Artist: Tone Depth & Soul Tan Feat Stephanie Vezina
Title: Broken (Remixes)
Label: Swift Records
By: Simon Jones | 20 July 2004
Tracklist:

• A: G-Pal Safe Heaven Mix
• B: Stel & Good Newz Mix

Tone Depth & Soul Tan Feat Stephanie Vezina "Broken (Remixes)"

Without a doubt one of Swift Records' most anticipated releases ever since it was first announced many months ago, Tone Depth & Soul Tan's 'Broken' was finally released at the start of the summer to great response, with the superb original being complimented with a breathtaking journey through breakbeat courtesy of Sultan and Digital Witchcraft's Ned Shephard's Jiva project. Both mixes received accolades from across the board, but can this remix 12" featuring mixes from label manager G-Pal and fast rising Greek duo Stel & Good Newz do the same? Let's find out.

G-Pal's 'Safe Heaven Mix' is a chunky percussive affair, his usual cool sounding tribal rhythms, tough beats and floating pads creating a very tense and emotive soundscape that engulfs Stephanie Vezina's earthy vocal, sinking it deep into the depths of this moody, pounding remix. Strings and melodies are woven into the groove, building towards a big stabbing break midway through where the synths start cutting through to the surface, driven by the shifting bass and guitars that resonate soundly throughout.

The 'Stel & Good Newz Mix' sees a slight change in style for them, as this mix is slightly less uptempo than their work to date. However, this is an impressive mix nevertheless. The melody leads nicely through the first few minutes, dropping into an extended breakdown where the original's guitar hooks sift through, with the vocal placed right at the heart of the action, and sticking true to their dancefloor roots, driving beats slide through, lifting the mood of the track for it's grand finale, ending on an emotional high bigger than any of the other mixes.

As expected, both mixes are top notch, with the usual quality we have come to expect from Swift ever present. However, for me these mixes are overshadowed by the ones on the original 12", but are worth parting your hard earned cash for nevertheless.