- Does anyone recall Global Underground’s first artist album? You know the one from Pako & Frederik, the Dutch men. It was called “Atlantic Breakers;” been out for a bit now, really cool stuff with lots of ambient soundscapes and tranquil breaks. If you didn’t even know they had one its ok – it seems that you’re not the only one. Somehow it fell through the cracks and has been forgotten till now. So now with the new single “45 Minutes” it looks like the label wants to bag two birds with one stone – revitalizing a hidden gem while continuing the quest to diversify their identity.
Three mixes and all of them keep the nuances of the original. Opening the gates is Medway as he opts for a minimal-house interpretation. Minimal is certainly not for everyone as the first few initial listens leave you with a hole in your ear. It feels like it lacks depth and the melodies are too spaced apart from the rhythm and grooves to really be affective for the dancefloor. But for people who have an attention span longer than 5 minutes can appreciate this bed-spreading groove. Nothing gets rush early as the warm synths and claps work the pace. Going from slow elastic beats to well, well…that’s about it. Medway keeps it constant in one place in time. Forsaking eye popping breakdowns and thunderous snares, he instead takes you on a sail of clear waters. Very moody minimal music inspired by the sounds of a world that has been forgotten centuries ago, the tribalistic wonders truly keep you enchanted. Something I didn’t expect at all when I saw Midways name for the remix duties, but it certainly has become something I very much had wished for.
While the other two come from Pako & Frederik. The first Remix is a bit dubby in nature, however, it never really progresses anywhere and you’re just left wondering how long until you get to the next track. Sure, you’ll think the same goes for the Midway mix, but with that mix, the grooves and rhythms are strong enough to keep it from being dull. As calming as this track is, it needs more layers: melodies, rhythms, beats, or acoustics, something at least to keep it from heading into a brick wall. These two men have shown how talented they are, but this remix doesn’t do them justice at all. There are flashbacks of electric calm breathing out, but it doesn’t feel like it’s enough.
Finally, when you find yourself at the end of the line, a Reprise awaits for you. Ambient breaks finds its way again, but it’s strange because this is more upbeat and dynamic than the remix. A coolcut that will finish the electrical currents as it leaves behind a crashing wave of light.
A good release that isn’t a monster awake, but a sleeping dragon that wants you to find you own way.