Hits Unlimited

Last updated
Hits Unlimited
2 Unlimited Hits Unlimited cover.jpg
Greatest hits album by
2 Unlimited
Released30 October 1995
Recorded1995
Genre Eurodance
Length59:44
Label PWL
2 Unlimited chronology
Real Things
(1994)		Hits Unlimited
(1995)		 II
(1998)
Singles from Hits Unlimited
  1. "Do What's Good for Me"
    Released: October 1995
  2. "Jump for Joy"
    Released: January 1996
  3. "Spread Your Love"
    Released: June 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Music Week Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
NME 5/10 [3]
Select U+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A1.svgU+25A1.svg [4]

Hits Unlimited is the fourth album from Dutch/Belgian band 2 Unlimited and the last to feature Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. It was a greatest hits package featuring 16 songs: 13 previous singles and 3 new ones. The album, released by PWL, was certified gold in the Netherlands. [5] Ray Slijngaard's raps on the verses were not cut on any of the songs on the UK release of this album.

Contents

Critical reception

Music Week wrote, "A storming 16-track collection of pop/rave classics cataloguing the incredible impact Dutch duo Anita and Ray have had since 1991. The inclusion of European versions, with added rap will be a bonus for fans." [6] Stephen Dalton from NME said, "These songs are about clean, controlled fun and strict discipline — 'Jump for Joy', 'Workaholic', 'Let the Beat Control Your Body' — booted along by stormtrooper hardcore beats designed to encourage Eurokids to work hard and use leisure time constructively. [...] This is the sound of robotic consumerism triumphing over everything else — forever. And pretty damn catchy it is, too." He concluded, "Buy this album now and be happy forever." [3]

Track listing

  1. "Do What's Good for Me" – 3:49
  2. "No Limit" – 3:30 (from No Limits )
  3. "Get Ready for This" – 3:42 (from Get Ready! )
  4. "Twilight Zone" – 4:10 (from Get Ready!)
  5. "No One" – 3:26 (from Real Things )
  6. "Jump for Joy" – 3:42
  7. "Tribal Dance" – 3:40 (from No Limits)
  8. "The Magic Friend" – 3:44 (from Get Ready!)
  9. "Workaholic" – 3:33 (from Get Ready!)
  10. "Let the Beat Control Your Body" – 3:38 (from No Limits)
  11. "Nothing Like the Rain" – 3:59 (from Real Things)
  12. "Spread Your Love" – 4:43
  13. "The Real Thing" – 3:39 (from Real Things)
  14. "Here I Go" – 3:16 (from Real Things)
  15. "Maximum Overdrive" – 3:41 (from No Limits)
  16. "Faces" – 3:32 (from No Limits)

Charts

Chart performance for Hits Unlimited
Chart (1995)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [7] 78
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [8] 5
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [9] 24
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [10] 4
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [11] 24
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [12] 7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [13] 8
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [14] 22
UK Albums (OCC) [15] 27
US Billboard 200 [16] 107

Certifications

Certifications for Hits Unlimited
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA) [17] Gold25,000*
Japan (RIAJ) [18] Gold100,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Unlimited</span> Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group

2 Unlimited are a Belgian-Dutch dance music act, founded by Belgian producers/songwriters Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde in 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium. From 1991 to 1996, Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth fronted the act. During these five years, 2 Unlimited enjoyed worldwide mainstream success. They scored a total of sixteen international chart hits, including "Get Ready for This", "Twilight Zone", "No Limit", and "Tribal Dance". The act has sold eighteen million records worldwide. Although they enjoyed less mainstream recognition in the United States than in Europe, several of their tracks became popular themes in American sporting series, mainly in the NBA and NHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Limit (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"No Limit" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited, released in January 1993 by Byte, ZYX and PWL. It was their fifth single in total and the first to be released from their second album, No Limits! (1993). Co-written by the group's Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, the song became one of their most commercially successful singles, especially in Europe, reaching the number-one spot in 35 countries and the top 10 in several others. Like previous releases, the UK version of the single removed all of the raps from Slijngaard, leaving just Dels' vocals. One word from the rap was kept, the word 'Techno' which was looped and repeated during the middle of the song, turning the line into "Techno! Techno! Techno! Techno!" and giving the song an extra vocal hook. Its accompanying music video was directed by Nick Burgess-Jones and received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Ready for This</span> 1991 single by 2 Unlimited

"Get Ready for This" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch music group 2 Unlimited. It was released in 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, Get Ready! (1992). Originally, the single was produced as an instrumental, titled the "Orchestral Mix". It became a hit and conscious of their popularity, Wilde & De Coster wanted a more accessible, formatted formula for their project to grow. Ray was then asked to write lyrics and add a rap to the track. On Ray Slijngaard's suggestion, Anita Doth joined as the female vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Slijngaard</span> Dutch musician (born 1971)

Raymond Lothar Slijngaard is a Dutch singer and rapper best known as one half of the Eurodance duo 2 Unlimited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anita Doth</span> Dutch singer and songwriter

Anita Doth is a Dutch singer and songwriter best known as the former singer of the duo 2 Unlimited, along with rapper Ray Slijngaard.

<i>No Limits</i> (2 Unlimited album) 1993 studio album by 2 Unlimited

No Limits, sometimes No Limits!, is the second studio album by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in May 1993. The album yielded five singles, including "No Limit", which reached number one in many European charts. The album went platinum in several countries. It was fronted by Ray Slijngaard performing the main rap and Anita Dels providing the chorus.

<i>Real Things</i> (2 Unlimited album) 1994 studio album by 2 Unlimited

Real Things is the third album by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited, released in 1994. It was the band's second number one album in the UK and despite spending just nine weeks in the UK Albums Chart Top 75, it was certified gold there and platinum in The Netherlands. "The Real Thing", "Here I Go", "No One" and "Nothing Like the Rain" were released as singles. Unlike their previous album, Ray Slijngaard's raps on the verses were not cut for the UK release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Beat Control Your Body</span> 1994 single by 2 Unlimited

"Let the Beat Control Your Body" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released in January 1994 by Byte, ZYX and PWL as the fifth and final single from the band's second album, No Limits (1993). The album version is largely instrumental and contains just a few spoken words from bandmembers Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. The single version contains full verses rapped by Slijngaard and a new chorus sung by Doth, which were co-written by them both. The song enjoyed chart success in many European countries, peaking at number two in the Netherlands and within the top 10 in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. It was nominated in the category for Best Song on MTV Awards. Nigel Simpkiss directed the music video for "Let the Beat Control Your Body", which received heavy rotation on both MTV Europe and VIVA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workaholic (song)</span> 1992 single by 2 Unlimited

"Workaholic" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in April 1992 as the third single from their debut album, Get Ready!. The song features a chorus from Anita Doth and, outside the UK, verses from Ray Slijngaard. The single scored chart success in many countries, with its highest peaks coming in Finland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK and Zimbabwe, where it hit number-one in August 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1994 single by 2 Unlimited

"The Real Thing" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in May 1994 by Byte, Zyx and PWL as the first single from their third album, Real Things (1994). The song is co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, and scored chart success in many European countries. It topped the charts in Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands, while peaking at number two in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. The song also was a top-10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. It entered the Eurochart Hot 100 on 28 May at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Israel and number 39 in Australia. The music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, and received heavy rotation on music television channels, such as MTV Europe and VIVA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here I Go (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1995 single by 2 Unlimited

"Here I Go" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited. It was co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels and was released in March 1995 as the third single from their third album, Real Things (1994). In the United States, the song was released as a double A-side single with 2 Unlimited's next European single, "Nothing Like the Rain". "Here I Go" became a top-10 hit in at least five countries: Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Spain. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do What's Good for Me</span> 1995 single by 2 Unlimited

"Do What's Good for Me" is a song Belgian-Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in October 1995 via Byte and ZYX Records as the first single from the band's first greatest hits compilation album, Hits Unlimited (1995). Co-written by bandmembers Anita Dels and Ray Slijngaard, the song was a hit in Europe, reaching the top 10 in Finland and Spain. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss.

<i>Get Ready!</i> 1992 studio album by 2 Unlimited

Get Ready! is the debut studio album by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited. The album includes 2 Unlimited's breakthrough worldwide hit single "Get Ready for This".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing Like the Rain</span> 1995 single by 2 Unlimited

"Nothing Like the Rain" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released on 10 June 1995 by Byte, Zyx and Radikal Records as the fourth and final single from their third album, Real Things (1994). The song was written by co-producers Phil Wilde and Peter Bauwens with Michael Leahy. In the US, it was released as a double A-side with the European hit single "Here I Go". It peaked within the top 20 in at least four countries, and was also the first single by 2 Unlimited that was a pop-ballad. The single was not released in the UK. Its music video was directed by Nigel Simpkiss, who had previously directed several videos for the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maximum Overdrive (song)</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"Maximum Overdrive" is a song by Belgian-Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in November 1993 by Byte, ZYX and PWL as the fourth single from their second album, No Limits! (1993). The song was written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels with Phil Wilde and Filip Martens, while Wilde produced it with Jean-Paul De Coster. The UK release was the first UK single to maintain all the rap lyrics from Ray used in the European release. "Maximum Overdrive" reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, and was also a number-one hit in Finland and on the European Dance Radio Chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by David Betteridge and filmed in London.

<i>Trance Remixes (Special Edition)</i> 2002 remix album by 2 Unlimited

Trance Remixes is a 2002 album by 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth.

<i>Greatest Remix Hits</i> (2 Unlimited album) 2006 remix album by 2 Unlimited

Greatest Remix Hits is a 2006 remix album and DVD compilation by 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth.

<i>Best Unlimited</i> 1998 compilation album by 2 Unlimited

Best Unlimited is a greatest hits compilation from 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth. The record was released on 30 September 1998 via Mercury Records.

<i>Best Hits</i> 1995 compilation album by 2 Unlimited

Best Hits is a greatest hits compilation from 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Unlimited discography</span>

This is the discography of 2 Unlimited, a Eurodance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth. With global sales of over 18 million units, 2 Unlimited is one of the biggest selling groups from the Netherlands and Belgium.

References

  1. ↑ AllMusic review
  2. ↑ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week . 1995-10-21. p. 30. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  3. 1 2 Dalton, Stephen (1995-11-04). "Long Play". NME . p. 49. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  4. ↑ Male, Andrew (December 1995). "New Old Albums". Select . p. 119. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  5. ↑ NVPI.nl Archived 2006-02-16 at the Wayback Machine Dutch certification database Accessed November 4, 2006
  6. ↑ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week . 1995-10-21. p. 30. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  7. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 288.
  8. ↑ "Ultratop.be – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "Ultratop.be – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "2 Unlimited: Hits Unlimited" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "Japanese album archives" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  13. ↑ "Charts.nz – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "2 Unlimited | Awards". AllMusic . Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – 2 Unlimited – Hits Unlimited" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 2 February 2024.Select 1995年11月 on the drop-down menu


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