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I get a kick out of DJs/remixers/producers who began their careers at a young age, both unknown and known—Grandmaster Flash, Moby, Lenny B—too bad I can't add my name to that oh-so-very random list, but I never picked up on the desire to create music. Thankfully, I've been exposed to and listen to many genres courtesy of my parents. But add Morgan Page to that list. Back in the day he grew up in a log cabin in semi-rural Vermont and was busy honing in on the music he liked in Dance music, buying records left and right as well as reading about the industry he yearned to be a part of.

He was also getting into cutting—no, not wood, but cutting his teeth using an interesting computer program and music sequencer called Impulse Tracker that allowed one to arrange and compose music on a computer through DOS, the operating system before Windows 95 (seems like eons ago). In high school, MP began shaping his craft when he sent in several home-made cassette tapes (a.k.a. relics) to the DJs at the University of Vermont's radio station, WRUV. The DJs liked what they heard and subsequently let the then high schooler fill in for various coveted Saturday night time slots. In due time, he earned his stripes and has his own radio show. Eventually the right ears heard his stuff and the good gospel that is Morgan Page began to proliferate.

I haven't heard a well-conceived, -crafted, or just straight-up excellent compilation in quite some time and I was very excited to get my hands on this particular compilation, "Elevate," simply because of one of my early favorite tracks of 2008 (actually released towards the end of 2007), "The Longest Road." The hook-laden track is one of those highly infectious grooves featuring the debut of newfound glory and Hollywood, California-based blond Lissie, a Jewel look-alike, but hotter and with a distinct vocal range reminiscent of Stevie Nicks.

She, alongside MP and remixed by wunderkind remixer Deadmau5 (pronounced "dead mouse" a.k.a. Joel Zimmerman), makes for one helluva debut!

After listening to the 13-track compilation several times over in full, it's pretty clear to me that each track craftily offers very lasting impressions and only seems to "elevate" the listening experience with additional listens—that and to keep people moving whether horizontally or vertically but more the latter. Included here are a bevy of some of Dance music's most prolific artists to be featured in one place. Not all of the artists featured are household names- yet. But given some time and enough air- and dance-play, acts such as Tyler James, Bitter:Sweet, Jenny Owen Young, and Lissie all feature quite prominently on their respective tracks and will continue to gain a broader audience via their newfangled remixes courtesy of MP's smart and ear-catching arrangements.

Although I really enjoyed every track in their own unique merit, there were, of course, several stand-out tracks that had me and I'm sure will have you sashaying and/or rockin' out. The adeptness and top-notch arrangement that Morgan brings along with a resilient fervor will be widely welcomed after this release. I know that I for one am looking forward to hearing more projects from him!

Track 1: The Longest Road (Original Version)… starts things off on the right tip featuring a cool slide guitar. This is, of course a departure from the vocal remix Deadmau5 alternatively manipulates. I also could've sworn that I was listening to a reworking of Madonna's "Don't Tell Me," especially with the guitar so prominently featured in both. Regardless, I was fully hooked on what my ears were being subjected to.

Track 2: Call My Name, featuring London-born singer Tyler James, quickly became a fave downtempo song of mine a mere 20-seconds into the track. What could be described as a perfect pick-me-up antidote to feeling blah, an after-hours club would suit this stellar tune.

Track 6: Nervous In The Light of Dawn ft. Leigh Nash… Before Leigh's embracing of Dance music, she fronted the Christian Pop/Rock band Sixpence None The Richer. She has one of those ethereal voices that soothes the soul and ignites each song on which she's featured, and this remix is a nice slice of after-hours, slow-gyrational heaven (also see the uptempo "Innocente" by Delerium ft. Leigh).

This captivating song has an Electro sound while also utilizing a progressive beat and should, for the most part, easily transcend and satisfy many a late-night crowd.

Track 8: Maneater ft. Nelly Furtado (David Garcia & MP Remix)… sees the Canadian-born singer's 2006 release revitalized and revamped in a novel and funky way much as 'Promiscuous' turned heads and torsos galore and even shook a few dance floors too.

Track 12: Under ft. Under (MP Remix)… The San Francisco group and lead singer Jen Triano and her nothing-short-of-intoxicating voice, creates a bloody brilliant primal slow-burner that I loved simply because it could be the perfect way to help alleviate and unwind a crowd after a long day's journey into the night and segueing into the wee hours of the morning. Love it, love it!

Bonus Track 13: The Longest Road ft. Lissie (Deadmau5 Vocal Remix)… A Progressive House chart tub-thumper and floor filler- this mutha rocks wherever it's played. Again, this was the first song of 2008 that ignited my ear canals, sending them into a frenzy!

The talent amassed here is impressive given MP's age as of this review, 26. Then again, age is relative. In a society where everything seems too rushed, this compilation is the complete opposite. I really appreciated the depth and breadth of each tracks originality and arrangements, their energetic vibe whether upbeat or downtempo. The repeatability factor should not be a problem as there's a little bit of something for a lot of everyone.