So you've just finished listening to a “fresh sound from one of your favourite DJs”, when you notice that there are a few extra mixes on the EP from other producers you've never even heard of. In some cases these remixes from the relatively unknown DJs tend to actually overshadow the original production. It's true, there's a whole plethora of memorable remixes out there, but here are 5 remixes I consider miles better than the original that were big this year.
So let’s start -in no particular order...
5
Majestic and Jungle 70- Creeping in the Dark (Armand Van Helden remix)
Already equipped with a new take on old-skool acid house, and “London style” grime lyrics that create a sublime deep house vibe. This song by Majestic and Jungle 70 is already set to be a classic, however, Armand Van Helden decided he would put his own twist on the piece. He manages to perfectly add Chicago styled house chords with a sped up tempo that creates for a more upbeat dance track rather than a mellow deep house sound. The song is perfect example of how acid house is slowly “creeping” its way back into new era dance music and just how good the outcome can be! Definitely worth a listen and has respectably earned a place on my top 5.
4
Destiny’s child – Say My Name (Cyril Hahn remix)
I know, I know, Destiny’s Child isn't house? What’s he talking about? However, Cyril Hahn is, and what a house artist. First making an appearance 2 years ago with this exact song, his music has only gone skywards. This smooth, mellow, deep house track is perfect for any chill and comes complete with the deeper, dubbed voice of Beyoncé. What more could you want right? A slow tempo accompanies the soulful lyrics to provide a casual piece, great for the “morning after” that gig that left you with three broken ribs and a phone number from that girl that turned out to be for a takeaway.
3
Snakadaktal – Fall Underneath (Kilter remix)
A great example of “majestic casual” styled house music with an angelic guitar riff accompanying a smooth bass to create a masterful piece of majestic house. The combination of steel pan-like synths with melodic suitcase keyboard creates a calm environment that leaves you immersed in the exotic sound that is Snakadaktal. A perfect song to use on “summer chill” playlist. The mixture of beautiful acoustic instruments with the bass element of house leaves for a well constructed, yet simple, house song.
2
Disclosure – You &Me (Flume remix)
Already making a monumental mark on the house scene, the disk jockey duo have already had a place at Glastonbury and Leeds festival and created music some say near impossible to remix. However, for new kid on the block Flume, who first made it big with his remix of this single completely reinventing, not only the track, but putting his unique twist on house music in general. Using a KOAN sound like snare, a slower bpm than usual (which is hard to conquer in the world of house) and a whole lot of side chain compression. Flume manages to grasp the new age take on the house genre with an almost sea sick rhythm that only a tempo around 85 bpm could create. In an interview the Ozzy can only describe his music as “weird shit”. Why not give it a listen and see what you think?
1
AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It (Wilfred Giroux remix)
The final song on my list and what a track it is. Aluna was the voice on Disclosure’s “White Noise” and since then has made a rather big scene with her own music, having great artists like Tchami, DJ Snake and Baauer already attempting to remix her songs. However, I picked out Wilfred Giroux’s remix to be one of the best. Another great example from Majestic Casual’s second album, this chill out piece uses a fantastic almost woodblock like instrument to create a great chord sequence that gives the piece its hook. The song doesn’t use a normal house drum kit, being starved of a kick drum and hi hat, only to be replaced by a high synth note along with a shaker-like instrument which I think creates a sound better fitted to the genre. Also using elements from new styled house in the intro by sampling the male vocalists voice and playing it backwards which really plays on these new ideas of house music being generated by upcoming artists.
Henry Walker
