Various: Terraforming In Analogue Space
(IRL Remixes 2000-2015) (Independent Records Ltd)
LP / CD / DL
8.75 / 10
24 February 2017
IRL celebrate their fifteenth Birthday
with a refreshing look at their back catalogue.
When Nick Page (aka Dubulah), one third
of the founding members of IRL suggested that they take fifteen of their
pivotal World music tracks and hand them over to modern day remixers, Ian
Brennan and Justin Adams may well have think he had lost his mind. The
foresight and the ensuing vision however have created an album of incredible
quality, interest and musical credit.
With a collective CV that includes
working with the likes of Jah Wobble, Sinead O’Connor, Beth Orton and The
Wonder Stuff, the trio have assembled a fifteen-track compendium that breathes incredible
life into some already incredible music.
Terraforming In Analogue Space is the
labels 100th release and is more than just another remix album. As well as the main disc featuring Xaos, Dub
Colossus and Lo’Jo amongst others, a second disc is included. This additional disc features the original
tracks, or snippets of them, which makes the whole project open a whole new
angle. Congratulations South Sudan
(General Paolino) and Ndinasangalala (Malawi Mouse Boys) are gorgeous in their
raw naivety and hold a certain charm in their original form. This charm is wonderfully updated to modern
day drum n bass versions which could almost have been recorded yesterday.
As early as the first track – Oualahila
by Tinariwen remixed from Transglobal Underground – it is clear how
accomplished the album is. The
unmistakable sound of the Grammy Award winners Malian desert rock provides a
brilliant start as the repetitive percussion and unique guitar sounds mingle
with an addictive chorus of voices.
Sur Des Carnets Nus from Lo’Jo sounds
like Jacques Brel over an improvised jazz backing remix courtesy of Syriana,
and the gorgeous Pindos Full Moon by Xaos is given a stunning treatment by T.J.
Rhemi. In an album that contains
dancehall, drum and bass, dubstep and ambient, Dub Colossus pop up with the
brilliant A Voice Has Power (Insentisi Mix) with some fabulous reverb and
growling vocals.
A brave album from IRL, and in turn a
great album made even better by the second disc providing the proverbial
complete package. Something for everyone
and one that has already made its mark.
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