Review: Model 500 "The Flow"
Juan Atkins' first single to be taken from the excellent "Deep Space"
Album (not counting "I wanna be there" which was released before) is
a set of remixes of "The Flow", originally a delicate 112bpm
electro/techno track with a female singing on it.
Spread over two 12" singles are half a dozen very diverse remixes.
First up, Juan himself serves up a "G-Funk" remix (c112bpm). An odd
brew, with recognisable cues of that style, which sounds like a very
odd idea. It lacks grit, but the overall result is OK.
Better is the Underworld remix. Swirling 140bpm house/techno with
recognisable Underworld flavour, especially in the beats.
Alex Reece serves up (no surprise) a junglistic mix (160bpm). Well
more of a breakbeat really, it lacks the wild edits and breakdowns of
most jungle/d&b, but that's not a criticism. It seems Alex would have
preferred to be remixing the classic "No UFOs", as he has included
the key vocal line and a stab from that track. You can just feel him
paying tribute to techno's past.
On the other 12", Frank DeWulf serves up a beefy 125bpm
techno/disco/house version, strong for the dance floor, but sounding
a little cluttered.
Howie B keeps the tempo low at 114bpm, uses a very sparse clean
introduction and beatless breakdown before getting this chunky mellow
remix going.
Finally Jedi Knights rip a small piece of bassline from the original
track and wrap it round a trademark 118bpm electro break. Vocoders
sing "Jedi Knights Go With the Flow" and the drums border on Renegade
Soundwave in sound. Topping the electro sound with gurgly acid line
reminds me of Bochum Welt's "CH Riot on Alpha Centauri", but slower.
There is no sign of the original vocals, which at least exists in
snippets in the other mixes.
From an IDM point of view, there's almost something for everyone
here. To regard it as a Detroit Techno release will almost certainly
result in disappointment, but if like me you enjoy a whole variety of
styles, check it out. Top pick? Jedi Knights, followed by Underworld
and Alex Reece. Overall I'd give it 3-and-a-half out of Five, as it's
a little patchy, but a very worthy purchase.
J
^
__________
________.__/_____ _||_/ James Skilton aka Steady J
_[]/_____________[.__\____-_ DJ and Party Animal
| | Part Time Hedonist
|____________________________| Full Time Technohead
|__|-' '-|__| Steady-J@Firefox.co.uk