Deservedly, ‘Lost Touch’ gets pride of place with two versions. There must have been some stiff competition in the Balanced ranks over who was going to get their hands on this one. Both versions are great. The improbably named Fascade@137db gets the lathe out to strip it to bare essentials. Sounds like it could easily have gone awry but Ms. Michaelson sounds even better than on the original. At the other extreme, there’s the reggae version by The Seed Organisation (aka Spencer K) that really seems to mesh with the lyrics.

And if you are into downtempo electronica a la Break Reform/Futuristica Music, try the Kaam remix of ‘Nightime In El Canton’ for nu-jazz beats, electro gliches, dubby echo, great bass and percussion). Kaam is actually our old friend DJ Pico of Lekan Babalola remix fame. Not only has he done this remix, he’s got a prime spot on CKUW Radio (9.00-10.30 every 2nd week) with Spencer K — that must be worth a listen.

There’s some bonus action too with a couple of tracks by Metethetics. ‘Desert Silhouettes’ is very ambient harems and ‘Snow’ is more of a Spanish guitar instrumental on a miniature railway steam train heading up a mountain that’s being attacked by radio waves and an opera singer.

Billy Rockwell is a young man who apparently doesn’t get out of the studio much. ‘Could Be’ already sounded like Dani Sciliano on a Herbert track so Mr. Rockwell decides to play around with it even more to break its back in a d’n’b electro style.

Perhaps the biggest and best of the package is the Metethetics remix of Solidaze’s ‘Memory Stain’ for a dubbed out techy house grower.

The next album on the label promises to be an extension of these remixes with “re-interpretations and dubs from featured artists” (including Mod X) and next month sees their sixth anniversary. In the meantime, they’re off to Miami! So if you’re not off to SXSW, WMC or some other industry beano, I suggest you download these tracks onto a ‘companion’ disc to the original album.

Mar 22 2007 Attending WMC March 22-25 MIAMI, Florida
Apr 29 2007 Solidaze w/ guests & Electric Nosehair Orchestra Winnipeg

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Memory Stain’ (Metethetics remix), Lost Touch’ (Fascade@137db and The Seed Organization remixes) ‘Nightime In El Canton’ (Kaam remix), ‘Snow’

Reviewed: Solidaze / Methethetics — Pleasure From Precision (Remixed) (Balanced Records) Cat. No. BCD2007-10 Release date: Feb 2007
Notes: Digital downloads are available on Apple iTunes, Sony, Napster, RealNetworks, Virgin and Emusic.
1. Solidaze — ‘Lost Touch’ (Fascade@137db remix) (3:38)
2. Solidaze — ‘Nightime In El Canton’ (Kaam remix) (5:44)
3. Metethetics — ‘Desert Sihlouettes’ (4:29)
4. Solidaze — ‘Lost Touch’ (The Seed Organization remix) (5:44)
5. Solidaze — ‘Could Be’ (Billy Rockwell remix) (3:26)
6. Metethetics — ‘Snow’ (4:16)
7. Solidaze — ‘Memory Stain’ (Metethetics remix) (5:55)

Links:
www.myspace.com/balancedrecords
www.balanced-records.com
Sarah Michaelson @ Balanced Records + Stylus Radio Show CKUW 95.9 FM Winnepeg Manitoba [Tues 2.00-3.00pm]