- I’d never heard of Risk Soundsystem, but when I saw an EP being released with both a Ron Carroll mix and a Kerri Chandler mix on the one piece of wax, I confess I let out a little squeal.
‘The Sound is Yours’ in its original form paints traditional patterns using contemporary sound design – its classic mainroom house for present-day ears, a real hallmark of 2008 so far. The drum programming is strongly reminiscent of Swag’s writhing, swinging assemblages of kick/snare/hat, which here is brought into swinging distance with a truly rumpalicious bassline. Then there is the very obvious lyric which tells you (just in case you couldn’t work it out) that “this is house music”, which is “body music”, “music you feel” and “music you sweat to”. I didn’t mind it on first rinse, but it very quickly begins to grate, which is a shame, because otherwise the track is fantastic.
Enter Ron Carroll, whose re-rub starts things off in very Cajmere fashion, clipping and looping part of the original’s vocal and plonking it on top of a basic Cajual/Relief drum pattern, perfectly matched to the squelchy bassline – the description ‘Acid Disco remix’ captures it perfectly. The track is great, but again, the vocal ends up giving you the willies and the whole thing would have been better off without it. Either that, or get someone in who can really sing, ‘cos, as the vocal is so fond of telling you, “this is house, maaan”.
Kerri’s mix is built out of pixel parts similar to his recent Computer Games tracks, so if you’re a fan, you’re in for a treat. Every single sound Kerri’s chooses sits just right in the mix; the arrangement sounds neat and self-contained at low volumes or on small systems, but on the PA it’s got ample push and timbral richness. Not only does it move what it’s made to, it’s also a richly rewarding listening experience. Importantly, Kerri’s treatment of the vocal – adding delay and slight reverb – effectively embeds it, making it slide much more nicely into the lock of the groove, which also adds a dreamy key melody. It’s a beautiful track. 1+1+1, the EP offers three rock solid, entertaining, useful and at times sublime house cuts – essential, if you don’t mind the vocal. Any chance of a fully instrumental re-release, guys?
TracklistA1 The Sound Is Yours (Main Mix)
A2 The Sound Is Yours (Ron Carroll "Acid Disco" Remix)
B The Sound Is Yours (Kerri Chandler Remix)