Artist: Blackwatch & Greed
Title: Gentle Rain
Label: Ministry of Sound
By: Chad Harnish & Simon Jones | 6 September 2002
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Blackwatch Jacked Hi Mix
• C: Rob Maze vs. Tobiwan Mix
• D: Early Morning Mix

Blackwatch & Greed "Gentle Rain"

Michael Thomas has been wowing music lovers for several months now. As Blackwatch he has amazed us with tracks like ‘Northsky’, ‘Word Unspoken’ and has also had many top level collaborations recently with BT, Quivver and Medway to name but a few. His star is definitely rising to even greater heights. Greed (aka Tobi Wirz) has been running the SOG Records imprint in Switzerland for many months now. He is responsible for tracks such as ‘Promises’ and ‘Strange World’, a track that was so well received it’s been re-released twice with Michael producing a remix on one occasion. It was no doubt that it formed the basis for this collaboration between the two minds of Michael and Tobi. Not often do we get a track that causes arguments about who is going to do the review, so for this one myself and Chad have opted to take half of the mixes each and air out thoughts. Let battle commence.

First up is the Original Mix. Subtle melodies and some rolling beats come together in a dreamy soundscape. As the track progresses you can pick out those trademark Blackwatch beats and grooves working in tandem with Tobi Wirz’s funky arrangements. As the vocal provided by Lesley Meguid falls gently over the beats, you understand immediately why this track is called Gentle Rain. The percussion and synth arrangements are superbly weaved together and this is probably one of the best original productions either producer has done, and shows exactly why Blackwatch is one of the most acclaimed producers of the moment.

The ‘Jacked Hi Remix’ is Blackwatch’s own rework, a much deeper, atmospheric breakbeat remix that utilizes subtle drum patterns and funky guitar-esque licks to offer a hypnotic groove which draws you in. Just as Michael has you where he wants you, he lets the vocal take over and direct you for the reminder of the mix.

When I first recognized the chorus coming into the ‘Rob Maze vs. Tobiwan Remix’ I was swept away by the laid back (Everything by the Girl) style. Built on jazzy house influences, the remix duo pull off a dynamic afternoon tearjerker. I can already hear this being played in the chill spots in Ibiza where the all night crowd is laying back in sweet bliss. The build up puts the track in a moment that will stretch smiles across faces. This is definitely a direction I expected of Ministry Of Sound, but not one I had of Blackwatch & Greed. It took my by surprise. Sunbathe in Ibiza to this smoothie.

For an ‘Early Morning Remix’, this one sure comes on strong. Makes me assume that ‘early morning’ (which is often mistaken as late night) means peak time or ‘get the audience in a frenzy time’. The beat pounds on this one with a matching punchy, pulsating bass line. Vocal interpretations weave in and out of the rhythmic body. The melody sifts in during a quiet passage and reveals itself to be slightly jazzy, in a Sander Kleinenberg kinda way. Synth stabs in major keys brighten up the dubby intro while the breakdown sprinkles the ‘Gentle Rain’ down and you are washed away. Wind samples suck out almost all percussion and the samples continue to build suspense. The breakbeat that drops in to complete the climax rivals those in the Blackwatch remix. It is originally produced with creative cuts. To finish the mix, the stabs align themselves in a melody of sorts and the ‘Gentle Rain’ continues as the only vocal sung.

Well there you have it. As you can see, both Simon and I are in complete agreement that this four banger is worth a spot in any crate.