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http://www.stylusmagazine.com/ipod/Lumi ... ol_III.mp3
Stylus In The Mix: Luminfire (Will Simmons)
Luminfire – Ants in My Trance, Vol. III
FYI, the Ants in My Trance mix series has very little to do with trance music. Its intent is to contort some of the trendiest and most disposable pop, rock and urban musics of the moment into a thematic, dancefloor-friendly mix environment. Edit versions of the custom-made mash-ups will be made available for download this time around in a short time. For information on the instrumental sources of the mash-ups, check the tracks’ respective write-up paragraphs.
00:00: Amerie (w/ T.I.) – “Touch (Chicken Lips Mash by Luminfire)”
As the world simmers down into a post “1 Thing” stupor, I’m sure Amerie’s wondering if she’ll be able to capitalize on another monster hit, as the rest of us probably are. Well, things are looking up in that respect. Although “Touch” is a dramatic departure from that first single, it’s certainly got the formula: a resolute club readiness curated by none other than Lil’ Jon. This mash-up strips the track of the super producer’s TRL-ready ornamentation, providing a clean slate of dubby disco frolicking. The instrumental source is the Chicken Lips remix of the Triangle Orchestra’s “@ 137.”
05:24: Whomadewho – “Rose”
“Rose” is of the more rock-oriented selections of the set. For one reason or another, it keeps giving me Kula Shaker flashbacks. There are indeed more pleasant flashbacks one could hope for, but regardless, the sweet balance of mildly psychedelic rock and sequin-laced dance is almost too good to be true. The catchy lyricism and chorusing blend eerily well with the perpetual 4/4 thump. I can only hope the good people at Gomma will find the decency to put out a Whomadewho full length relatively soon. Here’s wishin’.
09:32: The Knife – “You Take My Breath Away (Mylo Mix)”
The pithy appearance of this selection may disappoint some, but I found the chopped-up vocals along with Mylo’s crafty synth chirps to be quite enticing. And by “pithy appearance,” I’m simply referencing the short span of the track within the set (it’s about 1:48 altogether). Mylo probably deserves a lengthier spot, but hopefully, this will suffice. The 12-inch also offers a great remix by Puppetmasters.
11:20: TNT Jackson – “You and My Pearldiver (Hiltmeyer Inc. Mix)”
Alex Andre Hoffmann (aka Hiltmeyer Inc.) is more great harvest from the Munich-based Gomma crops. His rehash of the photogenic trio known as TNT Jackson is a hard-hitting dancefloor upsurge, complete with a gritty bassline and exasperating snare stomps. I can’t think of any reason in particular not to like this one. Plus, all three of these chumps would look great in Prada.
16:09: Black Devil – “Timing, Forget the Timing (Kerrier District Remix)”
This selection sticks out a bit, as it emanates the quirky, wanky temperament that can only be courtesy of the Richard D. James co-run Rephlex imprint. Black Devil, a disco outfit from the late ‘70s, somehow found its way to the label’s vaults. And part-time Rephlex associate Luke Vibert, lord of the acid 303, recovers his classic disco-tinged Kerrier District alias for this remix. While it’s a touch more “Vibert” than is previous Kerrier District stuff, the rework harnesses creepy Aphexian synth sweeps along with the trademark Rephlex warbled bass. Allegedly, Morgan Geist was scheming on licensing Black Devil for his own Environ label, but the folks at Rephlex beat him to it.
19:22: Manhead – “Birth, School, Work, Death”
Since their conception in late 1996, Output Recordings has been a great source of danceable singles of the more leftfield variety. “Birth, School, Work, Death” by Manhead (aka Headman) is no exception. Like “Rose,” this selection is a rock-meets-disco dream come true. Playful synths, German accents, cheerful guitar riffs and a bouncy chorus make for a great listen on or off the dancefloor.
24:03: Putsch ‘79 – “Asian Girls”
The silly, soft-spoken vocal loop, “Asian girls / Chinese lover,” will get stuck in your head like grape Bubble Yum atop a rickety high school locker. The artificial string section will trek you back to a fashionable Manhattan rooftop circa 1981. If Roxy Music were to have recorded a dance record with Quincy Jones, perhaps “Asian Girls” might resemble their efforts. And yes, I’m struck with a case of the “yellow fever” myself. (Apologies.)
29:17: Phonique (w/ Alexander East) – “99 & a Half (I:Cube Remix)”
This beguiling number somehow found its way onto the latest mix CD by trance DJ and all-around household name Sasha. Isn’t it adorable how these trance guys are branching out? You just wanna pinch their rosy cheeks and feed them ice cream. (Touché.)
35:44: Snoop Dog (w/ Justin Timberlake & Charlie Wilson) – “Signs (Metro Area Mash by Luminfire)”
There’s something so right about the way Justin nonchalantly drops the F-bomb like it’s no big deal, as if *NSYNC never released that Christmas album. It’s equally charming how Snoop suddenly took the hint from Pharrell and started singing his lyrics. This joint is full of firsts! And surprisingly, the Metro Area’s “Nerves,” featuring horns by James Duncan, doesn’t sound too far off from the original “Signs” backdrop. Both tracks hark back to the disco funk heyday of “Uncle” Charlie Wilson. The way Metro Area applies driving soul piano and a live string section is entirely uncommon in the electronic music community. Hats off to them.
41:48: Chicken Lips – “Sweet Cow”
For their second Ants III appearance, Chicken Lips dish out their latest single for the breaks-leaning Kingsize imprint. Definitely one of the slower-moving numbers on the mix, “Sweet Cow” sounds something like a young amateur answer to Tom Jones, walloping member and all. At the end of the first verse, a generically foreign female voice croons: “Suck my tit / You want me now.” Tee-hee! Looks very Peaches in print, upon hearing it, you’ll realize it’s a lot less in your face.
46:06: Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl (Reverso 68 Mash by Luminfire)”
As far as I can gather, the general consensus of “Hollaback Girl” is not a positive one. It’s either Gwen’s giddy, amateurish raps or the Neptunes’ minimalist framework that initially turns people away. Personally, I don’t mind the song all that much. It’s certainly not as high on my guilty pleasures list as “What You Waiting For?” or “Rich Girl,” but for some reason, it does the trick for me. Hopefully, those displeased with the original version’s production will find bliss in the Reverso 68 remix of the new Juan MacLean single, “Tito’s Way,” as a substitution.
52:37: Håkan Lidbo – “Field Work (Kagami Remix)”
The Ants III excursions into minimal tech-house are few and brief. I found this remix to be a nice happy medium between generic, stupid-fun dance music and the leftfield array of microhouse. Also, since the piece is relatively low on vocal content and distinguishable instrumentation, it makes a nice pacemaking transition.
58:14: Clor – “Love & Pain (James Ford Remix)”
UK indie-electronic up-and-comers Clor will likely appeal to fans of Skeletons and The Girl-Faced Boys, Scissor Sisters, Simian Mobile Disco and the tamer facets of the DFA family. This James Ford remix doesn’t sound too far off from what the outfit sounds like in an unmixed format.
62:08: Interpol – “Length of Love (Fog vs. Mould)”
Okay, so you’re hip, right? (You’re reading Stylus, so you must be to some degree.) Therefore, you’ve most likely come across this remix already. Admittedly, this selection is more for the sake of cool points involved in busting out Interpol. Franz Ferdinand hasn’t dropped any twelves lately, so guess what the next best thing would be! Oh, and please don’t confuse this Fog with the Fog on Ninja Tune.
66:32: Outkast – “B.O.B. (Christopher & Raphael Just Mash by Luminfire)”
If you haven’t heard “B.O.B.” yet, you’re officially in what Stylus would regard as the “pupa stage” of pop music self enrichment. Why? Well, mainly because we cited the joint as the #2 best single of the new millennium. (Peep the article here). It’s all there: the rock-solid organ progression, the cleverly prophetic chorus line, the nod to techno and Miami bass, the energy. Oh, the ENERGY! My goal in this mash-up was to preserve that same raw and boundary-pushing vigor maintained in the original. I think I came close. The chip-encrusted “Popper” by Christopher and Raphael Just is by no means an unhurried track. The two songs aren’t exactly peas and carrots, but see what you think.
71:54: The Premature Wig – “Control Factor”
Ah, the ol’ 4/4-to-3/4 switcheroo. Such a clever and often useful toggle. Björk wouldn’t have even found her place on Ants III without such an exchange. So while “Control Factor” by The Premature Wig (aka Eight Frozen Modules) may be somewhat of a sore thumb, its tempo change up is entirely necessary. Formed from the ashes of the former microhouse powerhouse Force Tracks, Disco Inc. sees its first catalog release as an eccentric, jerky techno endeavor. Check their new double LP compilation Hypersex: Code 1, as there’s much more where this came from.
74:35: Björk – “Who Is It (Vitalic Remix)”
There are so many rules and guidelines to keep in mind for choosing set closers, and for that, I’ve always dreaded the process. However, this time around, the transition works rather well, and it’s Björk for Pete’s sake. Not only is it Björk, but her song has been remixed by this summer’s official of-the-moment Daft Punk copycat. With that combo, I figure you can’t lose. Vitalic has painstakingly reconfigured this Medúlla gem to have a 3/4 time signature. As far as I know, the remix has not yet seen a proper release. It’s currently only available in promo form.
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