Label: Liquid White Label
Labelcode: WL024
Release date: Out now
Back in the days, when it was 2004, German trance duo Blank & Jones released an album called Monument. One of the tracks on this album was Perfect Silence, which featured the vocals of singer Bobolina. Perfect Silence was released as the third single from the album, including a rather controversial video and a few not overly impressive remixes by Martin Roth and Perry O'Neil. This release on the Gang Go label has now received a follow-up by Spinnin' Records, which put Dutch producer E-Craig on remixing duties. Officially, it has been released as a white label, but on the label it clearly states Spinnin's email address. Inside the bright yellow sleeve we find a transparent vinyl, pressed with two mixes: E-Craig's 212 Mix and E-Craig's 212 Dub Mix. This vinyl has already managed to sneak its way into sets by Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and John 00 Fleming, so all signs are good.
E-Craig's 212 Mix
E-Craig's 212 Mix lasts "just" 10 minutes. A deep, rather dark, bassline and some happy bleeps (these won't let go of you for the next 9 minutes) bring the track into gear, with not too many elements from the original by Blank & Jones remaining. You can hear a guitar sample, taken from the original, and obviously there is the vocal part. The vocals have been used to lead the track into a break, from where a massive buildup is started towards a distorted sound, which fits perfectly in the flow of things, and the guitar sample returns to bring some variation into the track. The track winds down for a moment, before some lovely strings are added during another nice break and the guitar gains in prominence, before the beat kicks back in again and the track slightly repeats itself, before winding down for the finish. Perhaps ten minutes is a bit on the long side for this track, but I never got bored at any point during its playing time.
E-Craig's 212 Dub Mix
The name of the 212 Dub Mix clearly states what has happened here: the vocals by Bobolina have been left out for the largest part. All that remains of the vocals are some vocal snippets. To be honest, I don't think this is too much of a loss: the remix has enough power and variation to remain interesting and in a way, the lack of vocals seems to make the other ingredients stand out more. Obviously, this version is more suited for those who dislike the original vocals: you won't miss anything of the instrumental part, the dub mix is just as long as the a-side.
Dimitri Siliakus has moved away from his "top 40" sound (such as in Drum Beats or The Beat Goes On) quite some time ago and instead has moved to a techier side of trance. However, if I would have to classify this production, I'd list it somewhere close to what the Filterheadz have been producing lately. Fortunately he hasn't resorted to cloning the Belgian duo's sound and has produced two remixes with an own identity. Top notch stuff, and I can recommend it to every trance fan who wants to try something different for a change. You might be wondering: what are the negatives to this release then? Well, obviously it's always preferable when there is a couple of completely different mixes on one vinyl. However, I don't really miss another remix on this one. And of course, the transparent vinyl made me realise how ugly my slipmat is, but that's an entirely different issue...
8/10 - check this out!
Discogs - Online music database
4 DJs Only - Online store
Spinnin Records - Record label
Blank & Jones - Original producers
E-Craig - Remixer
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