VA - Spirit of Disco [2CD Set] (2001)

It's not terribly difficult to capture the spirit of disco on a compilation. It helps that hundreds of wonderful singles of the sort were made during the style's existence. And, as long as those who put the compilation in question together acknowledge the underground that thrived before, during, and after disco's rise to the mainstream, there shouldn't be much trouble. The Spirit of Disco is better than most other compilations of its kind; it includes several popular hits (Musique's "Keep on Jumpin'," First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder," and Cheryl Lynn's "Got to Be Real") and emphasizes the underground's best moments (Logg's "You've Got That Something," Cloud One's "Disco Juice," Inner Life's "Moment of My Life," and Joe Bataan's version of Gil Scott-Heron's "The Bottle"). Just as important, the 12" versions are provided in most cases. Though other compilations (Harmless' two-volume Jumpin' series, for instance) do something similar, Spirit of Disco should be a revelation for those only familiar with Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, the Village People, and the like.