Artist: Joel Armstrong
Title: Silver Moon
Label: Babylon Records
By: Jason Calvert | 3 July 2006
Tracklist:

• A1: Original Mix
• A2: Melody Tool
• B1: Derek Howell Mix
• B2: Ambient Mix

Joel Armstrong "Silver Moon"

Joel Armstrong has made quite a name for himself in a very short span of time. It seems Proton Music gave him a well deserved kick start through their remix competitions and that was all he needed. Babylon's man of the moment returns here with another beautifully emotive piece titled 'Silver Moon'. And with all the electro madness going around at the moment, it was just what I needed to calm my nerves.

"Beautiful" is probably the best word I can use to describe the Original Mix. The pace never becomes too pushing, and neither does the percussion. The subtle and quaint melodies are not at the forefront; however they wrap themselves around your head and will certainly not be easily forgotten. As for the overall production, it is pretty much top notch. 'Silver Moon' is yet another testament to Joel's immense talent.

'Derek Howell' is a man who will very rarely put a foot out of line, so of course there were high expectations for this remix. And those expectations were not only met, but exceeded. The graceful laid back pace of the original is retained, but the percussion is twisted up into a breakbeat affair. Lush pads drift around new melodies which are interwoven between those of the original. This remix can also be described as "beautiful", but it its own unique way which is distinctively different to the original.

Throw into that mix a melody tool which is reminiscent of something Boards of Canada would do, and a blissful ambient take, and we have what I can easily call Babylon's finest release to date. Joel has something very special here, and it is excellent to see that Babylon Records can craft up such a fine release which will undoubtedly get some great attention without having to go down the electro route like everyone else at the moment. This is one you should be going out of your way to check out.