Artist: Lady Packa
Title: Funk Soul Now/Pretty Bop feat. Elise 5000
Label: V.I.M. [V.I.M.BREAKS051]
Release Date: Early April 2010
Tracklisting:
01. Funk Soul Now (Original Mix)
02. Funk Soul Now (Rektchordz Remix)
03. Pretty Bop feat. Elise 5000 (Original Mix)
04. Pretty Bop feat. Elise 5000 (RuN RiOT Remix)

It’s been a while since my last review, but I’m back with a vengeance. Although the two original tunes on this release are just so-so, the RuN RiOT and Rektchordz remixes are absolute stormers. See details below…

Funk Soul Now (Original Mix)
This is Packa’s signature techy breaks through and through. Dark, deep, and rolling with some proggy synth stabs coming in midway through, “Funk Soul Now’ in fact belies its title. A short but eerie breakdown that builds quickly into the track’s dénouement–probably the neatest-sounding part of the track.

Funk Soul Now (Rektchordz Remix)
In keeping with the original’s theme, the Rektchordz remix is tech-breaks all the way. The buzzing bass stabs and thick breakbeat stand in artful contrast with the eerie synths and atmospherics of the original. This is less in-your-face compared to other Rektchordz tracks I’ve heard, but the bass alone should do wonders on the dancefloor in the wee hours of the night.

Pretty Bop feat. Elise 5000 (Original Mix)
The flip of Packa’s single maintains the dark mood established in “Funk Soul Now,” but this time it’s more straightforward 4/4. The Elise 5000 vocals are—shall we say?—provocative, as is the synth pad that sweeps in and out. Though we could do without the sparse and somewhat random vocals, the aforementioned pads are probably the best part of the track.

Pretty Bop feat. Elise 5000 (RuN RiOT Remix)
Tom RuN RiOT’s take on “Pretty Bop” is more aggressive, as you might have guessed. Is it 4/4? Is it breaks? It’s kinda hard to pin down—like most RuN RiOT tunes. Regardless, distorted bass accompanies the original track’s rolling percussion, and the vocals are used sparingly (thank you!). Between the reworked drums and squeaky synths added over the original pads, we feel a dash of funkiness here. DJs: the intro and outro are super-short, as per RuN RiOT’s modus operandi, so be prepared to mix quickly, setup a loop, or make your own edit!

Artist: RuN RiOT
Title: Take My Hand EP
Label: We Are Live [WAL03]
Release Date: January 25, 2009
Tracklisting:
1. Original Mix
2. Dom Almond Remix
3. The Beatmonkeys Remix
4. RuN RiOT Remix

Hot off the heels of his smashing remix of Double 99′s Ripgroove, which won second place in the Skint remix competition, Tom Young (AKA RuN RiOT) brings us an EP packed with a diverse set of mixes.

Original Mix
Definitely vocal-driven, this track packs a dynamic bassline and trancey synths over an aggressive, signature RiOT breakbeat at roughly 134 BPM. Take My Hand defies categorization into any one sub-genre, but elements of tear-out and nu skool do stand out prominently. Though I’m not a huge fan of vocal tracks like this, its brooding bassline and twisted vocal effects during the breakdowns–especially the final one–are a very nice touch. If this is any indication of what’s to come, then 2010 should be a successful year for Mr. RiOT.

Dom Almond Remix
Dom Almond has taken many of the original’s elements and managed to create an even more intense version. The vocals remain untouched, as do the tempo and main synth line. But the breakbeat is cleaner, less percussive, and Dom’s sprinkled some nice effects here and there, along with another synth layer. The bassline is also way nastier–giving it a definite tear-out feel. While I think this might be my favorite of the bunch, an instrumental version of this mix might be even better.

The Beatmonkeys Remix
This remix is a change of pace from the others–quite literally. Drop the tempo about 20 BPMs, relegate the vocals to the background, add a filthy grunge lead along with some claps and bells here and there, and voilà–you’ve got the Beatmonkeys remix. OK, so it’s not as simple as that, but you get the point. I’m no expert when it comes to mid-tempo breaks, and part of it might be due to the subdued vocals (you’ll probably hear me bitch about vocals ad nauseum here), but this tune really appeals to me.

RuN RiOT Remix
Mr. Young rounds out this EP with a cheerful house version of Take My Hand. This remix maintains the clever drum work of the original, but in 4/4 format. (As an aside, it seems RuN RiOT’s unique beats are becoming something of a trademark.) Housey synths with a rave twist and hi-hats galore complement the now-tweaked vocals. Though mainly for house-heads, this remix also has some potential for cross-genre appeal as well.