Putting together a mix CD can be quite the task. What goes good with what? And what overall collection will appeal to enough people?

What So Fresh tends to do well is collate tracks that reflect what is circling radio that season. Like many before and many to come, The Hits of Winter 2008 compilation has some great tracks and some not so, but which of course did receive significant mainstream play.

The CD opens with the enchanting “Dream Catch Me” by Newton Faulkner followed by a list of divas, each with their own vocal ability and personal style. For me, Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body” gets a quick skip – she may be a classic but that tune will date quickly. There’s nothing to it.

The soulful ballads by Leona Lewis and Jordan Sparks will appeal to many and Australian female favourites in Vanessa Amorosi and Delta Goodrem match the Americans; whereas Pete Murray’s “You Pick Me Up” leaves me puzzled as to why we find him so fascinating. Dare I say it, I think it’s bland.

Delta’s Irish half, Brian McFadden’s uplifting tune “Like Only A Woman Can” breaks away from his more autobiographical first individual album but proves why his voice has been such a hit. Obviously the track’s influenced by Delta herself, but it’s less direct and listeners can relate it to themselves as they wish.

On the other end of the soft and sweet is the unusual “Psycho Teddy” by the artist of the same title and in between is the ever so individual and playful Ashlee Simpson and “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)”. It means little but it’s catchy and cool.

It wouldn’t be a pop collection without some Britney Spears. Call her crazy (hey you would be too!) but she and her record company know how to produce a sexy dance track.

Overall, there are some great tunes to dance or sing along too. And it’s nice to get your money’s worth with a 74 minute run time. Will it date? Sure. Most do. For now, it will get a play.

Included is a bonus DVD with 14 music videos. The final one, Ashlee Simpson, gets the kudos. It’s bizarre and crazy and she sure does enjoy changing things up. But we all like variety.