Artist: James Harcourt
Title: Arachnofunk
Label: Twisted Frequency Recordings
By: Antonella Sirec | 8 May 2007
Tracklist:

• A1: Original Mix
• A2: The Electric Re:Press Mix
• B1: Hernan Cattaneo & John Tonks Mix

James Harcourt "Arachnofunk"

One of the many things I love about dance music is how one tune can get me excited and ridiculously enthusiastic about the sounds it contains and therefore the various moods it can create. While I strongly feel that 2007 has thus far been a great year for quality music, only a handful of tunes have truly leapt out and made a lasting impression on my psyche. What's even better is when you find a package deal with the original and it's accompanying remixes making your jaw drop at every twist and turn. One perfect example of the 'package deal' is James Harcourt's new release 'Arachnofunk'.

The original mix of 'Arachnofunk' is a techy affair that’s interlaced with a seriously addictive bass line that literally womps along throughout the track. Starting on a timid drum like tip, this is only a hint as to what’s to come as the pace soon picks up nicely while various intricate melodies are gradually layered into the tune. As it continues to progress, the intensity builds at a gradual pace and that bass line becomes much more prominent. The beauty of this track is that the bass never dominates the track as it's even balanced up against the main melodic riff that makes this particular tune sound so unique. As a whole, 'Arachnofunk' is an uncomplicated but completely hypnotic composition which manages to sustain a sense of the unique without alienating the dance floor. As such, it's one of the best I've heard so far this year. While I'm a huge fan of James Harcourt's previous endeavours, such as 'Tease', I think this is miles ahead of his previous productions and I have no doubt this will become one of my overall favourites for 2007.

Up next on this release is the Electric Press Re:Press which is a completely different take on 'Arachnofunk' while still happily keeping some of the main elements of the original present. The first obvious difference can be heard in the pace of the track as it is on more up tempo beat while the overall sound is on the deeper side of things. Where I felt the original was quite simple, in this version, more interesting sound effects have been introduced into the track at various points. More emphasis has been placed on the melodic aspects of the track as well as the more quirky elements. That bass line that was so relevant in the original has been somewhat simplified but is still a major part of this tune. While I hate using the term ‘electro’ these days as it's a genre that has been murdered a number of times over, there is a subtle nod to that sound. However, it's handled in such an intelligent manner that you don't realise that's the sound you're hearing.

Last but certainly not the least is the Hernan Cattaneo and John Tonks Remix, which is one of the most fun remixes I ever heard one. Kicking things off by using the main melodic riff from the original, the bass line here is treated in a rolling fashion and becomes a constant underbelly for this rendition. Soon enough a chant like vocal sample can be heard which is one of the different elements of this remix to that of the original and its predecessor. Like the previous version, the main melodic riff is once again retained but it’s only that one riff that is overlapped onto that running bass. Throughout the duration of this particular remix, there are all these wonderful laser like sound effects added throughout which only make me want to grab my light sabre and chase Darth Vadar. In the hands of Hernan Cattaneo and John Tonks, their version of 'Arachnofunk' is very much aimed at the progressive side of house music but with a much more interesting twist as it builds and dips and weaves around that melody and those vocal samples but still keeps things on a fun level. This definitely has a dance floor appeal while doing the original much justice.

James Harcourt's 'Arachnofunk' is by far one of the best packaged releases I've heard so far this year as not only is the original outstanding but the remixes that accompany the release are an absolute pleasure to hear. While the original is an uncomplicated but completely dance infused composition, the two remixes that accompany it are of an exceptionally high standard but never outshine the original. The Electric Press Re:Press manages to reinterpret 'Arachnofunk' into a subtle electro tune but with much deeper elements in sound while the Hernan Cattaneo and John Tonks remix reworks the original into a massive progressive house number that is going to please fans of the genre in major way. From a structural perspective, not one version is overly long in duration which allows each individual track to create its own atmosphere. Overall, an excellent example of a young producer who's willing to take chances and create something with originality and a young label such as Twisted Frequency that is willing to take a chance on something very different but very much aimed for the dance floor. Extremely recommended.