VA Ultrasound Studio’s Rare Remixes Vol.159 (2008) is a niche, collector-friendly compilation that sits at the intersection of underground electronic nostalgia and DJ-culture archaeology. Released during a period when physical promo CDs and limited-run digital drops still circulated through record pools and private networks, this volume reads like a curated snapshot of late-2000s club aesthetics — edits, dubplates, and reworks that circulated among DJs who prized exclusivity over chart visibility.
Background and context
Musical content and style
Audience and use cases
Notable considerations
Why it matters Rare Remixes Vol.159 encapsulates a pre-stream era of DJ culture where exclusivity and rarity were part of a track’s identity. For DJs wanting distinctive material and collectors preserving the lineage of underground electronic music, this compilation is a small but telling piece of that ecosystem.
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Tracklist:
(Note: Ultrasound Studio mixes were often DJ-compiled CDs circulated within the industry or specific DJ pools in Asia/Europe. While the volume number corresponds to 2008, tracklists sometimes varied slightly depending on the specific region of distribution. This list reflects the most common track listing for Vol. 159).
Unearthing the Deep Cuts: Ultrasound Studio - Rare Remixes Vol. 159 (2008)
If you are a crate-digger for high-energy club edits or a professional DJ looking for that "secret weapon" track, the name Ultrasound Studio
likely rings a bell. Known for their prolific "Rare Remixes" series, this 2008 release remains a sought-after gem for those who crave extended, high-fidelity versions of dancefloor classics and pop favorites. The Legacy of the "Rare Remixes" Series
The Ultrasound Studio collection is a massive archive of promotional and DJ-only sets that specialize in reimagining iconic tracks with longer intros, heavier beats, and "Re-Xtended" structures. Unlike standard radio edits, these remixes are built for the mix—giving DJs the breathing room they need to transition seamlessly between tracks while maintaining a consistent energy level. What Makes Vol. 159 Special?
Released in 2008, Volume 159 captures a specific era of dance music where high-energy synth-pop met the polishing power of modern digital mastering. Like other volumes in the series, such as Italodisco specials , this installment focuses on: Long-Form Edits: va ultrasound studio rare remixes vol159 2008 hot
Expect tracks that often stretch past the 7 or 8-minute mark, providing the "Full Version" experience that was originally meant for the club. Audio Fidelity: One of the hallmarks of Ultrasound Studio
is the clarity of the audio. Even when working with tracks from the 80s or 90s, the "Ultrasound" treatment usually includes a "fresher" EQ and a punchier bass profile. Artist Diversity:
While specific tracklists for these rare volumes can vary by region, the series famously features heavy hitters like Modern Talking Duran Duran Alphaville , alongside underground Euro-dance hits. Why Collectors Still Hunt for These
Finding these collections today often requires browsing specialty archives like DJ Pool Records or dedicated YouTube playlists from curators like Gustavo Mario Rodriguez
. Because many were produced as limited promotional tools or "backup" CDs, they aren't always available on mainstream streaming platforms.
Whether you're looking for the "Hell's Special" variants or the main series volumes, Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol. 159
is a testament to the art of the extended mix—a must-have for anyone serious about the history of the dancefloor. for Volume 159 or a download link to a particular remix?
The compilation VA – Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol. 159 is part of an extensive series of unofficial DJ-only releases known for featuring extended and rare versions of classic pop, rock, and dance tracks.
While specific tracklists for Volume 159 are often found on specialized DJ forums or unofficial archival sites, the Ultrasound Studio series typically includes: Typical Content Style
Extended 12-inch Versions: Professional-grade extensions of popular radio hits, often spanning 6 to 10 minutes.
Instrumental & Dub Mixes: Stripped-back versions intended for club mixing.
80s & 90s Classics: The series frequently remixes artists such as Bad Boys Blue, C.C. Catch, Alphaville, and George Michael.
"Hot" New Remixes: The "hot" designation usually refers to then-new 2008 club edits or bootlegs of popular melodies. Example Artists from Similar Ultrasound Releases VA Ultrasound Studio’s Rare Remixes Vol
Based on the label's catalog from around 2008, tracks often featured include: Bad Boys Blue : "A World Without You" (Ultrasound Extended Remix). C.C. Catch : Various "Special Ultrasound Rare Remixes". Lenny Kravitz : Special rare remix collections. Richard Marx
: Extended versions of power ballads like "Carrie" and "Right Here Waiting".
If you are looking for a specific song on this volume, you may find the full tracklist on specialized collectors' databases like Discogs or niche MP3 blogspots that archive DJ Pool Records releases. Bad Boys Blue – Special Rare Remixes - Discogs
The compilation Various Artists - Ultrasound Studio - Rare Remixes Vol. 159 (2008)
is part of a prolific, unofficial series of remix collections produced by Ultrasound Studio
(often associated with the producer "Hell" or "DJ Hell"). This series is renowned in DJ circles for providing significantly extended and modernized versions of classic 80s pop, Italo-disco, and rock hits. The Ultrasound Studio Legacy
The "Rare Remixes" series spans hundreds of volumes, typically released as "Backup CDs" or digital promotional sets intended for professional DJ use. These releases are characterized by "Ultrasound" versions—tracks re-edited and remixed to include long percussion intros, extended instrumental breaks, and enhanced basslines suitable for modern club systems. Ultrasound Studio | Discogs
Here’s a properly structured review for VA – Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol. 159 (2008), written from the perspective of an electronic music and lifestyle critic.
Review: VA – Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol. 159 (2008)
Label: Ultrasound Studio (unaffiliated / white label)
Format: CD-R / Promo Digital
Genre: Progressive House / Tribal / Electro-Clash
Context & Concept
By 2008, the remix trade had become both a lifeline and a landfill for dance music. Ultrasound Studio’s “Rare Remixes” series—notorious for its low-numbered, high-demand vinyl-only runs—reached its 159th volume that year. Unlike major label compilations, this series operated in the gray zone of DJ promo culture, often featuring edits and reworks never cleared for commercial release. Vol. 159 captures a specific hedonistic crossroad: the dying gasp of minimal loop-tech and the rise of big-room electro-house that would dominate the late 00s festival circuit.
Track Breakdown (Highlights)
The compilation opens with a forgotten gem: “Blackwater (Ultrasound Vocal Reconstruction)” – originally a 2005 deep house cut, now twisted into a driving, percussion-heavy monster with a filtered bass drop that still sounds dangerous. The vocal snippet (“hold me down”) becomes a hypnotic mantra, perfect for 4 AM warehouse moments. Musical content and style
“Nights Over Egypt (808 & Spoony Edit)” leans harder into tribal house, layering Latin conga loops over an arpeggiated synth line. It’s cheesy by today’s standards, but in 2008, this was peak “jet-set yacht party” energy.
The centerpiece is “Losing Control (Ultrasound’s Acid Dub)” – a rare rework of a then-unreleased French electro track. Squelching 303 lines, a spoken-word vocal about “luxury and pain,” and a breakdown that lasts nearly two minutes. It’s structurally chaotic, but that’s the charm: these remixes weren’t built for radio, but for DJs who wanted to clear floors before a big drop.
Lifestyle & Entertainment Context
Vol. 159 arrived at a unique moment in 2008 lifestyle culture. The economy was about to collapse, but the VIP room was still thriving. These tracks soundtracked the “last summer of excess”—Miami’s Winter Music Conference afterparties, rooftop sets in Ibiza, and velvet-rope lounges in NYC where bottle service cost a rent check. The “rare remix” became a status symbol: owning this CD-R (or the 320kbps leak) meant you had access to a secret weapon that your rival DJ didn’t.
Entertainment-wise, the mix lacks the polished flow of a DJ set—transitions are abrupt, and some edits overstay their welcome (track 7, a dub of “Shake It,” meanders for nearly nine minutes). But that’s not the point. This is a toolkit, not a journey.
Final Verdict
Rating: 7/10 (Essential for collectors / niche nostalgia)
Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol. 159 is neither timeless nor coherent. But as a time capsule of 2008’s underground-meets-commercial tension, it’s invaluable. Fans of early Dirtybird, Fanciulli’s Saved Records, or vintage Defected promos will find plenty to mine. Casual listeners should stick to the highlights on YouTube. For everyone else, this is a dusty USB stick in a designer clutch—flawed, faded, but impossibly cool.
Recommended if you like:
Housemaster Boys, Sébastien Léger’s 2007 remixes, or the sound of a Funktion-One system at 6 AM.
Listening to a rip of this compilation today (if you can find a surviving MP3 on a dusty external hard drive) is a study in sonic history. The compression is terrible by modern standards. The bass is often clipped. But the energy is undeniable.
This was the sound of the bloghouse era:
Vol.159 captured the precise moment when indie sleaze (grainy photos, American Apparel, cocaine in an iPhone box) met maximal electro. It’s not chill. It’s not deep. It’s hot — sweaty, frantic, and dangerously fast (clocking in around 128-132 BPM).
By 2008, French Touch (Daft Punk, Cassius) had gone mainstream. Ultrasound Studio’s remixes often took a classic disco or 80s pop vocal (Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney) and slapped it over a four-on-the-floor kick with a pumping sidechain compressor. The "rare" part came from the acapella source—often ripped from a DVD or a promo vinyl that normal DJs couldn't afford.
No official tracklist exists anymore. The original blog post from RapidShare-Remixes.blogspot.com is long gone, and the comments section is a graveyard of dead links. However, based on archived forum threads (Dubstepforum, TranceAddict, and the defunct XLR8R message boards), veteran users have pieced together a likely flow for VA Ultrasound Studio Rare Remixes Vol.159 (2008 – HOT).
It would have looked something like this: