Artist: Un:Plug Feat Mutabaruka
Title: Time Unlimited (Remixes)
Label: EQ Grey
By: Simon Jones | 15 November 2004
Tracklist:

• A: Ortus Breaks Mix
• B: DJ Garth & Markie Mark Wicked Mix

Un:Plug Feat Mutabaruka "Time Unlimited (Remixes)"

This record got overlooked somehow amidst the chaos of the last few months, but being a huge fan of EQ Grey I thought I'd still give my opinion on it anyway. Released in it's original form back in early 2003, 'Time Unlimited' brought a different style of sound to the EQ Grey label at the time, and whilst perhaps not one of the label's best releases, the unreleased Ortus Breaks Mix as featured on Phil K's Balance 004 compilation is reason enough for it to see a re-release in the form of this remix disc.

An awesome downtempo breaks excursion from 'Ortus' reminds us just how good the production duo of Lewis Hopkin and Joe Hague are, and its a real shame we don't really hear much of them these days. This remix is breakbeat done in the style I like, not to overblown and pretentious, but instead a stunning display of musicality and arrangement with some precision synth work and thought provoking vocal by Mutabaruka sliding in to the ambient soundscape with seamless ease, and this is a brilliant set opener or even closer, but to be honest, it's one of those tracks you could just happily sit back and taken in as well, something that's rare amongst the tracks of today.

The other remix by 'DJ Garth and Markie Mark' has a fairly infectious groove, but the rest of the elements of the mix fail to build on this solid foundation and in comparison to the impressive Ortus version, it's a fairly bland attempt at an interpretation of the track that only fans of the original or this house duo will appreciate.

EQ have to be applauded for making the excellent Ortus mix available to the masses, but overall, this remix 12" is purely for fanatics or completists only and nothing more than a stopgap in the label's busy schedule.