This disc has excellent music. However, I don't understand how someone could possibly leave out Breakdown when compiling this set. It is a great song. Those who buy this set will definitely be robbed of one of their greatest songs.

Having lived through the vinyl era of the original issues of his amazing albums, I have replaced a couple thus far but this encapsulates all the old favourites beautifully, as well as showcasing Alan Parsons' versatility and class. Well worth checking out, especially if you'd prefer not to buy up all the originals. Yet another master of the 70's diverse offerings proving they just don't lose their appeal, or 'date'.

Following his own peculiar career path, Alan Parsons became an unlikely star by recording a series of conceptual albums featuring a wide variety of singers and musicians, making rich and complicated music that still managed to cruise onto radio and beak the Top 40. Be they topically based on literature (Tales of Mystery and Imagination, I Robot), art (Gaudi) relationships with the opposite sex (Eve, God and mysticism (Pyramid) or our own foibles (Stereotomy and Turn of a Friendly Card), he managed to create sonic tapestries that few others could match.

This album switches a few tracks from The Definitive Collection, mainly adding the "Turn of a Friendly Card" suite. Dropping "Pyramania" shorts the "Pyramid" album, and offers a few different picks from "I Robot."

Parsons and his creative partner in the APP, Eric Woolfson managed a nifty trick though out their heyday, which was to create complex music and make it sound simple. There were no ELP gymnastics here, no Yes-like side long odes to alternate universes, and no musical condescension that often plagued prog-rock collectives. Just memorable hooks attached to beautifully structured ballads ("Time, "Days Are Numbers") pop (the Phil Spector style "Don't Answer Me," "Eye In The Sky") and Album rockers ("Stereotomy," "Dr Tarr and Professor Feather"). He also had a knack for immaculate instrumentals, some became almost as well known as the hit singles. "Sirius" in particular became a heavily used Sports theme.

Listening to these songs (remastered and sounding amazing) is a reminder of just how beautiful high-fidelity can be in the age of computerized compression and MP3's. Don't get me wrong; I love my I-pod. But in the race to replace fidelity with convenience, artists with a style like the Alan Parsons Project or the equally idiosyncratic Steely Dan find their music less likely to be heard in the manner it is created. And that's a shame. Get this CD now (and others like it, like Parson's work on Dark Side of the Moon) before the CD meets in inevitable doom.

The remastered albums of Tales, Robot and EitS are all worth picking up. One can only hope for the rest of the albums to follow.

Along with the Definitive Collection, The Essential Alan Parsons Project gives the casual fan the proper mixture and proportion of radio hits, Alan Parsons' signature instrumentals, and Eric Woolfsons' thought-provoking ballads. Best of all, SONY/BMG has included the once lost gemstone "No Answers, Only Questions" that Eric Woolfson composed and guitarist Ian Bairnson arranged. Everything has been digitally remastered from the best available source tapes. The end result is a product that sounds very good on a moderately priced home system and stunning on audiophile-quality speakers and equipment. If the casual fan sought advice as to where to begin enjoying The Alan Parsons Project, I would whole-heartedly recommend this collection.

As a fan of Alan Parsons, I can't dismiss the fact this collection is loaded with great songs. The great irony to me is I was always disappointed that the song Ammonia Avenue was omitted from the Definitive collection. (one of my favorites.) But whereas that has been corrected, they've created the double sin of omitting Breakdown AND You Don't Believe. I've resigned myself to the fact there will never be an officially proper definitive collection of this band. CAUTION to those unwary of these omissions, because it's like buying a Journey compilation but it's missing Wheel In The Sky and Don't Stop Believin'.