliation of George Michael's greatest hits, isn't... Not that this compilation is bad, but it could've been greater.

I really enjoyed this CD - both cds. One cd is of his slow songs and the other is his dance songs. (I really like how they put that together.) It's nice to listen to the slow cd when you just want to mellow out. All the songs in these cds you have heard with a couple of new ones added in. Great cd, especially if you already enjoy George Michael's music.

Recipe for a must-have CD: Start off with classic pop hits like "Careless Whisper," "Faith," "Father Figure," and "Freedom 90." Add a handful of great material that SHOULD have been hits, like "Hard Day," "Heal the Pain," "Waiting for That Day" and "Spinning the Wheel." Add a couple of tasty remixes for "Monkey" and "Star People." Sprinkle a dash of rarely-heard treats like "Desafinado" with Astrud Gilberto and a fine rendition of the otherwise overdone "I Can't Make You Love Me." Toss in a flawless pair of new tunes in the form of the sultry ballad "A Moment With You" and the disco-happy "Outside." Throw it all together with gorgeous pictures, give it a pricetag under $20, and Presto! The perfect Christmas gift for fans of soulful pop, not to mention the perfect impulse buy for yourself. Pop either entertaining disc into your CD player and listen to it cook for over an hour. It confirms that George Michael is one of the most talented and endearing pop performers of our times. WARNING: Discs will inspire multiple listenings.

These days it seems as if Americans have all but dismissed George Michael. That is a darn shame. Although he has become an easy target for tastless jokes and the like this has absolutely nothing to do with his music. GM has a terrific voice and he is one of the few artists out there who can write/perform fast and slow songs with equally pleasing results. The way Americans rebuffed and ridiculed this cd and George Michael personally makes me embaressed to live here. I hope George knows that he still does have true fans in the States. The best slow song on here is "Jesus to a Child" and the best fast song is "Fastlove". I only wish George would have included the original version of "I Want Your Sex" but you've got to hand it to the guy for giving us variety. Keep up the great work George and come back to the States soon. (By the way do you have a new cd coming out in the near future?)