David Wolstencroft’s signature penchant for sample-heavy and soul-influenced deep house has been overrun with the urge to explore the raw elements of stripped-down techno in 2012. After first enlisting Marcel Dettmann and Norman Nodge to rework numbers from his revered back catalog for PN12, the Mancunian has returned on his own label for the second installment of the three-part series, procuring the owner of Hush Records and integral member of Klockworks, DVS1, alongside Detroit staple Terrence Dixon to lend their remixing prowess.
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On the A-side, DVS1’s remake of the title track from 2009’s sophomore In The Red renders Wolstencroft’s aimless synths and dangling percussion unrecognizable. A throbbing bass line pulsates throughout with snarling growls, clipped distortions of Pirahnahead’s original vocals and frantic hi-hats culminating in a heavy and direct techno number still retaining faint remnants of its house origins. Terrence Dixon transforms “Shakea Body” from the rhythmic, afrobeat original found on Wolstencroft’s 2007 debut Working Night$ into a fusion of psychedelic Detroit grooves, marinated snares, and hypnotic bleeps, growing increasingly hard to follow when its oddly timed cowbell enters the picture. An undoubtedly puzzling yet captivating release, PN14 stands as another fine addition to the ever-diversifying Prime Numbers catalog.
I rate Trus’me but this new direction feels like too much of a shift from what he was doing previously. Not that people can’t change tack, but buying in the biggest names in underground techno on remix duties isn’t necessarily the most convincing way to do it.
I actually find this remix ep very impressive. BTW it’s not like he asked Carl Craig or Ben Klock for a remix (not that it would be a bad thing either). I think a good remix project is one that has producers that brings a totally different take on the original. Terrence Dixon & DVS1 did just that.