- Ireland is perhaps one of the least likely techno outposts to come to mind, but Nice & Nasty, as well as partners-in-crime such as FVF, Static Recordings and Bastardo Electrico are currently amongst the most enthusiastic purveyors of fine funk around. Rob Glennon, in particular, is well-versed in techno's dark arts, and is typical of many of the artists who record in the Emerald Isle: Technically proficient and an artist of noticeable musical erudition.
This bumper package of remixes covers all bases and, while there's always a danger in spreading yourself too thinly in order to please everyone, the digital age has rendered such bulk purchases more or less obsolete. Having said that, money would be reasonably well spent in this case.
Martin Mueller's remix is a harrowing trip down the mind's blind alleys that bubbles menacingly and is helped along by an understated hi-hat. The original mix blends acid and electro to simple, but emotive effect, twisting and turning through wormholes of sound to be occasionally liberated by a cushioned bass. The Parallel remix is a sparse dubby stomper, making use of a muted kick around which subtle industrially inspired sounds weave their magic. It's more of a tool than anything else, but a sophisticated one. Feno's contribution is the most obviously Detroit-inspired effort here: You've heard it done before, but that doesn't lessen its impact. Thatboytim turns out an electro/breakbeat hybrid, while Mick Chillage carries on in a similar vein and, in the process, produces perhaps the most evocative piece here.
There's more than a hint of all the major machine-funk motifs alive and kicking in this collection, but these tracks are all solid and extremely well-produced which overrides any potential misgivings regarding their originality.
Tracklist 01. Ratio (Martin Mueller's Ode To Chicago remix)
02. Ratio (Mick Chillage's Future Sound Of Dublin mix)
03. Ratio (The Parallel's remix)
04. Ratio (Feno's Dublin Xpress remix)
05. Ratio (Thatboytim remix)