[Wolf + Lamb]

The opportunity to remix Lucky Paul’s “Thought We Were Alone” proved to be more than just another offer for Gadi Mizrahi of Wolf + Lamb and Eli Gold of Soul Clap. The R&B-suffused beat music laid out on The Slow Ground EP on Somethinksounds, the debut release by the New Zealand born, Berlin-based producer, was already similar to the sonic grist of the American producers’ own tracks. Subsequently, their more surefooted, house-tempo-ed take ended up as the record’s peak, standing tall over remixes by Gang Colours and Eliphino, as well as the originals. Realizing its full potential, Mizrahi and his W+L partner, Zev Eisenberg, chose to re-release the remix along with another Lucky Paul original, this time reworked by label stalwart Greg Paulus. Lucky Paul’s capacity for producing worthy remix fodder seems to be an enduring quality.

Gold and Mizrahi focused most on the original’s vocals, sung with a sweet sigh by Milosh, but also etch texture into their pointed synth progressions with the original’s swirling textures. Their remix’s dark, thrusting melody, articulated with drum kit percussion, is humbled by the resigned character of Milosh’s repeated vocals, “you’re killing me baby” and “I thought we were alone.” Like a break-up it’s charged but also tinged with sadness, a complexity that’s both well executed and stylistically compatible with many of 2011’s prevailing house trends. Paulus investigates this mood further when remixing “Elephant Island,” draping Mara TK’s vocals across plunging pitches that force their way into nothingness. Cool, refreshing organ chords dab the sweat away as its muggy atmosphere fills with sustained horn notes and Mara’s mellow phrasings. “I drift on the floor,” he harmonizes, neatly summarizing the stoned vibe while nonetheless maintaining listeners’ attention. Whether Lucky Paul’s originals will distinguish themselves as more than fertile source material for like-minded remixers remains to be seen. But it would be just as well if he collaborated directly with the Wolf+Lamb’s crew to arrive at more tunes like these.