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RA Poll: Top 5 remixes of 2006
In 2006 there were a lot of remixes to wade though. We’ve racked our brains trying to think of something say that would sum it all up neatly, but we’re not clever enough by half. Instead we’re just going to give out some random special awards to a few remixes that caught our eye this year.
First up, The Xerox Prize goes to the three man Italian team The Pastaboys for their remix of Âme’s 'Rej'. The Pastaboys put the biggest choon of last year through their pasta roller and came out with, well, Âme’s 'Rej'. “The Pasta Boys version is very similar,” Kristian Âme told RA. “But if it means people buy and support the music, this is definitely a good thing.” Well, you can’t get too much of a good thing, can you? RA hopes to squeeze in a quick Ableton EQ remix tonight, out soon on Defected.
The Isabelle Dinoire Extreme Makeover Award goes to Soulwax for their Ravelight Dub operation on Robbie Williams’ ‘Lovelight’. Soulwax removed the disco, the melody and, er, all of the music, transplanting in its place big stretched chunks of electro that made 2006 house parties bounce up and down with glee. But almost all of the Robbie was gone too, so much so that even the most rabid Robbie fans wouldn’t recognise this new thing as being Robbie at all. How much Robbie can you take away before Robbie is Robbie no more?
Dubfire from Deep Dish picks up the Splice of the Year Award for his late contender: an epic remix of Nic Fanciulli’s ‘Lucky Heather’. "Dubfire was doing two mixes in two styles,” Nic told RA. “But he ended up doing a thirteen and a half minute mix that’s actually the two mixes fused into one.” RA's prog tip for early 2007.
The Alchemist Award goes to Âme for their remix of Akabu’s ‘Phuture Bound’. Âme somehow managed to transform the unhinged doo-wap fart-acid of the original into pure gold that lit up the clubs in May. If you’re planning a long drive, this propulsive train of deepness would sit nicely in the CD changer. We’re surprised this one didn’t make into anyone’s list.
Depeche Mode take home the Ear to the Ground Award for commissioning remixes from so many top underground acts. This year saw DM remixes from Booka Shade, Alex Smoke, Holden, Digitalism, Boys Noise, Troy Pierce, Huntemann & Bodzin, Heartthrob, Tiefschwarz, Trentemoller, Robag Wruhme and Underground Resistance. Down with the kids then, but apparently not down enough to appreciate Ricardo Villalobos and his much yapped about ‘Sinner In Me’ remix, which they don’t like and are refusing to release!
Plenty of competition for the Most Outrageous Remix Contest Scam in the RA mailbox this year, but top prize must go to the Moby remix contest for ‘Go’. Pay your $5 to Beatport to download the parts, arrange your masterpiece, and if you’re luck enough to win fifth place, you get a $10 Beatport voucher. But there’s more: the winner doesn’t even get a release. Which brilliant PR agent thought up this?
The Tiger Woods Award for Consistency in 2006 goes to Carl Craig, who receives the prize not only for his accurate remix swing this year ('Fly Me Away', 'Poor People Must Work', 'Falling Up', 'Kill 100' and our #1 pick), but because, from certain angles, he also looks a bit like Tiger Woods.
Finally, we hand out The Crystal Meth Award for Productivity to Radio Slave, aka Matt Edwards, who hasn’t seen the sun since late 2005. As Radio Slave and Rekid he’s released well over twenty remixes this year (our favourite is ‘Deer in the Headlights’), between which he’s found time to put out umpteen original tracks and a mix CD. “I make lots of music,” says Matt. “My neighbours probably hate me.” We might not want to live next door to him, but we’re glad that he’s around.
Okay, enough. Time for the real trophies. Presenting RA’s top five remixes of 2006…
5. Coldcut - Walk a Mile in my Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
"Coldcut's initial reworking of this Joe South song from the seventies on their 'Sound Mirrors' LP rubbed lots of people up the wrong way. Frankly, it was a bit crap. But in the caring hands of a sculptor like Henrik Schwarz, the result is undeniable. In the first half Schwarz strips the song back to an almost beatless, jazzyish arrangement of moody horns and strings, rightly putting the focus on the delicate, melancholic vocals of Chicago house veteran Robert Owens. But it's towards the end when the violins surge, the drama unfolds that you think you just might cry. Or is that just me being a girl? This is real lump-in-the-throat stuff and surely, the most soulful moment in dance in 2006." – Tami Fenwick
4. Antena - Camino del Sol (Joakim Mix) [Permanent Vacation]
"Michael Mayer reckons that if this one came out before the summer, it would have been an "uber-hit". He's right. Surfacing in late August, Joakim's exciting rework of the 1983 electro-samba original sounded like a cross between Martin Buttrich's 'Full Clip' and Ame's remix of Rodamaal, only better than both, thanks to the canny Frenchman's restrained approach and Italo leanings. One of those records that managed to cross a surprising number of genres and not piss every one off, don't rule out this becoming next year's 'Rej'." – Barry O'Donoghue
Listen: MySpace – Permanent Vacation
3. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje Remix) [Feedelity]
"I've always been a bit of disco nut so its no surprise that this whole nu-disco/disco edit thing has been really rocking it for me this year. Crews like Rub n Tug, Idjut Boys, Bear Funk, Maurice Fulton, Greg Wilson and Tim Sweeney have put together such an amazing collection of music this year, but if there was a best and fairest player award for 2006 it would have to go to Lindstrom. 'Another Station' is an absolute belter of a tune and his disco buddy Todd Terje turned in a storming remix full of jacking basslines, cool synths and even a jangly little piano lines that has all types on the dancefloor going bananas. Love to play this out.” – Matt Langler
Listen: MySpace - Feedelity
2. Junior Boys - In the Morning (Alex Smoke Remix) [Domino]
"Remixes are typically a matter of addition, but Smoke’s rare and welcome choice with this wonderful rework of Junior Boys’ ‘In the Morning’ is to give the impression of stripping the original back to its skeletal elements. The finished product is nothing but a pulse punctuated by a woman’s breath and mutterings, alongside Smoke’s signature ‘malfunctions’ which (strangely) lend a calm composure and a warm stage to Greenspan’s excellent vocal. It’s an analogous ploy to the ‘serenity trick’ Pantytec played on Matt Dear’s ‘Dog Days’ – the frenetic action of the original gives way to an early morning’s introspection with the steady and splendid unfolding of a sunrise. With barely a flutter, this remix adds an engaging and original interpretation to one of the finest pop songs of the year." – Peter Chambers
1. Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom - Relevee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
"Motor City's Carl Craig goes deep and very electronic, electro synth lines patiently building for an eon before a limb-shaking kick drum joins in to make it apparent that Craig’s made another monster akin to his 'Falling Up' remix. Beautiful, tinkly pianos offset the mounting tension, heavy claps create a sense of vastness, but Craig still manages to upset the applecart in his trademark jazzy style. Like his remixes of Garnier’s 'Barbiturk Blues' and Masekela's 'The Boys Doin It', here Craig is proving his recent form, and long may it last. This is nothing short of groundbreaking." – Dave Noonan
Individual Lists
Jeremy Armitage
1. Radio Slave - My Bleep (Roman Flugel Mix) [REKIDS]
2. Chaton & Hopen - Life is Wonders (Donato Dozzy Reconstruction) [Plak]
3. Depeche Mode - The Darkest Star (James Holden Mix) [Mute]
4. Henrik Schwarz - Jimis 2006 (Mix 3) [Diamonds & Pearls]
5. Sebo K - Horizons (Exercise One Remix) [Mobilee]
David Berkley
1. Junior Boys - In The Morning (Alex Smoke Remix) [Domino]
2. Booka Shade - Darko (Radio Slave Remix) [Get Physical]
3. Justin Martin - Cicada (Claude VonStroke 17 Year Mix) [Dirtybird]
4. Basek* & Ed Function Present Fo_Sek - Heedron (Dave Robertson Remix) [Kindred Sounds]
5. John Acquaviva - Metal Detector (Eduardo Rossell 2006 Rework) [Unknown]
Peter Chambers
1. Monolake - Alaska Remixes [Monolake]
2. NSI - Clara Ghavami Extended Luciano Mix [Cadenza]
3. Rhythm & Sound w/Koki - Rise and Praise (Vainqueur Remix) [Burial Mix]
4. Rhythm & Sound w/ Paul St. Hilaire - Free for all (Soundstream Remix) [Burial Mix]
5. Tony Allen - Moyege - Mark's mix [Honest Jon's]
Richard Chinn
1. Antena - Camino Del Sol (Joakim remix) [Permanent Vacation]
2. Junior Boys - In The Morning (Alex Smoke Remix) [Domino]
3. Delia Gonzales & Gavin Russom - Relevee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
4. Djuna Soundsystem - Le Djinns (Trentemoller Mix) [Get Physical]
5. Depeche Mode - The Sinner in Me (Ricardo Villalobos Conclave Remix) [Mute]
Paul Clement
1. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje Remix) [Feedelity]
2. Junior Boys - In the Morning (Alex Smoke remix) [Domino]
3. The Knife - Silent Shout (Williams Acidic Circuits Remix) [Brille]
4. Gui Boratto - Like You (Supermayer mix) [Kompakt]
5. Antena - Camino Del Sol (Joakim Remix) [Permanent Vacation]
Cameron Eeles
1. Monolake - Alaska (Substance Remix II) [Monolake]
2. Donnacha Costello - Bear Bounces Back (Too Sad to Bounce Troy Pierce Remix) [Minimise]
3. Rhythm & Sound - Poor People Must Work (Carl Craig Remix) [Burial Mix]
4. Rhythm & Sound - Dem Never Know (Sleeparchive Mix) [Burial Mix]
5. Troy Pierce - 25 Bitches (Gaiser Mix) [M_nus]
Tami Fenwick
1. Butane & Someone Else - Tigerbitch (Jeremy P. Caulfield Remix) [Alphahouse]
2. Gui Boratto - Like You (Supermayer Mix) [Kompakt Pop]
3. Coldcut - Walk a Mile in My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz) [Ninja Tune]
4. Chelonis R Jones - Deer in Headlights (Radio Slave Remix) [Get Physical]
5. Lawrence - Along the Wire (Superpitcher Remix) [Ladomat2000]
Stéphane Girard
1. Robbie Williams - Lovelight (Soulwax Dub)
2. Tiefschwarz feat Tracy Thorn - Damage (M.A.N.D.Y Remix) [Fine]
3. Hot Chip - Boy From School (Erol Alkan's Rework) [Astralwerks]
4. Trentemoller feat. Richard Davis - Always Something Better (Trentemoller Mix) [Poker Flat]
5. Madonna - Get Together (James Holden Remix) [Warner Bros]
Chris Hobson
1. Troy Pierce - 25 Bitches (Gaiser's Too Many Bitches Remix) [M_nus]
2. Donnacha Costello - Bear Bounces Back (Troy Pierce's Too Sad to Bounce Mix) [Minimise]
3. Rhythm & Sound - Dem Never Know (Sleeparchive remix) [Burial Mix]
4. Monolake - Alaska Melting (Substance Remix 1) [Monolake]
5. Ellen Allien & Apparat - Turbo Dreams (Marc Houle Jacket Remix) [BPitch Control]
Ben Hogwood
1. Djuma Soundsystem - Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix) [Get Physical]
2. Tiga - Far From Home (DFA Remix) [PIAS]
3. Coldcut - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
4. Paul Kalkbrenner - Press On (Joris Voorn Remix) [BPitch Control]
5. Andy Caldwell - Warrior (Claude Von Stroke Remix) [Om]
Mohson Iqbal
1. Theo Parrish – Falling Up (Carl Craig remix) [Third Ear]
2. Jimpster – Square Up (John Tejada remix) [Freerange]
3. Rodamaal- Insomnia (Ame Remix) [Buzzin' Fly]
4. Troy Pierce 25 Bitches (Gaiser remix) [M_nus]
5. The Knife – Like a Pen (Heartthrob remix) [Brille]
Matt Langler
1. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje remix) [Feedelity]
2. Lindstrom & Christabelle - Music (In My Mind) (Harvey Mix) [Wax]
3. Wolfmother - Woman (MSTRKRFT remix) [Modular]
4. Hot Chip - Over & Over (Maurice Fulton Vocal dub) [EMI]
5. The Kills - No Wow (Radioslave remix) [Domino]
Alex Macpherson
1. Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - Revelee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
2. Gabriel Ananda - Ihre Persönliche Glücksmelodie (Dominik Eulberg Remix) [Karmarouge]
3. Missy Elliott - Teary Eyed (Tiefschwarz Remix) [Atlantic]
4. Sharon Phillips - Want 2 / Need 2 (Trentemøller Remix) [Gut]
5. Theo Parrish - Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix) [Third Ear]
Joshua Meggitt
1. Rhythm and Sound - Poor People Must Work (Carl Craig Remix) [Burial Mix]
2. Superpitcher - Mushroom Angels (Burger Mashup) [Faith]
3. Cosmic Sandwich - Man in a Box (Chardronnet Mix) [MBF]
4. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje Mix) [Feedelity]
5. Rhythm & Sound - See Mi Version (Basic Reshape) [Burial Mix]
Tal Messing
1. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin' (Erol Alkan Carnival of Light Rework) [Polydor]
2. Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - Revelee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
3. Dondolo - Dragon (Shit Robot Remix) [Tiny Sticks]
4. Hot Chip - (Just Like We) Breakdown (Booka Shade Dub Mix) [EMI]
5. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje Remix) [Feedelity]
Dave Noonan
1. Ellen Allien & Apparat - Turbo Dreams (Pier Bucci Remix) [BPitch Control]
2. Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - Revelee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
3. Electronic Resistance - Exposure (part 2) (Alexi Delano Remix) [Såhkåtek]
4. Anja Schneider and Sebo K - Rancho Relaxo (Pan Pot Remix) [Mobilee]
5. Theo Parrish - Falling Up (Technasia Remix) [Third Ear]
Barry O'Donoghue
1. Coldcut - Walk a Mile in My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
2. Antena - Camino del Sol (Joakim Remix) [Permanent Vacation]
3. Mlle Garcia and Frank Caro - Far Away (Jennifer Cardini/Shonky remix) [Crosstown Rebels]
4. Junior Boys - In the Morning (Alex Smoke Remix) [Domino]
5. Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - Revelee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
Siana Petro
1. Chikinki - Assasinator 13 (Ruede Hagelstein Rride On Take Off Remix) [Kitty-Cuts]
2. The Knife – We Share our Mother’s Health (Trentemoller Remix) [Brille]
3. Djuma Soundsystem – Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix) [Get Physical]
4. M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade – Body Language (Jona Remix) [Get Physical]
5. Moby – Go 2006 (Trentemoller remix) [Mute]
Dave Rinehart
1. Wahoo – Make Em Shake It (Stanton Warriors Remix) [Defected]
2. Freestylers & Pendulum feat. MC SirReal – Painkiller (Noisia Remix) [Against the Grain]
3. Tayo & Acid Rockers – Shorty The Pimp (Trouble Soup!! Remix) [Mantra Breaks]
4. Splitloop – KFC (Future Funk Squad Remix feat. Bukue One) [Against The Grain]
5. Cut Copy – Going Nowhere (Whitey Remix) [Universal]
Kiran Sande
1. Rhythm & Sound - Dem Never Know (Sleeparchive Interpretation) [Burial Mix]
2. Delia Gonzales and Gavin Russom - Revelee (Carl Craig Remix) [DFA]
3. Depeche Mode - The Sinner in Me (Ricardo Villalobos Conclave Mix) [Mute]
4. Lindstrom - Another Station (Todd Terje Remix) [Feedelity]
5. Luciano & Salif Keita - Yamore (Remix) [Cadenza]
Christopher Thomarios
1. Depeche Mode - Darkest Star (Holden Remix) [Mute]
2. Royksopp - What Else Is There? [Thin White Duke Remix) [Astralwerks]
3. Nathan Fake - Outhouse (Umek Astrodisco Remix) [Recycled Loops]
4. Yoshimoto - Du What U Du (Trentemoller Remix) [iO]
5. Paolo Mojo - 1983 (Eric Prydz Remix) [Pryda Friends]
Jacob Wright
1. The Knife - Like a Pen (Radio Slave Remix) [Brille]
2. Pan-Pot - Black Dog (Jesse Rose Remix) [Mobilee]
3. Chelonis R Jones - Deer in the Headlights (Radio Slave Remix) [Get Physical]
4. Duplex 100 - Flashcam (Azid Child Remix) [Cray1 Labworks]
5. Royksopp - What Else Is There? (Trentemoller Remix) [Astralwerks]
Robert Younan
1. H-Man - Manga (Oxia Remix) [Giant Wheel]
2. Plastik - Plastik (Alex Dolby Plastik Vision Mix) [Youngodds]
3. DJ Hell - Buttersauce (Perc Remix) [Kickin]
4. Imogen Heap - Headlock (Umut Gocken Remix) [Unknown]
5. Junior Boys - In The Morning (Alex Smoke Remix) [Domino]
What are your top five remixes of 2006? Have your say in the RA forums.
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Published / Sat, 23 Dec 2006
 11 Comments
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