Artist: Blakkat
Title: Rite Place
Label: Shaboom Records
By: Simon Jones | 8 April 2003
Tracklist:

• A1: Original Mix
• A2: Dark Soul Mix
• B1: Crazy Penis Mix

Blakkat "Rite Place"

Fresh from producing DJ Sneak's new album, as well as working on an album with DJ Onionz, producer Mark Bell returns once more, hot on the heels of the limited edition release of his classic 'Revolution'. This time he delivers something different, showing how far his production skills have developed over the years. Teaming up with Brooklyn based singer Aswan, this song-based beauty entitled 'The Rite Place' has already got the attention of djs such as Clive Henry, Lee Burridge and Laurent Garnier and without a doubt this is just the beginning, as another fine Blakkat outing unfolds.

On the Original, Aswan's vocal is left to it's own devices, shimmering through a groove constructed of latin beats and emitting a sensuality that adds a warmth to the already sublime groove. Aswan's vocal is soft and innocent, yet adjusts in accordance with the flow of the track and is quite frankly is the perfect match with Mark's superb sounds.

Building on the template created by the original Mark delivers the 'Dark Soul Mix', a slow bass driven groove pushing forward as warm sounds and use of stabs cause it to expand. Aswan's vocals weave through these sounds with intricate precision, the sensual vocals a mesmerizing contrast to the techy yet funky beats that will get the dancefloor moving in subconcious fashion.

Last but by no means least, 'Crazy Penis' strip things down to the core for the 'Jackin The Beanstalk Mix', a low slung b-line working in tandem with the funky disco influenced groove, a minimal yet well place guitar riff keeping the tempo high and rolling. Fading to some deep house piano chords, these sounds when hooked up with the vocal place a funny fuzzy feeling in your stomach, as squelchy beat percussion drifts its way to the end of the track

What a package! This 12" shows exactly why Mark Bell is one of the most respected producers in the world today, with both his mixes oozing with his usual production glory, and the Crazy Penis mix being a surprising yet equally compelling listen. Stunning! And hold your horses, because it's not over yet. Another 12" of remixes is to come.. more on that soon.