John The Revelator Club Promo Review

Here is the Home review of the Winter Music Conference “John The Revelator” advanced promo CD. This promo CD was sent out to DJs to play at this years WMC in Miami.

The Winter Music Conference, in its 21st year, is regarded as the singular networking event in the dance music industry. The WMC was held at the end of March in Miami Beach, FL and an advanced promo cd of some of the “John The Revelator” remixes were sent out to DJs. Home’s Element gives the WMC promo his review.

The official release date for “John The Revelator”, the fourth single from Playing The Angel, is set for June 16th in Germany, and June 19th in the rest of Europe. No details for the US at this point.

Tiefschwarz Dub

As a big fan of Tiefschwarz, I was really looking forward to see what they could do remixing Depeche Mode. Some of you may have heard their remixes for Goldfrapp, Alter Ego, Missy Elliot or their own music while their name might be new to others. This first of two mixes is a solid dub mix. The remix has that typical progressive, tech house sound that we have grown to love them for. Lots of bouncy synths give this mix an electro feel while the beat gives it this dark, chunky vibe. There are some samples from the original track, but not many. There are also these cool swirling synth sounds that spin in and out of the mix that give it some unique layers. While this Dub is good, it’s pretty forgettable at the same time. It’s just a Dub I know, but only a Depeche Mode fan would catch the “John The Revelator” samples if they heard it in a club.

Tiefschwarz “Dave Is In The Disco” Remix

The second mix is a lot better! This mix has that same progressive sound as the dub mix, but the vocals make the mix so much better! This one has a really cool intro with the vocals looped that leads in to a strong, deep grooving beat. Besides the vocals, there are a lot of the original parts used all through the mix. I think if they had used more of those parts in the dub, it would have been an even stronger dub mix. They did add some cool new synth sounds that gives this mix a new dynamic compared to the dub. It’s a bit repetitive in parts, but still works. I’m not as in love with these remixes like I thought I would be, but still very solid and fun mixes from Tiefschwarz.

Murk Miami Mix

Miami house legend Murk waste no time on this mix. Murk might be a new name to some of you, but the Murk sound has been legendary in clubs for the last 15+ years. In the early 90’s I would buy anything Murk related. If the label said their name or they remixed, I bought it! I just knew the quality was going to be there with them involved. The have drifted for me the last few years, but came through with my personal favorite of the club promo mixes! They’re name is still synonymous with quality and that is why they have recently remixed for the likes of Royksopp, Pet Shop Boys, Seal, Brittany Spears, Jennifer Lopez and a whole lot more.

This first of three Murk mixes is amazing. Some will trivialize it as boring club fodder, but it’s a perfect club mix. The mix comes out pumping with a hard, stomping beat that sets the tone for the mix. They cut up and looped the vocals in the beginning of the mix that leads into an amazing break with Martin’s guitar playing under the vocals and these huge synth washes just crashing over the top. The break builds up and this hard funky tribal beat kicks in and takes over!! There are piercing synths that come shooting in while there are screeching synths bouncing all over the place. This mix has lots of breaks that build you up and drop you right back down. It has a solid groove all the way through and Murk really takes you on a journey with this one. While this mix is a big departure from the original, it has a lot of the original parts in it and you know its “John The Revelator” for sure!

Murk Mode Dub

While the Miami mix is a driving tribal mix, this mix has more of a funky bounce to it. It even has congas in it to give it some flavor. Don’t let that scare you off though; they don’t over power the mix, they just add to the groove of it. This time they used some really crunchy sounding synths mixed in with lots of parts from the original version. The sound of this mix is a lot deeper as well. There are all these cool, cut up synths that shoot in and out adding all these layers to the mix. This again is a dub, so not a whole lot going on vocal wise. It has a consistent feel to it and a smooth, funky groove.

Murk Mode Mix

This mix is very similar to the Murk Mode Dub, but with all the vocals in it. It’s a fun mix that is the closes to the original of all the mixes on the club promo. While this mix will work great for a club, it’s also a good mix for home as well. They used some cool effects on the vocals that give it a unique twist. I think of the three remixes that Murk made, this is the one the fans will like the most. Not only is it fun, it’s interesting as well.

Boosta Extended Club Mix

I don’t know a lot about Boosta other then I believe it’s the same Boosta that remixed Client’s “Radio” a while back. Anyway, Boosta came through with a really good remix. The mix comes right in with a driving techno beat with a great bass line layered over the top. The mix also has a lot of edgy synths giving the song a really dark feel to it. While the mix blends elements of funky electro and grooving tech house, it still remains dark. There are these fun synth riffs that get dropped in and have an eighties vibe to it, but they don’t seem dated or retro either. Add some swirling synths and vocals on top and you have a mix that will get you moving. Big departure from the original, but enough of the original sampled in to have a good time with it as well.