- The next release on the Sabotage imprint comes from Scottish producer Jon Cooper. Signed by label manager Cass, Neurosis has done the damage for the UK DJ in the last few months, and more recently on his Australian tour where the track was one of many highlights in his 2 set visit. As well as the 12 minute original mix, the release also comes armed with a beefed up remix from Cass himself.
Now there are not many tracks that last for 12 minutes that keep you interested from start to finish, but this Original Mix I must confess is a track that defies the normal. Subdues beats begin the production, as the track slowly rises to the occasion with clattering beats and swirling effects, but before long, the crisp kick drums soon enter. An electro influenced baseline soon makes its presence, and rips into the production while eerie effects trickle in the background. A melodic electro fuelled synth pattern soon emerges, injecting another edge into the track, all while the track continues to build with increasing drum patterns and electro activity. Not before long, warm pads give the track yet another lift, in addition to nicely placed string patterns, all while the track flows smoothly, despite the dips and peaks throughout. It really is quite a stunning track, especially for someone so new to the scene in Jon Cooper, and it must be heard in its full duration to be appreciated.
On the flip is the slightly chunkier and sinister Cass' 3rd Bowl of Porridge Remix. The beats are pretty beefy from the word go, as the track builds in the first few minutes, before a nice deep funky baseline enters the fray. On top of this baseline, the original electro base soon enters the track, combining with the established elements quite smoothly. A nice melodic pattern is taken from the original, and fused into this techy remake quite well, combining to create a great reworking, and I must say, one of Cass’ finest reworkings to date.
A great release from Sabotage, and a release that combines melody, grittiness, baselines and the plain quirky to create a fusion of techy goodness. Both mixes do the damage, making this an essential release from Sabotage.