Search - Khanoda :: Slowly

Surprising remix EP

Vari8tion | Cambridge, England UK | 04/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With every dance song comes a remix. But unlike the predictable club, house, or trance drivel used to deconstruct and/or deface a perfectly solid dance recording, the 5 remixes (the 6th mix being the album version) compiled for Khanoda's "Slowly" remix EP are not only solid but have their own identity.The "Troubadour Exclusive" brings to mind elements of early Techno and Electronica by way of Kraftwerk and 808 State.The "Glugs + Dramour Bootleg" borrows from the Parisian House sound. Its thump and grind rhythm and static-like melody glide fluidly at 120 bpm.The "Video Mix"...in a word...sublime. By far the best cut...but where the hell is the video?"Burn Kentucky Down", which meshes sampled vocals from "Slowly" played in reverse (sounding as if Khanoda is singing in another language) and "Slowcappella", which sounds like a barber sharp quintet from space, is Khanoda at his most inventive.Granted, "Slowly" is not a dance song proper. The lyrics are an exercise in pain and self efliction before seeing the light...but happens to have a driving beat you can dance to. Remixers like Hector, Quayle, Almighty, or BT would have had an impossible time trying to translate the essence of a song like this while using their proverbial formulas. As a producer, Khanoda--who is responsible for all the remixes here--demonstrates his ability to re-craft a song without any bumps and bruises. Keeping the core feeling that is heard on the original with his minimalist approach.For aficionados of dance music (of every type), this is truly a must have."