check out especially the Monkeysteak and Blackmass Plastics remixes!
[COMBAT 09] : HAIKU
operatives :: Stormfield | MonkeySteak | Ed Chamberlain | Point B | Blackmass Plastics
release :: September 15th
format :: to be confirmed
Haiku is a growling, hybrid electronic track constructed from far-eastern battlefield samples arranged into a staggering rhythm of glitches, sword clashes and flying sparks introduced in gradual measures.
The original version came about organically and unplanned after loads of late nights working with samples and sounds that happened to fit together. The final result seems to sit between a few genres… with each remix pushing the track toward a specific influence.
Reflecting it’s influences from electro, electronica and dubstep sources, Haiku has been remixed by adepts in each respective school of thought, with Ed Chamberlain (Base Logic), Monkey Steak, Blackmass Plastics and Point B all re-interpreting it from their own unique perspectives. This is the label's 9th release, traditionally considered a lucky number among ancient ninja clans.
:::: [Haiku : Stormfield original] ::::
[listen]
A meditative work that slowly took shape over many late nights in a dark room, it's cinematic sound suggests a curious blend of old junglist influences from the deep, sinister tech-edged headspaces of Photek and Source Direct, curiously reinforced by the crushing electronic bass-wobble antics in the style of Skream.
Watch the mid-track breakdown as two opposing warriors tread wearily over a rain-soaked battlefield toward their final confrontation… the bass-roller kicking back in after a split-second of lethal sword-clash action.
:::: [Haiku : Monkey Steak remix] ::::
[listen]
Notorious for fusing glitched-up electronica edits with insanely funky bass-blaps and 2-step rhythms, Monkeysteak straddle the dancefloor edge of electronica with a consistency and confidence that has won them fans and allies across the board from Uberdog (Toxic Dancehall), Alt Ctrl Soundsystem, Mary Anne Hobbs (Radio 1), Team Shadetek (Warp) to the Grim Dubs crew (Werk Discs).
Reinforced by a beefy, driving bassline and crisp, side-winding beats, this slinky 2-step dancefloor rework is the result of weeks of painstaking micro edits, weeks of to-ing and fro-ing of material between Monkeysteaks' twin studios in London and Bristol. Already dropped on several dancefloors to lethal effect.
:::: [Haiku : Ed Chamberlain remix] ::::
[listen]
Baselogic's electro wunderkind Ed Chamberlain works Haiku's bass wobble into a solid, intricate electro framework, adding his characteristic touches of wistful melody and tight, filtered glitch edits while maintaining the relentless, driving energy that Baselogic tracks and parties are known for, and reminiscent of Radioactive Man’s chunky electro workouts.
:::: [Haiku : Blackmass Plastics VIP] ::::
[listen]
On darkside remix duties is Thorn Industries mastermind and Dirty Needles boss Blackmass Plastics. When asked to re-interpret Haiku from his own blood-rage perspective, he cranked up the intelligent violence way higher than we could ever have expected.
Stripping the track down and reinforcing each element into sharp metallic precision, the Blackmass mix prowls half-step style toward you with the nimble, measured grace of a trained warrior, dissonant shakuhachi flutes echoing above-head while a nasty mono bassline stares you down ready for confrontation. Roll along to the second drop, when the track pauses, then explodes into a violent flurry of sword slashes and precise, savage cuts too rapid to defend against. Fight over, you lose.
Dropped fresh from the studio, this version tore the room apart at the recent Interakt mega-rave despite other raging sonic firestorms from Radioactive Man, Point B, Si Begg, Michael Forshaw, Ceephax Acid Crew at al…
:::: [Haiku : Point B's Downpour mix] ::::
[listen]
Better known for his electro and electronica outings on the esteemed ScSi AV label, Erratica Music's Point B steps up to provide a totally opposite version of Haiku.
A work of deep reflection rather than battlefield confrontation, he deliberately enhances the original's more subtle elements to craft a gentle 120 bpm electro gem, heavily laden with his trademark subtle details and melodic resonances.
The tiny percussive elements get splintered even further, shuffled about into an arrangement whose Taiko drum groove seems pleasant and easy to comprehend at first, but reveal fresh layers of detail with each successive listen, gradually settling the listener into a deep state of non-thought where sounds blur, change form and simply wash over you. We were fortunate to hear this out loud for the first time as Point B opened his set with this remix at the massive Interakt party in London, to a room of stunned listeners.
:::: info ::::
http://www.combatrecordings.com/weaponry.htm
http://myspace.com/combatsoundsystem
