Concentricity Remixes

Concentricity Remixes

Stewart Walker [Persona]

6 September, 2007 | 12.25PM

• Written by: Lee Smith
• Filed under: Music Recommendations: concentricity remixes, fernbank 1991, fragile chemistry, jeff samuel, persona, robag wruhme, stewart walker, touane, we welcome utopia

Stewart Walker’s Persona label has been nestling unassumingly at the high end of modern techno for some time now, with a quality-over-quantity approach clearly paying off in a market that sometimes seems intent on churning out the same over-baked ideas for infinity.

First up on this clutch of remixes from Walker’s acclaimed album is Ohio’s Jeff Samuel, who’s been back in form as of late.

His version of ‘We Welcome Utopia!’ sees his trademark hyper-swung groove in full effect, as are his patented silken melodic flourishes, but the lean sound design and gleaming sheen of much of his former output has been discarded in favour of some big old delays and a rougher, wilder attitude.

A couple off bluesy semi-tones in the central riff give the track a tumbling, smoky strut, and as usual with Samuel, the arrangement keeps feet firmly planted to the floor while throwing out all sorts of neat surprises.

Touane’s remix of ‘Fragile Chemistry’ is evidence of his darker, moodier side, with some edgy plucked strings offsetting a pulsing, piercing alarm tone and a smartly arranged groove.

It may be geared towards the heavier hours of night, but a slick sense of refinement means it’s far from overbearing.

Finally, Robag Wruhme steps up to tackle arguably the biggest anthem from the LP, ‘Fernbank 1991’.

Originally a searing, synth lead strobe monster, Wruhme deconstructs the track into a shimmering, low-slung nu-gazer, with deep pads and a gently rattling drum section providing a reflective counterpoint to the original’s big-room brassiness.

As you’d expect from Persona, all three are expertly crafted, and demonstrate succinctly the benefits of Persona’s stringent quality-control policy.

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