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# Reviews by Randy Williams on the shelves
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/reviews-by-randy-williams-ontheshelves/
- Published: 2008-05-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:04:58.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Classical Baroque, ‘The Best 100’*

*By Film and television author RANDY WILLIAMS reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online or at your local retail store.*

The world’s biggest selling album of all time just got bigger celebrating it’s quarter-century milestone in style. This ground-breaking album holds up well and comes with seven bonus tracks, six of which are previously unreleased. The new tracks include exclusive remixes from Kanye West, Fergie, will.i.am and Akon along with a previously unreleased track from the “Thriller” sessions, “For All Time,” newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson. There’s a bonus DVD with new, digitally restored versions of the three videos from the album as well as the Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking performance of “Billie Jean” on the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special (first broadcast on NBC May 16, 1983). If you wanna be startin’ something, this will get you goin’. (Epic/Legacy) A rich treasure indeed, this six CD set provides a comprehensive overview of Baroque music and serves as an excellent introduction for someone who would like to hear more of the Baroque style beyond “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” or “Canon” by Pachelbel. (EMI) The Lions, ‘Jungle Struttin’’

A unique Jamaican-inspired outfit, featuring members of Breakestra, Connie Price & the Keystones, Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Orgone, & Madlib’s Sound Directions. Reggae rhythms n’ dub techniques mash with the sound of Ethiopia, Africa, Colombia and a heavy dose of laid-back California soul, jazz, and funk. Jungle Struttin’ is a bass-bin rockin’ authentic take on an old school soulful reggae vibe with a tasty modern edge. (Ubiquity) Above & Beyond, ‘Anjunabeats100-From Goa to Rio’

Some classic trance tunes in a smartly ordered track selection mixed in with some new material. This is certainly the pick for those wanting to jump on the “bandwagon” and learn about these terrific artists. Voted no. 6 DJs in the latest DJ Mag Top 100 poll, Above & Beyond are a true dance music success story. (Ultra) Classic Soul Ballads A must-have for when the lights are low, with over 140 lovers’ tunes on 10 CDs, here’s the pinnacle of the most romantic love soul songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. From Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye to Aretha Franklin and Barry White, all the greats and more than a few rare gems from lesser-known artists are represented here. (Time Life) Taylor Swift Just 16 when she recorded this debut album, country-pop singer Taylor Swift’s considerably strong voice is sweet yet with a range that projects experience far beyond her young years. From the uptempo “The Outside,” the sparse acoustic ballad “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My),” and especially the leadoff track, “Tim McGraw,” which was the first single from the album, Taylor delivers a vocal array that is both fresh yet mature. Almost lost in this standout premiere is the fact that Swift wrote or co-wrote every song on the record. (Big Machine)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/052308-17_04.jpg)

of Epic/Legacy Michael Jackson, ‘Thriller’ 25th Anniversary (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 23, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052308.pdf?ref=smdp.com)