ON is on it again, the second and last release Anno Domino 2003 features the giants of the deep: Funckarma. They’re not newcomers to the ON label and have actually made contributions to three out of four releases so far. The fourth instalment on ON Records will be a four-track remix twelve-inch entitled “DemSongzByWe” and the remixees are: Ontayso, Céline, Kero and Slemper. Apart from Funckarma and ON, Ontayso is the know factor here, because I know for a fact that they’ve previously released on the excellent U-cover label. But, the other parameters are unknown at least to me, (well it seems like Slemper actually released a track on JIP, but since I havn’t heard it yet it doesn’t count) and that makes this EP even more intriguing, if possible. First up is the “Ontayso – Score of an Imaginary Island Iceland Remix”, based on jazz reference and a variety of layered brass instruments. All fused with that unmistakable Funckarma scientific beat programming, dark atmosphere and production skills. In one word: intense. A daring choice for the A1 track some might say, I say excellent choice! But be warned it is not for the fainthearted. Second in line is the “Céline – Here and Now Remix” overall sonic intensity turned down, just a notch, but the bass pressure strikes back instead, in full force and it’s accompanied by some heavily treated vocals. A steady beat drives the track forward to its undeniable logical end. In one word: heavy. Third up is the “Kero – Bent Remix” familiar territory, the intro building up complexity, laying on a steady and ultra-deep bass to hold on to and then those beats… break it down, breath man/woman, breath… there are those melodies and sounds you would kill for. In one word: majestic. Make any sense to you? No? Then get the record! “Slemper – Soccermummy Remix” displays harsher excellent broken beats, a quite hostile sonic environment and glass-like soundscapes. In one word: abusive. I imagine that the outcome of this review must have been keeping anyone who has entered the Electronic Desert before in unbearable suspense, what would the conclusion ultimately be? It’s no secret, that to my mind Funckarma stand in a league of their own and ON104 will most definitely not change that, this is as good as it gets! Musical versatility, beat complexity, bass pressure, emotion and production skills are displayed to the fullest and in a way that no one else musters. I’m getting the vinyl record the very second it is released.
electronic desert ≡ revisited + extended