- Big tunes come and go, but dance floors have a longer memory than you might think. I was reminded of this at Berghain a few weeks ago when, during Ben UFO's set, the unmistakable wailing divas of Tessela's 2013 smash "Hackney Parrot" sailed into view. The air in the room crackled in expectation of the track's wild breakbeat drop. Only something was wrong: the drums were different, not the original's post-Hessle Audio syncopations but a linear throb reminiscent of Joy O's "Off Season." And after a couple of minutes the vocal was replaced by hardcore rave pads ping-ponging across the piano roll in a seemingly unrelated key. What exactly were we listening to? A remix? A new track with a sneaky easter egg? Or just a bit of DJ wizardry?
The answer, in fact, was this "10 Ton Mix," now released on Tessela's Poly Kicks label. Its odd structure might be down to its origins: the producer describes it as an "edit" made during a live set with his brother Truss, and it has the feel of an improvisation, wayward and a little rough but high in energy. Whether planned or not, this strange structure makes the track. Revisiting an anthem can be dangerous, but the "10 Ton Mix" is perverse enough to wrongfoot dancers all over again. The B-side, "Headland," wrestles similar influences into line with Tessela's more recent productions. You can still hear UK hardcore in the rough surfaces, the rowdy energy and the slight crinkle of a breakbeat. But the format this time is hi-density loop techno, its blunt weight cushioned by cool breakdown chords.
TracklistA Hackney Parrot (10 Ton Mix)
B Headland