I didn't know much about this dance-based twosome going into this review, but I'll readily confess, after having listened to them, that they can more than hold their own in the current crop of dance-rock artists. This remix EP, stuffed to the gills with mixes of their tracks "Hot Sahara" and "Blonde Ambition," has something for everyone.
Starting with the Cato K Miami Drama Mixes of "Hot Sahara," you get sultry vox, bleepy noises, speed garage-y bassline, and synth strings that feel like they leapt out of Eurythmics Greatest Hits. House legend Eric Kupper's take on that song is sort of disappointing – pleasant, but boring and dynamically stagnant. In direct opposition to Kupper's take is Lenny B's pair of mixes – perfect for dance radio and pop-leaning clubs. Haki's Mix of the track skews slower, going for a more old school electroclash-y sound, but not in quite as interesting a way as that might promise. The Original Mix is a unique creature, sounding to me like a collaboration between Sash! and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult.
"Blonde Ambition" leads off with another Lenny B mix, and he does what he can with the weird vocals. He knows how to make dance records work in a pop context, and that's fortunate with this track, as the voice might be a little much for some audiences. Tube & Berger's mix has some Laura Branigan/Self Control-sounding guitars, definitely working a rock-y edge. The Klubjumpers' take is similar to Lenny B's mix, but with more of a synth-punchy sound. And in its original incarnation, "Blonde Ambition" kicks that classic Milli Vanilli beat from back in the day.
Like I said, there's something in this extensive mix package for just about any DJ, and the future looks bright for Fans of Jimmy Century.
Remix Ratings
"Hot Sahara"
Cato K – 4 ½ out of 5
Eric Kupper – 2 out of 5
Lenny B – 4 out of 5
Haki – 2 ½ out of 5
Original – 3 out of 5
"Blonde Ambition"
Lenny B – 3 ½ out of 5
Tube & Berger – 4 out of 5
Klubjumpers – 3 ½ out of 5
Original – 3 out of 5
Released June 2008 on Ann Margrock Records
