I too was a pretty big fan of the Mastercuts series - up until they started releasing their 3-CD box sets. The Mastercuts Reggae from 2005 (not to be confused with Mastercuts Classic Reggae) is useless, comprising second-rate live versions and other selections you probably don't want! the compilation sounds like one (three) of those bargain-priced releases with remakes of the songs in the place of the original versions. The original Mastercuts were owned by Beechwood music, while the newer 3-CD sets are issued by Dynamic Music & Media. It would seem that the Mastercuts name was simply sold and is now being used to capitalize on the Mastercuts name (and deserved reputation). The Beechwood Mastercuts releases are golden, but do yourself a favour and skip the 3-CD sets - they are fakes!

I agree totally with the previous reviewer, but I would say that compared to the latest releases using the Mastercuts brand name, CUTSCD46-57 are actually pretty good. As are the two "Anthems" CDs. After that, please don't bother! I bought three of the 3CD 2005-2007 series and the packaging and track selection was pretty weak. For example, I bought "Funk Divas" and all three inlay cards read "Northern Soul" along the spine. It's clearly a printing error of some kind, but you just don't expect that with Mastercuts. That's because it isn't Mastercuts anymore. Stick to the original series. I have mine in a locked box!

I bought my first Mastercuts compilation in 1994. I was looking for "New Jack Swing 2" that i heard on radio but i fell on "Classic Rare Groove" who meant nothing for me at this time. I decided to buy it anyway & then i feel in love with Mastercuts.
I bought every compilation, waiting for a new one like a child waiting his toy. All this compils are ESSENTIAL, with a superb artwork, top classic & representative tracks, perfectly remastered and in a coherent tracklist position. At first Ian Dewhirst conceived & selected tracks, then guest DJs as Dave Lee or Jazzie B, or journalists.
As all good things come to end end, the end of the "Classic" series was the end of quality imo. CUTS-01 to CUTS-43 are the best if you wanna know the truth about a Dance Music genre.