Tuesday, September 1, 1998

Single Reviews - September 1998

September 1998

Melanie B featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot - "I Want You Back" - Virgin UK 12"
Well, well, well! The duet between the Spice Girl and Missy has finally been released! I was wondering what kind of affair would result of their collabo, and it sure is interesting! In it's original form, "I want you back" is a straightforward R&B jam with the trademark Missy/Timbaland sound. For the club crowd, the track has been remixed by the legendary Masters At Work. The MAW Remix is a nice piano house affair, with the vocals time stretched to half their tempo. It sounds very off kilter at first, especially since I was used to the album mix, but it does grow on you after a few listens. Not necessarily the best mix MAW has done due to the limitations of the vocal track. I'd love to have seen them reproduce the whole thing for the remix. The Deep Dub uses mostly Missy's adlibs and a brief bit of Mel B's voice.

4 Hero - Starchasers - Talkin' Loud/Reinforced 12"
One of the best tracks on the 4 Hero album is now remixed by Photek, 4 Hero and Masters At Work. No review necessary. The MAW mix is the one to go for.

Deep Dish with EBTG - The Future of The Future (Stay Gold) - Arista/DeConstruction 2x12" Promo
A classic track from Deep Dish is rereleased on their new album "Junk Science" with new vocals and melody from Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt from Everything But The Girl. An already amazing song is made even better! The double pack contains the full length version plus a new Deep Dish remix. David Morales also contributes his talents with a "Classic Club Mix" that keeps only the vocal from Tracey. It's great to see Dave back in fine form. Radio-friendly edits are also included. A definite must-get.

All Saints - Bootie Call - London CD-5
This is the latest track in the UK from All Saints. There are two CDs available. The first has two versions of Bootie Call, and a unreleased B-side. The second features a video of Bootie Call, the single version, plus the -unreleased on CD- Booker T remix of "Never Ever", and (inexplicably) the album version of "I Know Where It's At", Doesn't everyone who likes the group already have that song? Anyways, the remixes of Bootie Call are nothing to get excited about, since they were all done by the people who did the original production. I don't understand why they didn't put the Club Asylum house mixes on the CD. As far as I know, they're only available on Vinyl and Pete Tong's Essential Selection Summer 98 CD. If you don't have the Booker T Vocal remix of "Never Ever" on vinyl, pick it up on this CD. It's great, and the US Vinyl copy only had the Booker T dubs. A somewhat disappointing release (due to the lack of proper remixes).

Spacedust - Music Sounds Good With You - 12"
Starburst - Gin & Tonic - 12"
Ugh. Utterly repellent rip-offs of "Music Sounds Better With You" and Bob Sinclar's "Gym Tonic". Don't waste your money. Get the originals instead.