Mr Jay is largely correct about MOS, though in fairness we should remember the good things about them. For one, they are the biggest name in all-encompassing dance music in the UK. They may focus on the commercial stuff, but that's how many of us got into the proper house/trance. They are an accessible entry into the wider world of this genre, a function immitated in other genres too.

Seconldly it's not all pap, as some have pointed out. Their club is decent (it's pricey but they play an intelligent mix in there rather than the contents of their Annuals) and their online radio is very good - diverse in output and respected. OK the shows are sub-contracted at least they're associating themselves with good music and putting out for free.

But, yes there are downpoints. They used to be choice; now they're at the bottom of people's CD collections. They don't help themselves with their relentless push for money by releasing the same songs (the same track can appear on so many CDs - some supposedly successors to others in a series). And their label often justifies the widespread cynism about dance music: that is is full of talentless girls singing provactively in sex-driven music vids.

As everyone here knows The Ministry of Sound is a huge label/nightclub out of the UK who has helped spread electronic dance music to all four corners of the globe. As a matter of fact, the Ministry "educated" me about house music when I re-discovered it in 1996. Their "DJ Sessions CDs (especially Sessions 1 - 9)" were fabulous and still hold up despite the passage of time. However, MOS is loosing the edge they once had. I guess that's what happens when an organization gets so large. Innovation suffers. MOS produced several CD series that were really excellent but it now seems that all they are interested in is cramming as many recycled, overplayed tracks they can on a double cd so you're stuck with only 2-3 minute snippet of each track. And what's even sadder is their "chill-out" selections. The MOS "Late Night Sessions" were mind-blowing and powerful (all three of them)! Nowadays, they don't even to have a DJ compile the tracks anyone (e.g. Chill-out Sessions Series). It's really sad. Ministry of Sound is no longer on my radar screen anymore. That's probably because everytime I look at a tracklisting of any of their CDs, I can't help but think, "Been, there, done that."

Ministry of Sound are part of the wider phenomenon of "dance" music going mainstream. A phenomenon which has been going on a long time, and which is here to stay.

Back in the day, when the Orb were indeed doing the Chill Out thing so much better, and today's 30-somethings were in their early twenties or late teens, and outdoor raves weren't sponsored, and the underground club scene really was for the true fanatics, and "Artifical Intelligence" was ahead of it's time, the idea of something like the Ministry of Sound even existing seemed impossible. Surely, this stuff could never become commercialized? The mainstream will never buy it!

But good vibes sells, and I reckon it was always inevitable that the marketing men would make some serious money out of dance culture. Look back to the early 90s and the commercial dance compilations were already there back then: Move the House, Serious Beats, Turn Up the Bass... Admittedly, not selling as many truckloads as Chill Out Ibiza Vol. 235, but the targets had already been set by the big industry players.

I agree that most of what Ministry of Sound releases is drivvle, but at the end of the day, it's big bizness, and we all have the right to not buy it!

Someone pass me the Vicks, a lightstick, and some half-time oranges!

Ministry Of Sound have a reputation to maintain as a cutting edge establishment given to pushing underground music to a reputable crowd who thrive on new talent... blah blah blah.

Bollocks - Ministry Of Sound is dedicated to pushing music 5 years past it's sell by date to a clientele who would never notice because they are more preoccupied with how they look, what they are seen drinking and just how bloody great they think they are thanks to a few lines of expensive Colombian powder. But you won't read that in Ministry magazine - they'll be too preoccupied trying to sell you a 'Ministry Of Sound' puffa jacket.

Think I'm joking? My how original those 'Chillout Sessions' must seem to a crowd who have only just jumped on the chill-out bandwagon after experiancing Cafe Del Mar when they last went out to Ibiza (it must be good, Ministry mag recommends it!) - sorry folks, The Orb and others were doing it better in '93. Mind you it probably seemed better then because anyone in a chill out room back in them days was there because they loved the music and there was not a hint of Gucci or Paul Smith to be seen.

Something cutting edge for the punters? Top move - send 'Judge' Jules out to buy all the trance that even Return To The Source would deem to shite to play to even thier most tripped out punter. Tell your customers that it's THE BIG THING at the moment - they wouldn't be seen dead in a hippy hole like Escape From Satsuma so will probably take your word for it!

If you want a reason why there is so much benal drivel going on in dance music, a reason to complain about extortianate prices to get into a club to hear someone play other peoples records for silly money, a reason to moan about many clubs charging stupid money for a bottle of water or just a reason to hate the armies of brainless morons lining the check-out of Top Shop every Saturday morning, I'll give you three words for free... Ministry Of Sound. Enjoy - it's the only time you'll get something connected to that organisation for nothing.

9pm 'til I come? Cold Day In Hell more like!