- This collaboration departs from the familiar script that Alden Tyrell and to a much lesser extent, Roberto Auser, have played from in the past. But is their new approach an improvement? After all, Tyrell has been responsible for some of the most jaw-clenchingly epic moments in electronic music over the past decade, including "Disco Lunar Module," "Love Explosion" and "Rendez Vous at Rimini," while Roberto Auser's 2008 release Flight 101, was an impressive debut. Set against this fist-pumpingly brilliant back catalogue, Blondes & Brunettes sounds kind of pedestrian.
The Bar mix rather imaginatively features a sped-up sample of bar chatter and integrates it with a robust bassline, but the synth line, which seeks to create a mysterious aura, merely ends up sounding too similar to Martin Landsky's 2005 release, "FM Safari." That it could be mistaken for another producer says a lot about its shortcomings.
The Club mix is more effective, with the arrangement stripped back to focus on a heavier, jacking Chicago groove, but it lacks an identity, in the way that a JTC production oozes rawness. Steve Kotey's version is the highlight. A shuffling 808 unravels to the backdrop of spacey pads and a niggling acid line. It's not a patch on the Dutch duo's finest moments, but it's the saving grace in an otherwise underwhelming release.
Tracklist A1 Blondes & Brunettes (Alden's Club Mix)
A2 Blondes & Brunettes (Roberto's Bar Mix)
B Blondes & Brunettes (Stevie Kotey Remix)