We're barely into the first quarter of 2015, but Berghain Resident and Figure label-head Len Faki is already making his mark on the new year. The Berlin-based techno don has just put out the fourth installment of his DJ edits series, this time remixing tracks by 2000 and One (Dutch Tech house pioneer Dylan Hermelijn), French Fries and Rødhåd.
Like many of the producers on Figure, Faki makes hard-hitting tunes; Massive sounds for even more massive systems; and on Volume 4 he shows no signs of holding back. His latest installment offers us three fresh reworks, all of which have that that deep, thumping sound which has become so synonymous with his productions ever since "Rainbow/Mekong Delta" smashed its way onto the scene in 2008.
The tracks are all bold, techno juggernauts; arrogant and full of energy. For this reason, it at times feels a bit insensitive, like the subtle, more minimal undercurrents of the original tunes have drowned in the inherent depth that comes with Faki's production style. Despite this, the Volume 4 remixes give the originals a sonic injection of life, with Faki's production turning them into hard-hitting techno bangers that are perfectly suited to the modern scene.
The first track is a deeper re-work of 2000 and One's "Ethics", which on first appearances seems like its going to be a heavy, industrial affair, but gradually mellows out as the crashing percussion is met with funky Detroit-style synth sounds. Faki's remix stays relatively true to the original, although it packs a much heavier punch and has a distinctly darker vibe. Its a revamped version of what can now considered an old school classic; bigger, brasher and more suited to the high-fidelity sound systems of the modern techno scene.
In a recent interview on Resident Advisor, Hermelijn expressed his discontentment towards the 'happy' tech house music that 'everyone is making now', claiming that he wants to hear more 'techy, heavy detroit influences'. In light of this demand, Faki's rework of Ethics is just what Hermelijn ordered.
The second track on Volume 4 is a remix of French Fries' "Journey To Kepler". Originally a playful little sci-fi number from French Fries' space-obsessed album of the same name, Faki takes the track, strips it of all its cheek and leaves us with the fuzzy and confused remains. While the original is kind of charming in its subtlety, Faki's rework is brutal and seemingly unfitting.
At this point it seems he has sacrificed the nature of the track itself, so all that left is the heavy, dark template of Faki's production without any substance behind it. Here, the potential insensitivity of his hard-hitting style comes through.
The EP closes with a revamped version of Rødhåd's "Mines Of Mars". Here, Faki's production really shines, and the added weight and depth he brings to the track only serves to highlight its nature. Fitted with neo-futuristic blips and loops, Mines of Mars is a cosmic journey through digital goggles which rises and falls with the sort of progressive dynamic you'd find on a space rock track from the 70's, only kitted out with a more refined and modern sonics.
Faki does a good job staying true to the original whilst accentuating the build ups and breaks, turning the track into and even bigger, bolder version of itself.
On Volume 4, Faki's distinct style comes through on all three tracks and for the most part, he only serves to offer a fresh and often more energized perspective on the original tunes. At times, the no-holes-barred techno he produces can be said to overpower and manipulate the tracks in a way which seems to take away more than it adds, but now and again that is to be expected whenever one artist takes another's work and reevaluates it on their own terms.
Lewis Bassett
