Artist: Watkins
Title: Black AM (Remixes)
Label: Shaboom America
By: Simon Jones | 30 January 2004
Tracklist:

• A: King Unique Dub
• B: Tony Senghore 12" Mix

Watkins "Black AM (Remixes)"

Watkins 'Black AM' is without a doubt one of the defining moments of King Unique's Matthew Thomas' solo career, originally released in 2001 on Shaboom Records and subsequently signed up by Sony for their Direction imprint and given a major release in 2002. The techno bassline and house grooves of the track captivated clubbers and music lovers alike, becoming an instant crossover classic, and now come a set of remixes, featuring the unreleased 'King Unique Dub' and a new mix by the excellent 'Tony Senghore' from Sweden.

King Unique's 'Dub' sticks to the template of the original, but brings some deep layered drum lines and smooth electro stabs into the mix. The drifting melody leads the mix well, with the unforgettable vocal rising up over the top in a warm, captivating style that just lures you deep into the heart of the mix. As the vocal drops out slowly, the drums intensify for a heads down finale which puts an exclamation point on this stunning rework.

'Tony Senghore' has his work cut out for him following in the footsteps of KU, which is why he opts to strip it down, focusing on the techno bassline and throwing some electronic guitar hooks, big drums and trippy analogue synths into the mix. The vocal is used sparingly as this bass led update saunters along with a rather ballsy attitude that can only be described as Acid Punk. The man from Sweden's fine form continues and oozes out of every pore of this unique and innovative rework.

A superb release from Shaboom America, that blow Todd Terry's mixes clean out of the water. If there was any doubt that King Unique have the tools to put together their forthcoming longplayer, this 12" should not only silence the doubters, but make them mark summer 2004 on their calendar for what will no doubt be a moment that will redefine house music in many ways.