Label: Nebula
Like leather dresses for ladies, they're back and they're this season's hottest ticket! Ernesto vs. Bastian return to Nebula with their latest smash 'Unchained Melody'.
Not a Righteous Brothers cover (!), 'Unchained Melody' is 'mos def' - a brand new song created by the Dutch, dynamic duo and comes with a heavenly host of remixes for all discerning dance floor palettes.
Club Mix
Ernesto and Bastian are probably best known for their commercial crossover success with 'Dark Side', and the best version of this (in my opinion) was easily the Dogzilla 'Pure Filth' remix. The guys seem to have taken note of that here, combining a chart friendly vocal with a filthy bassline reminiscent of Dogzilla's best. This mix is the best on show here, the warped vocal is used to great effect and combines nicely with the upbeat kicks and synths. Great work.
Club Mix 2
If the Club Mix isn't commercial enough for you, then this will do the job. A guitar is added to the break, and the vocal is much more in focus which I personally don't like. The bass isn't nearly as dirty, and the song just doesn't sound as 'right' as the Club Mix. That said though, this version's arrangement is nearly identical to the Club Mix, albeit it's a little shorter. Play this one in your regular city centre Saturday night clubs.
Wippenberg Remix
Those of you who have read previous reviews of Wippenberg remixes by myself will already know what I'm gonna say here. Typical groovy, yet trancey beats, intertwined with the usual breakdown you'd expect to hear from Wippenberg. Mind you, it is rather good!
Jerry Ropero Remix
Typical chart house production here. It's not bad, but with the two club mixes and Wippenberg's remix I wonder why this was included. Obviously they wanted to appeal to a wider audience, but aside from a small break near the beginning of the song the vocal isn't even present. Average stuff (although I am biased in not liking house).
DJ DLG Remix/Dub
Not quite as housey as Jerry Ropero's remix, but not far off. The vocal stands out more, and a typical rolling bassline is included. Average again, but I guess there's a use for this somewhere. The dub mix on the other hand is completely different, and reminds me of Daft Punk with its robotic sounds. Much more inventive, I could see myself enjoying this in a club.
Dub Mix
This is based on Club Mix 2 for some reason, it would have worked much better if it was based on the Club Mix. Nearly identical to Club Mix 2, except somehow shorter...? I have no idea how that worked out. The breakdown in particular doesn't work without the vocal. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd stick with the vocal version (!).
Rating:
A great comeback for the guys, uplifting trance with a commercial twist.
8/10
Useful links:
Nebula
Review by Matt Turner
