| Artist |
| Various |
| Title |
| Elektrisch! |
| Format/Cat |
| 2CD 356.0248.023 |
| Label |
| Major Records |
| Style |
| Danceable electro |
| Date of review |
| 3rd August 2008 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 7/10 |
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This hefty, 27-track double compilation from the German Major Records label seemingly has but one purpose; to do the business in the clubs & the fact that the vast majority of the tracks are remixes only adds to this feeling. In fact, the early tracks on disc one led me to believe that the idea was to provide industrial artists with some 'normal' club crossover; this seems to be the case especially where any 80s artists are involved as Kim Wilde's 'Loved' & Yazoo's classic 'Don't Go' being given a clubbier edge by Piledriver Vs. Beam & Todd Terry (ooh, trendy!) respectively while even Oomph's collaboration with Marta Jandova & Covenant's 'Happy Man', which is given a radical overhaul by Seb, wouldn't sound too out of place at your local pulling joint. As the album progresses, however, certain tracks do remain closer to their industrial origins, not least the offerings from Mind In A Box, Assemblage 23 ('Sorry', not one of his classics but it fits in here well enough), Diary Of Dreams & Diorama while some are given a notable adrenaline shot. This is particular true of Boytronic's 'Living Without You' which is given a quite superb overhaul by Ronan Harris in the epic style that VNV don't do anymore & Obscenity Trial's "My Mind Your Mind' which is likewise given a boost by Darkstar Music Club (no, me neither!) while the epic power of SITD's 'Kreuzgang' is not diminished in the slightest by Angels & Agony's attentions.This also explains why Apoptygma Berzerk are represented by Mesh's remix of that golden oldie 'Mourn' rather than any of the tracks from either Harmoniser of Welcome To Earth (APOP later do a similar job for JAW's 'Creature Of Masquerade) & why Rotersand's 'Lost', which opens proceedings, doesn't sound out of place one iota. One major surprise is the powerful remix of Edge Of Dawn's 'Pray For Love', the harder rhythms working well off Frank Spinath's typically heartfelt vocals whilst reminding us all of how good this duo is. You futurepoppers will also want to check out the offerings from Janosch Moldau, Syrian, who team up Marian Gold on 'Supernova' (& this didn't need remixing either!) while Blighty's very own Mechanical Cabaret (whose latest album was released on Major) offers a remix of 'See Her Smile' which only belatedly matches the infectious qualities of the original. All in all, then, this offers a good selection of artists & while it is mainly geared towards the clubs you might well find some new names that prove to be worth checking out.
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