- From Gerd Janson's background in house and disco to Paul Woolford's history with UK pirate radio, the artists on Special Request X Gerd Janson & Shan are rooted in different sounds and scenes. Last summer Janson and Shan released the floor-filling festival anthem "Surrender," a track that reasserted just how euphoric disco house could sound. Woolford,who's been releasing music for a couple decades, is one of the best in the business when it comes to creating electrifying moments. This remix EP reminds us these veterans know how to keep time-tested styles fresh.
There are two new versions of Woolford's "Make It Real," a bass-heavy tune littered with breaks and soulful vocal samples. On Janson and Shan's "Mars Mix," they add piercing house synths and hi-hats for a giddy take on the original. The aptly titled "Mania Mix" begins with a junglist MC sample before dropping into a heady wormhole of rave synths and speedy drums. They turn towards classic house on their "House Mix" of "Brainstorm" with the help of diva vocals, uplifting piano and a few cheeky rewinds—a trick enjoyed by Special Request. The "Electrophunk Mix," as its name suggests, moves to squelchy electro.
TracklistA1 Make It Real (Gerd Janson & Shan Mars Mix)
A2 Make It Real (Gerd Janson & Shan Prance Mania Mix)
B1 Brainstorm (Gerd Janson & Shan House Mix)
B2 Brainstorm (Gerd Janson & Shan Electrophunk Mix)