DJ Harvey reworks a Japanese classic

DJ Harvey reworks a Japanese classic

31 May, 2011 | 9.29AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Videos: dj harvey, endless flight, logic system, sarcastic disco

Trainspotters, fasten your bibs: a cornerstone of Japanese electronic-music history gets a killer rework this week, 30 years after it was first released.

Logic System’s “Clash” came out back in 1981; its creator was Hideki Matsutake, a former assistant to Isao Tomita and the synthesizer programmer for Yellow Magic Orchestra. (He’s sometimes referred to as YMO’s unofficial “fourth member.") The tune has been a staple in DJ Harvey’s sets for years now, and he included it on his Sarcastic Disco Vol. 2 mix CD. Now Hideki’s Motion label and EMI Japan have given DJ Harvey a shot at remixing “Clash” for Tokyo’s Endless Flight, a sister to the Mule Musiq and Mule Electronic labels.

While preserving all of its essential character, Harvey gives “Clash” a major working over, nearly doubling its running time (to eight and a half minutes), punching up the percussion, and adding the heaviest bass wallop you’ll hear this side of the dubstep scene. It’s a heavy, heavy jam, just the thing to tide us over while we await the Locussolus album.

The B-side turns up Logic System’s previously unreleased “Traffic Circuit,” a mid-tempo, almost breakbeat-oriented tune with layer after layer of bright, glassy synths and a heavy ‘80s feel. (From the sound of things, you can bet that the members of Sun Electric have this record in their collections, somewhere.)

Logic System’s ”Clash (DJ Harvey Remix)” is out now, with the digital release exclusive to Beatport. Keep reading to check out the release, and enjoy the original version via YouTube, above.

• (1) Comments
• (2584) Views
• Get Logic System's "Clash (DJ Harvey Remix)" on Beatport now