Emotional Response completes its 10th anniversary by welcoming Benedikt Frey to the label with a special release, a fantastic dub-psychedelic cover of Joy Division, delivered in multiple versions, including a wonderful dub-meets-prog reinterpretation from Lucas Croon.
An established producer for over a decade, with a releases for a myriad of respected labels like ESP Institute, Crème Organisation, Hivern Discs, Live At Robert Johnson and Serious Trouble, plus Frey’s own excellent R.I.O Records that is quickly becoming label to watch, it’s pleasure he joins Emotional Response with a fresh, but respectful remake.
Alongside PiL Ltd, Joy Division were the ultimate post punk band, the music, design and untimely passing of lead signer Ian Curtis, creating a mystique around the band that survives today. Opening their second, and final, album Unknown Pleasure, the song is a big part of their history. Frey’s version – with secret vocalist Carla Koller – offer a wide-screen retake, the dub bass and modulated snare wrap around lyrics, while haunting guitar adds to an unease.
Starting with a classic, but perfect Vocal Mix, there is an accompanying Instrumental that together highlight a propulsion and incessant groove, allowing the space between to herald the production’s beauty.
This is backed with a live remake by Lucas Croon. A label fan since his appearances in Stabil Elite, BAR and The Kloom, this Dusseldorf fraternity member continues Emotional Response’s long-standing association with the city. With celebrated releases on Aiwo Recs and Themes From Great Cities, his fireside remix begins as some dub-psyche odyssey before morphing in to a steppas-delight rock out that will capture the open ears and minds.
To close, Frey returns with his own Dub. Possibly the EP’s stand-out, this half step remix sucks the listener to the spaces between, as vocals dissipate and collapse within, bass bins distorting to distraction, the pull of a true and worthy dub symphony.
This rhythm-forward record from Italian producer Markeno allows songs to stretch out to epic length, building more with each minute. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 29, 2022