- How long has it been now? Four or five years since Barry Jamieson and Jon Sutton worked under the Bluefish banner? It’s been that long already, but the wait was worth it because Been Too Long is one of those club tracks will stay inside your record box from the day you purchase it. Instead of returning to their old pumping trance sound, they go for a housey sound with Anita Kelsey for a jolly good time.
The Original Mix is a deep melodic cut that’s very sleek. Gorgeous stabs of ethereal bliss that pyramids over the creation that enriches Anita’s vocal; her voice lingers between the harmony and rhythms as you become transfixed by her spell. Giving a go that’s not heard all too often in dance music is the flute and its scent of the middle-east is evident; used delicately, the accent adds a sexual overtone that may just be warranted. The structure of the track is basic with just a few instruments and sounds, but everything is solid. A full vocal from front-to-back with a break that qualifies as a ‘diva’ like chant that doesn’t go off like usual, but instead just simmers to a boiling crisp.
With Kasey Taylor and Chris Meehan’s Mix, you get that Vapour sound you would expect. It’s a bit deep and dark, with a good measure of tribal juice. I love their sound, but it’s beginning to seem as though the par has lost some inspiration. Within the last few remixes, all their work have come to the same line. Whither it is the sound, breaks, or building from similar structures because now it just seems mundane. Not a bad remix by any means, but it’s becoming a bit evident that either they need a break from remixing or that they need a break all together to find time for some new ideas or the “Darude” syndrome will develop.
Sleepfreaks Mix is certainly the most interesting mix out of the four. Opening with a bass guitar loop that spans what seems like an eternity until a tease of Anita’s vocals are brought in. Chopped and spliced, this mixed is very much a Dub in respect – actually, it’s more minimal than anything else. Subtitle layers barely noticeable as the clashing sambas add some life into the affair. With a good bassline and stomping kick drum, this is going to be the mix that looks to do the most damage.
Last, but not least, David Sun’s Mix finishes the double-pack to a chunky end as his is the most uplifting out of the four mixes. Keeping the idea that Anita’s vocals sound be kept safe from harm, David takes the chorus and layers it to open the way for the melodies to soar high above the clouds. As the track pushes forward, the grooves increases in force, leaving an impression that there would be nowhere else the track should or could go beyond.
A great single with some very good remixes for the rebirth of Bluefish. Now, hopefully we won’t have to wait another 4 years until the next installment.