When going into a remix project of any full album or series of songs, it very much behooves the author of the review to go back and listen to the original material. So when I was presented with Bitter:Sweet's The Remix Game, that's exactly what I did. I was reintroduced to Shana Halligan's fantastic and chameleonic vocals and Kiran Shahani's masterful ability to create engaging yet relaxing grooves and soundscapes.
Which brings me back to The Remix Game. I profess that I am no expert at lounge music. I have made half-hearted attempts in the past, most notably with the group LAZY, but to no avail. It appears to be a genre I just will never fully appreciate. So with that in mind, I continue my opinions on The Remix Game.
I think Bitter:Sweet's most notable achievement in the original album, The Mating Game, was sounding as intense and engaging in their downbeat songs as they do in their upbeat ones. Songs like "Dirty Laundry" and "The Mating Game" were giddy, playful, and believable. In contrast, we had "Don't Forget to Breathe" and "Moving Forward," drudging along at the speed of glaciers but inextricably hooking you along for the ride. There is very, very little in their original composition that doesn't beg to be loved. And perhaps that is why The Remix Game ultimately failed me as a listen. It is that intensity, that sincerity, which makes the original material so compelling, and makes the Remix Game feel… like a substandard remix album.
On a positive note, the remixes aren't that bad. They may not be as good as the originals, but they do have some good elements. Solid Doctor's remix of "Don't Forget to Breathe" has a new layer of tension with minimal musicality and a total lack of percussion. Roy Dubb's remix of "Take 2 Blue" is perhaps the only mix that builds on the original instead of stripping it down to something less, making it slightly longer (3:41 instead of 2:40) and the additional time is welcome. I always enjoyed "Take 2 Blue" and hearing a longer version with a little more "oomph!" is totally worth it. Dubb adds to the 60's "Mr. Sandman" vibe of the original, really bringing it out and making it a prominent feature. Skeewiff gives a mature, Goldfrapp-ish, pop-rock edge to "Dirty Laundry" that, while unnecessary, makes for an interesting rendition. I much prefer the original, as it touches on a playful, nymph-like feeling, but for those who didn't groove on it, definitely check out this version. Atjazz gives "Moving Forward" one of the most radical mixes, turning the slow burner into a deep house club number. The change is too radical for me, as "Moving Forward" is probably my favorite song off the original album. Again, as with the previous mixes, it provides an interesting, albeit forgettable, listening experience.
Summary: As most of these mixes are around 5 minutes, this is an album for the casual listener, not the DJ. What you have here is a new version of a new classic, and should only really be obtained by those who have a fondness for the genre and not necessarily an attachment to the group. Mixes of "Don't Forget to Breathe," "Take 2 Blue," and "Dirty Laundry" are standouts.
