Kraftwerk "The Mix" (1991)

2009 remaster

The Mix

release date: Jun. 11, 1991

format: cd (2009 remaster)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]

producer: Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider

label: Kling Klang / EMI - nationality: Germany

10th studio album by Kraftwerk following a full five years after Electric Cafe (1986) isn't officially a compilation, although it may perfectly appear as that since it's dedicated to compositions stemming from all of the band's studio albums beginning with Autobahn (1974) right up to the most recent studio album Electric Cafe (1986). Ralf Hütter has offered his thoughts on why it's not to be considered a compilation or let alone a remix album, as others would claim. He states that these tracks are an expression of the band's live versions of well-known songs, all of which have been subjected to reshaping during the many years of performances. Since '86 percussionist Wolfgang Flür has left the band and as of '87, he was practically substituted by Fritz Hilpert. In 1990, Karl Bartos also left the band, after which Fernando Abrantes took over in his place and on the album here, but Abrantes left shortly after the release only to be replaced by Henning Schmitz.

Incidentally, 2009 is the year in which Kraftwerk reissued all of the it's essential albums in newly remastered editions - like this one - and they also reissued the box set Der Katalog (2004) with a back cover label '12345678', indicating the band's 8 studio albums from 1974 to 2003. Regardless Hütter's explanation, and intention, it doesn't change the fact that the tracks on The Mix have all been taken from previously released studio albums, and yes, they are here in completely new remixed versions. The album consists of 11 tracks and has a total running length of 65 minutes.

From both Autobahn (1974) and Radio-Aktivität (1975) only the respective title tracks have been included; from Trans Europa Express (1977) three tracks are included: the title track, "Abzug" and "Metall auf Metall"; from the album Die Mensch-Maschine (1979) only "Die Roboter" has found its way the this; from Computerwelt (1981) we again find three selected tracks: "Taschenrechner", "Computer Liebe", and "Heimcomputer", and from Electric Cafe (1986) only the song "Music Non-Stop" is included. With a bit of quick math, that sums up to only ten tracks, and that's because, in addition to album tracks, there's also room for "Dentaku", which is a Japanese version of "Taschenregner" in a slightly different version, originally featured as a B-side to the single release.

The album received a slightly luke-warm reception, but still landed at number #7 in Germany and at number #15 in the UK. Kraftwerk also released the new versions of "Die Roboter" and "Radio-Aktivität" as the two (promotional) singles from the album.

The Mix is a fine album without dazzling. However, I think that especially the earliest compositions have been altered and given a more modern sound in such a way that they certainly don't stand as improvements to the originals. Later well-known tracks have been exposed to a little bit of everything, and at the end, the album is mostly for fans and connoisseurs, as others will be better served with the original versions. And of course you're are free to think what you want about all their fine tracks they have passed on and not included here. You may ask yourself why on Earth they didn't just release a double album, when there's plenty of material to revisit? It's certainly not an essential release, which basically functions more as bonus material - an appendix you can easily do without.

[ allmusic,com, Mojo 3 / 5, Q Magazine, Uncut 4 / 5 stars ]

org. cover

Mogwai "Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1" (2014) (ep)

Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1., ep

release date: Jan. 12, 2014

format: digital (6 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]

producer: Paul Savage

label: Rock Action Records - nationality: Scotland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Teenage Exorcists" - 3. "HMP Shaun William Ryder" - 4. "Re-Remurdered (Blanck Mass Remix)" - 6. "The Lord Is Out of Control (Nils Frahm Remix)"

Ep by Mogwai following one year after the soundtrack album Les Revenants (for a French TV-series) and preceeding the album Rave Tapes (Jan. 2014). According to the band's bandcamp profile and to Discogs the album was issued in download formats one week before the release of the band's eighth full-length studio album, although, you may also find it to be filed as issued in Nov./Dec. 2014 in cd, vinyl and other digital formats. Now, ep releases by Mogwai always offer something else - it's never just some tracks from recent album releases with the addition of one or two other tracks or an extended version like many other artist usually do. Mogwai always want any release to be unique in its own right, which is rare these days. Anyway, the album is also something special because it's the band's final studio release featuring original member John Cummings, who decided it was now time to go on his own in pursuit of a solo career. With a running time just above 31 minutes, this ep contains six tracks of which three were recorded during the Rave Tapes sessions but without any of them were included on the album, and the remaining three are remixes of tracks taken from the album but featuring other artists, and both the excluded "normal" Mogwai compositions and the new remixes are quite interesting, especially "Teenage Exorcists" - possibly excluded from the album for being too indie rock-oriented touching much on darkwave (with hints of Bloc Party) but mainly for falling a bit far from the tracks that were selected for the softer album release, and also the brilliantly titled "HMP Shaun Ryder" - is it "His Majesty's Prison...", "Help Me Please...", "Hit My Phone...", "Home-Made Pizza..", "Hold My Potatoes", "Hug Me Please", or something else, they refer to?!, which again is the whole point of the pun! And the song itself is great but again focuses more on complexity and uptempo beats, whereas the album is more laid-back, but the Blanck Mass (originally just titled "Remurdered" on Rave Tapes) and the Nils Frahm remixes are simply worth the lot!

And as usual, it's bound nicely together despite pointing in various directions.

This is simply a great Mogwai ep!

[ bandcamp ]

Trentemøller "Harbour Boat Trips 01 - Copenhagen by Trentemøller" (2009)

Harbour Boat Trips 01 - Copenhagen by Trentemøller

release date: May 22, 2009

format: cd (hfn01cd)

[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]

producer: various, Trentemøller

label: HFN Music / Rough Trade / A:larm Music - nationality: Denmark

DJ Mixes compilation album by Trentemøller feature a vast variety of artists including Soft Cell, Suicide, The Raveonettes, Beach House, I Got You On Tape and Emiliana Torrini just to mention a few on this 21 tracks album with a playing time just over 77 minutes.

Yes, the original compositions and artists all represent great diversity, and yes, Trentemøller is the unifying factor, who makes it all the same kind of minimal techno, but I do find the original songs too strong and even unchanged here to include them as brand new mixes - the alteration is simply too minimal an effort.

To me this is touching on mediocre - not really the kind of music I listen to occasionally.

Mogwai "Kicking a Dead Pig - Mogwai Songs Remixed" (1998)

Kicking a Dead Pig - Mogwai Songs Remixed (remix album)

release date: May 18, 1998

format: digital (12 x File, FLAC - 2001 reissue)

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,88]

producer: Mogwai & various

label: Mogwai self-relase - nationality: Scotland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Like Herod (Hood Remix)" - 7. "Mogwai Fear Satan (Surgeon Remix)" - 10. "Mogwai Fear Satan (Mogwai Remix)" - 12. "Mogwai Fear Satan (My Bloody Valentine Remix)"

Remix album by Mogwai primarily of compositions from the band's debut album Young Team (1997). Originally the album was released as a ten track album on Eye Q Records, but after the label had closed the album was expanded by another two tracks and it was released as a 2-cd album with the two new remixes on disc 2 as the final version, track #12 is a 16 minute long version of "Mogwai Fear Satan" - the original being 10 seconds longer.

Most of the compositions have been heavily altered and mostly into electronic dance or with an ear for old school techno rave. You may argue that the point in making a remix album with songs that sound much like the original seems wrong, but when the end result is music of a completely other genre, it's also a natural source of criticism. It's experimental and daring and some ideas and even whole compositions are made with some success, but overall it doesn't fit that well in the band's discography - it's more of an oddity. Best remixes here are actually Mogwai's own mix of "Mogwai Fear Satan" only bettered by Kevin Shield's (My Bloody Valentine) daring but aso highly original version.

Collector's item only.

[ bandcamp ]

LCD Soundsystem "Introns" (2006)

Introns
release date: Mar. 13, 2006
format: digital (10 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,32]
producer: The DFA [Tim Goldsworthy & James Murphy]
label: DFA - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Yr City's a Sucker" - 2. "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House (Soulwax Shibuya Mix)" - 5. "Slowdive (XFM Session)" - 10. "Too Much Love (Rub 'n' Tug Mix)"

Remix album by LCD Soundsystem released as a digital download album only. The album compiles a number of B-sides and remixes from the band's eponymous debut album and associated singles. Apparently, the front cover shows [band leader] James Murphy's (vinyl) record collection. Three of the tracks are from a session recorded for the London radio station XFM. The session version of "Slowdive", a Siouxsie and the Banshees cover, was originally on the "Disco Infiltrator" single. The album consists of 10 tracks with an extensive playing time above the hour.
It's quite fine collection of dance-oriented tracks, also because some of the remix tracks are quite original - without being truly groundbreaking, but it may be seen as a kind of a positive gesture from this creative band. Both "Disco infiltrator" and "Tribulations" comes in quite different remix versions, and "Slowdive" is a rather original cover that falls completely within this band's sound.

New Order "Complete Music" (2016)

Complete Music
release date: May 13, 2016
format: 2 cd (LTD. - LCDSTUMM390)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,34]
producer: New Order
label: Mute Records - nationality: England, UK

Remix edition of the album Music Complete (2015) with all tracks in extended versions.The album was originally released in Japan only as a special download release, which came with a Deluxe Edition of the 12'' vinyl issue of the album, but was later released in its own rights.
I puchased the album and was given a free download of not only this but also the original album in FLAC-format.
Well, the remixes are really not that far from the original versions - they are generally much longer, but in a way I cannot help thinking of them as over-produced. The great songs remain great, but I really prefer the 2015 album versions.

EDIT, Nov. 2016: I must confess, I have listened to this from time to time, not just skipping it 'cause it really is catchy and seemingly has more to offer than meets the eye. I can't really put a finger on what it is, as I still feel the remixes are very close to the originals, but it's perhaps not simply over-produced after all. I would still recommend the original 2015 Music Complete album, although this is not just bad. My initial verdict 3,22 has improved but still eludes 'must-have'...

Cornershop "Brimful of Asha" (1998) (single)

Brimful of Asha, cd single

release date: Feb. 16, 1998

format: digital (4 x File, FLAC)

[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]

producer: Tjinder Singh; Norman Cook (remix producer)

label: Wiiija Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracks: 1. "Brimful of Asha (Single Version)" - 2. "Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix Single Version)" - 3. "u47's" - 4. "Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix Extended Version)"

Single release by Cornershop is a four-track release of the band's best known song, which brought them international fame in the Summer of '97, when the single was first released in a 7'' version (August '97). The first Norman Cook Remix single was released in late '97 as single-sided or 3-track 12'' vinyl issues. The original single peaked at #60 on the UK singles chart list, but when re-issued with the Norman Cook remix [this], the single ended up as number #1 on the charts.

The original is a great 1997 song, but the speeded up Norman Cook Remix simply makes it another great tune. Both the single single remix and the extended version are impressive takes.

The Sugarcubes "It's-It" (1992)

It's-It, remix album
release date: Oct. 27, 1992
format: cd (MRCD 3205)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,62]
producer: various
label: Mega Records - nationality: Iceland

Track highlights: 2. "Leash Called Love (Tony Humphries mix)" - 3. "Blue Eyed Pop (S1000 mix)" - 4. "Motorcrash (Justin Robertson mix)" - 6. "Gold (Todd Terry mix)" - 7. "Water (Bryan 'Chuck' New Mix)" - 11. "Hit (Tony Humphries Sweet & Low mix)"

A remix album by The Sugarcubes originally released on One Little Indian. No, it's not an original studio album of new compositions but it's neither a mere compilation of best of, left overs or rarities but an interesting remix album. The songs are taken from the band's three studio albums and most of them have been heavily remixed by various artists. Only "Regina" comes in a Sugarcubes remix, and that's also the compositions sounding most alike the original version. Some tracks have little in common with the familiar song and others still carry recognisable traits from the blue print, and then some are very fine remixes with new stylistic qualities, and yet others are too strange.
The album was the second album that I bought with the band, and perhaps the reason why I didn't bother buying the other two until later. 'Cause many of the best songs from both Here Today... (1989) and Stick Around for Joy (1992) appear on this in heavily "remixed" versions, and frankly, I found these better than the original album versions, although "Birthday" comes in two versions, none of which are better than the original. "Leash Called Love (Tony Humphries mix)" is an even better song here, and all remixes are composed as dance-pop or alt. dance with house as a common denominator, which only add that extra energy to some of the more ('artsy-farty') art pop original compositions.
All in all, a very fine collection.

Rammstein "Links 2-3-4" (2001) (single)

Links 2-3-4, single
release date: May 14, 2001
format: digital
[single rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Jacob Hellner, Rammstein
label: Motor Music - nationality: Germany

Tracklist: 1. "Links 2-3-4" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Halleluja" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "Links 2-3-4 (Clawfinger Geradeaus Remix)" (2,5 / 5) - 4. "Links 2-3-4 (Westbam Technoelectro Mix)" (2,5 / 5) - 5. "Links 2-3-4 (Westbam Hard Rock Café Bonus Mix)" (2,5 / 5)

Single release by Rammstein from the album Mutter.

The Cure "Lullaby" (Remix) (1989) (single)

FICSP 29, Ltd. nb.
clear disc #2844
(my copy)

Lullaby (Remix), 7'' single
release date: Apr. 1989
format: vinyl (clear vinyl - FICSP29, #2844)
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Robert Smith, Dave Allen [David M. Allen]
label: Fiction Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) "Lullaby (Remix)" - - B) "Babble"

7'' single by The Cure released in a normal edition with the album version of the track "Lullaby", but also in this Limited numbered clear disc Remix version of the track.

[ collectors' item - clear vinyl, ltd. numbered edition in PVC sleeve - from ~ €120,- ]

Kele "Tendoroni (Remixes)" (2010) (single)

Tenderoni (Remixes), single (promo)

release date: Jun. 21, 2010

format: digital

[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]

producer: diverse

label: Polydor - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Tenderoni" (Original) (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Tenderoni (Kris Menace Remix)" (3 / 5) - 3. "Tenderoni (XXXchange Dub)" - 4. "Tenderoni (Jokers of the Scene Remix)" - 5. "Tenderoni (Dam Mantle Remix)" (3 / 5) - 6. "Tenderoni (Larry Tee & Beckwith Remix)" (3 / 5)

Promotion single by Kele issued simultaneously with the release of his full-length debut The Boxer. This version contains two of the songs from the original 3-track single released Jun. 14th with the addition of four other remixes.

Bloc Party "Intimacy Remixed" (2009)

Intimacy Remixed (remix)
release date: May 11, 2009
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5]

Tracklist 1. "Ares (Villians Remix)" - 2. "Mercury (Hervé Is in Disarray Remix)" - 3. "Halo (We Have Band Remix)" - 4. "Biko (Mogwai Remix)" - 5. "Trojan Horse (John B Remix)" - 6. "Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)" - 7. "One Month Off (Filthy Dukes Remix)" - 8. "Zephyrus (Phase One Remix)" - 9. "Talons (Phones RIP Remix)" (4 / 5) - 10. "Better Than Heaven (No Age Remix)" - 11. "Ion Square (Banjo or Freakout Remix)" - 12. "Letter to My Son (Gold Panda Remix)" - 13. "Your Visits Are Getting Shorter (Double D Remix)"

Remix album by Bloc Party. Again, a remix release of their latest studio album. This time I actually find it a welcome release. Stylistically, the band has moved into electronic and alt. dance, which makes this more of a digestible remix. Kele obviously has a certain something for club and dance, and this only adds to their new style. "Talons" is still a great track in this outfit.

Bloc Party "Talons" (2008) (single)

Talons, single
release date: Oct. 20, 2008
format: digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Paul Epworth

label: Wichita - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Talons" (5 / 5) - 2. "Talons (Phones R.I.P Mix)" (4 / 5) - 3. "Talons (XXXChange Remix)" (3,5 / 5) - 4. "Talons (Moody Boyz Remix)" (3,5 / 5)

A single from the recent album Intimacy, and what a track! The original version is easily the best, and the first mix is a rather good remix.

Rammstein "Du hast" (1997), single

Du hast, single
release date: Jul. 21, 1997
format: cd
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Jacob Hellner, Rammstein
label: Motor Music - nationality: Germany

Tracklist: 1. "Du hast (Single Version)" (5 / 5) - 2. "Bück dich (Album Version)" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "Du hast (Remix by Jacob Hellner)" - 4. "Du hast (Remix by Clawfinger)"

Single release by Rammstein and the second single issue prior to the release of the forthcoming second album Sehnsucht to be released the following month. The title track seems the same as on the album, which also goes for the second track, whereas the last two remixes offers new versions. The first and best remix by producer Jacob Hellner is an electronic big beat (The Prodigy-like) version of the single, and the last Clawfinger remix is an alt. metal hard rock version, which is a rather inferior version; however, the original version is a truly fabulous track.

Lilly Wood & The Prick "Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix)" (2014) (single)

Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix), single
release date: Jun. 6, 2014
format: digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,75]

Tracklist: 1. "Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)" (4 / 5) - 2. "Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix) (Instrumental)"

Single release by Lilly Wood & The Prick and German electronic artist Robin Schultz. The single has become one of 2014s biggest radio hits, which is fairly understandable. The song is addictive and quite unique, although, the original version is rather good it was totally unnoticed in 2010.

Bloc Party "Silent Alarm Remixed" (2005)

Silent Alarm Remixed (remix)
release date: Aug. 29, 2005
format: cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

producer: various

label: Wichita - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Like Eating Glass (Ladytron Mix)" (2 / 5) - 2. "Helicopter (Sheriff Whitey Mix)" (2,5 / 5) - 3. "Positive Tension (Jason Clark Remix)" (2 / 5) - 4. "Banquet (Phones Disco Edit)" (3,5 / 5) - 5. "Blue Light (Engineers Anti-Gravity Mix)" (2 / 5) - 6. "She's Hearing Voices (Erol Alkan's Calling Your Dub Reworking)" (1,5 / 5) - 7. "This Modern Love (Dave Pianka's Making Time Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 8. "The Pioneers (M83 Remix)" (2 / 5) - 9. "Price of Gas (Automato Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 10. "So Here We Are (Four Tet Remix)" (2 / 5) - 11. "Luno (Bloc Party vs Death From Above 1979)" (1,5 / 5) - 12. "Plans (Replanned by Moqwai)" (2,5 / 5) - 13. "Compliments (Shibuyaka Remix by Nick Zinner)" (2,5 / 5)

A remix album by Bloc Party of the band's debut released 6 months after the original album. Now, why was this ever necessary? I bought the album without listening to it first. Having heard only good music from this band, I just wanted everything they released, but this was a waste of money. Everything they had done so far was in the spirit of the new post-punk revival wave. Even the cover is a 'repro' of the artworks by Peter Saville and Joy Division but here the music goes elsewhere. In retrospect, it only signals that the band is much more than just post-punk but the result is not good, although a lesser version of "Banquet" doesn't manage to ruin the song. Almost all tracks are club dance remixes of every song on the original album with a few daring exceptions.

Gorillaz "D-Sides" (2 CD) (2007)

D-Sides (compilation)
release date: Nov. 19, 2007
format: 2 cd (2017 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,45]
producer: Gorillaz, Jason Cox, James Dring, Danger Mouse
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: CD ONE: 3. "Hongkongaton" - 4. "We Are Happy Landfill" - 5. "Hong Kong" - 8. "Bill Murray" (feat. The Bees) - 11. "Spitting Out the Demons"
CD TWO: 1. "DARE (DFA Remix)" (feat. Shaun Ryder) - 2. "Feel Good Inc. (Stanton Warriors Remix)" (feat. De La Soul) - 4. "DARE (Soulwax Remix)" (feat. Shaun Ryder) - 5. "Kids with Guns (Hot Chip Remix)" - 7. "DARE (Junior Sanchez Remix)" (feat. Shaun Ryder)

Compilation album by Gorillaz much like the G-Sides album a compilation containing B-sides, remixes and bonus tracks from their most recent album Demon Days (2005), thus both referring to that album [as "Demon Days-sides"] and also, I guess, as a suitable title extending the notion of something other and more than just "B-sides".
The idea of putting out a 2-disc compilation album of compositions, which are not best of material but "just" more of your favourite (project) band may seem over-the-top, but with Gorillaz it just falls out quite all right, 'cause fact is, the band builds its compositions on 'dub' and mixes, so new and quite different versions are easily constructed. CD ONE is reserved for actual single versions and more traditional (extended) mixes, whereas CD TWO contains new remixes of tracks from Demon Days and e.g. no less than three different versions of "DARE" and "Kids with Guns".
With some tracks you may ask yourself as to why they are here, but the longer you get into Gorillaz' world of sounds, it does make sense. Almost as usual with their albums - initially, I tend to have more luke-warm feelings to a new album, and then rather quickly I change my verdict to a more positive one. It's strange, very original and yet quite simple music, but I like it, although, I'm not listening to it that often, but when I do, I often end up thinking "It's actually pretty neat" 'cause fact is it basically sounds more like a new studio album than remixes of familiar tunes. It's really more than just Okay and definitely worth more than a listen or two and ultimately also has more to offer than the first compilation, G-Sides.
[ allmusic.com, NME 4 / 5, Uncut 3 / 5 stars ]

Gorillaz "G-Sides" (2002)

G-Sides (compilation)
release date: Mar. 2002
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Dan the Automator, Gorillaz
label: EMI, Brazil - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "19-2000 (Soulchild Remix)" -  5. "Faust" - 6. "Clint Eastwood (Phi Life Cypher version)" (feat. Phi Life Cypher) - 9. "12D3" - 11. "Rock the House (Radio Edit)" (feat. Del tha Funkee Homosapien) - 12. "Left Hand Suzuki Method"

Compilation album by Gorillaz originally released exclusively for the Japanese market Dec. 2001 - later issued in Europe, Brazil and North America in slightly different editions. The material here are compositions recorded from 2000-2001, which are in new remix versions. Actually, only three tracks from the debut appear on this compilation, although, several others may be found on enhanced versions of the debut. Most of the remaining tracks are remixes taken from the ep Tomorrow Comes Today from 2000 and then from various single releases and their B-sides. G-sides thus referring to "Gorillaz' sides" - a bit of all kinds of releases so far.
Despite the many new versions one will find on this, the album doesn't add a lot of great tracks to the band's repertoire but it does help building a more sophisticated image to the project. All in all, it seems like an idea of handing something to the fans, and not being really a huge one, for me it's a bit superfluous but yet... 'interesting'.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, NME 3,5 / 5, Uncut 2,5 / 5 stars ]