REVIEW: P.A.F.F. - Duplicitous (Remixed) [STU014]

Duplicitous was originally released as part of the "Weirdo 1 EP" last March of this year with another track titled as "Moskito" which was supported by luminaries of the electronic dance music world such as Donald Glaude and Marcus Schossow. 

A few weeks ago, Straight Up! put out the remix package of Duplicitous with remixes by Freakhouze, Dj Maxsie & Alex Speaker and Beak vs Joowl, and of course the original mix was included in the package as a bonus.

What they say

After the success of P.A.F.F.'s "Weirdo 1 EP" Straight Up! decided to put together a talented group of remixers to take on "Duplicitous", a dark edgy Electro tune with a very unique breakdown.

The results couldn't have been better as Russian duo DJ Maxsie & Alex Speaker, Korea's uprising producer Freakhouze and newcomers Beak & Joowi transform the track into their own smashing versions!

This is a must have in your music collections!

What I say

First of all, this is not Trance, these mixes are all pure electro house madness, each crafted by their producer's particular style. If the original mix is dark, then Freakhouze's remix is obscure and perverse, with a bassline that will cut through your flesh and bones as they were butter, and what about that breakdown?, if I wasn't in the Halloween mood today, you can bet your behind that I was set just right after listening to it.

Beak & Joowi went for a warmer sound grabbing the same bassline but woobling it and cutting its higher frequencies for a muddier result. I find this however a bit of a downfall considering I'm used to the bright-dirtiness that electro constantly offers. They also used less percussion elements, pretty much less of everything which makes it the less favorite among them all.

As always there is a mix that stands out more than others, at least from my perspective , Dj Maxsie & Alex Speaker looked outside the box to give an unique twist to Duplicitous, or should I say enough twists, as there are plenty to keep you dancing and entertained, this is indeed a mix that would rock anyone's world!!

The Verdict 

Straight Up! is a record company that is relatively new and yet, it has managed to put incredible sounding releases and gain the trust of many fans world wide, I'm sure that with this release they have secured a bunch more, as it has everything you look for in an electro house track; unpredictability, groove and dirt, and then some more. It wasn't for Beak & Joowi's mix this would have gotten an easy 10, but I'm sure a 9/10 sets the score for a very good outing, so get it now!

REVIEW: Santerna ft Stine Grove - Somewhere Better [Factual012]

"Somewhere Better" is a musical composition by International Dj/Producer "Santerna" and Danish vocalist "Stine Grove", both teamed up to deliver a beautiful progressive Trance tune, which Factual Records was lucky and smart enough to sign it and schedule it for release in November 8th of 2010.

Let's see what Factual Records say

"Santerna is no stranger to the Trance world, having support on a constant basis by the likes of Ferry Corsten, Above & Beyond and Markus Schulz (to name just a few), there is no doubt that this Russia native is in his way to luminary status. He has teamed up with Danish vocalist " Stine Grove", who gives that magical touch that makes you put your music player in "loop" mode.


These two artists offer two versions, the original mix, subtle, deep and emotional, and the club mix, groovy, dirtier yet keeping the emotion from its original version.
Undoubtly these two mixes will fill all your expectations.


But the fun doesn't stop there, as Factual Records have invited three talented hot acts to give a different twist to "Somewhere Better".


Monolythe, a latino duo currently living in France and responsible for outstanding productions such as "Siberia", "The Move" and most recently "Tough Crowd", give us an Electro House remix of equal quality proportions and dance floor damage. 


Benya (Denmark), also known as Ben Boarding, goes for a chiller direction progressive version and by listening to it, you feel like you are listening to a story being told.


And Sayphonik, originally from Phillipines and now living in Hollywwod, USA, provides a classy remix that can only be explained by listening to it, and it comes in two versions, the vocal mix and the dub mix, where he added a soothening melody that leaves you asking for more.


Don't tell us that Factual Records never spoils you enough!"


What I Say

The original mix is a piece of art on its own, carefully mixed and composed by someone who has proven year after year that he knows what he is doing, there can't be no doubt that it has all elements to please the crowd both out and indoors. Add to that the harmonious yet strong vox by Stine Grove, and we have a tune that is an overkill in a great way.
The Vocal club mix takes away the subtleness from the original and offers a banger approach with a stab-like dirty bassline and groovier percussion elements. Both a great offering for their purpose. I can see myself listening to the original mix in the comfort of my house while the club mix is something that I would look forward to listen to at a club.

Then come the remixes, Monolythe an Electro House duo that are making some real noise in the house scene with releases such as "Siberia" and "Tough Crowd" (Banged recently by Sean Tyas), and remixes booked by respected labels such as Big Fish Recordings and Freek, not to mention that they own Big Alliance Records, known as of late for crazy nature of their releases.
This remix offers what we can expect from an Electro House tune, dirty basses, chopped riffs, morphed vocal dlips, a short and delightful breakdown that builds up to a club stomper bridge full of groove (Recently supported by Sean Tyas at Tytanium Sessions 066), phew! this gotta sound mad in a club.

Benya (aka Ben Bording), another progressive trance legend in the making, who has worked with the most respected labels and currently with the biggest among the Independent class, Armada Music offer a more laid back approach, this is something that Roger Shah or Andy Moor would play, with at summerish feel that reminds us of the magic of the sand kissing the waves of the ocean. Truly feels like a story is being told in this one. The best moment of this remix is without doubt the breakdown, wouldn't you agree?

Last but definitely not less, Sayphonik Bittersweet Mix, the most dynamic and upfront of the bunch, beating at a faster pace with a swagging bassline, a beautiful supportive piano melody accompanying the vocals provided by Stine, all elements complement perfectly each other, it is really a honor to be able to witness the sound of such a tune, very delicate, but when it builds, don't let it fool you, it will rock your world.
If you don't like vocals, you will be happy to know that Sayphonik included the dub version which introduces a new melody line that plays around with the vocal dlips.

The Verdict

In my opinion Sayphonik's Bittersweet Remix is the best mix of them all, but since all mixes are deserving at massive 10, I give this release a 10/10.

Der Mystik & James L - Rockin' Your World 029

Hi guys, this the tracklist for October 2010 edition of Rockin' Your World.


Der Mystik

01 - Fabio Stein and Electrical - In the West (Original Mix)
02 - Santerna - Finding Happiness feat. Marcie (Original Mix)
03 - Jules & Stanislav Beta - Will I Ever feat Jules (Matias Lehtola Remix)
04 - Haris C - Feelings (Tenishia Nissi Beach Mix) [Factual Records]
05 - Dave Horne & Danny Powers - Fallen Angels (MoodFreak Remix) [Perceptive Deep]
06 - Zuri - Frenzy (Original Mix) [Straight Up!]
07 - Quaver - Banger (Original Mix) [Big Alliance Records]
08 - RedBan - Medina (Original Mix) [Factual Records]
09 - Espen Lorentzen - Bookface (Original Mix) [Silent Shore]
10 - Abstract Vision & Elite Electronic - Deep Into Sun (Original Mix) [High Light Records]
11 - Nervous_Testpilot - Wonderful Information (Original Mix) [SubTraxx]

James L

1) Sunlounger feat. Inger Hansen - Breaking Waves (Nuera Remix)
2) Ben Preston feat. Susie - This Feeling Inside (Robert Burian remix)
3) BT feat. Jes - Every Other Way (George Acosta remix)
4) Blue Spectrum - Lightspeed (Abstract Vision and Elite Electronic remix)
5) Colonial One - Elements (Cressida remix)
6) Lemon and Einar K. - Tenacity (Original mix)
7) Sunlounger feat. Zara Taylor - Found (Original mix)
8) Tenishia feat. Aneym - Stranger to Myself (Mike Shivers Garden State
remix)
9) Ronald van Gelderen - Semper Fi (John O'Callaghan remix)
10) Steve Allen and Davey Asprey - The Glitch (Original mix)