Kevin Saunderson - History Elevate 1

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  • As one of the Belleville Three alongside Derrick May and Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson will forever occupy a place in techno's pantheon. He also has the distinction of probably being the most commercially successful of the trio due to his late eighties and early nineties Inner City records. This double header from Planet E not only combines the two sides of his production self, but also employs Carl Craig once again on remix duties, a position he's occupied for Saunderson occasionally from as far back as 1992. On the B-side is a Loco Dice remix, and for the record, I couldn't care less if it's really Martin Buttrich twiddling Loco's knobs; in the incestuous world of the recording studio, ideas are just as important as action and Mr. Dice can't be short of a few. 'Till We Meet Again' finds Craig in peak time form with a slow burner of a remix that builds and builds just when you want it to. It's deceptively simple: a Moroderish synth nags constantly throughout, arpeggiated strings drift in and out, while the vocal is just a euphoric call to arms, a scream from the void. I don't quite know why, but this music makes me think of taking drugs, lots of drugs, and the great thing about it is that it's constituent elements all fall into place just when you want them to. Great kick too. Follow that, Loco Dice. And he does so with aplomb. This is the track that's been in my head every morning I've been commuting to my, ahem, real job. The bass is present and correct of course, and there's also a warm, tropical feel that characterises all of Dice's productions. The insistent tribalism of the track is nicely enhanced by an omnipresent, slightly off-key melody, while a lubricated backdrop looms large to adds to the clammy feel. Two great tracks from the Saunderson oeuvre deftly remixed by two great artists at the top of their respective games. This one's worth your money.
  • Tracklist
      A Till We Meet Again (Carl Craig Remix) AA Bassline (Loco Dice Remix)
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