Jerome Isma-Ae - Rokit

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  • Jerome Isma-Ae hails from Munich, so it's no surprise that releasing techno has been one of his strong points since 1994. He was also the first German to have a record on US house label Strictly Rhythm (as Future-Funk, with Marcel Krieg), and his resume, while filled with work on independent labels (including his own Jee Productions), also includes tracks on Universal Germany and WEA Germany. Perhaps understandable then, on 'Rokit' he turns out an electro house number with a strong techno feel and a lot of techno elements. Paced at 128 bpm, the original makes use of a flat but solid, thumping kick and explosive snare/clap to push everything forward. Light use of techno-style ringing hats is made in the peak of the track, (which is about 6 minutes long) but the spotlight is definitely on the twisted electro lead, which goes around, and around, and around. A simple but effective plucked synth loop keeps tension and balances the lead, while the low end is provided in the form of a very cool sub-bass, which really comes out in the short breakdowns. This one's a bit of a driving banger! Great Stuff co-owner Tomcraft adds a little spice to his remix right from the start, with some squidgy percussive effects added to the kick and clap, and a short arpeggiated mid-frequency synth loop which gives energy throughout the whole track. What's really changed though is the swing in the lead, which now staggers and sways from note to note and has been rewritten in the peak, though it's mostly the same as the original. Significant use of effects (lots of pan and reverb in places) as well as occasional stab sequences, plus some cool water-dripping-in-a-cave-like effects make this a slightly different beast to the A-side. All up, both of these are going to be peak-set tracks for most DJs. The original will appeal to those wanting to stomp it out and get off on the heavy modulation of the lead (it sounds like it's slowly falling apart, molecule-by-molecule), while the Tomcraft remix will do it for those wanting things a bit funkier and a bit more messed up - not that there's anything wrong with that.
RA