Artist: Leuce Rhythms
Title: Headroot (Your Love)
Label: Scarcity [SCAR07]
Release Date: April 26, 2010
Tracklisting:
01. Original Mix
02. Retroid Remix
03. B-Phreak Remix
04. Phrea Spirit Remix

Though relative newcomers to the scene, Leeds’ Richard Hale and Dan De Lissandri AKA Leuce Rhythms have already made appearances on such imprints as ChipSound, High Eight’s Re:Connect, and Mesmer’s Scarcity. There’s something for everyone in this release, from progressive to jungle.

Original Mix
For their third original production (and their second appearance on Scarcity), Leuce make quite a splash. The main hook and vocals on Headroot give it an early 90s hardcore/rave feel, but the meaty breakbeat, big bass stabs, cuts, stutters, and other effects are definitely 2010. Thankfully, the vocal sample is used sparingly, and although the track is pretty straightforward, what makes it stand out is the litany of aforementioned effects. (As an aside, the tune’s main chord progression is somewhat reminiscent of Fischerspooner’s Emerge, which made me chuckle a bit.)

Retroid Remix
I had to double-check the track info on this one at first, because the beat and scratch samples initially sounded like Florida electro. But as the floating synth layers faded in my concerns were assuaged. You can eventually hear part of the main hook from the original Headroot, but fully submerged and surrounded by lush pads and melodies. Retroid shows us what he does best in this remix, with layer upon layer of ethereal textures.

B-Phreak Remix
B-Phreak’s take is more in line with the original, albeit with a fortified breakbeat, a slightly filtered hook, and B-Phreak’s signature chop-treatment on the vocals. The main breakdown/buildup is quite massive on this one, with a rising siren atop a host of beat-repeats, flangers, and other effects. This remix is squelch all the way.

Phrea Spirit Remix
Jazzy drum and bass is the name of the game in the Phrea Spirit reworking. Aside from the vocal samples sprinkled here and there, this hardly resembles the original. A classic Rhodes melody leads the charge on this groovy roller, accompanied by string pads and a percussive-laden broken beat hovering around 170BPM.

Artist: Great Scott
Release: Safehouse
Label: Scarcity Records [SCAR03]
Release Date: 2009-11-13
Tracklist:
01. Original Mix
02. Stefan Anion’s Slightly Risky Remix
03. Mesmer Remix
04. Yreane Remix

Original Mix
Glad this release is finally seeing the light of day—with a star-studded lineup on remix duties, no less. The original mix, at roughly 132 BPM, can best be described as progressive breaks, with a twist. Tight broken beats, deep and bouncy bass, and an industrial, saw-like synth lead blend together to make for a rather refreshing listen. It’s not until the main breakdown hits that you hear the funky side of this tune, however, dropping into a half-tempo break with a seriously dubby bassline. The influence from a variety of styles is quite evident here. While a definite ‘yes’ for the progsters, this track has plenty of cross-genre potential as well.

Stefan Anion’s Slightly Risky Remix
Stefan’s interpretation is a pumping, 136-BPM four-to-the-floor affair. In addition to the tweaked out patches from the original version, the ‘Slightly Risky’ remix layers on a couple of new melodies. Arpeggiated synths and stuttered beats are in no shortage. Following a breakdown that boasts some jungle flavor, the tune explodes into its angry crescendo, reminiscent of Hybrid’s Theme From Wide Angle (Rolling Thunder Mix).

Mesmer Remix
In trying to think of who the original tune reminds me of, the best name I could come up with was Mesmer. So it’s rather fitting that the tune is not only getting released on Mesmer’s own label, but it’s also been remixed by the man himself. Maintaining the original’s tempo and main synth patch, the Romanian maestro adds on a couple of vocal samples, a nasty nu-skool bassline, and beefed up drums to give it his trademarked sound.

Yreane Remix
2009 has been a big year for the Russian known as Yreane. This remix is certainly the greatest departure from the original, and it’s actually quite a departure from Yreane’s other works of late. But it’s nonetheless a solid tune. Chopped guitars, moaning female vox, record scratches, and a host of other samples dominate this tune, with only a peppering of synths from the original mix.

Overall, I have to say this is a quality release. I’m somewhat partial to the original, but am finding it hard to pick a true favorite. After three long years, Safehouse is at last upon us. Go out and grab it Friday!