[NWAQ]

Originally released six years ago by Jochem Peteri (aka Newworldaquarium) on the NWAQ label — which also featured a co-production by Peteri under his other, less-known 154 guise — this limited edition re-release now boasts a remix from Vince Watson which dates back to 2004. Maybe the post-minimal landscape has made listeners and DJs more receptive again to warm, rich sounds, but speculation aside, there is no doubt that in the past few years the small group of producers that release on the Dutch techno/house stronghold of Delsin, NWAQ, M<O<S and Ann Aimee has enjoyed a golden run of form, consistently releasing great deep dance floor music. Clearly, ignoring trends and sticking to what they know best has paid off in recent times, but the magic was always there — and six years since it first appeared, “Planets” has lost none of its charms.

Dee’s brittle metallic percussion underpins a wave of atmospheric, ponderous chords that bleed into a squelchy acid sequence, which in turn leads the track into a glorious arcing finale. Less frenetic than the Detroit techno that inspired it, “Planets” is also informed by Dee’s more immediate surroundings and rolls at a tempo that’s realised using the rough beats of North Holland house music. Vince Watson’s reshape has aged well, too. More frenetic than the original version, Watson deploys rolling conga drums and focuses on the acid line to create a grandiose statement. However, despite this approach, Watson’s version is not all about epic bluster and the remix features a piano breakdown, backed by dreamy chords. Even when they play hard, these interplanetary travelers like to keep it deep.