Three out of the four megamixes found on this album are extended versions of those found on "Hop Around The Clock", proving that the Master Mixers seem to be running out of ideas! As the title suggests (duh!), this is a tribute to the music of the 70s featuring four megamixes split into different genres. Megamix One is dedicated to the British Glam Rock era, so it's surprising they've used The Osmond's, "Crazy Horses" to start it off! I've never been a fan of Glam Rock, so this megamix isn't exactly a favourite of mine. It does boast contributions from the likes of The Sweet, Slade, Wizzard, Gary Glitter, Mud, T-Rex, The Rubettes and The Bay City Rollers, so you can't deny the Master Mixers haven't chosen the cream of the crop. All tracks sampled are genuine classics too, and with the mixing just right, this is a first class megamix, but better enjoyed if you like this style of music. (Track Rating: 3/5)

Megamix Two pays tribute to the disco era, but the choice of songs sampled here could've been a whole lot better. All genuine disco stompers, but where's Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive"? Why isn't there any Bee-Gees tracks or songs from "Saturday Night Fever"? And haven't the Master Mixers ever heard of Hot Chocolate, Tavares, Earth Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Heat Wave, Boney M, The Emotions or even Melba Moore (and those are just some of the artists that should've appeared). Nevertheless, this is an adequate track that has the quality to ensure this is a party favourite. Of course, ABBA pitches in with a contribution, "Dancin' Queen", and then there's the dancefloor favourite, "Car Wash" by Rose Royce. But the rest of this megamix seems to be full of one-hit wonders. I recognise a few of them, but some just pass me by. What should've been a good megamix turns out to be extremely mediocre. (Track Rating: 2/5)

Megamix Three is the best on this album. 'Pop Back To The 70s' features classic tracks from the decade that taste forgot! It begins with the (I suppose) disco classic, "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas - a song that transformed many a kid into Bruce Lee addicts! Further great songs include: "December '63 (Oh What A Night)", "Love Is In The Air" and The Manfred Mann's Earth Band's legendary, "Blinded By The Light". There's two songs worth mentioning for different reasons: "Baker Street" - the Gerry Rafferty song which deserves the label of 'classic' - features the great man himself. But the version of Don McLean's, "American Pie" is truly awful. I just hope Don never manages to hear this version, and how this sound-a-like has ruined it. Notwithstanding a few minor gripes, this is a brilliant megamix for fans of 70s pop music. (Track Rating: 5/5)

The final megamix on the album, paying tribute to the big European hits of the decade, just happens to be the worst Jive Bunny megamix since "Hot Summer Salsa". I suppose you've really got to hear it to fully understand just how bad it is. You may recognise some of the tracks sampled ("Rivers Of Babylon" by Boney M and "Radar Love" by Golden Earring), but most are one-hit wonders that seem to invade the British charts every summer. Two words can easily sum up this megamix: 'instantly forgettable'. (Track Rating: 0/5)

Because the 1970s produced so many different styles of popular music, I guess it's difficult to make an album that covers all those genres. And since this CD was part of a rather mediocre time for Jive Bunny, I never really expected anything great. With the exception of the 'pop' megamix, a poor album is what I got. "Pop Back In Time To The 70s" is directed more at fans of this kind of music rather than Jive Bunny fans. Purchase with caution!

Jon.

The CD begins with "Can Can You Party", originally released in August 1990, and Jive Bunny's final worthwhile (UK) single (reaching the top five). This, it has to be said, isn't the 7" radio edit or the original album version. Instead, it's a very passable remix. "Can Can You Party" is an eclectic mix of rock n' roll themed tracks from the 50s right up until the British rock n' roll revival of the 1970s. Produced and mixed in the same vein as "Swing The Mood" and "That's What I Like", "Can Can You Party" is a throw-back to the days when a Jive Bunny single release almost guaranteed chart success. And it just happens to be the best megamix found on this particular album. (Track Rating: 4/5)

Track Two, "Here We Go Again", also comes from the "Its Party Time" album. Later remixed and repackaged as "Over To You John" (a charity single released in March 1991), this megamix focuses on the 60s - a particular musical era that the Mix Masters seem to have difficult with. Considering all the great songs that decade produced, the Mix Masters had to go with tracks like "Wooly Bully" by Sam The Sham and the Pharoahs! This only proved that sometimes the Mix Masters could push the novelty factor just a little too far. An extremely mediocre megamix. (Track Rating: 2/5)

Track Three, "Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame" is an edited version of a full-length album released in 1992 - the original Mix Masters final Jive Bunny production for almost six years. Fans of Jive Bunny - and not just those who only like the first album - will be disappointed with this megamix. I've often wondered why "Swing The Mood" was so successful, and I'm sure that can be explained by the way those classic rock n' roll tracks were mixed together using modern-day technology. "Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame" on the other hand, lets the music do the talking, and the mixing qualities are kept to a minimum. It's sad to say, but old 50s rock n' roll tracks just aren't as appealing this way, and it makes this megamix... (Track Rating: 2/5)

Track Four, "The Juke Box Story", first apeared on the 1994 "Best Of Jive Bunny" CD - which is surprising because (back then) it was a 'new' track! Mixed and produced much similar to "Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame", this megamix is slightly better as the Mix Masters have opted for a more high-profile style of modern-day mixing, which ultimately breathes new life into those old classics. The samples used come from the 50s, an era the Mix Masters seem comfortable with, and is an excellent party track - but pale in comparison to "Swing The Mood" and other early Jive Bunny megamixes. (Track Rating: 3.5/5)

Track Five, "The Chuck Berry Medley", isn't actually a Jive Bunny track at all. This was produced by the Mix Masters for an album released by Prism UK Records in 1992 called "Party Megamix". But in all other aspects, it is a typical Jive Bunny track. As the title suggests, it's a tribute to Chuck Berry - and it's Chuck really singing on this megamix! Much better than the god-awful Little Richard megamix found on the "Its Part Time" CD, and I'm sure Chuck Berry fans will love this. (Track Rating: 2.5/5)

The final track on "Can Can You Party" is another example of the Master Mixers pushing the novelty factor too far. "The Roaring Twenties" pays homeage to the music from (you've guessed it!) the 1920s - and it just doesn't work. The songs are too old fashioned to capture your attention, and it's a medley performed by a genuine barber shop quartet rather than it being a mix of old 78s (remember them!). This is definitely one to play your great grandparents! (Track Rating: 1/5)

This is a worthwhile purchase for Jive Bunny fans living outside the US as it offers something different. For US fans, I'd recommend you check out the zShops for "Its Party Time" and "Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame".

Jon.