Ben Watt: Guinea Pig Remixes
Buzzin' Fly

Ben Watt's first single in three years, Guinea Pig, turned out to be Buzzin' Fly's top-selling single of 2008 and also showed up on a number of “Best of 2008” charts. The tune's still got ample heft as demonstrated in these choice makeovers by M.A.N.D.Y. & Smallboy, who tackle the original's instrumental variation, and DJ Koze, who does the honours to the vocal version. The former's a slinky stepper given a somewhat mysterioso vibe by M.A.N.D.Y. & Smallboy as they balance locomotive tech-house propulsion with stuttering synth melodies and buckshot percussion flourishes as a tinkling pattern naggingly chimes in the distance and an ominous bass theme ripples in the foreground. DJ Koze dusts off his vibes, congas, and synths for his own heady treatment, making sure to leave enough room for the dazed emoting of London singer Julia Biel. It's a trippy affair, more a transporting mood piece than club workout, though no less effective for being so.

June 2009